Coronavirus prep

Some This Week in Virology insights:

• There does not seem to be any benefit to taking NSAIDs before vaccination, but it's fine to take after vaccination if you do experience side effects.
  
• Emerging data seems to show that at the least, virus shedding after full vaccination is greatly reduced. They still can't see if these vaccines will ultimately be sterilizing or not, but it suggests that transmission will be much less likely and maintains hope for herd immunity.
  
• There was a preprint study that concluded that a high dose of vitamin D helped those sick with covid-19. That preprint has been pulled rather than completing peer review due to issues with how participants were chosen (it looks like they gave D to the less sick and used the worse cases as their control). Meanwhile a peer-reviewed study showed no benefit. They stressed that being D deficient does correlate to more serious illness, so they still recommend getting tested and supplementing if you are low as a preventative.

On March 3 of last year I was monitoring the virus (the first case in Chicago was reported in late January, and I was paying attention to the number of cases), but way more focused on Super Tuesday. I did not yet have any intention of voting early in the primary (ours was March 17, I actually voted on March 13), and I wasn't particularly worried about any shortages (although apparently I said something about stocking up on toilet paper in this thread). I was lucky that I never really had to deal with any significant shortages, as it happens. I was also joking about mask ads, and didn't really believe that masks would be used in a widespread way, and did not expect to work from home for any extended period of time -- at some time around then (might have been late Feb, however), I recall a workplace meeting where someone talked about making sure we all had what we needed to work from home (which sounded awful to me), and I recall thinking they were overreacting and that would never happen. Sigh.

lokihen wrote: »

Looking back at the first page reminded me how badly the WHO dropped the ball on this.

Unfortunately , COVID was underestimated by almost everyone in the beginning.

Yes. Some knew. I cannot speak to the WHO, but a friend at Johns Hopkins coordinated a pandemic response planning team back in the early 90's. They knew. They had plans detailing what constituted "essential workers," how much movement needed to be limited for how long, impacts on public transportation ... they had plans and experts ready. Literally decades ago. It's just that US leadership in place at the moment of the outbreak fired the readiness team and disregarded the readiness plan. That was the shocking part to me. And other state leaders -- to this very day -- continue to disregard virologist and public health guidance.... it's almost inexplicable.

*Finally* got my first shot (Pfizer) today, after seeing friends getting theirs (some of them even the 2nd dose) for weeks now . . . I guess, what I get for being on the young end of 1b, with no reported co-morbidity risks? (I didn't report COPD, because it's so early stage, and I've gotta believe the added risk is minor with my level of lung function from exercise.)

The drive-through site was really well-organized. I got there at 10:45, drove out at 11:20, and that included the post-shot 15-minute observation period in case of allergic reactions (none then, or so far, almost 3 hours after).

I'm going to describe the setup/process, in case anyone is interested. If you're not, stop reading. 🙂

It's run by one of the two big local hospital/health care systems, in what used to be a Sears auto repair facility at a local mall. Staffing was a combination of National Guard (NG) troops (doing traffic control, but one also gave me my shot) and health care staff.

They have the building split into 2 multi-lane Covid facilities, one for Covid tests, one for the vaccinations. (There's a full concrete block wall between the two sections with one small door in it, and both areas are constantly opening the overhead doors on either side to let cars in/out, so good air exchange. Seems like adequate isolation for the two functions.) There are 3 lanes for vax, and I think there were 3-4 for tests. Tests side wasn't as busy. Vax side was full.

They have a long approach with traffic cones, really good signage to get you to that, and when you sign up online there's a map of the traffic flow, too. Some NG folks directed me into the start point, where there were 3 lanes (looked to be mostly NG) asking to make sure I had an appointment, giving me info paperwork, and explaining the process. Then I was shuttled into a long lane around the building, where it split to 3 lanes, one for each set of drive-through bays. There was a little wait there.

When it was my turn, I drove in, doors were shut, and there was a two station process: 1. Check in (I was mostly pre-checked-in, but they looked at my ID, updated the computer system, gave me my vax record card). Someone also wrote a number on my windshield (with one of those markers people use for athletic slogans on car windows!) that turned out to be the time I could leave the monitoring line. 2. Jab by NG guy.

Then the opposite door was opened, and drove around the building again, where we were herded into a single line in order by the time on the windshield (more NG people herding). We'd been told to honk our horn if any problems, and there was a PA or someone medical like that walking up and down glancing in cars, too. At the end, they made me wait until it was my time, then asked me questions about side effects (none), and I left.

My husband just got his second Pfizer dose yesterday. He is in his 40's. His arm is much more sore compared to the mild soreness last time. About 20 hours after the vax he developed a headache, and 24 hours postvax, he is feeling nauseated and just kind of low level all-around crappy. His first vax he felt pretty good. He said the flu vax was a bigger deal, and he went for a long session of mountain biking afterwards. This time around, he says he's coming home from work and crashing for the rest of the day. It's not the end of the world, it's just not as "fun" as the first time.

My husband was picking up a prescription from the pharmacist yesterday. He asked the pharmacist about getting his second shingles shot. The pharmacist asked him if he got vaccinated for covid yet. No he hasn’t. The pharmacist told him that he can’t have the second shingles shot until he’s had been vaccinated for covid. I guess you’re not supposed to have other vaccines with in a certain amount of time of each other.

27 is too young for shingles vaccine - but it isn't too young to get shingles.

Which, yes, can happen more when your immune system is under stress from any cause.

Still a coincidence not a direct cause and effect result.

Nobody is brushing people off who have adverse reactions to any vaccine - but everything that happens to occur a fortnight after having a vaccine is not an adverse reaction.
Some things are unrelated.

He’s an essential worker who’s been working full time all through covid. He’s 68, a 6 year cancer survivor. A few years ago slow growing cancer was detected at site where the initial cancer was surgically removed. They are watching the growth and he is seen every three months. Radiation when the size of the cancer is big enough to treat. We were told it’s a very successful procedure. He is very healthy otherwise, just slowing down a bit like a lot of us senior citizens. He has an appointment this month with his specialist. So, he’s in more than 1 at risk group qualifying for the vaccine. Hopefully, he’ll get a call soon about the vaccine. We’re registered with the state and are on a list for the vaccine at the nearest place that is giving the covid vaccine. It’s a waiting game.

Fortnight=two weeks. I've always loved that term and wished it was more common in the US. I think I learned it originally from English kid's books.