The MLP Arena

Pony Talk => Off Topic => Topic started by: Ponyfan on January 12, 2021, 07:16:40 AM

Title: Jan-Feb Coronavirus News
Post by: Ponyfan on January 12, 2021, 07:16:40 AM

Hi, I thought I start a new coronavirus thread.

Currently where I live we have 44,547 cases and 613 deaths.

Masks are still required out in public. Restaurants and businesses are operating at 50% and bars are closed.  The hospitals don’t have enough beds for all of the covid patients.

There are limited doses of the vaccine available and the clinics to get the vaccine always fill up within hours. Right now only those in groups 1A and 1B can get the vaccine.

Ponyfan

Title: Re: Jan-Feb Coronavirus News
Post by: BlackCurtains on January 12, 2021, 11:52:32 AM

It's been a bit since I checked the reliable Florida dashboard but it's still crazy.

1,503,482 cases
66,204 hospitalizations
23,227 deaths
8,599 cases in my county

Looks like there was a spike in cases over New Year. Deaths are low right now, but there will probably be another spike in those too.

Masks are required but most businesses aren't enforcing it like they were. You still see people without them. Restaurants are at 50% capacity, unless it's outdoor dining. Then people are shoved together like sardines because that makes sense. Cruises and casinos have begun operating again. I'm not sure about bars.

We have limited doses of the vaccine too. The news in my area is they have 1000 doses distributed but you have to make an appointment to get one, and the system is all kinds of messed up. I don't know if this is true or just paranoid people talking but some are saying that tourists can make appointments too. I honestly don't know if that's fair or not :huh:

Title: Re: Jan-Feb Coronavirus News
Post by: tailrustedtealeaf on January 12, 2021, 06:55:05 PM

Here's where PA is at:
733,429 cases total of confirmed and probables
Just around 35k of those are in my county
18,080 deaths
It looks like about 1k hospital beds remain in the ICU.

Good news: Vaccinations are picking up pace. They're looking to start including people from group 1B (my group!! Grocery workers, essential workers, foodservice, a few others). Currently, 1A encompasses mostly just healthcare workers and those elderly. Philly is working independently of the state and is pushing to do this sooner.

Surprise surprise, people are saying the increase of cases is because of: Holiday gatherings. You know, the ones where you go and eat in small rooms with other people? Shocker.

Title: Re: Jan-Feb Coronavirus News
Post by: Barnacle_lady on January 13, 2021, 12:24:42 AM

Up here we got another 4 weeks of lockdown. They are thinking about a curfew but it's not sure yet if it will help.
Also is being checked if children who are in primary schools can go before the end date.
Most companies which are closed will get some financial support but it's simply not enough to catch up all losses.

Title: Re: Jan-Feb Coronavirus News
Post by: Taffeta on January 13, 2021, 02:49:44 AM

The UK is in lockdown till at least the middle/end of February. They're actually mooting lifting restrictions around my birthday if they have managed to get the most vulnerable vaccinated.

Have talked a lot in other posts about the rollout of this and the postcode lottery so won't reiterate.

Around 2.5 million Britons have been vaccinated already. The Govt has promised all in categories 1-4 to be vaccinated by 15th feb. The idea of then releasing the floodgates a week later - even though it will only be a week after the first dose for some people - is not very sane in my view. I would rather have my birthday in lockdown. Everyone else in my family has, anyway...and it's not like Naynie can come home for it anyway.

Hospitals esp. in the South East are struggling with capacity.  Government has promised more fines for rulebreakers and tougher crackdowns on behaviour that contravenes lockdown. I don't really know why people can't just stay at home when they don't need to go out. It's not like it's forever, but it has dragged on this long because some folk think they are more important than rules and don't have to obey them.

The midlands is actually one of the regions posting lower amounts of cases compared to the national average but that's all relative. We were warned about a bad winter and this is clearly a bad winter.

We soldier on.

Dad has perfected the art of advanced slot-nabbing for delivery, so he has slots booked for us now into early Feb. This is absolutely essential since we can't go to the store at all - and lockdowns tend to precipitate a rise in slot-nabbing.

There are all kinds of debates about elite football as a bunch of games have been off or rescheduled because of covid outbreaks in training camps. Some are from rule breaks, the others seem to be just from players naturally interacting with their families who have been exposed through work or other things. So far though the game is to go on. Football is a big money business here...and money sometimes speaks. Not that I mind the games going ahead, but I also want everyone to be safe as well.

My local area's cases are still quite high, although it's not clear exactly which part of the ward or whether the higher numbers are here or in the neighbouring ward we've been put together with in the stats. There are a lot of medically vulnerable people in my immediate neighbourhood who I know because of campaigning for better bus transport some years back. So far, I think they're all ok, but I worry about them more right now.

Title: Re: Jan-Feb Coronavirus News
Post by: Haruna on January 16, 2021, 01:13:29 AM

In the area of coastal Florida where I work, there are about 13,848 current cases, and in the area I live in, there are about 8,470 current cases (I work in a different county than I live in, about forty minutes away). Florida as a whole in is in "Phase 3" of reopening, which means many businesses can open at full capacity, but are encouraged to let their employees work from home and be creative with safe ways to operate (like outdoor dining and take-out options for restaurants). I'm not sure but I believe six-foot social distancing is still enforced; I know the signs are still up everywhere. People aren't supposed to congregate in large groups, although meetings (like city meetings) can now take place. The city I work in has had problems with the big club scene in the area and trying to get bars/clubs to enforce social distancing (probably an impossible task  ^^; ). Masks are mandatory in every indoor public area, hand sanitizer is provided everywhere, along with disinfectant for carts, and businesses usually close early or at certain times to disinfect their buildings (the library, for instance, closes between 2 and 3). Every doctor's office I've been to measures your temperature before you're allowed to enter, and my sister says that her workplace (accounting) does the same. Masks are also required.

Theme parks and zoos in my city are open in limited capacities (by local law; I believe state law allows them to be fully open), but I'm not sure how I feel about places that attract so many people being open. It seems like they could be COVID hotbeds. But then, many of them are nearly all outdoors (sunshine state for the win), which is much safer than indoors. Beaches and parks are open, which I think is a positive move, since they're outdoors as well and people need to get out somewhere. In tourist season this gets a little dicey, since tourist fill up the hotels and other indoor areas and could spread COVID there, but it's a delicate balance between keeping our tourist industry alive (a huge part of the local economy) and keeping everyone safe.

There are a large amount of senior homes in my state, obviously, but so far in my area current restrictions are keeping the seniors there safe. My friend works as a nurse in two of them and gets a COVID test every two weeks for the residents' safety. Schools are open in a hybrid state -- in classes, some students are learning from home while their classmates are learning in-person. Parents decide what they feel comfortable with. The preschool the kids I nanny go to half the day is enforcing separation between classes (traditionally in small schools you'd mix kids together more often, given that you have enough teachers for the ratios), strict "stay-at-home-if-you're-sick" rules, transparency with COVID cases, and constant teacher mask-wearing, along with stricter disinfecting rules and more. When my oldest nanny kid first went to preschool several years ago, before COVID, he brought home all sorts of sicknesses at least every month and I'd catch them, too  -_- Now that preschool teachers are disinfecting everything and enforcing stay-at-home rules, my younger nanny kid, who just started preschool in the fall, has almost never come home sick  :iconclap:. Same for this older brother. It's a day-and-night difference and I hope they keep COVID regulations in the future, lol.

Unfortunately my youngest charge's teacher was diagnosed Thursday or Friday with asymptomatic COVID, and every parent was informed. The class is closed for some time, obviously, and we'll watch younger kid to make sure he doesn't develop symptoms. He could easily be asymptomatic so his parents and I are being careful as well; I'm quarantining and I'll get tested in a few days. Back in the summer there were long lines and testing shortages, but currently it's an easy in-and-out procedure (and supremely uncomfortable procedure, but oh well).

Vaccines were made available first to our significant 65-and-older population, those who live or work in long-term care homes, and healthcare workers starting in December, and next (according to a draft from Florida's governor's office) essential workers and people with underlying conditions will receive it.

That's where things are where I'm from. I hope the situation keeps improving and that in the near future we'll open up fully again. Officials say half the population in the state as a whole, theoretically, will be vaccinated by early spring or late fall.

Title: Re: Jan-Feb Coronavirus News
Post by: tailrustedtealeaf on January 16, 2021, 09:12:51 AM

They opened up "pre-registration" for 1B folks and it just looks like a mailing list thus far. Doesn't actually guarantee me anything, but I figured it might help expediting my obtaining of it. 1C folks can sign up for the thing I did in a few days.

Quote from: Haruna on January 16, 2021, 01:13:29 AM

hand sanitizer is provided everywhere, along with disinfectant for cart

Has anyone noticed the hand sanitizer provided everywhere kinda sucks really hard? It's always sticky! I think I'm the most used to Bath&Bodyworks stuff but I need to read the dang ingredients now because some have wheat. What's everyones favorites?

Title: Re: Jan-Feb Coronavirus News
Post by: BlackCurtains on January 16, 2021, 09:43:04 AM

I get free sanitizer and disinfectant wipes from my insurance every month. The sanitizer they have is just called RX. It works fine though and isn't sticky.

Title: Re: Jan-Feb Coronavirus News
Post by: Loa on January 16, 2021, 10:57:48 AM

We remain at Level 1 - Prepare.
Things are 90% normal. If you have a cold or are unwell you have to wear a mask but that's it. We must scan into the covid tracker everytime we enter somewhere new.
We have no cases in the community at all - all cases are at the border.

New Zealand
TOTAL | CONFIRMED | PROBABLE | DEATHS | RECOVERED | ACTIVE |
2222       | 1866            | 356          | 25         | 2120            | 77

ACTIVE IN COMMUNITY  | DAYS WITHOUT COMMUNITY CASES
0                                  | 57

Title: Re: Jan-Feb Coronavirus News
Post by: Beth3346 on January 16, 2021, 11:23:28 AM

In my county both deaths and infection rates are going up. It's worse than the summer peak. 1 in 20 people in my county have been infected. This is way up from a month ago. Then it was 1 in 26. I'm guessing this is due to the holiday get togethers.

We're still staying home and only getting delivery. We rarely even get take out anymore. I'm really worried about these new variants that are more contagious. I got some N95 masks and I've been layering them with the surgical masks when i pick up food. Any time we do go out in the car a lot of people are out and about. We see a few of our neighbors having get togethers.

It's also allergy season here with the cedar pollen. I'm really allergic to the pollen so every day i way up stuffy and sneezy. It's not helping me to stay calm.

Not much more to say that i haven't already said. I feel the same way I've felt since this thing started.

Restaurant capacity is reduced to 50%. At least that's something but i'm worried more restaurants will close if they don't get help. I really hope this new federal stimulus bill helps more small businesses. I'm never going to take being able to go out to eat for granted again.

I had a lot of hope for the vaccines but the distribution here in Texas has been very confusing. We called our healthcare provider but they were still only vaccinating staff. My husband is in the at risk group so we would like him to get vaccinated ASAP. but we both work from home so it's not super urgent either. i feel like people who can't work from home should get vaccinated first. it seems like its just first come first served. i'm just so confused right now.

I'm really hoping that after the start of the new administration things get better. I need to hold onto some hope.

Title: Re: Jan-Feb Coronavirus News
Post by: Ponyfan on January 16, 2021, 11:24:38 AM

Quote from: tailrustedtealeaf on January 16, 2021, 09:12:51 AM

Has anyone noticed the hand sanitizer provided everywhere kinda sucks really hard? It's always sticky! I think I'm the most used to Bath&Bodyworks stuff but I need to read the dang ingredients now because some have wheat. What's everyones favorites?

I don't like sticky hand sanitizer.  I like Germ X and Bath and Bodyworks sanitizer.  I have a B and B holder on my bag and and I love how easy it is to get sanitizer instead of having to dig around in bag for it. 


Ponyfan

Title: Re: Jan-Feb Coronavirus News
Post by: glitterball on January 16, 2021, 11:45:42 AM

NZ have done really well in containing the virus!

Regarding public sanitising stations - there are some seriously slimy ones out there...

I have found that M&S use some really nice-smelling ones (natural aromatherapy oils?) and recently I have noticed Lidl & Iceland frozen food stores local to me have not been refilling their dispensers diligently  >_< I have a couple of bottles in my car that I ALWAYS use when I return to the car before I touch things.

Then getting home & washing my hands reactivates the "mucus" texture of the gel, yuck!!

Title: Re: Jan-Feb Coronavirus News
Post by: SunPony on January 16, 2021, 11:53:17 AM

I wonder if the sticky hand sanitizers are the ones with aloe or other moisturizers?

My county just reached the purple level, the worst level... But I'm not sure that that actually means anything as far as closures and regulations.  I think it's more like "hey guys there's a lot of spread right now, so if you could try wearing your masks and maybe not doing everything you usually do in groups that would be greeaaaat"  :huh: 

Title: Re: Jan-Feb Coronavirus News
Post by: banditpony on January 16, 2021, 06:24:55 PM

Quote from: SunPony on January 16, 2021, 11:53:17 AM

My county just reached the purple level, the worst level... But I'm not sure that that actually means anything as far as closures and regulations.  I think it's more like "hey guys there's a lot of spread right now, so if you could try wearing your masks and maybe not doing everything you usually do in groups that would be greeaaaat"  :huh: 

DeWine has already said at this point in time the color coding system is now useless when every county has been at such a high level for cases per 100k... since, forever ago. Although, really it has been kinda busted all along...

With the colors, the only thing that potentially could change is schools... but...

Spoiler

Earlier, some county health boards were advising if the county hit purple that schools go full remote. (recall when a chunk of northeast ohio was purple?) But that still remained to be the decision of the individual district. Some schools already had plans in place for the color system, some followed the advice, and some didn't.

Now, the state's new advice that kids can continue to remain in school even if they have been exposed.  (Because if they are "wearing their masks" AND "staying 6 feet away"-- they no longer consider that an exposure now.) Before they had suggested remote learning / quarantine...

So, yeah... districts might be less likely to follow good protocol now anyway. That's just the pessimistic side in me.

Title: Re: Jan-Feb Coronavirus News
Post by: Haruna on January 16, 2021, 08:16:57 PM

Quote from: tailrustedtealeaf on January 16, 2021, 09:12:51 AM

Has anyone noticed the hand sanitizer provided everywhere kinda sucks really hard? It's always sticky! I think I'm the most used to Bath&Bodyworks stuff but I need to read the dang ingredients now because some have wheat. What's everyones favorites?

I admit I avoid the publicly available hand sanitizer and just use my own! I like Purell with aloe vera (so that it doesn't dry out my hands so much), but that specific type is hard to come by here. Toilet paper and paper towels are running out as well, yet again, but it's not as bad as it used to be.

Quote from: Loa on January 16, 2021, 10:57:48 AM

New Zealand
TOTAL | CONFIRMED | PROBABLE | DEATHS | RECOVERED | ACTIVE |
2222       | 1866            | 356          | 25         | 2120            | 77

ACTIVE IN COMMUNITY  | DAYS WITHOUT COMMUNITY CASES
0                                  | 57

That's amazing, Loa! It shows that this pandemic can be beat.

Title: Re: Jan-Feb Coronavirus News
Post by: Taffeta on January 18, 2021, 05:51:22 AM

NZ is a great example of how to keep it out if you start early and maintain restrictions.

I don't honestly think that Europe stood a chance of succeeding though, because of all the different countries, governments and the open border policies that allowed so much movement early on. The frustration that I have is that we are a bunch of islands who could have shut off transport if we had wanted to, but didn't. And then made it worse by letting idiots go on holiday in the summer, bringing back yet another variant of the virus with them.

Much press about the recent UK found one, the SA one and the Brazilian one, but there was a Spanish one in September that was found in UK people coming back from holidays in Spain. Only a proportion of people who should have quarantined then did, and so here we are.

But I really think that open borders across Europe...while often a great thing...did not help in this pandemic.

We are where we are, though.

UK nations remain in lockdowns with some differences betwen regions. Numbers are said to be stabilising in some areas due to this. Schools are closed till at least February half term. But there are some concerns that too many businesses are finding loopholes. People keep being fines for driving long distances and giving stupid excuses as to why, like 68 miles to 'go to mcdonalds'. And such like.

The numbers in my ward area have halved since the new year. That's got to be good news.

...Still waiting for a vaccine hub to actually open in this part of the borough. But the MP and Council Leader have both talked about such sites aznd the MP said one should open in January, so we hope for the best.

UK is beginning to vaccinate categories 3 and 4 although not all of 1 and 2 are done yet. Mum and Dad are in those categories.

I believe the UK has vaccinated around 3.5 million people in the health worker/over 80s category but some areas have done more than others. The N.E seem to be the most successful so far.

The govt claim they are vaccinating more people per day than are getting infected. Which is lovely, but I still just want to know there's a vaccine hub within walking distance where my parents can get vaccinated by the deadline the govt set for completing categories 1-4 (Feb 15th).

Title: Re: Jan-Feb Coronavirus News
Post by: starrynights on January 18, 2021, 04:36:41 PM

In the US here. It's chaos. More people are dying of COVID every single day than on 9/11. Many are anti-vax. The few who do want vaccines cannot get it. The supply of second doses the government claimed to have was a lie. The states are begging for help and the government won't help. The stimulus check has been delayed for months. People refuse to wear masks because it's been made into a political issue. A large portion of the government and many people were exposed to COVID due to the insurrection attempt on the sixth. Hospitals are full and turning people away. If you go to the hospital with something other than COVID you may get it due to the lack of PPE.

Title: Re: Jan-Feb Coronavirus News
Post by: SpacePinto on January 18, 2021, 05:06:26 PM

Quote from: starrynights on January 18, 2021, 04:36:41 PM

In the US here. It's chaos. More people are dying of COVID every single day than on 9/11. Many are anti-vax. The few who do want vaccines cannot get it. The supply of second doses the government claimed to have was a lie. The states are begging for help and the government won't help. The stimulus check has been delayed for months. People refuse to wear masks because it's been made into a political issue. A large portion of the government and many people were exposed to COVID due to the insurrection attempt on the sixth. Hospitals are full and turning people away. If you go to the hospital with something other than COVID you may get it due to the lack of PPE.

This makes me so angry, specially the insurrection part. Hang in there across the pond!

Title: Re: Jan-Feb Coronavirus News
Post by: Beth3346 on January 19, 2021, 06:45:11 AM

Quote from: SpacePinto on January 18, 2021, 05:06:26 PM

Quote from: starrynights on January 18, 2021, 04:36:41 PM

In the US here. It's chaos. More people are dying of COVID every single day than on 9/11. Many are anti-vax. The few who do want vaccines cannot get it. The supply of second doses the government claimed to have was a lie. The states are begging for help and the government won't help. The stimulus check has been delayed for months. People refuse to wear masks because it's been made into a political issue. A large portion of the government and many people were exposed to COVID due to the insurrection attempt on the sixth. Hospitals are full and turning people away. If you go to the hospital with something other than COVID you may get it due to the lack of PPE.

This makes me so angry, specially the insurrection part. Hang in there across the pond!

Yeah I'm so angry about the behavior of lawmakers who refused to put on masks during the insurrection. This sets such a poor example. My childhood image of our country's leaders has been forever shattered by the last 4-5 years. I thought people who ran for office at least cared about the country. I'm sure it's not new. I just never paid much attention before.

At least 2 congresswomen tested positive in the days after. I just hope they are going to be ok.

Thanks SpacePinto :) I'm very nervous about this week. Hopefully everything will go smoothly and we can get back on track.

Title: Re: Jan-Feb Coronavirus News
Post by: Pokeyonekenobie on January 19, 2021, 07:30:29 AM

Well as far as the vaccine goes, I went yesterday to get tested for the antibodies.  I have them so I feel like getting the vaccine at this point would be redundant and a waste when it could be used for someone else who doesn't have the antibodies and might react badly to getting covid.  I had no symptoms at all and only got tested for covid because my mom tested positive.  Otherwise, I would have gone on my merry way with no idea I could make people around me sick.  But unless I come across one of the mutated strains and the antibodies that I have aren't effective, I don't think I'll get it again. 

Don't worry, I am still wearing a mask and following all the precautions, I'm just not overly concerned that I am going to catch anything at this point.

Title: Re: Jan-Feb Coronavirus News
Post by: Taffeta on January 19, 2021, 08:33:54 AM

TBH coming from lockdown 3.0, I am amazed how much stuff is still open and operating in the US. Nightclubs haven't been allowed to open here since last march. Pubs are closed, restaurants are closed, except for take out. Shops are closed, except for click and collect (which is being challenged as high risk) and online delivery. Driving to places a long way from home will get you a fine. Only essential stores are allowed to open, although some other industries like construction are also operational. Schools are closed, except for the kids of key workers - although some parents are sending their kids anyway. We have our share of COVIDIOTs here as well but most people seem to be knuckling down. In our area a recent poll said 82% supported the lockdown measures. Certainly in our ward people all seem to be complying with rules about distancing, masks, etc.

We are dealing of course with the more virulent virus strain which began to spike here in December. but most areas of the country cases re starting to plateau again. Just at high levels.

We've vaccinated around 4 million people so far. Apparently it's going well. If you believe the govt. I think having the AstraZenica option has helped a lot in terms of distribution. We are just hanging on in there.

Title: Re: Jan-Feb Coronavirus News
Post by: glitterball on January 19, 2021, 09:18:27 AM

Quote from: Pokeyonekenobie on January 19, 2021, 07:30:29 AM

Well as far as the vaccine goes, I went yesterday to get tested for the antibodies.  I have them so I feel like getting the vaccine at this point would be redundant and a waste when it could be used for someone else who doesn't have the antibodies and might react badly to getting covid.  I had no symptoms at all and only got tested for covid because my mom tested positive.  Otherwise, I would have gone on my merry way with no idea I could make people around me sick.  But unless I come across one of the mutated strains and the antibodies that I have aren't effective, I don't think I'll get it again. 

Don't worry, I am still wearing a mask and following all the precautions, I'm just not overly concerned that I am going to catch anything at this point.

That's an interesting situation - I heard the same conversation on a radio phone-in a few days ago, that the caller felt that they did not need the jab as they had antibodies from their previous infection. The doctor suggested that the caller should still go ahead and take the vaccine though.

I suppose that if you are unsure, that you need to discuss the benefits with your healthcare provider, as you mention, how it is effective at protecting against catching a future mutated strain :)

Title: Re: Jan-Feb Coronavirus News
Post by: tailrustedtealeaf on January 19, 2021, 09:29:50 AM

Quote from: Taffeta on January 19, 2021, 08:33:54 AM

TBH coming from lockdown 3.0, I am amazed how much stuff is still open and operating in the US. Nightclubs haven't been allowed to open here since last march....In our area a recent poll said 82% supported the lockdown measures. Certainly in our ward people all seem to be complying with rules about distancing, masks, etc.

Of course we talk about Covid in most of my business classes...my International Marketing professor went over how different countries seem to have specific traits that are seen as ideal for the whole country. USA, unsurprisingly, is very Masculine and Individualistic. Who knew.
It's really a combination of factors though so I can't pin the blame fully on the people who aren't going to wear masks correctly (seriously, why don't most of these masks have nosepieces? Everyone's nostrils are out) and insist on indoor dining...there's no government help for businesses that need to close for safety so it's really a choice of possibly getting sick or being unable to feed yourself. Essential workers or waitresses are pretty much screwed. A perfect storm, basically. Doesn't help that the people willing to patronize the struggling restaurants or shops often are the kinds to not care and to bring a whole cavalcade of folks. I don't want to paint everyone going out to eat as that sort of person because it's a delicate thing to want to support local businesses, but...you know.
 
My mom just got her second jab today! 1/5. Woo. Hopefully the rest of us get it soon, no word on when we enter 1B for distribution.

Quote from: Pokeyonekenobie on January 19, 2021, 07:30:29 AM

Well as far as the vaccine goes, I went yesterday to get tested for the antibodies.  I have them so I feel like getting the vaccine at this point would be redundant and a waste

I'm curious about this! I know some people have gotten Covid twice before, but whaaat if. Would be cool if I already had the antibodies because I was in contact with a coworker who tested positive but blood drawing...no thanks. 

Title: Re: Jan-Feb Coronavirus News
Post by: Pokeyonekenobie on January 19, 2021, 09:48:53 AM

Quote from: tailrustedtealeaf on January 19, 2021, 09:29:50 AM

Quote from: Pokeyonekenobie on January 19, 2021, 07:30:29 AM

Well as far as the vaccine goes, I went yesterday to get tested for the antibodies.  I have them so I feel like getting the vaccine at this point would be redundant and a waste

I'm curious about this! I know some people have gotten Covid twice before, but whaaat if. Would be cool if I already had the antibodies because I was in contact with a coworker who tested positive but blood drawing...no thanks.

The test I did was just a finger prick, like when my mom tests her blood sugar.  And the test only took 15 minutes at the Smith's pharmacy.  They put a small amount of your blood in this little plastic tester and let it sit.  After 15 minutes if a line shows up, then it found the antibodies (it's a little like a pregnancy test except you don't pee on it :lol:).  Now, the downside of this particular test is they can't tell you how much of the antibodies you have, but the doctor at the pharmacy told us if the line is there, you have it no matter how dark/light the line is. According to my brother's father-in-law (who is a doctor) once you hit a certain number of antibodies then they consider you immune.  Though, knowing what I do about how our bodies work (and maybe my information is wrong) once you have the antibody your body will create more as necessary.  So the only thing I should have to worry about is the new strains as I don't know how similar they are to the one I had and I don't know if my current antibodies will be enough.

Title: Re: Jan-Feb Coronavirus News
Post by: tailrustedtealeaf on January 19, 2021, 10:12:57 AM

That's so interesting! I hope they do some more research on that. If supplies are limited then it would certainly help if we could determine a person's immunity beforehand.

Title: Re: Jan-Feb Coronavirus News
Post by: Cin77 on January 23, 2021, 09:42:24 PM

Quote from: Loa on January 16, 2021, 10:57:48 AM

We remain at Level 1 - Prepare.
Things are 90% normal. If you have a cold or are unwell you have to wear a mask but that's it. We must scan into the covid tracker everytime we enter somewhere new.
We have no cases in the community at all - all cases are at the border.

New Zealand
TOTAL | CONFIRMED | PROBABLE | DEATHS | RECOVERED | ACTIVE |
2222       | 1866            | 356          | 25         | 2120            | 77

ACTIVE IN COMMUNITY  | DAYS WITHOUT COMMUNITY CASES
0                                  | 57

New one today in the Community. First for 62 days and just down the road from me (not literally, its about 20mins out of town from here tho which is worrying)

Title: Re: Jan-Feb Coronavirus News
Post by: Minty_Magic on January 24, 2021, 12:46:03 AM

Vaccine slots in AZ are completely booked out through the end of February. We are still only in phase 1B which is for seniors 75+ and essential workers. My grandma dragged her feet on getting an appointment because we had to convince her the vaccine was safe. She is 82 years old and has COPD, she really needs this as soon as possible. It makes me mad so called “news” stations can run whatever junk they feel like. Shouldn’t there be SOME standard of presenting real, unbiased data? My grandma is frankly gullible and will believe anything she hears on the TV, and I know she’s not alone in that. Even my mom is starting to question if she thinks it’s safe, and she’s generally pretty rational.

I might be able to get my first dose on Tuesday. I managed to snag a spot as a general volunteer at our county’s main vaccine center and it sounds like volunteers all get vaccinated at the end of their shift? Don’t know if that’s still true with how short supplies are, but I’m excited to go help out anyway! I figure I can tell my family I saw hundreds of people get vaccinated and they were all fine. :P

Title: Re: Jan-Feb Coronavirus News
Post by: Taffeta on January 24, 2021, 12:38:49 PM

My godmother called my Mum today (and sent me 2 emails. She's a lovely lady but a bit like a human hurricane, so yeah xD) She's down south, she's had her jab already. She's younger than my Dad and not vulnerable like Mum, and she's worried about Mum because Mum hasn't had a letter, let alone a vaccine yet.

...She had the AstraZeneca vaccine and apparently it was fine.

Mum was trying to explain how phenomenally incompetent our county are at implementing anything designed for urban environments. It's frustrating because I just want my parents vaccinated and yet there are so many logistical issues in making it happen.

We hope Mum will get a letter at least this week, there's a good chance. And then we'll take it from there. Meanwhile I have found contact info for the local CCG and I'm going to ask them what possessed them to agree to our GP going in with a vaccine hub in a place most of their patients can't get to.

The FAQ even say it's 2 buses and a 10 minute walk. How many vulnerable seniors should be doing that at the moment? My mum has letters saying she isn't supposed to use transport...?!

I am so fed up with this. It's so hard hearing about everywhere else getting their vaccines and knowing that people here are just missing out. And it's not like it's the first time - this happens here ALL the time, which is why I don't want to live here longterm. But this time it's not just inconvenience but people's lives. The cases here are not going down - probably in part because the county has barely vaccinated half of it's over 80s yet.

Sorry to keep ranting about this but it's like having hope dangled in front of you but just out of reach, over and over again, after 10 months of sacrifice and shielding.

Title: Re: Jan-Feb Coronavirus News
Post by: Bright_Glow on February 04, 2021, 11:36:17 AM

Well here in Hungary the government just extended its restriction and curfew rules we have since mid-November and this long time and fix set of rules seems working very well and the daily infection and death rates are slowly but continuously dropping.
This is a very good thing the light of the fact we have 12 officially detected case of the Covid-19's UK variant. :happy:

Now our government says it's too risky to start easing on the restrictions until we'll have safely enough doses of vaccine for the mass vaccination so it works hard on it even by buying Russian and Chinese vaccines too.

PS.: I got my first Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine shot on last Friday. :frolic:
 

Title: Re: Jan-Feb Coronavirus News
Post by: Taffeta on February 05, 2021, 01:51:07 AM

My parents had their first vaccine dose this morning. It took a long time to find safe transport, but hopefully we did. They were able to go to a hub on the outskirts of the local town, so the whole trip including vaccination took around an hour. They had the Astrazeneca one, and their second doses are booked for April.

...Feels a relief to know they've reached that stage.

Title: Re: Jan-Feb Coronavirus News
Post by: tailrustedtealeaf on February 05, 2021, 07:38:47 AM

Turns out the grocery store I work at has already been administering vaccines to employees who are over 65. It sounds like cases are somewhat declining as the Christmas boom of cases is petering out...

Title: Re: Jan-Feb Coronavirus News
Post by: lovesbabysquirmy on February 05, 2021, 05:05:52 PM

Things are staying steady here in Calgary... it's not awesome since our country has run into a vaccine shortage problem.
The weather is worse... going into -40 C now for the next week! 

Title: Re: Jan-Feb Coronavirus News
Post by: BlackCurtains on February 05, 2021, 05:45:39 PM

They started screening for vaccine recipients because before they were giving them to tourists as well as residents. Now you have to be a resident. I'm not sure how to feel about that. On one hand, I don't think Florida is receiving "extra" vaccines for extra people, but on the other hand I feel that the most likely to spread Covid are the tourists. So I dunno.

Title: Re: Jan-Feb Coronavirus News
Post by: Haruna on February 05, 2021, 07:22:49 PM

Quote from: Taffeta on February 05, 2021, 01:51:07 AM

My parents had their first vaccine dose this morning. It took a long time to find safe transport, but hopefully we did. They were able to go to a hub on the outskirts of the local town, so the whole trip including vaccination took around an hour. They had the Astrazeneca one, and their second doses are booked for April.

...Feels a relief to know they've reached that stage.

That's great, Taffeta! It must be a relief to know they're on their way to getting the whole vaccine.

Title: Re: Jan-Feb Coronavirus News
Post by: Bright_Glow on February 19, 2021, 12:03:04 PM

I just got my second dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine yesterday (about 20 days after the first one). :happy:
It feels like two doses of sweet revenge against the virus. :devious:
I haven't noticed any side effects other than the minimal pain where I hot the shot. I heard that 2-3 of my colleagues got light fever by today but nothing more serious.
The bad news is the government said it seems the third wave of the pandemic just begins. It seems the recent restrictions could delay the British variant's spread by a month.

I'll get my vaccination ID Card soon by post and my mom will get one since she just got through the infection while she was in the hospital.

Title: Re: Jan-Feb Coronavirus News
Post by: Aflame on February 21, 2021, 04:27:50 PM

I got my first one on Friday as im in group 6 (basically any one with underlaying conditions that gets the free flu jab) so hopefully will have the next one in about 12 weeks (in the UK )

Title: Re: Jan-Feb Coronavirus News
Post by: Taffeta on February 21, 2021, 06:03:32 PM

Quote from: Aflame on February 21, 2021, 04:27:50 PM

I got my first one on Friday as im in group 6 (basically any one with underlaying conditions that gets the free flu jab) so hopefully will have the next one in about 12 weeks (in the UK )

That categorising depends a lot on your local health authority. My sister is still waiting to find out whether her GP does or doesn't think her asthma qualifies her (even though she automatically gets a free flu jab).
Glad you've managed to get an appointment though. Hope it goes well. :)

Title: Re: Jan-Feb Coronavirus News
Post by: lovesbabysquirmy on February 22, 2021, 06:25:52 AM

Quote from: Taffeta on February 21, 2021, 06:03:32 PM

Quote from: Aflame on February 21, 2021, 04:27:50 PM

I got my first one on Friday as im in group 6 (basically any one with underlaying conditions that gets the free flu jab) so hopefully will have the next one in about 12 weeks (in the UK )

That categorising depends a lot on your local health authority. My sister is still waiting to find out whether her GP does or doesn't think her asthma qualifies her (even though she automatically gets a free flu jab).
Glad you've managed to get an appointment though. Hope it goes well. :)

Yep that is what is going on here, too. They are sorting out the definitions of the next groups, but aside from health care workers and seniors in care, they are still slow-moving.   Not enough supply

Title: Re: Jan-Feb Coronavirus News
Post by: Taffeta on February 22, 2021, 08:44:31 AM

Quote from: lovesbabysquirmy on February 22, 2021, 06:25:52 AM

Quote from: Taffeta on February 21, 2021, 06:03:32 PM

Quote from: Aflame on February 21, 2021, 04:27:50 PM

I got my first one on Friday as im in group 6 (basically any one with underlaying conditions that gets the free flu jab) so hopefully will have the next one in about 12 weeks (in the UK )

That categorising depends a lot on your local health authority. My sister is still waiting to find out whether her GP does or doesn't think her asthma qualifies her (even though she automatically gets a free flu jab).
Glad you've managed to get an appointment though. Hope it goes well. :)

Yep that is what is going on here, too. They are sorting out the definitions of the next groups, but aside from health care workers and seniors in care, they are still slow-moving.   Not enough supply

We don't have a supply problem, but I'll spare you all my rant on the way the JCVI are organising this here. Sigh.
As for me, asthma got magically removed from my medical record for some reason and they won't even authorise me having an inhaler until I can go to a review, which can't happen till after the pandemic, so I haven't even been offered an automatic flu jab since 2015. I got one this year because of mum's immune system, but my best chance of getting vaccinated before the summer atm lies in whether they prove it prevents transmission.

My sister, though, she thought up till the 15th that she would be in category 6. And then they changed the rules on category 6 for asthmatics to only those with regular steroid tablet prescriptions...not those with steroid inhalers only, even if they used them regularly. So she really has no idea what's happening now.