Coronavirus prep
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In my little state of Tasmania, we have reached 90% fully vaccinated rate for 12+, borders were fully opened on 15 December (with some stipulations regarding vaccinations, pcr tests plus isolation if travelling from hotspots as well international arrivals). Since then we have seven cases (not a lot, but a lot for a state that has had relatively few cases in the past year or so), three are omicron, the rest still being determined.
Mask mandate now in place to commence 12.01am Tueday for indoor settings plus public transport, taxis and rideshare. It is was good to see though over the weekend before the mask mandate commences that a few people were already wearing masks while out shopping or at hospitality venues.
Booster vaccinations opened up about a month ago for those at the six months (now five months) out from being fully vaccinated.
Since covid first hit our state we have had 245 cases, of those 13 died, a lot of the those who passed were associated with the Ruby Princess cruise ship (approx 700 cases, 28 deaths).
I work at an airport, in the main office so not out and about in the terminal all that often, I chose to be fully vaccinated and have had my booster shot. With Christmas next week, it is planned to be a very busy week at the airport, lots of extra flights since the borders opened and school holidays/holiday season. We are expecting a lot of interstate arrivals from NSW and VIC where new cases numbers are continuing to rise. Good time to be fully vaccinated / boostered I think.10 -
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All of a sudden, the rapid tests are in short supply. I'm glad I got some a few weeks ago, because most pharmacies are out of them now. Hopefully, they get more before Christmas.
Half my husband's family is not coming to my house because they refuse to take the rapid tests that we purchased. They "don't believe in testing mandates". Okay, stay home then.17 -
I hadn't - thanks! Sent it on to a former coworker who said:"This is a stupid conversation and I'm not going to continue it" is how I want to end at least half of my work convos.3 -
SuzySunshine99 wrote: »All of a sudden, the rapid tests are in short supply. I'm glad I got some a few weeks ago, because most pharmacies are out of them now. Hopefully, they get more before Christmas.
Half my husband's family is not coming to my house because they refuse to take the rapid tests that we purchased. They "don't believe in testing mandates". Okay, stay home then.
I've found myself reflecting on this post over the past day. It's hard to understand family members -- family! -- unwilling to keep each other safe during a pandemic. Taking a rapid test someone else went through the effort and expense to procure is a pretty minimal level of effort. I'm just having a hard time wrapping my head around it. My knee jerk response (which is a jerk response) is why would anyone want to be around people this uncaring on any holiday anyway? Better not to have to feed/entertain people this dismissive (or perhaps unmoored).
You seem to have a really good disposition about it, @SuzySunshine99. I hope your holiday celebration is nice.11 -
It' absolutely crazy to me that we are still in this pandemic 2 years later and it is surging yet again. It is quite discouraging because I think we all believed that the vaccines being approved would be the end of it. And it looked that way last spring and early summer until Delta. Just my opinion but it seems like we are fighting a losing battle with the variants vs vaccines.5
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SummerSkier wrote: »It' absolutely crazy to me that we are still in this pandemic 2 years later and it is surging yet again. It is quite discouraging because I think we all believed that the vaccines being approved would be the end of it. And it looked that way last spring and early summer until Delta. Just my opinion but it seems like we are fighting a losing battle with the variants vs vaccines.
I think it's easy to get disheartened in this situation. And the reality is that the omicron wave is going to have huge numbers - in part because of effective methods for reducing spread in 2020 and 2021 means fewer people were exposed, fewer people died etc. But the numbers of deaths/the case fatality rate is going to be much less. The immunity in the population is much greater in quality and quantity than it has ever been. And, after omicron burns through the population, the immunity will be even stronger and the next wave will have even fewer deaths.
The increasing restrictions and caution about the coming weeks and months is about reducing mortality and (I think mainly) reducing the risk of healthcare systems going over capacity during the worst of this wave.
In my view: this was always going to be a long haul. Several years of waves until the vast majority are seeing the virus (through vaccination or natural exposure) every few months until we reach a stable state - which is likely to be seasonal spread in years with new variants and annual (or so) vaccination indefinitely.
It is more like a siege than a battle: and we are making steady but slow progress in breaking the siege.7 -
SuzySunshine99 wrote: »All of a sudden, the rapid tests are in short supply. I'm glad I got some a few weeks ago, because most pharmacies are out of them now. Hopefully, they get more before Christmas.
Half my husband's family is not coming to my house because they refuse to take the rapid tests that we purchased. They "don't believe in testing mandates". Okay, stay home then.
I've found myself reflecting on this post over the past day. It's hard to understand family members -- family! -- unwilling to keep each other safe during a pandemic. Taking a rapid test someone else went through the effort and expense to procure is a pretty minimal level of effort. I'm just having a hard time wrapping my head around it. My knee jerk response (which is a jerk response) is why would anyone want to be around people this uncaring on any holiday anyway? Better not to have to feed/entertain people this dismissive (or perhaps unmoored).
You seem to have a really good disposition about it, @SuzySunshine99. I hope your holiday celebration is nice.
Thanks. Families can be challenging sometimes. We did our best to give everyone the opportunity to celebrate with us this year.
I would think that even if they thought we were over-reacting, even if they though we were being stupid, hysterical, whatever, that they would humor us and do this one simple thing to be with the family for Christmas. Just take the rapid test that we have provided. We asked everyone to do this...vaccinated or not, so not singling anyone out.
But, these are family members who are not vaccinated and will never be. They carry fake vaccination cards so they can work, get into events, and travel. Their reasons range from political (i.e. It's all a hoax), to religious (i.e. The vaccines are made out of aborted babies).
The patriarch of that part of the family has health issues that make him very vulnerable to severe illness or death if he gets COVID. I wanted to do this testing not just to protect us, but to protect the unvaccinated family members as well.
They may be acting stupidly, but that doesn't mean I want them to die. They are still my family, and I love them. It makes me sad to think that this may cause a rift that will be difficult to heal.
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SuzySunshine99 wrote: »SuzySunshine99 wrote: »All of a sudden, the rapid tests are in short supply. I'm glad I got some a few weeks ago, because most pharmacies are out of them now. Hopefully, they get more before Christmas.
Half my husband's family is not coming to my house because they refuse to take the rapid tests that we purchased. They "don't believe in testing mandates". Okay, stay home then.
I've found myself reflecting on this post over the past day. It's hard to understand family members -- family! -- unwilling to keep each other safe during a pandemic. Taking a rapid test someone else went through the effort and expense to procure is a pretty minimal level of effort. I'm just having a hard time wrapping my head around it. My knee jerk response (which is a jerk response) is why would anyone want to be around people this uncaring on any holiday anyway? Better not to have to feed/entertain people this dismissive (or perhaps unmoored).
You seem to have a really good disposition about it, @SuzySunshine99. I hope your holiday celebration is nice.
Thanks. Families can be challenging sometimes. We did our best to give everyone the opportunity to celebrate with us this year.
I would think that even if they thought we were over-reacting, even if they though we were being stupid, hysterical, whatever, that they would humor us and do this one simple thing to be with the family for Christmas. Just take the rapid test that we have provided. We asked everyone to do this...vaccinated or not, so not singling anyone out.
But, these are family members who are not vaccinated and will never be. They carry fake vaccination cards so they can work, get into events, and travel. Their reasons range from political (i.e. It's all a hoax), to religious (i.e. The vaccines are made out of aborted babies).
The patriarch of that part of the family has health issues that make him very vulnerable to severe illness or death if he gets COVID. I wanted to do this testing not just to protect us, but to protect the unvaccinated family members as well.
They may be acting stupidly, but that doesn't mean I want them to die. They are still my family, and I love them. It makes me sad to think that this may cause a rift that will be difficult to heal.
Dealing with family is hard sometimes. When my husband was going through cancer treatment and even after I had strict rules about being in contact with him at our home. Not super harsh, but stuff like wear a mask, if you aren't vaccinated take a home test before coming over - just common sense stuff. The members of the family who weren't/aren't vaccinated were mostly good about it and understood the concern. A few pushed back - "but he's vaccinated" "it's just like having a cold", etc., etc.
So I did what you did and told them not to come to our home. It was hard to do but necessary.
I've relaxed a lot since then, but I'm still careful. It just makes sense.11 -
I was interviewing a candidate for an open position today. When I asked why she left her last job, she said it was because of the vaccine mandate. That last job was at a healthcare facility. *sigh*11
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T1DCarnivoreRunner wrote: »I was interviewing a candidate for an open position today. When I asked why she left her last job, she said it was because of the vaccine mandate. That last job was at a healthcare facility. *sigh*
Ouch. So many contradictions.2 -
T1DCarnivoreRunner wrote: »I was interviewing a candidate for an open position today. When I asked why she left her last job, she said it was because of the vaccine mandate. That last job was at a healthcare facility. *sigh*
I wouldn't hire her due to her stupidly. Anyone knows there are polarizing views around the vax. She should have just said her views/values didn't align with those of the management at the other job and left it there.10 -
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.17 -
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!!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.
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It's surging here in South Dakota. I suspect it must be Delta because deaths are high and hospitals are busy. My local hospital normally sends any severe patients to the city but have two on ventilators now; which means the city isn't taking them.4
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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!!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.
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?4 -
Theoldguy1 wrote: »T1DCarnivoreRunner wrote: »I was interviewing a candidate for an open position today. When I asked why she left her last job, she said it was because of the vaccine mandate. That last job was at a healthcare facility. *sigh*
I wouldn't hire her due to her stupidly. Anyone knows there are polarizing views around the vax. She should have just said her views/values didn't align with those of the management at the other job and left it there.
I don't plan to hire her anyway, but for reasons unrelated to the vaccine. We have no vaccine requirement where I work.0 -
I just wish my immediate family (5 adults) would stop going out. We have had so many COVID exposures. Some were not avoidable (college age daughter exposure to someone who lives in her house). Some were totally avoidable (a debutante ball which, predictably, was a spreader event). Another had an exposure at work. So far everyone has tested negative for COVID, and while everyone wants *others* to limit contacts, no one wants to forego their own plans. Two grandparents decided today not to join us for Christmas dinner. I’m sad, but it’s the safe thing to do given my family’s choices. We have a bunch of home antigen tests for Xmas day, but I’m wondering if we’ll make it to Saturday without someone testing positive before that. New exposures pop up every day. We learned of two new exposures today.9
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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!!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.
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?2 -
The new company I work for has been very responsible, so when they were having a holiday luncheon at a fancy restaurant, I felt confident attending. Oy vey. 40 of us were crammed around two tables in a closed small room. I should've left but was worried how it would look as a new employee. Luckily most if not all employees are vaxxed and I was recently boosted. I've taken two rapid tests since then, both negative, so I feel like I dodged a bullet. Just goes to show that even responsible people who have been careful can make boneheaded decisions (including myself in this, for sure smh). It's hard to do everything right for this long
Anyway, Ive taken a bunch of TWIV notes over the last week and will post some more when I have time.
Everyone hang in there, and try to block out the stress and enjoy the holidays as best you can
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Son out of state was 7 hours into 15 hour drive back here for Christmas. Got at call from a friend that tested positive. He stopped and got a home test, showed up positive. Turned around and went back. Day later his fiancée is feeling sick.
Daughter had to leave work last night sick (don't know if Covid yet). Not making the 3 hour trip here.
First time haven't gotten to celebrate Christmas with the kids. I know many have it a lot worse but still a milestone you don't like.
Stay safe out there.19 -
Theoldguy1 wrote: »Son out of state was 7 hours into 15 hour drive back here for Christmas. Got at call from a friend that tested positive. He stopped and got a home test, showed up positive. Turned around and went back. Day later his fiancée is feeling sick.
Daughter had to leave work last night sick (don't know if Covid yet). Not making the 3 hour trip here.
First time haven't gotten to celebrate Christmas with the kids. I know many have it a lot worse but still a milestone you don't like.
Stay safe out there.
Sorry that you won't see your kids for Christmas. Hope none have any serious effects.
Omicron currently ripping through Canada, record high case numbers in some provinces. And they're saying there's testing backlogs so we're not even getting the actual numbers.6 -
We're in a similar situation. We were supposed to spend the weekend with family (son and DIL) 3 hours south of us. My DIL's sister has just tested positive after a neighbor told her she was ill. She and my DIL spent all of Tuesday together at their mother's interment, along with some of the other family members who were supposed to attend our family dinner. Christmas is cancelled, or at least postponed.10
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paperpudding wrote: »
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!!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.
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.7 -
paperpudding wrote: »
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!!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.
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.
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paperpudding wrote: »paperpudding wrote: »
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!!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.
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?2 -
It's incredible to me how many people or their friends or family are testing positive over the past week that I know! It's like a whole new way of looking at the pandemic with these self tests. Are they accurate? Dunno.
But maybe the way we finally get out of this do loop mess pandemic is the ease and convenience of self tests and people doing the responsible thing. Everywhere I look I saw Xmas plans being changed due to either contact tracing or positive tests.
In my opinion we also need to stop considering ourselves safe to gather or not mask just because we are vaccinated or boosted. We need a paradyme shift away from that false security. Many people I know including here did testing regardless of vax status before gathering.5 -
SummerSkier wrote: »It's incredible to me how many people or their friends or family are testing positive over the past week that I know! It's like a whole new way of looking at the pandemic with these self tests. Are they accurate? Dunno.
But maybe the way we finally get out of this do loop mess pandemic is the ease and convenience of self tests and people doing the responsible thing. Everywhere I look I saw Xmas plans being changed due to either contact tracing or positive tests.
In my opinion we also need to stop considering ourselves safe to gather or not mask just because we are vaccinated or boosted. We need a paradyme shift away from that false security. Many people I know including here did testing regardless of vax status before gathering.
Yes, for both family gathering I attended, we asked everyone to do a rapid test before arriving. We were very lucky...no one tested positive. We are all vaccinated, but it was just the responsible thing to do.8 -
Aaaand now my brother, who was at our family party yesterday, tested positive today.
He took a quick test before coming over yesterday, and it was negative.
He woke up with a sore throat this morning, so took another test, and it was positive.16
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