Coronavirus prep
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Chef_Barbell wrote: »Chef_Barbell wrote: »NYC officially ran out of doses. We expect to get more some time next week. Still so many vulnerable that need it. I'm probably last in line to even see it.
I recall reading that NYC was like Florida in that a non-insignificant portion of their shots were going to non-NYC residents.
I'm not sure about that. Even so, still not enough doses in a general sense.
from CNN:
New York City has vaccinated health care workers or other essential workers like teachers or firefighters who work in the city but live outside the five boroughs. According to NYC data, about 73% of those NYC has vaccinated live in the city, 15% live in another part of New York state, and the rest live in New Jersey, Connecticut, or another state or did not provide their residence.
Yes but working in NYC at an essential job was a prerequisite for a vaccine. Place of residence had no bearing on that. It's not unusual for people to live outside the city here and commute to work. The rent to live in NYC for a closet is 4 grand at minimum.8 -
Good news, my dad who lives in North Carolina, got his vaccine today. He is a front line nurse for the department of corrections. I'm so relieved.19
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Chef_Barbell wrote: »Chef_Barbell wrote: »NYC officially ran out of doses. We expect to get more some time next week. Still so many vulnerable that need it. I'm probably last in line to even see it.
I recall reading that NYC was like Florida in that a non-insignificant portion of their shots were going to non-NYC residents.
I'm not sure about that. Even so, still not enough doses in a general sense.
from CNN:
New York City has vaccinated health care workers or other essential workers like teachers or firefighters who work in the city but live outside the five boroughs. According to NYC data, about 73% of those NYC has vaccinated live in the city, 15% live in another part of New York state, and the rest live in New Jersey, Connecticut, or another state or did not provide their residence.
If they work in NY but live out of the area, it's still in NYs benefit to vax them. That's where they probably spend the majority of their time interacting with others.12 -
paperpudding wrote: »I would suggest checking if you are Vitamin D deficient first -and if so, supplementing.
Not just for Covid reasons but general health
More striking was that vitamin D deficiency was found in 97% of severely ill patients who required ICU admission but in only 33% of asymptomatic cases, suggesting that low levels are a necessary component of severe COVID-19.
that may well be so - but doesnt mean had those same patients not been deficient in vitamin D, their Covid outcome would of been different.
It just as likely suggests people vulnerable to getting Covid due to age or co morbidities are also those likely to be deficient in Vitamin D - which strikes me as being expected news,not at all surprising - given people who are obese, very old, chronic illness are less likely to be doing outside activites and therefore getting enough Vitamin D from sunshine
Ie Correlation
Yup, it's just correlation with the background that Vit D is well connected to the immune system. Research is in progress to evaluate causation, but why wait when the cost and risk are nominal? Certainly a blood test to check your levels is ideal, but it's not a common test. In my life, I've only had one doctor check this level and discuss it with me.6 -
paperpudding wrote: »I would suggest checking if you are Vitamin D deficient first -and if so, supplementing.
Not just for Covid reasons but general health
More striking was that vitamin D deficiency was found in 97% of severely ill patients who required ICU admission but in only 33% of asymptomatic cases, suggesting that low levels are a necessary component of severe COVID-19.
that may well be so - but doesnt mean had those same patients not been deficient in vitamin D, their Covid outcome would of been different.
It just as likely suggests people vulnerable to getting Covid due to age or co morbidities are also those likely to be deficient in Vitamin D - which strikes me as being expected news,not at all surprising - given people who are obese, very old, chronic illness are less likely to be doing outside activites and therefore getting enough Vitamin D from sunshine
Ie Correlation
Yup, it's just correlation with the background that Vit D is well connected to the immune system. Research is in progress to evaluate causation, but why wait when the cost and risk are nominal? Certainly a blood test to check your levels is ideal, but it's not a common test. In my life, I've only had one doctor check this level and discuss it with me.
FWIW, I asked for the test at a routine visit (long time back), and my doc ordered it. I admit, I scare my doctor a little, so he's maybe more responsive than some, but it can't hurt to ask at some routine visit. It may not be common (in the sense of "lots of people get one") but it's common (readily available at most labs).
It's possible to over-consume Vitamin D to one's detriment, and because it's a fat-soluble vitamin (not flushed out of the body quickly when unused, loosely), there can be cumulative-dose issues. Quite a few processed foods are fortified with D, so that's part of dosage.
That said, the reported tolerable range for D intake is fairly broad (though there are supplements on the market that would put one over the reported tolerable upper limit pretty easily). For the average person, I doubt a small-dose supplement would be likely to be harmful. (I'm not a professional saying that, though, just a semi-informed consumer). For sure, it's NOT the case that more is always better. It can be toxic.
More info:
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-Consumer/
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/4 -
Michelledownunder wrote: »It's quite heart breaking to read these posts, even the recent ones about the vaccine.
I'm lucky enough to live in a quiet insignificant corner of the world that has largely dodged the covid 19 bullet. (New Zealand) Apparently we'll start getting a vaccine March or April, but we're not a priority because we don't have it outside of border quarantine. We're all pretty chilled about it.
Really sad to hear what's going on in the US and Europe. I hope you all manage to get the vaccine soon.
Argh, did you see the headline...probable case in Northland - press conference this afternoon at 4.
It's been so surreal this summer, going on holiday, festivals, family gatherings etc etc as normal while reading the news from overseas.
I am still pretty particular about scanning with the covid tracer app, and am more conscious of washing my hands and not touching my face, but other than that, it's been business as usual really. My husband is a tradie, and there are starting to be some supply issues of various things, and I notice several chain stores are looking a lot more open and spacious lately (not as much stock. I am especially noticing with kids clothes - my kids have grown a lot lately, but there's not as much to choose from in the shops...I even sewed a part of joggers for my daughter last week! 🙂 (Luckily I got suitable fabric without any issues, but the store was saying they are experiencing issues too)9 -
paperpudding wrote: »I would suggest checking if you are Vitamin D deficient first -and if so, supplementing.
Not just for Covid reasons but general health
More striking was that vitamin D deficiency was found in 97% of severely ill patients who required ICU admission but in only 33% of asymptomatic cases, suggesting that low levels are a necessary component of severe COVID-19.
that may well be so - but doesnt mean had those same patients not been deficient in vitamin D, their Covid outcome would of been different.
It just as likely suggests people vulnerable to getting Covid due to age or co morbidities are also those likely to be deficient in Vitamin D - which strikes me as being expected news,not at all surprising - given people who are obese, very old, chronic illness are less likely to be doing outside activites and therefore getting enough Vitamin D from sunshine
Ie Correlation
Yup, it's just correlation with the background that Vit D is well connected to the immune system. Research is in progress to evaluate causation, but why wait when the cost and risk are nominal? Certainly a blood test to check your levels is ideal, but it's not a common test. In my life, I've only had one doctor check this level and discuss it with me.
cant speak for where you live - but Vitamin D blood testing as part of routine blood tests- glucose, cholesterol iron levels etc is fairly routine here, especially for people considered at risk - eg older people with osteoporosis risk.
However if you want to take a standard dose Vitamin D supplement, no harm in doing so - or of making a point of sitting in the sunshine for 20 minutes a day (presuming there is sunshine where you live)
Me personally_ I do not take supplements unless I have a prove deficiency or a specific requirement (like folic acid in pregnancy)
Given that my blood tests in the past have not shown such a deficiency and I get outside for 20 minutes at least per day and I do not have osteoporosis - No, not starting taking Vitamin D now.
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Really disappointed in my state, which has not started vaccinating seniors yet:
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/01/23/metro/massachusetts-lagging-most-other-states-covid-19-vaccination-rollout/
https://www.bostonherald.com/2021/01/22/1900-coronavirus-vaccine-doses-wasted-at-jamaica-plain-va-hospital-after-freezer-incident/10 -
I've received emails from two grocery store chains with pharmacies in the past day or two, one with a link for making appointments for covid vaccines (but you had to be over 65 or have a medical condition that puts you at high risk), and the other for signing up for updates about vaccine availability (not a waiting list, they emphasize).
But the county website says we're still in Priority 1a, tier 3 (populations with risk of exposure to individuals with suspected COVID-19 and/or providing services essential to the maintenance of public health and health care systems, like dentists, pharmacists, optometrists, first-responders, etc.), so I'm guessing I've got a few more months to wait.
The emails from the grocery stores are comforting in that it feels like somebody is thinking about the distribution system for when we eventually move beyond the point where they can bring the vaccine to concentrated populations (hospitals, nursing homes) and we have to start vaccinating people who don't work or live in concentrated groups at the same priority level.6 -
paperpudding wrote: »paperpudding wrote: »I would suggest checking if you are Vitamin D deficient first -and if so, supplementing.
Not just for Covid reasons but general health
More striking was that vitamin D deficiency was found in 97% of severely ill patients who required ICU admission but in only 33% of asymptomatic cases, suggesting that low levels are a necessary component of severe COVID-19.
that may well be so - but doesnt mean had those same patients not been deficient in vitamin D, their Covid outcome would of been different.
It just as likely suggests people vulnerable to getting Covid due to age or co morbidities are also those likely to be deficient in Vitamin D - which strikes me as being expected news,not at all surprising - given people who are obese, very old, chronic illness are less likely to be doing outside activites and therefore getting enough Vitamin D from sunshine
Ie Correlation
Yup, it's just correlation with the background that Vit D is well connected to the immune system. Research is in progress to evaluate causation, but why wait when the cost and risk are nominal? Certainly a blood test to check your levels is ideal, but it's not a common test. In my life, I've only had one doctor check this level and discuss it with me.
cant speak for where you live - but Vitamin D blood testing as part of routine blood tests- glucose, cholesterol iron levels etc is fairly routine here, especially for people considered at risk - eg older people with osteoporosis risk.
However if you want to take a standard dose Vitamin D supplement, no harm in doing so - or of making a point of sitting in the sunshine for 20 minutes a day (presuming there is sunshine where you live)
Me personally_ I do not take supplements unless I have a prove deficiency or a specific requirement (like folic acid in pregnancy)
Given that my blood tests in the past have not shown such a deficiency and I get outside for 20 minutes at least per day and I do not have osteoporosis - No, not starting taking Vitamin D now.
When I had a checkup with blood tests several years back I had a vitamin D deficiency despite spending over an hour a day outdoors as a regular runner, being in my mid 30's with a good diet, having light skin, and living in southern CA. I am religious about sunscreen use but that surprised me.8 -
The pharmacy in our grocery has been giving COVID shots to healthcare workers. Dh stopped in to pick up a prescription & said it was crazy busy, so left instead & picked it up the next am.0
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The_Enginerd wrote: »paperpudding wrote: »paperpudding wrote: »I would suggest checking if you are Vitamin D deficient first -and if so, supplementing.
Not just for Covid reasons but general health
More striking was that vitamin D deficiency was found in 97% of severely ill patients who required ICU admission but in only 33% of asymptomatic cases, suggesting that low levels are a necessary component of severe COVID-19.
that may well be so - but doesnt mean had those same patients not been deficient in vitamin D, their Covid outcome would of been different.
It just as likely suggests people vulnerable to getting Covid due to age or co morbidities are also those likely to be deficient in Vitamin D - which strikes me as being expected news,not at all surprising - given people who are obese, very old, chronic illness are less likely to be doing outside activites and therefore getting enough Vitamin D from sunshine
Ie Correlation
Yup, it's just correlation with the background that Vit D is well connected to the immune system. Research is in progress to evaluate causation, but why wait when the cost and risk are nominal? Certainly a blood test to check your levels is ideal, but it's not a common test. In my life, I've only had one doctor check this level and discuss it with me.
cant speak for where you live - but Vitamin D blood testing as part of routine blood tests- glucose, cholesterol iron levels etc is fairly routine here, especially for people considered at risk - eg older people with osteoporosis risk.
However if you want to take a standard dose Vitamin D supplement, no harm in doing so - or of making a point of sitting in the sunshine for 20 minutes a day (presuming there is sunshine where you live)
Me personally_ I do not take supplements unless I have a prove deficiency or a specific requirement (like folic acid in pregnancy)
Given that my blood tests in the past have not shown such a deficiency and I get outside for 20 minutes at least per day and I do not have osteoporosis - No, not starting taking Vitamin D now.
When I had a checkup with blood tests several years back I had a vitamin D deficiency despite spending over an hour a day outdoors as a regular runner, being in my mid 30's with a good diet, having light skin, and living in southern CA. I am religious about sunscreen use but that surprised me.
The bolded part is the problem. If you want to absorb vit D thru the sun, you need to expose your extremities for about 15 or 20 without sunscreen. Preferable early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the risk of sunburn is less.
Using sunscreen with an SPF of 8 cuts the amount of vitamin absorbed from the sun by 95 percent, and those with higher SPF rates reduce vitamin D absorption to virtually zero
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The_Enginerd wrote: »paperpudding wrote: »paperpudding wrote: »I would suggest checking if you are Vitamin D deficient first -and if so, supplementing.
Not just for Covid reasons but general health
More striking was that vitamin D deficiency was found in 97% of severely ill patients who required ICU admission but in only 33% of asymptomatic cases, suggesting that low levels are a necessary component of severe COVID-19.
that may well be so - but doesnt mean had those same patients not been deficient in vitamin D, their Covid outcome would of been different.
It just as likely suggests people vulnerable to getting Covid due to age or co morbidities are also those likely to be deficient in Vitamin D - which strikes me as being expected news,not at all surprising - given people who are obese, very old, chronic illness are less likely to be doing outside activites and therefore getting enough Vitamin D from sunshine
Ie Correlation
Yup, it's just correlation with the background that Vit D is well connected to the immune system. Research is in progress to evaluate causation, but why wait when the cost and risk are nominal? Certainly a blood test to check your levels is ideal, but it's not a common test. In my life, I've only had one doctor check this level and discuss it with me.
cant speak for where you live - but Vitamin D blood testing as part of routine blood tests- glucose, cholesterol iron levels etc is fairly routine here, especially for people considered at risk - eg older people with osteoporosis risk.
However if you want to take a standard dose Vitamin D supplement, no harm in doing so - or of making a point of sitting in the sunshine for 20 minutes a day (presuming there is sunshine where you live)
Me personally_ I do not take supplements unless I have a prove deficiency or a specific requirement (like folic acid in pregnancy)
Given that my blood tests in the past have not shown such a deficiency and I get outside for 20 minutes at least per day and I do not have osteoporosis - No, not starting taking Vitamin D now.
When I had a checkup with blood tests several years back I had a vitamin D deficiency despite spending over an hour a day outdoors as a regular runner, being in my mid 30's with a good diet, having light skin, and living in southern CA. I am religious about sunscreen use but that surprised me.
Same with my husband. Native Southern Californian, light skin, year-round outdoor fitness guy, healthy diet. We were surprised. Doctor told him to supplement 1000 iu dose. Retested 6 months later and it went up a little but not as much as I expected. But now he's only borderline deficient. So he's on a 2500 iu dose of D. We'll see how that goes.5 -
The_Enginerd wrote: »paperpudding wrote: »paperpudding wrote: »I would suggest checking if you are Vitamin D deficient first -and if so, supplementing.
Not just for Covid reasons but general health
More striking was that vitamin D deficiency was found in 97% of severely ill patients who required ICU admission but in only 33% of asymptomatic cases, suggesting that low levels are a necessary component of severe COVID-19.
that may well be so - but doesnt mean had those same patients not been deficient in vitamin D, their Covid outcome would of been different.
It just as likely suggests people vulnerable to getting Covid due to age or co morbidities are also those likely to be deficient in Vitamin D - which strikes me as being expected news,not at all surprising - given people who are obese, very old, chronic illness are less likely to be doing outside activites and therefore getting enough Vitamin D from sunshine
Ie Correlation
Yup, it's just correlation with the background that Vit D is well connected to the immune system. Research is in progress to evaluate causation, but why wait when the cost and risk are nominal? Certainly a blood test to check your levels is ideal, but it's not a common test. In my life, I've only had one doctor check this level and discuss it with me.
cant speak for where you live - but Vitamin D blood testing as part of routine blood tests- glucose, cholesterol iron levels etc is fairly routine here, especially for people considered at risk - eg older people with osteoporosis risk.
However if you want to take a standard dose Vitamin D supplement, no harm in doing so - or of making a point of sitting in the sunshine for 20 minutes a day (presuming there is sunshine where you live)
Me personally_ I do not take supplements unless I have a prove deficiency or a specific requirement (like folic acid in pregnancy)
Given that my blood tests in the past have not shown such a deficiency and I get outside for 20 minutes at least per day and I do not have osteoporosis - No, not starting taking Vitamin D now.
When I had a checkup with blood tests several years back I had a vitamin D deficiency despite spending over an hour a day outdoors as a regular runner, being in my mid 30's with a good diet, having light skin, and living in southern CA. I am religious about sunscreen use but that surprised me.
The bolded part is the problem. If you want to absorb vit D thru the sun, you need to expose your extremities for about 15 or 20 without sunscreen. Preferable early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the risk of sunburn is less.
Using sunscreen with an SPF of 8 cuts the amount of vitamin absorbed from the sun by 95 percent, and those with higher SPF rates reduce vitamin D absorption to virtually zero
People don't absorb vitamin D from the sun. They synthesize vitamin D in a process that requires sunlight/ultraviolet radiation.8 -
lynn_glenmont wrote: »The_Enginerd wrote: »paperpudding wrote: »paperpudding wrote: »I would suggest checking if you are Vitamin D deficient first -and if so, supplementing.
Not just for Covid reasons but general health
More striking was that vitamin D deficiency was found in 97% of severely ill patients who required ICU admission but in only 33% of asymptomatic cases, suggesting that low levels are a necessary component of severe COVID-19.
that may well be so - but doesnt mean had those same patients not been deficient in vitamin D, their Covid outcome would of been different.
It just as likely suggests people vulnerable to getting Covid due to age or co morbidities are also those likely to be deficient in Vitamin D - which strikes me as being expected news,not at all surprising - given people who are obese, very old, chronic illness are less likely to be doing outside activites and therefore getting enough Vitamin D from sunshine
Ie Correlation
Yup, it's just correlation with the background that Vit D is well connected to the immune system. Research is in progress to evaluate causation, but why wait when the cost and risk are nominal? Certainly a blood test to check your levels is ideal, but it's not a common test. In my life, I've only had one doctor check this level and discuss it with me.
cant speak for where you live - but Vitamin D blood testing as part of routine blood tests- glucose, cholesterol iron levels etc is fairly routine here, especially for people considered at risk - eg older people with osteoporosis risk.
However if you want to take a standard dose Vitamin D supplement, no harm in doing so - or of making a point of sitting in the sunshine for 20 minutes a day (presuming there is sunshine where you live)
Me personally_ I do not take supplements unless I have a prove deficiency or a specific requirement (like folic acid in pregnancy)
Given that my blood tests in the past have not shown such a deficiency and I get outside for 20 minutes at least per day and I do not have osteoporosis - No, not starting taking Vitamin D now.
When I had a checkup with blood tests several years back I had a vitamin D deficiency despite spending over an hour a day outdoors as a regular runner, being in my mid 30's with a good diet, having light skin, and living in southern CA. I am religious about sunscreen use but that surprised me.
The bolded part is the problem. If you want to absorb vit D thru the sun, you need to expose your extremities for about 15 or 20 without sunscreen. Preferable early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the risk of sunburn is less.
Using sunscreen with an SPF of 8 cuts the amount of vitamin absorbed from the sun by 95 percent, and those with higher SPF rates reduce vitamin D absorption to virtually zero
People don't absorb vitamin D from the sun. They synthesize vitamin D in a process that requires sunlight/ultraviolet radiation.
Agree. However if you wear a lot of sunscreen you will not absorb the sun or synthesize vitamin D. The end result will be the same no matter the language or process.7 -
rheddmobile wrote: »
What worries me about the current situation is, what about poor and homeless people who have no ID? It’s pretty easy to fall off the planet as far as having a valid driver’s license, and the sort of person who ends up in this situation is also likely to be living in a group situation where Covid spreads easily.So Florida has finally caught on that people are coming to Florida for "Vaccine Vacations", even foreigners. As of yesterday, they have gotten smarter and are tightening up who qualify for the vaccines currently being distributed.
I saw that and was relieved for the Florida folks! The news interviewed people coming in from other countries just to get vaccinated: from Canada to Argentina to Columbia.
I agree. The points you raised are a valid issue for more than just this. And I will stop lest the conversation shift towards the political.
Overall, CA has made some positive moves in support of the homeless during the pandemic (sad it took a pandemic). And there are still so many issues.
The thing that struck me with the vaccine tourism was the attitude of the tourists and the “I’m not taking someone else’s vaccine.” Yeah, you are when the supplies are this limited. If you have the resources to fly in from another state or country to get a vaccine, that dose should go to an essential worker who need that paycheck to put a roof over their head and food on the table.15 -
LisaGetsMoving wrote: »Hopefully the vaccine rollout going forward in the USA will become more reliable and the communication about who, where, how to get it will become better. My concern with some of the elderly or homeless who need it now is that in order to get on it you must have access to internet and be adept at finding things on the internet, etc. The local fairgrounds opened drive through site for appointments and was booked solid within 30 minutes. Same with the nearby clinic. I thought my doctors office would notify me when the clinic would get vaccines, even heard that from a nurse, but that is not the case, probably because they couldn't know for sure when or how much they would get. Things are going to get better now, we've got professionals in charge and they've got a plan!
If it weren’t for work, I wouldn’t have gotten my first shot of vaccine, in spite of being an “essential worker.” There are SO MANY of us in front-facing positions. I am blessed I work at a university with a medical center and pull to get us vaccinated.
Most of the folks I work with are people of color who are often “invisible” to other people (custodians, maintenance, grounds) and I am so grateful they were prioritized ahead of campus leadership.11 -
Just heard a radio report this AM, so went looking for details. What I found reinforces what people are saying about other states:
Michigan would like to be getting 50,000 shots in arms daily, but are delivering around 23,000 recently, reportedly mostly due to supply. (That's what I see here: The mechanisms are geared up, seem to be operating efficiently, but don't have supply so can't make many appointments.)
Counties (or coalitions of them, in some more sparsely-populated regions) are primarily responsible for facilitating these first public distributions. Some counties are doing better than others (logistically and numbers), but in most counties at least 5-6% of the population have gotten the first dose, and some the second. Twelve counties are in double digits (10-17%), mostly the sparsely-populated upper peninsula, reportedly because they received higher supplies per capita early on. Nine counties are below 5%. (There are 83 counties total.) The overall state rate for first shots is just over 6% of population.
Source of details: https://www.mlive.com/public-interest/2021/01/6-of-michigan-adults-vaccinated-against-covid-19-so-far-see-numbers-in-your-county.html
Our “super-site” was super efficient, too. Great signage, tons of staff, safety protocols. We used the campus athletics center/basketball arena (we’ve been using it for asymptomatic testing). It bodes well when the vaccine is plentiful. It’s adjacent to a 7-story parking garage (~6000 spaces).5 -
paperpudding wrote: »I would suggest checking if you are Vitamin D deficient first -and if so, supplementing.
Not just for Covid reasons but general health
More striking was that vitamin D deficiency was found in 97% of severely ill patients who required ICU admission but in only 33% of asymptomatic cases, suggesting that low levels are a necessary component of severe COVID-19.
that may well be so - but doesnt mean had those same patients not been deficient in vitamin D, their Covid outcome would of been different.
It just as likely suggests people vulnerable to getting Covid due to age or co morbidities are also those likely to be deficient in Vitamin D - which strikes me as being expected news,not at all surprising - given people who are obese, very old, chronic illness are less likely to be doing outside activites and therefore getting enough Vitamin D from sunshine
Ie Correlation
Yup, it's just correlation with the background that Vit D is well connected to the immune system. Research is in progress to evaluate causation, but why wait when the cost and risk are nominal? Certainly a blood test to check your levels is ideal, but it's not a common test. In my life, I've only had one doctor check this level and discuss it with me.
Lucky! I have a history of deficiency and get tested regularly. I have t during the pandemic, but my level of supplementation has worked well for me and my levels have been stable. I take an additional 10,000 units a day and that puts me in the middle of the normal range.2 -
The_Enginerd wrote: »paperpudding wrote: »paperpudding wrote: »I would suggest checking if you are Vitamin D deficient first -and if so, supplementing.
Not just for Covid reasons but general health
More striking was that vitamin D deficiency was found in 97% of severely ill patients who required ICU admission but in only 33% of asymptomatic cases, suggesting that low levels are a necessary component of severe COVID-19.
that may well be so - but doesnt mean had those same patients not been deficient in vitamin D, their Covid outcome would of been different.
It just as likely suggests people vulnerable to getting Covid due to age or co morbidities are also those likely to be deficient in Vitamin D - which strikes me as being expected news,not at all surprising - given people who are obese, very old, chronic illness are less likely to be doing outside activites and therefore getting enough Vitamin D from sunshine
Ie Correlation
Yup, it's just correlation with the background that Vit D is well connected to the immune system. Research is in progress to evaluate causation, but why wait when the cost and risk are nominal? Certainly a blood test to check your levels is ideal, but it's not a common test. In my life, I've only had one doctor check this level and discuss it with me.
cant speak for where you live - but Vitamin D blood testing as part of routine blood tests- glucose, cholesterol iron levels etc is fairly routine here, especially for people considered at risk - eg older people with osteoporosis risk.
However if you want to take a standard dose Vitamin D supplement, no harm in doing so - or of making a point of sitting in the sunshine for 20 minutes a day (presuming there is sunshine where you live)
Me personally_ I do not take supplements unless I have a prove deficiency or a specific requirement (like folic acid in pregnancy)
Given that my blood tests in the past have not shown such a deficiency and I get outside for 20 minutes at least per day and I do not have osteoporosis - No, not starting taking Vitamin D now.
When I had a checkup with blood tests several years back I had a vitamin D deficiency despite spending over an hour a day outdoors as a regular runner, being in my mid 30's with a good diet, having light skin, and living in southern CA. I am religious about sunscreen use but that surprised me.
I live in SoCal, too. I am outside a lot, and am religious about sunscreen and covering up (hat). My doc said that was enough to be effective in keeping me from the sunshine’s vitamin D. Skin cancer scares me more than popping a couple supplements a day. I’ll keep covering up! 😉8 -
The_Enginerd wrote: »paperpudding wrote: »paperpudding wrote: »I would suggest checking if you are Vitamin D deficient first -and if so, supplementing.
Not just for Covid reasons but general health
More striking was that vitamin D deficiency was found in 97% of severely ill patients who required ICU admission but in only 33% of asymptomatic cases, suggesting that low levels are a necessary component of severe COVID-19.
that may well be so - but doesnt mean had those same patients not been deficient in vitamin D, their Covid outcome would of been different.
It just as likely suggests people vulnerable to getting Covid due to age or co morbidities are also those likely to be deficient in Vitamin D - which strikes me as being expected news,not at all surprising - given people who are obese, very old, chronic illness are less likely to be doing outside activites and therefore getting enough Vitamin D from sunshine
Ie Correlation
Yup, it's just correlation with the background that Vit D is well connected to the immune system. Research is in progress to evaluate causation, but why wait when the cost and risk are nominal? Certainly a blood test to check your levels is ideal, but it's not a common test. In my life, I've only had one doctor check this level and discuss it with me.
cant speak for where you live - but Vitamin D blood testing as part of routine blood tests- glucose, cholesterol iron levels etc is fairly routine here, especially for people considered at risk - eg older people with osteoporosis risk.
However if you want to take a standard dose Vitamin D supplement, no harm in doing so - or of making a point of sitting in the sunshine for 20 minutes a day (presuming there is sunshine where you live)
Me personally_ I do not take supplements unless I have a prove deficiency or a specific requirement (like folic acid in pregnancy)
Given that my blood tests in the past have not shown such a deficiency and I get outside for 20 minutes at least per day and I do not have osteoporosis - No, not starting taking Vitamin D now.
When I had a checkup with blood tests several years back I had a vitamin D deficiency despite spending over an hour a day outdoors as a regular runner, being in my mid 30's with a good diet, having light skin, and living in southern CA. I am religious about sunscreen use but that surprised me.
The bolded part is the problem. If you want to absorb vit D thru the sun, you need to expose your extremities for about 15 or 20 without sunscreen. Preferable early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the risk of sunburn is less.
Using sunscreen with an SPF of 8 cuts the amount of vitamin absorbed from the sun by 95 percent, and those with higher SPF rates reduce vitamin D absorption to virtually zero
Risk of sunburn (UVB rays) may be less, but the UVA rays (skin cancer and premature again) are prevalent even on cloudy days.
One of my friends had two bouts of melanoma. For the second one, she ended up in MD Anderson in Houston. I learned a lot spending time with her. Too much, maybe. I will say, this whole mask thing saved me a lot on sunscreen this summer. Between that and my hats, I didn’t gain a freckle.7 -
The_Enginerd wrote: »paperpudding wrote: »paperpudding wrote: »I would suggest checking if you are Vitamin D deficient first -and if so, supplementing.
Not just for Covid reasons but general health
More striking was that vitamin D deficiency was found in 97% of severely ill patients who required ICU admission but in only 33% of asymptomatic cases, suggesting that low levels are a necessary component of severe COVID-19.
that may well be so - but doesnt mean had those same patients not been deficient in vitamin D, their Covid outcome would of been different.
It just as likely suggests people vulnerable to getting Covid due to age or co morbidities are also those likely to be deficient in Vitamin D - which strikes me as being expected news,not at all surprising - given people who are obese, very old, chronic illness are less likely to be doing outside activites and therefore getting enough Vitamin D from sunshine
Ie Correlation
Yup, it's just correlation with the background that Vit D is well connected to the immune system. Research is in progress to evaluate causation, but why wait when the cost and risk are nominal? Certainly a blood test to check your levels is ideal, but it's not a common test. In my life, I've only had one doctor check this level and discuss it with me.
cant speak for where you live - but Vitamin D blood testing as part of routine blood tests- glucose, cholesterol iron levels etc is fairly routine here, especially for people considered at risk - eg older people with osteoporosis risk.
However if you want to take a standard dose Vitamin D supplement, no harm in doing so - or of making a point of sitting in the sunshine for 20 minutes a day (presuming there is sunshine where you live)
Me personally_ I do not take supplements unless I have a prove deficiency or a specific requirement (like folic acid in pregnancy)
Given that my blood tests in the past have not shown such a deficiency and I get outside for 20 minutes at least per day and I do not have osteoporosis - No, not starting taking Vitamin D now.
When I had a checkup with blood tests several years back I had a vitamin D deficiency despite spending over an hour a day outdoors as a regular runner, being in my mid 30's with a good diet, having light skin, and living in southern CA. I am religious about sunscreen use but that surprised me.
I live in SoCal, too. I am outside a lot, and am religious about sunscreen and covering up (hat). My doc said that was enough to be effective in keeping me from the sunshine’s vitamin D. Skin cancer scares me more than popping a couple supplements a day. I’ll keep covering up! 😉
Please keep doing what you are doing. I live in the sun cancer capitol of the world. I've had a few cut off of me. The whole side of my nose cut open to remove one. Luckily it was done by a plastic surgeon and I have no scar. So glad you are careful. I didn't know to be careful when very young.12 -
Vitamin D deficiency in Americans is around 40%, so a lot of people are affected. My doctor recommended a supplement. I’m fair skinned, and sun burn easily, so I’ve been using sunscreen for years. Skin cancer is no joke. I’ve also had a couple of bad sunburns in my foolish youth. That vitamin D may have some benefits regarding covid, seems like a bonus.7
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PA opened up the second round to anyone over 65, anyone who works directly with the public, anyone who has a medical condition, and anyone who smokes. Given the number of older people, smokers, and obese people around here, it is a huge group. I doubt that the rest of us will see the vaccine until summer at best.6
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lynn_glenmont wrote: »The_Enginerd wrote: »paperpudding wrote: »paperpudding wrote: »I would suggest checking if you are Vitamin D deficient first -and if so, supplementing.
Not just for Covid reasons but general health
More striking was that vitamin D deficiency was found in 97% of severely ill patients who required ICU admission but in only 33% of asymptomatic cases, suggesting that low levels are a necessary component of severe COVID-19.
that may well be so - but doesnt mean had those same patients not been deficient in vitamin D, their Covid outcome would of been different.
It just as likely suggests people vulnerable to getting Covid due to age or co morbidities are also those likely to be deficient in Vitamin D - which strikes me as being expected news,not at all surprising - given people who are obese, very old, chronic illness are less likely to be doing outside activites and therefore getting enough Vitamin D from sunshine
Ie Correlation
Yup, it's just correlation with the background that Vit D is well connected to the immune system. Research is in progress to evaluate causation, but why wait when the cost and risk are nominal? Certainly a blood test to check your levels is ideal, but it's not a common test. In my life, I've only had one doctor check this level and discuss it with me.
cant speak for where you live - but Vitamin D blood testing as part of routine blood tests- glucose, cholesterol iron levels etc is fairly routine here, especially for people considered at risk - eg older people with osteoporosis risk.
However if you want to take a standard dose Vitamin D supplement, no harm in doing so - or of making a point of sitting in the sunshine for 20 minutes a day (presuming there is sunshine where you live)
Me personally_ I do not take supplements unless I have a prove deficiency or a specific requirement (like folic acid in pregnancy)
Given that my blood tests in the past have not shown such a deficiency and I get outside for 20 minutes at least per day and I do not have osteoporosis - No, not starting taking Vitamin D now.
When I had a checkup with blood tests several years back I had a vitamin D deficiency despite spending over an hour a day outdoors as a regular runner, being in my mid 30's with a good diet, having light skin, and living in southern CA. I am religious about sunscreen use but that surprised me.
The bolded part is the problem. If you want to absorb vit D thru the sun, you need to expose your extremities for about 15 or 20 without sunscreen. Preferable early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the risk of sunburn is less.
Using sunscreen with an SPF of 8 cuts the amount of vitamin absorbed from the sun by 95 percent, and those with higher SPF rates reduce vitamin D absorption to virtually zero
People don't absorb vitamin D from the sun. They synthesize vitamin D in a process that requires sunlight/ultraviolet radiation.
Agree. However if you wear a lot of sunscreen you will not absorb the sun or synthesize vitamin D. The end result will be the same no matter the language or process.
Yup.1 -
Some news reports seem to suggest that many states have set aside half of all the doses they were sent to use specifically for second doses only, and it's not clear to me whether states that are saying they've "run out" of vaccine have legit run out, or have run out of first doses but still have a full contingent of second doses. I really hope the new administration will at least get the data more organized, there are so many questions that shouldn't be questions.
My health district just got kind of screwed. VA was determining how many doses to send to each district based on how many shots they showed they could give in a week. So they put up a bunch of tents in empty parking lots and schools and staffed up to give 1000 shots a day. VA changed its mind and decided to send out doses based on population regardless of readiness and we'll only be getting 2900 doses a week. And it still seems to be just the health dept getting vaccine, no doctors or hospitals or pharmacies here.
If J&J comes thru the way they claim they will (and there's still a chance Astra Zeneca will get their *kitten* together too), I think I might have a chance of getting jabbed by early summer. If not, I'd guess I'm looking at fall
Still waiting for better info on how to get my parents in, there is a website you can register on, but no real info on how you find out when or where you can go. 13 -
Disconcerting statement from the head of the CDC on this evening's news that she doesn't know how many vaccine doses the U.S. government has on hand.
I'm guessing she doesn't mean "we have overflowing warehouses full of vaccine and we can't even count it all."
9 -
The US National Institutes of Health (government agency), where an epidemiologist I know works, is seeking people in the US who have had (and tested positive for) COVID-19 for a research study. They want to analyze DNA and health history of these people, and use the data to find biomarkers that influence the severity of symptoms.
There are some basic eligibility criteria, and those selected would need to provide blood or saliva samples, complete a health history questionnaire (phone or online), and share symptom/health info for a period of 30-60 days. Compensation up to $70 may be provided. More info here: https://service.cancer.gov/covidcode
2 -
The US National Institutes of Health (government agency), where an epidemiologist I know works, is seeking people in the US who have had (and tested positive for) COVID-19 for a research study. They want to analyze DNA and health history of these people, and use the data to find biomarkers that influence the severity of symptoms.
There are some basic eligibility criteria, and those selected would need to provide blood or saliva samples, complete a health history questionnaire (phone or online), and share symptom/health info for a period of 30-60 days. Compensation up to $70 may be provided. More info here: https://service.cancer.gov/covidcode
Why would this be flagged? We need scientific studies.3 -
The US National Institutes of Health (government agency), where an epidemiologist I know works, is seeking people in the US who have had (and tested positive for) COVID-19 for a research study. They want to analyze DNA and health history of these people, and use the data to find biomarkers that influence the severity of symptoms.
There are some basic eligibility criteria, and those selected would need to provide blood or saliva samples, complete a health history questionnaire (phone or online), and share symptom/health info for a period of 30-60 days. Compensation up to $70 may be provided. More info here: https://service.cancer.gov/covidcode
Why would this be flagged? We need scientific studies.
Maybe they consider it to be advertising. It's not, IMO, in any normal sense, or I wouldn't have posted it. It seems to me as if anyone here would have some personal investment in learning more about Covid, plus we've had several people in the thread mention having had it, and the study is being sponsored by a governmental entity, not by a commercial firm. If it's not compatible with the terms of service, I didn't know that when I posted it, but I'm happy to have the mods remove it if it was inappropriate.
ETA: I don't recall if any of the mods have posted on this thread, though I hate to bug them about stuff.
ETA 2: Changed my mind. I've reported it, asking for mod review, and asked that they remove it if it's unacceptable under TOS.7
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