Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #104

[ilovewings]

Thank you, @ilovewings

I am indeed frustrated; but also angry, getting bitter and in despair.

I'm not angry at the Coronavirus. It's doing what it's supposed to do. Even though it isn't alive, it is mindlessly replicating and mutating when necessary in order to keep itself going. That's the job of a virus.

In March 2020, I was scared and anxious. My city was the epicenter in America and no one knew anything. The doctors and scientists hadn't seen this particular virus, it was novel, and they were learning on the fly. My governor at the time seemed to know what he was doing...at the time, but as it emerged, that was not the reality.

We know so much more now. We know the efficacy of mask-wearing and we have a miracle vaccine. I had retired shortly before Covid came around and had many plans for travel and to pursue the leisure activities that bring me joy, plus spend more time with my grandchildren, and to visit my elderly and ill parents in Florida more frequently.

Just like everyone else, my dreams and hopes were put on hold. Couldn't see family, couldn't travel, couldn't go to the places and pursue the activities I'd waited so long to have time to do.

But now, nearly two years later, I am beyond the beyond. I have to run a gauntlet of unmasked and likely unvaccinated people just to leave my building. The rest of my family who live in the suburbs just have to open their doors, but still cannot do the things they wish. Like all of us.

I don't blame the doctors and scientists although the messaging keeps changing, because the virus keeps zig-zagging and throwing us all for a loop each time.

But I am livid at the people who protest against vaccines and mask-wearing. IMO they are perpetuating a crisis that actually has a solution, if we all acted upon it.

It's like having a nation of drunk drivers on the road. In my opinion.

DeSantis is truly MIA. I am feeling he is trying to manage his own 'herd immunity' program here. If the data from South Africa holds true for us in the US... maybe it will peak and flow out quicker than projected. Florida is just such a mobile petrie dish, so the virus will travel to all states rapidly, but the local statistics will probably look fine . Florida has never counted cases of out of state residents as Florida cases anyway. I suspect he will tout success with herd immunity eventually.....

just my own opinion as a Florida resident !!!!!

Dr. Peter Hotez and his team at Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development are rock stars! Their vaccine is going to save countless lives globally.

Dr. Hotez and other scientists, doctors and nurses are the true heros
during this pandemic

 

[ilovewings]

Thank you, @ilovewings

I am indeed frustrated; but also angry, getting bitter and in despair.

I'm not angry at the Coronavirus. It's doing what it's supposed to do. Even though it isn't alive, it is mindlessly replicating and mutating when necessary in order to keep itself going. That's the job of a virus.

In March 2020, I was scared and anxious. My city was the epicenter in America and no one knew anything. The doctors and scientists hadn't seen this particular virus, it was novel, and they were learning on the fly. My governor at the time seemed to know what he was doing...at the time, but as it emerged, that was not the reality.

We know so much more now. We know the efficacy of mask-wearing and we have a miracle vaccine. I had retired shortly before Covid came around and had many plans for travel and to pursue the leisure activities that bring me joy, plus spend more time with my grandchildren, and to visit my elderly and ill parents in Florida more frequently.

Just like everyone else, my dreams and hopes were put on hold. Couldn't see family, couldn't travel, couldn't go to the places and pursue the activities I'd waited so long to have time to do.

But now, nearly two years later, I am beyond the beyond. I have to run a gauntlet of unmasked and likely unvaccinated people just to leave my building. The rest of my family who live in the suburbs just have to open their doors, but still cannot do the things they wish. Like all of us.

I don't blame the doctors and scientists although the messaging keeps changing, because the virus keeps zig-zagging and throwing us all for a loop each time.

But I am livid at the people who protest against vaccines and mask-wearing. IMO they are perpetuating a crisis that actually has a solution, if we all acted upon it.

It's like having a nation of drunk drivers on the road. In my opinion.

DeSantis is truly MIA. I am feeling he is trying to manage his own 'herd immunity' program here. If the data from South Africa holds true for us in the US... maybe it will peak and flow out quicker than projected. Florida is just such a mobile petrie dish, so the virus will travel to all states rapidly, but the local statistics will probably look fine . Florida has never counted cases of out of state residents as Florida cases anyway. I suspect he will tout success with herd immunity eventually.....

just my own opinion as a Florida resident !!!!!

Dr. Peter Hotez and his team at Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development are rock stars! Their vaccine is going to save countless lives globally.

Dr. Hotez and other scientists, doctors and nurses are the true heros
during this pandemic

 

[anneg]

Dr. Eric Topol's chart of studies showing decreased lung infectivity with Omicron. Of course, "decreased" doesn't mean "no" infectivity...

https://twitter.com/EricTopol/status/1476678457778049024

 

[Turkeytrot]

I'm a little late but happy new year to all.

Having a lot of anxiety watching the numbers go so high but trying to stay level headed and not worry too much. Easier said than done.

 

[indicolite22]

We're still behind the Omicron curve in our part of Europe. The peak of Delta infections that was reached in mid-November subsided by two thirds by Christmas. In the past week we experienced a 20% increase, only partly due to Omicron. Deaths are at 50% of the last peak, which was three times lower than last year's peak, when there was no vaccine.

 

[ilovewings]

I'm a little late but happy new year to all.

Having a lot of anxiety watching the numbers go so high but trying to stay level headed and not worry too much. Easier said than done.

Those high--getting higher numbers are very anxiety producing!!!

 

[LaborDayRN]

The cat food shelves have been pretty much bare at our grocery stores for over a month now.

On my trip to Costco for last minute supplies yesterday I couldn't find the canned dog food I normally buy. It's been over 2 months since I've been able to find it. I only use a spoon full on my two Greyhounds kibble but they do like it. I asked about it at the kiosk before checkout and was told that it is considered a inactive item due to "supply chain shortages".
I add cooked vegetables to their food as well so we will make do with the cans we have left for now. I'm more worried about people who may not be able to find things that they REALLY need!

 

[tabitha111]

Here was the headline in our local paper today- mentions vaccines, masking as ways to mitigate...
COVID-19 cases in long-term care facilities are increasing; vaccines help residents and workers stay safe, experts say (yahoo.com)
Masking, remaining socially distant and getting vaccinated are the key points the public health community urge to protect those who are most vulnerable to severe infection,

we are not a long term care home but might as well be here at the Retirement community. I feel like I am literally in the twilight zone. No one takes Covid seriously but me. Why? Is it ignorance? Is it keeping your head buried in the sand? Is it "it can't happen to me?"

 

[JDG]

On my trip to Costco for last minute supplies yesterday I couldn't find the canned dog food I normally buy. It's been over 2 months since I've been able to find it. I only use a spoon full on my two Greyhounds kibble but they do like it. I asked about it at the kiosk before checkout and was told that it is considered a inactive item due to "supply chain shortages". I add cooked vegetables to their food as well so we will make do with the cans we have left for now.
I'm more worried about people who may not be able to find things that they REALLY need!

Both of these comments have persuaded me to stock up on my pets favourite foods.

They were hard to find earlier in the pandemic, now let’s see if they get delivered next week!

It only makes sense, with thousands of people getting sick, the supply lines will be affected. Everyone from producers, truckers and shop keepers will have problems. Ugh

Other than TP, what else should we stock up on? Ideas??

 

[MimosaMornings]

Everyone be safe. No risk tasking.
ED’s are double digit wait times
Suspected Covid mixed in with everyone else laying in hallways, crowded more than a wound clinic on a Saturday night.
JMO

 

[LaborDayRN]

Both of these comments have persuaded me to stock up on my pets favourite foods.

They were hard to find earlier in the pandemic, now let’s see if they get delivered next week!

It only makes sense, with thousands of people getting sick, the supply lines will be affected. Everyone from producers, truckers and shop keepers will have problems. Ugh

Other than TP, what else should we stock up on? Ideas??

I bought some extras of things I eat regularly. Maybe focus on things that you would miss if the shortages go on for a while.
For example, I usually have Greek yogurt with blueberries (I buy frozen) and flaxseed meal for breakfast (I'm a creature of habit) so while at Costco yesterday I stocked up on those things to last month.
I think some extra shelf stable food might also be a good idea. Between that and medications I think we'll do fine here. We may be inconvenienced by not being able to find our favorite brands but we'll survive.
Of course any regular medications you take are important. My healthcare provider only allows me to refill every 90 days so I have to wait until my medication is due.

 

[nhmemorymaker]

The cat food shelves have been pretty much bare at our grocery stores for over a month now.

!! wow.... such a broad and weird mix of shortages.....

 

[indicolite22]

B.C. considers allowing COVID-positive health-care staff to work

On Tuesday, Quebec decided to allow some infected workers to return to their jobs on a case-by-case basis. Then on Wednesday, Manitoba announced it is now permitting health-care workers who have mild COVID-19 symptoms, but have tested negative for the virus to return to work.

Officials in Ontario have said they're considering similar measures, while Alberta has allowed unvaccinated health-care workers to continue working, with regular testing.

 

[indicolite22]

Coronavirus pandemic: Antarctic outpost hit by Covid-19 outbreak

Since 14 December, at least 16 of the 25 workers at the Princess Elisabeth Polar Station have caught the virus.

Officials say cases remain mild so far.

 

[indicolite22]

The best way to deal with Covid myths this Christmas? Pre-bunk rather than debunk | Sander van der Linden

The theory of psychological inoculation follows the medical analogy exactly: just as exposure to a weakened or inactivated strain of the virus triggers the production of antibodies to help fight off future infection, preemptive exposure to a weakened dose of a falsehood (coupled with strong refutations) can help people cultivate mental or intellectual antibodies against future misinformation. In other words, you prebunk, instead of debunk.

 

[pocketaccent]

BBM

US Coronavirus: Americans may be faced with a different reality in January as Covid-19 sweeps through the nation, experts warn
...

The virus is now "extraordinarily contagious" and previous mitigation measures that used to help now may not be as helpful, CNN medical analyst Dr. Jonathan Reiner told CNN on Friday.

"At the beginning of this pandemic... we all were taught, you have a significant exposure if you're within six feet of somebody and you're in contact with them for more than 15 minutes. All these rules are out the window," Reiner said. "This is a hyper-contagious virus."

Now, even a quick, transient encounter can lead to an infection, Reiner added, including if someone's mask is loose, or a person quickly pulls their mask down, or an individual enters an elevator in which someone else has just coughed.
...

 

[LaborDayRN]

Coronavirus pandemic: Antarctic outpost hit by Covid-19 outbreak

Since 14 December, at least 16 of the 25 workers at the Princess Elisabeth Polar Station have caught the virus.

Officials say cases remain mild so far.

Well there you go! I guess there's no where that's safe.

 

[ilovewings]

BBM

US Coronavirus: Americans may be faced with a different reality in January as Covid-19 sweeps through the nation, experts warn
...

The virus is now "extraordinarily contagious" and previous mitigation measures that used to help now may not be as helpful, CNN medical analyst Dr. Jonathan Reiner told CNN on Friday.

"At the beginning of this pandemic... we all were taught, you have a significant exposure if you're within six feet of somebody and you're in contact with them for more than 15 minutes. All these rules are out the window," Reiner said. "This is a hyper-contagious virus."

Now, even a quick, transient encounter can lead to an infection, Reiner added, including if someone's mask is loose, or a person quickly pulls their mask down, or an individual enters an elevator in which someone else has just coughed.
...

This information ( which I think we knew recently), is so incredibly
depressing. Up until Omicron, you needed to have a more protracted
encounter in order to contract this evil virus---The only way to avoid
getting this virus is to never leave your home, but then of course somebody
can bring it home to you---

 

[indicolite22]

Israel reports first case of 'flurona': Doctors say they have found rare double infection of influenza and Covid in young pregnant woman

• Woman tested positive for both viruses in Beilinson Hospital in Petach Tikva city
• Health officials are monitoring to see if both viruses cause more severe illness
• Hers is the first ever documented case of having the viruses simultaneously

 

[LaborDayRN]

Israel reports first case of 'flurona': Doctors say they have found rare double infection of influenza and Covid in young pregnant woman

• Woman tested positive for both viruses in Beilinson Hospital in Petach Tikva city
• Health officials are monitoring to see if both viruses cause more severe illness
• Hers is the first ever documented case of having the viruses simultaneously

Oh my word! I feel awful for this poor woman.

Covid-19 and flu infections can happen at the same time. Here's what that could look like - CNN.
(CNN)Dr. Adrian Burrowes has seen hundreds of Covid-19 patients. But he's especially worried about what will happen this flu season -- even more so than last year.

This fall and winter could mark the first surge of patients infected with both the flu and the Delta variant -- the most contagious strain of coronavirus to hit the US.
"You can certainly get both the flu and Covid-19 at the same time, which could be catastrophic to your immune system," said Burrowes, a family medicine physician and assistant professor of family medicine at the University of Central Florida.
More at link........