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[amberleewriter]

I managed both my flu and my COVID shots yesterday. I feel much better about the flight for the con now. No troubles doing flu but they wanted a prescription for the COVID and I had it scheduled before I knew of this change. As a result I ended up going to CVS to get my COVID shot instead. They were not asking for a prescription and getting one would have taken until at least tomorrow.

Thanks so much Mr. Kennedy. NOT.

My husband has lost 70 pounds over the last 3 years. He has only one condition and it isn't on the "approved" list for the COVID shot. We've got nearly 90 year old people we are becoming increasingly concerned about so looks like we are going to have to pay out of pocket for him to get a shot (assuming we can find one soon). If we have trouble on that front will likely post to let everyone know.

Comments

[mrshamill]

Good on you! We got ours last week. As for hubby, I was literally, officially, told to lie and say you have a condition that warrants the shot. They're not allowed to ask which one, so that works. Good luck!

[lauramcewan]

I had to tell the pharmacist which thing on the list made me eligible before she jabbed me. So everyone, be ready to say diabetes! Crazy thing is, the pharmacy KNOWS I am one and I still had to get a scrip. I fill my metformin and my Libre3 sensors there, and while metformin may be for something else, combined with the Libre should default to diabetic!

[amberleewriter]

Yeah, CVS is pretty lenient but Hyvee, the local Pharma chain, and COSTCO are all requiring a prescription in town. I have no doubt it is because so many here are on medicaid or the basic state option from the exchanges and they can't afford to have the insurance decide to NOT pay them. CVS can eat that or fight it as it is a large company.

One more reason to hate INS companies.

[lauramcewan]

There's been some studies on using Astepro and saline rinses to reduce infection risk, though it's still needing larger studies for it to be recommended as routine. According to mySaline rinses are also helpful in getting stuff OUT of your nasal passages. I'm currently using the Astepro twice a day (rec 3 but I don't go out in public daily) and a can of saline squirted up there as well, before I use the Astepro, especially if I've been out. I don't think I can bring the can on my flights so I'll have to find a smaller spray or a fresh can in both Baltimore and Vegas. Hrm

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna228500
https://www.forbes.com/sites/williamhaseltine/2022/10/03/saline-nasal-irrigation-after-covid-19-diagnosis-reduces-hospitalization/ This one is about after getting a positive test, but my friend who is studying this stuff like its her job (it's not, but she is ON IT) has been educating us a lot and using the rinse every few days can also help wash that ish out even before you know you have it.

[amberleewriter]

I have asthma and allergies so I have used saline spray for decades. I cannot do netipots because of my severely pretzle shaped septum. I had surgery to get some of it taken care of but it is SERIOUSLY BAD in there all the way back near my brain/stem so I'm as good as I'm going to get at this point.

I am also on prescription spray antihistamine as part of my regimen.

Generally, I am not as concerned about COVID exposure for myself. I had SARS. I have never had COVID and they suspect I may not get it until it shifts into something next generation. Many SARS patients from back in the early 00s have "super immunity" to all COVID strains so far. They even took my blood back in CO to send in for use with tests. Still, I get my shot as a just in case as we care for the in-laws and ONE OF THEM DECIDED TO NO LONGER GET THE DANG SHOT ARE THEY FING NUTS. *insert really pissed face*

Also, I live with husband who has thyroid issues had it at least once now and it set him back hard. He never gets anything and he was down for two weeks with COVID. Srsly, I took care of the guy and got absolutely nothing. Not even a sniffle. And I get EVERYTHING.

[lauramcewan]

Just to clarify, it's specifically the Astepro drug, not any of the others. And I would avoid neti pot in your case, too!

[amberleewriter]

Astepro is a name brand. The generic is named for the actual active ingredient: azelastine hydrochloride. That is what I take.

[lauramcewan]

Yes! Exactly that. Sorry, that is what I meant but why couldn't I come up with the name? GOT ME.

[amberleewriter]

I gotta say if it weren't on the bottle in front of me I would forget that one too. Srsly. Gonna take another year or so with that one to even think about remembering it much less spelling it right. 0.o

[elayna]

I’m getting mine this morning and am expecting it should be fine. But am so angry at RFK Jr for being so crazy, and the orange felon and all congressional republicans for supporting him. People will die because of his lunacy. I’m glad you’re taking care of yourself.

[amberleewriter]

It is nuts that they are doing this and even more nuts that they are ending vaccine requirements in schools in some places. Next thing you know we are going to have a return of Polio. WTF.

When Flu was "live virus" I couldn't take the shots because I would always get sick. I'm very happy that most things are not live anymore so I can actually take them. I have had shingles twice and they finally have a shot that isn't live virus. I'll be dealing with that soon as well.

I generally take the COVID only for others. I don't need to bring things with me as a host with no symptoms to my FIL and MIL or to have my husband get COVID again. My SARS infection back in the 00s apparently makes me "immune" but it doesn't mean I can't carry the virus unknowingly so I have always taken the shots and will continue to do so. And, given we are back in school season and I'm about to hop on a plane the least I can do for everyone at the convention (and here at home) is to wear a mask and get a poke in the arm.

When is someone going to do the hex thing from an Etsy Witch for RFK JR?

[lauramcewan]

I swear I saw someone did....I don't know where to find it now...but I saw it! Bluesky maybe?

[lauramcewan]

https://www.reddit.com/r/WitchesVsPatriarchy/comments/1ndpigc/apparently_some_etsy_witches_know_how_to_curse/ Now I thought I saw one about RFK but I've not found it yet.

[amberleewriter]

I feel like someone needs to Tumblr that thing as a like to charge and repost to cast kind of thing.

The rejection of science and evidence/testing based thought (much less any kind of actual TRUTH) is just amazing to me. In my lifetime we went from venerating PhD's and thinking science would solve all things - where is my damn jetpack! - to "truthiness" and people refusing to get vaccinated because of tin foil hat wearing nonsense. DH and I are both just shaking our heads daily and wondering what nutjob thing is gonna happen next.

[elayna]

My mom had shingles twice, I got that shot as soon as I could. She was miserable.

It’s good of you to vaccinate even if you don’t need it. Herd immunity and protection!

Multiple hex witches for the entire administration would be good though yes, start with RFK Jr. He is a freaking nightmare.