A change in philosophy is telling us that public health officials are currently playing the endgame of the COVID-19 pandemic. This in itself must be good news and even more so as Spring has arrived.
I want to add that everyone should expect to get COVID-19 at some stage, be it asymptomatic, mild, moderate or severe. The important thing to realise is that the COVID-19 vaccines and immunity from previous infections has shifted the curve to the less so there will be a smaller number of people with severe COVID-19.
To repeat: EVERYONE SHOULD EXPECT TO GET COVID-19 AT SOME STAGE.
I would not mind all of this too much if I could at least get EvuSheld and Paxlovid was available but alas, 'let's drop masks and everything, but no medication for you. Oh and of course, do pay your taxes on time'. As it stands, I got screwed, massively.
…and now I find myself enjoying your posts for the beautiful word smithery…. “This in itself must be good news and even more so as Spring has arrived.”
That really is a most perfectly constructed string of words.
Genuinely, you have merged the liberal arts and science and hope….bravo!
As for the content, thank you for scribing again on Covid. Reading this one is a huge aid to my dipping toes into the wide world again….
RRMS, on ocrelizimab, vaccinated and boosted - your guidance these past two years has been ever helpful. My neurologist steered me to follow your posts & I’m very thankful he did. From the shores of my spring break, Cheers!
1. Many Medics are saying that while it is good to try and get back to normal not using masks and letting covid run wild is a very bad idea. You do not seem to belong to this school of thought why is that? What about the talk of of potential brain volume loss after contracting even milder forms of the virus?
2.The additional booster set to be offered in March and April is only being offered to the over 75s and the severely immunosuppressed. Why are those who were categorised as clinically extremely vulnerable but do not fall under the category over 75s or severely immuno suppressed excluded? For example I have fairly advanced MS and I'm a wheelchair user and had my last booster at the beginning of October so surely I would benefit from a top up because in some ways I am more vulnerable than a healthy over 75.?
3. Finally regarding antivirals I have questions which neither my.gp nor 119 can answer.
If away on holiday in this country and you have to use your priority PCR test and it is posted where you are will you be able to get the antivirals delivered to your holiday destination in the UK?
If away abroad on holiday obviously the PCR test cannot be posted so will there be the option to take antivirals away with you very much like people take antibiotics away with them in case required? Or has no one thought of this?
Thanks for the helpful post. I received my fifth vaccine here in Germany last week. They were very worried how poorly I'd responded to the previous vaccines, ie no antibodies or T cell response so I received off-label use of Novavax. I was told last week I'd be at risk of an incredibly severe case of Covid-19 and that while Omicron is milder there are still individuals ending up very ill and dying and there's no way to account for me not ending up in that bracket. Mentally the constant isolation is taking its toll on me and I am considering stopping Ocrevus or pushing out to a yearly infusion. In last 2 years I have gone from needing a wheelchair to being able to go on 5km hikes. I'm terrified getting Covid will undo all the hard rehabilitation work I have put in. Due to being on other meds (Baclofen, Tramadol, Lyrica - although gradually weaning off the later two) I'm also aware antivirals may not be an option for me and moniclonal antibodies are becoming less effective so there is nothing there to help me fight the virus. Honestly I'm terrified and I feel like the anxiety is taking its toll on my health, which is why I'm wondering if I should pause Ocrevus for a while to try and generate an immune response to the vaccines.
Moderna are recruiting for their 4th dose trial. I met the criteria but there was some doubt about whether my data reached its destination. I would love a 4th dose as I do like to be out and about MS notwithstanding. Do you know how I can retry to get on this, other than be part of research, NIHR, or the portal they used?
Thanks for the update Prof G. I’m on ocrelizumab and made no antibody response to my 3 vaccines. I’m having my 4th/booster later this month 3 months after my last infusion. Do you think I might be eligible for the new Evusheld?
I've just tested positive for second time in 3 weeks. Caught covid on 1 March having Ocrevus at hospital where temperature was taken orally every 30 mins in crowded, unventilated room. After anti virals felt fine. Then fell ill again on 21st March. I had antibodies on 26 March. I feel dreadful after 10 days. I have around 1 hour a day when I don't feel really, really ill. Severe nasal and mouth dryness make swallowing & sleeping difficult. I suspect Covid has triggered Sjogrens.
This is really awful and I wish I had not started Ocrevus. My body is not coping. The lack of sleep is impacting my MS.
If you have to go to hospital, refuse oral temperature. I have worn a N95 mask throughout the pandemic but fell ill by removing it every 30mins in hospital for temperature check.
I wonder if Omicron has evolved from Mus Muscaris, the house mouse, which apparently, has plenty of ACE2 receptors. Communities of mice would be wiped out by a severe strain, but spread a mild strain, which then jumps back to us. Just a thought.
I want to add that everyone should expect to get COVID-19 at some stage, be it asymptomatic, mild, moderate or severe. The important thing to realise is that the COVID-19 vaccines and immunity from previous infections has shifted the curve to the less so there will be a smaller number of people with severe COVID-19.
To repeat: EVERYONE SHOULD EXPECT TO GET COVID-19 AT SOME STAGE.
I would not mind all of this too much if I could at least get EvuSheld and Paxlovid was available but alas, 'let's drop masks and everything, but no medication for you. Oh and of course, do pay your taxes on time'. As it stands, I got screwed, massively.
…and now I find myself enjoying your posts for the beautiful word smithery…. “This in itself must be good news and even more so as Spring has arrived.”
That really is a most perfectly constructed string of words.
Genuinely, you have merged the liberal arts and science and hope….bravo!
As for the content, thank you for scribing again on Covid. Reading this one is a huge aid to my dipping toes into the wide world again….
RRMS, on ocrelizimab, vaccinated and boosted - your guidance these past two years has been ever helpful. My neurologist steered me to follow your posts & I’m very thankful he did. From the shores of my spring break, Cheers!
Thank you for this update I have some questions
1. Many Medics are saying that while it is good to try and get back to normal not using masks and letting covid run wild is a very bad idea. You do not seem to belong to this school of thought why is that? What about the talk of of potential brain volume loss after contracting even milder forms of the virus?
2.The additional booster set to be offered in March and April is only being offered to the over 75s and the severely immunosuppressed. Why are those who were categorised as clinically extremely vulnerable but do not fall under the category over 75s or severely immuno suppressed excluded? For example I have fairly advanced MS and I'm a wheelchair user and had my last booster at the beginning of October so surely I would benefit from a top up because in some ways I am more vulnerable than a healthy over 75.?
3. Finally regarding antivirals I have questions which neither my.gp nor 119 can answer.
If away on holiday in this country and you have to use your priority PCR test and it is posted where you are will you be able to get the antivirals delivered to your holiday destination in the UK?
If away abroad on holiday obviously the PCR test cannot be posted so will there be the option to take antivirals away with you very much like people take antibiotics away with them in case required? Or has no one thought of this?
Thanks for the helpful post. I received my fifth vaccine here in Germany last week. They were very worried how poorly I'd responded to the previous vaccines, ie no antibodies or T cell response so I received off-label use of Novavax. I was told last week I'd be at risk of an incredibly severe case of Covid-19 and that while Omicron is milder there are still individuals ending up very ill and dying and there's no way to account for me not ending up in that bracket. Mentally the constant isolation is taking its toll on me and I am considering stopping Ocrevus or pushing out to a yearly infusion. In last 2 years I have gone from needing a wheelchair to being able to go on 5km hikes. I'm terrified getting Covid will undo all the hard rehabilitation work I have put in. Due to being on other meds (Baclofen, Tramadol, Lyrica - although gradually weaning off the later two) I'm also aware antivirals may not be an option for me and moniclonal antibodies are becoming less effective so there is nothing there to help me fight the virus. Honestly I'm terrified and I feel like the anxiety is taking its toll on my health, which is why I'm wondering if I should pause Ocrevus for a while to try and generate an immune response to the vaccines.
Moderna are recruiting for their 4th dose trial. I met the criteria but there was some doubt about whether my data reached its destination. I would love a 4th dose as I do like to be out and about MS notwithstanding. Do you know how I can retry to get on this, other than be part of research, NIHR, or the portal they used?
Thanks for the update Prof G. I’m on ocrelizumab and made no antibody response to my 3 vaccines. I’m having my 4th/booster later this month 3 months after my last infusion. Do you think I might be eligible for the new Evusheld?
I've just tested positive for second time in 3 weeks. Caught covid on 1 March having Ocrevus at hospital where temperature was taken orally every 30 mins in crowded, unventilated room. After anti virals felt fine. Then fell ill again on 21st March. I had antibodies on 26 March. I feel dreadful after 10 days. I have around 1 hour a day when I don't feel really, really ill. Severe nasal and mouth dryness make swallowing & sleeping difficult. I suspect Covid has triggered Sjogrens.
This is really awful and I wish I had not started Ocrevus. My body is not coping. The lack of sleep is impacting my MS.
If you have to go to hospital, refuse oral temperature. I have worn a N95 mask throughout the pandemic but fell ill by removing it every 30mins in hospital for temperature check.
I wonder if Omicron has evolved from Mus Muscaris, the house mouse, which apparently, has plenty of ACE2 receptors. Communities of mice would be wiped out by a severe strain, but spread a mild strain, which then jumps back to us. Just a thought.