Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #109

[HongKongPhooey]

Not expected to be in the U.S. until fall from what I can understand.

I think Mr HKP must have variant 4 or 5. It’s 6am here and I can hear him coughing from his room, it sounds awful. We checked his oxygen last night and it was ok at 96 but I’ll be keeping a check. He has asthma.

 

[Lilibet]

The pandemic has increased my anxiety.

LOL I can only laugh ruefully, having just taken a Xanax! I’ve often quoted a dear friend who says she manages with “Prayer, pills and perseverance…not necessarily in that order!” Often the pills make the other two possible.

 

[Lilibet]

I think Mr HKP must have variant 4 or 5. It’s 6am here and I can hear him coughing from his room, it sounds awful. We checked his oxygen last night and it was ok at 96 but I’ll be keeping a check. He has asthma.

Hoping and praying for a good outcome for Mr HKP. Do keep us posted. Big hugs!

 

[katydid23]

I think Mr HKP must have variant 4 or 5. It’s 6am here and I can hear him coughing from his room, it sounds awful. We checked his oxygen last night and it was ok at 96 but I’ll be keeping a check. He has asthma.

Here is an interesting thing I learned about my oxygen level, aster years with asthma issues. If it stays above 95 or so, things should stay fine. But there's an extra step I can take to better assess my lungs.

If I check my levels and it comes in at 95, I do some deep breaths----hold and release, another deep breath, and do so several times slowly and deeply.

I do so while keeping my finger in the oximeter, and watch the numbers. After doing some deep breathing, you should see your oxygen level rise a little. I can usually get my level to 98 or 99 after a couple minutes of deep breathing.

I only become concerned if I do deep breaths and exhales, and my oxygen levels do not rise a bit higher. That means to me that my lungs are not operating at their best level and so even if I am not 94 or 95%, I still need to be on alert.

 

[Lilibet]

Here is an interesting thing I learned about my oxygen level, aster years with asthma issues. If it stays above 95 or so, things should stay fine. But there's an extra step I can take to better assess my lungs.

If I check my levels and it comes in at 95, I do some deep breaths----hold and release, another deep breath, and do so several times slowly and deeply.

I do so while keeping my finger in the oximeter, and watch the numbers. After doing some deep breathing, you should see your oxygen level rise a little. I can usually get my level to 98 or 99 after a couple minutes of deep breathing.

I only become concerned if I do deep breaths and exhales, and my oxygen levels do not rise a bit higher. That means to me that my lungs are not operating at their best level and so even if I am not 94 or 95%, I still need to be on alert.

Thanks for that tip @katydid23! Very helpful.

 

[ilovewings]

I think Mr HKP must have variant 4 or 5. It’s 6am here and I can hear him coughing from his room, it sounds awful. We checked his oxygen last night and it was ok at 96 but I’ll be keeping a check. He has asthma.

I am sorry to hear he is experiencing this nasty virus: hoping he recovers soon. Coughing is an awful thing if it goes on, hard on the body.

 

[ilovewings]

Your words reflect my very thoughts. I take precautions, double boosted, mask, limit my activities and choose to spend time with my family. Our trips are only driving. Thankfully, my husband and I have been Covid-free but my kids and their families have all had Covid. My daughter and her husband are nurses in NICU and ER (both vaccinated) but caught covid from fellow employees before the vaccination was developed. My son is vaccinated but had covid twice.
My kids have a different view of the pandemic and to them, life goes on with common-sense precautions. I do envy their perspective. The pandemic has increased my anxiety.

One important thing about this virus is how it affects young people v. older (or elderly) people. For most younger people (there are of course exceptions), an attack of Covid is nothing more than a nasty cold or a bout with the flu-- many of younger people therefore tend to make kind of light of it, like it is an annoyance-- then of course older or elderly people are an entirely different matter. For them (us), it is a matter of life and death. It takes our lives and we have to live a different kind of life than we did before this horrible pandemic. Sadly, it has taken our golden years- for too many, it took their lives, for those of us still around, it has changed our lives forever, taken too much away from us--I have seen so many comments from people who have had the virus and said "oh it nothing more than a cold": that is how they see it- they just don't understand what all the fuss is. Yes, the pandemic has increased my anxiety too- I have become a recluse.

 

[ilovepierre]

One important thing about this virus is how it affects young people v. older (or elderly) people. For most younger people (there are of course exceptions), an attack of Covid is nothing more than a nasty cold or a bout with the flu-- many of younger people therefore tend to make kind of light of it, like it is an annoyance-- then of course older or elderly people are an entirely different matter. For them (us), it is a matter of life and death. It takes our lives and we have to live a different kind of life than we did before this horrible pandemic. Sadly, it has taken our golden years- for too many, it took their lives, for those of us still around, it has changed our lives forever, taken too much away from us--I have seen so many comments from people who have had the virus and said "oh it nothing more than a cold": that is how they see it- they just don't understand what all the fuss is. Yes, the pandemic has increased my anxiety too- I have become a recluse.

My anxiety has increased so much too. I don’t go out anywhere unless I have to. Although I did go to a concert on Monday. I was masked the whole time, though. Seeing all the people in the arena was insane…it was the first large indoor event I have attended since the pandemic started.

 

[Yesiamapirate]

I think Mr HKP must have variant 4 or 5. It’s 6am here and I can hear him coughing from his room, it sounds awful. We checked his oxygen last night and it was ok at 96 but I’ll be keeping a check. He has asthma.

Thinking of Mr HKP and you today. I hope he turns the corner soon and feels better.

 

[anneg]

Thank you @Yesiamapirate, for your insightful, heartfelt and compassionate post. My heart goes out to you and to all of us who are fellow travelers on this pandemic “toll road.” Even though my spiritual life and beliefs give me peace and hope, I have to draw heavily on those resources to deal with the emotional toll this pandemic has taken on me. Although I try to keep moving forward with optimism, a lot of days inertia sets in. I guess it’s old age and physical limitations weighed down by pandemic fatigue. I’m definitely not the same Lilibet I was pre-pandemic and I don’t expect to ever get back to what used to “pass for normal,” as I’ve always joked.

I‘m realistic and I know that there aren’t enough years left for me to fully recover. And maybe that’s OK. I doubt the WWII generation ever found their “normal” again, but they made the best of it. Many of us are their children. This has been our WWII. Whatever our age, we are the “Pandemic Generation” and that gives us understanding of our shared experience, even though we don’t have the words to explain it. Sending huge hugs to one and all!

You wrote: "Although I try to keep moving forward with optimism, a lot of days inertia sets in. I guess it’s old age and physical limitations weighed down by pandemic fatigue." Right on, sister! This describes me too (and many others). And I share the anxiety others have mentioned.

 

[HongKongPhooey]

Thinking of Mr HKP and you today. I hope he turns the corner soon and feels better.

Thank you Ms Pirate, he is out of bed and eating ok. I made the decision that he needed fresh air in the garden yesterday as his cough was awful and he said his breathing felt a bit laboured, but we are still trying to be careful. My philosophy with this thing is we need to do whatever an individual needs to get them through it. We don’t get anything like Paxlovid here on request, you have to meet v specific criteria, so to a certain extent we rely on caring for each other and nature! And lemon and honey obvs. His oxygen is 97 which reassures me.

 

[MimosaMornings]

This Covid-19 Rapid Test Is Back to Its Lowest Price for Prime Day — WIRED

Stock up with these iHealth at-home antigen tests.

apple.news

“At-home Covid tests have become a first-aid kit essential. But stocking up on them isn’t cheap. If your supply is dwindling, there’s good news: iHealth’s FDA-approved Covid-19 Antigen Rapid Test is currently on sale at Amazon for $12 ($6 off). This is the lowest price we’ve ever tracked for this kit, which comes with two tests. The caveats? The deal is exclusively on Amazon and will expire at 2:59 am ET on July 7 (11:59 pm Pacific time on July 6.”

 

[LaborDayRN]

I think Mr HKP must have variant 4 or 5. It’s 6am here and I can hear him coughing from his room, it sounds awful. We checked his oxygen last night and it was ok at 96 but I’ll be keeping a check. He has asthma.

I'm sorry Mr HKP is so sick. I hope he makes a speedy recovery and feels better soon.

 

[Sundog]

This Covid-19 Rapid Test Is Back to Its Lowest Price for Prime Day — WIRED

Stock up with these iHealth at-home antigen tests.

apple.news

“At-home Covid tests have become a first-aid kit essential. But stocking up on them isn’t cheap. If your supply is dwindling, there’s good news: iHealth’s FDA-approved Covid-19 Antigen Rapid Test is currently on sale at Amazon for $12 ($6 off). This is the lowest price we’ve ever tracked for this kit, which comes with two tests. The caveats? The deal is exclusively on Amazon and will expire at 2:59 am ET on July 7 (11:59 pm Pacific time on July 6.”

These kits are free from the federal government right now, if you haven't ordered them recently. Each address can order four test kits and there are two tests in each kit, so 8 free tests per address.

 

[Teche]

Thank you Ms Pirate, he is out of bed and eating ok. I made the decision that he needed fresh air in the garden yesterday as his cough was awful and he said his breathing felt a bit laboured, but we are still trying to be careful. My philosophy with this thing is we need to do whatever an individual needs to get them through it. We don’t get anything like Paxlovid here on request, you have to meet v specific criteria, so to a certain extent we rely on caring for each other and nature! And lemon and honey obvs. His oxygen is 97 which reassures me.

Does he have a nebulizer available? When I get bronchitis, a steroid treatment makes such a difference. My ENT has prescribed it in the past.

 

[HongKongPhooey]

Does he have a nebulizer available? When I get bronchitis, a steroid treatment makes such a difference. My ENT has prescribed it in the past.

No he doesn’t have one at home, just his “puffers”. We would have to go to A and E for one I think (happened before a few years back).

 

[Lilibet]

These kits are free from the federal government right now, if you haven't ordered them recently. Each address can order four test kits and there are two tests in each kit, so 8 free tests per address.

Those with Medicare can get them free at pharmacies…

Medicare Covers Over-the-Counter COVID-19 Tests | CMS

Medicare has a new initiative that will cover up to eight over-the-counter COVID-19 tests each calendar month, at no cost to you. Who’s eligible? Medicare will cover these tests if you have Part B, including those enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan.

www.cms.gov

 

[weepingangel]

It’s been a few months since I’ve checked our insurance’s procedure for getting our (insurance covered) tests. Previously it was “buy/pay for them and then submit a claim”. However I am now being directed to order them online through the pharmacy/ prescription coverage part of our plan. (Express scripts) That was convenient and easy, Yippee !!

Those with Medicare can get them free at pharmacies…

Medicare Covers Over-the-Counter COVID-19 Tests | CMS

Medicare has a new initiative that will cover up to eight over-the-counter COVID-19 tests each calendar month, at no cost to you. Who’s eligible? Medicare will cover these tests if you have Part B, including those enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan.

www.cms.gov

 

[ilovewings]

It’s been a few months since I’ve checked our insurance’s procedure for getting our (insurance covered) tests. Previously it was “buy/pay for them and then submit a claim”. However I am now being directed to order them online through the pharmacy/ prescription coverage part of our plan. (Express scripts) That was convenient and easy, Yippee !!

Those with Medicare can get them free at pharmacies…

Medicare Covers Over-the-Counter COVID-19 Tests | CMS

Medicare has a new initiative that will cover up to eight over-the-counter COVID-19 tests each calendar month, at no cost to you. Who’s eligible? Medicare will cover these tests if you have Part B, including those enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan.

www.cms.gov

Great information----' thank you--- I had no idea I could get free home
Tests from my pharmacy with Medicare !!!!

 

[katydid23]

Thank you Ms Pirate, he is out of bed and eating ok. I made the decision that he needed fresh air in the garden yesterday as his cough was awful and he said his breathing felt a bit laboured, but we are still trying to be careful. My philosophy with this thing is we need to do whatever an individual needs to get them through it. We don’t get anything like Paxlovid here on request, you have to meet v specific criteria, so to a certain extent we rely on caring for each other and nature! And lemon and honey obvs. His oxygen is 97 which reassures me.

YES, 97 is a very good number. That is reassuring.
And I agree with you that getting him into the garden with fresh air and sunshine is very healing. The lungs need to bring in oxygen to replenish themselves.

I hope you can both begin to relax and feel better soon about the whole difficulty.