How are you all dealing with coronavirus and the restrictions... #2

I think PM will wait until after xmas for further restrictions. Think Govt suspects people have lost respect for them after finding out they were partying while people were isolating and unable to visit loved ones with covid in the first wave!

They'll probably make it about us protecting loved ones regardless of what we think about them to try and ensure compliance if things get bad.


I can't see anyone enduring another lockdown just because govt says so now!

I'm glad everyone is doing relatively okay here.

Omicron is now the dominant variant in the USA. It spread way faster than delta.

Only those with Moderna or Pfizer boosters will be protected from omicron though; those without the boosters will see breakthrough cases - maybe moderate to severe. From what I heard, it's around day 10 when the coronavirus feels the worst, and it takes 2 weeks or longer for things like taste and smell to return, if they return fully. That's more mild than moderate. Moderate may require some medications and partial hospitalizations, but not ICU. Severe requires hospitalizations and ICU, and possibly long-term care for long-Covid.

If you haven't already, get your booster as soon as you are able to (unfortunately, you have to wait 6 months past your last vaccine jab, or, if you have Covid currently, a certain time amount after you test negative from your Covid infection and are no longer symptomatic).

If you're symptomatic, even if you test negative, stay home. No one wants the cold or the flu either. Thank you!

Does everyone remember my brother’s grandfather from Texas who died a month ago from covid after the invermectin, hydrochloriquin and no vax? His daughter has it now.

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(((hugs))) @sarahsweets - I remember your post. I'm so sorry that his daughter now has Covid. I hope she doesn't fall too ill with it. Is she vaccinated? Boosted?

There is some article in the New York Times that mentioned what works on convincing some of the hesitants to get the vaccines and/or boosters - and that is negative reinforcement/negative consequences (such as mandates - get vaccinated or lose your job). Some are even suggesting that if negative reinforcements work better than positive reinforcements (such as offering money, lotteries, or free donuts), they could add more negative reinforcements such as redefining "fully vaccinated" mandates to include boosters, and maybe charging more for healthcare (like they do with smokers) for the unvaccinated. The negative reinforcements seem to work at convincing some, but not all. It only increases by a matter of 5% to 10% of hesitants, but not necessarily the die-hard antivaxxing loyalists. So go figure.

It's sad that death and severe disease - even witnessing it - does not change the minds of loyalist antivaxxers. Loyalists are doing so for their own belief systems, which is not based in science or on love or on empathy.

I still haven't heard when my 3rd dose will be!


My first two were AZ due to allergy issues so can only have the AZ...guess I'm doomed then if I get the Omicron variant???


Hopefully family don't have it Saturday..I won't be seeing anyone else for the rest of the winter (unless there's some unplanned emergency I didn't predict!)

Our govt are planning to change the covid passes once enough people have the booster ..everyone will have to have 3 to be considered 'fully vaccinated' and allowed in places where vaccine passports are required. The anti vaxxers won't like that....can see more riots happening over that! ..especially if they also then say a negative lateral flow test is not an acceptable alternative to get into places like cinema's, theatre's, stadiums etc.

If AZ is mRNA-based, I think you will be good once you get the 3rd shot/booster. But until 2 weeks after the booster, when you are said to be fully vaccinated/boosted, you are at-risk for omicron - moderate to severe, etc.

That's probably why some places are locking down and others are trying to get everyone to get their boosters. Here in the US, many people are hesitant for both the original vaccines and the boosters. We're just going to keep having surges and economic troubles because of the hesitant holdouts, and otherwise.

I feel sad that you haven't had your booster yet, and I feel like the shortage of supplies to other countries might be due to other countries like ours who have all these boosters available, but no one to get them before they expire and we have to literally throw them out. I think that's a political plan from our far-right - to have us waste money and blame it on our current president, when the majority of us know that it's not the fault of our current president at all; it's the fault of disinformation, misinformation, and holdouts, as they are the ones clogging up our Emergencies and ICUs. Sadly, what we do affects other countries, too.

I hope you can at least get the AZ booster, if not the Moderna one, if your country allows it.

Sometimes other countries will allow you to get a booster shot, if you were able to travel to another country safely. But there are many bans now on travelers, and they will up the requirements to include boosters on their prerequisites for flying to and from. If your country doesn't have the booster, are you able to safely travel to another country (wearing the best masks possible) to get the booster and then return? That's another option. It's sad when that occurs as well, and it messes up the data a little, since no one is checking for proof in certain countries, but it's one way around the waiting game.

Yikes - about the riots.

I can see the benefits of requiring those things though. Even social scientists are seeing that only negative reinforcements (e.g., mandates) are increasing vaccination rates, whereas positive reinforcements do not increase vaccination rates by much at all (e.g., offering free donuts or lottery money). Because of the scientific data for this, too, many countries are going the route of negative reinforcements (mandates). No amount of riots will overburden the need for public safety, since public safety still outnumbers the holdouts, and since public safety proponents are armed with vaccines.

There are a few riots from the extremists in parts of the US, too. They tend to get shut down quickly, however.

They already did that for anyone 45+ here. By January 1st, it will be for everyone. Businesses can allow people in without the pass; but they have to keep the capacities lower or send the unvaxxed to outside spaces. Most choose to ask for the pass, as a result because it is hard to make money operating at lower capacity. In January everyone 18+ will need the 3rd dose.


My municipality finally opened up the vaccine centers for longer hours during the week and started offering shots on weekends. It doesn't help me, I already got my booster, but I hope it will encourage more people to get theirs.

I'm glad you're okay and didn't pass the virus onto anyone. I hope you feel better soon, and hopefully this will be over in 2 weeks or so. ((((safe cyber hugs)))

Well I tested negative by lateral flow this morning, I got quite excited but when I held it up to the lamp I got see a very faint line on the T so not quite but probably tomorrow. This matters because our isolation is now potentially reduced for vaccinated people from 10 days to 7 if a person tests negative on day 6 and 7. Hmm. I was still testing positive on day 7 so it wouldn’t have helped me, I’m playing it safe and staying home today, I’m on day 9 so not long now. I haven’t really missed going out because although I had mild symptoms (no respiratory effects at all no temperature even) I have been very tired - it’s like my body has been working hard.

@InkyTinks I had AstraZeneca 2x too and didn’t yet get my booster as for my age they kept saying 6 months then by the time they brought it to 3 months I could only bring it forward 3 days and then I had covid anyway (I work in a supermarket where I have been exposed to coughing frequently by the public so I’m fairly high risk for catching). I read of a man who had difficulty obtaining a 3rd dose of AZ as they are using MRNA for boosters, he did eventually get it - like you he couldn’t have an MRNA. Could you maybe talk to your Dr first about it?

I have to say all the breakthrough cases I’ve known were 2xAZ including myself but maybe a 3rd dose would help? I also read today AZ are working on an Omicron specific vaccine Steps taken to target Omicron with AstraZeneca jab, scientist says | Coronavirus | The Guardian

I got my blood antibody result back and I did have antibodies and was told they couldn’t be from the recent infection but were from either previous infection or vaccinations. Not sure what to make of that, it looks like I had antibodies just not enough to resist the virus? Or maybe I’ve had Omicron?

Maybe that's why I'm having to wait so long then if the standard dose they are giving out is Pfizer!


It's nearly xmas day now anyway and I'll be having a few drinks so best to wait until after then I can make sure I get chance to make antibodies.


I'm glad it wasn't too bad for you and you're feeling better

Certain rapid tests may not work for the omicron variant. I'd look into that. You may have a different strain.

Also, if the line is faint, you're still somewhat infectious. It's best to protect others by just quarantining an extra 3 days, and that's once all your symptoms have been gone. If you still have symptoms, even if you test negative, you should still quarantine, since it is also possible that you have been concurrently infected with a different respiratory illness at the same time. The key here is to slow the spread and make it safe for others, including yourself. There have been people who have been reinfected with omicron after first being infected with a different strain. If you have a different strain, which is likely because tests may not pick up omicron yet, then you are still at risk for getting omicron. That's what the latest data suggest. It's better to err on the side of caution instead of incurring more risk. It's this pandemic fatigue that affects our own risk assessments, especially when working with others in enclosed spaces, being around other vulnerable people, and living with one more persons.

Here's one link regarding omicron not being detectable by tests: FDA finds 3 COVID-19 tests that fail to detect the omicron variant | MedTech Dive.

And here's another link regarding omicron likely to reinfect; there's no natural immunity against omicron: Omicron more likely to reinfect than Delta, no milder -study | Reuters

Be safe.

I'm so glad you are feeling better @Discombobulated! Very interesting about the antibodies, I don't know what to make of that either.

What is this PEG?



I was told to get AZ to start with cos Pfizer was triggering severe allergic reactions due to PEG. I've been told today there are no half doses (Booster) of AZ but if Pfizer wasn't safe for me at the beginning why will it be now???



I told them I'm not risking allergic reaction and hospital just a couple of days before xmas and refused it. They're going to find out if Moderna will be any safer and contact me after xmas...does that also contain this PEG? anyone know??

Both Moderna and Pfizer have PEG (polyethylene glycol). It's a chemical used in a lot of cosmetics and other household products. Miralax is polyethylene gylcol.

Allergies and Covid-19 Vaccines:

See CDC link above. Last Updated Dec. 14, 2021
Content source: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD), Division of Viral Diseases

I've had a severe anaphylactic reaction to Ibuprofen in the past and PEG is listed in the ingredients

"The solubility of ibuprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), is enhanced by synthesizing ibuprofen ester with a water-soluble polymer, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)"












Inactive ingredients: carnauba wax, colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polydextrose, polyethylene glycol, polysorbate, titanium dioxide









From Govt site



"If you have had a severe allergic reaction or an immediate allergic reaction—even if it was not severe—to any ingredient in an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, you should not get either of the currently available mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna)"

PEG and Polysorbate are closely related to each other. PEG is an ingredient in the mRNA vaccines, and Polysorbate is an ingredient in the J&J/Janssen vaccine.

This only leaves AZ for me!

AstraZeneca:

"The Polysorbate containing AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is tolerated by polyethylene glycol (PEG) allergic patients":

Sellaturay P, Gurugama P, Harper V, Dymond T, Ewan P, Nasser S. The Polysorbate containing AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is tolerated by polyethylene glycol (PEG) allergic patients. Clin Exp Allergy. 2021 Nov 25. doi: 10.1111/cea.14064. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 34822190.

If you're in a country that allows for this, great. If you're in the U.S., you'll need to travel abroad (which is highly unlikely, due to international requirements for both the initial vaccine(s) and the booster) to get the AZ vaccine.

NOTE: AZ vaccines and boosters wane at 3 months; every 6 months is not enough. This is what makes this drug more expensive, and probably one of many reasons why the U.S. decided not to get it.

Unfortunately, the AZ booster may NOT work against omicron; for those with allergic reactions to mRNA vaccines, they will need to mask, social distance, isolate, only go out for essentials, keep airflow purified, and clean surfaces in order to remain as safe as possible. There are no allergy-friendly vaccines to protect against omicron at this time, though getting a booster will help with the other variants and severe disease. Unfortunately, those with allergies are also high-risk for severe Covid-19 and death, so there aren't many studies on whether alternative vaccines will help protect against omicron for the immunocompromised and those with allergies to mRNA vaccine ingredients.

And, there's still some debate on whether omicron is less severe, more severe, or about the same as delta; for now, the scientists are saying that omicron might be the SAME SEVERITY AS DELTA until more data are gathered and more statistical tests are analyzed.

Overall, when looking at the MIXED FINDINGS across the globe, which has more integrity than politically-laden studies in individual countries and their research institutions, we will find the need to be cautious and diligent about going back to double-masking (N95 or N99 if you can), sheltering-in-place if you are high-risk or live with high-risk persons, only traveling for essentials, abiding by mandates and lockdowns, keeping airflow purified with hepa filtration and fresh air, washing hands for at least 40 seconds, keeping surfaces clean and disinfected, social distancing at least 6 feet both indoors and outdoors, avoiding indoors with unvaccinated or public areas, avoiding crowds, and getting vaccinated/boosted as recommended by your specific region's healthcare departments and/or your doctor.

The problem about spreading this virus occurs not only when your pandemic-fatigued defenses are down, but also when disinformation spreads, misinformation spreads, and/or people downplaying the severity of novel mutations. It's better to err on the side of caution than to deal with the tragic costs of medical traumas, grief/loss traumas, increased disease and disability, overwhelmed hospitals (which affects more than Covid patients), and a prolonged pandemic.

Thanks for the info.

I'm not in the US and I had the first 2 AZ vaccinations without any allergic reaction so I already know that one is safe for me personally.


In my country they are giving some CEV people a 3rd primary (full) dose then a booster later so I asked why I couldn't get another AZ full dose if there's no half doses.


If they don't reply I'll try again on Monday after xmas


Our govt rules say if a patient has ever had a severe reaction to ingredients in mRNA vaccines then they should be given one of the others.



Not sure what other options I have?


Anyway I'm off to bed its nearly 10.30pm here and I need to be out early with the dog when it's quiet.

I hope you are able to get boosted soon. I know you've been waiting for a while to get boosted. I'm so sorry you are struggling with all this - the allergies, the pandemic, this new omicron, and everything else. All this sucks! I wished it were over for all of us.

You're doing the best you can with all that you've got. I hope you have good rest and a better outlook tomorrow.

Everyone! Check this out! I’m absolutely shocked absolutely shocked.

N.J. reports nearly 10,000 COVID cases, the highest number yet since the pandemic started - nj.com

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I'm so sorry - that's a lot of numbers! I hope the hospitals are still doing okay.

I wished that there were ways for people to report their at-home tests, and then for them to differentiate at-home tests from workplace/institutional rapid tests from antigen tests from PCR tests, and to remind us all on every coronavirus data site what those tests are, how accurate they are, and how they remove any possible "double-counts" (when a person gets an at-home test followed by a hospital-based test), so that disinformation and misinformation do not spread. The free tests are going to require some sort of logging somewhere, and that's if people are willing to share their positive or negative test results to reveal a better estimate of test positivity.

Meanwhile, it would be good to know about people's symptoms and what prompted them to take the tests - whether it be required for travel (international or domestic), required for a job because they remain unvaccinated/unboosted, due to symptoms, due to local events such as gathering with friends or attending a concert, due to weekly testing to be safe for self and/or the community, or out of pure curiosity/other reason. Negative test reporting is important because then it shows a more accurate test positivity rate, especially for those who chose to take the test because they were symptomatic. For those who take the test on a weekly basis due to their unvaccination status, it would also reveal test positivity for that particular group, when compared to those who are vaccinated; reporting of those tests should also be mandated by the companies that are required to test them when they allow their unvaccinated employees to continue working there (especially in places like meat packing warehouses, hospitals, psychology firms, research firms, food warehouses, manufacturing warehouses, dental offices, and otherwise; there really should have been mandates for those working in services with regular close contact with customers, such as in restaurants, bars, beauty salons, dental offices, psychological offices, and more, because they often don't have 100 employees, but they are nonetheless the superspreading areas that are most likely to community spread the virus).

There's a lot more we can do to reduce the spread, even without mandates. That is to get vaccinated, including boosted; wear masks whenever you leave the home; isolate those within the home who have the virus or any other illness; get tested regularly (weekly or when symptomatic); keep the air purified and recirculated with fresh air; keep hands and surfaces cleaned; avoid crowds and indoor spaces; eat outside or at home; meet people outdoors and do more outdoor activities; reduce travel to only essentials or travel safely while getting tested many times before, during, and after your trip; quarantine/isolate if you are symptomatic with any respiratory symptoms and/or fever; avoid unvaccinated persons as much as possible; set boundaries with everyone - including both vaccinated and unvaccinated persons; safeguard the vulnerable among you (such as those who are obese, older adults >40, those who are disabled, those who have a high-risk condition) by ensuring as safe environment as possible when meeting with them in-person.

The sad thing is that they are telling anyone high-risk to just stay home; that's the latest recommendation in the newspapers. The problem with that statement is increased stigma, discrimination, and hate for those who are elderly, greater than 40, overweight, obese, disabled, mentally ill, diabetic, and otherwise high-risk; people will tell them that they should be the ones to just stay home while the more able-bodied younglings can be free to go maskless, vaccineless, and do what they want. Meanwhile, the benefit of vaccines is also for the freedoms of high-risk people, not solely to remove clogged hospitals.

Most of the clogged hospitals are from unvaccinated, high-risk persons who didn't adhere to safety protocols. If they had gotten vaccinated, they could have had their health, which is a part of their freedom. But when you get sick, you lose your freedom anyway. Vaccines help freedom for all, not just for high-risk persons, though many of the antivaxxing high-risk and moderate-risk persons are the ones clogging up hospitals, not the vaccinated. So the vaccinated should feel free to enjoy their freedoms as much as the healthy ones who get vaccinated out of both their own health/safety as well as their civic duty to help others.

10k in NJ is shocking. I'm just waiting for it to come here. We are still getting nailed by Delta.

we might be going back in to lockdown by new year's eve. the prime minister has said that he won't do it over christmas

I don't know how to feel about it really- starting the new year the same way we started this year..... and last.....

but hey: at least my life isn't on hold, I guess

it's just **** like always