# Coronavirus general discussion and chit-chat **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Tags:** covid-quarantine\ **Created:** [August 12, 2020, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903 "2020-08-12T17:29:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 48
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2021, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903/944 "2021-10-21T15:28:09Z")
COVID related articles are still free to all, I think. I read your post and went to “gift” the link, but there was no icon for gifting. I think that’s why. FWIW, if you have a NYT or WaPo subscription, you will sometimes see an icon of a gift box among the icons for Twitter, Facebook, etc. You can use that icon to create a link that’s free to all that view it for a two week period. You can do this up to 10 times a month. Other media outlets may have it as well. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2021, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903/945 "2021-10-21T15:34:19Z")
I was thinking the same, but my version was “if I could cross the border…” Take care, **eschrodinger**. ---
**Author:** ![eschrodinger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschrodinger/32/122_2.png) [@eschrodinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschrodinger)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2021, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903/946 "2021-10-21T16:04:18Z")
Thanks to everyone for your support. ---
**Author:** ![ratatoskK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ratatoskk/32/2987_2.png) [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2021, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903/947 "2021-10-21T16:21:59Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > NYT allows a small number of free articles a month. If you used yours up, you can just open a different browser (Firefox, Chrome, Edge, etc) and get a new set of free articles. People who subscribe to the NYT can get a link to let others read an article for free. Click the icon that looks like a wrapped present, and follow the instructions to get a link, then post the link here. ---
**Author:** ![JaneDoe42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janedoe42/32/14104_2.png) [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2021, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903/948 "2021-10-21T17:30:15Z")
Holy cow. I really have no words, there is nothing I can say except to offer support. How old are your kids, I forgot. Do you think they might like getting books or something from a stranger? Just for moral support? Do you have any animal rescue groups around? If you contact them, I’m sure they could get someone out to transport your cat. Maybe if you call your vet and tell them what’s going on, they might have an employee who loves in your area who could pick your cat up. Drink LOTS of water. You want to slosh when you walk. OTC pain relievers do help with the achey joints. I wish you well. ---
**Author:** ![eschrodinger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschrodinger/32/122_2.png) [@eschrodinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschrodinger)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2021, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903/949 "2021-10-21T18:22:48Z")
The kid who hasn’t been sick is getting tested today, so we know what we’re dealing with in terms of how much we need to isolate. For now, I am hanging out in my room with a large air purifier. When I briefly go out to the living room, I wear a mask and the kid wears a mask. I stay far away. I unlocked a tablet and a phone, so they’ve been calling and hanging out with us on messenger. Now they’re watching TV, I think. > [@JaneDoe42](#): > > I wish you well. Thanks. I think we can deal with getting the cat transported. I was a little overwhelmed thinking about it last night, but there are people we can ask. My kids are both 8. Thanks for the hydration advice. I will try to err on the side of sloshing. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2021, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903/950 "2021-10-21T23:07:10Z")
I’ll just put this here and back away slowly. COVID Vaccination Rates Vary By People’s Zodiac Sign (Medscape) > **[Unvaccinated? Your Astrological Sign May Explain Why](https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/961366)** > > COVID-19 vaccination rates vary dramatically by astrological sign, with Leos at the top of the list and Scorpios at the bottom, according to The Salt Lake Tribune. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2021, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903/951 "2021-10-22T00:05:53Z")
> [@susan](#): > > COVID Vaccination Rates Vary By People’s > Zodiac Sign (Medscape) > > [https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/961366](https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/961366) Here’s the story from the Salt Lake City Tribune, which was linked in the Medscape article. > **[Salt Lake County calculated COVID-19 vaccination rates by zodiac sign. The...](https://www.sltrib.com/news/2021/10/20/salt-lake-county-2/)** > > Leo, Aquarius, Aries and Sagittarius had the highest vaccination rates in Salt Lake County — far higher than those born under Scorpio and Virgo. This is just in Salt Lake County, but at least my fellow Aquarians are near the top in Utah’s most populous county. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2021, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903/952 "2021-10-22T00:12:41Z")
How did the day go? ---
**Author:** ![eschrodinger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschrodinger/32/122_2.png) [@eschrodinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschrodinger)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2021, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903/953 "2021-10-22T01:48:03Z")
I have an appointment tomorrow to get tested at an official site, but I’m debating whether to go. I have enough symptoms that, given my exposure, I have no doubt. I kind of want to still go because I think being counted has value. I contacted my doctor, who is also my kids’ doctor, with a number of questions. Unfortunately, I only got a message back saying to call and schedule a virtual visit with whoever was available. I’m not sure if I wound up speaking to a doctor, a PA, or NP. I had to struggle to hear her. I did get some of my questions answered, but I did not feel great about the practitioner. I explained the situation, and I asked about the monoclonal antibody treatment. She was immediately discouraging, saying, you have to have a qualifying condition, your symptoms are not so bad, etc. I then explained that I do have one of the qualifying conditions. Actually, thinking about what I read when they offered it to my spouse, I think I have another, and possibly a third, but it’s undiagnosed. And of course, the point is that those are risk factors, not just “qualifying” for treatment. Anyway, she agreed to refer me on to the Covid team that makes those decisions and arrangements. She also tried to be reassuring(I guess?) by saying just because my spouse got so sick it didn’t mean I would. Completely missing the point that I _can’t_ get that sick. I need to be able to take care of everyone until my spouse is well enough to start doing more. My daughter was home from school due to her fever, but she was fine all day. She can go back tomorrow. We got her twin tested this afternoon. For today, we wore masks whenever I was not closed in my bedroom. If that kiddo has an asymptomatic case, it would make things easier. I have mild symptoms like a bad cold. Pain in my nasopharynx, stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat, headache, joint pain, fatigue. If it stays like this, it would be OK. My spouse got her antibody treatment. She seems about the same so far. No worse today, though, which is good. Also my cat that’s recovering from surgery is very slowly improving. And we have some volunteers to take him for a recheck if needed. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2021, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903/954 "2021-10-22T01:55:45Z")
> [@eschrodinger](#): > > If it stays like this, it would be OK. > > My spouse got her antibody treatment. She seems about the same so far. No worse today, though, which is good. > > Also my cat that’s recovering from surgery is very slowly improving. And we have some volunteers to take him for a recheck if needed And you have all of us here rooting for you. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2021, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903/955 "2021-10-22T02:11:53Z")
Thank you so much for the update. Pulling for you and your family very hard. Can you bypass your PCP and find a more responsive medical team? ---
**Author:** ![eschrodinger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschrodinger/32/122_2.png) [@eschrodinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschrodinger)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2021, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903/956 "2021-10-22T03:27:27Z")
> [@BippityBoppityBoo](#): > > And you have all of us here rooting for you. Thank you. > [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Can you bypass your PCP and find a more responsive medical team? I’m supposed to get a call from the Covid team in the next 48 hours. I really like my doctor, when she’s available. But I will go elsewhere if I need to. ---
**Author:** ![MaverocK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@MaverocK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaverocK)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2021, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903/957 "2021-10-22T16:10:13Z")
When will this pandemic end? ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2021, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903/958 "2021-10-22T16:22:37Z")
Not with a bang, but with a whimper. Covid 19 is endemic in the human population now; it is never going away. We will adapt, and the restrictions will ease. Deaths, however, will continue. In fact, I’d say that we can no longer eradicate viral diseases with vaccinations (smallpox) or reduce them to insignificance (polio). That ship has sailed, as there is far, far too much ignorance and stupidity in the world now. ---
**Author:** ![eschrodinger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschrodinger/32/122_2.png) [@eschrodinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschrodinger)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2021, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903/959 "2021-10-22T16:52:51Z")
My spouse is waiting for her spot to come up at urgent care for another X-ray. More trouble breathing. Lower pulse ox number (though it came back up after taking some recommended steps from the advice nurse, which is good). The advice nurse advised getting another X-ray. The kiddo who got tested yesterday had a fever last night. So did my daughter, so she’s home from school again, too. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2021, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903/960 "2021-10-22T17:17:51Z")
Thanks for the update. ---
**Author:** ![eschrodinger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschrodinger/32/122_2.png) [@eschrodinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschrodinger)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2021, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903/961 "2021-10-22T19:47:54Z")
She has pneumonia – worse on this X-ray than on the first one, but not too bad The urgent care doctor is consulting with a covid pulmonologist to find out what the latest advice is concerning steroids and oxygen, but hasn’t heard back yet. She’s also getting set up with a program where a nurse will call and monitor her symptoms. She’s on her way home. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2021, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903/962 "2021-10-22T20:23:44Z")
Damn. But glad you got good information. How are your symptoms? I HATE when medical stuff happens on a Friday. 🙄 My late husband was ill a lot and hospitalized _many_ times, and when it was over a weekend, we could never get in touch with the right people. Frankly, the same thing happens when the pets get sick/injured on a Friday, too. ---
**Author:** ![JaneDoe42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janedoe42/32/14104_2.png) [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2021, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903/963 "2021-10-22T22:30:05Z")
Geeze Louise, this terrible, I am so sorry this is happening. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903.md?page=47) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903.md?page=49)