Maybe I should be tested for this.

Adding to this, I think I would be pretty mad if I knew that someone had potential covid symptoms and did not try to figure out what it was before going out into the world. If you can stay home all the time, fine, but it's a different story if you need to access anything outside your home. If you're a person that gets random sore throats like me, it's going to be challenging.....

Throat better today. I'll do another BINAX at 36 hours. Question is, at what point are people supposed to do a PCR? Or even a home rapid test? Since I have a sore throat, am I obligated to try to find out what it is? (I do want to know if it's covid, but I'm not sure if I should definitely seek out a PCR.) I could see a family doing rapid tests all the time, if they're the kind of family that catches everything that goes around.

Yes... I'm going to do another BINAX tomorrow and go from there. On the plus side, I usually get a hives-ish rash with viruses (and did with the Covid vaccine) and I don't have one now... Hopefully it stays that way.

Maybe... Probably not though. We traveled a long way so went to rest stops, etc... 😕

Blah! DH and I visited family for the first time in two years. It's usually an annual trip that was derailed because of COVID. We were apprehensive because we've been really careful, but needed to go this time. We knew that some family members would not be vaccinated, and found out while we were there that there was one more unvaxed than anticipated. We stayed at an Airbnb to reduce some exposure but we were definitely inside with unvaxed family members. Now, I have a sore throat. I took one of the BINAX rapid tests, and it was negative (yesterday). I'm super stressed that I've given covid to a vulnerable family member, or the next person that stays at the Airbnb. I'll take another test tomorrow I guess... I'm hoping it's just from long drives with the A/C on, but I don't truly think it's that 😕

I'm not sure - I read it like, currently, they're vaccinating only a limited number of migrants, but a new plan is in development to offer more vaccines. I was actually wondering about what was happening at the border and if migrants were being offered vaccines. Good to know a plan is at least in the works!

About what?

My mom dries chives in the oven on a low heat. I bet dried scallions would be awesome!

I would probably have my mom or a trusted friend open a second checking account in her name, and deposit cash for me.

That's incredibly tragic, too! Two very different situations though.

I totally agree! Why can't they communicate?? Apparently some of these new plans make higher incomes eligible, so families can still have one person working and qualify.

That's awesome!

It's crazy that you can't do anything ahead of time.... Ridiculous.

At the very least you could get in on the November enrollment, but hopefully a Navigator will be able to help.

Bummer! Definitely contact a Navigator. Often, there's more to the story. Make sure the person knows that he's diabetic. What regular people can do in an online form is often different than what an actual employee can do on their end. Rooting for you!! Time to go into bulldog mode.

You’re so welcome! 😊 I’m concerned that so many people may not know about this (I didn’t either!). They said 13 million people may be eligible...

Replying to this to say that a lot of the plans are very low deductible - like $200 - but they are GOOD plans. Not crappy ones like in the past, at least according to the news story. They said that there are whole new classes of plans to choose from, so even if you found crappy ones before, go back and look at the new offerings.

@Murphy101 I thought of you today. I was in the car listening to NPR, and they had a segment about how the American Rescue Plan that was authorized in July created a whole bunch of free or low-cost health insurance through the government (Medicare, ACA). They we’re talking about how so many unemployed people don’t know about it. They interviewed someone that got a plan for ZERO dollars, and is a type 1 diabetic. I think the applicant has to have received unemployment benefits in 2021. Also, they specifically mentioned contacting a Navigator, who helps you - free of charge - find a plan that works for you. Even if you don’t think you qualify, it’s worth trying. The actual story on NPR: https://www.npr.org/2021/08/01/1023393337/thirteen-million-people-in-the-u-s-have-two-weeks-to-apply-for-free-health-insur Other info: https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/01/unemployed-can-now-get-zero-premium-health-insurance-via-marketplace.html https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/04/22/989448586/health-insurance-for-10-or-less-a-month-you-may-qualify-for-new-discounts https://www.healthcare.gov/unemployed/coverage/ There will be another open enrollment period in November, so if you need to get unemployment benefits sorted, you have time to do that. Hope this helps someone get insured!

Agreed, but a vaccine is a simple step we can take to prevent a disaster. At least for me, knowing actual personal actions that will prevent climate change aren't as obvious (besides recycling, walking vs driving, etc).

Would it make sense to buy a used car in his college town? The whole round trip would be pretty expensive anyway... 🚘

I know. 😕

I think you're making quarantine as fun as it could possibly be!

And abysmal language comprehension. As a special ed teacher, I cringe at all the vocabulary that is going over many people's heads. Lots of people may not understand because of language disabilities, and others perhaps because of poor literacy education.

Removing the fear of hospitalization and death is a pretty good daily life improvement for me. I am so much less worried about my loved ones (and their loved ones, and so on).