SARS2PA<p>Good Afternoon SARS2PAians!</p><p>1/2 for Sept. 9th, 2024</p><p>I hope you are having a healthy and productive late summer!☀️</p><p>__________<br>VOCs</p><p>The national mutation leaderboard hasn't changed much.: <a href="https://ibb.co/LP1L4LZ" rel="nofollow noopener" translate="no" target="_blank"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="">ibb.co/LP1L4LZ</span><span class="invisible"></span></a></p><p>There are no new mutations that are on the far horizon that can compete with KP.3.1.1 so far.</p><p>The closest competitor is the recombinant XEC, a combo of KS.1.1 and KP.3.1, and is maybe almost equally as fast as what we have now.</p><p>We have XEC already in PA.: <a href="https://ibb.co/JpnYfcJ" rel="nofollow noopener" translate="no" target="_blank"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="">ibb.co/JpnYfcJ</span><span class="invisible"></span></a></p><p>The good news is XEC, as I mentioned last time, has only 2 spike mutations different from KP.3.1.1, so any immunity granted against KP.x.y will also work very well against XEC.</p><p>Actually, the current versions are pretty stagnant. Stagnation is good as it gives us a breather, but it's also what happened between XBB and JN.1/KP.x.y.: <a href="https://ibb.co/BCqrTFN" rel="nofollow noopener" translate="no" target="_blank"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="">ibb.co/BCqrTFN</span><span class="invisible"></span></a></p><p>Thanks to variant hunters, who constantly monitor virus genetics and then estimate growth rates (and some of which are not even paid to do this for us), we will have a few weeks to a month or two of any incoming fast, binding, or immune-evasive mutations.</p><p>Keep watching that space. It's important, especially as winter approaches.</p><p>__________<br>Wastewater</p><p>WastewaterSCAN still has our region at HIGH levels of SARS2.: <a href="https://ibb.co/wRCwRkK" rel="nofollow noopener" translate="no" target="_blank"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="">ibb.co/wRCwRkK</span><span class="invisible"></span></a></p><p>Chester's numbers are not low, but much more manageable than in other areas. Harrisburg is doing much better as numbers keep going down there! Good work Hburg!: <a href="https://ibb.co/Pm9kF4H" rel="nofollow noopener" translate="no" target="_blank"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="">ibb.co/Pm9kF4H</span><span class="invisible"></span></a></p><p>Our region's numbers are going down after a peak already. This is a relief. We are still the HHS region with the lowest numbers.: <a href="https://ibb.co/3zcRKJL" rel="nofollow noopener" translate="no" target="_blank"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="">ibb.co/3zcRKJL</span><span class="invisible"></span></a></p><p>PA, after quite a sizeable spike, is VERy quickly returning to numbers way below national average and more on par with the rest of the region.: <a href="https://ibb.co/VtVxDYX" rel="nofollow noopener" translate="no" target="_blank"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="">ibb.co/VtVxDYX</span><span class="invisible"></span></a></p><p>We're doing something right. 💪</p><p>But remember, numbers are still in the moderate to HIGH range, so please keep working on source control.</p><p>According to CDC, there is NO state right now having anything less than "moderate" wastewater levels. Clearly this is defintely NOT a best-case scenario going into Fall.</p><p>Existing immune deficiency due to previous reinfections (and first time infections!) and already very high virus spread might make for quite a high-maintenance Fall and Winter this year.</p><p>__________<br>Kits, vaxes, etc.</p><p>Reminder that you can get 4 Federally funded tests kits by mail at the end of this month. Don't miss it!!</p><p>Covidtests.gov: <a href="https://aspr.hhs.gov/covid-19/test/Pages/default.aspx" rel="nofollow noopener" translate="no" target="_blank"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">aspr.hhs.gov/covid-19/test/Pag</span><span class="invisible">es/default.aspx</span></a></p><p>There's also a tool from Vaccines.gov to find an mRNA KP.2 vaccination near you!!!</p><p>🔴Also reminder: if you have an uncomfortably strong reaction to mRNA vaccines, please do give Novavax a try. It's protein-based, and formulated much like a traditional tetanus shot, rather than mRNA.</p><p><a href="https://us.novavaxcovidvaccine.com/find-a-vaccine" rel="nofollow noopener" translate="no" target="_blank"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">us.novavaxcovidvaccine.com/fin</span><span class="invisible">d-a-vaccine</span></a></p><p>I am not in any way paid to promote Novavax. And I'm not the company President, but...I am in fact a client 😎</p><p>If you are unable to get Novavax, PLEASE.....get something.</p><p>🔴And gooooooo get a FLU SHOT too if you are able!</p><p>__________<br>Other Pathogens</p><p>:coronavirus: H5N1</p><p>There was a first case already of H5N1 infection in a person in Missouri, NOT linked, so far, to animal contact and not farm related.</p><p><a href="https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/06/health/first-human-case-of-bird-flu-not-linked-to-animals/index.html" rel="nofollow noopener" translate="no" target="_blank"><span class="invisible">https://www.</span><span class="ellipsis">cnn.com/2024/09/06/health/firs</span><span class="invisible">t-human-case-of-bird-flu-not-linked-to-animals/index.html</span></a></p><p>This is the current picture for H5N1. Found in 14 states.: <a href="https://ibb.co/pfrFxtT" rel="nofollow noopener" translate="no" target="_blank"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="">ibb.co/pfrFxtT</span><span class="invisible"></span></a></p><p>This is ...pretty bad. This is getting progressively...kinda bad.</p><p>🔴Please DO NOT consume raw dairy products: raw eggs, undercooked/rare meat, unpasteurized dairy. Dippy eggs. Raw egg-based cookie dough. Just don't.</p><p>🔴Use extra caution with animals like rodents in your home, especially if you have to deal with them after they're trapped.</p><p>🔴Keep your cats indoors and dogs away from prey. H5N1 has a super-high kill rate especially in cats.</p><p>Stock up NOW on a few N95s (you will NOT want less than a genuine N95 for this thing), gloves, and MERV-13 filters for those CR boxes.</p><p>CDC can repeat "risk assessment low" all they want, we should NOT be screwing around with something than has an estimated baseline 20% kill rate, which is the reason I spend so much time on this subject in a SARS2 forum.</p><p>The current genetics of H5N1 is not scary, but giving this thing more chances to hit the lottery is the worst thing we could be doing now.</p><p>🔴Again: H5N1 cannot combine with the pathogen that causes COVID19, because one is a SARS and the other is an influenza. They are way too different from each other. But it CAN combine with influenza A and B....and we are entering that season soon.</p><p>We can do the best things in preparation NOW for a worst case scenario which means building up some basic PPE at home, avoiding exposure. Prepare =/= panic.</p><p>Please stay safe this coming Fall and keep that source control down!</p><p>☀️🍁☀️</p><p><a href="https://zeroes.ca/tags/COVID19" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>COVID19</span></a> <a href="https://zeroes.ca/tags/COVID" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>COVID</span></a> <a href="https://zeroes.ca/tags/COVIDisNotOver" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>COVIDisNotOver</span></a> <a href="https://zeroes.ca/tags/SARS2PA" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>SARS2PA</span></a> <br><a href="https://zeroes.ca/tags/Pennsylvania" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>Pennsylvania</span></a> <a href="https://zeroes.ca/tags/PA" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>PA</span></a> <a href="https://zeroes.ca/tags/KP3" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>KP3</span></a> <a href="https://zeroes.ca/tags/XEC" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>XEC</span></a> <a href="https://zeroes.ca/tags/FLuQUE" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>FLuQUE</span></a></p><p><a href="https://zeroes.ca/tags/Wastewater" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>Wastewater</span></a> <a href="https://zeroes.ca/tags/Norovirus" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>Norovirus</span></a> <a href="https://zeroes.ca/tags/Noro" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>Noro</span></a> </p><p><a href="https://zeroes.ca/tags/H5N1" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>H5N1</span></a> <a href="https://zeroes.ca/tags/HPAI" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>HPAI</span></a> <a href="https://zeroes.ca/tags/BirdFlu" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>BirdFlu</span></a> </p><p><a href="https://zeroes.ca/tags/WearAMask" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>WearAMask</span></a> <a href="https://zeroes.ca/tags/CleanTheAir" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>CleanTheAir</span></a> <a href="https://zeroes.ca/tags/WashHands" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>WashHands</span></a> <a href="https://zeroes.ca/tags/mRNA" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>mRNA</span></a> <a href="https://zeroes.ca/tags/Novavax" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>Novavax</span></a> <br><a href="https://zeroes.ca/tags/VaccinesSaveLives" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>VaccinesSaveLives</span></a> <a href="https://zeroes.ca/tags/StayHomeIfSick" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">#<span>StayHomeIfSick</span></a> !</p>