Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #98

[GRT]

I am surprised at the amount of people I know who wouldn't have more than a few days supply of food in their house.
Hence the need to go shopping at least once a week. Some shop every few days.
I love shopping, even for groceries but it would annoy the hell out of me having to think about it every few days. I'd rather be doing other things.

I now realise why the panic in some people, even when it's just a long weekend or a public holiday.

Back when we had most of our shutdowns here in the States last year, I only shopped every other week, but I've been shopping weekly for the past few months now.

My husband and son--both of whom were considered "essential" workers--would also shop and bring back the oddest things, like industrial-size cans of corn that I really need to gather up now and donate to the Food Bank, because we never ate them. I have a large walk-in pantry and they filled it from floor to ceiling. Our attic still has huge packages of paper towel rolls and toilet paper. That was just the mentality at that time -- stock up!

With Delta raging here, I've noticed a few items in the store are sparse again, but nothing like what happened last year.

Good luck.

 

[WildOrchid]

I can tell you that my daughter and her circle of vaxxed friends all get tested regularly. Last wknd, my daughter could not find a pharmacy (cvs, rite aid, etc) within 40 minutes of her house that had availability. Transmission is considered high so that must be why she suddenly can’t find a place to get a test.

Why are so many people not getting Covid tests? That won’t be helping slow the spread. Is it denial or lack of accessibility?

 

[ilovewings]

Respectfully snipped for focus. Testing should be free. If it's not, we're always going to have people who suffer at home and not bother going to get tested.

At this link, you'll see the flyer for the local hospital, which is the only place within about 13 miles that's offering testing for Covid--at a cost of $152.46. Plus, you need a doctor's order. Look at the small line of text just under the words...

"Important information for patients and visitors"

It reads..."As required by Section 3202(b) of the CARES Act, our cash charge for the COVID-19 diagnostic test is $152.46 with a physician order."

For those who have insurance, the cost is likely covered. Those who don't are just out of luck.

If we can't test efficiently, contact tracing means nothing.

This whole virus has been handled so poorly in the US from the get-go. The vaccine, masking, and social distancing are probably our best bets, but all the rest of the stuff..contact tracing, shutdowns, quarantines, all of that is a band-aid on a severed limb because there's no uniformity or consistency. What works in other nations will not work here because too many people resist. I'm not coming down on those who resist, they have their opinions and those opinions are just as valid as mine, but I'm disappointed in our leadership--both the old leadership and the new leadership.

I am not as kind as you are: I do come down on people who resist taking the vaccination. Sure, opinions are valid: However, not all actions or inaction in this particular health crisis are valid. One can have an opinion and even be fearful of the vaccine ( I was fearful) but I looked around and saw lots of people getting the vaccine, and guess what, they weren't dropping dead or growing two heads- it looked pretty safe to me: yes there were some frightening rare events- and those are concerning: they concerned me- I was afraid of having an allergic reaction, but I weighed the benefit risk and the risk of Covid far outweighs the risk of an adverse reaction from the vaccine. Perhaps when the FDA actually approves the vaccine we will see more
people getting it: at least I hope so.

The old leadership has led to what we are seeing here with respect to the politicizing of masks in particular. Our present leadership, while obviously not perfect, is doing the best they can---CDC has been disappointing with mixed messaging- part of the problem though is because this is a novel (new) virus, there was no history as to how it would operate over time- I think the extreme contagious aspect of Delta has surprised the experts to the point they are surprised that even vaccinated people are getting breakthrough infections more than anticipated. There is no prior playbook for dealing with this new virus.

 

[ilovewings]

Respectfully snipped for focus. Testing should be free. If it's not, we're always going to have people who suffer at home and not bother going to get tested.

At this link, you'll see the flyer for the local hospital, which is the only place within about 13 miles that's offering testing for Covid--at a cost of $152.46. Plus, you need a doctor's order. Look at the small line of text just under the words...

"Important information for patients and visitors"

It reads..."As required by Section 3202(b) of the CARES Act, our cash charge for the COVID-19 diagnostic test is $152.46 with a physician order."

For those who have insurance, the cost is likely covered. Those who don't are just out of luck.

If we can't test efficiently, contact tracing means nothing.

This whole virus has been handled so poorly in the US from the get-go. The vaccine, masking, and social distancing are probably our best bets, but all the rest of the stuff..contact tracing, shutdowns, quarantines, all of that is a band-aid on a severed limb because there's no uniformity or consistency. What works in other nations will not work here because too many people resist. I'm not coming down on those who resist, they have their opinions and those opinions are just as valid as mine, but I'm disappointed in our leadership--both the old leadership and the new leadership.

 

[TootsieFootsie]

Tragic pic of new mum with Covid

A tragic photo has captured the moment a mum held her newborn baby for the first and last time before she succumbed to Covid-19.

Kristen McMullen, from Florida in the US, briefly took off her mask and stared into her daughter’s face for the duration of two photos before she was wheeled away to a Covid-19 ICU ward.

Her daughter, named Summer Reign, was born on July 27.

Less than two weeks later, on July 8, Ms McMullen took her last breath.

She had only seen her daughter on that one occasion when she died.

Ms McMullen – who was only 30 – only got to hold her child for just “a few short minutes before she was rushed off to the ICU,” according to her aunt, Melissa Syverson.

 

[acutename]

I am surprised at the amount of people I know who wouldn't have more than a few days supply of food in their house.
Hence the need to go shopping at least once a week. Some shop every few days.
I love shopping, even for groceries but it would annoy the hell out of me having to think about it every few days. I'd rather be doing other things.

I now realise why the panic in some people, even when it's just a long weekend or a public holiday.

most everyone has some food but it is good to have fresh vegetables and things that are not frozen... also people with several children- the can eat like machines so it is radically different than feeding an elderly adult IMO.

 

[CrimeAway]

I am surprised at the amount of people I know who wouldn't have more than a few days supply of food in their house.
Hence the need to go shopping at least once a week. Some shop every few days.
I love shopping, even for groceries but it would annoy the hell out of me having to think about it every few days. I'd rather be doing other things.

I now realise why the panic in some people, even when it's just a long weekend or a public holiday.

Sometimes, it's a matter of not having the money to go grocery shopping. It's not always a choice

 

[TootsieFootsie]

I wasn't including fresh fruit and vegetables. It seems all food including packaged food is just bought every few days or a week.

most everyone has some food but it is good to have fresh vegetables and things that are not frozen... also people with several children- the can eat like machines so it is radically different than feeding an elderly adult IMO.

 

[acutename]

Respectfully snipped for focus. Testing should be free. If it's not, we're always going to have people who suffer at home and not bother going to get tested.

At this link, you'll see the flyer for the local hospital, which is the only place within about 13 miles that's offering testing for Covid--at a cost of $152.46. Plus, you need a doctor's order. Look at the small line of text just under the words...

"Important information for patients and visitors"

It reads..."As required by Section 3202(b) of the CARES Act, our cash charge for the COVID-19 diagnostic test is $152.46 with a physician order."

For those who have insurance, the cost is likely covered. Those who don't are just out of luck.

If we can't test efficiently, contact tracing means nothing.

This whole virus has been handled so poorly in the US from the get-go. The vaccine, masking, and social distancing are probably our best bets, but all the rest of the stuff..contact tracing, shutdowns, quarantines, all of that is a band-aid on a severed limb because there's no uniformity or consistency. What works in other nations will not work here because too many people resist. I'm not coming down on those who resist, they have their opinions and those opinions are just as valid as mine, but I'm disappointed in our leadership--both the old leadership and the new leadership.

problems with testing: less available now that before; not free; results that are most reliable are not immediate; testing most needed for severely sick people but those folks least able to go out- With COVID D, if you do not really have symptoms, you will not get a test, but supposedly can spread virus, so.... imprecise at best.
I used to know where testing centers were- looked them up recently- some closed... as far as I know, I could still get a test by mail for free from local govt, but that takes a few days to mail out and to mail in. It also requires a video session so some one with no or bad wifi would not be able to complete it.

 

[CoverMeCagney]

I can tell you that my daughter and her circle of vaxxed friends all get tested regularly. Last wknd, my daughter could not find a pharmacy (cvs, rite aid, etc) within 40 minutes of her house that had availability. Transmission is considered high so that must be why she suddenly can’t find a place to get a test.

Here they are given out to school children to bring home, or can be collected from a pharmacy, or be posted to your home address with next day delivery. All free. Must be costing the government an arm and a leg, but at least they’re easy to get hold of.

 

[ilovewings]

problems with testing: less available now that before; not free; results that are most reliable are not immediate; testing most needed for severely sick people but those folks least able to go out- With COVID D, if you do not really have symptoms, you will not get a test, but supposedly can spread virus, so.... imprecise at best.
I used to know where testing centers were- looked them up recently- some closed... as far as I know, I could still get a test by mail for free from local govt, but that takes a few days to mail out and to mail in. It also requires a video session so some one with no or bad wifi would not be able to complete it.

What about rapid testing done at home?

 

[MimosaMornings]

COVID testing in Houston, Harris County, Fort Bend, Galveston | khou.com

Full list of free COVID testing sites in Houston, Harris County, Fort Bend County, Galveston County and more

 

[MimosaMornings]

Sometimes, it's a matter of not having the money to go grocery shopping. It's not always a choice

This is so true. Some people get paid weekly and they have to budget paying their basic bills, which ones can be paid late, keeping power and A/C on, buying medicine, etc.

Think about the people trying to live on social security and running out of money towards the end of the month. Or lost a spouse to Covid that was the breadwinner of the family or dependent on their spouse’s larger social security check.

 

[TootsieFootsie]

Yes that's sadly true

Sometimes, it's a matter of not having the money to go grocery shopping. It's not always a choic

 

[Mauig’ma]

I am not as kind as you are: I do come down on people who resist taking the vaccination. Sure, opinions are valid: However, not all actions or inaction in this particular health crisis are valid. One can have an opinion and even be fearful of the vaccine ( I was fearful) but I looked around and saw lots of people getting the vaccine, and guess what, they weren't dropping dead or growing two heads- it looked pretty safe to me: yes there were some frightening rare events- and those are concerning: they concerned me- I was afraid of having an allergic reaction, but I weighed the benefit risk and the risk of Covid far outweighs the risk of an adverse reaction from the vaccine. Perhaps when the FDA actually approves the vaccine we will see more
people getting it: at least I hope so.

The old leadership has led to what we are seeing here with respect to the politicizing of masks in particular. Our present leadership, while obviously not perfect, is doing the best they can---CDC has been disappointing with mixed messaging- part of the problem though is because this is a novel (new) virus, there was no history as to how it would operate over time- I think the extreme contagious aspect of Delta has surprised the experts to the point they are surprised that even vaccinated people are getting breakthrough infections more than anticipated. There is no prior playbook for dealing with this new virus.

All of this is your opinion. Please remember to add that to your posts. We all have opinions. Some people insist on voicing them more than others. And some people aren’t happy unless they have someone else to blame. I’m not one of those people. IMO if people take responsibility for themselves and quit trying to blame and persuade others to agree with them this world could start to heal. No one has the right to lash out at people who don’t agree with them. Of course All of this is my opinion only

 

[Sundog]

I don't remember which well-known epidemiologist said this, but he said that if we had a 100% vaccination rate, then all covid infections would be breakthrough cases.
Interesting way to think about it.

I guess we have to remember that the desired outcome of the vaccine is to prevent serious illness (i.e. hospitalization and death), that it doesn't prevent infection.

 

[jjenny]

I don't remember which well-known epidemiologist said this, but he said that if we had a 100% vaccination rate, then all covid infections would be breakthrough cases.
Interesting way to think about it.

I guess we have to remember that the desired outcome of the vaccine is to prevent serious illness (i.e. hospitalization and death), that it doesn't prevent infection.

The infection rates should be much lower, though, since vaccines do decrease the chance of infection.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Celia Viggo Wexler: Covid vaccine skeptics are ruining the return to normal. We have no one to blame but ourselves. (nbcnews.com)

Vaccine resisters may be blindingly sure about their future. Ironically, it is the vaccinated who bear the burden of doubt.

Last year, during lockdown, I read “The Great Influenza” by John M. Barry. My father’s mother died in the 1918 epidemic, leaving my father a three-year-old half-orphan and changing his life forever.

I found the book oddly comforting. Pandemics, it taught me, have beginnings, middles and ends. The 1918 event took millions of lives and went after the young and strong. But even without vaccines or modern medicine, it ultimately went away...

 

[jjenny]

Vaccine resisters will get the immunity the "natural' way, the way the delta is spreading. The ones who don't die from it, of course.

 

[mickey2942]

I remember when this all started to get attention, fortunately, many of us were ahead of the information, thank you @Amonet .I remember when we were told that everyone was going to go home for two weeks, until Easter, and this whole thing would blow away, like seasonal flu.

Even then, I knew that was some childish fantasy. Covid is here to stay. Delta variant, whatever the next one will be called...this isn't going away.