Oxford/AstraZeneca already selling covid vaccine to Brazil for deliver in Dec/Jan

[CenterField]

I think that's probably a large part of it. I've joked before about winning the genetic lottery but also because I'm very health-oriented. I don't eat meat. I eat mostly organic fare. I exercise, and the only times I've been to the doctor in my life have been for injuries or to birth a wee one. I don't do the annual checkup thing, I don't do routine exams or bloodwork. My insurance agent loves me, but wonders why there are never any health-related charges.

I totally get being cautious if things are different. I'm cautious around my mother because she's in the age group most likely to suffer from it, although, she's also a Type O positive blood so that (may) help her. I did ask my son not to visit his gram as much right now since he works in a place where a "cluster" has been determined, although he's not in the same department as the cluster.

Now, I am big on herbs, building up immunity with healthy foods, and supplements. You missed a great poster, "Just Another Person" who did a lot of research into ways to treat oneself if they caught the virus. She's taking a break now, but she is an amazing researcher and she followed cutting-edge science. She also likely came down with the virus and self-treated. I believe she was in a high(er) risk group herself. You might find it interesting to go back through her posts and read the lists of supplements, essential oils (one was oregano oil in steam inhaled because it opens lungs). All of her stuff is fact-based and research-based. It might well keep you from checking out if you catch the virus.

Yes, I keep hearing about this "Just Another Person" and people suspected me of being a sock of hers, LOL. I'm no sock. I'm just me. I understand that J.A.P. is a female. Last I checked, I am a male. I said I can prove it to moderators anytime (by uploading my driver's license, internet service provider bill, etc., which all match the email address I used to register for this site, which mind you, contains my real name), if they feel like I need to prove that I'm no sock.

Anyway, I'd love to see her research on supplements. Browsing back someone's posting history is time-consuming. Do you have a link to the specific posts?

I also follow this protocol from the Eastern Virginia Medical School Department of Pulmonary Medicine and Critical Care, which I think is extremely good (complete with the references to the research that substantiates it):

https://www.evms.edu/media/evms_publ...9_Protocol.pdf

I am taking the supplements they recommend (Zinc, Quercetin, Vit C, Melatonin, and Vit D).

Now, sorry, but not doing the annual check-up thing is not prudent. Sure, none of my business (but I do care), but I assume you are female (you mentioned giving birth), so, you don't even do the checks for breast cancer and cervical cancer? Even young and healthy women can get these diseases. Sure, if you don't have risk factors your risk is lower but it is not zero.

Diseases don't only get people who eat meat, don't eat organic food, and don't exercise. An annual check-up is cheap (free for most insurance plans) and prudent.

[Peter1469]

I guess it depends on how young and healthy you are. I'm not healthy so I look forward to the vaccine as soon as possible. If I wait and watch but then end up catching the virus despite my precautions, I'll be in much worse shape than from risking a few rare reactions from a vaccine. It's a matter of the benefits for me clearly outweighing the risk (again, provided that the vaccine passes the safety checks).

I finally went and got my vitamin D levels tested. I am good there. The virus isn't an issue for me.

[midcan5]

....I am taking the supplements they recommend (Zinc, Quercetin, Vit C, Melatonin, and Vit D).Now, sorry, but not doing the annual check-up thing is not prudent. Sure, none of my business (but I do care), but I assume you are female (you mentioned giving birth), so, you don't even do the checks for breast cancer and cervical cancer? Even young and healthy women can get these diseases. Sure, if you don't have risk factors your risk is lower but it is not zero.Diseases don't only get people who eat meat, don't eat organic food, and don't exercise. An annual check-up is cheap (free for most insurance plans) and prudent.

I too am not a doctor goer, we were poor and mom and the local pharmacist were our medical team. Mom did stress vitamins. Haven't had a physical in years but I should. Melatonin is natural and a sleep aid, many years ago before the Internet and remote access, I used it to sleep early as I'd have to go into work at 3AM to perform system maintenance. Genetics and good healthy habits work best I think, I do take several vitamins. Genetics is the tough one.

Years ago I read 'The Eden Express' by Mark Vonnegut and while he later revised his opinions, it gave an interesting look in mental health and physical and vitamins. One vitamin he recommended I still take.

'What you can do to improve your immune system'

https://www.health.harvard.edu/healt...-immune-system

'The key to good mental health in quarantine is in the food you eat'

https://qz.com/1840600/the-best-food...19-quarantine/

'quercetin' ???
https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/in...-294/quercetin

[Peter1469]

I too am not a doctor goer, we were poor and mom and the local pharmacist were our medical team. Mom did stress vitamins. Haven't had a physical in years but I should. Melatonin is natural and a sleep aid, many years ago before the Internet and remote access, I used it to sleep early as I'd have to go into work at 3AM to perform system maintenance. Genetics and good healthy habits work best I think, I do take several vitamins. Genetics is the tough one.

Years ago I read 'The Eden Express' by Mark Vonnegut and while he later revised his opinions, it gave an interesting look in mental health and physical and vitamins. One vitamin he recommended I still take.

'What you can do to improve your immune system'

https://www.health.harvard.edu/healt...-immune-system

'The key to good mental health in quarantine is in the food you eat'

https://qz.com/1840600/the-best-food...19-quarantine/

'quercetin' ???
https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/in...-294/quercetin

Genetics are important but may not be as determinative as once thought. They may be more possibilities (greater or lesser) of being healthy or unhealthy depending on lifestyle choices and environmental exposures.

[carolina73]

There is no vaccine yet, but I'm very optimistic that it will come. I started a thread about the recent news that Oxford/AstraZeneca is already signing agreements with Brazil to deliver 15.2 million doses to them in December and 15.2 million more in January, followed by 70 million more in subsequent months. If they can do it, I'm optimistic that our own Moderna will be able to do it too.

Sure, a second wave may come in the fall, too early for the vaccine to stop it, but in the middle of the winter maybe we'll start having the first doses of the vaccine delivered to the elderly, the infirm, and the healthcare workers, and then later to the rest of the population.

If I need to be very careful for 6 to 9 more months until I get a dose of the vaccine, sure, it's a limited life, but in my opinion, it beats the alternative.

If we got definitive conclusion that a vaccine will NEVER be possible, then I'd consider dropping the prudence and going out there and getting the virus; taking my chances; I'd emerge from it either dead (well, in that case I wouldn't emerge from it, hehe) or with immunity.

I agree that indefinite precaution is no life. I won't stay forever mostly at home, avoiding restaurants, concerts, social gatherings, etc. But for 6 to 9 months until a vaccine comes, sure.

I am not willing to give up a percentage of my remaining life to your optimism.

You say sure. I say No F'n way.

[CenterField]

I finally went and got my vitamin D levels tested. I am good there. The virus isn't an issue for me.

Good, I'm glad for you.

[CenterField]

I am not willing to give up a percentage of my remaining life to your optimism.

You say sure. I say No F'n way.

Well, I guess, that's your choice. Each person should be free to make his/her own decision. I hope you don't catch the virus. I wish you the best.

[Newpublius]

Oh wow, things are accelerating neatly! I was surprised with this piece of news, from a Brazilian newspaper:

https://www.em.com.br/app/noticia/na...onavirus.shtml

It's in Portuguese, a language I do speak, but you guys can use Google Translate, I suppose.

Here's the gist of it:

AstraZeneca has apparently made an agreement with Brazil.

For US$ 127 million, they are passing the technology of their vaccine to Fiocruz, Brazil's main vaccine-making lab. Included in this price, 30.4 million doses of the vaccine, to be delivered in two lots of 15.2 million doses, one in December 2020, and the other one in January 2021. This payment is to be collected now, before the vaccine is fully developed, and found (hopefully) to be safe and efficacious; it's a share-costing deal, in which Brazil agrees to help funding the development and testing of the vaccine, in exchange for getting the technology, and getting their first 30.4 million doses.

This will be followed by 70 million doses, for US$ 2.30 per dose, in case the vaccine is approved as safe and efficacious.

From that point on, Brazil's Fiocruz will make more, on their own.

So, Brazil is risking US$127 million (which they will lose if the vaccine is a fiasco). But on the other hand, if the vaccine is good, then they are securing not only 100.4 million doses, but the ability to make more. Their population is about 220 million people.

----------

I find this remarkable because AstraZeneca seems pretty sure that they can deliver 15.2 million doses in December and 15.2 million more in January!!!

So fingers crossed, because if this vaccine is safe and efficacious, we may be close to a resolution of this crisis.

I hope the Moderna/NIH vaccine succeeds, and can be delivered with a similar timeline.

I think I heard somewhere that the United States has also reached some deal with AstraZeneca. I don't know/remember the details.

But this is hopeful. And the news also delivers the first firm deal regarding the cost of the vaccine: US$2.30. Pretty affordable!

Thanks for the link, cheered me up today!

[CenterField]

Thanks for the link, cheered me up today!

Thanks. And there were more good news today. Apparently not only two of the Chinese candidates are showing early success, but the Inovio vaccine is also producing good antibodies and showing no safety complications. There are now no fewer than 5 frontrunners that are looking efficacious and safe.

Still, it's no guarantee. We'll only know that they are good if they pass the Phase 3 trials. But of everything that is so bleak in this pandemic, the vaccine front seems to be the one generating the good news.

[Newpublius]

Multiple shots on goal!