The Road goes ever on and on ... Day 428 (928)

Australia will end its mandated five-day isolation period for confirmed covid infections beginning on October 14. The Netherlands does not require such isolation; it merely advises it. Needless to say, not everyone views these as positive steps in dealing with the coronavirus. Given that I was symptomatic for two weeks and tested positive for almost three, I'd say I was likely still contagious after five days. So maybe shortening or ending isolation for confirmed cases is not so good an idea.

Work continues on mucosal covid vaccines that could be delivered nasally, orally, or transdermally. These have the potential to prevent even mild infections and stop transmission. Some candidate vaccines still need trials to determine efficacy; of the 12 candidates under study, four are in phase III clinical trials. Because SARS-CoV-2 enters the body through mucous membranes such as those found in the mouth, nose, and throat, a mucosal vaccine would add immunity at the virus's entry points. The desired result would be to stop the virus from implanting, multiplying, and moving throughout the body. The current injectable vaccines do induce some level of mucosal immunity, though that level is low. A factor complicating testins is that a very large proportion of the population has already been exposed to covid. 

It is still strongly recommended that pregnant and breastfeeding people get a covid vaccine. [Aside: the source used the term "people" not "women." Have we had a pregnant or breastfeeding man yet?] Covid apparently increases the risk of miscarriage. Preterm birth and stillbirth occur more often in pregnant patients with covid. Babies born to someone with covid are more likely to need intensive care. The vaccine or covid spike protein appears not to cross the placenta. Antibodies cross, however, offering newborns some protection. Finally, there is no known risk for breastfeeding; in fact, breastfeeding also gives the baby some protection. 

My planned weekend activities were canceled due to the remnants of Hurricane or Tropical Storm Ian as it travels north from the coast. The weekend forecast, for here, includes wind gusts of up to 50 miles per hour and possible flooding. We will have it easy compared with people in Florida or South Carolina. We have had storm remnants do significant damage here, but this should not be one of them.