10.1101/2021.11.17.21263608

Both clinical trials and studies leveraging real-world data have repeatedly confirmed the three COVID-19 vaccines authorized for use by the Food and Drug Administration are safe and effective at preventing infection, hospitalization, and death due to COVID-19 and a recent observational study of self-reported symptoms provides support that vaccination may also reduce the probability of developing long-COVID. As part of a federated research study with the COVID-19 Patient Recovery Alliance, Arcadia.io performed a retrospective analysis of the medical history of 240,648 COVID-19-infected persons to identity factors influencing the development and progression of long-COVID. This analysis revealed that patients who received at least one dose of any of the three COVID vaccines prior to their diagnosis with COVID-19 were 7-10 times less likely to report two or more long-COVID symptoms compared to unvaccinated patients. Furthermore, unvaccinated patients who received their first COVID-19 vaccination within four weeks of SARS-CoV-2 infection were 4-6 times less likely to report multiple long-COVID symptoms, and those who received their first dose 4-8 weeks after diagnosis were 3 times less likely to report multiple long-COVID symptoms compared to those who remained unvaccinated. This relationship supports the hypothesis that COVID-19 vaccination is protective against long-COVID and that effect persists even if vaccination occurs up to 12 weeks after COVID-19 diagnosis. A critical objective of this study was hypothesis generation, and the authors intend to perform further studies to substantiate the findings and encourage other researchers to as well.

Reduced Incidence of Long-COVID Symptoms Related to Administration of COVID-19 Vaccines Both Before COVID-19 Diagnosis and Up to 12 Weeks After

Arcadia, in collaboration with Leavitt Partners’ COVID-19 Patient Recovery Alliance, presents novel findings on patient susceptibility to long-COVID symptoms

New Study Finds Vaccine Dose Timing Reduces Risk of Long-COVID in Unvaccinated Patients

10.1016/S2666-7568(21)00276-2

The unprecedented, real-life pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic have shone a harsh spotlight onto long held assumptions from medical research, not least in the field of human immunology. Faced with this unprecedented global dataset of human infection and immunity, it has become crucial to appraise and reappraise assumptions about the nature and measures of protective immunity, durability of antiviral immunity, and changes in immunity across the life course. The learning curve has been steep. At the start of the pandemic, there were opposing arguments. Some emphasised building protective herd immunity following natural infection,1 while others argued that immune subversion mechanisms of human coronaviruses (such as those that cause winter colds) make annual, rolling reinfection the norm,2 and tolerance of natural exposure came at an unacceptably high risk with an infection of such high case fatality rate, especially in elderly people. Although it is clear that disease severity and lethality are strongly associated with age,3 the specific immune correlates of differential susceptibility are hard to delineate, since most studies indicate nuanced deficiencies in B cell and T cell immunity across the life course.4

SARS-Cov-2 immune waning and reinfection in care-home settings

Cases on the dashboard *exclude* reinfections.And there are a *lot* of reinfections as far as Omicron is concerned h/t @AlistairHaimes and @Peston *And* this is only cases *reported* today - not from *infections* today With a 2-day doubling time for Omicron, this isn't great

EU risk assessment advises against Christmas mixing owing to new Covid variant’s high transmissibility

Omicron likely to accelerate death toll in Europe, says health agency

The UK has recorded the highest number of daily Covid-19 cases since the beginning of the pandemic, with 78,610 reported on Wednesday.

Covid: UK reports highest daily cases since the pandemic began

10.1038/d41586-021-03736-4

A high-profile replication study in cancer biology has obtained disappointing results. Scientists must redouble their efforts to find out why.

Replicating scientific results is tough — but essential

Graph of Pfizer 3rd shot (booster) vs Omicron symptomatic infection, restoring to 75% protection, significantly less compared to its effect vs Delta (95%) with 95% CI, @UKHSA data, vs unvaccinated https://ft.com/content/8a6a0ec8-fd07-49cd-a3f5-386a06269a5c… by @hannahkuchler @donatopmancini @mroliverbarnes

10.1038/s41591-021-01630-0

Although myocarditis and pericarditis were not observed as adverse events in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine trials, there have been numerous reports of suspected cases following vaccination in the general population. We undertook a self-controlled case series study of people aged 16 or older vaccinated for COVID-19 in England between 1 December 2020 and 24 August 2021 to investigate hospital admission or death from myocarditis, pericarditis and cardiac arrhythmias in the 1–28 days following adenovirus (ChAdOx1, n = 20,615,911) or messenger RNA-based (BNT162b2, n = 16,993,389; mRNA-1273, n = 1,006,191) vaccines or a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) positive test (n = 3,028,867). We found increased risks of myocarditis associated with the first dose of ChAdOx1 and BNT162b2 vaccines and the first and second doses of the mRNA-1273 vaccine over the 1–28 days postvaccination period, and after a SARS-CoV-2 positive test. We estimated an extra two (95% confidence interval (CI) 0, 3), one (95% CI 0, 2) and six (95% CI 2, 8) myocarditis events per 1 million people vaccinated with ChAdOx1, BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273, respectively, in the 28 days following a first dose and an extra ten (95% CI 7, 11) myocarditis events per 1 million vaccinated in the 28 days after a second dose of mRNA-1273. This compares with an extra 40 (95% CI 38, 41) myocarditis events per 1 million patients in the 28 days following a SARS-CoV-2 positive test. We also observed increased risks of pericarditis and cardiac arrhythmias following a positive SARS-CoV-2 test. Similar associations were not observed with any of the COVID-19 vaccines, apart from an increased risk of arrhythmia following a second dose of mRNA-1273. Subgroup analyses by age showed the increased risk of myocarditis associated with the two mRNA vaccines was present only in those younger than 40.

Risks of myocarditis, pericarditis, and cardiac arrhythmias associated with COVID-19 vaccination or SARS-CoV-2 infection

West End hits The Lion King and The Life of Pi are among a number of shows that have been forced to cancel performances due to Covid-19 outbreaks.

Musicals, plays and pantos cancel shows after Covid-19 outbreaks

Of the 1,360 cases reported, 424 are from the Hunter New England areaAuthorities have warned that the Omicron variant is likely to dominate Newcastle infections  Brad Hazzard said illness caused by the Omicron variant appeared to be less severe

NSW COVID-19 cases hit three-month high, 1,360 new infections reported

Conservative MP Desmond Swayne says the “carnage” on UK roads is “certainly killing more people than Covid at the moment”. For context there were just 1,460 deaths on British roads in the whole of 2020, compared to more than 4,000 deaths of people with Covid last month alone.

Some politicians, public officials and a handful of physicians are spreading misinformation. It's important for journalists to debunk falsehoods high up in their stories, avoid false balance, and dig into the motives.

When public officials spread health misinformation, be quick to point it out: A tip sheet

The COVID-19 pandemic has been accompanied by an “infodemic” of false information and conspiracy theories since the virus first emerged nearly two years ago. Exposure to misinformation can reduce plans to get vaccinated, and may potentially put more people at risk. This tension between those who are vaccinated and those who reject vaccines or dispute the science can divide families and rip apart friendships especially when loved ones are immersed in conspiracy theories about, for example, the origin of COVID-19 or mask wearing. With Germany hit by a significant fourth wave of COVID infections, several German states are now trying new ways to tackle COVID denial and false information about vaccination. Building on research about disinformation, which refers to incorrect information that is deliberately spread, some states have created centres with free, confidential counselling for people who are either looking for help in dealing with family members who believe false information or just want to check facts.

Tackling COVID disinformation with empathy and conversation

Just noticed this terrible advice in the NHS Covid app. #COVIDisAirborne

For many Americans who scrambled to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as their turn came up, the relief of gaining immunity was just one reward. Achieving “fully vaccinated” status conferred a faint halo of virtue as well.Now, both the shots’ biological protection and the satisfaction of contributing to the herd’s immunity are proving short-lived. And with a worrisome new coronavirus variant threatening to erode vaccine-induced immunity further, health officials are debating whether the definition of “fully vaccinated” should be amended to include a booster shot.

Should the definition of ‘fully vaccinated’ be changed to include a booster shot?

Both I and Lewis Hamilton can drive.Quote TweetMaxime Bernier@MaximeBernier · Dec 10Both the vaccinated and unvaccinated can spread the virus.

All of these are offered in the weekly NICD report, published here: https://nicd.ac.za/diseases-a-z-index/disease-index-covid-19/surveillance-reports/weekly-testing-summary/… (6/6)

It therefore follows that any proper analysis of the South African testing data HAS TO (at the very least) * analyse by date of collection (not reporting) * analyse PCR tests distinct from Ag tests * monitor differentials in public/private testing (5/6)

2. The VOLUME of daily tests is highly periodic, low on weekends, for example. The count of CASES is also highly periodic. But the proportion testing positive is ALSO periodic - so it's not a case of the two periodicities in cases and tests cancelling each other out. (3/6)

3. We know that many negative Ag test results are NOT loaded AT ALL. EVER. AND that delays in loading Ag test results are longer than delays in loading PCR results. (4/6)111118

1. The daily tests announced are those that are LOADED that day. The test may have been conducted several days/weeks earlier. What those daily reports mean is pretty hard to interpret. (2/6)

Given the comedic misinterpretation of the South African testing data offered by @BallouxFrancois (and many others!) last night ... I offer some tips having contributed to the analysis of the testing data for the @nicd_sa since April last year. (1/6)

Flexibility on spending includes purchase of high-efficiency particulate-absorbing filters

Schools and childcare services to get up to €72m for ventilation

The number of confirmed COVID cases is rising in all of Southern Africa.

10.1136/bmj.n3062

The SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant, first detected in South Africa on 24 November, has now been found in 57 countries. Elisabeth Mahase looks at what we know about it so far, including how well treatments and vaccines work

Covid-19: Do vaccines work against omicron—and other questions answered

Denmark, already up shit creek because of Delta, has just met Omicron. Near-vertical growth. #auspol #covid19aus

10.1101/2021.12.08.21267491

Recently, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variant B.1.1.529 (Omicron) has been described. Here, we analyze titers of neutralizing antibodies of sera from convalescent or vaccinated individuals against the new B.1.1.529 variant and compared them with titers against other Variants of Concern (B.1.1.7, B.1.351, B.1617.2) using replication competent SARS-CoV-2 variants. We found that sera from vaccinated individuals neutralized the B.1.1.529 variant to a much lesser extent than any other variant analyzed. Neutralization capacity against B.1.1.529 was maintained best against sera from super immune individuals (infected and vaccinated or vaccinated and infected).

SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.529 variant (Omicron) evades neutralization by sera from vaccinated and convalescent individuals

10.31234/osf.io/n6hw7

Although the COVID-19 crisis is a worldwide threat to individuals’ physical health and psychological well-being, not all people are equally susceptible to increased ill-being. One potentially important factor in individuals’ vulnerability (versus resilience) to ill- being in the face of stress is emotion regulation. On the basis of Self-Determination Theory, this study examined the role of three emotion regulation styles in individuals’ mental health during the COVID-19 crisis, that is, integration, suppression, and dysregulation. Participants were 6584 adults (77 % female, M age = 45.16 years) who filled out well-validated measures of emotion regulation, depression, anxiety, life satisfaction, and sleep quality. To examine naturally occurring combinations of emotion regulation strategies, hierarchical k-means clustering was performed, yielding 3 profiles: (a) low scores on all strategies (indicating rather low overall levels of worry; 27%), (b) high scores on integration only (41%), and (c) high scores on suppression and dysregulation (33%). Participants in the profiles scoring high on suppression and dysregulation displayed a less favorable pattern of outcomes (high ill-being, low life satisfaction, and poorer sleep quality) compared to the other two groups. Between- cluster differences remained significant even when taking into account the corona- related worries experienced by people. Overall, the findings underscore the important role of emotion regulation in individuals’ mental health during mentally challenging periods such as the COVID-19 crisis. Practical implications and directions for future research are discussed.

Emotion Regulation in Times of COVID-19: A Person-Centered Approach Based on Self-Determination Theory

I love how I, an actual GP...who was involved in the initial covid vaccination programme ...has to tune in at 8pm with the public to find out that apparently we are vaccinating the entire adult population with boosters by the end of the year

Two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, doctors worldwide are learning more about how the illness impacts children.

Doctors weigh COVID-19 impact on children as vaccine drives ramp up

10.1101/2021.12.09.21267516

Objective: To estimate associations between COVID-19 vaccination and Long Covid symptoms in adults who were infected with SARS-CoV-2 prior to vaccination. Design: Observational cohort study using individual-level interrupted time series analysis. Setting: Random sample from the community population of the UK. Participants: 28,356 COVID-19 Infection Survey participants (mean age 46 years, 56% female, 89% white) aged 18 to 69 years who received at least their first vaccination after test-confirmed infection. Main outcome measures: Presence of long Covid symptoms at least 12 weeks after infection over the follow-up period 3 February to 5 September 2021. Results: Median follow-up was 141 days from first vaccination (among all participants) and 67 days from second vaccination (84% of participants). First vaccination was associated with an initial 12.8% decrease (95% confidence interval: -18.6% to -6.6%) in the odds of Long Covid, but increasing by 0.3% (-0.6% to +1.2%) per week after the first dose. Second vaccination was associated with an 8.8% decrease (-14.1% to -3.1%) in the odds of Long Covid, with the odds subsequently decreasing by 0.8% (-1.2% to -0.4%) per week. There was no statistical evidence of heterogeneity in associations between vaccination and Long Covid by socio-demographic characteristics, health status, whether hospitalised with acute COVID-19, vaccine type (adenovirus vector or mRNA), or duration from infection to vaccination. Conclusions: The likelihood of Long Covid symptoms reduced after COVID-19 vaccination, and the improvement was sustained over the follow-up period after the second dose. Vaccination may contribute to a reduction in the population health burden of Long Covid, though longer follow-up time is needed.

Changes in the trajectory of Long Covid symptoms following COVID-19 vaccination: community-based cohort study

Since May 2021, people living in counties that voted heavily for Donald Trump during the last presidential election have been nearly three times as likely to die from COVID-19 as those who live in areas that went for now-President Biden. That's according to a new analysis by NPR that examines how political polarization and misinformation are driving a significant share of the deaths in the pandemic.

Pro-Trump counties now have far higher COVID death rates. Misinformation is to blame

Nine new COVID cases recorded, six of whom were in the communityPositive cases visit Currumbin bakery and Elanora shopping centre, more exposure sites due to be listed later todayEnd of primary school graduations cancelled at Broadbeach State School after student tests positive

Six new community COVID-19 cases recorded on the Gold Coast, closing school

10.1016/S1473-3099(21)00770-2

On Nov 24, South Africa alerted the world to the latest SARS-CoV-2 variant, omicron (B.1.1.529). The omicron variant distinguishes itself from previous variants by harbouring in its genomic sequence 49 mutations (30 of which occur within the spike protein)—a jump from the 13 mutations found within the delta variant (B.1.617.2). More mutations does not intrinsically mean that a variant is more dangerous, but almost immediately omicron generated concern within the global health community regarding its transmissibility and ability to evade both vaccine-induced and natural immunity. The report of the new variant has caused national governments to react with the reintroduction of non-pharmaceutical measures and ramped up vaccine booster programmes in the hope of delaying the spread of omicron. Controversially, however, for some governments the immediate response was to issue travel bans against South Africa. The UK was the first to adopt such a proposal, and was swiftly followed by the USA, Israel, and others.

Emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants: shooting the messenger

Online petition asserts public health measures undermine civil liberties

Critics of petition against COVID-19 measures say it is grounded in hyperbole and misinformation

SGTF Regional data to Dec 6 from https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1039470/Omicron_SGTF_case_update.pdf… (Last data point would be expected to be incomplete based on the dates and so to slightly understate growth. And also will already have moved substantially from the midpoint of that last week on 3rd Dec.)

Boris Johnson's continued pretence that UK is one of the most vaccinated countries in the world, repeated again in press conference just now announcing new restrictions, is getting tiresome. That has not been the case for many many months, despite vaccine hoarding early on.

PM announces stronger measures in England to counter Omicron, but finds his ‘moral authority’ questioned

Boris Johnson rushes in Covid plan B amid Christmas party scandal

One of the most significant differences is that Omicron does not contain the coronavirus S-gene that is present in most other strains which can be detected in widely used PCRs by many laboratories

Omicron Covid cases may be far higher than currently confirmed, variant marker analysis reveals

10.31234/osf.io/45pge

Research indicated that emotions experienced in relation to the climate crisis are important predictors of environmental attitudes and behaviours. However, the affective milieu is changing rapidly over the years along with the change in societal appraisal. Thus, more research is required to identify the relevant emotional drives and their contextual impact on governance scenarios. Here we presented respondents with three sets of proposed United Kingdom policies which differ by their extent of reformative aspiration. In a cross-sectional online web survey, respondents (n=260) rated their support (or opposition) for the Conservative Government’s manifesto, the Climate and Ecology Bill (CEE Bill) and the Green New Deal. We asked if distinct emotions linked to the emergency predict the type of policy support, if policy support mediates the relationship between emotions and active engagement (i.e., number of advocacy actions), and if the degree of engagement predicts the type of policy support. Using a combination of linear mixed models and mediation analysis, we found that respondents who reported higher levels of anxiety and worry were generally more prone to support environmental policies. Only respondents who reported the greatest intensity of disappointment were more likely to support the CEE bill. The support expressed for the CEE policies mediated the relationship between active engagement and both worry and disappointment, respectively. Finally, greater active engagement accounted for greater CEE bill support. Our findings dovetail with previous literature and provide new insights into the analysis of the complex relationship between emotions, policy support, and environmental advocacy.

The role of emotions on policy support and environmental advocacy

10.31234/osf.io/wh4cs

Direct persuasion (providing arguments) is usually a less effective influence technique than self-persuasion (self-creation of arguments). As most young adults are unafraid to contract COVID-19, self-persuasion focused on protecting the health of others may be an effective method of increasing vaccination rates in this population. Thus, empathy seems to be a crucial factor affecting vaccination intentions. We conducted two experiments using the theory of planned behavior. Study 1 (N = 366) compared the effectiveness of self-persuasion targeted at others' health versus personal health and direct persuasion in encouraging COVID-19 vaccination intention. Results indicate that among young adults, self-persuasion targeted at others' health (compared to other forms of persuasion) has an indirect effect on vaccination intention through utility and social norms beliefs. Moreover, as empathy increases, utility, social norms, and control beliefs increase, which is associated with a greater COVID-19 vaccination intention. Study 2 (N = 375) investigated the applicability of self-persuasion in health communication through a poster framed as an open-ended question. We found that the poster with self-persuasion targeted at others’ health, enhanced vaccination intention, compared with a direct persuasion poster. Together, our findings demonstrate the potential of self-persuasion targeted at others' health in increasing COVID-19 vaccination uptake among young adults.

Vaccinating to protect others: The role of self-persuasion and empathy among young adults

10.31234/osf.io/b2pxd

We investigated how the transition to remote instruction amidst the COVID-19 pandemic affected students’ engagement, self-appraisals, and learning in advanced placement (AP) Statistics courses. Participants included 681 (Mage=16.7 years, SDage=.90; %female=55.4) students enrolled in the course during 2017-2018 (N=266), 2018-2019 (N=200), and the pandemic-affected 2019-2020 (N=215) year. Students enrolled during the pandemic-affected year reported a greater improvement in affective engagement but a decrease in cognitive engagement in the spring semester relative to a previous year. Females enrolled in the pandemic-affected year experienced a greater negative change in affective and behavioral engagement. Students enrolled during the pandemic-affected year reported a greater decrease in their anticipated AP exam scores and received lower scores on a practice exam aligned with the AP exam compared to a prior year. Though resilient in some respects, students’ self-appraisal and learning appeared negatively affected by pandemic circumstances.

Disruptiveness of COVID-19: Differences in Course Engagement, Self-appraisal, and Learning

10.31234/osf.io/epjrg

Purpose While lockdowns are essential in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, school closures may increase risk of loneliness in adolescents. In this paper, we investigate how lockdown affects loneliness in adolescents and potential protective factors. Methods This study examines 768 young people in Scotland age 12 to 17, who took part in TeenCovidLife surveys during and after the first national lockdown in 2020. Survey 1 ran from May to July 2020, during the first school closures period. Survey 2 ran from August to October 2020, after schools reopened for most pupils. Participants reported current loneliness and pre-pandemic loneliness. Participants also completed self-report measures of resilience and social support. Results Loneliness increased from pre-pandemic levels during lockdown and then decreased when restrictions eased. However, loneliness remained significantly higher post-lockdown compared to pre-pandemic. Predictors of loneliness were assessed with ordinal logistic regression. Greater resilience was associated with lower loneliness at all stages of lockdown, but older teens were more likely to be lonely post-lockdown. Greater peer support was associated with lower loneliness before lockdown. However, during lockdown, family support was associated with lower loneliness. After schools re-opened, participants with greater social support from school staff were 15% less likely to be lonely. Conclusion Loneliness was higher during lockdown than before lockdown. Moreover, loneliness remained higher after lockdown than before lockdown. However, resilience and social support in school may protect against this lingering loneliness. Resilience training and school-based social support programmes may reduce the long-term effects of lockdown on well-being in young people.

Loneliness in Scottish Adolescents Before, During and After the First National UK Lockdown

10.31234/osf.io/49y6s

Despite widespread communication of the health risks associated with the COVID-19 virus, many Americans underestimated its risks and were antagonistic regarding preventative measures. Political partisanship has been linked to diverging attitudes towards the virus, but the cognitive processes underlying this divergence remain unclear. Bayesian models fit to data gathered through two preregistered, online surveys administered before (March 13, 2020, N = 850) and during the first-wave (April-May, 2020, N = 1610) of cases in the United States, reveal two preexisting forms of distrust––distrust in Democratic politicians and in medical scientists––that drove initial skepticism about the virus. During the first-wave of cases, additional factors came into play, suggesting that skeptical attitudes became more deeply embedded within a complex network of auxiliary beliefs. These findings highlight how mechanisms that enhance cognitive coherence can drive anti-science attitudes.

A Darkening Spring: How Preexisting Distrust Shaped COVID-19 Skepticism

10.31234/osf.io/frxt8