I saw some posts at the end of last week talking about antibody testing and vaccines. Thought I would share my experience.
I got Pfizer, mRNA. Two doses. And signed up for a Leukemia and Lymphoma Society sponsored study to measure effectiveness in blood cancer patients. I did one blood draw that tested two antibodies. One was general antibodies, the other was for the spike protein. The general antibody test was negative, but the test for spike proteins was strongly positive. I dug into in and realized the general antibody test would find the antibodies from infection. But the antibodies to the spike protein were what the vaccine would produce. So my takeaway was a general antibody test wasn’t what was needed to test vaccine efficacy.
I’ll go relook at my results and edit with the actual all names rather than general and spike.
general: SARS-CoV-2 Ab, Nucleocapsid This negative result does not rule out SARS-CoV-2 infection. Correlation with epidemiologic risk factors and other clinical and laboratory findings is recommended. Serologic results should not be used as the sole basis to diagnose or exclude recent SARS-CoV-2 infection.
spike: SARS-CoV-2 Semi-Quant Total Ab Antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein receptor binding domain (RBD) were detected.Studies are underway to measure the quantitative levels of specific SARS-CoV-2 antibodies following vaccination. Such studies will provide valuable insights into the correlation between protection from vaccination and antibody levels.
Post by Velar Fricative on Aug 9, 2021 10:31:43 GMT -5
I already have a ton of masks but didn't invest in any new reusable ones that I like because I figured I could get by with the disposable ones that are more comfortable in the summer heat anyway. Now I feel like I have to buy reusable ones if we're really in this for the long haul. So that's annoying.
Post by Velar Fricative on Aug 9, 2021 10:40:37 GMT -5
So since we've had the Excelsior Pass in NY State, I've had trouble getting it because the system isn't able to verify my vaccination information. But whatever, I had the card and I figured I didn't need it. Now with the vaccine mandates, I want it. NYC has its own but it's basically just photo storage and I'd prefer the Excelsior Pass. I e-mailed the hospital where I got my vaccine and they keep asking me for more information to confirm details because they just don't have me in their records. WTF, people are going to think I'm carrying around a fake card or some shit.
So since we've had the Excelsior Pass in NY State, I've had trouble getting it because the system isn't able to verify my vaccination information. But whatever, I had the card and I figured I didn't need it. Now with the vaccine mandates, I want it. NYC has its own but it's basically just photo storage and I'd prefer the Excelsior Pass. I e-mailed the hospital where I got my vaccine and they keep asking me for more information to confirm details because they just don't have me in their records. WTF, people are going to think I'm carrying around a fake card or some shit.
I don't live in New York State. However, I live in Pennsylvania, and I and a lot of people that I know go to New York State to do touristy things. So, I'm curious about the following: the Excelsior Pass and / or the pass that NYC established. Are these passes going to exclude out-of-state people from doing touristy things in New York State? For instance, if I travel from Pennsylvania to the Adirondacks and / or Manhattan, am I going to be excluded from eating at restaurants due to a requirement for either of these passes? How will this work?
I believe the cards will still work. Even NY residents who were vaccinated out of state can't get the passes, so it excludes a lot of people.
This month is starting to feel like last year all over again. I'm currently in line for a COVID test, despite being vaccinated and having had COVID in December, because I found out one person at work tested positive and another has all of the symptoms but hasn't received his test results yet. I'm betting neither are vaccinated. I really hate that people are still treating vaccines and masking as political instead of public health, but then the people who see it as political don't care about other people anyway, so I doubt it would matter to them. Sorry, just really frustrated right now. I guess the good news is that the line is long, so lots of people are getting tested.
My cousin is planning on enlisting in the Navy soon and is bitching because they are going to make him get the vaccine. He said, "I don't like being told what to do." We told him maybe the military isn't for him if he's not keen on taking orders.
My cousin is planning on enlisting in the Navy soon and is bitching because they are going to make him get the vaccine. He said, "I don't like being told what to do." We told him maybe the military isn't for him if he's not keen on taking orders.
Ha ha ha ha ha
It sounds like he's badly suited for all work, and especially poorly suited to the military.
Does he realize the Navy is going to make him take a million vaccines, not just this one?
My cousin is planning on enlisting in the Navy soon and is bitching because they are going to make him get the vaccine. He said, "I don't like being told what to do." We told him maybe the military isn't for him if he's not keen on taking orders.
He does know that having people tell him what to do is a hallmark of the US military branches, right???
My cousin is planning on enlisting in the Navy soon and is bitching because they are going to make him get the vaccine. He said, "I don't like being told what to do." We told him maybe the military isn't for him if he's not keen on taking orders.
I know some active duty who haven’t gotten the vax yet just bc it was one thing the military couldn’t force them to do. Seems super dumb to me, since now they will have to anyway. You sure showed them!! 🙄
Somewhat on the military theme, my close friend whose H is in the air force just tested positive for COVID over the weekend. She and her H are both vaccinated, so I guess he was supposed to still go to work but wearing a mask? I don't think he has tested positive, but he's obviously a close contact. They just moved there this summer so obviously do not have family or even a support system there at all since they are new to town. I feel so bad for her. She was also the first person I know (other than from these boards) who had a breakthrough infection, so that is kind of freaking me out.
Post by Velar Fricative on Aug 9, 2021 14:03:06 GMT -5
A couple of weeks ago staff became allowed to remain maskless in non-public spaces as long as they were fully vaccinated. We always could be maskless if we were alone in offices or spaces, but the new rule allowed for FV staff to be maskless in shared workspaces, which we have many of in our buildings. Now we are going back to the old rule of maskless only if alone.
I get that Delta changed the game but based on conversations, it appears that this shift may have been driven by unvaccinated people who felt uncomfortable with vaccinated people being able to take their masks off. If that's truly the case, I'm annoyed as hell that we are placating them. About 70% of our entire workforce is vaccinated, but in the division I work in, the number is closer to 50%, and this is where the conversation came from.
Somewhat on the military theme, my close friend whose H is in the air force just tested positive for COVID over the weekend. She and her H are both vaccinated, so I guess he was supposed to still go to work but wearing a mask? I don't think he has tested positive, but he's obviously a close contact. They just moved there this summer so obviously do not have family or even a support system there at all since they are new to town. I feel so bad for her. She was also the first person I know (other than from these boards) who had a breakthrough infection, so that is kind of freaking me out.
Yeah they likely are following CDC recs so vaccinated people who have been exposed can still go to work. Most dod facilities are back to masks for everyone indoors. My H currently has 3 vaccinated co-workers with positive family members and they have been at work all along. They only need to stay home if symptomatic or if they test positive (so far all negative tests).
My cousin is planning on enlisting in the Navy soon and is bitching because they are going to make him get the vaccine. He said, "I don't like being told what to do." We told him maybe the military isn't for him if he's not keen on taking orders.
Ha ha ha ha ha
It sounds like he's badly suited for all work, and especially poorly suited to the military.
Does he realize the Navy is going to make him take a million vaccines, not just this one?
I know! It's not like this is the only vaccine he'll be required to take. My dad said he got so many vaccines when he was in the military and most of the time he had no idea what the heck it was for. He told cousin (it's dad's side of the family) that he's in for a rude awakening.
My cousin is planning on enlisting in the Navy soon and is bitching because they are going to make him get the vaccine. He said, "I don't like being told what to do." We told him maybe the military isn't for him if he's not keen on taking orders.
He does know that having people tell him what to do is a hallmark of the US military branches, right???
Yea...not sure what his thinking is here. I'm kind of snickering at him thinking he's going to tell a commanding officer "No". Good luck buddy!
I walked into a meeting wearing my mask, and the one other person at the time in the room said, "Oh, we're doing masks again? Good!" and promptly put on his mask. Everyone else who walked in afterward had the same reaction. I had to laugh a little bit about how natural that ended up happening.
If only it could happen so easily in other settings.
Somewhat on the military theme, my close friend whose H is in the air force just tested positive for COVID over the weekend. She and her H are both vaccinated, so I guess he was supposed to still go to work but wearing a mask? I don't think he has tested positive, but he's obviously a close contact. They just moved there this summer so obviously do not have family or even a support system there at all since they are new to town. I feel so bad for her. She was also the first person I know (other than from these boards) who had a breakthrough infection, so that is kind of freaking me out.
I currently know over 10 breakthrough cases, like at this moment in time. Good news is they are all fairly mild, aside from one who is elderly with a lot of co-morbidities, she is in the hospital, but very stable. So, bad news/good news?Delta is def going to continue to cause an increase in breakthrough cases:(
I'm glad they are all mild! My friend is doing ok so far too, at least as of Saturday. I spoke with her Thursday and she said she had a really bad cold and felt crappy, but I guess decided to get a test and was surprised it was positive! I don't think she's going to end up hospitalized or anything, but she definitely feels yucky.
I guess I am not terribly worried about getting it myself - I don't want to be sick, but I can handle feeling crappy if it means I can enjoy other freedoms that being vaccinated has bought me. But I recognize that not everyone I come into contact with has their entire family protected at this point, so it makes me nervous about being a spreader.
My cousin is planning on enlisting in the Navy soon and is bitching because they are going to make him get the vaccine. He said, "I don't like being told what to do." We told him maybe the military isn't for him if he's not keen on taking orders.
He’s in for a rude awakening! Pretty sure DH doesn’t even know what they jabbed him with when he enlisted. Plus, the having to get nekkid in front of lots of other dudes at boot camp.
I'm glad they are all mild! My friend is doing ok so far too, at least as of Saturday. I spoke with her Thursday and she said she had a really bad cold and felt crappy, but I guess decided to get a test and was surprised it was positive! I don't think she's going to end up hospitalized or anything, but she definitely feels yucky.
I guess I am not terribly worried about getting it myself - I don't want to be sick, but I can handle feeling crappy if it means I can enjoy other freedoms that being vaccinated has bought me. But I recognize that not everyone I come into contact with has their entire family protected at this point, so it makes me nervous about being a spreader.
I am still terrified of getting it, and due to our current situation here/Delta’s increased contagiousness, I am living like I did in the earlier days of the pandemic. Hopefully in a few months things will have improved.
I don't blame you! Are you still starting work again soon? I hope if so, you are able to be protected.
We are all back in the office 5 days a week with no masks, so we'll see what happens. Things are fine here right now but I feel like it's just a matter of time.
My cousin is planning on enlisting in the Navy soon and is bitching because they are going to make him get the vaccine. He said, "I don't like being told what to do." We told him maybe the military isn't for him if he's not keen on taking orders.
He’s in for a rude awakening! Pretty sure DH doesn’t even know what they jabbed him with when he enlisted. Plus, the having to get nekkid in front of lots of other dudes at boot camp.
My dad is in his 70s, but when he first started in the military, he said they literally had nurses lined up and you just walked down the row and got shot after shot. You really don't get a choice.
I don't blame you! Are you still starting work again soon? I hope if so, you are able to be protected.
We are all back in the office 5 days a week with no masks, so we'll see what happens. Things are fine here right now but I feel like it's just a matter of time.
There has been some holdup, it keeps getting pushed back weekly right now. Something related to the titers or drug screen were sent to a 3rd party and everything is ‘on hold’, it’s myself and a few other new hires. So, if it’s not back this week and it’s postponed again I think that is my sign to bow out for now. Lol
ETA: sorry you’re back full-time, it seemed like your job was pretty doable from home:(
Yeah, I don't blame you if you want to push it back like 2 months! Hopefully this wave will pass and it will be easier to go back.
Today I had 1 virtual meeting and otherwise worked at my desk by myself all day It does seem silly to have everyone here all day every day regardless of what they do or what they are working on. At least we have a vaccine mandate!
A friend of mine works for a large retailer. They are mandating vaccines and if you aren’t vaccinated and need to use sick time for anything, you cannot use it. I don’t know how it’s legal, but they are in a very red state.
Some of the laws/regulations that very conservative states have passed seem to be working against them at this time. I'm walking a fine line of "this is what you get" and a "these policies shouldn't have ever been enacted in the first place."
I can answer this as a social worker, in short, no, the hospital/insurance will not provide transportation, unless it’s medically necessary. It will be up to the pt/family/support system to get them home. Medicaid does not cross state lines 99% of the time, so even if they had Medicaid with transportation it’s not an option either.
I'm not liking this because I like the answer. I'm liking it for the rapid response.
But, if the discharged patient doesn't have transportation, do they just get dumped at the Amtrak station or the Greyhound station? From what I understand from my acquaintances who were hospitalized for Covid last winter, they were still potentially contagious when they were discharged from the hospital.
When I was in college I was in a bad car accident where my car was totaled and I was transported by ambulance to the hospital. They patched me up and discharged me, and I was like... What am I supposed to do? I don't have a car, and I came in in an ambulance by myself. They were basically like, "Not our problem." I managed to remember my roommate's phone number and called her from a payphone, but yeah. Once you're discharged you're on your own.
Houston hospitals are reaching capacity and setting up tents. The stats in the article are horrifying. For those not familiar with Houston, The Texas Medical Center there is the largest life science campus in the world with a massive network of hospitals in close proximity (and also where a lot of people with cancer and other diseases have to travel to from around the world for treatment).
Is anyone else seeing more bare spots on grocery store shelves? I feel like this is ramping up again, and within the past week I've seen a FB friend in CO post about it as well, so I don't think it's just me.
It's not the same things it was last year, like paper/cleaning products and meat. It seems really random, like the one that stuck with me from this past weekend is sparkling water even though there were several other items that I can't recall now. I thought it might be staffing/stocking issues rather than not having the actual product, but I've been back to the store a couple of times and it does seem like they just don't have the things that would normally fill those spots on the shelves.