This is good news.
https://norml.org/news/2022/08/11/analysis-cannabis-use-not-associated-with-increased-covid-severity/?link_id=8&can_id=cf03ec5e1ef575cb5ac13756b83b7f15&source=email-norml-weekend-weed-read-862022-3&email_referrer=email_1632058&email_subject=norml-weekend-weed-read-8132022

glatt wrote:

That's interesting.  I wonder about the reliability of any of this data.  Clearly, early on in the first months, the Covid rates were somewhat unreliable because test kits in hospitals were in short supply.  Then the data got good once we had kits. Now I wonder about Covid rate reliability because people are testing at home and not always sharing their results.  I also wonder about mask usage rates.  How are they getting that number?  Self reported? If I were asked, I would say that I'm good about wearing a mask because I wear them on Metro and in the grocery store.  But I don't always wear them out in public.  I've been going to restaurants more and you don't wear them then,  I imagine Japan is the same. I imagine they mostly wear masks, but consider themselves mask wearers.   It only takes a moment being mask free, and you can get infected and that would explain the rise in 2022.  Plus I'm hearing the new variant spreads outside readily. And that's when even mask wearers take them off.

...

all that, plus:

having a two year head start on the tsunami if cases inbound to your healthcare systems, hospitals, mask acquisition/vaccine infrastructure/culture shift is *priceless*.


the best benefit we experieced with mask *mandates* and other cultural earthquakes was to delay the CRUSH of people entering hospitals because they couldn't breathe.

Germany has about 232 people per square kilometer.  Sweden has about 23 people per square kilometer.  Airborne diseases are much deadlier in denser urban environments.
 

PSA: I got the Moderna bivalent COVID-19 booster shot and the Fluzone high-dose quadrivalent Influenza shot today (one in each arm) and I haven't noticed any significant side effects. It's all available now. Get yours while the getting is good! - Mr. S.E. Xobon.

I had the Covid booster (Pfizer) twelve days ago and the doctor who gave me the jab impressed upon me the need to have a flu shot as well.
She said it was a particularly unpleasant variant that had done its worst in the southern hemisphere and was on its way north.
A few days later, the nurse from the local health centre came out to do Dad's flu vaccination and she gave me mine as well.
So, there I am, replete with all the defences to fend off Covid and Flu (strains, various) and I get a bloody cold!
I thought at first that it might be a reaction to the flu shot but I'm pretty sure that it's a stand alone cold.
There is all manner of preventative medicine to repel plague, pestilence and pox but still nothing that works against the common cold.

I am not amused!


 

I just got Covid in one arm and flu in the other. I told them I wanted two of each, but they balked at the suggestion.

Didn't want me to become too powerful, I guess, like Larry Hagman..



 

monster wrote:

Carruthers wrote:

I had the Covid booster (Pfizer) twelve days ago and the doctor who gave me the jab impressed upon me the need to have a flu shot as well.
She said it was a particularly unpleasant variant that had done its worst in the southern hemisphere and was on its way north.
A few days later, the nurse from the local health centre came out to do Dad's flu vaccination and she gave me mine as well.
So, there I am, replete with all the defences to fend off Covid and Flu (strains, various) and I get a bloody cold!
I thought at first that it might be a reaction to the flu shot but I'm pretty sure that it's a stand alone cold.
There is all manner of preventative medicine to repel plague, pestilence and pox but still nothing that works against the common cold.

I am not amused!


 

This Dr prescribes booze and early bed.

Not something I would normally admit to in polite company, but I'm teetotal.
 

Team Coffee-total here.

Free COVID tests from the government are available again for mailing to you now. Order them through USPS: https://special.usps.com/testkits

Mr. S.E. Xobon.

I'm dipping into my stockpile because of reasons... I placed my order last week.

Ordered. I have to test every time I call in sick to work.

COVID tests generally have a shelf life of 6 to 24 months depending on manufacturer and lot number. There are expiration dates on them; however, the FDA may have extended some of those shelf lives and expiration dates. The FDA publishes that information. An example of those tables for tests that expired earlier this month; but, were extended into next year:



The FDA's comprehensive list of approved at-home tests with shelf lives, original expiration dates and extended expiration dates is here:

List of Authorized At-Home OTC COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests

For tests beyond even extended expiration dates and non-approved tests, you're on your own.

Mr. S.E. Xobon
 

Yes but when you;re in the Gators jaws the statistics on how many and the odds against, don't seem relevant.