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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsI tested positive for COVID on Sunday (3/20).....
I gave myself a home test on Saturday morning since I'd been teaching (full-time substitute teacher) all week. I tested negative. This was the first week that the L.A. schools lifted their mask mandate and, even though I wore mine most of the time, I was more lax than I've ever been.Late Saturday afternoon, I had a pretty bad headache and a sore throat. On Sunday morning, I and my two roommates all tested positive (home tests). We then went to CVS to test there so they could be sent to a lab. Sure enough, we all found out yesterday that we are positive. One roommate has NO symptoms, the other has congestion and a mild cough, and I've had no symptoms at all since Saturday afternoon.
Most of the teachers and the high school students where I normally teach kept wearing their masks but some didn't. I should have done what I had always done and worn my mask without exception. I wasn't as careful as I normally am. I've been vaccinated and boosted. I've been so careful for two years! I honestly believe the mask mandate has been lifted too soon.
Thank God the agency where I work has allocated 50 hours of pay per substitute teachers for those who've tested positive for COVID. I feel very, very fortunate. I'll be off work all of this week, and I hope very much that I'll be back at school on Monday. BTW, I'm going to wear my masks maybe for the rest of the time I'm subbing! Especially seeing that folks are testing positive more than once...
MLAA
(17,288 posts)Upthevibe
(8,046 posts)applegrove
(118,642 posts)in our Ottawa waste water in the last week so I hope the people of this city mask up.
Vibes to you.
Upthevibe
(8,046 posts)I'm 99.9% sure that if the mask mandate hadn't been lifted and we all had kept wearing them while in class I wouldn't have it.....
canetoad
(17,154 posts)I hear you about the 'careful for two years' statement. I'm still masking, avoiding crowds, sanitising etc; I haven't come this far to get bloody Covid at this late state.
I read this morning that a *second booster shot is about to be authorised here in Australia. I'll be first in line.
Keep well and hope it's over soon.
Upthevibe
(8,046 posts)That's my big lesson..... Two years and I was fine. As soon as it seemed like it may be safe, I let my guard down.
Response to Upthevibe (Original post)
LetMyPeopleVote This message was self-deleted by its author.
Response to Upthevibe (Original post)
LetMyPeopleVote This message was self-deleted by its author.
LetMyPeopleVote
(145,199 posts)Upthevibe
(8,046 posts)I'm being very careful hunkered in at home...
LetMyPeopleVote
(145,199 posts)It may be too late.
Upthevibe
(8,046 posts)I've never even heard of the Pfzier pill but thanks for letting me know about it...
LetMyPeopleVote
(145,199 posts)Here is some info https://www.verywellhealth.com/pfizer-developing-covid-19-at-home-treatment-pill-5184029
Under the emergency use authorization (EUA), Paxlovid will be available via prescription to people 12 and older with confirmed mild-to-moderate COVID-19 who are at high risk of developing a severe case of the disease. A severe case means a patient could become hospitalized, need intensive care, require a ventilator, or even die.
A patient should take the oral drug at the first sign of illness, decreasing their chance of becoming seriously ill with the disease. Pfizer says the drug may be able to reduce burden on hospitals.
I have a ton of risk factors and my doctors and I have discussed this treatment.
BigmanPigman
(51,590 posts)I guess the GQP Covid patients keep it secret.
The next wave is already beginning in the US with Omicron subvariant Ba2. I do not take my mask off when ever I go out and will continue with this practice.
San Diego Unified School District is paying substitute teachers $300 a day if they agree to stay at the site for a while. When I subbed I got paid $100 a day. That tells you how underpaid teachers are. Now they are finally valied bit only as a result of severe staff shortages. They'll go back to shitty pay when yhe emergency situation is over. No wonder 1 in 3 teachers quit after their first 5 years.
progree
(10,907 posts)ago
(7 day moving average compared to 7 day moving average 14 days ago)
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/us/covid-cases.html
Upthevibe
(8,046 posts)I'm not surprised....
Upthevibe
(8,046 posts)I work through an agency and that means my pay is lower than if I was with a specific district (e.g. LAUSD) but it's worth it to me. I'm able to get by because I've worked hard to keep my expenses very low.
Are you in California? A Bachelor's Degree (as well as other requirements) is a necessity to be a substitute teacher. I think (but am not at all sure) that some other states don't require a degree.
What's your degree in? I'm always curious what folks do with their various degrees.
Thanks for your feedback....
BigmanPigman
(51,590 posts)I already had my BFA (Bach. Of Fine Arts) degree but you can't make a living as an artist. I knew some friends who were teachers and decided to try that profession. I had to go back for my teaching certificate and my credits from my first degree could be used to speed up the process if I passed the MSAT and CBEST.
San Diego requires teachers to have a credential in single or multiple subjects. The district can't afford art teachers, music teachers, computer teachers, librarians, support staff, etc at the same time. We had very drastic cuts and it was so terrible teachers retired early.
Upthevibe
(8,046 posts)My B.A. is in Interdisciplinary Studies. I graduated from Cal State in 1998 when I was 41. I consider it the proudest accomplishment of my life! The good news about having at least a Bachelor's is that it opened many doors for me.
For most of my career, I was in the vocational school/career college industry. I loved what I did as the Director of Student Services and the Director of Graduate Services. Unfortunately, some of the schools are owned and operated by selfish, greedy, unethical, and corrupt empty suits.
The last company I worked for wanted me to do some creative accounting with our placement numbers (falsify documents and commit fraud). The company where I was before that was closed down because of malfeasance by the C.E.O. and the C.F.O. All of the schools all over the country were closed in 2016.
I know what you mean about not being able to make a living as an artist. We have a really good art and design program at the high school where I normally teach. I think (since we're in Los Angeles) there are some opportunities in an artistic arena for illustrators, graphic artists, etc.
brer cat
(24,564 posts)but glad that you and your roommates have mild cases.
Upthevibe
(8,046 posts)I'm sorry too..... I think I learned a huge lesson....
Wounded Bear
(58,649 posts)Upthevibe
(8,046 posts)Thank you.....
lagomorph777
(30,613 posts)And the more unmasked people I see around me, the more I make sure mine is secure and good quality.
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)Hope you've seen the last of your symptoms. Plus side, though, you do get the boost of natural antibodies to go with the vaccine-generated ones.
We're keeping our masks on. When we do go out, we're often the only people with them, but we don't care. So far no flu or colds either this fall/winter.
Upthevibe
(8,046 posts)Thank you. I am thinking about the antibodies I now have so you're correct regarding the plus side.
I think you're doing the right thing by keeping your masks on.
gldstwmn
(4,575 posts)Upthevibe
(8,046 posts)Other than feeling tired, I've haven't had any symptoms...
ificandream
(9,372 posts)Upthevibe
(8,046 posts)I will keep my mask on for sure!
Meowmee
(5,164 posts)I hope you recover soon. Make sure to monitor yourself later for potential lh damage such as heart damage etc.
Upthevibe
(8,046 posts)Thank you.
I know I will need to monitor myself from now on...
Meowmee
(5,164 posts)electric_blue68
(14,891 posts)Yeah, I thought lifting masks mandates were too soon!
I'm still double masking, distancing,staying home about 85% of the time (not fun but easy to do when retired). I might go out another 5% - 8% more in warm, sunny weather outside (parks, gardens) where there are no crowds, and one special big plaza.
LeftInTX
(25,314 posts)I probably would not have tested, but my MIL tested positive.