So many diseases are spread via the respiratory system. Air hygiene should be a big thing now. It works against all of them. Even before there's a vax.
If only we'd done these, we'd be totally ready.
Clean air in schools ✅
Respirators being worn widely ✅
Good infection control in hospitals ✅
#CovidIsNotOver and yet we're talking about the "next" pandemic.
So in today's Q&A, the Minister of Education was asked what does she think should be done now that schools have become a meat grinder chewing through teachers, relievers, aids and students and if sending sick kids to school would make it worse. (my paraphrase)
Her answer was that they recognise that and are working hard on making sure more meat is available to throw into the grinder. (my paraphrase again)
No actual solutions there. No ability to adapt to reality.
I had to go to urgent care earlier today (nothing serious, needed antibiotics for infection).
I'm please to report that the nurse, the doctor, and all the patients I saw (about 8-9?) were wearing masks of some kind. I was pleasantly surprised! 😷😁
South Australia: "Patients who went to hospital for one thing, then died of COVID will never be known according to SA Health as records were never kept" By Brad Crouch
Here's the thing. I'm perfectly willing to spend time w/ people outdoors, or masked indoors, or unmasked indoors w/ rapid testing, open windows, air purifiers.
But if the other person isn't covid-aware, then I don't actually ENJOY hearing about or seeing photos of their various unmasked exploits that include people I know who are medically vulnerable (and who don't even take covid precautions themselves).
It's depressing instead of uplifting & makes me prefer being a hermit.
Gotta say, folks, I'm not liking the surge in COVID reported by wastewater numbers.
Especially with my husband flying up to Wellington on a business trip to Catalyst for the first time in ages. 😬
We have masks and Flo Travel spray and probiotic lozenges, but we don't have robust public health measures or clean air infrastructure, not even in hospitals.
Lady Gaga splits fans after admitting she had Covid during 5 live shows.
"The star then revealed that she “did 5 shows with Covid” as she didn’t want to cancel and disappoint the tens of thousands of supporters who planned to attend." 🤦♂️
Reality is that you only really need to wear a mask and consider air quality if:
-you breathe air regularly.
-you care about your brain, heart, immune system, lungs, kidneys, bones, teeth, eyes, liver or other organs.
-you ever have other people around you.
Really loving seeing several different models for safer conferencing pop up on here in the past week. Good job, Mastodonians! 😷❤️
Oh and here's the accessibility policy for mine that ended last week. (We learned the hard way we should have sent a masking reminder immediately before the first full day of conferencing--but one went out and people honored the policy much better after receiving reminder) https://www.petrocultures2024.com/accessibility-policies.html
New study: "First, there is strong and consistent evidence for airborne transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and other respiratory pathogens. Second, #masks are, if correctly and consistently worn, effective in reducing transmission of respiratory diseases and show a dose-response effect. Third, #respirators are significantly more effective than medical or cloth masks." #CovidIsNotOver#WearAMask#N95
@violetblue 's Covid Sanity is "a self-defense guide, a conversation starter, a resource for finding community, a helpful tool for hard decisions, and a means with which we ultimately disallow our valid refusal to endure repeated Covid-19 reinfections to be used against us."
"We're made to feel separate from society for avoiding covid, but we are far from alone."
Head to Kickstarter and help Covid Sanity become reality:
Yet again, I get the impression that FOSS doesn't really believe in equality. Especially if it's difficult to implement, or to get people to understand the issue.
Yet again, people express resentment that some of us are asking openly for some consideration of our health and safety.
Or perhaps Organisers don't like people asking them to enable that equality of access.
I follow COVID scientists here on Mastodon. I've seen them post links to studies showing waning effectiveness of COVID vaccines after 6 months.
I received the updated booster last October and want to get boosted again prior to some planned travel in July. (Air travel to the MAGA anti-vax cesspool known as Florida)
I have contacted three pharmacies in my area.
One has no COVID vaccines at all and said they won't receive any until fall.
The other two say they will not vaccinate me because they must follow US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines stating that only people 65 years and older should receive boosters at this time.
They won't vaccinate me even if I am willing to pay out of pocket.
Both say I must get a recommendation from my health care provider before they will even consider it.
Less than 20% of people in my state are up to date on their COVID vaccines. For those of us who want to follow the science and not some arbitrary age limitation, why not let us get vaccinated?
"A blueprint for radical inclusion and living a full, safer life within the context of Covid-19 exists.
Many mutual aid groups and initiatives advocating for clean air and continued Covid-19 safety are emerging all over the world using technology and layers of protection to help mitigate the spread of viruses."
My #CovidIsNotOver table at the Association for the Rhetoric of Science, Technology, and Medicine (ARSTM) at the Rhetoric Society (RSA)! Art by @JoBlakely and @violetblue ; zines by @hnewlevant ; flyers by @phpledge and bit.ly/lesscovid. Thanks to everyone for the suggestions on how to make it engaging--it's been lovely to meet other #CovidCautious people and create some visibility around #disability and #COVID .