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I thought it might be helpful to have a separate topic related to the vaccine.  If this is too much duplication, mods please delete this thread.  I thought it would be good to talk about who can get the vaccine, where they can get it, what side effects people are seeing, and in general what is going on with distribution.

The CDC has published vaccine distribution guidelines, and if you care, they are worth reading.  They are dividing the timeline into:

  • Phase 1 - Potentially limited supply of COVID-19 vaccine doses available
  • Phase 2 - Large number of vaccine doses available
  • Phase 3 - Sufficient supply of vaccine doses for entire population

Who you are will determine if you are eligible for a vaccine in the various phases.

Phase 1 is divided into a Phase 1a and a Phase 1b:

  • Phase 1a - Mostly healthcare workers
  • Phase 1b - Other essential workers, people with higher risks, people over 65

If you are eligible to get the vaccine and they have in in stock and you want to get it, it is important to go get it.  Both of the first two vaccines can spoil, so if a dose is sitting there and you aren't there to get it, they might have to throw it away.

Both vaccines require two shots.  It is important to go get that second shot.

Who fits in phase 1b and who has to wait until phase 2 might be a sticking point.  The "people in higher risks" category includes a lot of folks, maybe more than you would think might be in that category.  Hopefully we can quickly get to phase 2 so that we don't spend too long arguing about who is or is not in Phase 1b.

Anyway, I'm interested in everyone's experience with the vaccine and especially getting the word out for those that can go get it, so that every dose ends up in an arm rather than in the trash.

 

 

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Vegas64

Full Members
(edited)
On 7/19/2024 at 5:03 PM, Newdoc said:

Nothing is all that great for cough but dextromethorphan, with responsible use, in liquid form is likely just as good for cough but without that pesky significant addiction potential and central respiratory depression. 

This strain of Covid, FLiRT, is pretty contagious but like the other Omicron strains, still does not appear to have a good affinity for deep lung mucosa. But it does like the gut so congratulations to those who feel like they have the flu and are also crapping their pants. I probably missed a few Covid cases earlier in June because some people with Covid were presenting only with GI symptoms and we were coming off a wave of Norovirus. 

With the vast majority of people doing well with this strain (although feeling like crap) I'm thinking the old way of finding every damn case of Covid likely needs to go to the wayside. We are spending a crap ton of resources finding and treating cases that don't need to be treated or seen officially in a clinic. This will be controversial, but Paxlovid for those with low risk factors and some type of previous immunity is a $500 way to feel better a couple of days faster than you would otherwise. If you are not at high risk, it's not keeping you out of the hospital. You're going to get better anyway. Some absolutely need the medication, but the data shows those with prior immunity and even moderate risk factors do not significantly benefit from Paxlovid. 

say what? Costs $25 with insurance, brother. I tell people it's like Tamiflu but for Covid.

Edited by Vegas64

Anastasis

Certifiably Surly
6 minutes ago, Vegas64 said:

say what? Costs $25 with insurance, brother. I tell people it's like Tamiflu but for Covid.

Government paid $5 billion. List is like $1300. There is no compelling data demonstrating its efficacy in current setting. 

Vegas64

Full Members
2 minutes ago, Anastasis said:

Government paid $5 billion. List is like $1300. There is no compelling data demonstrating its efficacy in current setting. 

Alright, well more $25 Paxlovid for me and my family then (but it was surprising to hear that the pharmacies around me were low/out of it).

Anastasis

Certifiably Surly

It's a mystery why insurance premiums go up. 

4th&Five

Certifiably Surly

It was a 3 day head cold for me this time. My wife is on day 5 of feeling absolutely terrible. Constant headache, sinus pain, loss of taste…. No fun. 

BrazilHorn

Certifiably Surly

Just got over this round. This was by far the worst one since I had OG Covid in June 2020. 
No fever but three solid days of aches/pains and super runny nose/sinus stuff. 
 

Sucked. Just in total brain fog for 4 days. 
 

This makes four times now I have had this (joys of lots of business travel) and this one was rough. 

Gatorubet

Certifiably Surly

At the AAJ convention I just got back from, I was happy to see an old friend from 20 years back on Friday.  We (four of us) hung out and had some drinks and she insisted she take us to dinner Saturday night.   Saturday afternoon she cancelled dinner, saying she was feeling unwell. 

The next day she still felt sick, and stayed in her hotel room all day Sunday.  As sick as she was feeling, she left and flew home Monday wearing a mask. 

She texted us Tuesday that she tested positive for Covid.   I guess I’ll see in the next couple of days if sitting next to her for two hours after the obligatory hugs and cheek kiss was a bad idea. 

Anastasis

Certifiably Surly
1 hour ago, Captainant said:

Because our healthcare system is plagued with middlemen and shareholders that are eager to add fees and take percentages?

In part to an extent, but probably not for the reasons you think. More substantial direct impacts from rise of extremely high cost biologicals and other novel therapeutics, including $1300 antivirals that don't really do anything for most people but cost a shitload of money despite the fact that they have been subsidized by the US taxpayer. But if its COVID, Paxlovid!

troph

Full Members
(edited)

Edited by troph

troph

Full Members
(edited)

Edited by troph

Newdoc

Legacy Members
3 hours ago, Vegas64 said:

say what? Costs $25 with insurance, brother. I tell people it's like Tamiflu but for Covid.

So the cost is hidden to you. You, and whatever pool your included in,is paying the other $400+ of the cost past your copay in your ever increasing premiums. Welcome to American healthcare.

Newdoc

Legacy Members
4 hours ago, Newdoc said:

pool your

You’re 

Hitch

banned

BIL came and stayed with us during the hurricane, it was nice of him to bring Covid along with him. 2nd time I’ve had it and this one was rough compared to the first time. I don’t think I’ve ever had a fever for 4 days in my entire life, it was the strangest feeling. 

YGIFS

Full Members

Well Doc said, he's been swallowing a lot of aggression lately.  Along with a lotta pizza.

Incredulity

Legacy Members

Uh, he suggested taking one these uh, aggression training courses. You know these aggression training courses like EST

InkaUtexas

Burnt Ends

And ya need some physical activity.

image.jpeg.1548d8e8cd710b25a47999ec36fe6142.jpeg

 

Deej

Burnt Ends

Hes a lean, mean, fighting machine.

Incredulity

Legacy Members

Is it fair that you were born like this?!!

troph

Full Members
(edited)

Edited by troph

troph

Full Members
(edited)

Edited by troph

Vegas64

Full Members
3 hours ago, troph said:

Ended up with a flare up post prednisone so back on a dose pack of methylprednisone and it’s working. 4 full weeks today. 

tapered dosage ends in two days I’ll give breathing without meds another whirl. No panic attacks in a while, not using Xanax instead using Benadryl for a drowsy induced sleep aid plus antihistamine is certainly not inhibiting recovery. I’m also on two separate inhalers one a steroid twice a day the other albuterol as needed for sudden issues (infrequent). I’ve started exercising again which highlighted some diminished lung capacity, but it does seem to be getting better slowly as my bike ride yesterday evening was moderate level and productive. key is what’s it going to be like early next week. Pulmonologist today I suspect a nothing burger but I had to make the appointment weeks ago in case I needed it. Getting better but damn, starting my 5th week. Fingers crossed. 
 

in other news pure anti inflammatory and low histamine diet is a great way to eat a lot, lose 15 pounds in 1 month and improve health scores across every metric. I feel amazing otherwise and am now settling into a path for the last 10 of a 25 pound weight lose plan that arguably isn’t based on a “diet” per se but eating how humans should. It’s been really great. 

I had a long covid issue with lungs and had to go to pulmonologist. The PFT's they put you through in the glass box are no joke.

Anyways, reading your lack of sleep and how it screws up the mind made me think, and draw a direct line, to the Derka post about the mental hospital and how his issues were exacerbated with a lack of sleep. God bless.

royiv

Legacy Members
On 7/24/2024 at 8:52 AM, Captainant said:

Because our healthcare system is plagued with middlemen and shareholders that are eager to add fees and take percentages?


Yep.

2023 Full Year Profit
United Healthcare $23 billion plus $14.8 billion in share repurchases and dividends

CVS Aetna $8 billion plus $3 billion in dividends

Elevance (Anthem) $6 billion and also repurchased $2.7 billion worth of shares and had a $350 million dividend

Cigna $5 billion plus $2.3 billion share repurchase plus dividends

And on and on and on….

 

 

YGIFS

Full Members
1 hour ago, Vegas64 said:

I had a long covid issue with lungs and had to go to pulmonologist. The PFT's they put you through in the glass box are no joke.

Anyways, reading your lack of sleep and how it screws up the mind made me think, and draw a direct line, to the Derka post about the mental hospital and how his issues were exacerbated with a lack of sleep. God bless.

This ^ SLEEP!  I always knew it was important but I just learned to live with insomnia since college (6 hours/night).  Never got on any Rx about it.  Once we had kids, I was so exhausted, I'd conk out anyways (7.5 hours/night).  But my brain adjusted and I was always cognitively with it after about 30 minutes of getting outta bed.  Then my 2 shots, and boosters, and one bout with Covid...my sleep was completely fucked up (never mind all of us were thrown off routine by lockdown as well).  Took me like two years to get back into a sleeping routine and not having horrible brain fog/disorientation/loss of time feeling.  

Now I've this rough lymphatic system infection that causes all kinds of issues including fluid retention and swelling from my legs up to my lungs.  Doing more Rx drugs in the last two months than I have in entire life combined.  And I cannot sleep for shit because of the pain.  So I find myself awake for 3-6 hours/night with no hope of sleep.  And I can't add sleeping pills to the mix.  I lose track of what day it is, what the kids have going on for summer activities, what I'm supposed to be doing for work stuff and pill taking, despite copious notes.  So specialist tells me given the swelling around my lungs and even heart with all this fluid not to get any respiratory illnesses.  Which will be tough because the kids like to bring shit home the first 60 days of school.  I ask, "I'm probably due for a Covid-19 booster.  This would seem like a good time to get one since that's as serious a respiratory issue as I can get."  She laughs at me, "No, a booster with your immunity system how it is would knock you down for a week."  So she tells me that yesterday.  What the fuck am I supposed to do with that information?  So I slept 4 hours last night in abject terror.  And I don't know if it's Friday.

troph

Full Members
(edited)

Edited by troph

Vegas64

Full Members
11 minutes ago, troph said:

Thank you @Vegas64

im sleeping well right now (on steroids which keeps the inflammation down) but for example last night I took Benadryl to insure I did. I’m getting better but I have serious trauma around that two weeks I didn’t sleep. Total mind fuck then and now. 

sleep is easily top three with what we eat and moving our bodies. We cannot escape the need for quality in all three areas, chronic lack of any will absolutely catch up with us.

with post Covid lack of sleep can halt recovery so it’s even more important. 

I’ll know more soon for now god bless steroids and sedatives or meds with sedative side effects. 

I was reading that scientists still don't really know why we sleep, just that a lack of sleep will kill you.

I think the leading theory is that when we sleep our body goes into a sort of deep cleaning in our brains and GI (the guts are the second brain of the body) and we clear out toxins and build-up of bacteria, etc. and without sleep those toxins build up and kill us.

One of my worst nightmares is that weird disease where you can't stop laughing (or hiccuping) until you die. This one trumps that after reading about it recently: https://www.webmd.com/brain/what-is-fatal-familial-insomnia

YGIFS

Full Members

Uh, maybe reading terrifying shit like that is part of the reason you don’t sleep well…smart guy ;)

Incredulity

Legacy Members
3 hours ago, royiv said:


Yep.

2023 Full Year Profit
United Healthcare $23 billion plus $14.8 billion in share repurchases and dividends

CVS Aetna $8 billion plus $3 billion in dividends

Elevance (Anthem) $6 billion and also repurchased $2.7 billion worth of shares and had a $350 million dividend

Cigna $5 billion plus $2.3 billion share repurchase plus dividends

And on and on and on….

 

 

Share repurchases and dividends are after tax so what's the point of adding those to the NP?

UH for example made 23 billion and spent 14.8 of the 23 billion on repurchases and dividends.  They did NOT make 23 plus 14.8

pearlandhorn

Legacy Members
10 minutes ago, Incredulity said:

Share repurchases and dividends are after tax so what's the point of adding those to the NP?

UH for example made 23 billion and spent 14.8 of the 23 billion on repurchases and dividends.  They did NOT make 23 plus 14.8

Profit =/= cash made.  Better metric to look at is FCF less dividends less share repurchases.

Incredulity

Legacy Members
2 hours ago, pearlandhorn said:

Profit =/= cash made.  Better metric to look at is FCF less dividends less share repurchases.

Agreed in the sense that a company can certainly spend more cash in any one period than NP.  My example was a simplification.  Companies can lose money and still pay a dividend.

Adding buybacks and dividends to net profits is nonsensical.  Neither are deductible expenses so what point is the sum?

pearlandhorn

Legacy Members
21 minutes ago, Incredulity said:

Agreed in the sense that a company can certainly spend more cash in any one period than NP.  My example was a simplification.  Companies can lose money and still pay a dividend.

Adding buybacks and dividends to net profits is nonsensical.  Neither are deductible expenses so what point is the sum?

100%. 

royiv

Legacy Members
21 minutes ago, Incredulity said:

Agreed in the sense that a company can certainly spend more cash in any one period than NP.  My example was a simplification.  Companies can lose money and still pay a dividend.

Adding buybacks and dividends to net profits is nonsensical.  Neither are deductible expenses so what point is the sum?

The point is that money is being used to put money into the wallets of shareholders instead of reinvesting into the the health of citizens.

Anastasis

Certifiably Surly

For consideration in this exchange. 

image.thumb.png.75bd95bda60bb0f98c0f1878980793fd.png

Incredulity

Legacy Members
1 hour ago, royiv said:

The point is that money is being used to put money into the wallets of shareholders instead of reinvesting into the the health of citizens.

Then make that point without fabricating horse shit numbers.

Storm the Field

Legacy Members

Was starting to think I was gonna be the latest sufferer posting in this thread. Just got back from a long vacation on Tuesday, featuring several flights and train rides the last 2 weeks. Woke up fine yesterday and got a good workout in. On the way into work started dragging ass. Achy, fatigued, but pretty mild and powered through the day. Really started feeling puny on the drive home. Feverish, mild headache...etc.. Got home around 6:30, hopped on the upstairs couch and immediately passed the fuck out until about 10:30. Woke up drenched in sweat, chugged a bunch of water and then crawled into bed. Slept like a fucking rock the next 8 hours. Woke up around 6:30 this morning, very groggy, but otherwise fine. Still a little low energy this morning but all other symptoms have resided. 

Either I got lucky with mildest case of 'rona or it was something else entirely.

Guadaloopy

Legacy Members
36 minutes ago, Storm the Field said:

Was starting to think I was gonna be the latest sufferer posting in this thread. Just got back from a long vacation on Tuesday, featuring several flights and train rides the last 2 weeks. Woke up fine yesterday and got a good workout in. On the way into work started dragging ass. Achy, fatigued, but pretty mild and powered through the day. Really started feeling puny on the drive home. Feverish, mild headache...etc.. Got home around 6:30, hopped on the upstairs couch and immediately passed the fuck out until about 10:30. Woke up drenched in sweat, chugged a bunch of water and then crawled into bed. Slept like a fucking rock the next 8 hours. Woke up around 6:30 this morning, very groggy, but otherwise fine. Still a little low energy this morning but all other symptoms have resided. 

Either I got lucky with mildest case of 'rona or it was something else entirely.

Broke my COVID cherry after more than four years.  I got it last week after my wife returned with it from a business trip to DC, and she didn't become symptomatic until day 2 after being home.  Let's just say I was fully exposed on day 1 of her being back home.  I had pretty mild symptoms for 2-3 days and still have a periodic cough.  The low energy level was by far the worst symptom for me.  I never measured with a fever, but I sweated through my sheets like never before on night two.   

Vegas64

Full Members
4 hours ago, Guadaloopy said:

Broke my COVID cherry after more than four years.  I got it last week after my wife returned with it from a business trip to DC, and she didn't become symptomatic until day 2 after being home.  Let's just say I was fully exposed on day 1 of her being back home.  I had pretty mild symptoms for 2-3 days and still have a periodic cough.  The low energy level was by far the worst symptom for me.  I never measured with a fever, but I sweated through my sheets like never before on night two.   

The low energy was tough but the mental fog or "covid brain" was the worst for me.

Deej

Burnt Ends

Yippee. 

20240811_192246.thumb.jpg.dc9ad3ccf89f17459eb60588cd8104c8.jpg

InkaUtexas

Burnt Ends

Sucks man. We don't have an emoji for that.

Biff Tannen

Burnt Ends
On 8/9/2024 at 10:49 AM, Guadaloopy said:

Let's just say I was fully exposed on day 1 of her being back home.

Braggart

Dennis Taylor

Legacy Members
On 8/11/2024 at 8:30 PM, Deej said:

Yippee. 

20240811_192246.thumb.jpg.dc9ad3ccf89f17459eb60588cd8104c8.jpg

 

 

troph

Full Members
(edited)

Edited by troph

Anastasis

Certifiably Surly

Yeah, that shit seems DOA. 

dcbc

Burnt Ends
On 8/15/2024 at 8:37 PM, troph said:

but Benadryl, Xanax, gummies, cbd oil, and hydroxyzine

200.webp

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