Covid-19 discussion thread

[pulisa]

I don't think you should lose any sleep over how badly he is affected!

Any news, Glassgirl? How are you coping?

[glassgirlw]

Oh I’m good, thanks for asking P! Still have a little stuffiness but my cough is very productive, not dry at all. Feels no different than the normal summer head cold I get on occasion. Actually seems to be passing faster than most colds I get, which means maybe my improved diet and vitamin regimen over the last few months is benefiting me in more ways than one lol! I appreciate you thinking of me!!

[pulisa]

Oh I do! Things must be pretty tough for you what with the watching and waiting but it's good to hear that the symptoms are passing very quickly and covid has been swerved! A big relief!

[fishman65]

That's great to hear glassgirl. It does make me wonder if by swerving the virus, do we actually avoid inhaling viral particles? Or do we inhale them, but the vaccine-induced immunity knocks them on the head? Probably questions impossible to answer If the latter, it would suggest the vaccines are at least providing some ​protection?

[glassgirlw]

I really do think it’s the latter, Fishman. I think we’re exposed just like anyone else, but the antibodies produced by the vaccine keep the virus from either ever developing, or if it does develop, keep the symptoms very mild. There are exceptions of course and those that are severely immunocompromised may not have as strong of antibody response to the vaccine. All the more reason for everyone that can, to get vaccinated! The last thing we need is more mutations that eventually may become vaccine resistant.

[spectrum123]

My boss has a 2 year old who caught covid. Obviously with that age there's a lot of cuddles involved when they get ill. Both him and his wife where sure they'd get it, and regularly did pcr test when their son had one. Not a single positive test from either parents. They've put it down to the jab.

[MyNameIsTerry]

Yes you're right Lenco. It makes me wonder though how they can manage to vaccinate all the over 50s and 12 to 15s before winter sets in. And then there's the flu jab to administer?

Anyway tested negative again this morning and no symptoms as of typing this. Son has flown off the handle though because none of us here have phoned him today.

Glad to hear you are all doing ok. It must be such a worry with MrsF's conditions.

I would think your son would be more concerned whether he's passed it on. I know I would be.

My dad was picking up some prescriptions at the pharmacy yesterday. They offered him the flu jab. When he explained they always get it via the GP the staff said our surgery was too busy. Makes you wonder what with since GPs saw their workloads decline due to Covid. And they ain't doing vaccinations anymore.

I was telling a paramedic, who was quite critical of GPs hiding away, about how a district nurse once rang from our house to get a GP opinion on my mum. The GPs had all finished for the day...nearly 2 hours earlier than their closing time pre Covid. So we had to be referred to an emergency out of hours specialist nursing team. What a waste of their valuable time. But they were really good so we got a better result than from our surgery anyway. This was late last year.

The paramedics were here a month ago. I was surprised how negative they were to us about GPs. Not surprised they thought they didn't deserve the thanks paramedics, nurses and hospital doctors fully deserve.

[Catkins]

Fishman65 - I can't remember if I posted already but before Christmas I was in a car with a colleague on and off for about 2 1/2 hours, didn't always have a mask on because we had a drink and snacks in the car) she tested positive 3 days later, I had a negative PCR 5 days after exposure, at that point still had to isolate, never got it (I was having monthly antibody tests at that time). It was the day after my first vaccine so that wouldn't have been effective at that point.

[Pamplemousse]

The paramedics were here a month ago. I was surprised how negative they were to us about GPs. Not surprised they thought they didn't deserve the thanks paramedics, nurses and hospital doctors fully deserve.

That negative view of GPs is pretty widespread - a good number of hospital staff think much the same.

I went to get my flu jab today at the GP practice - it was held in the reception area and the queue was *huge*. All very efficient (you remained standing to be jabbed) but could have done without the forty-something drunk/drugged-up/loved-up tw@ making a nuisance of himself amongst us. In the end a nurse dragged him out of the way. Knew I should have gone to the pharmacy.

Whilst I was there I noticed that now, only three people were allowed in the waiting area. It used to hold over a hundred.

[fishman65]

I really do think it’s the latter, Fishman. I think we’re exposed just like anyone else, but the antibodies produced by the vaccine keep the virus from either ever developing, or if it does develop, keep the symptoms very mild. There are exceptions of course and those that are severely immunocompromised may not have as strong of antibody response to the vaccine. All the more reason for everyone that can, to get vaccinated! The last thing we need is more mutations that eventually may become vaccine resistant.

I agree glassgirl, with the delta variant being as infectious as chicken pox, I can't see how I couldn't have been exposed. It sheds a 1000 times as much virus as the original Wuhan strain by all accounts. And he was here in our living room before and after. Plus his partner is STILL testing negative.

He has a little sense of taste come back though feels breathless if he does too much. He also feels irritated by some of his friends who have broken covid rules since day 1 and yet not contracted the virus. Isn't that always the way?