Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #105

[pocketaccent]

So you have three sets of ear loops?

Yes, they don't bother me or my ears though. My ears are working hard these days.

 

[CrimeAway]

Oregon issued an interim crisis care tool today which is basically standards for triage. I have to wonder if “likelihood of survival to hospital discharge” will put the unvaxxed and elderly (80+) vaxxed at a disadvantage, since they are majority of those dying of covid at hospitals. Of course, each person is evaluated individually, not according to statistics, but I wouldn’t want to have to make that decision! From the link…

Hospitals may implement OHA’s interim crisis care tool -- or one of their own that is consistent with Oregon’s Principles in Promoting Health Equity in Resource Constrained Events – if they have taken specific steps to extend their capacity to deliver care. Those steps include stockpiling supplies, delaying non-urgent care, and repurposing existing beds and staff that are not typically used to provide critical care.

Under the interim triage tool, all patients who can potentially benefit from treatment will be offered care, if health care resources are sufficient. If hospital staff, beds and treatment are insufficient, all patients will be individually assessed according to the best available objective medical evidence. According to the tool:

• No one will be denied care based on stereotypes, assumptions about any individual’s quality of life, or judgement about an individual’s “worth” based on the presence or absence of disabilities.
• Care decisions should be based on the likelihood of survival to hospital discharge.

Under Oregon’s interim crisis care standards, state health officials expect providers to treat all patients with respect, care and compassion. Hospital clinicians may not base care decisions on an individual’s use of past or future medical or social resources. They should apply reasonable modifications to any triage scoring criteria when considering individuals with underlying disabilities or certain underlying health conditions.

Triage decisions will be made without regard to morally or scientifically irrelevant considerations such as income, race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, immigration status, health insurance coverage or other factors.
BBM
OHA issues interim triage tool to help hospitals facing a crisis of overwhelming COVID-19 admissions

More detail here:
https://sharedsystems.dhsoha.state....c.pdf?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Some medical providers have been discussing this as a real possibility for a while now, IMO. Capacity for care is not unlimited, and at some point, difficult decisions will have be made. Sadly, not everyone recognizes this reality

 

[MajorHoople]

Omicron may be up to nearly 100 TIMES less deadly than Delta, scientists believe | Daily Mail Online

"Researchers expect the ultra-infectious variant to kill between 97 and 99 per cent fewer people than Delta

UK advisers estimate the infection-fatality rate (IFR) it stood at 0.25 per cent before Omicron emerged

Others suggested it could be 0.1 per cent — similar to flu— compared to 1 per cent before the vaccine rollout

But experts queried 99 per cent estimate, insisting it does not look plausible and there too much uncertainty"


"Omicron could be even less deadly than flu, scientists believe in a boost to hopes that the worst of the pandemic is over.

Some experts have always maintained that the coronavirus would eventually morph into a seasonal cold-like virus as the world develops immunity through vaccines and natural infection. But the emergence of the highly-mutated Omicron variant appears to have sped the process up.

MailOnline analysis shows Covid killed one in 33 people who tested positive at the peak of the devastating second wave last January, compared to just one in 670 now. But experts believe the figure could be even lower because of Omicron.

The case fatality rate — the proportion of confirmed infections that end in death — for seasonal influenza is 0.1, the equivalent of one in 1,000.

One former Government adviser today said if the trend continues to drop then 'we should be asking whether we are justified in having any measures we would not bring for a bad flu season'. But other experts say coronavirus is much more transmissible than flu, meaning it will inevitably cause more deaths.

Meanwhile, researchers at Washington University modelling the next stage of the pandemic expect Omicron to kill up to 99 per cent fewer people than Delta, in another hint it could be less deadly than flu.

No accurate infection-fatality rate (IFR), which is always just a fraction of the CFR because it reflects deaths among everyone who catches the virus, has yet been published for Delta.

But UK Government advisers estimated the overall figure stood at around 0.25 per cent before Omicron burst onto the scene, down from highs of around 1.5 per cent before the advent of life-saving vaccines.

If Omicron is 99 per cent less lethal than Delta, it suggests the current IFR could be as low as 0.0025 per cent, the equivalent of one in 40,000, although experts say this is unlikely. Instead, the Washington modelling estimates the figure actually sits in the region of 0.07 per cent, meaning approximately one in 1,430 people who get infected will succumb to the illness."

 

[Sundog]

Almost half of reported NY COVID-19 hospitalizations are not due to COVID-19

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul released data Friday breaking down COVID-19 hospitalizations by those who were admitted due to the virus and those who were admitted for other reasons but were found to have the illness.

Included in the data was a chart showing "how many hospitalized individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 were admitted for COVID-19/COVID-19 complications and how many were admitted for non-COVID-19 conditions."

 

[katydid23]

I just had a Covid related family 'conference call' with my grown kids this afternoon. My daughter is concerned abut my planned trip to go see my 92 yr old Mom next week.

I had originally planned to drive the 9 hour trip, but she lives outside Reno, neAr Lake Tahoe. They had 12 feet of snow a few weeks ago, and roads were closed and I decided it might be safer to fly, in case another storm moves in...?

But my daughter reminded me that LAX is not a safe place to be right now. Flying from LAX to Reno would probably be dangerous, in terms of Covid exposure. I have done it a few times during the pandemic in order to visit Mom, but this new variant is so much more contagious, I am questioning if I should change plans again, and just drive.

I know that the Omni is not supposed to be as severe, but I am turning 70, and I have respiratory issues, so it may be more serious for me than the average person. I have had two hospital stays for acute asthma attacks in the past 5 years. I don't need another asthma attack and it feels like Covid could be a trigger?

Anyway, my son is good at weather stuff because he travels a lot for work, so he is going to help me carve out a 'safe' travel week for driving and then I can avoid LAX for now.

 

[CP244]

I just had a Covid related family 'conference call' with my grown kids this afternoon. My daughter is concerned abut my planned trip to go see my 92 yr old Mom next week.

I had originally planned to drive the 9 hour trip, but she lives outside Reno, neAr Lake Tahoe. They had 12 feet of snow a few weeks ago, and roads were closed and I decided it might be safer to fly, in case another storm moves in...?

But my daughter reminded me that LAX is not a safe place to be right now. Flying from LAX to Reno would probably be dangerous, in terms of Covid exposure. I have done it a few times during the pandemic in order to visit Mom, but this new variant is so much more contagious, I am questioning if I should change plans again, and just drive.

I know that the Omni is not supposed to be as severe, but I am turning 70, and I have respiratory issues, so it may be more serious for me than the average person. I have had two hospital stays for acute asthma attacks in the past 5 years. I don't need another asthma attack and it feels like Covid could be a trigger?

Anyway, my son is good at weather stuff because he travels a lot for work, so he is going to help me carve out a 'safe' travel week for driving and then I can avoid LAX for now.

Why is your mother so far away from you? Is she near other family members?

 

[Sundog]

I just had a Covid related family 'conference call' with my grown kids this afternoon. My daughter is concerned abut my planned trip to go see my 92 yr old Mom next week.

I had originally planned to drive the 9 hour trip, but she lives outside Reno, neAr Lake Tahoe. They had 12 feet of snow a few weeks ago, and roads were closed and I decided it might be safer to fly, in case another storm moves in...?

But my daughter reminded me that LAX is not a safe place to be right now. Flying from LAX to Reno would probably be dangerous, in terms of Covid exposure. I have done it a few times during the pandemic in order to visit Mom, but this new variant is so much more contagious, I am questioning if I should change plans again, and just drive.

I know that the Omni is not supposed to be as severe, but I am turning 70, and I have respiratory issues, so it may be more serious for me than the average person. I have had two hospital stays for acute asthma attacks in the past 5 years. I don't need another asthma attack and it feels like Covid could be a trigger?

Anyway, my son is good at weather stuff because he travels a lot for work, so he is going to help me carve out a 'safe' travel week for driving and then I can avoid LAX for now.

Is it possible to drive part way to a different airport and still avoid the drive further north to Lake Tahoe? What about Sacramento? It seems to me that is smaller airport, and fly from there? It may not be as busy as some of the other options, just a thought.

 

[CSIDreamer]

I just had a Covid related family 'conference call' with my grown kids this afternoon. My daughter is concerned abut my planned trip to go see my 92 yr old Mom next week.

I had originally planned to drive the 9 hour trip, but she lives outside Reno, neAr Lake Tahoe. They had 12 feet of snow a few weeks ago, and roads were closed and I decided it might be safer to fly, in case another storm moves in...?

But my daughter reminded me that LAX is not a safe place to be right now. Flying from LAX to Reno would probably be dangerous, in terms of Covid exposure. I have done it a few times during the pandemic in order to visit Mom, but this new variant is so much more contagious, I am questioning if I should change plans again, and just drive.

I know that the Omni is not supposed to be as severe, but I am turning 70, and I have respiratory issues, so it may be more serious for me than the average person. I have had two hospital stays for acute asthma attacks in the past 5 years. I don't need another asthma attack and it feels like Covid could be a trigger?

Anyway, my son is good at weather stuff because he travels a lot for work, so he is going to help me carve out a 'safe' travel week for driving and then I can avoid LAX for now.

Can you drive that in one day? I'm about 10 years behind you and there's no way my back would go for that. I would need to stop for the night. Which would have me considering motels and germs. JMO

 

[katydid23]

Why is your mother so far away from you? Is she near other family members?

YES, my brother and his wife live very close by. They visit frequently....She lives in a retirement centre where she lived with my father before he passed. She does not want to move from there---she loves it and has her long time friends there too. But she has her own little apartment with privacy, but the staff comes in every day to help her with her meds, etc.

 

[katydid23]

Can you drive that in one day? I'm about 10 years behind you and there's no way my back would go for that. I would need to stop for the night. Which would have me considering motels and germs. JMO

No, I drive the whole way. I leave really early in the morning and get there about sunset. No motels until pandemic over, lol...

 

[katydid23]

Is it possible to drive part way to a different airport and still avoid the drive further north to Lake Tahoe? What about Sacramento? It seems to me that is smaller airport, and fly from there? It may not be as busy as some of the other options, just a thought.

Once I am in Sacto it is just a hop, skip and a jump to Mom's. I really don't mind the drive. My parents retired to that area 25 years ago so I am very used to driving it. It is a beautiful drive up through Bishop California. I actually look forward to it.

 

[CP244]

YES, my brother and his wife live very close by. They visit frequently....She lives in a retirement centre where she lived with my father before he passed. She does not want to move from there---she loves it and has her long time friends there too. But she has her own little apartment with privacy, but the staff comes in every day to help her with her meds, etc.

Yes, of course. It is not a good idea to move very elderly people from where they are comfortable and are familiar to the place. I have seen elderly people go downhill quite quickly when they are put into unfamiliar living situations.

 

[Lilibet]

Almost half of reported NY COVID-19 hospitalizations are not due to COVID-19

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul released data Friday breaking down COVID-19 hospitalizations by those who were admitted due to the virus and those who were admitted for other reasons but were found to have the illness.

Included in the data was a chart showing "how many hospitalized individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 were admitted for COVID-19/COVID-19 complications and how many were admitted for non-COVID-19 conditions."

I have been trying for 30 minutes to find the primary (original) source for this data on the NY State website so that I can see it for myself. There are no links in this article or in any others that give links to the actual data. Of course it’s possible the data hasn’t made it onto NYS websites yet, but was given to the Governor to show the press.

This article from ABC News has various charts, including one showing patients who have tested positive after admission for other causes (presumably they were asymptomatic). No links though.

NY COVID Hospitalizations at 20-Month High, But They Don't Tell the Whole Story. Here's Why

I do think it’s a good idea to show the two categories for planning purposes and to head off conspiracy-minded covid minimizers. But it’s clear that hospitals are again filling up with covid patients who have to be isolated from other patients, regardless of why they were admitted to the hospital initially. And this is causing a staffing and bed issue. You can’t put a positive patient in a room with a negative patient. So where do they go? If they need to be on the heart floor for specialized care, but are positive, how is this handled. What a mess!

 

[whitelilac]

Once I am in Sacto it is just a hop, skip and a jump to Mom's. I really don't mind the drive. My parents retired to that area 25 years ago so I am very used to driving it. It is a beautiful drive up through Bishop California. I actually look forward to it.

or the Long Beach Airport, less frenetic and small. But if you enjoy the drive, sounds fine. My max is 6 hours in one shot now....from here to Carmel for example, which I did recently.

 

[Lilibet]

I just had a Covid related family 'conference call' with my grown kids this afternoon. My daughter is concerned abut my planned trip to go see my 92 yr old Mom next week.

I had originally planned to drive the 9 hour trip, but she lives outside Reno, neAr Lake Tahoe. They had 12 feet of snow a few weeks ago, and roads were closed and I decided it might be safer to fly, in case another storm moves in...?

But my daughter reminded me that LAX is not a safe place to be right now. Flying from LAX to Reno would probably be dangerous, in terms of Covid exposure. I have done it a few times during the pandemic in order to visit Mom, but this new variant is so much more contagious, I am questioning if I should change plans again, and just drive.

I know that the Omni is not supposed to be as severe, but I am turning 70, and I have respiratory issues, so it may be more serious for me than the average person. I have had two hospital stays for acute asthma attacks in the past 5 years. I don't need another asthma attack and it feels like Covid could be a trigger?

Anyway, my son is good at weather stuff because he travels a lot for work, so he is going to help me carve out a 'safe' travel week for driving and then I can avoid LAX for now.

I feel for you! We had to fly from Medford Oregon to LAX (changing planes at SFO) and back on Dec. 6 and 9 for a medical appointment for my dh. It had to be done, we aren’t up to the drive, and plans were made in October, but I’m glad it was earlier in the Omicron mess. We also had to stay in a hotel and eat in a restaurant and take Ubers…and pray a lot!! Then we drove to Sacramento and back Dec. 18 and 22…more motels and restaurants…for another necessary medical appointment…racing snow! Thankfully, we didn’t pick up Omicron along the way. Maybe the Long Island Ice Teas we drank killed it. Since you can drive it in one day, that’s the wise thing to do, weather permitting. I love driving up 395 too. Gorgeous scenery. Safe travels!

 

[whitelilac]

N95 MASK 4 LAYER PROTECTION WITH EARLOOPS, BFE>95%, 20/BOX

An idea.

Look for N95 with just the ear loops since your only problem is having to wear the head loops. Be better than wearing 3 and having to tape one on etc...

Just grab one and go.

Otherwise you sound protected enough to me the way you are.

Have you ordered these masks? If so, happy with them? I've also been looking for N95 masks with ear loops.
You have to have an account to order right? I don't know whether that's required to get a box in the cart or because they're out of stock.

 

[Sundog]

dbm

It is my understanding it is not an N95 if it has ear loops. "The CDC says some signs of a counterfeit respirator include "NIOSH" being spelled incorrectly or the lack of an approval number on the respirator or headband. In addition, N95s specifically should use headbands, not ear loops—ones with ear loops may be real KN95s or KF94s, but not real N95s. "

N95, KN95 masks: Should you wear one? Here's where you can get them.

Poor Performance of Masks Secured Using Ear Loops

I have some KN95 masks that have ear loops, and also N95 masks that use head straps. In order to get a tight fit with the masks that have ear loops, when I wear these masks I stretch the ear loops to the back of my head and join them together in place with a large paper clip. I keep a stash of paper clips in my car. This gives the KN95 masks a very tight, snug fit. Mostly now, though, I'm wearing the N95 masks with the head straps, since omicron, and now I have become more used to this style of mask, and rarely use the other ones, they are mostly backup if needed.

 

[Lilibet]

Have you ordered these masks? If so, happy with them? I've also been looking for N95 masks with ear loops.
You have to have an account to order right? I don't know whether that's required to get a box in the cart or because they're out of stock.

N95 masks don’t come with ear loops. If they have them, they’re counterfeit. Much more at link. We use approved KN95 masks. I ordered N95 masks, but they were too big for me and leaked air at the bottom.

N95, KN95 masks: Should you wear one? Here's where you can get them.

The CDC says some signs of a counterfeit respirator include "NIOSH" being spelled incorrectly or the lack of an approval number on the respirator or headband. In addition, N95s specifically should use headbands, not ear loops—ones with ear loops may be real KN95s or KF94s, but not real N95s. You can check the NIOSH-Certified Equipment List to see if particular N95 brands or models are NIOSH-approved.
BBM

ETA: Oops! I didn’t notice that BeatrixPotter had said the exact same thing earlier!

Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #105

 

[10ofRods]

Yes, I do believe that is exactly what is happening. Many teachers are conducting online classes from their classroom.

Where I live, that's how K-12 operates - teachers show up and teach from their classrooms. However, if COVID appears in a staff member and they've had any recent contact with each other, teachers are sent home for 10 days. So even before school started this year, they had in-service meetings (socially distanced - but in a closed volume of poorly circulated air.

That was on Friday. By Monday, at least 3 teachers were positive (and the entire group could have been exposed - however, they sent them for testing rather than send them home).

If a child is in a classroom where the teacher just tested positive, they are home for 10 days, and need a negative test to return. Testing is impacted and not all that quick (there are lots of kids in this situation)l If a kids' parent tests positive, the kid has to stay home for 20 days! (Because the parent could still be transmitting at 10 days...)

 

[Deleted member 158085]

It is my understanding it is not an N95 if it has ear loops. "The CDC says some signs of a counterfeit respirator include "NIOSH" being spelled incorrectly or the lack of an approval number on the respirator or headband. In addition, N95s specifically should use headbands, not ear loops—ones with ear loops may be real KN95s or KF94s, but not real N95s. "

N95, KN95 masks: Should you wear one? Here's where you can get them.

Poor Performance of Masks Secured Using Ear Loops

But there's also a list of recommended KN-95s and POWECOM is one on that list that has ear loops. It's damn close to being as good as our N-95s.

I think comfort is important to people actually keeping the mask on. So if ear loops make it more comfortable for people, it's a good thing.