COVID August - Vaccines, etc. @ Content

[abs]

Aug 29, 2023 10:25:19 GMT -5 dulcemariamar said:

Out of curiosity, if your kids are in classes that have a lot of absences are you asking your kids to mask while we ride out the wave?

@@

No but we all had it last month. Even still I wouldn’t though because between lunch and band and PE it would be pointless.

[Bad Dingo]

Aug 29, 2023 10:25:19 GMT -5 dulcemariamar said:

Out of curiosity, if your kids are in classes that have a lot of absences are you asking your kids to mask while we ride out the wave?

DD's first day was today, she's in 11th and still wore a mask all year last year (as did a not insignificant portion of the kids in her school).  She's decided to hold off on wearing one for now but said she's going to carry one and at the first sign anyone near her has a cold she's going to wear it.

ETA - I don't think wearing masks is a zero sum game.  Just because you may have to or choose to take it off sometimes, it doesn't make the times that you are wearing it ineffective.

[StrawberryBlondie]

Aug 28, 2023 21:57:18 GMT -5 krystee said:

@

I flew home on Wednesday and have the most painful sore throat I have ever had in my life and feel like I’ve been run over by a truck, but I’m testing negative. I am going to get tested for step and Covid tomorrow at urgent care. I have already had strep once this year. Ugh.

I genuinely thought I might die when I had strep a few years ago. I swear I nearly passed out from the pain.

[SusanBAnthony]

Things still seem ok here in MN. We've been very slowly creeping upwards based on wastewater data which is the only thing I look at. Most schools start the day after labor day. So I expect any spike will show up in a couple weeks.

I have three trips in Sept and plan to mask in crowded places (transit mostly) during those trips.

I don't know that my kids will mask when they go back to school. We haven't talked about it yet. DD can't mask for swim team obviously. I think we'll just kind of wait and see what wastewater data shows this week before we worry about it.

[bimbi284]

I tested positive for COVID for the first time this morning. I felt like hell last night and today (still). Ugh.

[spindle92]

Well 3 people called out of work on Monday covid positive and 2 more yesterday.
We also have 3 people walking around the building coughing up a lung and all 3 refuse to test because they do not believe in covid, nor will they go the hell home.

[orangello]

Has anyone lost taste 10+ days after being diagnosed? H got sick Saturday the 20th, took Paxlovid, and has been recovering, but lost his sense of taste today. Wondering if he should see the doctor again, or just ride it out.

This is our first time going through this and I feel like such a newbie 😂

[neverfstop]

I hadn't see this national wastewater monitoring..... covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#wastewater-surveillance

You can see some places have a 20% increase in the last week on the map.

Local to me : Viral Load: 375% In Comparison to July 6, 2020

[neverfstop]

Also, this is fairly horrifying. Scientists trying to estimate how many people actually died in China despite their lockdowns) say it's ~2 millions ((

I wonder hoW many were direct COVID vs. complications from other illness due to the lockdowns.

www.reuters.com/world/china/nearly-2-million-excess-deaths-followed-chinas-sudden-end-covid-curbs-study-2023-08-25/

[thejen626]

Aug 29, 2023 19:14:49 GMT -5 StrawberryBlondie said:

Aug 28, 2023 21:57:18 GMT -5 krystee said:

@

I flew home on Wednesday and have the most painful sore throat I have ever had in my life and feel like I’ve been run over by a truck, but I’m testing negative. I am going to get tested for step and Covid tomorrow at urgent care. I have already had strep once this year. Ugh.

I genuinely thought I might die when I had strep a few years ago. I swear I nearly passed out from the pain.

Three times in my life I thought I was going to die:
2013 - mastitis
2018 - strep
2019 December - “flu” but didn’t test positive for the flu. Was deathly ill a week after a Hawaii vacation. Now wondering if that was covid before we knew about covid.

[curbsideprophet]

Aug 10, 2023 18:18:37 GMT -5 pugz said:

One of my friends is still making her whole family mask outside which is hard for me to understand at this point. They are not high risk but she is terrified of long covid. Pulled her kids out of school 2 years ago and they will even mask outdoors when nobody is around. It worries me that they are still living like it is early 2020.

I understand still masking in certain environments and situations, but also worry this is a serious mental health struggle at this point for her.

You realize you can get Covid outside right? Everyone is at risk for long Covid. The more infections you have, the more your risk increases.

Has she told you it is a mental health struggle? If not, I think it is pretty shitty to stigmatize someone trying to protect their family as having mental health issues.

[underwaterrhymes]

Aug 27, 2023 11:42:02 GMT -5 StrawberryBlondie said:

Aug 27, 2023 11:26:10 GMT -5 jlt19 said:

DD (13) is positive with a sore throat and headache, no fever. I honestly wouldn’t have thought to test as we’re in year 4 now of “not feeling well” to get out of school. I only thought to when she said her eyes were dizzy. I had vertigo in January that made me test positive. I’ve only known one other person with that symptom.

I hope she’ll be honest with me about how she feels though, it’s not like I’m sending her to school either way!

I had vertigo. I'm also the only one I know with that symptom.

I’ve gotten vertigo both times and it’s the only symptom that lasts for a few months after I feel better.

[YeahSure]

Aug 27, 2023 11:26:10 GMT -5 jlt19 said:

DD (13) is positive with a sore throat and headache, no fever. I honestly wouldn’t have thought to test as we’re in year 4 now of “not feeling well” to get out of school. I only thought to when she said her eyes were dizzy. I had vertigo in January that made me test positive. I’ve only known one other person with that symptom.

I hope she’ll be honest with me about how she feels though, it’s not like I’m sending her to school either way!

I got COVID for the first time that I know of last week. I've mostly recovered, but eyes being dizzy is a great description of how I'm feeling a lot!

[scm1011]

Aug 31, 2023 22:34:44 GMT -5 curbsideprophet said:

Aug 10, 2023 18:18:37 GMT -5 pugz said:

One of my friends is still making her whole family mask outside which is hard for me to understand at this point. They are not high risk but she is terrified of long covid. Pulled her kids out of school 2 years ago and they will even mask outdoors when nobody is around. It worries me that they are still living like it is early 2020.

I understand still masking in certain environments and situations, but also worry this is a serious mental health struggle at this point for her.

You realize you can get Covid outside right? Everyone is at risk for long Covid. The more infections you have, the more your risk increases.

Has she told you it is a mental health struggle? If not, I think it is pretty shitty to stigmatize someone trying to protect their family as having mental health issues.

There is essentially zero risk of catching Covid when you are outside and not around anyone. I'd be concerned about mental health as well. 

[curbsideprophet]

Sept 1, 2023 10:28:55 GMT -5 scm1011 said:

Aug 31, 2023 22:34:44 GMT -5 curbsideprophet said:

You realize you can get Covid outside right? Everyone is at risk for long Covid. The more infections you have, the more your risk increases.

Has she told you it is a mental health struggle? If not, I think it is pretty shitty to stigmatize someone trying to protect their family as having mental health issues.

There is essentially zero risk of catching Covid when you are outside and not around anyone. I'd be concerned about mental health as well. 

I am assuming this is in public spaces so others could have been around recently. If they prefer not to take that risk, there is no harm to you in them choosing to wear masks. They are certainly not the only ones masking outside in public spaces.


www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2022/07/01/1109444481/coronavirus-faq-can-i-get-covid-outdoors-with-printable-poster-on-how-to-cut-ris

[jlt19]

Sept 1, 2023 10:02:56 GMT -5 YeahSure said:

Aug 27, 2023 11:26:10 GMT -5 jlt19 said:

DD (13) is positive with a sore throat and headache, no fever. I honestly wouldn’t have thought to test as we’re in year 4 now of “not feeling well” to get out of school. I only thought to when she said her eyes were dizzy. I had vertigo in January that made me test positive. I’ve only known one other person with that symptom.

I hope she’ll be honest with me about how she feels though, it’s not like I’m sending her to school either way!

I got COVID for the first time that I know of last week. I've mostly recovered, but eyes being dizzy is a great description of how I'm feeling a lot!

I tested positive on Monday b/c I felt like I had a cloudy head. The dizzy eyes was there, but just slightly. Felt fine by Tuesday.


@@

Honestly, if DD hadn't been positive already, I wouldn't have thought to test.  I've stayed in my room for the most part but come out during the day while DH and DS are gone. They still haven't gotten it! DD had a bit of congestion until Tuesday, but has been fine since and tested negative today. I am definitely grateful for our ability to work/school from home and that we haven't had any worse symptoms. It just baffles me how it works the way it does. It's SO different for everyone. 

[jaylea]

Had a mandatory work trip/meetings last week. So far, 5 of us have covid. I’m so pissed. I didn’t want to go but it wasn’t really a choice.

Fortunately it has been very mild for me, unlike last time where I felt like I had the flu.

[seeyalater52]

Sept 4, 2023 13:34:08 GMT -5 jaylea said:

Had a mandatory work trip/meetings last week. So far, 5 of us have covid. I’m so pissed. I didn’t want to go but it wasn’t really a choice.

Fortunately it has been very mild for me, unlike last time where I felt like I had the flu.

I’m so sorry. This sucks! Work travel is by far my biggest exposure point and it is annoying as shit to navigate coming home from trips.

Last week I spent most of the week on a work trip in close proximity with a colleague who tested positive for covid on Friday. Somehow I’m still negative (day 5 post potential exposure) I’m testing daily, masking out and about, and will get a PCR test at the 10 day mark if I’m negative until then. I’m halfway in and I’m irritated it’s disrupting my life and dreading the rest of my work travel this fall.

It was incredible to see the huge uptick in people masking in the airport and on flights though. Anecdotally WAY more people than I saw when I last flew back in June.

[lilac05]

Where is everyone getting tests these days? Our insurance no longer provides them. I had enough to test this morning (positive) but will need more to make it through this with our family.

I’m once again pissed that no one is following guidelines around here. One kid I know tested positive on Thursday & went back to school Monday…no mask. Sister came down with severe congestion two days after he tested positive and they didn’t test her and sent her to school anyway. Don’t ask, don’t tell, I guess?

I’m actually not sure I know anyone around here who even tests anymore, so it just feels like punishment for doing the right thing. One person I know said, “Yeah, I noticed this weekend that my food all tasted weird and we’ve all been sick…I guess I should have tested, but I heard the store tests weren’t that accurate anymore anyway.

It feels fruitless to test and stay home when literally no one else is. And therefore, none of their classes are set up to understand that kids might be out for awhile, and there’s a really good chance that in a school of 500-600 kids, they will both be the only ones wearing a mask today. I know it’s the right thing to do, and deep down, I’m glad I did it. But right now, I’m just really angry.

I don’t have time to be sick this week.

[jaylea]

Sept 5, 2023 10:13:59 GMT -5 lilac05 said:

Where is everyone getting tests these days? Our insurance no longer provides them. I had enough to test this morning (positive) but will need more to make it through this with our family.

I’m once again pissed that no one is following guidelines around here. One kid I know tested positive on Thursday & went back to school Monday…no mask. Sister came down with severe congestion two days after he tested positive and they didn’t test her and sent her to school anyway. Don’t ask, don’t tell, I guess?

I’m actually not sure I know anyone around here who even tests anymore, so it just feels like punishment for doing the right thing. One person I know said, “Yeah, I noticed this weekend that my food all tasted weird and we’ve all been sick…I guess I should have tested, but I heard the store tests weren’t that accurate anymore anyway.

It feels fruitless to test and stay home when literally no one else is. And therefore, none of their classes are set up to understand that kids might be out for awhile, and there’s a really good chance that in a school of 500-600 kids, they will both be the only ones wearing a mask today. I know it’s the right thing to do, and deep down, I’m glad I did it. But right now, I’m just really angry.

I don’t have time to be sick this week.

We have spent $180 on tests this week. They are hard to find and pricey. So pissed insurance etc don’t have to cover them.

[fortnightlily]

I was disappointed Costco wasn't selling tests when I went recently, but Amazon seemed to have plenty. I ordered a few to have on hand, but I'm not stocking up like crazy. I also made sure to grab a bottle each of children's ibuprofen and acetaminophen in case there ends up being a shortage again like last Fall/Winter. I'm still not sure if that shortage was an actual supply issue or people just hoarding, or some of both.

[TR]

Dr. Biden tested positive yesterday, so far the President is negative

www.cnn.com/2023/09/04/politics/jill-biden-covid/index.html

[lilac05]

jaylea, Ugh. I’m sorry.

I Guess the one “good” thing about living here is that our pharmacy is fully stocked with tests. They’re $24/2 pack but they’re available. I also found them online at Sam’s 2/$14.88. They won’t arrive until the 11th, but that’s not too long.

I’m waiting to hear from my Dr about Paxlovid. Symptoms are mild, but the last time I had it, I had some lingering symptoms for over a year. I’d really like to reduce my chances of that happening again!

[noodleoo]

Sept 5, 2023 10:31:50 GMT -5 lilac05 said:

jaylea , Ugh. I’m sorry.

I Guess the one “good” thing about living here is that our pharmacy is fully stocked with tests. They’re $24/2 pack but they’re available. I also found them online at Sam’s 2/$14.88. They won’t arrive until the 11th, but that’s not too long.

I’m waiting to hear from my Dr about Paxlovid. Symptoms are mild, but the last time I had it, I had some lingering symptoms for over a year. I’d really like to reduce my chances of that happening again!

Amazon has a 5 pack of iHealth rapid tests for $32.  That seems like a decent deal.  It is one day shipping with Prime for my area.

www.amazon.com/iHealth-COVID-19-Authorized-Non-invasive-Discomfort/dp/B09NY9MMS3/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=covid+rapid+test&qid=1693928186&sprefix=covid+rapi%2Caps%2C107&sr=8-3

[noodleoo]

Emily Oster had an interesting newsletter post about Covid today. She discussed a topic I'm curious about: at this point, do we treat Covid differently that any other respiratory illness? I think it is a good question. I got the flu last winter and I was way sicker with that than I was when I got Covid. I wish people would treat other illnesses like the flu more seriously. I know so many adults who don't get their flu shot and it drives me crazy, something so simple that could help yourself and others around you.  I don't think everyone should isolate for 10 days with every cold, but staying home when sick and masking when contagious aren't bad ideas.

Here's the full newsletter post:
parentdata.org/whats-going-on-covid/

Should we (still) treat COVID infection as different?

I’m going to get into a number of specific questions about vaccines and masks below, but I think the fundamental question for the moment is: do you treat COVID differently than other respiratory viruses?

That is to say, for most other cold-like respiratory viruses, the approach many people have is to stay home while they are sick, only return to school after being fever-free for 24 hours, and generally engage in some light-touch avoidance with their family (wash hands more, avoid sharing drinks, etc.). COVID protocols during the height of the pandemic were much stricter — testing to see if it was COVID, isolating for 10 days even without symptoms, masking and isolating even within the house.

What makes sense now?

There is no one answer to this. For one thing, in some schools and child care centers, COVID is still treated differently — people may be asked to test for COVID if they have symptoms and then be subject to different return-to-school protocols. Even putting this aside, individual families will have a different take, depending on (for example) whether there is someone in the household who is elderly, and therefore at especially high COVID risk.

What I will say is, at this point the risks of COVID for most people are comparable to the risks associated with other illnesses. So whatever your approach to COVID is, it should likely be your approach to illness in general. If you have someone in your household with a weakened immune system, it makes sense to be careful (isolate if sick, wash hands frequently, etc.) with any illness, not just COVID.

This logic applies to a lot of the specific questions I hear about COVID. Should we be more worried about COVID with a newborn than with an older infant? Yes, similar to other viruses. In this early period, some added caution about illness is warranted. Should I isolate from my healthy breastfeeding five-month-old when I have COVID? Probably not. Unless you’d do that for all illnesses, it doesn’t make sense here.

As we head into this next respiratory season, it is worth a household conversation about how you are going to approach this and other illnesses. It’s an opportunity to decide where you are going to stand and get on the same page.

[oliverboliverbutt]

Sept 5, 2023 10:13:59 GMT -5 lilac05 said:

Where is everyone getting tests these days? Our insurance no longer provides them. I had enough to test this morning (positive) but will need more to make it through this with our family.

I’m once again pissed that no one is following guidelines around here. One kid I know tested positive on Thursday & went back to school Monday…no mask. Sister came down with severe congestion two days after he tested positive and they didn’t test her and sent her to school anyway. Don’t ask, don’t tell, I guess?

I’m actually not sure I know anyone around here who even tests anymore, so it just feels like punishment for doing the right thing. One person I know said, “Yeah, I noticed this weekend that my food all tasted weird and we’ve all been sick…I guess I should have tested, but I heard the store tests weren’t that accurate anymore anyway.

It feels fruitless to test and stay home when literally no one else is. And therefore, none of their classes are set up to understand that kids might be out for awhile, and there’s a really good chance that in a school of 500-600 kids, they will both be the only ones wearing a mask today. I know it’s the right thing to do, and deep down, I’m glad I did it. But right now, I’m just really angry.

I don’t have time to be sick this week.

I'm in Iowa and can still get tests free from the state hygienic lab- but not rapid tests, so if I didn't have some on hand AND didn't live close to a testing site, by the time I requested and was mailed tests, tested and mailed them back, and then waited the 24-48 hours for results it'd be weeks later. Maybe ~4 days if I had some on hand but still had to mail. I actually did the hygienic lab test last week, but despite the website saying test that expired after X date were still usable, they emailed the next day saying they couldn't run ours because they were expired. So... free tests but still not going to get people testing.

I work at a school and this is the start of the third week back and DS had covid last week and I'm sick now, and I know of a few more at school. There are a handful of masks now, which is honestly more than I expected. Not enough to make a school level difference, but it makes me feel a little better to know that some people are actually testing and some people are still trying to protect themselves and others.

[wanderingback]

Thankfully they still give away tests here for free. It really sucks that it is so state dependent. I need to pick up more this week. Last week my partner tested 4 days and all were negative. My throat felt a little off so I tested this morning and it was negative. I’m still masking anyway, so will keep doing that and test again for the next few days. I figure that’s all I can do at this point and I’ll do my best to do the right thing.

[pugz]

Aug 31, 2023 22:34:44 GMT -5 curbsideprophet said:

Aug 10, 2023 18:18:37 GMT -5 pugz said:

One of my friends is still making her whole family mask outside which is hard for me to understand at this point. They are not high risk but she is terrified of long covid. Pulled her kids out of school 2 years ago and they will even mask outdoors when nobody is around. It worries me that they are still living like it is early 2020.

I understand still masking in certain environments and situations, but also worry this is a serious mental health struggle at this point for her.

You realize you can get Covid outside right? Everyone is at risk for long Covid. The more infections you have, the more your risk increases.

Has she told you it is a mental health struggle? If not, I think it is pretty shitty to stigmatize someone trying to protect their family as having mental health issues.

PDQ

Yes, she has anxiety that has worsened the last 3 years and it is COVID related. I fully understand you can contract COVID outside. But having your family mask when alone in the backyard or when riding a bike when nobody is around is a different level than masking in a social setting. It is atypical behavior on her part to essentially shut out the world like she has done and over time folks have grown more worried about her. She has taken some steps to get help in the last couple of weeks.

Also I've dealt with anxiety most of my life and when it gets to the point of intrusive thoughts, becoming reclusive due to social anxiety, and affecting other family members it is something to be concerned about and get help for. 

[erbear]

PDQ

I learned today that one of my students some very serious medical complications and a normal oxygen saturation of 75-82 and I cannot even conceive of what Covid means for her and how to keep her safe

[tacokick]

Interesting article about long Covid and children

www.salon.com/2023/08/27/long-is-debilitating-children-and-doctors-worry-there-arent-enough-centers-to-treat-them/