HomeMy WebLinkAbout090222 Retraction _ correction_ KPTZ — 8_22 Dr Berry COVID question for BOCC________________________________
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Hello Dr. Berry,
I shared the below email concern about outdoor transmission after testing positive on an at-home test on Sun 8/21. I am actually glad that my question / concern got in too late to be
included on air on Mon 8/22, because:
* On 8/22 I tested negative on an at-home test.
* My doctor recommended a PCR test, which I did on Mon -- negative
* I continued to test negative throughout the week (in preparation for welcoming an immunocompromised house guest)
So, my "false positive?" remains a bit of a mystery... or is at least is statistically unlikely, but possible. Perhaps I fell into that category or perhaps I tested on the tail end of
such a mild infection that one day it registered at home and the next day it did not -- not on the PCR and not on the at-home test. Either way, I leave it to your discretion to address
or not address on KPTZ because I think it all just muddies the water and adds to confusion about how reliable the testing is and how transmissible we think this variant is.
I remain ever so grateful for your messaging, for Willie's team's vaccination event logistics, for our community's availability for quick testing, and for our public health and hospital
teams' ability to interpret results and help people who need help accessing treatment and support.
Thank you!
Kathryn
On Mon, Aug 22, 2022 at 5:36 AM Kathryn Maly <kathrynmaly@gmail.com <mailto:kathrynmaly@gmail.com> > wrote:
Dear Dr. Berry,
I listen to your report weekly. Thank you for your leadership, excellent reporting, and clear guidance.
I’m 49, double vaccinated and one booster Dec 2021. My husband and I have been happily socializing on the beach, trails and in backyards in very small groups. Our only indoor exposure
risk is KN95 masked grocery shopping and occasional errands.
After feeling chilled and a bit achy, I tested positive yesterday with what is so far a mild case. I believe that you had previously reported that the only outside exposure cases the
JC health department had traced were super close, heavy breathing during exercise contact — crew and football.
I’m quite confident that my likely exposure was either the outside rally in support of trans rights on Mon 8/15 or the Thurs 8/18 “Under the Tent” event to raise awareness about our
housing crises (which is also a public health crisis). At both events I was at the edge of crowds unmasked and keeping a distance, or KN95 masked if close in.
Knowing how careful I am, my epidemiologist friend was shocked that I turned up positive (on the at home Cue test) and recommended that I test again, which I will this morning.
I’m wondering if you and your staff are hearing other outside exposure stories. I also just want folks to know how SUPER contagious this variant must be, especially with 7,000 folks
coming to PT for the THING festival at Fort Worden this weekend.
In hindsight, if I’d REALLY not been willing to be exposed, I should have worn a mask at outside events, even though I was on the perimeter and speaking to folks at a distance. Instead,
I know I’m in good company as my body fights what was likely a small dose of the virus and as I develop hybrid immunity.
I reported my positive at-home test case through your on-line system and read the super handy flowchart regarding my isolation period.
Thanks for the amazing work you are doing to educate us and keep our community healthy.
Kathryn Maly