Today’s attendance:
 

 

Visitors:  

Zoom meeting today.

 

 Birthdays & Anniversaries – Linda’s Birthday, Michele’s Birthday

 

Guest Speaker Dean Thompson on Covid 

Dean apologized for being patient zero, though everyone reminded him there was no need to apologise. He referred to Nathan’s slide TNT, as in Try New Things, from last week’s presentation. So he tried COVID.

Dean has endeavoured to be as open as possible despite Health Dept emphasis on privacy, as that has shown to assist others. We are all in this together.

His daughter is at school in Hamilton, and had taken on the two shots for summer mantra. She went to Soundsplash then to her school Outdoor pursuits camp in Taupo with the entire female cohort of 160. Dean and Claire picked her up in Rotorua on Thursday night. Two girls had gone home sick. She got tested Friday morning and been in isolation since.

Dean and Claire were tested on Saturday after golf having received advice that day one of the girls at camp had tested positive.

Dean and Claire have been in isolation since.

By Saturday night Claire developed symptoms with Dean’s materialising on Sunday afternoon.

He described it for him as like a summer flu, with a sore throat and blocked nose. Dean has sweats during the day, but still has an appetite (that’s not code for send food!).

The result from Dean’s test was confirmed by our very own (and his) Doc Matson who was contacted when Dean had not had test results by Wednesday – “your test is positive! “ The MoH confirmed this 7 hours later. Claire got tested again and is still waiting.

He immediately informed his covid response person at work. Those close to Dean at work had Rapid Antigen tests – all negative but now isolating for a week and have had tests.  The guys he played golf with have been tested. No one outside the bubble has tested positive yet.

He was contacted by Health officials, but they couldn’t tell him what kind of Covid he had.

His daughter has now tested positive at test 3.

Dean has learnt that contact tracing works. The slightest interaction with someone can mean that you get it. Health staff are really good, but communication is very slow and not coordinated in a family situation where everyone gets a different person and no one understands they are all in the same bubble.

Isolation rules will need to change in a big household.

Some people won’t test because of the perceived implications, but will still isolate. He has heard of flatmates who have locked a sick flatmate in their room.

A doctor has been assigned to Dean’s case but still doesn’t know what strain. He thinks the processes could be handled better although the people are all good to deal with – just limited answers at times

Dean stresses the need for vaccination and thinks that unless you are compromised the vaccinations mean you can sleep easy.

Dean didn’t realize how impactful he could be on Tauranga society. From Friday to Saturday morning he has impacted on Tauranga Club, Rotary Club, Holland Beckett Law and the golf club. He has received many messages of support from the community and the collegiality has been appreciated. He has started googling unusual stuff such as do dogs carry covid, as the dog still craves attention?

 

Mary asked if we can get RATs. The answer is not as yet, although some private businesses have them.

 

Indeevar says RATs tests are useful (though not generally available) but they return a negative if you have low viral load. Get a result in 20 minutes.

 

Ron asked the incubation period. Neil stated we are still learning particularly in regard to Omicron. Perhaps two to three days. It appears to affect the upper rather than lower airways which why we aren’t getting such a surge of illness. Neil is classed a casual contact of Dean and can go to work unless he gets symptoms. He has a daily RATs and wears a high grade mask. If you’re asymptomatic at ten days you’re probably clear.

 

Shiv asked about isolation for everyone at the meeting. Neil explained if you were in the room but didn’t spend 10 to 15 minutes talking to Dean you are a casual contact. A small group who for example sat with him may be close contacts and need a swab.

 

Immunity: Dean could have the benefit of increased immunity from this, but the science isn’t clear as yet.

 

Mary thanked Dean for an enlightening presentation, which was echoed by the club as a whole.

 

Someone must have know something because the only attendance was bulletin editor Greg, who was eventually joined by Dan. Even Mr Friday Fives himself, Ken, was missing in inaction!