Hep C Discussion Forum

 I'm going to try to keep this all focused on proven science based information, and since scientist still have a lot that is unproven at this point, some will be hypothesis, and some theoretical, but that will be noted where applicable.

First, I'd like to link to some videos by Dr Roger Seheult, MD, who no longer has time to do many videos at Medcram.com since he is covered up in the ICU in California treating patients with Covid-19. So these 1st videos are older, and some of the information has been superseded, but they are very informative for a basic understanding of this virus and this disease.

A link to the playlist of ALL of the Medcram 'Coranavirus' updates is HERE.

Here are some videos I selected to condense pertinent information since going back through all the updates would take much time:

How Viruses Work - Molecular Biology Simplified (DNA, RNA, Protein Synthesis)

The ACE-2 Receptor - The Doorway to COVID-19 (ACE Inhibitors & ARBs)

COVID-19 and Oxidative Stress (Prevention & Risk Factors)

Blood Clots & COVID-19 - New Research & Potential Role of NAC

Widespread Clotting on Autopsy

So let's switch to testing and how our current testing system is failing miserably, and a test that will be more effective - the home rapid test. Vaccines are already being administered in some parts of the world and may start being distributed here in the US after likely EUA approval following FDA advisory committee meeting that will convene Thursday and issue its recommendations for the Pfizer Biontech mrna vaccine, and scheduled to do the same for the Moderna mrna vaccine December 17. The vaccines will take time (months) to get widely administered. So there will still be a need for a rapid test for some time to come if we have any hope of curving the current spike in infections and transmission which will likely get worse before getting better in the upcoming winter months.

 Dr Michael Mina from the Harvard School of Public Health has been pushing for advancing this technology for months and although this 'antigen' testing approach has been widely adopted, it has not been produced as a rapid, home-use test to test yourself to see if you are currently 'infectious' (currently shedding the virus). This will be as quick and simple as using a home pregnancy test with results in minutes, which is the major advantage over PCR diagnostic test, which take much more time to receive results, which makes the test almost useless to use as a public awareness tool.

I watched a clip this morning on 'CBS This Morning' TV show which highlighted one of the company's working to make this happen. That link is HERE.

For a better understanding of how this test can be used watch the following interview with Michael Mina on the video podcast, 'This Week in Virology" a very educational podcast with virologist, Professor Vincent Racaniello, 2 other virologist and an immunologist (skip to time point 1:46 to bypass the intro and political comments): Test often, fast turnaround, with Michael Mina

Ct Values: How They Should be Assessed for SARS CoV 2 (COVID 19 PCR Testing vs. Rapid Antigen Tests)

Dr Seheult explains CT Values etc. on 'Rapid Test'

Demonstration with explanation of how a rapid lateral flow assay test works for antigen or for antibody

Real-life validation of the Panbio COVID-19 antigen rapid test (Abbott) in community-dwelling subjects with symptoms of potential SARS-CoV-2 infection

SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and MERS-CoV viral load dynamics, duration of viral shedding, and infectiousness: a systematic review and meta-analysis

As far as vaccine availability and distribution, the media has that covered pretty well on TV and I'll post a link to the 'Regulatory Affairs Professional Society' (RAPS) Vaccine Tracker. Also, more vaccine trials information is listed in the 'Sticky' thread, ' Information Source Links and Vaccine Information' at the top of this section.

But to understand more about the top 3 vaccines currently in phase 3 trials likely soon to be approved in the US (one of which is already approved in the UK and Canada) Dr Seheult has these 3 videos with great information:

Pfizer / Biontech Vaccine

Moderna Vaccine

AstraZeneca - Oxford Vaccine

 To see details on all of the ongoing vaccine clinical trials, see the 'stickied' "Information Source Links - Vaccine Information" post at the top of this section.