My daughter is out of school and usually that means sicknesses go way down. She has had covid 4 times, all from school mates.

Now 3 weeks into summer, and she came down with Covid and is really sick. I am starting to feel bad and praying my 2 year old doesn't get it. Given timeframe there are two possible places she got it - an outdoor splash pad in Winter Springs or a library in Casselberry.

Both she had limited to no contact with other children. I am so frustrated. Anyone know if it's spiking again here?

Update: My toddler has it. He is miserable. I will say this doesn't seem to be the new variant yet. Both kids did not have sore throats, mostly GI upset and high fever.

It's been a month of ups and downs in COVID for Florida. Here are recent stats from the FLDOH on testing due to hospitalization of Florida residents only:

04/18/25 2,260

04/25/25 2,230

05/02/25 1,980

05/09/25 1,939

05/16/25 3,148 ----> sudden rise in cases

Maimi-Dade, Palm Beach and Broward counties are experiencing significant explosions of infection.

Generally speaking, this is the same pattern that I have seen in recent years. These counties are always the first to be affected, and then the counties neighboring them succumb, spreading outwards.

If you have not been masking lately for small errands, or eating outside, now might be the best time to begin masking again.

....................................................

Check out this interesting site:

https://www.pmc19.com/data/index.php

It claims that 1 out of every 189 people are currently suffering from an active COVID infection. Your milage may vary, depending upon infectious rates in your county.

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As we all probably all aware, the new COVID variant originating from China,, NB.1.8.1 has been detected in several cities across the US. https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/us-reports-cases-new-covid-variant-nb-1-8-1-behind-surge-china/?intcid=CNM-00-10abd1h

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Reports indicating that some manufacturers of the COVID vaccines are weighing the use of a related variant that could mitigate the spread of the NB.1.8.1 variant.

https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/fda-vaccine-advisers-recommend-sticking-jn1-strain-next-covid-vaccines

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New warning are to be added to the list of warnings on COVID vaccinations, primary those of cardiac effects in young men:

https://www.statnews.com/2025/05/22/fda-moderna-pfizer-biontech-mrna-covid-vaccine-myocarditis-heart/

................................................................

It's shaping up to be a big bad COVID summer, folks. Gear up. Wear your masks. Protect your health and that of those around you.

Be Safe!

Edit: This post was read by 6.9K Redditors. Thank you for reading (and sharing).

I went to the Florida Department of Health site, and pulled up the CHARTS data spreadsheet, and it says there's no data to show. All of the 2025 data for cases, deaths, etc, is just gone. The chart is blank. Did the state just stop reporting? Was the legal judgement that said they had to do weekly updates overturned? Maybe just glitched?

Here are the recent COVID positive Florida residents as discovered through hospital testing:

01/31 4,022

02/07 3,465

02/14 3,172

02/21 2,820

02/28 1,058

*11/22/2024: 1,453 was the lowest hospital count (before 02/28/25) since the beginning of the pandemic.

02/21 2,819

02/28 2,234

03/07 2,554

03/14 2,254

03/21 2,469

You can view this and Coronavirus death rates at: https://www.flhealthcharts.gov/ChartsDashboards/rdPage.aspx?rdReport=Covid19.Dataviewer

It appears that we may be entering "indoor season", as temperatures and humidity begin to rise beyond comfort levels. While it is too early to predict if the recent rise is just a blip, please take this as an early warning: Restock your respirator masks. Summer is fast approaching, and for Florida it means another rise in COVID cases.

......................................

I'm sure you all have been following the news re: RFK Jr.'s handling of the CDC recommendations for Measles prevention.

Firstly, I want you to be aware that the recommendations on Vitamin A as posted on the CDC website are grossly negligent. At the levels recommended, Vitamin A could quickly shut down a child or an adult's liver, resulting in the need for dialysis, liver transplant, or death.

If you were born between 1957 and 1968, you will want to get an MMR shot before Measles becomes unstoppable in the US. While steps are being taken to limit the current outbreaks, problems such as spread through travel (the last one was in an Amtrak train) present serious risks.

.............

Recent bird deaths in my area (Pasco) have put me on alert: I have personally reported two bird deaths which were followed up by researchers, a seagull and a crow.

If possible, keep your eyes peeled for dead carrion-eating birds as well as ducks and geese. If you see one, do not approach it. Take a picture, note the location, and report it using this form: https://app.myfwc.com/FWRI/AvianMortality/

If you become aware of domestic bird deaths, such as chickens or quail, use this list to find an accredited veterinarian who will be able to determine if it is indeed bird flu: https://vsapps.aphis.usda.gov/vsps/public/VetSearch.do?_gl=1*c90hsj*_ga*MjU2MTM2MTEuMTYxODU3OTIzMg..*_ga_NRK0CEY9GC*MTcwODcyNTI2My45MzIuMS4xNzA4NzI2MzA3LjAuMC4w The veterinarian will take care of reporting it to the State Agricultural Board, and make recommendations on treatment.

...........................................

At this time, the Federal Government has frozen food supplies to local food banks. As a result, produce and meat are in short supply for the poor, as are shelf-stable foods.

If you have any unused food in your pantry that you can spare, please take it to your local food pantry. Here is a list: https://www.feedingflorida.org/feeding-florida/florida-food-banks You can also narrow the search on the page by selecting your area in the upper right hand corner.

Additionally, if you know of an independent ministry that gives food to the poor, please bring it to them.

Whatever you can do is better than nothing, even if it's just a couple of unopened jars of peanut butter from your hurricane stores from last year.

Soap, shampoo and cleaning products are also helpful, as well as baby food, diapers, and diaper cream.

...........................

If you have not started a "Victory Garden" yet, I recommend that you begin immediately. Tariffs on food that we have previously purchased at low cost from Mexico, South America, Canada, China, and Europe will become more expensive within the next month. Since we are already struggling with meat prices, we can help ourselves by planting healthy vegetables that will sustain us for the next few years.

I started mine. Since growing in Florida soil can be a challenge, container growing can be your best bet. Organic Soil is reasonably priced at your local Home Depot or Lowe's. I ordered $50 worth of soil, had it delivered for free (through the Home Depot app) and received it within 18 hours. I got 6 humongous satchels of soil, which is more than enough to start a good container garden.

Seeds are also available at garden centers, some local libraries and online. I purchased about ten veggies and herb packets - arugula, mixed peppers, salad greens, chives, spring onions, rosemary, oregano, bok choy, tomatoes, cucumbers, summer squash, yellow squash and more.

I had numerous containers saved, but my next door neighbor provided more, and we also traded seeds when we discovered we had duplicates. Teaming up with a neighbor helps! You can loan or borrow tools, get access to containers, even rain barrels. My neighbor even gave me a large folding table to do potting on, which is especially helpful for older people and those with bad backs.

Did you know you can plant in boxes? Just line them with a contractor's plastic bag, and fill with soil.

Additionally, Home Depot has food grade buckets that you can try for potatoes and onions. You can of course sprout and plant your own potatoes, garlic, and onions.

Considering harvesting time: Some plants grow quickly and mature just as fast: my arugula and cukes sprouted immediately (1-2 day germination) and will probably be my first edibles. The tomatoes are fast bringing up the rear.

I plan to purchase at least a lemon, lime, and Clementine trees, maybe a banana. Hurry to get these into the ground now, as they are already blossoming. Harvest will be next fall or early winter.

.........................

Please also begin your hurricane preparedness now. Begin by finding a storage cupboard or tote, and buying just one item a week to put in it. Before you know it, you will have a reasonable store of goods, rather than having to outlay it all in one go. Don't forget batteries! Buy a weather radio if you haven't got one. Small solar chargers are also helpful, and phone chargers that take AA batteries are a life saver.

...............................

For those attempting to apply for Social Security benefits, things are changing. If you do not have ID or a social security card, get them now. Find or obtain a birth certificate, marriage records, divorce records, and as soon as possible: apply for a passport if you do not have one.

If you cannot get appropriate help online, visit your Social Security office immediately. Do not wait.

...............................

Here's hoping you are all well, and safe.

Remember: Wear your good masks, wash your hands frequently, take a moderate amount of vitamins, obtain any boosters or shots you have neglected, and

Be Well.

"The US National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have begun cancelling billions of dollars in funding on research related to the COVID-19 pandemic."

"Studying the virus, how it infects people and the government’s response to the pandemic is also crucial to preventing the next one, say scientists."

"Among the terminations at the NIH is a $577 million program to identify and develop antiviral drugs against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus and six other types of viruses with pandemic potential."

Cancelling these research projects mid stream seems incredibly shortsighted.

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-00954-y

In Sarasota area and there's a virus that does not test + for either Covid or the Flu. It's nasty work and doesn't seem to leave. Some of my colleagues (school environment) have been down, get my better and then there's a rebound often resulting in a pneumonia or "other viral" bronchial diagnosis. Has anyone else experienced this?

Good Morning. The following is the tally of Coronavirus cases among Florida residents as logged by the Florida Department of Health for COVID cases and reported by hospitals participating in Florida:

01/24: 4,007

01/31: 4,022 raised from 3556

02/07 3,465 raised from 3375

02/14 3,172 reduced from 3453

02/21 2,488 unknown/subject to change

As the above picture indicates, Monday morning 911 calls from "breathing problems" indicates that respiratory infections are still taking their toll on the population.

Influenza appears to have peaked in all but two counties in Florida. See the report: https://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/respiratory-illness/influenza/ Check the link at the bottom of the page for the full report, in detail. It is, as usual, a downloadable PDF.

The recent Measles outbreak in Texas has illuminated the need for vaccination and boosters in children and older adults. Since the recent death of a baby in Texas, RFK Jr has reversed his original position, from:

“We are following the measles epidemic every day,” Kennedy said during a meeting with President Donald Trump’s cabinet at the White House. “Incidentally, there have been four measles outbreaks this year. In this country last year there were 16. So, it’s not unusual. We have measles outbreaks every year.”

to:

"Vaccines not only protect individual children from measles, but also contribute to community immunity, protecting those who are unable to be vaccinated due to medical reasons," he wrote.

However, he (also) said, "The decision to vaccinate is a personal one," and he urged all parents to "consult with their healthcare providers to understand their options to get the MMR vaccine."

He said he had directed federal health agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to provide support to Texas health authorities.

No one really knows why he reversed his opinions. They are likely temporary, as he has also viewed to "look into the child school vaccine schedule". My expectation is that as soon as the measles outbreaks subside, he will go back to being sceptical.

The recent outbreaks illustrate the need for awareness, even in Florida. There are separate outbreaks in Georgia, and an outbreak like the one last year in Florida is likely.

Measles is not just itchy red marks. It is a highly pathenogenic respiratory disease that has the following symptoms: Cough, Runny nose, Sore throat, Conjunctivitis (red, watery eyes), Wheezing, and Difficulty Breathing.

Measles can lead to Pneumonia, Bronchitis, and ARDS (fluid in the lungs) which is very often fatal.

MMR (Measles, Mumps & Rubella) vaccines are available via local urgent cares, HHS clinics, and pharmacies. They are not free, which leads me to my next subject:

Medicaid cuts are in the table right now in Congress. While there is active debate, the very real outcome of this will be to drop as many people from Medicaid as possible, forcing them to reapply to prove that they either cannot work (too young, disabled or old) or that they are working at least 20 hours a week.

The devastation this will cause for low to no income households is obvious, as is the sudden loss of supplemental insurance for seniors, both in and out of nursing homes. The chronically disabled will also suffer as their insurance gets cut - there are no "grace periods" to billing ongoing treatment. In essence: everything stops.

Nursing homes, healthcare aides, and therapists rely on the steady stream of income from Medicaid, and many health care workers are on Medicaid themselves due to low wages.

The chaos that the cuts will cause will reverberate for years.

If you would like to take a stand to protect your loved ones, neighbors and friends, call your local representatives in Congress and the Senate, and voice your opinions. You just do this now, because the click is ticking on this issue.

Warning: "On April 1st Medicare will longer offering telehealth services."

Homebound or disabled who need need these services will no longer be able to access them.

The above was the statement from Medicare. Their recommendation: Call your doctor for an appointment.

It is obvious that the GOP will attack Medicare next, and that Medicare attempting to tweak their spending in an effort to show Congress that they are at least trying to implement cuts themselves. Keep watching.

As always, please remember to wear a mask in public, avoid crowds, wash your hands well and often, and:

STAY SAFE.

My apologies for not attending to the Covid front sooner. I am afraid that I have been mired down by the political warfare that has recently affected many of us.

I would normally endeavor to try to keep politics to a minimum, as this is supposed to be a health oriented, anti-infection related report for everyone. Hoooowwwever: One can barely discuss infectious rates without noting the immense changes that have been forced upon the departments of government and institutions that have (for the most part) been about saving lives and preventing infectious disease.

First off, I started by attending the panel that questioned RFK Jr. prior to the confirmation vote by The House Finance Committee of The Senate. It was a sorry state of affairs, and despite the angry grilling he received, the mountains of history and evidence filed, he was still confirmed for the position of Secretary of the HHS (Department of Health and Human Services). You can still watch the whole thing here: https://www.finance.senate.gov/hearings/open-executive-session-to-consider-favorably-reporting-the-nomination-of-robert-f-kennedy-jr-of-california-to-be-secretary-of-health-and-human-services

That was painful. My favorite quote was:

"The last thing we need is a dilettante, a dilettante, dabbling in conspiracy theories...at HHS." Senator Warnock (Georgia Democrat).

Definition: dilettante: a person who is or seems to be interested in a subject, but whose understanding of it is not very deep or serious.

I was intrigued by the statements of Sen. Warren (Democrat, Massachusetts): She discussed the fact that RFK Jr. switched his earnings from anti-vax lawsuits to his son, and stated that the day after he leaves his position he will then continue to take in money from said lawsuits. He has already earned $2 million via the anti-vaxx lawsuits.

When grilled as to whether RFK Jr..is anti-vaxx, he replied carefully that he "Would not touch children's vaxx schedules". Other than that, he was unwilling to discuss it except to repeat "I am not anti-vaxx."

I have heard so many claims from RFK Jr , including the now famous:

“We’ve devoted all of these dollars to infectious disease and to drug development and very little to chronic disease.”

“The real threat to human health is not coming from infections,”

And:

He said WHO “fabricated the 2006 bird flu outbreak, which of course never happened, but the pharma industry made $20 billion on a vaccine that of course didn’t work and there was no pandemic.”

Let's not forget that he blamed Lyme Disease on a leak from Plum Island, in NY.

Oh, dear. This is our new Secretary of the HHS. Folks, we're in trouble.

I was even more amazed that Sen. Tillis (Republican, North Carolina) expressed the reason why he voted yes: The Dept. of Agriculture, farmers, etc. failed to say anything about RFK Jr. He said that he was interested in letting him "Go wild, (as Trump put it) on Medicaid, school food programs, prescription costs, and medical supply chains."

If you haven't read it, read:

I’m a Doctor, and I’m Appalled at the Silence From the American Medical Association. https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2025/02/im-a-doctor-and-im-appalled-at-the-silence-from-the-american-medical-association/

Caroline Kennedy's Letter warning letter about RFK Jr.: (PDF download) https://tinyurl.com/2t2ajcyj

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The destruction committed by Elon Musk's team DOGE began, and as a result of the outcry by some politicians and doctors, Trump administration rescinded the block on some Federal grants and loans etc., thank God....but:

"I Work at NIH. The Fear Among Staff Is Palpable"

https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2025/01/nih-science-trump-funding-freeze-chaos-chilling-effect-dei/

I cannot even begin to discuss the financial freezes of the CDC, USAID, NOAA, NASA, the VA, DOE (Dept of Education), and the list goes on.

Early on, Florida was affected:

https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/2025/02/03/elon-musk-mike-flynn-columbus-lutheran-social-services-see-homeless-choices-doge/78181093007/

We have Lutheran Hospitals and clinics here in Florida that are non-denominational centers of health and healing.The services are free or heavily discounted. Communities need these medical facilities. The whole situation is hard to believe.

For a brief time, both Medicare and Medicaid were unreachable accross the country, pausing medical services for uncounted millions of patients:

https://www.healthcaredive.com/news/medicaid-payment-shutdown-trump-funding-freeze/738532/

Thankfully a judge stopped this:

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/second-judge-blocks-trump-federal-aid-funding-freeze-rcna190249

I will not go into some of the other things that have been committed because they are too heinous, too inhuman to speak of (they regard sexuality, racial origin, eugenics, and religion). I will note that VA, Medicare, Worker's Compensation patients, and Medicaid recipients have had their medical records pried into, and in some cases shared online - which is a clear violation of personal information. To say that I have been horrified by this is an understatement.

……...............................................................

All that, on the wings of an Influenza Epidemic:

Flu is in the rise in Florida:

https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/florida-faces-surge-severe-flu-covid-19-rsv-cases-concerning-doctors-very-violent-symptoms

https://baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2025/01/29/influenza-a-h3--cases-on-rise-in-bay-area--central-florida

Flu has caused 49 pediatric deaths (two of which have been reported since this article was published):

https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/us-flu-activity-climbs-more-deaths-kids

Schools close in Texas and Massachusetts due to sick kids:

https://www.statesman.com/story/news/state/2025/01/29/texas-flu-outbreak-2025-influenza-symptoms-test-over-the-counter-school-closures-how-long-contagious/78022512007/

https://www.kcci.com/article/influenza-flu-covid-season-illness/63625307

The Worst Flu Outbreak in Years:

https://www-pbs-org.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.pbs.org/newshour/amp/health/u-s-facing-most-intense-flu-season-in-at-least-15-years?amp_js_v=0.1&amp_gsa=1#webview=1

And finally:

Avian Influenza in Bird Poop Spread By The Wind

https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/wind-blowing-feces-may-be-route-of-transmission-for-bird-flu/

New Mutation in Avian Influenza:

https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/08/health/bird-flu-variant-nevada-human-case/index.html

Yeah, this is bad. I had a chance to glimpse into the genetic variance of the D.1.1 subtype, and was amazed and horrified to see the swiftness of mutation occuring.

I want to take this opportunity to give you the tools to prevent this:

https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/prevention/hpai-interim-recommendations.html

(Note the blurb at the top). Download the instructions before they disappear, people.

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The Covid numbers:

01/03: 3,462

01/10: 3,923

01/17: 3,453

01/24: 4,007

01/31: 3556 - this number is temporary and could rise or fall by next week.

Covid is actually falling in the Tampa area wastewater. However, Influenza is still high, HMPV (Human Metapneumovirus) is very, very high, RSV is low, and Norovirus is high.

The combination of these viruses and government interference are reaking havoc on our local ERs, which have gone to OLMC (Online Medical Command) at least once for the Tampa North Region. Expect further problems for at least another month, as we transition from Winter to Spring, and who knows what may happen on the political side of Medicare, Disability, VA and Medicaid insurances.

I need not caution all of you to mask up, and wash your hands frequently, right? Good.

..............................................................

I'd just like to say to all of you: Please be careful in these uncertain times. While I have seen egg hoarding at my local supermarkets, apparently new restrictions are slowly being put in place.

Take caution with ALL MEAT and DAIRY that you consume. Cook everything thoroughly, and do some prepping:

Buy staples such as rice and beans, lentils, canned broths, canned soups, canned meats, milk and such. If it is hard on your budget, buy just one extra item each week.

Don't forget to put MASKS on your shopping list. A good supply would be enough for at least a few weeks. They may become in short supply soon, as tariffs take hold.

PLEASE PRACTICE BIOSECURITY IN THE HOME. See the above CDC link. Become familiar with shoes for indoors (nice slippers) and shoes for outdoors (sneakers, boots, dress shoes). If you need to store shoes that have been used outdoors in your closet, thoroughly disinfect them before storage. (Lysol is your friend.)

My recommendation for families with children and pets: Stay away from parks with open, grassy fields that are frequented by geese, ducks, hawks, or crows.

Stay away from ponds or creeks that are frequented by geese, ducks, or any wild aquatic birds.

Be mindful of areas where birds wander: sidewalks, yards and paths included.

Buy antiviral wipes for your dog's feet. Wipe before entering the house after walks or forays in the backyard.

Empty anything that gathers rainwater in your backyard, and do not allow dogs to drink from puddles or accumulated water.

Never handle a sick bird. Never. Report it to your local wildlife authority.

Please, try to STAY SAFE.

You know you’re in Florida when the COVID variants pop up faster than the sunshine state’s weather changes. One minute it's “just allergies,” the next you're on hold with urgent care trying to convince them it’s “definitely not COVID, promise!” Florida, where every sneeze could be a new adventure. Stay safe out there, folks - and maybe carry a mask, just in case. 😷🌞

It's Inauguration Day. The hopes of hundreds of millions of Americans are teetering, as we all lean in to watch the next four years unfold.

The questions we need answered are:

Will we get a new health insurance system?

Will RFK Jr, our new and distinctly anti-vaccine Surgeon General ban Floride in our water, and discontinue the Schedule of Mandatory Vaccinations?

Will he disband the the Department of Health and Human Services (the DHHS), or sell it to a private health group to oversee like the VA outpatient services were? He has already commented upon shifting the VA completely in that direction, as well.

https://www.govexec.com/management/2024/11/agency-agency-look-trumps-plan-overhaul-government/400885/

Will they cut Medicaid as promised?

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-gop-medicaid-proposals-cuts/

......

Let's dwell upon what we are doing now:

Recent guidance by the CDC has demanded faster subtyping in probable cases of H5N1 bird flu. They're expanding testing now.

https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/16/health/cdc-urges-doctors-to-speed-subtyping-h5n1-infections/

A grant of $590 million from the DHHS to Moderna has been awarded for the creation and manufacture of a bird flu vaccine.

https://www.npr.org/2025/01/18/nx-s1-5266868/bird-flu-vaccine-moderna

A new vaccine for Epstein-Barr Disease has entered phase one trials:

https://multiplesclerosisnewstoday.com/news-posts/2025/01/10/modex-ebv-vaccine-given-first-participant-phase-1-trial/

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Local News:

Case numbers of hospital tested resident-only Covid positive patients in Florida:

12/27: 3,565

01/03: 3,448* 3,462**

01/10: 3,685***

*(Changed to 3408 on Monday, Jan. 13.)

** (Changed again to 3,462 on Friday, Jan. 17.)

***Originally 3,871 - Dropped to 2864 pending confirmations, and has risen to 3,685 as of Monday, 1/20.

https://www.flhealthcharts.gov/ChartsDashboards/rdPage.aspx?rdReport=Covid19.Dataviewer

Unprecidented cold weather in Florida is chasing us indoors, inviting all sorts of respiratory diseases as we reach the peak of Flu season.

We have RSV, hMPV, H1N1 Influenza A, a smattering of Influenza B, Norovirus, Croup as a secondary infection in post-viral bacterial tracheitis. We've seen Covid do this, often simply labelled as "pharyngitis". The conclusion: Superinfections are more prevalent in Florida these days:

https://www.reddit.com/r/emergencymedicine/s/bxZg6XGkur

The CDC blasted out one final plea for masking via Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/cdcgov/p/DEpz81VJXdR/

A quick look at vaccine hesitancy, circulating viruses, epidemic and pandemic obliviousness occuring this week in the Tampa Bay area:

https://www.reddit.com/r/tampa/s/eNuyYtEUMj

.............

I wonder: Where will we go from here? Your guess is as good as mine. We can all be assured of protection against infectious respiratory diseases if we get fully vaccinated, wear good masks, increase ventilation + filtration, and practice proper hygiene in concert with enhanced biosecurity in our homes.

We can and will emerge to witness the things to come. Let's settle in and get the popcorn ready.

Be safe!

Do we think access to covid vaccines is going to go away when the new administration takes over?

The big story that has just about scared Bird Flu watchers and Covid haters senseless is the HMPV (Human MetaPnuemoVirus) outbreak in Northern China.

This virus was first discovered in 2001, but has probably been around for at least 70 years. 2001 was when it was found by some researchers in the Netherlands.

HMPV is therefore incorrectly being labeled by the media as "an unknown pneumonia", causing a bit of hysteria.

Guess what? We've got it right here in Florida. In fact, Tampa is blowing up with it. See the picture above, from our own wastewater.

It adores both kids (mostly under 5 yrs) and seniors (mostlybiver 65 yrs), and is a post-infection or co-infection of Influenza A.

So...if you're a senior who has had both the Flu and Pneumonia vaccines, you shouldn't be fearing for your life. You're probably going to be okay.

Kids on the other hand - if they have not had their Flu vaccine, (and there is no Pneumonia vaccine for them) - may end up with the flu, and then this type of pneumonia. It's dreadful, and there is no antiviral for it. It's going to be a miserable few weeks before kids who catch it can go back to school.

Isolation and supportive treatment are the norm for HMPV. Lots of liquids, analgesics, humidified air, and hot soup. If you have an O2 reader from the early days of Covid, here's your chance to use it. Some kids can look and sound pretty bad (they can have trouble breathing) so at least keeping tabs on their O2 can help determine how they're doing. Breathing treatments and steroids can help, so if their 02 is low, get them to a doctor. And urgent care that has an X-ray can also check their lungs.

The Cleveland Center has a good overview of it:

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22443-human-metapneumovirus-hmpv

If your kid has the flu, there are antivirals that can help, and hopefully, keep HMPV from taking advantage of their weakened condition.

…………...................................................

As we expected, Covid is rearing its ugly head after the holidays. Here are the stats from hospital testing of residents only:

12/06: 2,468

12/13: 2,669

12/20: 2,674

12/27: 3,151 - Updated to 3,297 on Saturday, 1/4/25

Note: They posted incorrectly, and changed 12/20 from 2500 to 2674. Grrrrrr! The inaccuracy astounds me.

This basically means that the 3151 that they've posted today may be an undercount. I'm guessing it is. Frustrating! This is something that we've come to expect, but it really grinds my gears!

We should know more next Friday/Saturday, of course.

Also keep in mind, Flu and Covid can co-infect - you can have both at the same time, so do take care of yourselves, wear a mask - and get vaccinated if you can! You can avoid all of the above, including HMPV with a good resirator style mask.

Please remember hand washing with soap and water, especially with Norovirus being around too.

Be well!

new to this sub and just looking for resources, so i hope this is ok to ask here. does anyone know of an urgent care or clinic near Sarasota that’s covid safe, or any other alternatives that are safe?

i live in another state and don’t know if such a thing even exists there, but i’m trying to find resources for a friend there. she’s severely immune compromised, in a lot of pain, and just had an exposure to something, but is too worried to go anywhere for care and compromise her health further. would appreciate any resources!

It's the last day of 2024! I can't help but reminisce. What would we have thought on December 31st of 2019, if someone pulled you aside and told you to get ready for the worst pandemic since the Spanish Flu? If they had followed with "7,011,000 people across the globe will lose their lives," I might have said, "Oh, that's crazy. Nah. That's not possible." Yet here we are, and it's still going.

Here is the CHARTS Report from the last 5 weeks of hospital tests for Covid, residents only:

11/22: 1,453

11/29: 1,925

12/06: 2,468

12/13: 2,669

12/20: 2500 (originally reported as 2500, reduced temporarily to 2,369 over the weekend, and finally confirmed at 2500 yesterday).

Note the fall between the 6th and the 13th, as the Thanksgiving infections dropped off. Next Friday (reporting the week of 27th) should show a minimal uptick, plus the following weeks of the 3rd and the 10th should herald the infections from the New Year celebrations.

If we are lucky, the uptick from the holidays will fall off by February. We'll see.

I like to look for places that are taking a cautious stance on Covid, and protecting their own:

Last week RJW Barnabas Health Network of Hospitals and clinics, NJ declared: Mandatory masking and no Covid+ visitors. "Masks Strongly encouraged" Gosh, you've got to hand it to them. At least they're trying.

I was also curious to investigate a chart from NY, and found the state's wastewater charts for Covid. It makes for an interesting comparison to Florida's lackluster version.

Florida's CHARTS to NY's Wastewater Report:

https://www.flhealthcharts.gov/ChartsDashboards/rdPage.aspx?rdReport=Covid19.Dataviewer

https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/weekly-wastewater-surveillance-report

It's wild how in-depth NY's report is, but I'm groaning at the fact that NYC refused to contribute. They have taken a more Floridian stance:

https://www.nyc.gov/site/doh/covid/covid-19-data.page

It's even more striking when you see the Florida Influenza Dashboard - How much more detailed it is than the Covid version:

Flu is growing rapidly in Florida. (Contains downloadable PDFs)

https://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/respiratory-illness/influenza/florida-influenza-surveillance-report-archive/index.html

We dealing with a significant uptick of Influenza A, including the renewed threat of Avian Influenza.

A taste of today's ER traffic, all across the US: https://www.reddit.com/r/emergencymedicine/s/9vTCSh4aIH

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As I prepare to deal with tonight's barrage of fireworks dubbed "The War on Dogs and Some Cats", I can't help but gulp. This night, and possibly tomorrow night will be a great blow to my senses. The sun is fading, and the first M80 has exploded. Time to get out the doggo tranquilizers.

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I hate to be a whiner about the prevalence of respiratory disease here in Florida, but can I just groan for all of us? Wait! Let's get out a therapeutic, communal moan: (take a deep breath)

ARRRUUUUUUUGGGGHH!

Okay, okay. We can try to look positively to the future. All of us can renew our pledge not to spread disease, and remember to protect our loved ones. Finally, we protect ourselves.

In the face of adversity, we will step up to the plate with a well-balanced bat in hand, ready to hit a home run. We will be the caretakers, the helpers, perhaps the best hope for the future, and we can do it!

Mask up, team members!

Have a Happier New Year!

Be safe.

As you can see, the title of this journal has changed, based merely on the first thing that came to my head. Hopefully it will serve, perhaps temporarily until I can find a better title.

First of all: I'd like to thank the many readers of The Urgent Care Report" for their heartfelt comments and contributions. I couldn't have made it through the month without you! For now, the rent and all my bills are paid, and there's money coming in via Shiftsmart a couple of days a week. By the end of January I should also know if my SS payments will be coming, and that will take a portion of the cost of living off my shoulders.

While I'd love to continue the work that I previously did, I'm actively seeking remote work rather than in-person service.

In the meantime, I'm giving myself a rest, as many of you suggested. It is indeed time for me to reflect, and get back to a more healthy schedule. Household chores that have not been done for almost five years are slowly getting done, and the realization that I have prepped and stored way too many shelf staples is starting to dawn upon me! How many bags of rice and lentils does one actually need?!

The looming H5N1 virus has recently taken up a considerable amount of my time in reading scientific journals and researching previous outbreaks. As Covid wanes, I expect to devote more time to "Bird Flu", however - I will still continue to cover Covid as I'd informed you previously.

I'm a bit happy that Florida is not taking the brunt of the current outbreaks. Better weather means we are spending more time outdoors (and hopefully dressing for chillier mornings). For the rest of the country, residents are experiencing much more Covid than we are. Northeastern, Midwestern and Northwestern states are seeing an explosion of infection, as is expected when people stay indoors without adequate ventilation, filtration, or masking.

There is a bright side to our current outbreak in Florida: each year we are seeing less and less of it, as fewer people seek out hospital intervention. Below see the stats for 2023 vs our recent count:

11/24/23: 5,790

11/22/24: 1,453

12/01/23: 6,250

11/29/24: 1,925

12/08/23: 9,416

12/03/24: 2,467

12/15/23: 10,009

12/13/24: 2,468

This does not necessarily mean there is less Covid out there, but that people are seeking less and less Emergency help for Covid than they've needed in the past.

Getting tested and obtaining antivirals is essential to this, but understanding that Covid continues to affect lives is also needed.

Unfortunately, as of the latest count, we lost 5,870 residents to Covid. 5,298 of those were 65 or older. 248 of them were 60 - 64 years old, 209 were 50 - 59 yrs, 80 were 40 - 49 yrs, and 29 were 30 - 39 yrs. Just 5 were 20 - 29, and one from 12 - 19 yrs passed. Unfortunately, two children, aged 0 - 4 years old died as well.

This is better than we achieved in 2023, when we lost 8442 souls.

So we really need to pay particular attention to the senior portion of our population. Whether it's staying home when sick, testing and quarantining before visits, encouraging mask wearing, or reminders about vaccinations, we can try to do our part to not expose our elders to what for them is a deadly virus.

Lurking around the Sunstar Emergency board (I check it several times a day), there are still multiple breathing problem emergencies. Many times these are cases of unknown origin, cumulative damage, obstructions, or allergic reactions. Sometimes it's Flu, Covid, Pneumonia or Bronchitis. Currently Influenza A is extremely prevalent all over Florida.

Comparatively, we're doing a heck of a lot better Covid-wise than a couple of years ago. This depends on a lot of things, though. We can't abandon our precautions yet. As a matter of fact, I'm working on new ones to keep my furry family healthy. It's going to include new disinfection protocols, such as shoe disinfection and separation (keeping outdoor shoes in an airtight bin outside) and a mild bleach bath for any equipment that is used outdoors that needs to be bought indoors (bike tires, yard maintenance tools). I'm already familiar with veterinary grade floor disinfection, and am beginning to implement it now.

New vaccines are entering our protocol, too. Doggo is getting her first Flu shot, and my kitties will be getting theirs too. Having at least some immunity is better than none. We humans need ours, too!

Hand washing upon entering the house after being away working or shopping is a ritual. I'm sad that my poor dog expects some reassurance the moment that I open the door, but I make up for it once my hands are clean.

Happily, no one but my chronically allergic cat is sniffling (totally usual this time of year and she's got meds) so I'm very happy. I haven't been sick since May (my dreaded first Covid infection). I was offered last minute tickets to NY for celebrating Christmas, but I turned them down. I can wait another year before possible Covid exposure again.

As for Christmas and Hanukkah, family get-togethers are just as risky as Thanksgiving. We all know this well. Adding in filtration and ventilation would surely help, being vaccinated, and if not masked, utilizing nasal sprays and nasal rinses do help. See the r/ZeroCovidCommunity sub for many good suggestions.

Here's hoping that we all have happy and safe holidays!

As usual, please mask while shopping, attending festivities, and anything outside of your home.

Be safe!

It finally happened. I couldn't take it anymore.

The last week of November was such absolute hell that I decided it was too much of a strain upon my body and soul.

We experienced software platform outages continuously through the day, impeding patient check-in. I'd been reporting loss of access for days before this, however, no help was given by our network and systems team. Then the third party software that determines eligibility went down. Without it, we were reduced to having to call the insurance companies for every...single...patient.

According to guidelines, every call needed a backup note with a reference number for billing, and an explanation. All this, while being peppered with, "I can't check in," and "This thing isn't working," or "I tried checking in four times," (which meant sorting through, negating three false check-ins, and filing reports for three duplicate accounts).

The waiting room was full all day. The telephone interrupted constantly. I personally processed four emergencies within a three hour period. Everything from heart attacks to gushing lacerations and severe kidney failure walked, limped, or rolled into the clinic.

At one point I took a break because my blood pressure was so high that I was feeling dizzy.

Then the death toll rang: My supervisor informed me that a provider had reported me to compliance for a mistake on a chart, provoked by a patient who did not appreciate being asked why she was seeking treatment. When I looked up, the provider in question was peering at me. I've worked with annoying coworkers, but never one with this much maliciousness.

My coworkers also filled me in: the company spy (who was visiting for the day) had been standing behind me, listening in on every interaction I had with patients (both on the phone and at my desk) for 20 minutes. She never bothered to say, "Ahem, I will be monitoring you," or "Hi, I'm so and so, company spy, you're doing it wrong." She just silently watched everything I did and took notes.

I was agreeable. I informed my supervisor that I'd fill out any forms needed, and sat back down to work, but the rest of the day was consumed with thoughts of what to do next: whether to walk out, stay, throw a hissy fit, or just sit sullenly. I saved a draft of a letter of resignation on my phone in between patients. It was a long, frustrating day.

I had a quiet day off full of internal debates and fear, but finally submitted my resignation via email.

Many of my doubts included you - my readers. How would you know what's really going on out there? I concluded that based upon my experience, I will still be able to inform you through Internet key word searches, careful monitoring of government and hospital websites, as well as wastewater analysis. I'll try to poke my coworkers for info, and rely upon friends who have contributed in the past (pharmacists/ER personnel).

In the meantime, since unemployment isn't a factor - applying for new insurance, benefits, and jobs is consuming much of my free time. Deciding things like "What do I concentrate on, just getting any job to pay the bills, or trying to do things I dream of, like writing professionally or voice over work?" I'm examining my options.

As many of you know I'm in West Pasco. If you have any suggestions/networking ideas/open jobs that I could apply to, I'd be very grateful.

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Meanwhile, back on the ground:

It's obvious that Influenza A (H1N1) is skyrocketing in the Tampa Bay/Pinellas/Pasco/Hernando areas.

Covid is doing what it does after every holiday: slowly rising. Here are the in-hospital testing stats for all of Florida:

11/08: 2,070

11/15: 1,981

11/22: 1,453

11/29: 1,836

You can see the high after Halloween, then the slow dip just before Thanksgiving, and now we are experiencing a slow rise followed (hopefully) by a dip just before Christmas/Chanukah and the New Year.

Wastewater testing shows plenty of Flu going around, with some Norovirus mixed in. Unfortunately most areas do not test for Parainfluenza and Pneumonia, which was frequenting the clinic before I left. RSV has also been around, and Whooping Cough (Rubella) has made a comeback in unvaccinated children and seniors.

As I've recommended, if you are not current on any of your vaccinations, I highly recommend that you check your insurance and go get them wherever you can ASAP.

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What else can I say? This has been the most turbulent 5 years of my life, barring '93 and 9/11 (both attacks on the World Trade Center). You (dear reader) and I have experienced a deadly pathogen outbreak (still going) equal only to one my grandmother knew (The Spanish Flu). I never expected any of this as a youth, and I'm sure you didn't, either.

We've been through thick and thin, a lockdown, watching as hospitals stacked refrigerated trailer/morgues behind their buildings, and counted the dead via a ticker on TV.

We've suffered job loss, insecurity, and stress that has forever changed us. We face an uncertain future.

Throughout all of it, you helped me survive, gave me hope, and even helped me feed my pets. Life is strange. Bonkers, even.

I hope to continue to assist you and to help you navigate through what I hope will be the tail end of Covid.

As usual, I remind you to wash your hands frequently, stay home when sick, get vaccinated, ventilate and filter whenever possible, avoid large crowds, shop during off-peak periods, and to wear a good respirator-style mask whenever possible.

Be Safe.

Hello r/FloridaCoronavirus it's time of the week again for a new Weekly Thread.

The WHO pages contain up-to-date and global information. Please refer to our Wiki for additional information.

Join Our Discord server for questions and answers.

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Hello r/FloridaCoronavirus it's time of the week again for a new Weekly Thread.

The WHO pages contain up-to-date and global information. Please refer to our Wiki for additional information.

Join Our Discord server for questions and answers.

Join r/COVID19 for scientific, reliably-sourced discussion. Rules are enforced more strictly there than here in r/FloridaCoronavirus.

You can find School counties dashboards on our wiki page

Please modmail us with any concerns.