All COVID-19 Discussion GOES HERE

[rjmacs]

Acer wrote:
[quote=lost in space]
I don't understand why recommendations for mask use don't include elimination of beards. I gave up beards a couple of years ago when I discovered how much more effective my N95 respirator was after shaving my beard. I could smell the difference immediately. This is in a wood shop with good dust control. Most dramatic was the reduction in the strength of lacquer fumes. I've never seen this sort of thing mentioned.

I have seen that recommendation, though it certainly isn't frequently made.
It's a complicated issue, especially for people for whom facial hair is a matter of religious faith, not just aesthetics.

[wave rider]

Shaved my beard at the turn of the year for just that reason.

[lost in space]

Right. I hadn't thought of the religious aspect.

rjmacs wrote:
[quote=Acer]
[quote=lost in space]
I don't understand why recommendations for mask use don't include elimination of beards. I gave up beards a couple of years ago when I discovered how much more effective my N95 respirator was after shaving my beard. I could smell the difference immediately. This is in a wood shop with good dust control. Most dramatic was the reduction in the strength of lacquer fumes. I've never seen this sort of thing mentioned.

I have seen that recommendation, though it certainly isn't frequently made.
It's a complicated issue, especially for people for whom facial hair is a matter of religious faith, not just aesthetics.

[deckeda]

Washington Post is marking the upcoming marker of 500,000 Covid-19 deaths in America by highlighting child deaths.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/in...en-deaths/

They cite 271 deaths among children but that far lower number doesn't alter how heartbreaking the stories are. Perhaps unsurprisingly, symptoms are usually not caught, can be very different than in adults, and it's all over very quickly. And sometimes Covid isn't even diagnosed until after death.

[deckeda]

My dad’s got his appt now.

“Getting Moderna vaccine next Tue at Hannibal Regional Hospital. Five of us: ..... Second batch on March 30. Peeps around here traveling great distances— Cape Girardeau, Rolla, anywhere. Rural areas seem to be well-stocked but not St. Louis or County. We’re behind everybody.”

He got a link from the widow of the friend who recently died from it (my December post here). Called them up and they are basically just waiting for people to call them. Lovely.

For himself and another oldster setup and then asked about my sister, her husband, his sister. They all also got in due to having underlying conditions.

“This was a piece of cake. All they asked was age, underlying conditions, phone & email. She gave me a choice of dates and times. Done. Return email included a map of hospital and where to go. She gave detailed directions from here to there. Couldn’t be easier.”

[lost in space]

ny.tcom

[Filliam H. Muffman]

lost in space wrote:
ny.tcom

It's been close to that in some places for almost a year.

[lost in space]

Filliam H. Muffman wrote:
[quote=lost in space]
ny.tcom

It's been close to that in some places for almost a year.
Of course. I posted this because of its raw nature.

[Speedy]

The nurses are amazing. I couldn’t do it.

[Speedy]

In Minnesota, in our area at least, those in higher ed can get vaccinated:

“Word is out that [large area provider] is giving the vaccine out to anyone who works in higher ed. Anyone can call to schedule. I can't seem to find official documentation of this news, but I did call and said I worked in higher education and the scheduler said that was fine and scheduled me. So, this information is based on personal experience, but others are also having success so I'm confident it is good information.

You will need proof of employment (either your ID or pay stub) to show you work in higher ed. I have shared this information with xxxx so that she can send out an official announcement to all employees but wanted to start sharing the news tonight. Please pass this along to your colleagues--particularly those who are not on the faculty discussion list or in an academic department.”