Covid Tests

[The Todal]

From the New York Times, 26 Sept 2024. (Should our government do likewise?)

quote

Starting Thursday, you can once again order free Covid tests from the
government.

Every household in the United States will be able to order four tests
from Covidtests.gov between now and the end of the year. People can also
get tests by calling 1-800-232-0233.

Dawn O’Connell, the assistant secretary for preparedness and response at
the Department of Health and Human Services, said it was important to
make sure Americans had access to free tests as they spend more time
indoors and gather for the holidays.

[billy bookcase]

Post by The Todal
From the New York Times, 26 Sept 2024. (Should our government do likewise?)
quote
Starting Thursday, you can once again order free Covid tests from the government.

Scare tactics to dissuade undecideds from voting for denialist Trump ?





While here in the UK, the latest available figures

Sep 27th involving covid 143 due to covid 96

are lower than recent peaks

Jul 19th involving covid 234 due to covid 165

Aug 2nd involving covid 226 due to covid 142

All on

https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/datasets/weeklyprovisionalfiguresondeathsregisteredinenglandandwales/2024

Sorry it possibly won't wrap

< As good an excuse as any >

While having had the latest jab on Friday, again involved having to attempt answer
the interminable barrage of questions* rattled off at breakneck speed by an assistant
who was clearly becoming bored having already asked the same set of questions any
number of times. "I'm sorry I didn't understand a single word of what you've just
said; could you speak more slowly please ? " Every single time !

Which I vainly attempt to forestall each time with the simple statemsnt to the
effect that I've had all the previously available jabs as will doubtless be
evident on the screen in front of them with absolutely no side affects at all.

< / As good an excuse as any >




bb

[JNugent]

Post by billy bookcase

Post by The Todal
From the New York Times, 26 Sept 2024. (Should our government do likewise?)
quote
Starting Thursday, you can once again order free Covid tests from the government.

Scare tactics to dissuade undecideds from voting for denialist Trump ?
While here in the UK, the latest available figures
Sep 27th involving covid 143 due to covid 96
are lower than recent peaks
Jul 19th involving covid 234 due to covid 165
Aug 2nd involving covid 226 due to covid 142
All on
https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/datasets/weeklyprovisionalfiguresondeathsregisteredinenglandandwales/2024
Sorry it possibly won't wrap
< As good an excuse as any >
While having had the latest jab on Friday, again involved having to attempt answer
the interminable barrage of questions* rattled off at breakneck speed by an assistant
who was clearly becoming bored having already asked the same set of questions any
number of times. "I'm sorry I didn't understand a single word of what you've just
said; could you speak more slowly please ? " Every single time !
Which I vainly attempt to forestall each time with the simple statemsnt to the
effect that I've had all the previously available jabs as will doubtless be
evident on the screen in front of them with absolutely no side affects at all.
< / As good an excuse as any >

I had the two winter jabs (COVID and 'flu) just over a week ago. Yes,
the questions seemed a bit repetitive, but one can understand why
they're asked, especially the bit about allergy to eggs.

I was happy to restate that I am allergic to penicillin and that other
antibiotic called "Erythromycin" (or something similar).

I was once misprescribed it and became ill with an incredible rash.

The snag was that I became ill in the United States and had to rack up a
$2,000+ insurance claim at the nearest ER.

[billy bookcase]

Post by billy bookcase

Post by The Todal
From the New York Times, 26 Sept 2024. (Should our government do likewise?)
quote
Starting Thursday, you can once again order free Covid tests from the government.

Scare tactics to dissuade undecideds from voting for denialist Trump ?
While here in the UK, the latest available figures
Sep 27th involving covid 143 due to covid 96
are lower than recent peaks
Jul 19th involving covid 234 due to covid 165
Aug 2nd involving covid 226 due to covid 142
All on
https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/datasets/weeklyprovisionalfiguresondeathsregisteredinenglandandwales/2024
Sorry it possibly won't wrap
< As good an excuse as any >
While having had the latest jab on Friday, again involved having to attempt answer
the interminable barrage of questions* rattled off at breakneck speed by an assistant
who was clearly becoming bored having already asked the same set of questions any
number of times. "I'm sorry I didn't understand a single word of what you've just
said; could you speak more slowly please ? " Every single time !
Which I vainly attempt to forestall each time with the simple statemsnt to the
effect that I've had all the previously available jabs as will doubtless be
evident on the screen in front of them with absolutely no side affects at all.
< / As good an excuse as any >

I had the two winter jabs (COVID and 'flu) just over a week ago. Yes, the questions
seemed a bit repetitive, but one can understand why they're asked, especially the bit
about allergy to eggs.

I've had all of them and have absolutely no recollection of any mention
of eggs. I just keep saying no, and hope for the best. Until they ask three
times, as that will be the date of birth.

I was happy to restate that I am allergic to penicillin and that other antibiotic
called "Erythromycin" (or something similar).

What I've never really understood is how people with potentially fatal
food allergies (at least those not equipped with Epipens) can ever possibly
trust their fate to *any* outside restaurant or takeway of any calibre at
any price. To say nothing of shop bought prepared food where there was any
possibility of contamination

I was once misprescribed it and became ill with an incredible rash.

Where there's blame, there's a claim.

The snag was that I became ill in the United States and had to rack up a $2,000+
insurance claim at the nearest ER.

With plenty left over



bb

[JNugent]

Post by billy bookcase

Post by billy bookcase

Post by The Todal
From the New York Times, 26 Sept 2024. (Should our government do likewise?)
quote
Starting Thursday, you can once again order free Covid tests from the government.

Scare tactics to dissuade undecideds from voting for denialist Trump ?
While here in the UK, the latest available figures
Sep 27th involving covid 143 due to covid 96
are lower than recent peaks
Jul 19th involving covid 234 due to covid 165
Aug 2nd involving covid 226 due to covid 142
All on
https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/datasets/weeklyprovisionalfiguresondeathsregisteredinenglandandwales/2024
Sorry it possibly won't wrap
< As good an excuse as any >
While having had the latest jab on Friday, again involved having to attempt answer
the interminable barrage of questions* rattled off at breakneck speed by an assistant
who was clearly becoming bored having already asked the same set of questions any
number of times. "I'm sorry I didn't understand a single word of what you've just
said; could you speak more slowly please ? " Every single time !
Which I vainly attempt to forestall each time with the simple statemsnt to the
effect that I've had all the previously available jabs as will doubtless be
evident on the screen in front of them with absolutely no side affects at all.
< / As good an excuse as any >

I had the two winter jabs (COVID and 'flu) just over a week ago. Yes, the questions
seemed a bit repetitive, but one can understand why they're asked, especially the bit
about allergy to eggs.

I've had all of them and have absolutely no recollection of any mention
of eggs. I just keep saying no, and hope for the best. Until they ask three
times, as that will be the date of birth.

I was happy to restate that I am allergic to penicillin and that other antibiotic
called "Erythromycin" (or something similar).

What I've never really understood is how people with potentially fatal
food allergies (at least those not equipped with Epipens) can ever possibly
trust their fate to *any* outside restaurant or takeway of any calibre at
any price. To say nothing of shop bought prepared food where there was any
possibility of contamination

I've wondered the same thing, especially with reference to eggs /
mayonnaise and peanuts.

Post by billy bookcase

I was once misprescribed it and became ill with an incredible rash.

Where there's blame, there's a claim.

I'm not that sort of person.

Post by billy bookcase

The snag was that I became ill in the United States and had to rack up a $2,000+
insurance claim at the nearest ER.

With plenty left over

[John Ray]

Post by JNugent
I had the two winter jabs (COVID and 'flu) just over a week ago. Yes,
the questions seemed a bit repetitive, but one can understand why
they're asked, especially the bit about allergy to eggs.
I was happy to restate that I am allergic to penicillin and that other
antibiotic called "Erythromycin" (or something similar).
I was once misprescribed it and became ill with an incredible rash.
The snag was that I became ill in the United States and had to rack up a
$2,000+ insurance claim at the nearest ER.

I had both jabs at my local pharmacy. The pharmacist told me that the
Covid jab was Moderna and, after administering it, he gave me an A3-size
leaflet which included the instruction, in bold type "Read all of this
leaflet carefully before you receive this vaccine because it contains
important information for you." When I had the flu jab at my GP surgery
the GP always (as far as I can remember) asked if I am allergic to eggs,
but the pharmacist didn't do so.

[Jeff]

Post by John Ray
I had both jabs at my local pharmacy. The pharmacist told me that the
Covid jab was Moderna and, after administering it, he gave me an A3-size
leaflet which included the instruction, in bold type "Read all of this
leaflet carefully before you receive this vaccine because it contains
important information for you." When I had the flu jab at my GP surgery
the GP always (as far as I can remember) asked if I am allergic to eggs,
but the pharmacist didn't do so.

That is because, as you would have found if you had read the leaflet,
the Spikevax (Moderna) vaccine dies not contain eggs. You would have
been asked if you were also getting the normal flu jab which does.

I was just asked if I was allergic to anything or on blood thinners.

Jeff

[JNugent]

Post by John Ray

Post by JNugent
I had the two winter jabs (COVID and 'flu) just over a week ago. Yes,
the questions seemed a bit repetitive, but one can understand why
they're asked, especially the bit about allergy to eggs.
I was happy to restate that I am allergic to penicillin and that other
antibiotic called "Erythromycin" (or something similar).
I was once misprescribed it and became ill with an incredible rash.
The snag was that I became ill in the United States and had to rack up
a $2,000+ insurance claim at the nearest ER.

I had both jabs at my local pharmacy.

So did I.

Post by John Ray
The pharmacist told me that the
Covid jab was Moderna and, after administering it, he gave me an A3-size
leaflet which included the instruction, in bold type "Read all of this
leaflet carefully before you receive this vaccine because it contains
important information for you."

Same here, though the literature was A5 size.

Post by John Ray
When I had the flu jab at my GP surgery
the GP always (as far as I can remember) asked if I am allergic to eggs,
but the pharmacist didn't do so.

Well, her assistant, who was doing and sorting all the paperwork,
certainly did so in respect of my 2024 'flu jab!

[Martin Brown]

Post by The Todal
From the New York Times, 26 Sept 2024. (Should our government do likewise?)
quote
Starting Thursday, you can once again order free Covid tests from the
government.
Every household in the United States will be able to order four tests
from Covidtests.gov between now and the end of the year. People can also
get tests by calling 1-800-232-0233.
Dawn O’Connell, the assistant secretary for preparedness and response at
the Department of Health and Human Services, said it was important to
make sure Americans had access to free tests as they spend more time
indoors and gather for the holidays.

Covid cases will probably rise spectacularly during Thanksgiving in the
US because of the tricky combination of crowded airports and long haul
travel to go home. Halloween may also give it a significant boost.

Covid is pretty much ever present here in the UK now - although the
season for our mass get together around Xmas is still quite a while
away. US is a month ahead of us in that respect.

Really bad for Covid in North Yorkshire in early summer when I caught it
from being at an event involving about 300 people. Fortunately the
vaccine makes it more annoying than anything else. The old Covid test I
had at home (date expired by 6 months) still worked perfectly well.

No doubt that I had Covid either - the cough is very distinctive. Once I
said I had it and was isolating the list of others with it (from the
same event) or had just had it was endless.

The tests are cheap enough now and so widely available that I don't see
the need to distribute them for free any more. Back when Covid could be
lethal in around 1% of the population it was a very different matter.

Intensive care specialists and ICU nurses are still coming to terms with
just how many patients they lost in the early phases of the pandemic (as
the evidence given at the enquiry highlighted a couple of weeks ago).

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz9py388z17o

Medics on the front line bore the brunt of catching Covid from their
patients despite the best efforts (eventually) with PPE. Staffing got
extremely difficult in some places.