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Illinois COVID-19 Trend Tracking – are case counts going up or down?

6/24/20 – The 7 day average was pretty flat this week, rather than trending down as it had been.  Also, today the case count was higher than would have been expected, which is a worrisome sign. I created the above graph because Illinois cases are tracked weirdly, with low cases recorded on the weekends and those extra cases reported during the week.  In order to get a better sense of… Read More »Illinois COVID-19 Trend Tracking – are case counts going up or down?

Illinois COVID-19 – did we peak yet??? (Tracking Deaths)

I created this page for my own use as Illinois has weekly trends that make it hard to tell the overall trend.  By doing a 7 day moving average, I think it is easier to see where we are. Update 6/24/20 – I’ve added a new post on tracking COVID cases in Illinois, as tracking deaths will not show us trends as quickly as tracking cases.  This was a good… Read More »Illinois COVID-19 – did we peak yet??? (Tracking Deaths)

COVID-19 Antibody Testing Experience with Quest

Every time I venture out where I encounter other people, I ask myself if it was worth it.  I don’t do it often, but I decided to do it to get a blood test for antibodies to COVID-19. Why did I bother?  I’m hoping and wonder like everyone else if that cold that I had in the last few months could have been a mild case of coronavirus.  And if… Read More »COVID-19 Antibody Testing Experience with Quest

American Dog Tick Bite – Northern Illinois

My daughter got bitten by a tick.  First, she reported something itchy on her scalp.  Upon inspection, we noticed this tick: Rather than looking online to see what to do, we removed it with our fingernails, removing a small piece of her scalp with it. You shouldn’t do that – you should remove it with a sharp pointed tweezers, grabbing as close to the skin as possible and gently pull… Read More »American Dog Tick Bite – Northern Illinois

Illinois COVID-19 Tracking with Graphs

Updated 4/26/20 at 17:15.  I hadn’t updated for a while as other websites are getting better at also tracking this data.  Overall, tracking numbers of cases is only slightly useful, as there are clearly many more cases that are not being identified.  Tracking deaths is much more accurate as we are probably tracking most deaths related to COVID accurately.  Tracking the ratio of positive tests to total number of tests… Read More »Illinois COVID-19 Tracking with Graphs

Coronavirus COVID-19 – Can you get re-infected after recovery?

One of the big unanswered questions is whether someone is immune to reinfection with COVID-19 after they’ve recovered from a positive case.  The current thought is that people are most likely immune.  But what is the evidence?  Unfortunately, it is still not a confirmed finding. There was a recent report giving some information about four cases in Wuhan China where the individuals initially tested positive for COVID-19 and then recovered. … Read More »Coronavirus COVID-19 – Can you get re-infected after recovery?

COVID-19 Home Test Kits – Reviewed

Update March 28, 2020 – On March 24, 2020, the FDA released a more detailed statement about novel coronavirus COVID-19 testing which includes the following statement: The FDA has also seen unauthorized fraudulent test kits for COVID-19 being sold online. Currently, the only way to be tested for COVID-19 is to talk to your health care provider. The FDA has not authorized any test that is available to purchase for… Read More »COVID-19 Home Test Kits – Reviewed

Fraudulent Covid-19 Test Kits – FDA warning misleading?

Update March 28, 2020 – the FDA posted more detailed information on March 24, 2020, clarifying that they will not be authorizing any home testing under the emergency use authorization, but they are still exploring home testing once it has been fully reviewed as accurate. ——————————————— The FDA issued a warning letter about fraudulent COVID-19 test kits on March 20, 2020.  I read the letter and unfortunately it is not… Read More »Fraudulent Covid-19 Test Kits – FDA warning misleading?

Shakeology Alternatives for Weight Loss – Cheaper Options

Short answer: The best alternative I’ve found so far is at Costco called Orgain USDA Organic Plant Protein with Superfoods Powder.   It is $29.99 for approximately 24 servings, for a price of $1.25 per serving.  The main ingredients that I believe likely contribute to feeling full (which is what is most important for weight loss – for me at least) are protein and fiber.  Each serving has 21 grams of… Read More »Shakeology Alternatives for Weight Loss – Cheaper Options

Flu shot not covered at urgent care location

I’m irritated.  More than even my usual self.  I have always gone to my local outpatient immediate care center for flu shots and my insurance has always covered them.  Every year.  This year my insurance carrier decided to deny the claim, saying that preventative services provided at an urgent care location are not covered.  They said to review my benefits book for details. I look through my benefits book and… Read More »Flu shot not covered at urgent care location