So we need a DIY genome sequence kit. Where can I find a practical guide? What do I need?
A (possible) solution to Covid-19
321–330 of 585 posts
Re: A (possible) solution to Covid-19
#322Finding an attenuated strain that spreads as easily but is less deadly does sound like our best hope. Such a strain would "crowd out" the deadly strain, effectively blocking it from causing harm. If life was a Star Trek episode, Picard would be saying "Make it so" right about now.
Could a strain like this be created with genetic modification? If you just need to delete a bit of it that doesn't sound too difficult.
But I know nothing about this subject, so that's probably why...
Re: A (possible) solution to Covid-19
#323Earlier quoted context omitted.
I am not planning on doing anything other than trying to look for the attenuated strain. How it is used is for others - what I am suggesting is once such a strain is found is it will be impossible to stop people spreading it around on their own.
But you do seem to be suggesting that "people spreading it around on their own" is a "solution to Covid-19"? Otherwise, what is your plan for this attenuated strain? Don't get me wrong, I think large scale sequencing or COVID19 is interesting. But think that attempting to spread a attenuated strain without regulatory approval is probably a very bad idea.
Unregulated spread by individuals is a solution, just not the one I think would be implemented if such a strain were found.
I think it much more likely that the regulatory agency would quickly approve the use of the strain on the basis of the epidemiological data gathered in the process of finding it.
Re: A (possible) solution to Covid-19
#324How do we know that a less deadly strain actually provides some immunity to a more deadly strain? That seems like an assumption here.
Re: A (possible) solution to Covid-19
#325Earlier quoted context omitted.
I don’t see that any regulatory authority would approve something that is capable of spreading, regardless of the possible benefits: it would violate medical ethics. Reread the Belmont Report. There are many teams all over the world that are looking for less deadly (and more deadly!) strains to guide development of therapies. They’re too busy right now to post on message boards or speak to reporters. It’s however ext…
All the attenuated live viral vaccines spread. This is one of the reasons they are so effective since they keep herd immunity up. For example, every kid that gets the live polio vaccine spreads it around to their peers and parents.
I call BS on this. Viral shedding is a myth.
Re: A (possible) solution to Covid-19
#326The Netherlands is testing with plasma from a recovered patient right now: Source: https://nos.nl/artikel/2330036-nederlandse-coronapatient-hee... NB: I am NOT a microbiologist and do not know how far this is related.
It's not particularly related.
Plasma contains molecules that contribute to immunity. The donation transfers those molecules from the donor to the recipient. It doesn't directly confer any immunity to the recipient, it reduces the amount of virus circulating in their body, giving their own immune system more time to respond.
Re: A (possible) solution to Covid-19
#327Earlier quoted context omitted.
I don’t see that any regulatory authority would approve something that is capable of spreading, regardless of the possible benefits: it would violate medical ethics. Reread the Belmont Report. There are many teams all over the world that are looking for less deadly (and more deadly!) strains to guide development of therapies. They’re too busy right now to post on message boards or speak to reporters. It’s however ext…
All the attenuated live viral vaccines spread. This is one of the reasons they are so effective since they keep herd immunity up. For example, every kid that gets the live polio vaccine spreads it around to their peers and parents.
That’s a bug, not a feature: the OPV went to bivalent a few years ago to reduce the odds of vaccine-related cases.
Re: A (possible) solution to Covid-19
#328Earlier quoted context omitted.
Or until something like 95% of population has been infected and we know for sure that those who already had the disease can not spread it anymore.
What about people born after that point? As immune people die over time from other causes, and as people are born without immunity, the percent of the population with immunity from having had it falls. Non-vaccine acquired herd immunity is temporary.
You are right, I haven't thought about that.
Re: A (possible) solution to Covid-19
#329This entire article is a waste of time from the beginning.
The “two strain” theory was debunked the very next day as bad science.
http://virological.org/t/response-to-on-the-origin-and-conti...
I can’t believe that a month later, this bad science is still being circulated, by a purported PhD and former professor.
Re: A (possible) solution to Covid-19
#330Any thought of writing a WaPo, NYT, etc. editorial? With an idea this potentially impactful and your credentials, seems like you'd have a good shot of being accepted.
I suspect more of the people who I want to expose the idea to have seen it here on HN.