Something wrong here?
“Paxlovid is free for now, but Pfizer has plans to put Paxlovid on the commercial market, with initial reports suggesting it could happen by mid-2023…”
“Free” is a bit misleading. The government is paying for it for now, so there is no cost to consumers. Once that deal changes, Pfizer will seek a profit elsewhere, likely consumers
That’s ok, Bill. Don’t take the booster and take your chances. But since you’re clearly a thinking and caring person, be sure to wear your face mask to protect yourself and others.
If you’re a healthy person of any age, wearing a mask inside in a public setting would make a lot of sense if…
You don’t want to get sick during the current uptick before the booster is available (next week?),… if you trust modern medicine.
You don’t want to catch whatever else might be going around that’s “less severe”, with full on in-person schools opened.
You’ve come out of 5 days of isolation (no symptoms) and you’re not sure how much virus is still spewing out when you’re inside. (Consideration of others, recommended 5 more days)
BTW, I watched Oppenheimer this week at the still packed IMAX screen this week and there were about 5-10% masking during a known covid uptick. I enjoyed Nolan’s Dunkirk more, but I watched it at home. I recommend the IMAX experience if you like Chuck Close portraits (BIG and male). Wear a mask and manage your bladder. (3+ hours)
Linda
7 months ago
Thank you for this helpful info.
Matthew
7 months ago
This is great information, thank you!
Carmella Ombrella
7 months ago
Thanks for the good, detailed information. I read it in The City this morning but I’m happy to see it targeted to WSR readers as well. Covid: it ain’t over till it’s over.
Stephan
7 months ago
Originally, the CDC and the media promised us that vaccines would prevent us from getting Covid. They were wrong. Here, we read “it is not yet clear whether the booster will provide complete immunity to the new variant… indicators suggest that it can prevent severe illness and death.” Could they be wrong again? Our First Lady just tested positive today for Covid a 2nd time, following multiple boosters. Big question: why is natural immunity NEVER mentioned? Fun fact: 72 senators and 302 members of the House (both Ds & Rs) cashed a check from the pharmaceutical industry’s PACs ahead of the 2020 election — representing more than 2/3 of Congress. Dozens invested in Pharma stock. In Jan 2020 Moderna stock traded below $20, but by peaked in Sept 2021 at more than $455 a share. Cost of natural immunity? Zero.
The vaccines were extremely effective at preventing infection from the original strain of COVID. Since the scientists that developed the vaccines are not fortune tellers, they could not predict the characteristics of the strains that evolved after the development of the vaccines, and the vaccines were not as effective against those more infectious strains. Sometimes life happens that way.
As for “natural immunity”, the only way to get that is by getting COVID. The cost of that is definitely not zero. For well over a million Americans, the cost of that was their lives.
The CDC may have been wrong about vaccine preventing covid. But it still keeps most people from getting deathly ill. And the booster may not protect against the new strain 100% – just like flu vaccines are not 100%. But they tip the scales in your favor. Notice how fewer people are dying since vaccines were rolled out? When was the last time you saw a makeshift morgue set up to handle the dead from covid?
Actually? The vaccines was effective against the initial strain. Cases dropped to near zero. So yes, the “original” representation was true.
The variants hit and the vaccine “merely” became protective against serious illness meaning the odds you’d be hospitalized or die were a small fraction of those of the unvaccinated.
Which is why, since mid 2021, the death rate in counties with low vaccination rates are twice that of the counties with high vaccination rates.
Thank you! The original vaccine did prevent transmission! Amazing how this fact is completely ignored or forgotten.
Due to the variants of COVID, now the vaccine may not prevent transmission but it greatly reduces the chance of serious illness.
I’m not going to fight this battle in the comments but I’m glad to see at least one person remembers the original vaccine did prevent transmission. Now back to crazy land!
No vaccine can prevent transmission, Covid or not. If you are sick, you are contagious, period.
Amanda
7 months ago
Along with our 3 kids we went to get testing before a trip (PCR tests were *required* prior to travel according to the country- St. Lucia)— we went to the “pop-up” location on 86th just by CVS and although they advertise free tests, we just found out from our insurance that those tests are actually $285/EACH. $1425 for tests… which were never even looked at when we arrived. It’s SO FRUSTRATING. Falsely advertised, outrageously expensive, not to mention, wildly different that what we’ve experienced after 3+ years of no-fee testing and caution being here in the city throughout the pandemic.
Pat Weich
7 months ago
Very important article. Thank you!
I can’t understand why a temporary mask mandate — or at least a strong request — is not initiated N OW to curb the spread, not after the fact allowing so many people to get sick. It really should be instituted in medical facilities and indoor venues in my opinion.
Anna
7 months ago
I wore the masks and got the vaccine and boosters as required, but I wish we were talking more about side effects from the shots. I’ve has some long-lasting health problems since the last two booster shots.
This issue has been so overtaken by fanatics on both sides that you can’t discuss reasonable concerns without one or the other of them hijacking the conversation.
I have been there. The issue is largely ignored and used for political reasons only instead of medical research.
I experienced bad long-lasting side effects from the shots, similar to long Covid. However I am not advertising against or for vaccines. I am strongly against using this as a political issue. My take on it – pick a lesser evil, everyone’s situation is different.
Testing is crucial, thank you WSR and commentators regarding the test sites info
Not sure whether this would make you feel better or not – but I was told by a researcher in this field that at least one point they had reached a conclusion that those who would have had the worst reactions to getting sick are also the most likely to have side effects from the vaccine, but not as severely. I took that as at least some comfort that the vaccine was at least some help.
But yes; I agree that it is frustrating that you can’t have a reasonable discussion of the issues. No vaccine is risk-free – but it has to be weighed against the available alternatives, not against the risk-free state. Those who experience the risks coming to pass should be able to get help and discuss the solutions rationally.
In any event, I’m sorry you are having longer-term effects.
Something wrong here?
“Paxlovid is free for now, but Pfizer has plans to put Paxlovid on the commercial market, with initial reports suggesting it could happen by mid-2023…”
“Free” is a bit misleading. The government is paying for it for now, so there is no cost to consumers. Once that deal changes, Pfizer will seek a profit elsewhere, likely consumers
…where on the UWS are the tests free?
Check the public libraries. St Agnes on Amsterdam was out of them last week but they may get more.
Gail Brewer’s office, 87th and Columbus.
Any Covid advice that includes boosters makes it all suspect.
That’s ok, Bill. Don’t take the booster and take your chances. But since you’re clearly a thinking and caring person, be sure to wear your face mask to protect yourself and others.
Everyone who has Covid should be isolating regardless of their vaccination status.
What is the point of a healthy person regardless of their vaccination status wearing a mask?
If you’re a healthy person of any age, wearing a mask inside in a public setting would make a lot of sense if…
You don’t want to get sick during the current uptick before the booster is available (next week?),… if you trust modern medicine.
You don’t want to catch whatever else might be going around that’s “less severe”, with full on in-person schools opened.
You’ve come out of 5 days of isolation (no symptoms) and you’re not sure how much virus is still spewing out when you’re inside. (Consideration of others, recommended 5 more days)
BTW, I watched Oppenheimer this week at the still packed IMAX screen this week and there were about 5-10% masking during a known covid uptick. I enjoyed Nolan’s Dunkirk more, but I watched it at home. I recommend the IMAX experience if you like Chuck Close portraits (BIG and male). Wear a mask and manage your bladder. (3+ hours)
Thank you for this helpful info.
This is great information, thank you!
Thanks for the good, detailed information. I read it in The City this morning but I’m happy to see it targeted to WSR readers as well. Covid: it ain’t over till it’s over.
Originally, the CDC and the media promised us that vaccines would prevent us from getting Covid. They were wrong. Here, we read “it is not yet clear whether the booster will provide complete immunity to the new variant… indicators suggest that it can prevent severe illness and death.” Could they be wrong again? Our First Lady just tested positive today for Covid a 2nd time, following multiple boosters. Big question: why is natural immunity NEVER mentioned? Fun fact: 72 senators and 302 members of the House (both Ds & Rs) cashed a check from the pharmaceutical industry’s PACs ahead of the 2020 election — representing more than 2/3 of Congress. Dozens invested in Pharma stock. In Jan 2020 Moderna stock traded below $20, but by peaked in Sept 2021 at more than $455 a share. Cost of natural immunity? Zero.
The reason for getting the vaccine is to reduce the devastating effects of Covid , which it does. The vaccine works!
The vaccines were extremely effective at preventing infection from the original strain of COVID. Since the scientists that developed the vaccines are not fortune tellers, they could not predict the characteristics of the strains that evolved after the development of the vaccines, and the vaccines were not as effective against those more infectious strains. Sometimes life happens that way.
As for “natural immunity”, the only way to get that is by getting COVID. The cost of that is definitely not zero. For well over a million Americans, the cost of that was their lives.
The CDC may have been wrong about vaccine preventing covid. But it still keeps most people from getting deathly ill. And the booster may not protect against the new strain 100% – just like flu vaccines are not 100%. But they tip the scales in your favor. Notice how fewer people are dying since vaccines were rolled out? When was the last time you saw a makeshift morgue set up to handle the dead from covid?
Actually? The vaccines was effective against the initial strain. Cases dropped to near zero. So yes, the “original” representation was true.
The variants hit and the vaccine “merely” became protective against serious illness meaning the odds you’d be hospitalized or die were a small fraction of those of the unvaccinated.
Which is why, since mid 2021, the death rate in counties with low vaccination rates are twice that of the counties with high vaccination rates.
Thank you! The original vaccine did prevent transmission! Amazing how this fact is completely ignored or forgotten.
Due to the variants of COVID, now the vaccine may not prevent transmission but it greatly reduces the chance of serious illness.
I’m not going to fight this battle in the comments but I’m glad to see at least one person remembers the original vaccine did prevent transmission. Now back to crazy land!
No vaccines ever have prevented transmission. You can’t be sick and not contagious.
Vaccines either prevent a disease or don’t, but in no way they prevent transmission if a person is sick
No vaccine can prevent transmission, Covid or not. If you are sick, you are contagious, period.
Along with our 3 kids we went to get testing before a trip (PCR tests were *required* prior to travel according to the country- St. Lucia)— we went to the “pop-up” location on 86th just by CVS and although they advertise free tests, we just found out from our insurance that those tests are actually $285/EACH. $1425 for tests… which were never even looked at when we arrived. It’s SO FRUSTRATING. Falsely advertised, outrageously expensive, not to mention, wildly different that what we’ve experienced after 3+ years of no-fee testing and caution being here in the city throughout the pandemic.
Very important article. Thank you!
I can’t understand why a temporary mask mandate — or at least a strong request — is not initiated N OW to curb the spread, not after the fact allowing so many people to get sick. It really should be instituted in medical facilities and indoor venues in my opinion.
I wore the masks and got the vaccine and boosters as required, but I wish we were talking more about side effects from the shots. I’ve has some long-lasting health problems since the last two booster shots.
This issue has been so overtaken by fanatics on both sides that you can’t discuss reasonable concerns without one or the other of them hijacking the conversation.
I have been there. The issue is largely ignored and used for political reasons only instead of medical research.
I experienced bad long-lasting side effects from the shots, similar to long Covid. However I am not advertising against or for vaccines. I am strongly against using this as a political issue. My take on it – pick a lesser evil, everyone’s situation is different.
Testing is crucial, thank you WSR and commentators regarding the test sites info
Not sure whether this would make you feel better or not – but I was told by a researcher in this field that at least one point they had reached a conclusion that those who would have had the worst reactions to getting sick are also the most likely to have side effects from the vaccine, but not as severely. I took that as at least some comfort that the vaccine was at least some help.
But yes; I agree that it is frustrating that you can’t have a reasonable discussion of the issues. No vaccine is risk-free – but it has to be weighed against the available alternatives, not against the risk-free state. Those who experience the risks coming to pass should be able to get help and discuss the solutions rationally.
In any event, I’m sorry you are having longer-term effects.