COVID tips
With so many of us now, simply shrugging and giving up on being careful about COVID - prompted by government and business leading the way down this dangerous path (especially dangerous for the many of us who cannot get vaccinated) - it’s sad that the reality at this stage, is that you’d have to be in a bubble to avoid getting it. N95 masks provide decent protection - to the people on the outside of the mask. That’s the best we’ve got - and many of the people who should most be wearing them, are the people who care the least, so aren’t.
So we’ll all likely get it - and with that in mind:
- get all the boosters you can, as soon as they’re available to you
- don’t wait on a booster since this will increase your risk AND delay your ability to get the next one, which may be even better and/or more targeted
- manage risk as best possible; minimize time in closed rooms, especially with poor ventilation
- for recent variants, the amount of exposure to become infected, is about 60 seconds
- test early and often, especially after anything you think even MIGHT have been risky
- tests are generally covered by healthcare plans, or otherwise available at no additional cost - get as many as you are allowed, and use them
- PCR tests are the gold standard, and pick up infection sooner than antigen tests
- PCR tests will also show positive, for awhile afterward (because you’ve still got it in you)
- there are no at-home PCR tests; they require more advanced lab equipment and expertise
- LAMP tests are _similar to PCR; they look for the same thing in a different way
- PCR tests are still available at no additional cost, usually run by the state
- antigen tests are useful to show if you’re at a high enough level that you should isolate
- antigen tests will take awhile after infection, to show positive; test >5 days after exposure
- antigen tests are also useful after you’ve had it, and are no longer symptomatic, to show when it’s safe to exit isolation (even when a PCR might show positive)
- test results are no longer tracked in even a remotely comprehensive way, so those stats are dubious at best
- we DO have treatment options - and you need to prepare NOW to be able to use them
- for instance, Paxlovid is apparently most/only useful, immediately after infection
- so have that conversation with your doctor NOW, to know how to get it as soon as you need it, since you can get it only on their say-so
- the treatments (like Paxlovid) have significant potential side-effects and drug interactions; check those carefully - also good to do NOW, before you’re in the throws
Last: Please point out any errors I’ve made above, or any additions / questions / comments - best way to get through this, is TOGETHER. ❤️