#masks help with other illnesses / viruses too!

[the-final-sif]

Thank you for answering, do you think this will be a similar thing to covid? Now I don't have facts or sources other than one disabled advocate on social media but I heard something about one of covids less popularized effects being something about brain degeneration? Or something loosely connected to that. And because of how poorly covid was handled in the US it ended up affecting a lot of people including the children. Or maybe it was something about how the pandemic never truly ended over there and people stopped wearing their masks too soon. I can't remember, but if you know more of it or have any idea what I'm talking about, how comparable do you consider the two situations? Thanks in advance

So I haven't really seen anything about brain degradation, but there is current research into acute covid-19 infections disrupting the blood brain barrier.

It does appear to happen in severe cases, but it's specifically severe cases as far as all of the research I've seen. It's also not really unique to covid-19. To my knowledge, there's a lot of viruses that can trigger a similar response, like Influenza or West Nile. This is generally what causes the most severe forms of these diseases, the BBB gets disturbed, and this triggers inflammation in the brain which fucks with a lot of shit.

This topic is really complicated, and again, research is still ongoing. Part of the current issue with active neurological studies for COVID-19 is kinda similar to CTE research, you can only really tell how bad the neurological damage was after someone's died and you can yoink their brain out to have an in depth look. This means a almost all of the more indepth studies on COVID-19 in brain tissue are from people who are dead. Usually from COVID. So there's a strong bias towards the most severe cases.

That being said, I actually don't think this is particularly comparable to the severity of lead poisoning on people through the 1950s-1980s. Part of which is that children, while they did catch COVID-19, didn't usually get severely sick. They also didn't tend to catch COVID-19 as often in the first place. That's not to say neither happened ever, just that it's comparatively quite rare.

Meanwhile, effectively 100% of children had lead blood poisoning at a level of clinical significance for most of the 1950s-1980s.

Literally, I am not even kidding, this research is from 2015 but it's still extremely informative,

Like, their graphing of blood levels displays this really well,

I apologize, you may have to click on it to see, but this is graphing out our entire population in the US and led blood levels in early childhood (note, while people who are old enough to not have been born or been children in the 1950s would not have had CHILDHOOD lead poisoning, they still would've been at high risk for exposure to adult lead poisoning which can still fuck you up). S

For quick reference on blood lead poisoning btw, the CDC level used to be 10 μg/dL (light blue and above), but as since been lowed to 5 and then 3.5 μg/dL as a reference level. This is part of no amount of lead being safe, but above 10 μg/dL is bad. Above 20 μg/dL for children is "hey so we need to do a full medical exam of this child, do an environmental hazard investigation of your home and get a hazard team response specifically to help you get lead of your house". Meanwhile above 45 is "we may need to hospitalize this child".

That's the scale I'm talking about when I say everyone in the 1950s-1980s had childhood lead poisoning. It was everyone. COVID-19, while bad, isn't everyone. It isn't even close. BBB disruption, according to the research I could find, only occurs in some acute illness of infections that happen. This is still bad, but nowhere near the scale of lead poisoning.

[oatmilkappreciator]

prepare to get sick: disabled + poor edition

ok, so my boyfriend just texted from work to say that he feels warm and dizzy and has thrown up a few times already. we both suffer from health issues so it doesn't necessarily mean he's brought home a virus, but I want to be prepared. my health has been shit lately with my medical testing and migraines, so I wanna do what I can to prepare in case we both come down with something (covid). best case scenario, his stomach is acting up for other reasons and we have a bunch of food prepped anyway. worst case, I have what I need to get through, keep us fed, spend as little money as possible, and stay out of hospital.

Remember - don't over exert yourself preparing. it's better to save your energy to fight illness than have everything picture perfect.

- clean the bathroom. I'm using Lysol wipes, a multi surface spray, and toilet paper to keep it easy

- make sure you have clean, comfortable clothes available. this might mean doing or folding a load of laundry, or even just re-piling your lightly worn clothes so you can find them

- cook and prep ahead. I'm going to make soup with whatever I can find in the fridge, and possibly some kind of cookie with lots of nuts and oats and stuff. KEY REMINDER: cook stuff your sick self can handle, so no crunchy stuff if you're prone to sore throats or tough food if you're fatigued, use textures you like, and keep it plain but nutritious

- locate and take vitamins! I'm very lax about this stuff but I figure it doesn't hurt to get a multi vitamin blast now and then. you can take vitamins (I recommend D3, zinc, C, and omega fatty acids but I'm no expert), but I struggle with pills so I either use drops or fresh sources: cooking with ginger, garlic and onions if they agree with you, honey, hot peppers, lemongrass, and citrus

- prepare to rest. the most important thing you can do to decrease the impact of covid on your body is to rest. ideally, you'll rest the way you recover from a concussion: total radical rest of body and mind in the dark with no stimulus. but, I too would lose my marbles, so I recommend charging your electronics (I <3 e readers and low brightness screens), visit a library WITH A N95 OR BETTER MASK ON to pick up some books and movies or revisit some faves at home. torrenting ofc for any movies you may wanna watch

- drink fluids, definitely something more than water. I like gatorade zero and mio electrolyte drops, but watered-down ginger ale or juice can be great too. your body needs sodium and potassium to help process the liquid and your body needs all the fuel it can get when sick. a coke/Pepsi or green tea is really good for a gentle caffeine kick midday, which I find helps my pain and mental clarity when I really need to get out of bed.

anyways I hope this is helpful to even one person besides me - I feel kind of alone in preparing for battle with these viruses sometimes and being disabled is extremely isolating. so any feedback, tips and tricks, personal experiences, I welcome them 💚💚love u!!

[thatonebirdwrites]

Covid isn't and won't be over until we normalize pandemic mitigations like:

Wearing N95 masks or better when out and about and when ill.

Upgrading air ventilation systems and adding in better air filtration in all buildings. Especially one's people have to use for long hours of the day. Building a Corsi-Rosenthal Box for your home is actually pretty easy and will help filter the air to protect you for viruses!

Updated vaccines every six months.

Upgraded tests that are sensitive enough to detect new variants, which people regularly take before and after outings.

Better data collection so we have accurate numbers on cases, variants, hospitalizations, deaths, and especially on number of transmissions. This way people can better plan.

Continue with waste water monitoring of Covid particles since that can aid us in tracking how bad the situation is. (It won't help in predicting a surge since the spike in data is often *during* the surge rather than right before it hits.)

Sharing accurate information about Covid and the research done on it. Note on my link in this point: I collect studies for my personal database, but I have been too ill to properly tag the stuff I find. Still, it is searchable at least so I linked it.

We can still live our lives and still take care of one another by doing the above. That's what community is. If we wish to survive and build a better future, then we must normalize pandemic mitigations into our communities and daily routine.

With the world warming up due to climate change and capitalists' and politicians' refusal to stop it, more deadly viruses are likely. So normalizing the above will aid us in preparing and protecting each other and our communities. (And we ought to be fighting back against oil companies and ending permanently our reliance on them - resorting instead to the many different renewable energy sources and other ways of handling agriculture that is more healthy for us and the environment.)

Living in denial of reality isn't going to stop Covid from infecting you and your loved ones and potentially causing death or LongCovid, neither of which anyone should ever want to have.

So be safe out there.

Take care of one another.

We all deserve better. So let's try to be better for one another and ignore the capitalist assholes and politicians that try to gaslight us (while they engage in pandemic mitigations to save their own asses but denying us what we need to be safe).

Thanks for reading.

thinking about everyone with medical conditions doing their damnedest to avoid covid while living with people who could not give less of a shit about getting themselves and other people sick. you're not alone and you deserve better.

[smbwana-online]

Covid-19 – What It Is And How To Protect Yourself! - created on Corel Painter.

The Covid-19 disease is upon us and is filling the world with a lot of uncertainty. You may be feeling a little frightened at the moment or perhaps missing your friends that you can’t see at school. However, with a little bit of knowledge and a lot of courage and caution, you can protect yourself and your family from any illness!

The coronaviruses are a family of viruses that affect the respiratory system and make it hard for you to breathe. You’ve probably come into contact with a few of them yourself and walked away unscathed. The common cold and the flu belong to the coronaviruses and most people catch them and recover with ease. However, in 2019 a new disease within the coronaviruses was discovered called Covid-19. This disease is highly infectious, causing symptoms such as coughing, fever and fatigue. These symptoms can range in severity and the virus can be most dangerous for elderly people, people who are already sick or people with compromised immune systems. So how can you protect yourself and your family at this time?

It’s quite simple! Following a few easy steps can help keep you safe.

Wear a mask in public and If you need to cough or sneeze, do it into the crook of your arm. The virus can spread through little particles that come out of our mouth so keeping your own mouth covered can protect others if you’re sick and protect you if others are sick.

Stay home! Leaving your home should only be for necessities or getting exercise in places that are not crowded. If you stay home more often, the likelihood of getting the virus decreases incredibly.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. These places are home to sensitive mucous glands that can easily contract the virus. Unless your hands have been thoroughly cleaned, do not touch your face.

Wash your hands regularly. Regardless of whether you are at home or out in public, it is important to get into the habit of washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water. The virus cannot survive soap, so scrubbing your hands with soap can prevent its spread.

Sanitise your hands. Make sure to keep hand sanitiser on you at all times. Sanitise your hands regularly to kill the virus if it has gotten onto you and remember to sanitise the items you use in public too!

Maintain social distance. It is hard to resist hugging your friends, but at this time it is best to keep your distance from those with which you are not sharing a home. A six-foot distance could protect you from catching the virus when out in public.

It is okay to feel nervous or a little scared at this time, but you are not helpless. With a collaborative effort of following these rules, we can all make a difference in pushing back the virus. So, let’s work together to defeat Covid-19!

If you or someone in your family has any of the above symptoms, call South Africa’s Covid-19 24-hour hotline: 0800 029 999

Illustrated and written for the IAMFORHER Foundation's educational program on puberty and menstruation for children and adolescents.

[rajesh221]

How To Protect Yourself And Your Family From COVID-19.

What is COVID-19

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that lead to illnesses ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases. COVID-19 is an infectious respiratory illness caused by a coronavirus, here, 

CO stands for corona,

VI for the virus, and

D stands for disease.

The covid-19 pandemic leads to the struggling lives of all human beings throughout the world.

Symptoms of COVID-19

Most of the symptoms of COVID -19 are similar to flu, common cold, and other such conditions, therefore, it is a must to undergo a test to check out the possibilities of COVID-19. One would have the symptoms after 2 to 14 days after exposure to the virus. These may vary from mild to severe, or sometimes the patient may be asymptomatic.

Some of the most common symptoms are fever, cold, cough, and tiredness. In severe cases, these may include breathlessness, chest pain or pressure, body aches, headaches, running nose, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and skin rashes.

If any symptoms appear, it requires immediate medical attention, especially in cases of difficulty in breathing.

How does it spread?

It can spread from an infected person’s mouth or nose droplets through cough, sneezing, etc. If any person comes in contact with these maybe they inhale, contact with the eyes, nose, or mouth. It spreads speedily in small or poorly ventilated or crowded places. People may get infected after touching the surface where the virus can stay for some time.

Precautions to be safe from COVID-19

Get vaccinated. COVID-19 vaccines are very effective and help to prevent you from getting sick. 

Wear a mask. Everyone should wear a well-fitted face and comfortable mask. It should cover your nose as well as your mouth properly. Now it is mandatory to wear a mask at all public places like at markets, parks, aeroplanes, railway stations, etc. It is good not only for your safety but for the safety of all. 

Maintain social distancing. If you are at your home and someone is sick then you should stay away from that person, if possible. Home isolation is the best option for a sick person to avoid the spread of the virus at home. If you have to go out for work or any other purpose, you should try and maintain social distance, you should keep a distance of 6 ft from others.

Avoid poorly ventilated places. Try to be in the fresh air. Keep your windows and doors open.

Avoid crowded places. You should avoid crowded places.

Do not touch here and there. Yes, you should change your habit of touching or holding the railings, bars, or other such places to avoid infection.

Wash your hands often. You should not touch your eyes or nose or mouth with your hands, it may carry infection from your hands to your body. You should develop the habit of washing your hands with soap and water often to be safe from infection.

If you feel the need for a check-up, you may visit Harish JagtaniHospitals in Congo. We house a complete team of experts and provide health check-up packages too for affordable medical requirements. Contact us now to schedule an appointment to be safe.

- Harish Jagtani

[usfreehealthcare]

prevention of bronchial asthma

Asthma is a very common respiratory disease that affects many people around the world. The disease is often manifested by shortness of breath and coughing attacks.

asthma prevention level

In fact, asthma prevention is divided into two general aspects: prevention of asthma and prevention of asthma attacks (disease control). Asthma cannot be completely prevented. Because the genetic and functional characteristics of the body are involved in the development of this disease. However, asthma can be prevented to some extent by reducing exposure to disease risk factors by: Avoid smoking, hookahs and other tobacco products. use of masks in polluted air; prevention of colds; Avoid allergens Now, as a continuation of preventive measures for asthma, we will consider how to prevent asthma attacks.

What should I do to prevent asthma?

Now consider four basic asthma prevention strategies to achieve the following goals: Asthma is inactive. can be trained. I can sleep through the night without asthma symptoms. Work and study regularly. Do not receive emergency visits or be hospitalized. Know your asthma triggers and reduce your exposure to them. Avoiding asthma attack triggers is the best way to reduce the need for medication and prevent asthma attacks. First, you need to know what these triggers are. If you have an asthma attack, remember where you were and what you were doing the day before. For example, if you are allergic to dust, you should place breathable covers around your pillows and mattresses.You can also talk to your doctor about allergy treatments that can help prevent allergy symptoms. asthma attack trigger The most common things that cause asthma attacks are: Air pollution; allergy; cold weather; cold or flu viruses; sports; sinus infections; smoke; perfume Take your medicine as directed by your doctor Asthma medications are usually inhaled through a device called a nebulizer. For an inhaler to work well, it must be used correctly. More than half of people who use inhalers are not using them properly. Ask your doctor to show you how to use your device correctly, and be careful to use your device correctly during your training. Most asthma sufferers need to take a variety of medications. Of course, if your illness is mild, you may only need to take one medicine. If you take too many medicines, you may make a mistake. You can write down when you took your medicine so that you can take it on time. Appropriate and timely use of medications is one of the most important things to prevent asthma. The drug has some side effects. But its benefits outweigh its side effects. However, if you experience any symptoms while taking this medicine, be sure to consult your doctor. know your disease Asthma attacks rarely occur without warning. Some people experience a variety of early symptoms, including: cough; chest tightness; feeling exhausted; confusion The airways branch like the branches of a tree, with the main airway branching into many subbranches. The most important and serious asthma symptoms do not develop until most airways are blocked. Early symptoms often occur when a small group of these terminal airways become blocked. Therefore, taking medications (especially those used to relieve seizures) plays an important role in preventing seizures. There are simple pocket-sized devices called peak flow meters that help detect airway narrowing hours or days before you start to feel symptoms.Peak flow meters come in a variety of shapes and designs. Ask your doctor which one is right for you. Physicians can identify zones of airway narrowing (green = safe, yellow = caution, red = urgent) and plan accordingly. Peak flow counts help you to know: what medicines to take; amount to consume; if you should take;. how often you should call your doctor. when you should get emergency medical help.   Know what to do if your asthma gets worse Knowing and following an asthma management plan can help you know exactly what to do in the event of an asthma attack or emergency. In some cases, you may need to go to the emergency room as soon as possible. Sometimes taking antiseizure drugs is enough. However, always consult your doctor about these things and follow their instructions completely. Vaccines to prevent asthma As mentioned earlier, colds and flu are triggers for asthma, and prevention can help prevent asthma attacks. Asthma increases the risk of flu-related complications such as pneumonia and hospitalization. Everyone over the age of 19 should get a pneumonia vaccine (called Pneumovacx) every 5 to 10 years. Asthma also increases the risk of developing pneumococcal pneumonia, a common form of bacterial pneumonia. To protect against these diseases and to protect against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis, the Tdap vaccine should be given at the same time as the shingles vaccine (to protect against shingles). If your doctor determines that you have allergies, allergy injections (immunotherapy) can help prevent allergic symptoms and prevent asthma from getting worse. In allergy injections, doctors regularly inject small amounts of the allergen under the skin. Over time, your body can become accustomed to the allergen and become less responsive when exposed to it. Read the full article

[cleanair608]

What are microorganisms?

Microorganisms, also known as microbes, are tiny living organisms that are too small to be seen by the naked eye. They include a vast array of different types of organisms, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, and algae.

Microorganisms are harmful to humans, causing diseases such as tuberculosis, meningitis, and food poisoning.

What are Bioaerosols? 

Bioaerosols are tiny airborne particles that are generated from various sources, such as human activities, natural sources, and microbial growth. These particles can contain a wide range of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other organic and inorganic compounds.

There are 2 types of Bioaerosols, which are-

Aerobic bacteria are microorganisms that require oxygen to grow and survive. They are commonly found in soil, water, and the human body. Aerobic bacteria use oxygen to break down organic matter and produce energy through a process called respiration. 

Anaerobic bacteria, on the other hand, are microorganisms that can survive in environments with little or no oxygen. They are commonly found in the human gut, sewage, and soil. Anaerobic bacteria can use other compounds, such as nitrates, sulfates, or carbon dioxide, to generate energy through a process called anaerobic respiration. 

These microorganisms can pose a risk to human health, as they can cause respiratory infections, allergies, and other health problems. Therefore, it is important to manage and control bioaerosols in various environments to ensure a healthy and safe living and working conditions.

IMPACT OF MICROBES ON HUMAN HEALTH

1.Infectious diseases: Many microbes can cause infectious diseases, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. These diseases can range from mild to severe, and can have a significant impact on human health and well-being. 

2.Allergies: Microbes can cause allergic reactions in some individuals. This can occur when the immune system overreacts to certain types of microbes, such as pollen or mold spores, and triggers symptoms.

3.Antibiotic resistance: Overuse and misuse of antibiotics can lead to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which can be difficult to treat and pose a serious threat to human health.

4.Foodborne illness: Some microbes can cause foodborne illness when they contaminate food or water. These infections can cause symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, and fever, and can be especially dangerous for vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems.

5.Environmental hazards: Microbes can also pose environmental hazards, such as toxic algae blooms in bodies of water or the release of harmful gases from decomposing organic matter.

Why is prevention important? 

Prevention of microorganisms is important because they can cause various infectious diseases, allergies, sensitivities, and negative impacts on the environment. By taking measures to prevent their spread, we can reduce the incidence of these issues and promote better health and environmental outcomes.

Preventive measures from bioaerosols include:

Maintaining good indoor air quality by ensuring proper ventilation and air exchange rates.

Regularly cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and equipment.

Implementing source control measures, such as using barriers, ventilation systems, or air filtration devices, to prevent the release of bioaerosols.

Using personal protective equipment, such as masks or respirators, to protect against exposure to bioaerosols.

Educating and training individuals on proper hygiene practices, such as covering the mouth when coughing or sneezing, and washing hands frequently.

Monitoring air quality and implementing appropriate measures to mitigate the risks associated with elevated levels of bioaerosols.

By implementing these preventive measures, we can reduce the risk of exposure to bioaerosols and other airborne contaminants, and help promote a healthier and safer environment for everyone.

[atlanticcanada]

'We all need to stay vigilant': Medical professionals concerned about RSV, new 'Kraken' variant

Many people have experienced respiratory illness lately, which has some experts concerned that the surge in cases of RSV, COVID-19 and flu is creating a potential "tripledemic."

Dr. Scott Hadland, a pediatrician with Mass General Brigham hospitals in Boston, says medical professionals are worried about the three viruses in a “pretty serious way right now,” particularly when it comes to children.

“We’re seeing an indication that, yes, perhaps, flu might be levelling off or slowing down a little bit in eastern parts of Canada and Atlantic regions, but RSV infections remain really high,” he said during an interview with CTV Morning Live Atlantic.

“In fact, COVID seems to be resurging again … as folks return from after the holidays and have started to mingle again and in workplace and in schools. And there are new variants as there always seems to be with COVID that may be causing problems.”

While the Public Health Agency of Canada has said it’s too early to tell if the new Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 is spreading in Canada beyond scattered cases, Hadland says “Kraken” is particularly prevalent in the northeastern regions of the United States.

“Although it does seem to be causing less severe disease for many people, it seems to be highly transmissible; in fact, one of the most highly transmissible variants that we’ve seen to date and so it really is spreading quickly.”

The three viruses have similar symptoms, which can make it difficult for people to tell which one they are infected with. Hadland says it’s only possible to tell through testing.

“Although people should do a rapid COVID test to help guide some of their management about whether they should go back to their usual activities or not, in many cases, if that COVID test is negative you won’t know what virus that is and so we should sort of handle them all the same, and take the same precautions for all of them.”

It can also be challenging for people to determine how long they are contagious. Anyone with an active fever is likely to be highly contagious, Hadland says.

“But any time that you’re coughing or having runny nose or having active other symptoms, those secretions, that mucus, that cough often can have virus in it, so that’s a clear sign that you should ideally stay home. Get a test to figure out if you have COVID or not to help guide whether and when you can go back to work.”

He adds that getting vaccinated against COVID-19 and flu is the “single-most important thing” people can do to avoid getting themselves and their children seriously ill.

“The bottom line is, getting these vaccines can keep you protected,” says Hadland. “And then the usual stuff that we know from the COVID pandemic – staying home if you’re sick, getting tested for COVID, and making sure that you’re wearing a mask if you’re out in public places, washing your hands – the usual stuff.”

While RSV and flu cases are expected to decline in the upcoming weeks and months, Hadland says medical professionals are still worried about COVID-19.

“This variant, this new COVID variant XBB.1.5, has us a little bit concerned about rates of COVID rising up again and so I think we all need to stay vigilant and yet can remain hopeful also.” 

from CTV News - Atlantic https://ift.tt/SGwjPnM

[almostnoisydonut]

𝓕𝓵𝓾 𝓢𝓮𝓪𝓼𝓸𝓷 𝓲𝓼 𝓗𝓮𝓻𝓮: 𝓐𝓻𝓮 𝓨𝓸𝓾 𝓡𝓮𝓪𝓭𝔂?

Moving into flu season, patients who haven't gotten the vaccine, there's still time. Flu season peaks in December and runs through February. "According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention an annual flu vaccine is the best way to help protect against the flu, and its benefits include reducing the risk of illnesses, hospitalizations, and flu related deaths," said Staff Sgt. Mechea Randolph, 59th Medical Wing Allergy Clinic mixing lab noncommissioned officer. If you experience symptoms such as a fever and body aches, testing for the flu is available in your nearest hospitals. Testing and vaccinating against the virus protects patients and those they may come in contact with.

The transmission can be halted by following simple hygiene measures such as use of masks in crowded places and frequent handwashing like during the Covid-19 pandemic, because of the government restrictions and guidelines, these measures were followed consistently which resulted in decrease of flu cases. However, as the restrictions eased, people went back to their old habits which led to a rise in flu cases last year hence, we need stronger protection against this infection and this can be provided by the annual WHO endorsed vaccination.

The vaccines, which usually are changed from year to year, are not 100% effective because they don’t work against every possible type of virus, as this year’s usually is aimed at strains dominant in the previous season or currently on the rise in some areas.

Under certain circumstances, taking antiviral medicines may be recommended by a physician—especially for those in locations where flu already is being reported, or if people at risk are over 65, pregnant, or have a medical condition that puts them at increased risk, such as diabetes or diseases of the heart, lung or kidney, or a neurological illness.

Talking about flu vaccination and why is it needed annually. After two years of living with the pandemic, most of us are now well aware that respiratory viruses such as Covid-19 are capable of rapid mutation that impact the infection rate and severity. Similarly, the influenza virus also mutates every year and new strains are transmitted every flu season. The respiratory viruses are largely cold season viruses and are more transmissible in the cold season months. Flu vaccine manufacturers develop annual flu vaccines to protect against the strains likely to dominate in any given year. These annual vaccines should be taken every year to protect against the prevalent strains of the flu virus. Anyone above the age of 6 months can safely take the annual flu shot. Children who take the flu vaccine for the first time may need two doses spread 4 weeks apart for optimal protection.

While your body fights against a cold, flu or other common ailments, it is imperative to replenish your system with sleep and fluids. The funds from your pre-tax accounts can come into play again.

A healthy immune system is necessary for fighting off illness.

It’s never too early to start preparing for flu season. Beyond fighting the flu, there are plenty of items you can buy to care for yourself and your family during the fall, and rainy season/winter.

[tombeane-blog]

We're Gonna Need A Crapload More Placebos

(November, 2022)

"I wanna scream,

I wanna scream,

I wanna scream,

I wanna scream"

Huey 'Piano' Smith - "Rockin' Pneumonia And The Boogie Woogie Flu"

We used to just call it a cold if we coughed, sneezed and had a runny nose.  Maybe if our body ached a bit we would suspect we had the flu. 

Most of the time we didn't even bother trying to figure out exactly what it was. 

We all knew that colds and the flu could be caught over and over and could not be cured - we could only manage the symptoms as our bodies worked through it.

We didn't take a test.  We just guessed. 

After all, Robitussin relieves symptoms of both cold and flu at the same time, so who cared which it was.  And if you could get something that also had antihistamines, decongestants, expectorants, antitussives, analgesics and some scientific stuff to help you sleep at night - well - you just bought yourself a hospital in a bottle for $7.99.

Next time you are at your local grocer's check out the cold and flu aisles.  Shelf after shelf of over the counter medications dedicated to the idea that free and independent Americans could monitor their own health and self medicate with whatever the hell they thought might work.  (My favorite - Vick's VapoRub and a shot of 'Bourbon and Honey'.)

Almost no one ever went to the doctor, much less the hospital. 

But let's be honest, sometimes, but rarely, it was a very serious and dangerous thing.  Moms would call the doctor.  Old people would keep an eye on their symptoms pretty carefully and would get their shots every fall just in case.

People would not panic - but they would be more vigilant during the winter months. Why we even called it the 'Cold and Flu Season'.

People with kids knew that a few weeks after school started they were likely to catch a cold or the flu from their own precious little rug rats that they in turn had picked up in the classroom from other, filthier little buggers.

Admit it, if it wasn't too bad, most of us would either go to work as normal and make sure to buddy up to someone we despised or just go, "I'm taking a couple of days off". 

And if we were lucky enough our spouses would treat us like little babies and bring us stuff while we lay on the couch taking naps and watching TV while occasionally softly but just loudly enough, moaning for extra sympathy. (Admit it, sometimes you milked it a little and took an extra day off even after you felt fine.)

What used to be a normal but annoying fact of life has become another deadly epidemic sweeping the nation simply by changing what we call it .  

First Covid, now Respiratory Syncytial Virus!  (RSV) 

OK.  I predict half of the country will yawn and go about their lives and the other half will demand a two week national shutdown "to slow the spread" while screaming, "and for God's sake, mask up those kids!"

"Children’s health leaders call for emergency response as respiratory viruses continue to spread across the US"

"Pediatric health groups call for national emergency to fight respiratory illnesses....Pediatric health provider groups are calling on the Biden administration to declare a national emergency"

We all know the saying, "Never let a crisis go to waste".  Going forward we need to rephrase it.  "Manufacture a crisis and take advantage of it".

Did anyone doubt this was going to happen after what they did during Covid?  

Our intellectual and moral betters and overlords discovered they could assume more power during a crisis. So now we can look forward to crisis after crisis that only the government can solve with - we-don't-want-to-but-we-have-to-for-your-own-good - ever increasing control over your life - with national health as the emergency. 

Climate will be a health emergency, racism will be defined in health terms, capitalism and it's inequities will be a danger to the health of the disadvantaged and minorities.  

How long until we hear Karen yell to some poor fool in Costco, "Your Precious Constitutional Right to not take your Government Approved Pfizer Robitussin Booster Shot and wear a badge to prove it will kill my Meema, you filthy capitalist, transphobic, misgendering $#@h*o&^le!"

But consider:

"About two-thirds of the kids who have been admitted with RSV are actually healthy, normal kids."  

And that, students is what is overloading the hospitals.  Residual Covid Panic (RCP) every time someone sneezes.

"Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that can infect people of all ages. It is so common that most children have been infected with the virus by age 2. Most people, including infants, usually develop only mild symptoms similar to that of a cold with congestion, runny nose and cough.".

www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/rsv

[clanwarrior-tumbly]

Hi! So.. I was looking through your writing over promts and I love it! So.. May I ask for a little scenario where the V3 boys have like a bad case of flu or high fever or something like that, and have to be treated by the reader? It would be fun I think! Just if you can! Have a nice day!

Yeah! I made hcs so I hope that's okay!

.........

Shuichi

Just a very tired and miserable boi.

Has a lot of chills but can't decide if he needs more or fewer blankets.

With his head stuffy, he can't do much investigating around the school, so you insist he rests while you take care of him.

There's no medical room at the academy, but there's plenty of medicine at the warehouse.

So you're quick to get some from there and come back--to a sleeping detective.

You consider leaving him be with a note and the medicine.

But....then you hear whimpers and see him crying a little.

A fever dream?

You decide to stay with him and play with his hair, murmuring that you're here for him.

He seems to hear you, as he stops and falls back to sleep.

Kaito

Is probably the most stubborn "patient".

He'll insist nightly training will make his cold go away.

But the overexertion combined with his current illness made him pass out one night in the courtyard.

K1B0 ended up carrying him to his room, where you looked after him from there on.

When he wakes up and you explain what happened, he became scared.

What if people needed him? What about his sidekicks?

Insists "Kaito Momota, Luminary of the Stars" can't afford to be sick...

...only for him for cough up blood before he can say "luminary".

He gives up and decides to let you take care of him, though he's whining most of the time.

Ryoma

As if he wasn't feeling miserable enough...

He'll just be curled up under the sheets, his beanie and jacket off as they became dampened with sweat.

Is stubborn about being cared for, considering he was used to being on his own in prison.

But at your insistence, he'll stop refusing.

Though he still feels like a burden and says you can leave anytime.

You don't. The last thing you want is him suffering alone.

He's done plenty of that most his life.

Korekiyo

With his masks, you'd think he never catch anything.

But you turn out to be wrong as he contracts the flu from some place he visited.

He's had experience caring for his sick sister, so he tries to care for himself with the knowledge he gained.

Though, unfortunately, he grows too weak to do certain things alone.

And that's when you come to his place with medicine and his favorite tea.

He'll allow you to take care of him no problem. Your generosity is appreciated.

Wears a "sick mask" that looks no different from his other ones.

Rantaro

It's inevitable that he caught something from one of his sisters.

But he's not too miserable. He was only expecting this.

He'll just take it easy.

Though his stubborn side comes out as he reassures you he can take his own medicine.

He gives up at your insistence that you cared for him.

It is kinda weird having reversed roles, considering how much he cared for others.

K1B0

Apparently he can get infected with technological viruses.

They just cause a lot of his functions to bug out--often with humorous results.

The only danger is him sweating and overheating.

So you do your best to keep him cool at all costs.

Miu gave you advice (both helpful and not-so-helpful) while she researched how to troubleshoot the virus.

Gonta

He's bound to have caught something from the wilderness.

But fortunately he grew up learning about natural remedies.

So when you take care of him, he can give you advice on those.

Though when they don't help much with his fever, he starts panicking.

You're quick to calm him down by bringing him bugs in containers to distract him. It works.

He's a little reluctant to trust modern medicine.

But if you trust it, then so can he.

Kokichi

Is very whiny and low-energy.

Expect him to demand 5-10 blankets..only for him to kick off all but one.

And then whine for you to put them back over him a few minutes later.

Doesn't have the energy to lie.

So when he's mumbling during one of his fever dreams, you can hear him talk about bits of himself or his past.

And they're all true things.

You don't bring them up when he feels better, knowing he'll just call them lies.

[talkingharrystyles]

Y‘all are and people are way too dramatic about COVID. I‘m a nurse and I also studied biology! Let me tell you, politicians and long forgotten „experts“ are exaggerating this whole thing! Covid CAN be dangerous if you’re old or have any medical conditions, if you’re overweight or something like that. But politicians trying to erase Covid when it’s seriously is not worse than the flu and people eating it up bc they don’t know anything about basic immunology and biology is what pisses me off so much!! Have they ever acted like that to forbid smoking? Smoking causes so many illnesses- cancer, cardio pulmonary diseases, etc. kids are more likely to get cancer and allergies bc their parents smoke! So many people are in hospital bc of the longterm effects of smoking. They take up so much of hospital capacity. Do we deny them care? No we don’t. Do the politicians do something to forbid smoking and protect people from that? No they don’t! They don’t care bc they make so much money from taxes and as sad as it sounds but people dying early bc they smoked means they will cost the system less bc they die earlier. So many people stay undiagnosed for cancer bc they’re scared leaving the house and don’t listen to what their Body tells them so when they have to go to hospital it’s too late most of the time and they don’t have any time left. Let’s all talk about the waste that all these face masks and testing kits cause?! No one cares about that! People are so scared to die, that they forget to live their fucking lives and rather listen to some dodgy politicians or „experts“ tell them. They’re all so gullible! Also more and more kids now are getting sick and dying. BUT NOT bc of Covid. They get sick with normal respiratory viruses bc they’re body’s and immunesystems are not trained and doesn’t know /hasn’t learned to fight such easy infections off! They have lived in a bubble for way too long and didn’t get in contact with enough minor viruses, bacteria and other microorganisms! It’s normal for kids to experience like 10 or so minor infections in the first 1-2 years of their life’s to build a functional immunesystem. It’s like an army that would get told to go to war without no knowledge of how to use a gun or how to protect themselves. I could go on for hours about antibodies and T cell immunity etc etc. I‘m so sick of all this bullshit and the governments acting like they would care for the people when they don’t all all and just missed the point in opening up again and now they’re stuck and won’t admit that they were wrong from the beginning! The vaccine might help but lockdowns and major restrictions and mask wearing for healthy/symptomless people does definitely NOT help at all!!

Where did you get your information? I'm a physican and Covid is no joke to any age group. I would love to hear you say this to the faces of my patients, who I've put on ventilators. Or to their families, who I've comforted when they've passed. Absolutely disgraceful to see this posted.

. I’m deleting the anon

[thechembow]

To the woman who assaulted me at Ace Hardware today,

Jan. 15, 2021

I am your neighbor in Frazier Park. I love this mountain and feel so blessed to live here. You must enjoy its beauty as much as I do, because it is unsurpassed. The woods and wildlife give me solace. I have also always had good experiences among the humans of the mountain, shopping locally, where we all know each other and everyone is friendly. I like supporting our community and keeping everyone working and happy. I’ve never had a bad time shopping in Frazier Park, so it was somewhat of a shock to meet you this way today.

My husband and I were picking up some bird seed at Ace Hardware. If you live in Frazier Park and not in Pine Mountain Club, it’s still legal to feed the birds! We love our feathered friends. They have also been giving me nice brass shavings from their key machine which I use to make orgonite, an energy device which promotes rainfall, clears air pollution, and makes living with EMF safer. My husband, Gabe, and I have been making and gifting orgonite for almost seven years now, and we have covered all of California and much of the US west to end the drought. You might be interested to know that we have put orgonite all over this mountain too. It sure has been snowing more and more every year since we got here and the forests are alive with new baby trees, far outnumbering the trees that die of old age. There were awesome wildflower blooms out in the Antelope Valley and Gorman these past few years. It might also comfort you to know that there are Earth pipes along San Andreas Fault here and at the top of Mt. Pinos, healing the damage that was done here by your ancestors, who stole the land from the Chumash Indians and clear-cut the forests. This will help prevent earthquakes. We have gifted somewhere around 200 orgonite pieces to these mountains, from the Grapevine to the Central Coast. I wrote a book about it too. Our life and most of our resources have gone into planetary healing.

Now that you know a little more about me, I would like to know more about you. I wasn’t covering my face today like you were because I am not a member of your religion. We should be tolerant of other peoples’ beliefs. I am tolerant of your choice to hide your face from your Creator, although I don’t agree with it. I would never hit you and insult you for wearing a mask or for any other reason. What told you that I was to be deplored because of my exposed nose and mouth? When you called me a “f-ing b-tch” and punched me in the ribs, it didn’t hurt physically because you’re old and weak. But I was wondering if it was your mom or dad who taught you to do that? Did you learn it in school or in church? I’ve never been cursed at and hit by an old woman before.

I put on the mask in order not to offend you, although I didn’t have to. You continued to yell, and you were very close to me when you yelled that I would infect you. If I’m so disgusting and disease-ridden, it would be a good idea to stand a few feet away from me when you insult me. I think about 6 feet should do it. It’s also not a good idea to punch a sick person because you could get my germs on your hand. How come you disappeared out the back door when I called out, “She assaulted me!” If you’re right, you should stick around.

Incidentally, soon after we met, I tried to run into the grocery store to grab some garlic. Like at the hardware store, the employees there never get on my case for my need to breathe and show the face God gave me. I got verbally assaulted there by a customer again, which wasn’t as bad as being hit and verbally assaulted at the same time. But the woman there was much younger than you, so you may want to give her some pointers on how to really hurt your neighbor. She said, “You’re killing my family.” She also blamed me for her sick dog. It was more likely a combination of pinworms, Ascaris, a variety of liver and intestinal flukes, some tapeworms, solvents and heavy metals that killed them, along with the ventilators they pop peoples’ lungs with if they come into the hospital with a cold. I’m reading a fascinating book right now called The Cure for All Diseases by Dr. Hulda Clark. It explains all of these diseases you think are infectious and how to cure them. You need to zap your parasites and stop sharing your worms! Stop putting filth in your mouth and reinfecting yourself, says Dr. Clark. Germs are not jumping around in the air. You can learn to heal anything that’s wrong with you with this book.

In your case, you’re definitely watching too much news. I would venture to guess you’re also taking an assortment of pharmaceutical drugs which are masking symptoms of your own worms and the bacteria and viruses they carry. You probably use a smart phone. Lots of old people who don’t even understand the technology do. I wish you would be more like my grandma, who never hit a lady in the store nor uttered an obscenity. She never would have used a smart phone either. She was beautiful, strong, dignified, spoke several languages, loved fine art, cooked great meals and enjoyed life. It’s sad what a shriveled lump of fear you’re become. My grandma survived the very oppression you are doling out today by a miracle of God. Goodness knows, her life was in danger every moment for being Jewish and from Germany at the wrong time. Now I also feel like I’m in danger. If you’ll physically assault a stranger for having a different belief, then what if someone stronger or armed would do it? This is not something I want to find out. Fortunately I have a relationship with God who protects me and am saved by Messiah Yeshua. He reconciled me back to God who forgave my sin of falling into pagan culture like you have. Your world is a fantasy land, but it’s really more like a nightmare, and it is dying like you have died.

There were a few people in the store after you fled the scene who showed me sympathy. But I now know how bad things have gotten. You showed me that today. You made me feel physically sick, not just emotionally distressed, with a little help from your insane ally at the grocery store. Just last week I could go into most places in Frazier Park with my face showing. It seems your time is running out and your world is spiraling out of control. For now, I would rather not argue with you. I will cover my face in your presence and you won’t know I don’t worship your god. It gives me more inspiration to become more self-reliant and less dependent on the businesses of your world. I hate the mask with a passion. I hate what it represents and how you look in it. I think it’s very sad that you love your pathetic false god and believe this absolutely ridiculous narrative to the point that you would assault another woman. C0VID is a mental illness!

Well that’s all for now. I hope to hear from you soon. Maybe you will realize it was wrong to hit me and curse at me and I’ll forgive you. Then we can be friends and have a kosher barbeque when the weather warms up. I’m not holding my breath, no pun intended.

Your neighbor,

Sharon Daphna

[sonalsharma28]

What are the Ways to Differentiate Coronavirus Symptoms in a Patient's COVID-19 from Other Respiratory Issues?

The SARS-CoV-2 virus strain causes COVID-19, which is considered a respiratory illness. It is an infectious disease transmitted or spread from a patient to another person primarily through the respiratory system, such as coughing, sneezing, talking, or breathing. With COVID-19 cases rapidly increasing globally, similarities to other respiratory illnesses, including the common cold, flu, and seasonal allergies, have been made. Although most of these symptoms are identical or expected, such as fever, body aches, chills, and cough, each can be differentiated by how they affect the human body. Certain coronavirus strains are prevalent and only cause minor or mild symptoms in a patient.

On the other hand, some strains are more severe and can cause problems in people of certain ages. Especially, the second wave of the Covid 19 is more lethal and spreads too fast comparatively the first one. There are cases in India where a patient got infected from coronavirus without going out and following all precautions. In that scenario recognizing the symptoms could be more difficult for a patient. Differentiating between these illnesses can aid the public in taking the necessary precautions when dealing with coronavirus.

Recognizing the impact of COVID 19 on a Human Body – 

Researcher has proved through various theories that coronavirus affects healthy cells in our body and spreads slowly throughout the body within 4-5 days' time period. The virus generates multiple copies of itself in infected persons' bodies after invading, which may even cause the death of many healthy cells in one's body and weakening the immune system. It may also cause lung inflammation in the patient, which makes breathing difficult, or pneumonia, an infection of the tiny air sacs within the lungs where blood exchanges oxygen and carbon dioxide. 

Here are the Covid 19 sign and symptoms that may affect a patient's respiratory tract differently –

Coronavirus is ten times more lethal and deadly than the flu and virus. People who contract the virus face a far greater risk of fatality in comparison to the patients who catch or expose to the common flu.

In most of the patients, it may cause infrequent fever and fatigue. Other indications, including body aches and headaches, tend to be more familiar with the flu than COVID-19.

Patients experience Nasal congestion and a runny nose while suffering from the flu, but these symptoms are pretty rare with COVID-19.

Additionally, Covid 19 may also cause a loss of smell or taste sensation, whereas the flu generally doesn't affect the same.

In a case of COVID-19 infection, symptoms may appear in a patient a bit longer, taking around three weeks to clear, compared to the flu, wherein a person recovers in about a week.

Common respiratory conditions misunderstood with Covid 19 symptoms – 

Allergic rhinitis – The medical condition is a chronic respiratory issue in which the membranes covering the nose become irritated and inflamed. The symptoms of the disease include a runny nose, sneezing, and red, itchy eyes.

Cold — Unlike the flu or COVID-19, a common cold is not as dangerous that a patient needs to worry about. Cough, runny nose, fatigue, sneezing, headache, sore throat, and other symptoms are typical symptoms of this mild infection, which lasts around 4-6 days. It is recommendable for these patients to relax and take the necessary medication if they have a common cold.

Flu – In terms of symptom presentation, the flu (or influenza) is very likely to COVID-19 infection. Both diseases can cause a range of illnesses ranging from asymptomatic to severe to fatal. Spread through various ways like droplets, touching, and fomites, so an individual should take precautions (wearing masks, keeping a safe distance from others, disinfecting materials) to help minimize the risk of spreading infection. The pace at which COVID-19 and influenza viruses spread is what distinguishes them.

However, considering all these factors, the patient must take a Covid 19 test if experiencing any related symptoms. If they get their report positive and have mild symptoms, they need to self-isolate themselves at their home. They can buy a covid homecare package for online covid consultation through “Credihealth”. 

The home isolation package includes an expert doctor's consultation and advisory for a covid patient. In between, the patient must monitor their oxygen level at home with the finger pulse oximeters so that the doctor can recommend further description as per the real-time health. The Online covid consultation through this package helps a patient get round-the-clock access to healthcare professionals through teleconsultation and monitoring symptoms and get necessary help if hospitalization is required, according to doctors.

[alicaneiceindigo]

You need to back up your so called facts with hard scientific evidence. This virus is 10 times more contagious than the flu. It destroys lungs in some patients. The lasting affects for some last longer than the flu. Not everything is known about this yet but everyday new facts for different patients with different underlying factors are being learned. It has spread world wide. There will be a time when triage is practiced like it was during the Civil War.

My comment was more so explaining that the kill rate is similar to the seasonal flu. Every year we have plenty of elderly, those with weak immune systems and underlying conditions pass away from just the flu alone. You don't hear about it because its a common seasonal illness we've dealt with for generations and its not as interesting to the news to use as fear mongering.

You may have misread my comment because I wasn't trying to down play how serious it is once you have active symptoms. Covid does have some serious effects on those that get it and have a harder time fighting it (much like other illnesses). But the spread and death rates are very similar to the flu.

What i was getting at with my comment was people throwing a fit about making sure other (healthy) people should wear masks and make all these huge precautions by using a guilt trip of "you could kill someone". I could/may have killed someone just by spreading the flu but the flu isn't reported on a scale like covid.

1. Im a healthy young adult with no conditions that make me weak to covid. Hell I've been working this whole time in a job field that requires me to interact against the safety rules for this illness. Last time I was sick was about this time last year where alot of people theorize the general population got the first wave and overcame it. Everyone at my work felt like shit for 2 weeks and it seemed to go around for a while before it finally went away.

2. And I want this to be made crystal clear: I am not responsible for someone else's health. Unless I am being an idiot and visiting an old folks home, a nursery, a hospital or anywhere else where there's obviously people that will get severely sick, I'm not responsible for another person's health. If you know you are a prime target for said illness thats your responsibility to ensure you stay safe and healthy. The stay at home mandate for those who are healthy is more hindering than helpful. When you dont go out and interact with the world around you, your immune system doesn't get the time or chance to work and build itself up. Keeping yourself in a sterile environment weakens your immunity.

I had a idea after this but there were too many flaws to even bother making another paragraph for it. If you want, give me a private message and we can discuss it (as adults. Speak respectful to me, ill give you the same respect)

3. Im aware its around the world. So are other diseases. The flu, the cold, covid, whatever disease you want to talk about travel around. My city was one of the first to get it when it came to the states back in January. Viruses don't need passports to go to other countries. The thing is that this isn't going to just magically go away. Staying at home and wearing masks isn't going to make it disappear. Its going to always be there and most likely evolve much like the flu. I wouldnt even be surprised that much like the flu when we get a vaccine set up its going to be a yearly shot. The difference being is that because the numbers are blown up, the media has put such a serious amount of fear into it (such as reporting cases, inaccurate deaths, and not showing recovery numbers) we are going to see it be a required vaccine instead of a choice. Which to me theres good and bad factors to it.

TL:DR im not responsible for someone else's health. The media is fear mongering. The numbers are inaccurate. If you wanna have a discussion with me on the matter, my messages are right there for me to talk with you

[elwingflight]

Coronavirus: Information & Guidelines

What you can do now, and what to prepare for

There seems to be a lack of what-to-do suggestions on tumblr beyond handwashing, so I thought I’d put something together. I’ve never actually encouraged people to reblog something of mine before, but this might be the time. To be clear: I am not personally a public health expert of any kind. Both my parents are (epidemiology/global health degrees, worked for CDC) and I’ve run this by them. My information is coming from disease researchers on twitter and official public health guidelines online. Sources at the end of the post. This is mostly directed at people in countries where COVID-19 has been reported (I’m in the U.S.), but is not *yet* widespread in the community. Written Mar. 1st 2020, last updated 3/9 (shorter, helpful twitter thread here, helpful NPR article here)

General Info

Firstly, a lot of politicians are *still* trying to sugarcoat things, but it should be clear by now that the new coronavirus is spreading widely and will continue to do so. Because of the incubation period, and in the U.S. at least the delay in testing, the number of cases is almost certainly going to increase rapidly in the near future no matter what we do now. Official government sources are helpful, but its also good to look at what experts on viral epidemics who aren’t directly government-affiliated are saying. Their agenda is purely informing the public in the most constructive way possible, without politics getting in the way.

Two key points- COVID-19 can have a long incubation period (the time from when you catch the virus to when you start showing symptoms) and most people don’t get severe symptoms. Some are entirely asymptomatic, but most people get typical flu-like symptoms. Specifically, the early symptoms to watch out for are a fever and dry cough (meaning, a stuffy nose is probably just a regular cold). Its possible but unlikely to transmit the virus while asymptomatic, most transmission happens when you have heavier symptoms.

The most vulnerable people are the elderly (~ over 60) and those with preexisting health conditions (i.e. cardiovascular disease, respiratory condition, diabetes), or a simultaneous infection with something else (NOT kids in particular!) So far the mortality rate has been about 1-2% (compared to 0.1% for the general winter flu - yes, this really is worse). However, that might be an overestimate, both because people with mild cases aren’t getting tested (the denominator should be bigger), and because the early situation in Wuhan, where a lot of our numbers come from, was especially bad in regards to availability of healthcare.

This is an emotional, difficult situation. Don’t panic. The world didn’t end in 1918, and its not going to end now. But it is very serious, and we need to be thinking about it rationally, not pretending everything is just going to be okay, or uselessly pointing blame. Take care of your mental health, and check in with each other. Epidemics test our generosity and selflessness. Those qualities are needed right now, but don’t neglect yourself either.

What You Can Do Now

There is stuff everyone can do both to prevent yourself from getting infected, and to prepare if you do. ***The big picture to keep in mind is that the biggest risk of epidemics is that they overwhelm our system, especially our healthcare system. What I mean by this is that our society is built to deal with a certain volume of things happening at once- people buying groceries, getting sick, etc. If we suddenly all rush to do something, we overburden these systems and they won’t be there for the people who need them most. Therefore our goal is to slow down the spread of disease, buying time and lowering the overall burden on these systems. This is called “flattening the curve”. It looks like this, and I cannot stress how important this is.***

A very helpful thread on preparedness

Staying Healthy

Like similar viruses (think colds and flu), COVID-19 is mostly transmitted from person to person, usually by close contact but sometimes from an infected surface. More here.

Wash your hands. Everyone has heard this one- 20 seconds, soap all over your hands, wash the soap off. If you can’t wash your hands use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol). But handwashing is absolutely better. Also- cough into your elbow/shoulder, not your hand, and avoid shaking hands- try elbow bumps or maybe a polite nod instead! If you’re handwashing so much that you’re hands are threatening to crack and bleed though, consider washing more strategically or using hand sanitizer instead.

In combination with hand-washing- stop touching your face, especially while out! This takes practice, everyone does it all the time without thinking. A good practice is to avoid touching your face while out, then wash your hands thoroughly as soon as you get home.

Similarly, avoid touching surfaces as much as possible! Particularly bad are door handles, elevator buttons, that kind of thing. The virus can probably (based on studies of related viruses) last a while on these. Regular gloves can help a bit. Use a tissue then throw it away, use your elbow, etc.

Do Not buy face masks! There’s mixed evidence on whether they’re at all helpful when used by the general public to prevent catching a virus, but actual medical professionals who need them are facing shortages (that’s probably part of why so many healthcare workers got sick in Wuhan), so our buying them up is really bad. The only times you should be wearing them is if you yourself are sick (they do help then!) or if you’re looking after a sick person. Seek instruction in that case in how to use them properly. (Thread on why buying those fancy masks is not good).

If COVID-19 is in your community, try to stay 6 feet from people, which basically means going places as little as possible. See below.

Planning Ahead

Its also a good idea to prepare in case you need to self-quarantine. Self-quarantine is necessary if you’ve potentially been exposed to COVID-19, or if you’re sick but not enough to need to go to the hospital. Follow local guidelines- if there’s lots of transmission in your area, nonessential workers will probably be advised to stay home as much as possible.

If you’re able, get medication now. Don’t go crazy and buy out the drug store, just a reasonable amount. Try to get at least a month’s worth of any prescription medications. This can be hard at least in the U.S. - your doctor may well be able to prescribe more, but insurance companies and drug stores can be terrible. I’ve found trying a different drugstore can sometimes help. Try your best. They may also be reluctant to prescribe more to avoid causing shortages. Idk what the right answer is here.

Don’t go crazy and buy out the store, but start getting a little extra shelf-stable or frozen food. Even some root vegetables that will last a few weeks. You want enough for 2 weeks in case of self-quarantine, but you do NOT want to empty out stores. Panic buying is definitely a stress on the system. Just add a few extra things each time you shop. Don’t forget about pets. You can always eat the food and replenish it over time.

Make a plan with your family/community. If someone gets sick or needs to self-quarantine, is there a corner of the house they can stay in? Who can take care of them? etc. I haven’t focused on plans for schools/religious communities/workplaces etc but those are very important too! This is one place where keeping an eye on local and national news is important. In the U.S., for example, school systems are planning ways to make food available to kids if they’re not going to school.

If COVID-19 is starting to spread in your community, think about how else you can be a good community member. Cancelling nonessential doctor’s appointments, surgeries etc may be very important, for example. If schools are closed, can you help out neighbors with childcare? Do you have a cleaner who may need to be payed in advance if there’s a quarantine?

If You Might Be Sick/Need to Quarantine

See likely symptoms above. Remember, normal colds still exist, and if you go to the doctor for every one of those you will overwhelm the system.

Don’t just go to a hospital! Call ahead to your doctor/clinic/hospital and get instructions on what to do. Getting healthcare workers sick is something we really want to avoid. That said, DO get tested as soon as possible, and act as if you are contagious. The health coverage situation is the U.S. is not yet clear (and ofc its not something the current admin is eager to clarify). Hopefully testing will be covered financially by the government, but I can’t promise that at this time.

In the meantime, stay home and quarantined if you show any symptoms of illness if you possibly, possibly can. This is especially difficult in the U.S. if you don’t have sick leave/childcare, but please. Do your utmost.

Look after yourself. Skype/google hangouts/etc is great for keeping connected. Have some chocolate/chicken broth/other sick foods ready.

The Big Picture

Coronavirus/COVID-19 has not been declared a pandemic yet, but it probably will be before long. This is almost certainly going to get worse before it gets better. We don’t yet know if warmer weather will slow its spread, and a vaccine will probably take about 1-1.5 years to be developed and tested. As I mentioned before, the best thing we can do to keep the world working, minimize mortality, etc is to slow the spread as much as we can, and minimize the strain on the system. Hospitals are going to be overwhelmed. There aren’t infinite unoccupied beds or ventilators, or people to operate them, and supply chains could get disrupted. Thinking about these things is scary, and it will take time to adjust to what’s happening. Start that process now, and help everyone you know reach the point where they’re able to act, not panic. Another reassuring thing- if we slow the spread of COVID-19, in addition to fewer total people getting sick, you will soon have people who are recovered and almost certainly immune. These people will be invaluable as helpers in their communities.

Now that the practical stuff is out of the way, I want to say from a U.S. perspective that yes, our lack of social welfare other countries take for granted is going to hurt us. Lack of access to childcare, no guaranteed paid sick leave, and of course expensive healthcare are massive problems that will make it much harder to limit disease transmission. Help each other in any way you can, and vote for candidates that support implementing these policies! And of course, watch out for propaganda of all kinds, whether its using the virus as an excuse for racism, calls to delay elections, etc. So far my biggest concern is a lack of willingness to admit how serious this is, but we can do this. Lets put extra pressure on politicians to be honest and change policies to actually help people. But, yes, lets also stay united. We need each other now (just, you know, 6 feet apart).

A few sources

In general, the Guardian is a great, free, reliable source of news. In the U.S., NPR (website as well as radio) is another great source. The Washington Post and Seattle Times have made their coronavirus-related coverage open access, not sure about other national newspapers.

twitter thread from World Health Organization (WHO)

U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 homepage (not being updated in some ways it should be, like total # of tests)

A reality check from some non-Governmental experts (basically, what governments don’t want to say yet, which is that this virus is going to spread, and the goal now is to infect as few people as possible, as slowly as possible. Read this.)

Why you should act now, not when things get bad in your area (we’re always operating on outdated information)

If you want the latest technical info, The Lancet (major medical journal group) has all of their content compiled here, open access.

I can do my best to answer questions (i.e. ask my dad) but those or other reliable, readily find-able sources should have you pretty well covered. Do let me know if anything on here is wrong or needs to be updated! Stay safe, stay positive, we can do this.