Oh well. Here's motivation to cultivate more thoughtfully. The concept of one crop one herbicide resistance needs to go. Heather Holm

Bargain compared to gas tax.

As we approached the peak of Omicron (Jan 5), 12,757 cases were reported, but the number was likely higher than 10% of the population. Tulane was testing like crazy and getting 12.5 % positive.

Jan 5 the State would have actually had 400,000 cases, and reported (accurately?) 1412 hospitalizations (0.35% of cases). All this to say that the current infection rate is probably 194/0.0035=55,000. That's 52 times higher than reported. I'm not going out again for a while.

COVID infections are grossly under-reported. On May 31st, the 7-day average was reportedly 1,064, and hospitalizations were at 194, or 18%. Of course, we know that 18% of COVID+ people are not going to hospitals.

As we approached the peak of Omicron (Jan 5), 12,757 cases were reported, but the number was likely higher than 10% of the population. Tulane was testing like crazy and getting 12.5 % positive.

On Jan 5 the State would have actually had 400,000 cases and reported (accurately?) 1412 hospitalizations (0.35% of cases). All this to say that the current infection rate is probably 194/0.0035=55,000. That's 52 times higher than reported. I'm not going out again for a while.

Graph is from experience.arcgis.com/experience/b47…. Green, patients; orange, ventilators. Cases not shown.

T cells could account for slower loss of vaccine protection against severe disease.

A new report on Covid reinfections is particularly concerning. I've written about it here erictopol.substack.com/p/a-reinfectio…

Second paper showing unfavorable imprinting by omicron, likely meditated by antigen processing...Immune boosting by B.1.1.529 (Omicron) depends on previous SARS-CoV-2 exposure science.org/doi/10.1126/sc…

When it comes to #SARSCoV2 and Covid, it's important to keep your eyes on the ball. The ball is BA.5 and here is what we know about it erictopol.substack.com/p/the-ba5-story

What is immune imprinting and why it is important? A superb explainer “Our first encounter with the spike antigen, either through infection or vaccination, shapes our subsequent pattern of immunity through immune imprinting" —RosemaryBoyton ft.com/content/4f71ac…

Researchers know little about the global diversity and distribution of #soil fungi To change that - SPUN - a new nonprofit is funding a global network of subterranean sleuths Learn more: science.org/content/articl… via Science Magazine

Although the handshake and other types of physical contact are gradually returning, they have been on hiatus due to #COVID19. Such changes have already altered the epidemiology of a range of infectious diseases. Learn more in a new #SciencePerspective: fcld.ly/al7glzl

Just published NEJM During Omicron, the 2-shot mRNA vaccine effectiveness among >250,000 children age 5 to 11 years old: vs hospitalizations was very high—83% vs PCR confirmed infections 65% nejm.org/doi/full/10.10…

I’m a Virologist, and I’m Setting the Record Straight on Variants and Reinfections nytimes.com/2022/07/22/opi…

This is why 2nd boosters should be available for all health care workers now. A report on ~30,000 Israeli HCWs indicates 65% lower risk of breakthrough infections during the Omicron wave (4 vs 3 doses) JAMA Network Open jamanetwork.com/journals/jaman…

Based on pioneering work by Beth Garvy and Fran Lund that B cells are key antigen presenting cells for Pneumocystis (a common fungal pneumonia in infants), K.Noell figured infants must have anti-fungal IgMs that predict T cell responses. They do! insight.jci.org/articles/view/…