RobertTheBruce

@Rainmaker1973 And... You still get a sniffle. Viruses mutate to survive. To infect. Not kill their host. Yawn. Nothing to see here.

A new, highly mutated COVID-19 variant nicknamed “Cicada” (BA.3.2) is spreading in the United States. The BA.3.2 variant, first detected in South Africa in late 2024, has now been identified in at least 23 countries and in at least 25 U.S. states. It is gaining traction slowly but steadily, particularly since late 2025. What sets Cicada apart is its significant genetic changes: it carries approximately 70 to 75 mutations in the spike protein — the part of the virus that attaches to and enters human cells. These mutations appear to help the variant partially evade antibodies from prior infections or vaccination, potentially allowing it to spread more effectively even among people with some existing immunity. So far, there is no evidence that BA.3.2 causes more severe disease than other recent Omicron subvariants. Symptoms remain typical of COVID-19, including cough, fever, sore throat, fatigue, congestion, and in some cases shortness of breath or loss of taste/smell. Current COVID-19 vaccines (targeting earlier strains like JN.1) still offer protection, though laboratory studies suggest they may be somewhat less effective at preventing infection with Cicada compared to dominant strains. However, they continue to reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death. This pattern has become familiar with SARS-CoV-2: new variants often evolve to become better at spreading and evading immunity rather than necessarily becoming more deadly. Public health experts continue to monitor BA.3.2 closely through genomic surveillance, but it currently accounts for only a small fraction of cases in the U.S.

@EmilySm43 Playing on his X-box

He doesn’t smoke He doesn’t drink He doesn’t Womanise He doesn’t party He stays at home He doesn’t bet Where can I find him??

@TheGriftReport FAFO

22-year-old Wisconsin teacher Nadia Horn groomed three 16-year-old boys, buying one a phone so he could send her “really revealing” nude pics on Snapchat. She had full sex with one pupil three times in her apartment and slept with a second teen. Then she invited all three boys round, plied them with wine and let them stay the night. Horn confessed but claimed it “felt mutual” and “I made a mistake”. Now charged with second-degree sexual assault of a child plus multiple counts of child enticement and sexual assault by school staff. Faces up to 40 years behind bars.

Artemis II is supposed to be looping around the earth for the next 24-48 hours before slingshotting around the moon... So why are they so far from the earth if they're meant to be going around it? Calling bullshit on another fake launch.

@Blue_Illussion @Mountain_Tui Probably the Govt's fault as well. 🤦

@Mountain_Tui Countdown got slayed for this where’s msm ?

Rats roaming around #Auckland public hospitals #NZ. National's underfunding of public health while shovelling money to fancy private facilities is sickening

@Mountain_Tui How is the Govt responsible for a rat? Do they need to hold the cleaning staff or pest controller's hand for them? Sounds like it's an Auckland City Council problem... that happens every few years. stuff.co.nz/national/11338…

Another turbo cancer from the 💉? stuff.co.nz/sport/36096000…

@GraymanNZ @nzpolice She should be a sniper - she could hide anywhere.

What the fk is this? she looks like shes 12yrs old and the firearm is bigger than her! honestly makes me laugh with this fkin DEI crap - front line Dwarfs now! @nzpolice ARE U SERIOUS!

@Real_JFK_Jr_ Pretty easy: twitter.com/Real_JFK_Jr_/s…

President Trump rejected it on camera. Elon Musk has officially banned the ability to copy links from X about politics! Check this out. Donald Trump Now try copying the link…

@nzpoliticsgroup Cash - meaning you have money to pay interest on debt. 👑

@Manooganargan Good point but it was EFTPOS

ALERT: BUSINESSES IN AUCKLAND CITY - DESPERATION🚨🚨🚨 A friend of mine who works right in the city has had this happen twice now — in two totally different shops. First he walked in to grab a chocolate bar, but the price was ridiculous. He said no and turned to leave when the Indian guy chased after him and asked, “What would you offer for it ?”He threw out a number… and walked out with the bar at his price ! Today he went into a computer shop for an accessory. He asked the price, said he’d think about it, and the Indian guy got desperate: “You should take it !” It’s crystal clear, folks — businesses are struggling hard. Tough times are really ramping up !

Love how NASA shows the Artemis II rocket for only a few minutes before transferring to the inside of the rocket. Green screen studio vibes. Fly me to the moon... Yeah right!

@NZNationalParty Keeping us all on the hamster wheel of paying taxes. They bleed you dry until you own nothing (because you can't afford it). Rates, food, fuel, tax all slowly killing NZers.

Around 280,000 low-to-middle-income families will receive an increase in the family tax credit. An extra $400 a year for eligible families with one child, $720 for families with two, and $1,050 for families with three.

@Geniustechw She needs to be dunked 1,113 times.

OnlyFans star Lily Phillips slept with 1,113 men in just 12 hours. She has now been re-baptized and is calling herself a born-again virgin. Does Christianity forgive such women?

@doctordoomstadt @hogg3366 @MbarkCherguia You stand corrected. It's assault. 1news.co.nz/2024/09/03/pos…

@Manooganargan @hogg3366 @MbarkCherguia If there were a culture where people celebrated on a podium by throwing soup at each other, it definitely wouldn’t be assault. False analogy.

Man sprays bottle of champagne up women’s skirt. Should this be classed as assault?

@AykunaAykan @hogg3366 @MbarkCherguia Boss Hogg would probably celebrate the fact that someone actually paid him some attention.

@hogg3366 @MbarkCherguia Shut your mouth! What would you feel if you wore a skirt and champagne was sprayed from below?

@hogg3366 @MbarkCherguia But throwing soup at someone would be? Where do you draw the line. Boss Hogg sounds like a pig.

@MbarkCherguia Assualt?? Wow.. no not assault, was it bad behavior, sure i can say it wasn't necessarily respectful but not a crime.. its just champagne for celebration and shes wearing a skirt. Catering to her feelings to warrant a crime is retarded

Helen is a true leader. She can be honest, be respectful, and have an opinion that she shares honestly.

@jetgalnz @mauriceraiti And we're still paying RUCs on top. 😭

@mauriceraiti It's 80c more expensive than a week ago

How does it help to be told we have X number of days fuel available . It’s a smokescreen to cover the fact that apart from the $50 dollar help to some you’re going to get nothing. Diesel now cost more than 91.

@chrisluxonmp Stop sending money overseas - India, China, Ukraine. 🤦

The conflict in the Middle East is directly leading to higher prices at the pump in New Zealand. That’s affecting households and businesses across the country, but the Government can’t afford to ease the pressure for everyone. We can’t repeat the mistakes of Covid where excessive spending led to higher inflation and more debt. We have to get the balance right. The most sensible and affordable thing for our government to do is provide timely, temporary, and targeted support to those who need it most. We’ve already announced that 143,000 low-and middle-income working families will receive an extra $50 a week to help with rising fuel costs. And from tomorrow, more than a million New Zealanders will also get an increase to the financial support they receive from the government. Nearly 1 million superannuitants get a boost – for a married couple on Super, that’s up over $50 more a fortnight. 280,000 families will get more through Family Tax Credits - up to $1,050 extra a year. Students and beneficiaries will get around $20 more a fortnight. We’ve also made changes to Working for Families, which will support 140,000 more households. That’s on top of the tax relief we’ve already delivered and FamilyBoost support for families with kids in early childcare. We’re also boosting KiwiSaver, helping you grow savings faster for your first home or retirement. We can’t control global fuel prices, but we are focused on helping Kiwis with targeted support that New Zealand can afford.