Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #112

[weepingangel]

I went to the doctors this week in the UK and the video screen was showing a public announcement to recommend wearing masks in groups of people, particularly those you don’t know. First time I have seen such an overt announcement.

That recommendation just seems silly imo. I’ve only caught Covid from people that I know *shrug*

I haven’t kept up with summer surge trends outside the US, but we’re still going strong here and it’s back to school time as well so…

Wastewater COVID-19 National and Regional Trends

CDC’s National Wastewater Surveillance System, U.S. National trends

www.cdc.gov

Eta based on this weeks graph, it looks like most regions might have peaked for this round, except for the NE

 

[Gemmie]

That recommendation just seems silly imo. I’ve only caught Covid from people that I know *shrug*

I haven’t kept up with summer surge trends outside the US, but we’re still going strong here and it’s back to school time as well so…

Wastewater COVID-19 National and Regional Trends

CDC’s National Wastewater Surveillance System, U.S. National trends

www.cdc.gov

Eta based on this weeks graph, it looks like most regions might have peaked for this round, except for the NE

I agree that "recommend wearing masks in groups of people, particularly those you don’t know" isn't a real smart thing to tell people.

I was JUST telling someone after reading that post that "Covid isn't less catchy from someone you know, it's the same regardless if it's a total stranger, or the man or woman you married to the children you bore."!! It seems like that might make some people (the ones with less common sense IMO) that you're less likely to catch it from friends and family, That's not the right message to send IMO.

 

[Sundog]

I agree that "recommend wearing masks in groups of people, particularly those you don’t know" isn't a real smart thing to tell people.

I was JUST telling someone after reading that post that "Covid isn't less catchy from someone you know, it's the same regardless if it's a total stranger, or the man or woman you married to the children you bore."!! It seems like that might make some people (the ones with less common sense IMO) that you're less likely to catch it from friends and family, That's not the right message to send IMO.

But we know more about the habits of our family members who live with us, the risks or lack of risks they take, their handwashing habits, etc. so this advice does make sense. In a crowded space with strangers, we don't know if they just flew back on a crowded plan from overseas, or if they work in a hospital emergency department and are exposed daily to easily transmitted disease, etc. So with an abundance of caution, we might want to mask up in those contexts.

 

[Knox]

But we know more about the habits of our family members who live with us, the risks or lack of risks they take, their handwashing habits, etc. so this advice does make sense. In a crowded space with strangers, we don't know if they just flew back on a crowded plan from overseas, or if they work in a hospital emergency department and are exposed daily to easily transmitted disease, etc. So with an abundance of caution, we might want to mask up in those contexts.

We've had two positives at work, week before last. Two more out this week, but tested negative - though symptoms are identical to the positives.

Last month an employee at my other facility called in because her 1 year-old tested positive. Her pediatrician was not concerned at all, told Mom to keep her home and in three or four days she could go back to childcare. I thought to myself - Covid shut down the entire world, but this is how it's viewed now?

 

[weepingangel]

With a noticeable increase in community, patient and employee cases this summer, my workplace has recently mildly suggested masking, ya know “if you want to” *eyeroll*

 

[weepingangel]

I see there have been a few school closures re Covid already- no link but easily googable- with the again eyeroll worthy “we’re wiping surfaces and deep disinfecting classrooms and we’ll be back in session tomorrow”. We’re now in year four or five of this airborne transmitted virus and haven’t seemed to have learned a whole lot.

“For less than the cost of a textbook”

Research shows air filters in classrooms improves overall ventilation and air quality

A study born out of the pandemic is now expanding beyond concerns of just infectious diseases, and helping to improve air quality in schools across the state.

www.9news.com

 

[OnlyS]

That recommendation just seems silly imo. I’ve only caught Covid from people that I know *shrug*

I haven’t kept up with summer surge trends outside the US, but we’re still going strong here and it’s back to school time as well so…

Wastewater COVID-19 National and Regional Trends

CDC’s National Wastewater Surveillance System, U.S. National trends

www.cdc.gov

Eta based on this weeks graph, it looks like most regions might have peaked for this round, except for the NE

I completely agree, I did do a double take on the recommendation. I guess you may know where people you know have been, but then in a group of work colleagues, I would know them all, but not where they have been.
We have been surging for a while here but it’s anecdotal as it’s not measured. I do like your graphs. I don’t believe we have anything publicly available like that.
Edited to add. From what I understand, the strains aren’t any milder. I don’t get the eye roll. I am always respectful of other when I have covid and wouldn’t dream of going into work or going shopping.

 

[weepingangel]

I completely agree, I did do a double take on the recommendation. I guess you may know where people you know have been, but then in a group of work colleagues, I would know them all, but not where they have been.
We have been surging for a while here but it’s anecdotal as it’s not measured. I do like your graphs. I don’t believe we have anything publicly available like that.
Edited to add. From what I understand, the strains aren’t any milder. I don’t get the eye roll. I am always respectful of other when I have covid and wouldn’t dream of going into work or going shopping.

If you’re referring to my eyeroll in the subsequent post, it was rolling towards my employer and the healthcare industry in general. Imo masks should be required by staff and visitors of all types of medical facilities - at minimum at least during surges before cases are peaking (Including drs offices, elderly care facilities, pharmacies etc) My apologies as I often don’t post as clearly as I should.

 

[weepingangel]

We have been surging for a while here but it’s anecdotal as it’s not measured. I do like your graphs. I don’t believe we have anything publicly available like that.
Edited to add. From what I understand, the strains aren’t any milder.

Rsbm
The wastewater charts are pretty much all we have anymore and I think? The CDC was going to discontinue those soon (maybe don’t quote me on that). It’s so helpful to see the levels nationwide imo. My state does have an ok seasonal (seasonal- ha) respiratory report. Which I believe they started early this year due to summer Covid. And my local wastewater system does test, hopefully will continue to do so. But that’s all we have for numbers. Poop levels.

anecdotally, it doesn’t seem milder I agree. Seeing folks still losing smell and taste, bad body flu symptoms, gi stuff, and the usual cold and throat symptoms, as well as long lasting exhaustion . Not sure about the cough? And some breeze through with mild one or two day cold symptoms. And then the asymptotic folks too. It seems so random that way.

Came back to edit - hospitalizations and deaths are at a much much lower amount now, so there is good news. Now if we can just keep the failing healthcare system afloat.


Take care !

 

[Gemmie]

Rsbm
The wastewater charts are pretty much all we have anymore and I think? The CDC was going to discontinue those soon (maybe don’t quote me on that). It’s so helpful to see the levels nationwide imo. My state does have an ok seasonal (seasonal- ha) respiratory report. Which I believe they started early this year due to summer Covid. And my local wastewater system does test, hopefully will continue to do so. But that’s all we have for numbers. Poop levels.

anecdotally, it doesn’t seem milder I agree. Seeing folks still losing smell and taste, bad body flu symptoms, gi stuff, and the usual cold and throat symptoms, as well as long lasting exhaustion . Not sure about the cough? And some breeze through with mild one or two day cold symptoms. And then the asymptotic folks too. It seems so random that way.

Came back to edit - hospitalizations and deaths are at a much much lower amount now, so there is good news. Now if we can just keep the failing healthcare system afloat.


Take care !

I'd like to add to your list of worries... "brain fog" which scares the bejeebies out of me. I need my wits about me at all times. If I'm unable to think or concentrate I'm going to be in a world of hurt.

 

[Auntie Cipation]

I agree that "recommend wearing masks in groups of people, particularly those you don’t know" isn't a real smart thing to tell people.

I was JUST telling someone after reading that post that "Covid isn't less catchy from someone you know, it's the same regardless if it's a total stranger, or the man or woman you married to the children you bore."!! It seems like that might make some people (the ones with less common sense IMO) that you're less likely to catch it from friends and family, That's not the right message to send IMO.

But we know more about the habits of our family members who live with us, the risks or lack of risks they take, their handwashing habits, etc. so this advice does make sense. In a crowded space with strangers, we don't know if they just flew back on a crowded plan from overseas, or if they work in a hospital emergency department and are exposed daily to easily transmitted disease, etc. So with an abundance of caution, we might want to mask up in those contexts.

It is misleading the way it's phrased. Knowing people doesn't make them less risky, but using what you know about them (ie how covid cautious they are in their own behavior) does let you decide if someone is a lower risk.

So the message should be "mask around *all* people except those you know to be highly covid-cautionary in their daily lives.

I have a friend visiting right now from out of town. I know she had been almost completely isolated for weeks before coming up to my area. We are making only a few visits to very selective others indoors, folks we know to be very solitary. Ventures into stores are few and quick and done first thing upon opening. All other visits are outdoors in the breeze.

Is this 100% protective? No, not by a long shot. But if our precautions remove, say, 80% of the risk as compared to those who pretend covid is "over", maybe that's our comfort zone where we are still able to do most desired activities but with minor adjustments to drastically lower our risk and protect our health.

 

[gremlin444]

I'd like to add to your list of worries... "brain fog" which scares the bejeebies out of me. I need my wits about me at all times. If I'm unable to think or concentrate I'm going to be in a world of hurt.

The brain fog is so bad. I hate it. Things I used to understand easily now take forever to read through (and usually need a second read through). I lose words and names mid sentence. I used to be the type of person who was the organizer and planner--and now I can barely get through a grocery list some days. My high school senior with long Covid has the same thing and his schooling has suffered for the last year and a half. The most recent bout in December (masked, but took it off for a second to eat at school in the dean's office) attacked his ability to memorize and recall things.

Do not recommend.