The Restaurant of Mistaken Orders sounds like a novel I’d buy without bothering to read about it first. How wonderful and kind that it’s a true place. Thank you yet again for your dedication to helping us understand All Things COVID (Plus).
Really appreciate your newsletter. I haven't caught Covid yet and trying to feel comfortable in larger settings (like restaurants or my office or nightclubs) to not wearing a mask. I'm probably the last person still wearing a mask all the time. Am concerned w contracting Long Covid. Was last vaccinated in Nov and am thinking of getting vaccinated again now and then again this Nov (every 6 mos). Is it worth getting vaccinated every 6 mos or overkill? I'm 66 and in relatively good health and normal weight. Any thoughts on going maskless and vaccinations every 6 mos?
Hi Peter, I can't really say what you should do, but if it were me, I would get vaccinated and I would continue to wear a mask, especially when SARS-CoV-2 levels are high in wastewater. That being said, right now we are in a lull with about every 1 in 201 people currently infected with COVID which is about as low as it gets. (https://bsky.app/profile/jpweiland.bsky.social/post/3lqxj3dlbd22z)
Has there been any research about blood types and COVID? I have yet to be diagnosed with it and I’ve always wondered if it was related to my blood type. I could just be lucky, though. I have gotten the vaccines, but my parents and brother did and both had COVID (my brother has had it 3 times).
Most likely, you have been lucky or you have different habits than your family. It really depends on exposure. People who frequent bars, restaurants and other indoor venues are going to be exposed to the virus more often.
Regarding blood type, according to this JAMA article, Type O blood may or may not be protective against COVID infection and that Type A blood may increase risk. But, I don't think that it s a big influence.
Thanks! This is super interesting. I am really introverted and I work from home, so I don’t go out much. That probably plays into it a lot.
But I used to be a teacher and taught during the pandemic and I still never managed to test positive — despite the majority of my class testing positive. I guess I should feel fortunate I’ve never been diagnosed with it. I know Long COVID is so tough.
I cant see any correlation to the amount in waste water and how many times people are infected. I mean--come on! While infected, how many detectable particles does one person excrete? What if one does more than another? Unbelieveably, I felt poorly when first responding to this, becoming much worse, and tested positive last night for my FOURTH round of covid. But back to it--if 5,000 people are actively excreting evidense in to millions of gallons of sewage, can you tell that it 5,000. Wouldnt you have to be testing almost every minute to be able to graph it? Im on a septic tank, by the way. Millions of Americans are, and of the thousands of sewer systems , hpow many of those are tested? So sure you can tell if this sampling has more or less than the last but it doesnt really give an accurate picture. My actual point was NOONE has accurate figures on how many were/are/will be infected. My doctor only knows about 1 of my 4 rounds with it. Nobody I know bothers to report to officials when they have it. There never was, nor can there ever be an accurate count on infection rates. By the way--since my second round Ive noticed a marked reduction in mental faculties. Ive become lethargic, weaker than I was, and forgetful. Like Im in a fog. Very oddly--Ive become unable to type without dyslexic problems and you should have seen how long it took me to clear up the typos before sending this. My family has noted this. Whoever first started this virus altering business should be prosecuted and get the death penalty for what its done to humanity.
I learn new and important facts with each newsletter. And the sweet/happy/interesting last item is a joy every time. Thank you, Dr. Crystal!
I'm glad that you find it helpful Janine.
Thank you! Fighting! 💪💙
The Restaurant of Mistaken Orders sounds like a novel I’d buy without bothering to read about it first. How wonderful and kind that it’s a true place. Thank you yet again for your dedication to helping us understand All Things COVID (Plus).
Really appreciate your newsletter. I haven't caught Covid yet and trying to feel comfortable in larger settings (like restaurants or my office or nightclubs) to not wearing a mask. I'm probably the last person still wearing a mask all the time. Am concerned w contracting Long Covid. Was last vaccinated in Nov and am thinking of getting vaccinated again now and then again this Nov (every 6 mos). Is it worth getting vaccinated every 6 mos or overkill? I'm 66 and in relatively good health and normal weight. Any thoughts on going maskless and vaccinations every 6 mos?
Hi Peter, I can't really say what you should do, but if it were me, I would get vaccinated and I would continue to wear a mask, especially when SARS-CoV-2 levels are high in wastewater. That being said, right now we are in a lull with about every 1 in 201 people currently infected with COVID which is about as low as it gets. (https://bsky.app/profile/jpweiland.bsky.social/post/3lqxj3dlbd22z)
Has there been any research about blood types and COVID? I have yet to be diagnosed with it and I’ve always wondered if it was related to my blood type. I could just be lucky, though. I have gotten the vaccines, but my parents and brother did and both had COVID (my brother has had it 3 times).
Hi Elizabeth,
Most likely, you have been lucky or you have different habits than your family. It really depends on exposure. People who frequent bars, restaurants and other indoor venues are going to be exposed to the virus more often.
Regarding blood type, according to this JAMA article, Type O blood may or may not be protective against COVID infection and that Type A blood may increase risk. But, I don't think that it s a big influence.
1/2023 JAMA: Why Blood Type Seems to Be Linked With COVID-19 Risk https://buff.ly/tZrTZ5U
Recent prior infection with a common cold virus OC43 may be somewhat protective against COVID infection.
9/2022 Recent infection with HCoV-OC43 may be associated with protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection https://buff.ly/fSgxgS0
1/2024 Nature: Human coronavirus OC43-elicited CD4+ T cells protect against SARS-CoV-2 in HLA transgenic mice https://buff.ly/RZWkxWy
Thanks! This is super interesting. I am really introverted and I work from home, so I don’t go out much. That probably plays into it a lot.
But I used to be a teacher and taught during the pandemic and I still never managed to test positive — despite the majority of my class testing positive. I guess I should feel fortunate I’ve never been diagnosed with it. I know Long COVID is so tough.
I dont underatand how ANY figures on covid can be considered accurate. Ive had it three times and no doctors know about that at all.
Hi Marvin, Wastewater levels of SARS-CoV-2 can give us a lot of information on current infection rates. I'm not sure that I understand what you mean.
I cant see any correlation to the amount in waste water and how many times people are infected. I mean--come on! While infected, how many detectable particles does one person excrete? What if one does more than another? Unbelieveably, I felt poorly when first responding to this, becoming much worse, and tested positive last night for my FOURTH round of covid. But back to it--if 5,000 people are actively excreting evidense in to millions of gallons of sewage, can you tell that it 5,000. Wouldnt you have to be testing almost every minute to be able to graph it? Im on a septic tank, by the way. Millions of Americans are, and of the thousands of sewer systems , hpow many of those are tested? So sure you can tell if this sampling has more or less than the last but it doesnt really give an accurate picture. My actual point was NOONE has accurate figures on how many were/are/will be infected. My doctor only knows about 1 of my 4 rounds with it. Nobody I know bothers to report to officials when they have it. There never was, nor can there ever be an accurate count on infection rates. By the way--since my second round Ive noticed a marked reduction in mental faculties. Ive become lethargic, weaker than I was, and forgetful. Like Im in a fog. Very oddly--Ive become unable to type without dyslexic problems and you should have seen how long it took me to clear up the typos before sending this. My family has noted this. Whoever first started this virus altering business should be prosecuted and get the death penalty for what its done to humanity.