Coronavirus general discussion and chit-chat

None so far, as far as I can tell.

I’m glad that’s done.

How’s everyone today?

I’m so glad you were able to get the monoclonal antibodies! It does sound like an excellent system. Is this what Andrew the Guardsman does all day long?

Got booster and flu shots today, different arms. Usually no reaction other than sore area around shot (hammers on wood). Wife is sick however, fever and feeling body slammed. Awaiting Covid test.

Better. Kid #1 still in school.

Kid #2 still in quarantine (and they recently realized their quarantine lasts past Halloween). We had built their Halloween costume (samurai-type armor) while we were isolating from the other two members of our family. Now, they won’t get to go trick-or-treating in it. We’re working on some alternatives. They are, thankfully, still asymptomatic.

Spouse continues to improve. Her doctor released her from quarantine. We aren’t clear on the criteria for that, but it’s good that one of us isn’t officially in quarantine anymore.

Yesterday and last night were pretty bad for me. The worst so far, though I know they were mild in comparison to some experiences. Some shortness of breath, pain in my chest with deep breaths, extreme fatigue, extreme achiness, and chills. These symptoms first started the night before last, so I don’t think they are associated with the antibody treatment. By midmorning today, I was feeling better. I’m hoping this continues.

It seemed that way.

Well, shit.

My Mom turns 101 on Saturday. She resides in the nursing wing of a local retirement community.
I live near her. My 3 older siblings live out of state.

Last year we couldn’t celebrate her 100th because of the pandemic. So we made plans to celebrate this year. All of my siblings had plans to travel here for the birthday party.

Yesterday Mom was tested for Covid, along with all other residents. Today the results showed that she tested positive, and she is now quarantined for at least the next 5 days.

We have cancelled the birthday celebration and my sibs have cancelled their travel plans. We’re hoping for a get-together sometime in early Spring.

Fuck Covid.

Aw, that sucks, Railer13.

I avoided mentioning this until now to avoid overshadowing much bigger concerns, but we had a COVID scare here, too. My uncle has an infection in his leg that was getting worse despite outpatient treatment. Dad had been ferrying to his appointments, and thus was there when Uncle had to be admitted to the hospital. Uncle was tested for COVID and came back positive.

It wasn’t really practical for Dad to isolate, as he is diabetic and would need food in the fridge, so I chose to isolate instead in my old bedroom that is cut off from the rest of the house. (I have a bunch of shelf-stsble snacks I could use for food.)

Yesterday was the fifth day, so Dad got tested, and today he came back negative. Neither Dad, uncle or I have had any symptoms.

Just getting that close scared me enough that I can’t imagine how bad those of you feel who actually have to deal with you and your loved ones actually getting sick.

Uncle’s birthday is today, but he’s still in quarantine for a bit longer. I’m very happy I was able to convince him to get the shot.

I’m glad @eschrodinger’s wife and kids are recovering, and hopefully he is, too. And I’m sorry to @Railer13 about their mom and hope she gets through all right.

Is she symptomatic? How many shots has she had?

Ditto to those sentiments.

Glad you dodged some really bad stuff, @BigT.

Anyone who thinks this is all over is nuts.

She is asymptomatic and she was surprised to hear of the positive test. She has all her shots, including the booster last week.

The residents in the facility are 90% vaccinated and the staff is about 75 percent, according to their latest report. I think Mom will be okay, but, man, does this suck.

Wife’s covid test negative, still feels punky but fever is down and seems to be a seasonal malady.

Glad to hear, @smithsb. Sorry I missed you earlier.

I was going to say I was relieved, but then I realized it’s a sign of how awful COVID is that we’re happy someone “only” has a seasonal malady. I hope your wife is on the mend. Seasonal maladies are not fun!

No news is good news? You, spouse, and kiddies doing okay?

Yes, things are continuing to trend up for all of us. I tried to do a bit too much yesterday and wound up utterly exhausted last night, and feverish again, and a bit wheezy in the early morning.

I wasn’t as much better as I thought. But getting better bit by bit. Trying to get better at pacing myself.

I am very relieved, as are the rest of your cheering section, I’m sure. :partying_face:

Take. It. Easy. This is going to take some time to get over.

So glad to see everyone on the mend!

Oh yeah, it’s like the least of my worries, but I don’t think I’ve mentioned that I have absolutely zero sense of smell.

I’ve mostly lost my sense of smell once before, when I had influenza. It took months to fully come back that time. I hope it comes back quicker this time. Particularly because there’s a big difference between mostly gone and all the way gone. It’s very strange to put something I know has a strong smell under my nose and inhale, and . . . nothing at all.

My spouse and Kid #1 had diminished senses of smell and taste, but I think not quite as completely gone. And, theirs are already back.

Help me figure this out, please:

Partisan divides persisted among vaccinated adults, Kaiser found, with nearly four in 10 (38%) fully vaccinated Republicans saying they probably or definitely would not get a booster shot if one was made available to them, nearly four times the number of like-minded Democrats (9%).

Why would you not get the booster if you’ve had the two full-strength shots? I’d assume that people think it’s not necessary except that there’s such a strong partisan split. Is there some anti-vax thing going around about boosters, specifically?