Blood Types and Covid-19

@fiesty76 @jack32 - I am in the same boat. 76, many risk factors and my husband same. We live in a beach tourist area where everything is a free for all now. Tourist are coming , acting as if they never heard of the pandemic. Number of positives increasing of course.
We stay home all the time, except quick trips to pharmacy and to get food.
I keep busy taking care of our two old dogs, each with health issues. Walking them twice a day.
We are also selling things on eBay.
I do crossword puzzles and I’m impressed the brain still works. I also take part in discussions in a couple of interest groups on Fb - I think I definitely do that more now than before.
Trying to be patient and not think too far ahead!

Hi, @jack32, Because I have multiple chronic health conditions and am a "young-at-heart" 76 year old, I have been self-quarantined since March 13th. Typically one who likes to "delve deeper" and research various topics or concerns, I initially listened to daily news reports about the spread of COVID-19. Since I am also an "easy" worrier, I have been surprised at how I've managed to not become outlandishly anxious or depressed over these past weeks.

However, last week both personal and national events, coupled with my community and state throwing the public restart doors wide open, overwhelmed me. I decided that I needed to take a break from all tv and media news reports. Regardless of what is happening outside my control, I am spending more time in doing physical things like walks, gardening and indulging in music, books and hobbies that interest and relax me. My age and conditions haven't changed but the direction I've chosen to spend most of my time is restoring my calm. Local and state COVID numbers are important to me because they will determine how much longer I will choose to isolate. What diversions do you enjoy that bring you pleasure and more peace of mind?

@jack32 & @johnbishop I know John invited me in here for a reason - maybe because I always say "Stay tuned for further developments."

I am going to play the skeptic here - it's WAY too early to pay attention to any "preliminary studies." There are far more unknowns and speculations than facts, and even this week two early reports from The Lancet have been withdrawn pending further review. Because of the newness of this virus, there are no results available yet from unbiased, controlled studies done over a reasonable period of time and then peer-reviewed, which is the gold standard for research studies.

There are only reports of what has been observed in people who got the virus. The problem with those reports is that we still don't understand who is more likely to get the virus. We do have some indication that certain factors like age, obesity, and diabetes make complications from Covid-19 more likely if you get it. And there are indications that the closeness and duration of exposure make getting the virus more likely.

For now, when considering how much weigh to give any study, consider the following:
Is the study "observational" only, or is it an intentional, controlled study?
Where is it being reported, the general media or a scientific journal?
How many people or places does the study cover, and how many doctors/scientists/institutions not otherwise afiliated with one another are part of the study?
Are the same results being reported independently in multiple studies?
Was the study peer reviewed before publication?

For myself, I consider an observational study, not peer reviewed and reported in the media to be "not ready for prime time" and I await confirmation as outlined . If it is true that people with A+ blood get more complications, it will be further studied and reported. Or it may be determined that those people are more susceptiple to getting a certain disease or illness, and that underlying illness predisposes one to more severe Covid-19 or more complications.

The best strategy at this point is to do what John says and follow precautions based on your personal risk factors. Especially, wash your hands frequently and maintain social distance.

Sue

@fiesty76 @jack32 - I am in the same boat. 76, many risk factors and my husband same. We live in a beach tourist area where everything is a free for all now. Tourist are coming , acting as if they never heard of the pandemic. Number of positives increasing of course.
We stay home all the time, except quick trips to pharmacy and to get food.
I keep busy taking care of our two old dogs, each with health issues. Walking them twice a day.
We are also selling things on eBay.
I do crossword puzzles and I’m impressed the brain still works. I also take part in discussions in a couple of interest groups on Fb - I think I definitely do that more now than before.
Trying to be patient and not think too far ahead!

Ingegerd - I recently took up crossword puzzles again after having essentially been in what I call "Covid Shock" (generalized mental stupor!) for the past three months or so. To my great surprise, that little crosswords corner of my brain still functions and spits out the right answer far more often than the rest of the brain spits out answers to easier, more mundane problems, such as "did I turn off that water hose?" The crosswords corner must have a moat and/or a briar hedge around it.

@zep, Liking and laughing at your definition of "Covid Shock" ! Describes me to a tee. I can still manage my online games but the only other time I feel energized is seeing a pesky weed shooting up in one of the gardens.

@fiesty76 @jack32 - I am in the same boat. 76, many risk factors and my husband same. We live in a beach tourist area where everything is a free for all now. Tourist are coming , acting as if they never heard of the pandemic. Number of positives increasing of course.
We stay home all the time, except quick trips to pharmacy and to get food.
I keep busy taking care of our two old dogs, each with health issues. Walking them twice a day.
We are also selling things on eBay.
I do crossword puzzles and I’m impressed the brain still works. I also take part in discussions in a couple of interest groups on Fb - I think I definitely do that more now than before.
Trying to be patient and not think too far ahead!

@johnbishop As far as things opening up . I,m staying at home for about 6 weeks to see if virus is coming back because of this . I concerned right now for a friend who is going to a birthday party tomorrow ,don,t know how many people will be there but told her she maybe at risk going

I am just as hesitant to venture out and will take as many precautions as always.....the less time spent in public the better...also,now I have an outpatient surgery scheduled for 6/17 and do not want to take any risks!