Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #103

[Jsizzle]

Which kind of test?

PCR!

 

[ilovewings]

Sections 4 and 7 of this PDF give contraindications and drug interactions. At the moment only one of my meds was on the section 7 list and Paxlovid might reduce it’s effectiveness, but I could live (literally) with that temporarily, as it’s not as necessary as my blood pressure meds. But everyone would be wise to check these lists ahead of a potential need for Paxlovid in order to be informed. I never expect my doctor to be quite as diligent about these things as I am.

https://www.covid19oralrx.com/files...ct-Sheet-COVID-19-Oral-Antiviral-Combined.pdf

Thanks for that great information: I printed it just in case. I can see already my husband would not be able to take this anti viral because a medication he takes for high blood pressure would be a contraindication to taking this anti-viral drug. As someone suggested, seniors may have a problem taking this drug due to the contraindications from taking certain other meds.

 

[MimosaMornings]

Sections 4 and 7 of this PDF give contraindications and drug interactions. At the moment only one of my meds was on the section 7 list and Paxlovid might reduce it’s effectiveness, but I could live (literally) with that temporarily, as it’s not as necessary as my blood pressure meds. But everyone would be wise to check these lists ahead of a potential need for Paxlovid in order to be informed. I never expect my doctor to be quite as diligent about these things as I am.

https://www.covid19oralrx.com/files...ct-Sheet-COVID-19-Oral-Antiviral-Combined.pdf

Interesting. Good information because out of my immediate family - only one person (which is a child) is not taking any of the medications listed. Which include
blood thinners; anti-seizure medications; drugs for irregular heart rhythms, high blood pressure and high cholesterol; antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications; immunosuppressants; steroids (including inhalers).

You’re right @Lilibet - being informed ahead of time is important.

 

[CharlestonGal]

Sections 4 and 7 of this PDF give contraindications and drug interactions. At the moment only one of my meds was on the section 7 list and Paxlovid might reduce it’s effectiveness, but I could live (literally) with that temporarily, as it’s not as necessary as my blood pressure meds. But everyone would be wise to check these lists ahead of a potential need for Paxlovid in order to be informed. I never expect my doctor to be quite as diligent about these things as I am.

https://www.covid19oralrx.com/files...ct-Sheet-COVID-19-Oral-Antiviral-Combined.pdf

Thanks for this, Lilibet. That counts me out.

 

[CharlestonGal]

NYC COVID surge: 'Striking' jump in pediatric hospitalizations

NEW YORK — The spiraling COVID-19 case numbers in New York are coming with a new warning of a disturbing rise in pediatric hospitalizations.

The New York State Department of Health on Friday warned of a “striking increase” in new hospital admissions for children.

The recent fourfold increase in admissions of children ages 18 and younger that began the week of Dec. 5 is concentrated in New York City and the surrounding metropolitan area, where the highly contagious omicron variant has taken a startling hold.

For the week ending Dec. 19, none of the children between the ages of 5 and 11 who were admitted to the hospital with COVID were fully vaccinated. During the same week, a quarter of the 12- to 17-year-olds who were admitted were fully vaccinated, according to DOH.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Holland America cruise skips Mexico stop after positive Covid-19 tests (nbcnews.com)

The health department of the Mexican state of Jalisco said the passengers’ potential exposure means they would not be allowed to disembark.

SAN DIEGO — A Holland America Line cruise ship was on its way back to port Saturday after Mexican health officials would not allow guests to disembark in Puerto Vallarta following positive Covid-19 tests on board.

The health department of the Mexican state of Jalisco said 21 crew members aboard the ship tested positive for Covid upon arrival in Puerto Vallarta on Thursday.

It said passengers’ potential exposure means they would not be allowed to disembark.

“Through onboard testing, we have confirmed that a small number of fully-vaccinated crew on Koningsdam tested positive for COVID-19,” Holland America said in a statement. “All are showing mild or no symptoms and are in isolation. Close contacts have been quarantined out of an abundance of caution.”...

Sadly, I suspect we will see this scenario play out frequently during the busy winter cruise season. So glad that DH and I didn't plan a cruise or other trip this year. Hopefully, the pandemic will be over by January 28, 2023 so we can enjoy a cruise

 

[MrX]

Las Vegas holiday travel still strong amid omicron concerns

According to professor Amanda Belarmino, Thanksgiving travel to Las Vegas was busier than pre-pandemic years, and the rest of the year is promising.

"For the season we are seeing more interest than we normally do which is exciting," Belarmino said. "The room rates are as aggressive as we would expect them to be for New Year."

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Pfizer Covid pills for Covid symptoms may be risky with other drugs. (nbcnews.com)

One of the two drugs in the antiviral cocktail could cause serious interactions with widely used prescriptions, including statins, blood thinners and some antidepressants.

As the omicron surge pummels a pandemic-weary nation, the first antiviral pills for Covid-19 promise desperately needed protection for people at risk of severe disease. However, many people prescribed Pfizer’s or Merck’s new medications will require careful monitoring by doctors and pharmacists, and the antivirals may not be safe for everyone, experts caution.

The Food and Drug Administration authorized Pfizer’s Paxlovid for mild to moderate Covid in people as young as 12 who have underlying conditions that raise the risk of hospitalization and death from the coronavirus, such as heart disease or diabetes. However, one of the two drugs in the antiviral cocktail could cause severe or life-threatening interactions with widely used medications, including statins, blood thinners and some antidepressants. And the FDA does not recommend Paxlovid for people with severe kidney or liver disease...

 

[CharlestonGal]

How much will the monoclonal antibody treatment cost? Is it covered by insurance?
Because the federal government has purchased a supply of some monoclonal antibody treatments, there may be no cost to the patient for the monoclonal antibody product itself. Depending on your insurance coverage, you may or may not need to pay for a provider to administer the infusion. For many, infusion administration will have no cost. In particular:

• Medicare Medicaid, and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) are covering all infusion costs. Learn more about coverage of the treatment here.
• For patients covered under commercial insurance plans, costs of infusion may vary, but many large insurers are waiving all costs. Check with your health plan.
• If you do not have insurance, you should ask the treatment facility if there are charges.

_________________________________________________
I checked with my health insurance and here is what they had to say:

Does TRICARE cover monoclonal antibody treatment?
Yes. The federal government is distributing monoclonal antibodies for free. TRICARE covers the administration of the treatment. Keep in mind that your normal deductibles and cost-shares will apply for the treatment administration. These costs will vary depending on your beneficiary category and where you go to get the treatment.

I couldn't drill down any further to quantify what these "normal deductibles and cost-shares" will cost in the end. I'm not concerned enough to actually call Tricare, which is a PITA, so will just wait for the bill, I guess. jmo

 

[CSIDreamer]

Sections 4 and 7 of this PDF give contraindications and drug interactions. At the moment only one of my meds was on the section 7 list and Paxlovid might reduce it’s effectiveness, but I could live (literally) with that temporarily, as it’s not as necessary as my blood pressure meds. But everyone would be wise to check these lists ahead of a potential need for Paxlovid in order to be informed. I never expect my doctor to be quite as diligent about these things as I am.

https://www.covid19oralrx.com/files...ct-Sheet-COVID-19-Oral-Antiviral-Combined.pdf

I know of a lot of people on fleccanide just due to some issues I have. I think I will share this in some groups.

 

[ilovewings]

Las Vegas holiday travel still strong amid omicron concerns

According to professor Amanda Belarmino, Thanksgiving travel to Las Vegas was busier than pre-pandemic years, and the rest of the year is promising.

"For the season we are seeing more interest than we normally do which is exciting," Belarmino said. "The room rates are as aggressive as we would expect them to be for New Year."

How delightful- I guess there are lots of people who can pretend there is no pandemic!!!!

 

[Rose in SC]

CharlestonGal - saw this and thought of you, although fortunately you are recovering well at home.

NPR article this morning which provides "intimate portraits of a COVID unit" at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston - Intimate portraits of a hospital COVID unit from a photojournalist-turned-nurse

 

[CharlestonGal]

CharlestonGal - saw this and thought of you, although fortunately you are recovering well at home.

NPR article this morning which provides "intimate portraits of a COVID unit" at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston - Intimate portraits of a hospital COVID unit from a photojournalist-turned-nurse

So sad. I just calculated how long it would take to view a picture for 5 seconds of each person who has died from covid - 451,309 minutes. Makes you think.

 

[LaborDayRN]

Interesting. Good information because out of my immediate family - only one person (which is a child) is not taking any of the medications listed. Which include
blood thinners; anti-seizure medications; drugs for irregular heart rhythms, high blood pressure and high cholesterol; antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications; immunosuppressants; steroids (including inhalers).

You’re right @Lilibet - being informed ahead of time is important.

I think it's important to keep in mind that it's not the entire class (or type) of a medication. So not all antidepressants, or high cholesterol drugs are included. There are specific medications listed.
So for example if someone is taking an antidepressant they can look at the list and see that bupropion and trazodone are the two specific drugs listed that are contraindicated.

 

[Arkay]

Las Vegas holiday travel still strong amid omicron concerns

According to professor Amanda Belarmino, Thanksgiving travel to Las Vegas was busier than pre-pandemic years, and the rest of the year is promising.

"For the season we are seeing more interest than we normally do which is exciting," Belarmino said. "The room rates are as aggressive as we would expect them to be for New Year."

IMO this is preposterous. Covid is aggressive, too. I love Vegas but have no desire to gamble with my health. Money, yeah. Covid, no.

I think it's important to keep in mind that it's not the entire class (or type) of a medication. So not all antidepressants, or high cholesterol drugs are included. There are specific medications listed.
So for example if someone is taking an antidepressant they can look at the list and see that bupropion and trazodone are the two specific drugs listed that are contraindicated.

This IMO is a vital point. I’ve studied the list 10 times. For me the only one listed is a statin I take for high cholesterol, and the suggestion on the list was simply to forgo that medicine for the five days if I need the Pfizer pill someday.
It’s most important to speak to the doctor and pharmacist and make sure they’re aware of ALL meds, in case you have different pharmacies and/or doctors who prescribe.

 

[CharlestonGal]

IMO this is preposterous. Covid is aggressive, too. I love Vegas but have no desire to gamble with my health. Money, yeah. Covid, no.



This IMO is a vital point. I’ve studied the list 10 times. For me the only one listed is a statin I take for high cholesterol, and the suggestion on the list was simply to forgo that medicine for the five days if I need the Pfizer pill someday.
It’s most important to speak to the doctor and pharmacist and make sure they’re aware of ALL meds, in case you have different pharmacies and/or doctors who prescribe.

Hopefully these don't get into the hands of the fly-by-night online "doctors" that have proliferated during covid and will prescribe whatever you want for the low, low fee of $180, whether the med works or not, is approved or not, or is appropriate or not. Those people are scary.

You just know there are people out there who are going to try to get ahold of these pills and use them in some half-baked prevention strategy (like they are doing with HCQ and ivermectin) and there are online "doctors" that will prescribe it to them.

I don't understand why those websites aren't illegal. jmo

 

[mickey2942]

"Utah family shares COVID-19 vacation nightmare to help others prepare" Utah family shares COVID-19 vacation nightmare to help others prepare

Are we more informed than most people, because we have been following the Pandemic on WS?

I would not have planned a trip to Las Vegas, let alone Fiji with five children! With the Covid variants..

 

[ilovewings]

"Utah family shares COVID-19 vacation nightmare to help others prepare" Utah family shares COVID-19 vacation nightmare to help others prepare

Are we more informed than most people, because we have been following the Pandemic on WS?

I would not have planned a trip to Las Vegas, let alone Fiji with five children! With the Covid variants..

they said they kind of underestimated the risk of travelling- YA Think????

 

[ilovewings]

Hopefully these don't get into the hands of the fly-by-night online "doctors" that have proliferated during covid and will prescribe whatever you want for the low, low fee of $180, whether the med works or not, is approved or not, or is appropriate or not. Those people are scary.

You just know there are people out there who are going to try to get ahold of these pills and use them in some half-baked prevention strategy (like they are doing with HCQ and ivermectin) and there are online "doctors" that will prescribe it to them.

I don't understand why those websites aren't illegal. jmo

These pills will appeal most to the unvaccinated !!!!

 

[Willow Knight]

I have been "Mama Buzzkill" for the last going on two years soon. You are not alone. No travel, no trips, no going out to dinner (I have lightened up on this a bit), no kids over, on and on. Back to being the meanie.

I'm so glad to read this. Haven't been in this thread for a bit, RL can be busy even when we stay home. It's helps to have some supportive community for those of us that still want to be safe, or feel more safe staying home. My grandbabies are around me, however I'm fully vaccinate mostly so I can be around them. Just now reading up on the new strain and it appears we are still protected.

So glad to hear I am not alone with my hesitation to run back to pre pandemic social life. Happy Holidays to all of you.