When will you move on from pandemic?

[justme]

Nov 30, 2021 13:58:59 GMT -5 jerseygirl said:

Would help people if the federal government just mailed or made available a month’s supply of rapid tests to all
Here in north jersey (very blue if that means anything?) you can go to doctors office ( but the office always seems to include costs for an office visit also) or try to get appointment at a pharmacy which is often not available.
Not easy especially for parents with kids that need to be tested
Just think the federal government could step up and make easier but they seem satisfied with the patchwork and difficulty that exists. Why no efforts to ease the problems?
Lots of blah blah blah Trump blah blah

Pharmacies sell at home rapid tests. It's not official as it's not proctored so won't work if you need it for official reasons. But if you're symptomatic and just want to know it's like $10-15 at cvs.

[TheOtherMe]

The idea of if you don't test you don't have cases is a major part of the problem in Iowa.  Governor wants those numbers down because as far as she is concerned the pandemic ended in the spring.  

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Nov 30, 2021 14:49:05 GMT -5 justme said:

Nov 30, 2021 13:58:59 GMT -5 jerseygirl said:

Would help people if the federal government just mailed or made available a month’s supply of rapid tests to all
Here in north jersey (very blue if that means anything?) you can go to doctors office ( but the office always seems to include costs for an office visit also) or try to get appointment at a pharmacy which is often not available.
Not easy especially for parents with kids that need to be tested
Just think the federal government could step up and make easier but they seem satisfied with the patchwork and difficulty that exists. Why no efforts to ease the problems?
Lots of blah blah blah Trump blah blah

Pharmacies sell at home rapid tests. It's not official as it's not proctored so won't work if you need it for official reasons. But if you're symptomatic and just want to know it's like $10-15 at cvs.

I've seen them locked up at Walmart.  However like you said that doesn't do any good if you need it for official reasons.

My employer will not accept those as proof you don't have it.  You have to go through an official channel which is a serious PITA again around here.  They won't let you come back till you have an official test.   My coworker is trying to get his second test (he was negative but they want you to have two before you can come back) and he's having a hell of a time finding a slot.

[toomuchreality]

HOORAY! My test came back negative!
I can go get my booster now, and my 2nd Shingles vaccine.
What a relief.

[apple 2]

We have drive through testing here. I have not had to get tested but it is good to know it is easy...and free.

My life has not changed a whole lot with covid other than not visiting family for a while there. 

I will be wearing my mask for a long time to come. Its not a big ask, to keep safe. 

Mostly I am exhausted by all the politics and infighting about covid. I stay away from those threads and IRL keep my nose out of other peoples business.

My immediate family and circle of friends are all vaccinated so life is not that different and to be honest I like that I am not so busy all the time.

[stillmovingforward]

I've completely moved on from the pandemic. It has been easier to think that masks, staying home when ill, and eating outdoors only is my new normal.
I kind of like it. I haven't been sick from anything besides my autoimmune disorder for 2 years and eating out is a while new experience 🙃

[minnesotapaintlady]

I was a hermit that was too cheap to eat out before, so ever since the kids went back to school in-person last year and work called us back my life has pretty much returned to normal.   

[justme]

Nov 30, 2021 16:52:40 GMT -5 NomoreDramaQ1015 said:

Nov 30, 2021 14:49:05 GMT -5 justme said:

Pharmacies sell at home rapid tests. It's not official as it's not proctored so won't work if you need it for official reasons. But if you're symptomatic and just want to know it's like $10-15 at cvs.

I've seen them locked up at Walmart.  However like you said that doesn't do any good if you need it for official reasons.

My employer will not accept those as proof you don't have it.  You have to go through an official channel which is a serious PITA again around here.  They won't let you come back till you have an official test.   My coworker is trying to get his second test (he was negative but they want you to have two before you can come back) and he's having a hell of a time finding a slot.

Yea I've gone on several cruises and where I live it was easy enough to get the antigen test for free. About a 20 minute drive but no biggie. But I saw a lot of people in other places not being able to find the test or having their appointments canceled.

[Deleted]

Nov 30, 2021 14:24:44 GMT -5 gs11rmb said:

Nov 30, 2021 13:58:59 GMT -5 jerseygirl said:

Would help people if the federal government just mailed or made available a month’s supply of rapid tests to all
Here in north jersey (very blue if that means anything?) you can go to doctors office ( but the office always seems to include costs for an office visit also) or try to get appointment at a pharmacy which is often not available.

That's a nice idea but the cost would be huge.  Even assuming the government can buy and distribute at-home kits at a cost of $10 and there are 330 million people in this country.  If each person gets five tests that would be $16.5B (unless I can't count the zeroes correctly, which is always a possibility)!

I think the other problem, beyond scale, is that people least likely to use the kits are the ones most likely to be spreading COVID.  Of course, I have no facts to back up that assumption, it's merely a hunch.

I agree with gs11rmb.  It would likely be a big waste because so many would go to people who don't want or need them.  Even though I take COVID seriously I don't see much of a need for frequent testing- I'm vaccinated with booster, masked indoors and the only somewhat high-risk behavior I engage in is one restaurant where BF and I are comfortable with the spacing and the sanitation and my church, where the population is older, all vaccinated as far as I know, masks required, plenty of room to spread out.  I've tested only before travel, after I got back from the cruise where 2 people tested positive and after a classroom weekend for a course I took where one person later tested positive.  Mine, thank heaven, were all negative.

Better to have them easily available at no cost for the people who want them- either because they're required for work or school or because they may have been exposed.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Every covid test I have done in the last nearly 2 years, a home test would not be accepted.  It would not be accepted for surgery/medical procedure, going into Canada or getting into any other country.  Nor would it be accepted for some of the flights we have gone on, or getting on this cruise ship.   These places want to see a PCR done from an official lab, and want the lab info on the form you show them.  

Antigen tests have a high rate of false negatives.  If you carry covid, are not sick yet, you’d likely test negative as your antigen burden isn’t high enough.  By the time you are positive, you’d become Covid Mary.  If you ARE sick, you should be staying home anyway.  

I think it gives a false sense of security.  

[Lizard Queen]

Nov 13, 2021 17:26:59 GMT -5 Lizard Queen said:

Exactly one month from today, unless I start worrying about my DH not getting a booster. That's two weeks after my kids are supposed to get their second shot.

DH has been boosted, and my boys got Pfizer #2 Monday. However, current local conditions = shit show, so I'm not sure when we're going to stop masking. I'm not inclined to go out to eat anyway, other than getting takeout. Everything else, we've been doing normally for over a year now.
I promised the boys they can ditch the masks 2 weeks post 2nd shot, so we'll see. Seeing both grandma and grandpa around Christmas. Grandma is vaxed, but higher risk. Grandpa unvaxed, but lower risk except age.

[teen persuasion]

We attended DS5's orchestra concert in person last night.  First in person concert in 24 months, director said.  It combined the 5/6, 7/8, and HS orchestras (so MS and HS families attended).

Masks were required (but I saw lots below the nose, and one dude had it under his chin  ) and they asked that people space themselves out, but people just filled in the empty rows we'd deliberately left.  And of course they STILL made the kids leave their coats and instrument cases in the band room (at a dead end in a hallway) so that all the kids had to go there after the concert to retrieve stuff, and then swim against the tide of families departing by the east side door.  We like to park in back to avoid that crush, but our kid still has to swim upstream to get to the door on the opposite side of the auditorium.  Dumbest traffic flow design, ever, but especially from a social distancing viewpoint.

Yep, back to normal.  

[pulmonarymd]

Omicron variant was found in samples that were obtained between 11/19 and 11/23 in Europe. South Africa reported the variant to WHO on 11/24.

Travel bans would not have prevented the arrival in Europe unless they were already in place. It is also likely here

[Lizard Queen]

Dec 1, 2021 11:08:18 GMT -5 teen persuasion said:

We attended DS5's orchestra concert in person last night.  First in person concert in 24 months, director said.  It combined the 5/6, 7/8, and HS orchestras (so MS and HS families attended).

Masks were required (but I saw lots below the nose, and one dude had it under his chin  ) and they asked that people space themselves out, but people just filled in the empty rows we'd deliberately left.  And of course they STILL made the kids leave their coats and instrument cases in the band room (at a dead end in a hallway) so that all the kids had to go there after the concert to retrieve stuff, and then swim against the tide of families departing by the east side door.  We like to park in back to avoid that crush, but our kid still has to swim upstream to get to the door on the opposite side of the auditorium.  Dumbest traffic flow design, ever, but especially from a social distancing viewpoint.

Yep, back to normal.  

We already had an orchestra concert at the middle school in October. All the players had to wear masks, but few in the audience did, and there was no distancing. I don't expect it to be much better next week at the high school with even more grades present at the holiday concert.

[haapai]

Dec 1, 2021 11:21:37 GMT -5 pulmonarymd said:

Omicron variant was found in samples that were obtained between 11/19 and 11/23 in Europe. South Africa reported the variant to WHO on 11/24.

Travel bans would not have prevented the arrival in Europe unless they were already in place. It is also likely here

It's absolutely already here.  The fact that we haven't found it yet, or announced that we have detected it, should not be seen as encouraging.  At best, it's a sign of substandard surveillance. 

I wonder how many folks out there are looking at PCR test results with s-gene dropouts and are not able to say a thing.   

[Deleted]

We made the decision to continue with our 2022 travel plans.  It was sort of hard to make that choice but we did and I hope the trip is not cancelled.  Having a doctor lay out in black and white my 23% chance of a heart attack in the next 10 years made my vote much easier.  

[Tiny]

Dec 1, 2021 11:08:18 GMT -5 teen persuasion said:

We attended DS5's orchestra concert in person last night.  First in person concert in 24 months, director said.  It combined the 5/6, 7/8, and HS orchestras (so MS and HS families attended).

Masks were required (but I saw lots below the nose, and one dude had it under his chin  ) and they asked that people space themselves out, but people just filled in the empty rows we'd deliberately left.  And of course they STILL made the kids leave their coats and instrument cases in the band room (at a dead end in a hallway) so that all the kids had to go there after the concert to retrieve stuff, and then swim against the tide of families departing by the east side door.  We like to park in back to avoid that crush, but our kid still has to swim upstream to get to the door on the opposite side of the auditorium.  Dumbest traffic flow design, ever, but especially from a social distancing viewpoint.

Yep, back to normal.  

Just a general comment about attending live performances: 

I've been to a couple of Operas (the Opera House has 3500 seats) and everyone seemed to be adhering to the everyone wears a mask ALL THE TIME.  Proof of vaccination required to get in the door.     

I have to admit I didn't see anyone flaunting the "wear your mask" rule.   I did see very few of the generic blue paper masks - most people had cloth masks that coordinated with their formal wear or were wearing the pointy white or black masks.  (the masks are kind of cone shaped and stick out a way from your face - I am sure they are more comfortable to wear as they don't press against your lips or nose but still seem to provide a "seal" around your nose/mouth)     

I used one mask for the 4 block walk to the Opera House and then the stair climb to the 4th floor.   I switched into a fresh mask - one of my more comfortably shaped ones for the rest of the evening (since I couldn't take it off)  

I have to also admit - it has be mind blowing and amazing to hear an Opera without someone snuffling, coughing, sneezing, or throat clearing during the arias.   I can't believe how quiet the audience has been - even when it's been a full house.  

I've also attended 2 plays (theater seats about 350 people)  - and the mask/vaccination rules were the same - and again... it's amazing how quiet the audience was during the performance.  

I am ALL for masks in general use when going out...  if it keeps everyone from getting colds and whatnot. 

[anciana]

Nov 30, 2021 13:58:59 GMT -5 jerseygirl said:

Would help people if the federal government just mailed or made available a month’s supply of rapid tests to all
Here in north jersey (very blue if that means anything?) you can go to doctors office ( but the office always seems to include costs for an office visit also) or try to get appointment at a pharmacy which is often not available.
Not easy especially for parents with kids that need to be tested
Just think the federal government could step up and make easier but they seem satisfied with the patchwork and difficulty that exists. Why no efforts to ease the problems?
Lots of blah blah blah Trump blah blah

It looks like they're trying to do something to make rapid tests available to people:

Biden to promote new COVID plan that includes free at-home tests and new travel rules

- Requiring travelers entering the country by air to test negative for COVID within a day of departure, regardless of vaccination status or nationality, instead of within three days.

- Extending through March 18 the requirement that masks be worn on airplanes, trains and public transportation.

- Requiring private health insurance companies cover 100% of the cost of at-home tests for the coronavirus.

- Launching a public education campaign to encourage 100 million adults to get boosters, with a special focus on seniors

[countrygirl2]

I'm going to send in for our passport renewals and hope that next year DD and I can go on a cruise. Who knows what may happen by then, but I will hope.

[Rukh O'Rorke]

so now this omicron pops up.

seems it is definately much more transimissible and probalby much more likely to reinfect/evade vaccine. But I saw something early on that it might also be less severe - did anyone else get that info?

if so that could be the winning combination - crowds out other variants but not that sever so more like the usual cold/flus we deal with. Of course, more data is needed, but if so that would really be the end of it for me.

May keep wearing a mask though becuase who wants colds or flus any ways?

[haapai]

Dec 4, 2021 11:40:48 GMT -5 Rukh O'Rorke said:

so now this omicron pops up.

seems it is definately much more transimissible and probalby much more likely to reinfect/evade vaccine. But I saw something early on that it might also be less severe - did anyone else get that info?

if so that could be the winning combination - crowds out other variants but not that sever so more like the usual cold/flus we deal with. Of course, more data is needed, but if so that would really be the end of it for me.

May keep wearing a mask though becuase who wants colds or flus any ways?

I'm also entertaining the happy cowpox fantasy.  In my heart, I know it's a very long shot for all sorts of reasons but it will keep me optimistic until we learn more about Omicron.  (It will only pan out if Omicron is significantly less severe than Delta or if vaccines are highly effective against severe disease.  Even with those wishes granted, there still could be a staggering toll.}

[Deleted]

Dec 2, 2021 12:13:36 GMT -5 countrygirl2 said:

I'm going to send in for our passport renewals and hope that next year DD and I can go on a cruise. Who knows what may happen by then, but I will hope.

Do it now while you have no plans.  If (please, God) we ever get to the point that COVID isn't a threat to travel, they'll be snowed under with passport applications.  In the meantime, take mich's attitude- throw away the itinerary, consider it an adventure, roll with the punches and minimize the amount you spend on reservations that you can't get back if you cancel.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Dec 4, 2021 12:03:11 GMT -5 @athena53 said:

Dec 2, 2021 12:13:36 GMT -5 countrygirl2 said:

I'm going to send in for our passport renewals and hope that next year DD and I can go on a cruise. Who knows what may happen by then, but I will hope.

Do it now while you have no plans.  If (please, God) we ever get to the point that COVID isn't a threat to travel, they'll be snowed under with passport applications.  In the meantime, take mich's attitude- throw away the itinerary, consider it an adventure, roll with the punches and minimize the amount you spend on reservations that you can't get back if you cancel.

They are already snowed under.  It took about 16 weeks to get back a non expedited passport right before we left.  

I have to renew my passport when we return, so this is producing not a little amount of anxiety for me right now.  We have another trip planned late April/May.  

[Deleted]

I wish I could return to the gym.  I put on a few pounds (yes, we're talking 2 or 3) last winter that I dropped over the summer and I see from my new FitBit that it's the bike rides that really burn the calories for me and I do NOT want to ride outside in the cold.  I could buy an exercise bike but I see many, especially the ones that include assembly, are on back-order.  Before I stopped using the gym, even though local laws required masking many of the patrons were walking around with "chin diapers" and the staff couldn't keep up with enforcing it.  Now masks are "encouraged" so you know what that means.   Last year pre-vaccine the BIL of a HS friend picked up COVID at his gym and spread it at a family gathering.  My friend and her husband got it but recovered; her sister who was going in for breast cancer surgery got it and so did her husband- and her husband died. 

So, I may have to put up with a few pounds.  Or stop eating protein bars as snacks.  I think I'll live with the few pounds.  I just don't feel safe going to the gym.  

[Deleted]

Dec 4, 2021 19:50:34 GMT -5 @athena53 said:

I wish I could return to the gym.  I put on a few pounds (yes, we're talking 2 or 3) last winter that I dropped over the summer and I see from my new FitBit that it's the bike rides that really burn the calories for me and I do NOT want to ride outside in the cold.  I could buy an exercise bike but I see many, especially the ones that include assembly, are on back-order.  Before I stopped using the gym, even though local laws required masking many of the patrons were walking around with "chin diapers" and the staff couldn't keep up with enforcing it.  Now masks are "encouraged" so you know what that means.   Last year pre-vaccine the BIL of a HS friend picked up COVID at his gym and spread it at a family gathering.  My friend and her husband got it but recovered; her sister who was going in for breast cancer surgery got it and so did her husband- and her husband died. 

So, I may have to put up with a few pounds.  Or stop eating protein bars as snacks.  I think I'll live with the few pounds.  I just don't feel safe going to the gym.  

What about the stands and such that allow you to “ride” your bike indoors? A lot of cyclists  use them to train or stay in shape  during winter. Are they out of stock too?

[Deleted]

Dec 4, 2021 21:55:28 GMT -5 @pinkcshmere said:

What about the stands and such that allow you to “ride” your bike indoors? A lot of cyclists  use them to train or stay in shape  during winter. Are they out of stock too?

I'm considering that, too. I'm just wary of the assembly process. I'm very good at following directions but if something doesn't fit quite right or it's at just slightly the wrong angle I get frustrated. Maybe I could buy one before I got to SC again- my brother can put ANYTHING together and they have bikes there so I can make sure it works.

[formerroomate99]

Dec 5, 2021 8:09:47 GMT -5 @athena53 said:

Dec 4, 2021 21:55:28 GMT -5 @pinkcshmere said:

What about the stands and such that allow you to “ride” your bike indoors? A lot of cyclists  use them to train or stay in shape  during winter. Are they out of stock too?

I'm considering that, too. I'm just wary of the assembly process. I'm very good at following directions but if something doesn't fit quite right or it's at just slightly the wrong angle I get frustrated. Maybe I could buy one before I got to SC again- my brother can put ANYTHING together and they have bikes there so I can make sure it works.

Why not just look on Craigslist and see if someone is trying to sell an already assembled stationary bike?

[Deleted]

Dec 6, 2021 13:40:08 GMT -5 formerroomate99 said:

Dec 5, 2021 8:09:47 GMT -5 @athena53 said:

I'm considering that, too. I'm just wary of the assembly process. I'm very good at following directions but if something doesn't fit quite right or it's at just slightly the wrong angle I get frustrated. Maybe I could buy one before I got to SC again- my brother can put ANYTHING together and they have bikes there so I can make sure it works.

Why not just look on Craigslist and see if someone is trying to sell an already assembled stationary bike?

I suppose I could but I'd have to pay them to deliver it.  I have a modest little car and it has to be carried downstairs to the exercise area in my basement.  Worth checking, though.

[Tiny]

Dec 4, 2021 11:40:48 GMT -5 Rukh O'Rorke said:

so now this omicron pops up.

seems it is definately much more transimissible and probalby much more likely to reinfect/evade vaccine. But I saw something early on that it might also be less severe - did anyone else get that info?

if so that could be the winning combination - crowds out other variants but not that sever so more like the usual cold/flus we deal with. Of course, more data is needed, but if so that would really be the end of it for me.

May keep wearing a mask though becuase who wants colds or flus any ways? 

The info I read indicated that Omicron might be even more transmit-able than Delta (it's got more of the "easier to infect a cell" bits than Delta (which had more than the original Covi19 virus))

I'm extrapolating from incomplete data here - it appeared that the people who got Omicron were vaccinated - all of them and that none of them died.  But the article didn't state that directly - it inferred it. It also inferred that even though a bunch of people MIGHT have gotten the Omicron virus at a very LARGE gathering of people - it was positive that so few got it.  The LARGE gathering of people most likely had an equally large vaccinated population.   

It was also inferred that other groups of people (not related to the above group of people) had had covid19 (delta or the older one) and it looked like they got sick with Omicron. I may have made the leap to thinking having had covid19 doesn't provide any protection.

I think we need to wait another couple of weeks to see which way the number of deaths go...

I'm hoping that being vaccinated (even if it's 50% or less) gives some protection against Omicron.

I'm guessing you still have a higher risk of dying of Omicron IF you haven't been vaccinated.   
(let's not forget that even if Covid19 becomes literally like the flu - 30K people are probably gonna die from it a year - versus 30K per MONTH.) 

[formerroomate99]

Dec 6, 2021 14:55:46 GMT -5 @athena53 said:

Dec 6, 2021 13:40:08 GMT -5 formerroomate99 said:

Why not just look on Craigslist and see if someone is trying to sell an already assembled stationary bike?

I suppose I could but I'd have to pay them to deliver it.  I have a modest little car and it has to be carried downstairs to the exercise area in my basement.  Worth checking, though.

There’s also TaskRabbit for assembly, assuming they work in your area.