COVID/Coronavirus non-political DISCUSSION thread

[Gregg2]

I think it is only possible to determine when a virus (or mutation) was first observed, or was first observable. In other words, after the first case is identified, it might be possible to trace it backwards a bit. But, I don't think scientists can ever be 100% sure that they have found the very beginning. That's just a layman's perspective.

 

[maflynn]

The only question I have, [which there really isn’t an answer to], is when did the first mutated strain become actual, not when it was first verified as a mutated strain from a person/test.

The only way people can find out about the mutation is getting test results from infected people.


New coronavirus variant: What do we know?

How much faster is it spreading?​

It was first detected in September. In November around a quarter of cases in London were the new variant. This reached nearly two-thirds of cases in mid-December.
You can see how the variant has come to dominate the results of testing in some centres such as the Milton Keynes Lighthouse Laboratory.

 

[44267547]

So here’s my thoughts on why I don’t think this is necessarily practical, at all:

The new C/19 take-home self test kits are being offered where it’s a ‘saliva-based kit’, that will confirm if your negative/positive and you mail the kit through FedEx/UPS, and your results are returned to you within 72 hours via email. [The kits are $125/which includes lab results] Now, one of the articles I was reading was emphasizing about how now you don’t have to ‘venture out’ to get tested with the option of having a kit right at your home, but that’s sorta misleading.

Because you’re still technically leaving your home to mail the package out (Similarly driving to a test site), and not every region offers the FedEx/UPS pick up at home option.

Even though you have the test kit at home, you still have to drive the kit to a drop off location, so why not just drive to a test site and get a free test, without having to leave your vehicle in most cases and save the money on postage.

Plus, some were under the assumption that your results immediately revealed once you take the test at home, but that’s actually not true, it takes approximately three days for the results to be delivered back to you, compared to driving to a test site, your results are likely given to you within less than 12 hours.

I actually really like the idea of the self home-test kits, but one could easily just drive to a test site and have your results quicker for free. [If your insurance won’t cover the cost of the swab test, the state usually will cover the cost for you.]

 

[Gregg2]

I read an article saying that many (if not a majority, close - maybe 40% or so) people who get COVID had been in a small group of people who were eating. Most of these were family/friends of different households gathering at a celebration of some sort (holiday, birthday, etc.), and the rest were at bars or restaurants. Yet, when people are interviewed on the news about their decision to travel (by air) they focus on the precautions taken during the travel, not at the destination. "Everyone on the plane wore a mask the whole time, yada yada yada. I think they are missing the point of "travel restrictions". Maybe the problem is in the delivery. The message should be, "To be safe, stay home!"

 

[MBAir2010]

My sister tested positive yesterday, she is used to being sick every once in a while and in good health, ran marathons and has a positive perspective on life.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

My brother tested positive this morning so it’s ruined his plans for the day. The main thing is he’s not too ill with a sore throat and loss of taste. His 16 year old daughter has it too. Hopefully he remains well as he’s 51 but is a postman so is fit and healthy.

 

[Tech198]

I think it is only possible to determine when a virus (or mutation) was first observed, or was first observable. In other words, after the first case is identified, it might be possible to trace it backwards a bit. But, I don't think scientists can ever be 100% sure that they have found the very beginning. That's just a layman's perspective.

Perhaps it is possible.... Just like being lost in a forest, eventually given enough time has pass you'll find your way out...

The problem here would be everyone was questions answered immediately... and probably also delaying.

Stick people in the back shed for a year or two. i dunno....

So here’s my thoughts on why I don’t think this is necessarily practical, at all:

The new C/19 take-home self test kits are being offered where it’s a ‘saliva-based kit’, that will confirm if your negative/positive and you mail the kit through FedEx/UPS, and your results are returned to you within 72 hours via email. [The kits are $125/which includes lab results] Now, one of the articles I was reading was emphasizing about how now you don’t have to ‘venture out’ to get tested with the option of having a kit right at your home, but that’s sorta misleading.

Because you’re still technically leaving your home to mail the package out (Similarly driving to a test site), and not every region offers the FedEx/UPS pick up at home option.

Even though you have the test kit at home, you still have to drive the kit to a drop off location, so why not just drive to a test site and get a free test, without having to leave your vehicle in most cases and save the money on postage.

Plus, some were under the assumption that your results immediately revealed once you take the test at home, but that’s actually not true, it takes approximately three days for the results to be delivered back to you, compared to driving to a test site, your results are likely given to you within less than 12 hours.

I actually really like the idea of the self home-test kits, but one could easily just drive to a test site and have your results quicker for free. [If your insurance won’t cover the cost of the swab test, the state usually will cover the cost for you.]

Depends on how far it is.

 

[44267547]

Whelp, it’s vaccine day at 1:30! [Moderna version].

 

[Tigger11]

Whelp, it’s vaccine day at 1:30! [Moderna version].

Good luck and hope you have no side effects.
-Tig

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Got a text about 40 mins ago from a guy at work. One of our colleagues has sadly lost his wife today. She’s been in intensive care with COVID for the past week and a half, but sadly didn’t make it. Only 52 as well.

 

[44267547]

Good luck and hope you have no side effects.
-Tig

No effects whatsoever.

Phase 2 {Moderna} commences February 3.

The biggest cautionary I have to any readers, if you’re not sure about the vaccination regarding your health history, always consult with your local doctor first for any pre-existing conditions that might contribute any reactions.

 

[Erehy Dobon]

The biggest cautionary I have to any readers, if you’re not sure about the vaccination regarding your health history, always consult with your local doctor first for any pre-existing conditions that might contribute any reactions.

I don't have any pre-existing conditions to my knowledge. It appears that I am in group 1c.

In any case, I have a greater chance dying in an automobile accident on the freeway than dying from a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine shot anyhow.

I'll get it when I'm eligible because I want to get on an airplane and travel internationally.

 

[A.Goldberg]

So here’s my thoughts on why I don’t think this is necessarily practical, at all:

The new C/19 take-home self test kits are being offered where it’s a ‘saliva-based kit’, that will confirm if your negative/positive and you mail the kit through FedEx/UPS, and your results are returned to you within 72 hours via email. [The kits are $125/which includes lab results] Now, one of the articles I was reading was emphasizing about how now you don’t have to ‘venture out’ to get tested with the option of having a kit right at your home, but that’s sorta misleading.

Because you’re still technically leaving your home to mail the package out (Similarly driving to a test site), and not every region offers the FedEx/UPS pick up at home option.

Even though you have the test kit at home, you still have to drive the kit to a drop off location, so why not just drive to a test site and get a free test, without having to leave your vehicle in most cases and save the money on postage.

Plus, some were under the assumption that your results immediately revealed once you take the test at home, but that’s actually not true, it takes approximately three days for the results to be delivered back to you, compared to driving to a test site, your results are likely given to you within less than 12 hours.

I actually really like the idea of the self home-test kits, but one could easily just drive to a test site and have your results quicker for free. [If your insurance won’t cover the cost of the swab test, the state usually will cover the cost for you.]

The Pixel test from Labcorp is no cost (billed thru insurance) and uses FedEx overnight pickup/delivery. I don’t know why anyone would voluntarily pay out of pocket for these tests.

I think there should be a lot more at home testing that is billable to insurance. Self-administered PCR tests are great, but rapid tests with high reliability that don’t require nasopharyngeal swabs would be ideal.

There are several at home OTC and Rx rapid tests that should be available early this year. The OTC option is great, but that means insurance won’t pay for it- so a bit of a double edge sword.

———

I got my second dose of the Pfizer vaccine yesterday. The first dose caused some soreness from the injection as expected. The second dose has caused some pain too and a bit of fatigue today- but I wouldn’t call debilitating. I’m glad to see my body is responding to the vaccine.

Of everyone I know who has been vaccinated there have been no significant issues and systemic side effects are mild if they occur at all.

 

[Solomani]

Frontline worker (hospital). I'll be getting my #2 Pfizer dose in a few days. I am somewhat relieved to read news that the Pfizer vaccine is found to also confer (some?) immunity to the UK strain/mutation.

P.S. -- yes, at least half of my co-workers, including myself, experienced some (mild) side effects. For me, injection site arm was sore for at least 24 hours, also was starting to experience mild overall body aches (that feeling you get when you know you are about to get the flu), but an extra-strength Tylenol pretty much mitigated that. Body aches was not a terrible sharp pain, just that mild "beat up" fatigue feeling you get when you start coming down with a real flu.

Anyways, our hospital gave us realistic warnings and told all of us: "Do not plan to work at least 1-2 days after you get the shot. You might feel not so great, so don't plan on coming to work the following day." So I followed advice. I mostly slept it off for much of the day after I got the shot.

Other than that.... the vaccine shot was harmless.

 

[dk001]

Looking forward as the vaccines continue to roll out.
One area of concern is my grand-daughter who is now living with us and doing the remote school thing (HS).
While not in Los Angeles county, this came out:

“The Los Angeles Unified School District has announced that students will be required to show proof that they have received a vaccine for the novel coronavirus before returning to in-person learning, according to a report from Fox News. According to District Superintendent Austin Beutner, parents who have concerns about the safety of the vaccine will be required to keep their children in remote learning, presumably indefinitely.
Beutner's comments, as first reported in the Los Angeles Times, caused concern in light of the fact that neither of the currently approved vaccines for the coronavirus have been tested for use in teenagers, much less small children. Additionally, school-aged children are likely to be the last in line to receive the vaccine, since children generally have far milder symptoms and are much less likely to experience serious complications from COVID-19 than adults.”

Anyone have any info on possible vaccine’s for teens or children?

 

[A.Goldberg]

Looking forward as the vaccines continue to roll out.
One area of concern is my grand-daughter who is now living with us and doing the remote school thing (HS).
While not in Los Angeles county, this came out:

“The Los Angeles Unified School District has announced that students will be required to show proof that they have received a vaccine for the novel coronavirus before returning to in-person learning, according to a report from Fox News. According to District Superintendent Austin Beutner, parents who have concerns about the safety of the vaccine will be required to keep their children in remote learning, presumably indefinitely.
Beutner's comments, as first reported in the Los Angeles Times, caused concern in light of the fact that neither of the currently approved vaccines for the coronavirus have been tested for use in teenagers, much less small children. Additionally, school-aged children are likely to be the last in line to receive the vaccine, since children generally have far milder symptoms and are much less likely to experience serious complications from COVID-19 than adults.”

Anyone have any info on possible vaccine’s for teens or children?

That’s an interesting statement considering neither of the two available vaccines are technically authorized for children (16+ and 18+ depending on the vaccine type). I imagine once we get through the higher priority groups of the population and more data is available to ensure safety and efficacy, the vaccine will be authorized for children. In some cases children can metabolize pharmaceuticals very differently than adults, but that’s not something I’d really expect to be the case here.

It’s going to be some time before vaccines are available to children. The risk to children, especially healthy children, is virtually undetectable in statistics. As a healthcare provider it makes very little sense to me (and perhaps detrimental) to keep kids out of the classroom until they are vaccinated (versus until teachers are or the point when most parents are vaccinated).

Hopefully they will make it easy and administer the vaccines on site at the schools. By the time they get to kids though retail pharmacies should be administering doses.

 

[dk001]

That’s an interesting statement considering neither of the two available vaccines are technically authorized for children (16+ and 18+ depending on the vaccine type). I imagine once we get through the higher priority groups of the population and more data is available to ensure safety and efficacy, the vaccine will be authorized for children. In some cases children can metabolize pharmaceuticals very differently than adults, but that’s not something I’d really expect to be the case here.

It’s going to be some time before vaccines are available to children. The risk to children, especially healthy children, is virtually undetectable in statistics. As a healthcare provider it makes very little sense to me (and perhaps detrimental) to keep kids out of the classroom until they are vaccinated (versus until teachers are or the point when most parents are vaccinated).

Hopefully they will make it easy and administer the vaccines on site at the schools. By the time they get to kids though retail pharmacies should be administering doses.

Saw this and I was floored. Based on that comment, it could be another school year before classes recommence on campus.
Personally I think the schools statement is very short sighted. I hope they change their position.

 

[44267547]

Looking forward as the vaccines continue to roll out.
One area of concern is my grand-daughter who is now living with us and doing the remote school thing (HS).
While not in Los Angeles county, this came out:

“The Los Angeles Unified School District has announced that students will be required to show proof that they have received a vaccine for the novel coronavirus before returning to in-person learning, according to a report from Fox News. According to District Superintendent Austin Beutner, parents who have concerns about the safety of the vaccine will be required to keep their children in remote learning, presumably indefinitely.
Beutner's comments, as first reported in the Los Angeles Times, caused concern in light of the fact that neither of the currently approved vaccines for the coronavirus have been tested for use in teenagers, much less small children. Additionally, school-aged children are likely to be the last in line to receive the vaccine, since children generally have far milder symptoms and are much less likely to experience serious complications from COVID-19 than adults.”

Anyone have any info on possible vaccine’s for teens or children?

From my understanding and general discussion in my area, regional schools/educational systems will be required to also host a ‘vaccine credential’ sometime to be implemented in 2022 for 18 & Under. Obviously exceptions will follow if the adolescent can’t receive the vaccination due to underlying medical contingencies or for religious reasons, etc.

It’s kind of like a ‘vaccine visa’, I’m looking to fly to Mauritius (Island east of Africa) at some point in 2021, but I’m assuming I’m going to be required to show some type of credential for my immunization. If it becomes too much of a hassle or to many restrictions, then it’s likely Fort Myers or Florida keys as an alternative back up.

 

[Solomani]

Saw this and I was floored. Based on that comment, it could be another school year before classes recommence on campus.
Personally I think the schools statement is very short sighted. I hope they change their position.

They will have to change their positions. Just like many other positions and "predictions" during Early COVID turned out to be wrong or inaccurate or scientifically unproven. I remember when COVID first landed in the USA, the authorities told us that there was no need to mask. Welp, all the Asian countries have been masking for months before us, so they already knew. And then when the US cases and death tolls mounted, the Feds, State Governors, and Fauci finally admitted that yes... masks needed to be worn.


[YouTube] March 8, 2020. Fauci says (in interview), no need to be walking around with a mask.

Well, he changed his tune in a few short weeks.

Again, COVID is unprecedented for our modern times. We are going to do a lot of trial and error until we beat this thing. Authorities and experts won't always get things right, especially when they predict where we will be 6 months from now. But they should be honest enough to admit when they were wrong, and then amend and make corrections to their positions.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Finally bringing a mask policy in at my place of work. They’ve been rather relaxed about masks since the pandemic began.

I sent my director a strongly worded letter about my concerns and he agreed totally with me. He told my immediate boss to speak to our site director and tell him a revised plan needed to be made and masks should be compulsory when away from your desk or workstation. However the site director told my boss I was overreacting and masks were a hindrance!! He had no plans to enforce new measures. Last weekend a chap at work lost his wife to COVID and everybody there is shocked. We were told a mask policy is coming in from today which is a huge u-turn from my letter last week.

The bit that annoys me is the site director has made clear the mask policy is totally his decision and had nothing to do with employee concerns. It seems egos can be bigger than looking after others best interests .

 

[44267547]

Finally bringing a mask policy in at my place of work. They’ve been rather relaxed about masks since the pandemic began.

I sent my director a strongly worded letter about my concerns and he agreed totally with me. He told my immediate boss to speak to our site director and tell him a revised plan needed to be made and masks should be compulsory when away from your desk or workstation. However the site director told my boss I was overreacting and masks were a hindrance!! He had no plans to enforce new measures. Last weekend a chap at work lost his wife to COVID and everybody there is shocked. We were told a mask policy is coming in from today which is a huge u-turn from my letter last week.

The bit that annoys me is the site director has made clear the mask policy is totally his decision and had nothing to do with employee concerns. It seems egos can be bigger than looking after others best interests .

Personally, I don’t think you handled this very well. Why wouldn’t you directly contact your site director and speak to your site director personally, conveying your concerns in person [or through a video conference] versus ‘writing a letter’. Perhaps your director didn’t convey your concerns/address your thoughts in the most suitable context.

What I’m saying is, someone doesn’t truly understand your thoughts unless they hear it direct from the source them self. So things are translated differently through a third channel (In your case, a director —> to a site director).

In your case, if they’re claiming you’re ‘over reacting’, then the logical question would be, what leads someone to believe that.

anyways, I don’t know what your letter said, but maybe it wasn’t those professional manner if you’re saying you wrote very ‘strongly worded.’

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Personally, I don’t think you handled this very well. Why wouldn’t you directly contact your site director and speak to your site director personally, conveying your concerns in person [or through a video conference] versus ‘writing a letter’. Perhaps your director didn’t convey your concerns/address your thoughts in the most suitable context.

What I’m saying is, someone doesn’t truly understand your thoughts unless they hear it direct from the source them self. So things are translated differently through a third channel (In your case, a director —> to a site director).

In your case, if they’re claiming you’re ‘over reacting’, then the logical question would be, what leads someone to believe that.

anyways, I don’t know what your letter said, but maybe it wasn’t those professional manner if you’re saying you wrote very ‘strongly worded.’

The main reason I went to my own director and line manager was because I have mentioned concerns before and he didn’t do anything about it. Remember the guy who was being chased by track and trace because he had been in contact with a positive case but was ignoring the calls? The site director ignored me and I had to go another route then to get it sorted. The guy leaves the day to day running of the factory to the operations manager and hardly leaves his own office. He’s generally useless. In our structure what I did was correct in that I went to my superiors first who then advised my boss to take my complaint to the site director. I also wanted my concerns in writing as advised by ACAS and asked for a video call to follow it up. He didn’t bother. The letter was written professionally I can assure you. Strongly worded meant being frank and honest about my situation and consequences of not feeling safe coming into the workplace.

He failed in handling my concerns but has now had his hand forced due to a tragic death and some pressure from above. When you’ve got people who don’t take initiative or responsibility, you have to do anything you can to get things resolved, especially when it is a matter of safety.

 

[Robbosan]

My brother tested positive this morning so it’s ruined his plans for the day. The main thing is he’s not too ill with a sore throat and loss of taste. His 16 year old daughter has it too. Hopefully he remains well as he’s 51 but is a postman so is fit and healthy.

How are they going now?

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

How are they going now?

Thanks for asking, all are fine. My brother only had mild symptoms in the end which is a relief. One of my wife’s friends is the same age as us (38) and needed hospital treatment over Christmas in the form of being put on oxygen. You just never know how you’re going to react but thankfully nearly everybody I know has recovered so far.

 

[44267547]

The main reason I went to my own director and line manager was because I have mentioned concerns before and he didn’t do anything about it. Remember the guy who was being chased by track and trace because he had been in contact with a positive case but was ignoring the calls? The site director ignored me and I had to go another route then to get it sorted. The guy leaves the day to day running of the factory to the operations manager and hardly leaves his own office. He’s generally useless. In our structure what I did was correct in that I went to my superiors first who then advised my boss to take my complaint to the site director. I also wanted my concerns in writing as advised by ACAS and asked for a video call to follow it up. He didn’t bother. The letter was written professionally I can assure you. Strongly worded meant being frank and honest about my situation and consequences of not feeling safe coming into the workplace.

He failed in handling my concerns but has now had his hand forced due to a tragic death and some pressure from above. When you’ve got people who don’t take initiative or responsibility, you have to do anything you can to get things resolved, especially when it is a matter of safety.

Nice write up. I’m in the same league as you, I’m a huge advocate for masking and it’s absolutely necessary to help prevent spread. So anyways, hopefully your workplace implements a safety plan for everyone to make it an environment where everybody feels comfortable in order to beat this pandemic.

Best of luck.