Thinking of my DIL, my Enkelin’s Mum. She’s working on a Covid ICU ward today. It’s a brand new hospital and state-of-the art ICU, but still a lot of hard work for her.
Quick question. I've just done a LFT and, as per instructions, blew my nose before I started. One nostril started bleeding. I did a single-nostril LFT and it's negative.
I've not knowingly been in contact with anyone with Covid, and I feel fine - is a single nostril negative enough for me to say I've had a negative LFT?
The nose only kits require both nostrils, but the tonsil and nostril only ask for one, having done both. I have no idea why the difference or how important it is.
I'm using a nose-only one; that's the only sort being given out here.
I'm not worried about having Covid. I'm concerned about stating that I've had a negative LFT, if I'm not entitled to do so, given I've only tested one nostril.
Can I truthfully say that I have a negative LFT if I've only tested one nostril?
My left nostril has started bleeding slightly after the test a couple of times, but today it started before, and was bleeding quite heavily. So I'm envisaging this may not be a one-off problem.
The tests are up to 90% odd accurate, but only if carried out properly. Apparently, the tests should either be both tonsils and nostril or both nostrils, according to the quality control site I read, when I went looking.
If North East Quine wants some throat and nose test kits, I have a couple of spare boxes I could swap for nose only?
As this has come up, is everyone aware that the Government list of symptoms, the high temperature, persistent cough and loss of taste and smell, is out of date? The most common symptoms of either Omicron or any Covid19 for someone who is vaccinated are like those of the common cold. The Zoe Study has been saying this since June, see this Guardian story from 24 December,
The most common symptoms reported among users of the Zoe Covid app have been a running nose, headaches, fatigue, sneezing and sore throats, according to the study’s most recent analysis of confirmed cases in London.
Half of those reporting cold-like symptoms also tested positive for Covid, with no clear difference in the symptoms reported for Delta or Omicron infections. But only about half of infected users also reported the “classic three symptoms of fever, cough, or loss of sense of smell or taste”, according to the Zoe analysis.
The Zoe study has also estimated that if you have cold like symptoms you've a 50% chance of having Covid19, as colds are not spreading particularly well at the moment.
Sorry @Boogie . We found the PCR testing experience wasn't too bad due to how good the volunteers were. As I said in the UK thread our son does have covid, which throws even more plans into disarray, and is pissing him off mightily.
There is another covid case in the household where I was going to go for Christmas. And my friend who has it declares she just has a bit of a sort throat / headache / snuffle and so isn't really sick.
These facts made me thankful that I did stay at home over Christmas - it was indeed sad not visiting them but would have been sad in the extreme had I gone as I would have been on public transport - and who knows how many people I might have impacted.
My most recent box of LFT’s from Orient were really exciting (I know…). They were packaged beautifully, and even had a plastic test tube holder and everything!
But I have used 4 so far, and have had a test failure on 2 of them…by which I mean that I could not even get any drops onto the testing cassette thingy, and when I squeezed harder, the dropper top flew across the kitchen and the liquid preparation inside ended up on the work surface.
I must be doing something wrong, but I can’t see what that might be…
I've used various packs where a couple failed and I wasn't sure if the total blankness was from a dud test or if I wasn't getting drops onto the surface. I now check the control band is appearing before packing the test kits away. I've been testing twice weekly since early July, and I have had double test often enough to be forewarned and forearmed.
As the Image family tends to already celebrate New Year's Eve at 9 PM on the West Coast,( well it is midnight in New York) I do not think we are in any danger. We are also in our night clothes so no temptation to go onto crowded sidewalks.
We are not going anywhere on New Year's Eve. At present we have no plans to see anyone at all, but if our friends two doors down invited us over for a drink we would probably go. The problem I have with New Year's Eve is that because I know I'm not supposed to go to bed until after midnight I am desperate to do so at 8.30. This is the case no matter what I'm doing - at a party or round with friends or here at home. I always find it a really tricky evening.
We were due to be seeing a couple of friends at their place (with its nice big windows to open) for Hogmanay - but cancelled as it's not worth taking the risk right now.
We are not going anywhere on New Year's Eve. At present we have no plans to see anyone at all, but if our friends two doors down invited us over for a drink we would probably go. The problem I have with New Year's Eve is that because I know I'm not supposed to go to bed until after midnight I am desperate to do so at 8.30. This is the case no matter what I'm doing - at a party or round with friends or here at home. I always find it a really tricky evening.
I heard today that one of the oldest people at Our Place has Covid (fortunately, the symptoms are mild, and Parrots Et Em All are helping).
Working back, she reckons she caught it on Sunday 19th December - she hasn't been out since then - on which day she went to the Carol Service and Christmas Market...
She's OK, and on the mend, but I wonder how many others who went to the Carol Service etc. were infected? If, of course, that was the *spreader event*.
I'm sure They tried to make it as safe as possible, but Dread Lord Omicron is a sneaky blighter...
Our vicar was back on duty this morning after four weeks off with Covid. I am guessing she may have caught it through contact with primary school children as there were a number of cases there in early December. She had a coughing fit and withdrew to the vestry, so the next hymn was brought forward, which gave her time to recover her equilibrium. I am hoping she will pace herself and not attempt to meet the expectations of all of her five churches just yet.
Just discovered my mother has covid. I only found out as my sister in law phoned the home to organise a visit. They should have told me when she tested positive a few days ago, but it sounds like a case of one person thinking the other had done it and vice versa. She's as fine as a nearly ninety-four year old with covid and advanced dementia can be.
She's OK, and on the mend, but I wonder how many others who went to the Carol Service etc. were infected? If, of course, that was the *spreader event*.
I'm sure They tried to make it as safe as possible, but Dread Lord Omicron is a sneaky blighter...
There was an email of appreciation for all the music our choir provided over Christmas. And a notification that at least four of our choir had tested positive for COVID, including Mr & Mrs Musical Director. Whilst I appreciate that cause and effect may or may not be linked, I can't help wondering.... (followed by a further mail: are you intending/able to sing at Epiphany?)
I think it would be difficult to tell when it was picked up. For instance, the earlier mentioned person might have caught it at the carol service or the market. And whilst these might be the only times the person has been out, had any relatives or carers visited them or someone called at their door? With the contagiousness of the current variant, it might just have been caught with a passing chat.
I think it would be difficult to tell when it was picked up. For instance, the earlier mentioned person might have caught it at the carol service or the market. And whilst these might be the only times the person has been out, had any relatives or carers visited them or someone called at their door? With the contagiousness of the current variant, it might just have been caught with a passing chat.
Yes, I appreciate that it's difficult to tell. The person I mentioned earlier (Auntie P) went to the Carol Service (in the church) which was immediately followed by the Christmas Market (in the church and the adjoining Hall), so in effect the same place with the same people. As to callers, I don't know (she doesn't have carers), but she did say that she didn't go out at all after Sunday 19th. She has a son who lives locally, and may have seen him, but all her family have been free of the virus, according to tests.
The choir did not sing in church this morning, just the mask solo singer as had been earlier in the year. I am not sure if it is a post-Christmas rest or a new virus decision to return to just a single person singing.
The Radio 3 choral evensong for Wednesday/today was apparently recorded in September according to the BBC sounds app show notes. Seems they were taking no chances, even allowing for Christmas editions being pre-recorded.
I have an appointment to get my hair cut tomorrow. It is my first cut in over 2 years other than my self-trim. I am very nervous as the Covid numbers here are building at the moment. It is simply one on one with no one else in the shop never the less a bit of shaky nerve, however, I simply cannot stand it long anymore.
Frustratingly, we are (apparently) still in quarantine since returning from Plague Island. The official paperwork says that if we have a negative LFT after two days of our re-entry into France then we are free. The Gendarmes who have checked up on us three times since our return on 30th December say that despite what the paperwork says, because we have come from the UK, we have to stay quarantined until a negative PCR on Saturday. The results won't come back until Monday so we're still not allowed to go anywhere except between the hours of 10.00 & 12.00, 1 km from the house for necessities.
As they called in yesterday at 6.30 pm, I might take the risk and at least go out for a walk. They're unlikely to call back again so soon after their last visit. I have, I hasten to add, had two negative LFT since we returned.
I may have a duff box of LFTs. I did one this morning, but when I tried to drip the liquid onto the tester, nothing happened. I squeezed more firmly. And then still more firmly. The tube split down the side with a pop. Once I had mopped up, I took a closer look and realised the nozzle cap was solid- no wee hole. So I started again with a fresh test and realised that nozzle was solid, too.
Fortunately you don't need the nozzle; I just dripped straight from the tube.
I have a question. The kit tells you to check the use-by date each time. All my tests have had use by dates in 2023 so far. But are there any tests which have already expired? They've only been in production for a year; it's not as though you might inadvertently use one which had been gathering dust for the past five years.
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🕯🌲
I miss the fellowship and especially being there for Advent and Christmas. It's just not prudent for me right now.
I've not knowingly been in contact with anyone with Covid, and I feel fine - is a single nostril negative enough for me to say I've had a negative LFT?
I'm not worried about having Covid. I'm concerned about stating that I've had a negative LFT, if I'm not entitled to do so, given I've only tested one nostril.
Can I truthfully say that I have a negative LFT if I've only tested one nostril?
If North East Quine wants some throat and nose test kits, I have a couple of spare boxes I could swap for nose only?
Hope the tests are all negative @Boogie.
As this has come up, is everyone aware that the Government list of symptoms, the high temperature, persistent cough and loss of taste and smell, is out of date? The most common symptoms of either Omicron or any Covid19 for someone who is vaccinated are like those of the common cold. The Zoe Study has been saying this since June, see this Guardian story from 24 December,
The Zoe study has also estimated that if you have cold like symptoms you've a 50% chance of having Covid19, as colds are not spreading particularly well at the moment.
These facts made me thankful that I did stay at home over Christmas - it was indeed sad not visiting them but would have been sad in the extreme had I gone as I would have been on public transport - and who knows how many people I might have impacted.
But I have used 4 so far, and have had a test failure on 2 of them…by which I mean that I could not even get any drops onto the testing cassette thingy, and when I squeezed harder, the dropper top flew across the kitchen and the liquid preparation inside ended up on the work surface.
I must be doing something wrong, but I can’t see what that might be…
https://theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/28/covid-test-shortages-threaten-new-years-eve-celebrations-in-england
It'll be OK, though, as long as you're cautious, and don't get too close to anybody else. The government says so...
Glad you are all ok @Boogie .
Go the fuck to bed. I mean, "supposed to"? Can that nonsense, be happy!
Working back, she reckons she caught it on Sunday 19th December - she hasn't been out since then - on which day she went to the Carol Service and Christmas Market...
I'm sure They tried to make it as safe as possible, but Dread Lord Omicron is a sneaky blighter...
There was an email of appreciation for all the music our choir provided over Christmas. And a notification that at least four of our choir had tested positive for COVID, including Mr & Mrs Musical Director. Whilst I appreciate that cause and effect may or may not be linked, I can't help wondering.... (followed by a further mail: are you intending/able to sing at Epiphany?)
Cause and effect? Well, it's hard to tell, but I blame Boris Johnson for having Saved Christmas yet again...
Yes, I appreciate that it's difficult to tell. The person I mentioned earlier (Auntie P) went to the Carol Service (in the church) which was immediately followed by the Christmas Market (in the church and the adjoining Hall), so in effect the same place with the same people. As to callers, I don't know (she doesn't have carers), but she did say that she didn't go out at all after Sunday 19th. She has a son who lives locally, and may have seen him, but all her family have been free of the virus, according to tests.
As they called in yesterday at 6.30 pm, I might take the risk and at least go out for a walk. They're unlikely to call back again so soon after their last visit. I have, I hasten to add, had two negative LFT since we returned.
I may have a duff box of LFTs. I did one this morning, but when I tried to drip the liquid onto the tester, nothing happened. I squeezed more firmly. And then still more firmly. The tube split down the side with a pop. Once I had mopped up, I took a closer look and realised the nozzle cap was solid- no wee hole. So I started again with a fresh test and realised that nozzle was solid, too.
Fortunately you don't need the nozzle; I just dripped straight from the tube.
I have a question. The kit tells you to check the use-by date each time. All my tests have had use by dates in 2023 so far. But are there any tests which have already expired? They've only been in production for a year; it's not as though you might inadvertently use one which had been gathering dust for the past five years.