Has Omicron changed your Christmas Plans?

[MaisOuiMadame]

Thank you @kipari..Do you mean rub the swab towards the back of the nostril after it’s inserted? I was going to roll it around the whole inside of nostril..but not going too deep..I‘m going to test myself first to get the hang of it.
Big hugs back to you!

The swab needs to be rolled in one nostril and it needs to go backwards towards the throat area (not tooooo deep either) In other nostril. If you've ever done saline nose rinses you might have noticed that those aren't supposed to be administered upwards but towards the neck. Same direction goes for the swab.

 

[MaisOuiMadame]

( our au pair has worked in a test centre for 8 weeks. I have bought the same brand antigen tests the official test centre here uses and she has given me an in-depth tutorial..... The tests are very reliable. Most people just don't go far enough on themselves.... Good signs you went far enough: tearing up a bit and /or heavy sneezing)


But don't hurt yourself either!!!

 

[MamaBee]

( our au pair has worked in a test centre for 8 weeks. I have bought the same brand antigen tests the official test centre here uses and she has given me an in-depth tutorial..... The tests are very reliable. Most people just don't go far enough on themselves.... Good signs you went far enough: tearing up a bit and /or heavy sneezing)


But don't hurt yourself either!!!

Thank you! The instructions say not to go too deep but I’ll make sure I go back a bit more! I want them to be accurate..

 

[MaisOuiMadame]

Thank you! The instructions say not to go too deep but I’ll make sure I go back a bit more! I want them to be accurate..

I'm sure you'll do it perfectly !!!!! Another round of hugs just because!

You're my hero, I admire what you do as a caregiver to your mom, son and whole family. There's just not enough jewelry in the world to make it up to you!!

 

[MamaBee]

I'm sure you'll do it perfectly !!!!! Another round of hugs just because!

You're my hero, I admire what you do as a caregiver to your mom, son and whole family. There's just not enough jewelry in the world to make it up to you!!

Thank you so much @kipari..That’s the sweetest thing to say! Big huge hugs back to you!

 

[Calliecake]

@MamaBee, My niece was sick for close to 2 weeks and the headache and body aches were bad, she also lost her sense of taste and smell on day 6. I think she threw up a day too. it was strange becomes some days her nose ran non-stop and other days not at all. She also started coughing the first day but that wasn’t bad and the cough came and went over the time she was sick. This happened before the Omicron variant was reported here. She is 31. She is NOT Vaccinated.

My SIL also got it at a few days later. She is vaccinated and also had her booster shot. She felt bad for about 3 days. She slept a lot, was achy and had a temp that did not go over 100 and I think she only had the fever for 2 days. She felt back to normal after that 3rd day. She described it as a mild flu and was happy she slept a lot.

I wish I knew what to say about Christmas and bringing your mom home. I don’t want you, your husband or David getting sick.

i second @Kipari’s thoughts on you being a hero. You do a wonderful job of taking care of everyone in your family.

 

[MamaBee]

@MamaBee, My niece was sick for close to 2 weeks and the headache and body aches were bad, she also lost her sense of taste and smell on day 6. I think she threw up a day too. it was strange becomes some days her nose ran non-stop and other days not at all. She also started coughing the first day but that wasn’t bad and the cough came and went over the time she was sick. This happened before the Omicron variant was reported here. She is 31. She is NOT Vaccinated.

My SIL also got it at a few days later. She is vaccinated and also had her booster shot. She felt bad for about 3 days. She slept a lot, was achy and had a temp that did not go over 100 and I think she only had the fever for 2 days. She felt back to normal after that 3rd day. She described it as a mild flu and was happy she slept a lot.

I wish I knew what to say about Christmas and bringing your mom home. I don’t want you, your husband or David getting sick.

i second @Kipari’s thoughts on you being a hero. You do a wonderful job of taking care of everyone in your family.

@Calliecake I think I remember you being upset someone in your family wasn't vaccinated. I’m glad it’s behind her now. Your SIL proves that the vaccine does help with the severity if you get it.
Thank you for your kind words. I’m not a hero..I’m just a mom. Everyone would do what I do if they had David and my mom. I just plug along like everyone else. I do appreciate the nice words though..

 

[Austina]

@MamaBee, hoping everyone is safe and well. I had a cold just before we went away. I knew it was a cold, but tested anyway (in addition to the PCR test I had to have pre-flight), and it was negative. We had a rapid antigen test before we left, and we’ve all tested again this morning, (all negative).

I know it’s been difficult to get good at home tests here, but we were fortunate enough to have had access to the NHS test kits which were free to us before we left. Colin and I did those this morning. I did his one, and had to swab both sides of throat (where tonsils would’ve been), and up both nostrils. I actually almost made myself sick doing my own, but I’m really impressed with how good these kits are, and confident they’re very accurate. It’s a good idea to try it on yourself, because it’ll make it easier for you to administer on your Mum. Everything crossed hers is just a cold and nothing more.

 

[MamaBee]

@MamaBee, hoping everyone is safe and well. I had a cold just before we went away. I knew it was a cold, but tested anyway (in addition to the PCR test I had to have pre-flight), and it was negative. We had a rapid antigen test before we left, and we’ve all tested again this morning, (all negative).

I know it’s been difficult to get good at home tests here, but we were fortunate enough to have had access to the NHS test kits which were free to us before we left. Colin and I did those this morning. I did his one, and had to swab both sides of throat (where tonsils would’ve been), and up both nostrils. I actually almost made myself sick doing my own, but I’m really impressed with how good these kits are, and confident they’re very accurate. It’s a good idea to try it on yourself, because it’ll make it easier for you to administer on your Mum. Everything crossed hers is just a cold and nothing more.

Thank you @Austina..I’m happy yours was just a cold. I’m hoping that’s what my mom has. Her nose is less runny today. I think she will be okay for Friday..We’ll see. I just read today that sneezing is a sign of Omicron. I’ve been sneezing a lot lately. It makes you analyze everything wondering if you can have it.
I’m going to test my husband. He’s a sneezer so I’m going to put on a face shield when I test him! I’ll test my mom too but I’m letting Chris do his own. Those are grown up nostrils. I have my limits! The tests I have just swab the inside of the nose..not the throat. I think yours would be better. I purchased a lot of tests so I’m good for a while. I’m glad I purchased them before the run on them. They’re hard to find now.

 

[missy]

Email sent my one of my doctors to her patients. Some of you may find it helpful. FYI.

"

Omicron Addendum
12/22/2021


Much has changed since I sent my last newsletter a few weeks ago. The big news is the spread of the Omicron variant, of course. I still maintain that there is no need to panic, but Omicron is forcing a lot of us (including me) to rethink our upcoming plans for travel and socializing. It can be hard to keep up with all the rapid developments, so I’m sharing some updates:
In just a few weeks, Omicron has become the dominant variant in New York State. Almost every case being diagnosed now is Omicron. The new variant is highly transmissible, much more so than Delta. Some reports say Omicron is 70 times as transmissible.
Case numbers have skyrocketed, both locally and nationally, but hospitalizations and deaths have not risen much at all. Omicron seems to cause milder illness than Delta. Also, many more people are vaccinated now than when Delta first emerged. This is all good news, because fewer people will get severely ill and die. But because Omicron symptoms are so mild (especially in vaccinated individuals), people are often not responding to the symptoms with isolation, thereby spreading the virus to many people.
A lot of healthcare staff will be lost to quarantine and isolation, spreading the healthcare workforce very thin over this holiday week and weeks to come.
For most people, an Omicron covid infection starts as a scratchy throat and a headache. If you have any symptoms—no matter how mild—err on the side of caution. Isolate and test immediately. Most of the transmission so far has happened in household, workplace, and social gatherings.
Here are the CDC guidelines to Isolation and Quarantine:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/quarantine-isolation.html
They have not yet been updated to reflect Omicron’s increased transmissibility. Since I am mostly seeing illness in vaccinated patients, I would recommend quarantine in people who have had a significant exposure, regardless of their vaccination status.
Some common-sense Omicron health guidelines:
Keep your holiday gatherings small. Friends and family who have had a known exposure should be excluded from your events. Same day, rapid testing should be encouraged if possible. Anyone who has any symptoms, regardless of test results, should be excluded. I am hearing many, many reports of patients testing negative for days in a row before their results turn positive.
I recommend against indoor dining or drinking, going to the gym, going to the movies or shows, etc, until this latest Covid wave has calmed down.
If you are traveling via public transportation, going to school, or doing anything in which you do not know the status of every person present then you should wear an N94, KN95 or N95 mask. It’s a small precaution to take for a big benefit. Cloth and surgical masks protect other people from you but they do not protect you from other people.
I have diagnosed more Covid in the past week than during the entire pandemic before now. Almost every one of my patients with Covid is fully vaccinated and received a booster. Proceed with caution, my friends.
I will be out of the office from December 24th until January 3rd, but I will be available for emergencies on my cell phone as always.
I wish you a safe and healthy holiday week! And for those of you already in isolation or in quarantine for the holidays, I will keep you in my heart.
"

 

[missy]

Anyone who has any symptoms, regardless of test results, should be excluded. I am hearing many, many reports of patients testing negative for days in a row before their results turn positive.

@MamaBee this is what my doctor has to say about symptoms and not gathering with others.
It seems as if test results are not always accurate right away.

 

[MamaBee]

@MamaBee this is what my doctor has to say about symptoms and not gathering with others.
It seems as if test results are not always accurate right away.

Thank you @missy..Yes..They went ahead and tested her this morning. She’s negative. I’m going to test her again tomorrow and Saturday. We are going to do the same for Chris. It doesn’t eliminate the risk but since we have to see her during the pandemic it’s really all we can do. I can’t leave her in the home alone until Covid is over. At 96 I don’t know how long she has left. I’m just going to have to keep testing everyone. It’s not perfect but what I feel we have to do.

 

[missy]

Thank you @missy..Yes..They went ahead and tested her this morning. She’s negative. I’m going to test her again tomorrow and Saturday. We are going to do the same for Chris. It doesn’t eliminate the risk but since we have to see her during the pandemic it’s really all we can do. I can’t leave her in the home alone until Covid is over. I’m just going to have to keep testing everyone. It’s not perfect but what I feel we have to do.

I am keeping my fingers crossed for all of you


I decided a few hours ago we are seeing my parents Saturday.

My dad had a fall the other day and both of them are so frail. I can’t not see them.

I am at peace with my decision. It will just be greg and me and my parents.

Keeping all of you in my thoughts.

 

[MamaBee]

I am keeping my fingers crossed for all of you


I decided a few hours ago we are seeing my parents Saturday.

My dad had a fall the other day and both of them are so frail. I can’t not see them.

I am at peace with my decision. It will just be greg and me and my parents.

Keeping all of you in my thoughts.

Thank you @missy..You’re going to make them so happy!
I just realized you said your dad fell! I hope he’s okay!!
Are you going to do any testing?

 

[nala]

My family of 30 intends to gather indoors despite the fact that over half are not boosted by choice. I’ve Mentioned several times that it’s a bad idea, but they all ignore me. Hubby and I will not be attending and instead will be going to his parents outdoor Xmas where only boosted people and much smaller crowd will be in attendance.

 

[missy]

Thank you @missy..You’re going to make them so happy!
I just realized you said your dad fell! I hope he’s okay!!
Are you going to do any testing?

Yeah he fell the other day. My mom didnt tell me til the next day. She had to call the ambulance to get him up. OMG. I swear I am so worried about them living in that house all by themselves. It's crazy. But they are so STUBBORN.

None of us have symptoms and none of us have been anywhere risky. We are in and out when we food shop which is just once a week for a brief time and we wear our KN95 or our KF94 or Airqueen masks. Tightly. So no testing. If we start having any symptoms we are not going. Obviously. Thanks Joanne. XOXO.

I will add. We are planning on wearing the masks inside and when we eat we will sit far away. They have a big table and it will only be the 4 of us. I am not happy about eating there but my mom is insisting and I don't have the energy to fight right now. But since we are all triple vaxxed (Greg quadruple but not taken effect yet) hopefully it will be safe. Not as safe as not going but I dont know how much longer my dad will be with us. So I cannot not go. I know you kwim.

 

[MamaBee]

Yeah he fell the other day. My mom didnt tell me til the next day. She had to call the ambulance to get him up. OMG. I swear I am so worried about them living in that house all by themselves. It's crazy. But they are so STUBBORN.

None of us have symptoms and none of us have been anywhere risky. We are in and out when we food shop which is just once a week for a brief time and we wear our KN95 or our KF94 or Airqueen masks. Tightly. So no testing. If we start having any symptoms we are not going. Obviously. Thanks Joanne. XOXO.

I will add. We are planning on wearing the masks inside and when we eat we will sit far away. They have a big table and it will only be the 4 of us. I am not happy about eating there but my mom is insisting and I don't have the energy to fight right now. But since we are all triple vaxxed (Greg quadruple but not taken effect yet) hopefully it will be safe. Not as safe as not going but I dont know how much longer my dad will be with us. So I cannot not go. I know you kwim.

I think that’s a really good plan. I know stubborn. My mom is better now though since she’s been in the home. I would say I’m stubborn too though..

I wouldn’t even test myself and David..but I‘m making everyone else get tested so I have to. David and I wear our KN95 masks so tight that it leaves dents in our faces. I make a tiny knot at the end of the mask loops. My husband has a roundish face so it fits him perfectly. I gave Chris the same masks..His comes down the nose. I have to keep telling him to pull it up and pinch it. OMG..S just had a PCR test yesterday. He’ll get the results today. Fingers crossed because he’s still going into the office..He retires in one month. I hope he can make it through without getting it and bringing it home to us..ugh
Take lots of pics of your family when you’re there. I love seeing them smile.

 

[House Cat]

We’re all vaccinated, most of us boostered and we will all test before gathering. I’m still nervous about getting together.

 

[MamaBee]

We’re all vaccinated, most of us boostered and we will all test before gathering. I’m still nervous about getting together.

Me too @House Cat. I’ve been doing it with my mom and oldest son. I would like to go somewhere and hibernate for a few months..Truly

 

[junebug17]

@MamaBee, so glad your mom tested negative! Try not to worry and have a wonderful holiday with your family.

 

[MamaBee]

@MamaBee, so glad your mom tested negative! Try not to worry and have a wonderful holiday with your family.

Thank you @junebug17! I’m going to test her tomorrow morning at the home before bringing her home. I’ll also test Chris outside. If they’re negative we’ll enjoy the day. I’ll rinse and repeat for Christmas morning.

I hope you also have a wonderful holiday!

 

[Calliecake]

I’m so happy your mom tested negative @MamaBee. Have a great time with your family.

 

[kenny]

I'm so relieved!!!!! ...

My SO and his mom were expecting to go to some huge family gathering several hours' drive away.
Now those two decided to just spend the day alone at her house, which is nearby.

I so give thanks to Saturday's birthday boy!
For me, it's just another day.

Actually that day IS special for me.
It and, and stupidbowl sunday, are the two best days of the year to go for a long lonely drive on Southern California's freeways.

 

[MoxiRoxi]

Our plans went down the tubes on Tuesday when I started feeling under the weather. I’m 3 days in with a fever running as high as 103. Some respiratory symptoms, but primarily fever and body aches,

I’m really disappointed as this would have been our first Christmas in our new home. But no way am interested in passing this along to anyone else.

For what it’s worth… I am vaccinated, my husband is not. He is also feeling under the weather but his symptoms started a day earlier and are much milder. He does not have a fever, just a sniffle. Go figure!

So we will spend the next week together resting, staying hydrated and hoping that we can see our adult children the following weekend

 

[MMtwo]

@MamaBee this is what my doctor has to say about symptoms and not gathering with others.
It seems as if test results are not always accurate right away.

My daughter was negative with a self-administered antigen rapid test (I think it was day 5 post exposure) a few hours before she started experiencing COVID symptoms.

She took a nap the afternoon after her negative test and woke up sick with a sore throat. The next day she was positive by PCR. I am sure the rapid tests help, but they only catch about 60% of non-symptomatic or pre-symptomatic infections.

She and her s/o are off quarantine and better. We will all get together tomorrow for dinner with my Mom.

Diagnostic accuracy of rapid antigen tests in asymptomatic and presymptomatic close contacts of individuals with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection: cross sectional study

Objective To assess the diagnostic test accuracy of two rapid antigen tests in asymptomatic and presymptomatic close contacts of people with SARS-CoV-2 infection on day 5 after exposure. Design Prospective cross sectional study. Setting Four public health service covid-19 test sites in the...

www.bmj.com

 

[MMtwo]

Our plans went down the tubes on Tuesday when I started feeling under the weather. I’m 3 days in with a fever running as high as 103. Some respiratory symptoms, but primarily fever and body aches,

I’m really disappointed as this would have been our first Christmas in our new home. But no way am interested in passing this along to anyone else.

For what it’s worth… I am vaccinated, my husband is not. He is also feeling under the weather but his symptoms started a day earlier and are much milder. He does not have a fever, just a sniffle. Go figure!

So we will spend the next week together resting, staying hydrated and hoping that we can see our adult children the following weekend

Oh no, hope you feel better quickly!

 

[missy]

My daughter was negative with a self-administered antigen rapid test (I think it was day 5 post exposure) a few hours before she started experiencing COVID symptoms.

She took a nap the afternoon after her negative test and woke up sick with a sore throat. The next day she was positive by PCR. I am sure the rapid tests help, but they only catch about 60% of non-symptomatic or pre-symptomatic infections.

She and her s/o are off quarantine and better. We will all get together tomorrow for dinner with my Mom.

Diagnostic accuracy of rapid antigen tests in asymptomatic and presymptomatic close contacts of individuals with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection: cross sectional study

Objective To assess the diagnostic test accuracy of two rapid antigen tests in asymptomatic and presymptomatic close contacts of people with SARS-CoV-2 infection on day 5 after exposure. Design Prospective cross sectional study. Setting Four public health service covid-19 test sites in the...

www.bmj.com

I am glad they are feeling better! Omicron is insidious and so easy to get. Enjoy your get together and big hugs to you @MMtwo

 

[missy]

Our plans went down the tubes on Tuesday when I started feeling under the weather. I’m 3 days in with a fever running as high as 103. Some respiratory symptoms, but primarily fever and body aches,

I’m really disappointed as this would have been our first Christmas in our new home. But no way am interested in passing this along to anyone else.

For what it’s worth… I am vaccinated, my husband is not. He is also feeling under the weather but his symptoms started a day earlier and are much milder. He does not have a fever, just a sniffle. Go figure!

So we will spend the next week together resting, staying hydrated and hoping that we can see our adult children the following weekend

I am so sorry and I hope you feel all better soon. Rest and recover well. I hope you can see your family next weekend.

 

[missy]

I think that’s a really good plan. I know stubborn. My mom is better now though since she’s been in the home. I would say I’m stubborn too though..

I wouldn’t even test myself and David..but I‘m making everyone else get tested so I have to. David and I wear our KN95 masks so tight that it leaves dents in our faces. I make a tiny knot at the end of the mask loops. My husband has a roundish face so it fits him perfectly. I gave Chris the same masks..His comes down the nose. I have to keep telling him to pull it up and pinch it. OMG..S just had a PCR test yesterday. He’ll get the results today. Fingers crossed because he’s still going into the office..He retires in one month. I hope he can make it through without getting it and bringing it home to us..ugh
Take lots of pics of your family when you’re there. I love seeing them smile.

Aww thank you again! And I am so happy your mom is feeling better. Enjoy a wonderful and merry Christmas with your family and I continue keeping good thoughts for everyone. Big hugs to you sweet Joanne. This holiday I am so thankful for my friends and family. You are a bright light and I appreciate our friendship so much. ((((Hugs)))))

 

[MMtwo]

I am glad they are feeling better! Omicron is insidious and so easy to get. Enjoy your get together and big hugs to you @MMtwo

Thank you, Missy. I wish you the same and gentle hugs back to you. I wish you peace and comfort this year, my friend.