Helpful COVID-19 Resources

Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) are a highly sensitive molecular tests that amplify small amounts of genetic material to detect the presence of a particular organism or virus, including COVID-19 variants. This video explains how Lucira’s molecular test kit works and will help you generally understand this testing method. Unlike antigen tests (like those at home tests that the US government sent out to for free), which only detect high viral loads, NAATs can detect an infection before symptoms appear and before you are infectious to others. By detecting an infection earlier, NAATs enable earlier treatment, increasing the chances of avoiding hospitalization, death, and long COVID.

The most accurate time to take nasal swab or saliva COVID tests is first thing in the morning before you brush your teeth, drink, eat, irrigate, or shower.  

There are a lot of changes going on with the pricing and availability of these tests right now, so check back here often. Below are three options that are currently (August 21, 2023) available for purchase in the US. 

Cue is a compact, portable molecular self-testing system authorized by the FDA without a prescription.

Cue’s molecular COVID-19 test ican detect small amounts of virus, including prevalent variants and subvariants of concern such as BA.5, BQ.1, BQ1.1, and XBB in people with or without symptoms.

Results are delivered in just 20 minutes, right to your mobile device — anytime, anywhere. This feature can be REALLY helpful if you are doing preventative testing.

Safe for use on adults (self-swabbing) and children ages 2 and up (swabbed by an adult). Cue’s COVID-19 test meets the testing requirements for air travel entry into most countries, including the U.S. and Canada.

Currently, these are the most expensive of the options here. You can order them online here.

Aptitude received FDA Emergency Use Authorization for the Metrix™ COVID-19 Test, the world’s first saliva / nasal swab (your choice) based molecular test for at-home and over-the-counter use without physician supervision. The test delivers results in 30 minutes or less.  Hardly anyone knows about this test, so if you know someone who has a medical condition that does not allow them to use nasal swabs or who even someone who just hates doing nasal swabs, please let them know about this saliva testing option. 

The Metrix Reader (the small black diagnostic device pictured above) works with the Metrix COVID-19 Test (the clear and blue single use insert). The black reader portion can be reused and can last for >1000 tests. The reader must be plugged in while the test is running.

Results are a little more accurate (have a higher sensitivity)  if you swab then if you do a saliva test. You choose which sample you want to provide.

Nasal swab samples (Video Demo): 98% sensitivity and 99% specificity
Saliva samples: (Demo Video): 91% sensitivity and 99% specificity.

10/15/23 It appears the readers and tests are sold out right now. I have a reader. If you have a Metrix test, are in the Los Angeles area, and need to use my reader, please do not hesitate to reach out to me. You can join the waitlist to be notified when the tests and readers they become available again here.

The Lucira CHECK-IT COVID-19 Test Kit is a single-use battery powered nasal swab based molecular test for at-home and over-the-counter use without physician supervision. The test delivers positive results in as few as 11 minutes and negative results in 30 minutes. You don’t need a phone, reader, access to an outlet, etc. to use this test. However, if you want a digital verified test result to transmit your results to public health authorites (or for travel, work, school and events!)  you can do that via text through their free “Luci Pass” program. 

When the Lucira test was compared to the Hologic Panther Fusion, one of the highest sensitivity FDA authorized SARS-CoV-2 PCR tests. Lucira achieved 98% accuracy.

Pfizer now owns Lucira and has paused manufacturing of the test kits. However, you can still find them for purchase online (check here in the USA and here in Canada.), but they may be close to their expiration dates. They also no longer offer a fast and free tele-health appointment to those who test positive. 

Once Pfizer is done reviewing  Lucira agreements and defining its distribution channels for existing customers, they plan on having more stock available.  

• Video Instructions for Use at Home
• Fact Sheet for Healthcare Provider

The main medication currently (March 2023) recommended to treat COVID is Paxlovid (Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir – 5 days), but not everyone can take it without altering the medications they normally take.

The Universit of Liverpool has a free, user friendly drug interactions chart. You can select COVID medications such as Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Paxlovid) and upload your current medication list. The website will ceck to see if there are any negative interactions between your medications and COVID medications. It will aslo draw up a detailed PDF that lists not only the issues, but also suggests possible solutions and alternate medications. This is a great tool for assisting you and your doctor to come up with a “go plan” in case you get COVID. When you plan ahead and know what to do as soon as you catch COVID, you are more likely to have a better outcome. Early treatment makes a big difference.

They also have mobile apps!

University of Liverpool Interaction Checker

2023 – 2024 COVID-19 Boosters:

10/15/23 Updated (based on XBB.1.5) Boosters:

Updated Novavax, Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are now currently available. The information in black below has not been fully updated to reflect these changes yet. I will be making gradual updates to the info in black below in the next few days. I still think Novavax’s protien subunit vaccine is the best option for most people who need a booster. Protein-based vaccines use small pieces of protein from a virus and teach your body how to recognize them. They deliver the protein directly to your immune system.For more info. watch the presentations from Moderna, Novavax, and Pfizer-BioNtech at the September 12, 2023 Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) Meeting.

There are 3 updated COVID boosters that are currently available to people in the United States. The dosage is less for younger kids for both the Moderna and Pfizer bivalent booster vaccines. Here is some very basic info. on them. If ever there was a time in the last few years to have a trusted doctor who knows about your individual medical history, the risks of these vaccines, and how well these vaccines work to protect you from the current and likely incoming variants in your area give you advice on which one or even if you should take them- this is that time.

It’s my belief that Novavax is currently (Oct 15, 2023)  the best booster option for most booster eligible adults in the USA. Please read curent scientific studies on the efficacy and safety mRNA vaccines yourself before taking one and ask your treating physican if they know about Novavax if they recommend an mRNA  to you and do not mention Novavax as an option. Many doctors either don’t know about Novavax or only offer patients the best thing they have right there in their office. Here is a link to better uderstand the difference between MRNA vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna) and protein subunit vaccines (Novavax). I’ll be giving a little more details about Novavax here because it is the least known and in my opinion the best of what is available in the USA now.

New Boosters for New Variants:
Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax reformulated their COVID booster vaccines to all be monovalent (this would not be a change for Novavax) and targeted to combat the newer XBB.1.5 variant and other XBB sub lineages. These vaccines have all received Emergency Use Authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna’s boosters are mRNA vaccines. Novavax’s booster is a protein subunit vaccine and the only non-mRNA COVID-19 vaccine available in the USA. 

Getting an mRNA Vaccine and Flu Shot at the Same Time?

While you CAN get an mRNA vaccine and flu shot at the same time (at least an inch apart). This  July 15, 2022 study  found that people who got an mRNA COVID-19 booster vaccine (either Pfizer or Moderna) and a flu vaccine at the same time were 8% to 11% more likely  to have reactions including fatigue, headache, and muscle ache than people who only got a COVID-19 mRNA booster vaccine. These reactions were mostly mild and usually went away quickly.

Pfizer-BioNTech:
Bivalent COVID-19 Vaccines for use as a booster dose
“Pre-clinical data show that the updated COVID-19 vaccine generates improved neutralizing antibody responses against multiple circulating Omicron-related sublineages including XBB.1.5, BA.2.86 (Pirola), and EG.5.1 (Eris)”

Age Group: 5+ years 
Required 2+ Month Interval Between Primary Series & Booster Doses
Available Now
Get the Fact Sheet here.

Moderna:
Bivalent COVID-19 Vaccines for use as a booster dose
Age Group: 6+ years old
Required 2+ month interval between primary series & booster doses
Available Now
Get the fact sheet here.

Novavax:
Protein subunit COVID-19 vaccine (technology that’s been used 30+ years before in other vaccines, like flu, hepatitis B, and whooping cough)
Booster Age Group: 12+ years old
Required 2+ month interval between primary series & booster doses
Available At These Locations as of 10/13/23
Get the fact sheet here.

How is the Novavax vaccine given?

Individuals previously vaccinated with one or more doses of a monovalent COVID‑19 vaccine or a bivalent COVID‑19 vaccine: A single dose is administered at least 2 months after the last previous dose of any monovalent or bivalent COVID‑19 vaccine.

Individuals not previously vaccinated with any COVID‑19 vaccine: Two doses are administered 3 weeks apart.

Immunocompromised individuals 12 years of age and older: Additional doses of Novavax COVID‑19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted may be administered. For more information, talk to your child’s healthcare provider.

Does the Novavax vaccine offer protection from the current / new variants?
 “The Emergency Use Authorization  was based on non-clinical data showing that Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine induced functional immune responses against XBB.1.5, XBB.1.16 and XBB.2.3 variants. Additional non-clinical data demonstrated that Novavax’s vaccine induced neutralizing antibody responses to newly emerging subvariants BA.2.86, EG.5.1(Eris) FL.1.5.1 and XBB.1.16.6 as well as robust CD4+ polyfunctional cellular (T-cell) responses against EG.5.1 and XBB.1.16.6. These data indicate Novavax’s vaccine can stimulate both arms of the immune system and may induce a broad response against currently circulating variants.” 

WHAT ARE THE INGREDIENTS IN THIS VACCINE?
The Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted contains a recombinant form of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein produced from baculovirus infected Sf9 (fall armyworm) insect cells and Matrix- MTM adjuvant containing saponins derived from the soapbark tree (Quillaja saponaria Molina).
Other ingredients include cholesterol, phosphatidylcholine, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, potassium chloride, disodium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate, sodium chloride, disodium hydrogen phosphate heptahydrate, sodium dihydrogen phosphate monohydrate, polysorbate 80.
The vaccine may also contain small amounts of baculovirus and insect cell proteins and DNA.

HAS THIS NOVAVAX COVID19 VACCINE BEEN USED BEFORE?
Tens of thousands of people (including Mary and many of her family members, fellow dancers, and friends) 12 years of age and older have received Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted (Not this XBB.1.5 version -the original monovalent) under EUA. In clinical trials, approximately 28,500 individuals 12 years of age and older have received at
least one dose of Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted (Again, not this XBB.1.5 version- the original monovalent).

Approximately 1000 individuals have received at least a single dose of a Novavax monovalent or bivalent vaccine containing different spike proteins of SARS-CoV-2 prior to this updated vaccine becoming available to the public. This updated booster being offered now is made in the same way as the earlier Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted (Original monovalent that Mary first got), but this new one contains the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant lineage XBB.1.5 so that it better matches the Omicron variants of COVID that are currently circulating. This version just became available at places like Costco, CVS, Giant, Publix, Rite Aid, and Stop & Shop on Oct. 13. 2023.

Labcorp offers a SARS-CoV-2 Semi-Quantitative Total Antibody, Spike test. It is:

Labcorp 164090

This test will tell you if you made any or how many antibodies you currently have against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein receptor binding domain from either a COVID vaccine and/or a previous SARS-CoV-2 infection.

If your doctor orders it, it will be free, but adults can also order it themselves (minors must have a doctor’s order) here:
https://patient.labcorp.com/v1/covid-19-antibody-test

Rapid antigen tests, like the free ones the government gives out (order yours for free here) detect molecules on the virus’s surface, called antigens. The most accurate time to take nasal swab COVID tests is first thing in the morning before you brush your teeth, drink, eat, smoke, vape, irrigate, or shower. 

Do blow your nose and wash your hands before the test.

Hopefully, you did not have to learn the hard way that antigen tests will only show positive AFTER someone is extremely contagious and that a negative antigen test does not rule out having COVID and you may be contagious even when your antigen test is negative. Antigen tests can determine that a person has COVID. 

My favorite use for antigen tests is to objectively see if the amount of virus detected in an infected persons nasal swab is increasing or decreasing. (See picture above) The line labeled C is the control line and the T line is the COVID test result. The darker the T line- the more viral particles the test registered. You can see how the blue T line gets lighter and then goes away as this person’s viral load is decreasing.

“Expired” Antigen Tests 

Many antigen tests have had their expiration dates extended past the date listed on the box label. If you still have “expired” tests sitting around, you can use this link to check to see if the expiration date has been extended. You’ll need the manufacturer, test name, original expiration date, and lot number.

https://readimask.com 

Protection meets comfort with this Readimask that covers your eyes as well as your nose and mouth. Single use. This mask is a great choice for high risk environments like elevators, grocery stores, dance classes, etc.

Reusable Readimasks

Reusable strapless mask. I recommend using them in combination with swim goggles in high risk situations. There is a clear label with white marketing writing across the top of these masks. You can carefully tear it off before wearing the mask to improve the look of the mask. (Then it will look like the mask in this picture.)

The NIOSH Certified (TC-84A-8133) N1900 series

Sizing:

Small/Petite size ReadiMask N95 Respirator fits people with slimmer faces, many woman, and most children and features a repositionable hypoallergenic medical adhesive. The dimensions are 6 and 7/8 inches wide x 5 and 3/8 inches high.

Large Gray size ReadiMask N95 Respirator fits most average sized adults (both men and women) and features a repositionable hypoallergenic medical adhesive. The dimensions are 7 and 7/8 inches wide by 5 and 7/8 inches high.

Special Popluations:

These strapless masks are a life saver for people with nerve damage in the places where a strap would touch – ears, back of the head, and along the jaw (It can be applied above the jaw if need be- try the smaller sized masks first if this applies to you.) They are also great for people who wear hearing aids, have problems with their glasses fogging up, want a higher level of protection, or who are just uncomfortable wearing tight straps. Most people don’t know this highly effective low profile light weight mask exists, so if you know someone who may benefit from them, please buy one for them to try or send them a link so they can know this mask option exists.

Features:

Enhanced protection in hazardous environments. Complete perimeter seal via a hypoallergenic medical adhesive. Comfortable and offers easy breathing. Controls exposure to: Infections transmitted via the airborne route, spores, allergens, mold, dust, debris, insulation, pepper spray, pollution, smoke particles, and other airborne particles. 

Changes and Updates:

As of July 31, 2023 most of the grey masks are out of stock indefinitely. The only size left in grey is XL. The yellow half masks have a new adhesive becasue of competition/ supply chain issues. They new adhesive is stronger so it will keep a good seal longer, however it is more likely to hurt when pulling it off and/or create a skin reaction.

Buy them here:  https://readimask.com

IQAir Atem Desk Air Purifier for Home, Office, Desktop, Small Room or Personal Space up to 150 sq ft, HyperHEPA Filter Technology for Bacteria, Viruses (such as COVID), Allergens, Pets, Asthma Triggers, Pollen, Dust down to 0.003 microns.  It is available in black or white. You can buy them here.

I take mine with me everywhere. This filter is epecially helpful if you are going to be forced to take your mask off for some reason (dental cleaning, TSA wanting to see your face to get through security, needing to eat and drink in a public space, etc.)

About Sinus Irrigators

Sinus irrigators are a game changer for anyone who gets allergies and sinus infections. They clean out your sinuses by shooting clean warm water and saline through them. The water enters through one nostril and exits through the otherMy personal belief is if you irrigate very soon after being exposed to COVID, it just might rid you of it before it gets a chance to get established in your body. Obviously don’t count on that and please use this as an additional precaution not in place of wearing a mask rated N95 or higher and avoiding potential exposures to the virus. I also believe irrigating will probably make your case of COVID less severe and make you less infectious if you do catch it than if you are not irigating. (Let me know if you have any evidence that proves otherwise!)

Look for an electric nasal irrigator that has a pulsing action. If you currently use a Neti Pot, that’s great, because using a an electric irrigator will be an easy upgrade for you. However, don’t think- oh I already have a Neti Pot, I don’t need this. Electric irrigators do a MUCH better job at cleaning out your sinuses.

This irrigator one is my travel irrigator. It’s not quite as good as the others I have tried, but it’s good enough to get the job done and it’s a good use of precious suitcase / bathroom counter space.

This duel nostril irrigator has a very unique and cool design.  I like that the dirty water is collected inside the irrigator rather than dripping from your nose into your sink. This seems like it could be a good choice for someone who shares a bathroom with other people. It’s also great for someone who is bedridden. You can purchase it here.

This last one is the best of the all the ones I have tried, but you may not be able to get one. The makers of it now sell this one which isn’t as good as the one pictured here, but it is the best currently easily available one that I have tested myself.

Don’t let an amoebae eat your brain! 
Only distilled or boiled water should be used to irrigate because tap water can contain bacteria. The FDA has warned that using improperly purified water for nasal irrigation can lead to infections or even brain eating amoebae! You’ll need to boil tap water (five and a half minutes in the microwave works for me) and let it cool until it is just warm or use distilled water so that no bad stuff in the water gets shot into your nose. These bacteria are not a problem when you’re drinking tap water because they are destroyed by the acid in your stomach. But, when sprayed directly into the nose, they bacteria can grow. You also need to warm the water (30 seconds in the microwave works for me) and dissolve the sinus rinse packets (the # of packets used per fill will depend on the size of your irrigator) into the water before you use it. Follow the instructions for which ever one you get to irrigate through your nose. If you use clean and warm water with sinus rinse packets nasal irritation feels really good. If you skip any of these steps it will be very uncomfortable/painful and can cause dangerous health problems like the scarey amoebaes pictured above eating away at your brain zombie style!

Keep it clean

Clean the inside and outside of your irrigation device with soap and tap water. This step is important to remove particle matter like mucus and other grime. It will allow the subsequent disinfectant to work more optimally. Disinfect the device in one of two ways (both of which destroy bacteria and viruses including COVID-19) Boil all components of the device in water for five minutes or rinse the inside of the device and clean the rest of it with 70% isopropyl alcohol. Leave open to air dry.

You can buy my favorite sinus rinse packets here.  Use them with room temperature / warm sterilized water and a hydropulse nasal irrigator like the ones above. You may find them in store at CVS or Walgreens as well. Whatever sinus rinse packets you use, be sure to follow the directions on the # of packets per ounce of water closely.

Boil your saline container and spoon / mixing utensil for 10 minutes or clean them in the dishwasher to sterilize them prior to use (see scary amoebae pic above!).The water should feel good going through your sinuses. The wrong ratio of non-iodized salt to water or hot or cold temps will make it painful / unpleasant.

DYI Saline Formulation Recipe:

Add these ingredients to a clean container (I make mine directly in a clean glass measuring cup) and stir well before adding your formulation to your irrigator.

• 2 cups of distilled or boiled water (at room temperature or slightly warmer)
• 1 teaspoon of non-iodized salt (required)
• 1 teaspoon xylitol crystals (optional)Bonus Ingredient:
• 2-3 drops of grapefruit seed extract (optional)

Find the latest data on variants of concern and the lineages with #s above 1% circulating in the United States here.

CDC Data Tracker Wastewater Surveillance

Biobot Analytics Covid-19 Wastewater Monitoring in the U.S.