#wearamask — Public Fediverse posts

I made my own sign for Mom's hospital stay.

#PreventativeHealth #MasksSaveLives #MaskUp #WearAMask #AirborneInfectionProtection #StopTheSpread #Healthcare #medical #CovidIsNotOver #AirborneInfections #Hospitals #PutYourMaskOn

Dear Fediverse, can you please help me find the overlap between these three groups?

A: people willing and eager to wear a respirator indoors
B: people interested in board games
C: people living in or close to berlin

I can't be the only one, right? Boosts would be highly appreciated, maybe you know someone who knows someone...? Thank you!

#stillmasking
#maskup
#wearamask
#covidisnotover
#longcovid
#chronicillness
#berlin
#boardgames
#brettspiel
#venndiagram

From yesterday, at Saanich Peninsula ER.
Poor public health management on a poster. Surgical masks are better than no masks but they're not strong enough protection against airborne contagious illnesses. If people wait for symptoms to start wearing masks in hospitals - it's already too late. Many airborne contagious illnesses are asymptomatic so people who don't feel sick/look physically sick are still more than able to infect others. Stop the fast public spread of more contagious airborne illnesses by wearing at least an KN95 or N95 mask in every medical setting & anywhere you're indoors with a bunch of strangers.

#WearAMask #AirborneInfectionProtection #AirborneInfections #StopTheSpread #CovidIsNotOver #PreventativeHealth #PutYourMaskOn #MaskUp #Hospitals #medical #PublicHealth #IslandHealth #StopEugenics #VIHA #BCHealth #BCPoli #BonnieHenrySocialMurderer #StopSocialMurders #AbleistsSuck #AntiAbleism

Fairly well vetted article in the Boston Globe about Covid-19 SuperDodgers.

The Boston Globe asked readers who believe they’ve never caught the coronavirus to share their experiences. They published a small variety of responses but covered the spectrum. As someone who is more careful than most, it was an interesting read.

Almost as surprising, though there are the usual minimizers and deniers in the comments, there's actually a lot of pushback (I know, never look at the comments):
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/06/03/metro/never-covid-novid-gene-trials/?s_campaign=8315:varf

#Covid19 #BostonGlobe #Novids #PublicHealth #GetVacinnated #WearAMask

@DenisCOVIDinfoguy I see it in every hospital in Victoria, BC & yet majority of staff aren't masked. I'm one of very few people in health care services, who have to see clients in all 3 of the hospitals here, who never stopped masking up. Cleaner air systems haven't been installed to increase public health safety in hospitals either. Our health care system will collapse - physically & financially - if provincial & federal governments keep ignoring covid & the many dire, costly, medical consequences it brings.

#BCpoli #CDNpoli #medical #Healthcare #FailureToProtect #HealthCareCrisis #Covid #MasksSaveLives #CovidSafety #AirborneInfections #CleanTheAir #PreventativeHealth #WearAMask

The Boston Sunday Globe did a good article covering Long Covid and its long term effects:
https://archive.ph/eQpan

#BostonGlobe #LongCovid #Covid19 #PublicHealth #WearAMask #GetVaccinated

The Boston Sunday Globe did a good article covering Long Covid but for some reason, it's the only article in the entire paper I can't share. So for the first time, I took screenshots and am sharing them here.
#BostonGlobe #LongCovid #Covid19 #PublicHealth #WearAMask #GetVaccinated

#ThrowbackThursday 2022.
I miss Dad very much 😢 ❤️ He's been gone for over 2 years now.
I remember this day well. It was an excellent family bonding day. We had a nice dinner after a short walk together. 3 months after this photo was taken, Dad had to go to ER for a leg muscles issue. He was infected with covid by unmasked hospital staff. It happened shortly after our eugenics government removed public masking mandates. Dad ended up dying from covid related cardiac arrest, the following Summer.

I have never forgiven the #BCgovernment or #unmasked #hospital staff for killing my Dad. We had him fully protected with home #caregiving for years. It took less than 2 days in hospital for him to get #covid.

Please #WearAMask. Please don't let my Dad & others who died from getting covid from unmasked people, to be forgotten. It could be you or your family members, next. Covid doesn't care if you believe in it or not - it will end up wrecking your life, one way or another.

#AsianMastodon #RIPDad #CovidDeaths #CovidKills #MasksSaveLives #MaskUp #CovidIsNotOver #CovidSafety #CovidCautious #CovidIsAirborne #AirborneIllness #AirborneInfections #virology #medical #health #BCpoli #CDNpoli #BCNDP #BCNewDeathParty #Eugenics #FailureToProtect #PublicAccountability #PublicScrutiny #PublicTransparency #FireBonnieHenry #CovidFailure #BCMedical #BCHealth #MedicalMurders #SocialMurder #GovernmentPoliciesKill #FamilyPhotos #FamilyMemories

It’s bad enough we have healthcare workers refusing to mask, now one openly admits to practicing medicine while he has measles!

Does the HHS Secretary condemn this behaviour? No. He praises the doctor as an “extraordinary healer”.

Measles is airborne & wildly contagious. This doctor should lose his license. He almost certainly infected multiple patients.

https://apnews.com/article/texas-measles-outbreak-rfk-jr-ben-edwards-2dd7c79d47c64ad2e6d4a4ac3c87ec1f

#measles #texas #vaccines #rfkjr #hhs #uspoli #publichealth #donoharm #wearamask #keepmasksinhealthcare

“If you’ve been fighting for Covid mitigations for the last five years - you more than likely saw this coming. It was painfully obvious when the great unmasking occurred that many people on BOTH sides of the aisle didn’t care about the “vulnerable”. Didn’t care about community or protecting their neighbours. Didn’t care about anything other than their own ability to go to brunch, travel, socialize and get ‘back to normal.’

I’m not saying people should have shuttered inside their homes forever. None of us are. But they should have kept masking. There was no reason to stop. Respirators are highly effective at stopping the spread of Covid. The vast majority of people CAN wear them. We have mask blocs all over the world to provide masks to people who can’t afford them. It’s a simple thing you can do to protect yourself and - perhaps more importantly - protect others.”

If you missed my latest - it’s about the U.S. election, disability rights, eugenics, fascism and how we got to where we are. Perhaps more importantly - it’s about what comes next.

https://www.disabledginger.com/p/how-did-we-get-here-and-what-comes

#CovidIsAirborne #CovidCautious #CovidIsNotOver #CleanAir #WearaMask #Disability #LongCovid #Ableism #Denial #CleanAir #Pandemic #PublicHealth #InfectionControl #Eugenics #SafeHealthcare #N95 #Respirators #MasksWork #MaskUp #Spoonie #Discrimination #Dysautonomia #mecfs #pots #mcas #communitycare #wearamask #chronicillness #keepmasksinhealthcare #MaskBans #NoMaskBans #fascism #election2024

Even if you don’t care about the health of others - you should be masking RIGHT NOW to protect yourself.

Disabled people have been telling you for years there is NO help when you become chronically ill.

This won’t improve in the next 4 years. Protecting your health is paramount.

Understand that those of us who’ve been advocating for Covid mitigations for years are exhausted. We’re frustrated. We’re fed up.

Many of us don’t have our health. We’re terribly sick and choosing to spend our limited energy trying to protect people who hate us.

We aren’t doing this for fun. We’re doing it because it’s necessary and no one else is bothering.

We know that there’s no exceptions - that once you lose your health your life changes forever.

We want to protect YOU despite the horrible way you’ve treated us for years.

Consider that the next time you’re tempted to yell at someone for masking or make fun of someone for trying to protect others.

We WANT to be wrong - but we know we’re not.

You NEED to be right because the alternative is too hard for you to face.

#CovidIsAirborne #CovidCautious #CovidIsNotOver #CleanAir #WearaMask #Disability #LongCovid #Ableism #Denial #CleanAir #Pandemic #PublicHealth #InfectionControl #Eugenics #SafeHealthcare #N95 #Respirators #MasksWork #MaskUp #Spoonie #Discrimination #Dysautonomia #mecfs #pots #mcas #communitycare #wearamask #chronicillness #keepmasksinhealthcare #MaskBans #NoMaskBans

For anyone who’s struggling right now and needs a reminder - you are not expendable.

A person’s worth should never be determined by their health or their ability to be cogs in the machine of capitalism.

To everyone else - if upon hearing that someone was disabled or killed by Covid your first reaction is any of the following - you are part of the problem. You’re telling people their lives don’t count. That protecting them is too much of an inconvenience. That they are expendable.

- They were sick anyways
- They were old
- How many co-morbids did they have?
- Hospitals have always been unsafe places
- They were going to die anyways

Despite what you’ve been incorrectly led to believe - COVID is a threat to everyone. We are ALL vulnerable.

The people you are looking down on did nothing wrong. They don’t deserve the suffering they’re going through. Disability and chronic illness are NOT a moral failing.

Perhaps most importantly - you won’t be the “exception” when it happens to you. We are screaming about the lack of help for Long Covid for a reason - listen to us. Wear a mask. Clean the air. Test and isolate. Stop letting the virus win.

https://www.disabledginger.com/p/how-did-we-get-here-and-what-comes

#CovidIsAirborne #CovidCautious #CovidIsNotOver #CleanAir #WearaMask #Disability #LongCovid #Ableism #Denial #CleanAir #Pandemic #PublicHealth #InfectionControl #Eugenics #SafeHealthcare #N95 #Respirators #MasksWork #MaskUp #Spoonie #Discrimination #Dysautonomia #mecfs #pots #mcas #communitycare #wearamask #chronicillness #keepmasksinhealthcare #MaskBans #NoMaskBans

Disabled people have warned for years that embracing eugenicist Covid policies and discarding vulnerable people (and children!) would lead to escalating fascism and destroy what's left of public health and common decency.

It's simply not possible to make a conscious choice every day to put other people's lives at risk and not have it impact you in a profoundly negative way.

Years of politicians and leaders telling us that the vulnerable don't matter, that they will fall by the wayside, that they died because they were 'sick anyways' has changed us. And not in a good way.

It's time to think about what comes next. How we can resist, unite and fight back. We can't keep going down this road.

The hatred may have started with disabled and marginalized people - but it won't stop with us.

https://www.disabledginger.com/p/how-did-we-get-here-and-what-comes

#CovidIsAirborne #CovidCautious #CovidIsNotOver #CleanAir #WearaMask #Disability #LongCovid #Ableism #Denial #CleanAir #Pandemic #PublicHealth #InfectionControl #Eugenics #SafeHealthcare #N95 #Respirators #MasksWork #MaskUp #Spoonie #Discrimination #Dysautonomia #mecfs #pots #mcas #communitycare #wearamask #chronicillness #keepmasksinhealthcare #MaskBans #NoMaskBans

People spend their lives running from suffering. Doing whatever they can to avoid feeling pain. The idea of “forever suffering” is terrifying to them.  I think this fear is behind a lot of the disdain we see directed at disabled people.

We remind others that suffering can be permanent. That it can’t always be outrun. 

We exist in the grey. Our illnesses won’t kill us - but they also won’t ever get better. There’s no cure on the horizon. No “are you better yet?” 

This reality scares the crap out of people.

As such - they pull away from us. They abandon us or treat us with such disdain that we walk away from them. The ones that stay often expect us to hide how sick we are. To plaster a smile on our face and say we’re “fine” so that they don’t have to feel uncomfortable. 

When they ask how we’re feeling or if we’re “any better”… they don’t want to hear the truth.  In fact - if you tell them the truth you could find yourself facing a lecture on “positive thinking” or how you just need to “try harder” and you will suddenly overcome your illnesses.

People are unable or unwilling to face the realities of chronic illness - so they make it harder for us to face it as well. They treat it like it’s our fault. Like we did something to become ill or like we could get better if we “really wanted to”.

They will push our boundaries, gaslight us and yes - put us at risk for covid.  So this is your reminder that it is ok to set and hold boundaries. It’s ok to protect yourself.  If someone won’t be there at your worst - they don’t deserve you.

https://www.disabledginger.com/p/we-dont-do-sick-if-you-cant-hide


#CovidIsAirborne #CovidCautious #CovidIsNotOver #CleanAir #WearaMask #Disability #LongCovid #Ableism #Denial #CleanAir #Pandemic #PublicHealth #InfectionControl #Eugenics #SafeHealthcare #N95 #Respirators #MasksWork #MaskUp #Spoonie #Discrimination #Dysautonomia #mecfs #pots #mcas #communitycare #wearamask #chronicillness #keepmasksinhealthcare #MaskBans #NoMaskBans

Here is Part Two in my Series on POTS and Dysautonomia! This post focuses on the LONG road to diagnosis - and the gaslighting and barriers patients face along the way. The accusations of anxiety, the minimization of symptoms and of course the dreaded 'it's all in your head'.

I lost track of how many doctors worked me up - saw my very serious physical symptoms - and still said "What do you want ME to do about it?"

The answer was obvious - I wanted them to do their job. I needed them to think outside the box. To believe me when I said I wasn't anxious. To recognize that 'anxiety' isn't postural in nature. To figure out what was wrong.

It took years to get my diagnosis - and I hope my articles can help patients avoid some of the pitfalls and traps I fell in to. I want healthcare workers to read these posts and consider POTS the next time a patient comes in with unexplained symptoms like dizziness, tachycardia, fatigue and fainting.

There is hope. Things can and do get better. You learn how to manage symptoms, minimize setbacks and adapt to living life horizontally!

https://www.disabledginger.com/p/its-just-anxiety-or-perhaps-theyve

CovidIsAirborne #CovidCautious #CovidIsNotOver #CleanAir #WearaMask #Disability #LongCovid #Ableism #Denial #CleanAir #Pandemic #PublicHealth #InfectionControl #Eugenics #SafeHealthcare #N95 #Respirators #MasksWork #MaskUp #Spoonie #Discrimination #Dysautonomia #mecfs #pots #mcas #communitycare #wearamask #chronicillness #keepmasksinhealthcare #gaslighting #misdiagnosis #dysautonomiaawarenessmonth

People are angry that hospitals are bringing back mask mandates due to COVID outbreaks.

Patients like me are angry that we have to risk infection to get medical care. Some of us have died due to hospital acquired COVID.

Masks make sense in hospitals - why oppose them?

I’ve yet to hear a decent argument against mask mandates in hospitals.

The people who oppose them are almost always the ones screaming about how strong and healthy their immune systems are - so theoretically they never spend any time IN a hospital. Why do they care?

Inevitably people just trot out the tired “if your mask works then no one else needs one”… which just highlights that they’ve never spent any significant time in the hospital.

If you’re sick enough to need the hospital there’s decent odds something might prevent you from masking.

Even if you CAN mask - if you’re admitted what do you do when you need to eat, drink or brush your teeth? What if you require oxygen, having vomiting or airway complications?

The responsibility to stay covid safe shouldn’t be left to the patient.

It’s cruel and unusual punishment.

Mandatory masks mean that patients are protected by those around them - which is how it should be.

No one should have to risk covid to get care - and the normalization of hospital acquired covid needs to stop.

If you’re someone who opposes masks in healthcare - or who doesn’t understand WHY they’re necessary - please read my plea to healthcare workers.

Vulnerable patients feel unsafe. Expendable. Terrified.

Needing the hospital is scary enough - we shouldn’t have to worry about forced infection too:

https://www.disabledginger.com/p/a-plea-to-maskless-healthcare-workers

#CovidIsAirborne #CovidCautious #CovidIsNotOver #CleanAir #WearaMask #Disability #LongCovid #Ableism #Denial #CleanAir #Pandemic #PublicHealth #InfectionControl #Eugenics #SafeHealthcare #N95 #Respirators #MasksWork #MaskUp #Spoonie #Discrimination #Dysautonomia #mecfs #pots #mcas #communitycare #wearamask #chronicillness #keepmasksinhe

If you’re dealing with a COVID infection - remember it’s NOT your fault.

Those of us trying to avoid COVID & break chains of transmission have been failed by governments & public health. We’ve been left by the wayside.

It’s hard to avoid when NO ONE else is even trying.

I’m always sad when I see people blaming others for getting covid (or worse - blaming themselves).
There’s only so much a single person can do when covid is everywhere and most people refuse to acknowledge it (let alone mask or stay home)

This is extra applicable if you have young children or work in a public facing role where you’re exposed to large numbers of people every day.

When the collective whole gives up & decides to accept constant infection & reinfection - it becomes harder for those of us still trying.

Remember that every infection avoided or delayed is a win. The less times you get COVID - and the lower your viral load - the better.

Don’t give up - and never forget that if you’re masking - you ensured you didn’t pass your Covid infection to someone else.

You did the selfless thing. You protected other people. You made sure to NOT be responsible for someone else’s death or worsening disability.

That alone should make you feel proud - and negate any potential feelings of guilt or blame.

We need to do more to lift each other up and support our allies in this fight - because we don’t have many left.

Share advice, provide encouragement and don’t shame people when they get sick.
Also - can we stop shaming people for their choice of mask?

I see a lot of judgement towards people wearing surgical masks and/or earloops.

I consider anyone in a mask to be a win. These are people who are reachable - who would likely welcome information on how to better protect themselves.

They’re TRYING to do the right thing. We’ve been fed a steady diet of misinformation or no information for years.

If you’re involved with the Covid cautious community here - of course you know a surgical mask provides little protection.

But not everyone has this information - and many don’t have the time or the inclination to go hunting for it.

There’s also the matter of cost. Respirators are more expensive. Head strap and elastometrics cost even more.

Many people can’t afford a high quality mask - especially if they have to be out of the home 8+ hours every day

I’m incredibly grateful for my N99 respirator but will readily admit the only reason I can afford it is because of how little I leave my home.
I couldn’t afford to wear one every day. Covid IS a social justice issue.

So what can we do about it? Lots of things! If you have the means to carry extra N95s - offer them to people you see in a surgical mask. Tell them why a respirator offers better protection.

Find and support your local mask bloc. Donate masks if you can.

You can also donate tests to people who can’t afford them. Share or donate to people trying to raise funds for at home NAAT testing so they can keep themselves and their communities safe.

Keep pushing for mandatory masks in healthcare, free respirators and tests and clean air in all public spaces.
Educate people who want more information on how to keep themselves covid free.

Lastly - support your allies in this fight. Lift them up and be cognizant of their energy levels.
Don’t tear people down unnecessarily.

We’re almost five years into this and people are rightfully exhausted. We need to stick together in order to face another year

If you’re struggling and need advice on how to up your mask game, how to find a mask bloc or charity or just need support to stay covid safe - feel free to leave a comment 👇🏼.

Lots of informed people here who can help you find the best protection for your individual circumstances!

#CovidIsAirborne #CovidCautious #CovidIsNotOver #CleanAir #WearaMask #Disability #LongCovid #Ableism #Denial #CleanAir #Pandemic #PublicHealth #InfectionControl #Eugenics #SafeHealthcare #N95 #Respirators #MasksWork #MaskUp #Spoonie #Discrimination #Dysautonomia #mecfs #pots #mcas #communitycare #wearamask #chronicillness #keepmasksinhealthcare #MaskBans #NoMaskBans

“Don’t worry sweetie - they’re not as ugly as you think. I promise no one is looking at them THAT much.”

Doctors - this is NOT a diagnosis. How did I end up here?

I’ve got a strange problem with my ankles - they appear to be turning copper. It’s likely some kind of iron or blood staining - but that’s highly unusual in someone my age and could indicate a bigger problem.

I saw FOUR doctors - all of whom were concerned - none of whom could make a diagnosis.

So I waited 18 months for “the guy”. The top specialist who I was promised WOULD have the answers and be able to help.

Finally saw “the guy” and what did he tell me? That they’re not “that ugly”.

Rage. Blinding rage. Doctors - please stop doing this! It makes your patient feel awful, gives us the icks and is woefully unhelpful. Why?

- I never thought they WERE ugly

- I’m incredibly sick and don’t give a whit if people are looking at me or not. When you can barely stand up or feed yourself - vanity goes out the window pretty quickly

- Don’t call me sweetie. I’m a grown ass woman who’s older than you. Address me by my name

- Don’t assume that the only reason I could care about a health problem is “looks”

- Four other doctors were concerned about this as it could indicate a heart and/or vascular problem. “Not ugly” is NOT a diagnosis.

Needless to say I walked out with zero answers (unless you count knowing that this one random man doesn’t think my ankles are ugly as an answer).

I have to go BACK on another wait list which will likely be even longer because you’re penalized for not deigning to accept misogynistic bullshit as treatment.

Me and my “not ugly” ankles will be over here seething with rage and frustration - working on an article about dismissiveness and misogyny in medicine and how much it harms the patient.

#misogyny #misogynyinmedicine #medicine #healthcare #misdiagnosis #CovidIsAirborne #CovidCautious #CovidIsNotOver #CleanAir #WearaMask #Disability #LongCovid #Ableism #Denial #CleanAir #Pandemic #PublicHealth #InfectionControl #Eugenics #SafeHealthcare #N95 #Respirators #MasksWork #MaskUp #Spoonie #Discrimination #Dysautonomia #mecfs #pots #mcas #communitycare #wearamask #chronicillness #keepmasksinhealthcare

Someone emailed me and told they took my Intro to POTS/Dysautonomia article to their doctor - and now their doctor is taking them seriously and exploring it as a diagnosis!

I’m genuinely over the moon. When I started The Disabled Ginger my hope was to empower patients to learn as much as they can about their conditions, accept their disabilities and start accommodating them, and also to help educate healthcare workers.

I try and make my articles accessible for patients and their loved ones as well as medical professionals who might be willing to read them.

Conditions like POTS are barely touched on in medical school and often misdiagnosed. Doctors don’t know what to look for and/or aren’t listening to their patients.

If my articles can help bridge that gap - it makes all the work and exhaustion so worth it.

I’m hoping to have Part Two: “Maybe it’s Anxiety - Maybe You’re Misdiagnosed” done this week… and it will cover the long road to diagnosis as well as my story about HOW I finally figured out I had POTS.

If you missed the first article - Living Life Upside Down - it’s here:

https://www.disabledginger.com/p/living-life-upside-down-an-intro

#CovidIsAirborne #CovidCautious #CovidIsNotOver #CleanAir #WearaMask #Disability #LongCovid #Ableism #Denial #CleanAir #Pandemic #PublicHealth #InfectionControl #Eugenics #SafeHealthcare #N95 #Respirators #MasksWork #MaskUp #Spoonie #Discrimination #Dysautonomia #mecfs #pots #mcas #communitycare #wearamask #chronicillness #keepmasksinhealthcare #DysautonomiaAwarenessMonth

I miss the days when I could go to the ER without fear of Covid infection, setbacks, MCAS attacks & trauma.

I miss the blissful ignorance of believing the hospital will “fix things” instead of making it worse.

It’s agonizing going through a flare knowing safe care doesn’t exist.

Also if one more person says “just go to the hospital” I’m going to scream.

The hospital for disabled people is NOT the same experience as non disabled people. Period.

I have to carefully consider if my flare is even something they CAN or WILL help with - and then weigh the covid risk too.

It’s terribly unfair but it IS our reality. Going to the hospital is not a decision we make lightly - and oftentimes there’s nothing they can do either.

Chronic illness has no “easy fixes”. Understanding that doesn’t make the pain and suffering any easier to bear though:

https://www.disabledginger.com/p/i-wont-go-to-the-er-unless-im-literally

#CovidIsAirborne #CovidCautious #CovidIsNotOver #CleanAir #WearaMask #Disability #LongCovid #Ableism #Denial #CleanAir #Pandemic #PublicHealth #InfectionControl #Eugenics #SafeHealthcare #N95 #Respirators #MasksWork #MaskUp #Spoonie #Discrimination #Dysautonomia #mecfs #pots #mcas #communitycare #wearamask #chronicillness #keepmasksinhealthcare #MaskBans #NoMaskBans

When I was first diagnosed with MCAS I thought “a condition I can control!”

I genuinely believed that since there were clear & obvious triggers - I could put in the work, overhaul my life and be free of attacks.

When a patient plans - mast cells laugh.

I threw myself into research trying to learn how to adopt a low histamine diet, clean my air and change my body care and cleaning products.

I (falsely) assumed that if I made enough changes - sacrificed HARD enough - I wouldn’t have to deal with flare ups.

It was exhausting. Many of the changes DID help. A low histamine diet, cleaner air, a proper med and supplement schedule and non toxic cleaning products all helped to reduce my overall “bucket” so that my symptoms were less severe.

The problem was - I continued having attacks. From minor attacks to full blown anaphylaxis - no matter how much work I put in the attacks didn’t stop.

It was incredibly frustrating - and I began tracking everything I ate, used or did in an effort to find patterns.

In the end I realized that sometimes - there are no answers. “Putting in the work” doesn’t guarantee you won’t have attacks.

It’s a help - and we should do whatever we can to minimize our symptoms - but chronic illness (and especially MCAS) doesn’t care about your plans.

I had to learn to let go. Constantly blaming myself, over analyzing every situation and trying to nail down exact triggers was exhausting me.

It wasn’t helping my physical health and was destroying my mental health

At a certain point - we have to accept that chronic illness can be wildly unpredictable - and flares are NOT our fault.

Setbacks happen - and the best thing you can do is give yourself grace and remember that the pain WILL pass.

This applies to Covid as well. I see far too many people who are covid cautious being blamed for their infections. Being grilled as to what their exact precautions were as people try and exploit a perceived weakness somewhere.

This isn’t helping.

If you’re masking and doing everything you can do to avoid covid - you’re doing a great job. If you got infected anyways - that’s the fault of our institutions and governments who’ve allowed the virus to run rampant and encouraged people NOT to take precautions

Just like we have to let go of trying to find every possible trigger for our chronic illness - we have to let go of the blame when people get infected with Covid.

Blame, shame and guilt aren’t helping anyone - and they aren’t good for your health.

To be clear - “letting go” doesn’t have to mean giving up. It doesn’t mean you stop trying to improve your health or stop mitigating for COVID.

It simply means you stop fighting the reality that you’re sick. You lean IN to the conditions and try and find ways to accommodate

It’s a difficult thing to do. I’m still having to work at it every single day. But it’s worth making the effort.

Society, HCWs and even friends & family can be cruel to those with chronic illness - we don’t need to be cruel to ourselves.

Which brings me to my third and final article in my series on living with MCAS - Learning to Let Go.

This post explains how I learned to be kinder & gentler with myself and accept that setbacks WILL happen and they’re not my fault:

https://www.disabledginger.com/p/learning-to-let-go-how-to-accept

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#CovidIsAirborne #CovidCautious #CovidIsNotOver #CleanAir #WearaMask #Disability #LongCovid #Ableism #Denial #CleanAir #Pandemic #PublicHealth #InfectionControl #Eugenics #SafeHealthcare #N95 #Respirators #MasksWork #MaskUp #Spoonie #Discrimination #Dysautonomia #mecfs #pots #mcas #communitycare #wearamask #chronicillness #keepmasksinhealthcare #MaskBans #NoMaskBans #MastCellActivationSyndrome #mastcells #histamine #lowhistaminediet #mastocytosis #anaphylaxis

Great video from Matt McGorry about the devastating impacts of Long COVID and how even a “mild” infection can leave you chronically ill.

He also says he was hesitant to speak out - because there IS a stigma associated with Long COVID.

We must change that.

He goes on to explain that while his initial infections would be considered “mild”… they’ve still left him with debilitating Long Covid.

It’s critical that people understand this. Too many think that hospitalization and/or death in the acute phase are the only negative outcomes.

Note that in its moderate and severe stages - Long Covid and other comorbids can have a quality of life equivalent of stage four cancer.

I had clipped short portions of the video to share on here - but my internet is currently giving upload speeds less than 1mbps and it keeps throwing errors. That said it’s an excellent video and you can watch the full thing on his IG here:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBra_TSRhpz/?igsh=MWMwMzZwY25qMDl6aA==

On a personal note I want to thank Matt for his honesty and transparency. We need more of it.
We have too many celebrities and people with platforms saying "mystery illness". Too many people unwilling or unable to say the word covid.

With transparency comes greater awareness.

I wrote an article during the Olympics about the phenomenon that is people proclaiming they "don't know anyone with Long Covid."

There's 400 million people suffering from the condition. I assure you - you DO know someone. People are simply hiding it or unaware they have it:

https://www.disabledginger.com/p/covid-and-the-2024-olympic-games

#CovidIsAirborne #CovidCautious #CovidIsNotOver #CleanAir #WearaMask #Disability #LongCovid #Ableism #Denial #CleanAir #Pandemic #PublicHealth #InfectionControl #Eugenics #SafeHealthcare #N95 #Respirators #MasksWork #MaskUp #Spoonie #Discrimination #Dysautonomia #mecfs #pots #mcas #communitycare #wearamask #chronicillness #keepmasksinhealthcare #MaskBans #NoMaskBans

When you become chronically ill - it’s tempting to try and outrun your suffering. Play through the pain. Push your body back to “normal.”

It doesn’t help that we constantly face ableism and discrimination from medical professionals, friends and family who are often quick to tell us it’s “not that bad” and we should just “try harder.”

You can’t “try harder” your way out of chronic illness. Pushing through and denying your body the rest it needs only leads to more suffering.

It took me a very long time to learn this. Letting go of the guilt, the doubt, the internalized ableism….. it’s not an easy thing to do.

My article on how I finally learned to Let Go and start accepting and accommodating my disabilities:

https://www.disabledginger.com/p/learning-to-let-go-how-to-accept

#CovidIsAirborne #CovidCautious #CovidIsNotOver #CleanAir #WearaMask #Disability #LongCovid #Ableism #Denial #CleanAir #Pandemic #PublicHealth #InfectionControl #Eugenics #SafeHealthcare #N95 #Respirators #MasksWork #MaskUp #Spoonie #Discrimination #Dysautonomia #mecfs #pots #mcas #communitycare #wearamask #chronicillness #keepmasksinhealthcare #MaskBans #NoMaskBans

“You could be doing more.”

“Is the pain really THAT bad? I’m sure you could get out of bed if you really tried.”

“Why aren’t you going to that party/dinner/event? Everyone thinks you’re lazy and antisocial.”

“Do you really need to stay home from work? You’re being lazy. Force yourself to go in.”

“Do you really need to go to the hospital? It’s not that bad - just push through.”

“See? The ER doctor didn’t even help you. It was stupid of you to go in. There’s nothing wrong. Just try harder.”

This used to be my harmful inner monologue.

I’m sure all of us with chronic illness have said similar things to ourselves.

It’s incredibly hard to adapt to becoming disabled - and we often gaslight ourselves and push our bodies to their breaking point.

We run from reality.

It’s understandable - no one WANTS to be chronically ill. We didn’t grow up hoping to spend our lives stuck in bed dealing with unrelenting pain & fatigue.

Chronic illness can and does strike out of nowhere - catching you off guard and forever altering the course of your life.

Of course that’s a difficult thing to accept.

Often we have doctors, friends and family downplaying our situation - telling us to “just try harder” or that “other people have it worse”.

Who in the chronic illness community hasn’t heard “have you tried yoga?” Or “just be glad you don’t have X condition”?

The reality is people have a difficult time facing chronic illness. This doesn’t just apply to patients. Those who love us can struggle to accept it as well.

Watching someone lose their health is hard. Knowing there’s no hope of improvement? It scares people.

We understand acute illness. You get sick or injured, you rest and then you get better. Things go “back to normal”.

We also understand terminal illness. We are able to process a condition that will gradually get worse and then take your life. /6
Where we struggle is with chronic illness. Existing in the grey. People HATE the grey.

They find it hard to imagine that you could become sick with something that will completely ruin your quality of life - but won’t kill you.

They can’t imagine that the suffering could continue for months, years and even decades.

So they deny it. They minimize it. They tell us to try harder, think positive & play through the pain.

We internalize those messages - and before you know it - you’re doubting yourself.

I did this for years. Constantly telling myself it wasn’t really “that bad”. I just needed to try harder, exercise more, avoid the hospital, think positive etc etc.

It didn’t work. You can’t “try harder” your way out of chronic illness. It doesn’t work that way.

Society is already so cruel to people with disabilities - we don’t need to be cruel to ourselves.

It took me a long time to realize this. To let go of the blame and accept that I WAS severely ill. It wasn’t my fault, I hadn’t done anything wrong.

It was time to put the “coulds” and the “shoulds” to bed and find a way to move into a place of kindness and acceptance.

It was time to stop running from my illnesses. To stop trying to figure out every single flare. To stop putting myself down.

It didn’t come easy. In fact I still struggle every day.

But I’m putting in the effort. The amazing thing is the more effort I put into letting go - the happier I am.

Instead of wasting energy on blame - I’m finding ways to adapt & accommodate my diseases.

I’m managing to carve out moments of peace and calm - which when you’re chronically ill can be incredible rare.

Our bodies are unreliable - constantly throwing us curve balls, flares and setbacks.

We NEED the calm wherever we can find it.

Which brings me to my third and final article in my series on living with MCAS - Learning to Let Go.

I hope this article helps other people find their own path to acceptance, accommodation and peace:

https://www.disabledginger.com/p/learning-to-let-go-how-to-accept

#CovidIsAirborne #CovidCautious #CovidIsNotOver #CleanAir #WearaMask #Disability #LongCovid #Ableism #Denial #CleanAir #Pandemic #PublicHealth #InfectionControl #Eugenics #SafeHealthcare #N95 #Respirators #MasksWork #MaskUp #Spoonie #Discrimination #Dysautonomia #mecfs #pots #mcas #communitycare #wearamask #chronicillness #keepmasksinhealthcare #MaskBans #NoMaskBans

The early days of the pandemic were scary for everyone - but for many disabled people there were also rays of hope.

We saw the world become more inclusive seemingly overnight. Things we had spent years begging for - like telemedicine and remote work options - became possible. We made it easier for those who are housebound to access the services they need. We checked on our neighbours. We worked together to protect one another. We stopped vilifying and gaslighting housebound people like me - because suddenly EVERYONE was housebound.

I also had hope that we were finally going to make real progress on chronic illness. That Long Covid would be “too big to ignore.”

That we would start being proactive with our health and work towards keeping people healthy and really HELPING those who were chronically ill.

I genuinely still can’t believe that 400 million people are suffering from Long Covid. The numbers are growing every day and yet we do nothing to stop it (and very little to treat it).

No progress has been made on the comorbids either. I had POTS and MCAS before covid - and my treatments haven’t improved at all. In fact it’s harder to access the medical care I need because specialists treating these conditions are so overwhelmed by the rapid influx of new patients with Long Covid.

I have empathy for those who believed they would be the exception. Who thought that IF they were unlucky enough to be disabled by Covid - help would be there for them. Even though it’s never been there for the rest of us.

All these people are going through a very rude awakening right now - they’re being forced to confront the reality that patients like me have been dealing with for years.

No one is coming to save us. Our “sick” is permanent. No one is the exception.

Just like I have to deal with the pain of having the hope of a more inclusive and caring society ripped away - these newly disabled people have to deal with the pain of realizing they are in fact disabled. That they were lied to when they were told they didn’t have to worry. That they aren’t getting better.

It’s a hard adjustment - one that I hope The Disabled Ginger can help with.

In the meantime the best thing we can do for our own health and the health of those around us is prevent the spread of Covid. Wear a mask. Clean the air. Test and isolate when sick. Get vaccinated. Don’t take your health for granted.

Even if YOU don’t think you’re high risk - it’s an airborne virus. You could pass your “mild” case to someone like me who ends up further disabled or dead.

We can do this - but we have to work together. “You do you” isn’t working. We have to remember what it felt like during those first few months of 2020 when we tried to work as a collective whole. Where we protected the vulnerable, took the virus seriously and made society more accessible and inclusive.

We can do it again. We just have to decide to try.

#CovidIsAirborne #CovidCautious #CovidIsNotOver #CleanAir #WearaMask #Disability #LongCovid #Ableism #Denial #CleanAir #Pandemic #PublicHealth #InfectionControl #Eugenics #SafeHealthcare #N95 #Respirators #MasksWork #MaskUp #Spoonie #Discrimination #Dysautonomia #mecfs #pots #mcas #communitycare #wearamask #chronicillness #keepmasksinhealthcare #MaskBans #NoMaskBans

It’s been a month since Tinu’s passing and we still don’t have mandatory masks in healthcare. Something Tinu both NEEDED & fought for.

Someone with Long Covid going through chemo deserved to be SAFE while getting her care.

She deserved NOT to be given COVID again

There are many others like Tinu. We can’t know how many we’ve lost - but what we DO know is we will lose more if we don’t start mitigating Covid - especially in hospitals.

We know how Covid is spread. We know how to stop it. Yet we still have doctors saying they don’t want to mask because they’re not worried about THEIR risk. They’re forgetting the fact that the patients feel differently.

Patients care. Patients are putting their full trust in you to make them better. They’re trusting you NOT to make them worse.

Hospital acquired Covid has a fatality rate around 10% - and still we do nothing. In many instances we act like it’s just “the cost of doing business”. It’s not and it should never be acceptable to contract covid in the hospital.

I’ve said it once and I will say it again - if you’re sick enough to need the hospital the last thing you need is Covid.

If you’re a healthcare worker - please wear a mask. You don’t have to wait for a mandate to do the right thing. You can choose - right now - to stop chains of transmission. You can show patients that you’re on their side and committed to ensuring they get through their hospital visit without contracting COVID. You can tell us that our lives and long term health matters.

Hospitals, healthcare workers and society all failed Tinu. She fought so hard - for herself and for others. She knew that it would likely be hospital acquired Covid that killed her - and she did everything she could to raise awareness so it wouldn’t happen to anyone else.

Let’s keep fighting in her honour. Clean the air, ventilate, make masks mandatory, provide free respirators and isolate when sick. It’s not hard. We can do it.

https://www.disabledginger.com/p/a-plea-to-maskless-healthcare-workers

#forTinu #CovidIsAirborne #CovidCautious #CovidIsNotOver #CleanAir #WearaMask #Disability #LongCovid #Ableism #Denial #CleanAir #Pandemic #PublicHealth #InfectionControl #Eugenics #SafeHealthcare #N95 #Respirators #MasksWork #MaskUp #Spoonie #Discrimination #Dysautonomia #mecfs #pots #mcas #communitycare #wearamask #chronicillness #keepmasksinhealthcare #MaskBans #NoMaskBans

It’s POTS Awareness Day. I forgot because (ironically) I’m dealing with monster coat hanger pain… something common in POTS.

It’s a terrible headache that encompasses your neck and upper back - it basically forms the shape of a coat hanger!

It took me years to realize the coat hanger pain was from my POTS. Years of suffering through debilitating headaches and back pain that painkillers couldn’t touch.

I tried massage, heat, ice, stretches, laying in a dark room…
Nothing worked.

You know what DID work? IV saline. When I get IV fluids I can feel the pain start to melt away. Relief tends to start at the top of my head and slowly moves down to my shoulders and back - the pain is generally gone after 1-2L.

It’s incredible just how much your body can be impacted by POTS. I’ve been dealing with this condition for years and I’m still learning new things every day.

It’s also a common comorbid with Long Covid. If you’re new to POTS, think you might have POTS or just want to learn more - I wrote an intro guide linked below:

https://www.disabledginger.com/p/living-life-upside-down-an-intro

CovidIsAirborne #CovidCautious #CovidIsNotOver #CleanAir #WearaMask #Disability #LongCovid #Ableism #Denial #CleanAir #Pandemic #PublicHealth #InfectionControl #Eugenics #SafeHealthcare #N95 #Respirators #MasksWork #MaskUp #Spoonie #Discrimination #Dysautonomia #mecfs #pots #mcas #communitycare #wearamask #chronicillness #keepmasksinhealthcare #DysautonomiaAwarenessMonth #POTSAwarenessDay

Before you tell a disabled person that they need to “just make the healthcare worker mask”… please understand the imbalance of power that exists in hospital settings.

We can’t “just make them” do anything. If they refuse -our options are to take the risk or go without care.

There’s little recourse when a HCW refuses to mask - there’s almost NO recourse that exists in the moment.

You can file a complaint after the fact - but if the care you require is urgent or an emergency - that won’t help you

Imagine you’re taken to the emergency room with an urgent (or life threatening) issue. The doctor comes in and refuses to wear a mask.

Do you walk out? Throw a fit? These are not good options

Even if you manage to keep your composure and strongly advocate for them to reconsider - the longer you argue the more potential virus you’re being exposed to.

The more you “annoy” the staff - the greater the odds of retaliation or reduction in care.

This isn’t like telling a friend or a colleague to mask. The dynamic is completely different.

HCWs have the ability to help you or harm you. You want them on your side.

A note in your chart indicating you’re anxious, difficult, non compliant etc can follow you around and impact all your care going forward. Getting charts corrected and notes removed is a time consuming and difficult process

As a result many patients don’t push the issue. They delay medical care as long as possible and then just cross their fingers they will get a compassionate HCW when they do finally go.

These delays can also cause harm - and shouldn’t be necessary.

Hospitals have never been terribly safe places. They’re where the strongest and most resistant bugs thrive. They’re also where the sickest and most vulnerable people are.

At least before Covid it felt like hospitals were TRYING to prevent infection.

These days it’s as though any amount of infection control is seen as weak. People are actually bragging about how many times they’ve had Covid or about the risks they’re taking with their health. Staff aren’t masking even around babies, cancer & transplant patients

We have to change course. Our healthcare systems could barely handle the amount of chronic illness they were facing before Covid - they certainly can’t handle the constant influx of disabled patients and staff that Covid is causing.

This is why we need mandatory masks in healthcare settings. The responsibility to keep themselves and others safe should NOT fall on the vulnerable patient.

Many are unable to advocate for themselves - and others are unable to mask.

Mandatory masking protects everyone

Lastly - the solution to this problem should not be “don’t go to the hospital”. It’s not right to make ANY patient feel like they’re wrong for seeking care. Like they’ve somehow “failed” if they end up with Covid.

Until you’re facing a life threatening emergency or serious health challenges - you can’t possibly know what you would do.

Is it scary to go to the hospital right now? Of course. Is it also necessary? Absolutely.

Patients should never be blamed for needing care or for being unable to get HCWs to mask. The system is failing us - we aren’t failing each other.

If you need the hospital - you have all my love & support. It’s impossibly hard - and I will keep fighting to make it better.

As long as hospitals refuse to do what’s right to prevent COVID (hello clean air & mandatory masking)… the onus is unfairly on the PATIENT to avoid COVID.

My guide offers tips to reduce your risk of hospital acquired COVID (and other HAIs)

https://www.disabledginger.com/p/how-to-stay-covid-safe-when-in-hospital

#CovidIsAirborne #CovidCautious #CovidIsNotOver #CleanAir #WearaMask #Disability #LongCovid #Ableism #Denial #CleanAir #Pandemic #PublicHealth #InfectionControl #Eugenics #SafeHealthcare #N95 #Respirators #MasksWork #MaskUp #Spoonie #Discrimination #Dysautonomia #mecfs #pots #mcas #communitycare #wearamask #chronicillness #keepmasksinhealthcare #MaskBans #NoMaskBans

Many disabled and chronically ill people find themselves labeled “difficult” or “non compliant” simply because they’re advocating for what they need.

Some examples:

😷 you request staff wear a mask

😷 You decline to remove your mask unnecessarily (ie for an oral temperature check that could be performed other ways)

😷 You decline a specific drug and/or treatment because you know it will harm you (example - fluoroquinolones are contradicted for EDS patients and not all doctors know this)

😷 You push for additional testing because you feel something has been missed

😷 You request a med be administered a different way (example - a slow drip over 30 min instead of pushed all at once - VERY important if you’re blood pressure is unstable and/or your prone to anaphylaxis)

All these examples are GOOD advocacy and should NOT be considered “non compliant”.

If you’re a healthcare worker - please be careful when you choose to use this term. It can follow us around and have devastating impacts on the care we receive.

Try to reframe how you look at the patient - work WITH them instead of working AT them. We are the experts in our bodies.

You may have the medical degree - but if we’re saying “No” to something there is probably a very good reason.

Listen before you judge us.

To all my fellow non compliant patients - never forget that it’s NOT your fault if things go sideways when you advocate for your personal safety. It is your right and no one will fight harder for you than … you!

For more on advocacy, tips and tricks for the hospital, how to stay covid safe and how the hospital experience is different for those who are disabled or chronically ill - my five part guide is here:

https://www.disabledginger.com/p/a-five-part-guide-to-accessing-healthcare

#CovidIsAirborne #CovidCautious #CovidIsNotOver #CleanAir #WearaMask #Disability #LongCovid #Ableism #Denial #CleanAir #Pandemic #PublicHealth #InfectionControl #Eugenics #SafeHealthcare #N95 #Respirators #MasksWork #MaskUp #Spoonie #Discrimination #Dysautonomia #mecfs #pots #mcas #communitycare #wearamask #chronicillness #keepmasksinhealthcare #MaskBans #NoMaskBans

Back when masks were still mandated in hospitals - I had to go for an echocardiogram. It was being done in a clinic for HIGH RISK heart patients.

I assumed that meant I would be well protected - only to end up having to fight for my own safety multiple times.

First - if you’ve never had an echocardiogram - they can last approximately 45 min and during that time the technician is VERY close to your face. You have to do a lot of deep breathing as well.

It is certainly not a low risk activity.
As such I made sure I was wearing my fit tested N99 mask AND wore a face shield for extra protection.

I’m immune compromised with heart issues - I need all the help I can get.

The shield keeps me from touching my face and protects me if someone coughs or sneezes on me.

I arrive at hospital & am forced to stand in a crowded line of people waiting to be screened.

They were asked standard questions like “have you travelled outside of Canada” and “do you have a fever?”

We know both are woefully inadequate at determining if someone has Covid.

I watched as people were forced to remove their own mask and put on the hospital provided surgical mask (yes - even people in respirators).

There were three people doing the screening - so that’s at least 3 patients at a time taking off their masks.

When it’s finally my turn I calmly tell the screener that I’m wearing an N99 and not comfortable switching masks.

They tell me I have no choice because they don’t know if my mask is “contaminated” or “counterfeit”.

Thankfully I was prepared for this and produced the box showing that my mask was NIOSH certified. I also pointed out a mask is no more “contaminated” than my shoes, clothes or any other article of clothing AND that my shield prevented me from touching it.

Not good enough. They said if I wouldn’t change my mask I would be denied entry.

I have no immune system. Im wearing a mask that affords me 99% protection - while surrounded by unmasked people coughing, wheezing and blowing their noses. I’m not taking it off.
I request a supervisor. They sigh and roll their eyes but storm off to get someone.

At this point I’m late for my appointment AND being exposed to even more people without masks. I’m truly gobsmacked that this is happening in a HOSPITAL of all places.

Someone more senior arrives and gives me the same flawed droplet dogma logic as the last person.

I finally said - firmly but politely - I’m not removing my mask. This is MY personal protective equipment and I don’t consent to you putting me at increased risk.

Finally they agreed to let me in if I put their mask OVER my own. They forced me to sanitize my hands before and after despite my never touching the surface of my mask - and deigned to let me in.

🧵 1/2

#CovidIsAirborne #CovidCautious #CovidIsNotOver #CleanAir #WearaMask #Disability #LongCovid #Ableism #Denial #CleanAir #Pandemic #PublicHealth #InfectionControl #Eugenics #SafeHealthcare #N95 #Respirators #MasksWork #MaskUp #Spoonie #Discrimination #Dysautonomia #mecfs #pots #mcas #communitycare #wearamask #chronicillness #keepmasksinhealthcare #MaskBans #NoMaskBans

This was hands down one of the hardest articles I’ve ever had to write - my plea to maskless healthcare workers from vulnerable patients.

I’ve dedicated it to @Tinu - a Long Covid patient and disability advocate who passed away three weeks ago.

She had cancer - and the healthcare workers treating her refused to mask.

This MUST stop. Patients both need and deserve protection.

You CHOSE to work in healthcare. We didn’t CHOOSE to be sick. We would rather be anywhere other than the hospital.

We need you to help us get better - which is virtually impossible when you’re constantly exposing us to a deadly and disabling virus.

Tinu’s first Covid infection left her completely disabled - and then she developed cancer as well. How callous do you need to be to refuse to mask for someone like her?

I hope my article honours her memory - as well as encourages healthcare workers to think a bit differently. It’s not about YOU and whether you feel you’re at risk. It’s about your patients who ARE at risk.

We need you to do the right thing - mandate or not. Do it for Tinu. Do it for me. Do it for all your patients who are scared in your care. Do it for the next generation who needs us to protect them. Put the mask on.

https://www.disabledginger.com/p/a-plea-to-maskless-healthcare-workers

#CovidIsAirborne #CovidCautious #CovidIsNotOver #CleanAir #WearaMask #Disability #LongCovid #Ableism #Denial #CleanAir #Pandemic #PublicHealth #InfectionControl #Eugenics #SafeHealthcare #N95 #Respirators #MasksWork #MaskUp #Spoonie #Discrimination #Dysautonomia #mecfs #pots #mcas #communitycare #wearamask #chronicillness #keepmasksinhealthcare #MaskBans #NoMaskBans #fortinu

A study came out recently that showed a single COVID infection increases your risk of serious cardiovascular events for 3 years post infection.

That’s terrifying - but there’s a bigger discussion being missed.

That finding means a Covid infection makes you a “vulnerable”.

First off - the study didn't show that after three years your risk returns to pre-COVID levels. It's three years because that's all the data we have.

For all we know your risk never goes back to where it was before.

The increased risk factor was after ONE infection. Now I don't know about everyone else - but I don't know many people who are stopping at one infection.

Most have had it at LEAST three times - and because we aren't mitigating it at all - are getting it annually (or more frequently than that).

In time I'm sure we will see studies that make it clear how much risk reinfections pose - but if we know ONE infection raises your risk for three years - it's safe to assume multiple infections aren't doing your heart any favours.

There's also the fact that the increased risk applies even for those who had "mild" acute infections - once again proving that there really is no such thing as "mild COVID."

You may be asymptomatic. You may recover quickly. It’s still damaging your body in a myriad of ways.

"Only the vulnerable" need to worry.

Wrong again. The study showed that increased cardiovascular risk impacted everyone who had Covid - not JUST the vulnerable.

There's also decent odds you're now IN the vulnerable category because you had Covid.

Don't understand what I mean? Think it's fear mongering?

What makes someone vulnerable? Preexisting conditions, old age, compromised immune systems.
When a study finds an increased risk of severe cardiac issues - that means you have a comorbid condition!

That "increased risk" is because you now have cardiovascular issues. High blood pressure, narrowed arteries, increased clotting etc.

Congratulations - you're now one of the “vulnerable" for at least the next three years!

We've also seen a number of studies showing that COVID impairs the immune system. We even know it prematurely AGES you.

So you "feel" fine. You think you had a “mild" case. But the reality is you're immune compromised AND have cardiovascular disease.

You may actually be more "vulnerable" than disabled people like me who you look down.

Why? Because I know l'm vulnerable so I do everything I can to avoid COVID infections.
I'm not repeatedly stressing my body with constant reinfections. 1/2 🧵

#CovidIsAirborne #CovidCautious #CovidIsNotOver #CleanAir #WearaMask #Disability #LongCovid #Ableism #Denial #CleanAir #Pandemic #PublicHealth #InfectionControl #Eugenics #SafeHealthcare #N95 #Respirators #MasksWork #MaskUp #Spoonie #Discrimination #Dysautonomia #mecfs #pots #mcas #communitycare #wearamask #chronicillness #keepmasksinhealthcare #MaskBans #NoMaskBans #silentkiller

When you're chronically ill - the decision of WHEN to go to the hospital can be daunting. Disabled people don't experience hospitals the same way as our non-disabled peers.

For us - the hospital is full of threats. When we're a patient - we give up agency and control to others who may not fully understand our needs or our conditions.

We risk being gaslit, dismissed, psychologized or otherwise traumatized.

As a result - many of us opt to never go to the hospital unless we think we're literally dying. It's terribly unfair that we have to make these choices - but the risks of setbacks and harm are simply too great.

What if there was a way to make the experience just a little bit easier? We can't change the system overnight - but with a bit of preparation and knowledge it IS possible to make it safer.

This is my Five Part Guide to Making the Hospital Experience Safer for Chronically Ill Patients. Please stick around to the end and vote in my poll for an upcoming piece!

https://www.disabledginger.com/p/a-five-part-guide-to-accessing-healthcare

#CovidIsAirborne #CovidCautious #CovidIsNotOver #CleanAir #WearaMask #Disability #LongCovid #Ableism #Denial #CleanAir #Pandemic #PublicHealth #InfectionControl #Eugenics #SafeHealthcare #N95 #Respirators #MasksWork #MaskUp #Spoonie #Discrimination #Dysautonomia #mecfs #pots #mcas #communitycare #wearamask #chronicillness #keepmasksinhealthcare #MaskBans #NoMaskBans

Good Muggy Morning SARS2PAians! ☁️💐☁️

I hope you are having a safe Spring!

#VOCs

The top news lately are the newest variants causing country-wide summer waves including Spain: https://ibb.co/hRpvjt5

and Portugal: https://ibb.co/khTtyJX

They are KP.3.x.y and LB.x.y.

These new immune evasive variants are filling up hospitals and causing notable increases in deaths.

KP.3 is now the variant "grandfather" that is the fastest, the most immune evasive, and the most easily bound to cells. Specifically, the most watched upcoming variant is its grandchild, KP.3.1.1.

The newest variants that have a very good chance of causing a sizeable increase in numbers, if not a full blown-out wave, are variants of KP.3 that already have immune evasive mutations (FLuQE) but also have an advantageous specific spike deletion (S:S31del).

These new and fastest variants are immune evasive to BOTH current vaccinations, AND prior infections.

Nationally, KP.2 is still just barely at the top of the leaderboard. KP.2.3 is right behind it, already a variant that is being watched.: https://ibb.co/p0d8G8n

🔴KP.3.1.1 is absolutely blazing fast and burning through Spain, Portugal and other countries, and is part of KP-DEL31.

_____

NOTE: "KP-DEL31" is gonna be my nickname for it, not variant hunters or virologists. Just to call it something easily condensed and recognizeable for now. They might decide on a different nickname soon. These names are just for convenience. (You don't call your cousin Mister James Robert Smith every time, do you? You call him JimBob or Smitty. It just makes talking easier.)

_____

I've highlighted FLiRT in pink on the national screenshot but I'll drop it soon as KP-DEL31 becomes more and more relevant.

There's no specific results for PA on the Tableau site. Probably not enough testing here.

In NY/NJ, I've highlighted KP-DEL31 in green on the NY/NJ leaderboard, and as you can see, all the top 5 variants there have this very important spike deletion. But KP.3.1.1 is the variant to keep eyes on.: https://ibb.co/Jcv0rF7

KP.3.1.1 is already found (in only a few days!) in TX, NY, CA, CO, NJ, WA, and VA.

🔴If you've dropped wearing respirators for now you might want to reconsider putting them back on as KP.3.1.1 makes gains and spring moves along.

________________

#Wastewater

Wastewater has returned to HIGH levels in the Eastern and Southern states. KP.2, KP.3 and LB.x.y variants are working together on driving this.: https://ibb.co/0nHqQPS

In our region, specifically testing in Maryland is showing a return to higher levels.: https://ibb.co/99MSpy0

The PA wastewater dashboard is showing LARGE increases in Philly, and sizeable increases in Centre and Indiana counties.: https://ibb.co/0J14Tty

MASK UP, oh my Philly ❤️️!

________________

#Vaccines

Whoa I had a whole angry thing typed out here and juuuuuuust checked back on Twitter, and Dr. Eric Topol wrote just 2 hrs ago that the US FDA has changed its decision for the upcoming vaccine base!!: https://ibb.co/xzB6GVb

The newest mRNA vaccines will be based on KP.2 and NOT JN.1!

This is a wise decision and fantastic news!!

This will certainly better prepare us for Summer.

(NOTE: **Novavax** will have a JN.1 based booster. Novavax is completely different as it has proven effective through multiple years with ONE base so that vaccine will probably not have to be changed as often.)

_______________
🔴Even with vaccines, there are always other things we can do to practice source control!

keep those windows OPEN

wear a respirator

keep the air clean

move meetings outside

work from home

build a Corsi-Rosenthal box

stay home if you are sick!

Continue to have a great and safe Spring!! 💐💐💐

#COVID19 #COVID #COVIDisNotOver #SARS2PA #Pennsylvania #PA
#FLiRT #F456L #R346T #spike_f456l #spike_r346t
#FLuQE #Q493E
#KP2 #KP3 #LB1 #Moderna #Pfizer #Novavax
#WearAMask #CleanTheAir #WashHands #VaccinesSaveLives #StayHomeIfSick !

Update for 6/7/2024!

Good morning SARS2PAians!

I hope you're enjoying this beautiful Spring 💐💐💐

__________
VOCs

Nationally, KP.2 barely holding on to the top slot on the leaderboard at 8.22%. Fast, immune-evasive LB.1 is directly behind and most likely will take over in a week or less.: https://ibb.co/Q6ZZhsN

Immune-evasive KP.3 is also on the way up.

In PA, KP.3 and LB.1 has not been found in hte (horribly low) random testing we're doing. LB.1 did show up earlier, and "not finding" doesn't mean it's not around, but to not find such a fast variant in qualtities to put it on the PA board is promising.: https://ibb.co/ZN8Nrfp

In NY/NJ, LB.1 has easily displaced KP.2 for the top slot, with LB.1 at almost 17% of share and KP.2 behind at 9%.: https://ibb.co/mRR03KB

Lots of new mutations added in the past few weeks to the latest CDC NOWCAST.: https://ibb.co/b7y1mXb

Even on here, KP.3 is shown to be predicted as the TOP circulating variant, with KP.2 sandwiched between it and also-new-and-evasive LB.1.

Due to antigenic drift/effective ACE2 binding/communal laxness in prevention, this is probably going to bump numbers up for the summer.

Eevn though numbers a still low nationally, Walgreens COVID19 dashboard has already had large increases of positivity in a large number of States.: https://ibb.co/WHcFZK3

Pennsylvania has been considered at a large increase for quite a while already on there.: https://ibb.co/mc0CbPq

JN.1.50, KP.3.2 and KP.2.3 (yes those numbers are weirdly reversed) are also very fast, very immune-landscape-elusive mutes to watch, too.

I hope that I'm wrong but it seems that we'll be drowning in a soup of fast varaints for the fall/winter. My opinion only: This winter might be...something else...if the wrong vaccine formula is used.

__________
Wastewater

Though numbers in PA are still relatively low, WastewaterSCAN has SARS2 levels at MEDIUM. Maryland/DC is starting to tick upward fast.: https://ibb.co/55JvPbt

PA WSS has McKean County showing heavy SARS2 material increases in wastewater, and moderstew increases in Philly.: https://ibb.co/8Pdz6MR

__________
Vaccine News

The most reliable viral geneticists and epidemiologists I'm watching has already said a JN.1 vaccine will be outdated.: https://ibb.co/vBgbr2g

🔴THIS IS NOT DUE TO VACCINES BEING INHERENTLY INEFFECTIVE. Do not spread that disnformation.

This is due to the superfast antigenic drift of SARS2, and also us being too slow to communally react to this virus. If a JN.1 vaccine is produced it will hardly effect any useful protection at all.: https://ibb.co/1dFTRKm

The fast rate which this virus gains mutations is absolutely not slowing down, and will most likely never slow down.

It is VITAL that corporate science (as in, the corporate producers of vaccines) keep up with mutations and if need be, drop outdated mutation bases FAST to change formula to one that will actually work effectively.

It is NECESSARY to even being the conversation now with KP.2.

We cannot afford to be slow in considering vaccination formulas or distribution.

Keeping the air clean is decidedly easier in better weather, but if numbers are going up in your area, PLEASE use some sort of source control. Wear a quality respirator, stay home if you are sick, test repeatedly with symptoms!

Enjoy your Spring and keep that air clean! 💐💐💐

#COVID19 #COVID #COVIDisNotOver #SARS2PA #Pennsylvania #PA #FLiRT #F456L #R346T
#spike_f456l #spike_r346t
#Q493E

#KP2 #KP3 #LB1

#WearAMask #CleanTheAir #WashHands #VaccinesSaveLives #StayHomeIfSick !

update for 5/31/2024!!

Good Morning SARS2PAians!

I hope you are enjoying your Spring! 💐💐💐

I just have an update on VOCs as I have to run out the door, and also not much has changed in terms of numbers yet. I'm so sorry this is all I have time for right now.

Nationally, for VOCs, we have a lot of fast movers that might bump up numbers for the summer as they have elsewhere globally already. Looks like the fastest are going to be KP.3 and especially LB.1.: https://ibb.co/wzcJ05J

While we don't have any immensely increased numbers so far, nationally they are starting to slowly rise, and source control will be needed as these immune evasive and FAST variants catch on.

In PA, we have quite a few of the FLiRT variants (in pink) and upcoming immune evasive variants (in teal) coming up. Numbers for these new variants are low but might rise steadily as the spring goes on.: https://ibb.co/h1XS2hP

IN NY/NJ, LB.1 is already at the top of the chart 👀 and the speed of its rise is incredible considering how fast current variants are already!: https://ibb.co/dpRDrPd

Watching these new mutations will give a big clue on when to tighten up source control.

In the meantime, keep that air clean and just for future safety, keep a stock of N95s handy for H5N1 as it spreads through more and more domesticated animal species, the lastest which is alpacas. This is starting to make epidemiologists and viral geneticists kinda nervous.

Insist on full disclosure of animal health/testing/sequencing from farms. You might consider non-dairy milk, or maybe ultra-pasteurized milk. Another option is UHT, shelf-stable milk in sterile packaging (like Parmalat).

:coronavirus: DO NOT CONSUME RAW MILK OR UNDERCOOKED MEAT.:coronavirus:

Hope to have more time to do this on Moday (but not sure) so have a great weekend and be safe! 💐💐💐

#covid #Covid19 #SARS2PA #CovidIsNotOver #Pennsylvania #PA #FLiRT #F456L #R346T #spike_f456l #spike_r346t

#DeFLiRT #S531del

#FLuQE #SQ493E

#KP3 #LB1 #JNOne50

#IFYouAreDrinkingRawMilk__STOP__DOING__IT

#WearAMask #CleanTheAir #WashHands #StayHomeIfSick !

Update for 5/24/2024!

Good morning SARS2PAians! (well, afternoon by the time I got all this ready)

I hope you are having a BEAUTIFUL and healthy day. 💐💐💐

_____
VOCs

Nationally, KP.2 is in the lead so far, easily displacng JN.1 variants.: https://ibb.co/JCWtxdr

KP.3 and LB.1 (DeFLiRT) are making FAST gains in the leaderboard, now up to around 5% each nationally.

They are still the top two successful variants that show great potential to take over from even KP.2.: https://ibb.co/kxHkfV1

🔴JN.1.50 is new, and was just designated on 5/18 and though genetically it's as fast as LB.1 and KP.3, it remains to be seen in meatspace how it will spread.

In PA, JN.1 still in the lead here in random sequencing at 20% and KP.2 behind it at 13%.: https://ibb.co/G7Nnft5

Unfortunately KP.3 has been found here. So we now have BOTH very fast DeFLiRT variants here for the summer, KP.3 and LB.1. Take care, keep windows open, clean the air, wear a quality respirator and be aware of social contacts. These two variants might push the numbers up this summer.

In NY/NJ, KP.2 in the lead and look at that LB.1....in second place at 10% of random testing already. Yikes. It's been making very fast gains for a while now there.: https://ibb.co/8xRfkkh

Some parts of Jersey have noticeable upticks of matarial concentraion on WastewaterSCAN.: https://ibb.co/7STgtLZ

__________
Wastewater

Trying to get as much info as possible here since almsot everything useful is being discontinued. 🙄

SARS2 has been bumped up to MEDIUM nationally on WastewaterSCAN.: https://ibb.co/Wf5MdxN

There are noticeable upticks starting to happen in the Harrisburg and Chester areas.: https://ibb.co/g3HQZp0

__________
Non-SARS2 Pathogens

Gastro pathogens Noro and Rotavirus are still in the HIGH category on WastewaterSCAN. Please wash hands carefully, wash fruits and veg, and be aware of kitchen cleanliness discipline to avoid cathing these bugs. Mostly because they're just gross 🤢

🔴Concerning H5N1 (HPAI, "bird flu"), we are NOT in flu season, so seeing upticks for Influenza A is extremely concerning.

This is what the FluA graphs SHOULD look like now in a normal post-FLuA season.: https://ibb.co/X4Q8szS

H5N1 is an influenza A. It's been upgraded to MEDIUM on WastewaterSCAN.: https://ibb.co/wKC300x

However, the online tool makes no differentiation between H5N1 and other types of FLuA. It also cannot tell live virus from inactivated virus or its fragments.

It's extremely telling, though, that the highest concentration of FluA is located exatly where herd breakouts have or are occuring, mostly in the middle of the country in the plains corridor.

To reduce the risk of contracting, transmlitting, or allowing H5N1/HPAI to mutate,

🔴🔴🔴DO NOT DRINK RAW MILK.🔴🔴🔴

I don't give a flying fart if it's legal to sell/buy here in PA. Do NOT be that guy. Do NOT encourage this pathogen to mutate and DO NOT endanger your own life or everyone else's by consuming raw or unpasteurized dairy products.

Use caution in handling raw dairy products, especially meat and milk. Pasteurization has been proven to kill FluA and fluA is very sensitive to heat, but please use caution, fully cook raw meat, and use good sanitary habits when working with raw farm products.

As always, some method of source control is always good to help keep these pathogens in check whether they're just annoying and gross OR have a high kill rate.

I hope you stay safe, enjoy the open windows in Spring, and ARE NOT DRINKING RAW MILK.

Have a great week!!

#covid #Covid19 #SARS2PA #CovidIsNotOver #Pennsylvania #PA #JN1 #FLiRT #F456L #R346T #spike_f456l #spike_r346t

#DeFLiRT #S531del

#FLuQE #SQ493E

#KP3 #LB1 #JNOne50

#IFYouAreDrinkingRawMilk__STOP__DOING__IT

#WearAMask #CleanTheAir #WashHands #StayHomeIfSick !

Good morning SARS2PAians!

I hope your very cloudy annd humid Spring is going well. 💐💐💐

The only thing I have right now are VOC visuals.

Nationally, KP.2 in the lead at 12% of random sequencing. The FLiRT variants are not far behind and VERy fast variants KP.3 and LB.1 are still making fast gains even after only a few days.: https://ibb.co/309Ygcj

In PA, classic JN.1 is still at the lead here. We don't have KP.3 here but we do have fast mover LB.1 which is now over 5% of random sequencing.: https://ibb.co/CpyDWkH

IN NY/NJ, immune evasive variants LB.1 already at over 7% of testing and KP.3 almost at 5%.: https://ibb.co/LZ1hZM7

__________
Wastewater

Biobot has released a statement saying they are stopping keeping up their COVID-19 wastwater visuals. There's still WastewaterSCAN but only three sheds are on there.: https://ibb.co/2tYPPcm

https://biobot.io/from-raw-data-to-actionable-insights-biobots-evolution-of-public-data-sharing/

This is another removal of a GREAT tool that helped everyone stay informed, and gave a heads-up when to buckle down on source control issues.

A very good potential replacement for Biobot is Iowa Covid-19 Tracker and I'll start to try to get familiar with that as soon as I can sit down to do it so the vizzes might look very different soon.: https://iowacovid19tracker.org/

I hope to have more info on Friday, and until then have a GREAT week and safe Spring! 💐💐💐

#covid #Covid19 #SARS2PA #CovidIsNotOver #Pennsylvania #PA #JN1 #FLiRT #F456L #R346T #spike_f456l #spike_r346t

#DeFLiRT #S531del

#FLuQE #SQ493E

#KP3 #LB1

#Biobot #IowaCOVIDTracker

#WearAMask #CleanTheAir #WashHands #StayHomeIfSick !

Update for 5/17/2024!

Good morning SARS2PAians!

I hope you are staying healthy during this very cloudy and rainy period! 🌦🌧☁️☔️

VOCs

Nationally, the FLiRT group (in pink on the graph), which is the first group that can cause a rise in summer numbers in a few wweeks, is still pushing closer and closer to the top of the chart. FLiRT variant KP.2 is already at almost 10% nationally in random sequencing.: https://ibb.co/Wxtgg1N

The second group (KP.3, LB.1, JN.1.32) that can push up summer numbers is not far behind and is FAST.

To complicate issues even more:

It's been advised where I'm cruising around for this info that the second group is not only VERY immune-evasive to current variant antibodies, but also returning to a more lung-based symptom set rather a gut-based set. JN.1 is mainly centered in the gut, which makes wastewater monitoring more sensitive and more accurate.

A return to a more lung-based centered illness is a bad thing and will make wastewater testing not-as-sensitive as it was for JN.1 relatives.

In PA, KP.2 is already in the lead of random sequencing results at 16% of share.: https://ibb.co/6XpWGfF

We already have LB.1 here so it's oging to very important to track this fast moving and immune evasive variant.

In NY/NJ, KP.3 and LB.1 in fifth and sixth places on the leaderboard. Their rise is increasing quickly as they're up to over 4% of varaint share, up from 3% a week ago.: https://ibb.co/9gsdZ0W

A 1% increase in such a short amount of time in a field of already very fast variants is noteworthy. In a race of thoroughbreds, varaints like this are the potential triple-crown winners.

__________
Wastewater

Wastewater levels are still very good (low.) Nationally we're at the same level as last year but not low enough to match 2021 yet.: https://ibb.co/Y3Tv51h

In PA, not much to say. EVERYONE is smashing it. Bucks county area a bit higher than naitonal levels and trending upwards. PLEase use precaution and some sort of source control so these numbers don't go back up.: https://ibb.co/hd2FcNh

__________

That's all I have this morning, so I hope you have a GREAT week! I apologize for not updating consistently as data is harder to obtain and H5N1 takes over the foreground of virology conversations (as it should, understandable)!!

#covid #Covid19 #SARS2PA #CovidIsNotOver #Pennsylvania #PA #JN1 #FLiRT #F456L #R346T #spike_f456l #spike_r346t

#DeFLiRT #S531del

#FLuQE #SQ493E

#KP3 #LB1

#WearAMask #CleanTheAir #WashHands #StayHomeIfSick !

Update for 5/13/2024!

Good Morning SARS2PAians!

I hope your chilly Spring is going well! 💐💐💐

Just a very quick VOC update as there is absolutely nothing really updated to work with this week 🙄

While numbers are still very very low right now (which is great), the virology world and variant hunters are watching a few new mutations lately.

The two most important coming up are KP.3 and LB.1.

Globally, KP.3 is already in 2nd place, very high in places like the UK and Australia, easily growing past previous JN.1 incarnations AND FLiRT variants.: https://ibb.co/ch19ph8

It carries a very rare mutation (S:Q493E) that enhances its fitness and will enable it to grow much fater than previous JN.1 incarnations.: https://ibb.co/9vx0JTn

It is IMMUNE EVASIVE compared to all current acquired immunity, both by vaccination and infection. It's fast enough and evasive enough to probably bump up numbers in June or July.

In the US, KP.3 is in relatively low numbers right now: https://ibb.co/XpRF6D6

BUT KP.3 is growing very quickly as the previous variant snapshot show when put together:

4/01-- 0.34%

4/05-- 0.44%

4/12-- 0.63%

4/19-- 1.17%

4/25-- 1.55%

5/03-- 1.64%

5/06-- 2.23%

5/12-- 3.20%

(This is fast in a landscape that's already thoroughly saturated very very vast variants.)

In PA, variant sequencers have not seen KP.3 pop up yet (doesn't mean it's not here, sequencing and testing are soooooo loooow but at least it's not showing up on the leaderboard.): https://ibb.co/4YzwNFN

However, LB.1 (from the FLiRT group but with an important deletion {S:531del}) is another very fast variant that is probably enough to bump up numbers too.

The summer will probably be FLiRT + FLiRT children vs. KP.3 (nicknamed FLuQE) + FLuQE children.

Those two mutation classes together wil probably start pushing up numbers again in early June.

Unfortunately that's all I have for now as it's getting harder and harder to find updated info.

I hope your Spring continues to be healthy! 💐💐💐

#covid #Covid19 #SARS2PA #CovidIsNotOver #Pennsylvania #PA #JN1 #FLiRT #F456L #R346T #spike_f456l #spike_r346t

#DeFLiRT #S531del

#FLuQE #SQ493E

#KP3 #LB1

#WearAMask #CleanTheAir #WashHands #StayHomeIfSick !

Update for 5/6/2024!

Good Morning SARS2PAians!

Yes I have an update today aaaaand unfortunately that's kinda never a good thing. You DON'T want to hear from me here!

(I am asking you once again....to please make this hobby of mine obsolete 🙏😔 Filter the air, be aware of social contacts, wear a quality respirator, and wash hands for the gastro stuff.)

__________
VOCs

We are dealing with FLiRT now, but there are two groups of incoming variants that are becoming concerningly successful in other countires including right next door in Canada.: https://ibb.co/fkG3gpg

One is an earlier-new group consisting of JN.1.32 and KP.3.

Another, far off-new yet, is KW.1 and its child, KW.1.1.

All of these variants have been proven faster than FliRT in Australia, UK, etc. KP.3 is exceptionally fast.

🔴Due to antigenic drift, vaccines and previous infection are NOT as effective to protect you with these upcoming variants.

🔴This does NOT mean vaccines don't work, so do not go spreading that. (You should also be mightily shunned for spreading that.)

Again: Vaccines are safe and effective...but these incoming variants are starting to yet again DRIFT TOO FAR AWAY from the current XBB vaccines.

I've highlighted the upcoming concerning variants in teal, as opposed to the FLiRT group which is in pink. KW.1.1 isn't above the fold yet nationally at 0.16% so I made a note on the image so I remember to keep track of this number.

Nationally, JN.1.7 and JN.1 are a tthe top of the board. JN.1.32 at 2.23% and KP.3 also at 2.23%. KW.1 at a little under half a percent. These numbers might be higher in actual meatspace because there is not nearly enough labwork/sequencing available to make laser-focused predictions.: https://ibb.co/bRpvDP7

In PA, we do not have group 2 of the far-off variants yet here but we do have KP.2. Gotta watch this one.: https://ibb.co/3kPMBwM

In NY/NJ, whoa, KP.3 already clocking in at over 3%, in the top 10 of random sequencing already. I haven't been watching this one so when I have more time I'll go back and check this one out.: https://ibb.co/qM7C4CY

KP.2 already at over 10%. That's fast, and antigenic drift is absolutely not helping here as any protection we might have had against this new stuff is starting to slip away.

We might be in for a bump up in numbers this spring, as something similar last year happened too.

Just giving everyone a heads-up on what we might be in for this spring/summer.

We can keep it in control by practicing some very comon-sense, easy things!

Have a safe spring!! 💐💐💐

#covid #Covid19 #SARS2PA #CDC #CovidIsNotOver #Wastewater #Pennsylvania #PA #JN1 #FLiRT #F456L #R346T #spike_r346t #spike_f456l

#KP2 #KP3 #JNOne32 #JN132 #KS1

#KW1 #KW11

#WearAMask #CleanTheAir #WashHands #StayHomeIfSick !

Good Morning/Afternoon SARS2PAians!!

I hope you are enjoying this GORGEOUS Spring weather 💐💐💐

1/2 Update for May 3, 2024!

__________
:all_the_things: State of the Subreddit/Fediverse posts:

There's not much new to report for COVID right now except some closely watched new mutations, so basically TL;DR is that COVID levels are very very low, enjoy it but please keep source control safety always on the backburner.

So. I don't mean to only have this as a once-a-week thing but it's kind of turning into that. I also don't mean to have people waste their time checking in here if I don't post, but I'm always hesitant to call it a once-a-week-thing as COVID is so volatile and mutations can always manifest something very weird in a short amount of time.

I have no idea when info will be available so I'm keeping it a "twice-a-week thing", Monday and Friday but sometimes I just don't have enough info/anything new/time for a Monday, so Friday is always much better for a full post for me.

I hope you continue to find this informative useful and I suuuuuper apologize if you check in and I don't post. 🙏

But even better, go check out the links for yourself and follow people smarter than me for COVID stuff!

__________
VOCs

Nationally, JN.1 and JN.1.7 still at the top of the leaderboard. FLiRT variants JN.1.4 and KP.2 keeps chipping away at their lead.: https://ibb.co/JqWkBSD

KP.2 seems to be the fastest mover of the whole FLiRT mutation block and the one the virology world is keeping their eyes on.

In PA, we don't have KP.2 showing up on Rajnarayanan's Tableau site so far, whcih is good but we still have quite a few FLiRTs here.: https://ibb.co/vP5yH4G

In NY/NJ, we can see here KP.2 has climbed above all the other FLiRTs, is in 4th place at >8% and is right behind JN.1 now.: https://ibb.co/ZzLcRxJ

The WHO is now looking to JN.1 being the next mutation that will be the base of the newest COVID vaccine.: https://www.who.int/news/item/26-04-2024-statement-on-the-antigen-composition-of-covid-19-vaccines

🔴PLEASE GET VACCINATED if available. Don't be a tuff guy. Go get it.

Upcoming fast variants are KP.3 and JN.1.32👀, which are not FLiRTs but very fast. I have them highlighted in teal on the charts as they are both already up to almost 5% of national sequencing.

In PA, we have JN.1.32 in low but measurable amounts at a little over 3% of random sequencing and these two variants wil have to be watched.

__________
CDC

CDC has stopped requiring reporting COVID hospital admissions, hospital capacity or hospital occupancy data at the beginning of May. 🙄 This plus nowhere near enough testing and sequencing makes this....hard to keep up with the virus.

"Effective May 1, 2024, hospitals are no longer required to report COVID-19 hospital admissions, hospital capacity, or hospital occupancy data to HHS through CDC’s National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN). CDC encourages ongoing, voluntary reporting of hospitalization data. Data voluntarily reported to NHSN after May 1, 2024, will be available starting May 10, 2024, at COVID Data Tracker Hospitalizations."

"The source of hospital information on the COVID Data Tracker home page will change from the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) to COVID-NET. Instead of displaying national counts of new hospital admissions, it will show COVID-19 hospitalization rates per 100,000 people. More information on COVID-Net is available on COVID-NET Laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 Hospitalizations."

https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home 🙄

__________
Other Pathogens

WastewaterSCAN now has SARS2 as LOW! YEAH! :canparrot:

Also FluB and RSV! Woohoo! :canparrot:

Still HIGH though are FluA, Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), parainfluenza, and gastro bugs Noro and Rotavirus.: https://ibb.co/By0g9Xt

__________
H5N1 follows in second post......

#covid #Covid19 #SARS2PA #CDC #CovidIsNotOver #Wastewater #Pennsylvania #PA #JN1 #FluB #Influenza #Norovirus #HMPV #FLiRT #F456L #R346T #spike_r346t #spike_f456l

#H5N1 #CleanFeedNOW

#WearAMask #CleanTheAir #WashHands #StayHomeIfSick !

Good Afternoon SARS2PAians!

I hope your spring is healthy and productive! 💐💐💐

__________
VOCs

Nationally, the most concerning variants are, as I posted last week, the FLiRT variants that have specific mutations enabling fast transfer. JN.1.4 and KP.2 are already almost at 10% of variant share but remember the amount of testing and sequencing right now is dismal and it makes everything harder to evaluate.: https://ibb.co/KDt0Bh4

FLiRT variants are highlighted in pink on my screenshot. Expect these to push further and further near the top in the next few weeks (and the CDC NOWCAST confirms this prediction.)

In PA, we still have a few FLiRTs here and you can already see them starting to move toward the top of the variant chart.: https://ibb.co/kc9CQyZ

In NY/NJ, FLiRTs KP.2, JN.1.4, JN.1.16.1, and JN.1.18 already account for ~20% of random sequencing.: https://ibb.co/TrcS9rW

__________
Wastewater

The GOOD news is COVID is stil fairly low; we've gone below the higher level of two years ago, and are at the lower level of last year at this time!: https://ibb.co/Q83BR3k

We still must watch to see if the FLiRT crew push this metric upwards.

__________
CDC

The new hospital admits map has changed. High increases all through Central PA excepting Centre Co. and also over tehre in Mercer Co. Philly and Pitt looking very good!: https://ibb.co/Xp8tCJV

The Inpatient Beds Map looks pretty good, some increases in McKean, Potter, and Cameron counties and also around Somerset and Cambria Cos.: https://ibb.co/fD7JYTf

ICU beds over all showing stability, with lots of counties in Central PA and the old coal region on the decrease! Some increases from Lycoming over to McKean though.: https://ibb.co/jMTdyCT

__________
NOWCAST

The CDC Nowcast is now including multiple fast-moving FLiRT variants in its tracking: KP.2, KP.1.1, KQ.1, JN.1.18.: https://ibb.co/wBY45FV

According to current estimates, these variants combined account for over a third of illnesses already.

These are moving FAST.

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NonSARS2 Pathogens

More good news: according to WastewaterSCAN, there are now lots of pathogens considered LOW nationally!

Just be warned that they are still showing HIGH in the Northeast, like FluB, which is LOW nationally but regionally still HIGH. Hopefully these numbers will lower even more as the Spring enables more outdoor/well ventilated activity.: https://ibb.co/vYGmTd1

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H5N1

H5N1 particles have been found in dairy milk, and are assumed to be inactivated due to the pasteurization process.

We MUST demand healthy cows, testing and tracking of sick herds, and transparency from the meat and dairy insustries.

This is not necessarily to keep H5N1 out of dairy products.

The more IMMINENT concern than being found in dairy milk is letting this thing percolate until it gains new mutations, whether to infect swine or enable human-to-human transfer.: https://ibb.co/FVbNnky

Some things you can do that are obviously proactive and not panicking about this:

🔴Demand clean feed for cattle and swine.

🔴Demand transparent testing, tracing of cattle illness.

🔴Demand high levels of sampling and sequencing of sick herds.

🔴AVOID raw dairy products. Seriously, people, DO NOT contribute to this thing by consuming raw dairy products, even if your State allows its sale (and Pennsylvania DOES as far as I know!)

🔴Try ultra-pasteurized milk, it's the most common milk sold in European countries.

Here's a nifty guide that compares pasteurized/ultra-pasteurized/UHT (ultra high temperature) methods of treating dairy products:

https://www.britannica.com/technology/pasteurization

🔴Avoid undercooked or rare meats. Meats must be heated to 162 degrees for at least 15 seconds to destroy pathogens like tuberculosis.

🔴Switch to providers that are not battery farms and practice humane farming. This is NOT just to be kind to animals (although that's a huge bonus), it is PRACTICAL and keeping herds not densely packed will lessen disease transmission. So far, H5N1 has a 50% kill rate even in non-bird species and we MUST keep outbreaks of it controlled.

I hope you have a FANTASTIC, well-ventilated, healthy and fun Spring!! 💐💐💐

#covid #Covid19 #SARS2PA #CDC #CovidIsNotOver #Wastewater #Pennsylvania #PA #JN1 #FluB #Influenza #Norovirus #HMPV #FLiRT #F456L #R346T #spike_r346t #spike_f456l

#H5N1 #CleanFeedNOW

#WearAMask #CleanTheAir #WashHands #StayHomeIfSick !

Good Afternoon SARS2PAians!

It's going to get a bit chilly the next few days , butin spite of that I hope you're haivng a great Spring! 💐💐💐

🔴Reminder: If you've built a Corsi-Rosenthal box, you can get lots of seasonal allergy relief by running it! CR boxes have many, many practical uses besides just controlling air particles that carry pathogens.

There was nothing much new to post on Monday plus I had a bunch of family things to handle (and doing this, admittedly takes time) so I apologize again for not posting. But you know the saying "no news is good news" and that defintiely applies to these updates.

I'm going to try and update the link list ASAP.

I hope you still find all this useful and informative. I hope the medical community finds these accurate and reliable.

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VOCs

While we are experiencing a MOST welcome lull in COVID numbers right now, disease modelers are predicting a bump up in numbers at the end of this month.: https://ibb.co/YpnpfMF

This is due to a variant block that have specific mutations. Together they are nicknamed the FLiRT group and are named so because their most important mutations are located at S:F456L and S:R346T within the structure of the pathogen.

🔴Right now FLiRT mutes have an 8% advantage even over JN.1. That's fast.: https://ibb.co/NshJLK6

The most important VOCs out there right now are the variants that have the FLiRT designation, and I've highlighted these mutes on these screenshots in pink.

Remember that there is nowhere near the amount of national testing or sequencing that should be implemented, so it makes trying to predict growth activity more difficult.

Nationally, lots of FLiRT mutations out there. It is unknown whether they are fast enough to cause a wave altogether, but they're fast enough to compete with JN.1 to eventually take over quite a bit of the current leaderboard.: https://ibb.co/S7kCkpH

In PA, we have quite a few FLiRT mutation here but these mutes are in relatively low numbers, so far.: https://ibb.co/bdhJwKv

In NY/NJ, FLiRT mute JN.1.4 already in second place on the leaderboard at over 9% of random sequencing. The other FLiRT variants will undoubtedly catch up.: https://ibb.co/ZBgYP2G

Here you can see FLiRT's innate growth advantage compared to JN variants.: https://ibb.co/3swYQ4r

Here you can see JN.1's innate growth advantage compared to older variants.: https://ibb.co/DfH6j53

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Wastewater

Nationally we're still on the bottom of the lull. This might be the lowest point of the whole year as our numbers ongoing could match 2022/2023, where we had quite a bump up in the middle of the summer (because, reminder: COVID doesn't have a "season", it can bump those numbers up anytime it gets lucky with a new mutation!).: https://ibb.co/3mVzfx9

In PA, wastewater still low pretty much everywhere which is great. MontCo SMASHING it, going way below national levels!!: https://ibb.co/TbrQgk7

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CDC

The counties showing high increase in hospital admits has shifted around. Now the counties with the highest increases are along the NY border and down in the Southwest corner surrounding Greene Co. Adams and York also showing high end increases. Philly corner showing moderate increases.: https://ibb.co/cQRgbwM

The % inpatient beds map looks very good! stable or decreasing everywhere, except some increases in Columbia Co up going Northeast to Wayne Co.: https://ibb.co/Q8JMZvh

Staffed ICU beds in the vast majority of counties steady or going down...except Columbia, Luzerne and Wyoming in the eastern half of the State and Centre, Clearfield and Jefferson in Central PA.: https://ibb.co/5kXgcYR

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Other Pathogens

We're still high in non-SARS2 respiratory pathogens according the WastewaterSCAN. FluA, FluB, and Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) are still HIGH.

Gastro stuff is very high too, Norovirus and Roitavirus.

🔴Keep the air clean, be aware of social contacts and wear a quality respirator in crowds and in places where air filteration is suboptimal. Stay home of you are sick to beat the respiratory stuff.

🔴WASH HANDS with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds to beat Noro and Rota. Rinse off fruits and veg before you eat them. Be aware of food handling safety in the kitchen. Don't send kids to school with this.

Mostly because...Noro and Rota are not only extremely contagious, they're also just...gross. 🤢

I hope you have a GREAT and safe Spring!! 💐💐💐

#covid #Covid19 #SARS2PA #CDC #CovidIsNotOver #Wastewater #Pennsylvania #PA #JN1 #FluA #FluB #Influenza #Norovirus #Rotavirus #HMPV #FLiRT #F456L #R346T #spike_r346t #spike_f456l

#WearAMask #CleanTheAir #WashHands #StayHomeIfSick !

Even Ayn Rand (1) and Friedrich Hayek (2) realized that government mandates are sometimes necessary to mitigate contagious diseases.

#CovidIsNotOver #CovidIsAirborne #KeepMasksInHealthCare #maskup #WearAMask #VaccinesPlus #covid19 #covid #SARSCov2 #mandates #MaskMandatesWork #MaskMandatesSaveLives #VaccineMandate #AynRand #Objectivism #libertarianism #Hayek #FriedrichHayek

At the onset of the #covid pandemic, my home province of #NewBrunswick went many months without a single death. We had very low numbers of reported infections & deaths. Tens of thousands of people moved here because of that.

We now routinely see at least 2 OR MORE deaths PER WEEK, 4 years later. No one cares.

https://fed.sbcloud.cc/@nbrespwatch/112208170119469968

#WearAMask #PreventLongCovid