Slack / Private Message Drop — page 89

[Robert Garry] that the truth [2020-06-25 09:27:45] [Robert Garry] Peak COVID-19 case numbers in the US and worldwide today. [2020-06-25 09:27:50] [Robert Garry] https://science.sciencemag.org/content/368/6493/832?ijkey=e55a58bb80b74541eda2f9e3dabc4635a2aa188f&amp ;keytype2=tf_ipsecsha [2020-06-25 09:28:06] [Robert Garry] Pushback on Controlled human trials [2020-06-25 09:29:19] [Robert Garry] https://science.sciencemag.org/content/368/6494/948The possibility of performing controlled human challenge trials, in which a small number of volunteers are vaccinated and subsequently challenged with SARS-CoV-2, has been suggested. Such experiments, if designed to define potential immune correlates or winnow out less effective vaccine approaches, may have utility. However, this approach has shortcomings with respect to pathophysiology and safety (_*12*_). Although the risk of severe disease or death in young healthy individuals from COVID-19 is quite low, it is not zero, and we do not yet have proven effective therapies for COVID-19 to rescue volunteers with complications from such a challenge. It is likely that a SARS-CoV-2 challenge strain will, by design, cause mild illness in most volunteers and thus may not recapitulate the pulmonary pathophysiology seen in some patients. Moreover, partial efficacy in young healthy adults does not predict similar effectiveness among older adults with major cofactors associated with COVID-19 disease, nor would it prove reduction of transmissibility to major susceptibility groups. Whether such experiments may be worthy of pursuit or would have a beneficial impact on timelines for vaccine development needs careful evaluation by an independent panel of ethicists, clinical trialists, and experts on vaccine development. [2020-06-25 09:31:29] [Robert Garry] I think the above paragraph from NIH leaders suggest that Fauci et al. are open to controlled human trials - "may have utility." I think the time has come. [2020-06-27 07:31:00] [Kristian Andersen] Sounds like 'fun'. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/26/world/europe/sage-britain-coronavirus-ferguson.html [2020-06-27 17:05:28] [Eddie Holmes] The blood-letting has only just begun....I have to say that my faith in humanity has greatly diminished in recent months. [2020-06-27 17:15:48] [Kristian Andersen] Same. Especially English-speaking 'humanity' in the Northern hemisphere. [2020-06-27 17:35:21] [Eddie Holmes] Very true. [2020-06-29 15:34:32] [Kristian Andersen]