Merry Christmas and a rapid recovery! 

Happy new year, too!

That would be my guess.  I'm a weird dude, but I actually kind of enjoy getting those shots - they always seem to be so darned happy to be doing it.   

My belief is that getting COVID is now a matter of when, not if, now that this much more highly contagious (but fortunately less lethal) variant is exploding across the globe.  Vaccinated folks will generally tolerate the illness much better; that's the nature of all vaccines for these respiratory viruses.  I've seen a jump just this week in patients in my practice testing positive, all but one vaxed, none of whom are particularly sick; nearly everyone with a runny nose for more than a day wants a test.  A few of my patients who have repeatedly tested negative are among the most symptomatic.  There are beaucoup non-COVID viruses out there, too.  I fully expect to get COVID despite my 3-vax status.  We'll see over the next 6 months or so whether I'm right or not.

The difference between hospitalizations between vaxed/not vaxed is not particularly surprising and I would expect that difference in rates to narrow somewhat over time as the disease marches on.

There has always been and will always be a subset of people who make poor life decisions which affect their utilization of healthcare services and I'm OK with paying for that discrepancy through insurance or taxes.

Is it possible that every 100 years there will be a global pandemic? With Covid-19 it was terrible. Perhaps, for now, only vaccination is what everyone should do. I have injected Pfizer and still regularly wear a mask when going out. My family plans to have a long journey to Florida, once the epidemic here is better controlled.

Recently a nurses aid told me that Covid would go away if they stopped talking about it on the news so much. What genius! Now all we have to do is convince the news agencies to stop talking about hunger, war, racism, poverty, cancer, etc etc etc.

Well hello folks!  Here's hoping everyone was able to have a HEALTHY Christmas, and hopefully a healthy and happy New Year!!!

Been a few years since I've even lurked around these waters, but I figured I might check in and say "hi".

I'm still alive, and have (as of 10 days ago) relocated from the very center of Canada (Winterpeg) to the extreme west coast (Vancouver Island).  I work remotely (mostly because I can) and am at this point semi-retired (which really means I work when I need space from the wifey.......just don't tell her     I said that!)

I would like to say that Canada is fairing somewhat well during these trying times, but that would be lying.  Our (yes 'socialist') healthcare system shows it's cracks and threatens to buckle even in non-Pandemic times, so these days it's pretty depressing to find oneself in need of our healthcare.  I have experienced the loss of 2 extended family members in the last 1.5years, directly due to Covid-19 (and no, neither had underlying health or immune system issues) and I can say our system (Canada's healthcare) DOES NOT WORK!  (at least not in the middle of a pandemic).  It remains my daily hope and prayer to not need our healthcare system in any way ON any day lest it fail also my immediate family.

Having said all of that, I am double-vaxxed (been so since the day it was available to me) and will get the booster once my age group is allowed.  I wear a mask always and most importantly conduct myself when out and about as if I hold the lives of those around me in my own hands (meaning: I take YOUR health just as seriously as my own).

BE WELL, FELLOW STARDOCKIANS!  Until next year!!

-- monk out

Post that over on Spencer's thread, Doc.  I suspect you intended to.

Actually not, my friend. This is where Spencer posted on having contracted Covid-19, so I figured to cheer him up with a chuckle here, and not having an online image storage site, I couldn't post it on the news thread...its banner differs from those in the regular forum. Anyway, hope it gave y'all a chuckle. Btw, I designed his present avatar  , so it sort of completes a cycle. I'll miss him...but Jafo promised to Mirandize the miscreants in his absence.

Covid here, just got tested positive.  It sucks, but I have been sicker several times in my life.

Prayers please.

Hoping you have a mild case, and recover quickly, Jim.

Jo and I are sending prayers your way buddy!   

They say a mild case, but feels like the worst flu I ever had.

Had a covid scare this week. Turned out to just be a really nasty cold though. Forgot what those were like.