July Covid Thread

[sonrisa]

Jul 24, 2022 19:28:04 GMT -5 aprilsails said:

So… say you attended a wedding with 90 attendees, indoors in a large space and probably came into contact with about 20 of them in conversation. When should I start testing?
Fml. I was a bridesmaid in this wedding so wearing a mask in the background at all times was not great. I honestly straight up avoided people. I did my best.

I don't know the covid rate around you, but our health department sent out something yesterday saying locally if 10 people get together, there is a 40% chance one currently has covid, if 25 people then 72%, if 50, then 95%.

Being a bridesmaid in a close friend's wedding is an event worth taking greater risks for - but I'd also take greater precautions now. Personally, I'd avoid at risk people, home test on days 3-7, and mask through day 10. 

[aprilsails]

Jul 25, 2022 3:21:00 GMT -5 sonrisa said:

Jul 24, 2022 19:28:04 GMT -5 aprilsails said:

So… say you attended a wedding with 90 attendees, indoors in a large space and probably came into contact with about 20 of them in conversation. When should I start testing?
Fml. I was a bridesmaid in this wedding so wearing a mask in the background at all times was not great. I honestly straight up avoided people. I did my best.

I don't know the covid rate around you, but our health department sent out something yesterday saying locally if 10 people get together, there is a 40% chance one currently has covid, if 25 people then 72%, if 50, then 95%.

Being a bridesmaid in a close friend's wedding is an event worth taking greater risks for - but I'd also take greater precautions now. Personally, I'd avoid at risk people, home test on days 3-7, and mask through day 10. 

Yeah, this is what I was thinking. We are going to the cottage this week and will be alone until Friday. I will test DH and I Friday morning so I know if we have to leave before my Sister and Mom show up. Might leave anyway. We are all sleeping in different buildings/trailers, so my husband and I could wear N95s in the main cottage if we need to use the facilities if we decide to stay.

I didn’t even remotely enjoy the wedding. It was a series of rolling disasters and so much work. My bridesmaid days are definitely behind me now.

[imimahoney]

I tested positive yesterday 4 days after the first in my family to test positive. Body aches started when they tested positive, it's so weird that it took so long for my positive to pop up.

My major symptoms are body aches, temperature of 100 and now a phlegmy cough.

I'm curious if my period will be screwed up. I had major cycle changes with each vax and booster. After my booster in the winter I started getting my period every 2.5ish weeks. I was even entered into a health department study because of it.

It finally became regular again in May. I'll be so annoyed if I go back to an effed up cycle.

[StrawberryBlondie]

Jul 24, 2022 19:28:04 GMT -5 aprilsails said:

So… say you attended a wedding with 90 attendees, indoors in a large space and probably came into contact with about 20 of them in conversation. When should I start testing?
Fml. I was a bridesmaid in this wedding so wearing a mask in the background at all times was not great. I honestly straight up avoided people. I did my best.

I wouldn't unless I developed symptoms.

[gardengal]

Jul 25, 2022 10:22:23 GMT -5 imimahoney said:

I tested positive yesterday 4 days after the first in my family to test positive. Body aches started when they tested positive, it's so weird that it took so long for my positive to pop up.

My major symptoms are body aches, temperature of 100 and now a phlegmy cough.

I'm curious if my period will be screwed up. I had major cycle changes with each vax and booster. After my booster in the winter I started getting my period every 2.5ish weeks. I was even entered into a health department study because of it.

It finally became regular again in May. I'll be so annoyed if I go back to an effed up cycle.

That's what happened with us. A new positive rolled in every 4-5days. Maybe we don't have BA5 b/c I thought it was quicker to infect? 

And it made my period come an entire week early! Too soon to see how much that'll be messed up.

I'm on Day 10 & feeling actually worse than I did several days ago (i wasn't initially very sick). wtf.

[TR]

Jul 24, 2022 20:23:35 GMT -5 aprilsails said:

TR and jeaniebueller No reports of positives yet. However my city has he highest Covid level in the wastewater ever, so chances are pretty good. They had 5 guests cancel last minute with positive tests. I’m starting my vacation this week and I’m very pessimistic that I’m going to have to cancel our trip for next week and be stuck quarantining for the whole two weeks. The timing is atrocious (for my quality of life).

So in this case I don't think I'd test unless I developed symptoms or it was reported that someone there tested positive the day after or something. OR if I was planning on being around someone high risk I would test before seeing them.

[imimahoney]

Jul 25, 2022 10:41:50 GMT -5 gardengal said:

Jul 25, 2022 10:22:23 GMT -5 imimahoney said:

I tested positive yesterday 4 days after the first in my family to test positive. Body aches started when they tested positive, it's so weird that it took so long for my positive to pop up.

My major symptoms are body aches, temperature of 100 and now a phlegmy cough.

I'm curious if my period will be screwed up. I had major cycle changes with each vax and booster. After my booster in the winter I started getting my period every 2.5ish weeks. I was even entered into a health department study because of it.

It finally became regular again in May. I'll be so annoyed if I go back to an effed up cycle.

That's what happened with us. A new positive rolled in every 4-5days. Maybe we don't have BA5 b/c I thought it was quicker to infect? 

And it made my period come an entire week early! Too soon to see how much that'll be messed up.

I'm on Day 10 & feeling actually worse than I did several days ago (i wasn't initially very sick). wtf.

Ugh, I'm sorry! I hope you get well soon.

[chilerellanos]

Jul 25, 2022 10:22:23 GMT -5 imimahoney said:

I tested positive yesterday 4 days after the first in my family to test positive. Body aches started when they tested positive, it's so weird that it took so long for my positive to pop up.

My major symptoms are body aches, temperature of 100 and now a phlegmy cough.

I'm curious if my period will be screwed up. I had major cycle changes with each vax and booster. After my booster in the winter I started getting my period every 2.5ish weeks. I was even entered into a health department study because of it.

It finally became regular again in May. I'll be so annoyed if I go back to an effed up cycle.

I had had to test three days before I finally tested positive and was definitely symptomatic. 102 fever, aches, headache, and the most swollen throat I’ve ever had.

[macmars45]

Jul 24, 2022 19:28:04 GMT -5 aprilsails said:

So… say you attended a wedding with 90 attendees, indoors in a large space and probably came into contact with about 20 of them in conversation. When should I start testing?
Fml. I was a bridesmaid in this wedding so wearing a mask in the background at all times was not great. I honestly straight up avoided people. I did my best.

No sure why people are telling you not to test at all if you don't feel sick and/or no one at the wedding reports having covid. Asymptomatic cases are still a thing. I'd wait 3-5 days to test regardless of symptoms and then test again 36-48 hours after that.

[mrsslocombe]

Jul 25, 2022 10:22:23 GMT -5 imimahoney said:

I tested positive yesterday 4 days after the first in my family to test positive. Body aches started when they tested positive, it's so weird that it took so long for my positive to pop up.

My major symptoms are body aches, temperature of 100 and now a phlegmy cough.

I'm curious if my period will be screwed up. I had major cycle changes with each vax and booster. After my booster in the winter I started getting my period every 2.5ish weeks. I was even entered into a health department study because of it.

It finally became regular again in May. I'll be so annoyed if I go back to an effed up cycle.

The vax/booster didn't have any effect for me, but my Covid infection did mess with my cycle for two months. I got it after 19 days the first time, 24 days the second month. I'm up to 27 days now so more or less normal. 

NOT A FAN. 

[noodleoo]

Jul 25, 2022 11:17:44 GMT -5 mrsslocombe said:

Jul 25, 2022 10:22:23 GMT -5 imimahoney said:

I tested positive yesterday 4 days after the first in my family to test positive. Body aches started when they tested positive, it's so weird that it took so long for my positive to pop up.

My major symptoms are body aches, temperature of 100 and now a phlegmy cough.

I'm curious if my period will be screwed up. I had major cycle changes with each vax and booster. After my booster in the winter I started getting my period every 2.5ish weeks. I was even entered into a health department study because of it.

It finally became regular again in May. I'll be so annoyed if I go back to an effed up cycle.

The vax/booster didn't have any effect for me, but my Covid infection did mess with my cycle for two months. I got it after 19 days the first time, 24 days the second month. I'm up to 27 days now so more or less normal. 

NOT A FAN. 

Interesting. I wonder if that’s what happened to me too. I used to have a longer cycle, but after having Covid in Jan I had a few shorter ones and now have settled back to 28 days exactly. Which would be fine except day 1 is every 4th Saturday. Fucking timing is very frustrating. I’ve never been so annoyed at my period.

[jeaniebueller]

Jul 25, 2022 11:09:17 GMT -5 macmars45 said:

Jul 24, 2022 19:28:04 GMT -5 aprilsails said:

So… say you attended a wedding with 90 attendees, indoors in a large space and probably came into contact with about 20 of them in conversation. When should I start testing?
Fml. I was a bridesmaid in this wedding so wearing a mask in the background at all times was not great. I honestly straight up avoided people. I did my best.

No sure why people are telling you not to test at all if you don't feel sick and/or no one at the wedding reports having covid. Asymptomatic cases are still a thing. I'd wait 3-5 days to test regardless of symptoms and then test again 36-48 hours after that.

are people testing every time they go anywhere indoors? Like you go to the grocery store, out to eat, to a friend's house, etc. and taking a test 4 days later?  Instant tests have a higher rate of false negatives for asymptomatic cases too.

[Poppy]

Jul 25, 2022 5:52:44 GMT -5 aprilsails said:

Jul 25, 2022 3:21:00 GMT -5 sonrisa said:

I don't know the covid rate around you, but our health department sent out something yesterday saying locally if 10 people get together, there is a 40% chance one currently has covid, if 25 people then 72%, if 50, then 95%.

Being a bridesmaid in a close friend's wedding is an event worth taking greater risks for - but I'd also take greater precautions now. Personally, I'd avoid at risk people, home test on days 3-7, and mask through day 10. 

Yeah, this is what I was thinking. We are going to the cottage this week and will be alone until Friday. I will test DH and I Friday morning so I know if we have to leave before my Sister and Mom show up. Might leave anyway. We are all sleeping in different buildings/trailers, so my husband and I could wear N95s in the main cottage if we need to use the facilities if we decide to stay.

I didn’t even remotely enjoy the wedding. It was a series of rolling disasters and so much work. My bridesmaid days are definitely behind me now.

Normally I wouldn't test unless symptomatic but given this info I would test at 5 days (Wed?) and Friday. Unless your mom or sis is particularly at risk I would probably forgo masks assuming negative, leave if positive (or symptomatic). GL! I think you still have good chances of not having it.

[macmars45]

Jul 25, 2022 13:00:54 GMT -5 jeaniebueller said:

Jul 25, 2022 11:09:17 GMT -5 macmars45 said:

No sure why people are telling you not to test at all if you don't feel sick and/or no one at the wedding reports having covid. Asymptomatic cases are still a thing. I'd wait 3-5 days to test regardless of symptoms and then test again 36-48 hours after that.

are people testing every time they go anywhere indoors? Like you go to the grocery store, out to eat, to a friend's house, etc. and taking a test 4 days later?  Instant tests have a higher rate of false negatives for asymptomatic cases too.

I'm sure some people are. I just wear a mask in most situations. I don't go out to eat and I have no local friends to see. *shrug*

The poster asked about a specific situation. She was indoors maskless with 90 people for at least a few hours. That's a higher risk than going to the grocery store in your mask, for example. Or having lunch at a friend's house.

[pugz]

I only test if I get symptoms. Ours started as sore throat. Husband was positive and I actually had strep. I tested positive like 3 days after he did. I knew when my strep symptoms resolved and then new symptoms popped up

[doxies]

The CDC added a bunch of great tools to answer a lot of these questions. Here's the link to the testing one - the page has some general descriptions followed by questions you can answer to get a recommendation for your situation.
t.co/NvtS0ZLD13

[jeaniebueller]

Jul 25, 2022 13:52:06 GMT -5 macmars45 said:

Jul 25, 2022 13:00:54 GMT -5 jeaniebueller said:

are people testing every time they go anywhere indoors? Like you go to the grocery store, out to eat, to a friend's house, etc. and taking a test 4 days later?  Instant tests have a higher rate of false negatives for asymptomatic cases too.

I'm sure some people are. I just wear a mask in most situations. I don't go out to eat and I have no local friends to see. *shrug*

The poster asked about a specific situation. She was indoors maskless with 90 people for at least a few hours. That's a higher risk than going to the grocery store in your mask, for example. Or having lunch at a friend's house.

Good for you. But it feels like that person was trying to shame other people for not taking a test when they have no symptoms and no known exposures. Obviously the event like that is a higher risk, and she should do what she wants to do. But I don’t think we should be acting like people are doing something wrong if they don’t take a test under those circumstances if they aren’t feeling ill.

[curbsideprophet]

Jul 25, 2022 17:14:08 GMT -5 jeaniebueller said:

Jul 25, 2022 13:52:06 GMT -5 macmars45 said:

I'm sure some people are. I just wear a mask in most situations. I don't go out to eat and I have no local friends to see. *shrug*

The poster asked about a specific situation. She was indoors maskless with 90 people for at least a few hours. That's a higher risk than going to the grocery store in your mask, for example. Or having lunch at a friend's house.

Good for you. But it feels like that person was trying to shame other people for not taking a test when they have no symptoms and no known exposures. Obviously the event like that is a higher risk, and she should do what she wants to do. But I don’t think we should be acting like people are doing something wrong if they don’t take a test under those circumstances if they aren’t feeling ill.

I did not get that impression at all. She was in a high risk situation (indoors, no masks, extended period of time, many people). It sounds like that is more risk than she normally takes and was stressed about the entire situation.

[sonrisa]

Jul 25, 2022 17:14:08 GMT -5 jeaniebueller said:

Jul 25, 2022 13:52:06 GMT -5 macmars45 said:

I'm sure some people are. I just wear a mask in most situations. I don't go out to eat and I have no local friends to see. *shrug*

The poster asked about a specific situation. She was indoors maskless with 90 people for at least a few hours. That's a higher risk than going to the grocery store in your mask, for example. Or having lunch at a friend's house.

Good for you. But it feels like that person was trying to shame other people for not taking a test when they have no symptoms and no known exposures. Obviously the event like that is a higher risk, and she should do what she wants to do. But I don’t think we should be acting like people are doing something wrong if they don’t take a test under those circumstances if they aren’t feeling ill.

This is coming off really defensive. 

Especially given the guidelines say basically what macmars said she does. 

[aprilsails]

Jul 25, 2022 17:14:08 GMT -5 jeaniebueller said:

Jul 25, 2022 13:52:06 GMT -5 macmars45 said:

I'm sure some people are. I just wear a mask in most situations. I don't go out to eat and I have no local friends to see. *shrug*

The poster asked about a specific situation. She was indoors maskless with 90 people for at least a few hours. That's a higher risk than going to the grocery store in your mask, for example. Or having lunch at a friend's house.

Good for you. But it feels like that person was trying to shame other people for not taking a test when they have no symptoms and no known exposures. Obviously the event like that is a higher risk, and she should do what she wants to do. But I don’t think we should be acting like people are doing something wrong if they don’t take a test under those circumstances if they aren’t feeling ill.

I’m not shaming anyone. I don’t use tests on a daily or even weekly basis because my chance of getting Covid on any particular day is very low at this point. I am the weird person wearing a mask to grocery shop still. However, I was in a room, unmasked, for hours with piles of people, just as my city’s Covid rate has come to a new peak, and while there is no PCR testing available to the general population anymore. I was freaked out all day. I need to cancel my trip on Wednesday for next week to get $1000 back. I will still be out $1500 no matter what. I have worked 50 hour weeks since November. I desperately needed this two weeks vacation (timing could not be moved due to @@@related considerations).

I’m praying my vaccinations work. But my last booster was in January.

[karinothing]

Jul 26, 2022 5:26:51 GMT -5 aprilsails said:

Jul 25, 2022 17:14:08 GMT -5 jeaniebueller said:

Good for you. But it feels like that person was trying to shame other people for not taking a test when they have no symptoms and no known exposures. Obviously the event like that is a higher risk, and she should do what she wants to do. But I don’t think we should be acting like people are doing something wrong if they don’t take a test under those circumstances if they aren’t feeling ill.

I’m not shaming anyone. I don’t use tests on a daily or even weekly basis because my chance of getting Covid on any particular day is very low at this point. I am the weird person wearing a mask to grocery shop still. However, I was in a room, unmasked, for hours with piles of people, just as my city’s Covid rate has come to a new peak, and while there is no PCR testing available to the general population anymore. I was freaked out all day. I need to cancel my trip on Wednesday for next week to get $1000 back. I will still be out $1500 no matter what. I have worked 50 hour weeks since November. I desperately needed this two weeks vacation (timing could not be moved due to @@@related considerations).

I’m praying my vaccinations work. But my last booster was in January.

That is crazy that you don't have access to PCR testing. It is really nuts to me how different it is state by state (or city by city). So can you not get it at Walgreens? Or whatever? We still have kiosks that offer free testing but can also pay for it at pretty much every pharmacy. 

[Velar Fricative]

Jul 25, 2022 22:24:18 GMT -5 curbsideprophet said:

Jul 25, 2022 17:14:08 GMT -5 jeaniebueller said:

Good for you. But it feels like that person was trying to shame other people for not taking a test when they have no symptoms and no known exposures. Obviously the event like that is a higher risk, and she should do what she wants to do. But I don’t think we should be acting like people are doing something wrong if they don’t take a test under those circumstances if they aren’t feeling ill.

I did not get that impression at all. She was in a high risk situation (indoors, no masks, extended period of time, many people). It sounds like that is more risk than she normally takes and was stressed about the entire situation.

That’s why I gave my advice on testing. aprilsails was clearly concerned about whether she’d have covid even if she doesn’t know anyone at the wedding that has tested positive, even if I personally wouldn’t test unless I developed symptoms or got a call someone I had close contact with became infected. In that case, of course people should test to ease their concern, but it should be timed well. Even if she tests today, she should also test on day 5 no matter what since false negatives happen.

I felt the shaming comment came from macmars45 and I thought that’s what jeaniebueller was referring to - the comment of “I don’t know why people are telling the OP not to test until you have symptoms” because asymptomatic covid is a thing. First, we all know that. Second, we can’t capture all asymptomatic covid unless we test every day, and even then, the antigen tests may never turn positive but getting a daily PCR is obviously prohibitive for most (all?). My personal rule of thumb is to test when 1) I’ve been knowingly exposed, and/or 2) I feel symptoms. I did used to test after large events but no longer do unless I become really nervous about my risk, so YMMV. So I feel like that’s why some people said they wouldn’t test. But, there is no such thing as too much testing (where access isn’t a problem) based on someone’s health and/or risk tolerance, so I give the advice based on how a person feels about the situation.

[aprilsails]

Jul 26, 2022 5:47:02 GMT -5 karinothing said:

Jul 26, 2022 5:26:51 GMT -5 aprilsails said:

I’m not shaming anyone. I don’t use tests on a daily or even weekly basis because my chance of getting Covid on any particular day is very low at this point. I am the weird person wearing a mask to grocery shop still. However, I was in a room, unmasked, for hours with piles of people, just as my city’s Covid rate has come to a new peak, and while there is no PCR testing available to the general population anymore. I was freaked out all day. I need to cancel my trip on Wednesday for next week to get $1000 back. I will still be out $1500 no matter what. I have worked 50 hour weeks since November. I desperately needed this two weeks vacation (timing could not be moved due to @@@related considerations).

I’m praying my vaccinations work. But my last booster was in January.

That is crazy that you don't have access to PCR testing. It is really nuts to me how different it is state by state (or city by city). So can you not get it at Walgreens? Or whatever? We still have kiosks that offer free testing but can also pay for it at pretty much every pharmacy. 

I would have to pay over $50 OOP for PCR testing. Right now only healthcare workers and people who go into LTD facilities can access free PCR testing. I have free rapid tests. I’m in Ontario and they’ve really cut back PCR testing availability.

[karinothing]

Jul 26, 2022 7:48:57 GMT -5 aprilsails said:

Jul 26, 2022 5:47:02 GMT -5 karinothing said:

That is crazy that you don't have access to PCR testing. It is really nuts to me how different it is state by state (or city by city). So can you not get it at Walgreens? Or whatever? We still have kiosks that offer free testing but can also pay for it at pretty much every pharmacy. 

I would have to pay over $50 OOP for PCR testing. Right now only healthcare workers and people who go into LTD facilities can access free PCR testing. I have free rapid tests. I’m in Ontario and they’ve really cut back PCR testing availability.

Interesting. Thanks for sharing.

[macmars45]

Jul 25, 2022 17:14:08 GMT -5 jeaniebueller said:

Jul 25, 2022 13:52:06 GMT -5 macmars45 said:

I'm sure some people are. I just wear a mask in most situations. I don't go out to eat and I have no local friends to see. *shrug*

The poster asked about a specific situation. She was indoors maskless with 90 people for at least a few hours. That's a higher risk than going to the grocery store in your mask, for example. Or having lunch at a friend's house.

Good for you. But it feels like that person was trying to shame other people for not taking a test when they have no symptoms and no known exposures. Obviously the event like that is a higher risk, and she should do what she wants to do. But I don’t think we should be acting like people are doing something wrong if they don’t take a test under those circumstances if they aren’t feeling ill.

The OP for this wedding scenario was talking about it being a higher risk situation and testing for that specific time. She could be asymptomatic but have covid from the specific situation she asked about. It seemed to me PP were telling her for her specific situation in a high risk setting that she shouldn't bother to test as if asymptomatic covid isn't a thing that could happen when in a higher risk setting. The OP herself said it was a higher risk setting due to case counts in that city. I wasn't inferring anything or projecting. Just responding to her specific situation.

I can see how someone could think I was shaming people. That was not my intent.

[erbear]

Jul 25, 2022 13:52:06 GMT -5 macmars45 said:

Jul 25, 2022 13:00:54 GMT -5 jeaniebueller said:

are people testing every time they go anywhere indoors? Like you go to the grocery store, out to eat, to a friend's house, etc. and taking a test 4 days later?  Instant tests have a higher rate of false negatives for asymptomatic cases too.

I'm sure some people are. I just wear a mask in most situations. I don't go out to eat and I have no local friends to see. *shrug*

The poster asked about a specific situation. She was indoors maskless with 90 people for at least a few hours. That's a higher risk than going to the grocery store in your mask, for example. Or having lunch at a friend's house.

Yes. I would 100% test at day 5 in this scenario, even without symptoms. But I admit that I’m a bit crazy about Covid and am not judging others who are more reasonable than I.

[sonrisa]

Jul 26, 2022 5:50:09 GMT -5 Velar Fricative said:

 I did used to test after large events but no longer do unless I become really nervous 

Out of curiosity, why did you stop? Is it because of regional rates where you are? general COVID fatigue? Or something else?

Right now, the facts on the ground are going the opposite direction in much of the country (not the NYC region). 1 in 5 people in my area *currently* have COVID. Nonetheless, many people have covid fatigue and fewer are masking indoors. At a gathering of that size (90 people) in a region with high covid rates (like where I am or OP is), the chances someone wasn't exposed are pretty small (less than 2% according to my health department which is sending out daily "please, please mask" recommendations). 

[StrawberryBlondie]

Jul 26, 2022 11:45:20 GMT -5 sonrisa said:

Jul 26, 2022 5:50:09 GMT -5 Velar Fricative said:

 I did used to test after large events but no longer do unless I become really nervous 

Out of curiosity, why did you stop? Is it because of regional rates where you are? general COVID fatigue? Or something else?

Right now, the facts on the ground are going the opposite direction in much of the country (not the NYC region). 1 in 5 people in my area *currently* have COVID. Nonetheless, many people have covid fatigue and fewer are masking indoors. At a gathering of that size (90 people) in a region with high covid rates (like where I am or OP is), the chances someone wasn't exposed are pretty small (less than 2% according to my health department which is sending out daily "please, please mask" recommendations). 

I'm not Velar Fricative but this also describes me pretty well.

I don't because I don't really go anywhere. If I had big plans or was going to visit a high risk person shortly after an event, I probably would but that hasn't happened since March.

[Velar Fricative]

Jul 26, 2022 11:45:20 GMT -5 sonrisa said:

Jul 26, 2022 5:50:09 GMT -5 Velar Fricative said:

 I did used to test after large events but no longer do unless I become really nervous 

Out of curiosity, why did you stop? Is it because of regional rates where you are? general COVID fatigue? Or something else?

Right now, the facts on the ground are going the opposite direction in much of the country (not the NYC region). 1 in 5 people in my area *currently* have COVID. Nonetheless, many people have covid fatigue and fewer are masking indoors. At a gathering of that size (90 people) in a region with high covid rates (like where I am or OP is), the chances someone wasn't exposed are pretty small (less than 2% according to my health department which is sending out daily "please, please mask" recommendations). 

I just...stopped, I guess?

I figure the chances are really slim that I would have completely asymptomatic covid, not to mention I don't think it's a huge driver of transmission overall compared to presymptomatic or symptomatic covid based on studies I now vaguely recall. And just because there's a case somewhere you are doesn't mean you're likely to get infected either. No one in my household who got covid spread it to anyone else in the house each time we had a case. In 2+ years of contact tracing for 150 people at work spread out in a dozen buildings in the part of the country that always seems to get slammed with a surge before most other parts of the country, I can't think of more than one or two cases (and we've had...a lot) where I could say that I can't rule out internal work transmission. I think the bizarre ways this virus acts also made me feel like I ultimately have less control over what happens than I always hoped. 

And FWIW, I never got covid from any large events I attended since getting vaccinating. What gave me covid was either a hotel stay or a trip to the store. And my symptoms started fast and furious likely just 2 days after I got infected (and I tested positive immediately as well). I have a ton of free tests at home that we gladly use anytime we have an exposure and/or symptoms and/or just feel like testing, but as time has gone on I just haven't felt the need to test after every single event. A month before my infection, I attended a large extended family party (indoors, about 30 people in a restaurant) and my MIL ended up being presymptomatic. This was during her likely peak infectious period too. I knew every single person at that party so when we all learned she was positive, we all tested and no one else became positive until several weeks later at the earliest. Yes, #anecdotes, but another bizarre story in a slew of many I have (including my own case).

But...that's just me.

[sonrisa]

Jul 26, 2022 12:09:14 GMT -5 StrawberryBlondie said:

Jul 26, 2022 11:45:20 GMT -5 sonrisa said:

Out of curiosity, why did you stop? Is it because of regional rates where you are? general COVID fatigue? Or something else?

Right now, the facts on the ground are going the opposite direction in much of the country (not the NYC region). 1 in 5 people in my area *currently* have COVID. Nonetheless, many people have covid fatigue and fewer are masking indoors. At a gathering of that size (90 people) in a region with high covid rates (like where I am or OP is), the chances someone wasn't exposed are pretty small (less than 2% according to my health department which is sending out daily "please, please mask" recommendations). 

I'm not Velar Fricative but this also describes me pretty well.

I don't because I don't really go anywhere. If I had big plans or was going to visit a high risk person shortly after an event, I probably would but that hasn't happened since March.

That makes sense. I think we are all in a new normal. My new normal is trying to "skip the risk but not the people/event" - so lots of indoor masking, getting together outside, outdoor restaurants, and testing if I bend those norms.