The CDC’s reported COVID wastewater levels by state show that viral activity is currently “Very High” in Hawaii and “High” in Utah, Wyoming, and Maine. Wastewater levels are “Low” or “Minimal” across all other reporting states and territories as of May 23
I just killed a microscopic spider suspended from the ceiling in front of my face. I've investigated the entire area & don't see any more baby spiders but now I'm going to have to assume any tiny twinge I feel is a tiny spider crawling on me.... Which isn't fun because I STILL HAVE SHINGLES! 😭 Do everything you can to avoid shingles. #getVaccinated
“A new study has analysed 26 RATs from Australia and Canada, finding only six could effectively detect the lowest concentrations of COVID-19… Researchers from James Cook University (JCU) say they were left ‘shocked’ after an analysis of 26 RATs from Australia and Canada found just six were effective at detecting the lowest concentration of COVID-19. One Canadian test failed to detect the COVID-19 protein entirely at any level of concentration… the six best performing RATs included the Canadian-approved BTNX Cassette, Flowflex, Medsup,... Fanttest, Innoscreen, and Juschek… BTNX, PCL, Medriva, Medomics, PanBio (Australia), PanBio (Canada), SDBiosensor, StandardQ, and Touchbio [are] the least responsive tests.”
“New data shows thousands of patients caught COVID in Victorian public hospitals in the past two years — and hundreds died… Almost one in 10 patients who caught COVID in hospital died… almost six per week, on average.”
Yet another good reason to avoid repeat infections...
COVID can quietly linger in your body long after getting sick. What does that mean?
researchers analyzed blood samples from 171 adults who had been infected by the virus. They found that one-quarter of these people had COVID proteins in their blood up to one year after their initial infection.
the CDC said it was okay for vaccinated people to ditch their masks in most places. But people were clearly still getting sick—including Alex, who got COVID-19 for the first time in late 2021 and later developed Long COVID symptoms.
Unless they're someone who still takes reasonable precautions, people who tell you they've only had Covid once or twice need to be asked, "How many times did you not test for it when you felt sick?".
"Did they go to their doctor for a PCR?"
Many people also still use outdated Covid test kits as I have found absolutely do NOT give an accurate positive test, never mind the false negatives of not testing properly...
And yet another study shows that there can be viral persistence in the body long after a Covid infection seems to be over:
COVID Virus Can Remain in the Body Over a Year
In their research on long COVID, the scientists found COVID antigens in the blood for up to 14 months after infection and in tissue samples for more than 2 years after infection.
Scolding people to "get vaccinated" is one of the most counter-productive things you can do. Its only practical purpose is to make you feel superior. Measles, Covid and other diseases aren't spreading because "people" are "being stupid". They're spreading because of your government's decision to stop doing public health, which included real community vaccination outreach. Not scolding. #measles#CovidIsNotOver#WearAMask#getvaccinated
Is It Dangerous to Keep Getting COVID-19?
Spoiler - you bet it is
infectious-disease experts are warning that repeat infections could have cumulative, lasting effects.
... found that people who had gotten COVID-19 at least twice experienced higher rates of short- and long-term health effects, including heart, lung, and brain issues, compared to those who were only infected once.
The CDC is accepting public comment for their next vaccine committee meeting through today, February 22. Let them know that all of us need access to COVID vaccines at least twice a year.
Recommend updated COVID vaccines for all ages AND
Strengthen our vaccine drive by recommending more frequent boosting (at least every six months) and more frequent updates to the vaccines, adjusted for the latest variants.
From @fitterhappierAJ
Reactivated TB is a Bellweather for Covid's Immune Harm
People have fervently denied Covid harms immunity beyond the extent of what a common cold may do. They conveniently ignore mountains of evidence of viral reactivation in the acute phase, greater risk of Herpes reactivation, and some, scoff at the heightened risk of reactivated TB.
WTF?
CDC plans to drop five-day covid isolation guidelines
The plan to further loosen isolation guidance when the science around infectiousness has not changed is likely to prompt strong negative reaction from vulnerable groups, including people older than 65, those with weak immune systems and long covid patients
Within the past week, I've had two friends' mothers die unexpectedly. Within the past month, I've also lost a family member unexpectedly. None of them were sick.
Open the Boston Globe today, and they're wondering why a young runner dropped dead after a marathon last year. I keep hearing of "unexpected deaths" in so many news cycles.
I wonder what recent virus may have contributed to this...🤔
Measles has exploded in Europe and it's only a matter of time before outbreaks hit Canada
Measles spreads easily through the air, leads to high hospitalization rates, and can cause a hacking cough, high fever and a prominent rash. Infections can cause blindness, deafness, or immune system impacts that leave people vulnerable to other infections. In more serious cases, it leads to pneumonia, brain damage, and death.
You remember a couple of months ago, when I reported that #COVID19 had killed 1600 Americans in the preceding week? (And a bunch of anti-vaxxers lost their minds in the comments?)
And then about a month ago, it was 2000/week?
Well, last week, #Covid killed 3397 Americans. Call it basically 3400. Up from only 2563 the week before.
I've been contemplating how to post this. I've been studying #Covid19 since the original outbreak as I was getting my degree in Public Health at the time. Knowing the damage it can cause, I have gone to great lengths to protect myself, family , and patients.
But like I've always taught, the weakest link is not usually in ourselves, it's in others. A family member unintentionally brought the virus home.
1/?
34/? Day 15...wow
Still testing covid positive. Same basic symptoms EXCEPT:
I've been careful not to exert myself as we know that covid+ patients can do more harm than good by pushing themselves. Needed to do some moderate physical activity for about 1.5 hours. By the end, I was nauseous with a headache because my BP had spiked again. I can only hope this condition is temporary.
The thing about very cold weather is you can see the plumes of people's breaths and how large and far they reach. Now imagine that is full of highly contagious viruses that might wreck your health, even kill you or someone you care about. #WearAMask#GetVaccinated #Covid#Flu#ViralPneumonia