At my place of worship, it is masks and social distance, back to no singing, no eating except outside (the coffee hour is again canceled.) You know things are serious when an Episcopal church cancels coffee hour. I am worshiping Sunday online and my neighbor picks up my wafer on Saturday when she goes to that service in person. You can also call the office earlier in the week and they will bring your wafer to the car to take home and receive during either the Saturday or Sunday services. 2 or the 3 weekend services are live-streamed.
At least the Church of England is allowed to sing, and AFAIK there are now no hard-and-fast rules about the numbers attending services (not that that's ever a problem at Our Place...).
Coffee-hour has been cancelled, but that's simply because very few people were staying after service anyway. AIUI the idea is to have a coffee/CAKE hour once a month, after the Sunday Mass, so we'll see how that goes.
Restrictions do, of course, vary wildly from country to country, but it does look as though we in England are getting back to a sort of *near normality*, or perhaps *new normality*. If another wave of Covid-19 hits us in the summer, no doubt we'll be given yet more advice and guidance from The Powers That Be.
Finally got my booster today - for whatever reason they'd not sent any here for over a month.
Hope you're ok - we had our Astra-Zeneca shots in late autumn/mid-winter with no troubles, but both of us felt sore across the shoulders and a bit off-colour almost 24 hours to the minute after our booster jab. That was lunchtime, remained for the rest of the day, but we woke up ok the following morning.
I finally got a Pfizer booster shot on Tuesday, very grateful boosters are now available in my area from mobile clinics.
I had almost no reaction at all to the first two Pfizer vaccinations, but had a rough time with the booster jab. Fever, nausea and aching all over as well as sudden cold sores (Herpes zoster?). Listed as a possible side effect in the medical literature, but odd because I've never had cold sores before.
Herpes simplex more likely ( zoster implicated in shingles) but without a pcr swab no way of knowing. It is ceratinly possible to meet the virus in ages past without a clinical manifestation.
My Giraffe of a student son has phoned to say he has tested positive. And how is he going to eat? Think I may be bringing him home tomorrow and isolating him upstairs and Mr Cats downstairs (so he can go on playing his organ). But maybe he will have figured out how to get food.
The Quinie and the Future Son-in-Law have tested positive. Both are feeling well. I am massively relieved it is now and not 5 -and-a-bit weeks hence, which would have scuppered their wedding.
Sympathy to the Giraffe, Quinie and the Future Son-in-Law. A friend has just called to say she is home sick with Covid for the third time, caught from her teenage children and their friends. Not pleasant.
Sorry to hear about the Giraffe, the Quinie and f-s-i-l and ML's friend - wouldn't you think that having had it would give a certain amount of immunity?
The Giraffe more cheery this morning, now he has eaten (he was hungry last night, which always makes him morose) and worked out that his friends will in fact feed him! So no need to come home. Just the week of isolation, assuming he tests negative at the end of it. Quite glad I am not driving in this hoolie to go and get him.
100 kids and 9 members of staff off with Covid at my local secondary school.
I shall be continuing to request masks and good ventilation at our place...Mind you, with the gaps around the windows/under the doors, the draughts will scare off the Covid without any additional window-opening etc...
The number of cases I'm hearing about (🙏 for all mentioned) gives the lie to the idea that it's all over bar the shouting.
Today, most of the customers in the larger of my two localish Co-Ops were wearing masks, as was the nice lady on the checkout (she kindly offered to pack my bag for me, seeing me tottering slightly).
Everyone was still wearing masks in our local supermarket. On the way home we had to wait for the level crossing gates to raise, and the train that went past was standing room only. I'm not sure how many people were masked, but it wasn't a train I would have fancied being on.
Covid seems to have dropped way out of the news, something that Johnson and co are probably grateful for, even if the alternative is discussion about his inability to recognise a party when he attends one.
Hmm. I wonder if, in fact, people are generally more sensible about the now non-existent Plague (NB - that was Irony) than was at first thought?
Mind you, Johnson & Co have other fish to fry - war with Russia, a police investigation, getting rid of the empty bottles evidence, massive poverty looming (but let the bodies pile up, anyway) etc. etc.
Future son-in-law had Covid in May 2020, and has since been double jabbed and boosted. Although he's had a positive PCR, he only tested because he's a close contact of the Quinie. He feels completely well. The Quinie (double jabbed, boosted, but not had it before) is headachey but looked well on our videocall.
Glad the Giraffe is feeling more positive @Cathscats. I hope he doesn't feel too ill and is back in circulation as soon as he can be.
Thanks, @Sarasa. He has no symptoms at present. That’s what makes staying in (in a small student room) hard for him to get his head around. “I can’t even go to the kitchen to make a coffee!” But he has good flatmates. His worry is that those who are offering to cook for him are the girls “And they don’t put enough food on a plate. Not nearly.”
My son tested positive on Christmas Day. He had no symptoms but we all took lateral flow tests as my very frail brother was due to visit for the holiday. Obviously we had to cancel that, though he and his family did get to see us early in the New Year. Son was very fed up. As he said if he felt ill lying on the sofa watching crap films had a certain appeal. As it was he was a bit stir crazy.
I have worked transporting college students around for the past two years. I have been vaccinated and boosted--the boost was six months ago. This week, I get two texts by phone saying in the past 14 days I may have been exposed.
This raises some questions.
1) Have I been exposed twice? Or is it a follow on repeat of the first warning?
2) Just how long ago was the exposure? Do I assume it was recent exposure and start counting down now? Or was it a earlier exposure which would put me out of the incubation period?
3) When should I get tested? Now? If now, how often should I be tested in the next couple of weeks? Should I wait until I develop symptoms? I self check every morning, but what if the symptoms pronounce themselves during working hours?
4) If I do have to self isolate, what would that look like?
So many questions. I guess I just take it one day at a time.
Yeah, "you might have been exposed at some point in the last fortnight" isn't very helpful, is it?
I think current advice says that because you're fully vaccinated, you don't need to isolate unless you develop symptoms. You should test on day 5 after exposure, which I'd interpret as day 5 after now, for lack of additional information.
If you notice that you have developed symptoms during working hours, you call your supervisor and say "I was notified by text that I have been exposed to Covid-19, am developing symptoms consistent with Covid-19, and need to go home and quarantine". And then you go home and quarantine.
Yeah, "you might have been exposed at some point in the last fortnight" isn't very helpful, is it?
I think current advice says that because you're fully vaccinated, you don't need to isolate unless you develop symptoms. You should test on day 5 after exposure, which I'd interpret as day 5 after now, for lack of additional information.
If you notice that you have developed symptoms during working hours, you call your supervisor and say "I was notified by text that I have been exposed to Covid-19, am developing symptoms consistent with Covid-19, and need to go home and quarantine". And then you go home and quarantine.
Good to find out that neither the NZ Prime Minister, Jacinda nor the Governor General, Dame Cindy Koro have tested postitive for Covid and come out of self isolation tomorrow.
I'm finding myself in the weird position, which I was not anticipating at all, of actually wanting to catch covid within the next month. Given the fact that take a busy bus to work, and I work in a busy class of young people, so I'm realistically going to catch it at some point, it seems better to catch it now, within three months of my booster, as the research suggests the highest probability of symptoms being mild within that time frame. Also, logically, in the long run, better to catch it mildly at some point, because t-cells are better long term protection, and better protection against mutations, than the anitbodies of the vaccines. So, from a simply logical perspective, although I'd rather not get it at all, and I'm aware it might worsen my heath long term, it seems better, in terms of probability, to catch it within this next month. I'm not going to seek out infected people or anything, but I'm no longer avoiding the busier buses, or feeling anxious about people not wearing masks. And even feeling a little frustrated that I haven't caught it yet.
ISWYM, but (as always) be careful what you wish for!
The problem in the future is likely to be the effect of long Covid, something of an unknown quantity at the moment AIUI.
Take care, stay safe, and keep well.
Yep, I could get long covid, but then I already have chronic illness which seems very similar to long covid anyway. It could get worse, of course, and this is why I have been so careful for so long, but now I'm simply thinking practically about the least worst possibility. If I'm going to get covid anyway, then best, surely, to get it when the risk of serious symptoms/complications is at its lowest. I'd probably see it differently if I didn't work where I do, and wasn't reliant on public transport, but as it is, I can't see any way of avoiding catching it.
Would someone care to remind me to bring a box of LFTs home from the office tomorrow?
I don't think I want to catch Covid; although I'm fully jagged, I'm not getting any younger ...
I see that Ms Sturgeon is worried about the fact that free LFTs, even in Scotland, are funded by the government in Westminster, and she wonders how Scotland will be able to fund them itself.
Get a box while you can - apparently, Boots are to sell them at £5.99 each...
ISWYM, but (as always) be careful what you wish for!
The problem in the future is likely to be the effect of long Covid, something of an unknown quantity at the moment AIUI.
Take care, stay safe, and keep well.
Yep, I could get long covid, but then I already have chronic illness which seems very similar to long covid anyway. It could get worse, of course, and this is why I have been so careful for so long, but now I'm simply thinking practically about the least worst possibility. If I'm going to get covid anyway, then best, surely, to get it when the risk of serious symptoms/complications is at its lowest. I'd probably see it differently if I didn't work where I do, and wasn't reliant on public transport, but as it is, I can't see any way of avoiding catching it.
The trouble is, a) you're probably NOT going to catch it when your immunities are in the best shape for fighting it off because... your immunities are in the best shape for fighting it off, if you know what I mean. Also b) catching it once doesn't prevent you from catching it twice, or thrice... and every time you have a risk of Long COVID. So saying "I'm going to get it anyway" might be true; but the problem then becomes "How many times am I going to get it?"
Now, if it were "one and done," I could see the appeal of it. But it's not...
My long covid is a common post-viral syndrome, a dysautonomia called postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, rather than a new disorder. I can see why someone who already had such a post-viral syndrome might have a pragmatic approach to risking long covid.
Advice from the NZ Government is that omicron numbers will probably peak here near the end of March.
I need to check whether the cattery would take my cat if I'm hospitalised - I'm not planning to be, but I need to make plans as I don't trust the person who would be willing to look after her to keep her in at night. She's a feisty wee thing and I can envisage her getting into fights, whereas she is OK with going to the cattery and being fussed over.
My boss informed me today that we can go back to just twice-weekly LFTs. As they're a total pain in the arse up the nose, I'm not raising any objections, but I can't help wondering if it's related to Johnson's determination to declare the Plague "over" for his own ends.
If tests are no longer free, presumably fewer tests will be done, and there will be fewer positive results.
ISWYM, but (as always) be careful what you wish for!
The problem in the future is likely to be the effect of long Covid, something of an unknown quantity at the moment AIUI.
Take care, stay safe, and keep well.
Yep, I could get long covid, but then I already have chronic illness which seems very similar to long covid anyway. It could get worse, of course, and this is why I have been so careful for so long, but now I'm simply thinking practically about the least worst possibility. If I'm going to get covid anyway, then best, surely, to get it when the risk of serious symptoms/complications is at its lowest. I'd probably see it differently if I didn't work where I do, and wasn't reliant on public transport, but as it is, I can't see any way of avoiding catching it.
The trouble is, a) you're probably NOT going to catch it when your immunities are in the best shape for fighting it off because... your immunities are in the best shape for fighting it off, if you know what I mean. Also b) catching it once doesn't prevent you from catching it twice, or thrice... and every time you have a risk of Long COVID. So saying "I'm going to get it anyway" might be true; but the problem then becomes "How many times am I going to get it?"
Now, if it were "one and done," I could see the appeal of it. But it's not...
Well, people do get it mildly, or even asymptomatically, when their immunities are in good shape - that is the idea behind the advice that it's best to get it within three months of your booster. And yes, some people do get it again, but equally, many don't, and once you get it, you are greatly increasing likelihood of not getting it again, because of the T-cells you acquire, which provide better longterm protection and protection against variants than the antibodies of the current vaccines.
So it's not really simply about 'How many times am I going to get it?' It's about looking at probabilities and risk factors. Vaccination decreases risk of long covid. Severe symptoms of covid increase risk of long covid. Also, reinfections of covid tend to be much less severe than first infections.
So if, say, I was going to be exposed to covid in a year's time anyway, and I'd also happened to get it within three months of my booster (when I'd be much more protected against both severe symptoms and long covid), then statistically, when I was exposed to it again, my risk of catching it at that time, much longer after my booster, would be greatly reduced. But even if I caught it, the fact of it being a second infection would make it far more likely to be mild, and thus long covid risk would also be greatly reduced.
It's about probability, as I said, and reducing risk, rather than completely eliminating it. You never completely eliminate risk, but that doesn't mean it's not wise be strategic in reducing it, based on the various research. So, even in the scenario of getting reinfected, safer to get covid soon after vaccination, and again in a year's time, than to get covid for the first time a year after vaccination.
Well, as I said, I'm not going out of my way to find infected people and spend time with them. This is more an internal realisation that the least risky time to catch covid is now, and a hope that I first catch it sooner rather than later. I work in a crowded classroom, so I'm at risk of catching it in general, but this no longer worries me. Which seems a positive mindset change in general - better than being anxious.
The weirdness continues. I had a full check-up by the dermatologist today. It's normal to strip right down for this, which is perfectly fine - I've had to do that often enough and I can deal with it. But to strip right down except for a facemask somehow made me feel a lot more naked.
Covid cases are dropping fast in our area. I was at the doctor's office yesterday and although in the waiting room masks are required, once I met with the doctor he said you can take your mask off if you wish, and would you like me to take mine off as well? So we both did, as I am hard of hearing it makes it easier for me to communicate. First time in over 2 years to be unmasked when out. It felt good. His final words were I would suggest you still stay away from indoor crowds. My thoughts as well.
Cases seem to be dropping her too, but I don't know if that's because RATs are now available and people aren't reporting positive tests.
The really good news is that the borders are open again without the need for Managed Isolation for most travellers. I thinks it's for NZers coming home first. Scenes at airports as people connect with families for the first time in years, or see new grandchildren are amazing.
I hope my brother from Chicago gives me plenty of warning if he comes so I can tidy the house,
Surprisingly, one of my choirs has informed us of seven people with positive Covid tests this week. Since we resumed in September, we have had only three. We wear masks until seated, sit socially distanced, and have plenty of ventilation to mitigate the risks, singing being a risky activity, so are as safe as we can make it.
What I find frustrating is not knowing names, so it isn't possible to know if it is someone I was close to. I realise people have the right to privacy, but it would be helpful.
Of course, once tests are no longer free, few people will do them, I guess, then nobody sill be any the wiser.
Last night I decided to watch a video posted by an anti-vax person, and one of the people occupying parliament here who used to be a TV reporter. I remembered her as being quite astute.
She was coughing, her eyes were running and she reported that she had a raised temperature.
She was berating Jacinda Ardern and questioning that noxious substance the protesters had been sprayed with to cause these symptoms.
A neighbour's kids have covid, and their mum is very vulnerable, so she is moving out. Their dad is OK, but who said it's over? I saw her last night talking to her youngest through the open window.
Comments
Coffee-hour has been cancelled, but that's simply because very few people were staying after service anyway. AIUI the idea is to have a coffee/CAKE hour once a month, after the Sunday Mass, so we'll see how that goes.
Restrictions do, of course, vary wildly from country to country, but it does look as though we in England are getting back to a sort of *near normality*, or perhaps *new normality*. If another wave of Covid-19 hits us in the summer, no doubt we'll be given yet more advice and guidance from The Powers That Be.
Hope you're ok - we had our Astra-Zeneca shots in late autumn/mid-winter with no troubles, but both of us felt sore across the shoulders and a bit off-colour almost 24 hours to the minute after our booster jab. That was lunchtime, remained for the rest of the day, but we woke up ok the following morning.
I have been Bill Gates is God! fine with all of All Hail The Illuminati! mine.
I had almost no reaction at all to the first two Pfizer vaccinations, but had a rough time with the booster jab. Fever, nausea and aching all over as well as sudden cold sores (Herpes zoster?). Listed as a possible side effect in the medical literature, but odd because I've never had cold sores before.
Hope none of them has it too severely.
I shall be continuing to request masks and good ventilation at our place...Mind you, with the gaps around the windows/under the doors, the draughts will scare off the Covid without any additional window-opening etc...
Today, most of the customers in the larger of my two localish Co-Ops were wearing masks, as was the nice lady on the checkout (she kindly offered to pack my bag for me, seeing me tottering slightly).
Covid seems to have dropped way out of the news, something that Johnson and co are probably grateful for, even if the alternative is discussion about his inability to recognise a party when he attends one.
Mind you, Johnson & Co have other fish to fry - war with Russia, a police investigation, getting rid of the empty bottles evidence, massive poverty looming (but let the bodies pile up, anyway) etc. etc.
Thanks, @Sarasa. He has no symptoms at present. That’s what makes staying in (in a small student room) hard for him to get his head around. “I can’t even go to the kitchen to make a coffee!” But he has good flatmates. His worry is that those who are offering to cook for him are the girls “And they don’t put enough food on a plate. Not nearly.”
This raises some questions.
1) Have I been exposed twice? Or is it a follow on repeat of the first warning?
2) Just how long ago was the exposure? Do I assume it was recent exposure and start counting down now? Or was it a earlier exposure which would put me out of the incubation period?
3) When should I get tested? Now? If now, how often should I be tested in the next couple of weeks? Should I wait until I develop symptoms? I self check every morning, but what if the symptoms pronounce themselves during working hours?
4) If I do have to self isolate, what would that look like?
So many questions. I guess I just take it one day at a time.
I think current advice says that because you're fully vaccinated, you don't need to isolate unless you develop symptoms. You should test on day 5 after exposure, which I'd interpret as day 5 after now, for lack of additional information.
If you notice that you have developed symptoms during working hours, you call your supervisor and say "I was notified by text that I have been exposed to Covid-19, am developing symptoms consistent with Covid-19, and need to go home and quarantine". And then you go home and quarantine.
Thanks
The problem in the future is likely to be the effect of long Covid, something of an unknown quantity at the moment AIUI.
Take care, stay safe, and keep well.
I don't think I want to catch Covid; although I'm fully jagged, I'm not getting any younger ...
Yep, I could get long covid, but then I already have chronic illness which seems very similar to long covid anyway. It could get worse, of course, and this is why I have been so careful for so long, but now I'm simply thinking practically about the least worst possibility. If I'm going to get covid anyway, then best, surely, to get it when the risk of serious symptoms/complications is at its lowest. I'd probably see it differently if I didn't work where I do, and wasn't reliant on public transport, but as it is, I can't see any way of avoiding catching it.
I see that Ms Sturgeon is worried about the fact that free LFTs, even in Scotland, are funded by the government in Westminster, and she wonders how Scotland will be able to fund them itself.
Get a box while you can - apparently, Boots are to sell them at £5.99 each...
The trouble is, a) you're probably NOT going to catch it when your immunities are in the best shape for fighting it off because... your immunities are in the best shape for fighting it off, if you know what I mean. Also b) catching it once doesn't prevent you from catching it twice, or thrice... and every time you have a risk of Long COVID. So saying "I'm going to get it anyway" might be true; but the problem then becomes "How many times am I going to get it?"
Now, if it were "one and done," I could see the appeal of it. But it's not...
I need to check whether the cattery would take my cat if I'm hospitalised - I'm not planning to be, but I need to make plans as I don't trust the person who would be willing to look after her to keep her in at night. She's a feisty wee thing and I can envisage her getting into fights, whereas she is OK with going to the cattery and being fussed over.
If tests are no longer free, presumably fewer tests will be done, and there will be fewer positive results.
Cynical, moi?
Well, people do get it mildly, or even asymptomatically, when their immunities are in good shape - that is the idea behind the advice that it's best to get it within three months of your booster. And yes, some people do get it again, but equally, many don't, and once you get it, you are greatly increasing likelihood of not getting it again, because of the T-cells you acquire, which provide better longterm protection and protection against variants than the antibodies of the current vaccines.
So it's not really simply about 'How many times am I going to get it?' It's about looking at probabilities and risk factors. Vaccination decreases risk of long covid. Severe symptoms of covid increase risk of long covid. Also, reinfections of covid tend to be much less severe than first infections.
So if, say, I was going to be exposed to covid in a year's time anyway, and I'd also happened to get it within three months of my booster (when I'd be much more protected against both severe symptoms and long covid), then statistically, when I was exposed to it again, my risk of catching it at that time, much longer after my booster, would be greatly reduced. But even if I caught it, the fact of it being a second infection would make it far more likely to be mild, and thus long covid risk would also be greatly reduced.
It's about probability, as I said, and reducing risk, rather than completely eliminating it. You never completely eliminate risk, but that doesn't mean it's not wise be strategic in reducing it, based on the various research. So, even in the scenario of getting reinfected, safer to get covid soon after vaccination, and again in a year's time, than to get covid for the first time a year after vaccination.
The really good news is that the borders are open again without the need for Managed Isolation for most travellers. I thinks it's for NZers coming home first. Scenes at airports as people connect with families for the first time in years, or see new grandchildren are amazing.
I hope my brother from Chicago gives me plenty of warning if he comes so I can tidy the house,
What I find frustrating is not knowing names, so it isn't possible to know if it is someone I was close to. I realise people have the right to privacy, but it would be helpful.
Of course, once tests are no longer free, few people will do them, I guess, then nobody sill be any the wiser.
She was coughing, her eyes were running and she reported that she had a raised temperature.
She was berating Jacinda Ardern and questioning that noxious substance the protesters had been sprayed with to cause these symptoms.
I felt incredulous and also a bit sad for her.