GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Dec 14, 2020 12:37:20 GMT -5
I read that yesterday. Such a powerful article, but, sadly, the folks who don’t believe the virus is real still won’t care. I went to a Whole Foods yesterday— as we all know, a progressive, health conscious, grocery chain — in a progressive suburb of Boston. In my short time in the store, I had to ask 3 different customers to put their mask on or to put it on correctly. One was shopping while regularly pulling off her mask to drink from her travel mug. WTF? I couldn’t get out of there fast enough. I might not go back until this is all over. I’m betting mask compliance is better at the “commoners” grocery chain. (SMDH)
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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"How you win matters." Ender, Ender's Game
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Dec 10, 2020 15:57:47 GMT -5
On my phone, so can’t post a link, but Dr. Fauci’s daughter’s boyfriend’s healthy 32-year-old brother died from cardiac issues caused by his bout with Covid.
💔🥀
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
Senior Associate
"How you win matters." Ender, Ender's Game
Joined: Jan 2, 2011 13:33:09 GMT -5
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Dec 9, 2020 15:54:42 GMT -5
They didn't have a big reaction ...... anaphylactoid ......ie rash, shortness of breath ....not the same as anaphylaxis (which is serious) Both were carriers of Epi pens for allergies and are fine now. Just to be on the safe side, they have told people who have a history of serious allergies to sit this one out.Thousands have already been vaccinated. I know I haven't posted with you very much, so I'll just point out that wvu and I both have some pretty bad allergies. that's not good news for either of us. YDS has reacted in some form to every vaccination he has ever gotten. Was anaphylactic for the first round of the HPV vaccine series. And then he and ODS had severe Epstein-Barr Mono which is linked to Guillain-Barre Syndrome from the flu vaccine. They are sadly going to head to the back of the line. No one wants to be in an ER these days and certainly not for anaphylaxis.
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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"How you win matters." Ender, Ender's Game
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Dec 9, 2020 13:13:05 GMT -5
Well hopefully Moderna's doesn't have the same problem. 🙏🤞
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
Senior Associate
"How you win matters." Ender, Ender's Game
Joined: Jan 2, 2011 13:33:09 GMT -5
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Dec 8, 2020 16:20:55 GMT -5
Two different customers today came shopping without a mask. One had the nerve to say he already had the virus so didn’t need a mask.
WTF is wrong with people??!!
If I die from this, please tell my family I didn’t want to go this way. I want to be hit by a meteor, not languish on a ventilator. ☹️
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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"How you win matters." Ender, Ender's Game
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Dec 6, 2020 9:42:15 GMT -5
Each medallion is owned by a separate corporation, basically he currently owns/run 9 corporations. I think in some sense that protects his personal assets but the house was refinanced under my mom’s name (and deed also). <snip> I know my mom took out some plus loans or co-sign on some loans for my brother since due to my mom income he qualified for no grants or aids, just loans. Well, it's good news that the medallions are owned by corporations and not personally, so if the corporations are bankrupted they won't come after his personal assets. Yes, the "financial aid" is 99% loans if your parents are doing OK. I remember checking an on-line calculator on the Princeton site when DS was college-age (not that he'd ever get into Princeton). The calculator result was that not only could I afford to put DS through Princeton without any aid, I could afford to put TWO kids through Princeton without any aid. It was 2002, I was making $120K/year and I had a $250K mortgage. I hope your mother doesn't get over-extended on student loans for your siblings- it might jeopardize her own retirement if they can't pay them off. This. We’ve been cash-flowing college tuition since 2015. There is NO wiggle room in our budget, but next Spring we will be DONE.
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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"How you win matters." Ender, Ender's Game
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Dec 5, 2020 15:37:16 GMT -5
How much is the crisis due to the fact that there are now better options foe rides? I also never realized that medallions in NYC sold for over $1m (at least for a short period of time). Unfortunately, I see it as no different from people investing in commercial buildings that become obsolescent. Our local mall is slowly fading away. It might be at 60% capacity now but we only lose stores, never gain. Between people shopping online and a fairly new outdoor shopping mall just 20 minutes away, it’s only a matter of time until our mall goes under. It didn’t keep up with the times. A group of us used to wait 1-2 hours for a taxi to go about a mile and a half when we were going out to drink regularly and this is in a very populated area with cabs lined up waiting for people leaving where we were going. Every time we called to see where the taxi was we heard "it's on it's way" or "it will be there in 15 minutes" only to wait longer. Taxi services were overpriced and terrible for years then Uber and the like came along. Car ride services are everything taxis aren't - on time, clean, easy to pay and easier to track down if you leave anything in one. When I was in New York twice earlier this year I took taxis from the airport to lower Manhattan because the taxi station is where you walk out to. Both stunk and charged more than the car ride services back to the airport when I left. I'm not rooting against anyone but taxis and the like have been doing everything they can to keep car ride services out of their area because they provide a better service for a cheaper price. If cities or states want to keep car ride services out that's their decision but we shouldn't be bailing out obsolete companies or service providers. The problem is it isn’t such a simple “apples to apples” comparison. Taxis are a highly regulated form of transportation. Entry into the taxi business comes at a very high cost. Rideshares came out of the blue and operate without the same startup costs. ANYONE can work for Uber, etc. Only medallion owners can own taxis. Taxi rates are set by local transportation authorities. Rideshares are not subject to the same pricing structure so can charge as much or as little as they want. Taxis don’t have the same flexibility. Sure, market forces are at work here, but the taxi owners were never as free to operate as Rideshares are.
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Dec 5, 2020 13:20:43 GMT -5
I’m not vouching for the ethics of this approach, but an acquaintance of mine was in a similar situation in Boston and simply stopped paying and defaulted on the loans (@$200K)on her medallions. She did call and tell the lender what she was going to do and why. The bank did not come after her. She has no other assets. She is heartbroken and stressed and humiliated about the situation, but that was her livelihood and now taxis have gone the way of the dinosaur.
ETA: She bought the medallions about 20-25 years ago for $800k. She has already paid back $500k on the loan.
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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"How you win matters." Ender, Ender's Game
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Dec 3, 2020 16:10:52 GMT -5
The problem with this map is it’s too broad. There is more than one market in each state and some local real estate markets are bizarre. The average price in my town is $775,000. I could not afford to buy my little 2 bedroom 2 bath house on 1/3 acre today. A salary, as per the map, of $101K won’t allow you to buy in my town. And, yet, Chiver just bought a house with more living space than mine and a more useable backyard for at least $200K less than Zillow has my house listed at. She lives an hour from me but still in tiny Massschusetts. Our commutes into Boston can be equally ugly. And she’s near the ocean. And her parents, who live in a town next to mine, just sold their house for more than asking!
This map doesn’t accurately reflect states with widely fluctuating local markets.
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Dec 1, 2020 18:56:14 GMT -5
IF the vaccine works and keeps ME from catching the virus (or at least from developing severe or long-term symptoms), I do NOT care whether anyone else gets the vaccination. Don't we still need a significant number of our population to get vaccinated? I don't think it's as simple as get the shots and now you are good. They aren't 100% effective. Without some sort of herd immunity you are still at risk, I believe. They’re 94% effective? That’s good enough for me. In fact, I *think* they are more effective than the flu vaccine.
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Dec 1, 2020 15:46:53 GMT -5
For you and your family, you standing your ground is a blessing. I'm not too pleased with your brother living off of you. This probably isn't the place to bring this up but, will those of us who do not catch covid or are late adopters of the vaccine be discriminated against. My GrD1 who is a nurse and watched all the pandemic movies said in one, they issued arm bands to those who were vaccinated. My DD has looked into the vaccine and said the side effects are 7 days of covid symptoms but not the lung issues. And the second shot is similar side effect. Those side effect days are isolate at home days. The religious and Trump cultists use this bracelet idea, the mark of the beast as they refer to it, as a reason not to get vaccinated. It's proof to them COVID is a hoax and it's all about the New World Order's control. I have less than zero belief we will have a reasonable percentage of our population vaccinated by the end of next year. The fact that the "news" touts this miracle cure of a vaccine coming next week is only going to make things worse, IMHO. IF the vaccine works and keeps ME from catching the virus (or at least from developing severe or long-term symptoms), I do NOT care whether anyone else gets the vaccination.
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Dec 1, 2020 13:11:27 GMT -5
I couldn't find the post by LifePartTwo with a link to an article about the side effects of COVID vaccines (pretty dismal story but pulmonarymd said it was unreliable), so I'm posting here- just listened to the German news and a spokesman for Moderna said that some people experience side effects of a mild headache and/or low-grade fever for one two three days after getting the vaccine. I've been postponing getting the latest Shingles vaccine for the same reason (I did get the old one 5 years ago)- just don't want to be out of commission for a few days. I'll risk it for the COVID vaccine. That may apply only to Moderna's version, of course. On the podcast interview I've cited before, the docs did acknowledge that when the vaccines are administered to a FAR wider population than the test group there may be some rare severe effects among people with unusual biological quirks- which is true of any vaccine. That and the news podcast above are the only discussions I've seen/heard on vaccine side effects. The KC suburb I track still shows positive rates leveling off but at a scary figure (26.2% new positives for new tests). I'm watching the post-Thanksgiving results with trepidation. Too early to tell, of course. YDS has been re-assigned from western to eastern Kansas. The numbers aren’t good anywhere in your state. ☹️
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Nov 30, 2020 17:55:58 GMT -5
So... should they be ahead of or behind the people who had pre-existing conditions that they could have controlled (obesity, high BP, etc.) that made them more susceptible to having a severe case of COVID? So someone like my sister whose high blood pressure is the result of a difficult pregnancy and asthma is genetic should be fucked because you think she shouldn't be fat. She did everything possible to not get covid and her stupid male coworkers thought it was a joke, getting in her space. Fuck you if she dies or is permanently disabled. Since you included my post in your quote: That’s not what I said at all, and there’s a HUGE difference between a HIGHLY contagious virus for which the best current advice is to stay home and a pre-existing condition (obesity, HBP, etc.) that is NOT contagious. If you choose not to follow the advice and travel willingly during a pandemic AGAINST advice to stay home you not only risk exposing yourself, but your family, co-workers, the healthcare folks who will treat you, essential workers, random strangers,etc. Whereas, if you eat poorly or do t exercise or choose to smoke and you have obesity, diabetes, and/or HBP, you hurt only yourself. Yes, Covid is hitting people with pre-existing conditions the hardest, but nowhere in my post did I suggest or infer that they should be pushed to the back of the line because that wasn’t my point at all. I was clearly only referring to those people who travelled or gathered outside their household for Thanksgiving. Way to twist my words. 🙄
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Nov 29, 2020 19:00:48 GMT -5
Did you miss the part where I very specifically referred to conditions "that they could have prevented"? Not everything is preventable. I agree that some, maybe even many, chronic conditions could be improved with lifestyle changes. But those changes are not always easy. The root of the problem for obese people, for example, is sometimes more complicated than eat less move more. Sugar addiction, unhealthy relationships with food, and pain (physical and or mental/emotional) can hinder a persons efforts to lose weight and have to also be addressed before they can safely and successfully lose weight. And no, I don’t think people who struggle with making those changes should be thrown away and left to die. We’re asking people to wear masks, stay at least 6 feet away from each other in public, and avoid large gatherings, to help slow the spread of COVID. For the social butterflies, I guess maybe that is a lifestyle change too. But it’s only temporary even though it feels like forever to some by now, and refusing to cooperate doesn’t just put that person at risk, it puts their friends and families at risk, and other people that they don’t even know. Not the same at all in my opinion. Thank you! You get me!! ❤️
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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"How you win matters." Ender, Ender's Game
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Nov 29, 2020 10:19:19 GMT -5
Oh, and I’m usually not so harsh, but I think that if you willingly, intentionally, travelled for Thanksgiving or hosted or attended a Thanksgiving event with people not in your household, then you go to the back of the line for medical care if you come down with Covid.
You should not be entitled to take a bed from an essential worker or an unwitting victim who followed the advisories.
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Nov 29, 2020 10:15:03 GMT -5
I work in retail which is part essential but truly mostly not.
I worked Black Friday and yesterday. We blew all of our sales records out of the water, but at what cost? Huge, multi-generational, family groups came to shop for the holidays instead of the parties of 2 or fewer recommended by the health professionals. These groups strolled and laughed and lingered instead of getting what they came for and getting out. Social distancing was non-existent. Most wore masks properly but the few who didn’t could have f’ed us all. I was stunned at the numbers of people wandering our business with cups of coffee in hand — no way to drink those without removing one’s mask. 🙄
Let the holidays go this year, folks. Let them pass by quietly. Next year, when we’re all vaccinated and there is room in ICUs, we can all enjoy EPIC celebrations in ALL good ways. But to shop as if nothing has changed puts you, your family, and retail workers at enormous, UNNECESSARY, risk. And for what? That glittery Twinkie ornament? 😡. Celebrate differently this year; celebrate simply. NEXT year you can shop freely and safely. THIS year? Buy your tree and go the F home.
Signed, GRG who wears 2 masks, a face shield and TRIES to stay behind the plexiglass wall her employer built to keep employees safe.
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Nov 26, 2020 13:43:42 GMT -5
I needed more support than slippers could give me so upgraded to “house shoes” (another pair of my beloved Hoka One One sneakers) that never leave the house. Oooohh.... Hoka One. I've been meaning to try them. Which model are you wearing and what kind of feet do you have, i.e. average arch, high arch or flat footed? I had excruciating Plantar Fasciitis. It was so bad, I sincerely had to hold on to the walls to make it to the bathroom in the morning until my tendons loosened up. Since giving up my heels and my cute flats and wearing the Arahi model almost exclusively (well, now, since all I do is work and stay home), I have no more plantar fasciitis.
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Nov 26, 2020 8:22:38 GMT -5
Wondering if we want a thread dedicated to this? Anyway, I'm in need of some new slippers. That's my mine footwear, these days of WFH. I need some with more support than your standard slipper, as I think I might have some bursitis going on or something. Anyone know of any good brands out there? I needed more support than slippers could give me so upgraded to “house shoes” (another pair of my beloved Hoka One One sneakers) that never leave the house.
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Nov 22, 2020 15:53:08 GMT -5
Spoke to ODS this morning.
Very, very, sadly, but very wisely, he has decided not to come home right now. He has a fabulous living situation which, while it’s not home with DH and me, is still a safe and supportive place (his DGF’s family’s home).
We agreed that next year the holidays will be EPIC (in the very best way)!!
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Nov 15, 2020 18:50:29 GMT -5
We have, to send to family who couldn't attend. My friend did also, as it's a rare occurrence to get so many family members all together in one place. I have a really nice picture of family members gathered at the house after Mom's funeral. It wasn't during the service, but I could see people taking group pictures at a less-structured "celebration of life" event. I’m Irish Catholic. Weddings, Baptisms, and, yes, funerals are big family get- together. We don’t take family pix during the Mass, but it’s common to take them afterward.
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Nov 15, 2020 14:52:47 GMT -5
Although I do wonder whether plans should have/could have been made to keep them there through the winter...just hoping sending them home wasn't the worst of the choices. The problem with that is that the school isn't a jail, and they cannot control their behavior. Just like the rest of society. We are in a bad way with this virus, and there are no easy decisions. But, finding ways to get a little joy out of life is important right now. Just like no one can follow a strict diet without any slip ups, expecting people to be perfect with behavior in regards to the virus is not reasonable. The colleges keeping them there makes them their responsibility, which they do not want, and will make them spend money they do not wish to. Hence, there decision. And again, as the virus is widespread, any decision they make will be a potential disaster All of that, and, I will acknowledge that the health care systems in many college towns are, understandably, not set up to care for many seriously ill locals never mind thousands of seriously ill college kids in addition to the locals.
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Nov 15, 2020 14:45:57 GMT -5
Which is, in part, why the colleges are wisely closing up before Thanksgiving. But that still means millions of kids are about to fan out across the country in the next 10 days. I agree that there is a risk/benefit calculation. I just feel like all of the "official" guidance is that "your brother-in-law's sister will infect everyone on Thanksgiving so don't celebrate with folks outside your household" with no consideration being given how to merge your own kid back into your bubble. Trust me, I do understand the mental and emotional health aspect of it all. I hadn't seem ODS since February when I managed to successfully and safely visit him outdoors at the end of October. And it wasn't so much the lost 8 months, but I was driven to make the trip to see him because I didn't know when I would see him again as we move into "dark winter" (or, if ever). He was definitely feeling the isolation and asked us to please come visit. When a young, relatively independent, adult asks to see his parents, you go. I understand that nothing is foolproof. But for the safest possible outcome, do we just open the door? Does everyone get tested even though the test is only determinative in that moment? Do we wear masks? Do we isolate inside the house for 2 weeks. Some combination? Hope for the best? I'm thinking some length of quarantine inside the house (they can have the living room, den, and their own bathroom and relatively direct access to the outdoors), masks inside for the first few days, opening doors and windows (in New England!) from time to time to freshen the air, washing hands, washing hands, washing hands, eating at a distance will give us the best possible chance. Am I missing anything? I think we all have to do what we can live with. We normally have 8-12 for Thanksgiving. We will have 4. Testing can help in that they test positive, you can do all that. Negative tests are a snapshot in time, and are frequently a false negative early on in the infection, and offer a false sense of security. Limiting exposure 7-14 days before travel is helpful. Since the virus aerosolizes, and can linger in the air, people do not sleep with masks on, and few of us have negative pressure rooms in our house, and the likelihood that you or I are going to be able to open enough windows to ensure adequate airflow given the weather up here, there will be inherent risk allowing anyone you are not consistently exposed to in your house. All of what you outlined decreases your risk, but does not eliminate it. I just do not know how practical it is. You need to decide the lengths you wish to d go to keep everyone safe. Somewhere between none and everyone wears masks 24 hours a day, and stays in their own room is where everyone will land. I have no data driven advice that could tell you how much each added action you take decreases your risk. I think the reason no one is giving advice except for don't do it is because the people who were supposed to look out for us and come up with guidance have given up. FYI, I do not believe we will be as good as you are planning This. So much this. Fauci has been silenced.
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Nov 15, 2020 14:44:42 GMT -5
I had mono twice (I know the virus stays with you but I had it at 19 and then when my body revolted at 22 the virus worked itself back up to full mono and symptoms again) as well as some autoimmune and my doctor insists pretty hard that I get the flu shot. From what I know it's only if you got Guillain-Barré that you shouldn't take the flu shot. Which is not just a bad case of mono. Might depend upon where you live, but, here, before you get a flu shot, you fill out a questionnaire that specifically asks if you had Epstein-Barr Mono and, if the answer is yes, most providers won't administer it. Because my family's luck is just that bad, YDS also had Epstein-Barr Mono, and, like you, had it twice (documented, ER visits, medical leave from college X 2) and also cannot get the flu shot because of Guillain-Barre concerns. They could get blood tests to look for the current presence of Epstein-Barr so that their doctor could safely recommend the flu shot, but both kids (in their 20s) decided against pursuing that route. We're generally a healthy bunch, but when we get sick, we get really, really, sick. I think they've decided to chance the flu over Guillain-Barre.
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Nov 15, 2020 14:33:00 GMT -5
I agree, and that is why I am personally very concerned about the millions of college kids about to travel around the country to head home as colleges close for the "dark months". I kept waiting for guidance from the school, the state health departments, the CDC, but no one is specifically addressing this upcoming migration. It might not be Cousin Bill or a DSIL who infects everyone on Thanksgiving -- it might be your own kid forced to return home because college campuses are closing up and shutting off the lights. The flip side is bringing them all back from wherever they went is also a disaster waiting to happen. I think we need to recognize the fact that since the virus is everywhere, there is now risk to every decision. We are basically on our own. We need to manage our risk ourselves. And since the Trump administration has given up and has no plans to do anything to help us out, we need to take it upon ourselves. The simplest advice is to keep to keep your circle as small as possible, and introduce as few people into as you can. Avoid crowds and indoor gatherings as much as possible. I do believe that the kids coming home and staying home until the New Year is less risky than them all leaving and then coming back after Thanksgiving. Since you cannot keep them their, this is the least bad option. Although I do wonder whether plans should have/could have been made to keep them there through the winter...just hoping sending them home wasn't the worst of the choices.
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Nov 15, 2020 14:31:16 GMT -5
Thank you. Your post detailing your own plans was really helpful. (Is DD2 the med student?) I have no concerns that ODS and his DGF will be out and about while here. They haven't been while SIP. ODS caught Epstein-Barr Mono several years ago and that virus devastated him. He spent 5 days in the hospital with severe dehydration and jaundice as the virus attacked his liver. It was a year and a half before he felt and looked like his usual self. He is rightfully respectful of the Covid virus as a result. And he cannot get a flu shot due to concerns about Guillain Barre. So, he'll hang out at home and/or hike the many trails near our house when he's not sleeping, eating, or working out. It's really just the integration into the bubble that DH and I have formed that I am concerned about. I know there are no certainties in life, nor with respect to Covid, but I am curious what steps others will take to merge college kids back into their own bubbles. OMG! Is this why when I had a flu shot I got seriously ill? I had a severe case of mono when I was 19. I had it so bad my throat nearly completely closed and they had to give me some unusual drugs to help me be able to swallow and breathe. I was in bed for nearly a month. I'll go read about this. Thanks for posting it. At this point, the connection has only been linked to Epstein Barr Mono. Many other viruses cause Mono, so don't assume the worst.
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Nov 15, 2020 14:30:05 GMT -5
I had mono when I was in 4th grade. I haven't had any problems with the flu shot, but haven't gotten it that often either. Should I stop getting it in the future, I wonder? Research is ongoing, but it appears, at this time, that the connection between Guillain-Barre and Epstein-Barr Mono is based upon the severity of the case of Mono AND whether it was Epstein-Barr Mono (many viruses can cause Mono). Folks who had serious bouts of Epstein-Barr Mono are thought to have hyper-sensitive Epstein-Barr T cells which, when exposed to the flu vaccine, can lead to Guillain-Barre. Epstein-Barr is also thought to be a cause of some autoimmune diseases such as MS. It is a nasty, nasty, virus. But, again, you can have Mono causes by many other viruses other than Epstein Barr.
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
Senior Associate
"How you win matters." Ender, Ender's Game
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Nov 15, 2020 14:21:30 GMT -5
Reality needs to factor into this. My son lives off campus. If he stayed there, he runs the risk of being exposed to any roommate who went home, then returns to their apartment. Bringing all these kids back to the area of the school after they have been exposed to all these other people is potentially a disaster. So, now what is less risk. Have him come home and SIP with us, or have him now be exposed after Thanksgiving. In addition, does he then stay there for Christmas and through the New Year? That would not be good mentally for him, so it is a risk/benefit calculation. If he comes to his hometown, do you make him stay at a hotel for 2 weeks? Where is he eating? He stays in the hotel room without leaving? Or, he can be home helping us do what we need to do, and potentially doing some things to keep our risk down. Since the virus is basically widespread, it is difficult to manage. There is a difference between having 4 people and 20. Some kind of common sense needs to apply here. Which is, in part, why the colleges are wisely closing up before Thanksgiving. But that still means millions of kids are about to fan out across the country in the next 10 days. I agree that there is a risk/benefit calculation. I just feel like all of the "official" guidance is that "your brother-in-law's sister will infect everyone on Thanksgiving so don't celebrate with folks outside your household" with no consideration being given how to merge your own kid back into your bubble. Trust me, I do understand the mental and emotional health aspect of it all. I hadn't seem ODS since February when I managed to successfully and safely visit him outdoors at the end of October. And it wasn't so much the lost 8 months, but I was driven to make the trip to see him because I didn't know when I would see him again as we move into "dark winter" (or, if ever). He was definitely feeling the isolation and asked us to please come visit. When a young, relatively independent, adult asks to see his parents, you go. I understand that nothing is foolproof. But for the safest possible outcome, do we just open the door? Does everyone get tested even though the test is only determinative in that moment? Do we wear masks? Do we isolate inside the house for 2 weeks. Some combination? Hope for the best? I'm thinking some length of quarantine inside the house (they can have the living room, den, and their own bathroom and relatively direct access to the outdoors), masks inside for the first few days, opening doors and windows (in New England!) from time to time to freshen the air, washing hands, washing hands, washing hands, eating at a distance will give us the best possible chance. Am I missing anything?
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
Senior Associate
"How you win matters." Ender, Ender's Game
Joined: Jan 2, 2011 13:33:09 GMT -5
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Nov 15, 2020 14:06:09 GMT -5
I don't understand people. A friend lost her mother on Election Day. She is a nurse and has treated covid patients. Yesterday she posted a bunch of pictures on FB from the funeral. It was family only but her family all lives out of state. My friend had her mother living with her for years. Nobody in the photos is wearing a mask. I don't get it. Similarly, they advise people not to gather this holiday season with anyone outside their household. And, yet, everyone I know seems to have "safe" exempt people they will gather with. This is why COVID will be worse 2 weeks after Thanksgiving. We seem to have a human trait of "it can't happen to me" and COVID is bringing it out. I agree, and that is why I am personally very concerned about the millions of college kids about to travel around the country to head home as colleges close for the "dark months". I kept waiting for guidance from the school, the state health departments, the CDC, but no one is specifically addressing this upcoming migration. It might not be Cousin Bill or a DSIL who infects everyone on Thanksgiving -- it might be your own kid forced to return home because college campuses are closing up and shutting off the lights.
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
Senior Associate
"How you win matters." Ender, Ender's Game
Joined: Jan 2, 2011 13:33:09 GMT -5
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Nov 15, 2020 13:55:34 GMT -5
I would think get a test and be cautious for a week anyway? I know things are really difficult for many people, but I don't understand so much willingness to "take the risks" just to go through the motions of normalcy during not normal times. I feel like people are divorcing themselves completely from what that risk is. The risk is that someone sitting at your table is trading in this thanksgiving dinner (or whatever event) for the next 25/35/60? thanksgivings of their lives. Because that is what is at risk. Losing a family member forever. Certainly, college students do need to come home, and you should social distance as much as you can for a week - 2 if no testing done. But otherwise/non children, are you really aware of what you are risking when you say it's worth it? I agree with you. We will not be celebrating as usual with extended family. It will be just the 4 of us. I will also be "down a kid" because he is wisely choosing not to travel 1,800 miles home for Thanksgiving. But I don't think the public health folks have given any clear guidance as to how to merge the millions of college kids about to spread across the country in the next couple of weeks (because many, many, colleges are closing campus completely from Thanksgiving until February as a way to mitigate infection during the holidays/winter). College dorms are Petri dishes. There will be a frightening number of infectious kids traveling and moving back into their family homes. I haven't seen this migration addressed specifically by the public health folks, so was seeking some guidance from the wise folks here.
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
Senior Associate
"How you win matters." Ender, Ender's Game
Joined: Jan 2, 2011 13:33:09 GMT -5
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Nov 15, 2020 13:48:35 GMT -5
I agree with Rukh. My DD2 is in college and coming home for the holiday season even though she has an apartment there. She's isolating in her room (shared house) for the most part for 2 weeks and will take a covid test 4 days before coming home. With a negative test, she'll come home, be careful, and we'll assume the best. Spread out in the house and limited physical contact . She won't leave again until the new year. All the kids have been told that there is no leaving the house except to hike with household members. If you do, don't come back. So she knows she could end up back in apartment for the holidays. I'm hoping no one challenges me. We have to be very careful as I'm on immunosuppresants. It is what it is. I'd like to be here next year for them. Thank you. Your post detailing your own plans was really helpful. (Is DD2 the med student?) I have no concerns that ODS and his DGF will be out and about while here. They haven't been while SIP. ODS caught Epstein-Barr Mono several years ago and that virus devastated him. He spent 5 days in the hospital with severe dehydration and jaundice as the virus attacked his liver. It was a year and a half before he felt and looked like his usual self. He is rightfully respectful of the Covid virus as a result. And he cannot get a flu shot due to concerns about Guillain Barre. So, he'll hang out at home and/or hike the many trails near our house when he's not sleeping, eating, or working out. It's really just the integration into the bubble that DH and I have formed that I am concerned about. I know there are no certainties in life, nor with respect to Covid, but I am curious what steps others will take to merge college kids back into their own bubbles.
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