Coronavirus

[Adami]

SHHHH.  He's here.

MASKS ON EVERYONE!

[Orbert]

My employer sent out an email last week saying that all employees could get a home test kit sent to them, no charge.  The employee is free, and you can get additional kits for family members for $120 each.  Pretty steep for the additional kits, especially since around here you can go to a CVS and get it done for free.  But this is the at-home kit, so I guess if you'd really prefer to stay home, it's an option.

I figured WTF and ordered a kit the other day.  It came today.  As it happens, I have my annual physical tomorrow with my regular MD, so I'll probably do the test after that.  I had that fever last weekend which I'm pretty sure was not Covid-19 -- it's already in the past -- but it doesn't hurt to be sure.

[TAC]

I figured WTF and ordered a kit the other day.  It came today.  As it happens, I have my annual physical tomorrow with my regular MD, so I'll probably do the test after that.  I had that fever last weekend which I'm pretty sure was not Covid-19 -- it's already in the past -- but it doesn't hurt to be sure.

You should just get the test through your Doctor, and give Mrs O your work test.

[Orbert]

They track them.  The one I ordered already has my name and info on it, so all I have to do is send it in.  I already have a tracking number.  They were pretty specific about the free one being for the employees.

[TAC]

Gotcha!

[Orbert]

I'm still basically just doing it because it's free and convenient.  I have no reason to suspect I even have it, but I guess there's a little peace of mind to be had, at the cost of a nasal swab and a trip to FedEx.  I'm kinda wondering how that's gonna work, since it's self-administered.  But I've also heard that there are different kinds, including one that doesn't go super-deep.  So I'll see.

[Evermind]

Guess I'm joining the club guys, test results returned positive. Feeling mostly alright but perpetually tired. Occasionally there are mild headaches too. Temperature was alright for the last two days. I hope it doesn't get worse.

Just in case anyone is curious about some of these symptoms I've had....yesterday was really strange. Started off with it feeling like gravity was working double time on my body....just pulling me down big time. Was pretty lethargic all day....then around 2pm or so I got this headache that was brutal which lasted all night. Somewhere around 5:30-6:00 I fell asleep hard in bed and woke up with a strange feeling going on. My sinuses felt like it feels when you accidentally take in water when swimming....that feeling...it was burning and just felt like I'd been unexpectedly dunked under water. I got REAL weak....then had a weird sensation throughout my body of just a sinking feeling.....then I started to freak out mentally thinking "holy crap...this is it...I'm going to die right here in bed!!" and proceeded to have a small panic attack    This went on for about 20 minutes and I was able to calm myself down and was 'fine' the rest of the night.

Woke up today feeling a ton better. No headaches....feeling a bit stronger....no issues breathing or anything. But man, last night for a few minutes I thought I was literally dying in front of my wife.

Yeah, this doesn't sound good at all. Hopefully it was the worst episode and you'll get better from here.

[MirrorMask]

Get well soon Evermind!  so far it's promising that you're "just" tired...

[Evermind]

Get well soon Evermind!  so far it's promising that you're "just" tired...

It's definitely promising so far! Although right now I decided to made coffee and realized I couldn't smell freshly ground coffee which is such a weird sensation So I guess more symptoms may come as it goes.

[jingle.boy]

Get well soon Evermind!  so far it's promising that you're "just" tired...

It's definitely promising so far! Although right now I decided to made coffee and realized I couldn't smell freshly ground coffee which is such a weird sensation So I guess more symptoms may come as it goes.

Fuck man ... this blows - the whole thing, not just the sense of smell.

[gmillerdrake]

Get well soon Evermind!  so far it's promising that you're "just" tired...

It's definitely promising so far! Although right now I decided to made coffee and realized I couldn't smell freshly ground coffee which is such a weird sensation So I guess more symptoms may come as it goes.

I lost my smell/taste for two solid days....third day I could tell it was coming back, then the fourth day it was restored. It is a really weird sensation.

[Orbert]

Wow, numbers.  I hope for the best for you guys.  I know three people personally who've had it, all three have survived, although two were hospitalized for a while.  The first had relatively minor symptoms (minor for Covid, that is) much as you've described.  Hopefully this is as far as it goes for you.


I just did my home test.  It came with a little foam swab with about a three-inch handle.  The instructions specifically said that you don't have to place it very far into your nostril; only until the foam head is no longer visible.  Run it around the inside of your nostril at least three times, then repeat with the other nostril.  Use the same end (only one end has a swab anyway), so the only kinda gross part was taking the "dirty" swab out of one nostril and going into the other, but I don't even have a runny nose right now, so it's not like it was gooey or anything.  In fact, since things are dry in there, I was a little concerned about it not picking up enough sample material, so I made sure to run it around inside a few extra times and kinda spin the handle as it went to maximize how much it picked up.

Then drop it into the little tube (supplied), into the biohazard bag (supplied), back into the box it all came in, and into the FedEx Express Biohazard package (supplied).  Quick and painless.  I'll drop it off at FedEx today.

[hefdaddy42]

gooey

[cramx3]

This seems a bit weird to me, but it's actually good news.  https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/one-thing-covid-vaccine-thats-111202197.html

The Pfizer vaccine was first rolled out for release on Dec. 13, shipping in vials that supposedly contain five doses apiece. But doctors administering the shots soon realized that most vials were providing much more than advertised, allowing for six or even seven doses from one vial.

I was wondering if this is normal, apparently it is:

Even though the COVID-19 vaccine is a precious commodity at this point, it's not unheard of for vials of such products to ship a little overfilled. Pharmaceutical companies typically overfill vials in anticipation of spills and circumstantial waste to keep the products usable to their minimum advertised dosage.

it's also safe and recommended to use the extra doses, so it seems we might actually have more supply than originally noted as long as they don't go wasted.

[lonestar]

I heard the oveefilling was also to account for the dead space in the needle after the shot was administered.

[ErHaO]

Good to hear you guys are doing (relatively) well! I didn't do too well earlier this year, but now more than half a year later I feel good. In fact, I got a health test recently and my condition is apparently very good (heartrate, bloodpressure, saturation, lung capacity, strength etc.). 

For me after a few months I randomly got a weird sense of breathlessness, but a lung scan showed completely normal lungs and regular tests were good as well.  The lung specialist told me she had many similar cases and the exact reason is unknown (but this was back in the summer). But that has been gone for a while now too, and my lungs function greatly according to all tests thrown at them. I was also quite tired for a long time, especially when the "lockdown" ended and when I was active for full days again. But that has dissapeared as well.

[Stadler]

This seems a bit weird to me, but it's actually good news.  https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/one-thing-covid-vaccine-thats-111202197.html

The Pfizer vaccine was first rolled out for release on Dec. 13, shipping in vials that supposedly contain five doses apiece. But doctors administering the shots soon realized that most vials were providing much more than advertised, allowing for six or even seven doses from one vial.

I was wondering if this is normal, apparently it is:

Even though the COVID-19 vaccine is a precious commodity at this point, it's not unheard of for vials of such products to ship a little overfilled. Pharmaceutical companies typically overfill vials in anticipation of spills and circumstantial waste to keep the products usable to their minimum advertised dosage.

it's also safe and recommended to use the extra doses, so it seems we might actually have more supply than originally noted as long as they don't go wasted.

I think there's hanky panky going on.  This smacks of adding water to the well vodka bottle at the end of the night.   

[hefdaddy42]

I don't think that would be hanky panky.  I think if you check regulations, that would fall under the category of shenanigans, or possibly flim-flam (depending upon latitude/longitude, as usual).

[Orbert]

gooey

Quiet please... wordsmith at work.


As it turns out, I'm an idiot after all.  I had that fever last weekend, and because of that (and being honest and telling the doctor's office), I couldn't have my physical today.  I'm not a fan of the annual physical, so "disappointed" isn't quite the word, but I was kinda looking forward to getting it over with.  But I get there, and of course there's a big sign with COVID-19 NOTICE in big red letters, and if you've had any of these symptoms in the last 14 days, you must let them know.  They have to ask, so I told her I had a fever last weekend, but it was gone in a few days.  Have I have a Covid test?  Yes, actually just this morning.  Since the results aren't back yet (obviously), they have to reschedule the appointment.

[Stadler]

I don't think that would be hanky panky.  I think if you check regulations, that would fall under the category of shenanigans, or possibly flim-flam (depending upon latitude/longitude, as usual).

 

[cramx3]

NJ Governor announced today that 6 mega sites for vaccinations will open in January across the state, essentially lots of big convention hall places will turn into vaccine spots.  Pretty cool if you ask me.  He's also saying they expect to have everything in place as they continue to roll out the phases of vaccinations so that when the time comes, they will be prepared to give them to everyone who wants one when its your phase that is ready to receive them.  I've really liked the way he's handled this in the state.  He was a bit strict at times, but he probably needed to be and in this latest wave has been pretty good at trying to keep everything open but also keep the spread low, now it's time to get the vaccines rolling and it seems they've got a plan and schedule to do so. 

[Stadler]

So COVID is creeping in all around me.   Grrrr.   

My kid got it while she was at school in October, was asymptomatic, and tested negative before she ever came home.  So that was stressful, but not a threat.  But now... my wife's mom's husband tested positive and my wife's ex's mom just tested positive.  Both live in my town, and within a few miles.  Thankfully my wife's mom's husband is a tool, so we have not been in any contact with him for months, but mom is very high risk, so there's concern there.  The wife's ex's mom (who is also very high risk) is a problem, because my stepson - who is eleven - goes back and forth between the houses.  I'm not a paranoid guy, but I've taken my temperature like 60 times since yesterday, and this morning I woke up not short of breath but with a little scratch in the back of my throat, and while it's 99% because the dog slept right next to me last night, I'm pretty sure I'm going to the airport today to get a test.  The upshot (I know this is TMI) but I've been married to my wife for five and a half years, and I've only been in the same room with her ex once, and only for about five minutes and no words were spoken.  I've literally never talked to him in my life.... until Thursday. I'm shoveling snow, and he came over to pick up his son for visitation, and I was three feet from his truck.  It was awkward just standing there not saying anything so he rolled down his window and we had a short, benign chat about the snow.  I've been doing math in my head for about 12 hours:  "How many COVID molecules can move five feet in 25 degree weather over three minutes?" 

WTF.  I made it 10 months of hibernating in my house like a hermit, and I feel like Johnny COVID is standing at my door looking at me with lust.    Doesn't really change my opinion on what we should have done, it's just reality, but still. 

[Grappler]

NJ Governor announced today that 6 mega sites for vaccinations will open in January across the state, essentially lots of big convention hall places will turn into vaccine spots.  Pretty cool if you ask me.  He's also saying they expect to have everything in place as they continue to roll out the phases of vaccinations so that when the time comes, they will be prepared to give them to everyone who wants one when its your phase that is ready to receive them.  I've really liked the way he's handled this in the state.  He was a bit strict at times, but he probably needed to be and in this latest wave has been pretty good at trying to keep everything open but also keep the spread low, now it's time to get the vaccines rolling and it seems they've got a plan and schedule to do so.

Our county set up an online vaccination registration portal.  Apparently over 50,000 people are already registered an in line ahead of us.  You put in your info and any health conditions and the portal will place you in the queue based on your answers.  My father in law will skip ahead of people because he's immuno-compromised and we'll be farther behind on the list.   It will give you an appointment time though.

I guess it will operate like the drive through testing sites - stay in your car and get a shot in the arm.  They are able to test between 5,000 and 10,000 people a day at those sites, so I'd imagine once they start operating and have enough doses, they'll get through the registration list in a matter of weeks.

[MirrorMask]

WTF.  I made it 10 months of hibernating in my house like a hermit, and I feel like Johnny COVID is standing at my door looking at me with lust.    Doesn't really change my opinion on what we should have done, it's just reality, but still.

That's just another example of how we're all in this together and how everyone must do their part (just like you did) without being careless - our actions fall back upon others, it's something too many people still haven't understood.

Best of wishes for having hopefully been the good and right distance away from your wife's ex! 

[cramx3]

Just tested negative, now I quarantine so I dont get exposed before my flight to my parents on Tuesday.

[Orbert]

[gmillerdrake]

Just tested negative, now I quarantine so I dont get exposed before my flight to my parents on Tuesday.

Awesome! Hope you have a great time with your family!

[hunnus2000]

Just tested negative, now I quarantine so I dont get exposed before my flight to my parents on Tuesday.

Awesome! Hope you have a great time with your family!

How ya feeling man?

[gmillerdrake]

Just tested negative, now I quarantine so I dont get exposed before my flight to my parents on Tuesday.

Awesome! Hope you have a great time with your family!

How ya feeling man?

Today is the third day in a row of no real symptoms. Only small lingering thing is a bit of sinus congestion but it’s light and it comes and goes. Feel 1000x better than I did at the beginning of last week. Same for my wife.....she’s still a little tired but that’s the only lingering symptom. Kiddos have no symptoms either right now. So, I’m hopeful we’ve all turned a corner and we’re lucky with only having mild cases.

Thanks for asking 

[KevShmev]

That is great to hear, Gary. 

[Stadler]

WTF.  I made it 10 months of hibernating in my house like a hermit, and I feel like Johnny COVID is standing at my door looking at me with lust.    Doesn't really change my opinion on what we should have done, it's just reality, but still.

That's just another example of how we're all in this together and how everyone must do their part (just like you did) without being careless - our actions fall back upon others, it's something too many people still haven't understood.

Best of wishes for having hopefully been the good and right distance away from your wife's ex! 

Tested today for peace of mind and for the benefit of the rest of the fam.    Now I wait to hear... think I'll make a fire, pour a drink and watch some football. 

[TAC]

That is great to hear, Gary. 

[lonestar]

That is great to hear, Gary. 

^^^all of this

[ReaperKK]

Just tested negative, now I quarantine so I dont get exposed before my flight to my parents on Tuesday.

Awesome! Hope you have a great time with your family!

Agreed, have a great time!

[Luoto]

As some of you may already know, a new mutation of the virus was found in the UK and it has become dominant in large parts of the country. A Finnish professor of virology tentatively assessed that it's a more distinctive split because the mutation has resulted in several changes to it's genome and proteins. However, he also says the developed vaccines will likely be effective against it.

The new mutation seems to be more contagious than previous forms, which has prompted more lockdowns in the UK and flight restrictions by some EU countries. It doesn't seem to cause more dangerous symptoms though.

EDIT: Finland is likely to join the list of countries to ban incoming UK flights.