I'm sure a ton of people had it right around the first of the year but at that time it was very difficult to get tested, at home or otherwise.

I think I had it but couldn't get the test. I did self-isolate to be on the safe side.

I know there are many others that were in the same situation. Fortunately in my case, it was like a moderate cold (if it was indeed Covid). I'm sure it helped that I had had 3 jabs by that point.

Pete, how is your sister doing? I know she had a pretty serious presentation of COVID a while ago, so I'm hoping she is back to normal.

Pete, how is your sister doing? I know she had a pretty serious presentation of COVID a while ago, so I'm hoping she is back to normal.

My sister passed away last fall.

I didn't want to post about it but people should know the real impact on human lives.


Her name was Karen, was fully vaccinated but had other health issues. Karen left behind four siblings, a husband, two grown children, and 4 grandchildren, one of which she was raising; the other three lived right around the corner and were at her house almost every day.

Her kids and particularly her grandaughter Brooklyn were and still are completely devastated. Karen was the heart of our big family and I chose a house that could accommodate a long dining table where all 18 of us could sit together during the holidays and other important times. And that's exactly what we did after I moved back 5 years ago and it was a huge part of my decision to return to OKC.

I gave the eulogy at her service. I stood there in front of a large crowd and watched all of them cry their eyes out. You don't know pain until you see an 11-year-old girl bawl her head off. Worse yet, that young girl now has to go through life without the person who loved her the most and always took care of her.


I know only nice things are said when someone passes, but my sister Karen was literally the best person I will ever know, something I told her and almost everyone else several times and long before she ever became ill. I grew up in a big family and Karen had a lot to do with raising me. She was one of the very few people in this world who will ever love me completely and unconditionally.

I will add none of us ever got to see her. She was in a hospital bed all alone for almost a month before the decision was made to take her off the ventilator.


So, there is the reality of this 'flu'.

My condolences, Pete.

I am very sorry to hear that, Pete. I know you previously posted about how great a person she was and it’s clear from your words above that she made a tremendous, lasting impact not only on you but on many people. Those are the truly good people.

Oh! I'm so sorry. This has been rough on so many people I know. I hope and pray the worst is behind us.

I must admit, Pete, the way you talk about your sister makes me feel as if I knew her and lost someone I was close to. It likewise makes me feel even more bitter about the past two years. I plead that the worst is behind us, though I can’t help except mourn with the overwhelming sense of defeat. I’m so sorry to you, your/her family, and especially your sister’s granddaughter.

I’m hesitant to talk about myself on a most personal level but to expound on the connection I feel, I was also raised by my grandparents. I made it to 18 before either of them passed yet I still feel broken nearly a decade later. I would say my most formative years came after the age of 11 and so much of who I am today stems from those years, especially from about 12-17, under their wings. I say all that to express my heart absolutely does cry out at the loss of your sister, in particular as it pertains to her granddaughter. I realize there is nothing a stranger like myself can do but speaking from the heart, I hope she is getting all the help and care and love she can handle.

Thank you for sharing with us, Pete. I truly do hope you and your family have been able to make some sense of life since her passing but I fully understand the hollowness in my words as life will never be anything like it was prior. For that, as a fellow human that has experienced unexpected and untimely loss, I weep.

I’m very fortunate to have not lost my grandparents and father when we all had COVID. It damn felt like I was about to die and I recovered much faster than they did. By the grace of God even with us all being fully vaxxed and as bad as it was we all got through it.

Pete, I’m sorry to hear about your sister. I remembered when you posted about it and how distraught you were when she was fighting it. I can only imagine what it must be like.

I read an article recently about how the pandemic has caused long time friends to no longer talk to each other over “differences” in beliefs and how they handled the pandemic. It’s stories like yours that bring more perspective into why people are excommunicating long time relatives or friends who didn’t respect social distancing and mask rules let alone outright denying COVID was a real threat.

I’m really sorry, Pete. I’ve personally known at least six people who’ve died of it; three I would call friend rather than acquaintances. I also know many who had a terrible time with it; hospitalizations, new chronic ailments triggered by COVID, etc. It’s hardly the flu, that’s for sure.

I’m sorry for your loss, Pete. It feels so unfair when we lose someone too soon. Nothing makes that pain and frustration go away, but I’m sure her legacy lives in you and your family. I suspecr everyone is trying to live their lives in ways she would be proud of. May she Rest In Peace.

Pete I'm so sorry about your sister. Your poor family to have lost such a beautiful person. I lost my niece to covid just months before they came out with the vaccines.

Pete, I feel your pain of loss as well. Last September, I lost my wife of 46 years to covid. Learning to live in my 'new normal' is excruciating.

All of you that have lost loved ones too early have my deepest condolences. It's so sad. Mom's official cause of death was complications of COVID but realistically she was 92 and already declining so in her case COVID just sped things up a few months or maybe a year. The worst part for us was not being allowed to see her for a year and a half. Then only for about a month before she died.

Pete, I feel your pain of loss as well. Last September, I lost my wife of 46 years to covid. Learning to live in my 'new normal' is excruciating.

I'm very sorry to hear this, and to hear about Pete's sister and Bowser's niece as well.

Interesting. Pfizer says updated studies show that Paxlovid doesn’t help COVID-19 patients unless they are high risk. The COVID-19 antiviral isn’t effective for people who are vaccinated and healthy. I'm older, healthy and have been vaccinated but no boosters. The day after I took Paxlovid I started feeling much better. Two days later I felt like mowing my lawn. So, if I'm just some kind of exception this is disappointing news:

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/pfizer-says-paxlovid-doesnt-help-covid-19-patients-unless-they-are-high-risk-11655315039

^^^^^^^
I had the same experience. I was headed down a dark path with head/chest congestion, which I’d not experienced with prior COVID infection. Even though I’m vaxed and boosted it was concerning how quickly I was picking up downhill speed. My doc put me on Paxlovid within 36 hours of my first positive test (would have been faster but I tested positive on a weekend) and my symptoms had completely VANISHED within about 24-36 more hours.

Oklahoma ranks 50th in COVID-19 response, according to Commonwealth Fund study (https://tulsaworld.com/news/local/oklahoma-ranks-50th-in-covid-19-response-according-to-commonwealth-fund-study/article_fe7c2024-ecdd-11ec-af51-774e887af8f5.html)

Oklahoma ranks 50th in COVID-19 response, according to Commonwealth Fund study (https://tulsaworld.com/news/local/oklahoma-ranks-50th-in-covid-19-response-according-to-commonwealth-fund-study/article_fe7c2024-ecdd-11ec-af51-774e887af8f5.html)

% vaxed was one of their criteria ..

Update on new reported cases by week:

06/17/22 3,810
06/09/22 3,056
06/02/22 2,417
05/26/22 1,845
05/19/22 1,388
05/12/22 1,046
05/05/22 850
04/28/22 686
04/21/22 498
04/14/22 457

Update on new reported cases by week:

06/17/22 3,810
06/09/22 3,056
06/02/22 2,417
05/26/22 1,845
05/19/22 1,388
05/12/22 1,046
05/05/22 850
04/28/22 686
04/21/22 498
04/14/22 457

How are hospitals doing? I think that’s a more important indicator on the severity. I know it lags but has there been any indication of drastic increases?

% vaxed was one of their criteria ..

Good thinking to include that.

How are hospitals doing? I think that’s a more important indicator on the severity. I know it lags but has there been any indication of drastic increases?

130 hospitalizations, 25 in ICU this week
122 hospitalizations, 23 in ICU last week

How are hospitals doing? I think that’s a more important indicator on the severity. I know it lags but has there been any indication of drastic increases?

as has been stated on this thread about 500 times, hospitalization is a lagging indicator. Hard to tell much from it...yet. As for severity, I imagine it will turn out like the ICU nurse at St. Anthony told us: 95% of the people admitted to the ICU with Omicron had not been vaccinated, or had only gotten one of two shots, or J&J, or had not received a booster. If you are vaccinated and boosted you will probably not end up in the hospital unless you are very old or otherwise immune compromised.

Regardless, you can still develop long-haul symptoms, even with a mild case.

...

Regardless, you can still develop long-haul symptoms, even with a mild case.

There Are Millions Of People Who Can't Just 'Move On' From COVID (https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-people-who-cant-get-back-to-normal-simce-covid_l_62a76959e4b06169ca8eed10)

Update on weekly reported new cases:

06/23/22 5,009
06/17/22 3,810
06/09/22 3,056
06/02/22 2,417
05/26/22 1,845
05/19/22 1,388
05/12/22 1,046
05/05/22 850
04/28/22 686
04/21/22 498
04/14/22 457


Hospitalizations, ICU
06/23/22 181, 36
06/17/22 130, 25
06/09/22 122, 23

Numbers are going up because people are getting together more in the summer.

Last summer new cases went down. And now, due to home testing, many cases are not being reported.

Hospitalizations are also increasing, up nearly 50% in just two weeks.

Also, the lack of mask wearing in indoor places.

With the number of cases going up, its not good for people like me and other who cannot safely receive the vaccine. Many if not most can get the antibody shot. My doctors are divided. The thing is, the antivac people say just live your life and get on with it and its still just the flu. The pro vac say that everyone can get the vaccine so just get it and go about your business. If we wear masks be get flack from both groups.It seems like everyone is going back to life as normal. Its not life back to normal for some of us. The last few days I've heard about more people having covid then I have before. Luckily I have had no contact with them. Folks life is not back to normal. Sure if you are fully vacced and boosted you are most likely to have it like a flu. Us unvacced still have to worry about winding up in ICU and dying.

I'll start posting this weekly so we can keep a running comparison to last year:

HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/covid062322c.jpg

Weekly update:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/covid063022b.jpg

Weekly update:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/covid070722a.jpg

There's no telling what the real numbers are these days with all the at home tests but it sure seems like it's everywhere all of a sudden. Hopefully rips through quickly in the next couple weeks.

There's no telling what the real numbers are these days with all the at home tests but it sure seems like it's everywhere all of a sudden. Hopefully rips through quickly in the next couple weeks.

If you go to a doctor after testing positive for covid with a home test, the doctor will likely report your case to the state health dept. After I went to the doctor over covid on a Friday, I got a call on Monday from somebody at the state health dept. asking me how I was doing.

Unfortunately, last summer's big uptick lasted on into winter.

^^^^^^^
Also strongly recommend Paxlovid. The most recent bout with COVID (only a few weeks ago) I felt for the first time that I was headed down a bad road, with congestion moving into my chest. Had a virtual visit with my doctor, he put me on Paxlovid, and I was all but symptom-free within 24-36 hours.

I deleted a bunch of posts because they contained serious misinformation -- and then were quoted by others to refute.

I can't believe people are still posting such ignorant crap after all this time.

I deleted a bunch of posts because they contained serious misinformation -- and then were quoted by others to refute.

I can't believe people are still posting such ignorant crap after all this time.Good work! I looked back and saw a couple gone that almost made me throw my phone when I read them.

this is interesting

https://www.science.org/content/article/bad-news-paxlovid-coronavirus-can-find-multiple-ways-evade-covid-19-drug

^^^^^^^
Also strongly recommend Paxlovid. The most recent bout with COVID (only a few weeks ago) I felt for the first time that I was headed down a bad road, with congestion moving into my chest. Had a virtual visit with my doctor, he put me on Paxlovid, and I was all but symptom-free within 24-36 hours.

I have heard things about this treatment in several places. Glad to see effective options for this strain.

Several of my family members have tested positive in the last week and a half. These are all folks who have exercised some caution and are all vaccinated with boosters. A couple of them are elderly. So far, no one is experiencing bad illness, fortunately, but it's a reminder that this is spreading like wildfire right now.

A lot of people who I know that tested positive were recently on planes. No one is masking on the airlines now, including a lot of crew members. Would make sense for the FAA to put passengers and crew back in masks to protect those of us who are prone to serious illness.

Several of my family members have tested positive in the last week and a half. These are all folks who have exercised some caution and are all vaccinated with boosters. A couple of them are elderly. So far, no one is experiencing bad illness, fortunately, but it's a reminder that this is spreading like wildfire right now.

A lot of people who I know that tested positive were recently on planes. No one is masking on the airlines now, including a lot of crew members. Would make sense for the FAA to put passengers and crew back in masks to protect those of us who are prone to serious illness.
I've been really surprised the past month that we haven't had any reported cases. There is travel involved but so far so good. But I'm stocked up on disinfectant fogger solution for when it does come.

You can now order more free home Covid tests through the government.

If you've ordered them in the past, most likely the expiration date has already passed.

https://www.covid.gov/tests

You can now order more free home Covid tests through the government.

If you've ordered them in the past, most likely the expiration date has already passed.

https://www.covid.gov/tests

I got: Our records show that the address you entered has already requested the maximum number of free at-home tests allowed

^

I was able to order mine today.

^

I was able to order mine today.

I just ordered some and it said 8 tests, 2 packages of 4

I have one box of two and it is still good until next year

I got: Our records show that the address you entered has already requested the maximum number of free at-home tests allowed
I did too.

I did too.

how many times have you ordered tests?

This is only my third time. I think I first ordered when it started around january or february than again in march or april.


"U.S. households are now be able to order an additional eight free at-home tests at COVIDTests.gov—bringing the total number of free tests available to each household since the start of the program to 16."

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/05/17/fact-sheet-the-biden-administration-announces-americans-can-order-additional-free-at-home-rapid-covid-19-tests-at-covidtests-gov/#:~:text=U.S.%20households%20are%20now%20be,of%20t he%20program%20to%2016.

looks like 16 is the max

https://www.covid.gov/tests/faq

how many times have you ordered tests?

This is only my third time. I think I first ordered when it started around january or february than again in march or april.


"U.S. households are now be able to order an additional eight free at-home tests at COVIDTests.gov—bringing the total number of free tests available to each household since the start of the program to 16."

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/05/17/fact-sheet-the-biden-administration-announces-americans-can-order-additional-free-at-home-rapid-covid-19-tests-at-covidtests-gov/#:~:text=U.S.%20households%20are%20now%20be,of%20t he%20program%20to%2016.

looks like 16 is the max

https://www.covid.gov/tests/faqI'd have to count. But I don't think we've hit 16. But maybe.

I just tested positive with an at-home test last night. My dad called and my 93-year-old grandpa also has it. Not sure who gave it to us yet, but suspect it was my niece. If there's even a possibility you were exposed, then please stay home.

I'd have to count. But I don't think we've hit 16. But maybe.

I didn’t realize there was a limit until today

So sorry to hear that! Hope you have very minor symptoms. I'm vaxxed and once boosted and I still got it two weeks ago. It's super easy to catch. I had a low-grade fever for 3 days luckily it didn't go into my lungs. I'm older 58 with underlying health issues. It took me 8 days before I got a negative test result.

Big COVID outbreak at the Warner Bros studios: https://laist.com/news/health/warner-bros-studios-see?fbclid=IwAR0FqfYvs6JQCmqMxLgKiZPl-Jg4CPA-oYoo2_cwlgTy7iAz-LFEY3iuZng

Weekly update:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/covid071422a.jpg

Oof. A 45% increase in hospitalizations in just one week.

Looks like the latest surge, largely hidden due to at-home tests, is beginning to take its toll.

I don't like those hospitalization numbers. Hopefully this wave doesn't last long. But who knows anymore.

The gov is sending out a ton more home tests, so you have to think a bunch of people -- and maybe even the majority -- are testing at home and there is no way to report those numbers.

And of course, hospitalization is a lagging indicator. Since cases are still going up, you have to expect hospitalizations to continue trending upward for at least a few more weeks.

It got me, home tested positive this morning. No fever, but feel like I've been run over by a truck several times. Biggest complaint is my aching body and the coughing. Surprised I made it this far not catching it.

Ugh hope you feel better soon! I had stuffy head sneezing low grade fever version. no coughing. 2 weeks later my taste and smell still not 100%.

Ugh hope you feel better soon! I had stuffy head sneezing low grade fever version. no coughing. 2 weeks later my taste and smell still not 100%.

Took about 3 weeks for my smell to come back. Fully normal now though.

I don't like those hospitalization numbers. Hopefully this wave doesn't last long. But who knows anymore.

Compared to last year they are so much better. 22,385 cases in the last 3 weeks this year vs 6,843 in 2021. Same amount in the hospital and almost half less in the ICU. If I'm doing that correctly

Compared to last year they are so much better. 22,385 cases in the last 3 weeks this year vs 6,843 in 2021. Same amount in the hospital and almost half less in the ICU. If I'm doing that correctlyBy comparison I agree. But the rate of increase week to week is not promising if it maintains.