"Unvaccinated pregnant women make up nearly 20 percent of the most critically ill Covid-19 patients in England, according to data released by the National Health Service on Monday."
"Since July, approximately one in five coronavirus patients who received an intensive lung-bypass treatment, or Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO), were unvaccinated and pregnant."
Post by neverfstop on Oct 11, 2021 14:30:46 GMT -5
I was listening or reading the other day about pregnancy & COVID. Just think of all the lung, breathing, cardiovascular issues that are involved in being pregnant. From a higher volume of blood, to less physical space in your lungs, pregnancy is already really difficult on a human body. I can't imagine how hard it would be to deal with that PLUS a covid infection.
for months I have hoped something would change (they’d move it to outdoors, require vaccines/testing, there would be flight mandates, the bride’s family would finally get vaccinated…anything?). nothing has changed and i’m just not ready to fly across the country to a large indoor event without precautions. even for this, as devastated as I am to miss it.
i’m on day 11 of bronchitis from a cold my kid brought home. both kids had croup. the baby is still sick with no end in sight. I can’t even get my flu shot (originally scheduled for 10/2) until I recover.
I know this is the right call for my family, but it still feels so shitty.
tacom I'm so sorry. That sucks. I had to miss my parents' 50th anniversary party over Labor Day weekend. And because I didn't already feel like shit, one of my sisters tried to guilt trip me about it and gaslight me about covid for good measure. It was super awesome. /sarcasm
Post by picksthemusic on Oct 11, 2021 16:59:18 GMT -5
Yikes, that is a very high rate. So scary.
DS had a slight cold this weekend so we ran a home Covid test yesterday to make sure he was negative before sending him to school today. Started on Friday, never had a fever, just a stuffy nose and a slight cough due to post nasal drip. He was negative so he went to school today. The kids will get their flu shots on the 20th so we hopefully won’t have to worry about that.
Post by suburbanzookeeper on Oct 11, 2021 16:59:26 GMT -5
DD gets her second vaccine on Friday. Eagerly waiting for the 8 year old's turn.
We missed my stepmom's birthday party back east because her family wouldn't vaccinate (I posted previously that she wouldn't but she did get J&J last month). I got a huge guilt trip over it but we spent 18 months avoiding COVID, I'm not embracing that when we're so.fucking.close to getting both kids vaccinated. My dad apparently asked that people test 72 hours prior and three pods of guests tested positive ... so I guess we made the right decision.
My sister has apparently decided not to get vaccinated because she is "worried about fertility." She is not trying to get pregnant, so this is apparently some concern for her at least a year or more in the future. I am so fucking annoyed. She also works in a fucking daycare center.
I am keeping my mouth shut because I know my mom will be upset if I interfere. She's already working on it anyway.
I will not let her come see my kids until she's vaccinated though, so at some point this is going to really bite her in the ass when she realizes this.
Also, my DS2's daycare center shut down on Sunday due to a positive covid case among one of the staff members. So now I get to deal with the stress of whether or not he could be positive and him infecting DS1. We're like two goddamn weeks from approval of this vaccine for my older kid.
isabel I am similarly frustrated with my own sister. She thinks her immune system is special and doesn't deal with vaccines well. She also thinks she had covid in March 2020 so she didn't need to (she was never tested and tested negative for antibodies afterwards). I'm hoping that she and her husband end up getting vaccinated for work reasons soon--both are in fields where it's been heavily mandated.
It really bothers me that she has such strong erroneous beliefs when her grasp of science has never been particularly strong.
These next few weeks cannot pass soon enough. On Thursday, my 8yo came home from school with a terrible headache and very stuffy. Went to get tested of course. While waiting for results Friday morning, the principal emails that there is a positive case in her class. A long two hours later my daughter's test came back negative. Then yesterday my SIL texts me that she is COVID positive. She is a MS art teacher in a district that requires masks. We haven't seen them in a couple weeks, thank goodness. Despite being fully vaccinated, my SIL says this is the sickest she's ever been.
It just feels like COVID is closing in and despite our best efforts for 19 months, we might lose this thing at the end. My anxiety, that did not exist prior to COVID, is through the roof.
My sister is trying to get pregnant and refusing the vaccine on fertility concerns. She also works in healthcare (patient-facing). My parents support her and think it's awful that her job may put a vaccine mandate in place and force her into an "impossible" situation.
ETA: I am also super sad about this because it means there continues to be no timeline for when DD could safely visit my sister's daughter, who is DD's only cousin.
Post by karinothing on Oct 12, 2021 9:14:01 GMT -5
I just got a text inviting DS1 to Dave and Buster's Friday evening. I told the mom I would have to talk it over with DH, but that I don't feel comfortable with DS1 eating inside. I am honestly not even sure I feel comfortable with him going to Dave and Buster's because there will be a number of unmasked people and that place is so insane (or was pre pandemic).
DS1 hasn't really spent much time inside anywhere. I did allow him to go to the spy museum for another bday, but they were all masked so it feels different, but I don't know maybe it isn't.
These next few weeks cannot pass soon enough. On Thursday, my 8yo came home from school with a terrible headache and very stuffy. Went to get tested of course. While waiting for results Friday morning, the principal emails that there is a positive case in her class. A long two hours later my daughter's test came back negative. Then yesterday my SIL texts me that she is COVID positive. She is a MS art teacher in a district that requires masks. We haven't seen them in a couple weeks, thank goodness. Despite being fully vaccinated, my SIL says this is the sickest she's ever been.
It just feels like COVID is closing in and despite our best efforts for 19 months, we might lose this thing at the end. My anxiety, that did not exist prior to COVID, is through the roof.
I totally get this. A vaccinated friend got Covid and has been very sick for 3 weeks. I feel so bad for her and it makes me more nervous about covid than I've been since being vaccinated. The only bright spot is that her kids appear to have avoided it.
DD1 missed 2 days of school last week for a bout of morning nausea that resolved in a few hours, but we had to wait for a negative PCR to send her back. She got a cough this weekend and now she's home again, we have an appt for a rapid molecular test this afternoon. Poor kid, she hates the nasal swab so much. I hope the cough resolves quickly so she can go back to school soon. At this rate, it is going to be a very rough fall/winter. Everyone seems to be passing around colds despite masking.
Post by Velar Fricative on Oct 12, 2021 9:50:36 GMT -5
You know what I blame for the fertility concerns from the vaccine? The fact that we barely understand (or care) about fertility issues as a society. There has historically been so little research done on fertility issues (probably because it was also thought to be a woman's problem and we really don't give a shit about women's problems). So many people who do experience fertility issues have unexplained causes. If we had more answers, fertility wouldn't be so ripe for antivax talking points since we otherwise can't point to that many proven causes.
I don't understand how someone trying to get pregnant can be concerned about undocumented possible fertility effects but ignore the known and documented high risks of covid while pregnant.
Post by dancingirl21 on Oct 12, 2021 9:56:52 GMT -5
My husband got very sick a few weeks ago. He is working out of state right now and was planning to fly home for a few days but had to cancel because he was sick. He was Covid tested twice during that time and was negative both times, so just a really bad cold or flu. He had a fever for many days, lots of congestion, headache. Basically I’m shocked it wasn’t Covid but two PCR tests said it wasn’t.
Fast forward to this past weekend. DS2 started with a runny nose and watery eyes on Saturday. DS1 then started having those symptoms on Sunday. Neither have had a fever or other symptoms. I got them tested yesterday and results just came back negative for both. We’re so close to the vaccination for both (8 and 5). I cannot wait until they get it. Every sniffle has me on high alert.
I’m assuming one of my kids picked this up at school (they are masked all the time except lunch and recess). I still don’t take them anywhere else. I fear this fall/winter are going to be really bad for sickness.
I just got a text inviting DS1 to Dave and Buster's Friday evening. I told the mom I would have to talk it over with DH, but that I don't feel comfortable with DS1 eating inside. I am honestly not even sure I feel comfortable with him going to Dave and Buster's because there will be a number of unmasked people and that place is so insane (or was pre pandemic).
DS1 hasn't really spent much time inside anywhere. I did allow him to go to the spy museum for another bday, but they were all masked so it feels different, but I don't know maybe it isn't.
What would you guys do?
No restaurants or indoor activities (museums, bowling alley, etc.) until they’re vaccinated. We’ve gone too long to get into that now.
MIL has asked at least half a dozen times now about taking our kids to indoor activities (Van Goh show, science museum, meow wolf). Omg woman, the answer is no until they are vaccinated. Why is this so hard???
Post by Velar Fricative on Oct 12, 2021 9:57:36 GMT -5
Covid and age. So yes, basically an unvaccinated 7 year old is safer than a vaccinated 70 year old. I think we've known this, but seeing all the data in one place and David Leonhardt's great messaging really makes it hit home. I still don't like Emily Oster though lol.
To be clear, the piece also strongly recommends vaccinating kids when they can be vaccinated. For me, I may have less fear about my kids having severe outcomes from covid (and one of my kids did have an asymptomatic case), but given the sizable minority of adults who will continue to refuse to get vaccinated and the best way out of this pandemic being widespread vaccination, my kids need to be vaccinated when they are eligible to hopefully get up to around 90% vaccination rates, at least locally. And if their grandparents are still at higher risk despite being vaccinated (with boosters), we still have to do our best to protect them by keeping case rates as low as possible.
Post by Velar Fricative on Oct 12, 2021 10:31:51 GMT -5
melmaria, I can have these rational conversations with people who are themselves vaccinated (particularly those who got it shortly after they could versus being mandated to by their jobs). Vaccine refusers cannot be reasoned with at this point and of course they are the same people all over Twitter misinterpreting this piece.
Also, I think I myself might think longer about vaccinating my kids if our vaccination rates among adults hadn’t fallen to, like, 40th in the world. Most parts of the country aren’t close to where we need to be in terms of vaccinated adults so vaccinating kids does become more urgent. If I lived in Portugal though? I wouldn’t be in such a rush, most likely.
I just got a text inviting DS1 to Dave and Buster's Friday evening. I told the mom I would have to talk it over with DH, but that I don't feel comfortable with DS1 eating inside. I am honestly not even sure I feel comfortable with him going to Dave and Buster's because there will be a number of unmasked people and that place is so insane (or was pre pandemic).
DS1 hasn't really spent much time inside anywhere. I did allow him to go to the spy museum for another bday, but they were all masked so it feels different, but I don't know maybe it isn't.
What would you guys do?
I think it would depend on who was going for me, but in LA County masks are required of everyone inside unless you are actively eating or drinking. And at our Dave and Busters, the arcade area is separate from the eating area and the party rooms are closed off as well. I'd probably let my 7 year old go for the beginning of the party to play games with his friends but have a reason we needed to leave early to avoid the eating part. My answer would be different if tables were mixed in with the games and indoor masking wasn't required.
I just got a text inviting DS1 to Dave and Buster's Friday evening. I told the mom I would have to talk it over with DH, but that I don't feel comfortable with DS1 eating inside. I am honestly not even sure I feel comfortable with him going to Dave and Buster's because there will be a number of unmasked people and that place is so insane (or was pre pandemic).
DS1 hasn't really spent much time inside anywhere. I did allow him to go to the spy museum for another bday, but they were all masked so it feels different, but I don't know maybe it isn't.
What would you guys do?
I think it would depend on who was going for me, but in LA County masks are required of everyone inside unless you are actively eating or drinking. And at our Dave and Busters, the arcade area is separate from the eating area and the party rooms are closed off as well. I'd probably let my 7 year old go for the beginning of the party to play games with his friends but have a reason we needed to leave early to avoid the eating part. My answer would be different if tables were mixed in with the games and indoor masking wasn't required.
It isn't a party. His friend just invited him. Indoor masking is not required here. The tables borders the game area but aren't interspersed..I hate making decisions
Post by secretagent on Oct 12, 2021 11:03:16 GMT -5
A huge part of my interest in vaccinating my kids (besides school) is protecting our parents. They're all over 70 with various health conditions. They're vaccinated and two have boosters already (2 waiting on Moderna approval) but it's still so risky with their health histories.
I just got a text inviting DS1 to Dave and Buster's Friday evening. I told the mom I would have to talk it over with DH, but that I don't feel comfortable with DS1 eating inside. I am honestly not even sure I feel comfortable with him going to Dave and Buster's because there will be a number of unmasked people and that place is so insane (or was pre pandemic).
DS1 hasn't really spent much time inside anywhere. I did allow him to go to the spy museum for another bday, but they were all masked so it feels different, but I don't know maybe it isn't.
What would you guys do?
That would be a no for me until he’s vaccinated. I’m not even able to let my vaccinated kids do that yet because of H. My sister is a surgical resident and has seen quite a few very sick kids with no prior underlying conditions this fall.
I just got a text inviting DS1 to Dave and Buster's Friday evening. I told the mom I would have to talk it over with DH, but that I don't feel comfortable with DS1 eating inside. I am honestly not even sure I feel comfortable with him going to Dave and Buster's because there will be a number of unmasked people and that place is so insane (or was pre pandemic).
DS1 hasn't really spent much time inside anywhere. I did allow him to go to the spy museum for another bday, but they were all masked so it feels different, but I don't know maybe it isn't.
What would you guys do?
We took DS and his friend to Dave and Buster's for DS's birthday in August. But they were already vaccinated and at that time the positivity rate in our area was pretty low. I don't remember exactly but around 1%. So I felt it was a comfortable risk at the time. It was crowded but a decent amount of masking going on. I'm not sure I would do it in our area currently with the way the numbers are currently increasing, but maybe.
I was pregnant and a frontline worker when the vaccines came out in December.
US agencies at the time allowed pregnant women choice (we were encouraged to speak with our physicians) to weigh the risks and the benefits. I had to respond to a question about pregnancy at the time of vaccination and also respond yes that I had discussed my choice with my physician.
UK agencies initially did not allow pregnant women in the UK this same choice. Even high risk/frontline workers - no choice, just do your best to not get infected and carry on. At the time, rates of infection were much lower in the UK (but not like Australia levels low) so they had that going. Still, this decision did not help to ease the fears of pregnant women both in the UK and US surrounding vaccination ("How is it safe for pregnant women in the US but not the UK??").
At the time there was no evidence that the vaccines could cause harm to pregnant women or their fetuses--but there was documented risks of severe outcomes for Covid infection during pregnancy. The data were admittedly scarce (a few unplanned pregnancies in the trials, animal data), and a few decades of vaccinology. But to outright deny access to a high risk group of adults (with bodily autonomy) during a global pandemic? That has lasting ramifications.
I have to admit a large part of my decision to vaccinate my young children isn’t due to fear of them having a severe Covid case as statistically that isn’t very likely still- (whereas my fear of them giving their 78 year old Grammy Covid and what the repercussions of that could be have weighed heavily and influenced much of our behavior)
A lot of my reason for doing so is that I want them to receive their education without disruption. I’m assuming/hoping that providing proof of Covid vaccination will mean my kids won’t have to miss a week of school whenever they get a cold.
This morning I called the school and asked if they had received the fax of my 4th grade daughters negative Covid test, they said yes. I said now that she’s had two negative home tests and a negative pcr can she attend school today despite still having cold symptoms. They said “no. If she is coughing the teacher will only send her to the nurse and then you will have to come get her.”
Since she hasn’t attended school in a week at this point, I made a pediatrician appointment. They said yes, she has a cold. Sometimes colds do last two weeks. And I’m like yes I know!! That’s what I keep trying to tell the school. The doctor wrote a note saying she has been examined, covid tested, and may return to school as long as she is fever free. So I sent that to the school nurse. She’s never registered a fever the entire week, as I told the nurse. She is just very congested and it’s causing a phlegmy cough.
Sorry for the rant! I’m just a little irritated I guess and I really don’t want to deal with this all winter every time one of my kids gets a cold.
Post by karinothing on Oct 12, 2021 19:10:22 GMT -5
My kids tutor was was identified as a close contact and called me today to ask if I wanted to have a session tomorrow. She is vaccinated so she was told she can come into work (she teachers at their school). I told her that I would hold off until next week. I get the idea behind not having vaccinating folks quarantine but I know she can still get sick and my kids aren't vaccinated so it didn't seem right to me (she is nervous and wants to be quarantining but can't get the approved time off work)