Eileen, do some research. Omicron has many more mutations than the rest of the Sars Cov 2 variants. Some people even call it Sars Cov 3, jokingly. It is vastly different.

It has been zooming here for several weeks. National guard units are assisting at least one hospital in town. Yet I still hear people claiming that "it's over" or "too mild to worry about" and too many either not wearing a mask or wearing one in a half a$$ed imitation of compliance.

My DD came down with it last Sunday; Started with fever & chills, sore throat, then developed headache & severe cough & and extremely sore throat - even water hard to swallow. I made up a bottle of "magic mouthwash" for her which has helped. Lost her sense of smell on Friday, muted sense of taste. Slowly getting better now but still can't really talk - severe laryngitis.

She is vaxxed but not yet boosted. Both her SO and I are boosted. I was with her at the grocery store the Thursday before she came down with it. She was wearing a surgical type mask; she declined my offer of an N95 which I wore. Too many people in the store were as I described above & I feel sure that is where she caught it - she works from home and rarely goes out hadn't been out in the previous week. Neither myself, or her SO, have gotten ill (we've both tested negative on the home tests, too)

Cases rising, very, very few wear masks, all sports etc as usual. Scary.

My son was one of the unlucky ones who had Covid and Flu B at the same time, nut it was way back in late August/early September, about two weeks after he started his freshman year of college. He had been vax'd but with J&J. Then when he came home for Thanksgiving, he tested positive for a different strain of flu - Flu A! While he was home for his winter break, he got the booster.

I have no idea what the rates are currently here as after that security breach in MD on their Covid website, my county has not been updating their numbers. I do know our hospitals were full and putting off elective surgeries but I haven't really followed too closely. Our area did seem to be peaking just after Christmas. I was seeing a lot of posts on FB with acquaintances whose families had Covid during or right after Christmas. One friend's family got stuck in Mexico when their teenage daughters both tested positive on their pre-departure testing.

D16 goes to a private high school where masks are required. Actually, right now, all public schools in MD also still require masks. D's school has not had any huge outbreaks yet but right after break a lot of teachers were out. She is in the IB program and has super small classes with all the same 8-10 kids, none of whom have been out sick. Though they do have lunch in the cafeteria, my daughter said they are back to imposing stricter social distancing (only 6 per table and they are required to sit a certain distance apart).

My sons are both back at their universities where both require pre-arrival testing, masks and vax/boosters. Older son's campus has a few more policies in place than younger son's but no doubt there will be cases due to the contagious nature of omicron.

Doesn't "natural immunity" protect you from getting sick? That's what my fb vitamin ad memes say. Or is "natural immunity" just the protection you get when you get over a cold? If that's your definition, I think, as virologist and biologists have known for decades and decades, since viruses mutate at a high rate, getting over one version does not necessarily give you immunity to the next mutation. Viruses mutate easily and often, which is why it is so difficult to create effective vaccines for fast mutating viruses, and why the "common cold" is so "common." There are many mutation possibilities, each with their own variables and possible challenges. And airborne, mucosal viruses are notoriously fast mutating due to their infection paths and fast spreading. That's why virologists often sound flip floppy or confusing when giving advice, the conditions on the ground are fluid. Which is why it is so important to nip outbreaks in the bud and tamp them down asap if you want to win any kind of battle against them. A fact so sadly lost on so many people, but not virologists and biologists who study the effects of viruses on the natural world, which are immense.

Given the density of the current human world population and the level of environmental stressors, virus ecology and biology and immunity concerns will figure prominently in this new century. People aren't the only living thing being bombarded by novel viruses. You heard it here first folks! ;) On the plus side, as we do more research, we will learn more and more about the processes involved, so hopefully develop new and better mitigation techniques.

Our vet's wife got covid twice and recovered, then died on the third go around. They don't vaccinate, which is odd, since he vaccinated our puppy for every disease imaginable that she could pick up from her environment. Even pooh poohed our request to separate and space out some of the vaccines, which I know was not motivated by science or concerns over our pup's reaction to the combination, but pharmaceutical convenience.

For those who are using the "smell test" to determine if they have Covid or not, it seems that loss of smell is not common with Omicron as it is with the other variants.

https://www.businessinsider.com/loss-of-taste-smell-not-common-covid-symptoms-2022-1

Our hospital put out their Covid case numbers the other day: 15 people in the hospital with Covid; 10 unvaxxed, 5 vaxxed. Thankfully, our hospital doesn't seem to overloaded with cases. From everything I've heard it's expected that most people will get this variant, which should give us the heard immunity we need. I've also heard that once this peaks cases will drop dramatically, and this virus will become an endemic instead of a pandemic. It has already peaked in England and new cases are dropping quickly. I hope and pray these doctors and medical experts are correct. I know all of us are extremely tired of dealing with with this thing and just want it to go away.

That's all in theory, woodrose. We have never had a coronavirus pandemic before.

What they don't know yet is if another variant will come along that's resistant to the V and that has worse symptoms.

When looking at hospitalizations, it is important differentiate between "people who came in because of COVID" and "people who came in for something else but just happened to have COVID when we tested them but otherwise didn't notice they had it due to vaccination status".

It is a very important distinction.

How large is that hospital @woodrose?

Where are you located @woodrose? That is a very small number. I've heard the same thing about the peak and then dropping off, that's why I was curious about other areas and if they have "peaked".

I agree that predictions regarding the end of the pandemic phase of Covid are merely speculation. We won't really know until after we have arrived in that phase.

We are in So Cal, it has been spreading like crazy here. Our hospitalizations are up a huge amount. 86% of patients are unvaccinated, but no idea how many went into the hospitals for other issues. Local news said it is about 1/2 of the Covid cases.

In the last 4 weeks my husband and I both went out of the house maybe 3 times. My husband caught Covid, it had to be a week ago Friday. He had taken his mom to the hospital for a follow-up xray for a broken shoulder, then they went to the bank and pharmacy wearing masks the whole time. Of course, dealing with a bank teller and pharmacist they were closer than the 6 feet distance. That said they may have caught it at the hospital, they did not have N95 masks on. They both ended up with symptoms on Monday. I developed symptoms the next day. Both my husband and I had fairly minor symptoms, probably the level of a bad cold but a bit different. My symptoms are gone, DH still has a slight cough. I was very worried about my MIL as she refused the booster. She is 84, very overweight and has diabetes, but it appears that she is doing fairly well.

You may be right about that @terezosa / terriks. However, regarding the peak and dropping off of cases, I think we may get some indication from other countries who are ahead of us in this pandemic.

@jill302 your MIL did not get Covid?! Wow. I'm glad she didn't, but it would seem like she would be more likely to than you and your husband. Glad you are feeling better and hope your husband will soon. In our area, we have screens in front of cash registers at banks and drugstores. Hmm maybe not banks. I have not been inside one in some time. Drugstores, grocery stores, etc. have done the screens. We even have a local restaurant that has the screens up behind each booth (extending from the top of the seat).

I just look at one local hospital FB page. The number of covid cases in that particular hospital has jumped today. Interesting that the median age for ICU is 50 while median age for non-ICU is 65! I would think that would be reversed. Also, today's percentage of non-vaccinated in the hospital is 80%. Of course, as mentioned above, many of these may be in the hospital for other reasons.

Tina - Sorry I was unclear, my MIL did get Covid. My worry was that she would be extremely ill, she has not been. She had a similiar level of illness to my husband. They both had the cough, I did not. I had a nasty headache for 3 days with cold type symptoms.

Our local public schools just announced that they’re closing until next week, due to rising cases. So are several restaurants and other businesses. It’s definitely getting worse here.

I was heavily exposed two weeks ago and have been sick since last Friday. If we can’t find a home test anywhere, I’ll have to go get tested in town. I keep thinking every morning I’ll feel better, but I’m not. I’m vaxxed (J&J), but not boosted yet. Could be covid, could be flu, I don’t know. I have all the typical symptoms, with the worst being feeling like my head is in a vise being tightened. Achy all over, sniffly, sore throat, queasy, fatigued. Good times.

Oh no @Jilly!! I'm sorry you are feeling rotten. Are you taking anything? I know the clinics around here tell people cold meds and tylenol. Yes, do get a test. Are you and Mr. Jinx quarantining? Has your dad been exposed? (Before my dad passed away, that was my greatest fear. I know you must worry about it too.) I hope you are over this soon!

l pinkmountain, excellent post! Facts vs. fiction.

Thanks, Tina. ❤️ Yes, we’re quarantining … I’m so worried about my dad. We were exposed the same day. He had covid last year, was vaxxed after, is waiting for booster.

I’m taking Tylenol and am in bed a lot, but trying to move around as much as possible. My lungs are feeling a bit funky. I’m very grateful for my shower stool! I don’t think I could get through a shower without it. The fatigue is awful.

Awww poor thing! Drink plenty of fluids too. Praying you feel better soon and that your dad doesn't get it!

TIna Marie, I would guess that the ICU patients are nonvaccinated and are the sicker ones. The older patients probably are vaccinated and their co-morbidities are why they are hospitalized.

@Jilly do you have an Oximeter so you can monitor yourself? If not, get one! Its important to watch your levels. So sorry you are ill, hope you feel better quickly!

Maddielee, thank you. ❤️ No, I don’t have one, good idea. Will get one.

Oh, Jinx, I'm so sorry. I hope you're feeling better soon.

(And anyone else who's sick. I sometimes read where someone is, and I only wish them well in my thoughts!)

I live in the state of Victoria, Australia. We are being hit very hard with Omicron - averaging over 20,000 cases a day. To put that into perspective, the Premier put us in hard lockdown during the second Covid wave when cases hit 600 a day. Of course, that was before there was much in the way of effective treatment and there were no approved vaccines.

We are not in lockdown now (the population has a very high vaccination rate - over 90% of people over the age of 16) but might as well be because the supply chain is cracking under the weight of people who either have Omicron or are close contacts. The health care system is also foundering; there are staff shortages due to Covid and to simple burn out, hospitalizations are up, the numbers in ICU are climbing (though not catastrophically) and people who are only mildly ill and should be at home are instead clogging up ERs and ambulances. Most of those in ICU and most of the recent deaths are the unvaxxed, even though they make up a very small percentage of the population.

Our Chief Health Officer thinks we may have peaked, but predicts that the pressure on hospitals is liking to continue rising for a few more weeks. I'm being very careful about contact with the general public, to say the least!

Thank you, Feathers. ❤️

I like Your Local Epidemiologist's blog for an overview of what is currently happening with the virus.

Today, she said that while cases in South Africa are falling, the descent is slower than expected.

https://yourlocalepidemiologist.substack.com/p/state-of-affairs-jan-18?fbclid=IwAR0YCw9-xXz-5tvVUlOiqCQ-pJ3WgatKOoQD0JZgvppKk-UOpAXKb9RA3No

@Jilly please take care! They have identified folks with both C and the flu combined. If there is any question get to a Dr . ❤️

Thank you, Trail. ❤️

Jinx, I'm so sorry! My sister took Mucinex at her doctor's recommendation to keep the Mucus thin, in hopes of keep things from getting worse. She had a lot of respiratory involvement but kept on with the Mucinex and it seemed to do the trick.

Thank you, Bestyears. ❤️ I may try that, I’m running my humidifier often, but don’t know if it’s helping.

@JillyA vaporizer with warm mist is more helpful when congested. I have used them for over 40 years when the kids were sick with croup etc. Cool mist just doesn't do as much. I will link to what I am talking about. You can get them in the pharmacy dept at walmart as well as local drug stores like CVS etc https://www.google.com/search?q=warm+mist++vicks+vaporizer&sxsrf=AOaemvJRmdBY0Tcw2aRNAIi-OydbJxs8nA%3A1642602792370&ei=KCHoYZaSFtCbptQPgt6ymAk&ved=0ahUKEwiWxsifhL71AhXQjYkEHQKvDJMQ4dUDCA4&uact=5&oq=warm+mist++vicks+vaporizer&gs_lcp=Cgdnd3Mtd2l6EAMyBQgAEIAEMgYIABAIEB4yBggAEAgQHjIGCAAQCBAeMgYIABAIEB4yBggAEAgQHjIGCAAQCBAeMgYIABAIEB4yBggAEAgQHjIGCAAQCBAeOgcIABBHELADOgcIABCwAxBDOgQIIxAnOgcIIxCwAhAnOgQIABANOggIABAIEAcQHkoECEEYAEoECEYYAFCrBliSF2DQGmgBcAJ4AIABf4gBsAWSAQM2LjGYAQCgAQHIAQrAAQE&sclient=gws-wiz

Thank you so much, Trail! ❤️

Yes, mucinex is great!

Our local news was all about how there are no beds in ICU here in the OKC area. It's quite alarming! A friend's mother, as of yesterday had been waiting for a room in the ICU for 28 hours. For NON C-19 related issues. It's so frustrating when the majority of the cases could be lessened if people would get vaccinated!

I got a warm mist vaporizer at the recommendation of a friend a couple of years ago after multiple bouts of the flu that had me coughing up mucous for months. Some type of humidifier is very helpful in preventing dry air, which dries out your nasal passages and makes them more susceptible to infection. But if you already have excess mucous from some type of irritation, then warm vapors are the most helpful at clearing them out. I may even get one of those steam mist contraptions because with my newfound sinus issues I have a stuffy head almost every day. I have tried the towel and bowl of hot water and it is ok but only lasts a little while and is rather cumbersome to do on a regular basis. Hot showers are great too, but my sinuses just fill back up again many days.

Jinx - So sorry to hear that you are having to deal with this. Hope you feel much better soon.

I also had that awful vice headache you mentioned. Tylenol alone did nothing for it, I piggybacked Tylenol and Ibuprofen, that helped me quite a bit. The headache was still there but much more tolerable. I did verify that ibuprofen was okay for Covid with the PA in my Urgent Care, but of course that will depend upon your medical history. If you have not had an issue with taking ibuprofen in the past it likely will be a good option for you but checking with your doctor can be helpful.

Jinx, if your lungs are feeling "funky", I would see a doctor. Your J&J v-a-c offers you no protection now. I remember reading last year about the original and Delta strains and that day 5-6 is when you either start to feel better or the virus invades the lungs and becomes more serious. Omicron doesn't invade the lungs as far as I know so it may be Delta.

Thank you, Jill. ❤️

I agree with you — I’ve been taking pills that are a mix of Tylenol and ibuprofen, they really do seem to work better than either of those alone.

Thanks, Eileen. ❤️

I’ll see how the next couple of days go, and will definitely see my doctor if there’s no improvement. Will be getting booster asap.

Sorry to see that you're sick, Jinx. Here's hoping things will improve soon.

And hot, steamy showers are great for upper respiratory congestion, IMPE - so are hot, steamy liquids like soup and teas.

FWIW, I've now had 3 colds since November, got tested every time and results were negative. Just winding down the most recent one and got my negative test results yesterday.

Every episode has been in my sinuses and caused headaches, fatigue and some achiness. Never had a fever or cough tho. I think fever and chest congestion/cough are both common with COVID, if that's any reassurance. Colds rarely cause any fever, I understand.

And yes, it's kind of easy to forget it's also flu season.

My DD started out using an OTC, 4 ingredient "severe cold" remedy, alternated with ibuprofen and aspirin - she said it helped a lot with the severe headache, severe cough and severe sore throat. She has a history of not tolerating dextromethorphan well, so after a few days switched to an OTC without it and added Mucinex - which she says helped her chest feel better and eased her breathing.

Now at day 11, she's finally turned the corner and is easing off on the meds. Still very bad sinus congestion, and still coughing, but not the racking cough and her voice is coming back.

Warm mist is best for humidification to loosen secretions, but for very irritated/inflamed airways, cool mist is the more soothing.

Thanks, Carol. ❤️ I actually just sat in a hot, hot shower. It does feel good.

I hope your cold gets better soon!

Raee, so glad she's feeling better!

Jinx, I hope you feel better soon! Did you get tested?

Thank you, Sue. ❤️ I haven’t yet, no. I keep thinking ’one more day’, but it’s not getting better (not getting worse, at least).

Maddielee and Tina Marie, our hospital is what I would call "medium large". It's not a small hospital, but not huge either. The population of our town alone was 94,000+ in 2020, and it's also home to a large university, so a smaller hospital wouldn't serve us well. There are a lot of cases in our county, but apparently not many required hospitalization.

Fori, has a very good point. I just watched a video clip last night where someone was saying that we're not being given accurate statistics, because we're not told how many people were admitted because of Covid, and how many were admitted for something else and tested positive for Covid. I hadn't thought about that, but it's true. We should be told the truth and not given certain statistics in an effort to manipulate us.

Eileen, these doctors and other experts are watching the statistics in many countries and basing their opinions on those statistics. We may not have had a Coronavirus pandemic before, but we've certainly had other viral epidemics and pandemics and the outcomes of those are known.

I listened to Osterholm discuss the hospitalization statistics. I think it was because one of his listeners posed a similar question. It's not like anyone is trying to manipulate us. It's just that capturing hospital Covid data by "for" or "with" isn't being done. Sometimes it's not clear which it is - for example if someone is hospitalized for cardiac symptoms and is found to have Covid - do they have the cardiac problem because of Covid? Or pulmonary disease - has a problem arisen because of a case of Covid the person didn't know they had? He also pointed out that either way, if someone tests positive there's still an extra burden for the hospital because of the need to isolate these patients and for those caring for them to take additional precautions. So I would surmise there isn't enough benefit to expend the additional effort to try to separate this data, particularly in hospitals that are so overburdened as it is. If patients have Covid, whether they knew it or not, they have to be monitored and cared for as Covid patients. I think number of Covid patients in ICU gives somewhat of a read on how seriously ill they are and if that number is trending down it's a good sign even though the hospital may still be overwhelmed caring for less serious cases.

Speaking of Oklahoma, Oakley I hope you and Mr Oakley are ok.

I know he completed cancer treatment recently so am sending positive health thoughts to both of you!

Interesting…

.Public health Scotland wants to make it perfectly clear that even though unvaccinated have the lowest case rate per 100,000 of all the cohorts,
“a simple comparison of COVID-19 case rates in those who are vaccinated and unvaccinated should not be used to assess how effective a vaccine is in preventing serious health outcomes, because there are a number of differences between the groups, other than the vaccine itself, and these biases mean that you cannot use the rates to determine how well the vaccines work.”