Daniel Griffin provides a clinical update on COVID-19, including analysis of the dexamethasone trial, and then we discuss two Ebolavirus outbreaks in DRC, clinical and virological aspects of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections, age-dependent effects on transmission, and answer listener email.
Hosts: Vincent Racaniello, Dickson Despommier, and Alan Dove
Guests: Daniel Griffin and Chuck Knirsch
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Download TWiV 629 (95 MB .mp3, 158 min)
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Links for this episode
- Dexamethasone reduces COVID-19 deaths (U Oxford) 12:42
- Assessment of asymptomatic COVID-19 (Nature Med) 58:20
- Age-dependent effects on SARS-CoV-2 transmission (Nature Med) 1:08:08
- Image credit
- Letters read on TWiV 629 33:21, 1:19:49
- Timestamps by Jolene. Thanks!
Intro music is by Ronald Jenkees
Send your virology questions and comments to twiv@microbe.tv
I have been an avid listener of TWIV and Immune for the past several months. I have learned so much from both. I have a question that I haven’t heard addressed. If a person recovers from COVID 19 and donates blood to be used for convalescent serum, does the donor then have fewer of the antibodies needed to resist SARS-CoV-2 reinfection?
I’ve wondered why the number of virus particles one is exposed to is important in determining whether one gets infected. Is it because any single virus particle may not make it through the mucusa to reach a cell to infect. So there needs to be a large number to insure that some get through? (I am a mere non-practicing mathematician.)
Vincent, my continuing education has advanced to the point where you were the first one I thought of when I read a headline about COVID-19 in Mississippi. The headline was that “the virus” was “STALKING” a rural community. Most things that stalk you have feet and eyes, but that’s what it said, so help me God. I realize that referring to “the media” is painting with a very, very broad brush, but I’m curious as to your take on media coverage during this pandemic. Have we been awash in sensationalism or have the mainstream media been largely responsible and accurate? And, if not, what are the solutions? Perhaps relying on science reporters alone? If you have a population not generally very science literate, that doesn’t portend well for the future, and a few misrepresentations can have far-reaching consequences. I love listening to you and Rich and all of your guests. Even at 68 years of age I feel like a kid in school again …. my education continues daily. Great work, guys! It’s all very much appreciated and sorely needed.
Watching your video shows what a person is like. I look at the three of you and I see your lives in the background. As your videos are seen worldwide so is what you have in your background.
Something you might want to tell those who speak with you on a video feed.
If I see clutter so will others.
When I download your series it is played back on a laptop. It might be the laptop speakers, but sometimes your words sound muddy.
It could be that my ears are full of mud from their age.
I might need a sound engineer on this side.