Coronavirus

The government provides tests to the public which we are advised to use twice a week. Returning to the country requires you to buy an identical testing kit from a private health company at a massively inflated cost. There is no option to buy from the government stocks and relieve the burden on the taxpayer

Just heard that my new boss (replaced my friend who died from cancer a couple of months ago) is now in hospital following Covid related complications. I think if they ever offer me the job I'll pass. That said, I did it for four months, so maybe I'm already doomed.

Don't leave it too long!

Thanks. I've got an O2 monitor and that's saying my oxygen levels are okay which is the main thing. Last night they dipped when I couldn't catch my breath, but not to panic levels. I'm wondering wether its something as simple as the new bedding I put on the bed yesterday. Maybe it triggered my asthma for some reason (its the same detergent as always though).

I have been under a fair bit of stress (haven't we all) and yesterday was busy as I had to go to a parish council meeting to take notes where the locals were complaining about a proposed new build. So maybe its over doing it and a bit of a panic attack thing.

However, I'm watching things and if it doesn't settle down soon, (I've used my steroid inhaler now) then I'll call someone. At the moment, its just a case of having to take deep breaths every few breaths.

Edit: Settling down since the steroid, so something triggered my asthma in the middle of the night. Maybe even the central heating coming on for all I know. Once upon a time I'd have just assumed it was that, now its a "omg, I've got Covid". Still, at least there are no zombies on the streets just yet. 

If you're on something like Fostair (pink), paramedics advised me that it was OK to take puffs of that as necessary if experiencing persistent shortness of breath.

But yeah, don't hold off. I had an ambulance round a couple of years back because my reliever wasnt' doing the job. They gave me oxygen and a nebuliser for ~90 mins

I'm on fostair (or a variant of) two puffs, twice a day. I've got salbutamol for when I get a problem like this. I'm keeping tabs on it and my O2 levels. Last time I was like this was when I had suspected covid in December.

Just looked at the world wide vaccination and there's been almost 8 billion doses given and getting on for half the world (42%) are fully vaccinated now.

Japan has a culture of mask wearing which might be helping them. Apparently they also have a madatory TB jab which uses an older strain of vaccine which is thought to increase resistance to other pathogens. They're not sure yet if this is the reason. There's also that Japanese don't have the whole handshaking and hugging culture. They also wonder if its genetics or (unlikely) that they had a very mild covid some time ago.

The booster effect is really positive but just like with 2nd vaccinations my worry is we are just focusing infections into young people and specifically children. Something in the news today about Israel (ahead of us in Boosters) now has 40% of their total infections in children under 12. Yes, I know the chances of severe illness/death is lower in that cohort but long Covid is still an issue and a public health solution that doesn't include protecting children seems maybe unethical?

Torn on the issue though as there's also a case for acquired immunity through infection at an age range where people have the greatest chance of mild infection.

8585 cases today here in Switzerland, following exactly in Austria's footsteps.
The fucking state of this country...

No, of course not but the virus will find it harder to infect vaccinated people or the infection will not be able to take hold. There are less symptomatic infections in vaccinated (especially 3 doses) individuals than in the non vaccinated eg children.

A triple dosed people has 93% protection against symptomatic infection. An 11 year old has zero percent protection.

And how does any of that “focus infection into young people”?

Thanks Gremmi. Good one.

Focuses symptomatic infection into young people. And despite being the resident "pophealth expert"? I don't know why but as vaccine coverage has increased in older cohorts, incidence of infection have increased in younger cohorts. As stated by another poster, it may be because vaccinated individuals are less likely to have any symptoms and therefore less likely to get tested so it just looks like there's a higher incidence rate in the young.

As a parent to two children I just thought the news today from Israel was interesting...and yet again rebelled against Gremmis decree that this thread is exclusively for personal stories of Covid.

40% of cases in Israel amonst kids aged 12 and under is woeful misinformation?