Coronavirus prep

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Replies

  • snowflake954
    snowflake954 Posts: 8,399 Member
    hipari wrote: »
    Hi folks. I've been out for months, busy having a baby.

    I'm glad I got double vaccinated during pregnancy, because I just got a positive at-home antigen test today but symptoms are very, very mild. By 2019 standards I would have gone to the office normally and maybe skipped the gym or switched to a lighter workout, but that's it. The local healthcare officials are currently advising to just self-quarantine without an official PCR test despite current national guidelines (Finland), because they simply don't have the capacity to test enough as omicron is blowing up. My husband and the family members I met yesterday have all tested negative at home.

    I was able to secure a no-contact grocery delivery for tomorrow, and we have 6 more antigen tests at home, so we should be set to quarantine until the end of the week. Thankfully my husband is on paternity leave so there's no hassle about his work, and we agreed he'll take 100% of baby care duties (including bottle feeding) to minimize the risk of infecting our 2-month-old. My symptoms are very mild and already subsiding, so I'm hoping to be clear soon. If this is the worst of it and there are no setbacks, my biggest concerns are about how long to self-quarantine and whether we can bring our daughter to her vaccination appointment next week (regular early childhood vax and not related to covid, still very important to us). Healthcare and all advisory hotlines are slammed and I don't want to burden them with something that doesn't need immediate care, and Dr. Google isn't helping me with this one.

    Here they're saying 5 days if vaxxed.
  • SuzySunshine99
    SuzySunshine99 Posts: 2,989 Member
    hipari wrote: »
    Hi folks. I've been out for months, busy having a baby.

    I'm glad I got double vaccinated during pregnancy, because I just got a positive at-home antigen test today but symptoms are very, very mild. By 2019 standards I would have gone to the office normally and maybe skipped the gym or switched to a lighter workout, but that's it. The local healthcare officials are currently advising to just self-quarantine without an official PCR test despite current national guidelines (Finland), because they simply don't have the capacity to test enough as omicron is blowing up. My husband and the family members I met yesterday have all tested negative at home.

    I was able to secure a no-contact grocery delivery for tomorrow, and we have 6 more antigen tests at home, so we should be set to quarantine until the end of the week. Thankfully my husband is on paternity leave so there's no hassle about his work, and we agreed he'll take 100% of baby care duties (including bottle feeding) to minimize the risk of infecting our 2-month-old. My symptoms are very mild and already subsiding, so I'm hoping to be clear soon. If this is the worst of it and there are no setbacks, my biggest concerns are about how long to self-quarantine and whether we can bring our daughter to her vaccination appointment next week (regular early childhood vax and not related to covid, still very important to us). Healthcare and all advisory hotlines are slammed and I don't want to burden them with something that doesn't need immediate care, and Dr. Google isn't helping me with this one.

    Here they're saying 5 days if vaxxed.

    I think the 5 day recommendation is if you are asymptomatic. Even with mild symptoms, 10 days I think is still advised.
  • snowflake954
    snowflake954 Posts: 8,399 Member
    hipari wrote: »
    Hi folks. I've been out for months, busy having a baby.

    I'm glad I got double vaccinated during pregnancy, because I just got a positive at-home antigen test today but symptoms are very, very mild. By 2019 standards I would have gone to the office normally and maybe skipped the gym or switched to a lighter workout, but that's it. The local healthcare officials are currently advising to just self-quarantine without an official PCR test despite current national guidelines (Finland), because they simply don't have the capacity to test enough as omicron is blowing up. My husband and the family members I met yesterday have all tested negative at home.

    I was able to secure a no-contact grocery delivery for tomorrow, and we have 6 more antigen tests at home, so we should be set to quarantine until the end of the week. Thankfully my husband is on paternity leave so there's no hassle about his work, and we agreed he'll take 100% of baby care duties (including bottle feeding) to minimize the risk of infecting our 2-month-old. My symptoms are very mild and already subsiding, so I'm hoping to be clear soon. If this is the worst of it and there are no setbacks, my biggest concerns are about how long to self-quarantine and whether we can bring our daughter to her vaccination appointment next week (regular early childhood vax and not related to covid, still very important to us). Healthcare and all advisory hotlines are slammed and I don't want to burden them with something that doesn't need immediate care, and Dr. Google isn't helping me with this one.

    Here they're saying 5 days if vaxxed.

    I think the 5 day recommendation is if you are asymptomatic. Even with mild symptoms, 10 days I think is still advised.

    I'm in Italy. It's 5 days if you're vaccinated.
  • ReenieHJ
    ReenieHJ Posts: 9,724 Member
    hipari wrote: »
    Hi folks. I've been out for months, busy having a baby.

    I'm glad I got double vaccinated during pregnancy, because I just got a positive at-home antigen test today but symptoms are very, very mild. By 2019 standards I would have gone to the office normally and maybe skipped the gym or switched to a lighter workout, but that's it. The local healthcare officials are currently advising to just self-quarantine without an official PCR test despite current national guidelines (Finland), because they simply don't have the capacity to test enough as omicron is blowing up. My husband and the family members I met yesterday have all tested negative at home.

    I was able to secure a no-contact grocery delivery for tomorrow, and we have 6 more antigen tests at home, so we should be set to quarantine until the end of the week. Thankfully my husband is on paternity leave so there's no hassle about his work, and we agreed he'll take 100% of baby care duties (including bottle feeding) to minimize the risk of infecting our 2-month-old. My symptoms are very mild and already subsiding, so I'm hoping to be clear soon. If this is the worst of it and there are no setbacks, my biggest concerns are about how long to self-quarantine and whether we can bring our daughter to her vaccination appointment next week (regular early childhood vax and not related to covid, still very important to us). Healthcare and all advisory hotlines are slammed and I don't want to burden them with something that doesn't need immediate care, and Dr. Google isn't helping me with this one.

    Here they're saying 5 days if vaxxed.

    I think the 5 day recommendation is if you are asymptomatic. Even with mild symptoms, 10 days I think is still advised.

    Yeh, I was wondering about that. Do you have to retest after 5 days to make sure?
  • SuzySunshine99
    SuzySunshine99 Posts: 2,989 Member
    edited December 2021
    ReenieHJ wrote: »
    hipari wrote: »
    Hi folks. I've been out for months, busy having a baby.

    I'm glad I got double vaccinated during pregnancy, because I just got a positive at-home antigen test today but symptoms are very, very mild. By 2019 standards I would have gone to the office normally and maybe skipped the gym or switched to a lighter workout, but that's it. The local healthcare officials are currently advising to just self-quarantine without an official PCR test despite current national guidelines (Finland), because they simply don't have the capacity to test enough as omicron is blowing up. My husband and the family members I met yesterday have all tested negative at home.

    I was able to secure a no-contact grocery delivery for tomorrow, and we have 6 more antigen tests at home, so we should be set to quarantine until the end of the week. Thankfully my husband is on paternity leave so there's no hassle about his work, and we agreed he'll take 100% of baby care duties (including bottle feeding) to minimize the risk of infecting our 2-month-old. My symptoms are very mild and already subsiding, so I'm hoping to be clear soon. If this is the worst of it and there are no setbacks, my biggest concerns are about how long to self-quarantine and whether we can bring our daughter to her vaccination appointment next week (regular early childhood vax and not related to covid, still very important to us). Healthcare and all advisory hotlines are slammed and I don't want to burden them with something that doesn't need immediate care, and Dr. Google isn't helping me with this one.

    Here they're saying 5 days if vaxxed.

    I think the 5 day recommendation is if you are asymptomatic. Even with mild symptoms, 10 days I think is still advised.

    Yeh, I was wondering about that. Do you have to retest after 5 days to make sure?

    Nope. That's a big problem I have with the new CDC recommendation. No mention of getting a negative test before leaving isolation....just, if you're vaccinated and don't have symptoms, 5 days is cool, and wear a mask around others for another 5 days.

    Here's their exact statement:
    https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s1227-isolation-quarantine-guidance.html
  • SummerSkier
    SummerSkier Posts: 5,100 Member
    I agree with @SuzySunshine99 It makes me sad because for all my life I always thought of these govt agencies as working towards our health and welfare. Now when I look at the way they are making decisions it appears very political and secretive with hidden agendas. That might just be my interpretation as the whole "mask" fiasco in 2020 left a strong nasty taste in my mouth.

    And when we talk about the science of it all, sometimes I wonder if some of it is political at this point vs true data and science. Omicron is SO new, how on earth can they come to a conclusion about it already after just a few weeks. The only thing we know is that it seems a lot more contagious but maybe that is just more people self testing.
  • lemurcat2
    lemurcat2 Posts: 7,885 Member
    ahoy_m8 wrote: »
    lemurcat2 wrote: »
    ahoy_m8 wrote: »
    Nice analysis of what covid tests detect vs. when people are contagious.

    tl;dr:
    How long should people who test positive isolate? 2 part answer:
    1) vaccinated people should isolate 5 days following +antigen test, take another antigen test after 5 days; if that's positive, person is contagious & should isolate another 5 days and retest; if antigen test negative, person is no longer contagious
    2) unvaccinated people should isolate (i.e. could be contagious) 10 days. If antigen test negative after 10 days, they are no longer contagious.

    I saw that yesterday and agree that it was helpful.

    I have no symptoms, but bc omnicron seems to be spreading like crazy everywhere, asked a friend to pick me up a couple of tests at Walgreens if there were some, so just took my first covid test. Negative. I'm going to save the other for a bit.

    After posting just this morning, the CDC updated guidance today, without the vax/un-vax differentiation. Dynamic situation. Hope you were able to get tests.

    Yes, apparently they were available no problem at Walgreens.
  • lemurcat2
    lemurcat2 Posts: 7,885 Member
    edited December 2021
    lemurcat2 wrote: »
    sarah7591 wrote: »
    ahoy_m8 wrote: »
    sarah7591 wrote: »
    33gail33 wrote: »
    Covid finally hit us, husband has it. Got our boosters on the 15th so hopefully remains mild. I am negative thus far. Daughter tested positive last night but no symptoms.

    I would say to disregard the "official" Covid numbers at this point, it's probably the tip of the iceberg. We only know they are positive because I bought some rapid tests last week (they are sold out now) and we can't get a PCR test until Jan 2 because of high demand. So our cases won't be included in the tally, and I imagine there are others in the same boat.
    This is so true. Just the tip of the iceberg. I too tested positive (and so did my youngest). I suspect others in the family had it before us but by the time we realized it they had tested negative. Thank God...I was vaccinated. I still have a slight cough but I think now it is just a cold. I did have two negative tests (one PCR). Why on earth anyone would not want to get vaccinated is just beyond me. I have an 86 year old friend who is home bound and relies on health care (state aid) to come in daily to help her. None of them are vaccinated!!

    It breaks my heart that health care workers knowingly endanger vulnerable people like your 86 year old friend. Why are they even in health care professions if they disregard health science and don't care?



    Does the employer not have a vaccine requirement for their health employees?

    No. They can barely find any employees to work as it is. Very sad. One of my friends health care workers who is not vaccinated even lost 3 family members due to covid. I just don't get it.

    I dont get it either.


    Here in Aus, people working in Aged care and Health care have to be vaccinated - it isnt up to each employer it is government directive

    but hard to discuss further without getting into politics.


    A big part of the problem here is an overall labor shortage, especially in relatively low-paying jobs such as elderly care.

    There are many reasons for the shortage, from older workers deciding to retire, to younger workers deciding to peruse higher-paying and lower-risk jobs, among other factors.

    Despite federal mandates for employers to require vaccinations or regular testing, many employers are afraid to lose workers when they are already short-staffed. So, they are simply not complying with the directive or bringing court challenges to make their case.

    What does the labor market look like in Australia right now? Do elderly care workers make a decent wage? Are there staffing shortages?


    Some areas of health care and Aged care in particular are short staffed here too.

    You get reasonable pay and secure employment but certainly not a high paying job.

    However govt mandates about vaccination are not optional and no health care providers would not enforce it or challenge in court.

    I imagine their employees and family members would be up in arms if they did - you would lose accreditation, funding etc as well as be heavily fined.

    Based on what the original poster said, this employer did not have a vax mandate. The reason they have apparently chosen not to is concern about having sufficient employees if they did. It could be the federal mandates (which are being challenged) don't apply and the state also doesn't have applicable ones (the rules in the US vary by state and locality on some of this stuff).


    yes I know - poster has already explained all that.

    Was just answering her question re situation here in Aus

    Okay. Your response seemed to me to suggest that you thought the employer in question was violating the law, so I was trying to clarify that the original poster had not indicated that.
  • lemurcat2
    lemurcat2 Posts: 7,885 Member
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    33gail33 wrote: »
    Covid finally hit us, husband has it. Got our boosters on the 15th so hopefully remains mild. I am negative thus far. Daughter tested positive last night but no symptoms.

    I would say to disregard the "official" Covid numbers at this point, it's probably the tip of the iceberg. We only know they are positive because I bought some rapid tests last week (they are sold out now) and we can't get a PCR test until Jan 2 because of high demand. So our cases won't be included in the tally, and I imagine there are others in the same boat.

    At this point I think reporting on new cases is a bit ridiculous. I would like the reporting to shift to hospitalizations and who are in those hospitals and what variant they have.

    100% agree. I find the focus of the reporting to be unhelpful and not to answer the questions I actually have (and think are important).
  • Theoldguy1
    Theoldguy1 Posts: 2,493 Member
    edited December 2021
    lemurcat2 wrote: »
    ahoy_m8 wrote: »
    lemurcat2 wrote: »
    ahoy_m8 wrote: »
    Nice analysis of what covid tests detect vs. when people are contagious.

    tl;dr:
    How long should people who test positive isolate? 2 part answer:
    1) vaccinated people should isolate 5 days following +antigen test, take another antigen test after 5 days; if that's positive, person is contagious & should isolate another 5 days and retest; if antigen test negative, person is no longer contagious
    2) unvaccinated people should isolate (i.e. could be contagious) 10 days. If antigen test negative after 10 days, they are no longer contagious.

    I saw that yesterday and agree that it was helpful.

    I have no symptoms, but bc omnicron seems to be spreading like crazy everywhere, asked a friend to pick me up a couple of tests at Walgreens if there were some, so just took my first covid test. Negative. I'm going to save the other for a bit.

    After posting just this morning, the CDC updated guidance today, without the vax/un-vax differentiation. Dynamic situation. Hope you were able to get tests.

    Yes, apparently they were available no problem at Walgreens.

    Sign over an empty box at our local Walgreens said limit of 2. Now they may have had 100 cases in the back room and just hadn't restocked.
  • rheddmobile
    rheddmobile Posts: 6,840 Member
    Theoldguy1 wrote: »
    lemurcat2 wrote: »
    ahoy_m8 wrote: »
    lemurcat2 wrote: »
    ahoy_m8 wrote: »
    Nice analysis of what covid tests detect vs. when people are contagious.

    tl;dr:
    How long should people who test positive isolate? 2 part answer:
    1) vaccinated people should isolate 5 days following +antigen test, take another antigen test after 5 days; if that's positive, person is contagious & should isolate another 5 days and retest; if antigen test negative, person is no longer contagious
    2) unvaccinated people should isolate (i.e. could be contagious) 10 days. If antigen test negative after 10 days, they are no longer contagious.

    I saw that yesterday and agree that it was helpful.

    I have no symptoms, but bc omnicron seems to be spreading like crazy everywhere, asked a friend to pick me up a couple of tests at Walgreens if there were some, so just took my first covid test. Negative. I'm going to save the other for a bit.

    After posting just this morning, the CDC updated guidance today, without the vax/un-vax differentiation. Dynamic situation. Hope you were able to get tests.

    Yes, apparently they were available no problem at Walgreens.

    Sign over an empty box at our local Walgreens said limit of 2. Now they may have had 100 cases in the back room and just hadn't restocked.

    I had to refill a prescription from Walgreens this morning and the hold music played a message that said don’t even bother trying to get a test, they are out for the foreseeable future at all local stores here.
  • lemurcat2
    lemurcat2 Posts: 7,885 Member
    Apparently no sign at this one. I'm going to go back over to the same Walgreens today, so will report back. (It's one that consistently had toilet paper back when that was low, so I think it might be a location thing.)
  • lemurcat2
    lemurcat2 Posts: 7,885 Member
    edited December 2021
    Still tests at the Walgreens near my office, and still no limit posted on how many one can buy, so I picked up a few more. Preparing, I suppose.
  • ReenieHJ
    ReenieHJ Posts: 9,724 Member
    I was so grateful to pick up 2 tests kits yesterday at our local state police barracks. JIC cause well, ya never know if you'll need one or not. For now though, I plan on hunkering down for the duration of winter and not go to too many public places unless I have to.
    Note that the tests I picked up yesterday do have a shelf life until 4/22.
  • Theoldguy1
    Theoldguy1 Posts: 2,493 Member
    We now have an obligation to wear ppf2 masks on public transportation and any other closed crowded space--movies, theaters, etc. This law went into effect overnight with no warning. There is now a big scramble for ppf2 masks. I hate this stuff.

    Won't be any issues with counterfeits in that scenario, SMH. Good luck.
  • sarah7591
    sarah7591 Posts: 415 Member
    SModa61 wrote: »
    Can't remember what I have share (and not) or when. Anyhow, today, the 27th is the first morning with zero sore throat since Dec 11th. Have had 3 negative COVID tests and of the 8 family members that got this cold, everyone who has tested has tested negative (4 out of 8, three of which were the sickest including me). This cold was the cold from H*ll and finished off with an ear infection (husband - eye infection, daughter - pneumonia). With that in mind, my parents almost 85 and 87 were on the fence about the family meal on xmas day. Then, my sister found out 11 year old daughter may have been exposed in school on Monday. Parents backed out. The rest of us went forward with us home testing on Xmas morning before all meeting up.

    Flash forward. My children and families were coming early to open presents in the morning. Get 9 am call. Daughter, et all, were in a 10 car crash due to freezing rain on an untreated winding steep hill. Thankfully, all the humans were fine, unlike the car that did its job by being destroyed while protecting the contents. My DH takes off in the car to help. The family was traveling in their pajamas for the fun morning with my <2 grandson and it is 30 degrees and freezing rain. Some lovely family took them in while the police dealt with the crash. They were given a warm home and hot tea. I am so thankful to this family for opening their home on xmas morning to provide aid to strangers, especially in these crazy times. With my husband's help, 3 hours later they were able to join us, 10 of us in total all tested for COVID.

    Back to the topic of COVID celebrations. Our neighbor in our townhouse cluster celebrated xmas eve, but all in the garage (remember it is +/- 30 degrees out). Nice and fiancee in California are COVID positive. Nephew in the anti-vaxer part of the family has an enlarged heart, potentially from the J&J vaccine. Hubby is trying to fly back to Florida next weekend to see his mom. I hope their is still a flight and he does not get sick....... I have lots of home test kits. I am making sure I have easy access.

    Oh, I should share that I went shopping for spare kits (had already used the kit I already had in home and was negative) during the stretch were I had zero voice from the cold from h*ll. Picture the face of the Walgreens cashier as I pointed to my throat, unable to make a sound, and held up a note to her asking for "BinaxNow COVID test kit". I was sold two kits very quickly.

    Stay healthy all. I need a better 2022. I am ready for 2021 to be over!

    I'm in Italy and also got this cold at the beginning of Dec. It lasted 2 weeks and I have never coughed so much (day and night) in my life. I was cold for several days and walked around in a blanket--when I wasn't in bed. So tired. The phelgm just kept coming and it was a pudding texture. A bad headache with my head all stuffed up. I thought it would never end. I went through a whole roll of Scottex with my runny nose. I don't wish this on anyone. My doctor kept saying "It's not COVID, just a cold". It was HELL.

    Were you tested for COVID? Unless you are tested I don't know how your dr. could say it is "just a cold."
  • snowflake954
    snowflake954 Posts: 8,399 Member
    sarah7591 wrote: »
    SModa61 wrote: »
    Can't remember what I have share (and not) or when. Anyhow, today, the 27th is the first morning with zero sore throat since Dec 11th. Have had 3 negative COVID tests and of the 8 family members that got this cold, everyone who has tested has tested negative (4 out of 8, three of which were the sickest including me). This cold was the cold from H*ll and finished off with an ear infection (husband - eye infection, daughter - pneumonia). With that in mind, my parents almost 85 and 87 were on the fence about the family meal on xmas day. Then, my sister found out 11 year old daughter may have been exposed in school on Monday. Parents backed out. The rest of us went forward with us home testing on Xmas morning before all meeting up.

    Flash forward. My children and families were coming early to open presents in the morning. Get 9 am call. Daughter, et all, were in a 10 car crash due to freezing rain on an untreated winding steep hill. Thankfully, all the humans were fine, unlike the car that did its job by being destroyed while protecting the contents. My DH takes off in the car to help. The family was traveling in their pajamas for the fun morning with my <2 grandson and it is 30 degrees and freezing rain. Some lovely family took them in while the police dealt with the crash. They were given a warm home and hot tea. I am so thankful to this family for opening their home on xmas morning to provide aid to strangers, especially in these crazy times. With my husband's help, 3 hours later they were able to join us, 10 of us in total all tested for COVID.

    Back to the topic of COVID celebrations. Our neighbor in our townhouse cluster celebrated xmas eve, but all in the garage (remember it is +/- 30 degrees out). Nice and fiancee in California are COVID positive. Nephew in the anti-vaxer part of the family has an enlarged heart, potentially from the J&J vaccine. Hubby is trying to fly back to Florida next weekend to see his mom. I hope their is still a flight and he does not get sick....... I have lots of home test kits. I am making sure I have easy access.

    Oh, I should share that I went shopping for spare kits (had already used the kit I already had in home and was negative) during the stretch were I had zero voice from the cold from h*ll. Picture the face of the Walgreens cashier as I pointed to my throat, unable to make a sound, and held up a note to her asking for "BinaxNow COVID test kit". I was sold two kits very quickly.

    Stay healthy all. I need a better 2022. I am ready for 2021 to be over!

    I'm in Italy and also got this cold at the beginning of Dec. It lasted 2 weeks and I have never coughed so much (day and night) in my life. I was cold for several days and walked around in a blanket--when I wasn't in bed. So tired. The phelgm just kept coming and it was a pudding texture. A bad headache with my head all stuffed up. I thought it would never end. I went through a whole roll of Scottex with my runny nose. I don't wish this on anyone. My doctor kept saying "It's not COVID, just a cold". It was HELL.

    Were you tested for COVID? Unless you are tested I don't know how your dr. could say it is "just a cold."

    Did you read @SModa61's post 2 pages ago? She said everyone with this "cold" got tested many times and the COVID test was always negative. My doctor is my BIL. He's worked to exhaustion during the epidemic and diagnosed hundreds of cases of COVID. He has also had to sign numerous death certificates. I trusted him to know if I had COVID or not.
  • Theoldguy1
    Theoldguy1 Posts: 2,493 Member
    Anyone do the math on the half billion test kits the US government is going to send out "free" It's less than 2 per person.

    Publicity stunt, sort of like using a piece of used bubble gun to fix a leak in the Hoover Dam IMO.
  • SummerSkier
    SummerSkier Posts: 5,100 Member
    I had a cold like that before covid also. No fever. My sinus headaches and congestion in my head was awful. I had to sleep sitting up. But I have heard that the quick tests may not be as effective in catching the O strain. More likely false negatives than the other way around.

    Our workplace is going to do onsite testing starting in January. It looks like this is to comply with the OSHA mandate for unvaccinated folks to be tested weekly. Not sure what test they are going to have or how it all plays out with HIPPA either. I was really happy to hear that most of our employees (90%) at one point are vaccinated altho I think requiring the booster is just around the corner?

    At this point if it's been over 8 months since you were vaccinated seems like you might also need to be tested weekly.
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,125 Member
    Theoldguy1 wrote: »
    Anyone do the math on the half billion test kits the US government is going to send out "free" It's less than 2 per person.

    Publicity stunt, sort of like using a piece of used bubble gun to fix a leak in the Hoover Dam IMO.

    I suspect the impact is more in the promise of a massive order, as opposed to the tests distributed through that mechanism.

    Reports I've heard are that the test manufacturers were hesitant to go pedal to the metal a couple of months ago, because of slack demand (pre-Omicron, mostly, I'd bet). Their fiduciary responsibility is to make profits, mostly, after all.

    Now there's this massive federal order looming, plus of course individual demand now, that should have the manufacturers more willing to lay on extra shifts (if they have enough non-isolating workers). With the parallel order that health insurance companies must reimburse 150 million of us for at-home tests, that's a lot of potential demand pull to fill the pipeline.

    In that sense, I'm thinking of the federal order as in effect as much as stockpile thing as any kind of practical aid to individuals. If those of us with health insurance (or discretionary income) go buy tests on the open market (potentially more convenient for us), the feds' stockpile can be more useful to those who are uninsured/poor.
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,125 Member
    I had a cold like that before covid also. No fever. My sinus headaches and congestion in my head was awful. I had to sleep sitting up. But I have heard that the quick tests may not be as effective in catching the O strain. More likely false negatives than the other way around.

    Our workplace is going to do onsite testing starting in January. It looks like this is to comply with the OSHA mandate for unvaccinated folks to be tested weekly. Not sure what test they are going to have or how it all plays out with HIPPA either. I was really happy to hear that most of our employees (90%) at one point are vaccinated altho I think requiring the booster is just around the corner?

    At this point if it's been over 8 months since you were vaccinated seems like you might also need to be tested weekly.

    Generally, employers are not HIPPA covered entities. Only HIPPA covered entities are legally required to comply with the HIPPA privacy rules. Covered entities are:

    ". . . (1) health plans, (2) health care clearinghouses, and (3) health care providers who electronically transmit any health information in connection with transactions for which HHS has adopted standards."

    from: https://privacyruleandresearch.nih.gov/pr_06.asp

    Employers don't have to follow HIPPA privacy rules, though other federal regulations may apply.

    Beyond that, even for covered entities, there's a tendency in the broader population to interpret "privacy" in rather broad ways, when the regulations are more specific, just because the word "privacy" is in there.