Household COVID safety
July 13, 2022 3:31 AM Subscribe
Partner and I (triple vaxxed) share a home with my in-laws (just had 4th booster this week). My partner and I tested positive (first time ever for both of us) for COVID last week. Partner and I then started wearing masks inside and isolated ourselves. It's been over a week and now my father-in-law appears to be symptomatic (dry cough, sore/scratchy throat), but so far testing negative. Need to determine next steps to prevent further spread in our home, as well as re-infection given BA.5's documented propensity for re-infections. Details under the fold.
Timeline of events:
- Partner and I are both triple-vaxxed (our booster was in late January of this year). We are in Ontario, Canada so 4th booster isn't yet available for our age group. Paxlovid is not available in Canada either.
- On Friday, July 8, we were exposed to two asymptomatic people (neither we, nor they, knew that they had COVID at the time, or that they had been exposed; both of them had tested negative the week before).
- Upon arriving home that same evening, we were notified that one of those two people now had a fever and a positive COVID test.
- As soon as they notified us, we isolated and began wearing masks indoors. When we found out, we were fortunate to have not yet had any physical contact/exposure with our in-laws.
- In-laws began masking in common areas, and we did the same. In-laws also immediately went out and got their 4th booster. Because we both work from home, we spend most of our time on a different floor of the home. We stayed out of the kitchen and all other common areas (except to quickly pass through on our way to the other floors, while masked). We used sanitary wipes to clean any common surfaces we touched.
- Two days later, Sunday, I had a slightly gummy throat. Partner had no symptoms Sunday or Monday. By Tuesday, partner had mild symptoms, and I now had a very sore throat accompanied by a cough. I took a rapid antigen test and tested positive. Partner tested negative but we made the decision to treat their situation as if they were also positive, since their symptoms made it clear the virus was just getting started. We continued to mask and isolate.
- The next day, partner's symptoms intensified and they tested positive.
- We have continued to mask/isolate and not go anywhere within 20 feet of my in-laws. We keep doors to all rooms we use closed, run a HEPA air filter in our bedroom (we don't have any other air filter machines yet, unfortunately), and continue to avoid being in any rooms or common areas with my in-laws at the same time. MIL made meals for us and left them at the top of the stairs. We hand-washed dishes and then put them in the dishwasher for sterilization.
- Today, Tuesday July 12, my symptoms have mostly subsided but I had another positive rapid antigen test (this time, the line was faint). I am behaving as if I am still highly contagious because I assume that I am. Partner also had another positive COVID test today (line was dark)- they seem to be 2-3 days behind me as far as symptoms.
- My FIL had a cough yesterday and tested negative on a rapid antigen. Today his cough was accompanied by a sore/scratchy throat, and he again tested negative. FIL works in hospitality and it's possible that if he did get it, it could be from work, but statistically it makes the most sense that we'd be his point of exposure. I am not aware of my MIL having any symptoms at this point. Once she returns home from work (retail industry) she'll be taking a test.
- At this point, until we are symptom-free and have at least 2 negative antigen tests, we are continuing to mask indoors, isolate, sanitize surfaces, and avoid common areas. Since we don't have any N95/K95 masks (we're working on trying to find non-counterfeit ones) we've been double masking with tight-fitting masks.
Our Question:
Right now, we're still COVID-positive and contagious, we're isolating/masking like nothing has changed. Since it's possible that any antibodies we develop from this are likely worthless against BA.5 (and, of course, we don't know if BA.5 is what we have), once we've do test negative a few times, should we continue to mask/isolate from my in-laws - even if they also continue to test negative?
We just don't know how to handle this. It seems like if BA.5 is escalating and we share a household with my elderly in-laws, we should stay away from them indefinitely. It doesn't seem like a situation where, once we're negative, we're not likely to get re-infected from another member of our household. What is the most methodical way to approach this, at this point?
Timeline of events:
- Partner and I are both triple-vaxxed (our booster was in late January of this year). We are in Ontario, Canada so 4th booster isn't yet available for our age group. Paxlovid is not available in Canada either.
- On Friday, July 8, we were exposed to two asymptomatic people (neither we, nor they, knew that they had COVID at the time, or that they had been exposed; both of them had tested negative the week before).
- Upon arriving home that same evening, we were notified that one of those two people now had a fever and a positive COVID test.
- As soon as they notified us, we isolated and began wearing masks indoors. When we found out, we were fortunate to have not yet had any physical contact/exposure with our in-laws.
- In-laws began masking in common areas, and we did the same. In-laws also immediately went out and got their 4th booster. Because we both work from home, we spend most of our time on a different floor of the home. We stayed out of the kitchen and all other common areas (except to quickly pass through on our way to the other floors, while masked). We used sanitary wipes to clean any common surfaces we touched.
- Two days later, Sunday, I had a slightly gummy throat. Partner had no symptoms Sunday or Monday. By Tuesday, partner had mild symptoms, and I now had a very sore throat accompanied by a cough. I took a rapid antigen test and tested positive. Partner tested negative but we made the decision to treat their situation as if they were also positive, since their symptoms made it clear the virus was just getting started. We continued to mask and isolate.
- The next day, partner's symptoms intensified and they tested positive.
- We have continued to mask/isolate and not go anywhere within 20 feet of my in-laws. We keep doors to all rooms we use closed, run a HEPA air filter in our bedroom (we don't have any other air filter machines yet, unfortunately), and continue to avoid being in any rooms or common areas with my in-laws at the same time. MIL made meals for us and left them at the top of the stairs. We hand-washed dishes and then put them in the dishwasher for sterilization.
- Today, Tuesday July 12, my symptoms have mostly subsided but I had another positive rapid antigen test (this time, the line was faint). I am behaving as if I am still highly contagious because I assume that I am. Partner also had another positive COVID test today (line was dark)- they seem to be 2-3 days behind me as far as symptoms.
- My FIL had a cough yesterday and tested negative on a rapid antigen. Today his cough was accompanied by a sore/scratchy throat, and he again tested negative. FIL works in hospitality and it's possible that if he did get it, it could be from work, but statistically it makes the most sense that we'd be his point of exposure. I am not aware of my MIL having any symptoms at this point. Once she returns home from work (retail industry) she'll be taking a test.
- At this point, until we are symptom-free and have at least 2 negative antigen tests, we are continuing to mask indoors, isolate, sanitize surfaces, and avoid common areas. Since we don't have any N95/K95 masks (we're working on trying to find non-counterfeit ones) we've been double masking with tight-fitting masks.
Our Question:
Right now, we're still COVID-positive and contagious, we're isolating/masking like nothing has changed. Since it's possible that any antibodies we develop from this are likely worthless against BA.5 (and, of course, we don't know if BA.5 is what we have), once we've do test negative a few times, should we continue to mask/isolate from my in-laws - even if they also continue to test negative?
We just don't know how to handle this. It seems like if BA.5 is escalating and we share a household with my elderly in-laws, we should stay away from them indefinitely. It doesn't seem like a situation where, once we're negative, we're not likely to get re-infected from another member of our household. What is the most methodical way to approach this, at this point?
Keep the mask on for another week at least.
There is a cold around, dry cough, itchy throat, and little else. Lost my voice for 2-3 days, but otherwise fine.
posted by kschang at 4:29 AM on July 13, 2022 [1 favorite]
There is a cold around, dry cough, itchy throat, and little else. Lost my voice for 2-3 days, but otherwise fine.
posted by kschang at 4:29 AM on July 13, 2022 [1 favorite]
So, it's my understanding based on papers like this, the story with BA.5 is that it's really good at infecting people who've had non-Omicron infections (OG COVID-19, Alpha, Delta), and much less good at reinfecting people who've had Omicron infections. It's also my understanding that Omicron makes up like 99%+ of all COVID-19 infections right now. So, from having an Omicron infection, you will probably have some degree of protection from BA.5 in the coming weeks/months even if you don't have BA.5 today.
As far as I know, you can still expect to have very high protection from the exact type that you're currently infected with - if you have BA.5, you are also producing BA.5-specific antibodies, which means you will likely have a good amount of protection from BA.5 for a while (great!). And if you have another type/subtype, yeah, you could get BA.5 a bit down the road but you won't get it from other people in your household (assuming you've all caught it from each other and have the same type - as you say, your FIL could have something else that he picked up at work).
What I would prioritize now is keeping the negative-testing people away from the positive-testing people and the symptomatic people away from the non-symptomatic people (recognizing that you only have so much control over your in-laws' behavior), and yeah keep masking when you can.
There are loads of 3M Auras at my local Home Depot but I see you're in Canada - I would offer to send you some but I'm guessing by the time they'd arrive you'll be all better. (But hey, memail me if you want!)
posted by mskyle at 4:34 AM on July 13, 2022 [4 favorites]
As far as I know, you can still expect to have very high protection from the exact type that you're currently infected with - if you have BA.5, you are also producing BA.5-specific antibodies, which means you will likely have a good amount of protection from BA.5 for a while (great!). And if you have another type/subtype, yeah, you could get BA.5 a bit down the road but you won't get it from other people in your household (assuming you've all caught it from each other and have the same type - as you say, your FIL could have something else that he picked up at work).
What I would prioritize now is keeping the negative-testing people away from the positive-testing people and the symptomatic people away from the non-symptomatic people (recognizing that you only have so much control over your in-laws' behavior), and yeah keep masking when you can.
There are loads of 3M Auras at my local Home Depot but I see you're in Canada - I would offer to send you some but I'm guessing by the time they'd arrive you'll be all better. (But hey, memail me if you want!)
posted by mskyle at 4:34 AM on July 13, 2022 [4 favorites]
If you're looking for mail order N95s, Canada Strong Masks are very reputable.
posted by stray at 4:46 AM on July 13, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by stray at 4:46 AM on July 13, 2022 [1 favorite]
I'd consider opening windows, if the weather outside is tolerable for this. Both ventilation and filtration are helpful. And I'm glad you're seeking N95s. It's good to have a bunch on hand.
Thanks for continuing to do this work to help not only your mother-in-law, but everybody else, too.
posted by eirias at 3:10 PM on July 13, 2022 [2 favorites]
Thanks for continuing to do this work to help not only your mother-in-law, but everybody else, too.
posted by eirias at 3:10 PM on July 13, 2022 [2 favorites]
Paxlovid is not available in Canada either.
In case it's helpful, Paxlovid actually is available in Canada. I know because I had it prescribed to me a little while back.
I had COVID (in Ontario) about a month ago, got a tele-health appointment, and hassled the doctor into prescribing me Paxlovid. He didn't want to; he was very confused about whether it was available, and whether I was eligible. I am technically not a candidate for it, in the sense that I am not at higher risk of severe illness from COVID, but there is no Paxlovid shortage and I was having a relatively bad experience, so I wanted it anyway. He checked with a pharmacy (!) and they agreed it was okay, so he wrote the prescription. It still took a while to get afterwards; I needed to call four pharmacies until I found one that had it in stock, and even they took 24 hours to fill the prescription, which felt like an eternity because I was really sick.
I took it on Day 4 of symptoms, started to feel better in about six hours, and felt more-or-less fine by the next morning. I did not have rebound symptoms afterwards.
I'm telling you this because you're saying your in-laws are elderly, which means they are eligible. It might be worth starting to activate your healthcare folks for your FIL and MIL, in case they need it.
posted by Susan PG at 7:02 PM on July 13, 2022 [1 favorite]
In case it's helpful, Paxlovid actually is available in Canada. I know because I had it prescribed to me a little while back.
I had COVID (in Ontario) about a month ago, got a tele-health appointment, and hassled the doctor into prescribing me Paxlovid. He didn't want to; he was very confused about whether it was available, and whether I was eligible. I am technically not a candidate for it, in the sense that I am not at higher risk of severe illness from COVID, but there is no Paxlovid shortage and I was having a relatively bad experience, so I wanted it anyway. He checked with a pharmacy (!) and they agreed it was okay, so he wrote the prescription. It still took a while to get afterwards; I needed to call four pharmacies until I found one that had it in stock, and even they took 24 hours to fill the prescription, which felt like an eternity because I was really sick.
I took it on Day 4 of symptoms, started to feel better in about six hours, and felt more-or-less fine by the next morning. I did not have rebound symptoms afterwards.
I'm telling you this because you're saying your in-laws are elderly, which means they are eligible. It might be worth starting to activate your healthcare folks for your FIL and MIL, in case they need it.
posted by Susan PG at 7:02 PM on July 13, 2022 [1 favorite]
The chances are quite high that you had BA.5 or BA.4. BA.4/5 were 75% of cases in late June (the latest data available for Ontario) and that would likely have been 80-90% by a week ago (mostly BA.5 by then). And protection from BA.4/5 against infection by the same variant isn't known via actual data yet, but it is likely to be pretty good (as it has been for every other variant). There's been a lot of noise online lately about how infection-acquired immunity doesn't work with Covid and so on, but a lot of it is pretty misleading or outright false. Yes, you shouldn't rely on a pre-Omicron infection to keep you safe now, but re-infections with the same variant remain quite rare.
posted by ssg at 4:53 PM on July 14, 2022
posted by ssg at 4:53 PM on July 14, 2022
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Since it's possible that any antibodies we develop from this are likely worthless against BA.5 (and, of course, we don't know if BA.5 is what we have)
Possible doesn't mean probable, and probable doesn't change the population-scale relevance of this situation. I encourage people to worry less about theoretical future problems and focus instead on how best to prepare yourself and, ultimetely, how best to react in the current situation. Questions about antibody relevance for this and future strains are super important at the scale of populations and regions. It's less important at the scale of a household. You're doing very, very good right now.
once we've do test negative a few times, should we continue to mask/isolate from my in-laws - even if they also continue to test negative?
How long are you willing to mask? When I had Covid recently, it took me ten days to get a negative test. I still wore my mask indoors around my partner, and largely stayed shut in a separate bedroom, until day 14. I would've felt justified for dropping the mask essentially as soon as I got a repeat negative test, but I'm happy to mask/isolate a bit longer to provide a buffer against uncertainty about viral persistence.
What is the most methodical way to approach this, at this point?
Keep up the diligent thinking you've clearly thought through on this. Honestly, that is doing you all more of a service than you may think. Infectious diseases are weird, malleable things, so there's no advice that applies uniformly. There's no static advice. It sounds like you're paying attention and not burned out on paying attention--that is laudable. Keep it up.
Otherwise, if you can tolerate it, set the example around your peers, friends, and strangers in the community or in your surroundings. I don't think I'll ever fly without wearing a mask. It's just too easy an intervention, and I quite liked having a couple years without the usual miserable lung shit that I used to get after any long haul flight. I say the same thing about the huge, crowded grocery store near me--I'm mask guy. I always have spares on me, because the number of people I strike up conversations with who ultimately say, well dang now I wish I'd brought a mask... it happens often enough that I'm happy to reach into my bag and present them with a sealed mask or two.
I'll be seeing my older parents in just a few weeks and I think about them every day--as I've thought about them every day--throughout this pandemic. They are my motivation. I won't stay away from them indefinitely, but I will continue to slightly inconvenience myself to ensure that I'm putting some very reasonable preventive measures between them and me. I will get every booster available to me, and as news changes I'll do my best to respond in kind.
Hang in there. Get plenty of rest and take care.
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 4:17 AM on July 13, 2022 [27 favorites]