Twin Tiers Covid News

[MsKreed 1,059]

On 1/10/2022 at 1:20 PM, KarenK said:

Too many teachers positive and not enough subs

I think, at some point, the state "health experts" will tell them they should just mask up and keep going to work even if positive, like California authorities are telling their healthcare workers to do for the rest of this month.

Quote

From January 8, 2022 until February 1, 2022, HCP who test positive for SARS-CoV-2 and are asymptomatic, may return to work immediately without isolation and without testing, and HCPs who have been exposed and are asymptomatic may return to work immediately without quarantine and without testing. These HCPs must wear an N95 respirator for source control.

(From official cdph.ca.gov page - linked here)

 

[Kevin 334]

All school districts in NY and most across the country are having issues finding subs. It has been an issue for years.  Covid has just made it worse.

[Chris 1,914]

1 hour ago, MsKreed said:

I think, at some point, the state "health experts" will tell them they should just mask up and keep going to work even if positive, like California authorities are telling their healthcare workers to do for the rest of this month.

When I was out last week, I got an email that said if I was asymptomatic I could return to work after five days. However I wasn't, so I didn't. 

7 minutes ago, Kevin said:

All school districts in NY and most across the country are having issues finding subs. It has been an issue for years.  Covid has just made it worse.

Pretty much the problem across the board, health care and all. The health care worker shortage is nothing new, they've been leaving the hospitals to take travel assignments for YEARS. They got paid an amazing amount of money before,  I can't begin to imagine what those agencies are paying right now with such high demand. 

[Elmira Telegram 285]

[Kevin 334]

24 minutes ago, Chris said:

They got paid an amazing amount of money before,  I can't begin to imagine what those agencies are paying right now with such high demand. 

On TikTok I see videos where travel nurses past offers of 5-7k sometimes more a week. One lady the other day said she made 56k in a 13 week assignment. 

[Kevin 334]

[MsKreed 1,059]

21 minutes ago, Kevin said:

On TikTok I see videos where travel nurses past offers of 5-7k sometimes more a week. One lady the other day said she made 56k in a 13 week assignment. 

I know people in other professions where travelling staff are well-compensated also.....and it's well worth it even when the base rate of pay might be mediocre.

I suspect that we'll have more and more employers utilizing "traveling assignment" as a business model, unless/until the IRS starts taxing per diem "reimbursement" payments for lodging & expenses that aren't documented with receipts. 

Those run from $150/day in the cheapest locations in each state....up to $300-350+/day in metro areas and/or during peak travel months.

Those rates are based on full-rate, walk-in hotel prices with restaurant meals 3x a day. But they get that (tax-free) amount "reimbursed" even if they make arrangements that are much less than the (lowest allotted) $4500/month... efficiency apartments or small RV motorhome, groceries instead of room service, maybe shared housing with a coworker. Heck -- even negotiating with a Comfort Inn for weekly rates can get you half off their full price per night. 

With that perk, employers can offer pretty modest hourly wages and they both make out far better than payroll w/taxes and withholding, etc.

[KarenK 354]

3 hours ago, TwinTiersLiving said:

Its always been my opinion that a decent human being would tell their close contacts anyway.  I know there is stigma still around it and some still don't want to tell anyone but if you don't, then your an asshole.  Both Dave and I personally got in touch with anyone we had been around as soon as we found out, way before any contact tracers would have let them know.   Just my 2 cents.

[Andy 61]

14 minutes ago, KarenK said:

Its always been my opinion that a decent human being would tell their close contacts anyway.  I know there is stigma still around it and some still don't want to tell anyone but if you don't, then your an asshole.

And there’s the reason we have this many cases in this county

[Elmira Telegram 285]

Governor Kathy Hochul has issued updated guidance for COVID mitigation as the 2022-2023 school year gets ready to begin:

COVID Mitigation Strategies for the 2022-2023 School Year

Quarantine

• The CDC no longer recommends quarantine except in high-risk congregate settings.
  • The CDC recommends that all people with a known or suspected COVID-19 exposure regardless of vaccination status or history of prior COVID-19 infection follow current CDC exposure recommendations which include wearing a well-fitting mask or respirator for a full 10-day period and getting tested at least 5 days after close contact or sooner if symptoms develop.

Staying Home When Sick or Symptomatic

• The CDC continues to recommend that people stay home when sick. Any student or staff member who has symptoms of respiratory or gastrointestinal infections, such as cough, fever, sore throat, vomiting, or diarrhea, should stay home.
• Testing is recommended for people with symptoms of COVID-19 as soon as possible after symptoms begin. Those who are at risk for getting very sick with COVID-19 who test positive should consult with a healthcare provider right away for possible treatment, even if their symptoms are mild.
  • If an individual tests positive for COVID-19 and do not have a regular health care provider, you can be evaluated for treatment by either calling 1-888-TREAT-NY or visiting the New York State COVID-19 ExpressCare Therapeutics Access Website.

• People who are symptomatic and awaiting COVID-19 test results or have tested positive for COVID-19 should follow CDC's Isolation Guidance.

Isolation

• People who have tested positive or are awaiting COVID-19 test results should remain home and follow the CDC's Isolation Guidance. Isolation may end based on how serious someone's COVID-19 symptoms were.

-If someone had no symptoms, isolation may end after day five.

-If someone had symptoms, isolation may end after day five if they are fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication) and symptoms are improving.

-People should wear a mask through day 10 after ending isolation when they are feeling better (no fever without use of fever-reducing medication and symptoms improving).

-Antigen testing is not required to end isolation; however, some schools may allow use of the " test-based strategy" to potentially shorten the length of time for post-isolation mask use.

This builds upon New York's rigorous, multi-faceted approach in managing and mitigating COVID-19. Last week, Governor Hochul announced the re-launch of the #Vaxtoschool Covid-19 Vaccine Effort, including more than three dozen pop-up vaccination sites throughout the state in the coming weeks, with more being added in the near future.

In March, the Governor lifted the state mask requirement in schools. This decision was based on key COVID-19 data trends showing New York's significant progress in vaccinations and declining cases.