A mutant coronavirus has emerged, even more contagious
 

Scientists have identified a new strain of the coronavirus that has become dominant worldwide and appears to be more contagious than the versions that spread in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new study led by scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

The new strain appeared in February in Europe, migrated quickly to the East Coast of the United States and has been the dominant strain across the world since mid-March, the scientists wrote.

In addition to spreading faster, it may make people vulnerable to a second infection after a first bout with the disease, the report warned.

The 33-page report was posted Thursday on BioRxiv, a website that researchers use to share their work before it is peer reviewed, an effort to speed up collaborations with scientists working on COVID-19 vaccines or treatments. That research has been largely based on the genetic sequence of earlier strains and might not be effective against the new one.

A mutant coronavirus has emerged, even more contagious than the original, study says

Here is the original;

Spike mutation pipeline reveals the emergence of a more transmissible form of SARS-CoV-2 | bioRxiv

Please immediately read the disclaimer at the top highlighted in yellow that says "These are preliminary reports, not yet peer reviewed".

Yes, there is a link to the actual study in the article I posted for all to see.. Almost all the covid 19 studies we see are not yet peer reviewed, which takes time. Scientists know the caliber of the scientists at Los Alamitos Laboratory, and can judge accordingly.

Every single one of us is thirsty for good news. In this situation those who really know what they are doing do not rush to accolades.

Neither of us are up to date scientists so we must wait and see.

I am confident every one of the 60 plus companies working on a vaccine are studying this paper, plus the companies trying to produce a drug that works. Covid 19 is like the flu, its a moving target that adapts and mutates. Unfortunately, the dominant strain has become more infectious. No accolades necessary, this study gives knowledge to the people trying to make a vaccine.

Gracie, what you have done here is known as chain searching or backward reference searching. Thank you.

“Libguides” from the reference library at Florida Atlantic University defines chain searching as “identifying and examining the references or works cited in an article. It is done to study the origins and development of a theory, model, or construct on a subject of interest.“

In this cyberworld of cut-and-paste ad nauseam, the truth is often disguised, trampled, or completely lost. (Sometimes the truth never existed in the first place, like with conspiracy theories.)

I wish more people would bother to chain search.

Marian Boomer

The link she posted was included in the article I posted. No chain or backward link searching necessary.

If you think the article I posted about the study was an inaccurate summary let us know after you read the actual study.

I have no intention of engaging in a debate of the content. I am not qualified to do so. I chose to make a point about reference sourcing, in general. For that, I am qualified.

Pretty sure Gracie found the link to actual study in the article I posted, not thru reference sourcing. Doesn't matter anyway.

Covid-19, Corona Virus, new strains........
 

In the grand scheme of things.... just what does any of this matter to us? What can we do to change it? TOTV used to be an interesting forum that I enjoyed on a daily basis. It has gotten to the point that I don't even care to look at it anymore. Between the virus, the golfing, the restaurants, masks/no masks, and the endless questionable statistics by unqualified posters...... it has become tedious. I know...... then don't come here and read it. Good advice.... but I just kept hoping that maybe one of these days TOTV would return to it's "old enjoyable self". :ohdear:

Information overload is the new dangerous virus.

I hear you. My plan for this summer was to go to Scotland for several months to play golf, escape the heat here. Maybe next year.

The good old days had lots of threads complaining about dog poop, bad parking, bad driving, traffic circles, golf course conditions etc. Now we have lots of threads complaining about lockdown rules, face masks, direction arrows in supermarkets etc etc

Most of the threads I post are based on science, medicines to treat patients, vaccine developments, where and how you can get exposed to the virus etc. Some find them helpful, others not. The only hope we have are good medicines and a vaccine. Believe me, I'd rather be posting about golf from Scotland.

PS News about this virus mutation will probably be all over the news today, so don't watch if it disturbs you.

It seems awful funny despite the increasing daily new infections they are attempting to re open the economy.
I think the whole story isn't being told at just how big the real scope of this virus is.

Now I read that the National Covid-19 task force is going to be disassembled.

We all wish the same. For some order out of this chaos, some tools to really fight this bug, and some dependable figures about those who are infected and those who have passed from day to day...and to know where the people generally live....county, town, who were sick and who died.