#the pandemic isn't over

[feminist-space]

"Long COVID has destroyed my life

I would love nothing more than to “finally ignore COVID,” as the headline to Dr. Ashish Jha’s July 31 op-ed reads (“With a few basic steps, most of us can finally ignore COVID”). As a healthy, vaccinated, and recently boosted 35-year-old, I did what he said: I ignored COVID-19 on a weekend trip with friends in September 2022. But the infection I got as a result has all but destroyed my life.

A week after my infection, I began to experience intense fatigue, overwhelming headaches, and cognitive challenges that continue to this day. These symptoms are debilitating: I can no longer work, socialize, or travel. My finances are dire. And if I am unable to avoid another infection, my condition may deteriorate even further.

Jha wrote of long COVID “treatments” being promising. Perhaps he could clarify what treatments he is referring to, because my doctors say that there are no approved treatments for long COVID.

A recent study funded by the NIH’s RECOVER initiative showed that 10 percent of adults infected with COVID still have symptoms six months later, even with vaccination. By downplaying the prevalence and debilitating outcomes of even moderate long COVID, Jha is signing thousands of people up to the misery and despair with which I live every day.

Ezra J. Spier

Oakland, Calif.

Another view from infectious disease doctors

As infectious disease doctors, we disagree with Dr. Jha’s contention that it is time to ignore COVID-19.

Yes, being vaccinated and taking Paxlovid thankfully decrease the risk of severe disease. But only 43 percent of people age 65 and over and only 17 percent of all Americans had received an updated COVID vaccination by May 2023, and access to Paxlovid treatment is inequitable by race and insurance status.

Long-term complications of COVID can be devastating, including after second infections.

More than half a million Americans have died since the summer of 2021, when sufficient vaccine doses were available: COVID death rates in the United States continue to be double those of Canada. Termination of free tests and “commercialization” of medications as implemented by the federal government will only widen our country’s grisly COVID-related health disparities.

Inevitably, ignoring COVID leads to ignoring the slow-motion epidemic of long COVID. Standing up against such neglect, leaders like Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Governor Maura Healey can promote meaningful measures to protect our communities: air purification in all schools and public spaces; free COVID-preventive masks (KN95 or N95, not surgical masks); tests, vaccines, and Paxlovid for all who cannot afford to buy them; and concern for and support of long COVID victims.

Dr. Julia Koehler

Boston

Dr. Regina LaRocque

Wellesley

We remain vulnerable to long COVID

Ashish Jha’s position as former White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator is a conflict of interest masquerading as a qualification for his op-ed. Researchers who study long COVID stated in a recent paper in Nature Reviews Immunology that “the oncoming burden of long COVID faced by patients, health-care providers, governments and economies is so large as to be unfathomable.” Rapid tests, which are less accurate with recent strains while PCR tests are less available, and low death rates give a false sense of security.

I agree that despite progress, more buildings need the air filtration and ventilation that would make public life safer. But Jha omits our vulnerability to long COVID after even mild infections, its devastating effects, and higher death rates for hospital-acquired COVID-19, combined with a lack of collective protection in health care settings with unmasked, untested people who prefer to ignore COVID-19.

Aside from advocating vaccines, he describes an everyone-for-themselves approach, not mentioning responsibility to protect others or access to essentials.

Jha dines in a restaurant with his friends while patients even in leading cancer hospitals are forced into Russian roulette, thanks to this approach.

Kathryn Nichols

Cambridge

Vigilance is necessary to prevent long COVID

While I understand the desire to promote optimism amid the ongoing pandemic, I am deeply concerned about the potential consequences of downplaying the importance of COVID precautions and the significant risk of long COVID. As a person living with long COVID for the last 16 months despite being vaccinated and boosted, I have experienced post-exertional malaise, fatigue, headaches, joint and muscle pain, cognitive dysfunction, and more symptoms that have continued to today. I have tried numerous medicines, supplements, and even participated in a clinical trial, only to find limited relief from the persistent effects of this virus.

Such a stance overlooks the reality that millions more people could end up with long COVID if we fail to remain vigilant in our efforts to combat the virus. Long COVID is a devastating consequence of this virus, and we cannot rely solely on vaccinations to end the pandemic. Even with widespread vaccination, the risk of contracting long COVID remains high. A recent study funded by the NIH’s RECOVER initiative showed that 10 percent of adults infected with COVID still have symptoms six months later. Minimizing the significance of long COVID not only neglects the suffering of long-haulers but also risks undermining public health efforts to control the spread of the virus.

By raising awareness about the risk of long COVID, media outlets can play a pivotal role in educating the public and promoting continued vigilance. Responsible reporting on the enduring impact of long COVID can serve as a reminder that the pandemic is far from over and that we must remain committed to taking necessary precautions to protect ourselves and others. Highlighting the struggles of long COVID survivors and the lack of proven treatments can spur further research and medical advancements in addressing this condition. Empathy and support for those living with long COVID are essential in paving the way for better understanding, compassionate care, and better health outcomes for everyone as COVID rates increase again this summer.

Travis Hardy

Norwalk, Conn.

Link https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/08/05/opinion/cant-ignore-long-covid-jha/

#covid #long covid #wear a mask #please wear a mask #the pandemic isn't over

[lastoneout]

if I have to read another health professional say "the pandemic is over but covid is still a real threat" I'm going to start maiming people

#MAYBE #JUST MAYBE #THE PANDEMIC ISN'T OVER #MAYBE COVID BEING THIS WIDSPREAD AND DANGEROUS MEANS IT'S STILL HAPPENING HUH #MAYBE YOU SHOULD TELL PEOPLE TO MASK UP

[estrogenpudding]

did u know??

#the pandemic isn't over #kirby #mask #wear a mask

[ashleyslothlife]

I need disabled leftist friends.

I no longer believe in allies at all. Liberals at the start of the pandemic had so much fun yelling at anti-maskers and anti-vaxxers while they isolated.  They put on an enthusiastic performance of caring.  But now liberals are bored of caring about covid-19 so Biden has declared it over.  It is no longer a crisis that hospitals are still having bed shortages over covid and covid related issues. Abled Leftist build followings while loudly yelling at people to mask up and follow the science.   They stopped wearing a mask the minute it stopped being required of them.  They are following the CDC over the scientific date while claiming they don’t support state sanctioned violent.  This is eugenics.  Something abled leftist claim to be against, but when leftist disabled folks like me bring that up we are “reaching” and need to “go outside and touch grass.”  Outside, with the unmasked people passing covid around.

#disability #ableism #the pandemic isn't over #ableism in leftist spaces

[gracethenighttripper]

You can get models that offer even more protection than an N95 (this has P100 filters, rated to filter 99.7% particles larger than 0.3 microns). But effectiveness aside, elastomeric masks are fuckin’ hot!

#covid is airborne #the pandemic isn't over

[daltongraham]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2022/11/28/covid-who-is-dying/

The Washington Post is acknowledging that society and governments are throwing us under the bus:

"More than 300 people are still dying each day on average from covid-19, most of them 65 or older, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While that’s much lower than the 2,000 daily toll at the peak of the delta wave, it is still roughly two to three times the rate at which people die of the flu — renewing debate about what is an “acceptable loss.”"

#covid 19 #the pandemic isn't over #spoonies #ageism

[astralwashboard]

Hey loves, new COVID variant that appeared about three weeks ago, BQ 1.1 has violent vomiting and diarrhea symptoms, think dysentery. It escapes vaccines so far and is especially dangerous for people with depleted immune systems, especially cancer patients who apparently can take a drug that makes them especially sensitive. Wear a fucking N95 / FFP2 mask and wash your hands regularly.

x x

#covid_19 #covid #the pandemic isn't over #PLEASE FUCKING STOP PRETENDING THE PANDEMIC IS OVER #wear a fucking mask #just wear a fucking mask #please wear a mask #get your vaccines and boosters #plagueblogging

[taviokapudding]

A reminder to everybody because there is no cure for COVID yet and I'm not licensed because I can't afford graduate/medical school but I can read and understand everything in real time

If you got "brain fog"- neurology asap

General MDs & Family Practioners are not required to study psychology, neurology, & cardiology in depth before graduation in the USA to be doctors

If you or a loved one have been or have recently experienced "brain fog" and haven't had your brain scanned for post COVID infection/Long COVID brain damage, shrinkage, and/or nerve severing within a month after reporting to your general/family practioner; you need to seek out a neurologist first and tell them you want to check your brain for post COVID/Long COVID damage. An MRI & CT will pinpoint if you have nerve, cardiovascular, or other issues being ignored because the MDs aren't looking close enough.

When "brain fog" is ignored, the diagnosis of dementia increases and I know this because the global medical community has been doing studies since 2021 trying to bridge this gap; this is why I can say "Long COVID has been correlated to rapid brain shrinkage if left unchecked" and "cardio vascular problems in Long COVID is correlated to brain damage that could have taken place during the initial infection"

Unfortunately due to the US public's misunderstanding of how dangerous COVID is because of our shit CDC and with our media's misunderstanding of the pandemic being over, nobody in the US paying attention to the fact the youngest known case of dementia as if this year (2023) is a 19 year old in China that strongly supports the known and currently ongoing research into what Long COVID/post COVID infections do to the body.

It's obvious to me, pediatric based psychology, that if you experience "brain fog" more than 3 times and it gets progressively worse each time that you're brain is fucked. You don't want your brain doing any kind of on/off switch in any sector when it comes to memory, language, senses, etc.

I beg of all of you- don't wait for your MDs- you have to right to contact neurology directly.

And btw if you notice your body swelling and it's not you gaining weight, cardiology for inflammation of all the blood vessels as a whole. Okay? I wish I could help more with that but it's not my area and both can occur around the same time, please don't wait until you're dying to seek help.

#mun post #*grabs every US user by the neck and aggressively shakes them like a can of soda* the CDC didn't listen to me in Feb 2020 don't be like them #i wish i could save lives more directly but being my mom's caregiver is priority right now #it's obvious brain fog is the brain slowly ahutting down but nobody is hearing me out #covid mention #the pandemic isn't over

[pursuitoftruth]

ALSO i realized that in the past year i’ve seen my PT (for two separate issues - lumbar stenosis and foot surgery recover) more than i’ve seen any of my friends. i have a handful who will hang with me outdoors and masked since the pandemic isn’t over for my asthmatic ass. but yeah. i don’t know what that says about me. 

#amanda rambles #the pandemic isn't over #personal #text

[bloodonthemoon]

i'm at a doc appointment rn and there is a lady who is hacking couching spitting her soul out and i am going crazy bc she is wearing a mask as per hospital policy BUT get this: everytime she has to cough, she PULLS DOWN HER MASK to do so and puts it back up after. WHY WOULD SHE DO THIS?!?!

#wtf #i am just flummoxed #the pandemic isn't over #and it's not gonna end soon with dumbasses like her #someone help #the lex codex

[feminist-space]

I highly, highly recommend this website (thank you https://chrisisgre.at/!) which has an extensive set of resources and sources for covid knowledge.

The image above (also alt text-included) is of the youhavetoliveyour.life website, which is an incredible set of resources with articles that debunk common covid denial sayings, such as "covid is mild now" or "I got it and I'm fine" or "Healthy people don't have to worry about it." The image shows a drop-down menu with common covid denial excuses.

The website also uses photos of prominent public health leaders such as Leana Wen or Ashish Jha or Mandy Cohen, who have been touting, falsely and dangerously, that covid is "over," that it's "not a big deal," that "we have the tools now" (even though we don't, actually, and long covid is absolutely devastating).

Select a statement from the drop-down menu to find informative, helpful, and scientific articles that explain why those statements are misleading and incorrect.

Here is the link:

#covid resources #the pandemic isn't over #the protections are what's over #please wear a mask #wear a mask to protect yourself and others #public health #public health resource #you have to live your life #and other lies they tell us so we all go back to work and to spending money

[nindurmeleth]

Look at the cool new shirt I made for all my upcoming medical appointments!

#ehlers danlos syndrome #disabled life #chronically ill #wear a mask #the pandemic isn't over #shirt design #crip punk

[jomiddlemarch]

Went to the high school open school night and was one of only three people I could see wearing a mask. The new booster is slated for release but hasn’t gotten here yet. It wasn’t inconvenient to wear the mask; I’ll never fully understand why so many people won’t just take an extra precaution.

#no matter what you want #the pandemic isn't over #still wearing masks #for my own healthy and safety #and those around me #vaxxed and boosted #but I'd never forgo an easy way to be even safer

[intersectionalpraxis]

"If a pig catches both a human influenza A virus and an avian influenza A virus at the same time, it can spark a process known as viral reassortment — a genetic exchange in which flu viruses swap gene segments." "Those swaps can introduce dramatic changes, producing a new virus with certain properties of a non-human strain coupled with the capacity to infect and spread between people." "The death rate in humans may be upwards of 50 per cent, World Health Organization data suggests, though it's possible that milder infections are getting missed, skewing the case fatality ratio. Still, in a population that's never been exposed, the global impacts could be dire." "More human cases could also be happening under the radar among farm workers who've moved to the U.S. from abroad, don't speak English as their first language, and may be hesitant to seek medical help, he added." "So I think there's probably underreporting on both sides," Armstrong said." "If [H5N1] gets into a population where there's constantly animals going in and out … it might not ever leave."

I've been watching this develop for the past several days, and apart from being terrified most people will not take this seriously (I've seen a handful of people already shout conspiracy on social media and it's alarming to see, as always). What I wanted to point out is that pandemics are going to continue to be our 'normal.' I watched a great video on YouTube a while ago (I believe it was by Vice?) that touched base on how this is going to become our new reality because of multiple factors (such as our proximity to animals, and environments/etc). It was when Covid hit and they did a piece debunking some of the misinformation floating on the internet. If I can find it I will post it here because it was informative and relevant to pretty much any world crisis we will see around any virus that spreads among a human population.

This post isn't trying to fear monger anyone, I just hope more people are aware of what is happening because this is important to talk about. There are already cases (of cows getting this bird flu) in the US, and I won't be surprised if there will be instances in more countries around the world. As usual, keep washing your hands/keeping good hygiene practices, masking up (and if you aren't I hope you consider it), and taking precautions if you do happen to visit/work or go near a pig or poultry farm too:

I'll keep track of this here of course, but please stay informed folks. And also FU to any governments who will try to minimize this or try to diminish the severity until it's too late and community spread happens like Covid because their actions are influenced by capitalistic interests.

Update (April 7th, 2024, 9:32pm EST): to anyone wondering where some of the source information originates from -here is a link to the CDC. They are tracking documented avian virus outbreaks in the US and the public can access it here:

#current news #current events #global news #united states #cattle #cows #cattle farming #avian flu #bird flu #h5n1 #mask up #pandemic #covid #covid isn't over #covid conscious #covid is airborne #covid is not over #viruses #fuck capitalism #anti captialism #healthcare #public health #world health organization #cdc #news update #update

[rikaklassen]

CW: discussion of the ongoing SARS-COV-2 coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic

Not happy about the CDC's decision to end any and all isolation guidelines. The recommendations are anti-science and anti-worker in the interests of the capitalist class. It's appalling business owners in the US (and Canada) rather chase profits of the next quarter rather than think about the long-term consequences of a labour force that is too disabled to work.

It's mind-blowing there haven't been a clean air revolution yet. Yes, we may not be able to do much about SARS-CoV-2 being endemic and constantly mutating; but there are some things we can do like better filtration, better air circulation, ceiling UV-C light disinfections, providing free or subsidized masks and respirators, paid sick leaves and so on. The working class deserves better and safer working conditions. And they should demand those.

While I may be Canadian and our recommendations are separate from American's, my best friend works in the service industry, more specifically, bars and restaurants, and many Americans cross the border for a myriad of reasons. And she is much closer to the border than I am.

I am really trying my best to make sure my friend is safe. She already has been reinfected a few times, and each time increases the risk of long COVID (eg. chronic fatigue, brain fog), cardiovascular disorders and other adverse health effects. I try to make sure she has the equipment she needs to mitigate reinfections, the safety net to take time off from work if necessary in the event of a reinfection. For her to attend and study at polytech acquiring a specialized skill so she could find a safer workplace.

Bestie deserves the world. It saddens me entitled customers, business owners, politicians, corporations and bureaucrats see her and many others as disposable. She deserves all the opportunities. Everything. The whole bakery.

I already send all of my paycheques and deposits to bestie. Every single penny I have. I shouldn't. She never asked; and she asked me to take care of myself first. But I gave her my words, and within my social circles, saying you will do something is taken very seriously and is seen as a promise. People will actually remind if you have said something and hold you to your words, even if you did not intend to make a promise in the first place.

I do give her everything I have anyway because my anxieties go away and I get peace of mind. Otherwise I just stay up all night ruminating.

People are tired of me constantly plugging PayPal, but here is her link: paypal.me/bglamours.

You're not obligated to donate. I will send anything I earned or received from families and the government to her regardless. But I have to try everything.

#COVID-19 #SARS-CoV-2 #coronavirus #coronavirus pandemic #the pandemic isn't over #CDC guidelines #ruminating #anxiety posting #COVID #COVID isn't over

[inclusionsummers]

Field trips are...a time

So every camp I've worked at has had some kind of a field trip set up (with the exception of 2021 because we were still in a COVID transition phase).

At the camp I work at now, we're lucky enough to have private transportation (buses through the camp) and we go once a week. Although I've been told that pre-pandemic they went twice a week which sounds so hectic to me.

I've found that there are two main issues we face with field trips: accessibility of the location, and the other people there.

Accessibility: We basically run the gamut of accessibility needs with my group, so I've taken to combing the websites of our destinations prior to the outing. And some places are better than others. What I've had the most trouble with is locations trying to make it sound like they're more accessible than they are. (We had a location say that the accessibility of their trails were about 50/50, what they failed to mention was that the ones leading to the entrances (that you need to get through to get to the other trails) are entirely inaccessible, meaning that effectively all of their trails are inaccessible). But for the most parts we intentionally choose places that are inherently pretty accessible.

As kind of a subset of accessibility I'm lumping in the staff of the location because they can do a lot to affect the accessibility of a location. For example, every year we go to a concert put on at a nearby national park, and despite the gravel/packed dirt paths not always being the best, the staff there kind of even it out by how willing to help they are. (they have a modified golf cart thing that can carry a couple of wheelchair users, and they're just great). But we've also had the opposite experience where we were at a newer museum, but the staff were incredibly unhelpful; making our group sit through a bit of a lecture before we went in (not great when you've got a bunch of kids who can't sit still or focus for that long), and repeatedly changed and almost refused to tell us where we could give water/formula/meds (despite that being brought up prior to our trip).

The public: gasp Terrifying I know. But honestly even though I know we don't have any control over them, they can also really make or break a field trip, and it's just kind of chance what kind of crowd is at the place we are. We've had some really great experiences with the public, especially when we run into other disabled people. But we've also had experiences where people don't stop making comments to/about us. One time, before I started, apparently there were some religious people ("worship leaders" or missionaries maybe) who came onto our bus and insisted on praying over everyone before my supervisor came and kicked them out.

#when I say “COVID transition” phase its bc that's what the camp called it #the pandemic isn't over #summer camp #accessibility #disability #field trip