Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #107

[Sundog]

Thank you for sharing this. I live in metro Detroit and haven't yet received our USPS test kits. Given the frigid temperatures, DH runs out to the mailbox the minute we see the mailman stop at our box. I've read/heard that the test kits do not fare well in cold temperatures, so we want to get them indoors asap. That said, our mail probably sits on post office vehicle for several hours prior to delivery. I hope they've figured out some way to protect the government-issued test kits. Of course, we hope we don't ever have to use them, but will be glad to have them on hand, just in case.

I was thinking the same thing about how long the test kits are sitting in trucks, including the USPS trucks. A few days ago, @Jersey girl posted an article here on the impact of cold weather on the tests and which tests might be more vulnerable to the freezing temperatures. I'll see if I can find it and bring it forward.

Also, if you sign up for "Informed Delivery" at the USPS site, every day you get an email with a list of items that will be delivered that day, with letters scanned to see what letters you will receive, and packages (not scanned but some notation about where the packages are from). It only takes a few minutes to sign up. I don't open them on a daily basis as I already receive too many daily emails, but when I am expecting something important I often check these delivery notices. I was watching for this one.

 

[Sundog]

Instructions to use COVID tests delivered in cold temperatures | wzzm13.com

Here is the link that was posted earlier on covid self-test kits and freezing weather instructions.

 

[Sundog]

Instructions to use COVID tests delivered in cold temperatures | wzzm13.com

Here is the link that was posted earlier on covid self-test kits and freezing weather instructions.

And this link provides information on the specific manufacturers and the impact of cold temperatures on their self-test kits.

Do cold temperatures affect the results of at-home COVID tests? | wzzm13.com

 

[155etta]

Just received notice from USPS that the free covid self-tests that I ordered from the government will be delivered today. The notice says the packages are from:

US HHS
Detroit, Michigan

I am in Ohio, so I am guessing that the federal government distributed them to various post offices around the country for them to distribute in their regions.

Wonder which manufacturer/brand they will be. With temperatures around 12 degrees F, glad to get the notice so they don't sit in my mailbox too long.

Mine were the ihealth brand. I went to use one test and there was not enough solution in the vial so it was useless. I used the other and am now testing negative, so I'm relieved about that.

 

[CSIDreamer]

Mine were the ihealth brand. I went to use one test and there was not enough solution in the vial so it was useless. I used the other and am now testing negative, so I'm relieved about that.

Did you report that? If you'll remember thats the company that got the biggest order.

 

[LaborDayRN]

I just don't understand why older people are not getting their boosters. I don't understand why anyone would not get it, but especially the elderly. I think only about 30% of eligible people have gotten the booster. Go figure

I don't get it either. I'm glad we got ours. That may be what's keeping my husband out of the hospital.

 

[ilovewings]

I don't get it either. I'm glad we got ours. That may be what's keeping my husband out of the hospital.

could well be---how is he doing today?

 

[LaborDayRN]

could well be---how is he doing today?

He's actually feeling much less congested and has no fever. He's still feeling exhausted but we can live with that!

 

[Fika]

I had the booster and I think it was definitely worth getting since
2 shots against Omicron offered very little protection.As far as the booster
Is concerned, even though some protection is lost after 10 weeks, or
Thereabouts, I believe the booster still provides some percentage
Of protection after 10 weeks, though I don't know what percentage
And for how long.

I agree. I’m double vaxxed and got omicron ( most likely since its 91-99 % of cases here and typical symptoms) if I had booster I would probably not have it as bad. I know people who are older then me Im 32 who had it milder then I did. I wasn’t eligible for booster when I got sick. I wish I was eligible and I did get it before I got sick. Mild covid is still covid not a flu or cold it can make you feel miserable and cause long covid I would get any vaccine dose to prevent that.

 

[jjenny]

I am double vaxxed and boosted (all Modernas). I was exposed to covid for multiple days (by a relative) and didn't get infected (at least as far as I can tell). Not sure what it was, omicron or delta.

 

[acutename]

I question whether it was worth getting the booster when they lose protection after 10 weeks. We didn't know that at the time, or we would have taken that into consideration when deciding whether to boost or not (edited to add - each medical procedure always includes a risk/benefit analysis). Also, if the boosters no longer provide much protection after 10 weeks, it makes you wonder why the U.S. government hasn't offered a fourth shot, so that those who are at most risk might be protected until we get to seasonal covid and the seasonal jab is developed.

Israeli studies seemed to show that a 4th shot (second booster) was not as effective:

Reuters
Israeli study shows 4th
shot of COVID-19
vaccine less effective on Omicron
2 weeks ago

Fourth COVID vaccine
still doesn't stop
Omicron, new Israeli study shows
1 week ago

CIDRAP
Early Israeli findings
show fivefold boost
from fourth COVID vaccine dose
3 weeks ago

Al Jazeera
Israeli study shows
five-fold antibody rise
with fourth COVID jab
3 weeks ago

but maybe still better than zero? ... I have been following this with some confusion- why would the forth be substantially different than the other 3? Maybe FDA was eyeing Omicron specific shots or meds as a "next step?" If you remember, some FDA panel members and the WHO said better to vax other countries rather than boost the vaxed...my opinion is that no one knows anything for sure IMO, and the data is so rushed they do not even know the ideal timing or dosages of the shots, they are just doing the best they can, IMO.

 

[ilovewings]

I agree. I’m double vaxxed and got omicron ( most likely since its 91-99 % of cases here and typical symptoms) if I had booster I would probably not have it as bad. I know people who are older then me Im 32 who had it milder then I did. I wasn’t eligible for booster when I got sick. I wish I was eligible and I did get it before I got sick. Mild covid is still covid not a flu or cold it can make you feel miserable and cause long covid I would get any vaccine dose to prevent that.

I think too many experts used the term "mild" to describe Omicron, lots of people thought it was a little sore throat and a sniffle--: clearly that is not the case
and as you point out, a person can still get long Covid and get very sick with Omicron, not to mention that people are dying as well.

Good that you are on the road to recovery.

 

[acutename]

BBM. I made a graph from the NHS England spreadsheet of covid deaths in England (not UK) hospitals to further illustrate this. Full data at Statistics » COVID-19 Daily Deaths

I haven't seen any explanations, or even mention of this trend, which seemed to start around the turn of the year. It was only in December that it was being reported "Fewer Covid deaths among over-80s than 60-79-year-olds for first time since July" --> Fewer Covid deaths among over-80s than 60-79-year-olds for first time since July

Or maybe it's more a case that 60-79's have fallen for some reason?

I haven't included other age groups as they make up such a small percentage of the total.

View attachment 331761

1. just less over 80s people left in the population ?
2. 60-79 more likely to be still working or out and about... ?

 

[Fika]

I think too many experts used the term "mild" to describe Omicron, lots of people thought it was a little sore throat and a sniffle--: clearly that is not the case
and as you point out, a person can still get long Covid and get very sick with Omicron, not to mention that people are dying as well.

Good that you are on the road to recovery.

Yes exactly many people still die, get long covid or get sick more then they thought they would. Omicron might surprise many of how sick they will get. I still have a small dry cough left. I’ve seen a doctor who said it can linger for weeks and my lungs are clear and to just wait it out.

 

[ilovewings]

He's actually feeling much less congested and has no fever. He's still feeling exhausted but we can live with that!

Good that his symptoms seem to be resolving!!!!

 

[ilovewings]

Yes exactly many people still die, get long covid or get sick more then they thought they would. Omicron might surprise many of how sick they will get. I still have a small dry cough left. I’ve seen a doctor who said it can linger for weeks and my lungs are clear and to just wait it out.

Good that your lungs are clear, but I am sure that lingering cough
Is uncomfortable and annoying.

 

[ilovewings]

I am double vaxxed and boosted (all Modernas). I was exposed to covid for multiple days (by a relative) and didn't get infected (at least as far as I can tell). Not sure what it was, omicron or delta.

thank goodness you got the booster ---- I would be of the opinion the booster prevented you from getting the virus

 

[Fika]

Good that your lungs are clear, but I am sure that lingering cough
Is uncomfortable and annoying.

Cough was actually my last symptom. I tested negative already when I got cough and yes it’s annoying! I went to see a doctor and he told me that many people have lingering symptoms after omicron ( he presumes since it’s recent cases and it’s ravaging here ) with cough, headaches, congestion and smell/taste issues.

 

[Skigh]

New Covid variant BA.2 is 1.5 times more infectious than Omicron | Daily Mail Online


The BA.2 sub-variant of Omicron is 1.5 more infectious than the current dominant strain in the UK, scientist have claimed.

The strain has already become dominant in Denmark and the country's top infectious disease authority, Statens Serum Institut (SSI), said preliminary calculations suggest BA.2 could be 1.5 times more infectious than its predecessor BA.1 — which currently makes up most of the cases in Britain.

However, an initial analysis by the institute showed no difference in the risk of hospitalisation for BA.2 compared to BA.1.

'There is some indication that it is more contagious, especially for the unvaccinated, but that it can also infect people who have been vaccinated to a greater extent,' SSI's technical director Tyra Grove Krause said at a briefing.

The variant is now circulating in more than half of US states, with at least 127 known cases nationwide, the Centers for Disease Control and Protection (CDC) revealed yesterday.

A report by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) found the strain accounted for 3.4 per cent of England's new infections by January 16 — and it is doubling every week. The growth advantage of the new variant is 'substantial', the health agency claimed.

 

[Fika]

New Covid variant BA.2 is 1.5 times more infectious than Omicron | Daily Mail Online


The BA.2 sub-variant of Omicron is 1.5 more infectious than the current dominant strain in the UK, scientist have claimed.

The strain has already become dominant in Denmark and the country's top infectious disease authority, Statens Serum Institut (SSI), said preliminary calculations suggest BA.2 could be 1.5 times more infectious than its predecessor BA.1 — which currently makes up most of the cases in Britain.

However, an initial analysis by the institute showed no difference in the risk of hospitalisation for BA.2 compared to BA.1.

'There is some indication that it is more contagious, especially for the unvaccinated, but that it can also infect people who have been vaccinated to a greater extent,' SSI's technical director Tyra Grove Krause said at a briefing.

The variant is now circulating in more than half of US states, with at least 127 known cases nationwide, the Centers for Disease Control and Protection (CDC) revealed yesterday.

A report by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) found the strain accounted for 3.4 per cent of England's new infections by January 16 — and it is doubling every week. The growth advantage of the new variant is 'substantial', the health agency claimed.

I just hope that it can’t infect people who already had omicron !