3 hours ago, JaneAusten said:

A friend of mine was diagnosed with COVID about a month ago. She's still recuperating and still on various meds including the Steroid Trump is on.  I asked her if I could share some of her recent message to me. This is not the entire message. She's been communicating with people via email. She is up at night and she messages folks when she cannot rest.

 

"

Hey Kit,

 

Sitting down for a break with the pupper. I have to remind myself, sometimes aloud, that I need to slow down. This has been what has been a new normal day for me. But you asked me about the steroid. Yes it is the same one President Moron is on.

 

The first few days I was on dexamethasone, I had more energy than I knew what to do with. I cleaned the kitchen, cleared out cupboards, cooked food. I was highly productive and felt almost normal. I was euphoric! You remember I talked about this with you last week.  It was glorious.

 

It's a thing, apparently. And now you are seeing it play out via Twitter and the press sprays. But, I see a breathless old man who has no business removing a mask or entering a workplace where he will undoubtedly place countless families and staffers at risk with his hubris and lack of regard for norms like isolation.

 

After 24 days on this steroid, I am still lucky if I can get 4 hours of restful sleep a night and 12 hours a day without a complete meltdown.  Heaven help you if your lungs are so inflamed and/or your oxygen saturation levels are so low that you require this medication. I have never felt more insane and run down by a drug, regardless of how much it may be helping to restore my lungs, and yes it is supposed to. I won't bore you with specifics unless you're interested. This isn't an aspirin you pop and call the doctor in the morning and, frankly, I resent seeing it framed by so many as such with the rosy pictures being painted by this fool  and so many being sucked into it.

 

Trust me when I tell you they continue to deceive the public. This drug is for people who are in the high risk category like me with my asthma and is not for people with just the sniffles. And if a doctor just gave him this because they are throwing every drug at him, it's a disgrace, it's DANGEROUS, and the euphoria does not maintain. They are treating the public like we are stupid. Tell anyone you know this is not a game and can impact many the same way its impacting me and MUCH worse."

 

Thanks to your friend for her candor and thank you for sharing her words. Please tell her I hope she gets completely well soon. 🙏❤

20 hours ago, I Am A Swede said:

^^

That podcast was actually very good, and brought up a lot of good points about how we have handled the pandemic here so far, and why. So if you do have the time then do listen to it.

 

I think that the key word in the our strategy has always been sustainability. The measures that were introduced here, were such that they can be maintained for months, maybe even years. That was the main objective with avoiding a complete lock-down. "It's a marathon, not a sprint" has been the mantra from the authorities here.

And like they brought up in the podcast, the public here followed the regulations extremely well. I have a job which doesn't allow me to work from home, so I travel to and from work every day and the streets were almost empty even during the day. People listened to the advice and stayed home unless it was absolutely necessary to go out.

 

Could we have done things differently? Absolutely. Our death toll is way too high, mostly due to the fact that the disease found its way into the care-homes for the elderly.

But I hope, and believe, that we have learned valuable lessons from this, and when the next pandemic comes, which I'm sure will happen, we will be better prepared. And I hope, and think, that we will use the same strategy when that day comes.

 

Thank you for your insight.

 

16 hours ago, JaneAusten said:

A friend of mine was diagnosed with COVID about a month ago. She's still recuperating and still on various meds including the Steroid Trump is on.  I asked her if I could share some of her recent message to me. This is not the entire message. She's been communicating with people via email. She is up at night and she messages folks when she cannot rest.

 

"

Hey Kit,

 

Sitting down for a break with the pupper. I have to remind myself, sometimes aloud, that I need to slow down. This has been what has been a new normal day for me. But you asked me about the steroid. Yes it is the same one President Moron is on.

 

The first few days I was on dexamethasone, I had more energy than I knew what to do with. I cleaned the kitchen, cleared out cupboards, cooked food. I was highly productive and felt almost normal. I was euphoric! You remember I talked about this with you last week.  It was glorious.

 

It's a thing, apparently. And now you are seeing it play out via Twitter and the press sprays. But, I see a breathless old man who has no business removing a mask or entering a workplace where he will undoubtedly place countless families and staffers at risk with his hubris and lack of regard for norms like isolation.

 

After 24 days on this steroid, I am still lucky if I can get 4 hours of restful sleep a night and 12 hours a day without a complete meltdown.  Heaven help you if your lungs are so inflamed and/or your oxygen saturation levels are so low that you require this medication. I have never felt more insane and run down by a drug, regardless of how much it may be helping to restore my lungs, and yes it is supposed to. I won't bore you with specifics unless you're interested. This isn't an aspirin you pop and call the doctor in the morning and, frankly, I resent seeing it framed by so many as such with the rosy pictures being painted by this fool  and so many being sucked into it.

 

Trust me when I tell you they continue to deceive the public. This drug is for people who are in the high risk category like me with my asthma and is not for people with just the sniffles. And if a doctor just gave him this because they are throwing every drug at him, it's a disgrace, it's DANGEROUS, and the euphoria does not maintain. They are treating the public like we are stupid. Tell anyone you know this is not a game and can impact many the same way its impacting me and MUCH worse."

WOW.

20 hours ago, I Am A Swede said:

^^

That podcast was actually very good, and brought up a lot of good points about how we have handled the pandemic here so far, and why. So if you do have the time then do listen to it.

 

I think that the key word in the our strategy has always been sustainability. The measures that were introduced here, were such that they can be maintained for months, maybe even years. That was the main objective with avoiding a complete lock-down. "It's a marathon, not a sprint" has been the mantra from the authorities here.

And like they brought up in the podcast, the public here followed the regulations extremely well. I have a job which doesn't allow me to work from home, so I travel to and from work every day and the streets were almost empty even during the day. People listened to the advice and stayed home unless it was absolutely necessary to go out.

 

Could we have done things differently? Absolutely. Our death toll is way too high, mostly due to the fact that the disease found its way into the care-homes for the elderly.

But I hope, and believe, that we have learned valuable lessons from this, and when the next pandemic comes, which I'm sure will happen, we will be better prepared. And I hope, and think, that we will use the same strategy when that day comes.

 

 

Thank you for this perspective. Given that the Swedish strategy is structured for the long-term and future pandemics, I think it might be the way to go. However, in the UK, the whole thing has gotten so politicised and agenda-driven that nobody trusts the government anymore about this, and their faith in public health institutions is also eroding. This makes the ability to enact a Swedish strategy here more difficult at this time.

 

16 hours ago, JaneAusten said:

A friend of mine was diagnosed with COVID about a month ago. She's still recuperating and still on various meds including the Steroid Trump is on.  I asked her if I could share some of her recent message to me. This is not the entire message. She's been communicating with people via email. She is up at night and she messages folks when she cannot rest.

 

"

Hey Kit,

 

Sitting down for a break with the pupper. I have to remind myself, sometimes aloud, that I need to slow down. This has been what has been a new normal day for me. But you asked me about the steroid. Yes it is the same one President Moron is on.

 

The first few days I was on dexamethasone, I had more energy than I knew what to do with. I cleaned the kitchen, cleared out cupboards, cooked food. I was highly productive and felt almost normal. I was euphoric! You remember I talked about this with you last week.  It was glorious.

 

It's a thing, apparently. And now you are seeing it play out via Twitter and the press sprays. But, I see a breathless old man who has no business removing a mask or entering a workplace where he will undoubtedly place countless families and staffers at risk with his hubris and lack of regard for norms like isolation.

 

After 24 days on this steroid, I am still lucky if I can get 4 hours of restful sleep a night and 12 hours a day without a complete meltdown.  Heaven help you if your lungs are so inflamed and/or your oxygen saturation levels are so low that you require this medication. I have never felt more insane and run down by a drug, regardless of how much it may be helping to restore my lungs, and yes it is supposed to. I won't bore you with specifics unless you're interested. This isn't an aspirin you pop and call the doctor in the morning and, frankly, I resent seeing it framed by so many as such with the rosy pictures being painted by this fool  and so many being sucked into it.

 

Trust me when I tell you they continue to deceive the public. This drug is for people who are in the high risk category like me with my asthma and is not for people with just the sniffles. And if a doctor just gave him this because they are throwing every drug at him, it's a disgrace, it's DANGEROUS, and the euphoria does not maintain. They are treating the public like we are stupid. Tell anyone you know this is not a game and can impact many the same way its impacting me and MUCH worse."

 

I wish we had more first-person assessment like this about the illness, about symptoms, about what the hospitals do, and about what the medication does to you! This is super informative, thank you.

 

https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMe2029812

 

 

 

Some news from Germany: We had quite a strict lockdown in March/April/May, but the number of new cases was really low during the summer months and restrictions were gradually lifted, so that basically only large events with more than 1000 visitors such as concerts were forbidden. Nightclubs were also not allowed to open, and private parties such as weddings have a guest limit (which is different in each federal state).

 

However, even though the number of cases is still quite low compared to most other European countries, there has been a significant rise in recent days (4500 new cases today). The most affected age group is young people between 20 and 29 because they kept on partying and travelled abroad during the summer months. However, there have also been large outbreaks from Turkish weddings (that lasted a few days) and other private parties.

 

If a region or city has more than 50 new infections per 100.000 citizens, they need to tighten their restrictions. Big cities like Berlin, Munich, Bremen and Frankfurt have already put more restrictions in place: No alcohol in public places, stores, bars and restaurants have to close at 11 pm, and in some cities you have to wear a mask everywhere.

 

I was in Berlin 2 weeks ago, and the city is literally dead. There are no tourists, and all you can do is shopping and going to a restaurant.

 

Cologne just introduced similar measures, and the new rules will become effective tomorrow:

• Only five people are allowed to meet in public.
• You are not allowed to drink alcohol in public from 10 pm onwards (in Germany, drinking alcohol in public has always been allowed).
• Alcohol must not be sold in highly frequented spaces ("partying hot spots").
• Restaurants and bars remain open.
• In addition to every indoor location and public transport, you also have to wear a face mask on the street.
• Entrance to stores will be restricted (one customer per 10 qm²).
• Inviting friends to your home is still allowed, but the city counsil advises you against doing so.

Our mayor said in a press conference: "I call upon the common sense of all citizens of Cologne that you do not host any large parties. I ask you for this sincerely. We have to bring the surge to a stillstand."

 

This will be a tough fall/winter.

Edited October 9, 20205 yr by Huntress

 

  

5 hours ago, Huntress said:

However, even though the number of cases is still quite low compared to most other European countries, there has been a significant rise in recent days (4500 new cases today). The most affected age group is young people between 20 and 29 because they kept on partying and travelled abroad during the summer months.

 

That is the case here too. We've seen a big increase in new cases among students recently. There has been a lot of gatherings and events since the school year started, and the recommendations about social distancing have not been respected at these gatherings. I think that since the vast majority of those that have died here have been 70 years and older young people are starting to feel that they're not really at risk. And this is a dangerous way of thinking.

6 hours ago, Huntress said:

Some news from Germany: We had quite a strict lockdown in March/April/May, but the number of new cases was really low during the summer months and restrictions were gradually lifted, so that basically only large events with more than 1000 visitors such as concerts were forbidden. Nightclubs were also not allowed to open, and private parties such as weddings have a guest limit (which is different in each federal state).

 

However, even though the number of cases is still quite low compared to most other European countries, there has been a significant rise in recent days (4500 new cases today). The most affected age group is young people between 20 and 29 because they kept on partying and travelled abroad during the summer months. However, there have also been large outbreaks from Turkish weddings (that lasted a few days) and other private parties.

 

If a region or city has more than 50 new infections per 100.000 citizens, they need to tighten their restrictions. Big cities like Berlin, Munich, Bremen and Frankfurt have already put more restrictions in place: No alcohol in public places, stores, bars and restaurants have to close at 11 pm, and in some cities you have to wear a mask everywhere.

 

I was in Berlin 2 weeks ago, and the city is literally dead. There are no tourists, and all you can do is shopping and going to a restaurant.

 

Cologne just introduced similar measures, and the new rules will become effective tomorrow:

• Only five people are allowed to meet in public.
• You are not allowed to drink alcohol in public from 10 pm onwards (in Germany, drinking alcohol in public has always been allowed).
• Alcohol must not be sold in highly frequented spaces ("partying hot spots").
• Restaurants and bars remain open.
• In addition to every indoor location and public transport, you also have to wear a face mask on the street.
• Entrance to stores will be restricted (one customer per 10 qm²).
• Inviting friends to your home is still allowed, but the city counsil advises you against doing so.

Our mayor said in a press conference: "I call upon the common sense of all citizens of Cologne that you do not host any large parties. I ask you for this sincerely. We have to bring the surge to a stillstand."

 

This will be a tough fall/winter.

That is good to hear. Hope it goes well.

 

And I giggled reading the 'common sense' part. I wished right now more people had it. 

 

Stay safe. 

On 10/9/2020 at 4:16 PM, Taoboi said:

And I giggled reading the 'common sense' part. I wished right now more people had it. 

 

Especially the administration in D.C. 😝

On 10/7/2020 at 3:14 PM, JaneAusten said:

A friend of mine was diagnosed with COVID about a month ago. She's still recuperating and still on various meds including the Steroid Trump is on.  I asked her if I could share some of her recent message to me. This is not the entire message. She's been communicating with people via email. She is up at night and she messages folks when she cannot rest.

 

"

Hey Kit,

 

Sitting down for a break with the pupper. I have to remind myself, sometimes aloud, that I need to slow down. This has been what has been a new normal day for me. But you asked me about the steroid. Yes it is the same one President Moron is on.

 

The first few days I was on dexamethasone, I had more energy than I knew what to do with. I cleaned the kitchen, cleared out cupboards, cooked food. I was highly productive and felt almost normal. I was euphoric! You remember I talked about this with you last week.  It was glorious.

 

It's a thing, apparently. And now you are seeing it play out via Twitter and the press sprays. But, I see a breathless old man who has no business removing a mask or entering a workplace where he will undoubtedly place countless families and staffers at risk with his hubris and lack of regard for norms like isolation.

 

After 24 days on this steroid, I am still lucky if I can get 4 hours of restful sleep a night and 12 hours a day without a complete meltdown.  Heaven help you if your lungs are so inflamed and/or your oxygen saturation levels are so low that you require this medication. I have never felt more insane and run down by a drug, regardless of how much it may be helping to restore my lungs, and yes it is supposed to. I won't bore you with specifics unless you're interested. This isn't an aspirin you pop and call the doctor in the morning and, frankly, I resent seeing it framed by so many as such with the rosy pictures being painted by this fool  and so many being sucked into it.

 

Trust me when I tell you they continue to deceive the public. This drug is for people who are in the high risk category like me with my asthma and is not for people with just the sniffles. And if a doctor just gave him this because they are throwing every drug at him, it's a disgrace, it's DANGEROUS, and the euphoria does not maintain. They are treating the public like we are stupid. Tell anyone you know this is not a game and can impact many the same way its impacting me and MUCH worse."

 

All good wishes for your friend's speedy and complete recovery. 

 

First hand accounts are so useful because they dispel the rosy outlook that certain liars and charlatans want to dupe the public to accepting.

 

Dexamethasone has been in production for more than 50 years and is used in medicine for multiple treatment pathways. But one thing that is commonplace with dexamethasone is euphoria. What we are seeing in the White House is a direct result of that euphoria. And the thing is - it doesn't last. 

 

Herman Cain demonstrated much of the same trajectory, full of good news minimizing the seriousness, and he ended up dead. 

20 hours ago, amybrickwallace said:

 

Especially the administration in D.C. 😝

Hahahaha

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

Edited October 12, 20205 yr by victoria foxton

 

 

Hello,

 

Well...Co-Vid has decided to hit a little too close to home this week. Prayers and thoughts are welcomed since I now truly find myself beside myself. 

 

Hopefully some good news in the morning...

I'm so sorry, @Taoboi. 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏