COVID-19 Megathread 6: Return of the Omicron

[GeneralMacArthur]

So I've now personally discovered how bad the tests are.

Friend and I wanted to take a trip to Portland for the weekend to see some folks.  Before the trip he got the notification that he was exposed to COVID, and got PCR and rapid (antigen) tested.  Rapid test came back negative.  The day we were going to go, before we head out, he gets another rapid test.  Still negative.  So we think we're good to go and fly down to Portland.

Once we get there, he gets the positive PCR result.  For those who don't know, PCR takes several days to return while rapid/antigen only take an hour or two.  We've been together for an entire day at this point but immediately separate and cancel all our plans, and I decide to get tested as well.

Problem is, it's impossible to get a test.  I go to one walk-in testing site and the line is four blocks long.  I waited for about 45 minutes in line, in the freezing rain, and it only moved half a block.  So I decide to go try another testing location way out in the suburbs.  Drive 25 minutes there only to find a sign that says "closed, out of tests."  I go back to downtown to try the other "walk-up" location, but when I get there the sign says appointment only.

The backup plan was this place that I had seen taking appointments, but it had a bunch of 1-star reviews on Google with people saying they never got their test results back.  It's the only option available though so I go take it.  Despite making an appointment for 3:30 I ended up not being able to get tested until 5:00 and again had to stand out in the freezing rain for 90 minutes shivering and waiting for my ten-second nose swab, surrounded by a crowd of other people who are also thinking they might have COVID.

So eventually I submit my swab for both rapid and PCR.  Later that evening, the rapid comes back negative.  But of course I start getting notifications that I've been exposed to COVID because some of the other people I waited in line with were positive.  And I don't feel confident at all because my friend had two rapid tests that were both negative but then a positive PCR test.

So at this point I'm just sitting in my hotel room waiting for the PCR results to come back -- hopefully the testing place doesn't lose mine like they lost a bunch of other folks'.  Do I have COVID?  IDK.  My (asymptomatic) friend is pretty sure he has COVID since the PCR results are the gold standard.  But I don't see why the government is even bothering with these rapid tests when they're so inaccurate, and this system of standing out in the freezing cold for hours with a bunch of other potentially contagious people seems like some third-world s--t.  Really unbelievably bad experience all around.

Regardless of either I'm not sure how the federal government expects me to get home.  Every mode of transportation requires me to sign a waiver stating that I have not been in contact with anyone known to have COVID in the last 10-14 days.  I'm pretty sure everyone in the country is getting bombarded with COVID proximity alerts these days, am I really expected to just sit in my hotel for two weeks?  Cause that's not gonna happen.

[Doomer]

So I've now personally discovered how bad the tests are.

Friend and I wanted to take a trip to Portland for the weekend to see some folks.  Before the trip he got the notification that he was exposed to COVID, and got PCR and rapid (antigen) tested.  Rapid test came back negative.  The day we were going to go, before we head out, he gets another rapid test.  Still negative.  So we think we're good to go and fly down to Portland.

Once we get there, he gets the positive PCR result.  For those who don't know, PCR takes several days to return while rapid/antigen only take an hour or two.  We've been together for an entire day at this point but immediately separate and cancel all our plans, and I decide to get tested as well.

Problem is, it's impossible to get a test.  I go to one walk-in testing site and the line is four blocks long.  I waited for about 45 minutes in line, in the freezing rain, and it only moved half a block.  So I decide to go try another testing location way out in the suburbs.  Drive 25 minutes there only to find a sign that says "closed, out of tests."  I go back to downtown to try the other "walk-up" location, but when I get there the sign says appointment only.

The backup plan was this place that I had seen taking appointments, but it had a bunch of 1-star reviews on Google with people saying they never got their test results back.  It's the only option available though so I go take it.  Despite making an appointment for 3:30 I ended up not being able to get tested until 5:00 and again had to stand out in the freezing rain for 90 minutes shivering and waiting for my ten-second nose swab, surrounded by a crowd of other people who are also thinking they might have COVID.

So eventually I submit my swab for both rapid and PCR.  Later that evening, the rapid comes back negative.  But of course I start getting notifications that I've been exposed to COVID because some of the other people I waited in line with were positive.  And I don't feel confident at all because my friend had two rapid tests that were both negative but then a positive PCR test.

So at this point I'm just sitting in my hotel room waiting for the PCR results to come back -- hopefully the testing place doesn't lose mine like they lost a bunch of other folks'.  Do I have COVID?  IDK.  My (asymptomatic) friend is pretty sure he has COVID since the PCR results are the gold standard.  But I don't see why the government is even bothering with these rapid tests when they're so inaccurate, and this system of standing out in the freezing cold for hours with a bunch of other potentially contagious people seems like some third-world s--t.  Really unbelievably bad experience all around.

Regardless of either I'm not sure how the federal government expects me to get home.  Every mode of transportation requires me to sign a waiver stating that I have not been in contact with anyone known to have COVID in the last 10-14 days.  I'm pretty sure everyone in the country is getting bombarded with COVID proximity alerts these days, am I really expected to just sit in my hotel for two weeks?  Cause that's not gonna happen.

I wonder if there’s something with the vaccine that causes some people to test negative when they’ve actually got it? I’ve heard multiple first hand accounts of similar situations as this.

(This is not an anti vax post)

[GeneralMacArthur]

The only antigen/omicron research I can find says that the antigen tests have a 40-60% false negative rate if you're asymptomatic.  So if you have COVID it's basically a coin flip what the test is gonna tell you.  I spent all day driving around Portland and waiting in the freezing rain with a bunch of contagious people for this crap.

[Former President tack50]

.
The best I have heard is to just end all isolation quarantines, meaning even if you were exposed you wouldn’t need to isolate at all test or no test. While obviously this would end all quarantine absences short term, it definitely would increase cases to levels unprecedented, and while omicron does appear milder, the sheer volume still will likely kill a few more hundred thousand over the next few months if this were the policy action taken.

So uh, out of curiosity, do the US still require close contacts to self-isolate? Even if vaccinated? Because for what is worth we repealed that policy a long time ago here in Spain. Indeed it was repealed as early as late June of 2021! Yes it is for the vaccinated only but I would expect most kids and teachers to be vaxxed. And yes currently we are having a very bad wave but hospital/deaths here look very promising compared to the US I think (of course it really comes down to having more vaxxed people)

People should not quarantine merely for being a close contact of someone with covid (positive cases ofc should quarantine). Just use common sense, wear a mask for a few days and don't meet your elderly and frail grandma that week.

Either way, my own solution would just be status quo (plus mask mandates). As an outside observer it seems to me the apetite for further restrictions in the US is close to zero and that even if strict restrictions were put into place, they would not be enforced. And even where enforcable, they would be super unpopular.

[Doomer]

The only antigen/omicron research I can find says that the antigen tests have a 40-60% false negative rate if you're asymptomatic.  So if you have COVID it's basically a coin flip what the test is gonna tell you.  I spent all day driving around Portland and waiting in the freezing rain with a bunch of contagious people for this crap.

I’m sorry
Hopefully you’ll get the PCR results soon.

Mine took a little bit over 24 hours to come back.

[#TheShadowyAbyss]

Looking at the data, Omicron is not killing off Delta, just taking over by its sheer spread, I do wonder if most of the hospitalizations are still because of Delta and not Omicron

[Former President tack50]

The only antigen/omicron research I can find says that the antigen tests have a 40-60% false negative rate if you're asymptomatic.  So if you have COVID it's basically a coin flip what the test is gonna tell you.  I spent all day driving around Portland and waiting in the freezing rain with a bunch of contagious people for this crap.

For what is worth the recommendation I've seen suggests that:

A) You should preferrably only do antigen tests if you are feeling symptoms

B) If you do it without symptoms regardless for peace of mind, do it as late as possible

C) You should only do a PCR test if you have tested positive on the antigen test (they are super expensive anyways so why would you test?)

Idk if these recommendations are too lenient or what, but it is what I have seen recommended out there

[GeneralMacArthur]

C) You should only do a PCR test if you have tested positive on the antigen test (they are super expensive anyways so why would you test?)

Because I have a life and want to spend the next two weeks living it instead of hiding inside waiting to find out whether or not I have COVID.  But I also don't want to spread COVID to dozens of other people, especially people I care about, if I do have it.

[Mr. Illini]

C) You should only do a PCR test if you have tested positive on the antigen test (they are super expensive anyways so why would you test?)

I’ve seen this before, but I don’t really understand it. The PCR test is far more sensitive than an antigen test. I would think that if you test positive on the antigen, you presume positive, whereas if you test negative on antigen, you confirm with a PCR.

Also, PCR tests don’t cost the patient in the United States. Do they charge you in Spain?

[Former President tack50]

C) You should only do a PCR test if you have tested positive on the antigen test (they are super expensive anyways so why would you test?)

I’ve seen this before, but I don’t really understand it. The PCR test is far more sensitive than an antigen test. I would think that if you test positive on the antigen, you presume positive, whereas if you test negative on antigen, you confirm with a PCR.

Also, PCR tests don’t cost the patient in the United States. Do they charge you in Spain?

Yeah they do, about 100€ iirc. I guess if you do an antigen test and test positive, it is free, but I am pretty sure it is not free if you just turn up at a lab and ask for one

[GeneralMacArthur]

C) You should only do a PCR test if you have tested positive on the antigen test (they are super expensive anyways so why would you test?)

I’ve seen this before, but I don’t really understand it. The PCR test is far more sensitive than an antigen test. I would think that if you test positive on the antigen, you presume positive, whereas if you test negative on antigen, you confirm with a PCR.

Also, PCR tests don’t cost the patient in the United States. Do they charge you in Spain?

Yeah they do, about 100€ iirc. I guess if you do an antigen test and test positive, it is free, but I am pretty sure it is not free if you just turn up at a lab and ask for one

I paid $120 for the test.  They asked for my insurance info but since it's the new year it all went towards my annual deductible.

[Hollywood]

C) You should only do a PCR test if you have tested positive on the antigen test (they are super expensive anyways so why would you test?)

Because I have a life and want to spend the next two weeks living it instead of hiding inside waiting to find out whether or not I have COVID.  But I also don't want to spread COVID to dozens of other people, especially people I care about, if I do have it.

Dude that ain't cool.  There's literally people that need to get those tests to come back negative in order to get back to work.

I don't understand the people I'm reading who are taking 3-6 tests at a time when they know the supply is strained. lol.  I didn't even want to get the test cause I knew it was such a trivial viral infection.  

I trust the medical director in South Africa more than I trust Fauci and CDC, because that guy was completely straight-forward about the threat from Omicron.  We should trade Fauci for that guy.  I give it few weeks before they hang Fauci from the top bar of a soccer goal in Durban.

[GeneralMacArthur]

C) You should only do a PCR test if you have tested positive on the antigen test (they are super expensive anyways so why would you test?)

Because I have a life and want to spend the next two weeks living it instead of hiding inside waiting to find out whether or not I have COVID.  But I also don't want to spread COVID to dozens of other people, especially people I care about, if I do have it.

Dude that ain't cool.  There's literally people that need to get those tests to come back negative in order to get back to work.

I have no idea what you're trying to say here, are you implying I shouldn't get tested even after spending significant time with someone who was infected with COVID, because someone else might need the test more than me?

[Horus]

C) You should only do a PCR test if you have tested positive on the antigen test (they are super expensive anyways so why would you test?)

Because I have a life and want to spend the next two weeks living it instead of hiding inside waiting to find out whether or not I have COVID.  But I also don't want to spread COVID to dozens of other people, especially people I care about, if I do have it.

Dude that ain't cool.  There's literally people that need to get those tests to come back negative in order to get back to work.

I have no idea what you're trying to say here, are you implying I shouldn't get tested even after spending significant time with someone who was infected with COVID, because someone else might need the test more than me?

Correct. It's selfish to hog tests if you're low risk.

[Donerail]

So uh, out of curiosity, do the US still require close contacts to self-isolate? Even if vaccinated?

I mean, require's a funny word. In America you are not required to do anything you don't want to do.

[GeneralMacArthur]

C) You should only do a PCR test if you have tested positive on the antigen test (they are super expensive anyways so why would you test?)

Because I have a life and want to spend the next two weeks living it instead of hiding inside waiting to find out whether or not I have COVID.  But I also don't want to spread COVID to dozens of other people, especially people I care about, if I do have it.

Dude that ain't cool.  There's literally people that need to get those tests to come back negative in order to get back to work.

I have no idea what you're trying to say here, are you implying I shouldn't get tested even after spending significant time with someone who was infected with COVID, because someone else might need the test more than me?

Correct. It's selfish to hog tests if you're low risk.

Tell that to my loved ones who don't want to get COVID from me.

[Horus]

C) You should only do a PCR test if you have tested positive on the antigen test (they are super expensive anyways so why would you test?)

Because I have a life and want to spend the next two weeks living it instead of hiding inside waiting to find out whether or not I have COVID.  But I also don't want to spread COVID to dozens of other people, especially people I care about, if I do have it.

Dude that ain't cool.  There's literally people that need to get those tests to come back negative in order to get back to work.

I have no idea what you're trying to say here, are you implying I shouldn't get tested even after spending significant time with someone who was infected with COVID, because someone else might need the test more than me?

Correct. It's selfish to hog tests if you're low risk.

Tell that to my loved ones who don't want to get COVID from me.

Your loved ones are going to get omicron from someone no matter what.

You can't dodge it.

[Raccoon]

I am proud of Eric Adams and Lori Lightfoot for standing up to the the covid hysteria clowns.

I have noticed a trend of big city mayors recently fight more against covid measures than suburban liberals. Probably because their base is hurt more by covid measures.

[You are responsible]

C) You should only do a PCR test if you have tested positive on the antigen test (they are super expensive anyways so why would you test?)

Because I have a life and want to spend the next two weeks living it instead of hiding inside waiting to find out whether or not I have COVID.  But I also don't want to spread COVID to dozens of other people, especially people I care about, if I do have it.

Dude that ain't cool.  There's literally people that need to get those tests to come back negative in order to get back to work.

I have no idea what you're trying to say here, are you implying I shouldn't get tested even after spending significant time with someone who was infected with COVID, because someone else might need the test more than me?

Correct. It's selfish to hog tests if you're low risk.

Tell that to my loved ones who don't want to get COVID from me.

Your loved ones are going to get omicron from someone no matter what.

You can't dodge it.

For Christ's sake, let the man have his PCR test.

[Horus]

C) You should only do a PCR test if you have tested positive on the antigen test (they are super expensive anyways so why would you test?)

Because I have a life and want to spend the next two weeks living it instead of hiding inside waiting to find out whether or not I have COVID.  But I also don't want to spread COVID to dozens of other people, especially people I care about, if I do have it.

Dude that ain't cool.  There's literally people that need to get those tests to come back negative in order to get back to work.

I have no idea what you're trying to say here, are you implying I shouldn't get tested even after spending significant time with someone who was infected with COVID, because someone else might need the test more than me?

Correct. It's selfish to hog tests if you're low risk.

Tell that to my loved ones who don't want to get COVID from me.

Your loved ones are going to get omicron from someone no matter what.

You can't dodge it.

For Christ's sake, let the man have his PCR test.

He's welcome to, selfishness is the American way. Doesn't change the fact that almost every single person in the country has either contracted omicron or will soon.

[emailking]

If you're right, then maybe the problem is requiring workers to test negative on a scarce test in order to return to work.

[GregTheGreat657]

.
The best I have heard is to just end all isolation quarantines, meaning even if you were exposed you wouldn’t need to isolate at all test or no test. While obviously this would end all quarantine absences short term, it definitely would increase cases to levels unprecedented, and while omicron does appear milder, the sheer volume still will likely kill a few more hundred thousand over the next few months if this were the policy action taken.

So uh, out of curiosity, do the US still require close contacts to self-isolate? Even if vaccinated?

Unless you are symptomatic, no. Starting in the past couple of weeks, this even applies to the unvaccinated but has applied to the vaccinated form months

[Meclazine for Israel]

Is Omicron worth stressing out about?

Looking at the numbers, NSW had 16 deaths from 32,000 positive test results.

We are talking 0.05% mortality rate.

COVID-19 Vanilla and Delta were 2% mortality rate at the end of the day.

The Omicron mortality numbers from NSW are 40 times lower than these data would have predicted.

Clearly, there is a 2 week lag between cases and deaths, we have 90% vaccination rates and the majority of people infected are 20-39 years of age, but the stats are revealing that this variant is much less potent than its predecessors.
 

[walleye26]

I’m frustrated because I got vaxxed + my employer still requires masks, and I ended up testing positive Thursday night. Grrrr. I feel like crap but at least I have football

[Calthrina950]

I’m frustrated because I got vaxxed + my employer still requires masks, and I ended up testing positive Thursday night. Grrrr. I feel like crap but at least I have football

I've said before that it seems like everyone is going to contract this virus at some point.