Mostly Apolitical Thread for Discussing/Venting our Rational/Irrational COVID-19 Fears and Experiences in 2020

Skyr is expensive but good... great texture and has like half the sugar most yogurts do, and no artificial sweeteners.

(less healthy if you breakfast consists of it, Red Bull, and cigarettes though)

Skyr might be an actual Icelandic thing but I'm think the stuff they sell in supermarkets is from Denmark?

Fwiw we've got two different brands of skyr in the fridge right now (we received one for free at the supermarket) and both were made in Canada so I have no idea how it compares to the stuff they sell in Iceland.

the article i just saw was them opening up a skyr processing plant in Yorkshire

Yeah the most commonly available Skyr is from Arla. I liked it at first but I'd rather get Greek yogurt with at least some actual fat in there like Fage's 5%.

^^ seconded. I go through several litres of Greek yoghurt a week. I don't like Skyr's consistency (or lack thereof)

Fat-free yoghurt is an abomination. Turkish 10% fett all the way!

I’m gonna make some with 8x the milk of normal yogurt! Call it skyrx2

the skyr's the limyt

Skyrim.

Frozen condensed milk ice cubes, pill-sized for easy “no more tears” swallowing

Skrillex

I guess our rational/irrational covid fears must be subsiding a bit. maybe that's a good thing.

i was genuinely worried about the guy in the shop fwiw, he blatantly didn't care, worst case i've seen in a month.

Read this in a National Geographic article:

"Changes that are beneficial to the virus can also drive its spread, leading to a variant that out competes other local varieties and may send cases surging. That seems to be what happened in the U.K., Brazil, and South Africa. In the United Kingdom, variant B.1.1.7 likely drove the region's record-setting spike of COVID-19 cases in January. The variant is now circulating in more than 60 countries, including the United States—and projections suggest it will become the most common virus variety in the U.S. by mid-March."

Nobody really thinks the high death rates in the UK and Brazil are related to a *variant* (rather than policy), do they?

The policy is to say they are.

New variant "news" emerged 3 months after it was first identifed as circulation but almost exactly as cases were surging everywhere, pubs were open, and we were being urged into 5 day Christmas get-togethers with elderly relatives.

Ah. I feel like I've only heard the words "new variant" since, um, around Xmas.

I switched cell phones recently and it didn't copy over my login data for the app I use to fill out my eDiary for the COVID-19 study.

getting help to get back in has been next to impossible. I've called four different numbers five times since last Friday, nobody has answered, and I've left voicemails with everybody I know, including my coordinator. I also called the number they provided when they called me and left a voicemail asking me why my diary wasn't done yet.

nothing. i don't care so much about the small reimbursement amount I don't get but the gaps in data I'm supplying! urrrgh.

my coordinator used to call me back same day, so I am guessing they're up to their ears in work at the moment.

My Dad is getting his vaccine (well, first dose) on Monday, which is a relief. He only turned 65 a month ago, so that was lucky. He only has one lung, and diabetes, so I was worried about him, and it took a lot to get him to take it seriously.

So here's a thing: a friend of mine who works at an NYC hospital suggested that I look into the option of volunteering at a POD (point of dispersal) station as they apparently offer vaccinations for volunteers. There's no training involved and the work is mostly of the untrained "ushering people in" "getting boxes of gloves from the truck" "signing people in the line up" and rotates between indoor and outdoor work to process as many folks as you can. You're obliged to put in three sessions and they give you the first shot at the first session and the second at the third session. The catch is that each session is TWELVE HOURS of active and on your feet work and, unsurprisingly, the spots that need volunteer help are deep in queens and the bronx. For other NY types curious to check this option out, here's the document they shared with me when I wrote to them:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/fnrhzfepmclxreu/ServNY%202.0%20Registration%20Guide.docx?dl=0
once you go through all the steps in that document, you have to make an account here:
https://mrcvp.cityofnewyork.us/custom/501/volunteer_home
Then wait till the next business day for them to process your account, log in and then pick a volunteer option.

Anyway, paranoia aside, I think this is legit and encouraged by the city in that they are desperate for administrative help at these sites.

this worked out and i got my first shot last night. AMA

How do I do that in Minneapolis?

I have no idea! It seems like a replicable program and a smart one to champion as virtually every dispersal unit is undermanned or under administrated.

Great job, forks, and good luck.

Forks that is AWESOME

I have been telling people about this

This week me and my wife found out we both qualify to get the vaccine under cuomo’s new preexisting condition rule that goes into effect on Monday. We both got letters from our docs. Doesn’t look like there’s anywhere with the actual supply to give us shots rn though.

Speaking of supply, this story (granted, Axios) is the clearest I’ve read so far on what the manufacturing process is and where things can change. Pfizer-specific in this case:

https://www.axios.com/vaccine-production-delays-0f361ca0-2227-4f31-a33e-8bb06a78778c.html

okay, this is the letter i sent out to friends detailing my experience; reprinting her to amplify and share

Hey NYC Friend,

I received my first COVID vaccination this week following a volunteer shift with NYC Medical Reserve Corp. They continue to be in need of additional volunteers and I wanted to tell you about my experience so that you can look into this option either for yourself or for your loved ones.

NYC MRC is a city service organization that is primarily built for healthcare professionals to volunteer in times of emergency. With COVID dispersal centers (which they call PODs or "Points of Dispersal") often drastically understaffed, they also need help from non-medical professionals to help check people into the system, act as language interpreters, escort people onsite to be vaccinated, and otherwise do basic customer service work. No prior training is required, they will train you on site. The PODs, mostly operating out of college and high school campuses for social distancing purposes, that currently need staffing assistance are in Bushwick, Jamaica and South Bronx.

Volunteer shifts are available on weekdays and weekends, run 12 hours, from 7am to 7pm (including a pair of half hour breaks) and most if not all positions require you to be on your feet for the entirety of the shift. NYC MRC provides on-site PPE (medical masks, face shields, gloves, sanitizer), lunch and water; you'll want to arrive with your own mask and with your own food if you have dietary restrictions.

It's a lot of high pressure work and, in exchange for your time, NYC MRC is offering full vaccination with the Moderna vaccine for anyone who volunteers for three shifts. They provide the first injection at the end of your first shift and schedule you for your second, 28 to 42 days after, immediately following. You are not required to sign up for all three volunteer shifts at once; they will vaccinate you at the first shift and leave you to sign up for the following dates on the honor system.

For those of us who don't fall neatly into the planned upcoming vaccination schedule, this offers an opportunity to "earn" a vaccine in exchange for public work. I spent about seven hours of my first shift outside, patrolling the very lengthy waiting line to assist disabled or elderly folks and get them to the front of the line so that they didn't need to stand on the sidewalk for an hour. It was by far the greatest amount of exposure I've had with strangers in a year, but it felt generally safe and distanced; literally everyone there was masked. I found the atmosphere at the POD to be chaotic and occasionally dramatic (a few folks passed out and there were occasional arguments when people showed up with missing or late appointments) but generally genial. Most of the many people coming for their second shot were deeply grateful. Ultimately, it was a rewarding - if exhausting - experience and I'm looking forward to my second shift later this month before I return for my second injection in mid-March.

I learned about this program from a friend who is a nurse. Though I have no idea why it's not better publicized, I assume the organization has limited infrastructure to work with large groups of untrained people. That said, they certainly made it clear that they welcomed my help and were openly appreciative of my time. Even if you're already immunized but would still like to give back to the city, this is a pretty good option. To the best of my knowledge, this program is only available to people who work or live in NYC. I do not know of any similar programs for NJ or in any other state, but please share if you do!

If you're interested in applying to volunteer, this document explains how to register to get a ServNY account which is step one:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/fnrhzfepmclxreu/ServNY%202.0%20Registration%20Guide.docx?dl=0

Once you go through all the steps in that document, you'll need to register a separate account with NYC Medical Reserve Corp here:
https://mrcvp.cityofnewyork.us/custom/501/volunteer_home

You'll need to wait until the next full business day after you register for them to update and add your info into their computer system. The organization's infrastructure is severely overtaxed given the circumstances, so don't be surprised if you run into computer problems when you register. If you do run into issues during this process, contact mrcsupp✧✧✧@hea✧✧✧.n✧✧.g✧✧.
I found them surprisingly responsive.

Once you're in the system, log in, go to the dashboard, click "events," then register for a shift under "General Staff" by picking out an available opening. If there are no openings, just set yourself a daily reminder to check in; the system is updated regularly and you should see potential opportunities after a few days.

Here is the long form "what you do on site" explainer but, again, they'll do most of the necessary training once you arrive:
https://dohmh.samaritan.com/custom/506/files/COVID-19-Vaccine-POD-Procedure-Guide.pdf

If you have additional questions, I'm happy to talk. Feel free to pass this email along to anyone who you think might benefit from it.

Thankyouforyourservice forks

I've registered with NJ to be put on the list for a vaccine. I'll be ahead of some others 'cause of being diabetic, but behind plenty of health care workers and old fucks. I'll probably be shot up by June.

I think our village/town has a similar medical reserves system up in place, can't remember if I signed up or not weeks ago. Maybe? I have lots of friends that have conveyed stories of their parents managing to get shots through Byzantine means. A couple of my friends apparently have leads themselves, but to their credit don't feel ethically comfortable cutting the line. One of them does have three kids, though, one with asthma (I assume a priority group), one who is about to turn 16, and a 10-year old. He's worried that we'll hit a point where everyone in his family will be eligible for an available vaccine *except* his two youngest, which would put them all in an awkward position, with 3/5 of them vaccinated but two of them (one more vulnerable) literally unable to get the shot.

I do know that supposedly 500 teachers got their first doses at our high school yesterday, so things are moving along. Also, been watching the Washington Post's vaccine counter, and it's been creeping up a percent or so every day or so, which is encouraging. Right now it says 37.4 million first doses have been given, which is 11.3% of the population, and 30.7% of the prioritized population, so as long as those numbers keep ticking up I'm feeling positive.

My parents got their first doses in MI! I didn't get the whole story but it seems like ppl just registered themselves online and then were contacted with an appt? I'll ask her. Not like in NY where ppl have been refreshing sites for a week for available appts, apparently.

A local mutual aid group was told by the county that public-facing food pantry workers qualified for doses, so it felt really good to tell our volunteers & people who have been staffing food distribution for a year that they were recognized & protected. I do my volunteering remotely from home so I didn't even try.

The food pantry where I volunteer has all been vaccinated, but just the staff. They haven't let regular volunteers do any public-facing work/home delivery/etc. for months, though.

great news io!!

The Seoul government said it had found its first case of covid-19 in a cat on Monday, shortly after offering free tests to pets in the Korean capital.
Experts say there is no evidence cats or dogs can pass the novel coronavirus to humans, but they have nevertheless placed the cat in a 14-day quarantine. It was tested after having symptoms of vomiting and decreased activity.

lol "vomiting and decreased activity" is pretty much a symptom of all cats, all the time.

the program i was in was unceremoniously shut down this week.

A little-known program that allows New Yorkers to get a Covid-19 vaccination if they volunteer at vaccine distribution sites has stopped accepting new applicants who do not have experience in health care.

Vaccine distribution began in New York State in mid-December. To fill out staffing shortages, New York City had enlisted its Medical Reserve Corps, a volunteer network that responds to public health emergencies. Without fanfare, the agency recruited volunteers — medical and nonmedical staff alike. In exchange for 36 hours of service, volunteers were eligible to receive their first dose of the vaccine.

On Thursday, the Medical Reserve Corps told The New York Times in an email that it would only accept health care professionals going forward. “The NYC MRC has traditionally been used for medical/health care volunteers. As the number of volunteers swelled — including city employees serving in the hubs — we went back to limiting MRC to recruitment of healthcare professionals,” the agency said.

Volunteering was a way for many New Yorkers who are not yet eligible for vaccination to jump to the front of the line, as receiving the vaccine has proved elusive. According to data gathered by The New York Times, about 10 percent of 11 million eligible New Yorkers have received their first dose.

The task of vaccinating is daunting: A single vaccination site might require people to act as administrative employees, security officers, medical greeters, translators, emotional support staffers, schedulers, traffic monitors and, of course, vaccinators.

Some volunteers bristled at the idea of working three 12-hour shifts without receiving a single penny from the city, even if they did receive the vaccine in exchange.

Others, though, thought they struck gold. “I thought that it was the best deal in the world, the three shifts,” said Seth Rosen, the director of development at the National LGBT Bar Association. He volunteered in the South Bronx. “I was happy to do that in order to be vaccinated.”

But nearly all volunteers complained that signing up was opaque and convoluted.

Enrollment instructions on the city’s website are targeted only to licensed clinical professionals. In response, a number of unauthorized documents outlining the sign-up process for general staff began popping up on the internet: circulating around social media or forwarded among friends.

Adam, a filmmaker who did not want to use his last name because volunteers were told not to speak to the press, registered for his volunteer service after receiving an unofficial document. It detailed the steps required for registration over four separate websites, each one requiring different accounts and passwords. Users were taught how to create an account on the city’s official website; then how to register on ServNY, the state’s volunteer program; then how to register with the state’s Department of Health Public Account Management System; and, finally, how to create an account for the Public Health Responders program.

In all, it required 32 steps.

“It was so bureaucratic — right out of Kafka,” said Adam.

And now it’s over.

The city Medical Reserve Corps sent an email to volunteers on Thursday saying general staffing roles were “at capacity for the foreseeable future.”

“Leadership has decided that NYC staff will be filling in the gaps moving forward,” the email said. “Given where we were with staffing four weeks ago, having this role entirely covered is a significant accomplishment — and a relief. Once again, thank you.”

link: https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/02/18/world/covid-19-coronavirus?referringSource=articleShare#nyc-vaccine-volunteers

Does that mean you don’t get to finish out your set/get your second jab? Or are you grandfathered in?

i scheduled it on site and am in the system so i'm okay. my understanding is that the second jab is specific to the first; they don't see it as two inoculations so much as two appointments that have to follow one another. No one else can claim the number of my second vaccination. But i actually wanted to do this again; i felt helpful! Go figure.

it seems like it's not "shut down" so much as that there were shortages, and now they're not?

*there were, christ

Short update: My friend whom I posted about earlier itt was just this morning released from the hospital to go home, nearly three months after she was first put in the ICU with COVID. She was on a ventilator for more than a month, which puts her in a small percentage of people who actually recovered after that long on a vent. I am very, very relieved and happy for her and her family. Probably her age (mid 50s) and relatively good health are what pulled her through. Of course they still have to see what the long-term effects are going to be, both from the virus and the intensive treatment. They will likely be significant. But she's home with her husband and kid, so that's a victory.

all of my immediate family has it now - parents, my sister and her family. my dad is still in serious condition, but he was in really bad shape when he first went in, so that's an improvement. i'm back home, or at their homes, rather. i'm not familiar with the area where they live, but it's pretty small. i'm here to exist in meatspace and run care packages from one home to another, pick up medicine and groceries, and do funny dances in the snow for my niece and nephew

Love and strength to all who have loved ones suffering this illness.

great news km, I imagine being of practical use maybe alleviates some of that internal conflict around questions of guilt, forgiveness, responsibilty, etc.

I'm in MI now to see family, drove out here in one straight shot. We all quarantined and tested first, my sister, mom and stepdad having had their first shots. This year+ is the longest I've gone w/o seeing them, and they seem to have aged so much...getting a glimpse into these next years, the assistance they'll need. A real sense of winding down and in turn ofc feeling my own age...how these years accelerate, how quickly this whole thing goes by....

uh

https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/19/us/florida-women-dressing-up-coronavirus-vaccine/index.html

TS: these two vs. anti-vaxxers

Two women were caught trying to get second doses of the Covid-19 vaccine by dressing up as "grannies," the Director of the Florida Department of Health in Orange County said Thursday.

The women came to the vaccination site wearing bonnets, gloves, and glasses in an attempt to receive their vaccines, Dr. Raul Pino said during a press conference. According to the sheriff's office, the women were 44 and 34.
CNN reached out to the women for comment.
Both women had valid vaccine cards from their first shot, Pino said. They were denied their second shot while dressed up due to issues with their ID cards. Health officials did not know how the women were able to get their first vaccine shots and whether they had dressed up then as well.

They had the first shot already, why did they think they needed to dress up for the second, and also is this how they got the first, and is this part of why my parents had to fly back to MN to get vaccinated, and can you deliver the second vaccine does with a baseball bat

So they jumped the line somehow for the first shot and only got caught when they came back for round two? Is that how I'm supposed to read that?

Apparently yes, but I don't get the continued subterfuge because they had the first dose

maybe they were hoping for the second dose and a slap