OK, this is a real question -- I'm not panicking or anything even close to it, but -- I got Pfizer, which I'm reading is less effective against getting the Delta variant, though still likely keeps it from killing you. I'm good with that, and I will be masking up more again.

Here's the question: does doubling up and seeking out the Moderna vax now have any validity to it as further protection? Or is that just dumb and showing a lack of understanding of how vaxes work? I don't really know where to find info. on that or if it's even worth pursuing. Thoughts?

ETA: Well, actually, I have an appt. with a new PCP next week, so I can ask her, of course. Just curious if I'm alone in wondering.

From what I've seen - from my retired doctor father, who is interested - if you got Pfizer or Moderna it's unlikely that getting a different shot will increase effectiveness. If you got Johnson & Johnson, which is a different technology, and less effective in general, getting one dose of Pfizer/Moderna might help overall. This isn't yet an official or approved protocol, though, so it's not clear you could get a doctor to do it (unless you lied). (mr. flea had J&J, which is why we wonder/worry. Everyone else in my family got Pfizer.)

Also, the study in Israel about the Pfizer vaccine was with a very small study group, which means their results should be taken with a grain of salt. I wouldn't panic yet. ND and I are also House Pfizer.

Oh, that's interesting and makes sense. Thanks, flea.

Yeah, I read that, too, Pix. Definitely not panicking.

DH is Pfizer, I'm Moderna, and the kids are J&J. Bottom line, feel confident getting together with vaccinated friends and family, still mask up in sketchy situations, and will probably be a compulsive hand washer forever.

My doctors say that people over 65 or those vulnerable may have to get a booster at some point, but aren't recommending it yet.

It’s good to see you on the board, Aimee.

I feel a bit like we’re in the eye of the hurricane, COVID-wise. I’m enjoying spending time with my vaccinated friends while I can.

Hail, my Empress!

Calli, same - Jim and I were talking this morning about the odds of the Seattle Symphony having in-hall audiences during the next season; there's a note on the page for the opening gala in September that reads

In the event that state and federal guidelines require us to modify our plans, these benefits may be modified and your purchase will be considered a donation.

The packages start at $1000 and run up to $50,000.

I'm resigned to the yoga studio going back to Zoom classes and the gym closing again, though I think one more lockdown will see Michael and Alexa shut the place down for good.

Timelies all!

There was a torrential downpour as we were driving to the concert last night. Luckily, it stopped in time for the concert, which was fun.

How did the babysitter do, Sheryl?

Also, the study in Israel about the Pfizer vaccine was with a very small study group, which means their results should be taken with a grain of salt. I wouldn't panic yet. ND and I are also House Pfizer.

There was a NYT explainer on why the Israel numbers were probably not accurate.

Current estimate is about 85% effective against any symptomatic expression of Delta variant with Pfizer/Moderna. And less than 1% hospitalized or dying.

Of the current literature I've read on Delta, it's generating a much higher viral load, and building up more quickly. So it's more transmissible even in outdoor settings. This has to do in part with its ability to form synctia (new word for me!) or cell clusters that work as viral factories.

A good rundown of the technical aspects of Delta: [link]

"The Delta variants (there's actually more than one in the same viral family), have about 15 different mutations compared with the original virus. Two of these, L452R and E484Q, are mutations to the spike protein that were first flagged as problematic in other variants because they appear to help the virus escape the antibodies we make to fight it.

It has another mutation away from its binding site that's also getting researchers' attention — P681R.

This mutation appears to enhance the "springiness" of the parts of the virus that dock onto our cells, said Alexander Greninger, MD, PhD, assistant director of the UW Medicine Clinical Virology Laboratory at the University of Washington in Seattle. So it's more likely to be in the right position to infect our cells if we come into contact with it.

Another theory is that P681R may also enhance the virus's ability to fuse cells together into clumps that have several different nuclei. These balls of fused cells are called syncytia.

"So it turns into a big factory for making viruses," said Kamran Kadkhoda, PhD, medical director of immunopathology at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio."