[Mezla PigDog]

I think multiple small batches would probably slow supply down, not improve it. Every batch of vaccine has to be independently batch tested by regulators for efficacy and safety. I expect that a country like Nepal would rely on WHO vaccine batch approvals rather than national ones. There will only be so many people qualified to do that so if they are looking at many small batches it will slow them down.

You could try and get the global regulatory agencies to join forces and pool people - FDA, MHRA, EMA, WHO, TGA. But that's a Regulatory holy grail even more unlikely than pharma parent waivers and would necessitate huge amounts of legal changes at national levels.

It's not just materials and infrastructure but highly skilled qualified people too.

[Azath Vitr (D'ivers]

Mezla PigDog, on 13 May 2021 - 05:27 AM, said:

I think multiple small batches would probably slow supply down, not improve it. Every batch of vaccine has to be independently batch tested by regulators for efficacy and safety. I expect that a country like Nepal would rely on WHO vaccine batch approvals rather than national ones. There will only be so many people qualified to do that so if they are looking at many small batches it will slow them down.

You could try and get the global regulatory agencies to join forces and pool people - FDA, MHRA, EMA, WHO, TGA. But that's a Regulatory holy grail even more unlikely than pharma parent waivers and would necessitate huge amounts of legal changes at national levels.

It's not just materials and infrastructure but highly skilled qualified people too.

Are there are any reasons why AI and robotics could not be designed to do this? Obviously it would take time to develop and produce them, so it might not be helpful in the short term.

Two of the advantages of some authoritarian regimes, including modern East Asian Communist governments like China or Vietnam, seem to be the ability to disregard legal red tape (almost the opposite of the mid to late USSR's crippling excessive bureaucracy?) and effectively order people to do things.... (Not sure about Putin.)

This post has been edited by Azath Vitr (D'ivers: 13 May 2021 - 03:06 PM

[Mezla PigDog]

Azath Vitr (D, on 13 May 2021 - 02:47 PM, said:

Mezla PigDog, on 13 May 2021 - 05:27 AM, said:

I think multiple small batches would probably slow supply down, not improve it. Every batch of vaccine has to be independently batch tested by regulators for efficacy and safety. I expect that a country like Nepal would rely on WHO vaccine batch approvals rather than national ones. There will only be so many people qualified to do that so if they are looking at many small batches it will slow them down.

You could try and get the global regulatory agencies to join forces and pool people - FDA, MHRA, EMA, WHO, TGA. But that's a Regulatory holy grail even more unlikely than pharma parent waivers and would necessitate huge amounts of legal changes at national levels.

It's not just materials and infrastructure but highly skilled qualified people too.

Are there are any reasons why AI and robotics could not be designed to do this? Obviously it would take time to develop and produce them, so it might not be helpful in the short term.

Two of the advantages of some authoritarian regimes, including modern East Asian Communist governments like China or Vietnam, seem to be the ability to disregard legal red tape (almost the opposite of the mid to late USSR's crippling excessive bureaucracy?) and effectively order people to do things.... (Not sure about Putin.)

I hope there are reasons AI can't do it or I'll be out of a job. Manufacturing complex biological stuff is never black and white. Things go better/worse than expected and there are multiple steps that can be variable so the output is not identical every time. So there are usually lots of grey areas around which experienced, qualified people must exercise their judgement and make a safe decision. It takes 18 months to train to do my job and we only hire people with PhDs who have at least 10 years experience in the industry. Then it took me 5 more years before I was experienced enough in the role to be a person who has the final say on whether a high risk medical test can go on the market. Medicine approvals are even more stringent. Manufacturers have to have a Qualified Person who legally signs off on every batch and it takes 15 or so years experience to get there. They get the big bucks!

Fortunately for authoritarian regimes they can handily cover it up when the drugs they force through kill or injure lots of their citizens. No such luck here.

[Azath Vitr (D'ivers]

Maybe I'm misreading this, but an expert quoted in the Guardian seems to be suggesting people should try to only have sex outside (they probably mean with strangers...):

'Nutland says: "Can I put my hand on my heart and say that only having sex outside is absolutely safe? No. But the global evidence right now suggests that it's much easier for Covid to be transmitted in closed, poorly ventilated spaces." That being said: if you have Covid and cough directly on someone, being indoors or outdoors won't make any difference.'

'Nutland, honorary assistant professor at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, [...] author of a brilliant online resource, How to Have Sex These Days: Navigating Covid When Horny'

https://www.theguard...-healthy-summer

Seems like in most positions people would be breathing on each other in close proximity (even if not directly facing each other)? Guess the obvious exception is reverse cowgirl.

Obvious potential privacy issues, especially in areas that ban 'public' sex. Not sure how enclosed a space could be without reducing the benefit... iirc there are specially designed enclosures that allow air flow but don't let people see inside. Portable or temporary ones, or hotels or unused open-air spaces / roofs being converted....

[Edit:

'You might think that facing away from each other in doggy compared to the face-to-face position of missionary might keep you safer, but you can still transmit viral particles without being face-to-face. Remember, during sex in any position, you might get caught up in the moment and breathe heavily, scream, moan, or yell, which could release potentially infectious respiratory droplets in your partner’s direction, says Dr. Igbokwe.

[...] “there may be a slightly lowered risk associated with masked doggy-style on account of the reduced face-to-face interaction as compared to masked missionary.”

[...]

It’s “better if done outdoors or with a fan blowing in an open room toward the door opening,” [...]

Your eyes can be susceptible to viral particles even if your mouth and nose are covered with a mask, says Dr. Langdon, and there could be droplets on the skin that could get picked up by the other person. “It is best to take an immediate shower”'

https://www.cosmopol...ositions-covid/

One other potential advantage of reverse cowgirl---if you're outside you can be on the lookout in both directions....

]

This post has been edited by Azath Vitr (D'ivers: 15 May 2021 - 07:10 PM

[Morgoth]

That guy has clearly never been to Norway in May.

[Maark Abbott]

Morgoth, on 20 May 2021 - 07:58 AM, said:

That guy has clearly never been to Norway in May.

Isn't that black metal forest photoshoot spawning season?

[Aptorian]

Today a bunch of restrictions will be lifted in Denmark and the "corona-pass" is going to get fully neutered.

It's been really frustrating working at a library for the past month or so because of the Coronapass. So many people don't understand why they need a pass to get into a library - "I'm just returning a book, can't I just..." is the usual comment that results in a longer exchange than it would take for them to just get out their phone and find the test info. The whole point of the pass is that everybody should attempt to get tested twice a week to break the chain of infections but to them it's just a bother.

On top of that the Civic Service Center that's located inside the building is exempt from needing it's users to get tested, because it's a critical service that many of the "weaker" citizens need, to get help with social security, insurance, passports, etc. Which results of us sending one person away because they intend to use the library but don't have a test, but the person behind them gets let in because they're going to the first floor so they don't have to use a test. It's ridiculous.

And then you have all the people claiming to be exempt for medical reasons, both from wearing a mask and getting tested. Because we're a municipal institutions we have orders not to question people who say they are exempt. They could have psychological issues or lung and airway complications - But the majority you just fucking know, they're just obstinate assholes who think they're cool by saying they're exempt.

And then today the rules change so that we no longer need to check everybody who enters the building. Instead we'll be doing daily sweeps, once or twice a day, we'll walk a round and ask to see people's tests. Which nulifies the whole reason for the corona pass. If people aren't forced to get tested, they wont get tested.

Thank fuck the majority of the population will be vaccinated by the end of august.

[Azath Vitr (D'ivers]

Briar King, on 21 May 2021 - 06:56 PM, said:

K9's being trained to sniff out Corona. Accuracy seems to be pretty high at 98% in testing.

Pretty neat I guess.

Would be nice to have drones that can do that... and also pick people up and escort them outside.



Half-kidding but: 'Yes, there are drones that are capable of lifting and carrying a human. These types of drones are called “heavy-lifting drones” and they have great power'

https://www.dronetec...e-lift-a-human/

[Malankazooie]

Man it feels good, don't it just?

Gonna get over to Red Rocks Amphitheater this summer for a few concerts. Damn, Red Rocks is so iconic, sucked it was out of business last summer. There's been some historic shows there. Any you guys ever been? It's a once in a lifetime experience.

Also looking forward to munching on some movie theater popcorn at the summer's blockbuster hits. A microwaved bag of Orville Redenbacher's doesn't even get close. And how do you even begin to replicate that butter ooze that squirts out of a dispenser at home? Can it be done? I don't think so.

[Azath Vitr (D'ivers]

Malankazooie, on 22 May 2021 - 08:15 PM, said:

Man it feels good, don't it just?

Gonna get over to Red Rocks Amphitheater this summer for a few concerts. Damn, Red Rocks is so iconic, sucked it was out of business last summer. There's been some historic shows there. Any you guys ever been? It's a once in a lifetime experience.

Also looking forward to munching on some movie theater popcorn at the summer's blockbuster hits. A microwaved bag of Orville Redenbacher's doesn't even get close. And how do you even begin to replicate that butter ooze that squirts out of a dispenser at home? Can it be done? I don't think so.

Think I'll continue avoiding crowds until at least July or August... even after I'm fully vaccinated, between the threat of new variants and homeland security's warnings about mass shootings and terrorist attacks as people start gathering together again, I'll give it a month or two. Might hazard this though:

'SOUNDWALK

Experience Fairmount Park in a whole new way this summer through an adventure from Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Ellen Reid. SOUNDWALK is a GPS-enabled public art experience that overlays different tones across the park's 2,000-plus acres. Available in select cities around the country, SOUNDWALK invites park visitors to pause, reflect and enjoy a peaceful park exploration.'



Once I'm fully vaccinated I might check out the newly renovated Philadelphia Museum of Art (when they're not busy). They reopened an entrance that had been closed for decades:



And renovated a bit:



Looks like enough space for 'social distancing' if it's not crowded... not sure about the ventilation though.

[Macros]

We're not moving too rapidly back to 'normal'

No desire to head to the pub this weekend and stand cheek by jowl with the slavering masses

[Mezla PigDog]

Indoor pub lunch today and going to the movies on Wednesday. The movies feels a bit silly but I went last summer and there was virtually nobody else there and now I'm half vaccinated sooooo....... what's the worst that can happen?

[Maark Abbott]

Got text from the NHS saying mint pal tha's due vaccination dunt tha knoas. So go to book in. All of a sudden the NHS says tha dunt exist tha dunt cocker (it's a Yorkshire NHS).

Curious!

[Macros]

Illuminati

[QuickTidal]

Ontario's case positivity rate fell of a fucking CLIFF today (it's at 3.6%, was at 5.2% at the same day last week), and our 7-day average have begun to crater too....Toronto, Peel, and York all dropped 35% from last weeks /100k stats.

VACCINES WORK.

Sorry, I'm giddy here. We are turning that corner and putting COVID in the rearview...it doesn't feel real. Toronto has been in some form of lockdown since November of last year...

Excuse me while I get a bit emotional.

[Macros]

Yeah but, you know vacinnes don't work, and uh microchips and uh 18,000 people have been killed by the vacinnes already (this number was actually spouted at me yesterday, fuck people)

[QuickTidal]

Macros, on 27 May 2021 - 03:47 PM, said:

Yeah but, you know vacinnes don't work, and uh microchips and uh 18,000 people have been killed by the vacinnes already (this number was actually spouted at me yesterday, fuck people)

How dare you sir! My microchip gives me a direct 5G line to Bill Gates!

[Cyphon]

Shame he just uses it to ask you to go on a date all the time.

[Azath Vitr (D'ivers]

Was scheduled for my second shot today. Few hours before I planned to walk down I read a horror story from an old friend about the second vaccine shot... bedridden for a week and counting from it. (Do wonder if it could be something else, but since she's a medical doctor---and teaches at Harvard Medical School---her attribution is probably accurate.)

Hot out too. Just before I planned to leave I noticed the cloth I'd taped around the valve of my P100 mask had come loose. It took me an inordinate amount of time to cut it out and tape it on in the first place, but I managed to get it taped back on quickly... worried briefly about the wind gusts blowing it away, but between my face shield and my hood I decided it would be safe.

Though my P100 mask looks like it has some sort of plastic filter system inside to keep sweat from getting on the filters themselves (they become less effective when wet), I am worried about it, especially if I'm sweating profusely. Almost brought my specially engineered cooling parasol... decided it would be better not to risk getting random hospital germs all over it. Could have brought a trash bag to put it in. But I realized I could make most of the walk through parts of the University of Pennsylvania's campus that are heavily shaded by trees.

Still wanted me to wait 15 minutes after getting the second shot to see if I'd have an allergic reaction. Not sure that was really necessary for the second one, but waited anyway. Socks were soaked in sweat when I got back.

[Edit: when I arrived, they told me they wouldn't start letting people line up for 15 minutes, and suggested I sit down inside, which several people were doing. But they also had seating in a shaded area outside, which seemed like an obviously better option, though I resisted the temptation to announce that. The outside area was empty enough that I could pace---no point in wasting the potential for exercise, or taking up seating others might need more, or getting hospital bench germs on my clothes.]

This post has been edited by Azath Vitr (D'ivers: 27 May 2021 - 10:44 PM

[amphibian]

You're not really going to notice any effects until maybe tonight or tomorrow.