Minnesota Thread

Chembry

Addicted to Softballfans
For those interested in COVID Vaccines, here is a good summary of common questions:

I just posted the answers to the questions. There is more discussion on the data if you want to read about it.
https://blogs.sciencemag.org/pipeline/archives/2020/11/18/vaccine-possibilities

How long will protection last?

Bottom line: Taken together, this study, several others over the past few months, and this recent work all paint a consistent picture of a strong, normal, lasting immune response in the great majority of patients. Add in the results we’re seeing from the two vaccines that have reported interim data so far, and I think that the prospects for lasting immunity from vaccination are also very good. Remember, the early vaccine data suggested antibody responses at least as strong as those found in naturally infected cases. There seems (so far) every reason to think that vaccine-based immunity will be as good or better than that conferred by actual coronavirus infection. I very much look forward to more data to shore up this conclusion, but that’s how it looks to me at the moment.

How protective are these vaccines and will they provide total protection?

Bottom line: the results we have so far indicate that these vaccines will indeed provide strong protection in the great majority of patients. The number of asymptomatic cases among the vaccinated population will be a harder number to pin down, but I believe that we should be in good enough shape there as well, based on antibody levels in the primate studies and what we’re seeing in humans.

What about mutations? Will the virus move out from under the vaccine's target?

Bottom line: the coronavirus can’t undergo the wholesale changes that we see with the influenza viruses. And the mutations we’re seeing so far appear to still be under the umbrella of the antibody protection we’ll be raising with vaccination, which argues that it’s difficult to escape it.

How safe are these vaccines? What do we know about side effects?

Bottom line: immediate safety looks good so far. Rare side effects and long-term ones are still possible, but based on what we’ve seen with other vaccines, they do not look to be anywhere at all significant compared to the pandemic we have in front of us.

What about the rollout and who can get them first?

Bottom line: the very first people to get these new vaccines will almost surely be health care workers, and starting some time on in December. The rollout after that has too many variables to usefully predict, but it’s going to be the biggest thing of its type ever attempted, in people-per-unit-time. And yes, I think it’s going to work, and not a minute too soon.

Just an FYI, Derek is a PhD Medicinal Chemist who has worked in pharma for 30+ years. He has been blogging on science topics for a very long time. He knows the ins and outs of pharma and what it takes for a medicine to get approved. He tells it like it is and doesn't hold back. For those that don't know my background, I have a PhD in Medicinal Chemistry. I entered pharma in 2014 as a process chemist and have worked in process chemistry ever since. Basically, I oversee the manufacture of drug substances for clinical trials as well as for commercial use. I also know what it takes for a potential medicine to get approved. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.
 
Last edited:

Chembry

Addicted to Softballfans
Can I get steroids added to my vaccine? I’d like to hit a couple more dingers.

Sure. We need more dingers since Brent is off playing army somewhere in Cuba.

But we aren't playing in Hanover, so I am not sure it will help since you can only hit them in Hanover.
 

Yoke

Too sweeeeeeeet
Sure. We need more dingers since Brent is off playing army somewhere in Cuba.

But we aren't playing in Hanover, so I am not sure it will help since you can only hit them in Hanover.
Baffling that the only place I put them out last year was Hanover and the t-ball field we played at in Duk Duk.
 

mnballer

Addicted to Softballfans
Any of you guys play winter ball with the Easton increedaball...??

Doesn't it matter what bat to use.? Will it hurt any of the monstas..??

Might play an indoor tourney using them in iowa.. never hit them b4. Anyone have info that would be great thanks
 

basilray

Active Member
Any of you guys play winter ball with the Easton increedaball...??

Doesn't it matter what bat to use.? Will it hurt any of the monstas..??

Might play an indoor tourney using them in iowa.. never hit them b4. Anyone have info that would be great thanks

None of the FIB style stuff has much benefit.

The bat I use the most is a '14 DeMarini One. IDK what it is, but it just seems to work.

Like said above, you've gotta' hit the center of the ball. Depending on the facility, if you can push, you'll get that short porch action. Even a lousy can of corn will go out to RF at Braemar.

If you're fast enough, just chop nearly straight down on it, and make them play the bounce. It's pretty effective, especially if you have a short and/or slow pitcher.
 

Chembry

Addicted to Softballfans
Not softball related, just need to vent.

I can’t stand all the COVID misinformation being strewn about (Facebook, Twitter, other forums...). Please, if you have a question about vaccines or COVID please ask. I will answer your questions and address your concerns. PM me if you don’t want to ask publicly. I have a Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry. I won’t debate politics. Just can’t believe how much misinformation is being thrown around.
 

Chembry

Addicted to Softballfans
bill_gates_pandemic-1024x765.jpg






Revelation 13:16-17

16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

April 13 2005
DOD Presentation to strip away the God Gene in Human minds through Vaccination




Vaccination will be ‘a necessity’ for international flights, says Qantas chief

International travellers may need COVID-19 vaccines before they can board some airlines












PCR Test Creator - Died August 7th 2019










Case in point. Can't argue with crazy.

PCR-fact is you don't understand PCR. I would take the time to explain this, but you are well beyond that and wouldn't believe me anyway. Beyond that, those comments were take well out of context.
https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-factcheck-pcr-idUSKBN24420X
https://www.thejournal.ie/kary-mullis-pcr-testing-factcheck-debunk-hse-5271830-Nov2020/

Fact is you need the virus in your blood or it will not show up in PCR. Plain and simple. PCR uses specific primers to copy the genetic code of the virus. The code is specific to the virus. It will not tell you if you are sick. It will only tell you if the virus is in your body...

Here is a document that shows how specific PCR is: https://www.fda.gov/media/136151/download
Spoiler, page 12 shows that the COVID PCR test was specific to SARS-CoV-2. It was examined for cross reactivity agains 23 other viruses, and those were not detected...So no, your claims are false.
 
Last edited:

Chembry

Addicted to Softballfans
"The Cure(Vaccine) will be worse then the Virus."
p8x05m.gif




Chembry: "Case in point. Can't argue with crazy."








Chembry:
"PCR-fact is you don't understand PCR."

You are correct but when there are so many false positives its hard to get an accurate assessment on true positive cases, the average citizen isn't going to go back and retest like Professional Athletes have the privilege of doing.



All 77 false-positive COVID-19 tests come back negative upon reruns

"On August 22, BioReference Laboratories reported an elevated number of positive COVID-19 PCR test results for NFL players and personnel at multiple clubs. The NFL immediately took necessary actions to ensure the safety of the players and personnel. Our investigation indicated that these were most likely false positive results, caused by an isolated contamination during test preparation in the New Jersey laboratory. Reagents, analyzers and staff were all ruled out as possible causes and subsequent testing has indicated that the issue has been resolved. All individuals impacted have been confirmed negative and informed."


Matthew Stafford had 'false positive' COVID-19 test, taken off Lions reserve list



Elon Musk said he tested positive and negative for Covid-19—here’s what you need to know about the different tests


PCR test ‘false positives’ distort picture of pandemic. Here’s how – Panda pathologist Dr Craig


suneHvn.jpg





PV9tvKI.jpg





QCz2uhH.jpg






Yes, false positives can occur. They can occur for a variety of reasons, most of which are human error, not an indicator of the test itself...False positives can occur via contamination of labware, sample mix ups, sample prep, data entry error, etc...None of which are an indicator of a bad test. It has been documented that that false positive rate for is ~0.4-0.8%. Compare that to other RNA viruses, like influenza, the false positive rates have been documented between 0.8-4%. The example you gave on the NFL traces back to a contamination issue. Remember that PCR is meant to be qualitative, not quantitative. Meaning, it will only tell you if the virus is present. More on false positives here:
https://virologydownunder.com/the-false-positive-pcr-problem-is-not-a-problem/
https://virologydownunder.com/yes-pcr-tests-can-detect-the-covid-virus/

On the flip side false negative rates have also been documented:
https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196(20)30365-7/pdf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7543921/

pGbhArg.jpg


CBER Plans for Monitoring COVID-19 Vaccine Safety and Effectiveness
Page 16


FDA Safety Surveillance of COVID-19 Vaccines : DRAFTWorking list of possible adverse event outcomes
***Subject to change***

  • Deaths
  • Pregnancy and birth outcomes
  • Other acute demyelinating diseases
  • Non-anaphylactic allergic reactions
  • Thrombocytopenia
  • Disseminated intravascular coagulation
  • Venous thromboembolism
  • Arthritis and arthralgia/joint pain
  • Kawasaki disease
  • Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children
  • Vaccine enhanced disease
  • Guillain-Barré syndrome
  • Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis
  • Transverse myelitis
  • Encephalitis/myelitis/encephalomyelitis/ meningoencephalitis/meningitis/ encepholapathy
  • Convulsions/seizures
  • Stroke
  • Narcolepsy and cataplexy
  • Anaphylaxis
  • Acute myocardial infarction
  • Myocarditis/pericarditis
  • Autoimmune disease


source.gif





*All these posts will be deleted on December 31st 2020





There are several issues with the meme you provided as evidence for 99.8% survival.
1. You calculate a CFR (case fatality rate) by taking the number of COVID deaths and divide that by the total number of cases. Multiply that by 100 to get a percent.
US (as of this post, data from CDC website):
16,317,892 cases
300,032 deaths

(300,032/16,317,892)*100 = 1.84% case fatality rate.

World (as of this post, data from WHO):
71,919,725 cases
1,623,064 deaths

(71,919,725/1,623064)*100 = 2.26% case fatality rate

https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/data/mortality
https://www.nebraskamed.com/COVID/how-to-calculate-covid-19-stats-for-your-area
https://newslit.org/updates/case-fatality-rate-vs-mortality-rate/

The number you state is the number of deaths divided by the total US population. That is an incorrect assessment.

2. You assume that either you are fine or death are the only outcome of a COVID infection. That isn't the case. We are seeing people that are suffering from long term consequences of a COVID infection.
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/the-hidden-long-term-cognitive-effects-of-covid-2020100821133
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-02598-6
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2771581
https://www.sciencemag.org/news/202...ovid-19-s-lingering-problems-alarm-scientists


It is blatantly obvious that you didn't even look at or read up on the current vaccines up for EUA. None of those side effects were observed in the vaccines up for EUA. Yes, the trial participants are being monitored for those side effects. That is our job, to monitor for safety and efficacy. Most common side effects were injection site pain, fatigue, headache, muscle/joint pain, and fever. These are very typical vaccine side effects.

Serious adverse events: Six people died of the 43,448 people in the Pfizer trial (2 in the vaccine group and 4 in the placebo). When you run a large multinational trial like this, with people of all ages (~10,000 were over 75), these things happen and you can't control them. More died not receiving the vaccine than that did.
3 died of heart attacks (the 2 in the vaccine trial and 1 in the placebo
1 died of arteriosclerosis (placebo)
1 died of a stroke (placebo)
1 died of unknown causes

The most common serious adverse events were appendicitis and lymphadenopathy (enlarged lymph nodes).

All the data is available. Please take a look:

Pfizer: https://www.fda.gov/media/144246/do...sN_vY_128JU-U_f7LcXiyCTsR5munFNGCAVYFIc8512vE

FDA's analysis of Pfizer's data: https://www.fda.gov/media/144245/do...21tPYCFqejJt3hujn1JIwnX5jqYuNmxe5j84h4D8D5VyI

FDA's Analysis of Moderna's data: https://www.fda.gov/media/144434/do..._oPZufmTzqaUpUAtA4H_QUoVSNdv4PaPnia262wnLDd30

FYI-these vaccines weren't developed overnight. They have benefitted from 20 years of vaccine research on coronaviruses. This research started with SARS-CoV-1 (2002-2004) and MERS (2012-present), both of which are coronaviruses:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3371787/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7115537/

Here is how those efforts helped the current vaccine development:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7177048/

Let's get real. You aren't interested in learning the science behind COVID, vaccines, or the potential medicines. Just so everyone is aware people were asked to mask and social distance during the Spanish influenza pandemic as well. Much like today, people didn't listen. The data is very clear:
https://www.pnas.org/content/pnas/104/18/7588.full.pdf
https://www.nih.gov/news-events/new...onse-was-crucial-containing-1918-flu-pandemic
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6187781/pdf/AJPH.2018.304695.pdf

You really should read some books:
Michael Osterholm's "Deadliest Enemy: Our War Against Killer Germs"
John M Barry's "The Great Influenza"
Arno Carlen's "Man and Microbes: Diseases and Plagues in History and Modern Times"
Richard Preston's "The Hot Zone"
R. Bray's "Armies of Pestilence: The Impact of Disease on History"

To be honest, I didn't spend the last 19 years (4 years undergrad, 5 years grad school, 2 years post-doctoral studies, 8 years industrial experience) to take my scientific data from memes. Unless you post actual data with real sources, I will not dignify your posts with a response. If you want to have a real conversation and discuss science, then lets do so.
 
Last edited:

Chembry

Addicted to Softballfans
View attachment 65930


Ahhh...a very well thought out refreshing post! I like it!

I respect the time and effort you have committed to your profession, as a matter of fact I admire it!

You have put in years of schooling and hard work to gain the knowledge you have on the subject and with that I'm assuming at some point you took on some financial debt from the schooling but you were rewarded with a good paying job in return...which is all great because you obviously care about people and should certainly be compensated for your work in the field..you are heavily invested in this....my only question for you though is are you financially benefiting from the vaccine rollout?

If yes then I would question your motives of playing down the side effects of the vaccine while encouraging others to commit to getting the vaccine at such an early stage.

If No then I'd take your advice more sincerely.

Appreciate the post, recommended reading List and you are correct I'm not all that interested into getting into the hard data of the China Virus right now (but I will take you up on the reading material / links you supplied) because we are dealing with a much more bigger issue right now for humanity that will be unfolding in front of the World in the next two months...

#Great Reset Vs. #Great Awakening

Thank you for the kind words. They are truly appreciated. Yes, I am heavily invested, as you can tell. My fear is that the trust between the general public and scientists/scientific information has been fractured. How do we regain that trust?

I am not trying to sway anyone's decision on vaccine's. Everyone is free to make their own decisions. I only want to correct the scientific inaccuracies. What I don't want is people making choices based on false claims/evidence. For what it's worth, I will get vaccinated as soon as I can.

No, I am not involved in any aspect of COVID-19 research, vaccines, or medicines in any way. My work is centered around diabetic neuropathy and chronic kidney diseases. In my previous company, we were focused on CNS disorders (epilepsy, Alzheimer's , Parkinsons, etc...).
 

Yoke

Too sweeeeeeeet
An off-season with no hockey and no bp is a boring off-season.


A couple teams are up on Go Softball.
 

basilray

Active Member
I'd kill for real BP.

As one of about 4 people still coming into the office, I setup the hitting net and tee from my backyard in the basement at work. Like, yeah, it's a tee...but it beats not doing anything.

I'd definitely love to get some actual BP, especially since winter ball is already scrapped.

And, you know, if anyone is looking for a D-league pitcher come spring...
 

thelastsamurai

Addicted to Softballfans
I'd kill for real BP.

As one of about 4 people still coming into the office, I setup the hitting net and tee from my backyard in the basement at work. Like, yeah, it's a tee...but it beats not doing anything.

I'd definitely love to get some actual BP, especially since winter ball is already scrapped.

And, you know, if anyone is looking for a D-league pitcher come spring...
I think I might try to get a team together next spring in Bloomington at Dred Scott, probably Thursdays. Nobody likes pitching so we could use a pitcher haha
 

Beauner

Starting Player
I'm debating if it's even worth trying to submit my appeal. I got bumped for taking BP with the Crew in Fargo for nationals. Didn't play in a single inning, 0 at bats, and for those who know me you know I ain't courtesy running.
But I haven't played C yet. Because no C teams have use for a scrub. But "If you haven't played C you're not getting dropped"
 
Top