July-Covid Politics

[enchanted]

Jul 22, 2021 10:13:58 GMT -6 100poppies said:

I learned today that fox is mandating employees get vaccinated or wear masks and has created a vaccine passport for the company.

And Fucker is going to keep railing against it because 'Murica.

GFD.

[byjove]

NFL is taking a hard stance on covid for the upcoming season.

[dc2london]

I like this simile for the vaccines:

“Seatbelts reduce risk, but we still need to drive carefully,” said Dr. Scott Dryden-Peterson, an infectious disease physician and epidemiologist at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston. “We’re still trying to figure out what is ‘drive carefully’ in the Delta era, and what we should be doing.”

www.nytimes.com/live/2021/07/22/world/covid-variant-vaccine-updates/heres-why-even-vaccinated-people-are-getting-breakthrough-infections

[clucky]

Jul 22, 2021 12:01:30 GMT -6 willow said:

The new internet version of what HIPAA is makes me absolutely insane. My nanny told me yesterday that her friend brought her son with to her gym's childcare to work out earlier this week and noticed that the worker wasn't wearing a mask so she asked the woman if she was fully vaccinated. The woman got annoyed and just said "I'll go get my mask". Then my nanny's friend got a call from the MANAGER of the gym the next morning, telling her she violated the childcare worker's HIPAA rights and can't ask her that question.

I wanted to rage stroke out. I mean aside from how completely unprofessional it was, it is also 100% incorrect.

I always assume they are referring to their made up acronyms HIPPA or HIIPA.

[clucky]

My Uncle isn’t doing well. I’m struggling to focus and am feeling very helpless. Working on staying positive is a lot. I’m most frustrated that NOW we are focusing on ensuring to support those who serve the rural communities are becoming a priority. Thankful, but frustrated with the timing.

[byjove]

clucky, I'm so sorry <3

[Minerva]

Jul 22, 2021 12:50:28 GMT -6 byjove said:

NFL is taking a hard stance on covid for the upcoming season.

That last bit…damn, Gina. The non-COVID team loses out on the money too.

I’m having a major anxiety freak out this week about Delta. I guess the NFL, along with the rest of the world, is too. I’m thinking about canceling DS’s last camp of the summer, which is indoors, if our region’s numbers go up much higher. Even with high vax rates (which should reduce r value by reducing the susceptible population), COVID has an approximate r-value of 1.32 in Ffx county right now. That’s up from r=0.4 just 4 weeks ago. If something doesn’t give, we will be seeing much higher case numbers in a few weeks. It’s so much more contagious. At least in our area, I do think people will generally dial back risky behaviors and it sounds like masking and social distancing should still be very effective mitigators.

This article is excellent, but truly sobering. I’d only recommend reading if you’re in a good place with COVID anxiety. And I’d very much welcome being talked down from my personal anxious freak out, if people have other insights. www.washingtonpost.com/health/interactive/2021/unvaccinated-case-rate-delta-surge/

[byjove]

Jul 22, 2021 13:35:24 GMT -6 Minerva said:

Jul 22, 2021 12:50:28 GMT -6 byjove said:

NFL is taking a hard stance on covid for the upcoming season.

That last bit…damn, Gina. The non-COVID team loses out on the money too.

I’m having a major anxiety freak out this week about Delta. I guess the NFL, along with the rest of the world, is too. I’m thinking about canceling DS’s last camp of the summer, which is indoors, if our region’s numbers go up much higher. Even with high vax rates (which should reduce r value by reducing the susceptible population), COVID has an approximate r-value of 1.32 in Ffx county right now. That’s up from r=0.4 just 4 weeks ago. If something doesn’t give, we will be seeing much higher case numbers in a few weeks. It’s so much more contagious. At least in our area, I do think people will generally dial back risky behaviors and it sounds like masking and social distancing should still be very effective mitigators.

This article is excellent, but truly sobering. I’d only recommend reading if you’re in a good place with COVID anxiety. And I’d very much welcome being talked down from my personal anxious freak out, if people have other insights. www.washingtonpost.com/health/interactive/2021/unvaccinated-case-rate-delta-surge/

We'd been at a % positivity at 1 or less for most of the summer, and in the last week are back to 3%. Definitely freaked out. At this rate we'll be back well over 5% by the time school starts in a month (afraid to think how high).

[thatgolfb]

clucky I’m sorry. ❤️

[greykitty]

clucky, I'm sorry.

[dc2london]

Jul 22, 2021 13:44:35 GMT -6 byjove said:

Jul 22, 2021 13:35:24 GMT -6 Minerva said:

That last bit…damn, Gina. The non-COVID team loses out on the money too.

I’m having a major anxiety freak out this week about Delta. I guess the NFL, along with the rest of the world, is too. I’m thinking about canceling DS’s last camp of the summer, which is indoors, if our region’s numbers go up much higher. Even with high vax rates (which should reduce r value by reducing the susceptible population), COVID has an approximate r-value of 1.32 in Ffx county right now. That’s up from r=0.4 just 4 weeks ago. If something doesn’t give, we will be seeing much higher case numbers in a few weeks. It’s so much more contagious. At least in our area, I do think people will generally dial back risky behaviors and it sounds like masking and social distancing should still be very effective mitigators.

This article is excellent, but truly sobering. I’d only recommend reading if you’re in a good place with COVID anxiety. And I’d very much welcome being talked down from my personal anxious freak out, if people have other insights. www.washingtonpost.com/health/interactive/2021/unvaccinated-case-rate-delta-surge/

We'd been at a % positivity at 1 or less for most of the summer, and in the last week are back to 3%. Definitely freaked out. At this rate we'll be back well over 5% by the time school starts in a month (afraid to think how high).

I was just starting to feel ok sending my kids into the schools too

[byjove]

Jul 22, 2021 13:49:45 GMT -6 dc2london said:

Jul 22, 2021 13:44:35 GMT -6 byjove said:

We'd been at a % positivity at 1 or less for most of the summer, and in the last week are back to 3%. Definitely freaked out. At this rate we'll be back well over 5% by the time school starts in a month (afraid to think how high).

I was just starting to feel ok sending my kids into the schools too

yep

[dc2london]

clucky I'm so sorry.

Pressuring yourself to stay positive is emotional labor you don't need right now. Please try and let your feelings come as they do. Acknowledge them, then release them. Reserve mental space for the things you can control, because you can't will him back to health. I promise he is fighting as hard as he can and he knows you're pulling for him.

[goldenbird]

I'm sorry clucky.

[jkjacq]

I'm sorry clucky,

[doublestuf]

Big hugs to you clucky. dc2london was spot on with her words. I'm sorry he's so sick.

[Ls2012]

I'm so sorry, clucky.

[elle]

Jul 22, 2021 13:51:37 GMT -6 dc2london said:

clucky I'm so sorry.

Pressuring yourself to stay positive is emotional labor you don't need right now. Please try and let your feelings come as they do. Acknowledge them, then release them. Reserve mental space for the things you can control, because you can't will him back to health. I promise he is fighting as hard as he can and he knows you're pulling for him.

Ditto all of this clucky. And I'm so very sorry. ❤

[Minerva]

clucky, sending hugs. ❤️

[Deleted]

Jul 22, 2021 14:14:23 GMT -6 elle said:

Jul 22, 2021 13:51:37 GMT -6 dc2london said:

clucky I'm so sorry.

Pressuring yourself to stay positive is emotional labor you don't need right now. Please try and let your feelings come as they do. Acknowledge them, then release them. Reserve mental space for the things you can control, because you can't will him back to health. I promise he is fighting as hard as he can and he knows you're pulling for him.

Ditto all of this clucky. And I'm so very sorry. ❤

I also co-sign this clucky ❤️

[clucky]

Jul 22, 2021 13:51:37 GMT -6 dc2london said:

clucky I'm so sorry.

Pressuring yourself to stay positive is emotional labor you don't need right now. Please try and let your feelings come as they do. Acknowledge them, then release them. Reserve mental space for the things you can control, because you can't will him back to health. I promise he is fighting as hard as he can and he knows you're pulling for him.

Thank you for this. My parents are actually visiting and I’m hoping being around the kids and helping with projects around the house are helping my dad too. One set of our bushes got a buzz cut this morning,. We have 2 others that we use for privacy, so there is more to redirect towards.

[enchanted]

clucky I'm so sorry.

[Deleted]

Jul 22, 2021 12:07:30 GMT -6 byjove said:

Ooof. I didn't realize that the CDC was only tracking breakthrough HOSPITALIZATIONS and not cases. Some data on break through vaccinations by vaccine type.

ETA not sure what she means by VAERS is a bust. That people aren't reporting through? The V-safe guy called me to make sure I had.

Yup. CDC continues to drop the ball. I don’t know how they can say they’re following the science with a straight face. They are missing key data!! Infuriating.

[sweetpea]

Jul 22, 2021 12:50:28 GMT -6 byjove said:

NFL is taking a hard stance on covid for the upcoming season.

My DH told me about this and we agree good policy but I told DH that if his team has to forfeit I do not want to hear whining. He says he won't (doubtful)

[greykitty]

I keep thinking the important numbers to keep an eye on are hospitalizations and mortality. We will never know how many asymptomatic or very mild cases existed since COVID evolved, right, now including the fully vaccinated?

I guess perfect world we'd all be testing every single day no matter what to compile data. And if I'm sitting at home with a mild case of COVID, well - the vaccine worked? Would be nice to have those numbers, but how many people will not even know they had COVID?

As I understood it, VAERS collects all sorts of self-reported info. I mean, I reported to VAERS too but no one called me to check anything.


VAERS Limitations
Because VAERS allows anyone to report possible side effects from vaccines, it includes reports that might or might not be caused by vaccines. VAERS is not designed to identify cause and effect. VAERS reports alone cannot be used to determine if a vaccine caused or contributed to an adverse event or illness. Some reports may contain information that is incomplete, inaccurate, coincidental, or unverifiable. Most reports to VAERS are voluntary, which means they are subject to biases. Data from VAERS reports should always be interpreted with these limitations in mind.

www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/safety/vaers.html

[dc2london]

Jul 22, 2021 14:50:48 GMT -6 sweetpea said:

Jul 22, 2021 12:50:28 GMT -6 byjove said:

NFL is taking a hard stance on covid for the upcoming season.

My DH told me about this and we agree good policy but I told DH that if his team has to forfeit I do not want to hear whining. He says he won't (doubtful)

Hahaha the unanticipated side effect!!

[dc2london]

Jul 22, 2021 14:54:28 GMT -6 greykitty said:

I keep thinking the important numbers to keep an eye on are hospitalizations and mortality. We will never know how many asymptomatic or very mild cases existed since COVID evolved, right, now including the fully vaccinated?

I guess perfect world we'd all be testing every single day no matter what to compile data. And if I'm sitting at home with a mild case of COVID, well - the vaccine worked? Would be nice to have those numbers, but how many people will not even know they had COVID?

As I understood it, VAERS collects all sorts of self-reported info. I mean, I reported to VAERS too but no one called me to check anything.


VAERS Limitations
Because VAERS allows anyone to report possible side effects from vaccines, it includes reports that might or might not be caused by vaccines. VAERS is not designed to identify cause and effect. VAERS reports alone cannot be used to determine if a vaccine caused or contributed to an adverse event or illness. Some reports may contain information that is incomplete, inaccurate, coincidental, or unverifiable. Most reports to VAERS are voluntary, which means they are subject to biases. Data from VAERS reports should always be interpreted with these limitations in mind.

www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/safety/vaers.html

If I have a mild or asymptomatic case of covid as a fully vaccinated person, I don't feel a need to know that, necessarily.
However, it seems to currently be an open question whether I could have a breakthrough delta infection and then transmit that to my children (a big part of my eagerness to get vaccinated was knowing that I was unlikely to bring it home from the grocery store and infect my kids). So that alters the calculus a bit.

But also, NIH have made clear that they are taking long covid quite seriously. If I unknowingly had a breakthrough infection and were to go on to have persistent unexplained fatigue, tachycardia, or temperature regulation issues, I'd rather my Healthcare provider know that covid was in the mix as a potential cause to help myself get answers and to contribute to data the scientists are collecting on the whats and whys of long covid. So, I see what you are saying, but the current landscape has me in slight disagreement.

[greykitty]

And the WH is now boosting funding for more testing, in small rural hospitals and some other key and undervaccinated areas - below

In a perfect world, I'd be happy to test every day and keep a log to send in for data compilation. And I suspect COVID will be on a lot of diagnosticians' radar in the future, along with a lot of other viral and other diseases, when looking at symptoms with unknown causes, whether the patient was diagnosed with COVID or not.

I was actually a little disappointed that my pre-endoscopy procedure checklist for tomorrow did not include a COVID test - the hospital outpatient center changed their protocols for the fully vaccinated a few weeks ago, and apparently is keeping that decision for now. I don't think I have COVID at all, but I've been out and about unmasked, per the CDC, for weeks and was curious. No big concerts or ball games, but two theater movies and several restaurant sit down meals, and thrice weekly visits to the gym. Not a lot of masking going on in my area at the moment. Who knows how that will change, if the science actually indicates a change should be made for the vaccinated.



The administration said Thursday that it is directing $1.6 billion in Covid testing to high-risk settings like prisons and homeless and domestic violence shelters, the officials said. The administration announced a $398 million boost in funding for small rural hospitals last week for testing and reducing infection.

www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/white-house-boosts-funding-for-covid-tests-as-infections-continue-to-surge/ar-AAMr7Cu?ocid=uxbndlbing

[addymac]

Jul 22, 2021 15:59:11 GMT -6 greykitty said:

I was actually a little disappointed that my pre-endoscopy procedure checklist for tomorrow did not include a COVID test - the hospital outpatient center changed their protocols for the fully vaccinated a few weeks ago, and apparently is keeping that decision for now. I don't think I have COVID at all, but I've been out and about unmasked, per the CDC, for weeks and was curious. No big concerts or ball games, but two theater movies and several restaurant sit down meals, and thrice weekly visits to the gym. Not a lot of masking going on in my area at the moment. Who knows how that will change, if the science actually indicates a change should be made for the vaccinated.

Im getting a colonoscopy in September and also don’t need a test before hand.

At work we had the opportunity to get saliva tested every two weeks but suddenly the hospital said only unvaccinated need to do it (but it was never enforced to begin with) so now I lost my q 2 week test and I’m mad cuz I liked that reassurance.

[byjove]

Jul 22, 2021 15:25:13 GMT -6 dc2london said:

Jul 22, 2021 14:54:28 GMT -6 greykitty said:

I keep thinking the important numbers to keep an eye on are hospitalizations and mortality. We will never know how many asymptomatic or very mild cases existed since COVID evolved, right, now including the fully vaccinated?

I guess perfect world we'd all be testing every single day no matter what to compile data. And if I'm sitting at home with a mild case of COVID, well - the vaccine worked? Would be nice to have those numbers, but how many people will not even know they had COVID?

As I understood it, VAERS collects all sorts of self-reported info. I mean, I reported to VAERS too but no one called me to check anything.


VAERS Limitations
Because VAERS allows anyone to report possible side effects from vaccines, it includes reports that might or might not be caused by vaccines. VAERS is not designed to identify cause and effect. VAERS reports alone cannot be used to determine if a vaccine caused or contributed to an adverse event or illness. Some reports may contain information that is incomplete, inaccurate, coincidental, or unverifiable. Most reports to VAERS are voluntary, which means they are subject to biases. Data from VAERS reports should always be interpreted with these limitations in mind.

www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/safety/vaers.html

If I have a mild or asymptomatic case of covid as a fully vaccinated person, I don't feel a need to know that, necessarily.
However, it seems to currently be an open question whether I could have a breakthrough delta infection and then transmit that to my children (a big part of my eagerness to get vaccinated was knowing that I was unlikely to bring it home from the grocery store and infect my kids). So that alters the calculus a bit.

But also, NIH have made clear that they are taking long covid quite seriously. If I unknowingly had a breakthrough infection and were to go on to have persistent unexplained fatigue, tachycardia, or temperature regulation issues, I'd rather my Healthcare provider know that covid was in the mix as a potential cause to help myself get answers and to contribute to data the scientists are collecting on the whats and whys of long covid. So, I see what you are saying, but the current landscape has me in slight disagreement.

It definitely seems like something worth tracking, and short sighted not to have the data. Im terrified of long covid.