Brought Home a Disney Souvenir- COVID

[disneydreamer781]

We do the same. I don’t wait in lines, avoid congestion, mask in airport, on plane, in resort. Eat at CL on balcony at YC. Don’t go to parks much anymore other than to walk around. Do more resort vacationing, go to pool and walk around the boardwalk. Still have fun in our way.

Yeah, we ate quick service and takeout orders either in our room or at an outside table by the pool areas.

 

[disneydreamer781]

It doesn't work that way.

What's your problem? You're assuming also.

 

[mom2rtk]

What's your problem? You're assuming also.

No need to attack.

The one thing that might have been different could very likely be something you were entirely unaware of, like someone in a highly contagious phase of Covid nearby on one trip rather than the other.

 

[disneydreamer781]

No need to attack.

The one thing that might have been different could very likely be something you were entirely unaware of, like someone in a highly contagious phase of Covid nearby on one trip rather than the other.

Thank you for your input. Masking was also much laxer during our May trip. So who knows where and how he ended up getting it?

 

[mom2rtk]

Thank you for your input. Masking was also much laxer during our May trip. So who knows where and how he ended up getting it?

Exactly. It's really hard to pinpoint most of the time, unless you have a known close contact.

 

[Starport Seven-Five]

That assumes of course that masks are actually effective against such a small aerosolized virus like Covid. I'm not sure you can make assumptions without knowing that for certain.

Are we really doing this still? We're 3.5 years into this. There are plenty of studies regarding the effectiveness of masks.

 

[tvguy]

Are we really doing this still? We're 3.5 years into this. There are plenty of studies regarding the effectiveness of masks.

Yup, which is why cities like New York are discussing a returning to masking.

 

[disneydreamer781]

Exactly. It's really hard to pinpoint most of the time, unless you have a known close contact.

Right. It's just the restaurants were the place that we really let our guard down because the numbers were low and that's why we decided to do TS that trip since we really weren't doing much park time. Disney also stopped spacing tables by then so that's why my thoughts go there. We're older so we were extremely careful otherwise, even with the lower numbers.

 

[easyas123]

Are we really doing this still? We're 3.5 years into this. There are plenty of studies regarding the effectiveness of masks.

I regret this already.....
So - I wore the masks, I listed to Dr.'s and got all my vaccines. I practiced what I preached - and as the Safety Mgr for a Company with 80 employees you can imagine how much preaching I've been doing since 2020 on the subject of Covid. BUT, with that being said I think it's not just "wear masks, they work" anymore. I think that IF we were willing to go with the medical experts thoughts and opinions at the beginning of this we need to at least realize there is a learning curve and things can & do change, including the thoughts and opinions of some experts. I think - as a society as a whole, we would benefit from realizing that as our understanding of this situation evolves, so can our approach to how we handle it. I feel like people are willing to die on the Hill of Masks, and it doesn't matter anymore if they actually work or not. And no matter how many articles I post, or someone with a differing opinion posts - the other side is still going to point out the differences. Are we unable to break from our hard and fast feelings to even read any new studies? And no, I'm not saying wearing masks have no value in Covid - what I'm saying is there is now some studies of differing types that may give us a new education on when and if they are appropriate in all situations. Why are we are so stubborn we can't even contemplate things from a different perspective? I ask this as someone who experienced someone close who refused to get vaccinated and was hospitalized for 3 weeks but it's still "not real" as well as someone close who heard "don't go in large crowds and always wear a mask" in the spring of 2020, and won't go hardly anywhere and criticizes anyone who doesn't wear a mask always in the fall of 2023.
For what it's worth - I gather not much to many, I'm not anti mask. Not at all. I am anti becoming so unyielding that I wear blinders to the evolving science around me.


For instance:
https://nypost.com/2023/02/14/face-masks-made-little-to-no-difference-in-preventing-covid-study/
https://www.economist.com/graphic-d...dies-reignites-controversy-over-mask-mandates
“It’s really important to reinforce that the absolute number is still much, much lower than in various different peaks throughout the last couple of years," said Azar.

“We’ve always had the expectation that there was going to be a seasonality to COVID, kind of similar to flu, that we’re going to see this ebb and flow,” she added.

However, Azar pointed out that we are more prepared now for an increase in COVID cases than we've ever been: "We’re in a different place than we were a few years ago. ... We have vaccines, we have an antiviral that works very well."
https://www.today.com/health/coronavirus/covid-summer-surge-2023-rcna100602

 

[Chuck S]

To the OP, I'm so sorry you came home ill. But it doesn't surprise me, About half the kids in our area are bringing COVID home from school right now. A friend went with me to Disney in January, 2023. We both wore masks on the plane, though not so much in the parks. We ate at the same venues, and rode the same rides, We shared a studio for a week at OKW. He came home with COVID, I tested negative. We were both vaxxed. You just never know who it will infect or why. Just be thankful it doesn't seem as deadly as it was when it first started.

 

[TinkAgainU]

I regret this already.....
So - I wore the masks, I listed to Dr.'s and got all my vaccines. I practiced what I preached - and as the Safety Mgr for a Company with 80 employees you can imagine how much preaching I've been doing since 2020 on the subject of Covid. BUT, with that being said I think it's not just "wear masks, they work" anymore. I think that IF we were willing to go with the medical experts thoughts and opinions at the beginning of this we need to at least realize there is a learning curve and things can & do change, including the thoughts and opinions of some experts. I think - as a society as a whole, we would benefit from realizing that as our understanding of this situation evolves, so can our approach to how we handle it. I feel like people are willing to die on the Hill of Masks, and it doesn't matter anymore if they actually work or not. And no matter how many articles I post, or someone with a differing opinion posts - the other side is still going to point out the differences. Are we unable to break from our hard and fast feelings to even read any new studies? And no, I'm not saying wearing masks have no value in Covid - what I'm saying is there is now some studies of differing types that may give us a new education on when and if they are appropriate in all situations. Why are we are so stubborn we can't even contemplate things from a different perspective? I ask this as someone who experienced someone close who refused to get vaccinated and was hospitalized for 3 weeks but it's still "not real" as well as someone close who heard "don't go in large crowds and always wear a mask" in the spring of 2020, and won't go hardly anywhere and criticizes anyone who doesn't wear a mask always in the fall of 2023.
For what it's worth - I gather not much to many, I'm not anti mask. Not at all. I am anti becoming so unyielding that I wear blinders to the evolving science around me.


For instance:
https://nypost.com/2023/02/14/face-masks-made-little-to-no-difference-in-preventing-covid-study/
https://www.economist.com/graphic-d...dies-reignites-controversy-over-mask-mandates
“It’s really important to reinforce that the absolute number is still much, much lower than in various different peaks throughout the last couple of years," said Azar.

“We’ve always had the expectation that there was going to be a seasonality to COVID, kind of similar to flu, that we’re going to see this ebb and flow,” she added.

However, Azar pointed out that we are more prepared now for an increase in COVID cases than we've ever been: "We’re in a different place than we were a few years ago. ... We have vaccines, we have an antiviral that works very well."
https://www.today.com/health/coronavirus/covid-summer-surge-2023-rcna100602

Thanks for sharing the articles (although the Economist required signing up, so did not access that one). I try to stay up to date on current reviews of what does or does not work for Covid Prevention - especially since I love time in the theme parks, and sometimes can only go when it's crowded. I did not think the referenced "studies" were very conclusive, as the participants were not very scientific about their actual use of masks (for example, you could have someone in a too loose mask or someone using a dirty or mishandled mask) as the researchers pointed that out. Even with hand washing, some wash with soap for 20 seconds and carefully dry, while and some hit their hands with water, wipe on their pants and walk out in 5 seconds) - pretty sure that is better than nothing, but not by much lol. Please continue to share articles - I think this is a more "open minded" group than some, and we appreciate someone taking time to share info. Thank you!!

 

[dvcgirl67]

I regret this already.....
So - I wore the masks, I listed to Dr.'s and got all my vaccines. I practiced what I preached - and as the Safety Mgr for a Company with 80 employees you can imagine how much preaching I've been doing since 2020 on the subject of Covid. BUT, with that being said I think it's not just "wear masks, they work" anymore. I think that IF we were willing to go with the medical experts thoughts and opinions at the beginning of this we need to at least realize there is a learning curve and things can & do change, including the thoughts and opinions of some experts. I think - as a society as a whole, we would benefit from realizing that as our understanding of this situation evolves, so can our approach to how we handle it. I feel like people are willing to die on the Hill of Masks, and it doesn't matter anymore if they actually work or not. And no matter how many articles I post, or someone with a differing opinion posts - the other side is still going to point out the differences. Are we unable to break from our hard and fast feelings to even read any new studies? And no, I'm not saying wearing masks have no value in Covid - what I'm saying is there is now some studies of differing types that may give us a new education on when and if they are appropriate in all situations. Why are we are so stubborn we can't even contemplate things from a different perspective? I ask this as someone who experienced someone close who refused to get vaccinated and was hospitalized for 3 weeks but it's still "not real" as well as someone close who heard "don't go in large crowds and always wear a mask" in the spring of 2020, and won't go hardly anywhere and criticizes anyone who doesn't wear a mask always in the fall of 2023.
For what it's worth - I gather not much to many, I'm not anti mask. Not at all. I am anti becoming so unyielding that I wear blinders to the evolving science around me.


For instance:
https://nypost.com/2023/02/14/face-masks-made-little-to-no-difference-in-preventing-covid-study/
https://www.economist.com/graphic-d...dies-reignites-controversy-over-mask-mandates
“It’s really important to reinforce that the absolute number is still much, much lower than in various different peaks throughout the last couple of years," said Azar.

“We’ve always had the expectation that there was going to be a seasonality to COVID, kind of similar to flu, that we’re going to see this ebb and flow,” she added.

However, Azar pointed out that we are more prepared now for an increase in COVID cases than we've ever been: "We’re in a different place than we were a few years ago. ... We have vaccines, we have an antiviral that works very well."
https://www.today.com/health/coronavirus/covid-summer-surge-2023-rcna100602

Haha to your first sentence...lol. I think the thing with masks is that the KN-95s, and particularly the N-95s with head straps are very effective *if* worn and fitted correctly. We went down the "cloth mask" road because we didn't have enough of the other masks and people would be more likely to comply. Remember way back in the very beginning....we didn't even have enough N95s or KN95s for our medical community. My sister in law, who managed two full covid units for over a year....had her nurses and staff reusing KN95 masks for up to 5 days. They'd store them in a paper bag in between shifts after putting them under an ultraviolet light to hopefully kill off any virus on the masks. It was literally insane.

For every study showing that cloth masks are ineffective, there are studies showing that they help. There are studies showing that they can make some difference, even if it's small.

But, as a former nurse who had to be fit tested for my N-95 almost thirty years ago....those masks do indeed work. It's just that they are uncomfortable to wear with the head straps. I've seen countless people wearing KN-95s incorrectly with big gaps in their masks. But, the mask thing is like everything else with covid, people are going to believe what they want to believe, and cherry pick studies and data to support their position. I'm not saying you're doing that easyas123, but that's how it goes on this site.

I agree with you that we're in a much, much better place right now as 97% of us have some protection against the virus. Pre-vaccines was truly the scary time when we lost people unnecessarily because they thought covid was overblown, or a hoax....or whatever. Plenty still think that, but they have some level of immunity to the virus that will help them fight it.

 

[TinkAgainU]

See below from CDC today... just when you thought all you needed (as a senior) was flu, covid, pneumonia, and shingles shots - here comes the RSV vaccine advisory

I'm not a happy camper about the idea of More vaccines, but I did dash down to get a shingles shot series (on my own dime at about $400 total) when I saw a neighbor dealing with months of misery over shingles. And she kept saying, she "meant" to get the vaccine, just ran out of time.

Again, I'm a SENIOR, so what you youngsters (or simply brave souls) choose to do is none of my dang business Just sharing info for those interested ... personally, I will probably get the new Covid, Flu, and RSV vaccine together before my big WDW Christmas trip.


/// formatting got messed up when I cut and pasted to disboards - sorry///

This is an official CDC HEALTH ADVISORY Distributed via the CDC Health Alert Network
September 5, 2023, 2:00 PM ET

CDCHAN-00498 Increased Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Activity in Parts of the Southeastern United States: New Prevention Tools Available to Protect Patients

Summary The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is issuing this Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to notify clinicians and caregivers about increases in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity across some parts of the Southeastern United States in recent weeks, suggesting a continued shift toward seasonal RSV trends observed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Historically, such regional increases have predicted the beginning of RSV season nationally, with increased RSV activity spreading north and west over the following 2–3 months. RSV can cause severe disease in infants, young children, and older adults.

In anticipation of the onset of the 2023-2024 RSV season, CDC encourages clinicians to prepare to implement new RSV prevention options. Monoclonal antibody products, including a new, long-acting product, nirsevimab (Beyfortus™, Sanofi and AstraZeneca), are available to protect infants and some young children at higher risk for severe RSV disease. For all infants ages <8 months, and infants and children ages 8–19 months who are at increased risk of severe RSV, clinicians should start to offer nirsevimab when it becomes available (expected by early October).

Also, two new vaccines are available to protect older adults from severe RSV disease. For adults ages 60years and older, clinicians should offer a single dose of an RSV vaccine, either RSVPreF3 (Arexvy,GSK) or RSVpreF (Abrysvo™, Pfizer), based on shared clinical decision-making between the healthcare provider and the patient. Clinicians should also talk to their patients about other vaccines available this fall to help prevent respiratory infections. Clinicians should consider testing symptomatic patients with high-risk conditions for COVID-19, influenza, and RSV to inform treatment decisions. Healthcare personnel, childcare providers, and staff at long-term care facilities should stay home and not go to work when they have fever or symptoms of respiratory infection to reduce the spread of respiratory infections including RSV.

Background RSV is an RNA virus, and transmission occurs primarily via respiratory droplets when a person coughs or sneezes, or through direct contact with a contaminated surface. Infants, young children, and older adults, especially those with chronic medical conditions, are at increased risk of severe disease from RSV infection. CDC estimates that every year RSV causes approximately 58,000–80,000 hospitalizations (1,2)and 100–300 deaths (3,4) in children ages <5 years, as well as 60,000–160,000 hospitalizations (5,6) and6,000–10,000 deaths (3,4,7) among adults ages 65 years and older.

In the United States, the annual RSV season has historically started in the fall and peaked in winter. However, this pattern was disrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic, likely due to public health measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 that also reduced the spread of RSV. RSV activity was limited between May 2020 and March 2021, followed by an atypical season with onset in May 2021 that peaked in July and August and continued through the end of 2021 (8). In 2022, RSV activity began in the summer, peaking across the United States in October and November, and rapidly declining by winter. Despite the disruptions in timing, RSV activity continued its geographic pattern of starting in Florida and the southeast before spreading to northern and western parts of the continental United States in 2021and 2022.

In recent weeks, CDC has observed an increase in RSV activity in parts of the Southeastern United States. Nationally, the weekly percentage of positive detections reported to the National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System (NREVSS), a national laboratory-based surveillance network, has remained below the season onset threshold of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test positivity of 3.0% for2 consecutive weeks. However, NREVSS data show increases in weekly PCR positivity above 3.0% in Florida beginning in the week ending July 22, 2023, and the 3-week moving average of PCR positivity has been greater than 5.0% for the past 4 weeks. More robust data are available through Florida’s sentinel surveillance, which also shows PCR positivity just under 5.0% for the most recent week. In Georgia, CDC has also observed an increase in rates of RSV-associated hospitalizations reported to RSV-NET, a population-based surveillance system. Among children ages <4 years, RSV-associated hospitalization rates increased from 2.0 hospitalizations per 100,000 population for the week ending August 5, 2023, to 7.0 hospitalizations per 100,000 population for the week ending August 19, 2023, with the majority occurring among infants ages <1 year. Due to reporting delays, surveillance data may be less complete in the 2 most recent weeks.

In 2023, new prevention tools for RSV have become available.• Nirsevimab is a long-acting monoclonal antibody approved by the Food and Drug Administration(FDA) to protect infants and some young children at increased risk for severe RSV disease. Nirsevimab is safe and efficacious. In clinical trials, one dose of nirsevimab administered as an intramuscular injection protected infants for at least 5 months (the length of an average RSV season) and reduced the risk of severe RSV disease by about 80% (9). The incidence of serious adverse events was not increased among nirsevimab recipients compared with placebo recipients in the clinical trials (9).• RSVPreF3 and RSV preF are recombinant protein vaccines that are both approved by FDA for use in adults ages 60 years and older to prevent RSV-associated lower respiratory tract disease. During the first RSV season after vaccination, each vaccine was more than 80% efficacious in preventing RSV-associated lower respiratory tract disease (10). A small number of participants in clinical trials (6 of 38,177 total participants aged ≥60 years who received either vaccine)developed inflammatory neurologic events within 6 weeks after RSV vaccination, but it was unclear whether these events were related to RSV vaccination (10).

On August 21, 2023, FDA approved the RSVpreF vaccine (Abrysvo™, Pfizer) for use in pregnant people during weeks 32 through 36 of gestation for the prevention of RSV-associated lower respiratory tract disease in infants from birth through 6 months of age. CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) will consider the evidence for a policy recommendation about RSV vaccination in this population in the future. CDC and FDA will continue to monitor the safety and effectiveness of RSV vaccines and nirsevimab, review data as collected, keep the public informed of findings, and use data to make recommendations – consistent with standard practices for all immunization products.

Recommendations for Clinicians
A clinician’s recommendation is one of the most important factors in whether patients choose to accept a prevention product or vaccine. As we head into respiratory virus season this fall, it’s important to understand new prevention tools, recommend them to patients who could benefit, and use them effectively to prevent severe RSV disease.

1. Monoclonal antibodies for infants and young children: Clinicians should start to offer nirsevimab when it becomes available (expected by early October) for all infants ages <8 months, and for infants and for children ages 8–19 months who are at increased risk for severe RSV disease (see specific recommendations below). Nirsevimab may not be readily available in all birthing hospitals or primary care settings this RSV season. RSV seasonality in tropical climates and Alaska may be less predictable and clinicians in these areas should consult state, local, orterritorial guidance on timing of nirsevimab administration. CDC recommends nirsevimab for the following groups:• All infants ages <8 months born during or entering their first RSV season should receive 1 dose of nirsevimab.o Infants born shortly before or during the RSV season should receive nirsevimab within their first week of life. o Infants not born shortly before or during this RSV season should receive nirsevimab shortly before the start of their first RSV season or as early as feasible during the season.• Infants and children ages 8–19 months who are at increased risk for severe RSV disease, such as those who are severely immunocompromised, should receive 1dose of nirsevimab shortly before entering or during their second RSV season. Dosage of nirsevimab:All infants ages <8 months:• 50 mg dose administered as a single injection for infants weighing <5 kg [<11 lb]• 100 mg dose administered as a single injection for infants weighing ≥5 kg [≥ 11 lb]Infants and children ages 8–19 months who are at increased risk for severe RSV disease:• 200 mg dose administered as two 100 mg injections Another prevention product, palivizumab (Synagis®, SobiTM), is available for children <24 months of age with certain conditions that place them at increased risk for severe RSV disease. Where nirsevimab is not available during this RSV season, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)recommends that eligible infants and older babies should continue to receive palivizumab until nirsevimab becomes available.

2. RSV vaccines for older adults: CDC recommends that adults ages 60 years and older may receive a single dose of RSV vaccine (either product) using shared clinical decision-making to prevent RSV-associated lower respiratory tract disease. Clinicians should discuss RSV vaccination with adults ages 60 years and older. Vaccination should be prioritized in adults ages 60 years and older who are most likely to benefit, including those with certain chronic medical conditions associated with increased risk of severe RSV disease, such as heart disease (e.g., heart failure, coronary artery disease), lung disease (e.g., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease[COPD], asthma), and immunocompromising conditions. Adults with advanced age and those living in nursing homes or other long-term care facilities are also at increased risk of severe RSV disease and may benefit from RSV vaccination.

3. Healthcare providers should also talk to their patients about other vaccines (e.g., COVID-19, influenza) available this fall to help prevent respiratory illness.

4. Healthcare providers can co-administer the vaccines for which a patient is eligible in the same visit, including RSV, COVID-19, and influenza vaccines. When deciding whether to co-administer other vaccines with RSV vaccine at the same visit, providers can consider whether the patient is up to date with currently recommended vaccines, the feasibility of their returning for additional vaccine doses, their risk of acquiring vaccine-preventable disease, the vaccine reactogenicity profiles, and patient preferences.

5. Clinicians should consider testing patients with symptoms of acute respiratory illness and high risk conditions for respiratory pathogens to inform patient management. Although treatment for RSV is supportive, diagnostic testing can help identify patients who might benefit from medications to treat other respiratory pathogens, such as COVID-19 and influenza. Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) is the preferred method for testing forrespiratory viruses.6. Healthcare personnel, childcare providers, and staff of long-term care facilities should stay homeand not go to work when they have fever or symptoms of respiratory infection.

Recommendations for the Public
1. Expectant parents, parents of infants under the age of 8 months, and parents with older babies (through age 19 months) at increased risk of severe RSV disease should talk with their healthcare providers about using monoclonal (preventive) antibodies to protect against RSV this season. Infants under the age of 8 months should receive preventive antibodies to protect against RSV this season.

2. Adults ages 60 years and older should talk to their healthcare provider about whether RSV vaccination is appropriate for them.

3. Stay home and away from others when you are sick. If you are at increased risk of severe illness, contact your healthcare provider to see if you would benefit from early diagnostic testing. Treatments for influenza and COVID-19 are available that, if given within days of symptoms starting, can reduce your risk of hospitalization and death.

For More Information• CDC – RSV Information for Healthcare Providers• CDC – RSV National Trends - NREVSS• CDC – RSV Surveillance and Research• CDC – RSV Symptoms and Care• CDC – Preventing RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)• RSV Vaccination: What Older Adults 60 Years of Age and Over Should Know | CDC• Healthcare Providers: RSV Vaccination for Adults 60 Years of Age and Over | CDC• Shared clinical decision-making: RSV Vaccination for Adults 60 Years and Older• Frequently Asked Questions About RSV Vaccine for Adults | CDCReferences1. Hall CB, Weinberg GA, Iwane MK, et al. The burden of respiratory syncytial virus infection inyoung children. New Engl J Med. 2009; 360(6): 588–98.2. McLaughlin JM, Khan F, Schmitt H-J, et al. Respiratory Syncytial Virus–AssociatedHospitalization Rates among US Infants: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Infect Dis.2022; 225(6): 1100-11.3. Hansen CL, Chaves SS, Demont C, Viboud C. Mortality Associated With Influenza andRespiratory Syncytial Virus in the US, 1999-2018. JAMA Network Open. 2022 Feb; 5(2):e220527.4. Thompson WW, Shay DK, Weintraub E, et al. Mortality associated with influenza and respiratorysyncytial virus in the United States. JAMA. 2003; 289(2): 179–86.5. McLaughlin JM, Khan F, Begier E, et al. Rates of medically attended RSV among US adults: asystematic review and meta-analysis. Open Forum Infect Dis. 2022; 9: ofac300.6. Zheng Z, Warren JL, Shapiro ED, et al. Estimated incidence of respiratory hospitalizationsattributable to RSV infections across age and socioeconomic groups. Pneumonia. 2022; 14:6.7. Matias G, Taylor R, Haguinet F, et al. Estimates of mortality attributable to influenza and RSV inthe United States during 1997–2009 by influenza type or subtype, age, cause of death, and riskstatus. Influenza Other Respir Viruses. 2014; 8: 507–15.8. Hamid S, Winn A, Parikh R, et al. Seasonality of Respiratory Syncytial Virus — United States,2017–2023. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2023; 72: 355–361.9. Jones JM, Fleming-Dutra KE, Prill MM, et al. Use of Nirsevimab for the Prevention of RespiratorySyncytial Virus Disease Among Infants and Young Children: Recommendations of the AdvisoryCommittee on Immunization Practices — United States, 2023. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep.2023; 72: 920–925.10. Melgar M, Britton A, Roper LE, et al. Use of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccines in Older Adults:Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices — United States, 2023.MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2023; 72: 793–801.____________________________________________________________________________________Categories of Health Alert Network messagesHealth Alert Conveys the highest level of importance about a public health incident.Health Advisory Provides important information about a public health incident.Health Update Provides updated information about a public health incident.

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

Hi, OP here.
I just wanted to take a moment to thank those who wished me good health during my COVID. I finally tested negative on Sunday which was 6 days after I tested positive. I had all the classic symptoms of body chills, fever, congestion and lethargy. I pretty much spent the week in bed in my pajamas! It's good to be amongst the living again. At 48, I sure can tell that I don't spring back from things like I once could, despite being in excellent health otherwise.
I'm headed back from WI to FL again on September 22nd for another round of Disney magic and MNSSHP. I'm hoping not to bring back COVID this time!
My husband went to the Hallmark store while I was sick and bought me this special mug. When it gets hot, the images fully appear! I enjoyed drinking my peppermint tea in it!

 

[DLgal]

And part of the problem is the cost of tests. When tests first came out, I heard news stories about how inexpensive they were in other countries, just change in US money. Those countries had them inexpensive so people would test regularly, even every day, before they went out. But at $10 a test, there’s no way for families to do that before work & school.

Exactly. I spent hundreds of dollars on tests in the last couple of years. My husband now works at a biotech company and they give them out for free because they have to be really vigilant about an outbreak since they have sterile manufacturing facilities. So they encourage frequent testing for employees and their family members. The tests we get are manufactured and packaged by the parent pharmaceutical company but are not available for sale, so I'm guessing they cost the company pennies to provide.

But at $8-12 each retail, it's a losing battle to encourage people to test at every minor symptom.

 

[DLgal]

I just had to comment on the flu sidebar.

There are 2 types of Flu. Flu A and Flu B. Flu B is usually pretty mild. Flu A will make you wish you were dead.

When you get tested for flu, they test for both and you will know which one you have if you look at the results.

My teens both got Flu A last August and one developed pneumonia within 3 days and the other spiked a 106 degree fever on day 2 of being sick. They were both SO sick. These kids have had every flu shot, and have had flu B twice before. NOTHING was as bad as Flu A for them. They unfortunately got it before the flu shots were even available last year. It was just bad timing.

They both got covid for the first time this summer. Super, super mild for them. They essentially had allergy symptoms.

Viruses are weird.

 

[TinkAgainU]

Anyone who compares Covid to "the flu" has likely never actually had influenza. I've had the actual flu twice in my life and both times I felt like death was imminent. The actual flu is NOT a cold. It is NOT an upper respiratory infection. Influenza sucks so much. My freaking hair hurt!

I used to joke a cold is when you feel crappy for a day or two, the flu is when you are so sick, you are afraid you might die, but with the Real Flu - you desperately wish you could die and get it over with

 

[anniemae]

Hi, OP here.
I just wanted to take a moment to thank those who wished me good health during my COVID. I finally tested negative on Sunday which was 6 days after I tested positive. I had all the classic symptoms of body chills, fever, congestion and lethargy. I pretty much spent the week in bed in my pajamas! It's good to be amongst the living again. At 48, I sure can tell that I don't spring back from things like I once could, despite being in excellent health otherwise.
I'm headed back from WI to FL again on September 22nd for another round of Disney magic and MNSSHP. I'm hoping not to bring back COVID this time!
My husband went to the Hallmark store while I was sick and bought me this special mug. When it gets hot, the images fully appear! I enjoyed drinking my peppermint tea in it!

Good news is that you will have immunity from covid.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Good news is that you will have immunity from covid.

Well, sort of. Just like immunity from the flu, having the disease doesn't mean you won't get it again.

 

[TinkAgainU]

Good news is that you will have immunity from covid.

I am not sure that is correct - getting Covid might give some protection, for some period of time, for that particular strain - and they'd want to discuss with their health provider - but I have personally seen people repeatedly get Covid, sometimes it was actually worse the second or third time.