It shouldn’t be surprising that forcing COVID+ HCWs back to work leads to more COVID+.

https://www.businessinsider.com/hospitalized-people-getting-covid-from-infected-doctors-nurses-2022-1

1) I love Princess Bride! I remember seeing it when it first came out.

2) I felt bad for the passengers, but he may have had it up when they first got in. It was frigid yesterday, so waiting for another taxi would be unpleasant. There is usually a plexiglass barrier. If the trip is short enough, there may not have been enough time for any possible viruses to spread. Opening both car doors would work well to ventilate the back.

I used to watch it so often I could say the lines!

I can avoid taxis, but sometimes I’ve had to take the commuter train. Then I sit near the doors. With omicron around I only go to medical appointments mostly by our own car.

The QC leaders have decided that even with the death rate at its highest since last winter they will loosen restrictions. University students are going on strike.

This is from Australia, but it's probably pretty representative of the situation everywhere:

Source:

The simple numbers every government should use to fight anti-vaccine misinformation

We need clean air like we have clean water. It will help prevent future pandemics.

And history repeats itself! Very interesting article.

Wish we had these kits (with N95 masks) distributed everywhere, but we completely missed highlighting the message that “information and instructions WILL change during the pandemic."

I woke up with a sore throat on Sunday and tested positive for Covid on Monday. It’s a breakthrough case - I had my first 2 Pfizer vaccines last March and was boosted in November. The good news is that it’s presenting as a head cold with sore throat. No fever and lungs are clear so far. I started feeling a little better this afternoon so hoping that continues. I know some people who will spin it as proof that vaccination doesn’t work but I feel the opposite is true. It appears to be a milder case that is not requiring medical intervention or hospitalization - just OTC medication and rest. I am also older (63) and have high blood pressure so while not considered “high risk” for complications from Covid I don’t think I’m in a low risk group either. Stay safe out there all

I know of dozens of mild breakthrough cases. I also know of 2 breakthrough (fully vaxxed and boosted) cases in healthy adults (mid 50s) which required hospitalization. Short stays, no ventilation. People need to understand that the medical definition of "mild" is often still no walk in the park. Both those patients are grateful to have not had "serious " cases.

I am increasingly disappointed in the men (predominantly) who willingly risk their lives for the rest of us daily. I wish police and fire would see that the simple act of wearing a mask in the subway is as lifesaving as their heroics. And also that as enforcers, they should be models.

I just wish people would understand. This is not about YOU. it is about everyone. Sorry your parents were bossy so you won't take directions. It's not a choice about YOUR body if you plan on breathing near another human. Just get vaccinated already!!! Look at history! I know I am preaching to the choir here. Just venting.

We have not had covid yet in our house, but we live like it's 2020 still. I can wfh and my husband is on chemotherapy and retired. He's had the vaccines plus a booster but still has very low immunity. Hoping for a fourth shot for him this spring.

Ottawa omicronvoy is ongoing, but similar protests around Canada have been nipped in the bud. Getting insurance companies involved will help.

In Olympic news, Canada women's hockey beat Russians while wearing KN95 masks (Layfield 95PFE-L3 KN95 Respirator Mask - have these 👍). After seeing a figure skater drop out due to becoming COVID+, it makes sense.

😷 🇨🇦💪

Wrenn, I'm sorry. Anxiety about ANYTHING is such a dark and dragging shadow. Sending mental sunshine your direction.

Well, we're all going out somehow. Having a sudden stroke at home ain't the worst I can think of, even the lying rotting on the floor part, which cracked me up.

Wrenn, can you get a brain MRI to be sure? I don’t want to add to any anxiety but brain mets can be sneaky.

Awww thank you you guys. I did a zoom meditation just now and that helped. I do have ativan but try to hold out on taking it.

I am better off than most when it comes to cancer or having to go out during a pandemic so I shouldn't even complain but it was interesting to me how I mostly figured the first year or so that I really didn't need medical care and thought of the old days when we had to pay for medical care and would put more thought into seeking it.

I am sure I am fine and just have some regular old thing that most people ignore and hearing from you guys really made a huge difference.

Illimae when it comes to MRI I really would choose being eaten by a cat. I am soooo claustrophobic. I am terrified of those. :-)

I can't have a cat because of loss of balance/neuropathy cause I would fall bending to feed or do litter duty and trip and fall too often. I am going to see if I can add a pic of Richard (former cat) He was 18 lbs so could probably consume at least a leg.

I think I will take an ativan tonight.

Wrenn, I've been thinking about what you said while I puttered around. It occurred to me that you're really brave to admit all of that. I have a lot of similar thoughts but I can't say them to anyone, not even my doctors. Especially my doctors. My fear of being thought a hypochondriac is worse than my fear of cancer or other medical issues. I just wait until my next scheduled appointment to bring up anything - and I usually don't bring it up, thinking that it can wait until the next 6-month or 1-year appointment, or it will go away on its own. I'll bring up a few things with my PCP, but it's usually the least scary thing on my list. I guess it's because I was raised in a house where the reaction to injuries was "Don't bleed on anything!" and to illness was "Take an aspirin and quit complaining!"

Stoicism sucks.

Edited to add, what a gorgeous cat! I'm sorry you can't have one now.