Muse
Lifer
- Jul 11, 2001
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Is there a shelf life for tests? I have the originals sitting in a drawer.8 more covid tests per household can now be ordered at https://www.covid.gov/tests or call 1-800-232-0233.
Is there a shelf life for tests? I have the originals sitting in a drawer.8 more covid tests per household can now be ordered at https://www.covid.gov/tests or call 1-800-232-0233.
Is there a shelf life for tests? I have the originals sitting in a drawer.
There was talk after 2nd booster for mRNA vaccines were approved that another (i.3. 3rd) booster might be coming in the fall. I think I heard talk that that booster would (might) be tweaked for new variants, whereas the others were just the original shot (although Moderna's boosters were 1/2 dose). Have there been further developments?
For some tests, the expiration date has been extended a few months beyond what is printed.Expiry date should be printed on the box
Is there a shelf life for tests? I have the originals sitting in a drawer.
Meantime I'm getting a little nervous. My 2nd Moderna booster was 2.5 months ago, they say immunity is waning after 2 months, at least from the first booster and I suppose since the second. Also, positivity rates have been going up around here (SF Bay Area).There will probably be an omicron specific and/or bivalent (OG strain and Omicron) vaccine boost available in the fall.
Meantime I'm getting a little nervous. My 2nd Moderna booster was 2.5 months ago, they say immunity is waning after 2 months, at least from the first booster and I suppose since the second. Also, positivity rates have been going up around here (SF Bay Area).
The problem with Covid is that it progresses so fast. Your other components of immunity, such as B cells and T cells take about a week to ramp up. By the time they are ready, you are already sick and may actually be recovering from Covid. Antibodies are the most realistic thing that we have that is fast enough to fight Covid.Antibody levels will always decline but that is just one component of immunity.
The problem with Covid is that it progresses so fast. Your other components of immunity, such as B cells and T cells take about a week to ramp up. By the time they are ready, you are already sick and may actually be recovering from Covid. Antibodies are the most realistic thing that we have that is fast enough to fight Covid.
Of course if you keep your initial dose low, then that might give you enough time. Since the viral particles grow exponentially, an initial dose of 1000 viruses will take far longer than an initial dose of 10,000 viruses to ramp up. Thus if you can keep your exposure small (not lingering around people for long, mask wearing, etc), you might have time for the rest of your immune system to ramp up.
I had a conversation with a person I work with today about these very things. Neither of us is aware of having caught covid but I said we might have but were asymptomatic, and she agreed. Then I mentioned that an important factor in not being symptomatic or really sick is limiting the extent of your exposure, getting a small viral dose, and she agreed. I only wear N95's, had them before the pandemic and have bought some more recently. I've been pretty careful, but wonder and figure I could catch it because I'm nowhere near as careful as I was before being vaccinated, which was nearing paranoia, largely because I was pretty unclear on the epidemiology on many levels, including the means of transmission. Also, my lifestyle made it possible to make it just about impossible to get exposed, thanks to a neighbor who offered to do all my grocery shopping. I even asked her 2 years ago to get my car smogged, I was that nervous. I personally went to the same shop a couple weeks ago and had it smogged again.The problem with Covid is that it progresses so fast. Your other components of immunity, such as B cells and T cells take about a week to ramp up. By the time they are ready, you are already sick and may actually be recovering from Covid. Antibodies are the most realistic thing that we have that is fast enough to fight Covid.
Of course if you keep your initial dose low, then that might give you enough time. Since the viral particles grow exponentially, an initial dose of 1000 viruses will take far longer than an initial dose of 10,000 viruses to ramp up. Thus if you can keep your exposure small (not lingering around people for long, mask wearing, etc), you might have time for the rest of your immune system to ramp up.
Saw Dr. Monica Ghandi on TV tonight, infectious disease expert M.D. at UC San Francisco, and she said that to prevent minor covid infections (IIRC) a nasal vaccine is what's needed. I have no idea why that would be.Considering how infectious the variants are I doubt anything short of mucosal immunity is really going to do the job anymore to fully prevent infections. Maybe in a year or two they'll have a nasal vaccine that works for that. In the meantime I'd just like the smallest chance of severe illness and death that I can obtain from the existing platform.
Well, $219 can get you confirmation of T-cell memory. They jacked up the price because I swear I remember it being $150.I had a conversation with a person I work with today about these very things. Neither of us is aware of having caught covid but I said we might have but were asymptomatic, and she agreed. Then I mentioned that an important factor in not being symptomatic or really sick is limiting the extent of your exposure, getting a small viral dose, and she agreed. I only wear N95's, had them before the pandemic and have bought some more recently. I've been pretty careful, but wonder and figure I could catch it because I'm nowhere near as careful as I was before being vaccinated, which was nearing paranoia, largely because I was pretty unclear on the epidemiology on many levels, including the means of transmission. Also, my lifestyle made it possible to make it just about impossible to get exposed, thanks to a neighbor who offered to do all my grocery shopping. I even asked her 2 years ago to get my car smogged, I was that nervous. I personally went to the same shop a couple weeks ago and had it smogged again.
I saw on TV tonight that Fauci has tested positive !!!
It is important to be careful. But there is also a possibility of being too careful. Not only does that impact your life, but also it prevents you from tiny micro doses of the disease. There is a theory that having regular very small exposures is another way of staying boosted. There is also initial evidence pointing that the theory might be correct. Of course, that is dangerous since it is possible to accidentally get a large exposure that way. But, a quick trip to a store now and then with a properly worn N95 mask on is probably better for you at preventing Covid than staying fully isolated.I had a conversation with a person I work with today about these very things. Neither of us is aware of having caught covid but I said we might have but were asymptomatic, and she agreed. Then I mentioned that an important factor in not being symptomatic or really sick is limiting the extent of your exposure, getting a small viral dose, and she agreed. I only wear N95's, had them before the pandemic and have bought some more recently. I've been pretty careful, but wonder and figure I could catch it because I'm nowhere near as careful as I was before being vaccinated, which was nearing paranoia, largely because I was pretty unclear on the epidemiology on many levels, including the means of transmission. Also, my lifestyle made it possible to make it just about impossible to get exposed, thanks to a neighbor who offered to do all my grocery shopping. I even asked her 2 years ago to get my car smogged, I was that nervous. I personally went to the same shop a couple weeks ago and had it smogged again.
I saw on TV tonight that Fauci has tested positive !!!
So much money and time wasted on bs.
I think he might just be referring to taking it in to get the annual CA smog check.It is important to be careful. But there is also a possibility of being too careful. Not only does that impact your life, but also it prevents you from tiny micro doses of the disease. There is a theory that having regular very small exposures is another way of staying boosted. There is also initial evidence pointing that the theory might be correct. Of course, that is dangerous since it is possible to accidentally get a large exposure that way. But, a quick trip to a store now and then with a properly worn N95 mask on is probably better for you at preventing Covid than staying fully isolated.
I also don't think smogging will do anything other than putting your mind at ease. Opening the car windows/doors for a couple hours will do you more good.
Oh that makes sense. My company smogs our offices for Covid at night and it does nothing.I think he might just be referring to taking it in to get the annual CA smog check.
I only smogged because California made me.It is important to be careful. But there is also a possibility of being too careful. Not only does that impact your life, but also it prevents you from tiny micro doses of the disease. There is a theory that having regular very small exposures is another way of staying boosted. There is also initial evidence pointing that the theory might be correct. Of course, that is dangerous since it is possible to accidentally get a large exposure that way. But, a quick trip to a store now and then with a properly worn N95 mask on is probably better for you at preventing Covid than staying fully isolated.
I also don't think smogging will do anything other than putting your mind at ease. Opening the car windows/doors for a couple hours will do you more good.
Saw Dr. Monica Ghandi on TV tonight, infectious disease expert M.D. at UC San Francisco, and she said that to prevent minor covid infections (IIRC) a nasal vaccine is what's needed. I have no idea why that would be.
On a tangent, just talked to a friend who has been WFH for the past 2.5 years. Hard to believe it's been that long! Literally just been alone, by herself, in her apartment for over 2 years. Has health issues, so doesn't go out to reduce the risk of getting COVID for her immune system. Boggles my mind. Zoom meetings just aren't the same as human interation!
Wow .... even I will venture outside occasionally!
I did a whole lot of sitting at home by myself the last 1.5 years too and I have to say my social-skills (such as they are lol) have eroded a bit as has my peace of mind ... being completely alone (aside from video) all the time isn't healthy you are quite correct!