wuhan - coronavirus

[Laura Corin]

1 hour ago, Wheres Toto said:

Great, the top three are exactly what I get from allergies, particularly in the Fall.    I can generally tell when it's allergies and not that I'm sick.  When I get sick, it feels differently, more burning than with my allergies.  Also allergy meds don't tend to help when I'm sick.  Hope that all applies to this. 

I can do regular testing, but I certainly can't isolate every time I have any of those symptoms. 

 

I test weekly anyway and would add another test if I felt under the weather, rather than just having my usual snuffle 

[kbutton]

https://www.facebook.com/groups/271763230697598/permalink/544681593405759/

Police officer line of duty deaths so far in 2021.

[KSera]

8 hours ago, Ausmumof3 said:

https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/two-die-japan-after-shots-suspended-moderna-vaccines-japan-govt-2021-08-28/
 

Two deaths in Japan from contaminated Moderna shots.

This is very sad to hear. I hope they’re able to figure out what caused it. I just wanted to clarify that at this point they don’t know what caused the deaths. These are two deaths that happened within days of getting the shot, so they get reported and investigated, and since these particular ones got shots from the same batch that had contamination, they are looking at that as well. It may turn out related to the shots or it may not, and if it did turn out to be shot related, it’s not necessarily related to the contamination. Awful, whatever the cause.

 

[Ausmumof3]

1 hour ago, KSera said:

This is very sad to hear. I hope they’re able to figure out what caused it. I just wanted to clarify that at this point they don’t know what caused the deaths. These are two deaths that happened within days of getting the shot, so they get reported and investigated, and since these particular ones got shots from the same batch that had contamination, they are looking at that as well. It may turn out related to the shots or it may not, and if it did turn out to be shot related, it’s not necessarily related to the contamination. Awful, whatever the cause.

 

Thanks.  I should have said after the shots, not from the shots then.

[TCB]

5 hours ago, kbutton said:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/271763230697598/permalink/544681593405759/

Police officer line of duty deaths so far in 2021.

Does that mean that they contracted Covid while at work?

[Melissa Louise]

11 hours ago, Melissa in Australia said:

If a person has been exposed to Covid, then they are in isolation and not able to go get food. not to leave the house at all for 14 days.  However,  They are called almost daily to make sure they are OK and food can be arranged to be delivered. The Army and many voluntary organizations are helping with the food distribution . there is also the Covid hotline that can be rung if people need assistance 

I've been reading stories on the ABC about families in  SW Sydney who aren't getting the calls. Health is so behind - some people not getting called at all. Even to be told a family member has tested +

The only army I've seen here was at the mass vax clinic. Maybe they took them off the streets? 

I don't understand why food and wellbeing calls are resulting in ambo calls, however. Aren't they weeded out by the triple 0 operator? 

[Ausmumof3]

92 cases in Vic.

A suspicious fire at a Covid testing clinic.

I finally left the Facebook group.  I can’t deal with crazy any more.  So sad to see fellow homeschoolers getting sucked in by the nonsense.

[Melissa Louise]

17 minutes ago, Ausmumof3 said:

92 cases in Vic.

A suspicious fire at a Covid testing clinic.

I finally left the Facebook group.  I can’t deal with crazy any more.  So sad to see fellow homeschoolers getting sucked in by the nonsense.

You should see the teacher FB groups! Different conspiracy theories though. 

[kbutton]

1 hour ago, TCB said:

Does that mean that they contracted Covid while at work?

That is my understanding. I am not sure if you can see the FB link, but it’s in a Covid FB group. 

[TCB]

2 minutes ago, kbutton said:

That is my understanding. I am not sure if you can see the FB link, but it’s in a Covid FB group. 

Wow that is pretty horrendous. I didn’t click on the link until you mentioned it. They do have a lot of exposure in their job.

[bookbard]

2 hours ago, Melissa Louise said:

I don't understand why food and wellbeing calls are resulting in ambo calls, however. Aren't they weeded out by the triple 0 operator? 

Yeah I didn't understand that, and I wonder if that's true or whether they're using them as examples of people taking up time (the time of the operator) rather than ambo time.

[Ausmumof3]

3 hours ago, bookbard said:

Yeah I didn't understand that, and I wonder if that's true or whether they're using them as examples of people taking up time (the time of the operator) rather than ambo time.

It’s possible that they are claiming something else is wrong until the ambulances arrive. I’ve seen people in the emergency claiming to be ill until the nurse told them there were no sandwiches left and then they left to try elsewhere.  

[Ausmumof3]

https://inews.co.uk/news/health/boardmasters-festival-new-delta-strain-cornwall-event-1172393
 

Not sure how accurate the new strain part is but 5000 cases from one festival. Ouch.

[Ausmumof3]

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cornwall-58309660
 

Probably an better more nuanced take.  

[Ausmumof3]

https://www.gov.il/BlobFolder/reports/vaccine-efficacy-safety-follow-up-committee/he/files_publications_corona_immunity-waning-082021.pdf
 

Preprint data from Israel on Delta and waning immunity.  I’m sorry if this has already been posted it’s hard to remember/keep track of everything.

[Melissa Louise]

Sedation being used to manage patient load. Not a sign of a robust hc system. 

 

[Ausmumof3]

1290 for NSW and 73 for VIC today. Currently 49 hospitalised in Vic including 15 in ICU, 11 on ventilation.  4 deaths in NSW. 
53 for NZ.

ABC “NSW CHO Dr Kerry Chant pointed out Guildford, Merrylands, Auburn, Greenacre, Yagoona, Punchbowl, Blacktown and surrounding suburbs as the locations seeing the highest growth in cases.”

 

[Ausmumof3]

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/new-zealand-reports-death-woman-after-pfizer-covid-vaccine-2021-08-30/?taid=612c36f264156900010389e9&utm_campaign=trueAnthem:+Trending+Content&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=twitter
 

WELLINGTON, Aug 30 (Reuters) - New Zealand reported on Monday that a woman had died following

her Comirnaty Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination.

An independent COVID-19 vaccine safety monitoring board considered that the woman’s death was due to myocarditis, which is known to be a rare side effect of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, the health ministry said in a statement.

The board noted there were other medical issues occurring at the same time which may have influenced the outcome following vaccination, the statement said.

[Jean in Newcastle]

2 hours ago, Ausmumof3 said:

https://www.gov.il/BlobFolder/reports/vaccine-efficacy-safety-follow-up-committee/he/files_publications_corona_immunity-waning-082021.pdf
 

Preprint data from Israel on Delta and waning immunity.  I’m sorry if this has already been posted it’s hard to remember/keep track of everything.

Does anyone know if someone who was vaxxed, but then got Delta (most likely asymptomatically or at least a very mild case) then has renewed immunity? 

[Melissa Louise]

29 minutes ago, Ausmumof3 said:

1290 for NSW and 73 for VIC today. Currently 49 hospitalised in Vic including 15 in ICU, 11 on ventilation.  4 deaths in NSW. 
53 for NZ.

ABC “NSW CHO Dr Kerry Chant pointed out Guildford, Merrylands, Auburn, Greenacre, Yagoona, Punchbowl, Blacktown and surrounding suburbs as the locations seeing the highest growth in cases.”

 

I'm getting so anxious I can't sleep. I'm scared one if us will need the hospital and won't be able to access timely or effective care. 

I've had my specialist appt cancelled - my specialist is on Covid wards. Ex just had an urgent surgery cancelled (narrowed fistula, can't effectively do dialysis).

Education Minister on the radio soothing everyone: schools are safe! 

In primary, they are going to do the same marginally effective things they did last year - have a cleaner trailing a rag around door handles, ban assemblies, tell kids to stay home if unwell. At least staff-student masking might help in high schools. And staff masking in primary might help with staff-staff transmission. 

[Melissa Louise]

107 schools closed since June. So, over lockdown with minimal students attending. 

I really like my students, but not so that I'd get sick for them. Primary should remain online, if government aren't going to prepare a decent safety plan. 

 

[lewelma]

Numbers are down while testing is strong! Last 4 days: 79, 82, 87, 53!

[wathe]

21 hours ago, Ausmumof3 said:

It’s possible that they are claiming something else is wrong until the ambulances arrive. I’ve seen people in the emergency claiming to be ill until the nurse told them there were no sandwiches left and then they left to try elsewhere.  

That definitely happens.  But our sandwich crowd (and our use the ambulance as a taxi to get into town crowd) tend to all be regulars.  It would be weird for that population to suddenly spike, I think.

[Happy2BaMom]

On 8/27/2021 at 7:32 PM, BeachGal said:

Of those of you HCWs working with Covid patients, are you noticing that fewer patients are being extubated now than the earlier waves a year ago? I am reading some other HCW accounts and — oof. Delta is doing a number on the unvaccinated in hospitals.

There’s a large thread on Reddit, r/nursing, where *many* nurses are saying exactly that. Like less than 5% of Covid patients now are being successfully extubated, no matter their age or how healthy they are(were). And, yes, the vast majority are unvaccinated. 

Obviously, that’s anecdotal, but it’s a rather sobering thread and reflects what you’ve seen. 

It’s also mind-blowing (not in a good way) to do a FB search for terms like, “died from Covid today u.s.” or “Covid prayers”, etc and then select “Posts”. Brings it home on a more personal level. A lot of younger people (30’s - 50’s)  passing. 
 

 

[Ausmumof3]

23 minutes ago, Melissa Louise said:

I'm getting so anxious I can't sleep. I'm scared one if us will need the hospital and won't be able to access timely or effective care. 

I've had my specialist appt cancelled - my specialist is on Covid wards. Ex just had an urgent surgery cancelled (narrowed fistula, can't effectively do dialysis).

Education Minister on the radio soothing everyone: schools are safe! 

In primary, they are going to do the same marginally effective things they did last year - have a cleaner trailing a rag around door handles, ban assemblies, tell kids to stay home if unwell. At least staff-student masking might help in high schools. And staff masking in primary might help with staff-staff transmission. 

I’m so sorry. I imagine at some point soon extra health care workers may come in from other states if needed.  Im sorry about the cancellations though that is pretty sucky.  

[Ausmumof3]

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-08-30/elective-surgery-postponed-wa-hospital-covid/100417518
 

Apparently WA are having to postpone elective surgeries in regional hospitals even without Covid.

[AurieD]

2 hours ago, Ausmumof3 said:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-08-30/elective-surgery-postponed-wa-hospital-covid/100417518
 

Apparently WA are having to postpone elective surgeries in regional hospitals even without Covid.

It's not just regional, it's all Perth public hospitals as well. We are screwed when we have a Covid outbreak here.

Edited August 30, 2021 by AurieD

[Melissa Louise]

Entire NSW prison system in lockdown - Covid outbreaks in in at least two prisons. What a nightmare. 

[Ausmumof3]

33 minutes ago, Melissa Louise said:

Entire NSW prison system in lockdown - Covid outbreaks in in at least two prisons. What a nightmare. 

Hopefully we don’t see riots like other countries dealing with this 😞 

[Jean in Newcastle]

7 hours ago, Melissa Louise said:

Sedation being used to manage patient load. Not a sign of a robust hc system. 

 

At least in the US, nurses cannnot increase dosages more than what was already prescribed by a doctor.  In some cases, this might be a range but they can't exceed that range. 

[TravelingChris]

On 8/26/2021 at 10:24 AM, Corraleno said:

It's 100K just with covid, not counting other causes:

"More than 100,000 people are hospitalized with covid-19 in the United States, a level not seen since Jan. 30 — when coronavirus vaccines were not widely available — as the country grapples with the delta variant’s spread.

Hospitalizations are highest across the South, where every state in the region has a higher portion of its population currently hospitalized with covid-19 than the national level, according to a Washington Post database. More than 17,000 people are hospitalized with covid-19 in Florida, which has the most hospitalizations for covid-19 of any state in the country, followed by Texas, which has more than 14,000."

Oh I know,.  I was just saying the hospitals are also even more stressed by at least the RSV and the trauma of increased violent crimes since same time  2020.  And anything else that needs treatment such as all the regular heart attack, stroke, and bacteria patients.  One man in my church just went into the hospital because of a bacterial infection from a six month surgery.

I hope we can keep Dh out of the hospital but his orbital cellulitis needs to respond by this coming morning when he has already had 2 Cephalaxin 500mg yesterday.  

[Melissa Louise]

14 minutes ago, Jean in Newcastle said:

At least in the US, nurses cannnot increase dosages more than what was already prescribed by a doctor.  In some cases, this might be a range but they can't exceed that range. 

I think they are not exceeding the range here, either, but sedating to the maximum of the range. 

[TravelingChris]

On 8/26/2021 at 3:47 PM, MissLemon said:

My cousin's spouse insisted he felt fine despite the pulse ox reading 81%. He ended up hospitalized for about a week, only because she argued with him about it and wouldn't let up.

When you don't have enough oxygen going to your brain, you can't figure out that you need help. 

DD2 who was sick in March 2020 but not with COVID was sort of arguing w/ds about how she didn't need to go anywhere when her lips were turning blue.  He had to force her into the car and drive her to the ER.  Being sick, she wasn't as careful with what she drank and the drink she was used to buying to drink had changed its ingredients and added a citrus into the berry drink. She was having an anaphylactic reaction and yes, her oxygen was very low as was her bp.  

It is actually pretty common with loss of oxygen in brain, which can be from lung issues or very low bp or stroke, etc , gets people to just want to sit there and not go anywhere, often.

 

[TravelingChris]

On 8/26/2021 at 4:13 PM, Melissa Louise said:

Do you think it's OTT if I bought an oximeter? 

You need an oximeter as part of your asthma plan- regardless of COVID.  

[TravelingChris]

On 8/26/2021 at 4:36 PM, Rosie_0801 said:

I beg your pardon. I thought people had mentioned having to pay earlier in this thread.

Ir depends on where you get tested if it costs anything.  Some places here do charge money- generally people go to those places because they need a test for something like travel or going back to work (never had COVID symptoms or close contact w/someone),  Insurance will only pay if you have some symptoms that may be COVID or you have had close contact with someone,  

Who is paying what for COVID is changing rapidly here in the states.  States keep going in and out of emergency declarations- I think my state's emergency status ending in June and was re-instated on a more limited basis about two weeks ago.  (It now just pertains to issues like medical staffing-we are accepting licenses from other states on an emergency basis, being able to ask FEMA and others for emergency help with COVID, (( and now we have another emergency declaration with Hurricane IDA too)) and other specific medical issues---- no mandates on public at all).  

But as maybe mentioned in this thread and certainly in some of the other COVID related threads, co=pays and deductibles are coming back w/ COVID treatments.  

[TravelingChris]

On 8/26/2021 at 6:07 PM, Ausmumof3 said:

That is encouraging!  Are you using proper N95s though or cloth/standard surgical masks?

One model I read implied about 8x reduction with masking and 16x with an open window.  It’s the sealed up stuffiness of the school environments here thats bothering me.

On a separate non Covid note I’ve come across a lot of info on sick building syndrome with modern buildings designed for energy efficiency with air conditioning and heating etc and not having adequate ventilation and it’s playing on my mind a lot.  I do think there was more wisdom than we give credit for in the late 19th century obsession with air quality.

And there was a study in Spain done in a crowded dance party but with super great ventilation last December and not a single person got COVID.  

I know that transmission on planes is super, super low too because of the air being refreshed with outside air completely every 10 minutes.  

We had a uv light system installed in our air ducts  about three years ago and that cuts down on transmission too and I think some places have been adding those and just more circulation.

I never thought that the whole totally sealed buildings with poor circulation were a good idea. I know I used to get headaches in the relatively new building in the late 80s where I worked for Epson accessory sales than I did at the probably sixty year old sheriff station where I volunteered as a crime analyst.

[TravelingChris]

On 8/26/2021 at 8:34 PM, Ausmumof3 said:

Sounds like they are really emphasising masking so that should be good.  I’m disappointed about the total lack I’d focus on ventilation in Australia - feels like we’re a long way behind on this than the rest of the world. 

Oh not very many public health announcements here on ventilation at all.  Just the standard 3ft to 6 ft (should be really 9 ft or more) distance, masking, vaccine, and washing your hands-which you should do for other viruses and bacteria but unless you have it and are sneezing in your hands, has almost zero to do with COVID transmission.

And lots of places that close for COVID and will be re-opening, are doing COVID theater here.  I will have to tell dd2 that she cannot go to a certain imaging place because they keep wiping counters and pens with lemon wipes- she is deadly allergic to inhaling citrus odors 

[TravelingChris]

On 8/26/2021 at 9:45 PM, Mrs Tiggywinkle said:

I worked a cardiac arrest today in 100 degree heat in a stuffy auto shop.   I cannot imagine wearing an N95 doing that; trying to intubate with the sweat dripping into my surgicaL mask was bad enough.

I think a lot of people underestimate how miserable the properly worn N95s can be.

Oh gosh, I sure know.  I put on my N95 in feels like 104 heat to go into medical building or pharmacy/store.  The very short walk is miserable.

[Terabith]

4 hours ago, TravelingChris said:

Oh not very many public health announcements here on ventilation at all.  Just the standard 3ft to 6 ft (should be really 9 ft or more) distance, masking, vaccine, and washing your hands-which you should do for other viruses and bacteria but unless you have it and are sneezing in your hands, has almost zero to do with COVID transmission.

And lots of places that close for COVID and will be re-opening, are doing COVID theater here.  I will have to tell dd2 that she cannot go to a certain imaging place because they keep wiping counters and pens with lemon wipes- she is deadly allergic to inhaling citrus odors 

It kinda makes sense that there aren't a lot of announcements about ventilation, because while I think that is probably the BIGGEST determination of whether a place is safe or not, it's not a factor that individuals can control at all or frankly even really evaluate.  I know I've been thinking about ventilation a lot since last fall, but I simply don't know enough about it to know how well a given building is ventilated, unless there is something like doors and windows open, which is super unusual.

[TravelingChris]

1 minute ago, Terabith said:

It kinda makes sense that there aren't a lot of announcements about ventilation, because while I think that is probably the BIGGEST determination of whether a place is safe or not, it's not a factor that individuals can control at all or frankly even really evaluate.  I know I've been thinking about ventilation a lot since last fall, but I simply don't know enough about it to know how well a given building is ventilated, unless there is something like doors and windows open, which is super unusual.

They can control in their houses though.  Recommending air flow- like opening windows if it isn't smoky or too humid outside.  Changing your air filters often and using ones that are the highest rated.  Using stand alone air filtration units.    I mean a small business can buy a small unit for their small store, No big retrofitting.  Or just open the door.

[Terabith]

Just now, TravelingChris said:

They can control in their houses though.  Recommending air flow- like opening windows if it isn't smoky or too humid outside.  Changing your air filters often and using ones that are the highest rated.  Using stand alone air filtration units.    I mean a small business can buy a small unit for their small store, No big retrofitting.  Or just open the door.

That's a good point!

[TCB]

I hope this isn’t too graphic but this is a good description of the stages of Covid for a patient in hospital and ICU. The only real difference where I work is we do allow the next of kin into the room if the patient is dying, and we are on the ground floor, so other family members can be at the window.

 

https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2021-08-26/pandemic-covid-19-stages-vaccination-intensive-care-respiratory-therapist?fbclid=IwAR3XEuNvTjhx3DyEde89-IKBTAsqiVbf-Zym8Zx91rnBexz03NvWVYMsTY8

 

[KSera]

43 minutes ago, TCB said:

I hope this isn’t too graphic but this is a good description of the stages of Covid for a patient in hospital and ICU. The only real difference where I work is we do allow the next of kin into the room if the patient is dying, and we are on the ground floor, so other family members can be at the window.

 

https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2021-08-26/pandemic-covid-19-stages-vaccination-intensive-care-respiratory-therapist?fbclid=IwAR3XEuNvTjhx3DyEde89-IKBTAsqiVbf-Zym8Zx91rnBexz03NvWVYMsTY8

 

I heard about a study recently that always comes to mind when I read of the desperation of trying to get enough oxygen into lungs that are destroyed by covid. It was about oxygenating rats via oxygen-enriched liquid delivered via their rectum, and they actually were able to absorb enough oxygen that way to revive them. The potential implications for treatment of humans with lungs failing seems huge to me. I wish they could get trials in humans started soon enough to be able to see if there's an application in covid patients. I know people can be squeamish about such things, but if someone can't get enough oxygen, I would think any route that fixed that problem would be agreeable.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/14/science/rectum-breathing-oxygen.html

[KSera]

First I've heard of this antibody therapy, Sotrovimab, which is under EUA at this time:

https://scitechdaily.com/inescapable-covid-19-antibody-discovery-neutralizes-all-known-sars-cov-2-strains/

Quote

“This antibody, which binds to a previously unknown site on the coronavirus spike protein, appears to neutralize all known sarbecoviruses – the genus of coronaviruses that cause respiratory infections in mammals,” said Nix, who is an affiliate in Berkeley Lab’s Biosciences Area. “And, due to the unique binding site on mutation-resistant part of the virus, it may well be more difficult for a new strain to escape.”

 

Would mRNA technology make it possible to give a vaccine that would make this Ab in the body on demand rather than only being able to use it after already infected?

[lewelma]

16 hours ago, Ausmumof3 said:

WELLINGTON, Aug 30 (Reuters) - New Zealand reported on Monday that a woman had died following

her Comirnaty Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination.

An independent COVID-19 vaccine safety monitoring board considered that the woman’s death was due to myocarditis, which is known to be a rare side effect of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, the health ministry said in a statement.

The board noted there were other medical issues occurring at the same time which may have influenced the outcome following vaccination, the statement said.

Both the government and the press are handling it well. No one is using it as an antivaccine message, at least not in any of the major press or any of the 5 political parties. Right now vaccination is so high that we are going to run out of supply, and they are trying to source more ASAP to keep up with the surge in demand.  They vaccinated TEN percent of the entire population YESTERDAY. 

[Ausmumof3]

1164 for NSW

76 for Vic.

In SA we’re back to open borders with NT and QLD.

 

[Ausmumof3]

49 for NZ

13 for ACT

[Dmmetler]

10 hours ago, KSera said:

I heard about a study recently that always comes to mind when I read of the desperation of trying to get enough oxygen into lungs that are destroyed by covid. It was about oxygenating rats via oxygen-enriched liquid delivered via their rectum, and they actually were able to absorb enough oxygen that way to revive them. The potential implications for treatment of humans with lungs failing seems huge to me. I wish they could get trials in humans started soon enough to be able to see if there's an application in covid patients. I know people can be squeamish about such things, but if someone can't get enough oxygen, I would think any route that fixed that problem would be agreeable.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/14/science/rectum-breathing-oxygen.html

Well, aquatic turtles breathe through their butts....

[KSera]

8 minutes ago, Dmmetler said:

Well, aquatic turtles breathe through their butts....

Exactly! The article mentions this. I’m honestly surprised I haven’t heard more interest in this.

[whitestavern]

I have been reading and hearing about MANY breakthrough infections, but our TV stations keep reporting that almost everyone in the hospital is unvaccinated. Read the article below today. One third of the hospitalized in my state are vaccinated. I do not consider that a small amount, and I don't think they're doing anyone any favors by making it seem like being vaccinated = no risk. I think everyone should be wearing masks, at least indoors/with those outside your family, until we have a better sense of what's going on, especially the older, more at-risk folks. 

https://ctexaminer.com/2021/08/24/yale-doctors-warn-of-breakthrough-covid-infections-counsel-for-masks/

At Yale New Haven Health 27 percent of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 were fully vaccinated. At Hartford Healthcare, that number is 30 percent. In the state as a whole, 65 percent of the entire population is vaccinated.