Coronavirus

[studentforever]

Add an extra toast to the vaccine developers and give thanks that you are all still well and enjoying your friendship with each other

[Randi]

Indeed!

[Randi]

As the holiday season begins, nearly 900 new cases of COVID-19 were reported for Allegheny County Wednesday, and a health official said the “disappointing data are not expected to improve soon.”

Allegheny County’s cases are on the rise again. Two weeks ago, the county was averaging between 350 and 400 new cases per day.

As of Wednesday, the new average was between 600 and 650, according to Dr. LuAnn Brink, the county Health Department’s chief epidemiologist. She also noted that reinfections count for about 1% of the county’s new cases.

With holiday parties planned, health officials are concerned that cases will keep rising.

[studentforever]

Oh dear. I don't know the size of the population concerned which makes putting it into context difficult although a doubling in a fairly short space of time is worrying in any sizeable population. Fingers crossed and I do hope that life doesn't get too restrictive over the Christmas period.

[AvastMH]

The US census reckons the Allegheny County population to be 1,216,045. Either way, I agree that a doubling is troubling.

I had to cancel the staff Christmas lunch yesterday. It caused much sadness. Some groups are going for a lunch regardless.
I'm staying at home with a cheese and pickle sandwich - tasty and safe

[Michael]

[Morgan]

I don't suppose there is an official recipe, but can you share how a tasty cheese and pickle sandwich is made? Kind of cheese and type of pickle? Choice of bread?

[jil]

Got my booster this morning - Moderna. Had Astra Zeneca for the others.

[AvastMH]

How are you doing? Any reaction? I hope it's OK and you're feeling well. I know very few people who had Moderna.

[Michael]

I had Pfizer for #1 and Moderna for #2. Both were OK, I never felt anything untoward at all.

[AvastMH]

[studentforever]

Just a slightly sore arm from my first 2 Pfizer jabs
Moderna booster and unpleasant reaction. Usual slightly sore arm, bit worse if anything but nothing to worry about. Next day nausea, dizziness, generally unwell and tired but much better after another night's sleep although more tired than usual through the next couple of days. Didn't have the flu jab at same time, I have a funny immune system so decided to have them separately 3 weeks apart and to wait for the Covid until 28 weeks rather than the 25 of my first appointment.

[jil]

How are you doing? Any reaction? I hope it's OK and you're feeling well. I know very few people who had Moderna.

My arm feels more sore than with AZ but none of the flu-like symptoms (achy, shivery) that I got before. Can't comment about tiredness as I didn't sleep well due to the wind howling about last night!

[Hanibal94]

I had two doses of Moderna.
No reaction to the first one, but the second gave me aches, shivers and hot flashes that evening, along with head/muscle pain and general fatigue for the next two days.
Got a booster appointment booked for Jan 12th, I believe they will use Biontech.

[arboggs]

Just got my booster on Saturday! I've only had Moderna. My first dose was totally fine. Sore arm, but otherwise nothing. My second dose I was fine the day I got the shot, sick the day after, then perfectly fine the day after that. For this booster I had pretty bad soreness in my arm up into my shoulder on Saturday and now I just feel mildly like I bumped my arm into a wall or something. I figure by tomorrow the sensation will be totally gone.

For comparison, my brother also got his booster on Saturday and he's had Pfizer for every dose. He had less arm soreness on Saturday, although he said when he sat down to watch TV that evening it got a little more sore/stiff. But he's been fine since.

Additional caveat: he and I both spent Saturday tiling our shower so that no doubt added to the arm soreness.

[AvastMH]

That's a new one, April. Everyone should be encouraged to tile a wall when they have their jab and then they can think that the jab was fine. Positive thinking!

[Randi]

Counterfeit Covid Masks Are Still Sold Everywhere, Despite Misleading Claims

Rising Covid cases have spurred a return to mask-wearing in the U.S. and overseas, at a time when flawed KN95s from China continue to dominate e-commerce sites.

[AvastMH]

That is very scary

[Caro]

A couple of days ago I had the booster (Pfizer; first two were AstraZeneca) and flu jab at the same time.
So, two sore arms, intense cold, muscle ache, tiredness ... all gone now.

[studentforever]

Snippet of news on Beeb website. Primary school down the road closed this week because too many staff isolating with Covid infection or contact. Suspect that some have been pinged by contact with people subsequently diagnosed with omicron variant - in UK then have to isolate irrespective of vaccine status. I know there is a lot of omicron in the area. Fingers crossed.