Is it a Cold, Flu, or COVID-19?
Are you coughing, sneezing, or have a runny nose? Maybe you have a scratchy sore throat? Maybe it’s just a cold or the Flu? Could it be COVID-19? The Long Island area is entering into the cold and flu season, while simultaneously we are seeing a massive increase with the Omicron variant cases, it is impossible to determine between the three ailments.
What are the symptoms of Omicron compared to the Cold or Flu? Medical professionals acknowledge the symptoms of Omicron can be similar to the Flu, especially those who are vaccinated for COVID. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) both Omicron and the Flu can be present with coughing, sneezing and congestion and without a covid or flu test it is impossible to distinguish. A Doctor’s Office visit can test you for the Flu and will have the test results within 15 minutes; however, many Doctors are not willing to see their patients instead they advise them to go to an Urgent Care Center or use telehealth network.
There is one potential way to determine between the Flu and COVID-19, the temporary loss of smell and taste. Some individuals with Covid have temporarily lost their taste and smell when, they were positive. However, these symptoms were commonly found with the first outbreak of COVID and the Delta variant. Health experts state with the Omicron variant the symptoms of losing your ability to taste and smell are less likely, but still can occur for some individuals.
What’s the best way to tell if it's COVID or the Flu? The only true way to know is to get yourself tested. Due to the rapid increase of infected people it’s extremely difficult to make an appointment to get tested. However, there are other options available such as Home Testing Kits. Recently Nassau County and the Town of Oyster Bay distributed free test kits to individuals that went to specific locations such as Nassau Coliseum and Tobay Beach. Without being tested it’s impossible for anyone to determine the difference between the two diseases. Both the PCR and Rapid test are a reliable source to determine if you are infected. Though Home Kits are good ways to determine if you are positive for the virus a Home Test Result will not be enough to clear you to return to work.
With the number of people contracting the Omicron variant you should assume that you have COVID-19 rather than the Flu until you are able to get tested. Recently this Branch had a teleconference with the Long Island District and the District Manager. The District Manager stated that if an employee is sick, he/she or they should not report to work. This is not the first time he has said this, unfortunately I do not believe this message is getting out in the field.
If you go for the PCR test while you are waiting for the results, do not spread the disease by reporting to work. Think of your fellow coworkers who may have health issues or have a sick child or caring for an elderly parent or spouse who may be immune compromised. I constantly receive phone calls from carriers that inform me they tested positive for COVID-19 and either do not have any sick time or do not want to use their own time while they are out sick with the disease. Fortunately, there is an option available to all carriers thanks to the American Rescue Plan Act signed by President Biden. The Act makes it easier for Federal Employees diagnosed with COVID -19 to file for compensation. By completing a CA-1 and checking off Continuation of Pay (COP) you will receive your pay for up to 45 days provided you file within 30 days of being diagnosed. There are two options to file for the CA-1. You can either contact your local Manager and request the form or you can file online by going through the Employees’ Compensation Operations and Management Portal (ECOMP). You can access ECOMP at ecomp.dol.gov. There is an instructional video to learn how to file. However, if you are absent from work for less than 14 days the first three days you will have to use your own time (Sick, Annual or Leave Without Pay).
The American Rescue Plan only requires you to establish that your duties included a” RISK OF EXPOSURE” to COVID -19. You do not have to prove you were engaged in high- risk employment, or that you were actually exposed to the virus, or that you were exposed by someone who had the virus while performing your duties. Once you establish that you are a “covered employee’ any diagnosed with COVID-19 will be deemed to have been proximately caused by your Federal Employment. You no longer have to establish a causal link between your employment and your COVID-19 diagnosis” (United States Department of Labor).
I want to take a moment and thank all the carriers who participated in our Red Ticket Raffle for Muscular Dystrophy in making it the success it was. The winners of the raffle was as follows:
Top Prize Wendy Lopez Central Islip $500.00
1st Consolation Prize Raymond Delpratt Great Neck $50.00 Applebee’s Gift Card
2nd Consolation Prize June Schor Lake Grove $50.00 Applebee’s Gift Card
