October Covid (possible @ content)

[fernweh]

I was able to get mine today. Very weird - didn’t ask for my covid card, didn’t tell me to wait 15 minutes. Just jab and have a nice day.

Are there still any countries that require proof of vaccine for entry. I always keep mine in my passport wallet just in but I haven’t been asked for it since 2021 and with them not filling it out this time, I wonder if I even need to bother carrying it anymore.

[nothingcontroversial]

Oct 4, 2023 16:48:41 GMT -5 fernweh said:

I was able to get mine today. Very weird - didn’t ask for my covid card, didn’t tell me to wait 15 minutes. Just jab and have a nice day.

Are there still any countries that require proof of vaccine for entry. I always keep mine in my passport wallet just in but I haven’t been asked for it since 2021 and with them not filling it out this time, I wonder if I even need to bother carrying it anymore.

Well, the CDC has stopped printing Covid 19 vaccination cards.


apnews.com/article/covid-vaccine-cdc-medical-record-a70eb7f3f32b961eae1a7bf69175ad11

[nothingcontroversial]

Oct 3, 2023 22:06:56 GMT -5 JayhawkGirl said:

It’s like spring of ‘21 again. How have we not figured this out yet?! 

Well, in the past the distribution was handled by the government and this has transitioned to "traditional health care distribution channels." So, even if the government figured it out by now, they aren't the ones handling the distribution this time around.


www.hhs.gov/about/news/2023/09/22/letter-from-hhs-secretary-covid-19-vaccine-coverage.html

[tacokick]

Rapid tests are no longer working as expected, you might not test positive for days after symptom onset.

www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/evolving-peak-sars-cov-2-loads-relative-symptom-onset-may-influence-home-test-timing

[fortnightlily]

Oct 5, 2023 19:42:00 GMT -5 tacokick said:

Rapid tests are no longer working as expected, you might not test positive for days after symptom onset.

www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/evolving-peak-sars-cov-2-loads-relative-symptom-onset-may-influence-home-test-timing

I'm not sure it's accurate to say "rapid tests are no longer working as expected" based on what I'm reading at this link. It says for subjects tested between April 2022 and April 2023 peak viral load was on day 4 after symptom onset which may have implications for testing.

[wanderingback]

Oct 5, 2023 20:56:20 GMT -5 fortnightlily said:

Oct 5, 2023 19:42:00 GMT -5 tacokick said:

Rapid tests are no longer working as expected, you might not test positive for days after symptom onset.

www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/evolving-peak-sars-cov-2-loads-relative-symptom-onset-may-influence-home-test-timing

I'm not sure it's accurate to say "rapid tests are no longer working as expected" based on what I'm reading at this link. It says for subjects tested between April 2022 and April 2023 peak viral load was on day 4 after symptom onset which may have implications for testing.

Yes agreed! I read the study linked in the article. To clarify the study was using pcr tests to look at viral loads so wasn’t even a "test" of rapid antigen tests. "Rapid tests are no longer working as expected" is definitely a misleading summary. Awhile back the guidance was switched to testing twice over 48 hours, so this pretty much confirms that is likely a good idea.

It’s good info to have to better understand how the virus works now that most people have been vaccinated and/or infected in regards to symptoms and peak viral load.

[dcrunnergirl52]

I tried to get flu shots and covid boosters for DH, DD (13), DS1 (13), DS2 (10), DS3 (5), and me last night at CVS here in the DC area. I scheduled the appointments online and at the time, it said there was booster availability for everyone at this location.

We got there last night, and were all able to get flu shots, but they didn't have any pediatric covid boosters for DS2 and DS3. I was so annoyed and realized that I should have called to double-check ahead of time. It was such a struggle to get DS3 even into the store for the shot, and now we have to go through it all over again next week at a different CVS (that says it has the boosters but I will definitely call day of).

Why does this continue to be so hard to protect our kids?!?

ETA: We brought our vax cards wth us, and they said they are no longer filling them out. I think a pp asked about this.

[fortnightlily]

As a side note, one of my biggest frustrations with Covid handling is that they never found a way to make rapid tests cheaper. If you really want people to test frequently, like multiple times over several days, I think they'd see a lot more success if they sold tests in greater quantities per package and at $1-$2 per test.

[hermione]

The library I work at is now going to give out free COVID tests. I was strongly against this when we were first asked in...2021? 2022? I don't even remember when at-home tests came out. I still don't love it for all the same reasons but it's happening regardless.

[wanderingback]

Oct 6, 2023 9:34:31 GMT -5 hermione said:

The library I work at is now going to give out free COVID tests. I was strongly against this when we were first asked in...2021? 2022? I don't even remember when at-home tests came out. I still don't love it for all the same reasons but it's happening regardless.

May I ask why you’re against it? I assume it’s because you don’t want sick people coming in.

Our libraries have tests and have for awhile. They’re sitting at the desk next to self check out and I just pick up 1 on my way out the door. I have too much faith in humanity that people wouldn’t come in if they’re actively sick and coughing all over the place :/

[tacokick]

Oct 5, 2023 20:56:20 GMT -5 fortnightlily said:

Oct 5, 2023 19:42:00 GMT -5 tacokick said:

Rapid tests are no longer working as expected, you might not test positive for days after symptom onset.

www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/evolving-peak-sars-cov-2-loads-relative-symptom-onset-may-influence-home-test-timing

I'm not sure it's accurate to say "rapid tests are no longer working as expected" based on what I'm reading at this link. It says for subjects tested between April 2022 and April 2023 peak viral load was on day 4 after symptom onset which may have implications for testing.

A lot of media/health care is still saying to test the first day you have symptoms and that is no longer when peak viral load is apparently occurring. So people are testing and getting negatives and assuming it’s not Covid and not testing again.

Next time I won’t cut and paste the headline if it’s vague! It sounds like it was confusing but that is what it was addressing.

I assumed people would click through and read if they were interested. I’m not writing up summaries of published info.

[fortnightlily]

Oct 6, 2023 9:34:31 GMT -5 hermione said:

The library I work at is now going to give out free COVID tests. I was strongly against this when we were first asked in...2021? 2022? I don't even remember when at-home tests came out. I still don't love it for all the same reasons but it's happening regardless.

My county has long had both libraries and schools hand out free test kits and N95 masks, as supplies allowed. The libraries would just set out a table and people could grab as needed, with a sign that said "X per household" but no one standing right there enforcing it. The honor system must've worked pretty well though because I never saw the table emptied out. This made sense to me - there aren't a lot of other public spaces run by the county that are easy to access that would make sense to act as a distribution center.

@@@
For schools my son's school would send home one or two boxes of tests a couple times a year, mostly encouraging folks to test if symptomatic before returning to school at the end of winter break or spring break.

[pixy0stix]

Huh. I was given a new vaccine card since I forgot mine.

[tacokick]

Oct 6, 2023 10:12:09 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

Huh. I was given a new vaccine card since I forgot mine.

Maybe they are trying to use them up? We were asked for ours and told we could get new ones if we didn’t have them.

[hermione]

Oct 6, 2023 10:10:21 GMT -5 fortnightlily said:

Oct 6, 2023 9:34:31 GMT -5 hermione said:

The library I work at is now going to give out free COVID tests. I was strongly against this when we were first asked in...2021? 2022? I don't even remember when at-home tests came out. I still don't love it for all the same reasons but it's happening regardless.

My county has long had both libraries and schools hand out free test kits and N95 masks, as supplies allowed. The libraries would just set out a table and people could grab as needed, with a sign that said "X per household" but no one standing right there enforcing it. The honor system must've worked pretty well though because I never saw the table emptied out. This made sense to me - there aren't a lot of other public spaces run by the county that are easy to access that would make sense to act as a distribution center.

@@@
For schools my son's school would send home one or two boxes of tests a couple times a year, mostly encouraging folks to test if symptomatic before returning to school at the end of winter break or spring break.

I still have no desire to encourage sick people to come in. 

[seeyalater52]

Oct 6, 2023 10:03:25 GMT -5 wanderingback said:

Oct 6, 2023 9:34:31 GMT -5 hermione said:

The library I work at is now going to give out free COVID tests. I was strongly against this when we were first asked in...2021? 2022? I don't even remember when at-home tests came out. I still don't love it for all the same reasons but it's happening regardless.

May I ask why you’re against it? I assume it’s because you don’t want sick people coming in.

Our libraries have tests and have for awhile. They’re sitting at the desk next to self check out and I just pick up 1 on my way out the door. I have too much faith in humanity that people wouldn’t come in if they’re actively sick and coughing all over the place :/

I am definitely sympathetic to hermione’s point because I agree it would be really crappy if it encouraged people to come into the library where they could get employees and other patrons sick! I love the idea of having tests and masks distributed in the community but it feels like it should be accompanied by some very clear messaging that these are meant to be taken as you’re coming and going, saved for later (maybe with info about updated expiration dates too) and are NOT meant to be an incentive for sick people to come in to get tests. Clear signage that masking is encouraged, stay home if you feel symptoms, be respectful of others etc.

[hermione]

Oct 6, 2023 10:03:25 GMT -5 wanderingback said:

Oct 6, 2023 9:34:31 GMT -5 hermione said:

The library I work at is now going to give out free COVID tests. I was strongly against this when we were first asked in...2021? 2022? I don't even remember when at-home tests came out. I still don't love it for all the same reasons but it's happening regardless.

May I ask why you’re against it? I assume it’s because you don’t want sick people coming in.

Our libraries have tests and have for awhile. They’re sitting at the desk next to self check out and I just pick up 1 on my way out the door. I have too much faith in humanity that people wouldn’t come in if they’re actively sick and coughing all over the place :/

I do not have that faith in my red county. That said, I think we have come up with a reasonable solution to make everyone happy. We're going to put them on a table in the vesitbule.

[fortnightlily]

I enjoyed this conversation with Dr. Michael Mina talking through some more reflection on what should have been more predictable from the start about the nature of Covid vs what was conveyed by public health authorities and his feelings on where we are going forward. www.nytimes.com/2023/10/05/opinion/covid-pandemic-michael-mina.html?unlocked_article_code=zczN_l4d-DbAEf49wTnlbhg2zCoNSG6TrGa9qH1PP7eAem4GHKKVrpYym7ahY2d6MRDK948bRi-NpfpszDwBnjDPqOtYwB4CgFe_rd0_EOmT6fGK5dQhSbnBkMiakMB3DlvAZX5dL0YgvOVBsXX-lUm2goSzLf8n2zFrFhtpmUZ4KrPn70XMSnLFbMFFwLzWQv-xUhfgXgagC0sdSUGQohdZcQ_M6QPXJS0eau0lTcQvSLgSz6ZhYgq1whVZco65LvrjxXDnwukTO3GM5DrV0C6bu743U4Seh2oEE36LMUOxtCSOQlVtKMpLThId5UmHvkBsyhJHTaDYiohc1uvT2t6r5wnP&smid=url-share

One reassuring thing - he thinks the rate of long Covid is declining and will continue to do.

[christy082]

I'm in NE Ohio and can't find anyone with the dose for my 8 year in stock. Very frustrating.

[wanderingback]

Oct 6, 2023 11:30:59 GMT -5 fortnightlily said:

I enjoyed this conversation with Dr. Michael Mina talking through some more reflection on what should have been more predictable from the start about the nature of Covid vs what was conveyed by public health authorities and his feelings on where we are going forward. www.nytimes.com/2023/10/05/opinion/covid-pandemic-michael-mina.html?unlocked_article_code=zczN_l4d-DbAEf49wTnlbhg2zCoNSG6TrGa9qH1PP7eAem4GHKKVrpYym7ahY2d6MRDK948bRi-NpfpszDwBnjDPqOtYwB4CgFe_rd0_EOmT6fGK5dQhSbnBkMiakMB3DlvAZX5dL0YgvOVBsXX-lUm2goSzLf8n2zFrFhtpmUZ4KrPn70XMSnLFbMFFwLzWQv-xUhfgXgagC0sdSUGQohdZcQ_M6QPXJS0eau0lTcQvSLgSz6ZhYgq1whVZco65LvrjxXDnwukTO3GM5DrV0C6bu743U4Seh2oEE36LMUOxtCSOQlVtKMpLThId5UmHvkBsyhJHTaDYiohc1uvT2t6r5wnP&smid=url-share

One reassuring thing - he thinks the rate of long Covid is declining and will continue to do.

Great article!!

Not that I’m saying I’m smarter than Dr Fauci, but from the beginning when we started vaccinated and he was talking about herd immunity if X amount of people got vaccinated, I was very confused. I did not think we’d ever get to a place where there would be immunity. Glad this article confirms I was correct for thinking that messaging was wrong

[osulori]

I got kid #1 (10) and I appointments at CVS for tomorrow for Moderna shots. Finding Moderna for kid #2 (4) has been impossible* and she was diagnosed with strep today anyway so since apparently we can mix manufacturers I'll get her a Pfizer shot next weekend.

*We're in Central Ohio. Between kid #1's soccer and my half marathon next weekend this is the best timing for us to do it. Kid #2 has more weekend wiggle room thank god.

[curbsideprophet]

Oct 6, 2023 11:30:59 GMT -5 fortnightlily said:

I enjoyed this conversation with Dr. Michael Mina talking through some more reflection on what should have been more predictable from the start about the nature of Covid vs what was conveyed by public health authorities and his feelings on where we are going forward. www.nytimes.com/2023/10/05/opinion/covid-pandemic-michael-mina.html?unlocked_article_code=zczN_l4d-DbAEf49wTnlbhg2zCoNSG6TrGa9qH1PP7eAem4GHKKVrpYym7ahY2d6MRDK948bRi-NpfpszDwBnjDPqOtYwB4CgFe_rd0_EOmT6fGK5dQhSbnBkMiakMB3DlvAZX5dL0YgvOVBsXX-lUm2goSzLf8n2zFrFhtpmUZ4KrPn70XMSnLFbMFFwLzWQv-xUhfgXgagC0sdSUGQohdZcQ_M6QPXJS0eau0lTcQvSLgSz6ZhYgq1whVZco65LvrjxXDnwukTO3GM5DrV0C6bu743U4Seh2oEE36LMUOxtCSOQlVtKMpLThId5UmHvkBsyhJHTaDYiohc1uvT2t6r5wnP&smid=url-share

One reassuring thing - he thinks the rate of long Covid is declining and will continue to do.

He does not really seem to back up the claim that long covid rates are declining. Where is he getting that from?

[wanderingback]

Oct 7, 2023 21:59:57 GMT -5 curbsideprophet said:

Oct 6, 2023 11:30:59 GMT -5 fortnightlily said:

I enjoyed this conversation with Dr. Michael Mina talking through some more reflection on what should have been more predictable from the start about the nature of Covid vs what was conveyed by public health authorities and his feelings on where we are going forward. www.nytimes.com/2023/10/05/opinion/covid-pandemic-michael-mina.html?unlocked_article_code=zczN_l4d-DbAEf49wTnlbhg2zCoNSG6TrGa9qH1PP7eAem4GHKKVrpYym7ahY2d6MRDK948bRi-NpfpszDwBnjDPqOtYwB4CgFe_rd0_EOmT6fGK5dQhSbnBkMiakMB3DlvAZX5dL0YgvOVBsXX-lUm2goSzLf8n2zFrFhtpmUZ4KrPn70XMSnLFbMFFwLzWQv-xUhfgXgagC0sdSUGQohdZcQ_M6QPXJS0eau0lTcQvSLgSz6ZhYgq1whVZco65LvrjxXDnwukTO3GM5DrV0C6bu743U4Seh2oEE36LMUOxtCSOQlVtKMpLThId5UmHvkBsyhJHTaDYiohc1uvT2t6r5wnP&smid=url-share

One reassuring thing - he thinks the rate of long Covid is declining and will continue to do.

He does not really seem to back up the claim that long covid rates are declining. Where is he getting that from?

Here’s some info about decreasing prevalence of long covid based on survey data:
www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/72/wr/mm7232a3.htm?s_cid=mm7232a3_w

[curbsideprophet]

Oct 8, 2023 0:46:49 GMT -5 wanderingback said:

Oct 7, 2023 21:59:57 GMT -5 curbsideprophet said:

He does not really seem to back up the claim that long covid rates are declining. Where is he getting that from?

Here’s some info about decreasing prevalence of long covid based on survey data:
www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/72/wr/mm7232a3.htm?s_cid=mm7232a3_w

Thanks for the link.

This said long covid has not decreased.

“Implications for Public Health Practice

After an initial decline during the study period, the prevalence of long COVID has not decreased. The percentage of persons with long COVID who are experiencing significant activity limitations did not change over time. These findings highlight the importance of COVID prevention, including staying up to date with recommended COVID-19 vaccination, and could inform health care service needs planning, disability policy, and other support services for persons experiencing severe activity limitation from long COVID.”

[noodleoo]

I finally got appts for my kids!!! I waited until DD2 officially turned 5 on Sat, but then I couldn't find any local appts. I kept checking and finally found a slot for Friday 10/20 yesterday. Further out than I would have liked but yay for having them scheduled. They got their flu shots last week.

I get mine tomorrow and I schedule my flu shot for the same time as the kids get their Covid shots.

H got his flu shot last week and Covid shot yesterday. He looks like crap. I think I may take Thur off to recover, I'm expecting a rough reaction as I usually have fever and body aches for 24 hours.

I will be so happy when this is done! I feel like I've been trying to organize all this for a full month!

[karinothing]

I got both flu and covid on Sunday and had zero side effects (a first as normally I get a fever) but I think this is the first time I have gotten a shot without a known covid infection in the last few months. Maybe it's connected?

Boys supposedly go on Friday assuming it's not canceled

[osulori]

Oct 6, 2023 12:23:40 GMT -5 christy082 said:

I'm in NE Ohio and can't find anyone with the dose for my 8 year in stock. Very frustrating.

If you feel like a road trip to Columbus I had success getting my 10 year old done at a CVS near us last weekend.  It was easier once I started checking CVS pharmacies versus Minute Clinics-apparently they have separate supply stock and MC would tell me they were out for his age group (for Moderna at least) but the pharmacy at the same CVS had it.  

[curbsideprophet]

@@@@

www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/not-little-adults-experts-say-long-covid-undercounted-misdiagnosed-kids

Not 'little adults': Experts say long COVID undercounted, misdiagnosed in kids

[curbsideprophet]

Costco is now showing Novavax as available to book. I have an appt scheduled for Friday. It is my understanding that you do not need to be a Costco member. You can just tell them you are going to the pharmacy.

[redhead610]

@@

Does anyone have info about the under 5 group switching brands? My 4.5 yr old had Pfizer previously. I've had a heck of a time finding any appts at all for his age group, but I just found some pharmacies with Moderna for ages 3&up. I know it's been fine for adults to get either brand, but I haven't heard about the young kids.