Coronavirus (Covid-19) informational thread

[Richard8655]

Got the 2nd booster the other day and felt miserable for about 24 hours. But for me well worth it. The virus is not disappearing but rather mutating as we've seen in successive forms. If people continue to refuse vaccination, this will continue and never end. So trying to do my part in eradicating or slow down spreading.

 

[Mainsail]

Got the 2nd booster the other day and felt miserable for about 24 hours. But for me well worth it. The virus is not disappearing but rather mutating as we've seen in successive forms. If people continue to refuse vaccination, this will continue and never end. So trying to do my part in eradicating or slow down spreading.

I went ahead and got the second booster on Friday. Very little side effects this time around. Just a slight touch of nausea. My first vaccination was J&J. The first and second boost were Pfizer. Anyway, it was very easy to schedule through my health care provider for a same day appointment.

Meanwhile, my friends and family that received the two initial shot vaccination treatment (Pfizer or Moderna) plus a booster are just not that motivated to get the fourth shot. They still feel well protected against severe illness. Most believe the booster will not provide long term protection against asymptomatic illness. With Omicron, the attitude seems to be: I'll probably get COVID anyway, so I just want to be well protected against severe outcomes.

 

[Richard8655]

I went ahead and got the second booster on Friday. Very little side effects this time around. Just a slight touch of nausea. My first vaccination was J&J. The first and second boost were Pfizer. Anyway, it was very easy to schedule through my health care provider for a same day appointment.

Meanwhile, my friends and family that received the two initial shot vaccination treatment (Pfizer or Moderna) plus a booster are just not that motivated to get the fourth shot. They still feel well protected against severe illness. Most believe the booster will not provide long term protection against asymptomatic illness. With Omicron, the attitude seems to be: I'll probably get COVID anyway, so I just want to be well protected against severe outcomes.

Good you got the 2nd booster, IMO. My side effect for 24 hrs was slight fever, but overall not terrible. From what I've read, it provides increased immunity from the previous vaccination/booster as antibodies fade over time. So I agree, protection is key.

 

[obeygiant]

No masks on planes or airports anymore. YAY!

 

[Mainsail]

No masks on planes or airports anymore. YAY!

I think the federal government was heading in this direction anyway, so it might have just accelerated things a few weeks. Unfortunately, there are very few good randomized controlled studies on the efficacy of mask mandates in the age of Omicron. It is pretty clear that cloth masks are not terribly effective, so for mandates to be even somewhat effective, they would need to specify the type of mask....which would basically be unenforceable and impractical to implement. Our best bet is to get the most vulnerable vaccinated (plus everyone that is eligible) and pretty much figure that sooner or later we are all going to get infected, but the symptoms will likely not be severe. Even Fauci is saying that herd immunity won't be achieved, so we are just going to have to learn to live with it.

I could be wrong but it feels like lockdowns and mandates are basically done. We have a few campuses and cities pushing them again, but I think they are going to be a complete failure from the standpoint of actually slowing the spread and compliance. Philadelphia's new mandate isn't even consistent with CDC criteria, so we have overzealous local authorities that haven't updated their guidelines to be consistent with the federal government. The whole idea is crazy. You wear a mask in the city then drive to your home in the burbs and attend your kids school play where no one is wearing a mask.

We should be focusing on vaccination and treatments.

 

[Macky-Mac]

speaking of masks......I've started wearing one outside.

Nothing to do with COVID tho, during the pandemic I became aware that wearing a mask does indeed help with pollen & seasonal allergies.

 

[bradl]

speaking of masks......I've started wearing one outside.

Nothing to do with COVID tho, during the pandemic I became aware that wearing a mask does indeed help with pollen & seasonal allergies.

Can't argue with that. I now understand why lawn services mask up when they are mowing the lawn. In masking up while mowing the lawn, I've avoided the bulk of my grass and pollen allergies this spring. I'm probably going to make that permanent.

BL.

 

[pshufd]

One of my tennis partners told me that he has COVID. He showed symptoms on Monday and has no idea who he got it from as everyone that he has been around has either tested negative or not shown symptoms. I moved furniture with him for another tennis friend last Wednesday but his son and girlfriend were with him over the weekend. He was probably in the office too. My guess is that he got it from someone that was asymptomatic.

I'm currently undecided about the booster at the moment. My time would be a month from now if I got it. Moderna has released a paper or press release on their new Wild + Beta results and they are more effective on variants than just the Wild vaccine. I think that they are also testing Wild + Omicron.

My friend said that he took Tylenol and feels fine now. His roughest symptom was a 101 degree fever, which is to say, that his case is quite mild. This guy is in his 40s and in very good shape. He plays about six hours of tennis per week.

 

[Mainsail]

Philly Ends Indoor Mask Mandate, Scraps Tiered COVID Response System

Philadelphia will lift its indoor mask mandate, a spokesperson with the Philadelphia Health Department confirmed with NBC10.

www.nbcphiladelphia.com

 

[44267547]

Philly Ends Indoor Mask Mandate, Scraps Tiered COVID Response System

Philadelphia will lift its indoor mask mandate, a spokesperson with the Philadelphia Health Department confirmed with NBC10.

www.nbcphiladelphia.com

Well, that didn’t last long.

I kind of like what some states are doing (Ours included), they’re not rushing to make changes drastically all of a sudden just because we have another ‘sub-variant’ floating around. They’re tempering communities to see at what 1.) Level of spread, 2.) The severity and 3.) Hospitalization rate with occupancy that would require to make those changes. I personally rely on any data points from our local epidemiologist.

And it was this time last year that Delta was ravaging India, before it finally made its way into North America I believe in early May. By that time, it was too late, however; Delta was extremely dangerous compared to the likes of the Om-sub-V that likely aren’t posing fatal conditions for the majority.

 

[pshufd]

Well, that didn’t last long.

I kind of like what some states are doing (Ours included), they’re not rushing to make changes drastically all of a sudden just because we have another ‘sub-variant’ floating around. They’re tempering communities to see at what 1.) Level of spread, 2.) The severity and 3.) Hospitalization rate with occupancy that would require to make those changes. I personally rely on any data points from our local epidemiologist.

And it was this time last year that Delta was ravaging India, before it finally made its way into North America I believe in early May. By that time, it was too late, however; Delta was extremely dangerous compared to the likes of the Om-sub-V that likely aren’t posing fatal conditions for the majority.

We're fortunate to have the UK ahead of us by several weeks on the variant du jour.

 

[44267547]

We're fortunate to have the UK ahead of us by several weeks on the variant du jour.

The UK seems to have terrible planning when things are already in a state of being out of control. But their restrictions seem to more strict once implemented.

 

[Mainsail]

 

[Gregg2]

I got my second booster shot yesterday (Moderna). Now, almost 24 hours later, I'm a little tired (but I was awake for an hour when I needed to be sleeping) and unusually thirsty. The skin around the place where I was poked is sensitive to the touch, and I have minimal muscle soreness. I have full range of motion, but slowly, and with moderate discomfort. This is better by far than my reaction to the first booster (Pfizer).

 

[Mainsail]

Per CDC web site, 82.4% of the eligible population (5 years and older) have received at least one shot. It would seem kind of silly to get just one shot and not complete the fully dosage, so I assume most will soon be fully vaccinated. Also, some folks have acquired natural immunity. A disproportionate share of elderly are fully vaccinated and boosted…..probably well over 90%, since they perceive the highest risk to themselves.

Mask mandates are dead for now. They are bound to be ineffective, since cloth masks are basically useless against Omicron and you can’t really enforce a specific type of mask wearing….too complicated and confusing. One directional masking is still possible for those seriously concerned. Of course, if they are concerned, they will probably be fully vaccinated and boosted, but they can wear an N95 too if desired.

 

[44267547]

I got my second booster shot yesterday (Moderna). Now, almost 24 hours later, I'm a little tired (but I was awake for an hour when I needed to be sleeping) and unusually thirsty. The skin around the place where I was poked is sensitive to the touch, and I have minimal muscle soreness. I have full range of motion, but slowly, and with moderate discomfort. This is better by far than my reaction to the first booster (Pfizer).

That’s one thing I think is really underrated, is being hydrated as much as possible going into receiving your vaccination. I try to consume at least 84 ounces of water a day, just as a good measure, but I noticed a trend for those who received the vaccination, some claimed that they experienced ‘dehydration or experienced muscle cramps’. It’s not just about drinking water, but making sure you have the necessary electrolytes in your hydration.

 

[44267547]

[Yup, I realize this thread hasn’t been updated in a while.]

Community update:

Our transmission rate is relatively low, with the exception of five counties that are ‘moderate’ with a high infection rate. Which is surprising, because those five counties are actually ‘rural’ and are less populated compared to all the other surrounding urban counties.

Masking is basically an afterthought and doesn’t exist anymore. Which is surprising to where we were a year ago when ‘Delta’ was basically dominating North America and causing havoc in just about every which way possible.

Social distancing also is another consideration that has completely faded and doesn’t exist. Gyms are completely overcrowded, shopping malls are full, etc. So I think the ‘normality’ has definitely returned, but to what degree are people using caution? I think it’s minimal at this point.

Hospitalization rates have stabilized completely here. As a matter fact, the floors that were dedicated to housing C/19 patients, have been converted back over to their designated floors (I.E. General, recovery, ect.)

Lastly, I see that the FDA approved C/19 vaccines for children under five.

I chose to be vaccinated. And by doing that, it’s providing me to enjoy the freedoms of traveling with my wife on vacations, returning back to a gym at a normal hour, and overall not having to completely re-strategize on how to go about avoiding large groups of people. And even if I were to contract C/19, at least I have the ‘safety net’ of knowing that my body would have the defenses needed to react if necessary. So I’m thankful for modern medicine that put me in this position that I executed what I what was necessary to gain my freedoms back to what they were pre-pandemic.

 

[pshufd]

[Yup, I realize this thread hasn’t been updated in a while.]

Community update:

Our transmission rate is relatively low, with the exception of five counties that are ‘moderate’ with a high infection rate. Which is surprising, because those five counties are actually ‘rural’ and are less populated compared to all the other surrounding urban counties.

Masking is basically an afterthought and doesn’t exist anymore. Which is surprising to where we were a year ago when ‘Delta’ was basically dominating North America and causing havoc in just about every which way possible.

Social distancing also is another consideration that has completely faded and doesn’t exist. Gyms are completely overcrowded, shopping malls are full, etc. So I think the ‘normality’ has definitely returned, but to what degree are people using caution? I think it’s minimal at this point.

Hospitalization rates have stabilized completely here. As a matter fact, the floors that were dedicated to housing C/19 patients, have been converted back over to their designated floors (I.E. General, recovery, ect.)

Lastly, I see that the FDA approved C/19 vaccines for children under five.

I chose to be vaccinated. And by doing that, it’s providing me to enjoy the freedoms of traveling with my wife on vacations, returning back to a gym at a normal hour, and overall not having to completely re-strategize on how to go about avoiding large groups of people. And even if I were to contract C/19, at least I have the ‘safety net’ of knowing that my body would have the defenses needed to react if necessary. So I’m thankful for modern medicine that put me in this position that I executed what I what was necessary to gain my freedoms back to what they were pre-pandemic.

Exactly what I'm seeing in my area (Southern NH). I go to the gym every day and it's getting more and more crowded so I have to pick the best time to have access to equipment. Strip malls and real malls have full parking lots. The beaches are packed and hotels there are booked until Labor Day. There are a lot more traffic accidents and tie-ups now for some reason, than a few months ago. Perhaps the stress of inflation.

We had a peak of 20K+ cases for Omicron. It dropped under 900 and is now hovering around 3,000. Hospitals are in good shape, 20 COVID cases for the state. Deaths remain higher than I'd expect though I suspect that it's mostly unvaccinated with comorbidities. I plan to get the Moderna combo vaccine when it comes out.

Nobody in my immediate or extended family has had COVID. The vast majority of people that I personally know have not had COVID. I personally only know 7 people that have had it. Three had it in 2020 and all had long COVID. The other four were vaccinated and had mild symptoms and got over it quickly. The last person I know who had it had it back in January.

I understand that it's much more of a problem in some states but it doesn't seem to be a problem in my area.

 

[Gregg2]

Intuition tells me that the "return to normal" behaviors of so many people provide the virus with ample opportunities to mutate into a different strain. We will not be rid of it anytime soon, if ever. At least Omicron has been a milder variant, which perhaps is why many people relaxed and returned to less cautious behaviors. I think that if more people had followed the advice of Dr. Fauci and other experts, we would have had far fewer deaths from COVID than we've endured. I'm fully vaccinated, and still cautious about staying away from large groups where many are not wearing masks. I wear mine in public. I haven't had COVID, as far as I know, so it seems to be working for me.

My granddaughter, almost 6 years old, just got her booster last week. Her sister, age 4, will be getting her first dose soon. If she does as well as big sister, the side effects will be minimal. Her parents are relieved that she is now eligible for a vaccine.

 

[pshufd]

Intuition tells me that the "return to normal" behaviors of so many people provide the virus with ample opportunities to mutate into a different strain. We will not be rid of it anytime soon, if ever. At least Omicron has been a milder variant, which perhaps is why many people relaxed and returned to less cautious behaviors. I think that if more people had followed the advice of Dr. Fauci and other experts, we would have had far fewer deaths from COVID than we've endured. I'm fully vaccinated, and still cautious about staying away from large groups where many are not wearing masks. I wear mine in public. I haven't had COVID, as far as I know, so it seems to be working for me.

My granddaughter, almost 6 years old, just got her booster last week. Her sister, age 4, will be getting her first dose soon. If she does as well as big sister, the side effects will be minimal. Her parents are relieved that she is now eligible for a vaccine.

There was a genetic factor discovered, the Neanderthal DNA, that increases the risk of severe disease and hospitalization. I don't have a link but read about it a few weeks ago.

I am somewhat careful. I don't wear masks anymore unless I am required to. I am in crowded gyms every day.

 

[Weaselboy]

Moderator Note:

Several posts bringing political debate into the thread were removed. Please avoid such comments so we can keep the thread open for everyone. Thank you and have a good Sunday.

 

[HDFan]

And even if I were to contract C/19, at least I have the ‘safety net’ of knowing that my body would have the defenses needed to react if necessary.

There have been multiple articles which say:

1. Covid is here to stay
2. with new variants yearly or more frequently
3. it is likely that you will be getting it multiple times even with current vaccines
4. Risk of hospitalization is low, at least with the current variant and vaccines.


What is not discussed is long-term covid. The numbers I have seen have been in the 10-30% range of infections get long-term, although I heard one report that the current variant numbers are much lower.

Boggles my mind that people are willing to risk the debilitating affect of long-term covid, which can make you unable to work, by not wearing masks. Every time you get an infection the risk of long-term covid increases.

 

[polyphenol]

What is not discussed is long-term covid.

One positive is that long Covid seems to be validating the problems so many have faced after other viral diseases. Such post-viral disorders have been largely dismissed pretty much forever. (Despite the film Awakenings temporarily raising the profile.)

There are all too many health issues which are held to be idiopathic. Always seems odd that someone can live healthily enough for years, then suddenly become chronically ill. Surely that can happen but some sort of a trigger at least seems likely. Genetics doesn't appear able to offer anything more than a partial explanation - as twin studies have indicated.

Whether masks help the individual wearing the mask is less clear, but there seems no doubt that everyone else wearing them reduces the likelihood of me catching Covid.

 

[44267547]

Exactly what I'm seeing in my area (Southern NH). I go to the gym every day and it's getting more and more crowded so I have to pick the best time to have access to equipment. Strip malls and real malls have full parking lots. The beaches are packed and hotels there are booked until Labor Day. There are a lot more traffic accidents and tie-ups now for some reason, than a few months ago. Perhaps the stress of inflation.

We had a peak of 20K+ cases for Omicron. It dropped under 900 and is now hovering around 3,000. Hospitals are in good shape, 20 COVID cases for the state. Deaths remain higher than I'd expect though I suspect that it's mostly unvaccinated with comorbidities. I plan to get the Moderna combo vaccine when it comes out.

Nobody in my immediate or extended family has had COVID. The vast majority of people that I personally know have not had COVID. I personally only know 7 people that have had it. Three had it in 2020 and all had long COVID. The other four were vaccinated and had mild symptoms and got over it quickly. The last person I know who had it had it back in January.

I understand that it's much more of a problem in some states but it doesn't seem to be a problem in my area.

Well, if there was one positive light in this whole situation in terms of the pandemic subsiding where we are now, it’s definitely inflation, because it’s restricting people from traveling as much due to the higher cost of fuel, airfare is exponentially higher for traveling, even the general admission for larger venues with concerts or other gatherings are putting people in a position where they’re not congregating, because they’re trying to save money, especially with larger families who are being affected the most. My point is, keeping people from gathering in large crowds has been a result of a lower case rate it appears, at least in our community it’s a safe assumption to a degree.

And even flying from the Midwest to San Diego, very few are/were wearing masks anywhere in the airports or airplanes, with the exception of some geriatrics.

I’m not advocating politics, but I am elated that we have the option of taking advantage of modern science with the vaccination(s) if one so chooses to protect their life -versus- the standard ‘Well, I’ll chance it’ type mentality/attitude. We all have choices to make.

 

[pshufd]

I’m not advocating politics, but I am elated that we have the option of taking advantage of modern science with the vaccination(s) if one so chooses to protect their life -versus- the standard ‘Well, I’ll chance it’ type mentality/attitude. We all have choices to make.

I come from the cancer world where, if you don't use modern science, you die. Diseases with a 100% fatality rate bring a lot more clarity on whether or not to use modern technology.