# Coronavirus COVID-19 (2019-nCoV) Thread - 2021 Breaking News **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Tags:** covid-quarantine\ **Created:** [January 1, 2021, 8:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428 "2021-01-01T08:03:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 82
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2021, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/1654 "2021-07-06T04:56:52Z")
184,936,178 total cases 4,000,779 dead 169,312,213 recovered In the US: 34,598,361 total cases 621,335 dead 29,111,580 recovered Yesterday’s numbers for comparison: > [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > 184,243,392 total cases > 3,987,409 dead > 168,622,514 recovered > > In the US: > > 34,588,176 total cases > 621,255 dead > 29,087,421 recovered We now have over 4,000,000 deaths due to Covid-19. ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2021, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/1655 "2021-07-06T06:43:42Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Whenever a virus infects a new host, it makes copies of itself, with small genetic differences—mutations—that distinguish the new viruses from their parents. By the way: COVID ‘mutates’ slowly: unlike most viruses, it is resistant to ‘small genetic differences’. On the other hand, there is sex-like exchange between different COVID strains when there is simultaneous infection: COVID may pick up a bit of bat, or pig, or cat, or bird COVID from a strain that can infect, but is unable to transfer _between humans_, or that can _infact cats_ but is unable to transfer _between cats_, and suddenly become more infectious or more deadly. As I understand it, damaging new COVID strains seen wild in chickens, pigs, and cats typically show signs of interchange rather than minor transcription mutations. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2021, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/1656 "2021-07-07T05:26:42Z")
185,393,514 total cases 4,009,283 dead 169,736,766 recovered In the US: 34,622,690 total cases 621,561 dead 29,145,285 recovered Yesterday’s numbers for comparison: > [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > 184,936,178 total cases > 4,000,779 dead > 169,312,213 recovered > > In the US: > > 34,598,361 total cases > 621,335 dead > 29,111,580 recovered ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2021, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/1657 "2021-07-08T06:07:35Z")
185,857,140 total cases 4,017,885 dead 170,103,648 recovered In the US: 34,643,902 total cases 621,873 dead 29,168,313 recovered Yesterday’s numbers for comparison: > [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > 185,393,514 total cases > 4,009,283 dead > 169,736,766 recovered > > In the US: > > 34,622,690 total cases > 621,561 dead > 29,145,285 recovered ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2021, 7:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/1658 "2021-07-09T07:29:46Z")
186,357,958 total cases 4,026,907 dead 170,496,480 recovered In the US: 34,676,896 total cases 622,213 dead 29,203,308 recovered Yesterday’s numbers for comparison: > [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > 185,857,140 total cases > 4,017,885 dead > 170,103,648 recovered > > In the US: > > 34,643,902 total cases > 621,873 dead > 29,168,313 recovered ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2021, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/1659 "2021-07-09T14:06:58Z")
🤔 🤨 😠 > **[Lockdowns in Asia as some nations see 1st major virus surges](https://apnews.com/article/business-lifestyle-health-travel-government-and-politics-182939c819565cd7351554f36784b86f)** > > BANGKOK (AP) — Several countries around Asia and the Pacific that are experiencing their first major surges of the coronavirus rushed to impose tough restrictions, a year and a half into a pandemic that many initially weathered well. \< grumble\> …stupid virus; ffs… \< /grumble\> ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2021, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/1660 "2021-07-09T14:11:52Z")
I suspect this is happening in part because masks don’t work as well for Delta as for earlier variants. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2021, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/1661 "2021-07-09T14:31:16Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > I suspect this is happening in part because masks don’t work as well for Delta as for earlier variants.- Do you have a source for that? I’m googling but can’t find anything specific about mask effectiveness vis a vis the Delta variant. Thx. ---
**Author:** ![Jay\_Z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Jay\_Z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jay_Z)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2021, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/1662 "2021-07-09T14:51:04Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > I suspect this is happening in part because masks don’t work as well for Delta as for earlier variants. Would also like a cite for this. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2021, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/1663 "2021-07-09T14:53:19Z")
A few weeks ago i found some complex mathematical papers about how masks work better for covid than for flu because of the relatively large number of virions it takes (usually) to become infected. And how that was related to how a large fraction of covid infections came from a small number of infectious events. (Super spreader events) And delta seems to be infectious with fewer particles. I don’t have time right now, but I’ll see if i can find those again and I’ll start a new thread, because it doesn’t feel like a breaking news thing. Maybe later this weekend. ---
**Author:** ![Tfletch1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tfletch1/32/5340_2.png) [@Tfletch1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tfletch1)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2021, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/1664 "2021-07-09T15:07:28Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Do you have a source for that? I’m googling but can’t find anything specific about mask effectiveness vis a vis the Delta variant. Thx. Remember back when the alpha variant was circulating, the recommendation was to double mask if you’re not going to wear an N95? That was due to high transmissibility. Now delta is even higher, so if you’re not vaccinated, you’ll definitely have to wear a good mask or double up. The delta virus appears to have a 1000X viral load, so a crummy mask probably won’t even work well as source control. Vaccination appears to prevent serious illness and, to a lesser extent, infection. It’s hard to say whether vaccinated people need to double-mask it or wear N95’s to lower their chances of infection at all. ---
**Author:** ![Jay\_Z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Jay\_Z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jay_Z)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2021, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/1665 "2021-07-09T15:11:01Z")
I generally find variant discussion to be scientifically unsourced. Putting things out there like “masks don’t work against delta variant” runs the risk of doing harm. Puzzlegal, please start an alternate thread if you feel this is worthy of discussion. ---
**Author:** ![Tfletch1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tfletch1/32/5340_2.png) [@Tfletch1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tfletch1)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2021, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/1666 "2021-07-09T16:06:48Z")
Started a new thread, @puzzlegal, @ThelmaLou, and @Jay_Z. > [@SARS-CoV-2 Variants and Mask Effectiveness (Factual)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sars-cov-2-variants-and-mask-effectiveness-factual/946102): > > In this [thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/1660), @puzzlegal, @ThelmaLou, @Jay_Z, and I were discussing the robustness in protection of masks against the new Delta variant. I started this thread to avoid hijacking that one. The question is, does the higher transmissibility of the Delta variant decrease the effectiveness of masks? [Why The Delta Variant Is So Contagious: A New Study Sheds Light : Goats and Soda : NPR](https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2021/07/08/1013794996/why-the-delta-variant-is-so-contagious-a-new-study-sheds-light) A few things to consider: The viral load in the respiratory tract (1000X higher in Delta variant), will effect… ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2021, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/1667 "2021-07-09T19:47:29Z")
Bars and restaurants in Hawaii have been open again for a while but at limited seating capacity. Now they can return to full capacity if they require proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test result in the previous 48 hours. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2021, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/1668 "2021-07-09T22:24:58Z")
3rd time’s the charm? > **[Pfizer to seek OK for 3rd vaccine dose; shots still protect](https://apnews.com/article/europe-coronavirus-pandemic-science-health-34c3f2536747a7c08980d7359a8de70c)** > > Pfizer is about to seek U.S. authorization for a third dose of its COVID-19 vaccine, saying Thursday that another shot within 12 months could dramatically boost immunity and maybe help ward off the latest worrisome coronavirus mutant. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2021, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/1669 "2021-07-10T04:40:54Z")
186,849,013 total cases 4,035,354 dead 170,902,970 recovered In the US: 34,711,416 total cases 622,708 dead 29,222,972 recovered Yesterday’s numbers for comparison: > [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > 186,357,958 total cases > 4,026,907 dead > 170,496,480 recovered > > In the US: > > 34,676,896 total cases > 622,213 dead > 29,203,308 recovered ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2021, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/1670 "2021-07-10T04:59:01Z")
Thailand’s experiencing record numbers of Covid cases and deaths. Starting this coming Monday, the Greater Bangkok area will have a 9pm-4am curfew for at least two weeks. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2021, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/1671 "2021-07-10T14:30:38Z")
I’m sorry to hear it. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2021, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/1672 "2021-07-11T03:39:18Z")
Hawaii reported 114 new cases today (and two deaths), the first time new cases went into the triple digits since late May. The tourist overrun may have something to do with that. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2021, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/1673 "2021-07-11T03:41:53Z")
I’m assuming that the numbers make no distinction between tourists and locals? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428.md?page=81) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428.md?page=83)