Sunday, September 06, 2020

This was the first time the idea of vaccination was proved invaluable.

The first modern use of the idea of vaccinated started with Edward Jenner.

Distinctive cowpox (click here) lesions appeared on the boy's hands, arms and feet

Edward Jenner (1749-1823), (click here) an English doctor, became interested in the idea that previous illness with a disease called cowpox could protect a person from later becoming ill with smallpox. Jenner's biographer claimed that Jenner heard this folk wisdom from a milkmaid: having caught cowpox from a cow, she believed herself, and her smooth skin, safe from smallpox.

Cowpox is an uncommon illness in cattle, usually mild, that can be spread from a cow to humans via sores on the cow. During an infection, dairy workers may have pustules on their hands. Sufferers can spread the infection to other parts of the body.

We know now that the cowpox virus belongs to the Orthopox family of viruses. Orthopox viruses also include horsepox virus, monkeypox virus and variola viruses, which cause smallpox.


The death of corals, especially the Great Barrier Reef, is also an economic loss for sports fishing, too.

8 April 2018
By Josh Gabattiss

This is just one (click here) of several species of good-sized, toothy mackerel likely to slam plugs around the GBR. "Sharkies" are great light-tackle gamesters (also sometimes used for black marlin trolling baits). The IGFA world record is 27 pounds, 1 ounce, taken off Brisbane in 1989.

The coral bleaching events (click here) that have devastated the Great Barrier Reef in recent years have also taken their toll on the region’s fish population, according to a new study.

While rising temperatures on the reef killed nearly all the coral in some sections, the effects on the wider marine community have been less clear.

Now, scientists have begun to establish the long-term effects of bleaching events on the Great Barrier Reef’s fish population.

This work is essential for researchers trying to understand what will happen to coral reef ecosystems as global warming makes mass bleaching events more frequent....

Macrophages carry the template for antibodies to the lymphocytes.

24 January 2020

...Different lineages of tissue-resident macrophages (click here) respond divergently to microbial, environmental and immunological stimuli....

Breathing brings in foreign particles into the lungs. A person body is constantly producing white blood cells.

Macrophages (click here) are specialised cells involved in the detection, phagocytosis and destruction of bacteria and other harmful organisms. In addition, they can also present antigens to T cells and initiate inflammation by releasing molecules (known as cytokines) that activate other cells....

Within the discussion of SARS-CoV-2 and the human body's reaction to it is the word "cytokine storm." 

...Cytokines (click here) are small secreted proteins released by cells have a specific effect on the interactions and communications between cells....

So, an antigen (virus, bacteria or fungus) enters the body. It engages the immune response, cytokines carry the message to the white blood cells that help in defending the body is needed, then the macrophages devour the foreign cell and pass that template of destruction to the lymphocytes. Hence long-lasting immunity. 

Some may recall when being immunized as a child, then adult the reason there are BOOSTER shots is to REMIND the immune system, the danger still exists. That may be the path of the vaccine for SARS-CoV-2, in that booster shots may be necessary until the virus is eradicated from Earth.

The loss of Earth's ice compromises it's thermostat and raises sea level.

1 September 2020
By Marlowe Hood

Greenland Surface Melt Extent Interactive Chart (click here)

The Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets, (click here) which hold enough frozen water to lift oceans 65 metres, are tracking the UN's worst-case scenarios for sea level rise, researchers said Monday, highlighting flaws in current climate change models....

September 1, 2020
By Robin Young and Samantha Raphelson

A total of 28 trillion tons of ice (click here) has disappeared from the Earth’s surface since 1994, according to the results of a study that shocked the U.K. researchers who conducted it.

This report fulfills the worst-case scenario that was predicted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 30 years ago. Scientists from Leeds and Edinburgh universities and University College London predict that by the end of this century, sea level could rise by more than 3 feet....

There are four methods of virus development, but, B-lymphocytes are the antibody machine.

Live, attenutated

Inactivated/Killed

Toxoid (inactiated toxin)

Subunit/conjugate

A person produces white blood cells every day. The human body is magnificent. The immune response if very complex and it isn't easy to simplify to communicate the process. The same immune response when it is a vaccine at work, is produced whenever the need exists. How does that immune response occur and what happens when it doesn't?

B-lymphocytes are the memory cells. T-lymphocytes also have the capacity for developing an antibody response, but, the B-lymphocytes primarily produce the antibodies from the attack of macrophages of the antigen.

B-cell development. The figure shows the broad outline of B-cell developmental stages in mice and humans. B-1a, B-1b, and B10 populations are less well characterized in humans. CLP indicates common lymphoid progenitor; SHM, somatic hypermutation; and CSR, class switch recombination.

White blood cells (click here) get their start in your bone marrow. They have a short life -- only two to three days -- so your body constantly makes more. There are different types, and they all have the same goal: to fight infection.

They wait, poised for duty, in many different places in your body, including your:

  • Thymus
  • Spleen
  • Tonsils
  • Blood vessels
  • Lymph nodes
  • Small intestine
  • Adenoids
  • Blood vessels

From the very first break up of Larson B ice shelf, scientists were stating this is getting to late to end the climate crisis.

For nearly two decades politicians have dummied down the response to severe storms, hurricanes, and tornado outbreaks. The message from the 1960s has always been the same, this is serious and everyone needs to take it seriously. The politics of the petroleum industry has prolonged the emissions even increasing them and placing the entire planet Earth in peril.

...How strange is recent weather? (click here)

The expression "500-year storm" is losing its meaning: Houston has suffered five of them in a five-year span. California's wildfires — ignited by 1,200 lightning strikes in a 72-hour span — produced the second- and third-worst blazes in state history, even without the aid of the fall's strong Santa Ana winds. The Atlantic coast has seen 10 named storms so far this season, a mark typically hit in October, and upcoming storms are projected to be twice as intense as usual, because of extremely warm ocean waters. Hurricanes have done $335 billion in damage over the past three years, compared with $38.2 billion across the entire 1980s, adjusted for inflation. Climate disasters of all types inflicted $807 billion in damage during the 2010s, the hottest decade on record....

The figure below shows the production of white blood cells from stem cell to maturity.

Pfizer has an excellent online page that is very informative to understanding the immune response and how a vaccine will benefit those susceptible COVID-19. (click here)

Generally speaking most of the white blood cells initiate the immune response, but, leukocytes are the ones that develop the antibody response to viruses.

How long will the heat wave continue?

September 6, 2020
By Amy Graff

Heat that the National Weather Service (click here) is calling "dangerous" and "life-threatening" is on track to impact nearly all of California over the three-day Labor Day weekend.

In the San Francisco Bay Area, peak temperatures are expected Sunday and Monday when the hottest interior locations could exceed 110 degrees.

The National Weather Service issued an Excessive Heat Warning for interior locations, 11 a.m. Saturday to 9 p.m. Monday, and a Heat Advisory for coastal areas during the same time frame....

Bakersfield, California is south-central to the state. July is usually the highest temperature in Bakersfield with highs reaching 98 F. This year August and September are setting records. The area is receiving temperatures as high as 117 F. This is more than dangerous, it could be a tipping point. 

The question is more what will next year bring? A lot will be determined whether or not there is water vapor and moisture returning to the region.





Leukocytes are the disease fighting cells in the body. They are also known as white blood cells. There are five types.

Here are the five main types of white blood cells and their functions:

Neutrophils: 58%. They kill and digest bacteria and fungi ( called phagocytosis). They are the most numerous type of white blood cell and your first line of defense when infection strikes.

Lymphocytes: 4%. They create antibodies to defend against bacteria, viruses, and other potentially harmful invaders.

Monocytes: 4%. They have a longer lifespan in comparison with many other white blood cells and help to break down bacteria as well .

Eosinophils: 2%. They generally help to attack and kill parasites, destroy cancer cells, and play a role in allergic responses.

Basophils: 1%. These small cells function in allergic reactions. They release histamine, a marker of allergic disease, that helps control the body’s immune response, and heparin, that prevents clotting in the infected area so that the white blood cells can reach the bacteria.


It's Sunday Night

Don't really understand the fuss about hair. Today it keeps a woman from purchasing extensions. 
"With Long Life" By Israel and New Breed (click here for official website - thank you)

With Long life You will satisfy me, You will satisfy me, with long life
With Long life You will satisfy me, You will satisfy me, with long life

So I will praise you forever, only you can satisfy
oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
oh oh oh oh oh oh

When I call on, You will answer
When I fall, You will raise me up
I'm protected, by Your shadow
Your so good, Your so good to me
I will praise you forever

With Long life You will satisfy me, You will satisfy me, with long life
With Long life You will satisfy me, You will satisfy me, with long life

So I will praise you forever, only you can satisfy
oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
oh oh oh oh oh oh

When I call on, You will answer
When I fall, You will raise me up
I'm protected, by Your shadow
Your so good, Your so good to me
I will praise you forever

With Long life You will satisfy me, You will satisfy me, with long life
With Long life You will satisfy me, You will satisfy me, with long life

So I will praise you forever, only you can satisfy
oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh
oh oh oh oh oh oh

You got to give all the glory to the King of the Kings
And give honour and praise for long life and blessings
Now raise your hands, wave them up in the sky
and Glorify the Lord cause He's the source of my life, sing
You are the source of my life and hope and my life and hope is in You
You are the source of my life and hope and my life and hope is in You

and not die
(In your presence) In your presence, (satified) satisfied
(In your presence) In your presence, (satified) satisfied
(In your presence) In your presence, (satified) satisfied

and not die
You are the source of my life and hope
and my life and hope is in You

and not die
(In your presence) In your presence, (satisfied) satisfied
(I will live) I will live, (and not die) and not die
You are the source of my life and hope lover of my soul,
my future Holder, Daily sustainer, Past redeemer, forever and ever and ever

When inequality and injustice exists in civil rights, it takes experience, compassion and resolve to bring domestic peace.

 Joe Biden has been on the front lines of civil justice all his life.

Delivered August 27, 2020

 Leadership matters.

So this is what the great GOP has brought the county, the great ALEC (American Legislative Exchange Council) has brought the United States of America.


Armed hate mongering with military weapons ready to be fired at the first shot from the other side. Peaceful protesters turning into mob scenes with armed gunman at the ready. Make no mistake this is exactly what the GOP's agenda with the NRA has brought the streets of the USA.

September 6, 2020
By Chuck Culpepper, Samantha Schmidt, Jessica Wolfron and Juliet Eliperin

Louisville - Hundreds of demonstrators faced off in downtown Louisville ahead of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, with guns and camouflage replacing the traditional scene of colorful hats and bespoke suits. Meanwhile, protests on opposite sides of the country turned violent as police fired tear gas and activists threw incendiary devices....

Predatory murder and armed militias that have no purpose except to kill. This is not the USA at it's greatest, it is the USA's democracy in ruins with an inept president that wears hatred as his badge of honor.

...But tensions escalated as an armed group carrying long guns and those protesting over Taylor’s death came into contact in front of Louisville’s Metro Hall, according to the Louisville Metro Police Department.

While no shots were fired and the feuding groups eventually separated, the scene mirrored many of the hostile showdowns across the country as peaceful protests over racial inequality have descended into riots and, in some cases, street battles between Black Lives Matter demonstrators and supporters of President Trump in recent weeks.

With demonstrations expected throughout the Labor Day weekend in cities including Portland, Ore., Rochester and Louisville, police across the country prepared to deal with a nation on edge over racial inequality and police misconduct....

The police can't do anything with these armed militias UNTIL MURDER OCCURS. Open carry prohibits any enforcement authority from deescalating the armed resistence. Only after the guns have been fired can any National Guard come into the scene to end the violence with a military response to end the violence by Wackos for Trump.

The protesters have a reason to be in the streets, the armed opposition does not and they are only there to begin killing the very people demanding the right to live life without bigotry or racism.

The armed miilitias were so noble when very liberal gun laws were passed that proved more opportunity to kill human beings and less reason for self-defense. The ALEC laws have turned loose the country's worst nightmare and it isn't to end an aggressive attack by an out of control government or defend borders from foreign invaders, but, to kill each other out of hate and misguided loyalties.

This is ALEC at work and the motivation is for greater profits for the gun industry. This is ALEC allowing the margin of safety to be completely removed for a president that is aggitating and demanding his armed militias to save him from defeat in a re-election that would surely turn this country's democracy to dust. This is ALEC. This is the GOP. This is every Republican that voted to pass gun laws that has turned the USA into armed camps, one to kill for reasons of hatred and the other in defense of that violent power.

The militias and anyone on the streets with guns need to end their ideology of victory. They need to return their guns and munitions back to the gun cabinets where they belong because when a foreign power actually invades the USA, not through the lack of cyber security, but with military force, it won't be the militias that defeat them. 

This is nothing more than more lies propagated by the GOP that have grossly wrongful agendas. This is the lie that high powered weapons are necessary to protect a democracy. This is nothing but a lie that the USA can provide civil rights to all Americans becauase ALEC provided the basis of killing rather than a peaceful democracy for all.

Saturday, September 05, 2020

Students have a lot to reflect on...

 ...when it comes to the infection of COVID-19. This is not the flu. Convalescence from the this virus takes weeks to months or more. So when they enter in person classes they are risking not only illness with serious side effects, but, also a postponement of learning. The prolonged recovery time will cost them credits and grades in the classes they had hoped to accomplish.

Educators that are convening in person classes are not only committing human rights violations but also failed educational programs for ill students.

There have been hundreds of ill students per school/university reported in most if not all those that are open. Ill students alone are in the thousands by now. It is a lousy lesson for young people to learn that they truly can’t trust those that are suppose to care about them the most.

It is completely wrong for schools to remain open with so many falling ill. It is immoral and reckless.

Awareness, masks work, social distancing works, and partying with large number of people is completely irresponsible. Let's have a safe Labor Day.

"The intensity of community spread makes it more difficult to adequately provide the care people need." stated by Dr. Anthony Fauci.

Below is an initial assessment of the homeless in four cities when the winter was waning. September is here and cold weather is on the way. Shelters will be needed again, but, where is the safety zone for the homeless and the staff?

STAY SAFE THIS LABOR DAY. DON'T PLACE YOURSELF IN DANGER OF CONTRACTING THIS HORRIBLE VIRUS.

It is very hard to watch my country be this reckless about their own health and well being. This is not the America I know and love.

Assessment of SARS-CoV-2 Infection Prevalence in Homeless Shelters — Four U.S. Cities, March 27–April 15, 2020 (click here)




Friday, September 04, 2020

Why can't people simply do the right thing?

September 4, 2020

Flint - A contractor in Flint(click here)  is under fire for how he disposed of lead pipes and soil in a residential neighborhood, and Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley said it's an environmental injustice.

When contractors do demolition, they have to dispose of the so-coiled spoils properly, and now, Neeley is fighting one contractor and the city council over a new issue.

"To allow this to happen once again in a residential area in a poor section of our community, this is unacceptable by all means," Neeley said....

The first thing that needed to be done was to remove the lead pipes separately from any other debris and consider it toxic waste.

To simply dump old lead pipes into the city's garbage dump was completely irresponsible. Water runoff can carry the lead back into the environment and we'd have to start all over again. I can't believe the people involved in his project in Flint have no conscience.

There is nothing like having children effected by lead looking at a garbage dump full of the lead that originally poisoned them. This is a call for "Environmental Justice."

This is an enormous amount of lead. This is not the usual paint chip issue or lead in toys problem, this is an enormous amount of lead and it needs to be handled correctly. This will endanger the health of thousands of people all over again.

In my opinion, it needs to be put in a sealed burial facility OR have it safely removed by a seriously competent contractor that recycles lead. But, even then it has to be understood that this enormous amount of lead pipe MUST be handled correctly and without ANY opportunity of recontamination anywhere in this country.

For that reason, the disposal of these lead pipes MUST BE TRACKED by competent people that know what needs to be done and oversees the work to be sure it is all carried out competently.

By law in most states, the contractor that disturbed the lead is responsible for it's disposal. But, if that contractor is incompetent then that company must pay for proper disposal and oversight. There needs to be reassurances to the people of Flint and to this country it is being handled properly and will never contaminate another human being again!

The Russian vaccination is not a live virus vaccine. I am relieved to see that.

It appears of the nine none are live vaccine. This is also a huge commercial issue. It is unfortuante that money has taken priority to proper testing. I believe that is the issue that is driving these early approvals. There are billions of orders for these vaccines as soon as they are approved. I can only hope they work against SARS-CoV-2, otherwise, the premature release will prove to be a folly.

“We have no idea whether this vaccine is safe or whether it works”, cautions Ashish Jha, Dean of the Brown University School of Public Health (Providence, RI, USA). “It is really worrying when people start to bypass the standard process we have for vaccine development.”

The review of the Russian vaccine by professionals outside Russia states there is poor performance by the vaccine to date. There are some hopeful results, but, not the kind of response that will bring about peace of mind.

Realize that people are dying of this virus. For the USA poor leadership has confused the issue and super spreader events are becoming daily occurrences. The "tone" of a country like the USA can very well be desperation and not caution. That will cause panic if indeed the vaccine being touted as "ready" for late October is released. Panic is the last thing that should happen because it may very well cause still yet new super spreader events if these vaccines require more than one shot or they are ineffective.

September 4, 2020
By Talha Khan Burki

On Aug 11, 2020, (click here) Russia became the first country in the world to approve a vaccine against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The vaccine, which is based on two adenovirus vectors, was developed by the Gamaleya National Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology (Moscow, Russia). Its approval was announced by President Vladimir Putin. “I know [the vaccine] works quite effectively, helps to develop strong immunity, and has gone through all the necessary tests”, declared Putin at a cabinet meeting. Nonetheless, there are widespread concerns that the approval is premature. At the time of approval, the vaccine had not even started phase 3 trials, nor had any results on the earlier stage trials been published....

...According to WHO, as of Aug 28, 2020, nine vaccine candidates were in late-stage trials. These included separate adenovirus vector vaccines, a couple of mRNA vaccines, and several inactivated virus vaccines. There are plenty of vaccine candidates in earlier stages of evaluation. Experts are confident that at least one of the candidates will be successful. COVAX, a joint initiative between Gavi, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, and WHO, aims to ensure any eventual vaccine is distributed fairly and equitably. 92 low-income and middle-income countries are eligible for support. The initiative is backing a range of vaccine candidates, including seven in clinical trials....

The adenovirus vector vaccines is more of a general coronavirus vaccine. In other words it is targetting the protrusions of the vaccine and if successful it may even end the common cold. This is the method I had imagined might work, but, the mRNA maybe something of a surprise and highly reliable. I would expect the adenovirus vaccines to work. China has one it is hoping will be an answer for it's people.

We are looking for effectiveness and I know the FDA is stating it is satisfied with 50% effectiveness. Fifity percent is interesting and of course 50% is important, but, to leave it at that is not the answer. Every person vaccinated has to have an immune response. I don't deny 50% their immunity, but, it is not enough. The American people and global community must have a vaccine that works for everyone.

There is a small percentage of people in the USA and globally that do not produce strong immunity because of their health conditions such as receiving chemotherapy. Their immunity will come from the fact others in their lives are immune and it is for that reason all Americans that can produce an immune response must have a vaccine that works.

2016 January 2
By Ursula Wiedermann, Erika Garner-Spitzer and Angelika Wagner

There are 2 major factors responsible for vaccine failures, (click here) the first is vaccine-related such as failures in vaccine attenuation, vaccination regimes or administration. The other is host-related, of which host genetics, immune status, age, health or nutritional status can be associated with primary or secondary vaccine failures. The first describes the inability to respond to primary vaccination, the latter is characterized by a loss of protection after initial effectiveness. Our studies concentrate on the evaluation of immunological characteristics responsible for primary vaccine failures in different (risk) populations for which the underlying mechanisms are currently unknown. Here we summarise current knowledge and findings from our studies....

Regardless of the success of one of the many vaccines in development, the virus SARS-CoV-2 has to be eliminated from existance. A vaccine begins that process but putting out flare-up of this virus is vitally important to those that cannot obtain immunity.

This virus is too dangerous to allow only those immune from a vaccine to live without fear or worse actual illness that causes problems beyond the infection and possibly death. It is important to have completely safe air quality for all people alive today.

This population of people that do not achieve immunity will have to continue social distancing, masks and hand hygiene without touching their face. The rules will not change for them. That is why we cannot stop at 50 percent immunity effectiveness. We would still be hampered by a substantial number of Americans that cannot return to normal life. That is unacceptable.

Even after the vaccine begins to be administered there needs to be caution among the optimism to continue the social distancing, mask wearing and hand hygiene until people are finally immune. There is also the caution for SUSTAINABLE IMMUNITY. Will this first immune response be a flash in the pan response only to be reinfected after a short time of a few months if lucky. 

It is these reasons why full testing can be certain to the best outcomes for people. By releasing these vaccines early, it might bring in tons of money for one country or another, but, will it be a folly or a cure? It seems the public interest in any country is to SPEND THEIR VACCINE DOLLARS WISELY ON SUPPLIES THAT WORK AND SUSTAIN IMMUNITY.

This rush to judgement about vaccines is a bad idea. The FDA has "fast tracked" medications for disease that is dangerous, but, this is the first time such ideas were instilled in the vaccine process. It is more than worrisome. So much can go wrong and most probably will go wrong. We don't need super spreader events out of false confidence in the face of containment strategies that when applied do work.

Gold Star Families

 My heart breaks with them. This is a horrible reality for them. We make them Gold Star Families because that is what we can do. We cannot replace their sons and daughters and Mommys and Daddys. We can only honor them in the way we can. 

Losing a son or daughter is the worst pain a parent can endure. Losing a mother or father makes childhood incomplete. The loss of a spouse leaves a husband or wife alone feeling life closing in on them. The country tries to make links to them because they have sacrificed for us. Their loss ensures life in the USA continues uninterrupted by enemies and the USA has very real enemies.

I apologize to them for this severely painful time with a president that isn't worthy of the office. These families will remain important and honored by the people of this country. The American people have a conscience even if a person in the White House does not.