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Don't let anyone tell you COVID's over, 'cause I've got it. Tested positive two days ago. Thank heavens I laid in a supply of Paxlovid a few years ago. Today Paxlovid is a $1,300 five-day regimen but fortunately I'm on Medicare and my cost is zero. I guess all those years of the government pulling money from my earnings finally paid off. 🙂
Anyway, the first day was brutal, and I'm not ordinarily a complainer -- high fever, coughing jags that ended with my feeling white hot coals had been shoveled down my throat, disorientation, you name not. By Day Two today, today, my temperature is back to normal and almost all of my symptoms have receded. Still coughing a bit but cough medicine is taking care of it.
I'm sure there are some anti-vaxxers out there, and I absolutely respect their positions and would defend their rights to them, but my experience is that even those who are strongly against vaccines understand that for someone aged 75 who has suffered a mild heart-attack, a mini-stroke and a carotid artery endarterectomy over the last three yeas, vaccinations has is place. The simple fact is that ALL research from reputable sites, regardless of your position on vaccinations, indicates that seniors like me who have suffered a heart attack or stroke are -- ready for this, and you can Google it is you want -- are 12 times less likely to be hospitalized and six times less likely to die if they contract COVID and were vaccinated.
For me, I've been vaccinated and taken more boosters than I can count. And yeah, the first day after a vaccination or a booster is not cakewalk but I figure it beats lying on a hospital bed with tubes and needles stuck in me and a respirator whirring away.
Of course Kim also tested positive, but she's nineteen years younger than me, is in great health and has been vaccinated and boostered, so it's not as serious for her as it is for me, though she's had a tough time as well. We're both isolated in our bedroom, which you'd understand isn't exactly tragic if you saw our bedroom, our children being downstairs and handling our home. Under different circumstances, being isolated in our bedroom with Kim for four days would be -- shall we say -- a pleasure, but not in this case. Such is life. Helps I'm a former USAF search-and-rescue combat medic and she can lean on my medical background if she has a need or question, I think.
I'm the Comeback Kid so, as you can see, I'm at my desk now. Tomorrow will be even better.
Be careful out there. The Demon still lurks... 🙁
This is why I still wear a mask to work. Not worth the risk, with all the people I get regularly exposed to.
Community Leader
Omigod feel better both of you. 🙏
We went on a cruise a few months ago and my wife got covid on the cruise. My 3 kids and myself were all fine until 8 days later I got it. Kicked my ass the first 2 days where I couldn’t even get out of bed. Still not as bad as the first time I had it which was the sickest I’ve ever been in my life
I am an old man who got through COVID like it was a bad cold without receiving any vaccinations. I am not overweight and have zero comorbidities and made a personal decision long ago after speaking with my doctor to not take the vaccine.
It would be easy for me to stand on my soap box today with the confirmation bias we all have and declare my way as the right way. However if I had your medical history I may have decided to also take it. Either way what we put in our body should always be a personal decision. We should be made aware of the side effects and decide from there.
Of course it is hard to make an informed decision if we don't have all the facts. My home state of Kansas is currently suing Pfizer for lying to the public about the vaccine's side effects and manipulating safety trials. We will see what comes from that.
Good that you are feeling better friend.
I'm glad about your experience.
I had an uncle, Dave, who lived to 103. Dave smoked a pack of cigarettes a day, drank like a fish, lived on his couch and ate anything that was close by and deep fried. I'm glad he lived a long life, but I wouldn't follow his example.
Science teaches of us not embrace specific examples but to look at how the general population performs. Generally, having vaccinations and boosters work and have a positive effect. They do not give immunity. They reduce the havoc the virus can cause and, for seniors, they reduce the chance of hospitalization by twelve times and the risk of death by six times. (too many respected medical institution articles for me to list.)
But, again, it's an individual decision, just like your and my Uncle Dave are individuals examples. I roll the dice where the odds say the potential reward outweighs the risk. But then that's me... 🙂
I'm glad about your experience.
I had an uncle, Dave, who lived to 103. Dave smoked a pack of cigarettes a day, drank like a fish, lived on his couch and ate anything that was close by and deep fried. I'm glad he lived a long life, but I wouldn't follow his example.
Science teaches of us not embrace specific examples but to look at how the general population performs. Generally, having vaccinations and boosters work and have a positive effect. They do not give immunity. They reduce the havoc the virus can cause and, for seniors, they reduce the chance of hospitalization by twelve times and the risk of death by six times. (too many respected medical institution articles for me to list.)
But, again, it's an individual decision, just like your and my Uncle Dave are individuals examples. I roll the dice where the odds say the potential reward outweighs the risk. But then that's me... 🙂
This was surprising because I see the tactic that you used there. You grouped me with your Uncle that clearly made poor health decisions and lived in spite of it. It passively aggressively puts me in a category where you can dismiss me without being open to the idea I take a proactive role in my health and the science behind it.
Be aware sir that there is more and more data coming out that continues to face ignorance and dismissal through many channels. Even the New York Times, hardly a bastian of anti-vaccinations politics, is starting to open up to the problems that people are reporting that the same newspaper used to immediately dismiss on face value just a few years ago. The studies coming out in other countries are even more damning something we have yet to thoroughly vet here.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/03/health/covid-vaccines-side-effects.html
I stand firm that what we put in our body should always be a personal decision. We should be made aware of the side effects and make informed decisions while consulting with our personal physicians. I don't judge. Perhaps neither should you.
Believe me, you're taking what I said the wrong way. That's the problem with the written word as opposed to the spoken one. I am ABSOLUTELY not judging. I don't group you in any way. And, as an aside, my uncle's decision to live his life the way he lived it was his and I cheered him for it.
Many, MANY people do not believe in vaccinations. Not only do I support their right to feel that way, I would literally defend with my life their right to feel that way -- as I have have defended our liberties and freedoms in my past. We don't always have to agree with each other, but we do have to support each other's rights to their own choices. I would NEVER try to assert a value judgement on what you do or do not believe.
If I was articulate in my post, I sincerely apologize and I hope you accept that apology in the spirit in which it is given.
So many people are bored of Covid because its yesterday news.
Sadly Covid is not bored of people yet but it sure enjoys the lack of attention.
Best of health & speedy recovery to anyone that got it!
Thanks, Lurker-Man. You're right about Covid kind of fading into the background. But when it hits you it's got a way of reminding you it can kick your ass for two or three days and that it's anything but yesterday's news. Such is life...
Covid is such a pain.. I had it twice even with 3 shots.. I think I am now suffering long term effects.. I have a shortness of breath that was not there before and a few other issues.. No one can give me answers though of what is going on so who knows for sure.. Just stay as healthy as you can.. It is now part of the new norm.
Covid is such a pain.. I had it twice even with 3 shots.. I think I am now suffering long term effects.. I have a shortness of breath that was not there before and a few other issues.. No one can give me answers though of what is going on so who knows for sure.. Just stay as healthy as you can.. It is now part of the new norm.
How horrible. I understand those symptoms can come from covid or the shot. I am so sorry to hear that. Hopefully you improve.
@theman Thank you 🙂 I just found out yesterday that it is not heart related which had been on my mind. I think there will be some time before we fully know the long term effects.
@theman Nothing solid yet. I saw my heart specialist and all is 95% good there. Leaky valve that may or may not have to be replaced. I don't see a lung specialist again until September. I do have a regular DR. appointment at the end of the month for unrelated issues but will bring up the Covid thing then.
Hoping all will be well. FYI, Kim's had a valve replaced with a pig valve at age 79. He just celebrated his 85th birthday and he's doing great. We're all blessed that the medical state of the art is where it's at. 🙂
@theman My Father-in law just had the same surgery and it helped him a lot. The Doc only wants to replace it if it gets worse. We will monitor it. For now I can't complain too much. I have family, friends, and He-Man what more does a guy need lol.