#Unvaccinated Arrivals

[fanfic-obsessed]

How Old?!?!?!

Remember Folks, disregard any canon that contradicts this.

Timothy Wayne Drake disappeared when he was 16. He was taken captive in Eastern Europe at a WE event. A magical shield cut off all electronic communication, sight, and sound of the building for 6 minutes. According to every Super consulted, Tim’s heartbeat vanished at that time, and never reappeared. No facial recognition ever showed him again. No magical spell could find him, or his remains. Eight years later he is presumed dead by most of those who knew him, though his family still searches frantically for their Baby Bird. It is only the fact that they knew how much he loved Gotham, that he would want the city protected, that they did not let their obsession with finding him take them over. 

According to his file, Neal Caffery has been operating since he was 18. There are no records prior to that. By the numbers he is now 34, and had been working as a CI for the feds for 2 years.  He has never admitted to anyone that his earliest memories are six years ago, though Peter, El, and Moz have all figured it out.  But his abilities, muscle memory, and knowledge seem to support what's in his file.  That must mean something, right?

It was not a White Collar case, not really. Though there were just enough white collar elements to justify assigning it to Agent Burke and his team, this really was an Organized Crime case. However it was leading to Gotham, and no one wanted to go to Gotham. 

So Agent Burke, his two junior agents, and his CI were bundled into a SUV and told to report to Gotham PD to coordinate the case.  Upon arriving at the main precinct and getting out of the car; Peter, Diana and Jones all get strange looks from the locals on the street, though they do not know it, it is clear they are outsiders. 

However Neal gets out with a strange look on his face, “Why does the air taste..”

“Pink?” One the pedestrian answers, suspicion washing away.

“Yes” Neal exclaimed, then paused, “That’s weird, right? I feel like that’s weird”

The pedestrian gave a half shrug, “Ivy and Scarecrow double booked downtown a few weeks ago. Made things super awkward for anyone not vaccinated against both, but the vaccines made the air taste pink for some reason. The news said that the unvaccinated shouldn’t see effects any longer and for the vaccinated the effect would be gone in two more weeks”

Then the pedestrian left and Neal, entirely unconsciously, murmured about wondering if Ivy and Harley were fighting. When Peter tried to get more information about Neal having been in Gotham as they walked into the Precinct, Neal made a joke to cover the fact that he has no idea when or where he got the vaccines/immunities to Poison Ivy’s pollen or Scarecrow's Fear Gas.  

They manage to make it to the main bullpen without incident, by virtue of the fact anyone who actually looks up from what they were doing focuses on Peter, as lead agent.  When they get to the Bullpen, someone notices Neal and the entire room goes dead silent. Commissioner Gordon comes charging out, eyes wild and clearly on the phone with someone (Oracle, who happened to see Neal/Tim on camera-it is important to note that the group who took Tim made it so that any facial recognition program that would run either face would skip the match between Tim and Neal, but a person looking through a camera is different) saying things like “Holy Shit” and “Yes I see him, too”. 

The White Collar team, including Neal, is so confused as Commissioner Gordon ushers them to his office and closes the door (Oracle has her fathers office bugged with better cameras and wired for sound, also they do not know how much cover they have already broken for Tim-they do not want to make things worse instead of better). 

Commissioner Gordon calls Neal Tim, and Neal/Tim seizes for a moment like he was hit with electricity and says, in a deadened tone, “That name cannot be used as an Alias” then slumps like he is going to fall over. Peter and Jones manage to catch him and get him into a chair that Commissioner Gordon hurriedly pulls over.  The confusion that the White Collar team is exhibiting, plus questions like “What was that?” and “What did you do to Neal?” and “What did you call him?” do convince commissioner Gordon that these, at least, were not the people that took Tim.  It takes a few minutes for Tim/Neal to come to.  A few careful call and response questions tells Commissioner Gordon that the man with Tim’s face (and scars, from what he can see) does not remember anything.  These same questions were also clearly making the White Collar team, particularly Peter, as protective as they were making Neal/Tim confused and more than a little anxious.

Then Dick Grayson burst into the room, looking like he might have run all the way from Bludhaven.  He stopped dead at seeing Neal, whispered ‘Baby Bird?’ then lunged to pull Neal into a tight hug. Neal may have had no memories of being Tim, but his muscle memory remembered Dick’s hugs. That he was safe while Dick was hugging him, Neal could not help but relax into the hold. 

Dick start talking about getting Neal to Leslie both to make sure he's not hurting and to verify his identity (sounding apologetic but, no matter if Dick is sure this is Tim, they have to verify it), that ‘B’ is out of contact right now (on a JL mission off planet, the watchtower is preparing to extract him, but it will take a few hours-the JLD is also preparing in case they are needed) but should be back soon. He talks about how Alfred will be waiting outside for them, but ‘everyone else’ is waiting so they don’t overwhelm him (read clustered, and pacing, on buildings around Leslie’s clinic).  

Neal brings up, still wrapped in Dicks arms, that he might not be who they think he is. Dick agrees but also says that he isn’t, it is a case of mistaken identity and it is clear that Neal is not trying to trick them. Dick then says if it is Mistaken identity, Dick will apologize for the forcible cuddling and be grateful that, even if they don’t actually find him, he got a chance to hug his little brother one last time (Every single member of the White Collar Team, Neal very much included, is a little uncomfortable with this sentiment). 

At Peter’s awkward insistence (these people clearly miss whoever they think Neal is, and he doesn’t know if they would think about Neal’s criminal activities) the White collar team accompanies Neal, still clutched to Dick’s side, to a car waiting with Alfed right next to it, who is clearly having an emotional reaction to seeing Neal/Tim again.  Over the course of the car ride to Leslie’s clinic, Dick asks questions about who Neal is now (and reacts weirdly well to the whole Conman/FBI CI thing). Towards the end, Jones hesitantly asks why Dick is trying to get to know Neal now, wouldn’t it make more sense to wait until they were sure who Neal was. 

Dick laughs and goes 1.) Even if Neal is not his long lost brother, several of his siblings are going to want to befriend him (if nothing else than being a world class master art forger would get Damian’s attention, and everyone else would 100% be encouraging the friendship to give Damian more non violent friends) and 2.) Baby Bird is notorious for trying to mold himself into who he thinks other people want him to be. Right now he does not know enough about Dick to try and tailor his answers, plus is likely convincing himself that this is a case of mistaken identity. Thus Dick is collecting information for when Baby Bird inevitably tries to fit himself into whatever weird mold he thinks their family will want him to fit.  

Neal, still clutched to Dick’s side, splutters as the White Collar team cannot help but laugh at him. Also this somewhat convinces Peter that this might not be a case of mistaken identity after all.  

They get to Leslie’s Clinic. She runs through all the tests (Genetic and comparing previous x-rays, signs of artificial aging-for cloning, signs of the specific type of molecules that means time or dimension travel, brain scans, the few hormone tests that can detect magic-you can’t tell me that Bruce Wayne and/or Tim Drake, before he vanished, were not told at some point that there is no way to detect magic by scientific means and took it as a personal challenge). By every measure that she is able to test, Neal Caffrey is the missing Tim Drake.  She is also able to tell that his memory loss was likely caused by significant and repeated electrocution reinforced by some kind of magic, but cannot tell what or if it is still active, though given Tim’s reaction to his birth name (which happened twice more during the tests) and the fact that the Supers were never able to find his heartbeat,it is likely. 

By this time, Batman has now been returned to the watchtower and is being told of Tims return.

Dick tells Neal outright that their entire family’s love languages are stalking and poor boundaries (both maintaining and respecting). Dick also makes it clear that, while the Batfam is ecstatic that Neal/Tim is alive and want him in their lives, Neal is not required to attempt to get his memories back or have anything to do with them if he does not want (All of their therapists, the family could not go to just one, had worked specifically with them on how to deal with a Tim that has made a new life, how to accept that he is safe and happy but not with them-which is a realistic assumption after 8 years), but that likely Neal would be putting up with some limited stalking for the rest of his life (Look, the best we are going to get from the Batfamily is stalking from the shadows if Neal doesn’t want to interact with them-Also Oracle has already hacked the FBI for all of Neals records and files, and is the middle of arranging for the White Collar office to be bugged with her personal cameras/microphones). Dick also asks that the White Collar team come back to the Manor and to at least let the Justice League Dark look Neal over to make sure that there is nothing that is going on that will hurt him. 

Now, to be clear, Neal is more than happy to at least meet the rest of the Batfam.  Yes, he has a good life now, people he loves and who love him. But that is a relatively new development and there are a lot of blanks in his past. I mean at this point Neal still thinks he is 34 (as opposed to 24), and only remembers the last six years. They have not even gone far enough into the explanations to realize that there is a 2 year gap between when Tim was taken and Neal's earliest memories.  Also, while Neal does not quite have the same level of abandonment issues as Tim did, there is something about how visibly happy Dick is to see him that soothing something deep inside (Because he has six years worth of memories, and for most of them he did not have anyone who would have noticed if he had vanished).

They get back to manor just in time for Bruce to come charging into the foyer, still in the batman suit but with his cowl down. Bruce also looks like he might have ran from wherever he was. He had at least absorbed enough of what he was told about Neal to not call him Tim, and pulled Neal into a hug.  This also means there is a brief interlude while the White Collar team gets the ‘Bruce Wayne is Batman, we’re trusting you with this’ revelation (And absolutely everyone is going to be making fun of Bruce ‘Paranoia’ Wayne being the person who accidentally let the secret slip).

By the time they reach the main sitting room, the rest of the family has made it back to the manor (Barbara, Jason, Cass, Steph, Damian, Duke) each waiting on their own chance to hug their lost member.   Neal blue screens a bit at Jason (who is both very pretty and very sarcastic, which is Neal's type).  Through the discussions that follow there are at least two arguments between batfam members about who gets to have Neal to sit with them.

Neal decides that he will meet with someone from JLD to see about what magic might still be affecting him and regaining his lost memories. He and the White Collar team do decline staying at the manor and go back to the hotel rooms that the FBI rented for them (never realizing that Oracle upgraded them as soon as she realized who Neal was) as they still have a job to do. It is at this point that  Neal starts whining to the others, much to their amusement (also to the amusement of Steph and Cass, who were hiding on the balcony-there is no way there will not be at least one bat/bird hiding in the shadows around Neal for a bit), about his new, hot brother Jason.  Peter calls El, just so Neal can have his crisis with her instead of him (Never mind that being siblings is not as big a deal as Neal thinks it is).

Now Gotham, and its people, have a reputation at the FBI for being actually impossible to work with.  Even regular citizens stonewall so effectively that most teams simply give up. They simply do not like outsiders, and Gothamites can tell if someone grew up in Gotham or not, even if the person in question does not realize it (there are unconscious ways of moving if you have lived in Gotham for a certain amount of time). This is what the White Collar team expects to go against, what they are bracing for, no matter who Neal might or might not have been.  To their surprise this is not what they get. Yes, most people still peer suspiciously at Peter, Jones, and Diana at first, but even that settles down quickly (Some of it is Neal/Tim, being from Gotham, clearly trusting Peter and co gets them some good will; some is them not being sanctimonious about gotham; the rest is the batfam being vocal about liking these FBI agents-for Neal/Tim related reasons).  They solve the case, which branched from White collar into one of the Mob Families (at least two of the traffickers got the choice to talk to the FBI team, or deal with The Red Hood-Red Hood plays it off as using the FBI to take a shot at that family’s territory and being personally interested in Neal Caffrey).

Before they leave Gotham, Neal does meet up with a few members of the JLD who are able to find and remove the spells that prevent Neal/Tim from being found by the Supers and the Spell keeping him from being addressed as Tim. His missing memories were not fully caused by magic (There was a lot of damage caused by electricity-no one took that news well), but the magic was preventing some of his recall. With the spells off, it is inferred that some or all of Tim’s memories may come back in time. 

The White Collar team leaves Gotham with new contacts in their phones and also the bomb that Neal Caffery was a full decade younger than he thought he was (They do eventually figure out that Neal/Tim never actually committed the crimes in his file-not that the crimes were never committed but that Neal/Tim was basically went straight from where ever he was being held to being captured for ‘Neal Caffery’s’ crimes).  Peter later finds a much more complete medical record for Tim Wayne Drake in his home, with an ominous note to keep this file out of the FBI records, it is for personal reference only. They also leave with the decision to keep Neal’s identity a secret (As no one knows who the ones who took them are, or what the end goal is), telling only Hughes, El and Moz. By the time the WC crew reaches New York, the Bats already have bugs/cameras in the FBI building, Neal’s apartment, and Peter’s house.  They have also put trackers in every single pair of Neal’s shoes. There is also a schedule for who gets to stalk/hang out with Neal when.  

As far as the rest of the FBI was concerned, White Collar gets a lot of strange new contacts for cases.  Also they seem to have made an impression on the Justice League, as they become the point of contact between the Justice League and the FBI, by request of the League.  Occasionally hardened criminals walk into the FBI and ask to confess their crimes specifically to Agent Burke and his team. And Apparently their CI knows the Red Hood, somehow (in that the Red Hood sometimes showed up at their crime scene to flirt outrageously with the CI, the first few times the CI got really flustered but after that he started to flirt back). 

Eventually Neal/Tim does begin to remember his past, oddly enough the trigger was a spleen in a jar that was left on his desk in the White Collar Office (Ra’s Al Ghul was…pleased that Tim was not dead and displeased with the Organization the abducted him and  tried to fry Tim’s brain).

[reality-detective]

On July 4th my brother-in-law had what the surgeon called a cardiac death. He died instantly sitting in a chair at home in South Carolina. My sister acted quickly and pulled him down to the floor and began chest compressions. She stopped for about 30 seconds to run next door to her neighbors house who is a cardiac nurse where she did her thing until EMS arrived.

EMS had to use the paddles 3 times to bring him back and was transported to the local hospital until he was stable before he was transported to Charleston South Carolina the following day. On Sunday 07/07/2024 he underwent surgery for an aortic valve replacement and to repair the heart where it actually blew out.

I left Florida on Friday 07/05/2024 to come up and help out so I've been pretty busy lately. And just so everyone knows he is unvaccinated and according to the surgeon he has a very positive outlook for the future. The surgery went well and took approximately 7 hours to perform.

Everything is good but certainly has been a trying time.

You never know when your time is up and I'm grateful Mike chose to live after his experience. He will have some rehabilitation to go through and be off work for about 3 months or so... It will be his choice from here on how long it takes.

Life is about choices, it's about changing our thinking and taking care of ourselves first and foremost because if we are not doing good for ourselves, how can we possibly be good for anyone else. The time is now for change. Start with yourself. Because the only one you can change... Is YOU! 🤔

[ask-a-vetblr]

Hi I’m starting a book set in Australia (I’m an Aussie!) and it’s about Rabies getting loose in Australia but going to be like a sci/fi and horror novel. I thought I’d ask actual vets if you knew what could happen if rabies got loose in Australia?

gettingvetted here.

Our founder and native Aussie, drferox, is on hiatus, so I will give this a go.

Unfortunately for your book, rabies is one of the easiest diseases to control and eradicate, especially on a small scale and especially if you know the animal of origin. Vaccinations literally have to be upwards of 95% effective (at least in the US) in order to become licensed for use, and the immunity derived from rabies vaccines is long lasting at 1-3 years at minimum; it probably lasts longer but official studies to license vaccines for that long have not been done due to expense. Likewise, the vaccines are usually inexpensive compared to other vaccines like Lyme, as you can vaccinate a cat or dog for 3 years for roughly $25 per vaccine. You typically have plenty of time (weeks to months) after a possible exposure to determine if the biting animal is rabid, and even if you never find that out, rabies vaccination will prevent rabies in an exposed individual as long as they themselves are not showing symptoms (aka, there's a handful of known rabies positive animals in the country and you/your dog just got bitten by a kangaroo? get vaccinated, you're going to be fine even if they can't find the kangaroo again). The symptoms are pretty obvious and pretty classic, making the animal easily identifiable even among its peers, and once the stage of being symptomatic has arrived and thus transmission is possible, the animal will die in a handful of days, thus self-limiting the spread. The only "treatment" is humane euthanasia and as wildlife are the usual reservoir of the virus, there isn't much of an uproar when a select few are euthanized for testing or prevention each year. An interesting factoid is that while the US still has rabies, we *only* have wildlife strains present (not canine rabies). So even if a dog gets rabies from another dog, they will still have acquired skunk, bat, or raccoon strains of rabies. This is due to years of regulating that cats, dogs, and ferrets (domesticated carnivores) be vaccinated for rabies and euthanized for biting if unvaccinated until the canine strain was eradicated. Canine rabies is still an issue in countries with lots of feral dogs.

As a vet in the US, it is a MAJOR headache to ship animals from rabies-endemic areas to non-rabies-endemic areas. Even Hawaii is extremely difficult to pull off. Not only do they have to be vaccinated early (usually within 6 months of travel), they also often have to have rabies titers performed within the same time frame or sometimes even closer to the travel date. An extended quarantine period (I seem to recall that it is 6 months in some cases?) is also required prior to entry for countries such as Australia so that even if the rabies vaccination and titers were incorrect or forged and the animal has rabies, they would still show symptoms prior to entry into the country. Also, while unrelated to rabies, Australia requires veterinarians (not animal owners) to personally administer very specific parasite prevention to animals at very specific intervals to prevent certain parasites from entering the country too, so the amount of prep work required for export itself is often long enough such that if the animal had rabies, you would find out before they left the country. The regulations also differ depending on country of origin - countries with less control over their rabies status are either banned from importing animals or face even stricter import regulations. If any of these steps are performed incorrectly or without pristine official evidence of doing so, the animal gets right back on the plane and goes back to its country of origin, or is held in official government quarantine at customs. So it would be quite difficult to get a rabid animal into the country. Humans are a different story of course, so that may be the best way to bring rabies into Australia in your story. However, humans getting rabies is extremely rare, and considering the excellent healthcare in AUS, a human would probably seek care and be diagnosed before they could become insane enough to start biting wildlife (again, the only real scenario I could think of that could feasibly bring rabies to AUS, because if a rabies positive human bit another human or even a dog, you simply vaccinate that human or dog for rabies and they will be fine).

So, let's assume that you got rabies into the country and a handful of wild animals of various species are exposed. We'll even assume that it was a dog that somehow brought it in despite all the red tape designed to make it impossible, and that dog is ownerless or escaped so there is nobody to tell officials what type or how many animals it bit before it died of its symptoms. It would probably take a significant amount of time for anyone to figure out what was going on. Vets who are educated in countries that have endemic rabies are taught that any animal with any neurologic symptoms should be treated as if they have rabies unless they recover. I.e., if a neurologic animal dies without a definitive diagnosis of some other neurologic disease (such as EPM, distemper, etc) and especially if that animal is unvaccinated for rabies, you MUST assume they had rabies and send them for postmortem testing so that any human or animal who was exposed to the potentially rabid animal can be vaccinated if necessary. However, vets who are educated in non-endemic countries are of course aware of the disease, but probably wouldn't have it on their radar for a neurologic animal. It would probably take a few wildlife or pet animal cases being sent for necropsy and testing after sudden neurologic death before rabies was diagnosed, which probably wouldn't happen until a few months to a year after the first case arrived in the country, at the earliest. Then a few things would happen.

First, the owners of the pet animals and the organizations dealing with wildlife would be extensively interviewed to determine location and possibly the species of animal that bit the now-dead-and-necropsied rabid animal. These areas would be surveyed extensively and unfortunately a lot of local wildlife mammals would probably be preventively eradicated especially if positive cases were found in a given species. Import/export of ANY animals from the country would be immediately halted and mandatory vaccination of all owned animals in the country would likely be established and enforced. Travel of humans likely wouldn't be stopped, but rabies vaccination would be added to the list of recommended vaccines for travel to AUS, similar to malaria vaccines in endemic countries. Again, the excellent and affordable healthcare system of AUS (at least compared to the US) would probably lead many or most Australians to be vaccinated for rabies prophylactially, which can cost thousands of dollars in the US and is usually not covered by health insurance. There would probably be a huge push for vaccination of wildlife with rabies vaccines dropped from aircraft, which could be done both within the area that suspected exposed or definitively positive animals have been found, as well as a radius around those areas as prevention. Vets would be mandated to report any neurologic or behaviorally abnormal animal even if rabies wasn't the suspected cause, and unfortunately would likely be forced to euthanize many animals that were not rabid. There is a chance that with these measures, rabies could be eradicated, but it wouldn't be certain, probably ever. Longer term, surveillance measures would be taken (and I don't mean surveillance like the FBI, I mean epidemiologic surveillance such as monitoring cases that pop up and physically checking on and sampling the typical populations of wildlife that carry the disease). Regardless, it would be extremely difficult to cause any kind of fatal epidemic using a standard rabies virus. Ounce of prevention/pound of cure and all that, but Australia currently chooses a pound of prevention.

Definitely an interesting concept for a book, but I would go with a carnivore parvovirus or canine distemper virus that mutates quickly enough that it can't be vaccinated for, and is transmissible from animals to humans. Parvovirus, specifically, is extremely hardy in the environment and is far more contagious than rabies. Without effective vaccines, I'm betting that either distemper or parvo would cause more death than the plague, especially among pediatrics. I'm not familiar with hendravirus given that we don't have it in the US, but to my knowledge that is also a horrific and contagious disease that is already present in AUS.

Hope this helps!

[darkmaga-returns]

The 1st peer-reviewed nationwide study showing vaxxed vs. unvaxxed long-term health outcomes. This is the TRUTH. Do read & PLEASE share.

Joy Lucette Garner

Jan 01, 2024

BEHOLD the “public health benefits” of the vaccine programs in America:

If you’re an American over the age of 18 who’s never been vaccinated (with anything, ever) your risk of even one chronic condition is less than 6%. If you’ve also avoided the “vitamin” K-shot injection (typically given at birth) AND your mother was not vaccinated during the pregnancy, your risk of one condition after the age of 18 drops down to 4.49%. The few conditions found in the unvaccinated were generally mild, i.e., one 84 year-old (who was otherwise perfectly healthy) reported early signs of cataract development. Similarly, non-life-threatening, and non debilitating issues were the only issues found in the unvaccinated population. No cancers, diabetes, arthritis, or heart disease were reported in the entirely unvaccinated adults. Based upon the random sample size, this means that the more serious conditions are below 0.09% in the entirely unvaccinated adult population.

However, vaccine-exposed Americans over the age of 18 carry a 60% risk of at least one chronic condition, with a 48% risk of heart disease, over 10% risk of diabetes, 18% risk of arthritis, and myriad other life-shortening and/or debilitating diseases, including MANY brain and neurological disorders. 42% of vaccine-exposed American adults are suffering from more than 1 condition, i.e., multiple conditions. And 12% of American adults are suffering from 5 or more conditions. The more chronic conditions (comorbidities) a person is suffering from, the more likely they are to DIE from ordinary (otherwise innocuous) “infections.” And clearly, the more health conditions one is suffering, the earlier they will likely arrive at their grave.

[covid-safer-hotties]

Estimate: COVID vaccines saved up to 2.6 million lives in Latin America, Caribbean - Published Sept 11, 2024

By Mary Van Beusekom, MS

COVID-19 vaccines saved about 610,000 to 2.61 million lives in 17 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) in the first 1.5 years of vaccine availability, estimate researchers from Yale University, Brazil, and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

For the observational study, published yesterday in Open Forum Infectious Diseases, the investigators used data on COVID-19 deaths and vaccine effectiveness (VE) and uptake to arrive at a counterfactual estimate of the number of unvaccinated adults saved through vaccination from January 2021 to May 2022.

"Despite the initial availability of COVID-19 vaccines across the region, wide inter- and intra-country variation in access and availability to vaccines were observed in the region," the researchers wrote.

Deaths averted varied by vaccine uptake, outbreak timing More than 1.49 million people died of COVID-19 in the studied countries over the study period, the researchers found after accounting for underreporting. Reported deaths over the same period numbered 1.05 million. Had there been no vaccine, 2.10 million to 4.11 million people likely would have died, the model estimated.

As a result, vaccines may have saved an estimated 610,000 (assuming low VE) to 2.62 million (assuming high VE) lives. In total, vaccines likely averted roughly 273 deaths per 100,000 people. A sensitivity analysis suggested that, if consideration was limited to COVID-19 deaths as reported with no assumed underreporting, vaccination may have averted 870,000 deaths.

The rate of averted deaths averted by country differed by vaccination uptake over time, particularly in those aged 60 and older, as well as whether COVID-19 outbreaks were seen primarily before or after vaccine rollout. "For instance, the model estimates that proportionally more deaths were averted in Chile and Uruguay, as there were spikes in deaths at a time when a lot of the population (especially those 60 and over) was vaccinated," the authors wrote.

Substantial impact of vaccination The researchers noted that their study didn't account for protection from previous COVID-19 infections against reinfection and severe illness or the effect of other public health measures such as lockdowns.

"Despite the many challenges to COVID-19 vaccination in LAC—including timely access to vaccines, varying vaccine products and schedules, evolving circulating variants, and shifting vaccination strategies and target groups—these findings underscore the underscore the substantial impact of timely and widespread vaccination in averting COVID-19 death," the authors wrote.

"Future directions of this work include more in-depth analyses of countries with additional available data in order to assess differences in vaccine effectiveness by specific region or population group (including socio-economic status), and evaluation of potential alternative vaccination scenarios," they added.

Study Link: academic.oup.com/ofid/advance-article/doi/10.1093/ofid/ofae528/7754719

[thailandlaww]

Thailand Travel Restrictions

Thailand’s travel restrictions are governed by evolving public health policies, immigration laws, and safety measures. These regulations ensure the well-being of travelers and residents while balancing the country’s economic and tourism priorities. Understanding these restrictions is crucial for planning visits or long-term stays.

1. Entry Requirements

Visa Regulations:

Tourist Visa Exemption Program: Citizens of eligible countries can enter without a visa for up to 30 days (extendable by 30 days at immigration offices).

Tourist Visas (Single or Multiple Entry): Issued for longer stays of up to 60 days, extendable by 30 days.

Special Tourist Visa (STV): For stays up to 90 days, renewable twice for a total of 270 days.

Travel Insurance:

Comprehensive health insurance is often required, particularly for long-term visas, to cover potential medical expenses.

Vaccination Certificates:

COVID-19 vaccination proof or negative test results may still be required depending on current policies.

2. COVID-19-Specific Restrictions

Health Measures:

Travelers must comply with temperature checks, mask mandates (if reinstated), and health declarations upon arrival.

Quarantine Regulations:

Fully vaccinated travelers generally bypass quarantine requirements, while unvaccinated individuals might face quarantine periods or additional testing depending on their point of origin.

Test-and-Go Programs:

Testing-on-arrival schemes may apply for specific groups of travelers during public health crises.

3. Regional and Domestic Travel

Provincial Entry Rules:

Travel restrictions may vary by province based on local COVID-19 conditions.

Provincial checkpoints may enforce vaccination or testing requirements.

Modes of Transportation:

Domestic flights, buses, and trains operate with varying restrictions, including reduced capacity and health checks.

4. Special Considerations for Long-Term Visitors

Work and Retirement Visas:

Specific visas like the Non-Immigrant B (Work Visa) and Retirement Visas have additional entry requirements, such as proof of financial stability and health insurance.

Education and Research:

Students and researchers need institutional sponsorship letters and visa endorsements.

5. Enforcement and Penalties

Overstay Penalties:

Overstaying results in fines (500 THB per day, up to 20,000 THB) and potential blacklisting.

Compliance Monitoring:

Address reporting every 90 days is mandatory for long-term visa holders.

Conclusion

Thailand’s travel restrictions ensure a balance between public health safety and welcoming travelers. While requirements may change based on global and domestic conditions, staying informed about visas, health policies, and local rules is essential for a smooth travel experience. Always consult official Thai government or embassy resources for the most accurate updates.

[considerourknowledge]

Study: Unvaccinated Republicans Died of COVID at Higher Rate Proving People Get What They Deserve

A new study shows that after COVID-19 vaccines arrived, Republican voters in Florida and Ohio died at a higher rate than their Democratic counterparts. The study says that "the excess death rate among Republican voters was 43% higher than the excess death rate among Democratic voters" after vaccine eligibility was opened. This data should not be shocking in any way considering that Republicans overwhelmingly scoffed at vaccine requirements and chose to take their chances with the virus and listen to conspiracy theory nonsense that had no grounding in science. Pro-Trump counties suffered much higher death tolls throughout the pandemic, proving that social Darwinism is real and sometimes people get what they deserve.

[austerulous]

◈   @freedomsbounty said:   ❛ The temperature changes were still something the Siberian woman was getting accustomed to. From the severe cold and biting ice to the dusty and grating sands, it was a world different. Nonetheless, the strong woman pushed on through Junkertown. She was part of a convoy delivering some supplies and had agreed to give them protection through the storms and whatever else lurked through the route. Stepping off the machine, Zarya stretched out her shoulders and arms putting up a strikingly strong silhouette for a moment's time. Her joints cracked and her bright hair had been tied back once more. It was in need of a buzz once more but her traveling made that project difficult. Her trademark canon rested inside the convoy as it was not needed out and about among the Junkers. If someone wanted to make trouble, her strength could handle that by grabbing an arm and snapping it like a twig. Zarya was not above utilizing her best attributes in a brawl after all even if she had been trained in the art of war as a soldier back home. "Now, let's see about getting this cargo where it needs to be," she uttered with an accent being thick. Grabbing a giant crate, Zarya lugged it over a shoulder and stepped off to deliver it to its proper place. ❜

It was not often that the Junker Queen graced the loading bay.  Transactions with the outside world were infrequent, supplies arriving from beyond the Wasteland’s stricken borders rare – and if the convoy managed to survive the wilds, there were grunts to run inventory, to unpack, to disseminate.  The difference was that, this time, a highly anticipated coffer huddled somewhere amidst the delivery, its contents worth every tarnished coin that had been squeezed out of the dusty fist of the royal vault, like blood from a stone.  Crowbar in hand, Odessa pried open crate after crate, searching, the threat of a snarl lying thick on her tongue.  

Bright and biting, it was a shock of pink hair that she noticed first, a colour as vibrant and unapologetic as her own cobalt blue.  It burned in the periphery of her vision, standing out against the drab backdrop of rust-eaten metal.  Odessa looked first at the woman, then at the gargantuan crate she was carrying.  Hope rekindled.

“Oi,” Odessa called, seizing attention with a rude snap of her fingers, signalling to where the container could be placed.  At the first opportunity, she opened it, the lid levered until it popped off.  Inside the gaping, splinter-lined mouth of the box, floating among a sea of protective packaging, was a clutch of pharmaceutical vials.  Pristine, intact despite the danger of their journey.  A gift.  A godsend.

The sickness had come from outside, Odessa was told.  Eradicated elsewhere in the world, it spread through the unvaccinated and isolated population of Junkertown like wildfire, devouring the young, the old, the compromised.  Even the healthy and hale had been knocked flat, and the fortified principality was reduced to a skeleton crew.  In this box lay the promise of immunisation, of lives saved.

Odessa released a breath, a look of relief painting her features.  Laughter came in the form of a coarse magpie-cackle as she clapped the woman gratefully on the arm. Maybe now the pyres would have a chance to burn themselves out.

“Thank fuck for that.”

[musicemo]

So, I've looked into this situation, and it's a prime example of why you should always research shelters or rescues before adopting from them.

The rescue in question was already under investigation for having too many dogs in one open building in too-small of "kennels" (foldable metal playpens). As well as multiple severe pest infestations.

The puppies in question were unvaccinated, had crossed several state lines, had only undergone a physical exam and a fecal test for parasites, and also hadn't been properly quarantined; by the rescue's own admission, they arrived on a Tuesday and were put up for adoption that Saturday.

Again, by their own admission and the admissions of their former adoptees, they were routinely adopting out unvaccinated puppies. Their adoption contract required them to follow the "no paws on the floor" rule until the puppies were vaccinated, but, from everything I've found, they don't require proof of vaccinations.

They claim it was due to a "lack of funding," but every adoption costs at least $350, but it could be up to $1,600. Their average (according to their own data) is $845. Part of the adoption fee? "Up-to-date vaccination".

Whoever runs the rescue's social media is currently posting multiple times a day to complain about how "The State of Colorado is overreacting [about the rabies]!" and how it's "affected their donations." The rescue is showing little to no empathy for the people or animals involved, and that, along with everything else, is a major red flag.

SHIT.

Please reblog!

[so-true-overdue]

Vaccines: Our Modern-Day Miracle

Let me tell you of miracles, not of divine hands shaping the heavens, but of human ingenuity, of the silent guardians we inject beneath our skin. Vaccines.

These are not ethereal whispers in the dark, nor relics of superstition—they are the tangible fruit of meticulous science. Through the rigorous distillation of truth from the cacophony of data, we find a truth as unassailable as time itself: vaccines work. They stand as monuments to intellect, shields forged from the very fire of reason.

Consider the arithmetic of immunity. For each vaccine, the risk of adverse reactions is eclipsed by the staggering numbers of lives saved. The cold calculus of reality reveals that the probability of severe reactions, though never zero, is infinitesimally small—a decimal point followed by a cavalcade of zeroes, barely discernible in the wide tableau of public health. The infinitesimal cannot, should not, be conflated with significance. For every one-in-a-million reaction, millions are spared. Diseases once rampant, once monstrous, are now but whispers in history books.

And let us not forget the scourge that stalks the unvaccinated—measles, mumps, polio—diseases that once darkened our world like a creeping fog. These adversaries were not tamed by chance. It was the systematic, methodical application of vaccines that winnowed them down, sifting the chaff of illness from the grain of health. We are the beneficiaries of this precision, this unyielding discipline.

To speak of winnow is to speak of discernment—of separating that which nourishes from that which harms. It is the very act we undertake when we vaccinate. We sift through centuries of trial and error, through decades of peer-reviewed research, to arrive at a distillation of safety and efficacy. The wheat, my friends, is the immunity we gain, the protection we ensure for ourselves and our neighbors. The chaff is discarded—those infinitesimal risks, left behind in the grand harvest of health.

Ah, but some would argue that to inject oneself with a vaccine is to flirt with danger, to gamble with the unknown. But I say unto you: life itself is perilous, fraught with uncertainties that eclipse the known risks of vaccination. Would you eschew the seatbelt for the rare chance it might cause a bruise? Would you avoid the sun for the fleeting specter of sunburn? No. You wear the seatbelt; you bask in the sun. You vaccinate, because the benefits—profound, enduring—far outweigh the ephemeral dangers.

And so, as we stride forward in this era, let us not be swayed by the siren song of misinformation, by the tempest of half-truths that seeks to cloud our judgment. Instead, let us winnow our choices, discard the chaff of ignorance, and embrace the luminous grain of science.

[visacollect]

Thailand Visa for Canadian Citizens

Globally, people adore getting to know Canadians. And Canadian travellers enjoy meeting new people! A Canadian may be easily identified in a gathering prior to COVID-19 by their wide smiles, incessant "Ay," and sporadic expressions of regret. Canadians are known for being courteous and having a great time. Thai folks always take pleasure in socialising with Canadians.

That was discontinued by the pandemic. Travelling abroad was nearly impossible as nations went into lockdown to stop the virus's spread. A Canadian had to jump through hoops to complete admission standards in order to visit distant shores.

Now that things are getting back to normal, Canadians can travel south of the border and back to the tropics with a little bit of preparation.

Presently:

Proof of Covid Insurance is not required for Canadians.

Every hotel quarantine that was required has been lifted.

Canadian visitors visiting Thailand are no longer required to get a Thailand Pass.

It is not necessary for vaccinated travellers to present identification prior to arrival.

Travellers who have not had vaccinations must complete an RT-PCR or Professional Antigen Test (Pro-ATK) test 72 hours before departure for Thailand. This includes children travelling with unvaccinated parents. It is not necessary to upload the proof in advance of the trip.

Travellers will be subject to random checks by Thai Immigration and Airlines to ensure they meet the standards for Covid prevention (Covid test or vaccination certificate).

Mask wear is no longer required.

Upon entering Thailand, the TM6 arrival card has been temporarily withdrawn.

Travel Documents for Thailand

Passport Visa (if necessary)

Travel Insurance Flight Schedule Hotel Reservation

Vaccination history, if applicable

result of the COVID-19 test (if not vaccinated)

Proper documentation will expedite Thailand's immigration screening process.

Canada is a country exempt from visas.

Travellers from Canada adore Thailand. Through the Visa Exemption Programme, they are able to go to Thailand without a visa. Canadian nationals are permitted a 30-day tourist stay, which can be extended at any local immigration office for an additional 30-day stay. A Canadian is now able to spend up to 60 days in Thailand.

Siam Legal International provides a range of Thailand Visa services for Canadian tourists, in case they wish to extend their stay in Thailand beyond what the Visa Exemption permits or have another reason for visiting Thailand. 

Special Tourist Visa (STV) and Tourist Visa

The Thai embassy or consulate accepts applications for tourist visas from Canadian nationals. Two types of tourist visas are available: the 90-day Special Tourist Visa (STV), which allows for two 90-day visa extensions at the local immigration office, and the 60-day tourist visa, which can be extended for an extra 30 days. The STV permits a visitor to stay in Thailand for up to nine months, subject to specific restrictions. The STV will remain accessible through September of 2022.

Thai Elite Pass

It is worth looking into the Thailand Elite Visa if you want to make Thailand easily accessible for many years to come or if you're considering moving there permanently.

A Canadian expat can stay in Thailand for five, ten, or even twenty years with the Thai Elite Visa. Some of the eligibility requirements for other long-term visas are not a concern for Thai Elite members.

The Thai Elite visa is special and grants its bearers a number of advantages. You can learn more about the Thailand Elite Visa if you wish to live the "Thai life" permanently.

Visa Non-Immigrant

Additionally, foreign nationals can apply for a variety of non-immigrant visas:

B visa for non-immigrants: used for work or business travel

O visa, non-immigrant, for visiting spouse and family in Thailand

Non-immigrant ED visa: available to Thai students attending accredited universities as well as their parents or legal guardians

For people who want to retire in Thailand, there is the non-immigrant O retirement visa.

For individuals seeking a Thailand retirement visa for an extended stay, there are non-immigrant OA and OX visa options available (it differs from type O visa)

Thai Royal Embassy in Ottawa

Please visit the website of the Royal Thai Embassy in Ottawa to apply for a long-term visa.

Bangkok has an embassy in Ottawa. 180 Island Park Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, K1Y 0A2 is the address.

There are Thai consulates in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver. One can arrange for the aforementioned visas through a Thai Embassy or Consulate located in Canada. Although the procedure is straightforward, there may be a lot of paperwork. Businesses are available to assist.

Reputable Thai legal practice Siam Legal International helps Canadians obtain visas. They are knowledgeable about Thai immigration laws and procedures.

Status of vaccinations and entry into Thailand

Applications for Thailand Passes are no longer necessary. There are two ways for Canadian citizens to enter the nation.

Travellers with vaccinations: Canadians who have had vaccinations are exempt from taking the Covid test prior to departing the country. When they travel, they must have a copy of their vaccination certificate. It is not necessary for children under the age of eighteen who are travelling with immunised parents to take an RT-PCR or Pro-ATK test prior to departure.

Unvaccinated visitors: Prior to visiting Thailand, unvaccinated visitors must undergo an RT-PCR or Professional Antigen (Pro-ATK) test administered by a clinic or healthcare provider. Before leaving Canada, the test results must be provided within 72 hours.

ATK (RAT) home tests are not appropriate. 

Plan your trip to Thailand now.

The flight lanes have reopened. Carriers are going to the skies and giving great pricing to promote foreign travel following Covid, whether you fly from Vancouver or Toronto.

Some frequent airlines that serve Thailand from Canada are:

Air Japan Air Canada

United Carriers

Thai Airlines in Qatar

Any international airport in Thailand can be used for immediate travel to other locations after landing. Although domestic flights may request to view a vaccination certificate or test result before boarding, "sealed" flights are no longer in use. ATK self-tests are accessible in airports, pharmacies, and convenience stores if you are travelling within the country.

The majority of foreign airlines abide by the laws of the nation of entry.

Canada and Thailand are like chalk and cheese. Because of its vastness and varied cultural heritage, Canada's regions can feel very distinct from one another. That being said, Thailand is tropical. You won't find anything like this where you are from in terms of its Asian history, culture, food, and geography. People adore Thailand because it provides a distinctive experience at a far lower cost. The most amiable Westerners can travel to Thailand and have a dinner, a grin, and a laugh with the most amiable Asians if they plan ahead.

[devitalization]

↻ᴹᵉˢˢᵃᵍᵉ ˡᵒᵃᵈᵉᵈ ꒰ codex.txt now available ꒱

captain basillides — bitten

a tragic accident happened today on the other side of the abbs. a man has been bitten by an unidentified arthropod during a routine out-ranger patrol. when the rescue team arrived, dr. samuel p. made the dramatic decision to decapitate the patient, who turned out to be a civilian. unconfirmed sources claim that the man. michal (line) s., didn't have the required pheromone implants that protect the out-rangers against mutated fauna. the same sources suggest that the victim was closely related to captain basillides b., the commander of the ill-fated patrol. the captain has initiated court proceedings regarding the decapitation of michal s. the trespassing of the abb by an unvaccinated civilian will be, to quote harald orion, the out-rangers' spokesman, investigated internally. stay tuned for sports and e-sports news. don't go anywhere.

warsaw city news

host: arthur ruckdeschel

02.02.299

[gaoteeshirt]

Mountain Monsters Christmas tree shirt

WHY is this simple decision taking so long! It's not rocket science. If anyone lied on their Arrival Declaration it should be an automatic deportation and heavy fine! AND he's also unvaccinated! We can't even go to the local club/pub without the double vax! He needs to go NOW, full stop end of conversation and deliberation. He should just get on the plane and go home stop playing politics you are an excellent tennis player but at the moment you are making a very bad show of yourself except what has happened and learn from it it's called being a responsible adult it is not only your reputation you are damaging but also every other professional tennis player and bringing the game of tennis into the gutter pack it up and go home and lick your wounds in private.

Buy it here: Mountain Monsters Christmas tree shirt

[covid-safer-hotties]

We Don’t Have to Wonder if the Great Barrington Declaration Could Have “Worked”. In the Real World It Failed & Redefining Basic Medical Terms Won’t Change That. - Published Aug 23, 2024

Follow either link for the full article and associated videos!

Herd immunity occurs when enough people have immunity so that most infected people cannot find new uninfected people to infect, leading to the end of the epidemic/pandemic. The Great Barrington Declaration (GBD) was premised on the idea that the mass infection of unvaccinated “not vulnerable” people would end the pandemic. For it to have “worked”, 330 million Americans would have had to determine whether they were “vulnerable” or “not vulnerable” and then been willing to play their assigned role. That didn’t happen. In a previous article, I explained that for that reason, we don’t have to wonder if the GBD could have worked, in the real world it failed. However, this was not the only thing what actually went wrong with the GBD.

With this in mind, let’s turn to the concept of herd immunity.

What is herd immunity?

Herd immunity occurs when enough people have immunity so that most infected people cannot find new uninfected people to infect, leading to the end of the epidemic/pandemic.

That reasonable statement comes from the GBD itself. Even though SARS-CoV-2 was less than a year old when the GBD was written, its authors were certain that the simultaneous infection of 230 million unvaccinated, “not vulnerable” people would lead to herd immunity, protecting more “vulnerable” people. They said:

When herd immunity is reached, they (vulnerable people) can live normally again with minimal risks… If focused protection is used, it will likely only take 3 to 6 months.

In 2020, the GBD used the universally accepted definition of herd immunity. They discussed it with regards to new infections and the risk the virus posed to those without immunity to it. Herd immunity occurs when enough people have immunity so that most infected people cannot find new uninfected people to infect, leading to the end of the epidemic/pandemic. This wasn’t controversial at all. Everyone agreed with it.

While the GBD’s definition of herd immunity wasn’t in dispute, many people wisely doubted whether natural immunity alone could lead to herd immunity in under 6-months. Because babies aren’t born with natural immunity, humanity never achieved herd immunity to any virus through infections alone. Only vaccines can lead to herd immunity. Prior to the vaccine, for example, measles cases would rise and fall every couple of years as a new crop of newborns were infected. Herd immunity didn’t arise until the vaccine arrived and measles cases plummeted. There have been 214 cases this year, which is 214 too many, but thanks to herd immunity from the vaccine, measles cases are not rising exponentially. We will lose herd immunity if not enough children are vaccinated.

It is also not possible to reach herd immunity for a virus/vaccine that does not create durable immunity. Unfortunately, neither SARS-CoV-2 nor the vaccine does this, and reinfections were discussed by doctors in the mainstream media as early as September 2020, specifically in response to Dr. Scott Atlas’s pleas for herd immunity through mass infection. Watch the commentary of Dr. Sanjay Gupta in the second half of the video below as a reminder of what was known at the time.

[timesnew7]

Three Shots for Fall: What You Need to Know

Most Americans have had one or more shots of the flu and Covid vaccines. New this year are the first shots to protect older adults and infants from respiratory syncytial virus, a lesser-known threat whose toll in hospitalizations and deaths may rival that of the flu. Federal health officials are hoping that widespread adoption of these immunizations will head off another “tripledemic” of respiratory illnesses, like the one seen last winter. For people with insurance, all of the vaccines should be available at no cost. “This is an embarrassment of riches,” said Dr. Ofer Levy, director of the precision vaccines program at Boston Children’s Hospital and an adviser to the Food and Drug Administration. Here’s what he and other experts say about who should receive which immunizations, and when.

What respiratory illnesses are coming our way?

The coronavirus, the flu and R.S.V. are all likely to send thousands of Americans to the hospital this year, but exactly when, and how severe the toll will be, is unknown. That’s in part because the restrictions in place during the pandemic altered the seasonal patterns of the viruses. Last winter, the flu peaked in December instead of in February, as it typically does. Covid kept up a steady number of infections and deaths most of the season, with a peak in January. Compared with its pattern before the pandemic, R.S.V. peaked several weeks earlier last year, and it circulated for longer than usual. But this year, it is now beginning to pick up in the South, suggesting that the virus may return to its prepandemic patterns. R.S.V. is the least familiar of the three viruses, but increasingly it is recognized as a major respiratory threat, particularly to older adults, immunocompromised people and young children. “R.S.V. has a burden of disease similar to flu in older adults — it can make you very, very sick,” said Dr. Helen Chu, a physician and immunologist at the University of Washington.

Which vaccines should I seek out?

Everyone should have at least the flu and Covid shots this fall, experts said. The annual flu vaccine is recommended for everyone aged 6 months and older, but is most important for adults ages 65 and older, children under 5, and people with weak immune systems. Updated Covid shots from Pfizer and Moderna are now endorsed by the F.D.A. and the C.D.C. (A third, from Novavax, is expected to arrive in the next few weeks.) The recommendations: Americans aged 5 and older may receive one dose, at least 2 months after their last dose of any Covid vaccine. Children aged 6 months through 4 years who have already been vaccinated may receive one, or two, doses of the new vaccines. The timing and number of doses depends on the previous vaccine received. Unvaccinated children aged 6 months through 4 years may receive three doses of the new Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine or two doses of the new Moderna vaccine. Federal health officials aren’t talking about a primary series of shots followed by boosters. (Officials aren’t even calling the shots “boosters” anymore.) Instead, they are trying to steer Americans toward the idea of a single annual immunization with the latest version of the vaccine. “Like a seatbelt in a car, it’s a good idea to keep using it,” Dr. Camille Kotton, a physician at Massachusetts General Hospital and an adviser to the C.D.C., said of the Covid vaccine.

What about R.S.V.?

Two vaccines are now available for adults aged 60 and older: Abrysvo, by Pfizer, and Arexvy, by GSK. They are not universally recommended; patients may choose to get them in consultation with their doctors. The vaccines, which may have rare but serious side effects, are mostly likely to benefit older people with such underlying conditions as heart disease and asthma. Abrysvo and Arexvy are not yet approved for most Americans younger than 60. The C.D.C. now recommends another new shot against R.S.V. — Beyfortus, a monoclonal antibody — to protect infants less than 8 months old, as well as infants 8 months to 19 months old if they are at risk for severe illness. In August, the F.D.A. approved Abrysvo for pregnant women as a way to protect infants from the virus. The vaccine, to be given in the last weeks of pregnancy, may prevent severe respiratory illness in infants up to 6 months. While risks posed by any of these respiratory viruses increase with age, remember that “65 is not a magical cutoff point,” Dr. Chu said. “Even those with no pre-existing conditions can become quite sick with all three of these viruses.”

When should I get the vaccines?

You should get the shots early enough to build immunity against the pathogens, but the timing may depend on your particular circumstances. If you do not want or are unable to make multiple trips to a clinic or pharmacy to space the shots apart, experts recommend getting the shots together. But if at all possible, it may be wise to time the shots to provide maximum protection. Covid is already on the rise, so getting that shot as soon as possible makes sense. Flu may not peak until December, so getting the flu vaccine in October may be wisest — your antibodies will not have waned so much by the time the virus comes most prevalent. Adults aged 50 and older should also get the vaccine for shingles, if they haven’t already, and those 65 and older should sign up for the pneumococcal vaccine. But those vaccines don’t need to be given in the fall and can be scheduled for different times, Dr. Chu said.

Is it safe to get these vaccines all at once?

Getting the Covid and flu shots all at once does not significantly affect the protection or produce worse side effects compared with getting either one alone, according to a recent study by Israeli scientists. “F.D.A. and C.D.C. systems monitor vaccine safety year round and will remain in place,” the Department of Health and Human Services said in a statement to The Times. “If any new potential safety signals are identified, the F.D.A. and C.D.C. will conduct further assessment and inform the public.” Some research suggests that the R.S.V. and flu vaccines produce lower levels of antibodies when given together than when delivered one at a time. But those levels are probably still high enough to protect people from the viruses, experts said. Because the R.S.V. vaccine is new, however, there is little information on how it might interact with the other two vaccines. There is also limited data on the safety of the two R.S.V. vaccines. Clinical trials recorded six cases of neurological problems, including Guillain-Barré syndrome, compared with none in the placebo groups. But the numbers were too small to determine whether the cases were a result of the inoculations. More clarity will come from surveillance while the vaccines are administered on a large scale, Dr. Chu said. Christina Jewett contributed reporting. Read the full article

[nbmsports]

Novak Djokovic stands by Kosovo comments at the French Open

CNN  —  Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic has stood by his decision to send a political message about Kosovo at the French Open. After his first-round victory on Monday, Djokovic wrote “Kosovo is the of Serbia. Stop the violence” on a TV camera lens in response to violent clashes in Kosovo. Tensions have been rising in the past week in Kosovo, which declared independence from Serbia in 2008. There were clashes with protesters on Monday over the installation of ethnically Albanian mayors in a disputed election. Dozens of NATO peacekeepers were injured on Monday after clashes erupted with Serbian demonstrators trying to block the newly elected mayors from taking office in the northern municipality of Zvecan. Djokovic, whose father was born in Kosovo, said this week that he felt obliged to “give my support to our people and to the entirety of Serbia.” His reference to the “entirety of Serbia” reflects the policy of the Serbian government, which still considers Kosovo to be an integral part of its territory and has not recognized the country’s independence. CNN earlier this week sought clarification from Djokovic’s representation to see if he wants Kosovo to be part of Serbia but did not receive a response. “Of course, I’m aware that a lot of people would disagree, but it is what it is,” Djokovic said on Wednesday after his second-round victory against Hungary’s Márton Fucsovics. “It’s something that I stand for. So that’s all.” He added that he had not spoken to French Open tournament director Amélie Mauresmo about the incident. On Tuesday, the Kosovan Olympic Committee (KOC) called for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and International Tennis Federation (ITF) to take disciplinary action against Djokovic. The KOC claimed that the 22-time grand slam champion had “yet again promoted the Serbian nationalist propaganda and used the sport platform to do so,” thereby raising “the level of tension and violence between the two countries, Kosovo and Serbia.” However, the ITF said that players’ conduct at a grand slam is governed by the grand slam rulebook of the relevant organizer, in which there is “no provision … that prohibits political statements.” The IOC said that athletes only fall under its authority during the Olympic Games. Djokovic is no stranger to controversy at grand slam tournaments. At the Australian Open in January, he said that his father, Srdjan, didn’t intend to support “any kind of war initiatives,” having been filmed with a group of Russian supporters at the Australian Open. Then at the 2022 Australian Open, the 36-year-old was deported from the country after arriving in Melbourne unvaccinated against Covid-19. “A drama-free grand slam, I don’t think it can happen for me,” he said on Wednesday. “You know, I guess that drives me as well.” Djokovic faces Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the third round of the French Open on Friday as he continues his bid to win a 23rd grand slam title – one more than Rafael Nadal at the top of the men’s all-time list. Source link Read the full article