Okay. I am officially an incompetent idiot. I take the blame.
My 90-yr-old mother who has late mid-stage dementia has gone to the hair salon every Friday for over 60 years! Of course, she has had several hairdressers in that time and she didn't go when salons were shut down for Covid.
When the salons opened again, I debated whether it was worth the risk to take her to the salon. The owner assured me that they were taking all precautions, temperatures were taken at the door, masks were required, etc. So, in a moment of weakness (and Mom's dirty hair!) I decided to take her back to her standing appointment each Friday.
All went well until last Thursday, 12/24/20. Appointment went fine. Of course, you can't socially distance from someone working on your hair, so the stylist was right on top of Mom. I was also in the small area where her station is and about 3 feet away from her.
Saturday, 12/26, I get a text from Mom's hairdresser telling me her roommate had Covid and was hospitalized. Then she said she was retiring and Mom needed to find a new hairdresser. Needless to say, I was concerned that I only had sketchy details. When did her roommate get Covid? Had this hairdresser come to work after being exposed to her roommate with Covid and exposed all her customers? I felt sure the owner of the salon would contact me. So far, that has not happened.
Instead, one of the other hairdressers in the salon texted me today and told me that Mom's hairdresser (Donna) had tested POSITIVE for Covid! I can't say I was surprised but was freaked out by the news. The salon informed us that we could not come back for 14 days and that we needed to be tested for Covid.
In my opinion, the salon should close for a deep cleaning. Their clientele is 90% elderly, most using walkers or in wheelchairs. Talk about a vulnerable group!
I emailed Mom's PCP and I hope to hear back from him on Monday. He will most likely say to quarantine and if any symptoms develop, call his office. Guess that's all we can do. Mom has had a cough for 30 years, so I can't go by that. She does not have an appetite, likes to sleep for hours on end and never has much energy. How am I supposed to recognize symptoms? I will check her temperature several times a day, I guess.
In hindsight, I should NOT have taken her to the salon in the first place. That is on me. I guess we will know more in a few days if symptoms develop for either of us. I pray we don't get this awful virus!
Just received a thermometer that takes a temperature without touching the forehead.
Just wondering how many times you can shoot yourself in the head with that thing?
What is the technology used?
I am actually enjoying it. I don't get out all that much lately. 🤔
Jan 4, 2021
Have you heard of the test for COVID????"
Sorry, but this post is so useless and really dumb, that I can't resist saying HAVE YOU LEARNED HOW TO READ?
FROM OP'S ORIGINAL POST:
"The salon informed us that we could not come back for 14 days and that we needed to be tested for Covid."
"So he makes $300 and has to waste $95 on the stupid test."
My understanding is that the tests should be free, or at the very least, covered by your insurance. Some people currently don't have insurance, so it should be covered by whatever rules gov't put in place!
I was able to get a test done through CVS at no charge to me. Most likely they charged my insurance.
I would question this charge for the test!
Definitely don't beat yourself up and hoping that in the end it just turns out to be a scare for you with no illness! Lesson learned as well!
For me, it's being proactive. The "rules" in every state change so often, that it's best to use the "worst case" set of rules. I limit exposure to anyone else, keep "outings" limited, and wear a mask. So far, so good. I needed to stay healthy as I am the one who managed everything for my mother. If I was down for the count, my bros are clueless!
We live in an area that hasn't been majorly impacted, but cases are out there, and in recent weeks it has ramped up (state has a nice map, showing each town and how many active cases there are - a second map shows cumulative cases.)
FWIW, mom's facility had strict protocols and only one time, a few months ago, did one staff member test positive. The facility is IL/AL/MC, and while they discourage going out unnecessarily, people in IL and AL can go out, but have to stay isolated, for the most part, when in the building. MC can't lock the residents in their rooms, so interaction with "outsiders" is even more limited. Despite that one positive test, not one resident or other staff member got sick or tested positive.
Hope all is well for you, your family and esp your mom!
The day before we were to have our Covid test, Mom fell while trying to sit down in her recliner while pushing her walker to its resting place against the wall at the same time. She overextended and fell! I was in a different room, and luckily, she remembered my name and yelled for me. I found her laying on the carpet of the family room on her side. Apparently, she tried to break her fall with her right hand/arm and most likely sprained her wrist. There was some swelling and bruising and it was too painful for her to use to grip or do anything with her right hand (she is right-handed.) So....she was not up to getting in the car to go for the Covid test. I tried to get Dispatch Health to come check her out, but could not get an appointment with them for at least 3 days! Wow! They have become very popular here.
However, it has now been 16 days and neither of us have or have had symptoms. I check her temp and O2 sats regularly and, so far, so good. When I put the pulse oximeter on her, I have to remind her to breathe! She tends to hold her breath. It registered 87 one time and I had her take a couple of deep breaths and it went to 98! She is not having trouble breathing. Also, her nails are very long which is not ideal for the oximeter. Her right hand is fine now and she is back to using it like nothing ever happened.
We are both on the list to get the vaccine. It is very interesting here in Fort Worth, TX. when it comes to getting the vaccine. Some people who signed up via the online portal on Dec. 29 were immediately notified and set up with a vaccine appointment the very next day! It is being administered through the County Public Health Department. Mom and I both received confirmation of our registration, but so far, no notification of an appointment. They say you have to be patient because, in my experience, government usually screws things up! Case in point, neither one of us has received the "stimulus' check!
Oh...and I forgot to say that, on top of everything else, Mom developed a UTI! The PA at her doc's office put her on cefuroxime. The pills are huge (like Bactrim) and he is giving her the highest dose (500mg) twice a day for ten days! Everything I read online says the recommended dose is 250mg for 5 days. I am concerned that the PA got it wrong.
It's always something!