Medical Discussion of Coronavirus

[G]

I just returned from visiting my immunocompromised brother. I went to Texas via the Atlanta airport. I figure that I got exposed somewhere. I feel ok so far. My nephew is a pilot for Southwest and he says he is extremely busy now. People are traveling. All legs of my flights were at capacity. The Atlanta and Austin airports were as crowded as I have ever seen them. People do not seem to be scared of Delta. People are inconsistent with masking on planes. I will not travel via plane until this gets better controlled. I get bloodwork for the Pfizer study drawn next week. I am planning to go to CVS for a booster after that. I got my first pfizer shot on 8/13 last year. I expect my antibody levels are waning.

I recently connected through ATL and I agree that it was as busy as I have seen it. Yes, the planes are packed again. But I had forgotten about all the lines involved with flying...specifically those lines in the bridge from the gate to the plane where there is literally zero ventilation, with everyone standing there and exhaling viral particles.

Ah, well, hopefully that is just enough for booster dosing!

[Kamban]

Yes the policy may not make sense, and could change, but given the policy the risk benefit analysis is still up to me. I can consider individual circumstances as they arise, all the policy grants is the right to make that decision for myself. Policy or no policy if the risk is high, we're not doing it.

If you are going to UK then remember 2 things

1. One dose of Pfizer is not considered fully vaccinated.

2. The USA is in the amber list fo countries. It means

Before travel to England
Before you travel to England you must:

• take a COVID-19 test – you must take the test in the 3 days before you travel to England
• book and pay for COVID-19 tests – to be taken after arrival in England
• complete a passenger locator form

You must do these things whether you are fully vaccinated or not.

If you are not fully vaccinated
If you do not qualify under the fully vaccinated rules, on arrival in England you must:

• quarantine at home or in the place you are staying for 10 days
• take a COVID-19 test on or before day 2 and on or after day 8

Read about the fully vaccinated rules, quarantine and taking COVID-19 tests after arrival in England.

If you are in England for less than 10 days, you need to quarantine for the time you are here. You need to book day 2 and day 8 travel tests. You only need to take the tests if you are still in England.

The penalty fo breaking quarantine is quite severe. So think about it if you plan to just get only one dose of Pfizer, which I think is the only one approved for 12 and older.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/red-amber-and-green-list-rules-for-entering-england

[Hatton]

booster with J and J or another pfizer?

I am planning on going to the CVS near my house. Not sure what they have. If I have an option I will get #3 Pfizer. I am not sure that a different brand matters. we are all in unchartered territory here.

[Tim]

I am planning on going to the CVS near my house. Not sure what they have. If I have an option I will get #3 Pfizer. I am not sure that a different brand matters. we are all in unchartered territory here.

CVS had pulled J&J from pharmacies. Only available at MinuteClinics.

https://www.thebharatexpressnews.com/cvs-health-stops-offering-the-jj-covid-vaccine-in-its-pharmacies-available-in-certain-minuteclinics/

[Antares]

I am planning on going to the CVS near my house. Not sure what they have. If I have an option I will get #3 Pfizer. I am not sure that a different brand matters. we are all in unchartered territory here.

I see the wisdom in this for you. Forgive me if you already addressed this because I haven’t been on this thread for a while and it’s over 300 pages to catch up on, I am guessing that because you received your first set of shots in an research study, CVS has no record of your shot, and you can just show up and get it? This wouldn’t work for most of us. I have several patients who have chosen to go to another state where they are not in the state database to get a booster for this reason.

[Hatton]

I see the wisdom in this for you. Forgive me if you already addressed this because I haven’t been on this thread for a while and it’s over 300 pages to catch up on, I am guessing that because you received your first set of shots in an research study, CVS has no record of your shot, and you can just show up and get it? This wouldn’t work for most of us. I have several patients who have chosen to go to another state where they are not in the state database to get a booster for this reason.

Yes Antares this is my reasoning.

[snowcanyon]

Hey, I need advice. I am supposed to have a colonoscopy, but my health system is low vaccine uptake (75%) and masking compliance is poor at best. I've asked the insurer if I can go out of network, but they said no. Any thoughts?

[Tim]

Wife just had a colonoscopy. I would look at the specific facility and the physician rather than the system.
You can go out of system, but it will cost you is what the insurer said.
Your choice.

[StarTrekDoc]

If average risk and no prior hx polyps can do cologuard

[G]

Hey, I need advice. I am supposed to have a colonoscopy, but my health system is low vaccine uptake (75%) and masking compliance is poor at best. I've asked the insurer if I can go out of network, but they said no. Any thoughts?

I assume you can pick your GI from known entities? Just find a buddy that shares your attitude that your health system is led by morons. If not, I wouldn't sweat it, regardless.

Better do so fast, in my neighborhood, it is kinda feeling like 2020 again...7 day moving average has gone up 500% in 1 mo...hospital full (and not too many COVID inpatients yet)...only 2 available ICU beds... translation: elective procedures may go bye-bye.

[snowcanyon]

I assume you can pick your GI from known entities? Just find a buddy that shares your attitude that your health system is led by morons. If not, I wouldn't sweat it, regardless.

Better do so fast, in my neighborhood, it is kinda feeling like 2020 again...7 day moving average has gone up 500% in 1 mo...hospital full (and not too many COVID inpatients yet)...only 2 available ICU beds... translation: elective procedures may go bye-bye.

Oh, I'm sure the GI is vaxed. It's the nursing staff and techs that are a mixed bag, and that no one can seem to control. They don't even wear N-95s here, just decorative surgical masks.

[snowcanyon]

If average risk and no prior hx polyps can do cologuard

That's what I was thinking, but of course if anything is positive then colonoscopy isn't covered in full....

[triad]

I see the wisdom in this for you. Forgive me if you already addressed this because I haven’t been on this thread for a while and it’s over 300 pages to catch up on, I am guessing that because you received your first set of shots in an research study, CVS has no record of your shot, and you can just show up and get it? This wouldn’t work for most of us. I have several patients who have chosen to go to another state where they are not in the state database to get a booster for this reason.

I don't think they check very stringently. if you want a booster go to another pharmacy. I'd rather you get a booster than waste a dose. is the dosage the same for all 3 jabs?

[StarTrekDoc]

That's what I was thinking, but of course if anything is positive then colonoscopy isn't covered in full....

What? A diagnostic colonoscopy isn't covered?

[CordMcNally]

What? A diagnostic colonoscopy isn't covered?

I think that’s how a lot of plans are. I’m still a long ways from needing one but ours covers screening colonoscopies but not diagnostic colonoscopies. Makes sense, huh?