Plebes Dropping Already

heatherg21 - so I am confused your son is not feeling well obviously so they put him in isolation - are they waiting for covid test to come back and then he can return to his company - bc what if he just is sick with the plebe junk and not covid? seems like he could back to business sooner?? thinking about all these plebes!!!!!
From what I understand, USNA is doing a good job tracking any illnesses and monitoring all plebes daily. They separated plebes with symptoms into observations as soon as they showed/were reported and tested for covid, strep influenza etc. For whatever reason, a week past ROM his company had some covid positives. That is what our son heard when his company was in their 2nd rom and he can now confirm since he has just experienced it. He is waiting test results on influenza and covid. Good comms within his command, detailers touching base safely, I really believe USNA is doing the best job of handling a cruddy situation. I will say, I heard the tests weren't pleasant and he has had 6 since June 30, they should create a ribbon for uniforms! Kidding, but comic idea.
 
From what I understand, USNA is doing a good job tracking any illnesses and monitoring all plebes daily. They separated plebes with symptoms into observations as soon as they showed/were reported and tested for covid, strep influenza etc. For whatever reason, a week past ROM his company had some covid positives. That is what our son heard when his company was in their 2nd rom and he can now confirm since he has just experienced it. He is waiting test results on influenza and covid. Good comms within his command, detailers touching base safely, I really believe USNA is doing the best job of handling a cruddy situation. I will say, I heard the tests weren't pleasant and he has had 6 since June 30, they should create a ribbon for uniforms! Kidding, but comic idea.
yes the test is not pleasant!!! very interesting that after 2 weeks of ROM some would test positive - this virus is very unique bc they would have to have been exposed during ROM - weird - well hopefully he just has the crud and get back to the fun - the pictures I see on FB are awesome they look super happy and I am sure they are since they spent 2 weeks in a room!!! Hope your boy is ok!!!!
 
yes the test is not pleasant!!! very interesting that after 2 weeks of ROM some would test positive - this virus is very unique bc they would have to have been exposed during ROM - weird - well hopefully he just has the crud and get back to the fun - the pictures I see on FB are awesome they look super happy and I am sure they are since they spent 2 weeks in a room!!! Hope your boy is ok!!!!
I'm sure he will be fine, just wants to get back to work. Thank you!
 
Yup, test is not pleasant - I've had several in the past 4 weeks with the latest being a couple of hours ago and I expect to have at least one more
in a few weeks.
And all thus far were negative but that does not stop the requirements folks from retesting. Strangely, back in March when I HAD the damn thing, they would not test me because my temp was 100.4 and the cutoff for testing was 100.5.
 
Remember that the CV19 test is not foolproof. There’ll be some false negatives, and perhaps some false positives too. So it’s inevitable that some mids are now turning up with it, despite ROM. Also, as bodies become run down from the rigors of plebe summer, immune systems will wear down also. So any exposure becomes that much more of a threat.

Sadly, it will surely continue as the full Brigade reforms. Don’t see a good solution, though. Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.
 
heatherg21 - so I am confused your son is not feeling well obviously so they put him in isolation - are they waiting for covid test to come back and then he can return to his company - bc what if he just is sick with the plebe junk and not covid? seems like he could back to business sooner?? thinking about all these plebes!!!!!

I learned a lot through DS’s time there and the events surrounding it. Usna, in conjunction with the best Naval doctors, is using the most current protocols presently known. Their goal isn’t getting little Johnny or Suzie back as soon as they can, it’s the health of the overall brigade. Mitigating as must as possible.

For instance, if exposed to a positive covid, they are sent over to the observation deck for 14 days, the incubation period of Covid. And must test negative to leave. On top of that, if they have any symptoms (which may be Covid, or heat issues...ie: a headache can present in either), they will have to be symptom free for xxx days before leaving iso. Of course if they ultimately test positive, they move to the positive deck, and have to meet those criteria for leaving. So you can see, there are lots of different scenarios that can play out.

The best thing is that they have plans in place and are executing them. If one is going to be sick, actually testing positive off the bat reduces the isolation time the most. If positive, they can have a roommate who is also positive. It’s a known, with an end date (10 days from positive test, 7 days symptom free, 3 days fever free is what
It was...). The worst “limbo” is observation due to exposure. As they are alone bc it’s NOT certain they do or don’t have Covid. The ABSOLUTE worst, is doing 2 weeks ROM, 2 weeks observation, a week to get the test back and having it be positive...so up to the positive deck (and all the other positives gone so still no roommate).

The absolute BEST news, is none of these young people, as far has been reported, are very sick. Most seem to be reporting headaches.
 
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yes the test is not pleasant!!! very interesting that after 2 weeks of ROM some would test positive - this virus is very unique bc they would have to have been exposed during ROM - weird - well hopefully he just has the crud and get back to the fun - the pictures I see on FB are awesome they look super happy and I am sure they are since they spent 2 weeks in a room!!! Hope your boy is ok!!!!

Not weird at all! There are parents and visitors all over the yard. They bring with them all their contacts. Additionally, sailing instructors are in close contact with them. They are from off the yard. Many are young graduates having a fun”nightlife” off the yard, not socially distanced, and reporting to USNA in close proximity. So it’s not surprising at all. Plus all the workers, vendors, deliveries etc. USNA is not cut off from the rest of Annapolis by any means.

I’m not complaining or criticizing. I’m of the opinion most will eventually get it ...
 
Despite all the difficult circumstances the USNA community is in right now, one piece of lighter news I can report is that so far the “Plebe Hack” has not taken root. These plebes have been living in Bancroft for 4 weeks now so that’s pretty remarkable. Though there are some plebes in isolation, in general it seems like there’s less sickness than usual. For instance normally in the briefs and lectures in Alumni Hall, you can hardly hear the speaker over the unending sea of plebe coughs. Was not like that at the Dant’s speech last week. Haven’t even heard of any pink eye cases. Amazing! Maybe the precautions such as daily sanitization of company spaces, separation “bubbles” between each company, and mask-wearing have this happy side effect.
 
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With all this ROM and isolation, how the heck can there be hurd immunity?

With regard to working the Plebes to exhaustion, and a “Suppressed Immune Response”, this is a Good thing. IL-6/21/23 (interleukin) Covid induced storms would also be necessarily suppressed, due to strenuous physical activity. The Covid storm like response in the area of the alveoli in the Lungs would be suppressed. It is this over abundance of of IL-.... in the vicinity of the lungs that causes the body’s out of control Immune response from White blood cells (leukocytes) to attack the Healthy tissue in the lungs. The body identifies the healthy body tissue like an invader .... there is out of control “Swelling” of the Lung tissue, and people suffocate to death.

Autoimmune diseases (Rheumatoid Arthritis, Crones, Psoriasis, etc ...) is just like this Covid thing. I have had RA since the age of 11. I take immune-suppressive medications (Methotrexate, some Otezla) .... Intense physical work and/or Exercise, and rays from the Sun Sun Sun Sun (can’t say the Sun enough), suppresses the Bad immune responses in the body. I am living proof.

Take Viramin-D supplements too.

One more thing, they have noticed that folks who take Immuno-Suppresive drugs are not getting Covid induced storms nearly as much as the general population .... Methotrexate, Humira, Otezla, and on and on may be some tools that will be used soon to fight this thing.
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I'm sorry to hear that. So he's been in ROM or Isolation since arriving at USNA?
Oh, no he had 6 days of awesome training. I know isolation seems rough, but in all reality leadership has to get as many plebes thru the training of plebe summer as possible. Keeping possibly infectious plebes immediately separated will let them get that done. I have no doubt the plebes in iso will eventually be released and run through any training they missed, even if that means Sundays during the AC year. He will get all the training he needs, just not in the timeframe he was hoping for.
 
Despite all the difficult circumstances the USNA community is in right now, one piece of lighter news I can report is that so far the “Plebe Hack” has not taken root. These plebes have been living in Bancroft for 4 weeks now so that’s pretty remarkable. Though there are some plebes in isolation, in general it seems like there’s less sickness than usual. For instance normally in the briefs and lectures in Alumni Hall, you can hardly hear the speaker over the unending sea of plebe coughs. Was not like that at the Dant’s speech last week. Haven’t even heard of any pink eye cases. Amazing! Maybe the precautions such as daily sanitization of company spaces, separation “bubbles” between each company, and mask-wearing have this happy side effect.
Thank you for keeping us updated and sharing your insight.
I was curious how prevalent Plebe Hack would be this summer, with all the precautions from Covid. I was also curious how it would be handled if a plebe presented with Plebe Hack symptoms. It's understandable the protocol is to ROM. Good news is USNA has testing capacity and can get them back to "normal" plebe summer, as soon as possible. Plebe Hack and all.
Signed,
Recovered Plebe Hack Dad (Parents Weekend 2019)
 
Remember that the CV19 test is not foolproof. There’ll be some false negatives, and perhaps some false positives too. So it’s inevitable that some mids are now turning up with it, despite ROM. Also, as bodies become run down from the rigors of plebe summer, immune systems will wear down also. So any exposure becomes that much more of a threat.

Sadly, it will surely continue as the full Brigade reforms. Don’t see a good solution, though. Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.
PCR tests are based on DNA probes and are extremely specific and sensitive. False + beyond rare. False - mainly due to collection issues.
 
Well, 50% of his company is in ISO so he sort of is with them, although he is on a different deck.

At risk of being rude @Heatherg21 , this is very identifying information. Perhaps I’m being over cautious, but only one company is in this situation as far as I am aware. If you value anonymity on here you should ask the mods to delete your post
 
At risk of being rude @Heatherg21 , this is very identifying information. Perhaps I’m being over cautious, but only one company is in this situation as far as I am aware. If you value anonymity on here you should ask the mods to delete your post
It is not rude and I appreciate the caution. I am late to the situation within company and isolated parents have been discussing since the weekend on private sm pages to support one another. If I am wrong in my post I would love a very seasoned mod to advise on this. I didn’t share to brag or be info source. But to discuss real events. With as much caution as possible. Thank you for bringing this up. I am open to counsel
 
Understood. I’m sure you haven’t posted enough information to identify your mid even if people do know the company. I just wanted to give you a heads up @Heatherg21
 
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