Another wave. Here we go again.

[W2R]

Skipro33, I am so glad you are out of ICU and recovering well! Don't worry about the hair; I think most people find it grows back in a few months, if stress is minimized. After Covid double pneumonia I was discharged from the ICU last September, and my hair fell out at an alarming rate from October through January. Then it stopped falling out, and by now it has grown back. Hopefully your hair loss will stop soon too. Take care.

 

[skipro33]

What does that look like (accommodation?)

I don't know. However, I have been reading how some aircraft have a redesign of the little air nozzle each passenger has they can adjust and aim. Instead of a nozzle, they reengineer this into a 'curtain' of air that flows down in front and both sides of the passenger, enveloping them in a pocket of sanitized air. Or perhaps it will be a drop-down mask like the emergency ones you could don to receive fresh air. Masks filtering isn't cutting it, a fresh air source/supply would.
I also envision some sort of portable air sanitizer pack you could plug in or uses batteries that sanitizes air. Perhaps ozone purifier or something. I'd buy one in a minute if I could wear it out in public, knowing for sure I'm breathing a purified source of air that hasn't passed through anyone's lungs near me.

 

[skipro33]

Skipro33, I am so glad you are out of ICU and recovering well! Don't worry about the hair; I think most people find it grows back in a few months, if stress is minimized. After Covid double pneumonia I was discharged from the ICU last September, and my hair fell out at an alarming rate from October through January. Then it stopped falling out, and by now it has grown back. Hopefully your hair loss will stop soon too. Take care.

I'm sorry to hear you had to go through that but glad that you have a positive outcome and encouragement for me. Thank you!

And thank you to all those who also expressed their concern and welcome back. I've been monitoring, but my wife assured me I have 'covid brain' or brain fog or what ever it's called and that I should refrain from trying to articulate ideas or experiences for a time. Ha!
And it's true. I find my short term memory has been very bad. Example; she was on the phone to our son telling him that I am doing better, even fixed the dishwasher the day before when it became backed up and leaking. The reality is that I don't remember her telling me the dishwasher was on the fritz or that I repaired it. I went into the kitchen to look at it, hoping that would trigger the memory of the event. I swear I do not remember anything about the dishwasher problem or getting down there to fix it. She told our son I completely disassembled it, took the parts outside to clean them and restore them, then reassembled to like-new.
There are other instances like that having some consequences. I rebuilt a motorcycle engine, replacing the valves and installing a different cam. However, I forgot to torque all the fasteners, instead just tightening by hand a few critical ones. The bike started up just fine, ran for 5 minutes then grenaded into a spectacular racket of noise. When I opened it back up, I realized what I forgot to torque and went to work ordering replacment parts. Parts arrived and I couldn't remember ordering them or why. But the disassembled motor on the bench convinced me of the events that must have taken place. My short-term memory loos is no longer a problem thank goodness!

 

[Montecfo]

Cases ticking up here in Northern VA, but hospitalizations staying low to this point. Hopefully that remains the case.

I distance but otherwise maintain normal activities as much as possible.

 

[W2R]

And thank you to all those who also expressed their concern and welcome back. I've been monitoring, but my wife assured me I have 'covid brain' or brain fog or what ever it's called and that I should refrain from trying to articulate ideas or experiences for a time. Ha!
And it's true. I find my short term memory has been very bad. Example; she was on the phone to our son telling him that I am doing better, even fixed the dishwasher the day before when it became backed up and leaking. The reality is that I don't remember her telling me the dishwasher was on the fritz or that I repaired it. I went into the kitchen to look at it, hoping that would trigger the memory of the event. I swear I do not remember anything about the dishwasher problem or getting down there to fix it. She told our son I completely disassembled it, took the parts outside to clean them and restore them, then reassembled to like-new.
There are other instances like that having some consequences. I rebuilt a motorcycle engine, replacing the valves and installing a different cam. However, I forgot to torque all the fasteners, instead just tightening by hand a few critical ones. The bike started up just fine, ran for 5 minutes then grenaded into a spectacular racket of noise. When I opened it back up, I realized what I forgot to torque and went to work ordering replacment parts. Parts arrived and I couldn't remember ordering them or why. But the disassembled motor on the bench convinced me of the events that must have taken place. My short-term memory loos is no longer a problem thank goodness!

Glad to hear it is no longer a problem! I thought my Covid brain fog was the worst part of the experience. Thank goodness it seems to be all gone or nearly so. I am so thankful that it is not as bad as it was. I was getting lost in my own 1500 square foot house that I have lived in for 7 years, for example. Having been through Covid brain fog, I feel like I have been through a practice training for living with age related dementia if I ever get it.

 

[Katsmeow]

I am vaccinated (Moderna) and double boosted (most recent on April 1).

Around here, unless it is a healthcare facility, pretty much no one wears masks. I don't think I've seen a mask in a store or restaurant in quite awhile. Most (not all) healthcare facilities require masks.

I am going to be going to a funeral next week (along with visitation) and an after funeral meal. I expect there to be quite a few people there. Many of the people I know have been vaccinated (although some are likely not boosted). I would assume, given vaccination rates here, that a fair number of people will be unvaccinated.

I suspect very few, if any, people will wear a mask. I will definitely stick out in a mask but think will wear for the service. Probably pointless though to even try to wear one at the meal afterwards.

 

[JoeWras]

I suspect very few, if any, people will wear a mask. I will definitely stick out in a mask but think will wear for the service. Probably pointless though to even try to wear one at the meal afterwards.

You're going to have to rely on yourself, and your ability to wear a mask properly. That's what we are doing while we enjoy going to NHL playoff events in the midst of 20,000 screaming fans. I wear an n95 tightly. Best I can do and still live and enjoy life.

Depending on others to save you with their mask wearing is a no-go. It may "feel good" to see others wear them, but it has little effect as most have cloth diaper or polyester scarf material on their face, loosely fitting, and frequently falling below the nose.

Because of the uselessness of it all, I'm firmly in the camp on throwing out the rules and relying on one's self. If I feel it is too risky to go to a game, I'll stop. Right now, I am realizing the risk because even a properly fitting mask is not fully safe.

 

[jollystomper]

It the last month DW and I has gone to a wedding and reception, a CRCC where she gave a lecture to over 100 people, an outdoor event with about 200 people, including kids, and a Mothers Day dinner at a buffet. Counting all of those events, there were probably about 20 people masked.

It is becoming similar to our travels in China and Taiwan post-SARS. People who feel uncomfortable or unwell, wear masks. Others, like DW and I, assess the risk based on the locality and the behavior of others, and act accordingly. IMHO it is probably the best balance. There will always be spikes of this, as with other viruses.

Interestingly, 3 of our friends who recently got the second booster immediately got sick with something. Do not know what to make of this. always remember the plural of anecdotes is not statistics .

 

[skyking1]

You're going to have to rely on yourself, and your ability to wear a mask properly. That's what we are doing while we enjoy going to NHL playoff events in the midst of 20,000 screaming fans. I wear an n95 tightly. Best I can do and still live and enjoy life.

Depending on others to save you with their mask wearing is a no-go. It may "feel good" to see others wear them, but it has little effect as most have cloth diaper or polyester scarf material on their face, loosely fitting, and frequently falling below the nose.

Because of the uselessness of it all, I'm firmly in the camp on throwing out the rules and relying on one's self. If I feel it is too risky to go to a game, I'll stop. Right now, I am realizing the risk because even a properly fitting mask is not fully safe.

I would go to a game or event and wear a mask, but sitting and breaking bread with a bunch of people is still a no-go for me.

 

[silvor]

Cases up just as the Megacorps are requiring people to return to work.

Who’d have thought?

 

[Markola]

I just wanna say, “UGHH”.

 

[Chuckanut]

FWIW, here's one more piece of recent anecdotal 'evidence'.

A friend picked up relatives who had just finished a 10 day cruise. After picking up the cruisers, they had lunch at a favorite restaurant, and he drove them home in his vehicle. The next day he gets a call. One of them tested positive from a home test that morning. He was scheduled to start his own short vacation in a few days. Now that is up in the air. No good deed goes unpunished?

I am glad we are no longer under the strict lock-down protocols. (FWIW, we are still under Emergency Rule here in my state but the rules have been greatly relaxed.) That darn virus is still out there. But, when 2600 people of fame attend one gala dinner party... well, what's the general population to think?

 

[explanade]

UCSF doctor says he's masking up again.

https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/UCSF-Dr-Bob-Wachter-is-putting-his-mask-back-on-17144003.php

If you check his Twitter, they visited some friends last week in Palm Springs and his wife, who had gone to some event, became infected. Both are double boosted, 64 years old.

He's been getting tested the past week and he seems to have avoided infection from his wife so far.

She is feeling better and she did get Paxlovid.

He still says though that he doesn't want to get the virus, because the Long Covid risks are unknown.

 

[explanade]

FWIW, here's one more piece of recent anecdotal 'evidence'.

A friend picked up relatives who had just finished a 10 day cruise. After picking up the cruisers, they had lunch at a favorite restaurant, and he drove them home in his vehicle. The next day he gets a call. One of them tested positive from a home test that morning. He was scheduled to start his own short vacation in a few days. Now that is up in the air. No good deed goes unpunished?

I am glad we are no longer under the strict lock-down protocols. (FWIW, we are still under Emergency Rule here in my state but the rules have been greatly relaxed.) That darn virus is still out there. But, when 2600 people of fame attend one gala dinner party... well, what's the general population to think?

I had to take Uber a couple of times, including a couple of rides which lasted about 45 minutes. I masked and kept the windows open. When we got on the free way I periodically opened the windows.

Some drivers don't like it because they're running AC.

But Uber asks you if you're masking before confirming the ride and driver.


As for the politicians who went to that event, some of them are in their late 70s or older. Maybe they have few reasons to worry about long-term effects.

 

[tulak]

I’m wondering what’s the outcome for all the recently infected people?

For some reason I can’t get too excited about more people getting infected. That’s going to happen if you remove restrictions. The best you can do is protect yourself (get vaccinated) and take risks you are comfortable with. The virus isn’t going away and hopefully our vaccines/drugs can keep up with minimizing any health impacts.

 

[Helen]

I am twice vaxed with Pfizer and once boostered with Moderna. We are planning a six week fly/drive trip to New England and Nova Scotia beginning in late August. I plan to continue to wear masks indoors and get the second booster two weeks before flying to Boston.

I fear if I get the second booster now it won't offer as much protection by this Fall. I will continue to be cautious and hope I can avoid infection until getting the second booster.

 

[RetiredAt49]

I’ve had Covid twice… once before vaccines were available and once after I was vaccinated. Both were nothing more than the common cold or mild flu.

 

[skyking1]

the masking issue is a non-issue for me at least. My DBIL was put in a wheelchair in 1975 fighting an arson fire, and my DS ( his wife ) lost her daughter and a leg in the same week in 2020.
She lost him to an infection last year.
She puts on a prosthetic every day.
I can manage a mask OK.

 

[bada bing]

I’ve had Covid twice… once before vaccines were available and once after I was vaccinated. Both were nothing more than the common cold or mild flu.

I am currently 10 days after a positive "at home test" that was confirmed with a second positive "at home test" 3 days later. I felt as though I had a moderate cold for the first 3 days. So far, for me, it has been as predicted to be for the majority - a nuisance disease. I'm feeling a little lucky to not be among the minority that has a significant problem with the disease.

I've had 2 shots plus one booster of Moderna, but elected to skip taking the second booster when it was authorized. To be very honest, my experience with both the second shot and the booster of Moderna was worse than the actual Omicron disease, although I was sick longer with Covid, 3 days verses 12 hours. I personally won't be taking another vaccination for Covid until/unless it is reformulated to better match current variants.

I've been self isolating but according to the CDC, I'm okay now to go out in public with a mask. I didn't consult a doctor as I never felt particularly bad. I have pretty good records of my regular bike riding exercise, which indicates that my heart-lung function is the same as it ever was - I rode 18 miles last night at 15.5mph average, the same as I typically do. So I've been lucky, but not amazingly so.

It will be interesting to see how public behavior evolves as the disease becomes endemic. This pandemic has altered my perception of things like social distancing and mask wearing that will probably become permanent behaviors.

 

[Koolau]

I don't know. However, I have been reading how some aircraft have a redesign of the little air nozzle each passenger has they can adjust and aim. Instead of a nozzle, they reengineer this into a 'curtain' of air that flows down in front and both sides of the passenger, enveloping them in a pocket of sanitized air. Or perhaps it will be a drop-down mask like the emergency ones you could don to receive fresh air. Masks filtering isn't cutting it, a fresh air source/supply would.
I also envision some sort of portable air sanitizer pack you could plug in or uses batteries that sanitizes air. Perhaps ozone purifier or something. I'd buy one in a minute if I could wear it out in public, knowing for sure I'm breathing a purified source of air that hasn't passed through anyone's lungs near me.

As you know, airliners are (now) the safest indoor shared air you can find. Still, you may be sitting right next to a Covid carrier. Based on that, I like your idea of an air curtain (I sort of do this with the nozzle) or preferably with a mask. That would be great to have clean, fresh air from a mask vs a gauze or even an N95 mask (which aren't as effective for those of us with facial hair.) Thanks for the ideas.

 

[skipro33]

I want to link a web site that discusses the airline air curtain design:

https://paxex.aero/teague-airshield-protect-passengers/

Along with several redesigns of air flows within the cabin to reduce exposure to the spread of germs, seat layout is also being considered;

https://www.springwise.com/innovation/travel-tourism/airplane-seat-protector-coronavirus

https://www.springwise.com/innovation/travel-tourism/safran-aeroplane-seating-design-post-covid

 

[Katsmeow]

You're going to have to rely on yourself, and your ability to wear a mask properly. That's what we are doing while we enjoy going to NHL playoff events in the midst of 20,000 screaming fans. I wear an n95 tightly. Best I can do and still live and enjoy life.

Depending on others to save you with their mask wearing is a no-go.

Oh, I agree with that. Required masking here ended over a year ago but until really wore one in public pretty much all the time from then until I got the 2nd booster. There were a few restaurant meals after I got the 2nd vaccination (that window before Delta) and after the 1st booster (that window between Delta and Omicron). Now, given the recent 2nd booster I feel pretty comfortable without a mask in most situations since I am usually not there for all that long. And I've been wearing KN94 masks for over a year.

I am sure I'm going to mask for this actual funeral. The after funeral meal/gathering afterwards is more problematical because if I eat/drink I have to take the mask off. And, I can't just avoid going to the gathering since this funeral is of an extremely close relative. I am leaning toward though only going for a relatively short period of time (half an hour or so).

 

[easysurfer]

Oh, I agree with that. Required masking here ended over a year ago but until really wore one in public pretty much all the time from then until I got the 2nd booster. There were a few restaurant meals after I got the 2nd vaccination (that window before Delta) and after the 1st booster (that window between Delta and Omicron). Now, given the recent 2nd booster I feel pretty comfortable without a mask in most situations since I am usually not there for all that long. And I've been wearing KN94 masks for over a year.

I am sure I'm going to mask for this actual funeral. The after funeral meal/gathering afterwards is more problematical because if I eat/drink I have to take the mask off. And, I can't just avoid going to the gathering since this funeral is of an extremely close relative. I am leaning toward though only going for a relatively short period of time (half an hour or so).

I just got back from a graduation ceremony that was indoors, full capacity. I wore my N95. I say about 1 percent of people there wore masks. Me being one of them. Everyone has to make their own calculation. For me, I'm not ready for thousands gathered indoors, people screaming out names as graduates, despite me being double boosted.

 

[Sojourner]

On 4/17 my hospital system was down to 13 COVID patients. As of yesterday, 5/12, the number had increased 6-fold to 78. Not a good trend at all.

I would be interested in knowing the demographics of the 78 hospitalized patients. What percentage are not vaccinated, or only partially? What percentage haven't had their 2nd booster? What percentage have comorbidities, such as obesity, diabetes, immune system issues, old age, etc.?

As a healthy, mid-50s male who recently got my 2nd booster (Moderna), I would hope that my risks of catching COVID and winding up in the hospital are quite low, but unfortunately those types of detailed statistics simply don't seem to be available to the public so we can make intelligent, fact-based decisions about our individual risk profile.

All that being said, I will continue to wear a KN95 mask in most indoor settings (airports, planes, buses, grocery stores, etc.) for the time being.

 

[Another Reader]

I would be interested in knowing the demographics of the 78 hospitalized patients. What percentage are not vaccinated, or only partially? What percentage haven't had their 2nd booster? What percentage have comorbidities, such as obesity, diabetes, immune system issues, old age, etc.?

As a healthy, mid-50s male who recently got my 2nd booster (Moderna), I would hope that my risks of catching COVID and winding up in the hospital are quite low, but unfortunately those types of detailed statistics simply don't seem to be available to the public so we can make intelligent, fact-based decisions about our individual risk profile.

All that being said, I will continue to wear a KN95 mask in most indoor settings (airports, planes, buses, grocery stores, etc.) for the time being.

From the Washington Post, April 29:

"Covid deaths no longer overwhelmingly among the unvaccinated as toll on elderly grows"

"The vaccinated made up 42 percent of fatalities in January and February during the highly contagious omicron variant’s surge, compared with 23 percent of the dead in September, the peak of the delta wave, according to nationwide data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention analyzed by The Post. The data is based on the date of infection and limited to a sampling of cases in which vaccination status was known."

Boosters help, but they are no guarantee.