Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #105

[Cool Cats]

We bought one, and a thermometer in March, 2020. Dark days. That was when we wrote our wills, "living" wills, and followed up with hospice on information about their "Covid" procedures.

I look back on that, fully sure that we were going to be one of those "percentages". Two years later, still healthy. It has been a journey.

WOW. Stark reality.

 

[MimosaMornings]

Never occurred to me to have one (oximeter) on hand. Live and learn in 2022. Thanks.

I got one many years ago after an urgent care doctor suggested buying one during a particularly bad bout with bronchitis.

 

[Cool Cats]

New COVID variant ‘IHU’ with 46 mutations detected in France

CDC recommends getting COVID booster sooner if you got Pfizer, 3rd dose for some kids

 

[MimosaMornings]

We bought one, and a thermometer in March, 2020. Dark days. That was when we wrote our wills, "living" wills, and followed up with hospice on information about their "Covid" procedures.

I look back on that, fully sure that we were going to be one of those "percentages". Two years later, still healthy. It has been a journey.

I bought a new oximeter and a new thermometer. They weren’t expensive.
A lot of my friends did the same.
I’ve used the oximeter frequently.
Put the older thermometer in the disaster/hurricane bag.
We did update parents medical POA and wills due to their age and health issues.

 

[mickey2942]

WOW. Stark reality.

Well, hasn't this entire "Covid-19" been an experience in existentialism?

Man's Search for Meaning - Wikipedia

While this experience cannot be compared to being in a concentration camp, the parallels are similar. There are people who make this more positive, and those who focus only on themselves and selfishness.

This has been a huge reality check for everyone, we can't control the circumstances, only our response.

 

[CrimeAway]

Report from Christiane Amanpour's program, Amanpour and Company (Christiane Amanpour - Wikipedia)

 

[CrimeAway]

DW (German News channel) report about Omicron in Europe:

 

[katydid23]

That's heartbreaking.

My mom is 95. We made the decision to move forward and visit with her. She's having some complications that have zero to do with Covid and everything to with her age and related issues. I'm not being heartless regarding her health, just realistic. Her chances of dying from Covid are far less than other things.

She sees me, my husband, her granddaughter, 2 great grands every week. There is a little blessing due this coming June. My prayer is she hangs on long enough to see this 3rd great grandchild. If not? At least the oldest great may possibly remember her. And we have pictures of them with her.

It is heartbreaking. We live 9 hours away so we usually fly, which is nerve-racking these days. We have plans to go this month but we may drive instead to avoid the airports.

My brother and his wife live only 45 minutes from Mom, and they see her quite often. So she is not alone. But her grandchildren and great grand children all live much further away which makes it more complicated.

We had to postpone several visits because they kept locking down her complex. But they have not had even one resident catch Covid during the pandemic. Which is astounding. My mom has her own little apartment, as do all the residents, so they get isolated in their own place, and their meals are delivered 3x a day and the staff comes to them 2x a day to check in with them. So she has some interactions at least.

 

[katydid23]

50-second Covid test designed for schools and airports submitted to UK regulator for approval

"A 50-second Covid-19 test that has been designed for use in schools, airports and at entertainment events has been submitted to the UK’s medicines regulator for approval, i has learned.

The testing device, which is portable and around the size of a desktop-computer, is able to detect Covid infected particles in saliva samples in under a minute, according to creator Kidod Science and Technology.

The firm claims it can provide results comparable to a PCR test and that it could be approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) within weeks."

That^^^ would be a handy thing to have!

 

[katydid23]

Never occurred to me to have one (oximeter) on hand. Live and learn in 2022. Thanks.

you can order from amazon or cvs or rite aid for about 15 or 18 dollars. Worth every penny.

 

[Mo Thuairim]

I think people need to keep in mind that while Omicron doesn't *tend* to infect the lungs as easily as previous variants, the people who end up in hospital with it aren't just there for fun - they still have severe Covid pneumonia and hypoxia, even if that was statistically less likely to happen. When you have infection rates this high, a lot of people are still going to end up with severe lung infections. My young healthy friend was hospitalised with Covid pneumonia over Christmas. Triple vaccinated and had a previous Covid infection (she said that was a walk in the park compared to this). Doctors sure it is Omicron due to immune escape and the variant's huge dominance. She said the ward was full of other patients dangerously ill with Covid pneumonia and suffering from low oxygen. She will be OK but it has been a frightening time for her and doctors have told her it will be a long road to recovery. And that's assuming she doesn't end up with long Covid. Omicron may not target the lungs as efficiently but it certainly doesn't always spare them.

 

[CSIDreamer]

This is interesting.


In Omicron Hot Spots, Hospitals Fill Up, but I.C.U.s May Not

 

[CSIDreamer]

It is heartbreaking. We live 9 hours away so we usually fly, which is nerve-racking these days. We have plans to go this month but we may drive instead to avoid the airports.

My brother and his wife live only 45 minutes from Mom, and they see her quite often. So she is not alone. But her grandchildren and great grand children all live much further away which makes it more complicated.

We had to postpone several visits because they kept locking down her complex. But they have not had even one resident catch Covid during the pandemic. Which is astounding. My mom has her own little apartment, as do all the residents, so they get isolated in their own place, and their meals are delivered 3x a day and the staff comes to them 2x a day to check in with them. So she has some interactions at least.

I hope you can see her. I just realized that last August my grandchildren had 3 living great grandparents. In 5 months, they've went from 3 to 1. Neither of the 2 that died were from Covid.

 

[wendybtn]

It's true, they're not saying. I would assume it's like the regular flu or cold, they'll tell you to go home and rest even if you feel like death warmed over, the key is if your oxygen levels have dropped too low: then the risk is quickly developing pneumonia or causing serious damage to other organs if you have health issues.
But the average person doesn't have an oximeter at home.

ETA, most people don't get the virus in their lungs, it's when it invades the lungs that the symptoms are life threatening.

Studies Suggest Why Omicron Is Less Severe: It Spares the Lungs

JMO

But most people don't have an oximeter at home.

 

[nhmemorymaker]

Mayo Clinic dropping 700 workers for lacking COVID-19 vaccination

About 700 workers are losing their jobs at Mayo Clinic for failing to comply with a vaccine mandate policy at the Rochester-based health system.

Employees had until Monday to either receive their first shots or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Mayo said it granted the majority of exemption requests.

Mayo Clinic is Minnesota's largest employer. It also operates hospitals and clinics in Arizona, Florida, Iowa and Wisconsin.

The clinic required non-exempt workers by Jan. 3 to receive at least one dose of vaccine and not be overdue for a second shot, if they were receiving a two-dose vaccine. Staff continued to get first doses through Monday in order to be compliant, Mayo said.

"While Mayo Clinic is saddened to lose valuable employees, we need to take all steps necessary to keep our patients, workforce, visitors and communities safe," the clinic said in a statement. "If individuals released from employment choose to get vaccinated at a later date, the opportunity exists for them to apply and return to Mayo Clinic for future job openings."

I could not open the article... but just wondering... did they reference why they were only requiring non-exempt? Or did they break down the 700 by site location?

I just wonder if they had earlier dated requirements for exempt.

 

[jjenny]

I think people need to keep in mind that while Omicron doesn't *tend* to infect the lungs as easily as previous variants, the people who end up in hospital with it aren't just there for fun - they still have severe Covid pneumonia and hypoxia, even if that was statistically less likely to happen. When you have infection rates this high, a lot of people are still going to end up with severe lung infections. My young healthy friend was hospitalised with Covid pneumonia over Christmas. Triple vaccinated and had a previous Covid infection (she said that was a walk in the park compared to this). Doctors sure it is Omicron due to immune escape and the variant's huge dominance. She said the ward was full of other patients dangerously ill with Covid pneumonia and suffering from low oxygen. She will be OK but it has been a frightening time for her and doctors have told her it will be a long road to recovery. And that's assuming she doesn't end up with long Covid. Omicron may not target the lungs as efficiently but it certainly doesn't always spare them.

Exactly. Milder compared to Delta doesn't mean harmless. Some people will still end up hospitalized or dead.

 

[nhmemorymaker]

Yup!

Verbally abused, Being beaten up, or even gunned down for tying to enforce the mask policy.

Behaviors none of us could have imagined 2 years ago.

Violence against workers enforcing a mask mandate is becoming the norm. On planes, restaurants, stores etc....

Michigan shooting: 3 charged in Family Dollar security guard killing - CNN

Airlines seem to always have the recorded violent outbursts at airports and on planes.


When I have seen these outbursts ....... I just feel so devastated that Americans have become so self centered with no empathy or caring of others. Righteousness just seems so cruel these days.

It's like I just want to say...... "can you SEE or FEEL just how selfish this is..

 

[jjenny]

But most people don't have an oximeter at home.

It's very easy to purchase. I got mine off amazon.

 

[wendybtn]

It's very easy to purchase. I got mine off amazon.

Yes, I have one of my own, as I am an RN. But the average patient and family I work with don't know what they are.

 

[jjenny]

Yes, I have one of my own, as I am an RN. But the average patient and family I work with don't know what they are.

People should be more informed.