xv. COVID-19, New Year, New Science Facts!

We're back with another apolitical science episode! Dr. Preeyam Patel (PhD in immunology) and Eric follow up their initial episode (8 of this podcast) and the supplemental vaccine talk (of episode 12) to update listeners on how much of the information previously discussed is still accurate (spoiler: it's 100%!) and talk about the latest questions emerging from COVID-19 across the globe. Such as: - We've updated the original sources cited document to include all-new research for today's episode! - What's the difference between a COVID variant, a mutation, and a strain? - has COVID been acknowledged as having aerosol status? - What is the Swiss Cheese Diagram? - How long do antibodies last? - Will COVID variants increasinly get more deadly and worse as time goes on? - What if COVID mutated as fast as influenza / the common flu? - from beach balls to proton packs, Dr. Patel has no trouble explaining heavy concepts to a captive Eric. - We discuss variants B117 and 501.v2, what gives them an edge, and whether they're actually more deadly or infectuous than other COVID. - ONCE you are vaccinated, can you still transmit the virus to others? - What's the deal with COVID reinfection? - We deep dive into the 5 major vaccines getting approval and trials across the globe - a summary of what went wrong with AstraZeneca's trials in the UK - Have scientists found a correlation among severe covid patients. - Why do more MEN die from severe COVID than women? - What are INTERFERONS and who has antibodies to them? - Do we know any more about the long-term effects of COVID? - Final advice It was thrilling having Dr. Patel back on the show. Please let us know if you still have questions about COVID after listening! e-mail the show at [email protected] or @TYFSpiels on Twitter.