tube fanatic

Yes, but did you review the links to the FDA, et al, presented by some commenters? As reported in this article, there is concern in Japan (and other countries) about this phenomenon: As reported in Japan Times: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/11/25/national/science-health/japan-experts-coronavirus-vaccines-safety/ ‘Dr. Tetsuo Nakayama, a project professor at Kitasato Institute for Life Sciences and director of the Japanese Society of Clinical Virology, says although the vaccines under development by Pfizer and Moderna successfully created antibodies in trials, there are still doubts about whether those antibodies remain a year or two after vaccination. There are also underlying concerns about the vaccines’ safety over the long term. Judging from past precedents, their safety and effectiveness are not something that can be determined until at least a year after a massive number of vaccinations have been administered, experts say. In a worst-case scenario, antibodies could worsen the disease by essentially helping the infection of cells — a phenomenon called antibody dependent enhancement (ADE) — rather than fighting the virus pathogens. For example, a dengue fever vaccine made by Sanofi, based on a yellow fever vaccine embedded with a part of the dengue virus genome, at first appeared to be effective. But it caused the deaths of children who had been given the vaccination due to the ADE phenomenon. “Concerns over ADE still remain. I am an elderly person myself, but if I were asked, I would say I don’t want to get a shot,” Nakayama said. “Not all of the 120 million people (in Japan) should get the vaccinations. Children, for example, would not need it because there’s scarcely any risk of severe cases.” ‘ I guess where we differ is that I consider information from FDA and CDC as being the least truthful in comparison with what is disclosed by similar agencies in the rest of the world. It seems that the domestic point of view is different more often than in agreement. To each his own..... Maynard

Antibody dependent enhancement is a possible concern not only with the virus itself but also with the vaccines. The issue is not being disclosed to the public by the FDA, CDC, and the media. The comments which follow the article raise very interesting questions about this with some links which support the concerns. https://blogs.sciencemag.org/pipeline/archives/2020/12/18/antibody-dependent-enhancement Maynard

Questions always arise about this topic. Here is a nice basic overview. Although intended for guitar amps, the rules still apply: https://www.aikenamps.com/index.php/the-last-word-on-class-a Maynard

The virus may be heading us toward a time when human to human interaction will no longer be necessary. The company’s owner foresees humans marrying robots like these by 2045! https://youtu.be/NwNULnXk9b0 Maynard

In some cases only. Integrated amps are designed for fairly low level sources while some power amps require much higher drive voltages. The answer has to be considered for a particular unit in question. Maynard

If the input sensitivity of the amps allows the source to drive them to the needed output power all is well. An ideal system has as little electronics in the signal path as possible. Of course you would need to control the output voltage of the source for volume control. Maynard

A bill is in the works in NY State which, if passed, will allow the authorities to remove anyone they consider a case, contact, or carrier of a communicable disease which is potentially dangerous to public health. To my non-legal mind the implications of this are frightening. It would seemingly allow them to remove from society anyone who tests positive for coronavirus. Is this happening in other states or countries? https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2021/a416 Maynard

I understand. However, why should faculty and hospital staff be exempt? Isn’t that a form of discrimination against the students? Maynard

Nursing students must take vaccine or leave the program while faculty and hospital staff are exempt: https://bronx.news12.com/trinitas-nursing-students-file-petition-challenging-decision-to-make-covid-vaccine-mandatory Maynard

A new virus mutation has originated in California: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/covid-19-strain-in-los-angeles-could-be-driving-regions-virus-surge-study-suggests-2021-01-19/ Maynard

How can you hold them accountable when they supply almost all of our needs? If they cut off our electronic components, PPE, etc. we are dead in the water. Maynard

The CDC says that 94% of those who have died with the virus had underlying medical issues. So how can you imply that none of 400,000 would have died had they not been infected with the virus? What is the basis of your presumed conclusion that all would still be alive if the virus didn’t exist? I have been told that if a person tested positive within 30 days of dying in an auto accident, as one example, the cause of death is attributed to the virus. This does not mitigate the seriousness of the situation. Rather, I believe the media are using a strategy of creating fear and panic. Maynard

Virus variant from Denmark is now 25% of California cases. https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/01/18/world/covid-19-coronavirus Maynard

Suggesting that a tube amp can be used as a “tone control” may open up a heated discussion😁. Of course, I agree with doing that. In my experience, SETs are a blessing when listening to rotten recordings. In addition, listening level can be critical as well. Simply reducing the listening level can make a difference because of the response of our ears (look up the equal loudness curves aka Fletcher-Munson effect). Even lowly tone controls, as found on much vintage gear, can be very useful. The bottom line is that there is usually a way to listen to rotten recordings in a palatable manner. Maynard

The Little Sweet Potato SEP spud: Maynard

The vaccine may reduce symptoms but not stop transmission. Human challenge studies are needed to find out. https://www.fredhutch.org/en/news/center-news/2020/12/covid-19-vaccines-transmission.html Maynard

The CDC says the UK variant will take over here by March: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/cdc-new-more-infectious-strain-of-the-coronavirus-likely-to-become-dominant-in-the-us-by-march-2021-01-15 Maynard

And Charles Barkley says: https://www.foxnews.com/sports/charles-barkley-nba-nfl-players-vaccine Maynard

The AMA said: https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/public-health/are-physicians-obliged-get-vaccinated-against-covid-19 Maynard

The paragraph about masks is especially relevant. The CDC approval of cloth face coverings has been flawed from the beginning. Most of the coverings I see folks wearing in stores won’t filter bacteria let alone a virus. And there is the corollary issue of seeing people wearing face shields without a mask underneath as well as employees and shoppers keeping their noses exposed. I believe we are in a “lost cause” situation with virus containment and the vaccine won’t make much of a difference. I already know of folks who are celebrating because they got vaccinated and “won’t have to take precautions much longer.” Maynard

Well, this is certainly interesting. It is a long read but worth doing imo: https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/coronavirus-lab-escape-theory.html Maynard

I’m surprised no one has mentioned Craters and Freighters. I have used them to ship old console radios and their packaging could have survived an airplane drop: https://www.cratersandfreighters.com/ Maynard

NJ wants schools to stay open but teachers are not yet eligible for the vaccine. Two million smokers are being given priority: https://www.nj.com/education/2021/01/its-time-to-let-nj-teachers-get-covid-vaccine-lawmakers-say.html Maynard

I can’t help wondering if we are quickly heading toward the scenario portrayed in the novel 1984: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/13/technology/coronavirus-vaccine-apps.html In May, the ACLU raised concerns about this: https://www.aclu.org/news/privacy-technology/coronavirus-immunity-passports-are-not-the-answer/ Maynard

I’m sure the bioterrorism labs have already started working on it : https://www.cdc.gov/vhf/nipah/index.html Life will sure be more challenging from now on imo. Thanks for making my day Bosco😁. Maynard