A QAnon and anti-vaccine podcaster has died from complications due to COVID-19 after contracting the virus at a conspiracy theory conference that turned into a superspreader event, and where fellow attendees baselessly blamed their illness on an anthrax attack.

The Herman Cain Award goes to…

  • QuentinCallaghanOPA
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    3 years ago

    Experimental? The COVID vaccines currently in use have been trialled with appropriate ethics and then approved. MRNA technology has been researched for some 30 years. Doesn’t stop the spread or infection? The vaccines limits transmissibility of the virus by reducing viral load and induces immunity - no vaccine is 100 % effective.

    • craftingwithbits@lemmy.ml
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      3 years ago

      Oh really? Safe and effective, huh? Not like big pharam has ever lied about their product safety or bribed doctors to prescribe more meds. Why was Pfarma trying to push release of the data from their studies until 75 years from now? How many years of safety data exists for mRNA based vaccine use in humans? But go ahead, run interference for big pharma if you want while they reap billions in profits during a pandemic with a product that doesn’t work. You do you I guess.

      • QuentinCallaghanOPA
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        3 years ago

        I could bother debating with you extensively, but it appears you have resorted to the Gish gallop. There’s already lots of research by credible sources (such as health authorities) around the world regarding the efficacy COVID vaccines, vaccines that have been given for a year now.

        Why was Pfarma trying to push release of the data from their studies until 75 years from now?

        https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/paramount-importance-judge-orders-fda-hasten-release-pfizer-vaccine-docs-2022-01-07/

        This isn’t “Pfarma’s” fault, FDA’s department reviewing FOIA requests is understaffed.

        How many years of safety data exists for mRNA based vaccine use in humans?

        How many years would satisfy you? Here’s loooooong analysis regarding 3 massive COVID MRNA vaccine studies.

        https://medium.com/microbial-instincts/mrna-vaccine-safety-and-risks-a-one-year-update-from-the-u-s-u-k-and-israel-20402f345dca

        In summary:

        After nearly a year since mass vaccination began, we now have a better understanding of the mRNA (and DNA) vaccine’s safety profile. Yes, those vaccines have risks. But like any medical intervention, such risks must be weighed against the risks of infection or benefits of vaccination. This risk-benefit assessment may differ substantially in some people, but for the overwhelming majority, vaccines are the more reasonable choice.

        a product that doesn’t work

        https://nyti.ms/3Gcf4U2

        Here’s one brilliant example why you are wrong.

        • HMH@lemmy.ml
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          3 years ago

          In my opinion there is truth to both sides here, as is the case in most arguments.

          While the current vaccines against COVID-19 sadly did not fulfill the hope of being sterilizing and thus being capable to eradicate COVID-19, they sure help prevent many cases of severe illness and hospitalizations as well as deaths especially for the elderly. So I think it does make a lot of sense to get vaccinated if you are older or have some medical condition that makes COVID-19 especially risky to you.

          On the other hand it is equally true that the vaccines have been developed at an incredible speed and they are based on a completely new technology, at least regarding tests on humans. Typically vaccines need 5 to 10 years for development 1. Being worried about the safety of this new vaccines is not unreasonable, especially considering that there have been a lot more reports about adverse side effects than you typically get for vaccines. So at least to me it is understandable as well if especially healthy younger people not really at risk, are reluctant about getting vaccinated.

          On an unrelated side note: I think the mRNA technology is freaking cool and I hope we can put it to more good use in the future.

          • craftingwithbits@lemmy.ml
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            3 years ago

            On an unrelated side note: I think the mRNA technology is freaking cool and I hope we can put it to more good use in the future.

            A thing that worries me about it is that it is using your cell to express the spike protein. Effectively, “you” are making something to be attacked by your immune system as “other”.

            Alot of the adverse effects show that the body is attacking itself, as is typical with autoimmune issues, like arthritis.

            The immune system being a complex system, it just seems a reckless to push forward with this in all age groups with only just over a year of safety data with humans.

            I hope everything will be just fine, but I’m not reassure by the censorship, mandates and liability waiver for big pharma

            • mekhos@lemmy.ml
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              3 years ago

              “Effectively you are making something to be attacked by your immune system as other”

              Yes, because its exactly how viruses do it, they are nasty AF which is why its a great idea to make your immune system ready to fight the real deal, if/when it comes for you.

              • craftingwithbits@lemmy.ml
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                3 years ago

                My point is this is the first time we are using mRNA to program our cells to produce spike. Previous vaccines took the entire virus either attenuated or dead to stimulate the immune response.

                This is the first time we are using an mRNA snippet to program our cells to make a specific protein.

                So no, factually you are incorrect. This is not “exactly” how viruses work.

                • keegomatic@lemmy.ml
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                  3 years ago

                  Viruses insert RNA (or DNA, depending on the virus) into the cells they infect, and use your cells’ own machinery to replicate themselves, including portions of their capsids like spike proteins.

                  That’s… also what the mRNA vaccines do. The poster above is right. Whether it’s the vaccine or the virus, they’re both hijacking your cells’ to produce “body parts” of the virus.

                  • craftingwithbits@lemmy.ml
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                    3 years ago

                    This is true. I was incorrect. I guess my point is that it’s the first time humans are doing it to humans.

                    [edit] Further clarification: First time we are selecting/designing mRNA vs an occurance in nature.

            • HMH@lemmy.ml
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              3 years ago

              I am aware of this concern and share it. I also agree that the risk benefit ration of being vaccinated is probably off for healthy younger people. Nonetheless I think this is a cool technology.

        • craftingwithbits@lemmy.ml
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          3 years ago

          I won’t be so quick to label you since I have no idea who you are, shame you just throw the word “anti-vax” at ppl who question the motives of big Pfarma and a war mongering gov, as if though they’ve never lied and questioning the corporate state is heretical. Didn’t mean to rile you up. Just an honest disagreement. Go ahead, trust the corporate state and big pharma if you want, but I don’t.

        • craftingwithbits@lemmy.ml
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          3 years ago

          Thanks for editing out the “anti-vaxxer” slur, but seems a little disingenuous that you remove it without mention. Can’t you stand by what you say?