COVID-19 update: September 22

AstraZeneca, recurrent COVID, CDC changes, and another retracted study.

1. The AstraZeneca trial has not resumed in the US, but additional details have become available. Both cases of serious adverse effects seen previously in the trial involved women. The company is aiming for a 50% effectiveness rating. In order to meet the requirement, they have to prove that 150 people who were COVID positive were part of the trial (there are 18k people in the study) However there has been discussion of allowing the vaccine to be approved before meeting the needed number of people – discussion is currently that they could receive approval at 75 people.

2. A meta-analysis of 15 studies found that recurrent COVID occurred around 34 days after full recovery – give or take about 10 days. However, some were much longer. And some people continued to test positive 54 days after the initial onset of illness, even without symptoms. So, what does this tell us? My primary take away is simply further confirmation that reinfection is possible. I would not take too much more from this.

3. Let’s discuss the CDC apparent misstep of posting about aerosol transmission on Friday and then pulling it yesterday (Monday). They state that the recommendations/statement was not ready to be published and was put out by mistake. They do not say it is not true. The science has supported aerosol transmission for months, so I fully expect that statement will appear again in a more refined fashion complete with appropriate edits. So, what does it mean? Not much changes for us, but it is confirmation that some viral particles are even smaller and float along in the air longer and further than 6 feet. We all already know this, it isn’t really big news, it is late news. It doesn’t change much for what we know or do – other than reiterating the advantages of a good air filter as we move toward more indoor living (i.e. winter). Again, this was something we already knew – we have discussed air filters multiple times. My assumption is that the CDC was simply waiting for enough science to support it before going public – but that is pure conjecture on my part.

4. Another HCQ study has been retracted for scientific misconduct. This one claimed that HCQ produced hazardous results in patients contributing to death. While the overall findings remain that HCQ does not appear to help once people are hospitalized, there is continuing research looking at its usefulness as a preventative.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Month 9. The world has gone mad, but you don’t have to. All of the retractions and changing information can be discouraging and quite frankly daunting. It can be hard to know what to believe, who to trust, and what is real. Honestly, I cannot explain it. I don’t understand it and I won’t pretend to. We cannot change others, we cannot change the madness, but we can vow that we will be honest and true. We will be voices of reason and truth and most importantly, we will listen to others. Today, listen to those around you. Hear their pain and their cries for help. Be the person they can rely on, be a safe haven. We can refuse to be part of the problem.