On minimizing the spread of the delta variant
There is a little-known piece of the delta variant “puzzle” that is allowing the virus to easily spread. It has to do with our “threshold” cells (the cells of our nose and throat).
“What we now know about how to fight the Delta variant of Covid” by Dr. J. Stacey Klutts, published in the Tampa Bay Times, August 10, updated Sept. 3 describes it best.
In summary (and greatly simplified):
To enter our bodies, a virus must first populate the “threshold” cells of our nose and throat. With the delta variant, this now happens in an equally high viral count, to both vaccinated and unvaccinated people during the first few days after exposure. By about Day 5, the viral load has increased enough to warrant an IgG immune response. The viral population is then greatly decreased in vaccinated people and illness is diminished (or avoided altogether).
The vaccine was not designed to create an IgA immune response, the response needed to eliminate the virus at the threshold-cell level.
It is this “5-day period” that is of great concern. With the original coronavirus, vaccinated people had a much lower viral load during this five-day time period and were not of concern as asymptomatic carriers. With the efficiency of delta, however, vaccinated people are now significant carriers.
Think about it. If we are this far into the pandemic with all of our precautions, and it is still spreading exponentially, there is another factor at play.
If even just a few vaccinated people socialize without masks (which I see happening often), the virus can easily spread. Over the next five days, a person from this unmasked social circle will most likely interact with an unvaccinated individual (or with an individual who has an unvaccinated person in their family). Boom! The virus has found a “host” to populate. Unfortunately, this “host” is usually a child.
Here’s what we need to do to minimize the spread of the delta variant:
Until our community is fully aware of this new “5-day” factor, BOTH vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals should wear an N95 mask around an unmasked individual outside of the household.
The N95 mask is made up of tightly-woven particles that, if worn properly, prevent contagious droplets from entering the nose and mouth of the wearer. A face visor and earplugs would prevent the virus from entering eyes and ears. The regular cloth masks do not protect the wearer in the presence of an unmasked person (although effective when all individuals in a group wear cloth masks).
The tidal wave is coming. This super-efficient variant is just getting started. The time to act is now, before this generation of children (and therefore our future) is disastrously affected. Regardless of whether or not you have been vaccinated, protect your family and our island community by wearing an N95 mask while socializing with an unmasked individual who is not a part of your household.
Let’s bring these numbers down Kaua‘i!!
Anne Meyers, Kilauea
This letter was updated on Thursday, Sept. 9 at 9:30 a.m. for clarity.
Anne, it’s simpler to just build a padded cell room in your house and stay there. Don’t let anyone in! Then you are safe for longer than the “5-day factor.” You will have traded your freedom for the illusion of safety, but isn’t that what it is really about? You have described the threat as “spreading exponentially,” which becomes mind-boggling after very few cycles. And that store you invested in selling N95 masks, face shields, ear plugs, etc. should provide you an income. Life will never really be risk free, but you will have done your part for safety.
Dear Prudence,
Thank you for your response to my letter about how to stop this virus. Because we are protecting a baby in our family, I am choosing to do in-depth research on the Delta Variant.
I encourage everyone to read the original article by Dr. J. Stacey Klutts, published in the Tampa Bay Times, August 10th and updated September 3rd. His lab supplies the information that makes our national policy decisions regarding the virus. It is no longer a matter of our personal freedom, but of our survival as a species.
I encourage you to become as well-researched as you are outspoken. We need all the help we can get to stop this virus. Anne Meyers, MS Physiology
Thank you Miss Meyers for letter to the Garden Island.
It is always butter to be safe then sorry… it’s wiser to be cautious than to be hasty or rash and so do something you may later regret.
Thank you, thank you.. thank you very much.
So glad Elvis supports my research efforts to stop the Delta variant!
She means you use the word “then”. It is a comparison so you should have used, “than”. This is your English. Not up to the level. Do not thank her. She’s a professor.
It is not spreading exponentially.
Do you have any data to support your concern? Children have a milder case and recover faster. After having the virus they develop an immunity without the danger of side effects from the “virus.”
Where can I buy the N95 face mask?
I wear a mask and face shield whenever I leave my house or car. I am fully vaccinated. But, I cannot support this letter.
Here are some credibility tips:
1. When you quote or represent a Doctor, give the doctor’s name and position.
2. Give a reference as to where we can find the material used as a basis.
3. Spell out government initials. VA is Veterans Affairs and they do not have a lab that determines US Pandemic policies. The Center for Disease Control does; but, it is in the form of a suggestion which is spread throughout, and managed by, the Administration. As we’ve seen, the States have a good deal of their own authority as well.
4 Check out key words. You will not find “Threshold cells” in the Grey’s Anatomy textbook because it already has use as a clinical adverb.
Re Prudence:
“Anne, it’s simpler to just build a padded cell room in your house and stay there. Don’t let anyone in!”
“You will have traded your freedom for the illusion of safety, but isn’t that what it is really about?”
Seriously? Why is it such a big deal for some of you to wear a dang mask and keep your distance from others? Nobody needs to hide in a padded room, such a lame comment!
And, nobody is trading their freedom by cooperating with a few simple requests to help slow this virus. It’s astounding how many repeat that same nonsense over and over. Yawn. We have our FREEDOM, which our ancestors fought hard for. There’s far too many whiners who’ve forgot how to care about one another, and it’s pitiful.