COVID-19 Outbreak Information Updates (Reboot) [over 150.000,000 US cases (est.), 6,422,520 US hospitilizations, 1,148,691 US deaths.] (2 Viewers)

[sammymvpknight]

On that subject, I saw a write-up about antigen tests earlier today that also covers Omicron duration:

Antigen Tests: Real World Data

Today, after 2 long years, antigen tests are finally available to Americans free of charge. (Actually, yesterday the system secretly went live. More than 900,000 got word and flooded the site in a few hours). Each household can order up to 4 tests on

yourlocalepidemiologist.substack.com

References a few studies covering Omicron duration, indicating a range of times for clearing it across individuals, with one study showing "Roughly 50% of people still had a high viral levels at Day 5 (meaning they were likely infectious)", and UK data indicating "During a 5-day isolation period (and not using an antigen test), there is a 1 in 3 (31%) chance you’re still infectious." (although note that particular UK modelling study referenced was based on Delta data, not Omicron).

But it's pretty clear a significant number of people will still be infectious after five days. When the UK recently switched to being able to end isolation on day 6 with 2 consecutive negative rapid lateral flow results, the Department of Health and Social Care officially stated that "If you leave isolation on day 6, after 5 full days of isolation, between 20% and 30% of people are still infectious. The percentage of those released while infectious is reduced to around 7% if people have 2 consecutive negative tests and then leave isolation from day 6."

Even 7% is quite a lot of people. So yes, a lot of infectious people will be exiting isolation, even with negative tests, let alone positive ones.

I'd view that as too many, resulting in further preventable infections and an unnecessary increase in risk for vulnerable and immunosuppressed people, particularly given that presumably some of those people exiting isolation early while still infectious will be returning to healthcare settings.

But I suspect the calculation isn't about the individual risk, or the risk to those groups, but whether the perceived economic benefit from allowing people to leave isolation earlier outweighs the potential economic hit from additional further infections. And a crude estimate would indicate that while more people will end up isolating (due to more infections), they'll be isolating for less time each, resulting in collectively less time lost to isolation unless there was a very high number of further infections. And in specific areas, like healthcare, which are struggling due to very high numbers isolating, the same sort of calculation would suggest more staff availability overall despite further preventable infections.

So I suspect that's the trade-off being considered, and I'm guessing they view the increased risk to individuals as acceptable given vaccination availability. I'm not so sure, to put it mildly.

If you tie that 7% with a mask it’d be interesting to see how much it is lower. Of course mask wearing is a pretty weak intervention considering that there is a wide variety of masks and differing compliance. For that reason, I doubt you can rely on it heavily.

 

[Arathrael]

If you tie that 7% with a mask it’d be interesting to see how much it is lower. Of course mask wearing is a pretty weak intervention considering that there is a wide variety of masks and differing compliance. For that reason, I doubt you can rely on it heavily.

My guess is typical mask wearing might be fairly effective for short exposures, but less so for longer exposures, like longer journeys on public transport or being in a shared office for hours. Things like ventilation would also be a factor.

As far as the UK goes, we're not relying on masks at all anyway. Mask mandate on public transport, shops, etc., ends next week, the mask wearing we briefly reintroduced (and I mean briefly, it's only been in place for a couple of weeks) for secondary schools is being lifted from tomorrow.

We're also planning to end compulsory self-isolation entirely from 24th March, and that might be brought forward.

Basically betting that vaccination is sufficient to keep cases and severe impact at a tolerable level. Tolerable for who is another question.

 

[hockey2112]

My antigen level was violently positive at day 5.

What do you mean by this? Was it a blazingly fast positive result on a home test? Because that's what I had when I tested positive last week. I didn't even have a chance to walk away from the test to wait the 15 minutes before the pink line blasted into view.

 

[sammymvpknight]

What do you mean by this? Was it a blazingly fast positive result on a home test? Because that's what I had when I tested positive last week. I didn't even have a chance to walk away from the test to wait the 15 minutes before the pink line blasted into view.

That’s exactly what I mean. Crap lit up like a Christmas tree brighter than the control line in about a second. My seven day antigen took about 2-3 minute to get bright enough to convince myself it was still positive.

 

[bigdaddysaints]

My wife woke up to sore thoat, puffy eyes and body aches...
I was like great, now i have to miss anither week of work. She went to the doctor and she was negative for Covid and Flu. Doctor says it is just a Viral infection, i'm assuming they usually say that when they don't have an accurate diagnosis.

 

[bclemms]

My guess is typical mask wearing might be fairly effective for short exposures, but less so for longer exposures, like longer journeys on public transport or being in a shared office for hours. Things like ventilation would also be a factor.

As far as the UK goes, we're not relying on masks at all anyway. Mask mandate on public transport, shops, etc., ends next week, the mask wearing we briefly reintroduced (and I mean briefly, it's only been in place for a couple of weeks) for secondary schools is being lifted from tomorrow.

We're also planning to end compulsory self-isolation entirely from 24th March, and that might be brought forward.

Basically betting that vaccination is sufficient to keep cases and severe impact at a tolerable level. Tolerable for who is another question.

Israel is probably going the same direction and I'm very confident the rest of the world will too in the next few weeks to a month. I'm guessing even Asia starts to remove restrictions even at the risk of an outbreak.

If they are smart the booster push will get put on hold as well so we aren't boosting people with a vaccine that barely slows down transmission, has a short efficacy span with an updated version on the way at a time where we are about to hit really low covid levels. Wasted effort IMO.

I'm not saying we should try to catch Omicron but I will say the longer we can let it hang around the better off we all will be in the long term.

It'll be interesting to see if the summer wave is stunted by immunity levels from this wave or we keep seeing two seasons waves.

Next fall, around the early part of November is when boosters should be pushed again. This thing made a massive leap towards endemic and we should be really thankful. Reminds me of a line in Moneyball, "When your enemy is making mistakes, don't interrupt them". We are at that point with Omicron.

 

[bclemms]

Nocebo responses explain up to 76% of COVID vaccine side effects

Some vaccine side effects are very real, but many may be anxiety and misattribution.

arstechnica.com

Hey stupid, the side effect placebo boom in covid vaccines will be explained when you ask the right questions. This was obvious to me in the summer, time to catch up.

Simply ask the people with side effects which political party they are affiliated with and the answer will be clear. Republicans wanted side effects and something to birch about as it was there way to validate their vaccine resistance. Democrats didn't want to have side effects because it validated their stance. It's really that simple and like everything else about covid, is political.

 

[SaintInBucLand]

Found out I had major exposure to omicon all around me 2-3 weeks ago. Never had anything that I knew about. There was a day or two about a week and a half ago I had some headaches off and on. Just vaxxed and my break through infection of delta back in late July, never got the booster.

 

[Optimus Prime]

Just heard this for first time today
==========================
If you’ve been working at home or not getting out that much during the pandemic, it may have seemed like the perfect time to grow out a beard. Why go through the bother of shaving if you don’t have to, right?

Experts say, however, that your added facial hair might just be increasing your risk for developing COVID-19.

It’s all about getting a good seal between the mask and your face, according to Dr. Anthony M. Rossi, FAAD, a board certified dermatologist and a member of the American Academy of Dermatology.

“The thing about beards and masking,” said Rossi, “is that if you have a very bushy beard that goes in the area where a mask covers and over your jaw line and onto your neck, it can create an improper seal with the mask, thereby allowing particles and airflow to go between you and the mask.”

This means that any virus-containing droplets that you breathe out when speaking, coughing, or sneezing can escape through the opening around the edges of your mask.

This also means that any droplets breathed out by those around you could make their way inside your mask.

If these droplets enter your mouth or nose, it makes it more likely that you’ll contract the virus…….

Everything You Should Know About the 2019 Coronavirus and COVID-19

Learn all about the 2019 coronavirus and COVID-19. Get the facts on symptoms, risk factors, treatment, prevention, masks, and more.

www.healthline.com

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/pdfs/facialhairwmask11282017-508.pdf

 

[Optimus Prime]

What the hell is wrong with people? I mean I was a minister for a lot of years, and rubbing my own spit in someone's face never once entered my mind.

Vision from God? I think not. Lol. At least it was his brother and not some random individual in the audience.

 

[SaintInBucLand]

Just heard this for first time today
==========================
If you’ve been working at home or not getting out that much during the pandemic, it may have seemed like the perfect time to grow out a beard. Why go through the bother of shaving if you don’t have to, right?

Experts say, however, that your added facial hair might just be increasing your risk for developing COVID-19.

It’s all about getting a good seal between the mask and your face, according to Dr. Anthony M. Rossi, FAAD, a board certified dermatologist and a member of the American Academy of Dermatology.

“The thing about beards and masking,” said Rossi, “is that if you have a very bushy beard that goes in the area where a mask covers and over your jaw line and onto your neck, it can create an improper seal with the mask, thereby allowing particles and airflow to go between you and the mask.”

This means that any virus-containing droplets that you breathe out when speaking, coughing, or sneezing can escape through the opening around the edges of your mask.

This also means that any droplets breathed out by those around you could make their way inside your mask.

If these droplets enter your mouth or nose, it makes it more likely that you’ll contract the virus…….

Everything You Should Know About the 2019 Coronavirus and COVID-19

Learn all about the 2019 coronavirus and COVID-19. Get the facts on symptoms, risk factors, treatment, prevention, masks, and more.

www.healthline.com

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/pdfs/facialhairwmask11282017-508.pdf

This just in... CDC says you have to shave your beard.

 

[superchuck500]

Just heard this for first time today
==========================
If you’ve been working at home or not getting out that much during the pandemic, it may have seemed like the perfect time to grow out a beard. Why go through the bother of shaving if you don’t have to, right?

Experts say, however, that your added facial hair might just be increasing your risk for developing COVID-19.

It’s all about getting a good seal between the mask and your face, according to Dr. Anthony M. Rossi, FAAD, a board certified dermatologist and a member of the American Academy of Dermatology.

“The thing about beards and masking,” said Rossi, “is that if you have a very bushy beard that goes in the area where a mask covers and over your jaw line and onto your neck, it can create an improper seal with the mask, thereby allowing particles and airflow to go between you and the mask.”

This means that any virus-containing droplets that you breathe out when speaking, coughing, or sneezing can escape through the opening around the edges of your mask.

This also means that any droplets breathed out by those around you could make their way inside your mask.

If these droplets enter your mouth or nose, it makes it more likely that you’ll contract the virus…….

Everything You Should Know About the 2019 Coronavirus and COVID-19

Learn all about the 2019 coronavirus and COVID-19. Get the facts on symptoms, risk factors, treatment, prevention, masks, and more.

www.healthline.com

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/pdfs/facialhairwmask11282017-508.pdf

The CDC put this out in February 2020:

 

[Optimus Prime]

The CDC put this out in February 2020:

I see the Fu Manchu is now the Wet Noodle

 

[SaintInBucLand]

The CDC put this out in February 2020:

I never knew Hitler had a toothbrush style stache.

 

[CajunInVA]

That’s exactly what I mean. Crap lit up like a Christmas tree brighter than the control line in about a second. My seven day antigen took about 2-3 minute to get bright enough to convince myself it was still positive.

Mine blew up like that too. I was in the time of delta, though.
It’s been 3 months since I had it. I had lost smell/taste a few days into it but that seemed to get better after a month or so. Now, all of a sudden, my sense of taste has gone haywire in the last two weeks. Peanut butter and rice smell and taste weird - two of my favorites. And now I smell a burning odor at different times.