Ya people are not being smart about this for some reason. I still don't go out if I don't have to and if I know there will be a lot of people I wear a mask and still keep at least 6 feet away from people.
That site has a data table and lists the number of sites per state. Minnesota only has 4 sites. I don't know if that is high or low, but seems low given the number of wastewater treatment plants that I hope are in Minnesota. (About 1 per city, of which there are at least 100 cities in Minnesota.
So many people around me have been sick. One who is unvaccinated had symptoms for weeks on end. No one took a test, but me. Positive. I got over it pretty quick, both times - October 22 and January 24. I need to start getting the boosters. I figured it wouldn't be very likely to get it again so soon.
I agree. I feel like many people aren't testing. I had it very mild in June of 2023. I thought it was allergies but tested and sure enough; positive. My fiance thought she had a cold in November of 2023 but decided to test and it was positive. Meanwhile all these people around us have "colds" but aren't actually testing. I somehow escaped it when my fiance had it so I got a booster last month hoping I can escape this wave and help cut the spread.
Since COVID became endemic I stopped testing. What does it matter what I have? When I'm sick, I'm sick. I really don't see how it matters what exactly is causing it.
We must normalize staying home for any illness. Testing for the purpose of having good data for public health is important but that isn't what home covid tests are doing.
Fully agree. My employees have unlimited sicks days. If they're not feeling well, I'd rather they stay home and rest up. We work with schools so spread happens so quick and easily.
If you stay away from people when you're sick that definitely helps. The only drawback that is you may be contagious before showing symptoms.
Getting boosters help reduce spread and reduce risks of complications from viruses (like getting an annual flu shot or Tdap boosters). Not everyone can get the vaccine (i.e. they're allergic) or individuals may have weakened immune systems and their body can't produce enough antibodies. If the community continues to test and get boosters, it helps everyone stay healthier and potentially save lives.
Just because it's endemic doesn't mean there's no more action needed. Hospitals may not be packed like they were (although they still get busy with COVID during peaks stressing the system), it doesn't mean that you can't help protect others.
One of the positive things that came from this pandemic is at home tests (not just for COVID). By testing when sick (whether it's the flu, COVID, rsv, etc... I've had COVID where I really thought it was allergies. Was about to go out to meet with friends and figured I'd test just in case. Sure enough I was positive with what felt like mild hay fever (it was summer time). I'm just glad I tested and didn't get anyone else sick.
