#wash your hands don’t go out when you’re sick and get vaccinated

[corporalkiheart]

I work in Paediatrics and we have a lot of medically vulnerable children. You know what vulnerable DOES mean, when we write in our notes, our clinic letters?

It means take a little extra care. Be a little extra cautious. Have a lower threshold for hospital observation because they can become ill more quickly. Be extra careful about exposures. Bring in senior and specialist advice earlier, because they’re complex. It means yes, they will take more time and effort, so *take that time and effort*.

'they were medically vulnerable' doesn't mean they were already dead or dying

'they were medically vulnerable' doesn't mean it was inevitable they would get the virus

'they were medically vulnerable' doesn't mean their life didn't matter

'they were medically vulnerable' doesn't mean their death isn't sad

they were medically vulnerable' is not an explanation for how or why they got COVID, because existing disabilities and conditions are not COVID and do not cause COVID

'they were medically vulnerable' doesn't mean that there was nothing that could have been done on others' part to prevent them from getting it

'they were medically vulnerable' doesn't mean they deserved to die or should have died

'they were medically vulnerable' is not there so you can feel relieved you aren't like them while doing nothing to protect people like them

'they were medically vulnerable' didn't make it any less important for people to try to protect them from infection than it is to protect you, your life is not worth more or less than theirs was

'they were medically vulnerable' does not mean they were fucking expendable

(seriously some of you sound downright genocidal about this topic and it makes me want to lie down on the floor and sob)

[postoctobrist]

Where should I be wearing masks? Frankly, putting them on feels insane and pointless now, and I’ve gotten pretty fucking close to believing that it IS, so I’ve tried to mitigate that by doing a bunch of weird rules lawyering around when and where I put it on

Oh man okay I’m going to get yelled at for this. So there’s this balance between minimising risk to yourself and others, and being able to live a live you enjoy and which doesn’t make you feel insane. The safest way to live is completely indoors away from everyone, but very few people like doing that unless they have to. We couldn’t stay locked down forever because it was an unsustainable change. Masks are very effective but people do not like wearing them or even seeing other people wearing them, really. Shit, I mean we can barely get people to wash their hands and that’s one of the most effective and least annoying public health interventions there is. So you can wear an N95 everywhere but I don’t think you’re going to succeed at normalising it, and people are going to stare at you etc.

Also, the risk side of the equation has changed (some people are very reluctant to acknowledge this!). Not for everyone, certainly, but covid is just endemic now, vaccinations have been very very effective, and we’re kind of back to playing the same dumb luck game we agree to play with every other transmissible illness. Is that great? Not really, but there’s only so much you can make people, including yourself, do. It also means that the consequences of transmission are, while still potentially very bad, materially not the same as the ‘freezer truck stacked full of dead bodies’ days of covid.

I think the most important situation to wear a mask in is if you know you’re ill or have just recently been ill. That does miss the bit where you’re most contagious, because you’re asymptomatic, but like I say, imperfect world. Anyway, if you have to go out and you’re coughing and sneezing all the time it’s worthwhile.

Also if you know you’re going to be in a situation where you know you’re going to be in close contact with more vulnerable people - hospital, care home - or it’s really crowded or has more recirculated air - subway, plane, etc.

And of course you should always wear one to a protest, to minimise covid transmission. Covid also hates it when you wear unremarkable clothing and cover any distinctive tattoos.

The main thing I want to get across is that it’s not the end of the world if you don’t wear a mask somewhere, whether you get sick or someone else gets sick or nobody does. One of the worst social phenomena to come out of the pandemic was this idea that blame is an effective public health tool. I simply don’t believe in morality at that scale and I don’t think it’s anyone’s fault that there happen to be weird microscopic copy machines floating around waiting to unthinkingly copy themselves all over the insides of someone’s lungs. It’s a good thing to wear a mask when you can, but it doesn’t make you a good person, or a bad one if you don’t.

You do have to keep washing your hands, though, I’m not giving up on that one.

[funnuraba]

I know all this posting about masks and Covid risks is a real bummer, but trust me: an awful lot of people are gonna get a taste of what it’s like to be severely disabled over the next years and decades. Healthcare and caregivers are hard enough to find now. So trust me, it’s in your best interests to minimize your exposure now while you have the chance, because the most likely scenario is massive, massive numbers of newly disabled people, coupled with the decimation of healthcare workers, who are already the most likely to be exposed to contagious people and spread it to their other patients. There’s no ventilation or masking in schools, so we’re not getting a new influx from the younger generations. Indifferent robots might actually be our best option for care soon.

You’re not gonna be protected by spending your time with leftists, because all the ones I follow or see in my orbit are posting pictures of huge unmasked gatherings, or admitting they only mask when there’s a surge going around or they “feel” like people are contagious. Around half of their infections are asymptomatic, but they cause the same level of long term damage and spread just as fast to other people.

Being outside doesn’t help as much you think it does (air circulation helps a lot, but the particles don’t vanish into another dimension). Current vaccinations don’t keep you from catching or spreading it. Washing your hands doesn’t help. Cloth and surgical masks barely do anything. It doesn’t matter if you “only” take your mask off in a restaurant for a few minutes to eat. It doesn’t matter if the people around you aren’t sneezing or coughing, or if you think you’re sick yourself at the moment. The virus doesn’t care what’s fair, or what makes you happy, or who seems perfectly healthy to you. You need an N95 at the bare minimum, and if at all possible you need to avoid things like air travel and large gatherings right now.

Once you’re at the point where you’re facing becoming bedridden from a single infection *waves*, you’re going to wish you still had the energy for zoom calls and quick masked grocery runs. And you’re gonna find out very quickly that your life is worth nothing to most people, and that 99% of them want nothing more than for you to die and stop annoying them by begging for help.

[creedx13]

Jason Creed Sabertooth Part 2

The Aftermath

 I just got off the train when I was engulfed In a cloud of brimstone smoke two blue arms with grippy bifractured hands grabbed me in a bear hug from the front. “Extraction incoming, hold your breath.” I do as i’m told and brace my self for the implosion of air I love my uncle but I hate this part. BAMF as soon as the smoke clears and my ears stop ringing and I have my bearings again I notice we’re in the faculty locker room. One of the nurses from the infirmary is there to. Dose everyone know about my sabertooth debacle? “Normally we’re doing this for logan” the nurse commented “what were you thinking? Kurt questions me. “ I wasn't “ I admit. 

“Now here’s the procedure you strip down and hand me your clothes to be washed and then you stand against that wall and stand still for kurt to hose you down I’ll be back with clean clothes vaccines and sicky sutures and bone and joint braces you'll need to wear for a week.” she explains. I strip it’s embarasing but It’s not like they haven’t seen me naked before and neither of them care kurt’s too body positive to notice or care and nurse patty is like 46 and has seen it all and then some.

I hand her my blood soaked clothes and i stand against the wall and kurt gives me that broad mischievous grin he dose so well. ‘Now comes the fun part, for me, not for you.’ he says with  a giggle. I brace myself and the gush of water hits me washing my gand father’s blood off of me and down the drain  “now. put your hands up and turn around slowly.” I do as i’m told and he hoses off down my back and leggs finishing off by blasting me right in the back of the head I whip around and growl at him. My uncle just laughs. “I’m used to doing this with logan, you’re just a grubby puppy all growl no bite. You can’t scare me. But  Next time  please leave sabertooth to the grown ups ok? mein kleiner Schatz.” his tone switched from goofing off to worried sick real quick, we don’t have a whole lot in common like I have with logan he sometimes ropes me into his pranks or sends me bible quotes he thinks might help me but that’s about it. My uncle kurt dose love me he is the only biological family I have that Isn’t a colosal sociopath/narcissist/ homicidal maniac. I’m pretty sure the feeling is mutual. “ I don’t want anything to do with sabertooth don’t worry. I just wanted to go to the cuniform and the wild places exhibit.” I tell him. He gives me a relived smile. “We can go together on my next day off avoiding trouble is easier when you can teleport.”  “ thank you.” I replied  “ great now that’s sorted. get in the tub. youre still a walking biohazard, you're getting the deep cleaning protocol.” he ordered pointing at the big round bath tub. In the center of the room he poured some bubble bath in and stirred it in with one of those bath brushes with the long handel encouraging bubbles. “Step in but give me your hands your claws look as atrocious as the rest of you.” I do as i'm told keeping my hands out of the water and giving them to him over the side of the bath my armpits resting on a plush towl for comfort the rest of my body under my bath bubbles. “Arguably your claws got the worst of it.” he said distainfully pulling a long blond hair from under my middle claw taking a small chunk of flesh out with it. He looked a little disturbed by this so to break the tension I said  “If you think this is bad you should see the other guy.” I grinned.  Kurt just gave me a disapproving tut and swatted my hand. “No more fighting. That’s an order.” he dictated 

“Yes sir.” I acknowledged. 

“Good boy” nuse patty said setting her equipment up beside me. Damn, that lady Is really sneaky I guess that’s how you survive in a house full of mutant kids. “ hey, Jason ignore her, focus on me.” Kurt encourages me. “I know how you feel about needles but I need you to try your best to not bite me. Ok?” nurse patty instructs as If I was an injured wild animal. After I’m all cleaned up I only growl at nurse patty twice this time And no one got bit or scratched I’ve matured. Compared to Sabertooth nurse patty is a walk in the park. Kurt brought me a clean Xaivier’s tracksuit it's grey and green and super comfy. My uncle Kurt set me up with a blanket in the xmen’s rec room he then put an errol flynn movie on. Mr. Logan ended up joining us but I fell asleep halfway through I was so exhausted and clean and comfy I couldn’t keep my eyes open but before I blacked out I think I caught them holding hands, that's sweet, good for them welcome to the family mr. logan now he might be my uncle through Kurt and or Sabertooth. Nice, I like Mr. Logan good for Kurt. I sleep peacefully and I am thankful that my family isn’t all bad I’m glad I have Kurt and Mr. Logan to look out for me when I need them.

[zealousnightsublime]

Intermittent Fasting Can Be Effective But Not For Everyone

Intermittent Fasting Can Be Effective But Not For Everyone.The health benefits of intermittent fasting have made it one of the buzziest diets around. But not everyone can benefit from it. It’s important to note that you should never fast if you have diabetes, are underweight or have a history of eating disorders. It’s also important to keep in mind that you need to be hydrated, even when you’re fasting. Weight Loss Intermittent fasting, or IF, is a common eating plan that alternates periods of going without food (fasting) with meals. It can be effective for weight loss, but not for everyone. For example, it’s not a good idea for people with low blood sugar because a drop in blood sugar can lead to dangerous symptoms like shakiness, heart palpitations and fatigue. It’s also not a good idea for pregnant women, people who have eating disorders or those with severe obesity. Several different approaches to intermittent fasting exist, including alternate day fasting, the 5:2 diet and time-restricted feeding. Those that more naturally restrict calories through longer or more often fasting, such as alternate day fasting, will promote greater weight loss than time-restricted eating. While fasting can be effective for weight loss, it’s still important to eat a balanced diet with lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy and lean protein. Eating healthy isn’t always easy, and many people don’t make the effort to do so. Immune System Strength Whether you’re fighting an infection or just trying to stay healthy, it’s important to remember that your immune system is the body’s primary defense against viruses and bacteria. In addition to maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise, there are a few other lifestyle practices that can help boost your immunity. They include getting adequate sleep, washing your hands frequently and thoroughly, avoiding sick folks, and staying up to date with recommended vaccines. However, a recent study published in Science suggests that prolonged fasts may impair your immune system. Using mice, researchers found that when they stopped eating, the number of monocytes - a type of white blood cell that fights infection and recruits other cells to treat injury - plummeted. Cardiovascular Health Intermittent fasting, or a diet based on intermittent regulated periods of eating and fasting, can be effective for cardiovascular health. It has been shown to improve obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia and diabetes. The exact mechanisms remain to be determined, but these dietary patterns can potentially exert their effects through multiple pathways including reducing oxidative stress, optimization of circadian rhythms and inducing ketogenesis. In addition to its weight loss benefits, the practice also lowers cholesterol and triglycerides. It increases high-density lipoprotein, or HDL, which is known to be heart-protective. However, it’s important to note that intermittent fasting is not for everyone and should only be used in conjunction with other lifestyle changes. It’s also not safe for people with certain conditions or undergoing medical treatment, such as patients who are taking antihypertensive drugs or have diabetes or heart failure. Mental Health In addition to promoting weight loss and improved metabolic health, intermittent fasting can also have positive effects on mental health. Studies are accumulating that show fasting can reduce depression and anxiety, as well as increase positive mood and improve cognitive performance. Intermittent fasting is a natural practice that humans have been using for thousands of years. Ancient hunter-gatherers, who often had to forage in harsh environments where they couldn't find food, evolved to be able to go without food for long periods of time. When you fast, your body goes into autophagy mode — a self-cleaning process that clears out old cells and recycles new ones. This is important for your brain, because it helps to detoxify the system and clean up any excess junk that builds up during the day. Research shows that fasting can also improve oxidative stress, which has been linked to mental health issues like Alzheimer's disease. This helps to reduce inflammation, improve cognitive performance and increase resilience against future adversity. Read the full article