thisfinecrew | Entries tagged with covid-19

There's a proposal to limit the new covid vaccine booster to people over age 75 and immune-compromised people. This is on very short notice and not getting a lot of attention, but the proposal is open for comments until tomorrow.

The comment link is https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/CDC-2023-0060-0001

My own comment, if anyone wants a model (please don't copy it exactly, distinct comments get more attention):

The up-to-date booster should be available to everyone, not just elderly and immune-compromised people.

Because I am immune-compromised, I need other people to also be boosted, for my own protection. Like most immune-compromised people, I live with other people, and they are not immune-compromised. For my health and safety, I need my housemates to also be immunized against covid and other serious diseases.

I also leave the house, including for medical appointments, other errands, and sometimes even to spend time with friends. All of those things would be more dangerous if younger people could not receive the booster. For example, my primary care doctor, my dental hygienist, and the doctor who treats me for my immune disorder are not immune-compromised. I wear a mask indoors, almost always--but the CDC acknowledges that masking alone is not sufficient to protect me from covid infection.

redbird

Your mission today, should you choose to accept it: Make a public comment urging the Medicare/Medi-cal system to require hospitals to monitor and prevent #COVID infections.

Looking at the title of the proposed rule, it seems to be several different things, linked by semicolons. I think the covid monitoring fits under "Quality Programs and Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program Requirements for Eligible Hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals."

I edited and shortened the sample letter (the second link), including adding a bit about immune-compromised patients, and removing all the referencesa.

Link to make a comment: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/05/01/2023-07389/medicare-program-proposed-hospital-inpatient-prospective-payment-systems-for-acute-care-hospitals

Link to a sample letter you can copy and edit:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1273-_VIbfaUPvlRo0MXBXEq7gJozNQn6udHhA8HniCs/

Link to a formatted pdf you can attach as a comment instead:
https://substack.com/redirect/d8ee9a6b

[The first line of this post, and the links, are copied from a Mastodon toot.]

sathari

mellowtigger has created a very straightforward and informative website about COVID and more to the point Long COVID, www.sars2.org/.

ETA: There is a very good discussion in the comments on the accuracy and presentation of some of the material at the linked site, which I recommend exploring. H/T in particular to

rydra_wong for a comprehensive discussion of same.

tanaqui

Every home in the U.S. is now eligible to order 4 free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests. The tests are completely free. Orders, which are being shipped by USPS, will usually ship in 7-12 days.

You can order your tests at https://www.covidtests.gov or go directly to the order page at https://special.usps.com/testkits

There's going to be a phone number for those without internet access, but that doesn't seem to have been listed yet. Also, the service is still in "beta" and there have been reports that people in the same apartment building but different units are being rejected as duplicates if one of their neighbours has already ordered kits. ETA from the comments: toastykitten says a workaround for the apartment building error is to put the suite number in the first address line instead of the second.

If you have health insurance, your insurance company is now obliged to reimburse you for 8 at-⁠home tests per month for each person on the plan. You can see more details about this (and whether you have to pay upfront and claim it back or can get the tests free at the pharmacy) at https://www.cms.gov/how-to-get-your-at-home-OTC-COVID-19-test-for-free

As a follow up to the previous post about scam testing sites, the https://www.covidtests.gov website also links to the website where you can find legitimate testing sites that offer no or low-cost tests, even if you're not insured. You can look up sites in your state at https://www.hhs.gov/coronavirus/community-based-testing-sites/index.html

teaotter

Considering how many people are trying to get tested right now -- and relying on the tests to make decisions about exposing themselves and others -- I think it's important to share information about a large-scale testing scam.

The Center for COVID Control's website lists over 300 testing sites all over the US. From the investigations I've seen, they take people's personal and insurance info, and bill for a test they don't send to a lab. Results either don't come in at all, or come in negative -- sometimes before the person has even taken the test!

Links for more info:

a Florida investigation

Sacramento, CA

USA Today, various locations

These testing sites are scams! Find a legitimate testing site through your state or county health department instead.

tanaqui

If you're looking for relatively small ways you can help support people during the pandemic,

spoonlessactivists has a Pandemic Support tag where you can find a range of actions suitable for people short on resources (whether that's money, time or energy).

tanaqui

If you're fortunate enough not to need the financial support of your stimulus check, you could donate all or part of it to help someone who does need more support.

The National Domestic Workers Alliance has a specific fundraising initiative called the Coronavirus Care Fund that supports its work to:

slow the spread of the virus by providing emergency assistance for domestic workers that enables them to stay home and healthy.

Without access to health care, paid sick leave, or job security, they are being forced to navigate this crisis alone — without a safety net.

The money you donate to the Coronavirus Care Fund will provide immediate financial support for domestic workers, and enable them to stay home and healthy — protecting themselves, their families and their communities while slowing the spread of the Coronavirus.

Donate to to the Coronavirus Care Fund here

You could also make a donation to your local food bank.

Let us know in comments of other places you think people should consider if they want to donate their stimulus check.

tanaqui

The White House has rejected a bailout for the US Postal Service, which is badly affected by the fall off in mail volumes due to COVID-19.

resistbot has started a campaign to #SavethePostOffice and is asking you to contact your representatives.

https://mobile.twitter.com/resistbot/status/1249118622980726785

tanaqui

Under shelter-in-place orders and comparable rules, non-essential businesses are usually required to close their facilities -- but not all are doing so. Ask A Manager has put together a crowd-sourced list of where to report employers violating shelter-in-place orders, by state.

List of Where to report employers violating shelter-in-place orders, by state

rydra_wong

Petition: USPS Must Ensure Rights and Safety for Employees and Customers During COVID-19 Pandemic

redbird

I just saw on social media that local hospital is asking people who have, or can buy, N95 masks, exam gloves, and other personal protective equipment to donate them to the ER. I can't do much to help right now, but I do have a bit of money and an Amazon account, so I ordered two boxes of nitrile gloves for delivery to the Mount Auburn ER.

It's a small thing, but it's something I can do to help right now, more active than self-isolating.

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Never Give Up, Never Surrender

Links and Positive Action for the next Four Years

Entries tagged with covid-19

covid booster access

require hospitals to monitor + prevent covid infections

Signal boost

You can now order free at-home COVID-19 tests

SCAM - covid testing sites run by The Center for Covid Control

Small Actions for Pandemic Support

Donating your stimulus check

Action: Resistbot campaign to save the US Postal Service

Where to report employers violating shelter-in-place orders, by state

Petition: protect postal service employees

donating medical supplies

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