The CDC has approved the latest COVID vaccine for most people and it should start becoming available this week. it targets the most recent circulating variant of the virus.

https://www.msn.com/en-ae/news/world/us-approves-new-covid-booster-vaccine-amid-rise-in-cases/ar-AA1gCOZ1

 

Beginning September 25th, you can once again get free COVID tests from the government:

https://www.covid.gov/tests

glatt wrote:

...I'll still get the updated shot though.

I've gotten the updated Covid booster along with the flu shot. In my opinion, a good reason to get the COVID booster is that there doesn't seem to be a reliable way to determine who might get long COVID. Even if the most recent circulating variants cause only mild symptoms, I don't want to have symptoms for months or years and will do what I can to avoid it.
 

Anon wrote:

…there doesn't seem to be a reliable way to determine who might get long COVID. …

They’re still working on a diagnostic test for who even has it.

A long Covid blood test is possible, new research suggests

EXCERPTS:

More than three years into the pandemic, the millions of people who have suffered from long Covid finally have scientific proof that their condition is real. Scientists have found clear differences in the blood of people with long Covid— a key first step in the development of a test to diagnose the illness.

The findings…also offer clues into what could be causing the elusive condition that has perplexed doctors worldwide and left millions with ongoing fatigue, trouble with memory and other debilitating symptoms.…

…The activity of immune system cells called T cells and B cells — which help fight off germs — was "irregular" in long Covid patients…One of the strongest findings… was that long Covid patients tended to have significantly lower levels of a hormone called cortisol.A major function of the hormone is to make people feel alert and awake. Low cortisol could help explain why many people with long Covid experience profound fatigue…

…The study also found that dormant viruses,, such as the one that causes mononucleosis, Epstein-Barr, come alive again in long Covid patients. It's unclear, however, whether those old viruses are causing symptoms or flagging a problem within the immune system.…

…Long Covid affects 1 in 13 U.S. adults, or 7.5%, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.…

(ETA: The ratio is 1 in 5 for those who have had Covid.)

Last edited by Anon (9/26/2023 1:39 am)

salute. ordered the 1st four and it said, "hey you can get more" ..so got 4 more

Last edited by Flint (11/20/2023 7:12 pm)

My area hospitals are packed with children experiencing both COVID and RSV together. Today, I had to visit a child, who also has brain cancer and is immuno-compromised, who isn't expected to make it. I know COVID shots are controversial, but this new strain is going hand in hand with COVID. It's a deadly combination in children

That's a bad link, Griff.
I had read Hydroxychloroquine was pretty effective duing the first 3 days of infection but most people don't know they're infected during the first 3 days. After that Fuhgeddaboudit.

I had a friend telling me about two cases he knew personally where the hospital labeled Covid cause of death when they were not.
One was a guy killed in a motorcycle accident was tagged a Covid death and the widow couldn't collect the accident insurance until she raised hell with the hospital.
Granted the hospitals were short staffed and the people run ragged at the peak, but evidently there were monetary incentives for mislabeling. 
I have more faith in this...

 

I'm undecided on if this woman is an attention whore, followed a planned post method, or is an airhead.
At first I thought attention whore but after thinking about it I wonder?

That is definitely a possibility, HM.