Covid And The Rest of Us

[quandrea]

I certainly agree with your post but the bolded brings up a question that has been heavy on my mind: Over the past year have there been any real advancements in the treatment of Covid? Since the whole chloroquine debacle I've really heard very little about research into drugs or other therapies besides intubation. For all our international posters, is there anything you're aware of?

Yes there have been. I’m not international but do have first hand, recent experience. Dexamethasone is a steroid used to treat inflammation that is routinely used. tocilizumab is an immune modulator, typically used to treat arthritis. It seems to be the new star in the treatment protocol. Hard to find and quite effective. Patients also receive a ten day course of antibiotics to treat secondary bacterial infections that crop up.

 

[ronandannette]

So many Canadians cried racism when the USA suspended flights from China. Wonder if those same will this time.

These are quite different times, no? The entire world knows a lot more than it did in the very early stages. In Canada now it is very startling to realize just how much international travel is still occurring daily, how many people with Covid are slipping through the pre-flight testing screens, and how apparently ineffective the “net” of hotel and/or home quarantine upon arrival is.

Yes there have been. I’m not international but do have first hand, recent experience. Dexamethasone is a steroid used to treat inflammation that is routinely used. tocilizumab is an immune modulator, typically used to treat arthritis. It seems to be the new star in the treatment protocol. Hard to find and quite effective. Patients also receive a ten day course of antibiotics to treat secondary bacterial infections that crop up.

This is a relief to hear. It seems intuitively that there must have been some knowledge gained and advances made but really next to nothing has been said.

 

[quandrea]

These are quite different times, no? The entire world knows a lot more than it did in the very early stages. In Canada now it is very startling to realize just how much international travel is still occurring daily, how many people with Covid are slipping through the pre-flight testing screens, and how apparently ineffective the “net” of hotel and/or home quarantine upon arrival is.

This is a relief to hear. It seems intuitively that there must have been some knowledge gained and advances made but really next to nothing has been said.

In addition to the drugs there are many treatment protocols (ie proning the patient, thresholds for trying spontaneous breathing, etc). Healthcare workers definitely have a better handle on things than a year ago. There is also a Covid antiviral, similar to Tamiflu on the horizon. Given early, it’s supposed to shorten and tamp down the effects of the virus. My question about that drug will be how available in Canada it will be. Tamiflu is not widely used here.

 

[NFLDERS]

I am. Especially these variants which are known to spread even outdoors if masking and social distancing are not maintained. My mother is currently in hospital with one of the variants. Six days on a ventilator, 10 days in icu. Who knows how long in hospital and rehab? Yes, I’m that fearful of these variants.

I can't even begin to imagine what you, and your loved ones are going through. Try to stay strong.

 

[ronandannette]

In addition to the drugs there are many treatment protocols (ie proning the patient, thresholds for trying spontaneous breathing, etc). Healthcare workers definitely have a better handle on things than a year ago. There is also a Covid antiviral, similar to Tamiflu on the horizon. Given early, it’s supposed to shorten and tamp down the effects of the virus. My question about that drug will be how available in Canada it will be. Tamiflu is not widely used here.

True and isn't it odd? I wonder why that is? My son requested it from a doctor at a walk-in in January of last year (pre-pandemid) and was basically told it "wasn't a thing". I certainly am rooting for treatment options to develop and if profit is the motive, I'm actually quite surprised more pharma companies aren't working night-and-day to get meds to market. For that matter, why have the makers of OTC remedies not cashed in? All the Advil/Tylenol/Nyquil/Dayquil type products that are labelled for cold and flu relief would presumably do the same for mild Covid symptoms?

 

[Aladora]

BC just announced the details of the travel restrictions that are in effect from now until May 25th.

We have a cross BC RV trip planned for the 3rd week of June, I'm still a teeny bit hopeful that these restrictions will be lifted on May 25th but not hugely so.

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/travel/current

 

[hdrolfe]

True and isn't it odd? I wonder why that is? My son requested it from a doctor at a walk-in in January of last year (pre-pandemid) and was basically told it "wasn't a thing". I certainly am rooting for treatment options to develop and if profit is the motive, I'm actually quite surprised more pharma companies aren't working night-and-day to get meds to market. For that matter, why have the makers of OTC remedies not cashed in? All the Advil/Tylenol/Nyquil/Dayquil type products that are labelled for cold and flu relief would presumably do the same for mild Covid symptoms?

especially given so many of those cold/flu products are sitting on shelves this past winter, expiring because no one needs them... guess all that hand washing, social distancing and mask wearing has kept cold/flu's from spiking as well?

 

[lovethesun12]

So many Canadians cried racism when the USA suspended flights from China. Wonder if those same will this time.

Really? I can't remember that (not saying it didn't happen, just that I didn't hear it). Most people I know believe travel restrictions are necessary if an area has an outbreak.

 

[Karin1984]

Disneyland Paris is still closed (although France will reopen restaurants and shopping in Mid May!) but as of this weekend Hotel New Port Bay has opened in the weekends as a vaccination center The French can finally queue at Disneyland Paris again ;-)

DLP Welcome made a video

 

[BadPinkTink]

Update from Ireland

From tomorrow Monday 26 April the following are allowed to reopen

1. Golf courses and tennis clubs
2. Zoos and wildlife parks

Outdoor training for all under 18 sports can resume
The amount of people allowed in a Church or Place of Worship for a funeral will increase to 25

When the tickets for Dublin Zoo went on sale a few days ago the website crashed with the demand.

 

[White Cat]

Really? I can't remember that (not saying it didn't happen, just that I didn't hear it). Most people I know believe travel restrictions are necessary if an area has an outbreak.

Oh it happened.

 

[elphaba91]

In addition to the drugs there are many treatment protocols (ie proning the patient, thresholds for trying spontaneous breathing, etc). Healthcare workers definitely have a better handle on things than a year ago. There is also a Covid antiviral, similar to Tamiflu on the horizon. Given early, it’s supposed to shorten and tamp down the effects of the virus. My question about that drug will be how available in Canada it will be. Tamiflu is not widely used here.

Tamiflu isn't widely used here in Australia either. I was working in a pharmacy in 2009 during the swine flu pandemic. Our store managed to get hold of some Tamiflu and were very relieved because there was such a shortage. Then the Federal government announced they were going to release it from their stockpiles and it was handed out for free at GP clinics. All of our stock ended up going out of date because I don't think we got a single script for the next couple of years. The problem is it has to be taken within 48 hours of first developing symptoms. In Australia at least it would be very unusual to go to the doctor that early with flu-like symptoms. Plus it only shortens the virus by about a day or so.

 

[quandrea]

Tamiflu isn't widely used here in Australia either. I was working in a pharmacy in 2009 during the swine flu pandemic. Our store managed to get hold of some Tamiflu and were very relieved because there was such a shortage. Then the Federal government announced they were going to release it from their stockpiles and it was handed out for free at GP clinics. All of our stock ended up going out of date because I don't think we got a single script for the next couple of years. The problem is it has to be taken within 48 hours of first developing symptoms. In Australia at least it would be very unusual to go to the doctor that early with flu-like symptoms. Plus it only shortens the virus by about a day or so.

I thought it might be something like this. I wonder if the Covid med will be similar. I do know it must be taken early.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Reuters

The European Union plans to open its doors to Americans who have been vaccinated by this summer, according to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen

 

[Karin1984]

And it is the 27th of April again, meaning it is King's Day in the Netherlands. The King's birthday and the second during Covid. Last year it was fully virtual. This year the royal family is on the road again, but with a lot of measures. Virtual interviews, games, concerts etc. They are doing a tour through the city but no public. The weather is wonderful today, and people are queueing to get the King's Day pastries at the bakery. We are not there yet, but it feels a little bit more normal.

The middle daughter, Alexia, really is looking forward to the day this morning before they left.

From left to right: Ariane (14), Willem-Alexander (54), Alexia (15), Maxima (49) and Amalia (17)


She had a better time winning a quiz with her mother about the town they were at.




Tonight is the last curfew and tomorrow outdoor dining (12:00-18:00) restarts. We are at 20% vaccinations, I think. Deaths declining, R- figure around 1, infections still doing a yo-yo impression.

 

[BadPinkTink]

And it is the 27th of April again, meaning it is King's Day in the Netherlands. The King's birthday and the second during Covid. Last year it was fully virtual. This year the royal family is on the road again, but with a lot of measures. Virtual interviews, games, concerts etc. They are doing a tour through the city but no public. The weather is wonderful today, and people are queueing to get the King's Day pastries at the bakery. We are not there yet, but it feels a little bit more normal.

The middle daughter, Alexia, really is looking forward to the day this morning before they left.

From left to right: Ariane (14), Willem-Alexander (54), Alexia (15), Maxima (49) and Amalia (17)
View attachment 570768

She had a better time winning a quiz with her mother about the town they were at.
View attachment 570771



Tonight is the last curfew and tomorrow outdoor dining (12:00-18:00) restarts. We are at 20% vaccinations, I think. Deaths declining, R- figure around 1, infections still doing a yo-yo impression.

oh wow, I bet thats really lifting peoples spirits, not quiet what it used to be, but giving people hope that things will get better.

 

[Karin1984]

oh wow, I bet thats really lifting peoples spirits, not quite what it used to be, but giving people hope that things will get better.

That's one of the most important functions of King's Day. Yes, it's the King's birthday and the activities the royal family do are important (it's an honor for the city to host it as it's a PR opportunity), but it's something that unites us. Our other bank holidays are based on the Christian calendar. This is the one time a year we have a secular holiday. If you wear the color orange or red/white/blue this day, you are one of us. The rest of the year, except major sporting events, you will not see anyone wearing orange or red/white/blue ;-)

Normally we have concerts, festivals, and markets throughout the country. Now it's a virtual concert live from a theater in Amsterdam, which we didn't really have last year. I think.

 

[prairie_girl]

Manitoba is entering its third lockdown, due to our third wave. No visitors allowed inside or outside a home. Businesses that are still open are back down to 25% capacity. Movie theatres, casinos, concert halls all remain closed.

The restrictions are so confusing because you aren’t allowed to stand on your driveway 10 ft away from someone (both masked) for a five minute chat, but it’s still ok for 4 non same household people to go to an outdoor patio for drinks and conversation. They are saying it’s because it’s easy to contact trace in public spaces, and I get that, but it just seems so counter intuitive. Our stay at home orders are until May 26, so, May long (weekend) (Victoria Day) has essentially been cancelled. It’s our unofficial start to summer. It would have to be pared down anyway because most people with cabins have them in Ontario, and those borders are closed too.

On the plus side, my husband got an AZ vaccine yesterday. One week ago the ago was dropped to anyone age 40 and over and Gen X came out in droves! It was great to see. Because of my multiple health concerns, I’ve been advised to wait for Pfizer or Moderna. The age limit is 50 and over and I’m 45 so I’m hoping the age limit will drop soon. Supply is a real problem here, as it is everywhere.

 

[Corien]

And it is the 27th of April again, meaning it is King's Day in the Netherlands. The King's birthday and the second during Covid. Last year it was fully virtual. This year the royal family is on the road again, but with a lot of measures. Virtual interviews, games, concerts etc. They are doing a tour through the city but no public. The weather is wonderful today, and people are queueing to get the King's Day pastries at the bakery. We are not there yet, but it feels a little bit more normal.

The middle daughter, Alexia, really is looking forward to the day this morning before they left.

From left to right: Ariane (14), Willem-Alexander (54), Alexia (15), Maxima (49) and Amalia (17)
View attachment 570768

She had a better time winning a quiz with her mother about the town they were at.
View attachment 570771



Tonight is the last curfew and tomorrow outdoor dining (12:00-18:00) restarts. We are at 20% vaccinations, I think. Deaths declining, R- figure around 1, infections still doing a yo-yo impression.

I went out to Dunkin Donuts this morning to get some orange coloured donuts just to celebrate it (stood in front of the store for 15 minutes thinking it was closed, until I decided to try the door...)

I really quite like King's day here with Covid measures. The market here where I live ends at the end of my street, so the King's days before Covid meant me waking up at 6am cuz people were already setting up their blanket to sell their stuff right under my bedroom window

 

[fab1976]

Manitoba is entering its third lockdown, due to our third wave. No visitors allowed inside or outside a home. Businesses that are still open are back down to 25% capacity. Movie theatres, casinos, concert halls all remain closed.

The restrictions are so confusing because you aren’t allowed to stand on your driveway 10 ft away from someone (both masked) for a five minute chat, but it’s still ok for 4 non same household people to go to an outdoor patio for drinks and conversation. They are saying it’s because it’s easy to contact trace in public spaces, and I get that, but it just seems so counter intuitive. Our stay at home orders are until May 26, so, May long (weekend) (Victoria Day) has essentially been cancelled. It’s our unofficial start to summer. It would have to be pared down anyway because most people with cabins have them in Ontario, and those borders are closed too.

On the plus side, my husband got an AZ vaccine yesterday. One week ago the ago was dropped to anyone age 40 and over and Gen X came out in droves! It was great to see. Because of my multiple health concerns, I’ve been advised to wait for Pfizer or Moderna. The age limit is 50 and over and I’m 45 so I’m hoping the age limit will drop soon. Supply is a real problem here, as it is everywhere.

Oh good, other provinces are also having the inconsistent confusing rules! Ontario has some what the what ones as well. They just dropped the age for Moderna and a Pfizer for hot zones here to 45+. It changed yesterday, late afternoon, with no official announcement. I had mine last week as an education worker in a hot zone, but I grabbed one for my husband for Friday now. Really hoping it makes a difference in Peel and Toronto, things are not good here.