Two Annoyances

[jesse_the_k]

MyGuy is feeling "no symptoms" from COVID, but he's still testing positive. Masking inside is tedious. I sleep much better when we're sharing a bed. Grr, arrrgh.

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My Mac is twitchy and cranky. None of my smart mailboxes in Mail are showing what worked two months ago. Mail Activity shows "Moving messages ..." with a value that doubles every day (Friday it was 12, today it's 115).

My Safari extensions are failing randomly.

I've got several backups and I'm planning to wipe and reinstall and start fresh, which I haven't done since Mountain Lion!

If there's pitfalls to avoid, please let me know.

Comments

[princessofgeeks]

I'm clueless about the new Mac software, but in regard to covid, it's my understanding that you don't have to wait for a negative test. You can still test positive after you are no longer contagious if you have been sick with covid. YMMV.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/isolation.html

CDC’s guidance keeps changing

[jesse_the_k]

I’m at higher risk thanks to asthma. At that link, CDC says

Note: If your antigen test results are positive, you may still be infectious. You should continue wearing a mask and wait at least 48 hours before taking another test. Continue taking antigen tests at least 48 hours apart until you have two sequential negative results. This may mean you need to continue wearing a mask and testing beyond day 10.

Re: CDC’s guidance keeps changing

[sheafrotherdon]

The CDC also changed the isolation guidelines at the behest of Delta, not because of the science. So waiting for a negative test seems very wise.

Re: CDC’s guidance keeps changing

[princessofgeeks]

Sounds good!

[marina]

Re: covid, guidelines here say you can still test positive up to 3 months after infection, because the test is checking for a certain percent of antibodies in your system, not for the virus itself, and to catch it as early as possible they have to make the % of antibodies pretty low, so on the way "out" it'll still be triggered even though the infection has been functionally defeated and the person is no longer contagious.

Of course it's different once you're at highest risk, and not worth taking the chance, but just wanted to share that because I found it useful to keep in mind when I've had covid. Like I may start testing negative as soon as I have no symptoms, or it may take months, and those require different mental and physical preparations in terms of people I'm going to see, etc.

Anyway, sorry if this was useless info, and sending warm wishes for a speedy transition to negative results!

All data is useful, thanks!

[jesse_the_k]

The only downside to caution is boredom.

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2022/06/30/1108615724/positive-test-isolation

This mid-2022 story also quotes the three months positive period, but in the context of PCR tests. Their tl;dr is “we don’t have hard data,” and given the withdrawal of close federal attention, I don’t know if any more hard data collection and analysis has happened in the intervening months.

Thanks for the good wishes

[bibliofile]

I'm glad your guy is feeling better, even if he is testing positive. Feeling better is to be preferred, yes?

Alas, I am no help on the computer stuff.

[jesse_the_k]

Feeling better is excellent!

[wendelah1]

I thought after five days, if people were asymptomatic, they didn't have to quarantine? Have TPTB changed their mind about that again? Or are you being extra-cautious (I would be, too)?

[jesse_the_k]

As far as we can decode, it’s 5 days PLUS two negative tests.

Given that my life course swerved dramatically after I got a bad bronchitis and never recovered (ME/CFS aka post-viral fatigue syndrome) I’m super cautious. Sadly I don’t know of any research of COVID’s impact on people with my health history. Trying to balance between caution and obsession — a challenging process.

[wendelah1]

Yeah, that is hard. You probably feel you can't be too careful, which makes sense.

I doubt there is any research being done. Post-viral fatigue syndrome sounds a lot like some cases of long COVID.

Indeed

[jesse_the_k]

Post Viral Fatigue Syndromes have been documented throughout 20th century. Right now the hallmark symptom in ME/CFS and many cases of long COVID is post exertion malaise.

[sonia]

These days you can reinstall the operating system without wiping out the rest of your data. You might want to try that first, or maybe you prefer a fresh start.

Thanks so much

[jesse_the_k]

I followed up on this, and learned that the OS is locked in its partition — any user-specific info is sandboxed to their account.

So now my plan is: create new account , test Mail and Safari, and if they work, copy over documents folder as needed.

Re: Thanks so much

[sonia]

Glad to be helpful! Trying a new account is a great idea. How's that working out?

Re: Thanks so much

[jesse_the_k]

At first the new account was fine, but then some wackiness crept back in. Mostly workaround-able.

I eventually did wipe and reinstall both system and data partitions. I know the negativity bias inherent in Mac support zones, but it seems that many people are having issues with Mail.app. Mostly my smart folders don't stick.

Deleting the mail envelope database, held in these files

/Users/ljk/Library/Mail/V10/MailData

• Envelope Index-wal
• Envelope Index
• Envelope Index-shm

Made everything grand again, but then smart folders quit working.

Ah well -- do you use Mail.app?

[lydamorehouse]

Sorry to hear about the continued positive tests. Hopefully, it will pass soon!