The Official CoronaZoneVirus Thread

[volfanbill]

I know there’s a lot of “mature” regular posters in this forum and that may be my answer (vulnerable populations and all) but I am curious why vaccinated people are doing so much self testing lately. I understand if you have to have it to fly but just for general informational purposes, what does it really matter unless you’re headed to the ICU? I’m vaxed, boosted, masked, and roosted, and have never thought about home testing even when I have cold and allergy symptoms. What am I missing?

Same as Exie. When I lost smell, I immediately went to get tested. I don’t want to infect others.

 

[508mikey]

I know there’s a lot of “mature” regular posters in this forum and that may be my answer (vulnerable populations and all) but I am curious why vaccinated people are doing so much self testing lately. I understand if you have to have it to fly but just for general informational purposes, what does it really matter unless you’re headed to the ICU? I’m vaxed, boosted, masked, and roosted, and have never thought about home testing even when I have cold and allergy symptoms. What am I missing?

not your money to buy one

 

[joevol33]

Middle grandson is +. Exposed at daycare. Folks we are all going to get this one.

Prayers for him

 

[VolunteerHillbilly]

We didn't home test. GVG is immunocompromised so when she spiked a fever we went and got tested. A full 3rd of our plant is out right now so coming down with the crud, I'm going to make sure I'm not positive. I guess after having 4 employees die in a month last year, I'm going to err on the side of caution.

Now that I answered, why the **** do you care what others do?

cause we keep running out of home test kits.

 

[VolunteerHillbilly]

Well, first of all, I'm not doing any self-testing, because there are no home testing kits to be had at the moment in my area. A lot of people are getting tested due to known exposures (day care, etc.)

But if I do become symptomatic, I want to know if I am positive and therefore contagious, so that I don't spread it to my family, to my church, peeps in the grocery store, etc. It's to protect others.

Edit: here follows the tl;dr. My primary reason is ^^^^^.

Also, even though what I've read is that immunity acquired via infection is not as strong/ long-lasting as immunity via vaccination (begging that we don't all start arguing on this), if I knew that I had a proven case of Covid, I could use that date of infection as a "shouldn't need a booster until X months later", or whatever the guidance is at that point. So for instance, first vacc Jan 25 2021, second vacc Feb 15 2021, booster Oct 1 2021 (8 months later.) If (spitballing the number here) research shows that the booster effectiveness wears off 6 months later, and they recommend another booster (would be April 2022), but I had test-proven Covid in March 2022, I might postpone another booster for X months. If this happened, it would be entertaining to spring this on my poor doc to let him figure it out.

In the end, I'd go with the published guidance. Since we just don't have decent data and easy testing for cellular immunity (the kind that keeps you out of the hospital), I doubt that trying to fine-tune individual cases is very helpful.

I think what you and some of the other respondents are posting makes sense. If I really thought I had it, I'd get checked. I got test once in Summer 2020. I have a lot of acquaintances who seem to be home testing over the slightest symptom and some who are self testing every couple of days for no apparent reason. and for 82-83, I probably wouldn't even think about this if people didn't feel compelled to share their testing statuses with me. I must have a face that invites that kind of sharing.

 

[hmanvolfan]

The reason I don’t get the mass rush to get tested is you could test negative and then leave the house to get a gallon of milk an hour later and get infected at Kroger.

 

[VolunteerHillbilly]

My sister's kids beg for a test kit every time they cough or sneeze. I think it's because they want to stay home for two weeks. If it's negative, they can try again tomorrow. I didn't know if some people's jobs are like that, or there's some sort of government benefit you can get while you're in quarantine.

 

[VolNExile]

The reason I don’t get the mass rush to get tested is you could test negative and then leave the house to get a gallon of milk an hour later and get infected at Kroger.

And one problem with Omicron is that there are a lot of false negatives if you test as soon as you have symptoms. It’s a juggling act.

But if you have someone who is either immunocompromised in your household (or maybe with decent immunity, but could have devastating consequences if infected, like my new grandson), it makes a lot of sense to test, even 2-3 times.

For so many, it’s several days of misery and then better. But for others, that’s not so.

 

[VolNExile]

My sister's kids beg for a test kit every time they cough or sneeze. I think it's because they want to stay home for two weeks. If it's negative, they can try again tomorrow. I didn't know if some people's jobs are like that, or there's some sort of government benefit you can get while you're in quarantine.

Kids.

 

[VolunteerHillbilly]

And one problem with Omicron is that there are a lot of false negatives if you test as soon as you have symptoms. It’s a juggling act.

But if you have someone who is either immunocompromised in your household (or maybe with decent immunity, but could have devastating consequences if infected, like my new grandson), it makes a lot of sense to test, even 2-3 times.

For so many, it’s several days of misery and then better. But for others, that’s not so.

Believe me, I get it. I have an in law in her 80s who refuses to vaccinate. Her choice but we still worry, a lot. And I have a vaccinated parent in late 70s who is on chemo and will be for the rest of their life, barring a medical miracle.

 

[GordonC]

My sister's kids beg for a test kit every time they cough or sneeze. I think it's because they want to stay home for two weeks. If it's negative, they can try again tomorrow. I didn't know if some people's jobs are like that, or there's some sort of government benefit you can get while you're in quarantine.

We can use 10 "covid" days without using a sick day. I have no clue how that is funded. I used one of those the day after my booster. Several folks maxing out on this because can use if have covid symptoms after a known direct exposure.

 

[volwindy]

We can use 10 "covid" days without using a sick day. I have no clue how that is funded. I used one of those the day after my booster. Several folks maxing out on this because can use if have covid symptoms after a known direct exposure.

Wait 10 extra days?! Dang. We are given a day for the vaccination.

 

[hmanvolfan]

Wait 10 extra days?! Dang. We are given a day for the vaccination.

 

[82_VOL_83]

The reason I don’t get the mass rush to get tested is you could test negative and then leave the house to get a gallon of milk an hour later and get infected at Kroger.

My sister's kids beg for a test kit every time they cough or sneeze. I think it's because they want to stay home for two weeks. If it's negative, they can try again tomorrow. I didn't know if some people's jobs are like that, or there's some sort of government benefit you can get while you're in quarantine.

Where i work only if you are vaxed. I can not in good conscience go to work coughing and hacking and not know my status.

 

[hmanvolfan]

Where i work only if you are vaxed. I can not in good conscience go to work coughing and hacking and not know my status.

So you’re saying all those people in car lines waiting hours to get tested have symptoms?

 

[82_VOL_83]

So you’re saying all those people in car lines waiting hours to get tested have symptoms?

I have no clue. Tuesday was my first test, hopefully tomorrow is my last.

 

[GordonC]

Wait 10 extra days?! Dang. We are given a day for the vaccination.

I got my booster before they decided to schedule them for employees. So I got the booster after work and took that next day as one of my ten.

I think you can only take one day for vaccine/booster.

But my county has done away with a sick leave bank (for everyone hired after I think 2013). I think that's maybe why we are eligible to use those 10. I am not sure.

Most folks are using it legitimately if they or family member tests positive. But as with everything, some people will take advantage.

 

[vollygirl]

We can use 10 "covid" days without using a sick day. I have no clue how that is funded. I used one of those the day after my booster. Several folks maxing out on this because can use if have covid symptoms after a known direct exposure.

Your company is probably funding it, unless they qualify for something from their state.

In 2020 people (in general, not talking to anyone here) acted like companies had free money to absorb all the people taking the 2 weeks of sick leave we were required to offer. We didn't get money, we got a tax credit. So everytime someone took off, we paid someone overtime to cover their shift. Every time someone was off cause they had to quarantine cause they were exposed, we paid overtime. When we didn't have enough people to get the work done, we lost jobs....and money.

A lot of people don't understand how hard it was to stay afloat.

 

[Orangeredblooded]

I have no clue. Tuesday was my first test, hopefully tomorrow is my last.

I hate you and GVG are going through this again, but since she just went though this not long ago she should have antibodies to fight if she is reinfected. I don’t believe she is, and I have belief and faith that she’s okay and it’ll be okay buddy, she’s a tough cookie. That’s where we were going with this right?

 

[82_VOL_83]

I hate you and GVG are going through this again, but since she just went though this not long ago she should have antibodies to fight if she is reinfected. I don’t believe she is, and I have belief and faith that she’s okay and it’ll be okay buddy, she’s a tough cookie. That’s where we were going with this right?

Yeah, she has an appointment with her Gastro guy on Tues and is hoping to get a neg tomorrow. She's fine and has been since Wed morning. She's a tough cookie too. I'm convinced I'm going to be pos. Popped a little fever tonight so I just have to soldier through. Thanks for the post and the prayers ORB.

 

[ArdentVol]

Kids.

how's your grandson doin?

 

[VolNExile]

how's your grandson doin?

Fever is gone, and he’s feeling a lot better! Thanks for asking.

 

[Orangeredblooded]

Yeah, she has an appointment with her Gastro guy on Tues and is hoping to get a neg tomorrow. She's fine and has been since Wed morning. She's a tough cookie too. I'm convinced I'm going to be pos. Popped a little fever tonight so I just have to soldier through. Thanks for the post and the prayers ORB.

Take care of yourself also. You’re not pos until you are. If you’re are, you’ve been an awesome support through GVG’s struggles and this latest crap. Kiss her on the cheek for me (let’s not make this creepy) and know I have you both in my prayers.

 

[ArdentVol]

I actually have to report it at work, even though I work from home

Seriously though, it's nice to know what you do or don't have so you can at least try and treat properly and/or protect those around you if need be.

why does your workplace require that?

 

[ArdentVol]

seems appropriate that wilco opened w/ this in Austin City Limits HOF ceremonyy: