20 thoughts on “C-19 Chat Post – August 8 2021”

  1. JPD. Were you ever able to find the numbers you need to calculate the actual rate of breakthrough numbers ranging from mild to hospitalization to death.

      1. I didn’t either. I’d be happy to look but don’t want to make extra work fit you. Also I have a new fish to show you. One sec. I’ll put on regular page.

  2. National vaccination rate = 50%
    MA vaccination rate = 75%

    National cases = 100,000
    Florida cases = 134,000+

  3. Lisa has self-tests, so I took one and it’s negative. Relief, indeed. Still need to do the formal test tomorrow. It’s crazy busy in places,so I try to avoid the indoors but with the rain … I am enjoying myself, and seeing my daughter is a blessing. It’s just my natural state of high anxiety is heightened.

    1. Joshua, wonderful news and I love that you are enjoying visiting with your daughter. I’m sure my state of anxiety would be heightened as well as that of many others. Just natural with all that is going on around us. It is great that you could take a home test

  4. Joshua, glad that you are enjoying your visit!

    Just wondering, with those self-tests are you able to show proof should you be asked? Or do you have to wait to take the formal test?

    1. Great question. I still have to take a formal test tomorrow with a certified provider. So, tomorrow is the last test. Also have to fill out an attestation form for the U.S.

      The self-tests are sent to every British resident – 5 tests per month, free. It really is a good system for peace of mind.

      What got me worried was when I went into a children’s book store to get a gift for people who are taking care of my cat, I struck up a conversation with the book seller who is Canadian. She said her husband had just tested positive 2 months after being fully vaccinated with Pfizer. He had to self-isolate in a room in another house, as he was symptomatic. Then a customer chimed in to say that her uncle just had a breakthrough with milder symptoms and also had to self-isolate for 10 days (he was fully vaxxed with Pfizer, too). She then said “yeah, it’s all over the place, you can’t escape it.” I must have turned pale white at that point, as I really was convinced I had a breakthrough. I still might, who knows.

      1. That is interesting about the self-test kits.

        I know that if I was in that situation in the book store I would have broken out in a cold sweat.

        I wish you all the best!

  5. Sobering article. See link below. In the U.S., this wave is much worse than most experts predicted. I’m glad Topol admits this. I wish Gottlieb would. I think his being on the board for Pfizer prevents him from doing so. I think we’re headed for >1,000 per day at a certain point next week. I must say that’s simply unbelievable. What will the fall bring? Gosh. I just don’t know. https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2021/08/too-many-people-are-dying-of-covid-19-right-now.html

  6. I was passing by the Northeastern campus and there was a sign in their quad that states that students who are fully vaccinated do not have to participate in weekly COVID tests.

    I work Security at Mass. Art just down the street on Huntington Ave. and we all have to do weekly COVID tests in addition to being fully vaccinated, and still wear masks indoors. Wentworth next door is the same in that regard, except fully vaccinated do not have to be masked indoors.

    Too many different rules, no real uniformity. Not just colleges but public spaces in general. It’s no wonder cases keep rising.

    1. Sadly, I am afraid that the “honor system” must go. Who knows how many unvaccinated are following the “guidelines” for the vaccinated and taking advantage?

    1. Well it’s pretty close to getting there here . All nursing home workers now must be I think by October, and most hospitals are or will be mandating it ( my work just mandated it ) also all federal employees need to be so I guess that would be the VA ( I suspect the VA is federal is that correct ,

  7. Good news is my rapid antigen test – official – is also negative. I will use this certificate for my return flight on Thursday. Figured I’d get it as soon as I could. It’s valid 3 calendar days prior to flight. I’ll still be careful, but feel a bit relieved.

    Masking here is more rational than in Massachusetts. You see more masking on the street (outside) and also indoors (much more) than in Massachusetts. Also more intentional distancing. It’s crowded on the streets and indoors, but people clearly want to distance, and really give you space (wish this could become a thing, also post Covid). But in the parks you never see masks. I think this is a rational approach to masking.

    I’m convinced that the lower death rate in the current Delta wave here in the UK is not just a function of a more rational approach to vaccination (making sure the at-risk groups are vaccinated – >96% now, compared to 81% in U.S.), but also a much better testing regimen. Britain currently tests 3x what the U.S. tests. The U.S. is testing 50% of what it did in May! The free at-home tests sent to everyone (5 per month) really ensure people can self-diagnose prior to becoming severely ill. Proper and timely diagnosis is key. The U.S. still doesn’t test well, rationally, or in a timely manner. No difference with the Trump Administration. In fact, testing has gotten worse under Biden. Yes, sadly to say Biden has dropped the ball on Covid-19. You can’t wish it away, you need to tackle it head on with a rational set of tools that one implements systematically.

    One other tool to mention is contact tracing. Almost every place I’ve gone contact tracing is officially registered: Cafes, AirBnB, test sites, offices. We have nothing remotely close to this in the U.S. Flying blind and it shows.

  8. Travel in Covid times is expensive; prohibitively so for many. Not only $400 worth of tests per person, but also travel/health insurance, which you really need in case you get stuck. Then there are the bank fees for using your ATM card. I’ve already been hit with several of these. I got cash (UK pounds) prior to coming here, but can’t spend it at many places. They won’t accept cash due to Covid. So, I’m using my bank cards, but have noticed several international transaction fees of $5 each.

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