Oxford apparently has a vaccine that is safe for humans and stopped Covid in monkeys.  If it does well in the human trials, it could be out this year.  Still a ways to go and no guarantees it'll get through trials, but here's something to give you some optimism.

Now that is a shitty side effect of this.  I hope she's able to find a way to get it.  If she can't, let me know...I don't know that I'll be able to help, but I am willing to try.  In SG's defense, the initial reports (presidential grandstanding aside) were positive and as much as things keep changing, I wouldn't necessarily trust the latest reports either.

Another side effect I saw someone post earlier today is people (mostly kids obviously) missing their vaccinations as either people don't want to go out or doctor offices are only seeing sick people and not regular checkups.

Trey Gowdy conspiracy theory...not saying I agree with this (especially the flu comparison...this isn't the flu regardless of what the death totals say when it's over) and some of it if memory serves me right is factually incorrect such as the virus coming after Trump's failed impeachment, but it's certainly not impossible (at least some components of it) either.  Also, this might be better for the US political thread...it people want to start tearing into the politics of it, we can move that discussion to there.  Here goes nothing:

From Trey Gowdy:
I'm not saying Covid-19 isn't real... But Pay attention folks, there's much more going on here than what meets the eye.
Is it a coincidence that just when the economy is booming, the stock market is setting record highs, we are winning the trade wars, school shootings have stopped, our nation is at peace, the Democratic party is a disaster and so is their likely nominee(Biden). He hasn't a chance in hell & they're not about to let an outsider(Bernie) destroy their scheme.
It looks like Trump is a sure bet for reelection after fending off 3 years of investigations and impeachment, then all the sudden world crisis pandemic. Stock market tumbles, companies are laying off employees, everything is closed and canceled, CEO's of giant companies are resigning and indictments are coming.
Now they say there are a couple ways a President doesn't win reelection. Those are an unpopular war or a poor economy.
But there is something larger going on here driving this sudden outbreak right after Trump beats an impeachment. Especially the fact that it(Corona virus)originated in China who we are in a global trade war with brought on by Trump. Let's not forget Biden's back door deals with CHINA as well.
China doesn't want 4 more years of Trump either. It all seems rather convenient for the nations and opponents of our current President and economy 5 months before an election. Couldn't have hit at a more perfect time.
With the Democrats running out of campaign talking points in light of no school shootings, no migrant caravans at the southern border, fighting in Syria winding down, North Korea not firing missiles and Trump beating a sham impeachment. The corona virus gave them one last hail Mary to try and point fingers at Trump with the clock winding down in 2020.
This is almost the perfect fascist playbook. Control the population with fear-mongering and panic, control the media, spread propaganda and the fan-favorite disarm the population. Oh, and did anyone notice that while they are mad as hell at Trump for not sending aid to Ukraine, they THEMSELVES voted AGAINST giving ANY emergency aid to all Americans ?
Sorry but I don't think we are all going to die. Remember when Ebola was what was going to kill us all, and the media kept showing the piles of body bags that were prepared for the fallout. Then a month later it was totally forgotten.
The common flu has killed more people this year already and the media is SILENT!
A handful of deaths out of 320 million Americans and we are in panic tearing down our society and costing our economy billions in the wake. It all just seems fishy, a little too well-timed if you ask me.

Honestly?  I don't know because I can't read that crazy shit.  I mean my point on Covid is that we could have handled this better had we not destroyed the economy; I see people posting everything from they should be able to do whatever they want to it's a government conspiracy to the stuff someone posted earlier about this being done on purpose by China.  Now all that stuff *could* be true on some levels, but the % possibilities are ridiculously low. 

I have someone I went to school with that is an anti-vaxxer and is convinced Bill Gates is trying to take over the world through vaccines.  That's all she posts about.  Contrary to popular belief, I'm not enough of a dick to tell her she's nuts, so I just skip anything she posts because...well, she makes me look like a lefty!

I find things that a) people weren't expecting; and b) can help people going forward interesting.  The whole thing is somewhat fascinating and things like this help explain some of what we're seeing.

I've seen reports that states are manipulating the Covid deaths because they get some sort of financial benefit from doing so.  I was out playing golf today (respecting social distancing rules), so I haven't had time to read up on that yet.  I know a lot of people think I'm on some crazy conspiracy thing here, but I am a lefty compared to some things I've seen people post...