Just a few months ago, the protection offered by COVID-19 vaccines brought Americans joy and relief, allowing the fully immunized to ditch their masks and return to a semblance of pre-pandemic life.

Now that protection seems more like an illusion.

latimes.com/science/story/…
Will booster shots restore our protection — and the hope that came with it?

Both the FDA and the CDC grappled with that question and others before giving the go-ahead to boosters in certain populations.

latimes.com/science/story/…
If that guidance seemed disjointed or confused, it was largely because the science is still emerging.

Factor in crosswinds of politics, fear, rampant misinformation & a vaccination campaign that has lost its momentum, & things become even more fraught.

latimes.com/science/story/…
Let’s start by acknowledging that vaccines were never perfect.

Even in clinical trials, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was reported to be 95% effective at preventing cases of COVID-19.

latimes.com/science/story/…
The first months following immunization are the heyday for antibodies: They’re plentiful, recently trained to recognize their target virus, and varied enough to recognize several of its features.

But that initial spate of antibodies decays.

latimes.com/science/story/…
If vaccine protection can be overwhelmed by frequent or high doses of the virus, people could need periodic refreshers as long as the pandemic continues.

The uncertainty was reflected in last week’s regulatory actions regarding booster shots.

latimes.com/science/story/…
Vaccine experts have begun to suggest that giving the immune system more time to respond to an initial dose before giving the second one might make for stronger, and possibly more durable, immunity.

latimes.com/science/story/…
Either way, a period of six months between the second and third shots may be even better for inducing lasting immunity.

Read more from @LATmelissahealy at latimes.com/science/story/…

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More from @latimes

30 Sep
NEW: Kendrick Lamar, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige and Eminem will perform at the 2022 Super Bowl halftime show at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. latimes.com/entertainment-…
The halftime show will mark the first time the five luminaries — including three widely known as kingpins of West Coast rap — have performed together, the NFL said. latimes.com/entertainment-… Image
“The opportunity to perform at the Super Bowl halftime show, and to do it in my own backyard, will be one of the biggest thrills of my career,” said Dr. Dre.

Read about how South L.A. has influenced the rapper's music. ⬇️
latimes.com/entertainment/…
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30 Sep
“Willa and Charles purchased the beachfront property in the 1920s, chasing the American dream. Inspired by the African American entrepreneur Madam C.J. Walker, Willa wanted to be a thriving business owner.” (via @latimesopinion) latimes.com/opinion/story/…
“They succeeded. Their lodge, which became known as Bruce’s Beach, quickly became a lucrative business, attracting Black families who were prohibited from using other beaches due to 'Whites Only' restrictions.”
“Unfortunately, by doing so well for their family and community, my great-great grandparents garnered the attention of some jealous and hateful white people living in the area.”
Read 6 tweets
30 Sep
New: In a history-making move, Gov. Gavin Newsom has authorized the return of property known as Bruce’s Beach to the descendants of a Black couple that had been run out of Manhattan Beach almost a century ago.

latimes.com/california/sto…
Senate Bill 796 confirms that the city’s taking of this shorefront land — on which the Bruces ran a thriving resort for Black beachgoers — was racially motivated and done under false and unlawful pretenses.
latimes.com/california/sto…
The bill had passed unanimously this month in the state Legislature and includes an urgency clause that allows Los Angeles County, which currently owns the property, to immediately begin the process of transferring the land.

latimes.com/california/sto…
Read 5 tweets
30 Sep
Spike Lee, who ranks in the top tier of the most prominent and influential filmmakers of modern cinema, was in town to preview the gallery focused on him, his heroes and his inspirations that will be a centerpiece of the @AcademyMuseum latimes.com/entertainment-…
Far beyond an examination of Lee’s provocative, often controversial projects, the gallery is an eye-filling, emotional journey into the mind of an artist, one that spans decades.

Follow along and see what Lee has to say about it in his own words latimes.com/entertainment-… Image
Visitors will be able to trace Lee’s career through props and memorabilia dating back to his award-winning student film, moving though his provocative features and documentaries, and including his two Oscars. latimes.com/entertainment-… ImageImageImage
Read 6 tweets
30 Sep
“On Saturday, Guillermo Garcia addressed dozens of farmworkers outside the French Laundry, the high-end Yountville restaurant where Gov. Gavin Newsom was caught dining maskless at a party during the pandemic,” writes @jeanguerre for @latimesopinion. latimes.com/opinion/story/…
“Many of the farmworkers — who often toil for minimum wage in 100-degree heat, and risked their lives to feed the nation through a public health crisis — had defended Newsom from charges of elitism and hypocrisy during the recall election... Now, they felt betrayed.”
“Three days before, Newsom had vetoed a bill that would have allowed farmworkers to vote by mail in union elections, with ballot cards that could be mailed in or dropped off with the Agricultural Labor Relations Board office.”
Read 7 tweets
30 Sep
Today's the day!

The long-awaited @AcademyMuseum of Motion Pictures has opened in Los Angeles. Here's your guide for what to see, eat and experience at the movie museum ➡️ latimes.com/entertainment-…
The May Queen dress from “Midsommar.” The “Moonlight” Best Picture card from the 2017 Oscars. Check out these 23 iconic film objects on display.
latimes.com/entertainment-…
Want a preview of the museum?

Take a peek inside the galleries with these photos 👀 latimes.com/entertainment-…
Read 13 tweets

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