A good friend of mine has always asked me to get a PCR test the day before visiting her. She's not immunocompromised, but has some physical limitations and mobility issues so going to doctors or needing to stay in the hospital is an extremely stressful situation for her. Anyhow, I live in the Boston area where we always had free PCR testing. Unfortunately that test center shut down last month. The alternatives seem to be urgent care centers, CVS, or hospitals. I think you need to have symptoms for insurance to cover it (and I'm guessing there are co-pays). Partly because of this strict testing demand, she doesn't get many visitors. Rapid tests aren't sufficient for her. She is adamant that she can't get COVID. It is starting to feel like I'm doing all these crazy accommodations for this person that are sacrifices from my point of view. It seems like unless I find some other system for getting a no-questions-asked PCR test, which seems to be requiring a bunch of legwork at this point, I just have to tell her she needs to accept that she's made it so people can't visit. I can also offer to see her in a few months when it warms up and we can sit on her porch. I'm already starting to feel resentful about it. Edited to add: I'm wondering if *generally speaking* there are limitations or drawbacks from going through insurance to get a PCR for a non-urgent reason (besides likely co-pays). I know insurance coverage varies a lot but it seems like something I wouldn't want to do for a frivolous reason.

How do you talk about COVID with a good friend who's now on their second round of it? I didn't even know till today that she'd had her first case back in January '22 (omicron). She lives across the country from me, and probably didn't want to worry me. See, she is pro-vaccine; I'm not sure about the masking--certainly not against it, but I have no idea just by looking at Facebook whether she masks consistently or not. She just basically has more of a carefree attitude about being out in public, indoors, in big groups, and just in general seeing people. This time it sounds like she got COVID either from her very elderly parents when she went to them to help out (thinking they had some sort of respiratory virus), or from their caretaker, so I'm hesitant to further depress her with how it's really bad to have cumulative cases of it. I guess I'll keep quiet. Also she's in her late 60s (though in very good health) and doesn't plan to take Paxlovid. Thanks for listening; I guess I just feel better writing things out.

Is there a definitive, reliable test that would be able to detect antibodies from a past case of COVID? And NOT from vaccine response. Longwinded me me me context is that a friend who means very well and wants to be sure I use the best masks assumes I’ve had asymptomatic COVID, considering I’ve had some lax experiences with masking and I haven’t been completely avoiding people. She’s very hardline because with her medical situation she can’t chance getting long COVID herself. I live in a city with access to free PCR testing, and tested weekly during the then-height of the pandemic. If I had cold symptoms I’d home- and PCR test…I know it sounds like what’s the point of worrying over the past, etc etc. But I’d like to know whether I’m at risk for vascular/clotting problems in the future…she’s said even asymptomatic cases are likely to have subclinical damage later on. For what it’s worth I have a few underlying conditions where I can’t imagine having COVID without even knowing it. Friend is looking at it from a scientific/statistical angle. Sorry for the ramble. If nothing else, it’s nice to vent here. :)

Just basically, has anyone here tried (or know someone who's tried) ketamine therapy for depression or anxiety? I have a few family members who do it and they are really happy with the results. It's quite expensive out of pocket and my insurance will not cover it (on rare occasions they do, but I don't meet the criteria). So anyway, worth it if it can help a lot more than ADs have. I will not do talk therapy anymore either. I can live with the status quo, but at this point I'm thinking I shouldn't have to, and I'd love to hear a range of experiences. Thanks.

Really good article. Extremely sad and maddening. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/nov/23/samantha-willis-was-a-beloved-young-pregnant-mother-did-bad-vaccine-advice-cost-her-her-life