To answer your mask question, I believe it can NOT penetrate the N99s, N95s, or KN95s. Surgical masks are about the looseness, not the material, so are less effective.
I am immune compromised and recently had surgery, so I have become super vigilant whenever I need to run an errand, like the grocery story. I live in blue Northern Virginia and up until a month ago, over 90% of people were wearing masks indoors; no more. It's like they all have suddenly gotten amnesia, or just beamed down from outer space. In the words of David Bowie, "Ground Control to Major Tom"?
My husband and I sometimes have lunch al fresco at one of our favorite restaurants. Although the tables are sufficiently spaced apart, we go early when it's not crowded (11:15) and ask for a table that is the farthest away from the others.
My husband also occasionally has jam sessions with 3 old friends whom he trusts. Still, he always wears his mask, a promise he made to me. One of the guys who holds the jam sessions at his home attended this year's New Orleans' JazzFest. Of course it was very crowded outside, and he also attended some indoor venues. Seven of the 8 people he went with got Covid; Jim did not.
After he returned from New Orleans, Jim told my husband and the rest of the guys that jam with him that he would make sure he tested negative before they got together again.
I found out much later that Jim only used the Rapid test -- 7 times! As we know, those are not as accurate as the PCR. I've known people with Covid who never tested positive with multiple Rapid tests, even though the PCR confirmed it. Fortunately Jim was fine, but I ask you: if you knew that all of the people who accompanied you on this New Orleans trip tested positive, wouldn't you have at least bothered to get the PCR test?
I'm still scratching my head at that one.
Hello Friends!,
This is all excellent information. Thanks for posting and I'm sorry so many were ill. I do read the forum but rarely post. I had covid in Spring of 2020 and caught it again last week. I am still testing positive. My daughter and I went to a friends party which had been postponed for 2 1/12 years. It was a very large building with about 75 people. While I'm uncomfortable I know I'm very lucky. Now my genepool requires a long and winding story. My real question is how do you interpret it is safe to go back in public? I quarantined in 2020 for 4 weeks. 5 days seems crazy'
The latest variant is certainly is making the rounds, now isn't it? I haven't been posting in a few weeks, but I've been reading as I can. My youngest (trans using pronouns they, them) arrived in town spur of the moment on July 3. It's wonderful as I haven't seen them in over three years. The first year was because I had my parents here, making it a tad crowded, and then there was the pandemic. I've got them underfoot for probably all of July and maybe into August. They work from home, so they just had to pack up their computers and here we are. We waited a week after their arrival to test before going to visit my father (they flew in from Providence-lots of unmasked).
As I noted elsewhere on the board several weeks ago, dad had deteriorated and could no longer stay in assisted living, so he was moved to skilled nursing care. Dad was sort of on overload, and his body did another shutdown (he becomes unresponsive) last week. The doc called me and asked if I would agree that the staff shouldn't send him off in an ambulance to the ER yet again. I concurred. His Parkinson's and MSA have done this before, and when he sleeps like that for a day or so, he wakes with better mental and physical function. It's like somehow when he gets unresponsive, a reset button is pushed while he sleeps. It's now been 2 weeks since his last fall or ER trip.
On the 14th, I woke from a dream of seeing a single pilot military plane crash. It was traumatizing, especially since I didn't see the pilot eject, so I knew he was gone. I felt it was an indication that something big and unavoidable was coming quickly, and I felt it regarded my father. It reminded me of the dream I had of my sister being in a crash just weeks before her unexpected death. I also wondered, since there were only three days until the anniversary of Monica's crash, maybe I was just in crash headspace? Then dad called yesterday, a bit more confused than in the last week. He was angry at being in nursing care vs assisted living, and I couldn't get him to understand the situation. I didn't need the phone call on the anniversary, but it was what it was. Then this morning I got the call-dad has tested positive for Covid. He's currently asymptomatic, but I'm concerned given both his medical issues that can't handle anything upsetting the apple cart and the dreams of late. I guess only time will tell if his vaccinations and boosters can aid him from taking a turn for the worse. Hollis (formerly Brian) and I both tested negative today, fortunately.
I work in long term care as a nurse and we have had outbreaks in all of our buildings in my state.. for three months straight now. At the beginning of this pandemic, we would get an outbreak and after a few weeks, it would be gone. The state tests us weekly and every week there is either a new patient that is positive or a staff member. It’s been mild for the majority as far as symptoms but it’s spreading super easily. We are all donning N95’s. I’ve been in direct contact with a few of the patients and staff prior to their testing positive and some was prolonged contact but I kept my N95 on. I’ve also been in direct contact with patients after they tested positive and with only an N95 and gloves (no gown or face shield) and I’ve been able to manage so far without catching it. It is also possible after having worked in direct contact with COVID over these last two years that I’ve already had it and just didn’t know and maybe still have antibodies. My point is, yes it’s a very virulent strain and N95’s are what are being recommended to us by the state health dept.
I'm with you there. We monitored this year's JazzFest closely, including indoor venues we used to enjoy (Oak Leaf, Tipitina's, Snug Harbor). We have distant acquaintances who went, and my husband, also being a musician who follows lots of other musicians, kept an eye on performers.
MOST of the performers who performed at any indoor venue during the fest got sick. So did most of the audience members who were close to the stage, and many attendees who were further back but unmasked did too.
As far as we know, no one who performed or attended the outdoor stages got sick, and neither did people who chose to mask up in the tents or the grandstand space and restrooms (including the portapotties).
My hubby also continues to play music with a few, trusted people, here in our house where we can control the environment. Our new house has more space for studio stuff, so they can spread out a bit more. I also ask newcomers to test at the door, and to wear a mask in our house if they have been out and about without one lately.
People have been respectful, and have been kind enough to cancel coming to our house not only if they feel sick, but even if they have been around others who are sick, regardless of COVID status.
Do you mind telling me what restaurants with outdoor seating you like? Hubby is in the area right now, and will be going to appointments in Arlington, Springfield, Fairfax, DC this week, and has a rental car. He hasn't been there for biz in about a year, we could use some updated info!
@jeanne-mayell We’ve made two trips to California by plane and wore KN95 masks, once last year and again this past spring. We wore our masks from the time we entered the airport until we arrived at our destination. It’s doable and we didn’t get covid. For both trips we rented a car and ate outdoors. We wore masks in museums and in the common areas of our hotels.
@laura-f, we like Sweetwater Tavern in Fairfax (Merrifield). It's right off Rt. 50, close to Gallows Rd. They have a nice patio. They take online or phone patio reservations at most hours, which I would recommend doing to guarantee outdoor seating. It's hot here now but there always seems to be a breeze on the patio.
Their fish dishes are quite nice and they always feature a daily grilled fish special. We just went there for lunch on my birthday and I had a wonderful grilled grouper dish. Salmon is always on the menu and is prepared well. The only thing I'm not fond of is their veggie burger.
https://sweetwatertavern.pub/swtmerrifield
I will think more about other places and let you know. I'm sure there are a few in Arlington but I haven't been there to eat in a couple of years. I will check with my friends who live there.
@laura-f, to remain on-topic here, I will post any additional restaurants I can recommend under "Rooftop Revolving Lounge-Part II".
@bluebelle I learned this year that I have Lyme Disease. Lots of fatigue. Nonetheless,
I pushed myself so far this year, wearing masks, including K95.
First trip was to Hawaii. With family… No mask around them. They were vaccinated and boosted. Second trip was to Yosemite in June. Wire my mask around people, always inside and sometimes outside. Flew to Sacramento from Portland.
was home for a few days. Had to spend a night at a sleep center. Then went to two concerts in LA, flying there. One third day, went to Universal Studios. Mostly outside, wore my mask inside and mostly outside.
Two weeks later I flew to Nashville. I was once again, one of a few on the plane with a mask. And at the airport, hotel, and outdoor concerts, I wore my K95. It was soooo hot and humid.
Maybe I was lucky, but I was careful, even if I looked out of place. ….esp on a day I rode a scooter cuz of my knees. I think my age has been causing me to push. I’m turning 71 next week, and I think I’ve missed out on enough life as it is. (Anxiety kept me from going many places for years!) I know I don’t want Covid. My first vaccine wiped me out for a month. The booster , 3 weeks. I’m holding off for now on another booster. I don’t want to do more harm than good as I’m also detoxing from lead and mercury!
Anita
In the times I’ve had to fly during the pandemic, I’ve worn a K95 mask the entire journey. Before I leave, I make sure I’m hydrated and have had plenty to eat so that I don’t get thirsty or hungry along the way.
I liken a K95 mask to a bra: it has straps, it’s not exactly comfortable, but it gets the job done, and feels great when you can take it off after a long day. :)
I want to say that I’ve been really happy with the KN95 masks I’ve been able to get from WellBefore (Jeanne had actually initially recommended the company). It is not cheap but I usually use masks multiple times because I have a UV sanitizing box to put them in after use. (Medical professionals also use these kind of boxes, too. But you can determine your own comfort level).
@danielle, I've been using the WellBefore masks for many months and really like them. I especially like the ones with the adjustable ear loops.
President Biden has tested positive for Covid.
May his illness be short lived and may this shine a light back on covid again. The numbers are horrid right now and getting no media coverage. It may be a milder strain in some ways but people are still dying while governments are acting like the economy is the most important thing.
Everyone is acting like it is over. It is NOT over.
According to the Washington Post, we should be extremely concerned about the current numbers of acute infections people are having from covid. Long covid is a big thing.
An in depth Scottish study found that between six and 18 months after infection, 1 in 20 people had not recovered and 42 percent reported partial recovery. There were some reassuring aspects to the results: People with asymptomatic infections are unlikely to suffer long-term effects, and vaccination appears to offer some protection from long covid.
Between 7 million and 23 million Americans — including 1 million who can no longer work — are suffering from the long-term effects of infection with the virus.
The whole article and the findings can be found here. It is worth a read.
This virus is still here! State safe everyone and do what you can to keep healthy.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2022/10/12/long-covid-study-scotland/
@lovendures the good news is that new studies are showing a decreased risk of developing long COVID with each vaccination.
Per the study cited in this article, 2 shots dropped your risk of developing long COVID by 41%. And while I don’t have the article at hand, I did read recently that boosters also improved you odds of not getting long COVID.
https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/covid-19-vaccination-protects-against-long-covid
https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/covid-19-vaccination-protects-against-long-covid
New article by ProPublica indicates that yes, COVID originated in the Wuhan Lab and most likely got out due to incompetence:
To everyone who suspected this in 2020 and whom I poo-pooed - SORRY! you were right!
"Science bad! Burn the lab!" (Homer Simpson)
I’m pretty suspect of that conclusion. Scientists have already surmised the virus make up doesn’t support that outcome. Vanity Fair is who I saw with that article. Haven’t seen the propublica piece
example of just ONE scientist today:
https://twitter.com/peterhotez/status/1585787210581819392?s=46&t=fw2BCbAsQVIEBl6sl6aerQ
That particular scientist posted that to Twitter exactly because he feels that his prior research was dismissed out of hand, he is mentioned in the article. Read the full article.
TLDR:
- It was definitely a bat virus
- That virus was being manipulated in the WIV lab as early as 2018 when the lab opened
- Scientists there were working on a vaccine PRIOR to Fall 2019
- Chinese party/gov officials had been questioning safety measures at that lab
- Lab scientists replied by saying they had insufficient equipment, experience, protocols
- Something happened around Oct-Nov 2019 that caused the Party officials to refer to a "grave situation" at that lab
- The lead scientist at WIV died but no one knows how or why (was it COVID? or execution because he threatened to whistle blow?)
- Clearly the Chinese engaged in a cover-up
- There is a zoonotic origin, however IF it were really spread via animals in the public market, there would be genetic markers of SARS-CoV-2 in other animals in the region, to date there are not, there is only evidence of human to human transmission at the market.
- The Chinese government removed and disappeared ALL the animals at that market before any scientist could adequately study them
- 2003-04 SARS was a lab leak in China as well, well proven.
Listen, I was on the crossover bandwagon until recently. I know people in the US Intelligence community and they are trustworthy. They consistently tell me the Chinese (government, not individuals) are not to be trusted, they will do whatever they can to gain global dominance, and in fact do so regularly, you just don't hear about it.
"Let China sleep, for if she awakes she will shake the world." -- Napoleon Bonaparte
@laura-f That's a hit for me. I don't remember you poo-hooing me, but I have always believed, known, it was started in the Wuhan lab. It's one of those knowings. I stated it here in this forum once, but don't remember when or where. When I read that the World Health Organization had absolutely concluded that it did not start in a lab, I just knew they were wrong. I wish I could know everything as certainly as I knew that.