So many people are getting it, including a lot for the first time who are super careful and wear masks (that i know irl and online). I presumably have it, all the symptoms but haven't tested positive despite being on day 6

Please do everything you can to protect yourself and others meow-hug

  • Dirt_Owl [comrade/them, they/them]
    ·
    11 months ago

    I haven't caught covid ever, but every time I get the flu a part of me freaks the fuck out

    Plus I wonder if there are new strains that just don't show up on the shitty little home tests.

    Fuck, why can't the West at least do proper fuckng tracking?

    I don't give a shit about my freedom to #pretendeverythingisnormal, I want the freedom to NOT GET FUCKING SICK AND DIE/BE PERMANENTLY DISFIGURED

    • fart [he/him]
      hexagon
      ·
      11 months ago

      Yeah i swabbed my throat. Still negative. Doesnt really matter what it is cuz im not gonna go to work or whatever sick.

      but it is weird. Would be nice to know for sure whats going on.

    • tripartitegraph [comrade/them]
      ·
      11 months ago

      The nasal sprays are a great idea, thanks for that! Out of curiosity, how often do you use them? Once daily?

      • TheModerateTankie [any]
        ·
        11 months ago

        They say every four to six hours. I use them before and after any potential exposure, or in the morning, at lunch and after work.

    • JoeByeThen [he/him, they/them]
      ·
      11 months ago

      And it's probably a good idea to get anti virus nasal sprays, on top of masking. I'm alternating between covixyl and betadine.

      Gonna add them to my arsenal, thanks!

  • Rojo27 [he/him]
    ·
    11 months ago

    I think my mom might have it. She somehow dodged it when everyone else at home had it. She got tested and it came back negative, but she seems to be going through a lot of what I went through. No severe symptoms, but also not doing great.

    • Okalaydokalay@lemm.ee
      ·
      11 months ago

      If she’s vaccinated, it could throw false negatives in tests.

      I got it years ago and didn’t know and went on everyday like whatever with my girlfriend. She got sick all of a sudden and then I got sick and I tested positive, I urged her to get tested too and she did but it came back negative but she was really sick, much sicker than I was. She took a second test eventually and that one came back positive.

      We were told at the time by the person conducting the test at the drug store that those who are vaccinated could get false negatives when taking the test and thinking they’re fine despite testing negative.

      • Frank [he/him, he/him]
        ·
        11 months ago

        Home tests have a 30% or so false negative rate per test if you do them correctly and you're in a phase where there's enough of the virus for the test to detect. Ideally you want to do like three tests on three consecutive days, and even then there's ~10% chance of getting a false negative.

        • ClimateChangeAnxiety [he/him, they/them]
          ·
          11 months ago

          Wow it sure would be nice if we had another testing method available, maybe PCR. You could even have local pharmacies perform the tests to make sure people have easy access!

          I guess I must’ve been the first person to think of that though, otherwise that would be an option right now blob-no-thoughts

      • Rojo27 [he/him]
        ·
        11 months ago

        Wish I had known this when I got Covid last year. I had gotten my booster about a month or two before catching it and for the first day or so of having it I kept get negative tests even though both my dad and brother, who were just beyond the period of vaccine effectivness, got positives right away. I only got a positive from a PCR test and subsequent at home test about 3-4 days after my initial symptoms showed.

        My mom is vaccinated, but hasn't gotten any subsequent boosters after the 3rd booster.

  • letsride4x [she/her, they/them]
    ·
    11 months ago

    yup i got it for the first time recently, sucked ass. fwiw i used an instant test as soon as i had symptoms and it came back positive.

  • red_stapler [he/him]
    ·
    edit-2
    11 months ago

    I'm running out tomorrow to stock up on tests, I might have it as I've been feeling a bit off, but not like when I tested positive last September so hopefully not. covid-cool

  • thisonethatone [he/him]
    ·
    11 months ago

    I was going to go to a really cool event tomorrow but after what happened to my BF and several of my friends staying home after being exposed- I'm going to pass.

    It stinks, but I am grateful that I have the privilege to stay home.