My mom never got her energy back fully after her first confirmed infection. I tried to tell her it sounded like she was dealing with #LongCovid , but she insisted she was just tired from being busy.

This time, I insisted she rest as much as possible and tried to emphasize the importance of rest when infected with #Covid19.

On day 4, I called her to check in, and she was walking the dog. 🫠

This whole time, since #VaxxedAndRelaxed and #CovidIsOver started becoming the dominant narrative, I've been trying so hard to educate my family on why they should use #LayersOfProtection and all of the risks of a covid infection - both long and short term.

They haven't really listened - though my mom wearing a mask to church when she felt sick was an improvement - and it's been exhausting.

Today, a friend from back east, who recently had #Covid ,posted on Facebook asking how long it will take for their smell and taste to return to normal.

I responded that it varies, but she should inform her doctor of her continuing issue with smell and taste distortion/absence because #LongCovid is a real risk, and the more her doctor knows, about her symptoms, the better.

She replied with "long covid?".

My friend, who has now had #Covid19 twice, didn't know what long covid is.

I explained it to her, and she was grateful for the info. I told her she's at risk for another infection, and the only way to prevent that is #LayersOfProtection , including wearing a #Mask .

I've no clue if she will implement more robust #CovidSafety , but at least she knows now.

Btw - the comments on this post were filled with stories of people who had it take weeks to get back, or never got it back at all. There are 28 comments so far.

At this point, I know maybe 6 or 7 people (8 if you include me) irl, that haven't been infected with #Covid19.

Every time I tell people I've never gotten #Covid , they seem shocked.

All the people I know who are #Novid do at least 2 of the following.

- Not spending time indoors unmasked around others that aren't in their "bubble." If they do see people outside their bubble, they try to do stuff outside. If it has to be indoors, everyone must #MaskUp when inside

- Don't spend a lot of time in public places indoors - especially when there are crowds.

- Having common shared agreements about #CovidPrecautions with the people they do see unmasked (usually about 3 people total - sometimes less - and it's pretty much always the people they live with).

- #Masking in public using high-quality and well fitted masks (N95/KF94/KN95) - everyone I know who has remained Covid free is doing this.

I've watched basically every single person I know catch Covid, some of them multiple times, and it gets harder for me to comprehend how myself and others are screaming from the rooftops about #LayersOfProtection , yet they're still not #MaskingUp.

It's honestly just exhausting at this point because not only can the social isolation get you down sometimes, but I'm also just tired of seeing my friends get sick.

This morning at 7:50 a.m., about 43 (ish) people showed up to a theatre in Seattle for a private, Covid cautious screening of Hayao Miyazaki's latest film, The Boy and the Heron.

People took a rapid test and reported results to the organizers before arriving and wore high-quality masks at all times. Folks stayed home if they or anyone in their household felt unwell. Masks and tests were available on site if needed.

Cost was about $13 per ticket after donations from #CovidCautious community members who wanted to help make the event accessible to folks.

CO2 was monitored and never got over 900.

The film was incredible. Knowing there are folks in my community who are willing to wake up early af because they haven't been to the theater in years due to #COVID19 was just as incredible.

Covid safe events aren't just possible, they're desired. Imagine how many people would have attended if it could have been on a Saturday afternoon or evening?

#MaskUp #CovidIsntOver #CovidSafety #StudioGhibli #CovidSafeEvents #SeattleStillCares #AccessibleEvents #WeKeepUsSafe #TheBoyAndTheHeron #HayaoMiyazaki #LayersOfProtection

It's almost as if #LayersOfProtection keep us safer and make our jobs easier.

I have tested negative for Covid on a PCR and am taking rapids regularly. So far, no symptoms and all negative results.

What did I do differently?

🧵Last week my work held their annual conference for our members.

All of the staff at my work had to be there (including me).

Taking a RAT #Covid test before attending was requested but not required. There was no #MaskRequirement , and the masks on hand were plain surgical masks. To put it lightly, there were no planned #LayersOfProtection in place on a systemic level for this event that was being held during a #CovidSurge

Upwards of 700 people showed up.

I'm sure yall know where this is going.

At this point, I'm used to being one of the few people at my job who is still #CovidCautious. Those in charge have made any #LayersOfProtection at work events fall to the wayside. The best we get now is staff taking RATS prior to in person events (with no accountability if you dont) - and a very light suggestion to #MaskUp.

That being said, I was still nervous being the only one in a mask knowing we are in a Covid surge right now. I had my Aranet and the readings were hanging out in the 500s so at least there was that.

As always, I took my lunch and water breaks outside and did not remove my mask indoors.

@PacificNic @jbond absolutely critical to acknowledge this. I'm fully vaxxed plus fully boosted per immunocompromised schedule.

I've been exposed 3x - every time was about 3 weeks post booster. Never developed symptoms and never tested positive on rapid or pcr and I do think the vaccine played a role - but it wasn't the sole reason I didn't get it. I also think luck, viral load of person infected and place it happened in played a large role as well.

Still mask indoors and outdoors when around others and don't see anyone unmasked expect for a small core group (5 people) who are also extremely covid cautious.

#layersofprotection

Like, as a fairly extroverted and community oriented person, I completely understand the desire to attend events and be around others.

But what's frustrating is we could have these events and make them safer with #LayersOfProtection. People have successfully mobilized their communities to put on covid safe events - to provide testing and contact tracing and masks.

With precautions in place, events aren't totally out of the question. But so many people have just - not done that and instead dropped precautions.

I just don't understand.

This week's #COVID19WeatherReport shows #variant trends and rising #wastewater levels - higher than this time 2020. #Hospitalizations are rising. #LongCovid is problematic.

We must change our habits to slow the spread! #QualityMasks #StayHomeSick #Ventilate #COVIDisAirborne #LayersOfProtection #N95 #KN95 #KF94 #Filtrate #CovidIsNotOver #RSV #Flu
@tootiatricians
https://peoplescdc.org/2022/12/05/peoples-cdc-covid-19-weather-report-25/

In terms of far-UVC 222nm disinfection, I've only found this pendant that is actually purchasable. It's still meant for commercial use, but we could put it in our dining room. It's a wee bit spendy...
https://threeuv.com/product/uv222-pendant-2/
#222nm #CovidIsNotOver #layersofprotection #faruvc222nm