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Wednesday, December 16, 2020

The COVID-19 Vaccine How Does it Work? By Matt Hubbard This time last year some people were gathered, huddled together while shopping for Christmas gifts. This year some people are huddled indoors, eagerly awaiting their turn for the COVID-19 vaccine. With that in mind, The O’Colly spoke with the head of microbiology at Oklahoma State University, Dr. Tyrell Conway, to provide an explanation to what goes into making a vaccine and how it works. Q: Will you be getting the vaccine? Tyrell Conway: I plan to take it, to be vaccinated. Q: How do you feel about those that aren’t? TC: The whole anti-vaccine movement, has been thoroughly discredited by science, you know these vaccines have been distributed to billions of people if you think about the DTP (Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis) or some of the other ones that are in common use, the ones you take before you start school. I don’t know how these myths get started, but that’s what they are. They’re myths. Q: Why was it approved in the U.K before the United States? TC: The reason it was approved sooner in the U.K is Unsplash because our FDA works difThe COVID-19 vaccine was recently approved by the FDA. ferently than theirs does. They work with the data provided by the manufacturer, actually before, they’ve only been used even skeptical, I’m just telling the summary of the data. FDA in trials and that’s the messenyou that science isn’t going to acdoesn’t do that, they take all ger RNA mechanism. So, we cept that there are no side effects the data from the phase 3 trials don’t know yet when it’s been until we have the data, but I’ve and they do their own analygiven to hundreds of millions known about these nucleic acid sis. So, we have a more thorof people, if there are going to vaccines since the 1980’s. It was ough system. At any rate what be any adverse reactions. So, I a pretty crazy idea that you could I started to say was both the say that because that’s the way just inject a nucleic acid DNA or Moderna and Pfizer BioNtech a scientist thinks. You have to RNA into a cell or into an animal vaccines are something that prove it to me, right? I’m not and elicit an immune response, have never been widely used

but that’s how our body responds. Q: Why do you think they picked this way as developing a vaccine as opposed to other ways? TC: Because it’s so fast. So, they had, when they were given the money, probably even before they were given the money before from Operation Warp Speed. Well first of all we had the genome sequence of the virus, the one that emerged in Wuhan, China, and they know enough similar viruses to know that this spike protein on the surface of the virus, is how the virus attaches to our cells and once it attaches the virus has to internalize into our cells in order to replicate. It is simply a package with RNA inside that has to turn itself into virus that then spreads through the body and to other people. So, they already knew what the target was, they had the gene sequence. So, they then took that gene sequence and made messenger RNA from it, with that sequence, you can synthesize that and so that’s why it was so fast. They knew what the target was and they could go into the lab and make it, actually there are machines that make RNA and it doesn’t cost very much and you can do it in an afternoon. So, they were very rapidly use what they call humanized mice. So, these are mice that essentially have the mouse immune system replaced with a human immune system, and they can go in there and test and develop a dozen vaccines in an afternoon, make them the next day and inject animals the next week. See Vaccine on page 2

Cowboys prepare for more talented teams come start of conference play

Dean Ruhl A spotless 6-0. Excluding a game against Arkansas on Jan. 30, the Oklahoma State Cowboys were able to accumulate a 6-0 record against nonconference opponents this season, capped off by a 67-64 victory over Wichita State on Saturday. “(The Wichita State game) felt like a Big-12 game,” head coach Mike Boynton said. “The intensity, the physicality, teams making plays on both sides.” Freshman guard Rondel Walker, who is third on the team in points per game with 9.2, had similar things to say about the game atmosphere on Saturday. “Going into Big 12 play, it gave us a little glimpse of what it’s going to be like night in and night out,” Walker said. With a shorter nonconference schedule compared to years past, the Cowboys’ spotless record has been

especially important in preparing them for Big 12 play, which will start tomorrow night against TCU. “The nonconference, in my mind, is always to prepare you for conference season,” Boynton said. “We’ve seen a little bit of everything, we’ve been on the road multiple times.” Other highlights include a win over perennial tournament contender Marquette by eight and a 20-point win over Texas Southern. The Cowboys will get their first taste of a ranked opponent on Sunday as they head to Austin to play the No. 11 Longhorns. Things don’t get much easier from there, as OSU will see action from No. 14 Texas Tech, No. 8 West Virginia and No. 5 Kansas all within the next two weeks. OSU and the No. 2 ranked Baylor Bears are the only two undefeated teams left in the Big 12, but five Big 12 schools rank in the top-15 of the AP poll, the most in any conference. “Our guys have faced that adversity every step of the way and showed a lot of resilience,” Boynton said. “I can’t say enough about how

OSU Athletics Cade Cunningham dribbles during Oklahoma State's win over Wichita State on December 12, 2020.

proud I am of them that they’ve answered the call.” While the level of talent the Cowboys see will surely rise once Big-12 play starts, OSU has its own fair share of it. Freshman Cade Cunningham has lived up to the expectations thus far, leading not only the team in points but the Big 12 with 18.8. Isaac Likekele has also done his fair share, averaging 10.8 points per game and

pulling down an average of eight rebounds a game. Both players will need to continue this stretch as they begin seeing bigger and more physical teams in the Big 12. “I love our team,” Boynton said. “I love the pieces individually, I like us even more collectively when we have the energy and emotion.” sports.ed@ocolly.com

Page 2 Wednesday, December 16, 2020

News

Vaccine... Continued from page 1 Q: So, in theory, if every single one of those vaccines worked we could cure many diseases in an afternoon? TC: So, doesn’t that bode well for the next pandemic we face? I think in terms of the pandemic response, it has been brilliant. Did it catch us off guard? No doubt, but future pandemics may not get the same foothold if we can go to a vaccine that rapidly. However, these trials for like HIV, there are just some diseases that are not easily vaccinated against. HIV in particular, it’s just an insidious disease because it attacks the very immune cells that we need to fight it, but that’s not the case with coronavirus. There’s more that goes into it than what I’m letting on, they have to have a delivery system. You can’t just, well you can just inject RNA into the body and it will work, but it’s just not very efficient. So, they have packaged the messenger RNA with a lipid, essentially a fat and that protects the messenger RNA, which also helps it to penetrate our cells. So, the mechanism of uptake is called lipofection. So, “lipo” meaning lipid and “fection” meaning transfection of the cells. So, the RNA is injected into cells so to speak. Q: So, with that we have the spike protein, which then invades our cells and causes an immune response? TC: That’s right. So, the messenger RNA has to be decoded inside our cells and that’s how the protein is made. Then the proteins gets broken up into bits, short segments of amino acids that by the miracle of the animal body, the proteins are essentially trafficked to the outer face of our cells. Together with something called major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and together those signal the immune system to react to a foreign protein. So, the body has cells that bind to the combination of MHC and the foreign antigen, an antigen is a short piece of protein that can stimulate the immune system. Antibodies bind to antigens, well in this case there’s a cell that’s going to make the antibodies and it’s going to bind that protein complex on our cells say “oh this is foreign” and a whole bunch of signaling goes on to make sure that it’s really foreign and not one of our own proteins, which protects us from autoimmune diseases and then it starts making antibodies. So, that happens typically seven to 10 days from the injection. If everything goes right, proteins get expressed, the immune system gets stimulated, the body will start making antibodies and that’s going to peak at three weeks, something like that and that’s why there’s a booster at 21 days. Q: To further ensure that your body continues to have an immune response correct? TC: Yes, that’s right. Now there’s a lot of vaccines that require a booster. I got a shingles vaccine in June and I have to go in for a booster this December. The point is there are a lot of vaccines that require a booster. news.ed@ocolly.com

Stillwater COVID-19 update: Dec. 15 The official Oklahoma coronavirus database on Monday reported 385 active cases in Stillwater. These new numbers bring the city’s total cases to 3,849 with 12 deaths and 3,452 recoveries. On the state level, the health department also reported 2,224 new cases in

the state, bringing the total confirmed positive cases to 241,991. The state also reported 14 new COVID-19 related deaths, bringing the total to 2,086. Oklahoma state officials are encouraging Oklahomans to wash their hands, stay away from sick individuals and avoid touching your eyes,

nose, and mouth. The virus is primarily spread from person-to-person with symptoms usually appearing two to 14 days after exposure. The most common symptoms of the coronavirus are fever, cough, shortness of breath or loss of taste or smell. news.ed@ocolly.com

News

Revolving door When stars leave, there are others to step in Chris Becker

Joshua Cleary

National Signing Day marks the new era of Oklahoma State football players stepping into the program, and it also signifies the seniors stepping out of the program. Two of the seniors leaving Stillwater, Tylan Wallace and Dillon Stoner, accounted for 60% of the offensive receiving production in 2020. Losing two key pieces could cause big problems for a receiving corps, but the Cowboys have options to step up and into the role. Of those options, some of them could be freshmen. In the Cowboys 2021 recruiting class, signing Wednesday, OSU is bringing in four wide receivers. Jaden Bray is one such recruit. He joins Bryson Green, Blaine Green and John Paul Richardson as the receivers in the class. Bray is a raw talent, who said he models his game after Julio Jones and Davante Adams. He does have a tangible skill that cannot be taught: size. Stand-

ing at 6-foot-3, he uses his height to overpower defensive backs. Bray’s first year playing football was his junior season, and he ended up on collegiate radars soon after. “They care for them on the field, but off the field, they really care about your future and stuff,” Bray told the O’Colly. “All of the coaches are always calling and checking up on me and stuff. It’s not just me, but they’re always asking about how my parents are doing and stuff. They’re just really involved with their student athletes.” Losing a top collegiate receiver such a Wallace will hurt a unit. Still, there is some talent the team can regenerate its roster with. With Bray, the Cowboys have a deep threat option if he comes in convincing enough to see the field. “(My favorite play is) probably vertical, I like how the coach trusts me to just throw the ball up for me to go get it,” Bray said. “They have a lot of trust in me to go up and get the ball.”

GOOD MONEY

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A GREAT CAUSE

ACTIVE FAITH! (Part #2) “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.” (Heb.11: NIV) These Ancients of the Bible were commended for their faith. “Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God.” (Gen.6:9 NIV) He believed God existed and God rewarded those who diligently sought him. His faith brought immediate action. (Heb.11:8) He did not put the building of the ark on a long “to do” list. It took 100 years to build. During that time he constantly spoke of the judgement that was coming. (2 Pet.2:5) This was the situation in Noah’s day. How about our day? Do we believe God exists? To so many, God is something of the past; one you give an hour or so every Sunday morning, because of tradition, but he does not truly count

for much in life. So this moves us to turn to things that have only temporary pleasure, and build our life activities around them. Noah and others mentioned in Heb. 11, were looking for something lasting, something God had promised. They realized they were strangers and pilgrims; living here for a short time. They were living for something better. (Heb.11:13-16) It is so worthwhile to read and reread the New Testament and consider what was the hope of the early Christian leaders; they passed on to all the believers. It was not centered in this present life. They were “running a race;” living a life centered in the example of Jesus himself, and in those who walked with him during his earthly life. We can do the same; live for the eternal, present ourselves to Christ, and let him use us to bear lasting fruit.

Page 4 Wednesday, December 16, 2020

FOR RELEASE DECEMBER 16, 2020

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle

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Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis ACROSS 1 Quotable Yankee, familiarly 5 “Yikes!” 9 Fencing blades 14 Tarzan raisers 15 Cher and Sade, vocally 16 16th-century English queen 17 With 63-Across, musician born 12/16/1770 19 North Sea county 20 German steel city 21 Offered an arm to 23 Basics 25 Ming most look up to 26 Nickname for a 63-Across 39-Down 29 Literate 34 __ Vegas 35 Marks for removal 37 “Inferno” poet 38 Story lines 40 Numerically, 63-Across’ C-minor 39-Down 42 Tolkien trilogy, to fans 43 Remains 45 It’s usually not a hit 47 Toon crime fighter __ Possible 48 Spread throughout 50 Nickname for a 63-Across 39-Down 52 Pipe plastic 53 Like cotton candy 54 Sticky stuff 58 Facebook action 62 Unverified word 63 See 17-Across 65 Tony winner Menzel 66 The M in BLT? 67 Artist’s quarters 68 Record material 69 Chopped side dish 70 Some traffic court cases: Abbr. DOWN 1 New Haven school 2 Musical work

12/16/20

By Brock Wilson

3 H.S. proficiency tests 4 Oath beginning 5 XK-E, for short 6 Seasonal aides 7 Greek vowels 8 It makes cents 9 Important gem in Oz 10 Nickname for a 63-Across 39-Down 11 Gaelic language 12 Watched closely 13 Touchdown points 18 __ humor: grumpy 22 Bony Olive 24 Musical symbol 26 Bracelet fastener 27 Gold rush storyteller 28 “The Odd Couple” roommate 29 Group self-pic, in slang 30 Started, as a co. 31 Japanese mushroom 32 Web site 33 Stuffed Jewish dish also called kishke

Tuesday’s Puzzle Solved

36 Itemize 39 63-Across work 41 Dickens sycophant 44 A few 46 Salon item 49 Summer coolers, briefly 51 Indefinitely suspended 53 “Later!” 54 Autobahn auto

12/16/20

55 Key of the 26-Across 39-Down: Abbr. 56 System/360s, e.g. 57 Piccata meat 59 Openly declare 60 Mortgagee’s option, for short 61 Laryngitis docs 62 Ohio or Mississippi: Abbr. 64 Auto club service

Daily Horoscope Nancy Black Tribune Content Agency Linda Black Horoscopes (TNS) Today’s Birthday (12/16/20). Your next year could prove especially lucrative. Dedication and discipline pay with interest. The next six months illuminate and inspire you. After resolving a personal challenge next summer, a romantic partnership grows to new sweetness. Savor personal triumphs next winter.

Level 1

To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging. Aries (March 21-April 19) — Today is a 9 — Rise together to break free of the status quo. Fight for democracy and bold social ideals. Saturn enters Aquarius for several years of deep-seated change and innovation. Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is an 8 — Innovation sparks, with Saturn entering Aquarius for several years. Invent and discover new professional ideas. Reorder structures and institutions. Expect industrial change and technological breakthroughs. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is an 8 — Expand territory over a long phase, with Saturn in Aquarius. Savor intellectual exploration. Generate accomplishments in publishing and education. Embrace nonconformity and idealistic possibilities. an inspiring mission to advance, with Saturn in Aquarius. Begin several years Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is a 7 — Reinvent your collaboration, with Saturn in Aquarius for several years. Reconnect and deepen your partnership. Face realities. Link arms for shared goals, ideals and commitments. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is an 8 — Exercise supports mind, body and spirit. Face physical challenges over several years, with Saturn in Aquarius. Steadily practice healthy routines as you adapt to changes. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is a 9 — Hunger for truth, justice and freedom inspires your participation over the next several years, with Saturn in Aquarius. Create and express. Fight to protect what you love. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is an 8 — Home nurtures and recharges you. Reinforce or rebuild domestic structures and support systems, with Saturn in Aquarius until 2023. Savor family traditions. Relocate or renovate. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is an 8 — Expect communication Aquarius for several years. Write your masterpiece. Share discoveries far and wide. with Saturn entering Aquarius until 2023. Conserve resources. Discipline pays in gold. Embrace new technologies and paradigm shifts. Lucrative opportunities accompany change. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is a 9 — Stand for justice, freedom and integrity, with Saturn in your sign for several years. Self-discipline and selfcare pay. Hold yourself to your highest ideals to thrive. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is a 7 — Learn from the past, with Saturn Regroup, process and heal privately. Realize dreams or release them.

Solution to Tuesday’s puzzle

12/16/20 Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit sudoku.org.uk