Omicron going through eastern Australia like a dose of salts
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (355190)
Rockingham, Australia
January 7, 2022 8:41pm CST
MyLotter Erly Maglangit (@cacay1) wrote about the Omicron variant arriving in the Philippines via an African seaman. I’m a bit surprised it hasn’t been in the country before this.
I commented on Erly’s post that Omicron is spreading through our eastern states at the rate of knots. Today, the state of Victoria reported 51,356 new COVID-19 cases and New South Wales 45,000. All states bar Western Australia are battling rising Omicron numbers.
In my comment, rather than ‘at the rate of knots’, I nearly said ‘like a dose of salts’ but thought that mightn’t have been understood.
‘Like a dose of salts’ means very quickly and derives from the efficiency of Epsom salts as a laxative. It dates from the early 20th century. Epsom salts was once a common treatment for constipation but there are now more pleasant cures on the market. So are you old enough to know the term ‘like a dose of salts’?
When our border opens, Western Australia's health services will be bowed like this tree.
30 people like this
33 responses
@DaddyEvil (150016)
• United States
8 Jan 22
We already talked about Omicron being enough different from the variants the vaccines were manufactured for that it basically ignores the vaccine.
4 people like this
@askme123 (6223)
•
8 Jan 22
@DaddyEvil So two jabs plus booster still cannot fight Omicron?
4 people like this
@DaddyEvil (150016)
• United States
8 Jan 22
@askme123 Sometimes, but not always. It also depends on your own immune cells.
4 people like this
@moffittjc (124618)
• Gainesville, Florida
9 Jan 22
Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Omicron is having its way with us in the US too.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (124618)
• Gainesville, Florida
9 Jan 22
@JudyEv I’m hoping that with each new variant we see less severity, until such point as it is no worse than the common cold.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (355190)
• Rockingham, Australia
9 Jan 22
@moffittjc That would be quite a good outcome under the circumstances.
2 people like this
@DocAndersen (54400)
• United States
8 Jan 22
it has continued to storm though the US. i am saddened, but now, the rate of breakthrough infections (not many of those are ever serious) for vaccinated people is rising.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (355190)
• Rockingham, Australia
9 Jan 22
@DocAndersen Yes, that is one good thing. But everyone testing positive has to isolate so the workforce gets cut and all services start to feel the pinch.
2 people like this
@DocAndersen (54400)
• United States
8 Jan 22
@JudyEv the really good news is the vaccine really cuts the disease back down to size. much less likely (I here less than 5 cases in 100 of the breakthroughs) end up in the hospital.
2 people like this
@LeaPea2417 (37935)
• Toccoa, Georgia
9 Jan 22
My husband can name at least 5 people at his work who are out with Covid. I'm not sure if they have Omnicron specifically.
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (37935)
• Toccoa, Georgia
9 Jan 22
@JudyEv Yes, my husband and others are complaining about it.
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (53640)
• Canada
8 Jan 22
Mr Omicron is here in Ontario, Canada, and causing as much havoc as possible.
Our hospitals are full, heaven forbid you have medical emergency and need an ICU bed, you will be in the 'covid ward' as that is what the ICU have turned into.
My brother-in-law had a stroke on New Years Day and his wife cannot go and see him because although he has been moved to the rehab ward, he was in contact with someone with covid and he has to have 2 negative tests before she can visit.
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (150016)
• United States
8 Jan 22
No, I've never heard of that before. (I would have said, "Like grease through a goose.")
Yeah, when the first case shows up, the health services will have a lot of fun.
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (150016)
• United States
8 Jan 22
@JudyEv The online dictionary says the saying originated in 17th or 18th century rural America.
What about "like greased lightning"?
The hospitals here said that, too... and then proved they weren't ready at all.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (355190)
• Rockingham, Australia
8 Jan 22
@DaddyEvil I've heard of greased lightning but don't know how that came about either.
2 people like this
@just4him (318815)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
8 Jan 22
I've never heard the term. Thanks for the explanation.
That's a very interesting tree and a good application for the rising numbers in Australia. Instead of seeing a decrease in COVID-19 numbers, we're seeing mutations and increasing numbers worldwide. It's very bad here. Our hospitals are once again full.
2 people like this
@FayeHazel (40239)
• United States
8 Jan 22
Sorry to hear that. We have a lot of cases here too. People don't care though. Many are still out and about no masks... NOW is when we need to be being careful and shutting down, but the people won't have it, so on and on this thing will go and where it will stop, who knows?
Does of salts I wouldn't have known, but it makes me smile. lol.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (355190)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Jan 22
@FayeHazel There are now four cases and they think one is Omicron. That person has been out in the community so I think maybe it's here.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40239)
• United States
11 Jan 22
@JudyEv Congratulations on keeping it out for so long. I would imagine it will creep in, slowly at first. People, or at least some people just don't understand the need for caution.
1 person likes this
@oahuwriter (26777)
• United States
9 Jan 22
Omicron hit Hawaii too. Over a thousand for 5 days in already! Mayor has limited inside gatherings to half.
1 person likes this
@oahuwriter (26777)
• United States
9 Jan 22
@JudyEv
Very overwhelming feeling for so many in a day affected. Always know one day, it'll end.
1 person likes this
@bunnybon7 (50970)
• Holiday, Florida
9 Jan 22
I know exactly what that term means. 
I am 74 yrs. old and heard it many times in the past. The "runs" too. Now they just call it diarrhea
I am 74 yrs. old and heard it many times in the past. The "runs" too. Now they just call it diarrhea1 person likes this
@JudyEv (355190)
• Rockingham, Australia
9 Jan 22
Omicron seems incredibly infectious and almost impossible to stop. It's very worrying.
@wolfgirl569 (117169)
• Marion, Ohio
8 Jan 22
I love that tree.
I had heard that and knew epsom salts can be used.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (117169)
• Marion, Ohio
8 Jan 22
@JudyEv Thats mostly what I use it for.
1 person likes this
Omicron shakes the world of humanity. Vietnam case also soars.
