UK COVID Mutation

[AsherO]

You were right, this was actually done

https://twitter.com/blackboxcamerac/status/1355927890362310657

So interesting.

What’s amazing is that all these reactively-created antibodies are developed by human (or other zoological) immune systems present in nature, in ways that this immune response cannot (yet) be synthesized in a laboratory.

[PlatinumGuy]

So interesting.

What’s amazing is that all these reactively-created antibodies are developed by human (or other zoological) immune systems present in nature, in ways that this immune response cannot (yet) be synthesized in a laboratory.

What do you mean? We know how the antibodies bind to virus to neutralize it

[AsherO]

What do you mean? We know how the antibodies bind to virus to neutralize it

But AFAIK we don’t know how to make synthesize antibodies (an immune response) to a specific sequence of virus code ourselves. Even if we know how to copy them in a lab, the prototype for those copies comes from natural biological processes in a human or animal body.

[PlatinumGuy]

But AFAIK we don’t know how to make synthesize antibodies (an immune response) to a specific sequence of virus code ourselves. Even if we know how to copy them in a lab, the prototype for those copies comes from natural biological processes in a human or animal body.

Do none of the monoclonal therapeutics use wholly artificial antibodies? But yes, we are very far from imitating biological processes that we understand fairly well.

[AsherO]

Do none of the monoclonal therapeutics use wholly artificial antibodies?

I don’t know, but I don’t think they were developed artificially, even if they’re lab-grown versions of antibodies produced in a body.

[avromie7]

Good proposal, but there are 100m+ human hosts. It would take a huge scientific effort and can only be done in BSL3 labs. Imagine if we accelerate a dangerous mutation and accidentally let it loose? 

Of course, even after we have the knowledge, few will believe it...

That being said, if we took the $700b annual defense budget and spent half of it on research, it would have a far more measurable impact on our lives. We are our biggest enemies.

While there are major spending issues especially when it comes to the military, and we can discuss the merits of all the active wars, I think a strong US military helps keep peace in the world. If there was another WW2, there is no way the US can ramp up military power if the defense budget was cut in half.

[PlatinumGuy]

https://twitter.com/kakape/status/1356359522177179662

[PlatinumGuy]

https://twitter.com/billhanage/status/1356719083119607808

E484K mutation is far from new

[PlatinumGuy]

https://twitter.com/trvrb/status/1356997082003906562
https://twitter.com/trvrb/status/1356997086638559235
https://twitter.com/trvrb/status/1356997091776585728

[skyguy918]

While there are major spending issues especially when it comes to the military, and we can discuss the merits of all the active wars, I think a strong US military helps keep peace in the world. If there was another WW2, there is no way the US can ramp up military power if the defense budget was cut in half.

You mean like we literally did with WW2?

[avromie7]

You mean like we literally did with WW2?

1) There's always room to increase at times of war, but without the foundation you're a a significant disadvantage
2) The US had quite some time and warning to begin ramping up. If the Germans hadn't needed the same curve to ramp up their military power, the outcome of the war would have been significantly different.

[PlatinumGuy]

https://twitter.com/adamjkucharski/status/1359813479104978944

Progressive v Random

[Ergel]

Progressive v Random

Fascinating!

[PlatinumGuy]

https://twitter.com/jajaimeso/status/1361000922302865416

Wonder how this would explain increased transmission in kids

[AsherO]

Wonder how this would explain increased transmission in kids

It doesn’t explain why they’re more susceptible to this strain, but once they get it it explains how they’re passing it around to their friends before anyone realizes someone in the group is positive and separates them.

[PlatinumGuy]

It doesn’t explain why they’re more susceptible to this strain, but once they get it it explains how they’re passing it around to their friends before anyone realizes someone in the group is positive and separates them.

I meant proportionally more transmission than before in kids compared to transmission in adults. The timeline changes would presumably be similar, and you'd expect them to increase transmission in adults as much as they do so in kids.

[AsherO]

I meant proportionally more transmission than before in kids compared to transmission in adults. The timeline changes would presumably be similar, and you'd expect them to increase transmission in adults as much as they do so in kids.

I think two separate things are different about the variant:

1. Higher transmission
2. Children more susceptible to infection (or higher viral load)

Combined that would translate to greater transmission in children, but as a product of both things combined.

[PlatinumGuy]

I think two separate things are different about the variant:

1. Higher transmission
2. Children more susceptible to infection (or higher viral load)

Combined that would translate to greater transmission in children, but as a product of both things combined.

True, but the mutation isn't that significant, so you have to explain as much of the outcome as possible with as little difference as possible. So, if the mutation simply makes the viral load higher, that alone can explain all of the different outcomes.

[AsherO]

True, but the mutation isn't that significant, so you have to explain as much of the outcome as possible with as little difference as possible. So, if the mutation simply makes the viral load higher, that alone can explain all of the different outcomes.

I'm not sure we fully understand the effect of age on COVID infection (or reduction thereof in younger demographics), which is the starting point here, pre-variant.

[PlatinumGuy]

https://twitter.com/erictopol/status/1361889161683197953