July Covid Thread

[rubytue]

Jul 28, 2022 8:15:24 GMT -5 TR said:

rubytue - it said the same thing for me re: tests just now. I know we only got 2 shipments so maybe they just haven't updated their backend check.

Maybe they *just* added the 3rd this week 🤷‍♀️  I was just puttering around my county site, checking on PCR locations, and noticed it said a 3rd round was available. My local CVSs are all sound out of OTC tests. So…. Yeah. 

[NewOrleans]

I think the 3rd round was for 1 week only? I think I saw that on my favorite deals blog.

Speaking of… did you know that Covid testing isn’t free for everyone anymore? I learned this during my Covid test saga 2 weeks ago. It was for me because of the boxes I checked at both Walgreens and CVS, but the Walgreens site says, “due to recent changes to the federal eligibility criteria, beginning July 1 patients will be required to verify medical necessity in order to receive no-cost COVID-19 testing, either through their health plan or through a federal program, if uninsured. Medical necessity includes people who are symptomatic, have a high-risk condition, are pregnant, or have had a recent exposure to a confirmed positive COVID-19 case.
If you don’t meet medical necessity guidelines, payment may be due at the time of your drive-thru COVID-19 testing appointment.” I heard NO news about this— did everyone else, and I just missed it?

[TR]

Jul 28, 2022 8:26:46 GMT -5 NewOrleans said:

I think the 3rd round was for 1 week only? I think I saw that on my favorite deals blog.

Speaking of… did you know that Covid testing isn’t free for everyone anymore? I learned this during my Covid test saga 2 weeks ago. It was for me because of the boxes I checked at both Walgreens and CVS, but the Walgreens site says, “due to recent changes to the federal eligibility criteria, beginning July 1 patients will be required to verify medical necessity in order to receive no-cost COVID-19 testing, either through their health plan or through a federal program, if uninsured. Medical necessity includes people who are symptomatic, have a high-risk condition, are pregnant, or have had a recent exposure to a confirmed positive COVID-19 case.
If you don’t meet medical necessity guidelines, payment may be due at the time of your drive-thru COVID-19 testing appointment.” I heard NO news about this— did everyone else, and I just missed it?

For some reason I thought these were always the requirements to get free testing.

[NewOrleans]

Jul 28, 2022 8:30:37 GMT -5 TR said:

Jul 28, 2022 8:26:46 GMT -5 NewOrleans said:

I think the 3rd round was for 1 week only? I think I saw that on my favorite deals blog.

Speaking of… did you know that Covid testing isn’t free for everyone anymore? I learned this during my Covid test saga 2 weeks ago. It was for me because of the boxes I checked at both Walgreens and CVS, but the Walgreens site says, “due to recent changes to the federal eligibility criteria, beginning July 1 patients will be required to verify medical necessity in order to receive no-cost COVID-19 testing, either through their health plan or through a federal program, if uninsured. Medical necessity includes people who are symptomatic, have a high-risk condition, are pregnant, or have had a recent exposure to a confirmed positive COVID-19 case.
If you don’t meet medical necessity guidelines, payment may be due at the time of your drive-thru COVID-19 testing appointment.” I heard NO news about this— did everyone else, and I just missed it?

For some reason I thought these were always the requirements to get free testing.

I honestly don’t know because I always have to check high-risk condition!  I have only been tested at a Walgreens / CVS 5 times, 2 of which were 2 weeks ago.  Whenever I was a close contact at work, my workplace itself tested me, so that was also free. 

[rubytue]

NewOrleans, - I had. But only because of said cruise and post of cruise critic bitching about testing and how travel tastings isn’t free anymore. It’s like $129 for a travel test at the pharmacies now. I guess when the gov stopped requiring it for re-entry, they stopped paying.

Oh, and the CDC had apparently thrown up their hands at the cruise industry, too. Last week, they dropped whatever it was they were doing (voluntary agreements, I think) that made people test before boarding a cruise, required vaccinations, and also stopped tracking Covid cases on cruises. The line I was on said they aren’t changing anything, but… I wonder how long that will last.

[Bad Dingo]

An article about Paxlovid - Everything You Need to Know About Paxlovid — Especially, Should You Take It?

[NewOrleans]

Jul 28, 2022 8:46:57 GMT -5 rubytue said:

NewOrleans , - I had. But only because of said cruise and post of cruise critic bitching about testing and how travel tastings isn’t free anymore. It’s like $129 for a travel test at the pharmacies now. I guess when the gov stopped requiring it for re-entry, they stopped paying.

Oh, and the CDC had apparently thrown up their hands at the cruise industry, too. Last week, they dropped whatever it was they were doing (voluntary agreements, I think) that made people test before boarding a cruise, required vaccinations, and also stopped tracking Covid cases on cruises. The line I was on said they aren’t changing anything, but… I wonder how long that will last.

On vacation, I met some adorable young folks who work on a Norwegian ship and had the afternoon off.  They said Norwegian still requires testing of staff and passengers. So must be up to the cruise lines.

[erbear]

Jul 28, 2022 8:26:46 GMT -5 NewOrleans said:

I think the 3rd round was for 1 week only? I think I saw that on my favorite deals blog.

Speaking of… did you know that Covid testing isn’t free for everyone anymore? I learned this during my Covid test saga 2 weeks ago. It was for me because of the boxes I checked at both Walgreens and CVS, but the Walgreens site says, “due to recent changes to the federal eligibility criteria, beginning July 1 patients will be required to verify medical necessity in order to receive no-cost COVID-19 testing, either through their health plan or through a federal program, if uninsured. Medical necessity includes people who are symptomatic, have a high-risk condition, are pregnant, or have had a recent exposure to a confirmed positive COVID-19 case.
If you don’t meet medical necessity guidelines, payment may be due at the time of your drive-thru COVID-19 testing appointment.” I heard NO news about this— did everyone else, and I just missed it?

I just got a $200 bill from last June (2021) for Covid tests bc I went to CVS instead of my capitated site at the hospital for testing. It never even occurred to me that I had to be “in network” for these, and it certainly wasn’t advertised in my insurance or from the CVS. Maybe other people knew that but I definitely did not.

[rubytue]

Jul 28, 2022 8:56:56 GMT -5 NewOrleans said:

Jul 28, 2022 8:46:57 GMT -5 rubytue said:

NewOrleans , - I had. But only because of said cruise and post of cruise critic bitching about testing and how travel tastings isn’t free anymore. It’s like $129 for a travel test at the pharmacies now. I guess when the gov stopped requiring it for re-entry, they stopped paying.

Oh, and the CDC had apparently thrown up their hands at the cruise industry, too. Last week, they dropped whatever it was they were doing (voluntary agreements, I think) that made people test before boarding a cruise, required vaccinations, and also stopped tracking Covid cases on cruises. The line I was on said they aren’t changing anything, but… I wonder how long that will last.

On vacation, I met some adorable young folks who work on a Norwegian ship and had the afternoon off.  They said Norwegian still requires testing of staff and passengers. So must be up to the cruise lines.

The CDC change happened middle of last week. So the lines are still reacting. Personally, I think they will keep the vaccination requirement because they don’t have the medical facilities if an unvaccinated passenger needs higher level care. So for their own liability. A couple of smaller lines have already announced changes (Margaritaville at sea, and I think Azamara , edit virgin voyages www.thestreet.com/investing/major-cruise-line-drops-vaccine-requirement)

Testing… I don’t know.  I wish someone would show the number of people it kept off. It pretty much only gets the people who have active Covid the week prior. It doesn’t stop Covid from getting on. You test 2 days prior, general while you are home. So test, the fly across the county, pick up Covid, incubates, happens while you are on the ship. But, I’m sure it is stopping some people. 

[hermione]

Jul 26, 2022 16:51:59 GMT -5 gretchenindisguise said:

Jul 26, 2022 15:53:42 GMT -5 hermione said:

My friend is trying to puzzle out when she got COVID. She tested positive this past Saturday. She is already negative today. These were all at home tests. Is it normal for that quick of a turn around or was she likely positive days prior to Saturday’s symptoms?

My H thought he tested negative that quickly (binax) but he was still feeling symptomatic so re-tested with a different brand and was still positive (quickvue), not even a squinter. So while I’ve loved binax this entire pandemic, I don’t trust them anymore.

I assumed it was this but we dropped off two different brands of tests and they were negative as well. So her timeline was: woke up symptomatic on Saturday morning, tested positive on two different tests. Tested negative on Binax Tuesday afternoon and two other brands Wednesday afternoon. She's vaxxed and boosted once. 

[NewOrleans]

Jul 28, 2022 10:05:16 GMT -5 erbear said:

Jul 28, 2022 8:26:46 GMT -5 NewOrleans said:

I think the 3rd round was for 1 week only? I think I saw that on my favorite deals blog.

Speaking of… did you know that Covid testing isn’t free for everyone anymore? I learned this during my Covid test saga 2 weeks ago. It was for me because of the boxes I checked at both Walgreens and CVS, but the Walgreens site says, “due to recent changes to the federal eligibility criteria, beginning July 1 patients will be required to verify medical necessity in order to receive no-cost COVID-19 testing, either through their health plan or through a federal program, if uninsured. Medical necessity includes people who are symptomatic, have a high-risk condition, are pregnant, or have had a recent exposure to a confirmed positive COVID-19 case.
If you don’t meet medical necessity guidelines, payment may be due at the time of your drive-thru COVID-19 testing appointment.” I heard NO news about this— did everyone else, and I just missed it?

I just got a $200 bill from last June (2021) for Covid tests bc I went to CVS instead of my capitated site at the hospital for testing. It never even occurred to me that I had to be “in network” for these, and it certainly wasn’t advertised in my insurance or from the CVS. Maybe other people knew that but I definitely did not.

😡

[dcn]

Jul 27, 2022 19:18:20 GMT -5 dancingirl21 said:

My DH tested positive last Wednesday but symptoms started mildly on Tuesday. So that puts him around day 8/9. He’s still testing positive but feels almost 100%. He’s supposed to fly home to us (he’s been working out of state) on Friday. I think he probably will still fly home but I’m hoping we don’t get it from him on day 10+.

Anyone else test positive for a long time?

I was positive for 12 days back in January.

[lea]

Jul 27, 2022 19:18:20 GMT -5 dancingirl21 said:

My DH tested positive last Wednesday but symptoms started mildly on Tuesday. So that puts him around day 8/9. He’s still testing positive but feels almost 100%. He’s supposed to fly home to us (he’s been working out of state) on Friday. I think he probably will still fly home but I’m hoping we don’t get it from him on day 10+.

Anyone else test positive for a long time?

I had a faint line on day 8 and was negative by day 10. I know there’s still some uncertainty but the general consensus seems to be you’re most contagious the 2 days prior to symptoms onset up to the 3 days after with these newer Omicron variants. So while I obviously couldn’t give you 100% certainty since the scientific community doesn’t even know for sure, I personally would feel okay with him coming home on day 10, especially if he’s willing to wear a mask around you guys until he does test negative.

[pixy0stix]

The virtual doc I just saw prescribed pax no questions asked. It was a 5 min visit.

[NewOrleans]

Jul 28, 2022 11:27:40 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

The virtual doc I just saw prescribed pax no questions asked. It was a 5 min visit.

How are you feeling?

[pixy0stix]

Jul 28, 2022 11:37:16 GMT -5 NewOrleans said:

Jul 28, 2022 11:27:40 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

The virtual doc I just saw prescribed pax no questions asked. It was a 5 min visit.

How are you feeling?

Meh. I just feel sick. I'm coughing and body aches kicked in today.

[NewOrleans]

Jul 28, 2022 11:38:35 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

Jul 28, 2022 11:37:16 GMT -5 NewOrleans said:

How are you feeling?

Meh. I just feel sick. I'm coughing and body aches kicked in today.

🙁

[vlinder]

@rubytues, our county health department will mail you free tests too -4 per household per month— www.surveymonkey.com/r/HoCoTests

[rubytue]

Jul 28, 2022 14:20:14 GMT -5 vlinder said:

@rubytues, our county health department will mail you free tests too -4 per household per month— www.surveymonkey.com/r/HoCoTests

Yup! I went ahead and signed up for that when I was in my rabbit hole this morning. Ended up getting a PCR at Merriweather.

[vamoose]

My sister tested positive for covid while traveling in Greece this week. Her friends had just left, so she is on a small island in Greece alone. She says there are not any viable delivery apps on this particular island. I was looking online and from what I can tell, it is optional for travelers to isolate in Greece even when covid positive? This seems insane, but at the same time, I'm not sure what to tell my sister to do to get supplies to her airbnb on this tiny island in a place where she doesn't speak the language and has no travel companions. I'm just stepping back and being emotionally supportive for now. 

[NewOrleans]

Jul 28, 2022 18:44:27 GMT -5 vamoose said:

My sister tested positive for covid while traveling in Greece this week. Her friends had just left, so she is on a small island in Greece alone. She says there are not any viable delivery apps on this particular island. I was looking online and from what I can tell, it is optional for travelers to isolate in Greece even when covid positive? This seems insane, but at the same time, I'm not sure what to tell my sister to do to get supplies to her airbnb on this tiny island in a place where she doesn't speak the language and has no travel companions. I'm just stepping back and being emotionally supportive for now. 

news.gtp.gr/2022/07/07/greece-new-rules-for-tourists-infected-with-covid-19/

Messed up but there you have it.  She can go out and about.  If she’s quite sick, I would call travel insurance, Google an English speaking clinic or telemed, or call the embassy (which is extreme).

Tourists to Greece who find themselves infected with Covid-19 will not be required to quarantine, according to a new government decision issued this week concerning health protocols.

More specifically, there will be no quarantine rooms at hotels for tourists with Covid-19, according to the decision (FEK) on health protocols for the operation of tourism businesses during Covid-19 for 2022 issued by the ministries of health, tourism and economy.

At the same time, a current rule which foresees self-isolation for a period of five days for residents with Covid, does not apply in the case of travelers.

According to the new protocols, tourists will be able choose whether they wish to remain in self-isolation and only for the number of days they have booked.

[lea]

Updated boosters may be available in September. Looks like they may hold off approving for under 50 for now in order to push a fall campaign of the new formula.

www.nytimes.com/2022/07/28/us/politics/covid-booster-shots.html

[imimahoney]

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.

Well I got my period this morning 6 days after I tested positive so right on time. Guess it was just the vax and booster that fucked with me.

[pixy0stix]

I didn't know this was a thing, and I'm definitely experiencing it. I have the half swallowed Tylenol taste.

www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2022/05/pfizer-paxlovid-covid-pill-side-effects/629772/

[gretchenindisguise]

Jul 29, 2022 9:34:00 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

I didn't know this was a thing, and I'm definitely experiencing it. I have the half swallowed Tylenol taste.

www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2022/05/pfizer-paxlovid-covid-pill-side-effects/629772/

A friend had pretty terrible metallic taste from it, but it went away.

[TR]

Jul 29, 2022 9:34:00 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

I didn't know this was a thing, and I'm definitely experiencing it. I have the half swallowed Tylenol taste.

www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2022/05/pfizer-paxlovid-covid-pill-side-effects/629772/

My SIL described it as "rotten grapefruit" and my cousin just called it "garbage mouth".

[Velar Fricative]

Jul 29, 2022 7:33:36 GMT -5 imimahoney 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.

Well I got my period this morning 6 days after I tested positive so right on time. Guess it was just the vax and booster that fucked with me.

Next month will be more telling if you ovulated before you got infected. I had my period during my infection like normal and the following month (this month) was all screwed up.

[fortnightlily]

I am always very regular. Got Covid at the beginning of this month, then my period one week later right on time. But then two weeks later I had 3 days of surprise moderate bleeding again. Not sure WTF that was all about, and now I'm curious what will happen next month. Plus I'm currently in the middle of yet another upper respiratory illness with coughing and laryngitis that is testing negative and doesn't feel the same as Covid did earlier (which also felt like a cold, but was more snotty/sinus focused). And I had two back-to-back colds back in May, too.

It almost feels like my immune system is making up for lost time from having lived two years in relative-ish isolation.

[dancingirl21]

My DH is now day 11 and still testing positive. He flew home today and we have been going about life as normal in our house. If we get it, we get it.

[rubytue]

Well, I ended up going for a PCR test since I did have an exposure. I talked it out with 3 friends, one who gave the example of swallowing a sharp cracker and having a lingering throat itch = test in her mind. And my MD friend who said no symptoms, no test. I went with cracker friend. But, negative. So it seems I really did cruise and not get Covid. 😁 I am a string believe in good masks even more now.

I have tickets to a show Saturday. Outdoor amphitheater. With the ba.5 reputation for outdoor transmission combined with 95 degrees. Just 😫😫😫😫 This is not N95 weather. Maybe KF94? Who knew we’d become mask connoisseurs.