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EasternOrthodox said:
I agree. Cases discussing the same area could be grouped. Maybe start a new thread. I’m familiar with the situation in Yemen. it’s been scandalous how Iran is arming Shiites and Saudi Arabia is arming Sunnis.

There’s no way to stop them. After the Middle East excursions of 2000s I doubt any Western government could drum any enthusiasm for more wars.
Click to expand...
Sadly Canada arms the Saudis too.
www.theguardian.com

Canada doubles weapons sales to Saudi Arabia despite moratorium

Canada sells nearly C$3bn of military equipment in 2019 despite ban on new exports over human rights concerns
www.theguardian.com www.theguardian.com

 
This is some interesting information a friend posted in a thread on FB. I have his permission to share it here. The screenshot he refers to is here:

FB_IMG_1594183464795.jpg


Here is his information:

(Name of another commenter) why thank you for this excellent opportunity to correct some of the misinformation propagated on FB as was referenced in the article I linked to above. Misinformation which you appear to be propagating, hopefully unwittingly. The screen shot you have posted is of the, soon to be rolled out in BC, SARSCOV2 serology/antibody test. You are confusing this with the SARSCOV2 RNA-PCR test which is performed on nasal or oral swabs. Easy error to make, particularly if you are not schooled in these things. The BCCDC is hoping to use the serology testing to gain better understand of the population prevalence of SARSCOV2. As you are aware, in the early stages of the Pandemic, not all patients with symptoms were able to be tested and thus we need to know what the community prevalence of exposure was so we can plan. Those of us who are community conscious and publicly generous individuals completed the survey recently rolled out by the BCCDC so we could contribute to the overall knowledge of this disease in our Province. As part of the survey we were also able to volunteer to have our blood tested using this serology test. A similar serosurvey was just recently published having been done in Spain. I can link you to a Tweetorial describing the results if you are interested as the actual scientific paper might be tough reading As your screen shot shows, this tests looks for our body's immune reaction to the virus, not the virus itself. Thus it can't tell if the virus is still present but only if you were exposed. I am sure you are aware of the similar experience with the Herpes Virus. The blood test can only tell you if you have been exposed to the virus, not if your current symptoms are due to it or that you are still carrying the virus. Unfortunately the accuracy of serology is only as accurate as our body's immune mechanisms and our immune response to respiratory viruses is typically inaccurate. I can also link you to an excellent Tweetorial from an International Virologist who researches respiratory viruses if you are interested in a detailed breakdown. But the long and short is that serology testing is still not accurate enough for us to diagnose specific respiratory infections. For example there is no diagnostic blood test for influenza. Because this serology test tests for your body's reaction to this particular coronavirus, and more specifically the antibodies to the surface proteins expressed on the "corona" (thus the name) there is a statistical probability that the test could cross react with other coronaviruses. Some of which do cause common cold like symptoms. But, err, not commonly, as the common cold is mostly rhinoviruses. This is different to the diagnostic RNA-PCR swab test which detects the specific RNA of SARSCOV2. Thus the specificity of this test is almost 100% I.e. if this test is positive it is quite rare that it is a false positive. But not 100% and that is why the exceedingly rare false positive test has occurred. In BC, all those who have died due to SARSCOV2 infection have had the diagnosis confirmed by this RNA-PCR test. One was even recently confirmed at post mortem. I am sure you can accept it is rather difficult for an autopsy to invent a diagnosis. Likewise, we are confident those who had a positive tests and survived have had SARSCOV2, because of the high specificity of the test. Recall this tests for the unique RNA code of the virus. The RNA code that makes it unique, and so troublesome. The north was fortunate to not have many cases because responsible British Columbians answered the call and restricted their activity and limited its spread to the north. And while you may be whooping it up and touching everything you can without washing your hands (as troublesome as that mental picture is), cell phone mobility data shows that the majority of BC'ers are still restricting their interactions to approximately 60% of previous levels. Meanwhile those of us who are good neighbours and community conscious continue to keep our distance, wash our hands and wear masks if unable to distance as, by wearing a mask, we show that we care about protecting others. The ultimate irony is that those on social media touting they "know the truth" are in fact revealing they have been duped by the (mostly Russian generated) misinformation propagated on FB, as mentioned in the article I referenced. So blindly are they being deceived they fervently believe they have discovered some hidden truth but in fact are only revealing their own gullibility and paucity of critical thinking skills. As much as some would like to use magical thinking to deny it, SARSCOV2 will be dictating our lives for some time to come. Denying it won't make it go away. Unfortunately our neighbours to the south are proof positive of that. Already too many are filling up ICUs or have died because of such magical thinking. Fortunately the majority of BC'ers chose the path of science and community responsibility and thus we are in the enviable position of being able to enjoy recreational activities like community baseball and travel within the province. But we must remain cautious, again as experience to the south shows. Why we continue to follow the sage of advice of Dr Henry to Be Calm Be Kind Be Safe I have covered a number of complex issues but I have tried to do so with as simple communication as possible. If anything appears too complex and confusing I can attempt to clarify further. Dr __________ MBBS, DRANZCOG, DA, CCFP (FPA), FCFP, FRACGP, FRRMS FP Anesthetist UBC Clinical Assistant Professor UBC Family Practice Residency Program, Faculty of Research, Informatics and Evidence Based Medicine

I posted this for those who may still think there's a hoax involved.
 
Interesting article. It's sad that this has become politicised as evidenced in this article. Using the term "leftist" or pointing out Democrat or Republican stresses states is unnecessarily polarizing.

The article suggests hospitalizations are down in places like Florida and Georgia. How is it that parts of Florida are reporting that their ICUs are full with covid patients? I believe the same thing is happening in parts of Texas.

The death rates may rise a bit in the next while. Or not. Time will tell

Florida, Georgia and Texas have the benefit of learning from NYC. NYC was hit when this was new and health folks were learning. They have discovered drugs and treatments since then that help.

I'm sure it wouldn't be difficult to look at stats in a non-partisan manner.
 
Northwind said:
Interesting article. It's sad that this has become politicised as evidenced in this article. Using the term "leftist" or pointing out Democrat or Republican stresses states is unnecessarily polarizing.

The article suggests hospitalizations are down in places like Florida and Georgia. How is it that parts of Florida are reporting that their ICUs are full with covid patients? I believe the same thing is happening in parts of Texas.

The death rates may rise a bit in the next while. Or not. Time will tell

Florida, Georgia and Texas have the benefit of learning from NYC. NYC was hit when this was new and health folks were learning. They have discovered drugs and treatments since then that help.

I'm sure it wouldn't be difficult to look at stats in a non-partisan manner.
Click to expand...


The information is there I just have to dig beyond Corporate media to find it; here there is too much uneven focus on covid deaths. Fear sells papers. We know the problems with Corporate media.

Doesnt help that tribalism seems to be powerful here.

Its so bad that even Centrists can be hated lol

I don't know what the author means by Leftist, whether that means someone on the Left or a Wokist...that doesn't matter to me in that it doesnt interfere with the article. It might to those for whom that word is a trigger word.

In somewhat related news, I have read 3 people who mention we should stop looking in terms of #of deaths etc but rather suffering, job losses, lowering of quality of life etc. I see too many people who see the low #of deaths and figure hey its safe. When there are people who dont die but who are horribly afflicted.

#MutualAid
#BeNotAfraid
#SystemicWhimsey
#JoyPrivilege
 
Northwind said:
This is some interesting information a friend posted in a thread on FB. I have his permission to share it here. The screenshot he refers to is here:

View attachment 3881


Here is his information:

(Name of another commenter) why thank you for this excellent opportunity to correct some of the misinformation propagated on FB as was referenced in the article I linked to above. Misinformation which you appear to be propagating, hopefully unwittingly. The screen shot you have posted is of the, soon to be rolled out in BC, SARSCOV2 serology/antibody test. You are confusing this with the SARSCOV2 RNA-PCR test which is performed on nasal or oral swabs. Easy error to make, particularly if you are not schooled in these things. The BCCDC is hoping to use the serology testing to gain better understand of the population prevalence of SARSCOV2. As you are aware, in the early stages of the Pandemic, not all patients with symptoms were able to be tested and thus we need to know what the community prevalence of exposure was so we can plan. Those of us who are community conscious and publicly generous individuals completed the survey recently rolled out by the BCCDC so we could contribute to the overall knowledge of this disease in our Province. As part of the survey we were also able to volunteer to have our blood tested using this serology test. A similar serosurvey was just recently published having been done in Spain. I can link you to a Tweetorial describing the results if you are interested as the actual scientific paper might be tough reading As your screen shot shows, this tests looks for our body's immune reaction to the virus, not the virus itself. Thus it can't tell if the virus is still present but only if you were exposed. I am sure you are aware of the similar experience with the Herpes Virus. The blood test can only tell you if you have been exposed to the virus, not if your current symptoms are due to it or that you are still carrying the virus. Unfortunately the accuracy of serology is only as accurate as our body's immune mechanisms and our immune response to respiratory viruses is typically inaccurate. I can also link you to an excellent Tweetorial from an International Virologist who researches respiratory viruses if you are interested in a detailed breakdown. But the long and short is that serology testing is still not accurate enough for us to diagnose specific respiratory infections. For example there is no diagnostic blood test for influenza. Because this serology test tests for your body's reaction to this particular coronavirus, and more specifically the antibodies to the surface proteins expressed on the "corona" (thus the name) there is a statistical probability that the test could cross react with other coronaviruses. Some of which do cause common cold like symptoms. But, err, not commonly, as the common cold is mostly rhinoviruses. This is different to the diagnostic RNA-PCR swab test which detects the specific RNA of SARSCOV2. Thus the specificity of this test is almost 100% I.e. if this test is positive it is quite rare that it is a false positive. But not 100% and that is why the exceedingly rare false positive test has occurred. In BC, all those who have died due to SARSCOV2 infection have had the diagnosis confirmed by this RNA-PCR test. One was even recently confirmed at post mortem. I am sure you can accept it is rather difficult for an autopsy to invent a diagnosis. Likewise, we are confident those who had a positive tests and survived have had SARSCOV2, because of the high specificity of the test. Recall this tests for the unique RNA code of the virus. The RNA code that makes it unique, and so troublesome. The north was fortunate to not have many cases because responsible British Columbians answered the call and restricted their activity and limited its spread to the north. And while you may be whooping it up and touching everything you can without washing your hands (as troublesome as that mental picture is), cell phone mobility data shows that the majority of BC'ers are still restricting their interactions to approximately 60% of previous levels. Meanwhile those of us who are good neighbours and community conscious continue to keep our distance, wash our hands and wear masks if unable to distance as, by wearing a mask, we show that we care about protecting others. The ultimate irony is that those on social media touting they "know the truth" are in fact revealing they have been duped by the (mostly Russian generated) misinformation propagated on FB, as mentioned in the article I referenced. So blindly are they being deceived they fervently believe they have discovered some hidden truth but in fact are only revealing their own gullibility and paucity of critical thinking skills. As much as some would like to use magical thinking to deny it, SARSCOV2 will be dictating our lives for some time to come. Denying it won't make it go away. Unfortunately our neighbours to the south are proof positive of that. Already too many are filling up ICUs or have died because of such magical thinking. Fortunately the majority of BC'ers chose the path of science and community responsibility and thus we are in the enviable position of being able to enjoy recreational activities like community baseball and travel within the province. But we must remain cautious, again as experience to the south shows. Why we continue to follow the sage of advice of Dr Henry to Be Calm Be Kind Be Safe I have covered a number of complex issues but I have tried to do so with as simple communication as possible. If anything appears too complex and confusing I can attempt to clarify further. Dr __________ MBBS, DRANZCOG, DA, CCFP (FPA), FCFP, FRACGP, FRRMS FP Anesthetist UBC Clinical Assistant Professor UBC Family Practice Residency Program, Faculty of Research, Informatics and Evidence Based Medicine

I posted this for those who may still think there's a hoax involved.
Click to expand...
I think I mentioned the selectivity issue before. One of my serology blood tests for hepatitis is detectable, has been for years and the level fluctuates within the detectable range. Not high enough to be considered immune. Based on all the tests I definitely wasn't exposed to it. I have asked about it, especially when we didn't know what the liver tumour stuff was and I tend to just get a shrug that it happens.
 
Northwind said:
The ultimate irony is that those on social media touting they "know the truth" are in fact revealing they have been duped by the (mostly Russian generated) misinformation propagated on FB, as mentioned in the article I referenced. So blindly are they being deceived they fervently believe they have discovered some hidden truth but in fact are only revealing their own gullibility and paucity of critical thinking skills. As much as some would like to use magical thinking to deny it, SARSCOV2 will be dictating our lives for some time to come. Denying it won't make it go away. Unfortunately our neighbours to the south are proof positive of that. Already too many are filling up ICUs or have died because of such magical thinking.
Click to expand...
So your nameless friend with many expert letters falls into the true conspiracy theory category then ... The Russians are to blame.
 
Inside COVID-19 conspiracy theories: from 5G towers to Bill Gates | 60 Minutes Australia


Just who is hoodwinking who? There’s no doubt COVID-19 has caused great uncertainty in the world, but does that mean we should now ignore the scientists, doctors and even politicians who are fighting to figure out ways to beat the virus? Well yes, if you believe an increasing number of increasingly angry people who are convinced coronavirus is nothing more than a sinister plot to control their lives. But what do these conspiracy theorists know that we don’t, and why do so many people listen to them? Liz Hayes speaks with Australians, including the controversial celebrity Pete Evans, who are sick of being told what to do by the government and other authorities.

 
Ritafee said:
So your nameless friend with many expert letters falls into the true conspiracy theory category then ... The Russians are to blame.
Click to expand...

Really? How so? He's a well respected doctor whose opinion holds more weight with me than does yours.

Edit: I reread your inane comment. My friend does not get his information from the internet. He gets it from education. He's not a professed owner of the truth. Apparently though, you know better from your vast internet research. :rolleyes:
 
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Bill Gates in 2014 ---gives a speech warning that many will be killed by Not War but a Virus -------so he created his own problem of people blaming him for this virus outbreak ----shows we need to be careful what we speak about ----Words have power Folks -----every word we speak can create------God said let there be light and light became visible -----we are made in God's image -----This word Devar ----which is the Hebrew word for word ------means this -word thing ----God spoke words and created this planet and all in it and us humans -------all from speaking words

Devar. Hebrew: דָּבָר Meaning: Word. It also means "thing"... When God speaks a #WORD He creates a "thing"

The next outbreak? We’re not ready | Bill Gates
 
unsafe said:
Bill Gates in 2014 ---gives a speech warning that many will be killed by Not War but a Virus -------so he created his own problem of people blaming him for this virus outbreak -
Click to expand...


It's sad that having the knowledge and foresight gets a person the target of conspiracy theorists.
 
unsafe said:
Bill Gates in 2014 ---gives a speech warning that many will be killed by Not War but a Virus -------so he created his own problem of people blaming him for this virus outbreak
Click to expand...

Or Bill Gates was a smart guy, who picked up some clues from SARS, MERS, Ebola, then calculated that it had been almost a hundred years since the last global pandemic, and wondered if we should be getting prepared.

And of course, clueless humanity both ignored him then, and now, because he was a successful "prophet", vilifies him.
 
35 cases from the hospital now and no mention of spread from it outside - ie. family members.
This is where I have been greatly annoyed about the blood product pickups (not that I use that hospital) - it's totally unnecessary during a pandemic, can result in delays of getting meds which already cut it close to having none at home without a delay and cases occur before people are aware - why have immunodeficient patients show up or someone they are close with (delegates have to be named beforehand, in person) when it's easily avoided?
 
Ritafee said:
So your nameless friend with many expert letters falls into the true conspiracy theory category then ... The Russians are to blame.
Click to expand...
You don't believe Russians (their government) try to screw with US politics? You don't believe they have a huge spy/ intelligence operation that would try to create political division in their hegemonic interest? Do you think Putin, former KGB head, is just a nice guy? He's now their permanent leader, I heard.

This goes in a different thread. I was going to make a comment related to covid until I read this.
 
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Kimmio Laughterlove said:
About covid...

My sil is flying to Alberta. She'll be there for 2 weeks visiting close family. Do interprovincial flyers need to self quarantine?
Click to expand...
BC and Alberta? No.
Although there is a good chance she may after the flight - so many of them are being listed as having cases.
 
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