Category: COVID-19

Thinking of getting the Covid antibody test?

Wondering if they are accurate??

Here are some of the current facts on this test.

• This test is not designed to detect active infection.

• False negatives do occur with the Covid antibody test.

“The reported rate of false negatives is 20%.” (1)

False negatives from Covid antibody test may result due to the following:

• It is too soon from exposure or actual disease. “It typically takes 1 to 3 weeks after infection or vaccination for your body to make antibodies. . . . Some people may take even longer to develop antibodies, and a small portion of people who are infected or vaccinated may never develop antibodies.” (2)
• The test may not detect antibodies developed from vaccination.
• The individual tested may have had a different strain that is not picked up with that particular antibody test.

What types of tests are used to detect Coronavirus antibodies?

• Binding antibody detection (can be a fingerstick or regular blood lab draw) (most common form of Covid antibody test to be performed)
• Neutralizing antibody detection tests (3, 4)

For detailed information on each test authorized to be performed (including sensitivity and specificity), visit this site. (Great information!)

For more in-depth reading, American Family Physician has an article with statistics concerning Cellex antibody test. (read here)

(1) From “Which Test is Best for Covid-19” by Robert Shmerling. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/which-test-is-best-for-covid-19-2020081020734#: Accessed 9/1/2021

(2) From “Test for Past Infection” from www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/testing/serology-overview.html Accessed 9/1/21

(3) From “Interim Guidelines for Covid-19 Antibody Testing.” https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/lab/resources/antibody-tests-guidelines.html Accessed 9/1/2021

(4) From “Covid-19 Antibody Testing.” https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/covid-19-antibody-testing/about/pac-20489696 Accessed 9/1/2021.

Have you wondered what it is actually like to have Covid-19?

Sure, you hear the horror stories – rush to the emergency room, breathlessness, forced insertion of a ventilator tube, etc.; but truly, what is it like for an “average” person to have Coronanavirus?

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Bill Plaschke is such a man. He is a sports writer and also now, a Coronavirus patient.

He never wanted to be a “statistic” in the Covid-19 tally of infected individuals.

He, like me, was diligent in his prevention measures. But one time of letting down his guard was the opportunity that Covid-19 used to gain access to his body.

Read his account here.

Many professional organizations are pushing to reopen major league sports. Some sports activities have already begun.

Besides the obvious, what are the implications in sports regarding COVID-19?

There are two main perspectives:

Players (including organizers, managers, coaches, etc.)
Fans (spectators, observers, etc.)

As sports begin to open up, let’s view some cases of what is occurring.

In the United States, Coronavirus cases are still occurring, though most places are not hot spots for the Coronavirus.

Many teams are training and positioned to resume.

In the sport of soccer, one team was preparing for a game. However, testing revealed 5 of the players tested positive for COVID-19. To me, that is incredible! Did these players exhibit symptoms? Where did they catch the virus? (Was it actually spread from other teammates?)

In this particular case, the match was postponed until a later point.

For further details, read here.

Mass graves – a thing of the past?

Think again.

Unknown to many, mass graves are still in use today.

New York City is a prime example, illustrated more poignantly with the current Coronavirus crises.

With the sheer magnitude of people in such a small geographical area, what is to be done when large numbers of its metropolis pass away?

Hart Island, located near the Bronx, has been a burial site, dating back to use even around Civil War time. Many of those buried there are due to being unclaimed bodies – the families either were unaware of their loved one’s passing or could not afford to bury them. Individuals with infectious diseases such as AIDS or typhoid have also been buried on the island in hopes of preventing further disease transmission.

With the high number of fatalities during the Coronavirus pandemic, Hart Island has understandably needed to be used more frequently as a burying site.

Prior to Covid-19, mass burials only occurred there about twice a week. Now, mass burials are occurring with repeated consistency.

Interestingly, there are times where a family member or close friend will facilitate a disinterment of a loved one placed there, providing for a burial in a different burial site. There is a lot of paperwork involved, but this has occurred in several cases.

One side note, for those who say that this pandemic is a made-up hoax, they need only ask those who work on Hart Island or any similar location. Those who see the fall-out of a pandemic, see the sheer numbers of those affected, have no doubts of the existence of a very serious disease and of its influence.

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For further reading, see the following: Link (excellent article, including photos of Hart Island) and link.

Information for this post was obtained from The Washington Post “Mass-Grave Burials on Hart Island in New York Rise FiveFold” (2020, April 16) by Jada Yuan. Link

It’s summertime! You’ve been self-isolating at home and now really want to get out and do something.

Yet you don’t want to increase your risk of catching COVID-19.

What are some activities that are low-risk for getting this virus?

First, consider these principles for your activities:

1. Practice social distancing

Keep a large distance from you and other people.

Choose activities that are away from crowds.

Avoid lines where you would need to stand in one location with others.

2. Choose low-population, outdoor areas

3. Wear a face mask

If people are in the area or have recently been in the area, wear a face mask.

Some states still require face masks to be worn in public. Check your state’s requirements.

4. Choose activities that don’t involve touching surfaces touched by others.

Arcade games are not a wise choice at the moment.

Think – public restrooms in heavily-traveled areas, etc.

Ideas of healthy activities during Coronavirus:

Walking/hiking

Choose a safe path with a limited number of other walkers

Think: more open air, the better

Think: the greater the distance from others, the better

Camping

Try outside your own backdoor with the kids! (if you are in a rural area)

Use a state park campsite

Be cautious in check-in areas, public restrooms, etc.

Swimming

Think: un-populated spots (I’m thinking places like Assateugue, lakes, streams, etc.)

Picnic with other family members

If you invite someone outside of your immediate family, make sure they have not been exposed to the Coronavirus and that they have been careful to avoid infection (like you have).

Choose your backyard or a rural grassy section.

Caution: watch out for picnic tables You do not know who just sat on them. Handwashing is usually difficult in a picnic setting and you will be consuming food.

Bike riding

Again, choose non-populated trails/settings. Wear a mask if necessary.

Read a book

Grab a book, some shade, and a comfortable spot outside and you’re all set!

Very relaxing! Wonderful way to spend some time.

Practice guitar or another instrument

If you can play an instrument (even if years ago), try picking it up and playing a tune. Start easy if it’s been awhile since you played.

Nothing more soothing at rough times than music.

Music venues

I’m guessing some outdoor music groups will be starting soon.

Think – rural park, far distance away from other people

Looking for additional suggestions, try this article Link

Right off the bat, you absolutely NEED to read this article:

“The Best Productivity App, Hands Down (and 12 Insider Tricks on How to Get the Best Out of It)”

Here are some helpful resources for individuals during this time of coronavirus:

Amazon – Small Business Resources (free offerings, Amazon WorkDocs, Amazon WorkSpaces, information, etc.)
Adobe – several free trials available until May 31, 2020, Adobe Portfolio, Acrobat PDF, Adobe Sign, etc.

Using Zoom?

Here are some handy shortcuts:

Alt+A = mute/unmute audio
Alt+M = mute/unmute for everyone except the meeting host
Alt+T = screen share pause/resume (when meeting control bar has focus)
PageUp/PageDown = view the next/previous screen of participants when in gallery view

To enable/disable waiting room (if host) – in bottom control panel, touch “security.” Select “waiting room.”

Pressing the space bar will also temporarily unmute you (similar to an intercom system) – very handy!

We’ve all been there. You’re trying to accomplish something or complete tasks while wearing a facemask, and you are now dealing with fogged up glasses.

At the most inopportune time, your glasses end up fogging up.

Or they are constantly fogging up and driving your pretty nutty.

Here is a great video on how to help prevent eyeglasses from fogging up:

There are other methods as well. This one raises the height of your lenses from your face. Personally, I feel it would be more awkward/uncomfortable as well as time-consuming, but it may be the solution needed for your particular situation.

This is a method using dish soap. View video.

Certain sports players face this predicament as well. (e.g. racquetball) Special creams are sold in sporting good stores/Amazon to help lessen the chance of fogging up. Amazon link