Netherlands - Optimal Ventilation in Schools provides a CO2 level below 800ppm. #CleanAirClassrooms #AirSpot airspothealth.myshopify.com/a/blog/nethe...

Netherlands - Optimal Ventilation in Schools provides a CO2 level below 800ppm. #AirSpot #CleanAirClassrooms airspothealth.myshopify.com/a/blog/nethe...

People make insensitive comments about disability ALL the time. Implying we’re “lucky” that we don’t have to work, that they wish they could “lay around” etc.

They don’t understand the “crip tax”.

It’s expensive being chronically ill. And no one teaches you HOW to cope.

Even if you’re fortunate to have good insurance and/or live somewhere with universal healthcare (like Canada)… the costs add up quick.

Take Canada for example - seeing a doctor is covered - medications, dental and vision aren’t.

If you have complex chronic illness - prescription costs alone can quickly spiral out of control.

Even if you have private coverage - many things aren’t covered. Almost half of what I take wouldn’t be covered by insurance - even with specialist prescription.

Other costs people don’t consider:

💰 Special diet (mine is incredibly restrictive)

💰 Medical and first aid supplies, home healthcare supplies etc

💰 Delivery, homecare, cleaning services, transportation, mobility aids.

If you have MCAS and/or Long Covid or are covid cautious … you can add a whole bunch more expenses to the list:

💰Air purifiers
💰Specialized body & oral care products
💰MCAS safe cleaning products
💰Respirators
💰Rapid tests

The bottom line is being disabled is expensive. Losing your autonomy and independence costs money.

Juggling everything we need to stay alive and maintain a baseline while also trying to ensure we keep a roof over our heads is a full time job.

As if that wasn’t enough - we also have to chase down doctors, follow up on tests, deal with medical gaslighting, covid risk in hospitals, HCWs who won’t mask etc. We do this while suffering the pain of being abandoned by family, friends & society.

It’s not lucky. It’s hard.

There’s other costs people never even consider - like the cost of relying on delivery services that more often than not get it wrong.

In my case - my diet is so restrictive that if a shopper brings the wrong item - it’s going to go to waste.

When you only have about ten safe foods and your delivery screws up five of them - you’re either going to go hungry for a week OR you have to place another order.

But orders have minimum spends and you have to tip a shopper twice. That adds up FAST.

I can’t tell you how much I miss being able to just pop to the store and get my own groceries. Grab a single ingredient without having to meet a minimum spend.

Many non disabled people see grocery shopping as a chore - I see it as a luxury I no longer have.

These are the types of issues you have to deal with when you become disabled that NO ONE teaches you about. 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 #bullying #CleanAirClassrooms #criptax

I called EMS once and police showed up before paramedics (paramedics were busy).

The first thing they said? “You don’t look sick.”

They waited for paramedics who took me to hospital - but that initial response stuck with me.

It’s why mask bans are dangerous. Police aren’t trained to make medical decisions. They shouldn’t be the ones deciding who can and can’t legally wear a mask.

Many illnesses are invisible - you wouldn’t KNOW we’re disabled to look at us.

Most of us have experienced gaslighting from friends, family and even doctors - people are quick to judge and decide you’re “not that sick.”

So are we really expected to risk criminal charges by wearing a respirator & just HOPE police will believe we truly “need it”?

Not to mention that medical exemptions leave behind anyone who wants to mask to protect and preserve their health - as well as caregivers and family of disabled people.

We rely on them to keep us safe - we NEED them masking in public.

I sincerely hope more people join the fight against mask bans soon - because if we don’t fight against them - more cities and states will pass them and more people will suffer.

A good respirator is excellent protection against covid & other illnesses.

We shouldn’t be further excluding disabled and high risk people from public - but that’s exactly what these ugly laws do.

Call your elected officials - tell them medical masks can not and should not be banned.

Don’t embrace escalating fascism and eugenics just because you don’t think it will impact you.

Don’t celebrate it because you hold a grudge about mask mandates.

It won’t stop with disabled people. Help us now & your future self will thank you.

My full article on mask bans, medical exemptions and how we’re witnessing (and even welcoming) escalating eugenics and fascism: https://www.disabledginger.com/p/we-are-witnessing-real-time-eugenics

#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 #bullying #CleanAirClassrooms #UglyLaws

“You don’t look sick”

“Life is for living not laying in bed”

“If you were really THAT sick you would be getting help.”

“If you’re really THAT sick you should be in a care home/hospital”

“Aren’t you better YET?”

“If you’re THAT sick you would be dead”

If you live long enough with chronic illness - you’re gaslit because you haven’t died.

We aren’t rewarded for surviving - we’re punished.

People can’t fathom the grey that we exist in. They understand acute illness and they understand terminal illness - they don’t understand severe chronic illness where the suffering is relentless and extreme but won’t necessarily kill you.

I’m convinced this isn’t because they CAN’T understand it - but rather they simply don’t want to. It scares them because it makes them realize that life is fragile. That they too could end up getting sick one day and just never getting better. Abandoned by the medical system, friends and family and essentially left to rot.

It’s awful how little compassion we give to people suffering from these conditions - and I try and raise awareness about it in the hopes people will think before they judge us.

https://www.disabledginger.com/p/just-die-already

#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 #bullying #CleanAirClassrooms

Judge dismissed lawsuit filed by Disability Rights New York on behalf of two disabled individuals opposing Nassau County mask ban.

Reason? “There’s a medical exemption - you’ll be fine.”

If they thought they would be “fine” we wouldn’t need lawsuits!

This belies logic. We all know that not everyone will be considered “legit enough” to be masking. It’s not right to allow law enforcement to determine who can and can’t wear a mask.

This will also give police yet another reason to stop and harass people of colour.

For more on mask bans and why medical exemptions are NOT the answer: https://www.disabledginger.com/p/nassau-county-ny-makes-masking-illegal

Original news article on the lawsuit https://apnews.com/article/mask-ban-long-island-new-york-78dc727b3fe212014ef4371f3ad07417

#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 #bullying #CleanAirClassrooms #UglyLaws

I just had my first doctor tell me to ‘take off your mask so I can see your pretty face.’

I was there for an issue with my FEET. There was absolutely no reason for me to remove my mask.

I don’t know how much of this was misogyny and how much was related to pandemic politics (ie perhaps this doctor resents having to mask)… but I was incredibly uncomfortable with his remark.

I declined - as politely as humanly possible - and the whole tone of the appointment changed. I didn’t even get a diagnosis - I was told that the issue on my ankles was ‘not as ugly as I think’ ( I didn’t think it WAS ugly) and sent on my way.

I waited 18 months for this appointment - and the ‘issue’ is likely related to my vEDS and possibly severe. Multiple other doctors have expressed concern but said I had to wait for a specialist.

When patients are treated this way - it causes harm. It causes a distrust of the medical system. I can’t just ‘get a second opinion’ when the first one took 18 months.

When I’m less angry I may write an article about this - because patients (especially female presenting) deal with this crap FAR too often.

In the meantime - this experience underscores why we must always have an advocate with us in healthcare settings. It shouldn’t be this way - but it is.

My article on how to be the best possible advocate for a disabled patient: https://www.disabledginger.com/p/how-to-be-an-effective-advocate-for

#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 #bullying #CleanAirClassrooms

When I was a little kid - I knew I was “different”. I didn’t know WHY - but I didn’t want to play with other kids. I begged my parents not to make me do sports, gym or extra-curricular activities. I spent weekends sleeping instead of going to parties or watching Saturday morning cartoons.

Kids who develop chronic illness or disability early in life won’t necessarily KNOW they’re sick. They’re just learning how to express themselves - and if the symptoms started young they can’t possibly know it’s not “normal.” All too often they’re pushed to do things that are harmful to them - because adults assume they’re faking or attention seeking.

In my case it turned out I had vEDS - the most severe form of Ehlers Danlos syndrome. Which is why I was in pain all the time. Why I was constantly injured, sick and exhausted.

I didn’t even realize I was sick until university - living with other kids my age was a shocking wake up call. Seeing what they could do versus what I could do made abundantly obvious that my “different” was actually some sort of serious health challenge.

It took almost two more decades to finally get diagnosed.

I wrote about my struggles to realize I was disabled in a personal essay about libraries. It might sound strange - but my local public library became my safe haven. It’s where I went to rest, recharge and avoid bullying and judgement. Books never let me down and they helped me explore life in a safe and accessible manner.

What a gift that was: https://www.disabledginger.com/p/libraries-my-safe-haven-as-a-chronically

#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 #bullying #CleanAirClassrooms #UglyLaws #booknerd #libraries #bibliophile

Disabled and high risk people aren’t safe anywhere because of people & stories like this one.

Even those who know & love someone vulnerable refuse to take precautions.

They don’t isolate or mask when they’re sick. They’re knowingly exposing vulnerable people and don’t care.

Perhaps the most frustrating part is that sometimes - in a very blue moon - a person will recognize and be grateful they didn’t expose YOU. If it’s someone who knows and loves you they will express relief that they didn’t get you sick.

But they can’t extend that compassion to anyone else in society. They act as if YOU are the only vulnerable person in the world.

https://www.disabledginger.com/p/covid-4-years-in

#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 #bullying #CleanAirClassrooms #UglyLaws

Why do we undervalue the lives of disabled people so much? Why do we expect them to survive on a disability benefit that keeps them below poverty line - especially when being chronically ill drives expenses up? I spoke to a friend about this & was shocked by the response.

We were discussing CERB - the Canadian emergency payment people received if they were laid off due to Covid shutdowns. I mentioned it felt unreasonable that it paid almost double what people on disability receive.

This friend informed me that working people expect to be able to live off what they make - and therefore if they’re unable to work they “deserve” more money. Disabled people however need to learn to “budget” for their new circumstances and “do more with less.”

I tried to point out that no one “plans” a disability. The suddenness of it is no different than being laid off from work. They were speaking as though all disabled people know they’re going to be disabled & therefore should be planning to live on less for their entire lives.

I pointed out that with a lay off - the impacted person at least has a chance to try and find alternate work/income. With disability you are PROHIBITED from earning any additional money and (if your disability is permanent) you won’t ever be able to work again.

That is a far more precarious financial situation and yet for some reason - disability payments are almost half what people on CERB received. And my temporarily abled friend saw absolutely nothing wrong with that.

This friend also seemed to think all disability was permanent. I explained that sometimes people are temporarily disabled due to surgery or an accident etc. Apparently they felt those people deserved the same as a “working person” but the permanently disabled deserved less.

My final argument was that being disabled tends to come with a lot more expenses because being sick costs a lot of money. Many disabilities require specific accommodations, special diets, expensive medications, mobility aids etc.

Their reply was that disabled people have to budget accordingly and not be the government or the taxpayers problem. I informed them that you can’t get blood from a stone & that it’s impossible to live on $1100 a month - especially when sick.

“Survival of the fittest” was the response I received. That disabled people should consider themselves “lucky” to get anything and not be a burden on those who are still economically active. 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 #bullying #CleanAirClassrooms #UglyLaws

If you don’t understand why disabled people are screaming about ableism, eugenics and mask bans … please read.

We’ve gone from protect the vulnerable, to stay home forever, to let them fall by the wayside … to making us criminals for wearing a medical device. We are NOT ok .

https://www.disabledginger.com/p/we-are-witnessing-real-time-eugenics

#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 #bullying #CleanAirClassrooms #UglyLaws

I can’t stop thinking about the Austrian woman who was convicted of grossly negligent homicide for infecting her neighbour with COVID. The neighbour had cancer and subsequently died.

The woman who infected her KNEW she was positive and had flaunted her decision not to isolate to her doctor. It was also her second pandemic related offence. This is clearly someone who doesn’t care who she hurts.

But what’s bothering me the most is the statement made by the judge in the case - who suspended her sentence and said he felt sorry for her.

“I feel sorry for you personally -- I think that something like this has probably happened hundreds of times," the judge said Thursday. "But you are unlucky that an expert has determined with almost absolute certainty that it was an infection that came from you.”

What kind of a world are we living in where the “unlucky” person is the one who knowingly infected someone else? I’m sorry but the unlucky person is the cancer patient who DIED. The person who needed others to take reasonable measures to keep her safe. Her life is over because of this woman’s actions and yet somehow the offender earns the pity of the judge?

The judge’s remarks perfectly sum up the problem with our pandemic response (or lack thereof) Many people ARE doing the same thing - but it doesn't make it right. It's not "right" to knowingly put someone else's health in jeopardy. It's not"right" to put your individual WANTS ahead of the NEEDS of the collective whole.

His comments basically affirm for others that this behaviour is ok as long as you don’t get caught - and that’s horrifying to me. It’s not and will never be “ok”.

I don't know how we ended up here - but we need to change course.

Millions are dead and many more are disabled - their lives will never be the same again.

We have to start caring about others. Wear a mask. Test. Isolate when sick. Clean the air. You do you isn’t working.

https://www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/health/austrian-woman-is-found-guilty-of-fatally-infecting-her-neighbor-with-covid-19/article_90e041c1-c362-5eec-90d3-f21d4c33cc0f.html

#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 #bullying #CleanAirClassrooms #UglyLaws

Austrian woman convicted of negligent homicide after infecting her neighbour with COVID (they died).

The woman had tested positive & told her doctor she wouldn’t isolate.

I always ask if people would change behaviour if they had to face a person they killed…is this a no? It was her second offence.

I worry people can’t conceive that THEY are responsible for someone’s death or disability. They just blame the virus. When the virus only caused harmed because someone infected another person. This woman could have isolated. She could have worn a mask. She knowingly went out while infectious and positive … and someone died.

Does anyone know if any other countries have pursued similar cases? I was genuinely shocked to see this - but I think it needs to happen. People need to be held accountable.

https://www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/health/austrian-woman-is-found-guilty-of-fatally-infecting-her-neighbor-with-covid-19/article_90e041c1-c362-5eec-90d3-f21d4c33cc0f.html

#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 #bullying #CleanAirClassrooms #UglyLaws

Here we go again… mask bans are spreading (as disabled people warned they would!)

Sen. Jon Bramnick is proposing a bill to criminalize masking in public in New Jersey.

Many of us have been saying for months (if not longer) that if we don’t start normalizing masks as a public health tool - they would be easy to ban. Too many people who can and should be masking have stopped… leaving maskers as the outliers amid a loud frenzy of anti-mask rhetoric.

I genuinely believe most people don’t care if another person wears a respirator - unfortunately the ones who are angry about it seem to be making the most noise. When it’s mostly disabled and marginalized people opposing the bans - it’s easy to see why they pass. We aren’t listened to. We aren’t respected. Our lives aren’t valued. Those in power are perfectly fine infecting us or forcing us to stay home forever. We are an unwelcome reminder that the pandemic is not over, that Covid is still killing and disabling people and that you SHOULD be taking precautions.

If you stopped masking - now is a great time to start again. We need you. Even if you don’t believe you’re at risk - mask in solidarity with disabled and high risk individuals whose lives will be put at risk if these ugly laws pass. Mask to break chains of transmission. Mask to show community care. Mask so you won’t be the person who disables or harms someone else.

For more on New Jersey ban: https://nj1015.com/mask-ban-nj-could-ban-masks-in-public-and-at-protests/

The Covid is Not Over newsletter (which is great & you should check it out if you haven’t already) did an in depth summary of mask bans including links to many important articles: https://johndupuis.substack.com/p/eugenics-in-action-mask-bans-segregate

I wrote a piece on Nassau County ban and why medical exemptions aren’t the answer: https://www.disabledginger.com/p/nassau-county-ny-makes-masking-illegal

And another piece on the North Carolina ban and why appeasing anti-maskers who seek to punish disabled people for mandates is NOT the answer: https://www.disabledginger.com/p/north-carolina-passes-hb-237-and

#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 #bullying #CleanAirClassrooms #UglyLaws

If you become suddenly disabled or chronically ill - your whole world shifts. It’s a harsh adjustment to move from the land of the healthy into a world of constant sickness.

You lose friends & family, healthcare gets harder to access and you face discrimination & ableism.

I’ve written extensively about the experience of accessing medical care when you’re chronically ill. The challenges, risks and psychologizing that so rarely occur when you’re non disabled.

But there’s a lot more to the experience than just accessing healthcare.

In fact - many disabled people go to great lengths to avoid medical settings. Opting instead to hold themselves together with tape and glue.

The problem is - no one teaches you how to do this. There’s no welcome guide to the world of chronic illness.

It's why online communities are vital to our survival - because patients sharing stories help others learn how to manage their conditions. Many learn more from other patients than they will ever learn from HCWs.
Patients ARE the experts in how to cope with chronic illness.

Healthcare becomes a place for diagnosis and band aids - because chronic illnesses are not well understood. They don't get the funding or support they deserve and as a result - doctors are quite limited in what they can do for us.

That doesn't mean there isn't hope. There's a myriad of things you can do for yourself to accommodate your illness, improve quality of life, lessen pain and suffering and find a supportive group of people to get you through difficult times.

Accommodating does NOT mean giving up hope of a cure or improvement - it simply means accepting your disabilities and leaning into ways to improve quality of life.
Little changes can and do make a big difference!

I think about things like learning how to pace, the benefit of a shower chair, learning to put on compression socks BEFORE getting out of bed, having a hospital go bag at my disposal & an advance directive and substitute decision maker chosen and available.

The importance of having a robust at home first aid kit and learning basic medical care to deal with injuries. How to prepare a will.
How to reduce inflammation through diet & lifestyle changes. How to make your home more accessible. How to choose the right person to be a Power of Attorney.

These are just a few examples of things that have made a difference in my own life that I did NOT learn in a healthcare setting. I learned through trial and error as well as from the patients who came before me. The people who are the experts in the conditions I struggle with.

We must support each other - because if we won't - who will?
Building a place for support is one of the main goals for The Disabled Ginger. I've done a series of posts about the hospital experience & how to make it easier ... now it's time to move on to the welcome guides.

My focus will be on mini guides for each condition I deal with - as well as broader guides about how to navigate being chronically ill, accept your disabilities and improve quality of life WITHOUT the help of the medical system.

I hope you will join me on my journey and add your own important contributions. We all arrive at our disabilities from different places - and we are all unique. Every single one of us can bring a different perspective that will likely help someone else.

If there's a topic you want to see covered, something you've learned the hard way you wish someone had taught you, or anything you want to add - let me know.

I want this guide to be accessible to everyone - regardless of where they are in their chronic illness journey. For more you can read my newsletter & send suggestions or comments my way. Happy to have them!

https://www.disabledginger.com/p/theres-no-welcome-guide-to-the-world

#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 #bullying #CleanAirClassrooms

We’re not just failing to protect kids from Covid - we’re normalizing sickness in schools.

Kids are being encouraged to go to school with lice, diarrhea & more. We’re reversing decades old peanut bans despite more kids having life threatening allergies.

Chronically ill kids or those who mask are experiencing bullying - many are being pressured into removing their masks by ADULTS.

The kids are NOT alright.

Can we do better? How do we convince our institutions, governments and public health of the need for clean air in schools, paid time off for education staff and the importance of not punishing kids for staying home when sick?

How can we help other adults realize that bullying kids for masking or otherwise protecting their health is NOT the answer?

I think it starts with acknowledging there’s a problem. We should all remember “Cara”… the young girl who masked for her mom who was undergoing chemotherapy. She was pressured to remove her mask at school, caught covid and gave it to her Mom who subsequently died. Cara’s life - like the lives of so many children who’ve lost parents to Covid - will be forever altered. She will never be the same again.

We should be encouraging kids to protect themselves and others. Help teach them that they’re not an island and that being part of a community means looking out for other people.

Society crumbles when we don’t take care of one another.

https://www.disabledginger.com/p/bonus-back-to-school-edition-keeping

#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 #bullying #CleanAirClassrooms

Cara was bullied for masking at school and eventually stopped… only to infect her high risk mom with covid. Her mom died.

Governments & public health should be blamed for this - not Cara. But I’m sure she will feel guilt the rest of her life. This is where “you do you” leads.

It shouldn’t be up to kids to protect their high risk family members. They aren’t prepared for the amount of bullying and peer pressure they will face to de-mask. We need to be dealing with this at the institution level. Clean air in classrooms. Paid time off for sick teachers and staff. No more attendance awareness and punishing sick kids for staying home. No more “diarrhea scales” to indicate whether your child can come to school with Covid diarrhea (your kid should be home if they have diarrhea). Negative tests should be required to return to the classroom.

I lost my mom to cancer when I was 19… and it fundamentally altered my entire life. Losing your Mom at a young age is a dreadful experience - and I can’t even imagine the grief and guilt this young girl is facing.

Her life is going to be forever altered. I hope she’s wrapped up in a cocoon of support and love and that it’s made clear to her every day that she was failed by systems and institutions. We must do better. The grown ups and those in charge NEED to protect the kids so no child is ever in this position.

Lastly - don’t bully a kid who’s masking. It’s hard enough for them and you don’t know who they’re trying to protect. Leave them be or better yet - put on a mask yourself and show them some support and solidarity.

https://www.independent.ie/opinion/comment/tess-finch-lees-if-parents-dont-fight-to-protect-children-from-covid-in-schools-nobody-else-will/a1357930715.html

#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 #CleanAirClassrooms #CleanTheAir #Bullying

@nousaerons
And here's the link to the UK Class-ACT study. I hope it will be open access at some point.

#SafeIndoorAir
#CleanAirClassrooms

https://adc.bmj.com/content/108/Suppl_2/A98.1

@nousaerons
Here's an excellent description of the Class-ACT (Classroom air cleaning technology) study that was conducted in UK schools during Delta and Omicron phases.

#SafeIndoorAir
#CleanAirClassrooms

https://corsirosenthalfoundation.org.uk/articles/class-act/

What are you doing
To #ProtectTheChildren

Give the children
#CleanAirClassrooms

@ShamezLadhani@twitter.com @russellviner@twitter.com CSA_Dfe
A place of work
Give the Teachers
#CleanAirClassrooms
@CSA_HSE@twitter.com @CathNoakes@twitter.com @CMO_England@twitter.com

https://twitter.com/CleanAirClassrm/status/1517417289624260608?s=20&t=6QEMgXpWyzoTROyzKkVvRQ