Yesterday, in a thread about COVID I mentioned that I was on a plane, heading home.
Well, I did make it home safely — and quite conveniently there was an antigen testing site right outside baggage claim, so before heading to my car, I took an extra 30 minutes to register and get my antigen test. Not as good as a PCR, but worth something, anyway. Got the results less than two hours later — negative. So that means that I more likely than not managed to not get infected during my trip to relatives, nor by my spending time with as yet unvaccinated grandkids or vaccinated but unboosted s-i-l. I have a pre-scheduled PCR test next week (originally scheduled based on my original flight schedule). I will keep that appointment as well.
For those contemplating traveling, I’d definitely try to wear an n-95 mask, and for the first time in awhile I saw lots of n-95s on travelers, as well as some face shields. Still had the occasional covidiot either using mask as a chins strap to hide turkey waddle, or just wearing over the mouth (one couple had to be in late 70s to early 80s…. very sad to think of their risk profile)
I also had a nice conversation with the United flight attendant — I suggested that he and crew needed to upgrade to N-95s and he didn’t disagree, noting that right now company gives them fresh surgical masks for each flight but they actually keep a small stash of n-95s in case a crew member develops symptoms during the flight — at which point the n-95s come out to protect and reduce likelihood of spread. I also let him know of some inexpensive single use n-95s that seem to be NIOSH approved (Kimberly-Clark brand). That is what I was using. They felt less bulky and were labeled “non-medical” — but all my googling seemed to suggest that had more to do with oil and liquid resistance and lack of true fit-testing due to the design — but hopefully sufficient for “social” use as opposed to “ICU” use.
There are of course multiple articles and pre-prints out hinting that perhaps omicron is not as lethal, so if those pan out — good news for the world, but mainly for the vaxxed and boosted. And keep in mind — a .5% death rate from 100,000,000 cases is a bigger number than a 2% death rate from 100,000 cases, so volume might easily outstrip decreased case rate morbidity and mortality.
Stay safe. Stay well. Get vaxxed and boosted, and if you know of a “legal” way to get a fourth shot (per Israel’s new policy) please share. Hell, as somebody said elsewhere, I’d get a shot every freaking week if it kept me healthy and kept me from infecting others.
For those celebrating — Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, and a grievous but strength filled Festivus to you.