Preparing for COVID variants

R

Rose65

Well-known Member
Location
United Kingdom
I do feel worried that more is yet to come.

So I'm stepping up vigilance and basic hygiene measures. I've got reasonable extra supplies of antivirus wipes off Amazon, we will clean hands carefully whenever we go anywhere.It's just if it all spreads, I bet the wipes will become harder to get. I still mainly socially distance, I've never gone back to the busy social life I had before.
I think being careful but not paranoid is sensible. After all, flu and other winter bugs will be going round.
I'm not storing food, I just cannot do all that again. I think we are all better prepared now anyway.
Are you taking precautions?
 

I'm eating even better because I know what I put in my body will keep it healthy by strengthening my immune system and that's the key to keeping healthy during flu outbreaks. I'm not worried. Stress is bad for the immune system. Vitamin C rich fruits and veggies are overflowing in my fridge! I'm going to be ok.

I haven't noticed hand sanitizer is scarce or available only in limited quantities. My hands do get washing from resin based soaps like sandalwood and myrrh it smells so good, I will not mind washing them more frequently.

Please be calmer. Calmness grows.

:)

peace farm.jpg
 
I'm not worried at all. Perhaps I am just waiting for the media to tell me to start worrying. Best of luck to them as I skip most media stories. Guess I never was good at joining the masses in media fear. Life is just too darn short!
 

I've started wearing a mask for medical appointments, when in grocery stores and when in indoor crowded spaces.

Living in EQ country, we're always prepared with a very deep pantry, plenty of food, paper goods (including TP), stored fresh water, batteries, and so forth. I prefer soap and water but have some hand sanitizer for when someone is sick - mostly grandchildren with sniffles. Will get the new covid vaccine when it's available.

Other than that I'm living my life as usual.
 
Packerjohn said:
I'm not worried at all. Perhaps I am just waiting for the media to tell me to start worrying. Best of luck to them as I skip most media stories. Guess I never was good at joining the masses in media fear. Life is just too darn short!
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It's not media fear though, is it? It's just being informed. Being a virus, Covid will endlessly mutate. Since it's a virus that has helped bring an end to 7m lives worldwide, we probably should be paying attention. And when steps we can take to protect ourselves are simple affairs, why not follow them?

Of course, for us older folk, the real concern is our own vulnerability. This amounts to how well our immune system is working. Illnesses we have can hurt our immune systems, and we should be paying close attention to that as it affects quality of life generally, not just in terms of Covid variants.
 
VaughanJB said:
Of course, for us older folk, the real concern is our own vulnerability. This amounts to how well our immune system is working. Illnesses we have can hurt our immune systems, and we should be paying close attention to that as it affects quality of life generally, not just in terms of Covid variants.
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Also, even if our immune systems seem to be working well, the reality is that as we get past 65 or so, our immune systems become less robust.

Despite keeping my body healthy and active, for instance, my balance isn't nearly what it was when I was in my 20s, 30s, 40s or even 50s. It's a fact of life.
 
Just a bit of advice to people in America, OTC sinus infection meds like benadryl Sudafed Vicks sinus are being pulled because the FDA is now saying they don't work and have never worked though many swear by them and their life saving properties if you experience a serious allergic reaction to something and don't have an Epipen.

I don't need them myself but many have been helped by them and IF they are pulled and you need them for flus, colds and covid you won't be able to get them. So this is probably something to stock up on ahead of time? I'm not trying to cause panic, just warning. I haven't seen this happen so far so cannot say 100% that it is true or not.
 
Paladin1950 said:
This Thursday, is my day off from work. Nevertheless, I have to go in at 11:15 am, to be fitted for a mask. Just to be on the safe side, should Covid or some variant returns.
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Are you serious about this? May I ask what you do if you don't mind sharing that information with us? :unsure:
 
chic said:
Just a bit of advice to people in America, OTC sinus infection meds like benadryl Sudafed Vicks sinus are being pulled
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Could you cite your source for this, please? I've only heard they are not effective and nothing about "being pulled." Pills sold specifically for backache, as an example, were deemed ineffective way back when I worked at the hospital, but they're still on the shelves. So I'm curious about your statement here.
 
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VaughanJB said:
Since it's a virus that has helped bring an end to 7m lives worldwide, we probably should be paying attention. And when steps we can take to protect ourselves are simple affairs, why not follow them?
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"Why not follow them?" I don't know, Vaughan... it's never made sense to me when it's so simple.
 
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CallMeKate said:
Could you cite your source for this, please? I've only heard they are not effective and nothing about "being pulled." Pills sold specifically for backache, as an example, were deemed ineffective way back when I worked at the hospital, but they're still on the shelves. So I'm curious about your statement here.
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I think the reference is to this: FDA panel says common over-the-counter decongestant doesn’t work

So my question is - is an ingredient is found to be ineffective (the article states that only a small amount of what you take reaches the nose) then why would this be a big deal? Surely no-one wants to take something that's doing virtually nothing, right? The article mentions a couple alternatives methods the comopanies could use (reformulation, etc), so I don't think it's a big deal.
 
chic said:
Just a bit of advice to people in America, OTC sinus infection meds like benadryl Sudafed Vicks sinus are being pulled because the FDA is now saying they don't work and have never worked though many swear by them and their life saving properties if you experience a serious allergic reaction to something and don't have an Epipen.

I don't need them myself but many have been helped by them and IF they are pulled and you need them for flus, colds and covid you won't be able to get them. So this is probably something to stock up on ahead of time? I'm not trying to cause panic, just warning. I haven't seen this happen so far so cannot say 100% that it is true or not.
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They worked for me especially the benadryl for allergies. Same for sudafed. By the way which are two otc drugs being abused by stupid people. One of the social media challenges this year was take 2 dozen benadryl and see what happens. Then meth dealers and junkies like to make homemade meth with dozens of packs of sudafed ie which why many limit purchases and require ID.

They say some of them work better in a nasal spray but nasal sprays not without risk either because they are too easy to over use which irritates the sinuses and opens them up to infection.

I'd say for flu etc keep something with an expectorant because sinus medications over dry and prevents fluids from leaving the body ie fluid in lungs and cough. Want fluid to flow.
 
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I've used benedryl for allergic reactions & itching & it works for me. Other family members have had it work for them too. I have also given it over the years to animals who have had reactions to bug bites or medicine reactions & it has worked. Very disconcerting if it's pulled off of the shelves. Maybe for some it doesn't, but for others it does.

With all of the contradiction about various things, it feels as if it's harder to believe at times those who are supposed to know if they really do know what they are talking about.
 
chic said:
Just a bit of advice to people in America, OTC sinus infection meds like benadryl Sudafed Vicks sinus are being pulled because the FDA is now saying they don't work
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According to
FDA panel says common over-the-counter decongestant doesn’t work

"The unanimous vote, which specifically declared oral formulations of phenylephrine ineffective, is expected to disrupt the market for OTC cold and allergy remedies, where consumers largely prefer pills over nasal sprays.

Phenylephrine — found in drugs including Sudafed PE, Vicks Nyquil Sinex Nighttime Sinus Relief and Benadryl Allergy Plus Congestion — is the most popular oral decongestant in the United States, generating almost $1.8 billion in sales last year, according to data presented Monday by FDA officials."

So @Lilac and @WhatInThe, this vote doesn't affect Benadryl, only the Allergy Plus Congestion version. Makes sense because regular Benadryl's active ingredient is diphenhydramine, not phenylephrine.
 
I’m not worried and have been living my life normally ever since the first vaccine was available. My sister is 10 years older and has copd so is taking more precautions. I have asthma but otherwise am healthy.
 
chic said:
Yes, vitamin D is said to help. It's too bad they didn't initiate a study on this back in 2020 so we would know. :unsure:
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I have read about this topic in several journals. It’s amazing what can be found out about when reading medical journals and speaking with people that are more knowledgeable on this topic than some experts. I think some of the chatter on YouTube can mislead us.
 
My building is hosting a flu/covid clinic here tomorrow. I just signed up for both shots. My friend the LPN has been bugging me to get the shots. So, I will toddle on down to do it and get it done. I learned from past experience it is OK to get both shots together.....as long as put in different arms
 
Born_To_Lose said:
I have read about this topic in several journals. It’s amazing what can be found out about when reading medical journals and speaking with people that are more knowledgeable on this topic than some experts. I think some of the chatter on YouTube can mislead us.
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I think almost all of youtube can be misleading but there are a few treasures.
 
I am too frightened of side effects to have my fifth vaccination. Last October I was so unwell for weeks. Yet I am afraid of dying of covid!
I really am conflicted.
 
Rose65 said:
I am too frightened of side effects to have my fifth vaccination. Last October I was so unwell for weeks. Yet I am afraid of dying of covid!
I really am conflicted.
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I certainly understand how you’re feeling on this, it’s a tough decision, Rose65.
 

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