#omicron scare

[punkrock-furiosa]

So it looks like... I might be a little bit back?

I’ve been trying to work up to coming back for a while now, once life stops kicking my butt and all - except it’s becoming increasingly clear that life not being all kinds of messed up ain’t really on the radar, so I should probably just do it one way or another. And, strangely enough, randomly seeing that RPG jam finally gave me that kick of determination to actually post something again. Weird how that works, but hey, I take my little victories where I can find them. It also means I can now say wrote a ttrpg about evil robots, which, even if it turns out to be really bad in practice, is an extremely cool thing to be able to claim about yourself. So - success!

Several things changed with the tumblr app since I seriously used it last time, so I clearly have some relearning to do.

Also... the legend of Jára Cimrman apparently breached containment and made rounds on here? Is that right? Because of all the things I would have expected to happen in 2022, that one was not on the bingo card.

[riverofrainbows]

It becomes clear that the last covid wave (brought on by spring festivals and carnevals and such where I live) has left people with both a stubborn cough (classical) and/or with thoroughly stubborn mucus in their sinuses. So stubborn that most medication that normally clears that up has not worked more than partially or temporarily.

So, if you had a ""cold"" and now have issues with mucus in your sinuses:

Consider wearing a mask in public. You probably had covid, and now have a compromised immune system for at least the next 6 months and probably longer. Consider avoiding super spreader events (EM, concerts, bars, conventions) or at least wear a mask so you're less likely to both get and spread covid at those events. Consider also getting the new covid vaccine come fall, or now if you hadn't before. It's not just a booster, it's based on the omicron variant instead. You should get it, because you now have a higher chance of getting disabled by long covid with your next covid infection, and any protection from getting infected helps lower that risk, as well as vaccination lowering the risk for developing long covid.

And if you're scared of social repercussions: At least wear it when you're sick or anyone close to you is sick. I'm begging actually.

I remember all the people during lockdown who said they would definitely wear a mask even for the regular cold after the pandemic has ended, because they now have the knowledge and means to not breath germs onto other people while actively infectious.

Where are y'all now? The pandemic hasn't even ended yet and almost no one is wearing a mask when sick.

Where is everyone who said that masks while sick should become the new normal?

Please don't even bother to feel guilty for not doing it so far, you fell for worldwide misinformation campaigns. Just start wearing a mask again and get all your covid vaccines.

Your actions are more important and way more impactful than your moral purity. Please just make wearing FFP2/N95 masks when sick and/or in high risk situations your new normal.

PS: (Edit to add my tags)

The worldwide misinformation campaigns are by capitalism. If anyone adds anything antisemitic on my post you're getting reported.

[disco-archetypes]

EMPATHY - The device is still warm from her touch -- and heavy as a brick, from the batteries inside. The company logo "Omicron" adorns its yellow plastic cover. Inside, the tape is rolling -- the girl looks at the device in your hands.

YOU - "I'm sorry you have to sit here on this coast, feeling miserable. At your age -- or at any age -- in this place... waiting for it to get dark."

ACELE - She looks you in the eye, her pupils wide, surrounded by a ridiculous amount of make-up.

YOU - "The people who built this world intended it to be better for you, but they failed. It is easier to live in their failure with this by your side." (Tap on the tape recorder.)

ACELE - The wind howls. She remains silent.

EMPATHY - It's real. Tell her.

YOU - "It is not a childish fantasy. It can be a real weapon against what's coming for you now."

ACELE - "What is...?" Her shoulders shake a little.

YOU - "Nothing, if you got this. Don't be scared."

ACELE - "Okay." Her teeth rattle. She takes the device from you and places it in her lap. "I'll stick to it."

AUTHORITY - There is little you can do to help her now, but given the chance you feel like you *should*. There is something about her. A weightiness.

SUGGESTION - Something changes between you two. She looks at you differently now -- as an equal. A fellow human being.

[covid-safer-hotties]

Hospitals Deny Immunocompromised Patients’ ADA Requests For Masks - Published Feb 13, 2024

Before a recent hospital visit, Christine Link requested that her healthcare providers wear masks because of her autoimmune disease and medications that further suppress her immune system. A phlebotomist initially refused her request, leaving her feeling “shocked, scared.”

Escalating her concern to the Mass General Brigham’s patient advocacy office, she received this response: “While the request by a patient to an employee to wear a mask is not an ADA-related accommodation, it is a patient-centered and trauma informed best practice, and we encourage patients to make this request with the provider who is ordering the testing. The provider would determine if it would be in the patients’ best interest clinically to have staff wear a mask while interacting with the patient. Then they would need to communicate the decision to all staff providing services to the patient, such as phlebotomy staff.”

The patient advocate’s response left Link feeling, “foolish for thinking that Mass General Brigham would actually care enough to follow the law regarding reasonable accommodations. Instead I was gaslit about my needs.” She added, “Each time I have an in-person appointment, I have to go through being made to feel as less than any other human being as a result of my disabilities, bullied, and forced into unsafe care as a condition of getting the healthcare I need.”

Link is not alone. She is one of the many patients who reached out to tell me about how the refusal of this simple ADA accommodation is ruining their lives. One of the most worrisome bits of fallout is that many patients now fear they will get Covid-19 in the hospital or medical office. They are delaying getting medical care, including cancer screening and infusions of drugs, putting off vital appointments. This risks seriously damaging their health.

Link knew that the ADA includes being immunocompromised as a covered condition. She is also more determined than some other patients. She called the Department of Justice’s ADA line and filed a complaint with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office in October, adapted from one made available by attorney Matthew Cortland on their Patreon page. She has not received any response from Massachusetts beyond acknowledging her submission. She has since written her state house representative, senator and governor, without getting any help.

When I reached out to MGB about its policy, I was told, “While in certain limited circumstances, wearing a mask or other Personal Protective Equipment may be an ADA accommodation, it is generally not.” The nurse advocate added, “This will be our last communication on this subject with you.”

One patient who asked for an ADA accommodation at another hospital says she woke up postoperatively to find herself unmasked. So were some of the nurses. She had tested negative for Covid-19 before her admission and became ill shortly after that. Hospital-acquired Covid-19 carries a higher mortality—33% in one study and 10% during the Omicron wave. This is due to the fact that people with more severe underlying diseases are in hospitals.

Link challenged the patient advocate about allowing “its patient-facing staff to put their personal political preferences (let’s not pretend it’s something other than political) before that of not only patient-centered care and their preferences but before the health and wellbeing of the patient.” She added, “I highly doubt that hand washing is left up to the personal preferences of patient-facing staff.” She also noted that MGB’s policy violates ADA laws, which explicitly include immune system diseases.

Other patients expressed anger at policies like MGB’s which state, “Patients can ask, but providers determine when and if masking in a particular situation is necessary.”

Some patients noted that they felt safer during the pandemic when everyone in healthcare settings was masking.

A recurrent theme was frustration that medical staff are ignoring the science—that repeat infections increase the risk of long Covid, that everyone masking is safer than one-way masking, and that N95 respirators are more protective than leaky surgical masks.

Another major complaint is being asked to wait long periods in unmasked waiting rooms for appointments, whether in the hospital or medical clinics. Patients are angry that they are refused permission to wait outside and be called in when it’s their turn. If restaurants can give people buzzers to call them in, one would think hospitals could master the technology.

Vulnerable patients are rebuffed when they want other people in a waiting area to mask—being told, “We can’t tell other people to mask,” yet if there were a case of measles, they could do so. Similarly, in an oncology or rheumatology office with many immunocompromised patients, the staff’s “right” to go unmasked trumps the patient right to a safe environment.

Patients fear retaliation and dismissal from a medical or dental practice, especially when no other options exist. Pantea Javidan, a Stanford sociologist and attorney stressed the difficulties patients experience “due to a power imbalance with physicians. They depend on doctors' expertise and can't easily question decisions such as mask-wearing.”

The Legal Perspective Julia Irzyk, attorney and co-author of Disabilities and the Law, notes that hospitals are “a public accommodation. They wouldn't have the right to say we're not going to mask in the surgery room.” She continued, “It's unacceptable to put patients at risk for a personal preference, which is all that is.”

“They are wrong on both the ethics and the law,” Irzyk concludes. “What they're doing is a violation of the ADA. What they're doing is a violation of the AMA code. And they are also destroying any trust that their high-risk patients have that they have their best health interests at heart.”

Irzyk’s father, attorney and bioethicist Mark Rothstein referenced a highly cited article by Erica Shenoy, chief of infection control for Mass General Brigham, that said that by obscuring facial expressions, masks negatively impact “human connection, trust and perception of empathy.” But, Rothstein says, the opposite is true. “When a healthcare provider refuses to wear a mask at the request of an at-risk patient, nothing can destroy trust more than that.” Rothstein adds, “One of the most important sections of the AMA code of ethics is section 10.015, which says the relationship between patient and physician is based on trust and gives rise to physicians’ obligations to place patient welfare above obligations to other groups.”

Doron Dorfman, L.L.B., J.S.D, a professor at Seton Hall Law School, described the hospital’s stance as “a little bit outrageous.” He explained, “But if the hospital's claim is that you cannot force a third person to do something to accommodate a person with a disability, that's absolutely false as well. So many courts accepted the idea of a no smoking policy that requires other people in the workplace not to smoke as an accommodation. It's very common to have people with food allergy that have an accommodation for other people not to bring allergic foods into the workplace or into school.” Similarly, regarding staff rights preempting that of the patient, Dorfman added, “There is not a right to refuse someone a disability accommodation.”

Wendy Parmet is a professor and expert on disability and public health law. She noted that hospitals all have translators now. “There should be some kind of analogous process” for patients who are requesting masking accommodations, she said, adding that a big problem with MGB is “that they don't have the processes in place” to prevent this kind of problem. Once they have the procedures outlined, then all staff should be educated. “What we want is a training program and some procedures in place because your phlebotomist should not be left to think that they can make this decision on their own.”

Boston To The San Francisco Bay The problem of getting healthcare providers to mask in response to their patients’ request is by no means limited to Boston. This type of refusal of disabled patients’ requests is also notably coming from University of California San Francisco, another leader in influencing policy.

Alice Wong is the founder and director of the Disability Visibility Project. She has multiple medical issues, including having a tracheostomy and a breathing tube in her neck. Wong recently required hospitalization in UCSF’s Moffitt/Long Hospital. She wrote a compelling essay in Teen Vogue, “Covid Isn’t Going Anywhere. Masking Up Could Save My Life.” After her January experiences in the emergency room and ICU, she wrote about her nightmarish experiences along with extensive recommendations for improving patient safety.

Senior and Disability Action, a community organizing group fighting for the rights of seniors and people with disabilities, has recently met with UCSF leadership to provide safe access to healthcare, especially for seniors and people with disabilities, who are being disproportionately affected by Covid-19. SDA’s Allegra Heath-Stout, director of emergent campaigns, said they met with UCSF leaders in October and January with a list of requests. This included that masking by health care workers continue after April, when the city’s health order requiring masking ends. UCSF,which did not respond to a request for comment on specific issues, also did not respond favorably to SDA’s requested Covid-19 safety-related accommodations, such as staff wearing an N-95 for particularly vulnerable patients or allowing immunosuppressed post-operative patients to recover in a separate room without unmasked patients, according to sources.

SDA member Beth Kenny says they encounter similar problems at Kaiser Permanente. Kenny said their physician told them not to be inside with unmasked people, yet Kaiser does not allow patients to wait outside until being called rather than in crowded waiting rooms. Kaiser also denied Kenny’s request to have labs drawn at home by a visiting nurse, so they have risked their health by skipping monthly labs.

“We support any individual who wishes to voluntarily wear a mask and to reasonably request their health care provider also wear a mask,” Kaiser said in an email.

Another SDA member observed that what UCSF does “seems to really set the tone for the Bay Area and the rest of the country in terms of what precautions are taken.”

Modest Requests What Christine and the other patients I’ve spoken with want seems eminently reasonable. MGB, UCSF, and others could start with a user-friendly system in place for patients to make requests. The ADA request should be readily visible to the staff—a flag on the patient’s electronic medical record or, in the old days, a colored tape on the patient’s chart.

As Link said, “I never thought that Harvard's teaching hospital would care so little for lives like mine.” She surmises, “It's the same kind of hostility and apathy that people with disabilities have long experienced that tells us that we are burdens, that we should pipe down and not concern ourselves with equity because our lives are not as valuable as nondisabled people.”

Neither MGB, UCSF, nor Kaiser responded to specific, detailed questions as of the time of posting.

[renthony]

Just curious. How bad has Biden been at controlling COVID-19 in your view?

First: I already responded to a similar question you left on this post.

Second: Biden has been atrocious for COVID-19 safety and management. COVID-19 is still killing people, and our president has done a horribly insufficient job in mitigating that. "Better than the Republicans" is not the same thing as "good" or "effective." Biden's abysmal reaction to COVID-19 is part of why I'm so thrilled that the Uncommitted campaign for the Democratic primary has achieved some success. That particular campaign is focused on ceasefire in Palestine, but the People's CDC explained in a statement how Palestine is also very much a public health issue. We need to scare the bastard and actually do some of that "pushing him left" that people claimed they'd do after getting him elected. Though it seems to me like a lot of people just settled for, "okay, we got rid of Trump, we don't have to worry anymore."

Third: While I'm at it, people have to do more than vote. You have got to get involved. You have got to do more than participate in the presidential election once every four years. Join a union (may I recommend the IWW?), follow the guidance of The People's CDC, volunteer for your local Food Not Bombs, get involved in a tenants union like the Autonomous Tenants Union Network, read Riot Medicine, get trained in first aid and get involved in a street medic group, read up on your local politics and get involved on the small-scale, do something in addition to voting in the presidential election. Even if you're limited in how much you can personally participate, find the people who are talking about these issues and signal boost them, and share the information with others who may be more able to participate more. If you can tell people to go vote in the presidential election, you can also tell them to go do other things, too.

Now, with all of that out of the way, here are some links related to Biden's abysmal COVID-19 response:

During his 2020 campaign, Biden promised immediate $2K stimulus checks. Instead, he delivered $1,400. Sources: [x] [x] [x] [x] [x]

Velena Jones for NBC Bay Area: "‘Too expensive': Bay Area residents shocked over new COVID vaccine prices"

Reuters: "COVID vaccine manufacturers set list price between $120-$130 per dose"

Joseph Choi for The Hill: "Free COVID-19 test program to be suspended for now"

Disability activist Alice Wong writing for TeenVogue: "Covid Isn't Going Anywhere. Masking Up Could Save My Life," and the follow-up article, "COVID and the 2024 Election: What Biden and Democrats Owe High-Risk People."

Laura Weiss writing for The New Republic: "Democrats Can't Keep Ignoring Covid in 2024."

David Cohen and Adam Cancryn for Politico: "Biden on '60 Minutes': 'The Pandemic is Over.'"

Alex Skopic for Current Affairs: "COVID-19 is Still a Threat. So is Biden’s CDC."

Adam Cancryn for Politico: "Biden Appears to be Over Covid Protocols."

Paul Thornton for the Los Angeles Times: "Covid Still Rages, and the Biden Administration Isn't Helping."

Eric J. Topol for the Los Angeles Times: "The U.S. is facing the biggest COVID wave since Omicron. Why are we still playing make-believe?"

We should have free, universal testing. We should have free, universal vaccination. We should have free, universal treatment. We should have financial assistance for those of us who can't work outside the home. We should have mandated work-from-home for any job that can be done remotely. We should be emptying prisons and paying attention to the way disease and abuse proliferate inside their walls. We should have COVID-19 safety PSAs and government support for universal masking. We should have free distribution of N95s. We should have mandated masking in medical settings and public spaces. We should have a higher minimum wage. We should have healthcare reforms. We should have strong worker protections. We should have improved infrastructure. We should have a president who gives a single flying fuck about how many of us are dying.

And we have none of it.

But we sure seem to have money to keep dropping bombs, arming cops, terrorizing the vulnerable, and imprisoning innocent people to use for slave labor.

[reesespieces-org]

Fatui Harbinger Sexuality HC's

Its no secret that the Harbingers are all queer in some way, shape or form. It's just fact at this point, but I wanted to share some of my headcanons for the Harbingers + the Tsaritsa. TL;DR at the end.

Starting off with our beloved Cryo queen, I am a firm believer that she is either aroace or an asexual sapphic. The Tsaritsa is the Archon of love. It had to happen. I mostly headcanon her as aroace just for the irony of it (love goddess doesn't seek love herself type of deal), but I also don't really see her with anyone. I know her and Pierro are a popular ship, but it kind of follows along with the weird pattern of Harbinger x Archon, and it got out of hand after ZhongChi (DottoNahida scared the daylights out of me). And I headcanon all of the Archon's to be asexual, so she falls in that line too.

Second up we got the Director, Pierro! Again, aroace mostly, but I've played a little with him and Rhinedottir being past lovers (interesting concept to me, can't really explain it because of the minimal information I have of the both of them) so from time to time I fluctuate between aroace and aroflux. The one constant for him would definitely be asexuality though, cannot see this man having kids. He's a cat dad, fight me on it.

Second in line, Capitano! He's a straight ally. Definitely the supportive dad that doesn't exactly understand but he'll defend his children (coworkers) if anyone gives them any problems (not like any of them can't handle it themselves, they just like having scary dog privileges!)

Next up, our morbid doctor, Dottore! He's a little fickle, as I can see him being bisexual because of his one date with Soreh and obviously his affiliation with Pantalone. Probably aceflux, it's just not something he's really into and doesn't care for it. Just depends on his partner I suppose. In regards to his segments, all of them are asexual and go by non binary pronouns. They differentiate between one another using their names (Alpha, Beta, Omicron, etc...) and personal attire preferences, so people just refer to them as "they/them" in order to keep them separate from Prime.

For the beloved angel, Columbina, she is sapphic! Definitely a demigirl too, since she is an angel and all. Not much to say, unfortunately, but I think it's self explanatory.

Ah my lovely wife Arlecchino. Like most, I think of her as a masc/butch lesbian. Was definitely Signora's gay awakening.

Pringles man—aka Pulcinella—is a straight ally as well. Much like Capitano, he doesn't quite understand all of it, but he's happy that everyone else is happy and doesn't mind learning more.

Scaramouche is demisexual, even after he turns into Wanderer. Much like Columbina, there isn't much to say about him.

Sandrone is aroflux like Pierro. She's happy being by herself with her dolls, and doesn't feel the need to have a relationship with someone. Also a demigirl!

Signora was a closeted bisexual, since she never truly figured it out before she died. Entirely Arlecchino's fault btw. Anyway, hope she's happy with her beloved Rostam.

Pantalone is pansexual (ah, see what I did there?), and leans towards the asexual spectrum.

And as everyone knows, Childe is a raging achillean/bisexual. It's just fact.

TL;DR:

Tsaritsa: aroace/asexual sapphic

Pierro: aroace/aroflux

Capitano: straight ally

Dottore: bisexual, aceflux

Columbina: sapphic, demigirl

Arlecchino: masc/butch lesbian

Pulcinella: straight ally

Scaramouche: demisexual

Sandrone: aroflux, demigirl

Signora: closeted bisexual

Pantalone: pansexual, acespec

Childe: achillean bisexual

[reality-detective]

How OPERATION SCARIANT 2023 is being used to launch Plandemic 2.0 Plandemic 2.o is an integral piece of the Great Reset implementation plan and New World Order agenda to be executed in earnest this Fall of 2023. OPERATION SCARIANT, which features the extremely ‘scary’ Omincron subvariant known as Eris, is the main show for folks who are still captivated by this ridiculous government-sponsored but extremely serious genocidal enterprise.

Nevertheless, there are numerous reasons why the Khazarian genocidal bioterrorists are hellbent on rolling out Plandemic 2.0 this Fall. The following list presents only some of the most significant NWO goals, WEF objectives and WHO targets. (1) To cover up the massive excess death numbers directly resulting from the ongoing Covid vaccine genocide across America (and global depopulation scheme)

(2) To stealthily kill vaccinated children who are now much more vulnerable to the bacterial infections associated with Eris (aka Omicron [B.1.1.529] a subvariant of SARS-CoV-2

(3) To intensify the slow-motion slaughter of vaccinated 20 to 45 year-olds who are now much more susceptible to myocarditis, pericarditis, blood clots and other fatal heart ailments

(4) To further turbo-charge the numerous medical ailments and health conditions, chronic diseases and autoimmune syndromes, psychological disorders and psychiatric illnesses across the entire population, all of which have seen HUGE upticks post-Covid vaccination

(5) To murder as many retirees as possible in order to reduce the Social Security & Disability, Medicare and Medicaid rolls

(6) To massacre as many individuals, who suffer from multiple comorbidities and/or terminal diseases, who are still living after Plandemic 1.0

(7) To eliminate as many Baby Boomers as possible as well as the Beat Generation elderly, especially the anti-establishment types

(8) To provide maximum distraction from the many Democrat crime sprees being investigated by the House

(9) To divert the attention of the electorate from the multiple crime waves perpetrated by the Biden Crime Family and especially by the POTUS Imposter and Criminal-in-Chief

(10) To create maximum chaos, confusion and conflict throughout the last year of the 2024 election cycle so that the Democrats can steal yet another POTUS election, as well as to set the stage for a long-planned American Bolshevik revolution

(11) To provide a pretext to deploy yet another highly weaponized and lethal Covid ‘vaccine’ by which to rapidly intensify Plandemic 2.0.

(12) To significantly supercharge the previously administered kill-shots, clot-shots and cancer-shots thereby increasing SADS and SIDS as well as excess deaths across the board

(13) To sufficiently scare the American people back into the same space of extreme fear and anxiety about the COVID-19 contagion so they will fully submit to the Covid Super Vaccination Agenda (and demand that everyone they know get vaxxed to the max)

- Benjamin Fulford 🤔

[hellhound5925]

One shot - Sargent Hunter

“It’s better this way” Part Three

Incase you are new, Part one and Part two.

Warnings:

18+, heartbreak, smut, (I'm bad at warnings let me know if I missed anything) mentions of blood (unintentional self harm?). References to stars exploding. Female character/reader.

Summary:

The smut chapter you’ve been waiting for…that is all 😂 Wait I lied, so the lyrics to Sleep Tokens, Blood Sport is in this as well (I’m trying something new so let me know what we think). Anything that is lyrics will be written as follows: ~ Sleep Token, Blood Sport ~

I stop just outside the doors that lead out onto the landing platform - what can I even say to make up for what I did? Will he forgive me? This is Hunter we are talking about, right? He'll understand. With a deep breath, I press the button, causing the doors to slide open. The modified Omicron-class attack shuttle rests tall and proud on the platform, while the rain gently hits the heavily armored hull.

~ Stuck in a quantum pattern,

Tangled in what I never said,

You say it doesn’t matter ~

At first, there's no sign that anyone's out here, but then I notice the stairs are down and the door is open. Stepping out into the rain, I head over to the steps. The amber glow of the lights inside is warm and inviting, which makes my heart sink - I'm an awful person... Maybe I don't deserve to be forgiven. I head up the steps, getting out of the rain. The cold dampness makes it way through my clothes to my skin, sending a shiver down my spine.

~ I want to be forgiven… ~

A noise comes from he cockpit drawing my attention. I quietly make my way to the doorway, leaning against it. Hunter is on his back under the controls, tinkering with something. He continues to work without acknowledging my presence, but there isn't a doubt in my mind he knew I was here the minute I walked up the stairs. I choose to stay silent for a moment hoping he would start the conversation.

After an alarming amount of time being shrouded in the cold silence, I decide to speak up. "I came to explain myself..." I trail off seeing if he will stop what he's doing but he doesn't. I've never seen him like this before and its actually scaring me a little.

~ I want to choke up chunks of my own sins ~

"Hunter please...I need you to understand...I never meant—" I'm cut off my a loud clanging noise. Hunter drops the tool he was working with and mutters a string of curses in Mando'a. Pushing himself out from under the controls, he's looking over his hand. Without a second thought, I rush over and grab it looking it over. He's moving it, so its likely not broke and theres no blood.

Neither of us move, his hand still in mine. I gently brush my fingers over his knuckles having almost forgotten what his touch was like. Without warning he pulls away, turning his back to me "I need to finish these repairs before we ship out."

~ Would you invite me in again? ~

At his words my stomach drops into my feet. "I'll be quick then, but I need you to hear me on this please."

~ Let me pay for my arrogance ~

He sighs and his shoulder drop. Without turning around, he turns his head to the side to show me he's listening. The fact that he can't even look at me is the final strike that breaks me completely. My legs become to weak to hold me up and I drop to my knees sobbing uncontrollably, "I was so worried about losing you out there....I had no idea what I would do without you....my best idea was to pull away....Tech...he made me realize—" at this point I can't think straight or get enough air into my lungs to continue.

~ Won’t you show me your weakness? ~

Burying my head in my hands, I didn't even hear anyone approach. A hand rests on each of my shoulders, I look up to see Hunter with a concerned look etched into his handsome features only inches from mine.

"I don't—deserve forgiveness" I blurt out.

~ I made loving you a blood sport ~

He reaches towards my face, placing a hand on my cheek. The rough pad of his thumb wipes away the waterfall of tears having made their way to my lips. The taste of their salt on my tongue.

"I wish you had come to me about how you were feeling." His voice is the calm at the center of the storm. It's warm and full of life, a life I crave. He pulls me in to his chest, where I lose control once again. Rubbing circles into my back with one hand in my hair, his hold on me tightens as if I'd slip through his fingers like the sands of Tatooine.

~ I’m still your favorite regret ~

"I forgive you" his chest vibrates with his words, "and I'm sorry you were in that much pain and didn't feel like you could come to me." In that moment, the black hole I created just a day ago was gone. The very star at the center of his universe, back where it belongs. Giving its life back to the planets, it watches over.

Returning his hands to my shoulders, he pushes me back to look me in the face. "Promise me from now on, you come to me whenever you feel that way." His beautiful brown eyes roam my face as I collect myself but all I can do is nod.

~ You’re still my weapon of choosing ~

My brain is so foggy from the overflow of emotions, "I don't understand how you don't hate me?"

"I could never hate you. You mean too much to me but I wanted to respect your decision."

"Tech said I'm one of the reasons you fight so hard to come home. Is that true? You fight for me?"

There's a long pause, Hunter places his forehead against mine "I will always fight for you."

~ And out there,

Stuck in a quantum pattern,

Tangled in what I never said… ~

I'm at a complete loss for words and even thought we're so close, a need to be closer claws at my insides. My hands find their way to his face and the stubble on his jaw tickles my palms, at this angle my hands look so small. Hunter likely feeling the same way, runs his hands down my sides resting them on my hips.

He pauses for a second before pulling me onto his lap. As if we've practiced this a thousand times, my legs wrap around his lean torso, while my hands make their way over his muscular shoulders and entangle themselves in his hair. Effortlessly, he lifts the two of us off the floor, carrying me over to his bunk and gently sets me on it. Its quite messy which means he didn't stay in the shared space with his brothers last night.

~ You say it doesn’t matter ~

Hunter hesitates, still hovering over me. “I promise that whatever happens out there…I will always find my way home to you.”

Grabbing the chest piece of his armor, I pull him so our lips crash together sloppily. After a few moments we break and all the only sounds that can be heard are the pitter patter of rain on the hull and our labored breathing. The space between us still nonexistent as his lips gently brush mine, I lean into him pressing our foreheads together. His nose is pressed into my cheek and yet it still feels like theres a galaxy between us.

“I need you” I whisper into his lips and arching my back ever so slightly, pressing myself further into him.

His lips dance gently across mine and it’s almost too much to bare. Hunter knows exactly what he’s doing and at this point I deserve to be tortured. Just as he leans in like he’s going to finally kiss me, he pulls away exposing my face to the cold air between us. A smug smile makes it away across his face but before I can react, he presses me into the mattress with his body. He kisses me so deeply, it makes the darkness of space seem shallow. My hands wander over his muscular back and through his hair causing a lusty hum to vibrate deep in his chest.

Muscle memory kicks in, and armor pieces start piling up on the floor followed by a pair of GAR issue blacks. My clothes are next to follow, the cold dampness of them feels like a distant memory as the warmth of his body radiates through mine. With one finger he slowly trails my jaw line, down my neck to my chest stopping briefly between my breasts. Goosebumps erupt all over my body, as he continues his painstakingly slow journey to my thighs. I’m too caught up in a storm of blissful anguish to make a sound.

Hunter forces his way through my throbbing core, falling in rhythm with the rain creating a beautiful symphony that overwhelms my senses. My desperation to be consumed with this feeling of him inside me. We've been together like this many times before but this....it's just different. Time suddenly seems to stand still as the two of us became whole once more. My back arches involuntarily at the electricity that shoots through my body. He's almost too much for me to handle, with fist full of the sheets and my toes curled to the soles of my feet, my body trembles with pleasure. My breathing hitches as a soft whimpering gasp falls from my lips.

"Easy Mesh'la...I've got you...I always will" he purrs in my ear before nipping and kissing my neck.

I cry out as his words are the final push over the edge, white hot pleasure corses through my core with the intent to keep him there. Hunter continues, not stopping until he knows our desire has been fulfilled.

As we come down from our high he surrounds me with his closeness, his embrace. His scent washes over me and becomes the air in my lungs, his touch makes my skin shiver with pleasure. In his strong arms I feel a safeness that I have never felt before. Burying his head my hair, he inhales deeply as if to soak me in. We lay there together in silence for a moment as the soft pitter patter of the rain slowly subsides.

"I know ‘s right for both of us…We’re always better together” his words slurred like a love drunken fool.

Taglist: @cloneloverrrrr @lune-de-miel-au-paradis @idoubleswearimawriter @maybethatfanfictionwriter @savebytheodore @savebytheodoresnonjosestuff @jediknightjana @techs-goggles9902 @clonethirstingisreal

Huge huge huge thank you to @cloneloverrrrr and @lune-de-miel-au-paradis you guys are the freaking best 🫡💖

[mikascreations]

guess who frankensteined chainsaw man beat saber and phighting into one phighting oc

its like chainsaw man but instead of fusing with a chainsaw creature (i forgot how it was called) he fused with a biograft named Omicron even though he's like from playground LMAO omicron was prolly glitchin and forgot that playgrounds was a thing and now they're best friens forever yippee yay!!! 😀 the locals are scared of him (except for silly guitar because silly guitar is based LMAO)

his headphones are BEATNOTE shaped lmao!!!

i now have 2 crossfandom phighting ocs :3 (the other one is Spear which is based off of Spearmaster Rainworld)

[wat3rm370n]

I am appalled at the news of mask bans.

Rejected Letter to the Editor, October 2024.

I submitted this to the Scranton Times-Tribune on October 5, 2024, and never heard back, so I’m posting it here.

I am appalled at the news of mask bans popping up in various places. I ought to have a right to protect myself from the elements: viruses, pollen, pollution, wildfire smoke, or cold, by wearing a mask. Health exceptions are not sufficient because having to carry papers or explain medical status is Un-American. Anonymity should not be forbidden and we should be allowed liberty of movement, a right described in our Constitution. There are already reports of disabled and elderly being targeted with harassment. It was in the news that a cancer patient in North Carolina, at a time a mask ban was merely proposed, was “confronted by a man who shouted expletives and called her a liberal for wearing the mask”, he feigned coughing and said he hopes the cancer kills her. It was also in the news that a mayor in Kentucky, a state with the highest rates of cancer, suggested mask bans would “curb gun violence” - instead of doing something about the guns, which seems entirely misguided. Mask bans are likely to lead to more violence. There have been letters to the editor in a New York newspaper suggesting vigilantism - one suggesting that others should harass people wearing masks by rudely taking photos, and fear mongering with the suggestion that masked elderly community members might actually be dangerous criminals “in costume”, which is ridiculous. Mask bans put targets on vulnerable innocent citizens who already have been marginalized by a society that’s politicized personal safety and is failing in the prevention of various disease spread. It’s a grotesque irony for people with cancer to get difficult and expensive treatments, only to be recklessly infected with a virus because masks are criminalized in some places. I hope nobody suggests such a nonsense law in northeastern Pennsylvania.

References:

https://www.nyclu.org/press-release/nyclu-condemns-nassau-county-mask-ban

https://www.wral.com/story/scared-to-put-on-my-mask-cancer-patient-says-she-was-intentionally-coughed-on-in-spat-over-mask/21478890/

https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/2024/10/01/louisville-mask-ordinance-what-is-it-who-is-exempt-upcoming-changes/75468091007/

https://statecancerprofiles.cancer.gov/map/map.withimage.php

https://www.asbestos.com/cancer/state-cancer-rates/

https://www.newsday.com/opinion/letters/lithium-ion-battery-storage-state-abortion-laws-nassau-mask-ban-ji10m9i5

https://www.axios.com/2023/08/31/omicron-covid-cancer-deadly

(crossposted)

[dreamcast641]

SCP OC: DMITRY VASILIJ MAKAROV

My boy is having a bio too finally! He is even older than claire when it comes to when I created him (2016) and he went through a lot as well. This bio will not be completely done either but otherwise I hope you like him as well. Please reminder that Dmitry is NOT a good character and It'll explain why while you read ----------------------------------------------------------------- GENERAL INFORMATIONS:

Full Name: Dmitry Vasilij Makarov Aliases/nicknames: None Age: 26-30 years old Gender: Male Pronouns: He/him Sexual orientation: Aromantic and Asexual (AroAce) Date of birth: november 2nd Place of birth: Unknown but it's somewhere in the USA Current residence: site 5c Nationality: American with slavic origins Spoken Languages: American English (main), Russian ( ONLY with his dad) , American sign language (ASL) and braille Affiliations/organizations: SCP foundation Occupation: Medical department operating as psychiatrist and researcher, specialized in oneirology. Works sometimes along with the omicron rho (the dream team) and ISD (internal security department) agent. -------------------------------------------------------------

APPEARANCE

BUILD: Skinny/slender

— Dmitry is a man of impressive height, he reaches almost two meters but unfortunately he is really thin and manages to hide it well thanks to the clothes he wears.

— Dmitry doesn't take much care of his image and his being very busy often distracts him from having a correct diet. He doesn't eat often and if he does he doesn't get enough protein. it is Claire who reminds him to eat, often making time to prepare his meals.

-----

SCARS: acid burn scar all over his right side of the face

— Dmitry has a large, visible burn scar on his face and the contrast with his naturally pale skin makes it stand out even more.

— it's been years since the incident, yet he still can't fully talk about it. too many bad memories are linked to his scar and he usually avoids mirrors so as not to see his reflection in them.

------

VOICE: Cold and low

— Dmitry speaks slow, his voice seems monotonous

— His voice seems to have no soul. It is cold and emotionless. -------

EYES: Purple/pinkish and blinded

— His left eye looks purple, closer to a purplish while the right one completely destroyed by the acid.

— If before he had difficulty seeing, now he can be considered almost blind and his eyes are the reason he is learning braille. His right eye is completely destroyed by the acid, the iris is opaque and the sclera is red. The remaining eye of him is not the best, the iris transparent and the pinkish color is due to the blood vessels visible in the eye.

-------

FASHION: casual

— casual, doesn't really care for fashion.

— He just grabs the first thing he could find. He is in his office the whole day so no one really sees him. ----------------- More about his aspect: -Dmitry is 193 cm tall or 6'3ft -He suffers from albinism that make his skin completely pale and his hair, including eyebrows and eyelashes, white due to absence of melanin

FAVORITES -Color: Purple -Food: very salty fries -Drink: Black coffee -Song: Man on the moon (zella day) -Flower: Poppy and black Rhododendron -Hairstyle: Ponytail or messy bun ------------------ PHOBIAS : Atychiphobia is an intense fear of failure. It may cause you to put off or avoid any activity or scenario that has the potential for an unsuccessful outcome. Someone with this condition may be scared to try new things, take risks or embrace growth for fear of failure. Cynophobia is the overwhelming fear of dogs. ------------------------------------------------

PERSONALITY: -Moral alignment: Lawful evil -Myers-Briggs: INTJ POSITIVE TRAITS: -Smartass. To be a researcher of the foundation, one must also be intelligent and Dmitry certainly is and this is to his advantage in many areas, even when it comes to escaping from unpleasant situations. -Dedicated only to his job. So dedicated and passionate about his work that he almost forgets to eat. He loves his position as a psychiatrist, it's an area he's always had a fascination with. The human mind is so full of mysteries to him. -Great team with Claire when it's possible. The smart one and the one who gets her hands dirty. Overall the two make a good team together and are able to overcome to almost all challenges NEGATIVE TRAITS: -Empathy? What is that? Despite his work as a psychiatrist, Dmitry often finds himself not empathizing with the patient in front of him or with anyone else. -Aggressive and often cold. His personality and lack of trust in others has made him an empty shell. Most of the time he comes across as distant and very confrontational with everyone, even with who should be the people closest to him. -Manipulator...and gaslighter. Especially with his sister, Dmitry is very manipulative. He often invents scenarios that never happened just to make her feel bad about it for days. To say Claire feels bad about this is an understatement. -Silent treatment. If he's angry he doesn't say why and when he does he can be silent for days. It is a torture for the others. -Ambitious. Ambition is good but not when it comes to his own where he would do anything to achieve his goals. -Smarter and above everyone. His thinking that he could decieve everyone and everything would be his own demise at the end.

TRIVIA -He has a ball albino python named diablo. He feeds him frozen rats or the ones that the janitor gave him for the snake. -He still has morals and can't stand people doing harm towards children or animals. -NPD (narcissist personality disorder) -His office it's almost always dark as he can't stand the light. -He hates when people touch his hair. He loves them way too much to even cut them and, in fact, they are long af. -Dmitry is anomalous. -He is a psychic than can walk through other people's dreams. -He can replace memories thanks to that. -The SHRP would be the ones that kill him at the end. He stepped way too forward with his experiments and pissed the wrong people off. -Victor penz would be the one to kill him with a gunshot

SUMMARY OF HIS STORY (STILL NOT SO DONE)

Dmitry was the first of the two to be born within two minutes of his twin sister Claire. It is not known where they were born, only that their mother gave birth to them somewhere in the United States. Raised in the hostile environment of the foundation but with the loving care of their mother Mandy Ross, a former nurse in the US Navy. Their father? Locked in the same site where they were born, metal walls separating this potentially dangerous man due to the toxic, potentially lethal nature of his body. In the early years of their lives, the twins immediately reveal themselves as curious troublemakers, always looking for other children like them to socialize with and will end up bonding closely with one of them in particular: Ira Watts, whom they will consider for life as a brother. Mandy, for reasons still unknown to them, decides to leave them and the foundation to join the GOC, leaving the twins and the adoptive brother to look after themselves with claire being the main caretaker for them with the help of Maria, who Dmitry would get extremely affectionate to as she is the one to guide and assist him during his studies. As the three separates just when they reach their adolescency, Dmitry was sent for a few years to study medicine and later psychiatry at a different facility than the site where he was born. Unfortunately here, the foundation will learn of his anomaly and some experiments will begin that will cost him whole days. Unbeknownst to him, they'll make him sleep a lot to see what he can do in other people's dreams. Eventually, at the end of his studies, he will reunite with his sister and soon after the accident with his father will take place which will leave him permanently injured not only physically but also mentally. The gases that he will inhale thanks to the acid will cause him to go into a coma that will go on for a few days, where he will hear everything and especially what the doctors will say, realizing that he means nothing to the foundation. The experience will leave him completely changed, developing questionable behaviors to say the least, especially towards his sister and without any specific motivation other than that he considers her a good-for-nothing who hasn't lifted a finger to save him. Their relationship will be so ruined that it will no longer be repairable. later on the two were approached by a man from the Internal Security Department (ISD) who was determined to recruit them as they were loyal members of the foundation. The two naively accepted and it was that meeting and that assignment that led them to site 5c where they still reside nowdays.

SITE 5C STORY LINE

(coming soon)

[happilydistinguishedbanana]

Fallen Pt. 2: Introductions

Authors note: I’m trying to get this story moving, and I promise that the reader will be able to chat with other characters normally!! But I’m thinking the longer she’s there, the more she’ll begin to under. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy!! I still also need to decide who is going to be the love interest!! I might put up a poll for you guys to decide.

Warnings: Mentions of nausea

Summary: Every bit of me is scared being in a strange place that I used to love watching behind a screen, but a little part of me is hopeful. Hopeful that I’ll be assigned to the Bad Batch.

Word count: 2239

Relationship: Undecided Batcher(s) x Female Reader

For the next week I was watched. Of course, I never actually caught anyone watching me, but it was that strange, tickling feeling at the back of my neck that let me know someone’s eyes were on me. Sleep didn’t come easily.

My mind was constantly thinking about Corey. I had gotten on her a lot for not having many friends, or at least any good ones. But she was the only friend I had at the college. We met freshman year and we’ve been stuck at the hip since. I started to wonder if she had gotten home safely that night and headed over to my dorm. And even though none of this was my fault, I still felt terrible that I couldn’t have met her halfway.

I had a lot to lose in this situation. I had a family back home, a life, a college education that was almost complete. I met a boy in class, a very sweet boy. We would study together and get coffee or lunch just outside the college campus. He answered my calls instead of ignoring them. He took me out for dates and then walked me back to my dorm to make sure I was safe. He had kissed me just days before I fell into this alternate universe. He kissed me, and I never got the chance to kiss him back.

It was things like this that kept me locked up in my pompous room with its pompous decor and pompous view. It was sickly to be in there, but maybe I wanted to feel sick. At some point, I started to think that karma is real and that stealing that box of cigarettes when I was fourteen was actually a lot worse than I thought.

Eventually I had to leave the nauseating comfort of my room. Not by choice of course. Obi Wan walked with me all the way to a landing station built for military personnel. He made me pack a bag too, so I could only assume that my stay is over.

Ships flew in and out in mesmerizing patterns that slowly started to make my head light after looking up for so long. It was loud. Engines roared and hyperdrives sputtered after the long trek to Coruscant. Obi Wan walked through the bay casually like none of the loud noises and thundering ships bothered him. I guess it wouldn’t if he’s off on missions as often as the show portrayed.

They should be here soon. His words filtered onto the datapad I still carried close to me. The port isn’t nearly large enough for a large ship filled with overtired and overworked clones. I’m assuming I was being put with an elite force, a force small in size but large in assets. But could it really be the Bad Batch?

We stood for a while in silence. It was awkward to make conversation with the language barrier. I wondered if I’ll ever get a translator, one that wasn’t a square device that I could fit in my hand.

Obi Wan perks up then, his eyes watching the mouth of the hanger eagerly. A ship flys in suddenly, with two down turned wings and a metal horn that sticks out of the top. The Marauder. The Bad Batches' Omicron-class shuttle just flew into the hangar.

The Jedi approached their ship with determination. I was starting to get the idea he was excited to get rid of me. But I stood still, partly out of shock, partly out of fear. The Bad Batch was an elite squadron of clones that had favorable mutations. They went on elite missions, tackled elite tasks, and fought a hundred droids with just the four of them. And sure, they’re probably one of my safer options, but I can’t even stand the thought of blood and gore. I bet trying to shoot someone would be even worse.

I watched them file out of the ship one by one. My hands rubbed at my eyes several times. Seeing Obi Wan and Windu was something, but this was entirely unreal. When they took off their helmets, they were a lot different looking than I expected. Maybe it's because they’re more real.

They talked for a while, just them and Obi Wan. There was this weird aura of respect between them. Wrecker was laughing, Tech put away his datapad, Hunter was Hunter, and even Crosshair seemed to be in a good mood. It was refreshing to see. But it also hurts to know what happens to them.

I didn’t realize I was smiling until Obi Wan gestured in my direction, alerting the men of my presence. My lips dropped, and suddenly I felt that same vulnerability I felt wearing that hospital gown.

I met them halfway but said nothing. It was one thing talking to one person at a time, it's a completely different thing to talk to four.

These are the clones that you are assigned to. Obi Wan told me, looking back at the group of clones. The batch eyed us and our interaction carefully. I felt my palms start to sweat.

“I can see that.” Obi Wan watches the datapad in my hand and chuckles.

They will watch over you, but you will have to follow them on missions. It could be dangerous. The others glance at each other with a knowing tilt of their heads. Hunter chuckled and I felt a shiver crawl down my spine.

“I don’t have much of a choice.” I shrugged though I could feel my heart beating faster. “Even if I stated my opinion, I doubt it would matter.”

Obi Wan frowned and turned to the rest of the group. They talked quietly, quiet enough that the translator couldn’t pick up what they were discussing. I grinded my foot into the ground impatiently.

A weird feeling in me was telling me to look up and I did. I regretted it. Crosshair was scowling at me, his gaze penetrating right through me. He was one of my favorites in the show, well, they’re all my favorite, so it was a bit of a reality check that he probably wouldn’t like me right off the bat. I am getting all up in his brother's business after all.

I stare at him blankly. One thing about staring contests is that you can get away with a lot of stuff. His eyes were a lovely golden brown color, his skin a lot tanner than the show portrayed, his lips quirking up slightly as if his permanent frown wasn’t all that permanent. He was beautiful, yet terrifying at the same time because behind all that beauty is a soldier, a sniper, and a killer. And if I were to give him any reason not to trust me, I don’t think he would hesitate to end me.

The datapad vibrated in my hand and I looked away. Obi Wan started to speak again. My neck warmed, not from embarrassment but from the sudden prospect of me being alone with four men. It made me nervous.

I must take my leave, it read. He waited for me to nod before giving me a quick smile and headed off. He didn’t even bother to say goodbye.

I rubbed my arms up and down. This was no good. No good at all.

Hunter started speaking to me, his voice gruff and serious. Unwavering. Of course I didn’t understand a thing until the device in my hand translated it to me. We need to head out in a few. Take your bags into the ship. Wrecker will show you around.

“All business.” I shook my head while the others looked at me curiously. “Can’t even introduce yourselves.” I mumbled quietly enough that Tech wouldn’t pick up what I was saying. Those damn goggles of his would be a problem. I was no fool to know that they translate any language that you could think of, and once again I felt like every part of me was being bled out through the words that came out of my mouth. I was exposed, and I had no power to fix it.

I hauled my bag up without the help of the largest clone of the batch. He was quite muscular, but he was still lean in some places. His scar on his face was a lot more graphic than I anticipated, and I tried my best to not regurgitate my lunch. I suddenly felt bad for being so sensitive.

The ship smelled of sweat and man, but I can’t say I’m surprised. Inside was self explanatory. Wrecker wouldn’t need to give me a tour.

I dumped my luggage into an empty corner. Wrecker was speaking rather nervously, saying more than he should, stumbling over his words. Not that I could understand any of it. It was cute that I made him fidgety. Big scary guy with a warm personality.

“Calm down.” I waved a hand in his direction. “All is well.”

He looked confused so I pulled up my datapad. He read it, widened his eyes, and then bloomed into the toothiest smile I had ever seen. I was taken aback.

He started to speak more rapidly than before, his nervousness dissipated into resolute joy. The translator could not pick up his words fast enough, each sentence a jumbled mess of what he was saying. And then suddenly I didn’t need to read the screen.

“-an’t wait for you to see us fightin’ those clankers!”

I whipped my head around, the task of unpacking my luggage long forgotten. My mouth parted and I shouted out a rude ‘stop!’

He froze and shut his mouth. The ship was silent except for the soft putt putt putt of what I think was the hyperdrive. Wrecker looked like a deer caught in the headlights, and I had no doubt I looked the same.

“What did you say?” I gaped at him. “Say it again.”

He looked at the datapad I had placed between us. He hesitantly spoke again, but it was the same, unfamiliar language that I was surrounded by. I couldn’t stop the moan of disappointment from leaving my lips.

“Dammit.” I cursed, turning back to my measly attempt at unpacking. There was hardly anything in the large duffle bag. A pair of flats and a pair of boots. A warm cloak, two pairs of pants, a pair of shorts, a few long sleeved shirts, a few short sleeves, several pairs of underwear and a white cloth to wrap my breasts because apparently bras don’t exist here unless you like the thin structure of a bralette. Oh, and a fashionably extravagant dress that I was certain would look terrible on me.

Wrecker didn’t speak any more, and I wasn’t surprised when I turned around and he wasn’t lingering behind me like he’d been doing. It was strange to be alone on the ship, but I felt a wave of relief. For the first time since I came here I felt alone. Actually alone. There were no shivers, no judgmental gazes watching me, no tenseness in my shoulders. It was a delightful feeling.

But it didn’t last for long. When you’re constantly watched all week, its not hard to tell when someone’s gaze lands on you.

“It's rude to stare.” I say. I zip up my bag and turn, expecting to see the cold sniper. But instead it's the intelligent mechanic.

Tech goes about the ship casually, as if he didn’t just get caught staring at me. He speaks a few words, and I laugh when the datapad translates his words. It would be unavoidable. We will be in close proximity with each other.

He glanced up at me, his fingers stilling over the button to the cockpit. He cocked his head like a chicken. It was cute.

“I suppose, though I’m sure I’ll have more problems with it than any of you.” I stand up from the floor and brush off my pants. His eyes watched me brilliantly.

He nodded shortly after, and I weirdly felt like I was actually having a normal conversation for once. And after my strange interaction with Wrecker, I was hoping that maybe I can get rid of my translating device all together. Eventually.

We chatted for a while until the others came back. Hunter showed me an empty closet where I could stay, and Crosshair eyed me with a look that was filled with interest. But I didn’t look too much into it. I was tired, emotionally drained, and felt the burning feeling of anxiety in my chest. It didn’t help when the batch took off, my feet tripping over themselves, landing me square into the wall. My face heated when I heard the crude snipers chuckle.

And then there was silence. I peeked in the cockpit to witness the colorful array of hyperspace. It was pretty to watch, but with the nauseous feeling that dug itself in my stomach after take off, I turned away before I puked all over the back of Hunter's head.

The only thing that was on my mind was getting rest, and while I laid on my hard mattress, a blanket barely big enough to cover the entirety of my body, I thought of all the possible thrilling things that could happen on my adventures with the Bad Batch. But I also thought of all the terrifying things too.

[thesaltyace]

omfg y'all am I insane or is this healthcare professional a fucking nutjob

(Spoiler: I know she's a fucking nutjob but would deeply appreciate others chiming in because I still feel crazy 😭)

Okay, so I am still reeling from this provider interaction and feel like I'm going crazy. To sum up, she downplayed covid in general, suggested that antivirals were more dangerous than covid itself, and I believe she tried to scare me and my partner into not asking for Paxlovid at all.

Background info:

My partner and I are both mid-30s. We both have health conditions that place us in the high risk category for serious covid complications (asthma, CKD, overweight/obese, etc.).

Because we have several high risk factors, we have been super careful for the past 3+ years, and fortunately haven't caught covid at all before now (to our knowledge).

We are primarily concerned about long term damage and possible long covid. We are aware that even though omicron has lower risk of long covid, it's still around 10-14% risk. Especially considering our high risk health conditions, we want to do everything we can to prevent long covid.

We are aware that Paxlovid is an oral antiviral that received full approval a couple of months ago for high risk groups.

What happened:

My partner and I both tested positive for covid today using an at-home test, so we decided to go to the local clinic. They offered to see us together and we agreed, so we're in the same exam room.

The tech who was taking our info asked, "You tested positive with an at-home test? When?" "Yes. We took the tests about an hour ago." She seemed confused. "So why are you here?" "To…. confirm with a PCR I guess? Or to get antivirals?" She seemed annoyed and quickly left.

[Edited to add - the LVN and tech discussed between themselves, before they left the room, that the provider said a PCR wasn't necessary since we had a positive home test and symptoms.]

When the provider (CNP) came in, she started off with the same question. "Okay, so I understand that you tested positive with at-home tests. So... why are you here?" We gave her the same answer: "To get Paxlovid? ...I guess?"

She scoffed and said, "I'll prescribe you Paxlovid if that's what you want, but I don't recommend it." Well, that wasn't what we expected to hear. She explained that she doesn't recommend it because it's only authorized for emergency use and "doesn't really do as much for you as you'd like to think." She went on to explain that it interacts with "a ton of really common medications" so it can be very risky to use anyway, possibly even more risky than covid itself. My partner spoke up to say, "Yes, we saw that the only medication of mine that appears to have an interaction is amlodipine but that it isn't a contraindication." and she quickly said, "Right, but Paxlovid is just very risky if you have anything cardiovascular going on."

O…kay….

She then explained that Paxlovid isn't really for mild cases anyway, it's really just for people who are at high, high risk for severe covid symptoms and would, like, die in 24 hours without treatment. We found this odd (and in fact blatantly wrong) based on our own knowledge of Paxlovid and covid, so we didn't quite know what to say. I felt very put off and like I couldn't trust what she was telling us. It's at this point that I suspected this woman was trying to dissuade us from taking Paxlovid for… I have no idea what reason. But we live in West Texas and it's extremely red here, so… draw your own conclusion. (I did.)

She then started talking down to us (IMO) by explaining that we would still have to deal with the coughs and sniffles even if we took the antivirals. As though we were only there for a quick fix, because our little stuffy noses were so annoying. I finally spoke up and explained that we're less concerned about acute symptoms and more concerned about long-term effects and possible long covid.

This really made my blood boil. She proceeded to tell me that 1) Paxlovid won't help with preventing long covid, 2) omicron doesn't really cause long covid, that's just the original covid strain that does that, so no one is really seeing new cases of long covid, and 3) no one's getting severely sick from covid anymore anyway, and we appear to have a mild case, so I shouldn't really be concerned. You know, folks, based on my own knowledge, those are some pretty sweeping unsupported statements. So the more she talks, the more concerned I get.

She then starts telling us about how there's all sorts of adverse reactions that can happen with Paxlovid. Horrible reactions that could totally ruin your life! Worse than long covid! But no specific reactions mentioned at this point - just general "Oh, it's so bad" pearl-clutching statements. We sat silently through this -- I think wondering if this was actually happening.

Our continued silence finally caught her attention. "Oh, I know, most people don't expect to hear all this!" "Uh huh." At this point, I'm trying to not to pinch the bridge of my nose and sigh. "So what are the risk factors for these reactions?" "Well, they're far-reaching effects that can ruin your health and your life! It can happen to anyone. Things like hemorrhagic stroke--" I am extremely annoyed and cut her off. "Okay, fine, but that doesn't answer my question. What are the RISK FACTORS for these reactions?" "There are none." "None? No risk factors. No correlations. For any of these reactions." "No. It affects everyone equally. Age, sex, race, doesn't matter. You aren't safe because you're young." "No specific health conditions that would put one at higher risk of these bad reactions?" "No, it affects EVERYONE the same."

^^ If y'all don't see why that kind of claim is absolute bullshit I don't know what to tell you. I'm not 100% sure, but I don't think I've ever heard of any condition/reaction that that has zero identifiable risk factors or correlations, that just somehow affects everyone equally. She pulled that out of her ass, full stop.

Anyway, we just stared at her again because what else do you say to that kind of fearmongering bullshit? She followed up with, "And this drug is only approved for emergency use, so you know, you're taking a big risk if you choose to take Paxlovid. Like, I have to confirm in our system when I send the prescription that you understand the risks. And it is a risk."

Here's the thing. I remembered seeing a couple of months ago that Paxlovid was now fully approved for high risk groups. You know, like me and my partner. She's trying to tell us that Paxlovid is somehow more dangerous than covid/the risk of developing long covid. As best I can tell based on current data, risk of developing long covid from omicron is around 10-14%. Is this woman seriously trying to tell me that Paxlovid has greater than a 10-14% chance of causing severe issues with no known correlations/risk factors, and was somehow still fully approved for high risk patients a couple of months ago? Something is seriously off here.

If I had to listen to any more of this bullshit I think I was going to lose my absolute mind and verbally rip into her. She already said she'd prescribe it if we wanted it, and I didn't want to risk that changing by pissing her off, so finally I was like, "Okay, I guess can we have a moment to discuss this together, then?" I figured we'd be able to exchange a quick, "This woman is crazy. Yes, let's ask for the Paxlovid", but she goes, "Oh, no, I'll just go ahead and submit the prescription. None of the pharmacies are open until tomorrow morning anyway, so that'll give you plenty of time to consider it. And if you decide you don't want it, just don't fill it. But if you decide you do, the prescription is already submitted."

O....kay... then...

So she leaves and soon the LVN comes in with the appointment summary printoffs. The LVN asks us if the provider discussed with us the cardiovascular risks associated with Paxlovid.

"No...? I mean, she said it can interact with blood pressure medication but that's it."

"Well, it can have some pretty nasty cardiovascular side effects. I used to work in cardio at the peak of covid and we got calls all the time about whether or not this cardio patient could take Paxlovid."

No mention about what the answer actually was for all those phone calls -- just the vague implication that it's terrifying to take Paxlovid because it might hurt your heart. Again, this just didn't match what we knew about Paxlovid, but we also aren't confident enough to call them on it ourselves.

We got out of there as quickly as we could and agreed in the car that we would look up more info online when we got home; however, our inclination was already to fill the prescription and take the Paxlovid. We tried looking up these adverse effects she warned us about. All we can find is info about medication interactions, which we already knew. We found studies stating that cardiac patients benefited more than most groups from taking Paxlovid. We found ample information suggesting, as we already knew, that with our health conditions we are absolutely recommended to take Paxlovid and that we personally have no contraindications.

It occurred to us after we got home that the provider never told my partner what to do in terms of adjusting the amlodipine while taking Paxlovid. They'll have to ask the pharmacist tomorrow and may skip the amlodepine tomorrow until they can ask their regular doctor about it on Monday. Sucks that this is happening over a weekend and the only medical professionals available will be the same folks we just saw, because they sound absolutely INSANE.

In case anyone is wondering, uh, yeah, as best I can tell, current data suggests Paxlovid helps reduce the acute illness period AND may reduce the risk of long covid. And I couldn't find a single goddamn thing about severe reactions like hemorrhagic stroke. So I don't know what the actual fuck these people were doing trying to blow smoke up our asses, but it PISSES ME THE FUCK OFF. They have done this to other people. And even if we complain, I'm sure they will be allowed to continue doing this to other people because covid deniers and downplayers are the norm here, not the outliers.

[akirakirxaa]

because i'm a sucker for angst: 26. A kiss while one or both parties are crying

[Prompt list here. Warning for Endwalker spoilers under the break.]

Akira never looked away from G'raha's face as she shook her head in denial, taking a single step back.

"No," she denied. "No, I can't do this again."

She knew the despair of this place was getting to her, could feel it weighing down on her shoulders with all the hopes and expectations of the people she left behind. Both on Etheirys and in the past.

But this might be more than she could bear.

"I know," he stepped forward with her, taking her hand. "And it's not fair. But I promise-"

"No, no more promises," her voice cracked as she braced herself against his chest. "The only promise I want from you is the promise that we'll be going home together." G'raha pulled her close and pressed his lips to her forehead.

"We will," he swore. "I know we will. Because I believe in you." Despite her best attempts, Akira felt tears slip down her cheeks. He took her face in his hands, brushing her tears away with his thumbs as he pressed his lips to hers before stepping away, turning to the giant omicron with determination in his eyes. And before she knew it, he was gone too.

She gasped for air, feeling like she was drowning. No no no no. She clutched at her head, collapsing to her knees. She could hear, as if from a distance, the twins calling out for her, but she couldn't hear clearly, couldn't see through the darkness suddenly surrounding her. No hope no hope no hope.

"Akira!" she felt a hand on her shoulder and lifted her head to see Alphinaud kneeling in front of her. "If you give up now, we'll lose all of them! We can still save them!" Akira fought to slow her breathing, feeling the panic and despair spiraling in equal measure. Alisaie pushed forward and shoved her hand in Akira's pocket, pulling out the Azem crystal and pressing it into her hand.

"You made a promise, remember?" through her own tears Akira could see Alisaie's face was wet as well, though her jaw was set and her eyes focused. "Don't you have a legacy to uphold or some such?" Akira's fist clenched around the orange crystal, not calling on its power, just reminding herself it was there. Reminding herself of all the sacrifices and pain that got her to this point. She couldn't waste it now.

The darkness receded.

~*~

Her body felt like it was floating. Or maybe like it didn't exist at all. Maybe this was it for her. Maybe it was always going to be that she and Zenos would destroy each other. She remembered her promise to G'raha, to go home, to have more adventures, to stay together, and the guilt settled in her gut.

Between bouts of unconsciousness, she realized she had a growing awareness of her body, and very quickly wished she didn't as the agony began to settle down to her very bones.

What felt like centuries later, she could hear again, hear whispers and frets and whimpers around her. Judging by her own aches, she probably looked dead. Carefully, she pried her eyes open, listening as the murmers around her rose to excited chaos. In the midst, G'raha pushed his way forward, eyes wide and distraught, ears flat against his head as he knelt next to her, tears already falling.

"Do you realize how worried I've been?" He admonished between peppering her face and horns with kisses like she might disappear at any moment. "I thought you were... Don't you ever do that again!" Akira couldn't help the small chuckle, even if it did rattle her ribs around painfully, and turned her head just so to catch his lips.

"You first," she smirked, and he sputtered as she could hear Y'shtola laughing somewhere behind them. "You all get to scare me half to death regularly. Turnabout's fair play." He glanced away in shame, and that wouldn't do. She weakly reached up and grabbed his shirt, pulling him back down for another kiss. She could still taste the salt from his tears on his lips and felt that guilt again.

"But now we're even," she said softly. "So no more self sacrifice. Never again."

"Never," he agreed.

[atlanticcanada]

New COVID-19 sub-variant identified in Nova Scotia

The last few days have been difficult and nerve-wracking for Alicia Layes as she makes rounds to the intensive care unit to see her grandfather. After learning that there is a new sub-variant in Nova Scotia, she’s been feeling even more scared.

Layes is a health-care worker in a long-term care facility in Antigonish who is surrounded by immunocompromised people on a daily basis. She says adding another variant to worry about is overwhelming.

“It’s exhausting having to worry about where you’re going [and] what you’re touching. Dragging it into long-term care was my biggest fear,” said Layes.

XBB. 1.5 is an omicron variant that spreads very quickly. Nova Scotia Health and Wellness confirmed two cases of the sub-variant also known as Kraken.

While Canada has not seen a surge of the Kraken variant, epidemiologist and cardiologist Dr. Christopher Labos said it’s important to remember that the COVID-19 pandemic is not over.

“We cannot close our eyes to what’s happening,” he said.

Experts say that as of now, vaccines and boosters should help prevent serious illnesses caused by Kraken.

“If you get the bivalent booster that also has protection against some of the Omicron sub-variants, that is going to help against this too,” said Dr. Labos.

Nova Scotia Health has additional clinics open this weekend for COVID-19 testing. The province is also encouraging every household to have at least one testing kit at home.

from CTV News - Atlantic https://ift.tt/JK4iFnq

[autumn-storms-and-coffee-rings]

I posted 644 times in 2022

35 posts created (5%)

609 posts reblogged (95%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@sonofuoco

@celestial-alignment

@istudypirates

@abundanceofme

@district4jediwizardwaterbender

I tagged 641 of my posts in 2022

#personal - 96 posts

#art - 57 posts

#lmfao - 48 posts

#ofmd - 45 posts

#our flag means death - 45 posts

#text - 41 posts

#robert conrad - 34 posts

#the wild wild west - 34 posts

#travel - 34 posts

#edward teach - 30 posts

Longest Tag: 111 characters

#i swear those who same people for wanting the government’s help have never read the declaration of independence

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

i know NaNoWriMo is for writing novels, but what if i used it to push myself to write some of these 5272628 blog posts i’ve been meaning to write for literal years.

4 notes - Posted November 3, 2022

#4

i wrote op-eds for my school paper when i was an undergraduate. it’s been a lifelong dream to publish an op-ed with a national news organization.

last week, i was livid and depressed and fired off a haphazard pitch. my first ever pitch. 

anyway. 

it’s been published! and i’m getting paid!  

i want to keep writing. i want to send better pitches. but i’ve accomplished a goal. 

and because it came in a week where i’m quitting my job of six years and starting a part-time job, i’m not properly excited. which sucks. i’m not sure how to celebrate this. 

anyway. 

mutuals - if you want to read it, shoot me a message and i’ll send the link your way!

6 notes - Posted May 31, 2022

#3

thinking about ~ * them * ~

6 notes - Posted November 22, 2022

#2

a gift for my mutuals: a very niche meme.

7 notes - Posted July 17, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

so we’ve refused more lockdowns because of the disruption to the economy.

what makes this disruption from rampant infection acceptable?

omicron still a dangerous variant of covid. it still puts the most vulnerable among us at risk -especially now with a more transmissible strain and no lockdown in place to prevent spread. it still puts an immense burden on the healthcare system.

this push to return to “normal” and “live with the virus” is reckless.

i’ve yet to have covid because i’ve given up a majority of my life for nearly two years - to keep my high risk self safe, to keep my high risk parents safe, to keep my community safe.

yes, i have a white collar job where i’ve been granted ada accommodations. but saying that doesn’t reveal the struggle of getting those accommodations (ada protects employers more than employees; did you know that employers can deny accommodations if the employer feels it places undue hardship on them?). it doesn’t reveal the reality of living, working, sleeping in one room for the majority of two years.

being chronically ill is not a privilege.

i’ve been told to stay home if i’m vulnerable, if i’m “scared.”

i’ve been told by the actions of millions and by the actions of people i love that my life is less valuable because of my chronic illnesses.

i’ve been told that it’s okay if i have to give up my live to stay safe, it’s okay if i merely exist and lose access to so many things that give my life meaning.

we can’t interfere with the return to normal for the abled.

am i asking you to not live your life as you wish? essentially - yes. for now - yes.

what makes your ability to live your life and pursue normal more important than my ability to live my life safely and pursue normal?

we should be striving for a return to normal that’s accessible for everyone - including the disabled and chronically ill communities. any other normal is unjust.

how do we get there? get vaccinated. get boosted. wear a quality mask. curb activities that aren’t essential. push for equitable global vaccine access. ask how you can help your high risk friends.

care about each other. care about healthcare workers. care about people like me. act for the collective.

yes, i’m angry. yes, this post will probably piss people off.

but i wanted to offer my truth, my reality for the past two years, my reality for the foreseeable future.

but part of the problem with hearing for nearly two years that my life is less valuable, that it’s okay for me to live a less fulfilling life is that i start to believe it.

and i want to be clear - i’m not faulting the workers who cannot stay home. i’m faulting capitalism. i’m faulting individualism. i’m faulting the system for ignoring this chance to reimagine and reinvent a better education system, a better healthcare system, a better economic system, a better collective society.

46 notes - Posted January 9, 2022

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