Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #107

[MimosaMornings]

Fact Check-List of viruses circulating on social media do not cause positive COVID-19 RT-PCR tests

COVID-19 PCR tests are highly specific and chances of a false positive result are low, according to health agencies.

Good grief. Why try so hard to deny the existence of Covid.

 

[IceIce9]

Good grief. Why try so hard to deny the existence of Covid.

There are people who stubbornly refuse to believe COVID is real. I put them in the same category as the people who think the earth is flat.

 

[Arkay]

There are people who stubbornly refuse to believe COVID is real. I put them in the same category as the people who think the earth is flat.

IMO they're even worse, because flat-earthers are ignorant but don't cause harm to the rest of us (unless they are air-traffic controllers)!!!!

As far as Covid rapid tests giving a false positive, I'm thinking of what I learned in 1989 when my identical twin had a biopsy for breast cancer. We were only 31 then and it was positive. They told us immediately that the biopsy proved a malignancy and that they didn't even need to wait for the frozen part of the biopsy which is done after. The doctors told us that if the biopsy came back negative, the frozen must be done. That's because it's possible that in the sample they took, no visible cancer cells does not mean that there are no cancer cells elsewhere in the tumor. BUT If there ARE cancer cells, like my sister had, then it's there.

That informs my opinion about the rapid Covid test. If it's there, it's there. If it's negative, the rapid test may still have missed it, unlike the PCR test, and that's why a negative rapid test should be done again two days or so later.

Thank God my sister is doing well all these years later when we are 64, but I never forgot that about the biopsy. At least in terms of how the procedure was done in 1989.

 

[jakat]

Omicron can cause loss of smell and taste but it’s not as common. I know one person who has all the omicron symptoms and is currently sick with loss of smell and taste.

“One study released by the U.K. Health Security Agency Friday found that loss of smell or taste occurred in about 13% of omicron cases tracked by the country’s National Health Service. For people infected with the delta variant, the U.K. health agency found loss of smell or taste happened in about 34% of cases.”

Does omicron cause loss of smell or taste? | NewsNation Now

Unfortunately, they don't tell you which variant you have. I hope I get both of those senses back soon because it's annoying me. Lol. Thank you for the article.

 

[Fika]

Unfortunately, they don't tell you which variant you have. I hope I get both of those senses back soon because it's annoying me. Lol. Thank you for the article.

Yes it’s impossible to know. I’m pretty sure I had omicron because of typical omicron symptoms. I had it this week as well. I bet it must be annoying! How long are they gone for? It make take a while but they should be back.

 

[Steelhead]

@Steelhead, Here’s what my dear friend Google says regarding contagiousness: omicron (R-15) is second behind measles (R-18) in contagiousness, as this article mentions. The R-naught for a cold is usually less than one according to the second link. So omicron is LOTS more contagious!

Omicron is the 'second most contagious' virus in the world

“Omicron is the second most contagious virus on the planet,” she said. “The most contagious virus we think of is measles, which has a factor of about 18.”

The “factor” Hoyen is referring to is the basic reproduction number or the average number of people who someone with the virus would infect.<snip>

“This new variant of COVID-19 has a factor of 15,” Hoyen said. “It’s just very important for people to understand that we are in a much different position than we were just two weeks ago.

Flu, COVID-19, or Cold: What to Expect This Fall| ID Care

However, there is not an exact R-naught available for a cold, but it’s less than 1 for most cold viruses, so they are not as infectious.

Thank you, Lilibet. Wow, pretty much no comparison!

 

[LaborDayRN]

Thank you, @Lilibet, it's a good suggestion but with Uber it's $50 each way and I don't yet know how frequently I'd have to go. The subway is $2.75 each way but I absolutely do not want to get on a train yet.

I'm like you, I don't like to rock the boat either, but after two years of this I find I'm complaining out loud a lot more. My doctor, a good guy with a sterling reputation whom I've always liked, actually got very testy with me because I did complain to him. I mentioned, somewhat meekly, that I was concerned because I didn't see everyone in a mask, and particularly that the respiratory therapist who would conduct my pulmonary function test was only chin-masked. That caused my usually even-keeled Doctor to scold me that he is a pulmonary specialist, that his office is in order, that as a pulmonologist he's seen a million cases of Covid, and that his office is not a Covid hotbed.

I'm still so aggravated from all this. That was also when he told me I didn't need to do the pulmonary function test, for the first time ever, and also directed me to get my CT scan at his hospital program for pulmonary studies instead of my local radiology center.

That's why I am seriously considering if it's time to look elsewhere.

My eldest granddaughter who is 17 is on the subway a lot, and I often pay for an Uber for her. She does wear her mask, or at least she tells me she does, and when I'm with her I make her wear her mask even though I took her for all three Moderna shots. I trust her, mostly, but I do not trust whomever else is on the subway or has ridden in the Uber before her.

I took a book to read while at the doctor's office, and I actually wiped it down with Lysol wipes when I got home. That's how much I feel that his office may be teeming with Covid.

ETA: unfortunately, so many of my fellow posters have Covid now or have family with Covid. I don't remember everyone's names at the moment, but my sincere wishes for a speedy recovery for all my peeps here! I'm sort of expecting to get it eventually; it seems inevitable if we are the only ones in our environments who are following the rules.

Oh my goodness! I'm shocked at your doctors response to you. Here you are trying to do all the right things and he is scolding you for being concerned over his facilities lax rules with employees. Shame on him.
In a perfect world, I'd love to hear an update from you that he called and apologized but from the sound of it, he's most likely not one to apologize.

 

[LaborDayRN]

Yikes! $100 round trip for Uber! I agree it’s time to look elsewhere @Arkay. He was probably embarrassed that you mentioned the poor mask habits in his office, but his reaction would send me somewhere else. It’s his JOB to make sure you feel safe. You pay him, after all. Can you refuse to go to his hospital program for your tests and get them locally (including the pulmonary function test) while you shop for a new doctor?

Excellent advice!

 

[anneg]

Fact Check-List of viruses circulating on social media do not cause positive COVID-19 RT-PCR tests

COVID-19 PCR tests are highly specific and chances of a false positive result are low, according to health agencies.

I wasn't aware about this misinformation being circulated. From the article:

Dr Anne Wyllie, Research Scientist in Epidemiology (Microbial Diseases) at Yale School of Public Health, told Reuters that the posts are “not at all correct.”

“SARS-CoV-2 PCR tests have proven 100% specific for COVID-19,” she added.

“In the interest of public health, it is essential that these tests are specific for the virus in question. Scientists have worked hard to ensure that these tests target pieces of genetic material unique to SARS-CoV-2. This can easily be checked through running these primer/probes in silico against genetic sequences from all respiratory pathogens to show that these do not match to other pathogens. All FDA EUA tests are required to assess for this and present the results of this in their EUA summaries - i.e., this information is publicly available,” Wyllie said.

 

[LaborDayRN]

curious about what you learned. I just seem to grab different probiotics so don't differentiate....... but would appreciate your input.
Not off topic, since we are talking about some long covid theories!!!!

I think if you are purchasing and tolerating different brands of probiotics that's a good thing. It seems each brand contains a blend of different types of probiotics so that just increases the numbers and types of good bacteria in your gut.
Some brands caused stomach upset for me. I'm down to 2 different brands that don't cause me any trouble if I take them AFTER I eat breakfast (or a meal).
One is the brand my doctor recommended and another is a brand that gets great reviews on the Costco website. (actually, they both get great reviews there).

 

[Sundog]

Thank you, @Lilibet, it's a good suggestion but with Uber it's $50 each way and I don't yet know how frequently I'd have to go. The subway is $2.75 each way but I absolutely do not want to get on a train yet.

I'm like you, I don't like to rock the boat either, but after two years of this I find I'm complaining out loud a lot more. My doctor, a good guy with a sterling reputation whom I've always liked, actually got very testy with me because I did complain to him. I mentioned, somewhat meekly, that I was concerned because I didn't see everyone in a mask, and particularly that the respiratory therapist who would conduct my pulmonary function test was only chin-masked. That caused my usually even-keeled Doctor to scold me that he is a pulmonary specialist, that his office is in order, that as a pulmonologist he's seen a million cases of Covid, and that his office is not a Covid hotbed.

I'm still so aggravated from all this. That was also when he told me I didn't need to do the pulmonary function test, for the first time ever, and also directed me to get my CT scan at his hospital program for pulmonary studies instead of my local radiology center.

That's why I am seriously considering if it's time to look elsewhere.

My eldest granddaughter who is 17 is on the subway a lot, and I often pay for an Uber for her. She does wear her mask, or at least she tells me she does, and when I'm with her I make her wear her mask even though I took her for all three Moderna shots. I trust her, mostly, but I do not trust whomever else is on the subway or has ridden in the Uber before her.

I took a book to read while at the doctor's office, and I actually wiped it down with Lysol wipes when I got home. That's how much I feel that his office may be teeming with Covid.

ETA: unfortunately, so many of my fellow posters have Covid now or have family with Covid. I don't remember everyone's names at the moment, but my sincere wishes for a speedy recovery for all my peeps here! I'm sort of expecting to get it eventually; it seems inevitable if we are the only ones in our environments who are following the rules.

It's a difficult situation when we have an experience like this with a physician we like, especially an expert in his or her field who we are fortunate to have overseeing our case. I had this experience while an undergraduate in college where I was seeing what many considered to be #1 in his field, but I just didn't trust him, and fortunately was able to find another expert who I trusted completely. More recently, my husband has a specialist he sees at the Cleveland Clinic here in Ohio, he is an expert in his field, but has no bedside manor, and don't really connect with him, either of us. We may stay with him for awhile until we feel comfortable that we have found a good option because my husband's situation needs ongoing and regular monitoring or he could be at risk of severe consequences. These are never easy decisions to make, and perhaps taking some time to make the decision will be helpful. I think it is a very personal decision, based on how you want to move forward.

 

[Sundog]

Canadian 'freedom' truckers massive vaccine mandate protest convoy may smash world record

Large convoy of truckers passing through Canadian towns and rural communities on the way to the nation's capital to protest vaccine mandates.

 

[Arkay]

IMO we see the progression of Covid in real time on these threads. We share a lot of factual information via links to MSM, the CDC recommendations and so on.

I for one have learned a lot about Covid in real time by the comments and yes, anecdotal stories, told by members who live far from me. I find it informative to know what is happening in other states and other countries that have regulations that differ from my state.

When we have an opinion we always state so.

There is always the CDC and other government sites that offer daily info on Covid statistics. I learn from those, but have learned and shared practical advice from and with my fellow Websleuthers.

Jmo IMO moo and all the other Os.

 

[margarita25]

This week a year ago my husband and I tested positive for covid and I had my monoclonal antibody infusion. He was a little behind me and got his the next week. This was about two weeks before we would have been eligible for our first vax in mid-Feb. Instead, I landed in the hospital on Feb. 4 and spent six days there. All this despite following every precaution.

Now, vaxxed and boosted, we are trying to stay out of omicron’s way, but we’ll see how that goes. I’m really sorry to see so many here having to deal with it or having family members sick. Especially after taking so many precautions. I hope everyone gets well soon.

I join in the thanks for starting this thread @Amonet. It’s kept me up to speed for almost two years. And it continues to keep me informed.

 

[Skigh]

IMO we see the progression of Covid in real time on these threads. We share a lot of factual information via links to MSM, the CDC recommendations and so on.

I for one have learned a lot about Covid in real time by the comments and yes, anecdotal stories, told by members who live far from me. I find it informative to know what is happening in other states and other countries that have regulations that differ from my state.

When we have an opinion we always state so.

There is always the CDC and other government sites that offer daily info on Covid statistics. I learn from those, but have learned and shared practical advice from and with my fellow Websleuthers.

Jmo IMO moo and all the other Os.

I would certainly second that. I have learnt far more on this thread than anywhere else on the internet especially as people have linked scientific reports and videos as well as news reports from across the world.
I am extremely grateful to read reports from individuals which give up to date information , valid reports and personal experiences.

 

[WichitaFalls]

A second version of omicron is spreading. Here's why scientists are on alert

Just as the omicron surge starts to recede in parts of the U.S., scientists have their eye on another coronavirus variant spreading rapidly in parts of Asia and Europe. It's officially called "omicron BA.2," and this week scientists detected cases of it in several U.S. states, including California, Texas and Washington.

Although BA.2 is currently rare in the U.S., scientists expect it to spread in the country over the next month. There's growing evidence that it's just as contagious as — or possibly a bit more contagious than — the first omicron variant, called "omicron BA.1."

"It could be that BA.2 does have some small advantage," says Emma Hodcroft, an epidemiologist at the University of Bern who has been tracking variants all around the world throughout the pandemic via the Nextstrain project. "BA.2 might well be, like, 1% to 3% more transmissible, or something like that."

 

[SouthAussie]

I would certainly second that. I have learnt far more on this thread especially as people have linked scientific reports and videos as well as news reports from across the world.
I am extremely grateful to read personal reports from individuals which give up to date information , valid reports and personal experiences.

I can't tell you how much I have learned from this thread.

I felt so much more prepared, and knew what my family and I should do, when they opened our border and let the virus in.

For example, I bought an oximeter because I now know that if any of us should catch the virus it is good to keep an eye on blood oxygen levels. And my family all started home delivery of groceries to minimise risk. (Just a couple of the things that we immediately did.)

 

[katydid23]

UPDATE:

Last Sunday my husband met with 2 business associates from San Francisco at a restaurant in Santa Monica. They did sit on the patio but....two days later we got the call that his 2 friends had just tested positive and did have mild symptoms.

So 5 days later, my husband has no symptoms yet. He will take a home test tomorrow, just to see if he is asymptomatic. I need to know that he didnt catch anything because I am flying to my Mom's on Saturday, with our daughter. We do not want to take any virus germs to the Old Folk's home...

 

[CrimeAway]

@Wicked Strong I've learned an enormous amount from watching the This Week In Virology pocasts. They also produce a weekly Clinical Update with Dr Daniel Griffin, where they discuss research papers, the latest changes in clinical guidance, and answer viewer questions. Vincent Racaniello, who runs the podcast is a virologist at Columbia, and he also has his virology live course on his YouTube channel. HTH

Vincent Racaniello - Wikipedia
Youtube channel page : https://m.youtube.com/c/VincentRacaniello/featured

The University of Kansas Health System also have a daily update YouTube show which deals with the local Covid picture, in addition to discussing current national conditions:
https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCEPoZX5aGC0rGnMqlMkJBxQ

 

[margarita25]

See deaths