Why is there, such a "need" by so many to get covid tested....

[billethkid]

I don't recall test sites/locations having blocks/miles long lines of people waiting to get tested.

If the omicron strain is more flu like than delta.....with less need for hospitalization and less incidences of death....why the "seemingly" panic to get tested?

The demand during the regular covid strain and then the delta strain during 2021 did not seem to result in such demand?!

[Dotneko]

Because people are idiots. How many asymptomatic people are testing? It's like the tree falling in the forest lol. lf you test positive for covid, but have no symptoms, does it count? Well, answer is yes - which is why our positivity rate is way up, yet our hospitalizations arent.

[golfing eagles]

I don't recall test sites/locations having blocks/miles long lines of people waiting to get tested.

If the omicron strain is more flu like than delta.....with less need for hospitalization and less incidences of death....why the "seemingly" panic to get tested?

The demand during the regular covid strain and then the delta strain during 2021 did not seem to result in such demand?!

Media hype

[Topspinmo]

Only at free sites.

[Bjeanj]

I was wondering about that myself. Am I missing something?

[golfing eagles]

Only at free sites.

Yep---those would be the "free" sites that we, the taxpayer, are funding

[Topspinmo]

Yep---those would be the "free" sites that we, the taxpayer, are funding

But, you don’t have to pay out of pocket at free sites. Why no line at pay sites which are over charging. We the people have NO control how governments spend taxpayers money.

[Garywt]

I have no need or desire to be tested. I have only been tested 3 times and 2 of those were because I was in urgent care not feeling well. The other time was when I needed a negative test to enter a state.

[Kenswing]

With as many new cases as we're seeing each day in this state right now, why bother? If people were dying in the street or the hospitals were warehousing people in the parking lot I might get tested. For now if I think there's a chance I might have it I'll just try to stay away from people or wear a mask when I go out. For now I'm feeling good and will continue on with my life.

[Papa_lecki]

Fake testing sites are popping up in Philadelphia, used to steal identities. They’ve been doing it for weeks, the city just figured it out. They put pop up tents up in the streets.

City warns residents of fake pop-up COVID-19 testing sites (https://www.audacy.com/kywnewsradio/news/local/fake-pop-up-covid-19-testing-sites-scam-philadelphia)

[npwalters]

I've been asking myself the same question and waiting for some pundit to explain it.

I realize that some people need to be tested - health care workers, teachers, international travelers, and a few others.

I don't see the point for the majority of us if asymptomatic. If one tests today and is negative the peace of mind gained only last until their taillights clear the parking lot. A person is just as likely tomorrow to contact the virus as they were today.

WAY too many people buy the administration/media hype and just rush to follow the crowd.

[riptip]

are we going to have to go back into lockdown? gees I hope not! Really miss being out and about!

[Decadeofdave]

I agree with all of the above.
Where the heck are the therapeutics? I thought they passed the FDA weeks ago. Just like Tamaflu they can treat the virus so if you get it you recover quickly.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I don't think there's any more need than previously. I think it's more a matter of increased quantity based on stagnant percentages.

HYPOTHETICAL EXPLANATION:

Two months before "Omicron", 100 people felt some general symptoms of covid, including minor cold or flu symptoms.
In addition, 100 people wanted to fly to countries that required testing.

Immediately before Omicron, more people felt comfortable about travel, and more countries relaxed some of their requirements. And so immediately before Omicron, 200 people booked trips instead of previous 100 people.

In the first weeks of Omicron, 200 people felt symptoms, compared to 100 people who felt them previous to Omicron.

PLUS it's Flu and Cold season, so people don't know what they're sick with, and 50 people would rather be sure so they can treat their sickness appropriately.

So if there's a 50% increase in people demanding tests, it's probably because there's a 100% increase in people who are doing the things that would prompt them to get tested than there were months ago.

[Boomer]

I agree with all of the above.
Where the heck are the therapeutics? I thought they passed the FDA weeks ago. Just like Tamaflu they can treat the virus so if you get it you recover quickly.

A doctor told a friend of mine that he cannot get the pills.

The friend has tested positive with some pretty significant symptoms. He was told to take his pulse/ox and go to an ER if the numbers drop significantly. The doc said that the fact that he has been vaccinated and boosted is very much in his favor.

The ERs are full of Covid patients. The news in my home city in Ohio just reported that some of the hospitals are prioritizing necessary surgeries and postponing elective surgeries. One hospital even clearly announced that they are clearing beds for an onslaught of the unvaccinated. . .Just imagine someone needing a heart surgery but being put off because of somebody who refused the vaccine for no good reason.

Boomer

[triflex]

I get tested just for fun. I'm just curious to see if I've had it. So far no.

I always make sure to not let them file against my insurance either. I don't want to incentivize the Government apparently having funded Chinese research to create the virus in the first place.

[EdFNJ]

are we going to have to go back into lockdown? gees I hope not! Really miss being out and about! Hey, Why not start a thread with that comment? Oh wait, you did! So far the only 2 posts you have made since you since you joined the forum in 2011. Where have you been for 11 years? Where do these accounts come from. :1rotfl:

[jswirs]

Because people are idiots. How many asymptomatic people are testing? It's like the tree falling in the forest lol. lf you test positive for covid, but have no symptoms, does it count? Well, answer is yes - which is why our positivity rate is way up, yet our hospitalizations arent.

I don't recall test sites/locations having blocks/miles long lines of people waiting to get tested.

If the omicron strain is more flu like than delta.....with less need for hospitalization and less incidences of death....why the "seemingly" panic to get tested?

The demand during the regular covid strain and then the delta strain during 2021 did not seem to result in such demand?!

You cannot underestimate the gullibility of the masses.

[rpalumberi]

from reading many of the responses, I'm glad to see that so many have figured out the hysterical nonsense being pushed by the WH in their attempt to control and divert attention from their socialist/communist activities

[donassaid]

It's called fearmongering. It's all about government control

[donassaid]

You nailed it

[Petersweeney]

The unvaccinated are being lumped in with people who had Covid early pre vacc and have better resistance than the vaccinated….most conversations about this are muted by media that take advertising money from big pharma….if the vaccine is so good why do you need 3 or 4 of them? Think about it….Covid is leaving us as evidence is it’s half life potency….. but capitalism is going to squeeze every last dollar out of it…..and yes as a prior poster noted….people are stupid…

[Petersweeney]

The unvaccinated are being lumped in with people who had Covid early pre vacc and have better resistance than the vaccinated….most conversations about this are muted by media that take advertising money from big pharma….if the vaccine is so good why do you need 3 or 4 of them? Think about it….Covid is leaving us as evidence is it’s half life potency….. but capitalism is going to squeeze every last dollar out of it…..and yes as a prior poster noted….people are stupid…

BTW …. the government, big pharma and insurance companies now have everyone’s DNA….convenient right? That nose swab well…. We’re just going to keep that on record for future NIH studies…. Thanks Dr. F

[golfing eagles]

The unvaccinated are being lumped in with people who had Covid early pre vacc and have better resistance than the vaccinated….most conversations about this are muted by media that take advertising money from big pharma….if the vaccine is so good why do you need 3 or 4 of them? Think about it….Covid is leaving us as evidence is it’s half life potency….. but capitalism is going to squeeze every last dollar out of it…..and yes as a prior poster noted….people are stupid…

If the DPT vaccine is "so good", why did we all get 4 doses of that???? If the polio vaccine is "so good", why do we give 3 doses of that???? Sorry, but not all vaccines are a one stop shopping trip. And what is a "half life potency" of a viral pandemic????(Sounds intelligent, but unfortunately it's not)

[Dana1963]

BTW …. the government, big pharma and insurance companies now have everyone’s DNA….convenient right? That nose swab well…. We’re just going to keep that on record for future NIH studies…. Thanks Dr. F
Don’t worry about that, there will be no unknown soldier. Since the Vietnam war everyone that has been in the military, incarcerated, hospitalized or had a blood test has been DNA sequenced. Most people falling for those Heritage searches like 23andMe have WILLING paid for a saliva smear to be analyzed. This information is now part of the company and sold to insurance, pharma OR highest bidder. Enjoy Q much

[Sandy and Ed]

I don't recall test sites/locations having blocks/miles long lines of people waiting to get tested.

If the omicron strain is more flu like than delta.....with less need for hospitalization and less incidences of death....why the "seemingly" panic to get tested?

The demand during the regular covid strain and then the delta strain during 2021 did not seem to result in such demand?!
We are trying to come back on line and…….Air travel requires testing, cruise lines require testing, medical workers require testing, etc. (some of the demand is not self imposed). We get our tests @ $40 a pop and hear it is going up to $50 soon. Believe me we don’t relish that added expense to fly or cruise

[Petersweeney]

If the DPT vaccine is "so good", why did we all get 4 doses of that???? If the polio vaccine is "so good", why do we give 3 doses of that???? Sorry, but not all vaccines are a one stop shopping trip. And what is a "half life potency" of a viral pandemic????(Sounds intelligent, but unfortunately it's not)

Have some more cool aid….

[Bill14564]

Back to the original question: The statistics show the same number of tests being preformed now as were performed back in September and before that in last December. Were there long lines for those too or has something else changed?

[1948JDG]

I'm from Missouri---Show Me.

[Petersweeney]

Don’t worry about that, there will be no unknown soldier. Since the Vietnam war everyone that has been in the military, incarcerated, hospitalized or had a blood test has been DNA sequenced. Most people falling for those Heritage searches like 23andMe have WILLING paid for a saliva smear to be analyzed. This information is now part of the company and sold to insurance, pharma OR highest bidder. Enjoy Q much

Q is the character on Next Gen, voyager and yes one of the best guest stars on the show….he thought humans were impetuous.( and stupid)

[me4vt]

Because it’s Free, they think! Nothing is Free you and I are paying for it😡 To date I haven’t been tested once! We’ve traveled in a motorhome from Florida to South Dakota and in between last year for six months. We’ve done the same thing through this Chinese Flu as we have always done, wash our hands and stay away from people! It’s that simple! I don’t like crowds and I keep a small circle!! Ride motorcycles in East Tennessee 6 months and fish in Florida for 6 months! We might just be lucky but, I look at it as being blessed😉 The crazy’s are always out there but, 2022 will slow things down an bit and 2024 will put us back on track🇺🇸





I don't recall test sites/locations having blocks/miles long lines of people waiting to get tested.

If the omicron strain is more flu like than delta.....with less need for hospitalization and less incidences of death....why the "seemingly" panic to get tested?

The demand during the regular covid strain and then the delta strain during 2021 did not seem to result in such demand?!

[notme6w]

I don't recall test sites/locations having blocks/miles long lines of people waiting to get tested.

If the omicron strain is more flu like than delta.....with less need for hospitalization and less incidences of death....why the "seemingly" panic to get tested?

The demand during the regular covid strain and then the delta strain during 2021 did not seem to result in such demand?!
Because this flu has a political oversight, the politicians have made a medical condition a political issue - need to live our lives

[Ski Bum]

I don't recall test sites/locations having blocks/miles long lines of people waiting to get tested.

If the omicron strain is more flu like than delta.....with less need for hospitalization and less incidences of death....why the "seemingly" panic to get tested?

The demand during the regular covid strain and then the delta strain during 2021 did not seem to result in such demand?!

So we can get the reported case numbers to rise, so the media can report it, so the government can rationalize another shut down (while slamming Florida and DeSantis).

[mamamia54]

Went to the doctor yesterday, early afternoon, non covid related. He told me the office already performed 19 covid test, 3 positive. Seems everyone wants a test these days.

[Two Bills]

The crazy’s are always out there but, 2022 will slow things down an bit and 2024 will put us back on track🇺🇸

Don't tell me the 'Wokes' have cancelled 2023!:faint:

[MandoMan]

I don't recall test sites/locations having blocks/miles long lines of people waiting to get tested.

If the omicron strain is more flu like than delta.....with less need for hospitalization and less incidences of death....why the "seemingly" panic to get tested?

The demand during the regular covid strain and then the delta strain during 2021 did not seem to result in such demand?!

If you have possible symptoms but a negative test, you don’t have to go into quarantine. If you have symptoms and a positive test, then if you are a person with morals who deserves to be considered human, you go into quarantine until you are negative so you don’t spread it. If you’ve spent time with someone positive, you could have an asymptomatic case that spreads to others and may put them in the hospital—or the graveyard. Again, it comes down to whether you have morals and live your neighbor as yourself or are just selfish.

[Marine1974]

Hospitalizations are at a all time high in Illinois. Governor Pritzker
said yesterday in his news conference 85% of hospitalized Covid patients are unvaccinated.
95% of Covid patients on ventilators are unvaccinated.
Major health crisis . Staffing shortages in the hospitals here due to Covid infections and employees quitting due to burn out and stress of caring for patients with Covid. ,
They don’t want to put their loved ones at risk . If your not vaccinated, you are 10 times more likely to end up hospitalized as we see now the vaccinated are less likely to require
hospitalization .

[DonnaNi4os]

I don't recall test sites/locations having blocks/miles long lines of people waiting to get tested.

If the omicron strain is more flu like than delta.....with less need for hospitalization and less incidences of death....why the "seemingly" panic to get tested?

The demand during the regular covid strain and then the delta strain during 2021 did not seem to result in such demand?!

First let me say that this is my opinion. Many people have spent the holidays with family and friends and are now panicking. Yes, if you are leaving or re-entering the country, a negative result is required which means you need to be tested. Now this part is a fact..a PCR test will remain positive for weeks after infection, while a rapid test (which is not always accurate and can give false positive and negative results) will not continue to give a positive result for weeks following infection.

As a politician who I will not name has said, “we are getting positive results because we continue to test, so stop testing!” I’m not sure that is the answer. As for another lockdown, I seriously doubt that will happen, and that is my opinion.

[Pachine58]

So omicron is a highly contagious as the measles was, so just figure your going to get it. Good thing is it is milder and has no lung component. Aches, fever 102, chills , etc like flu. Lasts 3-5 days. Good news this variant will build up antibodies against delta the more deadly version. So why test you either got or you don’t, so test is pointless now.

[Lindaws]

Exactly

[Marine1974]

400,000 new cases of Covid in the U.S. reported in one day that we know about , the real number is surely higher , is driving testing up .
Rapid tests there is a shortage of .

[milling73]

Agree- unless test results are needed for travel what exactly is the point of waiting possibly hours in line to find out if you have the flu, cold, or COVID? Does having either confirmed make you feel any less sick? Wouldnt you be more comfortable at home in bed, treating the symptoms - like we all did before all this started?
Seriously, what difference does it make?

[pgettinger01]

If you are not going to get vaccinated why test? The test is only valid at the time it is taken. After the test you might contract it. Testing is a waste of money and time.

[Scorpyo]

Most of the responses are against testing and for many good reasons. I would have heartedly agreed 2 days ago. As of yesterday I still agree, however, not to the same degree. Yesterday I was feeling like crap. I had a stuffy runny nose, coughing, sneezing, a slight headache and a slight back ache. I happen to have 2 BinaxNOW tests kits which I bought a few months ago. So I opened one and did the test. I was expecting a negative result – probably a cold or maybe some flu symptoms. No such luck it came up positive. I immediately texted my doctor to see what, if anything, I should do. He has not, as yet, gotten back to me. I will take the second test next Saturday to see if it comes up negative. In the meantime, given that I know I have it I won’t be running around spreading it. Yesterday the symptoms were mild, not so much last night. I didn’t get any sleep as it was difficult breathing with my stuffed up nostrils and my temperature fluctuated between 99 and 102. And yes, I had both Pfizer shots and the booster. So yes, I do agree that most of this testing hysteria is uncalled for but there are a few instances where it may be prudent.

[merrymini]

Hospitalizations are at a all time high in Illinois. Governor Pritzker
said yesterday in his news conference 85% of hospitalized Covid patients are unvaccinated.
95% of Covid patients on ventilators are unvaccinated.
Major health crisis . Staffing shortages in the hospitals here due to Covid infections and employees quitting due to burn out and stress of caring for patients with Covid. ,
They don’t want to put their loved ones at risk . If your not vaccinated, you are 10 times more likely to end up hospitalized as we see now the vaccinated are less likely to require
hospitalization .

I would like to know where you get your numbers because they sound bogus.

[Ptmckiou]

Omicron can pack a real punch….doesn’t feel like a normal flu. You can end up in the hospital if you don’t have the added protection of the vaccines. With that said, a lot of testing is going to schools. Many require a negative test to start school, and if someone comes up positive during school everyone that had contact with them must get tested, then if they stay without systems test again for a negative result to return to school. If everyone was vaccinated so their systems were more mild, we wouldn’t have this problem. However, since 30% of the population refuses vaccines, they become heavy load carriers of the virus which then can infect others, especially children. I know someone that had omicron and said it took her 20 minutes just to get out of bed and she had to monitor her blood oxygen levels, especially at night and not let them go below 90. She said it was scary, and if someone had gotten it like her and didn’t have the added protection of the vaccines and booster, she thinks they definitely would have ended up in the hospital. She said she has never had any “flu” that hit her so hard like this.

[Bill14564]

I would like to know where you get your numbers because they sound bogus.

That wasn't difficult to find....

From this source (https://news.wttw.com/2022/01/03/hospitalizations-reach-record-highs-illinois-gov-pritzker-says-he-fears-worst-come):

Approximately 6,300 people were hospitalized in Illinois with COVID-19 as of late Sunday, according to data from the Illinois Department of Health. Approximately 85% of those hospitalized because of COVID-19 are unvaccinated, while 95% of the approximately 1,100 people in intensive care are unvaccinated, Pritzker said.

[Waltdisney4life]

$$$$$$$$$$

[Notsocrates]

I don't recall test sites/locations having blocks/miles long lines of people waiting to get tested.

If the omicron strain is more flu like than delta.....with less need for hospitalization and less incidences of death....why the "seemingly" panic to get tested?

The demand during the regular covid strain and then the delta strain during 2021 did not seem to result in such demand?!

The reason to test: if the test is positive, one can take reasonable precautions not to infect others.

[The Caretaker]

Media FEAR!!

[Bill14564]

Most of the responses are against testing and for many good reasons. I would have heartedly agreed 2 days ago. As of yesterday I still agree, however, not to the same degree. Yesterday I was feeling like crap. I had a stuffy runny nose, coughing, sneezing, a slight headache and a slight back ache. I happen to have 2 BinaxNOW tests kits which I bought a few months ago. So I opened one and did the test. I was expecting a negative result – probably a cold or maybe some flu symptoms. No such luck it came up positive. I immediately texted my doctor to see what, if anything, I should do. He has not, as yet, gotten back to me. I will take the second test next Saturday to see if it comes up negative. In the meantime, given that I know I have it I won’t be running around spreading it. Yesterday the symptoms were mild, not so much last night. I didn’t get any sleep as it was difficult breathing with my stuffed up nostrils and my temperature fluctuated between 99 and 102. And yes, I had both Pfizer shots and the booster. So yes, I do agree that most of this testing hysteria is uncalled for but there are a few instances where it may be prudent.

Thank you for your post - sincerely.

A question: Since the test came back positive you won't be running around to spread it. What if the test had come back negative, would you have wandered out into public with a cold or flu? Perhaps a good approach for everyone is to not venture into public if you have symptoms of a cold, flu, or covid.

[kendi]

A doctor told a friend of mine that he cannot get the pills.

The friend has tested positive with some pretty significant symptoms. He was told to take his pulse/ox and go to an ER if the numbers drop significantly. The doc said that the fact that he has been vaccinated and boosted is very much in his favor.

The ERs are full of Covid patients. The news in my home city in Ohio just reported that some of the hospitals are prioritizing necessary surgeries and postponing elective surgeries. One hospital even clearly announced that they are clearing beds for an onslaught of the unvaccinated. . .Just imagine someone needing a heart surgery but being put off because of somebody who refused the vaccine for no good reason.

Boomer

Your friend needs a new doctor.

[Dana1963]

I don't recall test sites/locations having blocks/miles long lines of people waiting to get tested.

If the omicron strain is more flu like than delta.....with less need for hospitalization and less incidences of death....why the "seemingly" panic to get tested?

The demand during the regular covid strain and then the delta strain during 2021 did not seem to result in such demand?!
A person must be pretty dedicated to wait in line for free test.
Many Companies require a weekly Covid test for unvaxed workers.
Foreign Travel including Cruises.
If testing positive it’s required to return to work and receive paid sick benefits.
If you remember upon the start of this Covid Pandemic in 2020 The Villages people were lining up for Covid testing for about 250 tests daily by appointment.
Well it’s Deja Vu 2 years later. Now we are in the Flu season along with Omicron and Covid Delta strain.

[Scorpyo]

Thank you for your post - sincerely.

A question: Since the test came back positive you won't be running around to spread it. What if the test had come back negative, would you have wandered out into public with a cold or flu? Perhaps a good approach for everyone is to not venture into public if you have symptoms of a cold, flu, or covid.

Honestly - probably. In my 73 years I've never had the flu. In realistic terms I never thought I had the flu. When I was sick I simply thought it was a cold, however, it could have been a flu. How many of us went to school with a cold? How many went to work? For most of us we never even thought about a cold or flu. Unless we were really sick life went on. It wasn't until Wuhan shared Covid with us did we ever consider wearing masks.

[YeOldeCurmudgeon]

If you are not going to get vaccinated why test? The test is only valid at the time it is taken. After the test you might contract it. Testing is a waste of money and time.

Because if you do have it, you might give it unknowingly to someone who is vulnerable to serious illness.

[YeOldeCurmudgeon]

$$$$$$$$$$

Everything is about money but that is the system we have now. Unless we change it, it will always be about money. You have a solution for this?

[Byte1]

So, you go to CVS and take your test. Two days later, you receive your results and they indicate "Negative." Two days ago, after testing you go shopping at Publix and stop to chat with a friend you bumped into. That friend was infected. You receive your test results in the mail today indicating that you are "negative" for covid. That was two days ago. So, you brag to everyone that you tested "negative" so you can do whatever you wish, including going on a cruise. The cruise folks read your negative test results and allow you to board the ship, along with thousands of others that had their tests two days prior. Guess what?
In order to start working at a job they require a negative test. You received your test from two days prior testing and start work today. For the last two days, you stopped to chat with a neighbor that was walking her dog. You also went grocery shopping. You went out to dinner with some friends. You started work today after being tested two days ago. Guess what?
Testing negative is only good for the time you were tested, minutes before being in contact with anyone else that may be infected.
My opinion is that Covid testing is only good as a diagnostic for doctors to know what to treat, just like testing for the Flu or TB, etc.

[YeOldeCurmudgeon]

Honestly - probably. In my 73 years I've never had the flu. In realistic terms I never thought I had the flu. When I was sick I simply thought it was a cold, however, it could have been a flu. How many of us went to school with a cold? How many went to work? For most of us we never even thought about a cold or flu. Unless we were really sick life went on. It wasn't until Wuhan shared Covid with us did we ever consider wearing masks.

Easy to say for you, but a family member who was vaccinated got it and ended up in the hospital for four days -- she has asthma which made her vulnerable. The whole point of vaccinations is as much about keeping yourself safe as saving the lives of others.

[ficoguy]

Spend spend spend.....we bought 144,000 ventilators with taxpayer funds and they're sitting in warehouses. Somebody is making a killing.

[JMintzer]

So, you go to CVS and take your test. Two days later, you receive your results and they indicate "Negative." Two days ago, after testing you go shopping at Publix and stop to chat with a friend you bumped into. That friend was infected. You receive your test results in the mail today indicating that you are "negative" for covid. That was two days ago. So, you brag to everyone that you tested "negative" so you can do whatever you wish, including going on a cruise. The cruise folks read your negative test results and allow you to board the ship, along with thousands of others that had their tests two days prior. Guess what?
In order to start working at a job they require a negative test. You received your test from two days prior testing and start work today. For the last two days, you stopped to chat with a neighbor that was walking her dog. You also went grocery shopping. You went out to dinner with some friends. You started work today after being tested two days ago. Guess what?
Testing negative is only good for the time you were tested, minutes before being in contact with anyone else that may be infected.
My opinion is that Covid testing is only good as a diagnostic for doctors to know what to treat, just like testing for the Flu or TB, etc.

And don't forget that the CDC now says you can test positive for up to 12 weeks AFTER you had Covid. Even if you had an asymptomatic case...

[Teena Q]

because people are idiots. How many asymptomatic people are testing? It's like the tree falling in the forest lol. Lf you test positive for covid, but have no symptoms, does it count? Well, answer is yes - which is why our positivity rate is way up, yet our hospitalizations arent.
agree!

[donfey]

I don't recall test sites/locations having blocks/miles long lines of people waiting to get tested.

If the omicron strain is more flu like than delta.....with less need for hospitalization and less incidences of death....why the "seemingly" panic to get tested?

The demand during the regular covid strain and then the delta strain during 2021 did not seem to result in such demand?!

Because without testing, those who have the antibodies WITHOUT SYMPTOMS wouldn't be counted, adding to the hype. It's long past time for this game to be over.

[toeser]

I have never been tested and I have no intention of ever being tested unless I have symptoms or am forced to test to get on a cruise, etc.

I don't believe in wasting resources that may be more needed by others.

[maistocars]

I don't recall test sites/locations having blocks/miles long lines of people waiting to get tested.

If the omicron strain is more flu like than delta.....with less need for hospitalization and less incidences of death....why the "seemingly" panic to get tested?

The demand during the regular covid strain and then the delta strain during 2021 did not seem to result in such demand?!
The irony is that these people, who likely have no symptoms, are standing in long lines in the freezing cold right next to each other. Talk about a recipe for getting sick when they weren't originally sick. Just head shaking.

[DAVES]

I don't recall test sites/locations having blocks/miles long lines of people waiting to get tested.

If the omicron strain is more flu like than delta.....with less need for hospitalization and less incidences of death....why the "seemingly" panic to get tested?

The demand during the regular covid strain and then the delta strain during 2021 did not seem to result in such demand?!

As WE surely realize people DEMAND something be done. People with the job title, need to do something. Is it justified? Is it cost effective? It is almost a non-asked question. A news interview. Imagine, I don't know what to do so I am doing nothing.
Sometime doing nothing is the right thing to do.

[DAVES]

I have never been tested and I have no intention of ever being tested unless I have symptoms or am forced to test to get on a cruise, etc.

I don't believe in wasting resources that may be more needed by others.

PERHAPS, but with covid we do not have any VALID baseline data. We read hear it is up two hundreds of a percent. IT MEANS NOTHING since we do not have accurate, VALID information on what it was.

[DAVES]

Because without testing, those who have the antibodies WITHOUT SYMPTOMS wouldn't be counted, adding to the hype. It's long past time for this game to be over.

"It is long time for this game to be over." I agree but it will not end. It has taken on a life of it's own. So many examples. The march of dimes was created to deal with POLIO. Polio was vaccinated out of existence in the US. March of dimes is still here.

Global warming. Am I the only one to notice it is now climate change? Climate has always been changing.

Pollution. You cannot end pollution. A volcanic eruption a forest fire due to lightening all cause pollution

No shortage of other examples.

[twinklesweep]

Could this be analogous to sowing one's wild oats all week and then going to church on Sunday to pray for a crop failure?

That is, could it be that people are irresponsibly exposing themselves (and possibly indirectly exposing others) to Covid, thinking this is acceptable behavior since testing is available?

[Escape Artist]

I don't recall test sites/locations having blocks/miles long lines of people waiting to get tested.

If the omicron strain is more flu like than delta.....with less need for hospitalization and less incidences of death....why the "seemingly" panic to get tested?

The demand during the regular covid strain and then the delta strain during 2021 did not seem to result in such demand?!

What happened to the 500 million at-home test kits Biden said they were sending out?

TV aside, employers, places of business and other venues, or in order participate in an event requires a negative test. And Omicrom is so much more contagious it's spreading like wildfire everywhere. Therefore it makes sense more people want or need to be tested.

[Old Bob]

I don't recall test sites/locations having blocks/miles long lines of people waiting to get tested.

If the omicron strain is more flu like than delta.....with less need for hospitalization and less incidences of death....why the "seemingly" panic to get tested?

The demand during the regular covid strain and then the delta strain during 2021 did not seem to result in such demand?!

I don't understand why anyone would want to be tested. Either you are sick or not, and I think I can tell the difference without a test.

[Altavia]

So omicron is a highly contagious as the measles was, so just figure your going to get it. Good thing is it is milder and has no lung component. Aches, fever 102, chills , etc like flu. Lasts 3-5 days. Good news this variant will build up antibodies against delta the more deadly version. So why test you either got or you don’t, so test is pointless now.

Agree with one exception.

Omicron is a very different virus. No worse than a bad cold for most vaccinated.

As said before, those not are overwhelming hospitals in many locations.

[Love2Swim]

The reason to test: if the test is positive, one can take reasonable precautions not to infect others.

The answer is so obvious. Those that won't test clearly don't care who they might infect. They're only thinking about themselves. The sad thing is that kids, many who have not been vaccinated yet, are the ones getting it and ending up in the hospital due to its severity.

[golfing eagles]

I don't understand why anyone would want to be tested. Either you are sick or not, and I think I can tell the difference without a test.

But there are thousands of asymptomatic people in the long lines to get tested. To those that think it is so wonderful to get tested for no reason, consider this: Every year 35-70,000 Americans die from influenza (but apparently no longer now that we can blame COVID). Has anyone, EVER gone and get tested for flu if they had no symptoms???? Did thousands of asymptomatic people go wait in line to get tested for flu???? Did government offices and cruise ships require masks PLUS proof of flu vaccination to enter????? The scale may be a bit larger (how much larger is hard to say since EVERY sniffle is being reported as COVID), but the principle is the same.

[golfing eagles]

The answer is so obvious. Those that won't test clearly don't care who they might infect. They're only thinking about themselves. The sad thing is that kids, many who have not been vaccinated yet, are the ones getting it and ending up in the hospital due to its severity.

So......are you suggesting that every person test twice a day, EVERY DAY or be considered "selfish"????

[CoachKandSportsguy]

I didn't read all the posts, but the workforce and the employers require them for both not working sick days and back to work, as well as air transportation, and hospital procedures. Employers won't accept rapid tests for a reason not to come to work. . . PCR test result different issue. . .

So yes, there are many reasons why people have to get PCR tests. How do I know? I ask a positive working person when he had to get PCR tests, and his answer was above. . . he wanted to use the rapid test results but that wasn't acceptable.

An answer i would not expect retirees to be familiar with. . .

[billethkid]

The answer is so obvious. Those that won't test clearly don't care who they might infect. They're only thinking about themselves. The sad thing is that kids, many who have not been vaccinated yet, are the ones getting it and ending up in the hospital due to its severity.

NOT TRUE!!!!
Totally emotional/biased off the mark assertion!

[npwalters]

I didn't read all the posts, but the workforce and the employers require them for both not working sick days and back to work, as well as air transportation, and hospital procedures. Employers won't accept rapid tests for a reason not to come to work. . . PCR test result different issue. . .

So yes, there are many reasons why people have to get PCR tests. How do I know? I ask a positive working person when he had to get PCR tests, and his answer was above. . . he wanted to use the rapid test results but that wasn't acceptable.

An answer i would not expect retirees to be familiar with. . .

Read post #11 in this thread. Even us retired folks read the news and keep up with current events.

[JMintzer]

The answer is so obvious. Those that won't test clearly don't care who they might infect. They're only thinking about themselves. The sad thing is that kids, many who have not been vaccinated yet, are the ones getting it and ending up in the hospital due to its severity.

Sorry, but this is simply not true.

Despite what the headlines say, in reality, yes, they are seeing more kids in the hospital with positive covid tests. BUT... They are not being admitted for covid. They are being admitted for the normal kid things, and since they test EVERYONE admitted, they are seeing more incidental positive tests.

So, more kids are being admitted WITH an incidental positive covid test, NOT due to covid...

[kkingston57]

I have no idea as to why there is so much demand. I am very happy(for myself) that I am not doing anything(such as taking a cruise which requires a test. Hoping this calms down soon.

Saw one news cast that said there were vaccinations at same site and short lines.

Go figure!

[maistocars]

A doctor told a friend of mine that he cannot get the pills.

The friend has tested positive with some pretty significant symptoms. He was told to take his pulse/ox and go to an ER if the numbers drop significantly. The doc said that the fact that he has been vaccinated and boosted is very much in his favor.

The ERs are full of Covid patients. The news in my home city in Ohio just reported that some of the hospitals are prioritizing necessary surgeries and postponing elective surgeries. One hospital even clearly announced that they are clearing beds for an onslaught of the unvaccinated. . .Just imagine someone needing a heart surgery but being put off because of somebody who refused the vaccine for no good reason.

Boomer
and then you realized Parse, that it was the other way around. Latest data out of Ontario, Canada shows over 70% of those in hospitals are vaxxed. Unfortunately, we don't keep those stats (we can see why now). SOURCE: COVID-19 vaccinations data | COVID-19 (coronavirus) in Ontario (https://covid-19.ontario.ca/data#casesByVaccinationStatus)

[kkingston57]

Media FEAR!!

Agree it appears that there are way too many people are testing.

Media did not create the long lines of people in their cars waiting to get tested. Bet 80% of them were OK and not needing a test to do something like travel.

[Bill14564]

and then you realized Parse, that it was the other way around. Latest data out of Ontario, Canada shows over 70% of those in hospitals are vaxxed. Unfortunately, we don't keep those stats (we can see why now). SOURCE: COVID-19 vaccinations data | COVID-19 (coronavirus) in Ontario (https://covid-19.ontario.ca/data#casesByVaccinationStatus)

Makes me glad I don't live in Canada at the moment. It looks like they are heading into another three weeks of no indoor dining at restaurants.

With over 90% of their teens and older vaccinated, it is little surprise that the people the virus finds to infect are primarily vaccinated - there just aren't many unvaccinated people left.

It looks like there are a little less than 100 cases for every 100,000 people in Ontario, CA. In Florida the number is currently 263 with a bullet. Whether it is their high vaccination rate or their restrictions, something seems to be working for Ontario.

[Love2Swim]

Sorry, but this is simply not true.

Despite what the headlines say, in reality, yes, they are seeing more kids in the hospital with positive covid tests. BUT... They are not being admitted for covid. They are being admitted for the normal kid things, and since they test EVERYONE admitted, they are seeing more incidental positive tests.

So, more kids are being admitted WITH an incidental positive covid test, NOT due to covid...

According to the news, almost 199,000 child COVID-19 cases were reported during the week of Dec. 16-23, and children are being admitted to the hospital with Covid in record numbers. Experts lament that most of the youngsters are not vaccinated.

[Scorpyo]

Easy to say for you, but a family member who was vaccinated got it and ended up in the hospital for four days -- she has asthma which made her vulnerable. The whole point of vaccinations is as much about keeping yourself safe as saving the lives of others.
Kindly read my original post 44 and a question I received 51. It should give you more context to the post to which you responded.

[JMintzer]

According to the news, almost 199,000 child COVID-19 cases were reported during the week of Dec. 16-23, and children are being admitted to the hospital with Covid in record numbers. Experts lament that most of the youngsters are not vaccinated.

Did you not read what I wrote?

There is a difference between being admitted to the hospital and having a positive covid test and being admitted to the hospital DUE TO COVID...

And you just gave a perfect example of what I was talking about. The HEADLINES vs reality...

Once again, children are NOT being admitted to hospitals in record numbers DUE TO COVID...

[golfing eagles]

According to the news, almost 199,000 child COVID-19 cases were reported during the week of Dec. 16-23, and children are being admitted to the hospital with Covid in record numbers. Experts lament that most of the youngsters are not vaccinated.

Now, define "a case" of COVID-19. Answer----a positive test. So more importantly, how many children are in the ICU and how many have died???? Last numbers I saw (yesterday) was that over 800,000 Americans died of?(with?) COVID and 779 were children. That's less than 0.1%. And the reason that most weren't vaccinated was that children who were vaccinated and then had a breakthrough case had very mild symptoms, almost indistinguishable from a cold. Also, note that vaccine approval for children 5-11 came fairly late in the game.

[jimjamuser]

I don't recall test sites/locations having blocks/miles long lines of people waiting to get tested.

If the omicron strain is more flu like than delta.....with less need for hospitalization and less incidences of death....why the "seemingly" panic to get tested?

The demand during the regular covid strain and then the delta strain during 2021 did not seem to result in such demand?!
For purposes of "empathy"! No man (woman) is an island, therefore, if you are asymptomatic and have a viral load, then you MAY (?) want to NOT visit people in The Villages ( ALL are old) and KILL or hospitalize them. Just basic, "do unto others and etc"! So, you get tested.

[jimjamuser]

Media hype
Both a fast-moving fire and a slow-moving fire can burn down your home, but a fast-moving fire is more likely to KILL you!

[jimjamuser]

But, you don’t have to pay out of pocket at free sites. Why no line at pay sites which are over charging. We the people have NO control how governments spend taxpayers money.
You can control government (but slowly) by elections every other November.

[jimjamuser]

We are trying to come back on line and…….Air travel requires testing, cruise lines require testing, medical workers require testing, etc. (some of the demand is not self imposed). We get our tests @ $40 a pop and hear it is going up to $50 soon. Believe me we don’t relish that added expense to fly or cruise
I am reluctant to fly and would DEFINATELY not go on a cruise. Too much life to live right here in the good old US of A!

[PattiQ]

Yep... Biden ordered them... gotta use them.

[HeleneGB]

Not in Florida

[jswirs]

If you have possible symptoms but a negative test, you don’t have to go into quarantine. If you have symptoms and a positive test, then if you are a person with morals who deserves to be considered human, you go into quarantine until you are negative so you don’t spread it. If you’ve spent time with someone positive, you could have an asymptomatic case that spreads to others and may put them in the hospital—or the graveyard. Again, it comes down to whether you have morals and live your neighbor as yourself or are just selfish.

And so, according to your logic, we all need to be tested about once per week, for the foreseeable future, which, most likely, would be years. Otherwise, we wouldn't know if we deserve to be considered human. No thank you, I would not want to live in your world.

[golfing eagles]

And so, according to your logic, we all need to be tested about once per week, for the foreseeable future, which, most likely, would be years. Otherwise, we wouldn't know if we deserve to be considered human. No thank you, I would not want to live in your world.

More like twice a day. There was no logic to the post you were responding to whatsoever.

[mlmarr]

absolutely ..

talked with a pt yesterday .. they were out running errands the wife sneezed .. off they went to get tested .. just because they might ... .. turn off main stream media and do your own research ..

[irishwonone]

Fake testing sites are popping up in Philadelphia, used to steal identities. They’ve been doing it for weeks, the city just figured it out. They put pop up tents up in the streets.

City warns residents of fake pop-up COVID-19 testing sites (https://www.audacy.com/kywnewsradio/news/local/fake-pop-up-covid-19-testing-sites-scam-philadelphia)
Wow that’s pathetic. With all the available job openings some still choose to steal. Although I am curious if they actually prosecute these people any more.

[golfing eagles]

absolutely ..

talked with a pt yesterday .. they were out running errands the wife sneezed .. off they went to get tested .. just because they might ... .. turn off main stream media and do your own research ..

Turn off the MSM----great advice

"Do your own research", well, not so much:

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Read post #11 in this thread. Even us retired folks read the news and keep up with current events.

ah, but the point was that retirees don't have employment requirements any more, not about the news. . . and I dream about that day within the next 3 years. . . adult sleep over camp!


:a040: :a040: :a040:

[Altavia]

One reason to get tested is to know you if may have gained some additional level of immunity.

[golfing eagles]

One reason to get tested is to know you if may have gained some additional level of immunity.

Huh?????

Neither the rapid antigen or PCR Covid test will do that.

You could, in theory, get an antibody test, but the only commercially available one tests for only one antibody, and there are at least 5 involved in conferring immunity. Besides, if you were to find out that you had "an additional level of immunity", what would you do differently????

[JeanC]

I don't recall test sites/locations having blocks/miles long lines of people waiting to get tested.

If the omicron strain is more flu like than delta.....with less need for hospitalization and less incidences of death....why the "seemingly" panic to get tested?

The demand during the regular covid strain and then the delta strain during 2021 did not seem to result in such demand?!

The working population have to be tested if they have have symptoms in order to return to work. Or if they are looking for a reason to not be at work 🤷🏼*♀️ But there are folks who have to get tested because they are symptomatic. Albeit, currently there are other viruses going around unrelated to covid that mimics covid symptoms and sadly this is causing the long lines as well. It’s also causing a lot of difficulty in getting to see a doctor for something that is not covid but just sounds like covid.

[Blackbird45]

I don't recall test sites/locations having blocks/miles long lines of people waiting to get tested.

If the omicron strain is more flu like than delta.....with less need for hospitalization and less incidences of death....why the "seemingly" panic to get tested?

The demand during the regular covid strain and then the delta strain during 2021 did not seem to result in such demand?!

I spoke with my daughter yesterday, both her, her husband and my 7-year-old grandson
tested positive even though they have all been vaccinated. My daughter and husband both work from home, but school just started, and she is keeping him home, so he does not infect any other children. I think the panic is ridiculous, but it you are fully vaccinated, and you feel like you have flu, and you can get test why not.

[Lindaws]

Agreed

[gwenhwalker@yahoo.com]

I would think if you were really sick with covid you wouldn't be able to stand in these lines

[Marine1974]

Over 1 million new cases of Covid in one day in the U.S is driving testing.

[golfing eagles]

Over 1 million new cases of Covid in one day in the U.S is driving testing.

Got that backwards------millions of people rushing to get tested for whatever reason is driving the 1 million "new cases". (and the tragedy is that they consider a positive test a "case").

I would suggest that the powers that be make a true definition of what a "case" of COVID is.

Might be something like 5/9 clinical criteria with a positive COVID test AND a negative flu test. (Since amazingly, there has been no seasonal flu for 2 years)

[JMintzer]

Over 1 million new cases of Covid in one day in the U.S is driving testing.

Or, increased testing is discovering the 1 million "new" cases...

Or are they?

[MidWestIA]

The need is to know if you are safe to be by people who can't or won't vaccinate but you almost need to do it the same day. Radio story about researchers going to a antarctic remote location tested and quarantined for 9? days and still got covid there. They said a test a couple days ago means nothing

[golfing eagles]

The need is to know if you are safe to be by people who can't or won't vaccinate but you almost need to do it the same day. Radio story about researchers going to a antarctic remote location tested and quarantined for 9? days and still got covid there. They said a test a couple days ago means nothing

Exactly. The best comment I saw on TV was by a taxi driver at JFK who had an IQ of about 70. He said, right on day one of omicron being discovered in S. Africa, that we are kidding ourselves if we think it isn't here already when it is first "discovered" over there, and even more delusional if we think we are going to contain it. Too bad the experts are practicing politics (while the population is slowly getting stoned, to borrow a line from Billy Joel)

[Two Bills]

If you have no symptoms, and do not need proof of negative test, why queue with a lot of people, when many may be positive?
Or is the testing station the new, old fashioned, 'Measles Party' we had when I was a kid?

[Topspinmo]

The unvaccinated are being lumped in with people who had Covid early pre vacc and have better resistance than the vaccinated….most conversations about this are muted by media that take advertising money from big pharma….if the vaccine is so good why do you need 3 or 4 of them? Think about it….Covid is leaving us as evidence is it’s half life potency….. but capitalism is going to squeeze every last dollar out of it…..and yes as a prior poster noted….people are stupid…

Well, let’s make some guesses, it you have something to sell and it only take one then eventually you will go out of business. But, if you make something that have to be repeating brought $$$$$$$$ gold mine.

[Topspinmo]

The need is to know if you are safe to be by people who can't or won't vaccinate but you almost need to do it the same day. Radio story about researchers going to a antarctic remote location tested and quarantined for 9? days and still got covid there. They said a test a couple days ago means nothing


But, you’re only safe till you venture out or be around someone. Which means unless you get tested every day or two or week or month…….plus you might have caught it on way home it you stopped anywhere..… :)

[Topspinmo]

Not in Florida

Not anywhere else that served it purpose.

[GeriS]

That wasn't difficult to find....

From this source (https://news.wttw.com/2022/01/03/hospitalizations-reach-record-highs-illinois-gov-pritzker-says-he-fears-worst-come):

Approximately 6,300 people were hospitalized in Illinois with COVID-19 as of late Sunday, according to data from the Illinois Department of Health. Approximately 85% of those hospitalized because of COVID-19 are unvaccinated, while 95% of the approximately 1,100 people in intensive care are unvaccinated, Pritzker said.
And you still believe the media?

[Marine1974]

They in most cases are trying to protect their loved ones , co-workers and their community by being tested to know whether to
Quarantine.

[B-flat]

You cannot underestimate the gullibility of the masses.

Ditto!!

Want to read an eye-opener? Pick up a copy of Robert F. Kennedy Jrs' book about Gates, Fauci and Big Pharma. Doesn't matter what party you support because aside from party lines it affects everyone. It's very heavy reading and more like a text book.

Also you may to look up the topic online of "mass formation pyschosis." There's lots of material published and even a 7 minute video on You tube.

[Marine1974]

Well that’s a nice theory , testing is driving up Covid cases , really ?
If people do not know they have Covid and do not quarantine watch what happens to the numbers .

[nick demis]

No symptoms should cost $50.00 per test and you will have plenty of test available.

[golfing eagles]

They in most cases are trying to protect their loved ones , co-workers and their community by being tested to know whether to
Quarantine.

Would be nice to think so, but I doubt those that are on a line for many hours are that altruistic. They are either:

a) required to have a negative test to return to work
b) planning on travel that requires a negative test
c) mistakenly believe that a negative test is somehow going to save the world or themselves
d) or just plain covidiots

I wish you were correct and that most people are testing out of concern for their fellow citizens, but alas, I am doubtful.

[billethkid]

So a person that tests positive, that gets tested next week to see if they still have it, tests positive again....that is counted as two "cases".
And again the following week = 3 cases!

Until the media and the government find advantage for their agenda in positive results....there will be none!

[golfing eagles]

Well that’s a nice theory , testing is driving up Covid cases , really ?
If people do not know they have Covid and do not quarantine watch what happens to the numbers .

Yes, REALLY!

It's pretty simple---the more you test, the more positive results you get. It's not rocket science.

[billethkid]

Yes, REALLY!

It's pretty simple---the more you test, the more positive results you get. It's not rocket science.

Including any one individual tested positive more than once.

[Dotneko]

The reason for Covid test is so that you don’t spread it if you have it.this a virus that stays in your body forever and may come out at a later time in a way we are not aware of. You also have long haulers and people that have residual effects for weeks and this you don’t get with the flu.
Because this is not the flu
Or just a cold. Also if you don’t feel well you must get tested so you don’t spread it to other people. If you spread this to immune compromised people or people with underlying conditions they may end up in the hospital or worse death. Testing prevents spreading. Children are now getting Covid with the new strain many of these children are ending up in the hospital. Remember this virus stays in your body and can manifest itself in many other ways later on. One small example is the chickenpox virus and then shingles. Do you have Covid hopefully testing well prove that and you will be considerate of your friends family and neighbors quarantine for a few days when you go out wearing mask please stop close talk or sit at a dining table even outside for a while.
I’m not saying don’t go shopping or go out just don’t get close to people Please wear a mask to protect other people because you don’t know what their health situation is. Even if you do think it’s like the flu that could also kill someone who has underlying health condition or is immune compromised.

Ridiculous. If you dont feel well, stay away from others. No need for a test. A test doesnt change ONE.SINGLE.THING. about how you should react. Simple as that.
Sick? Stay home. You most certainly do not need testing. You need self imposed quarantine.

[JMintzer]

They in most cases are trying to protect their loved ones , co-workers and their community by being tested to know whether to
Quarantine.

And 10 minutes after their test, while going to the grocery store, they could contract covid... And never know it...

[nn0wheremann]

I don't recall test sites/locations having blocks/miles long lines of people waiting to get tested.

If the omicron strain is more flu like than delta.....with less need for hospitalization and less incidences of death....why the "seemingly" panic to get tested?

The demand during the regular covid strain and then the delta strain during 2021 did not seem to result in such demand?!
If you are vaccinated and boosted, and got your flu shot, and are not catching a flight out of the country, why test?

[MEbner2805]

I don't recall test sites/locations having blocks/miles long lines of people waiting to get tested.

If the omicron strain is more flu like than delta.....with less need for hospitalization and less incidences of death....why the "seemingly" panic to get tested?

The demand during the regular covid strain and then the delta strain during 2021 did not seem to result in such demand?!

These older people love drama and panic over every little thing and all the testing demand is just people doing it after traveling even when they don’t even have any symptoms or very minimal hints of a cold. Of course they are gonna get sick from the change of climate up north but it’s not the Covid. They forgot what real life was like 2 years into the Covid thinking nothing else can happen to them! People are not too bright!!!

[Bill14564]

And you still believe the media?

Please read more closely. The information is from the Illinois Department of Health and the Illinois Governor. The "media" was just conveying the information.

And yes, I believe the media far more than I believe a bunch of fools, conspiracy nuts, and anti-vaxxers (including those pretending to be only vaccine hesitant).

[golfing eagles]

The reason for Covid test is so that you don’t spread it if you have it.this a virus that stays in your body forever and may come out at a later time in a way we are not aware of. You also have long haulers and people that have residual effects for weeks and this you don’t get with the flu.
Because this is not the flu
Testing prevents spreading.

Where did you ever get THAT idea?????? COVID (a coronavirus) is NOT Varicella (a herpes virus)

[golfing eagles]

The PCR test has had a FDA recall since July. The false positive results is the driving force behind the evil narrative. When people do a deep research into the reasons behind the con-vid 19, 20 ,21,22, etc. Please take care of your health, because the government/corporations DO NOT CARE ABOUT HUMANS. In 90 years they have not found a cure for cancer..Oh BTW if you claim to heal cancer you will lose you license. Many doctors have been silenced.

WOW!!!

No need for me to respond----res ipsa loquitur

[phousel]

No symptoms should cost $50.00 per test and you will have plenty of test available.
Hmmmm...

Interesting idea.

[golfing eagles]

Of course it’s not shingles. I was using an example of any virus in your body can come out later on and manifest itself in some other form. Like mononucleosis may may come back as Epstein bar virus.

No, no, NO!!!!

"Any" virus cannot "come out later"

Some can, actually, a small minority

Yes, varicella (chicken pox) goes dormant in the dorsal root ganglia of the 33 pairs of spinal nerves and 12 cranial nerves and can later manifest as Zoster (shingles). And yes, there is evidence for chronic forms of EBV

But most viruses are self limited and have no sequellae whatsoever----common colds, hepatitis A, any viral gastroenteritis, etc. I always wonder where people get their grossly inaccurate information.

[golfing eagles]

I never said Covid was a herpes virus. What I said was Covid is a virus that can come out later on and manifest itself in a different way Such as chickenpox May come back and manifest itself has shingles. Mononucleosis can possibly come back and manifest its way and Epstein bar virus. We don’t know about Cove it but we do know that they are all long haulers who will have symptoms for an extended period of time. I know people who still can’t taste or smell for two years You don’t get that with a cold or the flu

Well, at least this post was half right. I never said that you said COVID was a herpes virus, I said you cannot COMPARE these 2 vastly different classes of viruses. The assertion originally made was "this virus stays in your system forever", which I pointed out was highly unlikely and lacks any evidence to suggest this. And btw, even influenza can cause loss of taste and smell for a long time.

PS: Your qualifications for making the assertions in the last few posts are????????

[Dreah]

I've been asking myself the same question and waiting for some pundit to explain it.

I realize that some people need to be tested - health care workers, teachers, international travelers, and a few others.

I don't see the point for the majority of us if asymptomatic. If one tests today and is negative the peace of mind gained only last until their taillights clear the parking lot. A person is just as likely tomorrow to contact the virus as they were today.

WAY too many people buy the administration/media hype and just rush to follow the crowd.

Which administration are you referring to?

[golfing eagles]

Of course it’s not shingles. I was using an example of any virus in your body can come out later on and manifest itself in some other form. Like mononucleosis may may come back as Epstein bar virus.

Why are you saying no no no. You totally agreed with me about The chickenpox virus and the mono virus. And I never ever said all viruses can manifest themselves is something else. You totally agreed with me

Perhaps I misinterpreted the highlighted statement. And yes, I certainly agree with varicella and EBV, and you can add hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV as well.

[billethkid]

I have personal medical and accurate knowledge of what I said. I am so sorry I ever posted anything on this site. Never thinking these responses would be so unkind and hateful. Now I feel I need to defend myself from ridiculous accusations. I am a good and honorable person and I was just trying to relay information which was told to me By a medical profession I wish my name never appeared on this and I am trying to delete Everything

Don't be bullied by the few.
Do not engage.
Hit the ignore button.

[golfing eagles]

I have personal medical and accurate knowledge of what I said. I am so sorry I ever posted anything on this site. Never thinking these responses would be so unkind and hateful. Now I feel I need to defend myself from ridiculous accusations. I am a good and honorable person and I was just trying to relay information which was told to me By a medical profession I wish my name never appeared on this and I am trying to delete Everything

As far as I am concerned, I didn't post anything "hateful", or "unkind", I simply stated that you were factually wrong. And if your misinformation was relayed to you by a "medical professional", I'd love to have a chat with that person. Half the problems with this pandemic start with totally inaccurate posts on social media, as well as hype promulgated by politicians and the media

PS: Personal knowledge, I'll take your word for it. Accurate---not so much. Sorry, but that is simply the medical facts, nothing "hateful" or "unkind" about it.

[petiteone]

from reading many of the responses, I'm glad to see that so many have figured out the hysterical nonsense being pushed by the WH in their attempt to control and divert attention from their socialist/communist activities

I'm a retired physician, so I'd like the WH and CDC be more emphatic about social distancing, vaccinations and masking. There's nothing hysterical, socialist or communist (LOL) about our public health issuances. On another topic, BTW...Trump just told everyone to get the vaccine and the booster.

[golfing eagles]

I'm a retired physician, so I'd like the WH and CDC be more emphatic about social distancing, vaccinations and masking. There's nothing hysterical, socialist or communist (LOL) about our public health issuances. On another topic, BTW...Trump just told everyone to get the vaccine and the booster.

Do you agree with me that a precise definition of what constitutes "a case" of COVID beyond a positive test is needed???? I have a feeling that applying a stricter definition would significantly cut down on the "record number of new cases reported"

[petiteone]

The reason for Covid test is so that you don’t spread it if you have it.this a virus that stays in your body forever and may come out at a later time in a way we are not aware of. You also have long haulers and people that have residual effects for weeks and this you don’t get with the flu.
Because this is not the flu
Or just a cold. Also if you don’t feel well you must get tested so you don’t spread it to other people. If you spread this to immune compromised people or people with underlying conditions they may end up in the hospital or worse death. Testing prevents spreading. Children are now getting Covid with the new strain many of these children are ending up in the hospital. Remember this virus stays in your body and can manifest itself in many other ways later on. One small example is the chickenpox virus and then shingles. Do you have Covid hopefully testing well prove that and you will be considerate of your friends family and neighbors quarantine for a few days when you go out wearing mask please stop close talk or sit at a dining table even outside for a while.
I’m not saying don’t go shopping or go out just don’t get close to people Please wear a mask to protect other people because you don’t know what their health situation is. Even if you do think it’s like the flu that could also kill someone who has underlying health condition or is immune compromised.

Right ON! As a retired MD, I'm tired of all the anti-vaxxers, naysayers, conspiracy nuts. BTY, throw away your cloth masks and wear a KN95 or similar. Don't be selfish. Protect yourself and your neighbors.

[GRACEALLEMAN]

I don't recall test sites/locations having blocks/miles long lines of people waiting to get tested.

If the omicron strain is more flu like than delta.....with less need for hospitalization and less incidences of death....why the "seemingly" panic to get tested?

The demand during the regular covid strain and then the delta strain during 2021 did not seem to result in such demand?!

Thats easy answer Sherlock....Sheep....all weak sheep following the media rule. Scare the crap out of everyone. Get in Line.....

[golfing eagles]

Right ON! As a retired MD, I'm tired of all the anti-vaxxers, naysayers, conspiracy nuts. BTY, throw away your cloth masks and wear a KN95 or similar. Don't be selfish. Protect yourself and your neighbors.

Right on??????? You believe that COVID "stays in your body forever"????? I think you might have misstated that.

[rsmurano]

What is testing going to get you? Maybe at this minute, you might test negative, but once you do something 5 mins after your test, you might get infected. That’s why testing before a cruise makes no sense because if everybody got tested right before the cruise, why have there been 48 and more people that tested positive after the cruise. 1 reason is that you have to take your test after so many days that you have come in contact with somebody with covid. So you might be 3 days into your vacation after you tested negative but now you have it.
“You can’t fix stupid”

[Byte1]

Right ON! As a retired MD, I'm tired of all the anti-vaxxers, naysayers, conspiracy nuts. BTY, throw away your cloth masks and wear a KN95 or similar. Don't be selfish. Protect yourself and your neighbors.

OR, live your normal life and worry about infection when or IF it ever hits you. As for being selfish if not wearing a mask, are other selfish if they insist on you to wear your mask for their safety?
Had my shots and won't tell others to get the shots or not to get the shots. That is their personal choice. On the other hand, I refused to be bullied into doing something that I am not sure of. When I decided to get the shots, I did not do it for my neighbors or other shoppers at the grocery store. I did it solely so that I would not pass it on to my spouse. I (we) were told that once inoculated, we could not pass it on to others. We were told that we would not catch covid, period. Then they said that if we did catch it, we wouldn't be hospitalized. Then they said that it is possible to be hospitalized but we won't die. Then they said that even though we had the inoculation, we could pass it on to others. First they said that a positive test should result in two weeks of quarantine. Then they said ten days, and now they are suggesting five days. Hey, I get it they are learning and new things happen all the time. As someone once said "he is not flip-flopping, he's evolving."
Since we live in a FREE society, we enjoy making our own choices, and maybe our own mistakes. That's Freedom.
Do not accuse someone of being ignorant, just because they do not agree with you. Do not accuse someone of not being patriotic just because they will not do what you wish them to do.
You are not my responsibility, and neither are my neighbors. It is YOUR responsibility to protect yourself. If you do not want me to be near you when I am without a mask, then stay away from me. It is not my responsibility to avoid passing you, and not my responsibility to protect you. I followed the instructions to get vaccinated and now I do not wear a mask unless I wish to frequent a business that requires it. If you are scared of me, then stay home or run and hide when I am out and about.
When I use the word "you" I am not referring directly to the poster I am replying to, but to others in general.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Yes, REALLY!
It's pretty simple---the more you test, the more positive results you get. It's not rocket science.

sportsguy typing for coachk who has access to hospital testing data, and who both got into a heated breakfast discussion, sportsguy looking for a slice of the data to prove a point, and coachk describing the data slice is not possible, and the temperature fell back to count chocula :popcorn:

counts yes at any one particular point in time, relative percentages, maybe. . depends upon the bias of the population being tested and the weight of that population, and the stage of the pandemic. . .

Looking at actual hospital data over the last two months by week, CoachK's hospital has three high level classifications of patients being testing, based upon the source of the testing order:

asymptomatic,
symptomatic,
no patient history, state sponsored free testing

All have gone up due the increased transmissibility of omicron, BUT the rates of change of the three groups exhibit much different rates, and from very different starting points.

asymptomatic and no patient history have both doubled, though off different and lower percentages from a month ago.

symptomatic has gone up 80% but off a base of twice the percentage of the prior two groups.

The first reason for the symptomatic to be significantly higher is due to a required checklist to be passed to have reasonable confidence in a meaningful test. The second reason is that with the advent of home rapid tests, more known positives are requesting a PCR test for employers and treatment knowledge. . which comes through the symptomatic patient classification.

Which percent most closely represents random sampling of the population? the no patient information classification. .

Which group has more than 50% of the testing counts? the symptomatic group. . . add them all together and you get an average number weighted by patient classification and count of tests performed.

And to add to the analysis, the testing counts have doubled in total, but not all groups have doubled in testing counts. . .

So, without this type of detailed data available on a weekly basis, and without statistics training, we would recommend that people really stop trying to out research each other with the whataboutism of this report vs that report. All you are doing is to argue what you have read either first or last, and from there what you believe to be factual to feel informed, and to feel knowledgable in the information age with your inherent biases. . .

We of course respect and give thanks to the medical community of the doctors/nurses on this site, and working with the near real time data at hospitals, trying to do no harm and help every patient in the order in which they appear. . . always with incomplete information.

sportsguy and coachk

[coffeebean]

Thank you for your post - sincerely.

A question: Since the test came back positive you won't be running around to spread it. What if the test had come back negative, would you have wandered out into public with a cold or flu? Perhaps a good approach for everyone is to not venture into public if you have symptoms of a cold, flu, or covid.

Well...........that just makes too much sense.

[coffeebean]

Because if you do have it, you might give it unknowingly to someone who is vulnerable to serious illness.

I know I have said this at least a few times on this forum but I will repeat for those who have not seen my postings..........

Anyone who is vulnerable (immune compromised), vaccinated and boosted or not, should not consider leaving their home unless wearing an N95 or KN95 mask. Please don't expect everyone around you to protect you at this point as that is a lost cause.

Don't take any chances; you must protect yourself.

[golfing eagles]

I know I have said this at least a few times on this forum but I will repeat for those who have not seen my postings..........

Anyone who is vulnerable (immune compromised), vaccinated and boosted or not, should not consider leaving their home unless wearing an N95 or KN95 mask. Please don't expect everyone around you to protect you at this point as that is a lost cause.

Don't take any chances; you must protect yourself.

But now you're excluding the whole cadre of people who are making a career out of virtue signaling :1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[Lindsyburnsy]

People are getting tested because they have to be negative in order to return to work, or they have to quarantine. Others don't want to infect others if they test positive.

[MrFlorida]

I think more people are getting tested, than actually got the vaccine. Why stand in line for hours for a Maybe ?

[golfing eagles]

People are getting tested because they have to be negative in order to return to work, or they have to quarantine. Others don't want to infect others if they test positive.

Or, as Tommy Lee Jones put it in "Men in Black", "people are dumb, panicky animals, and you know it"

[coffeebean]

So, you go to CVS and take your test. Two days later, you receive your results and they indicate "Negative." Two days ago, after testing you go shopping at Publix and stop to chat with a friend you bumped into. That friend was infected. You receive your test results in the mail today indicating that you are "negative" for covid. That was two days ago. So, you brag to everyone that you tested "negative" so you can do whatever you wish, including going on a cruise. The cruise folks read your negative test results and allow you to board the ship, along with thousands of others that had their tests two days prior. Guess what?
In order to start working at a job they require a negative test. You received your test from two days prior testing and start work today. For the last two days, you stopped to chat with a neighbor that was walking her dog. You also went grocery shopping. You went out to dinner with some friends. You started work today after being tested two days ago. Guess what?
Testing negative is only good for the time you were tested, minutes before being in contact with anyone else that may be infected.
My opinion is that Covid testing is only good as a diagnostic for doctors to know what to treat, just like testing for the Flu or TB, etc.

I totally agree with you!!!

Covid testing is "point in time". Unless you isolate yourself right after your test, only then you can be assured you remain Covid negative. Sure.....go ahead and isolate. But......you must remain in isolation to be assured you continue to be Covid negative or never ever go out in public unless wearing a mask that will protect you. Those N95 and KN95 masks are the best protective masks we've got. And......that means that you can not eat or drink in public either. Who wants to do that?

Some people agree and some disagree with this but.............IMHO, the best thing to do to protect ourselves at this point is to be vaccinated and boosted. Furthermore, get as many boosters as is necessary to keep us from being hospitalized from what ever virus mutation of the day is circulating out there.

Good luck!

[billethkid]

When I hear the words of glee from neighbors that they tested negative, I reply........great for today, what about tomorrow?

[coffeebean]

So......are you suggesting that every person test twice a day, EVERY DAY or be considered "selfish"????

Yup....that is what it is coming down to. LOL. People still do not understand those Covid tests are POINT IN TIME. You might as well test every day or remain in isolation for the rest of your born days.

POINT IN TIME people!!!!!!!!

[coffeebean]

and then you realized Parse, that it was the other way around. Latest data out of Ontario, Canada shows over 70% of those in hospitals are vaxxed. Unfortunately, we don't keep those stats (we can see why now). SOURCE: COVID-19 vaccinations data | COVID-19 (coronavirus) in Ontario (https://covid-19.ontario.ca/data#casesByVaccinationStatus)

Are those 70% hospitalized with Covid or because of Covid? Same old, same old, right? What about.....how many of those 70% hospitalized are not boosted? How many of those 70% are not fully vaccinated? How many of those 70% are immunocompromised and the vaccines did not offer them full protection if any? Those stats need to be accompanied by more data to fully understand what is really going on.

[golfing eagles]

Are those 70% hospitalized with Covid or because of Covid? Same old, same old, right? What about.....how many of those 70% hospitalized are not boosted? How many of those 70% are not fully vaccinated? How many of those 70% are immunocompromised and the vaccines did not offer them full protection if any? Those stats need to be accompanied by more data to fully understand what is really going on.

And then add in the simple numbers factor-----the higher the percentage of the population that is vaccinated, the higher the number of "so-called cases" in the vaccinated group. When (and it will be never) 100% of the population is vaccinated, then 100% of the "cases" will be among the "vaxxed". Of course, in that case, the total number of hospitalized "cases" will be very low

[coffeebean]

The need is to know if you are safe to be by people who can't or won't vaccinate but you almost need to do it the same day. Radio story about researchers going to a antarctic remote location tested and quarantined for 9? days and still got covid there. They said a test a couple days ago means nothing

Those who refuse to vaccinate......I don't give a damn about protecting them.

Those who can't vaccinate..............they need to PROTECT THEMSELVES from me and anyone else they come in contact with.

[Sedwards45]

I don't recall test sites/locations having blocks/miles long lines of people waiting to get tested.

If the omicron strain is more flu like than delta.....with less need for hospitalization and less incidences of death....why the "seemingly" panic to get tested?

The demand during the regular covid strain and then the delta strain during 2021 did not seem to result in such demand?!

BECAUSE those younger than 5 cannot be vaccinated. Uncommonly high number of children are being hospitalized due to COVID! If you HAVE cold or allergy symptoms and may be around young children, you need to get tested for their safety.

[coffeebean]

They in most cases are trying to protect their loved ones , co-workers and their community by being tested to know whether to
Quarantine.

Well......they should just stay in quarantine for that matter.

My new mantra..........Covid testing is POINT IN TIME.

[coffeebean]

The reason for Covid test is so that you don’t spread it if you have it.this a virus that stays in your body forever and may come out at a later time in a way we are not aware of. You also have long haulers and people that have residual effects for weeks and this you don’t get with the flu.
Because this is not the flu
Or just a cold. Also if you don’t feel well you must get tested so you don’t spread it to other people. If you spread this to immune compromised people or people with underlying conditions they may end up in the hospital or worse death. Testing prevents spreading. Children are now getting Covid with the new strain many of these children are ending up in the hospital. Remember this virus stays in your body and can manifest itself in many other ways later on. One small example is the chickenpox virus and then shingles. Do you have Covid hopefully testing well prove that and you will be considerate of your friends family and neighbors quarantine for a few days when you go out wearing mask please stop close talk or sit at a dining table even outside for a while.
I’m not saying don’t go shopping or go out just don’t get close to people Please wear a mask to protect other people because you don’t know what their health situation is. Even if you do think it’s like the flu that could also kill someone who has underlying health condition or is immune compromised.

Really? I did not know this. YIKES. It is like Varicella? Where did you get this information? I would like to know. Please supply a link.

[coffeebean]

Ridiculous. If you dont feel well, stay away from others. No need for a test. A test doesnt change ONE.SINGLE.THING. about how you should react. Simple as that.
Sick? Stay home. You most certainly do not need testing. You need self imposed quarantine.

Totally agree. We are supposed to quarantine for 5 days then wear a good grade mask in public for another 5 days if we test positive. I know that is a hassle and most people would want to know if their illness is actually Covid so there is that.

There is also the other end of the spectrum........This is a very sad situation and one I am very upset about. People can be dirt bags you know..........

Grandmother Dies From COVID After Friend With Virus Didn't Tell Anyone | Health.com (https://www.health.com/condition/infectious-diseases/coronavirus/grandma-dies-from-covid-after-card-game)

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Well......they should just stay in quarantine for that matter.

My new mantra..........Covid testing is POINT IN TIME.

It isn't "point in time." It's "recent, up to point in time."

It means you haven't had COVID RECENTLY. How recent? Well if you tested 5 days ago negative, and you test today negative, it means you have been negative for the past 5 days, UP TO now.

That means everyone YOU were in contact with, within the past 5 days, doesn't have to worry that you might have infected them.

That's a pretty significant monkey off someone's back, if they're visiting relatives who might be at risk.

Does this mean everyone should test every 5 days? I don't think so. But it does mean that if you are planning on visiting people you care about, then testing 5 days before you leave, and then the day before you leave, might not be a bad idea.

[coffeebean]

And 10 minutes after their test, while going to the grocery store, they could contract covid... And never know it...

Agree. Covid tests are POINT IN TIME. There.......I said it again!!!

[kcrazorbackfan]

I don't recall test sites/locations having blocks/miles long lines of people waiting to get tested.

If the omicron strain is more flu like than delta.....with less need for hospitalization and less incidences of death....why the "seemingly" panic to get tested?

The demand during the regular covid strain and then the delta strain during 2021 did not seem to result in such demand?!

Sheeples following the directions of other idiots; probably the idiots that wouldn’t get the vaccine.

[golfing eagles]

The reason for Covid test is so that you don’t spread it if you have it.this a virus that stays in your body forever and may come out at a later time in a way we are not aware of. You also have long haulers and people that have residual effects for weeks and this you don’t get with the flu.
Because this is not the flu
Or just a cold. Also if you don’t feel well you must get tested so you don’t spread it to other people. If you spread this to immune compromised people or people with underlying conditions they may end up in the hospital or worse death. Testing prevents spreading. Children are now getting Covid with the new strain many of these children are ending up in the hospital. Remember this virus stays in your body and can manifest itself in many other ways later on. One small example is the chickenpox virus and then shingles. Do you have Covid hopefully testing well prove that and you will be considerate of your friends family and neighbors quarantine for a few days when you go out wearing mask please stop close talk or sit at a dining table even outside for a while.
I’m not saying don’t go shopping or go out just don’t get close to people Please wear a mask to protect other people because you don’t know what their health situation is. Even if you do think it’s like the flu that could also kill someone who has underlying health condition or is immune compromised.

Where did you ever get THAT idea?????? COVID (a coronavirus) is NOT Varicella (a herpes virus)

I have personal medical and accurate knowledge of what I said. I am so sorry I ever posted anything on this site. Never thinking these responses would be so unkind and hateful. Now I feel I need to defend myself from ridiculous accusations. I am a good and honorable person and I was just trying to relay information which was told to me By a medical profession I wish my name never appeared on this and I am trying to delete Everything

As far as I am concerned, I didn't post anything "hateful", or "unkind", I simply stated that you were factually wrong. And if your misinformation was relayed to you by a "medical professional", I'd love to have a chat with that person. Half the problems with this pandemic start with totally inaccurate posts on social media, as well as hype promulgated by politicians and the media

PS: Personal knowledge, I'll take your word for it. Accurate---not so much. Sorry, but that is simply the medical facts, nothing "hateful" or "unkind" about it.

Really? I did not know this. YIKES. It is like Varicella? Where did you get this information? I would like to know. Please supply a link.

As you can see, I don't think your inquiry to that person will go any further than mine.
PS--were you hateful and unkind:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:?????

[coffeebean]

~~~

[golfing eagles]

It isn't "point in time." It's "recent, up to point in time."

It means you haven't had COVID RECENTLY. How recent? Well if you tested 5 days ago negative, and you test today negative, it means you have been negative for the past 5 days, UP TO now.

That means everyone YOU were in contact with, within the past 5 days, doesn't have to worry that you might have infected them.

That's a pretty significant monkey off someone's back, if they're visiting relatives who might be at risk.

Does this mean everyone should test every 5 days? I don't think so. But it does mean that if you are planning on visiting people you care about, then testing 5 days before you leave, and then the day before you leave, might not be a bad idea.

How so----if they have no symptoms, they should have no monkey. If they have symptoms---THEY should get tested. If they are severely immunocompromised or neutropenic with ANC < 500, they should not be hosting visitors. If they are unvaccinated, then they've decided to take their chances anyway.

[coffeebean]

~~~

[JMintzer]

BECAUSE those younger than 5 cannot be vaccinated. Uncommonly high number of children are being hospitalized due to COVID! If you HAVE cold or allergy symptoms and may be around young children, you need to get tested for their safety.

Nope... They are being admitted "with" covid, not "due to" covid...

The vast majority are found to test positive upon admission for another problem...

Your claim has been thoroughly debunked by multiple experts on multiple news sources...

[JMintzer]

Really? I did not know this. YIKES. It is like Varicella? Where did you get this information? I would like to know. Please supply a link.

You didn't know it because it's simply NOT TRUE...

[golfing eagles]

Nope... They are being admitted "with" covid, not "due to" covid...

The vast majority are found to test positive upon admission for another problem...

Your claim has been thoroughly debunked by multiple experts on multiple news sources...

Please stop confusing the indoctrinated with the facts:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[JMintzer]

Please stop confusing the indoctrinated with the facts:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

https://c.tenor.com/puMSd7LWf7wAAAAM/puppy-eyes.gif

[golfing eagles]

https://c.tenor.com/puMSd7LWf7wAAAAM/puppy-eyes.gif

cute. apology accepted.

[Bill14564]

Nope... They are being admitted "with" covid, not "due to" covid...

The vast majority are found to test positive upon admission for another problem...

Your claim has been thoroughly debunked by multiple experts on multiple news sources...

Interesting, I wasn't able to find any articles debunking this. Recent articles still claim a surge in pediatric hospitalizations.

But let's say it has been debunked. Does that mean there is no surge in pediatric hospitalizations and the reports of beds filling and children in hallways are just exaggerations? Or, if a non-Covid surge is truly happening, then what is the cause?

(I really did try to find an answer to whether more children are being hospitalized for all reasons but I haven't found those numbers yet)

[Djean1981]

Makes no sense to me. I would only get tested if I had symptoms that I thought required medical treatment. Then, I would contact my doc.

[coffeebean]

but now you're excluding the whole cadre of people who are making a career out of virtue signaling :1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

rotflmao

[Swoop]

Interesting, I wasn't able to find any articles debunking this. Recent articles still claim a surge in pediatric hospitalizations.

But let's say it has been debunked. Does that mean there is no surge in pediatric hospitalizations and the reports of beds filling and children in hallways are just exaggerations? Or, if a non-Covid surge is truly happening, then what is the cause?

(I really did try to find an answer to whether more children are being hospitalized for all reasons but I haven't found those numbers yet)

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the most recent numbers show that in states reporting, 0.00%-0.02% of all child COVID-19 cases resulted in death.
If there were two children hospitalized with Covid and now there are six, I guess that constitutes a “surge”. Hospitalizations would have tripled… When working with very small numbers, sometimes it makes sense to look at the actual numbers not the percentage change.

[coffeebean]

When I hear the words of glee from neighbors that they tested negative, I reply........great for today, what about tomorrow?

Do they look at you like you have five heads?

[JMintzer]

Interesting, I wasn't able to find any articles debunking this. Recent articles still claim a surge in pediatric hospitalizations.

But let's say it has been debunked. Does that mean there is no surge in pediatric hospitalizations and the reports of beds filling and children in hallways are just exaggerations? Or, if a non-Covid surge is truly happening, then what is the cause?

(I really did try to find an answer to whether more children are being hospitalized for all reasons but I haven't found those numbers yet)

""We test anybody who’s admitted to the hospital for whatever reason to see whether or not they have Covid, and we’re definitely seeing an increase in cases. However, we’re really not seeing an increase in children who are hospitalized for Covid or in the intensive care unit for Covid," Offit said.

According to the Department of Health and Human Services, patients are counted among those with Covid if they are suspected of having or laboratory-confirmed positive for the disease, even if they were not originally admitted to the hospital for that reason."

Child Covid hospitalizations are up, especially in 5 states (https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/child-covid-hospitalizations-are-5-states-are-rise-rcna10089)

[coffeebean]

BECAUSE those younger than 5 cannot be vaccinated. Uncommonly high number of children are being hospitalized due to COVID! If you HAVE cold or allergy symptoms and may be around young children, you need to get tested for their safety.

Then, there are those children who are of age to be vaccinated but their parents refuse to have their child vaccinated. Call me heartless but I'm still not going to wear a mask. Keep your kids away from me.

[golfing eagles]

Do they look at you like you have five heads?

Of course they do. They think they are right. They think they are smarter than you. They think they have the high moral ground. They think they care for about others than you do. And they do their own research. You will not convince them otherwise. The scary part is that they are wrong on each of those counts, but they will never know it.

[coffeebean]

It isn't "point in time." It's "recent, up to point in time."

It means you haven't had COVID RECENTLY. How recent? Well if you tested 5 days ago negative, and you test today negative, it means you have been negative for the past 5 days, UP TO now.

That means everyone YOU were in contact with, within the past 5 days, doesn't have to worry that you might have infected them.

That's a pretty significant monkey off someone's back, if they're visiting relatives who might be at risk.

Does this mean everyone should test every 5 days? I don't think so. But it does mean that if you are planning on visiting people you care about, then testing 5 days before you leave, and then the day before you leave, might not be a bad idea.

No. I won't do that unless I know for sure I was exposed by someone who was Covid positive and only if I were to be gathering with family or friends. If I were symptomatic, I would stay home. Now, if the gathering were a wedding or an occasion just as important, I may reconsider attending but get a home test. I still would not wait hours in line to be tested. I'd stay home.

[coffeebean]

You didn't know it because it's simply NOT TRUE...

Whew! That is a relief.

[RPDaly]

They need something to post on Fakebook

[Bill14564]

""We test anybody who’s admitted to the hospital for whatever reason to see whether or not they have Covid, and we’re definitely seeing an increase in cases. However, we’re really not seeing an increase in children who are hospitalized for Covid or in the intensive care unit for Covid," Offit said.

According to the Department of Health and Human Services, patients are counted among those with Covid if they are suspected of having or laboratory-confirmed positive for the disease, even if they were not originally admitted to the hospital for that reason."

Child Covid hospitalizations are up, especially in 5 states (https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/child-covid-hospitalizations-are-5-states-are-rise-rcna10089)

And from this article (https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/covid-warning-symptoms-children-kids-hospitalized-record-numbers-rcna10741):
And the number of kids who simply occupied hospital beds each day, even if they ultimately weren't admitted to the hospital, reached a record average of 3,081 a day over the last seven-day period.

Not disputing that the reported numbers are high primarily due to increased testing. Just wish the reporting was more clear. While there are more children being tested and more tests coming back positive are there more children being admitted? Neither of the articles provide numbers and they seem to disagree on that point.

[JMintzer]

And from this article (https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/covid-warning-symptoms-children-kids-hospitalized-record-numbers-rcna10741):
And the number of kids who simply occupied hospital beds each day, even if they ultimately weren't admitted to the hospital, reached a record average of 3,081 a day over the last seven-day period.

Not disputing that the reported numbers are high primarily due to increased testing. Just wish the reporting was more clear. While there are more children being tested and more tests coming back positive are there more children being admitted? Neither of the articles provide numbers and they seem to disagree on that point.

More kids being admitted WITH a positive covid test? Yes.

More kids being admitted BECAUSE of a positive covid test? A few...

[midiwiz]

funniest thread I've read yet. thanks!

[John-US]

I don't recall test sites/locations having blocks/miles long lines of people waiting to get tested.

If the omicron strain is more flu like than delta.....with less need for hospitalization and less incidences of death....why the "seemingly" panic to get tested?

The demand during the regular covid strain and then the delta strain during 2021 did not seem to result in such demand?!

I think most want the tests as they are free??

[tophcfa]

Because people are idiots. How many asymptomatic people are testing? It's like the tree falling in the forest lol. lf you test positive for covid, but have no symptoms, does it count? Well, answer is yes - which is why our positivity rate is way up, yet our hospitalizations arent.

Hmmm, perhaps it’s because many people are NOT idiots. They might simply be kind and unselfish folks who are asymptotic, but want to know if they have Covid so they can quarantine and not expose those who are at high risk of a bad outcome. Sometimes it’s not all about yourself, but what is better for others.

[maistocars]

They will be starting a new club in the Villages soon called The Testing Club, with testing parties every M-W-F and prizes for those who test positive 3x in one day!

[jimjamuser]

I don't recall test sites/locations having blocks/miles long lines of people waiting to get tested.

If the omicron strain is more flu like than delta.....with less need for hospitalization and less incidences of death....why the "seemingly" panic to get tested?

The demand during the regular covid strain and then the delta strain during 2021 did not seem to result in such demand?!
Well. Omicron is more transmissible and the headline on the front page of the Daily Sun (our GLORIOUS journalistic achievement of a newspaper) states, "Omicron's spread pushes Sumter's positivity rate higher". One possible reason is the influx of unvaccinated folks from Midwestern states. This headline could convince some Village People that they need to "DO" something. A positive test gives a person the knowledge to quarantine for 5 to 10 days and to delay a trip to visit relatives that might be unvaccinated and have other conditions. Testing is needed to allow therapeutics like Regeneron to be used early before the disease gets established. Also, there is the need to know to monitor yourself closely to determine if it gets bad enough to go to a Hospital.
.....Knowing if a person is positive even if asymptomatic allows them to plan their life in case they get "long-haul" CV, which could have a significant effect on a person's future.
.......Some people may be planning a trip that requires a certificate of a negative test.

[billethkid]

They will be starting a new club in the Villages soon called The Testing Club, with testing parties every M-W-F and prizes for those who test positive 3x in one day!

With a door prize to the person who generates the most new cases since the last meeting!!
:duck:

[jimjamuser]

Fake testing sites are popping up in Philadelphia, used to steal identities. They’ve been doing it for weeks, the city just figured it out. They put pop up tents up in the streets.

City warns residents of fake pop-up COVID-19 testing sites (https://www.audacy.com/kywnewsradio/news/local/fake-pop-up-covid-19-testing-sites-scam-philadelphia)
I wish that I were a Judge that could hand out criminal penalties for this type of operation.

[jimjamuser]

The unvaccinated are being lumped in with people who had Covid early pre vacc and have better resistance than the vaccinated….most conversations about this are muted by media that take advertising money from big pharma….if the vaccine is so good why do you need 3 or 4 of them? Think about it….Covid is leaving us as evidence is it’s half life potency….. but capitalism is going to squeeze every last dollar out of it…..and yes as a prior poster noted….people are stupid…
Prior infection wears off more quickly than actual vaccines. It also can lead to a FALSE sense of being immune. And little is known about "long haul" CV. I will go with the shots and boosters.....thank you very much!

[Altavia]

Prior infection wears off more quickly than actual vaccines.

Really?

This has flipped both ways but might want to check the most recent data.

[jimjamuser]

If you have possible symptoms but a negative test, you don’t have to go into quarantine. If you have symptoms and a positive test, then if you are a person with morals who deserves to be considered human, you go into quarantine until you are negative so you don’t spread it. If you’ve spent time with someone positive, you could have an asymptomatic case that spreads to others and may put them in the hospital—or the graveyard. Again, it comes down to whether you have morals and live your neighbor as yourself or are just selfish.
I agree! Well spoken!

[jimjamuser]

So omicron is a highly contagious as the measles was, so just figure your going to get it. Good thing is it is milder and has no lung component. Aches, fever 102, chills , etc like flu. Lasts 3-5 days. Good news this variant will build up antibodies against delta the more deadly version. So why test you either got or you don’t, so test is pointless now.
Long Covid and re-infection are several reasons why it is better to NOT get CV than to get a mild case. Asymptomatic positive tested people now KNOW that they should avoid contaminating other people by quarantining and waiting until getting a negative PCR test.

[jimjamuser]

Most of the responses are against testing and for many good reasons. I would have heartedly agreed 2 days ago. As of yesterday I still agree, however, not to the same degree. Yesterday I was feeling like crap. I had a stuffy runny nose, coughing, sneezing, a slight headache and a slight back ache. I happen to have 2 BinaxNOW tests kits which I bought a few months ago. So I opened one and did the test. I was expecting a negative result – probably a cold or maybe some flu symptoms. No such luck it came up positive. I immediately texted my doctor to see what, if anything, I should do. He has not, as yet, gotten back to me. I will take the second test next Saturday to see if it comes up negative. In the meantime, given that I know I have it I won’t be running around spreading it. Yesterday the symptoms were mild, not so much last night. I didn’t get any sleep as it was difficult breathing with my stuffed up nostrils and my temperature fluctuated between 99 and 102. And yes, I had both Pfizer shots and the booster. So yes, I do agree that most of this testing hysteria is uncalled for but there are a few instances where it may be prudent.
Dr Blue ash has an excellent post recently on interpreting rapid tests. The positive test is about 98% reliable. So, likely that the test was correct. When taking the next test IF it is NEGATIVE do NOT be very elated - a NEGATIVE result has a HIGH likelihood of being FALSE. The 2 different results are NOT the same as to their reliability, which becomes a little hard to wrap one's head around. But, it is VERY important.

[jimjamuser]

Everything is about money but that is the system we have now. Unless we change it, it will always be about money. You have a solution for this?
A partial solution IS that it has been proven through psychological studies that the DO er of a good deed receives a reward in the form of chemical endorphins that promote health and happiness.

[jimjamuser]

And don't forget that the CDC now says you can test positive for up to 12 weeks AFTER you had Covid. Even if you had an asymptomatic case...
Various people have different .....everything DNA, healthy lifestyle, etc, etc. Add to that they could be exposed to different amounts of CV. So, because of variables like that, I would STAY quarantined UNTIL I got an all-clear negative PCR test out of empathy for others. Without a respect for others we, in the US will be doomed to fighting more and different varieties of CV. This means ....get vaccinated AND boosted. I believe that Israel is going to TWO boosters. The US does NOT have the countrywide unification and empathy to finish off this CV monster.

[Bay Kid]

This will give a great boost to fear, control and fear. Control

[JMintzer]

Prior infection wears off more quickly than actual vaccines. It also can lead to a FALSE sense of being immune. And little is known about "long haul" CV. I will go with the shots and boosters.....thank you very much!

Sigh...

Why do you insist on posting incorrect information with absolutely no sources to back it up?

The most recent data:

Natural immunity more potent than vaccines during US Delta wave: study (https://news.yahoo.com/natural-immunity-more-potent-vaccines-200205306.html?fr=yhssrp_catchall)

[MDLNB]

Sigh...

Why do you insist on posting incorrect information with absolutely no sources to back it up?

The most recent data:

Natural immunity more potent than vaccines during US Delta wave: study (https://news.yahoo.com/natural-immunity-more-potent-vaccines-200205306.html?fr=yhssrp_catchall)


Hey Doc, is it possible that when one poster has many consecutive posts, taking up a couple of pages, that he/she may have a new symptom of Covid? Just asking for a friend...

[JMintzer]

Hey Doc, is it possible that when one poster has many consecutive posts, taking up a couple of pages, that he/she may have a new symptom of Covid? Just asking for a friend...

Oh, it's a symptom of something, that's for sure... I'll leave that for other "specialists" to determine...

[jimjamuser]

I don't understand why anyone would want to be tested. Either you are sick or not, and I think I can tell the difference without a test.
Asymptomatic people CARRY the virus - they CARRY it to Grandma and Grandpa in TV Land and give them a dangerous DISEASE. Happy trails Grandpa from your devoted Grandson. Also to UNvaccinated children under 5 and they could get a lifetime of "long haul" CV (that would be a tough life). And ALL because some people did NOT WANT to be tested because everything is ONLY about themselves!

[jimjamuser]

and then you realized Parse, that it was the other way around. Latest data out of Ontario, Canada shows over 70% of those in hospitals are vaxxed. Unfortunately, we don't keep those stats (we can see why now). SOURCE: COVID-19 vaccinations data | COVID-19 (coronavirus) in Ontario (https://covid-19.ontario.ca/data#casesByVaccinationStatus)
Wow! I see a major MIS-interpretation of this Ontario Data. It is true that 70% of all patients in that Hospital are VACCINATED. And that in the ICU 50% of the patients are VACCINATED. But, that IS misleading and not the full story to be told. Ontario, in that same article, has 89% of its total POPULATION vaccinated. So, to be accurate the denominator needs to be PER population, like PER 100,000. You can intuitively see that with a big 90% of Ontario being VACCINATED that when you do a comparison between who is vaccinated and total IN THE HOSPITAL, that because so many Ontarians are VACCINATED that a large % of them would make up patients in the Hospital. If vaccinations WERE NOT effective then 89% of the patients in the Hospital would likely be VACCINATED.
......BOTTOM LINE - that article and those graphs ACTUALLY show the opposite of what was said in that erroneous post. One just has to be observant as to what the divisor is in the fraction (that becomes the percentage). Better luck next time!

[jimjamuser]

Makes me glad I don't live in Canada at the moment. It looks like they are heading into another three weeks of no indoor dining at restaurants.

With over 90% of their teens and older vaccinated, it is little surprise that the people the virus finds to infect are primarily vaccinated - there just aren't many unvaccinated people left.

It looks like there are a little less than 100 cases for every 100,000 people in Ontario, CA. In Florida the number is currently 263 with a bullet. Whether it is their high vaccination rate or their restrictions, something seems to be working for Ontario.
In the 2nd paragraph, you are considering the denominator of the fraction. That is where the confusion is occurring. Think instead about what the denominator SHOULD be. The 3rd paragraph reveals the OVERALL truth - that Ontario
is doing better (MUCH better) with hospital cases TOTAL than the US is. And we know this also from news reports!
.....It IS the US, not Ontario where the hospitals are going to emergency Do Not Resuscitate policies.
.....And some will say that Florida does NOT have DNR policies. To which, I will say that I hope it stays that way, but Fl. is NOT as cold as northern US state's hospitals where the DNRs are in effect. And "it is NOT over til it's over"!

[jimjamuser]

Exactly. The best comment I saw on TV was by a taxi driver at JFK who had an IQ of about 70. He said, right on day one of omicron being discovered in S. Africa, that we are kidding ourselves if we think it isn't here already when it is first "discovered" over there, and even more delusional if we think we are going to contain it. Too bad the experts are practicing politics (while the population is slowly getting stoned, to borrow a line from Billy Joel)
"Who had an IQ of about 70" ???? An Important detail ??????

[jimjamuser]

And you still believe the media?
When logic FAILS, resort to a superfluous distractor.

[jimjamuser]

And 10 minutes after their test, while going to the grocery store, they could contract covid... And never know it...
Marine 74 said after getting a positive test.... to go into quarantine. A person in QUARANTINE does NOT go shopping in a store. As far as I know......they get food delivered or order an item on Amazon Prime.

[jimjamuser]

Of course it’s not shingles. I was using an example of any virus in your body can come out later on and manifest itself in some other form. Like mononucleosis may may come back as Epstein bar virus.
Wait are women still allowed to be smart in the US. I thought we had become "The Hand Maidens' Tale"!
......that was just a joke.......seriously, good intelligent post ......keep that up!

[jimjamuser]

I never said Covid was a herpes virus. What I said was Covid is a virus that can come out later on and manifest itself in a different way Such as chickenpox May come back and manifest itself has shingles. Mononucleosis can possibly come back and manifest its way and Epstein bar virus. We don’t know about Cove it but we do know that they are all long haulers who will have symptoms for an extended period of time. I know people who still can’t taste or smell for two years You don’t get that with a cold or the flu
I agree. It is too early to make sweeping generalizations about CV and the Omicron variant. Years later, when it is History, we will have a more complete understanding. Now, no one is REALLY sure what it IS doing or WILL-be doing (if anything) in the future. WE just "don't know what we don't know"!

[jimjamuser]

I have personal medical and accurate knowledge of what I said. I am so sorry I ever posted anything on this site. Never thinking these responses would be so unkind and hateful. Now I feel I need to defend myself from ridiculous accusations. I am a good and honorable person and I was just trying to relay information which was told to me By a medical profession I wish my name never appeared on this and I am trying to delete Everything
Please stay......I liked the debate. And in this corner weighing in with 200lbs of credentials and the punch of a BIG vocabulary. And in this corner a smallish femme fatale without a ton of credentials and other paper nonsense and packing a lightning-quick kick to the opponent's groin area - may the MOST HUMBLE person win and inherit the earth and all its TOTV glory.

[Tblue]

Sigh...

Why do you insist on posting incorrect information with absolutely no sources to back it up?

The most recent data:

Natural immunity more potent than vaccines during US Delta wave: study (https://news.yahoo.com/natural-immunity-more-potent-vaccines-200205306.html?fr=yhssrp_catchall)
I agree 100% with this post.

[jimjamuser]

As far as I am concerned, I didn't post anything "hateful", or "unkind", I simply stated that you were factually wrong. And if your misinformation was relayed to you by a "medical professional", I'd love to have a chat with that person. Half the problems with this pandemic start with totally inaccurate posts on social media, as well as hype promulgated by politicians and the media

PS: Personal knowledge, I'll take your word for it. Accurate---not so much. Sorry, but that is simply the medical facts, nothing "hateful" or "unkind" about it.
Well ?????????

[jimjamuser]

sportsguy typing for coachk who has access to hospital testing data, and who both got into a heated breakfast discussion, sportsguy looking for a slice of the data to prove a point, and coachk describing the data slice is not possible, and the temperature fell back to count chocula :popcorn:

counts yes at any one particular point in time, relative percentages, maybe. . depends upon the bias of the population being tested and the weight of that population, and the stage of the pandemic. . .

Looking at actual hospital data over the last two months by week, CoachK's hospital has three high level classifications of patients being testing, based upon the source of the testing order:

asymptomatic,
symptomatic,
no patient history, state sponsored free testing

All have gone up due the increased transmissibility of omicron, BUT the rates of change of the three groups exhibit much different rates, and from very different starting points.

asymptomatic and no patient history have both doubled, though off different and lower percentages from a month ago.

symptomatic has gone up 80% but off a base of twice the percentage of the prior two groups.

The first reason for the symptomatic to be significantly higher is due to a required checklist to be passed to have reasonable confidence in a meaningful test. The second reason is that with the advent of home rapid tests, more known positives are requesting a PCR test for employers and treatment knowledge. . which comes through the symptomatic patient classification.

Which percent most closely represents random sampling of the population? the no patient information classification. .

Which group has more than 50% of the testing counts? the symptomatic group. . . add them all together and you get an average number weighted by patient classification and count of tests performed.

And to add to the analysis, the testing counts have doubled in total, but not all groups have doubled in testing counts. . .

So, without this type of detailed data available on a weekly basis, and without statistics training, we would recommend that people really stop trying to out research each other with the whataboutism of this report vs that report. All you are doing is to argue what you have read either first or last, and from there what you believe to be factual to feel informed, and to feel knowledgable in the information age with your inherent biases. . .

We of course respect and give thanks to the medical community of the doctors/nurses on this site, and working with the near real time data at hospitals, trying to do no harm and help every patient in the order in which they appear. . . always with incomplete information.

sportsguy and coachk
That was just pure poetry. So beautiful to read. I got an intellectual high just reading. Can't wait to re-read it. Maybe someday I may even understand it. Thanks ever so much!

[jimjamuser]

And then add in the simple numbers factor-----the higher the percentage of the population that is vaccinated, the higher the number of "so-called cases" in the vaccinated group. When (and it will be never) 100% of the population is vaccinated, then 100% of the "cases" will be among the "vaxxed". Of course, in that case, the total number of hospitalized "cases" will be very low
Agreed. That is what I tried to say in my post, but I took about 50 sentences. Nice work!

[JMintzer]

Marine 74 said after getting a positive test.... to go into quarantine. A person in QUARANTINE does NOT go shopping in a store. As far as I know......they get food delivered or order an item on Amazon Prime.

Don't know why you're refuting something I never said...

But then again, I don't know why you post most of what you post...