Covid question (sorry)

[lifesavacation]

I think that's the point and they are thinking things can very much change for the worst in the few weeks and that has been the pattern overall throughout this pandemic when it comes to cases and entities making decisions like this, they tend to make them when it's looking like things are on the rise.

A poorly matched flu vaccine, other stuff going around (colds, flu, RSV, strep, other viruses) and covid with Delta and now Omicron. I'm not saying I would 100% support all colleges doing this but I don't think it's too early when you look at how it's all unfolding. To alert the first week of January would be too late realistically because people could have been infected late. Colleges are in the unique category as they take students from all over so I think they have to think a bit differently.

I don't know about the PP's situation as far as size of their college, vaccine requirement, mask requirement, etc but I think the timing is more the issue because it's Christmas, then really shortly after NYE. Many colleges do go back the middle of January but with the infections and spread that's likely not enough time as a whole. Some people may recover but they may have spread it to someone else. Or in someone's household they got it later on. If school started back up first part of February yeah making a decision just after the middle of December would IMO be thinking too far in advance.

Neither one of us are wrong at all in our viewpoints but I do see the position the college is in where to me it's not as outlandish to make these decisions. If they made them not be on campus til Spring Break...yeah that's a bit much.

My daughter is due back on campus on 1/7/22 to start spring training for her sport. College is in Ohio. I’m glad they sent the email out, honestly. It means they are watching the situation closely.

 

[MICKIMINI]

State of NH was way ahead and offered free 8 pks of tests. That was a month ago and we went online and ordered and received them in a few days. Some friends weren't quick enough.

 

[Kitty 34]

One of my brothers paid $50 for a Rapid Covid Test last Thursday at our local pharmacy. He had cold symptoms which apparently can be the Omnicron variant so he just wanted to know going into the holidays. He knew within 15 minutes. The test, he was told, tested for Covid, the flu and Pneumonia which all came back negative.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

https://www.kctv5.com/coronavirus/c...0-541f-be81-fc51d3b0d348.html?block_id=951672
"CVS said they were limiting purchases to six test kits to “ensure equitable access to tests both in-store and digitally.” "Walgreens said they’re limiting it to four test kits per purchase."

Keep this in mind now regarding your availability and ease of getting at home tests.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

With a lot of folks opting for the home covid tests, won't that skew the numbers? Every day we hear the daily covid numbers of people who tested positive, but with the home tests they don't get reported or recorded. Wont that kind of make the numbers invalid?

Yep.

 

[Colleen27]

As I said... "assuming they would return MID January". Making a decision four weeks before the return of school is premature IMO. If students are returning the first week of January, we're only two weeks out (less than) and I can understand that decision. A lot can change in a couple of weeks.

But when returning to campus involves buying plane tickets and, for international students, crossing borders, it is worth planning ahead. DD's university has already dealt with a lot of upset students and parents over last-minute airfares home halfway through the spring 2020 semester and mad scrambles for housing for students who couldn't stay at home to study for the entire 20-21 school year (in the most expensive city in America where there's a more or less permanent housing shortage). More last-minute decisions are not going to go over well, whether it is wasted plane tickets purchased to get back to a campus that won't be open or last-minute fares to get back home if things close up mid-stream again or any of the variations of in-between weirdness (paying rent in that expensive city to take classes at their home computer or scrambling to figure out meals with drastic campus dining restrictions or whatever). I'd rather see them making the decisions early and giving families time to accommodate whatever new restrictions are imposed than taking a wait-and-see approach that leaves people scrambling at the last minute.

Also, a lot can change in a couple of weeks but if experience has taught us anything, it is that the positive changes with this pandemic are slow while the negative ones come at warp speed.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

We just got an email from our school district asking that all families come pick up free rapid tests from them next week to test before the return to school, with instructions on when to test.

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

My DS’s alma mater, UVA, sent out an email this week telling students that the booster would be required to be on campus for the Spring semester. Students have until Feb 1st to comply. All students were required to be fully vaccinated this past Fall semester.

 

[happily single]

Finally had my test today. Rapid test was negative. PCR is a 3-5 day turn around.
also found out a co worker tested positive today

 

[Sinder]

Not surprising. Strep=painful throat, not scratchy.

Scratchy throat can be cold, allergies, or covid (omicron specifically). It's unfortunate that scratchy throat is the hallmark omicron symptom because up until now, if you had a scratchy throat, it was reasonable to assume it was NOT covid, but just allergies or a cold.

Yeah it was sore too but started out scratchy. It got more irritated as the days went on which is why she thought she should get a strep test, didnt even consider it would be covid.
She always is right when she says I think i have strep and I always say it’s just a cold or post nasal drip
I guess this time we were both wrong.

 

[tcufrog]

My mom was in the hospital with the flu and on oxygen when the first lockdown started. We take the flu seriously. Last week, DS14 was sick and I suspected he had a sinus infection. He had all of the classic symptoms of one plus no fever. They tested him for flu and COVID. Turns out I was right. I'm baffled that the OP's doctor didn't insist on testing for COVID or flu.

 

[disney4us2002]

I was ill last week with a fever and felt like I'd been run over by a truck. I went into my doc's office because I thought I might have an ear infection as my ear was throbbing. My doctor didn't feel the need to test for covid. He asked if I needed it for my work which I do not and I said I was planning to stay in bed and away from people anyway. His logic was that since covid doesn't have any treatment and I was going to stay home and sleep, what difference would the test make. Lots of regular viruses going around these parts. Felt better on about day 5.

 

[kymom99]

I was ill last week with a fever and felt like I'd been run over by a truck. I went into my doc's office because I thought I might have an ear infection as my ear was throbbing. My doctor didn't feel the need to test for covid. He asked if I needed it for my work which I do not and I said I was planning to stay in bed and away from people anyway. His logic was that since covid doesn't have any treatment and I was going to stay home and sleep, what difference would the test make. Lots of regular viruses going around these parts. Felt better on about day 5.

It does have treatment. Many of my friends have taken the monoclonal antibodies and got well quickly after.

 

[wenrob]

As rapidly as things are changing, things can be VERY different in four weeks. Sending an email now saying something to the effect of "We're watching what's happening with the spread locally and nationally. While we are considering different options when classes are scheduled to resume, we will not be making final decision until the first week of January. We will of course keep you updated on any changes. Enjoy your holidays!" is all that's needed. Of course, if they want to require vaccinations (if they haven't already) for folks on campus, then yes, that word needs to go out earlier.

I'm not saying they should be in person no matter what, and I'm not saying they should go virtual no matter what.

I'm hoping and thinking Omicron, although spreading rapidly, is not the danger that Delta and previous variants were, especially among the vaccinated.

I read an article today that said as fast as Omicron took hold in Africa it’s subsiding just as fast. They described it as shooting up a mountain and shooting back down the other side. Granted the dynamic here in the States is vastly different but we can only hope this wave does not last as long as others have. The thought is it was here before we even knew about it. My kids are in High School so for us it’s no big deal if the decision is sort of last minute but I can see for younger kids and college kids a heads up could be helpful.

Not surprising. Strep=painful throat, not scratchy.

Scratchy throat can be cold, allergies, or covid (omicron specifically). It's unfortunate that scratchy throat is the hallmark omicron symptom because up until now, if you had a scratchy throat, it was reasonable to assume it was NOT covid, but just allergies or a cold.

My DD had a sore throat and sinus congestion a couple months ago. I was 98% sure it was just a cold. Tested her at home at the onset and three days later just to make all of us feel better. Negative both times. Now, I’d be more concerned.

 

[Jaydee51]

There's a rumor President Biden is going to announce today that the government is going to send out an at home test kit to every American. Announcement around 230P ET.

I do not know any other details.

this is already available (and has been for over a year) via pixel lab. insurance covers 100% of cost and delivered to your home fedex overnight. swab and send back with FedEx prepaid label overnight. results 24 hours tops. I keep them on hand and test after every trip.
If however you are referring to the 15 minute test, would be great to have available via overnight home delivery.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

this is already available (and has been for over a year) via pixel lab. insurance covers 100% of cost and delivered to your home fedex overnight. swab and send back with FedEx prepaid label overnight. results 24 hours tops. I keep them on hand and test after every trip.
If however you are referring to the 15 minute test, would be great to have available via overnight home delivery.

No this is actually way different than what you're talking about. This is something that you wouldn't have to go through insurance. This is something that everyone would have the opportunity to go to the website set up and get one sent to their house for free. One of the things Biden has been criticized for is the purchase ahead of time, then seek reimbursement through insurance (if you even had any to begin with) system. With his plan of 500million tests these would just be available to anyone, no out of pocket expenses.

 

[Jaydee51]

No this is actually way different than what you're talking about. This is something that you wouldn't have to go through insurance. This is something that everyone would have the opportunity to go to the website set up and get one sent to their house for free. One of the things Biden has been criticized for is the purchase ahead of time, then seek reimbursement through insurance (if you even had any to begin with) system. With his plan of 500million tests these would just be available to anyone, no out of pocket expenses.

when I order I enter my insurance card # and that's it. I don't have to worry about reimbursement bc I don't get charged anything. test is delivered by 12pm next day. when we took pcr tests same thing, gave insurance card and paid zero. we have never paid for a covid test.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

when I order I enter my insurance card # and that's it. I don't have to worry about reimbursement bc I don't get charged anything. test is delivered by 12pm next day. when we took pcr tests same thing, gave insurance card and paid zero. we have never paid for a covid test.

Right but this is for everyone. Insurance not needed. It's not something that has been available yet to everyone in the U.S. hence his new plan.

Here's the press release from the White House:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing...elp-communities-and-hospitals-battle-omicron/
"Today, the President is announcing his Administration will purchase a half-billion at-home, rapid tests this winter to be distributed for free to Americans who want them, with the initial delivery starting in January 2022. The Administration will stand up a website where Americans can go to get at-home tests delivered to their home—for free."

 

[PrincessShmoo]

when I order I enter my insurance card # and that's it. I don't have to worry about reimbursement bc I don't get charged anything. test is delivered by 12pm next day. when we took pcr tests same thing, gave insurance card and paid zero. we have never paid for a covid test.

OK, you don't pay for it, but the insurance pays for it.

The new program, there's no charge for anyone.

 

[Jaydee51]

Right but again this is for everyone. Insurance not needed. It's not something that has been available yet to everyone in the U.S. hence his new plan.

Here's the press release from the White House:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing...elp-communities-and-hospitals-battle-omicron/
"Today, the President is announcing his Administration will purchase a half-billion at-home, rapid tests this winter to be distributed for free to Americans who want them, with the initial delivery starting in January 2022. The Administration will stand up a website where Americans can go to get at-home tests delivered to their home—for free."

agree, would be great if available to all regardless of insurance coverage or not.