March Madness and Covid-19

[152219]

Layman terms?

Here was the first structure of COVID-19 that came out a few weeks ago (corresponding authors are actually at UT-Austin).
science.sciencemag.org/content/early/2020/02/19/science.abb2507

Ultimately, the structure is very similar to SARS (obviously, both are coronaviruses), but there are differences. SARS and COVID-19 enter cells by binding the ACE2 protein which is on the surface of cells in the respiratory system, but one paper shows that COVID-19 binds to ACE2 with higher affinity than SARS, with the other showing similar affinities (higher affinity to ACE2 would drive higher infection rates). What was shown by sequencing and verified in both structures is that there has been a mutation in the DNA sequence that creates an extended furin cleavage site in COVID-19 that isn't found in SARS. This expanded cleavage site is used for virus biosynthesis and this change creates a site that is often found in highly virulent avian and human influenza viruses, hence the high virulence.

 

[sheepdogs1]

Layman terms?

There aren't any.

 

[steverocks35]

Layman terms?

Basically an ELISA is a diagnostic test that uses tagged antibodies to detect analytes. In other words, you have a manufactured antibody to a specific thing (usually some protein sequence specific to what you’re looking for). This antibody will be bound to something that’s detectable by the instrument, usually a radioactive isotope or whatever. So you combine the sample with the reagent that’s contains the antibody, and if it binds to the substance you’re looking for it will not be washed away, it will stay in the cuvette and then the instrument will measure the light absorbance (or in some cases last thereof) and that absorbance will be directly proportional to the concentration of the substance you’re looking for and the instrument will calculate that number and spit it out. Or will give you a “positive” result above a certain concentration or a “negative” result below that cut-off.

That’s a very simplified explanation.

 

[steverocks35]

Here was the first structure of COVID-19 that came out a few weeks ago (corresponding authors are actually at UT-Austin).
science.sciencemag.org/content/early/2020/02/19/science.abb2507

Ultimately, the structure is very similar to SARS (obviously, both are coronaviruses), but there are differences. SARS and COVID-19 enter cells by binding the ACE2 protein which is on the surface of cells in the respiratory system, but one paper shows that COVID-19 binds to ACE2 with higher affinity than SARS, with the other showing similar affinities (higher affinity to ACE2 would drive higher infection rates). What was shown by sequencing and verified in both structures is that there has been a mutation in the DNA sequence that creates an extended furin cleavage site in COVID-19 that isn't found in SARS. This expanded cleavage site is used for virus biosynthesis and this change creates a site that is often found in highly virulent avian and human influenza viruses, hence the high virulence.

It does have high virulence but I'm struck by the high rate of transmission. At the nursing home in Washington that was hit hard, there were 70 workers, that were all infected with the virus, 70! There is no way of knowing how many people those 70 infected as they went about their lives outside of work.

 

[152219]

It does have high virulence but I'm struck by the high rate of transmission. At the nursing home in Washington that was hit hard, there were 70 workers, that were all infected with the virus, 70! There is no way of knowing how many people those 70 infected as they went about their lives outside of work.

The high infection rate makes me believe the first paper is correct and that COVID-19 binds to ACE2 with higher affinity and this drives a higher transmission rate.

 

[steverocks35]

The high infection rate makes me believe the first paper is correct and that COVID-19 binds to ACE2 with higher affinity and this drives a higher transmission rate.

Agreed, that's why this thing is expanding logarithmically.

 

[Max Power]

Ivy League cancelled their men’s and women’s conference tournaments

 

[steverocks35]

Ivy League cancelled their men’s and women’s conference tournaments

The BNP tennis tournament in California, basically the second biggest tennis event in America behind the US Open, was cancelled. Harbingers of things to come....

 

[sheepdogs1]

I think I'm going to take the mail and place it in the oven to kill off any possible germs. I've read where 160 degrees or so will kill bacteria in 4 minutes.

I've also read where the virus can last on some surfaces for a series of days and the smoother the surface the longer it lasts but on more porous surfaces the virus has a shorter life span. The article stated that an increase of temperature from 68 to 86 cuts down the survival time by 50%.

 

[steverocks35]

I think I'm going to take the mail and place it in the oven to kill off any possible germs. I've read where 160 degrees or so will kill bacteria in 4 minutes.

I've also read where the virus can last on some surfaces for a series of days and the smoother the surface the longer it lasts but on more porous surfaces the virus has a shorter life span. The article stated that an increase of temperature from 68 to 86 cuts down the survival time by 50%.

Are you going to crank up your thermostat to 86? Lol

 

[Max Power]

Are you going to crank up your thermostat to 86? Lol

don't tell my wife this slows it.

 

[sheepdogs1]

Are you going to crank up your thermostat to 86? Lol

No cranking required. I'm worried about outside contamination as opposed to what's already in the house. And I've been taking care of my grandmother so I see it as a prudent step for she's 90 and if she gets it she will be in dire straits.

 

[steverocks35]

The town of New Rochelle, New York has been put in a Covid-19 “containment zone.” The national guard has been called in to deliver food to the residents. If you don’t think the government can quarantine you, think again. If they declare a public health emergency they have broad powers to contain it.

 

[sheepdogs1]

The town of New Rochelle, New York has been put in a Covid-19 “containment zone.” The national guard has been called in to deliver food to the residents. If you don’t think the government can quarantine you, think again. If they declare a public health emergency they have broad powers to contain it.

Rob & Laura Petrie are probably not happy.

 

[steverocks35]

Rob & Laura Petrie are probably not happy.

Damn we’re old

 

[Max Power]

The Governor of Ohio is asking for no spectators other than parents and essential personnel attend indoor athletic events. Will the NCAA move the first 4 because of this?

 

[steverocks35]

The Governor of Ohio is asking for no spectators other than parents and essential personnel attend indoor athletic events. Will the NCAA move the first 4 because of this?

I think they will be forced to play them with no spectators.

 

[Max Power]

I think they will be forced to play them with no spectators.

Cleveland is also a POD host the first weekend

 

[steverocks35]

Cleveland is also a POD host the first weekend

There are bigger things than basketball, and there will be enormous pressure from public health officials on the NCAA to not be part of the problem

 

[Max Power]

There are bigger things than basketball, and there will be enormous pressure from public health officials on the NCAA to not be part of the problem

not disagreeing, just pointing out that a tournament with no fans is becoming a more real possibility