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Updates from December, 2021 Toggle Comment Threads | Keyboard Shortcuts

• Kate 23:42 on 2021-12-23 Permalink | Reply  

  I’m pretty sure I’ve caught it. Aching and shivery even under several blankets. I don’t have any rapid tests and even if the testing stations weren’t overwhelmed, I am not in any state to go out and line up in the cold.

  So posting may be slow for a few days. News is usually slow over Christmas anyway…

  Update: Thank you all for your kind words. A blog reader has kindly offered to drop off a rapid test today so I will know. Still feeling shivery and crappy and like I was mysteriously beaten up overnight. Stay safe, people.

  Another update: The Rapid Response test says this isn’t Covid. Which makes me wonder how I picked up any virus, under the circumstances, as I’ve been double-masking and keeping my distance generally. Still feel crappy and am going to lie low.

  GC, j2, Kate, and 33 others are discussing. Toggle Comments

   

  • Joey 23:55 on 2021-12-23 Permalink

    Oh no! Get well soon!

  • steph 23:56 on 2021-12-23 Permalink

    take care of yourself Kate. How soon before they predict that “everyone” will be catching it – it’s nuts how transmissable this variant is.

  • Max 23:57 on 2021-12-23 Permalink

    Crap. Hang in there, kiddo. We’re all rooting for ya,

  • vasi 00:10 on 2021-12-24 Permalink

    May your COVID be mild, and over with quick.

  • Janet 01:04 on 2021-12-24 Permalink

    I hope you feel better soon, Kate!
    Keep us posted on how you’re doing.
    Janet

  • dhomas 01:48 on 2021-12-24 Permalink

    Feel better, Kate!

  • Mitch 02:11 on 2021-12-24 Permalink

    Oh no. I hope you feel better soon.

  • walkerp 03:28 on 2021-12-24 Permalink

    Sorry to hear this, Kate. I hope it runs its course without too much discomfort and nothing serious or long-term.

  • Ephraim 04:50 on 2021-12-24 Permalink

    Get well soon

  • Hervé 06:12 on 2021-12-24 Permalink

    Oh dear, get well soon!

  • Tee Owe 06:14 on 2021-12-24 Permalink

    Take care of yourself Kate, look forward to your recovery

  • Vazken 08:27 on 2021-12-24 Permalink

    Hopefully your body can fight it off! Rooting for you!

  • Daniel D 09:24 on 2021-12-24 Permalink

    Get well soon Kate!

  • Daisy 09:24 on 2021-12-24 Permalink

    Wishing you a speedy recovery!

  • carswell 10:03 on 2021-12-24 Permalink

    The number of blips on my COVID-19 radar has risen alarmingly in the last week. Sorry that you’re one of them, Kate. If you’re up to it, keep us posted on your progress. And don’t hesitate to shout out if you need a hand with errands.

  • Kevin 10:14 on 2021-12-24 Permalink

    Take care Kate. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need something.

  • Dominic 10:28 on 2021-12-24 Permalink

    Get well Kate

  • Daniel 10:34 on 2021-12-24 Permalink

    Get well soon, Kate.

  • j2 10:54 on 2021-12-24 Permalink

    Get well soon!

    I’ve got chest congestion and a cough, but no fever. My (live-in) family have all been in contact with confirmed cases but the first rapid test last night showed no. My partner just got her booster and has a(n unrelated) symptom she saw when she got sars (or similar, sorry, it was before our time) but it’s unclear if the booster or the grand prize is responsible. She’ll rapid test this morning.

    This was the BTNX rapid test, the quick reference card was clearly written for medical staff, but it’s overall simple. They show both the brain scratcher and simple nostril method. The full insert document was more useful. Overall the nostril method was simple if ticklish. Takes about 18 minutes to fully execute, the control becomes visible really quickly.

    The general method described is slightly different than one the MUHC put out as a recommendation but it’s also a different brand. We managed to get it because it’s a small pharmacy and my partner had serious medical issues recently plus has an established relationship with the pharmacist.

  • Blork 11:09 on 2021-12-24 Permalink

    I hope it passes quickly and you get well soon!

  • Ian 11:17 on 2021-12-24 Permalink

    Oh no! Hope you feel better soon and that you have a mild version. Drop me a line if you need anything.

  • maggie rose 11:24 on 2021-12-24 Permalink

    Sending good thoughts your way, Kate. I hope this turns out to be a mild one and you’re back to your cheery self in a short time. So good of some blog followers here offering to pitch in and help if you need it!

  • DeWolf 11:32 on 2021-12-24 Permalink

    Take care of yourself! Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything.

  • JaneyB 11:40 on 2021-12-24 Permalink

    Also sending good thoughts in your direction. Warm wishes for the holidays to you and yours 🙂

  • Tim S. 11:42 on 2021-12-24 Permalink

    Covid or no, get well soon, Kate!

  • jeather 12:16 on 2021-12-24 Permalink

    Get well soon! Can I try to drop by a rapid test for you? I got lucky and got a box.

  • Kate 12:28 on 2021-12-24 Permalink

    jeather, that’s very kind of you. dwgs has already offered to come by with one, but if that doesn’t work out i will ping you. thanks!!

  • qatzelok 12:36 on 2021-12-24 Permalink

    Take care of yourself, Kate.

    Orange juice and lots of rest, and don’t read too many stressful news stories.

  • Meezly 13:16 on 2021-12-24 Permalink

    Take care, Kate!

  • ant6n 13:44 on 2021-12-24 Permalink

    Get better soon! We’ll send some positive thoughts your way.
    Also, happy Xmas to the extend possible…

  • ant6n 14:04 on 2021-12-24 Permalink

    Apparently for immunized ppl, the body can reach before there is a significant viral load. So the test may show negative for now. It may make sense to repeat the test in a couple of days if negative.

  • ant6n 14:16 on 2021-12-24 Permalink

    *react

  • Tim S. 15:26 on 2021-12-24 Permalink

    To follow up on ant6n’s point, I liked this explainer:

    https://twitter.com/michaelmina_lab/status/1472024457640394756

  • PatrickC 17:46 on 2021-12-24 Permalink

    Kate, I hope you feel better soon! And if you can, some chicken soup couldn’t hurt.

  • Michael 11:42 on 2021-12-25 Permalink

    All the best Kate!

  • JP 18:44 on 2021-12-25 Permalink

    A little late here, but best wishes for a speedy recovery, Kate. I hope you feel better soon!

  • H. John 00:59 on 2021-12-27 Permalink

    Hope you’re feeling better; but wondering if you also swabbed your throat? Tweet from David Juncker:

    @DavidJuncker
    Swab the throat in addition to the nose: Seeing more and more anecdotes of people testing negative for nose, but positive for throat.

    His McGill info:
    https://juncker.lab.mcgill.ca/david-juncker

  • CE 13:04 on 2021-12-28 Permalink

    Just getting caught up on the news after being out of town for a while. Hope you’re feeling better Kate!

  • Kate 16:05 on 2021-12-28 Permalink

    I seem to be having atypical symptoms, but I’ve definitely caught something, somehow. H. John, I’m trying to get hold of a new test and will do as you suggest if I can get hold of a new test.

    I would be very happy to have this over with, it’s not very pleasant.

  • j2 13:12 on 2021-12-29 Permalink

    …and I just got refused a test in the Point. They gave me rapid tests and said even if I test positive don’t bother with a PCR. Do two tests and isolate for 14 days. They’re over capacity. I don’t know if that’s a boots-on-the-ground or official policy. Doesn’t bode well for truth.

    Rapid test shows positive. Was a bad cold, cough, runny nose, no fever, but when I lost smell it was pretty clear.

    Hope you’re better Kate.

  • GC 14:03 on 2021-12-30 Permalink

    I hope there are no long-term effects.

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• Kate 19:37 on 2021-12-23 Permalink | Reply  

  Quebec is buying millions of N95 masks but they’re for healthcare workers, reasonably enough, although some say they should be in more general use.

  (Has anybody found N95s for sale anywhere, by the way?)

  Some restaurants are closing for the moment even though it’s not obligatory, yet.

  Public health is obviously not happy with Legault’s unwillingness to court disapproval by shutting down Christmas. Hospitals are facing serious strain and testing centres are swamped.

  My usual blog skimming turned up a story on a Catholic website about a prayer vigil against vaccine passports held here.

  UPAC is investigating a network providing fraudulent vaccine passports.

  Tim S., DeWolf, Ephraim, and 4 others are discussing. Toggle Comments

   

  • MarcG 20:14 on 2021-12-23 Permalink

    I ordered N95s from Canadian Tire online a few days ago. My wife wore one to get her booster today and was asked to remove her N95 in order to put on one of their blue masks, which she refused, arguing that it’s a superior mask. The security dude said “I know” and the supervisor arrived 10 minutes later to tell her she could either remove it or put the blue one on top of it. Fun!

  • Kate 20:42 on 2021-12-23 Permalink

    Ah I see. My mistake was looking for them on drugstore websites, while in fact they’re mostly sold via hardware stores. Thanks, MarcG.

  • maggie rose 21:15 on 2021-12-23 Permalink

    I’ve been wearing Canada Strong N95’s (the 510’s fit well for teens and smaller adult heads like mine, the 508 is larger). Of course they’re sold out, but at their twitter I see you can go to an item you want and click on ‘notify me when available’. Apparently they’re working hard to get inventory. I like ’em for their comfort level, and the company is helpful. I believe they gave discounts to teachers at one point. I also like that they have a lot of info/data on each item’s page. User testimonials are truly fun, with lots of photos. Kids seem to love them. They started offering blue N95s when people were being told to take off their N95s at medical, vaccine & test sites and told they had to wear what are now known as Droopy Blues. With these, folk were often able to “pass” before guards noticed. This will likely change now, thank goodness.

    Also, from what I’ve read, N95s can be reused more than one thinks (I hope). Rotate each for 2 weeks in a paper bag after recommended hours of use. How many times is safe I don’t know. Some say till they are grungy. Scientific term. I give mine a little spritz with isopropyl 99% first.

  • vasi 21:41 on 2021-12-23 Permalink

    There’s a huge list of vendors at Masks4Canada: https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vTUIVP0BX6OuvzSt1qqB19CT6ToVyaZQRslScr_gkxlUqtUXXC1wIRIRfWlbRgO6ma362g1KTHkCvkY/pub

  • Kate 21:47 on 2021-12-23 Permalink

    Thank you, vasi.

  • Ephraim 22:54 on 2021-12-23 Permalink

    I bought some. They had some at Costco.

    When we went for our boosters, they asked us to wear their mask OVER the N95 mask. No big deal. I haven’t been to an RPA lately, but they always required us to wear theirs over ours. I assume it is just standardization.

  • DeWolf 11:37 on 2021-12-24 Permalink

    KN95s are pretty widely available at drugstores and the like. These are the Chinese version but with ear loops instead of headbands. KF94s (the Korean version) are very comfortable but harder to find. For some reason I haven’t seen any of the European version, the FFFP2, which I would actually be keen to use because I’ve heard the EU has more stringent standards/quality controls than most countries.

  • Tim S. 11:41 on 2021-12-24 Permalink

    The Costco ones were well reviewed by CBC Marketplace, fwiw.

    https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/mask-filtration-standards-marketplace-1.5974442

• Kate 12:49 on 2021-12-23 Permalink | Reply  

  Quebec has seen 9397 new Covid cases over the last 24 hours. One out of every five people in Montreal showing up for a test is testing positive. Dr Mylène Drouin also notes here that not everyone who wants a test can get one, considering the long lines for testing, and people using the rapid tests at home are not going to be counted, so the real number is probably much higher.

  Younger adults are the majority of these new cases. Omicron is found in 90% of the diagnoses.

   

• Kate 01:26 on 2021-12-23 Permalink | Reply  

  A man is in critical condition after a shooting at Des Érables and Sherbrooke on Wednesday evening.

  Update: The man has died. He’s the 35th homicide of the year. The updated La Presse link above alleges that Charles‑Olivier Boucher‑Savard was a drug dealer. TVA says he had been out of jail for less than four months.