# Coronavirus general discussion and chit-chat

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903>\
**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:** 91

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**Author:** ![Mikkel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikkel/32/13151_2.png) [@Mikkel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mikkel)\
**Post date:** [December 2, 2022, 9:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903/1805 "2022-12-02T09:25:37Z")

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For what it is worth, the Danish health authorities recommend that, if you have mild symptoms, you should quarantine for four days after a positive test.

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**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\
**Post date:** [December 2, 2022, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903/1806 "2022-12-02T12:41:16Z")

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Your local epidemiologist suggests you ask them to test before you visit

> **[Thanksgiving week! Friendly reminder](https://yourlocalepidemiologist.substack.com/p/thanksgiving-week-friendly-reminder)**
>
> Happy Thanksgiving week! This is a friendly reminder that although there are a ton of circulating viruses, you and your family can have a healthy gathering while taking care of the larger community (i.e., overflowing hospitals). Here are a few key...

> - _ **COVID-19** _ : We see strong evidence ([here](https://yourlocalepidemiologist.substack.com/p/antigen-tests-real-world-data), [here](https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2202092#:~:text=Recently%2C%20the%20Centers%20for%20Disease,by%205%20days%20of%20masking.)) that an Omicron infection lasts, on average, 8-10 days. Some people will be infectious for less, and some will be infectious for more. You won’t know unless you test.

I think there’s wide consensus that while rapid tests may be slow to test positive at the start of an infection, someone who tests positive, and then feels better and tests negative without taking antivirals (like paxlovid) is likely no longer infectious.

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**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\
**Post date:** [December 7, 2022, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903/1807 "2022-12-07T19:13:25Z")

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So I got some QuickVue tests for free with my insurance from CVS. If anyone else has experience with them, I have a couple of questions:

1. The amount of liquid in the tubes is _way_ less than what’s depicted in the instructions. I assume they decided that all that liquid wasn’t needed and didn’t want to pay the graphic designer more, but I’m not sure! Does anyone know?

2. The tests say that they’re “designed” so you use both in the box within a day and a half of each other. What, if anything, does that say about the worth of the first result? Like, if I wanted to test right before going to an event with many people in it, would I be making a mistake basing my decision on a negative result to any extent at all? Would it be advisable to time it so that I use the second right before the event? What happens to my confidence in the results if I _don’t_ use the second in the time suggested?

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**Author:** ![Wallet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e99b99/32.png) [@Wallet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wallet)\
**Post date:** [December 29, 2022, 9:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903/1808 "2022-12-29T09:09:59Z")

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I’d appreciate some advice.  
Fully vaxed/boosted, but tested positive 2 days ago. Stayed clear of family, slept in basement for 2 nights.  
Husband also fully vaxed/boosted just tested positive as well. We’re both coughing up our innards.  
As long as we’re both positive, would it be ok to sleep in same bed again?  
(sleeping on top of blankets on cold basement floor not the most comfortable)  
Thanks for your help/suggestions! 🙂

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**Author:** ![Mikkel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikkel/32/13151_2.png) [@Mikkel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mikkel)\
**Post date:** [December 29, 2022, 10:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903/1809 "2022-12-29T10:04:12Z")

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You should ask your doctor.  
That said, both infected with the same virus, both vaxed , I don’t see any reason why you shouldn’t quarantine together. It can’t be healthy to sleep on a basement floor.

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**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\
**Post date:** [December 29, 2022, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903/1810 "2022-12-29T12:11:03Z")

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> [@Wallet](#):
>
> As long as we’re both positive, would it be ok to sleep in same bed again?

We have a guest bedroom with its own bathroom. When one of us is sick we sleep in there so as not to interfere with the other’s sleep. If we were both ill I’d still prefer this.

Your situation is different. I don’t know if continual exposure to virus is a concern. I’d ask my doctor.

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**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\
**Post date:** [December 29, 2022, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903/1811 "2022-12-29T13:59:57Z")

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I’ve wondered about this myself. My guess is that it’s better to be separate because that means fewer virus particles in the air for each person to breathe in. Although you are already sick, any additional virus you breathe in means more virus for your body to fight. But I’m not sure how much difference that would make overall. Perhaps the effect is so negligible that it can be ignored. Especially here where being in the basement likely has some negative effect on your recovery.

Along these lines, even if you’re alone, I’m guessing it’s better to have an air purifier in the room with you to remove any airborne virus particles. That way the virus you exhale are filtered out rather than inhaled back into your body. If you don’t have an air purifier, blowing in outside air will help clear out any virus inside your house.

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**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\
**Post date:** [December 29, 2022, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903/1812 "2022-12-29T14:21:24Z")

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Do you both have the same variant?

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**Author:** ![Wallet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e99b99/32.png) [@Wallet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wallet)\
**Post date:** [December 29, 2022, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903/1813 "2022-12-29T14:23:53Z")

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Thank you all, some very good advice. Forgot we have an air purifier, will find and plug it in asap.  
Hate to bother everyone again, but…  
My husband is 72. While I just feel like I have the worst cold ever, he’s much worse than me today. Can’t sit up w/o falling over, lots of coughing, etc. I want to get him to Urgent Care , perhaps he needs a course of Paxlovid? Just don’t know how to get him dressed, and outside to the car.  
I really don’t know what to do, and I’m scared.

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**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\
**Post date:** [December 29, 2022, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903/1814 "2022-12-29T14:26:05Z")

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Is there a doctor you can call?

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**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:** [December 29, 2022, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903/1815 "2022-12-29T14:39:15Z")

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I got Paxlovid by calling my PCP. Nobody wanted me inside with COVID. Went to a pharmacy with a drive-up window to get it.

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**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:** [December 29, 2022, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903/1816 "2022-12-29T15:55:46Z")

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Use this to find a test to treat location near you.

> **[COVID-19 Test to Treat Locator English](https://covid-19-test-to-treat-locator-dhhs.hub.arcgis.com/)**
>
> Option 3

It’s possible for a pharmacist to dispense Paxlovid without needing a Dr visit, following a protocol. Starting the med needs to happen within 5 days of first symptoms.

If he is taking a statin for cholesterol, he might want to hold off on today’s dose until he’s done the test to treat and a decision has been made re the Paxlovid. Some statins need to be paused during Paxlovid treatment.

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**Author:** ![echoreply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/echoreply/32/3641_2.png) [@echoreply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/echoreply)\
**Post date:** [December 29, 2022, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903/1817 "2022-12-29T17:34:20Z")

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> [@Wallet](#):
>
> Can’t sit up w/o falling over, lots of coughing, etc. I want to get him to Urgent Care , perhaps he needs a course of Paxlovid? Just don’t know how to get him dressed, and outside to the car.

The answer might be 911. If he needs to get to a doctor, and he can’t dress himself or walk to the car (which suggests he does need a doctor), then calling an ambulance might be the right action to take.

If you don’t want to jump right to that, your provider might have an “ask a nurse” line, or similar. That is usually a way to talk to a medical person very quickly for basic advice.

My state just sent me a link to a “so you’ve tested positive” website which has a list of resources and advice. It includes non-emergency information numbers, nurse lines, and other things.

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**Author:** ![Wallet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e99b99/32.png) [@Wallet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wallet)\
**Post date:** [December 29, 2022, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903/1818 "2022-12-29T19:58:50Z")

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Again, thanks so much for the good information.  
It seems my doctor’s office is closed, due to Covid! They all tested positive last year at this time, and it’s come around again.  
Took advice, found a line to a nurse who agreed he needed Paxlovid, and based on his symptoms an antibiotic as well. She called it in to pharmacy, now just need to find someone to pick it up.  
Sorry to sound so upset before, but it’s kind of overwhelming. He was in the hospital over a week last month, and I was panicking.  
Thank you to all, you calmed me down with facts instead of fear.

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**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:** [December 29, 2022, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903/1819 "2022-12-29T21:24:37Z")

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Of course you were upset!

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**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\
**Post date:** [December 30, 2022, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903/1820 "2022-12-30T01:44:02Z")

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Yes, it would be bizarre if you weren’t upset. This must be horribly stressful for you, and you’re sick, on top of that.

Best wishes, i hope he makes a quick turnaround.

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**Author:** ![Wallet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e99b99/32.png) [@Wallet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wallet)\
**Post date:** [December 30, 2022, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903/1821 "2022-12-30T03:15:05Z")

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Thank you so much.

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**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\
**Post date:** [December 31, 2022, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903/1822 "2022-12-31T02:59:49Z")

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> [@echoreply](#):
>
> The answer might be 911. If he needs to get to a doctor, and he can’t dress himself or walk to the car (which suggests he does need a doctor), then calling an ambulance might be the right action to take.

My mom was still able to walk under her own power when I forced her to go to urgent care to be seen for what turned out to be a combination of influenza A and antibiotic resistant pneumonia. She died in the hospital 23 hours later. Definitely call 911 if someone is so sick they can’t get out of bed.

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**Author:** ![Wallet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e99b99/32.png) [@Wallet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wallet)\
**Post date:** [December 31, 2022, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903/1823 "2022-12-31T03:14:17Z")

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{{ [elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)}} I’m so sorry to hear about your mom. I hope her memory can someday be a source of comfort to you.  
sigh  
The last couple of years have really taken a toll on so many people. 😢

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**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\
**Post date:** [January 14, 2023, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903/1824 "2023-01-14T16:24:56Z")

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So, I finally got Covid, started having strong flu and cold like symptoms 2 days ago, before testing positive.

My question is…am I going to heal faster if I don’t take Advil, etc. (fever is good for disease healing?) or is it dangerous to let inflammation persist with Covid and Advil reduces the inflammation?

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