Fogdog
Well-Known Member
I'm sorry. I was being sarcastic because I'm pretty down on this idea that one can read a few papers and know more on the subject than somebody who spends decades studying a subject.nope, can't help u on plasma beings, but if u get terminal cancer like i did 7 years ago, u should look up rick simpson and dennis hill for starters.
so yeah, research saved my life.
There is nothing WRONG with reading up and it does most certainly help the patient make decisions that only they can make. Just, if something I hear from some stage hand who read a paper contradicts guidance from the CDC, I'm going to lean hard towards what the professionals say.
I AM a research scientist and I can't tell you the number of times I've dealt with people who cling to something they read that confirms their bias without them really understanding the subject. I've seen a great deal of harm done when those people are in charge. Bankruptcies, thousands of jobs lost. My industry isn't critical and nobody dies if we make a mistake but people can lose their livelihood when we make decisions based upon false assumptions.
Take @PJ Diaz , for example. He thinks that because a paper (a good one) says that t cells can be long lasting after a person contracts and recovers from Covid, that means he shouldn't take the vaccine. (he doesn't really know that he's been infected and recovered but says he "thinks he was")
That is not the guidance from the CDC. They give a list of things they want to know before they would make that call. After all, people die from this disease. They want to know more than just "t-cells".
They think that the results regarding t-cells is a good indication that there is good reason to think that natural immunity is pretty good. They also take a wider view. It's not just about t-cells:
Reinfection with COVID-19
Updated Oct. 27, 2020
Cases of reinfection with COVID-19 have been reported, but remain rare.
In general, reinfection means a person was infected (got sick) once, recovered, and then later became infected again. Based on what we know from similar viruses, some reinfections are expected. We are still learning more about COVID-19. Ongoing COVID-19 studies will help us understand:
- How likely is reinfection
- How often reinfection occurs
- How soon after the first infection can reinfection take place
- How severe are cases of reinfection
- Who might be at higher risk for reinfection
- What reinfection means for a person’s immunity
- If a person is able to spread COVID-19 to other people when reinfected
So, I'm sorry to hear that you had a brush with death over cancer. I completely agree that people should read up and become as informed as possible when they are making healthcare decisions. But I don't think a lay person can read a few papers and become better informed than a proficient and thorough medical professional. I know I can't. So, I'll listen to Fauci first and last.