May Covid Thread

[Velar Fricative]

FDA restricts use of J&J's vaccine due to (rare) blood clot risk: www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/fda-restricts-jjs-covid-vaccine-due-blood-clot-risk-rcna27583

Doctors are investigating reports of recurrence of covid symptoms after taking Paxlovid: abcnews.go.com/Health/scientists-investigate-perplexing-viral-rebound-covid-19-cases/story?id=84475465

Continued spread of covid baffles locked-down Shanghai residents: www.reuters.com/world/china/how-did-we-catch-it-spread-covid-baffles-locked-down-shanghai-residents-2022-05-05/

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Not exactly the best covid news to start the month of May...

[Bad Dingo]

Ugh. My mother and her wife (elderly in FL) both have Covid. They think they caught it at step-mother's doctor's office since her doc tested positive after an appointment w/her. Luckily they are both double boosted and got Prevnar 20. They are both getting hit pretty hard though.

[bears]

May 6, 2022 7:42:14 GMT -5 Velar Fricative said:

FDA restricts use of J&J's vaccine due to (rare) blood clot risk: www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/fda-restricts-jjs-covid-vaccine-due-blood-clot-risk-rcna27583

This is not a surprising move to make when there are safer options on the market.

[basilosaurus]

As of May 1 we're no longer required to QR code scan into all locations. I'd noticed enforcement was waning in the couple weeks leading up. Masks are still required indoors, but with food/bev it's almost none, mostly enforced for shops, 50/50 for anything indoor/outdoor.

To even arrive here one most show proof of at least 2 doses or recent infection. Obviously infection can and will still occur, and I'm slightly nervous there's no more attempt at tracking, but if that wasn't preventing infections at this point, I cannot argue with its discontinuation. I'm pretty comfortable with where things stand.

[rubytue]

While I’m sure we discussed it when the CDC changed their charts. But, last night it really hit me that “community transmission levels” and “community levels” are different. And a huge WTF to it. I was looking at the map last night, which has us in red on “community transmission.” But, my office is closed when it’s above moderate, and our official page says we were low. But “community levels” is green.

So, I’m sure I’m late to the game to this WTF CDC, but…. WTF CDC?! After over 2 years, no wonder are we still so confused. I can’t even find a definitional difference. (Edit… ok, I found it. But… yeah.. it’s that whole thing of changing the metrics after 2 years. So effing shitty)

The map here, change the drop down between community levels and community transmission levels.
covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view?list_select_state=all_states&list_select_county=all_counties&data-type=CommunityLevels

[wawa]

May 10, 2022 20:27:58 GMT -5 rubytue said:

While I’m sure we discussed it when the CDC changed their charts. But, last night it really hit me that “community transmission levels” and “community levels” are different. And a huge WTF to it. I was looking at the map last night, which has us in red on “community transmission.” But, my office is closed when it’s above moderate, and our official page says we were low. But “community levels” is green.

So, I’m sure I’m late to the game to this WTF CDC, but…. WTF CDC?! After over 2 years, no wonder are we still so confused. I can’t even find a definitional difference. (Edit… ok, I found it. But… yeah.. it’s that whole thing of changing the metrics after 2 years. So effing shitty)

The map here, change the drop down between community levels and community transmission levels.
covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view?list_select_state=all_states&list_select_county=all_counties&data-type=CommunityLevels

So...what's the difference?

[NewOrleans]

Seriously and without exaggeration, I know more people with Covid right now (first timers) than at any point in the past 2 years. I myself have not had it. I was exposed (like, closely exposed) twice in 2 weeks but I have still never gotten it. There is also an outbreak on my workplace. It’s getting bad all around here again. The many (probably over a dozen) friends who currently have it, as well as at least one immediate colleague, were all vaxed and boosted but were extremely sick. 103 fevers in some, extreme nausea to the tune of losing 10 pounds, chest pain…. One’s husband is a firefighter EMT and called 911 for himself because he couldn’t breathe. I’m scared all over again. I have to be so, so careful because of my health conditions and being scared is depleting me all over again.

According to this recent article, most Americans have had it but if I did, I never had a symptom….

Article mentions a @ stats too
www.npr.org/2022/04/26/1094817774/covid-19-infections-us-most-americans

[rubytue]

May 11, 2022 6:58:43 GMT -5 wawa said:

May 10, 2022 20:27:58 GMT -5 rubytue said:

While I’m sure we discussed it when the CDC changed their charts. But, last night it really hit me that “community transmission levels” and “community levels” are different. And a huge WTF to it. I was looking at the map last night, which has us in red on “community transmission.” But, my office is closed when it’s above moderate, and our official page says we were low. But “community levels” is green.

So, I’m sure I’m late to the game to this WTF CDC, but…. WTF CDC?! After over 2 years, no wonder are we still so confused. I can’t even find a definitional difference. (Edit… ok, I found it. But… yeah.. it’s that whole thing of changing the metrics after 2 years. So effing shitty)

The map here, change the drop down between community levels and community transmission levels.
covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view?list_select_state=all_states&list_select_county=all_counties&data-type=CommunityLevels

So...what's the difference?

Shit… something that didn’t sink in enough to last until morning. I think transmission is transmission rates, but the “community levels” takes into account hospital availability and such. Like, it’s green if there are still beds to take people and case rates aren’t terrible high. I guess green if you won’t have problems getting treatment if you get it. 

it’s funny, I remember when CDC rejiggered the maps and it took most places down to green, and a bunch of the doctors and epidemiologists I follow on Twitter were up in arms. But, you know, I didn’t fully process everything they were saying. And selfishly, it wasn’t until it affected me directly that I realized just how much the CDC left us out to dry to basically recalculated to make the pandemic over. 🙄

Attachments:

[wildrice]

I am getting so nervous about traveling internationally in 2 weeks. I think we are still mostly able to cancel/reschedule things at this point, but I think we really need this break and it might break me to have to cancel. I am mostly worried about getting stuck there, but also obviously don't want to get sick on vacation and have a crappy trip. What crap timing for things to be getting worse.

[Cappy]

I'm surprised/not surprised that our semester ended Friday and Monday my (Midwest) university just scrubbed all mention of Covid-19 from the institution's website. The dashboard is gone, the policies and procedures pages are gone, any mention of where to go for testing is gone. Buried on the website is a page about pandemic influenza from pre-pandemic that has brief mention of where to get vaccination. Everything else is ::poof::

[litebright]

I went to an in-person conference yesterday. It was a very international crowd (so presumably those folks had to test negative to get into the US) and I was one of very, very few wearing a mask.

I am going to Germany for work for a week, leaving the Friday before Memorial Day weekend. It's for one of the biggest industrial tech events in the world, and I felt fine about it when I booked it, but ... I feel like the chances that I pick up covid while I'm here just keep rising, and I reeeeeeeaalllly don't want to be stuck quarantining in Germany for an extra 10 days.

ETA: I know so many people who have gotten it in the past couple of weeks. Some for a second time, some who have been really careful for the past two+ years. That, and it seems like there are a ton of other things spreading (colds, flu) because masks are gone. 

[fortnightlily]

The CDC is definitely doing no one any favors with just calling it generically "Covid Community Levels". But my understanding when they made their adjustment a couple months back was that these levels are community RISK levels and are intended for the wider public health big picture of things, i.e. tied to specific community-level mitigation recommendations. They're not meant to just be a raw take on case levels as far as an individual might be concerned.

Because really, even if a lot of people in the community are catching it, but it's not causing strain on the public health system, then the calculus for enacting mandatory mitigation measures 2 years in when vaccines, treatments, etc. are available are different than they were in 2020.

[Bad Dingo]

I feel like Covid has broken me. I am so sad and angry and exhausted.

We were supposed to go spend last weekend at a friend's vacation house but one of their family members had a + test and others were sick but testing negative so they all decided they didn't have it. She still wanted to get together because the one positive would have been a week out from start of symptoms. I said no (immunocompromised) and assumed they'd just be hanging out at the house by themselves but it turns out they were partying it up w/a bunch of other people. Yes, I'm judging. This is why it keeps spreading. People who can't be vaxxed or who are at increased risk are suffering so much and others just keep on keeping on. I know this is an asshole rant but I miss PEOPLE and DOING THINGS and I'm fucking tired of being judged for being "too cautious".

[Velar Fricative]

Last night we booked our much-delayed return vacation to Canada for the end of August and I can't believe we have to worry potentially about international travel again.

[dulcemariamar]

May 11, 2022 8:55:14 GMT -5 litebright said:

I went to an in-person conference yesterday. It was a very international crowd (so presumably those folks had to test negative to get into the US) and I was one of very, very few wearing a mask.

I am going to Germany for work for a week, leaving the Friday before Memorial Day weekend. It's for one of the biggest industrial tech events in the world, and I felt fine about it when I booked it, but ... I feel like the chances that I pick up covid while I'm here just keep rising, and I reeeeeeeaalllly don't want to be stuck quarantining in Germany for an extra 10 days.

ETA: I know so many people who have gotten it in the past couple of weeks. Some for a second time, some who have been really careful for the past two+ years. That, and it seems like there are a ton of other things spreading (colds, flu) because masks are gone. 

Is a mask required for the flight to Germany? I guess American carriers don’t require it

[dulcemariamar]

May 11, 2022 9:46:48 GMT -5 Bad Dingo said:

I feel like Covid has broken me. I am so sad and angry and exhausted.

We were supposed to go spend last weekend at a friend's vacation house but one of their family members had a + test and others were sick but testing negative so they all decided they didn't have it. She still wanted to get together because the one positive would have been a week out from start of symptoms. I said no (immunocompromised) and assumed they'd just be hanging out at the house by themselves but it turns out they were partying it up w/a bunch of other people. Yes, I'm judging. This is why it keeps spreading. People who can't be vaxxed or who are at increased risk are suffering so much and others just keep on keeping on. I know this is an asshole rant but I miss PEOPLE and DOING THINGS and I'm fucking tired of being judged for being "too cautious".

I am sorry. It can be so frustrating but it sounds like you followed your gut and I agree that it definitely wasn’t the right moment to hang out

[macmars45]

My mom is sick and her at home covid test was inconclusive today. I'm scheduling her a PCR test for tomorrow. I saw her Sunday for Mother's Day. I have plans to see friends this Saturday. I haven't seen most of them since November. So that's cool. /s

Fuck covid.

ETA: I also already have never ending congestion and fluid in my ears from my cold 2 weeks ago. And I'm still miserable. Covid on top of that would be just swell. /s

[fernweh]

May 11, 2022 14:31:35 GMT -5 dulcemariamar said:

May 11, 2022 8:55:14 GMT -5 litebright said:

I went to an in-person conference yesterday. It was a very international crowd (so presumably those folks had to test negative to get into the US) and I was one of very, very few wearing a mask.

I am going to Germany for work for a week, leaving the Friday before Memorial Day weekend. It's for one of the biggest industrial tech events in the world, and I felt fine about it when I booked it, but ... I feel like the chances that I pick up covid while I'm here just keep rising, and I reeeeeeeaalllly don't want to be stuck quarantining in Germany for an extra 10 days.

ETA: I know so many people who have gotten it in the past couple of weeks. Some for a second time, some who have been really careful for the past two+ years. That, and it seems like there are a ton of other things spreading (colds, flu) because masks are gone. 

Is a mask required for the flight to Germany? I guess American carriers don’t require it

It will depend on German laws I think. I’m currently in Croatia and we didn’t have to wear masks on our flight. I’m pretty sure H and I were the only ones wearing them.

[NewOrleans]

May 11, 2022 9:46:48 GMT -5 Bad Dingo said:

I feel like Covid has broken me. I am so sad and angry and exhausted.

This is why it keeps spreading. People who can't be vaxxed or who are at increased risk are suffering so much and others just keep on keeping on. I know this is an asshole rant but I miss PEOPLE and DOING THINGS and I'm fucking tired of being judged for being "too cautious".

The ableist gaslighting is so real.

And “We Can’T lIvE iN fEaR” actually means you (the general) have the privilege of not having to be afraid.  

[cherry1111]

Yep, it seems like travel right now is just the luck of scheduling it in between outbreaks. We just got back from Italy on Sunday and the very next day I tested positive. I have been lucky - it is very mild and I feel almost completely better now. But I’m still frustrated that I made it over 2 years avoiding it then got it on vacation. I obviously tested negative to come home but was definitely contagious on the plane.

We booked the trip before the Delta outbreak when being vaccinated made things feel very safe.

[krystee]

My work had our first in-person conference in 2.5 years. More than half of the staff who went and had not previously had COVID got it. Maybe more. I hung out with COVID positive people (unknowingly) about 15 hours a day for five straight days and didn’t get it when every single other person in our small group of staff did. I’m so curious about why this affects some and not others. I was probably the least healthy person there, in terms of constant colds, sinus infections, bronchitis, etc

(PDQ)

[fernweh]

May 11, 2022 19:09:30 GMT -5 cherry1111 said:

Yep, it seems like travel right now is just the luck of scheduling it in between outbreaks. We just got back from Italy on Sunday and the very next day I tested positive. I have been lucky - it is very mild and I feel almost completely better now. But I’m still frustrated that I made it over 2 years avoiding it then got it on vacation. I obviously tested negative to come home but was definitely contagious on the plane.

We booked the trip before the Delta outbreak when being vaccinated made things feel very safe.

Yes I’m a bit nervous. I’m flying home from an international trip on Saturday. While I had covid in January, H has not had it. We are in Croatia where masks are not required and I literally don’t think I’ve seen a single one the entire time we have been here. I’m a bit nervous about the testing to come home. Obviously I new it was a risk when numbers were much lower when we planned (and even came). The numbers at home have almost doubled in the last week.

[Bad Dingo]

Interesting article about Paxlovid mouth.  I've had that IV taste before, I imagine it is pretty annoying to have that taste linger longer than the usual quick IV rush.

[mskitkat]

Tested positive this morning. 0/10. Not recommended.

[wildrice]

May 12, 2022 3:40:20 GMT -5 fernweh said:

May 11, 2022 19:09:30 GMT -5 cherry1111 said:

Yep, it seems like travel right now is just the luck of scheduling it in between outbreaks. We just got back from Italy on Sunday and the very next day I tested positive. I have been lucky - it is very mild and I feel almost completely better now. But I’m still frustrated that I made it over 2 years avoiding it then got it on vacation. I obviously tested negative to come home but was definitely contagious on the plane.

We booked the trip before the Delta outbreak when being vaccinated made things feel very safe.

Yes I’m a bit nervous. I’m flying home from an international trip on Saturday. While I had covid in January, H has not had it. We are in Croatia where masks are not required and I literally don’t think I’ve seen a single one the entire time we have been here. I’m a bit nervous about the testing to come home. Obviously I new it was a risk when numbers were much lower when we planned (and even came). The numbers at home have almost doubled in the last week.

Oh, eek. That's where we're going in 2 weeks and I was hoping that masking there would be a thing. I am really nervous about testing to come home. Neither of us have had it yet (that we know of) so we're really just relying on immunity from vaccines, which obviously won't prevent us from testing positive. 

You didn't have to test before arriving, right? I haven't found anything that says we have to but I'm always nervous I'm missing some important piece of information before traveling.

[Velar Fricative]

Omg I'm so sorry mskitkat. Are treatments accessible to you?

[Bad Dingo]

May 12, 2022 9:19:48 GMT -5 mskitkat said:

Tested positive this morning. 0/10. Not recommended.

I'm so sorry, can you get some Paxlovid?

[mskitkat]

Velar Fricative Bad Dingo Thanks. My doctor preemptively ordered me steroids, and we’re seeing if I need anything else. Hopefully I’m just panicking over possibilities.

[moreace01]

SO tested positive yesterday AM. So far just coughing and sniffly. We have no idea where he got it from since we don't leave the house very often. We did see my unvaccinated mother last week Saturday though so I'm freaking out a little bit about her.

We close on our home on Monday. So...this is excellent timing. It feels very weird to walk around in my house with a mask on.

[fluffycookie]

I was supposed to attend a global conference last week in DC, but work is still only approving business critical travel so my group canceled.  We have been talking to people who attended and it sounds like covid is spreading rampant among the attendees.  I know one group that two of the three attendees from the same company returned home to Europe and tested positive and a large committee that my coworker is on had all meetings postponed this week due to over half the committee members who attended having covid.