15 Best N95, KF94, and KN95 Face Masks (2022) | WIRED

15 Best N95, KF94, and KN95 Face Masks (2022) | WIRED: According to a report from spring 2021, if an infected and noninfected person were both wearing cloth masks, it would take around 27 minutes for an infectious dose of Covid-19 to reach the noninfected person. If both were wearing surgical masks, that time would rise to about an hour. If both were wearing non-fitted N95s, it would take 25 hours to receive an infectious dose. This was before the Delta or Omicron variants, but it should offer an idea of the masks' relative effectiveness levels.

SARS-CoV-2 variants dashboard

SARS-CoV-2 variants dashboard

 

This is pretty cool!  I have quit thinking about variants when they seemed to be getting less deadly. 

CGP Gray mentioned that variants are getting more transmissible but less deadly.  I'd like to read more research about that.

Ultra-contagious BA.4, BA.5 subvariants fuel coronavirus spread across much of California - Los Angeles Times

Ultra-contagious BA.4, BA.5 subvariants fuel coronavirus spread across much of California - Los Angeles Times

 I thought I was done. I'm going to start linking to stories about the new variants, but actually start summarizing articles and make this an actual blog.  I'm trying to decide if I want to wear a mask or not.

North Korea reports positive covid case for the first time - The Washington Post

North Korea reports positive covid case for the first time - The Washington Post: With no vaccines at all, experts have said North Korea risks becoming the epicenter of new variants as a result of the population’s low immunity to the virus. 

The next variant: three key questions about what’s after Omicron

The next variant: three key questions about what’s after Omicron

This party isn't over.

"Although that has fed speculation that the virus could be evolving towards a strain that induces a milder disease, SARS-CoV-2’s evolutionary path remains unclear, says Rambaut. Thus far, new variants of concern have not evolved from the dominant preceding one. Instead, they have emerged from separate lineages. There is no guarantee that the next dominant variant will sprout from the ‘mild’ Omicron branch of the SARS-CoV-2 family tree. “It is possible that a later variant may be back to a Delta or Alpha lineage, with sufficient immune evasion to sweep Omicron away,” says Rambaut."

A new wave and a new booster? - by Eric Topol

A new wave and a new booster? - by Eric Topol

I would recommend the 2nd booster if you are more than 4-6 months from your 3rd shot, you are age 50+, you tolerated the previous shots well, and you are concerned about the BA.2 wave where you live, or that it’s getting legs as you are trying to decide. Or if you are traveling or have plans that would put you at increased risk.

It can certainly be deferred, but the question is when is the right time, and whether an Omicron-specific vaccine will have any advantage over a 2nd booster directed at the original strain. The data from 2 animal models (macaques and mouse models) suggests there may not be advantage of the Omicron-specific vaccine but that may not correlate with its effect in people. From my discussions with FDA, it is not likely the Omicron-specific vaccine will be available before late May or June. So you can factor that uncertain added benefit and timeline into your decision.

V

Vaccine scientists have been chasing variants. Now, they’re seeking a universal coronavirus vaccine.

“I worry about chasing variants, because there’s always going to be a new variant,” said Drew Weissman, a vaccine pioneer and immunologist at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine who is working on a pan-coronavirus vaccine. “Right now, every six months they pop up, but they’re going to pop up until the world is vaccinated.”