Pluggers by Rick McKee for February 20, 2021

as far as I know, I’m still negative despite not having done the test yet

I knew a guy who thought he was outstanding because his past due bills told him so.

Y’all pluggers aren’t the only ones who have felt this way, Ron Darrah.

Negative by proxy works for me.

How often do you have to be tested? I walk the campus of a local university almost daily. A huge tent with nurses(?) is set up in the square and open every weekday for covid testing. I rarely see any students inside for testing. And why a huge tent? Governor’s cousin rents them maybe??

The students there are very thoughtful and wear masks/keep distance. Nice!

Say, if someone gets a test result negative, but catches it just as he walks out of the testing lab, then is the negative test report still valid?

Yes, historically.

Only negative until the next test ;-)

Tested positive, made it past quarantine.

We are probably both negative, having avoided the five places where most contagion occurs: churches, bars, concerts, choir practice, raves.

Social distancing, wearing a mask, and washing hands often are the best non-medicine preventions for negativity.

Still waiting to get vaccinated. Had an appointment for 2/19/2021 but they ran out of doses. Hope to be rescheduled soon.

I help feed the homeless on the streets, been tested several times, all negative. Also 1st Vaccination. Being outside and protective equipment helps.

I tested negative about a month ago. I’ve had one dose of the vaccine with another one scheduled for three days from now.

As a gay man who survived the ’80’s we also knew it was good to be negative. I have noticed a lot of parallels.

As a retired nurse, I went back to work to call people and inform them of their covid test results, and check on their current status. I’ve yet to hear anyone be upset about a negative test although sometimes those with severe symptoms consistent with covid are frustrated that the test is negative and they can’t figure out why the feel so lousy. Covid symptoms range all over the place and affect people to different degrees from asymptomatic to severe illness requiring intensive care. What is not widely publicized is that there are multiple viruses causing respiratory issues that are not generally tested for; these include rhino enteroviruses, metapneumovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, and so forth. Generally most adults with these viruses experience symptoms consistent with severe colds or flu unless they have other major body system dysfunctions. Primarily an issue for the younger kids, under 5 years old who do not have fully matured airways. Most treatment is symptomatic and supportive, maintaining adequate fluid and nutrition and use of aerosol bronchodilators and/or steroids if symptoms indicate there would be a benefit (mostly those with asthma or chronic lung disease). As noted in previous comments, social distancing, masking, avoidance of high risk environments and behaviors along with immunization will help decrease your risk although nothing is 100% effective. Sorry to be so wordy, here in Indiana we are gradually seeing improvement in the number of cases and the degree of severity so hopefully we will be through with this by the end of the year.

A test is only good until the next person you are with.