I know four very close people who have the "sniffles" today.

[live love laugh]

All are vaccinated.

To a person they just think they’re under the weather.

Lines for tests were blocks long yesterday but only one of them attempted to get tested.

I’m staying in, staying away and staying safe as I can.

Merry Christmas! 🎁🎄

[SheltieLover]

1. Glad you are staying safe!

This new variant is spreading like wildfire!

I'm home, too, with no intention to go out anytime soon.

[former9thward]

2. People still do get colds, you know.

[MarcA]

4. And sinus problems, the flu, body aches from cold weather, etc.

Of course, I really don't want those either. Serious question:
Do masks help prevent the spread of "common colds" and the flu?

[former9thward]

7. Yes, they do.

Which is why I have seen many people in far eastern asian countries wearing masks in pre-Covid times. That is not part of American culture though and never will be.

[Blues Heron]

11. It is now- we've seen first hand how masking helps prevent disease. Better get used it.

I’m not giving up my mask unless you pry it off my cold dead face!

[radius777]

23. afaik Asians started masking because of Sars and Bird Flu. /nt

[LisaL]

18. And Omicron causes cold like symptoms.

Since home tests are sold out everywhere, how can one know?

[Lucinda]

3. ❤️ ✿❧🌿❧✿ ❤️

[jimfields33]

5. I have a huge dinner at 3.

Ten people all vaccinated. Should be safe.

[ismnotwasm]

6. We are seeing RSV, adenovirus and Influenza showing up at the hospital

Covid has plateaued in Seattle for the moment, but every hospital is very full. Lots of “normal” (not Covid) droplet isolation though. We didn’t have that last year.

Right now it depends on where you live, and the vaccination status of your community. There are a number of breakthrough cases from what I’m reading.

Stay safe, mask up, avoid inconsiderate assholes

[beaglelover]

8. I have the sniffles and a cough every day!

Due to my allergies. Since I’m vaxed and boosted if I get Omicron I probably won’t even know it! Oh well.

[ProfessorGAC]

9. Now You Know A Fifth

I have a cold. Peaking today (congestion) but was sneezing more yesterday.
I went to doctor, tested negative, and all of the problem is in the head; nothing in bronchial region.
Doctor said drainage was clear so it's not a sinus infection. No fever at all, either. (97.8° on our ear thermometer, which is normal for me.)
Just a cold.
Bad timing, as it ruined my cooking plans.
Feeling better than I did a few hours ago, but it's definitely not over.

[bif]

10. My daughter has it. and she's fully vexed and bolstered.

She's in town for Christmas and she and her fiancé are quarantined in one room in our house. One weird Christmas, that's for sure.

[FakeNoose]

12. Not every case of "sniffles" or "head cold" is a sign of Covid

We need to be sensible about this. At least take your own temperature. If it's normal - 98 degrees - there's little chance it's Covid. If you're already vaccinated, and have been using a mask and social distancing, and if you aren't experiencing a sore or scratchy throat, no cough or difficulty breathing - it's probably not the virus.

Why overload the Covid testing sites when you most likely don't have Covid?

If you are NOT vaccinated, not wearing a mask not social distancing, well ... Make sure you've written out your will and you've given your funeral and burial wishes to a family member or a close friend.

[JCMach1]

13. Not necessarily... I nearly died with Covid and had very little fever

I also had almost no cough, but crashed with Covid pneumonia.

It's an extremely idiosyncratic illness.

[FakeNoose]

14. OK I hope you had a complete recovery my friend!

Always there are exceptions, and especially with Covid, we don't even know how far this can go.

I just learned that my nephew in Minneapolis has Covid. We had a family zoom-call yesterday and he didn't come in to the call. So we were all concerned and my sister spoke with him this morning. You just never know.

[LisaL]

17. Not having a fever is not an exception with Omicron.

Omicron causes cold like symptoms, such as scratchy throat, sneezing, headache, fatigue. Fever is not one of the most common symptoms.

[BlackSkimmer]

15. My temp was 104 for almost a week. Dropped during the day, then skyrocketed at night.

No breathing problems, but body pain like nothing I’ve ever experienced.

[LisaL]

16. What you claim is completely inaccurate.

Covid doesn't always cause fever. In fact fever is not even one of the most common symptoms of Omicron.

[FakeNoose]

19. OK then let's all swamp the testing sites every day so they can't get any real cases tested

[MerryBlooms]

20. There is a really nasty cold going around here I. Southern Oregon.

The 3 folks I know that have it have tested negative for covid at the hospital. We've been masked while interacting, so far, 2 weeks since they've been symptom free, and I'm not sick. Whew.

[Tree Lady]

21. Thanks for warning me I am

In your area. We were masks in public so should be ok.

[tavernier]

22. My grandson's wife was diagnosed yesterday.

She is pregnant and has had only one vaccination. My grandson had it last week so no doubt got it from him. He was fully vaccinated but got pretty ill for 3 days. She said her symptoms have been mild. We are hoping for the best.

[radius777]

24. Proper masking, ventilation and distancing is still the key

to avoiding infection. Too many people are still wearing inferior or dirty masks that don't fit their faces properly. Many people also remove their masks or pull them down while talking to people, while wearing them when nobody is around. Just observe people even in a blue area and you'll see why the virus spreads.