COVID19 2022

[Earth Mother 2 Angels]

((((((Hugs to All)))))) ~

I watched glimpses of the White House Correspondents Dinner. The Red Carpet and the dinner, prior to the festivities. Very few masks among the attendees. They were crammed together in the lobby and then crammed together at tables, eating. Everyone seemed to be oblivious to the fact that COVID is still very much around and contagious.

In fact, Vice President Harris tested positive for COVID, so she did not attend. President Biden appeared after the meal, wearing a mask, which he removed. Dr. Fauci, who is 81, did not attend, citing that he is at risk due to his age.

If this event isn't the anatomy of a "super spreader," then I don't know what is.

What kind of message does this convey to the public? No masks on airplanes, and huge indoor events without masks is just fine. Because ... tradition? Or, appeasing travelers? Or, the failing economy? Or, we have to stroke our egos, even if it means most of us have COVID in a few days? And then, more people get COVID.

Vanity and power.

Plenty of jokes were directed toward this "super spreader" event, especially by the comedian host, Trevor Noah. The maskless crowd sitting on top of each other laughed. Because, of course, COVID is hilarious.

Well, it isn't quite so funny for people, such as my dear friend, who had COVID in January and is still contending with long haul symptoms. She has had a sore throat for several days, which may be allergies, because her COVID home tests are negative.

Her daughters have been exposed to COVID by at least 2 different people on 2 different occasions. They were in groups, so everyone in their groups was exposed. Now, everyone is taking COVID home tests.

They all managed to avoid getting COVID until this year, because masks were required everywhere. Once the masks were dropped, the potential for COVID to spread increased.

My friend said that "everyone is done with COVID. They are done with masks and isolation."

I understand how younger people are fed up with the pandemic. We're all fed up with it. But, relinquishing the protections we have against it, i.e., vaccines and masks, is not going to prevent COVID from mutating and infecting us.

I'm not a scientist or a doctor, but common sense tells me that masks are effective in preventing the spread of any disease. I spent a good part of my life in ICU with my sons, and a mask was always required, as well as gowns and gloves. There is a reason for that: it prevents the spread of viruses and bacteria.

Once we were all donning masks to protect us from COVID, the rate of people, who got the flu decreased. Why? We were wearing masks, which protected us from the flu virus.

Because COVID is mutating as it finds hosts, our vaccines may wane faster than initially intended. I am midway into my 4 month window to have a second booster. The second half will be when it begins to wane in efficacy.

I have many medical appointments ahead of me during those 2 months.

I cannot afford to be exposed to COVID now. While people are partying like there is no COVID, I am worrying about what will happen to me, if I get COVID. Long haul symptoms, neurologically related symptoms ... scary.

Perhaps I have seen too much in my life to be cavalier about a virulent virus gripping the world for the third year. I prefer to believe that I am sensible and reasonable, because of my experience.

Sometimes, when we loosen the reins, the horses gallop with abandon.

Stay safe and be well ~ Prayers and healing, positive energy for all ~

Love & Light,

❤️❤️❤️❤️

Rose

[agate]

You have to wonder what people are thinking. Did the novelty of COVID wear off? It was no longer so entertaining to put on a mask and line up outside of clinics to wait to have their temperature taken? So people got bored and moved on to the next new thing. One problem, though--the coronavirus isn't bored with us yet.

I may be the only person in this building still wearing a mask. But a strong case can be made for still wearing a mask. There are vast numbers of people in the world now compared to decades ago, and the result is that we're all used to living packed closer together. I've seen airplanes go from having fairly decent space for a typical seat in coach to cramming the seats so close together that even a thin person will feel squeezed. Talk about sardines.

Sure, the airlines were interested in making more money, and so they've been jamming more people into a plane, but they're also responding to the greater need for seats on those planes. More people in the world, and more of them far more mobile than years ago.

I recall when a plane in the sky was such an unusual sight that people would stop what they were doing to gaze up at it and try to identify it. Now everyone is bouncing around all over the world. Their relatives get jobs in far-flung countries (my sister was a case in point but when she did it ---1960--it was far less common), and then they want to travel hither and yon to see the families they left behind. Or their families want to visit them. Or they just want to see every country on earth.

A friend of mine who died recently had an obituary remarking that she'd been too every continent. I'm sure she set out to do just that. People love to travel and see sights they haven't ever seen, and they're doing this in droves.

I've heard that the major mountains that are achievements to climb are littered with human waste because of all of the people who are in a rush to climb them, even when they've had almost no experience in mountain-climbing. They have to get to those mountains.

People are just buzzing about and mingling in crowds. It is probably impossible to stop this human flow. But we are making ourselves vulnerable to diseases that are spread by human contact.

[Virginia]

Let me say before I post what I am going to: I WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY UNCOMFORTABLE AT THE WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENTS DINNER and would not have wanted to be there.

I do think in all fairness to both sides that we need to state all the facts. Everyone there had to have been both vaxed and boosted, they had to have had a negative COVID test that very day. They had to have an app on their phone and a QR code. The Secret Service checked all of these things on their app. So it was IMO safer than most super spreaders are.

Again, I would not have gone.

[agate]

Thank you for posting the additional information, Virginia, and it's certainly a relief to know that precautions were being taken.

[Earth Mother 2 Angels]

((((((Hugs to All)))))) ~

Virginia ~

You're right that there was a protocol in place requiring vaccination and same day testing. I apologize for not mentioning that. From what I have read, that is the protocol for any event involving President Biden.

However, that protocol didn't prevent 72 people, who attended the Gridiron Dinner in early April, from getting COVID after the dinner. About 700 people attended the Gridiron Dinner, and masks were not worn as was the case with the Correspondents Dinner.

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I would hope that the non-elite people at these events, such as the kitchen workers, servers, clean up staff, etc. are also required to show proof of vaccination and a negative test result.

Unfortunately, full vaccination doesn't mean that we won't/can't get COVID. This is why wearing a mask is so important to preventing the spread of COVID. That is my primary complaint about both events.

With the exception of eating and drinking, attendees could wear masks, which might help reduce exposure.

Regarding testing ~ My friend's daughter held a gathering for a small group of women in her wedding party. They all tested before the party and were negative. The next morning, one of the women tested positive for COVID. Now, all of the women are testing every other day hoping they don't have COVID.

That leads me to wonder whether COVID could be brewing but undetectable by a test until it has its hold on you. Like a cold or the flu, where we can feel fine in the morning and have symptoms at night. We always think that it came on suddenly, but it has likely been working its way into our system for a day or more.

The potential for eradication of COVID is slim, according to speculation by some physicians and scientists. We may just have to live with it forever. We can't continue to put our lives on hold, because COVID exists. But, we can go about our lives carefully to stay as safe as possible.

When I look at the Correspondents Dinner and the Gridiron Dinner, I see rich, powerful people, who think that they are better than the rest of us. They trot out their jewels, gowns, and surgically restructured bodies for their own pleasure. They do not represent us. A majority of the attendees have no valid reason to be there. For example, Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson. What do they have to do with journalism?

So, another way to reduce cases of COVID from these superspreaders is to limit the number of attendees to those, who have a legitimate reason to be there. Journalists have always been on the front lines of every conflict to bring us the realities and the truth of those events. Right now, they are in Ukraine and Russia. They should be the total focus of the Correspondents Dinner.

Trevor Noah, the comedian host, even mentioned the Gridiron Dinner and the superspreader, asking, "What are you thinking?" I recommend watching his speech, because he was articulate and honest. It is available on YouTube.

agate ~

You said:

But a strong case can be made for still wearing a mask. There are vast numbers of people in the world now compared to decades ago, and the result is that we're all used to living packed closer together.

Remember the photo you posted from the 1918 pandemic of a family wearing masks and holding their cat wearing a mask?

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In 1918, people knew that masks or facial coverings were protection from the flu. In 2022, people can't wait to take off their masks, regardless of the risk.

I wear a mask on my walks, when I take out the trash bins, and to every public place I go, which have been medical facilities so far, and they require masks. I will wear a mask forever probably, which may make socializing difficult for me. I do not feel comfortable taking risks.

When will we get used to this as our new normal?

Prayers and healing, positive energy for all ~ stay safe and be well.

Love & Light,

❤️❤️❤️❤️

Rose

[Earth Mother 2 Angels]

((((((Hugs to All)))))) ~

Two of my friend's daughters have COVID now. One has a milder case than the other, but both are feeling lousy. My friend continues to test negative, although she has had continuing symptoms such as a sore throat and headaches for awhile.

Here is an article regarding the current COVID omicron subvariant, BA.2:

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“There's certainly cause for concern, mainly because it's so transmissible,” Dr. Crum said. “What will happen with this in the next few weeks? None of us know.

“My sense is that we’re not going to have a major outbreak that’s going to return us to where we were a few months ago in terms of our case counts,” she said. “But for some people, they will get infected with this new subvariant. It’ll be highlight transmissible to their family and friends and we should keep our guard up.”

“We need to pay careful attention to see if rates will start to go up, and if so, we may need to go back to some of the mandates,” Dr. Crum said. “I know nobody wants to hear that, but that’s really the reality of where things are.”

As a society, we don't seem to be able to learn from our past. In the last 2 1/2 years, every time restrictions are loosened, COVID cases surge. Every single time.

What is the objection to wearing a mask indoors? Or on a plane or any public transportation? Or at the office? Or the grocery store? Or at public events? What is the problem with wearing a mask to keep ourselves and others safe?

“What this new variant is going to look like as far as its propensity to cause Only registered and activated users can see links., Click Here To Register..., we don’t know, but I would expect for us to see more people with long term issues,” she said. That is why it’s important “to have people protected not just for the short-term illness, but from the issues that people can have for months and maybe even years after having COVID-19.”

“For me, one of the scariest things is that it's not just the people who are hospitalized and have severe COVID that are developing long COVID,” said Dr. Crum. “In fact, a lot of the data that's emerging is that it's more common in patients who have mild COVID to develop long COVID.

“It's very common to see young, previously healthy people that now can't go back to work or now are having all these issues,” she added. “It’s not the old people or the people with severe disease. It’s really hitting people at the prime of their life and people who never were hospitalized for COVID that just can’t shake the symptoms that go on and on.”

“Sometimes people say, ‘Oh, if I get COVID, no big deal,’ but that’s a very naïve because many of these patients then will develop long term symptoms, which is really horrible and often life-altering” Dr. Crum said.

COVID is not the flu or a cold. It has potentially life-long effects, many of them neurological. We know that fully vaccinated people are getting the COVID omicron subvariant now, because masks are no longer required. Common sense tells us that we should don our masks again and keep wearing them for as long as it takes to get COVID under control. That is, if it is even possible that COVID can be contained, which may be unlikely.

As I told my dentist last week, I've been wearing a mask for decades to protect myself and my family. To me, it was inevitable that a pandemic would strike, and we'd all be wearing masks. We did, until we didn't. Then we did again, then we didn't.

And just like none of us saw COVID coming, another virulent virus will sprout, and we'll be back to square one.

Be safe ~ wear a mask.

Love & Light,

❤️❤️❤️❤️

Rose

[SuzE-Q]

This new variant seems to be taking out so many people at a time, it is wildly transmissible, even for those up to date with their vaccinations. It just seems to jump from person to person so easily. Thankfully, it is almost entirely survivable if you're up to date with your shots. The WHCD even had prior testing yet still so many people caught it (unless it was at a less stringent after party with additional untested, unboosted guests).

Like you Rose, I still do not want to take a chance, so I will continue to mask up with N95 or KN94 masks. Anyone entering my living space needs to also wear a highly protective mask, take their temp, possibly even take a covid test, plus always stay 6 feet apart.

I agree, it does seem that when these basic protections are relaxed, the virus gets a foothold and runs rampant. Even in countries where mask wearing is standard protocol, still, they are seeing significant pockets of infection. We must continue with EVERY practice known to reduce transmission.

I have no idea what the issue is about masks on public transportation. Surely in a confined space full of strangers for a short period of time...why on earth does anyone want to take a chance??

[Virginia]

Suze-Q, I too can not understand about mask and public transportation. That, to me seems to be so logical, but look at the problems they are having on airplanes. I would not want to fly anywhere for any reason. The air is stale on airplanes to begin with. I can't figure out what people are thinking. Among my own family some of the younger ones do not like having to wear a mask. They think because they got the vaccines that should be enough. A number of them fly regularly. It scares me.

[SuzE-Q]

I do not understand it. I inevitably develop a sore throat after flying. Why not wear a mask just to protect yourself in such close quarters and from the recirculated air? Truly, it's the least we should be willing to do for those having to work in that environment or the children who are unable to be vaccinated yet. Everywhere there are workers, it just seems like the considerate thing to do for those required to be there. I hate wearing a mask, I have a really hard time. I do it for others more than for myself. It is simply respecting those who have no choice but to be in close proximity to me. I am now so very grateful of all those essential workers necessary for me to live a comfortable life. Wearing a mask is the least I can do for them.

[Ikoiko]

I am still flying. From my research, cabin air is changed every three minutes. Airplanes employ a mixture of HEPA filters and fresh air.

I do not feel safe sitting on a plane full maskless passengers. But that will be the case the next time I have to fly.

I keep telling my partner that I do not want to get long covid. I already have long MS!

[Virginia]

Ikoiko, long MS is a good way to put it. Even if others do not, I hope you wear a mask for whatever protection it gives you on a plane.

[Earth Mother 2 Angels]

((((((Hugs to All)))))) ~

SuzE-Q and Virginia ~

From what I have read about COVID testing, home tests can be inaccurate. Home tests were designed to detect the Delta variant, so somehow the omicron BA.2 subvariant does not show up on the test results.

For my friend and her daughters, symptoms may have appeared with negative test results, or no symptoms appeared, until the symptoms were obvious, and the tests were positive. So, those free tests we have may or may not be accurate.

I have often been labeled as a "germaphobe," which is fine. I am. I had to be a germaphobe to protect my children, husband, and myself. As such, I have followed studies about germs in various public places. Airplanes are #1 on the list. Uber, Lyft, taxis, along with rental cars, are also on that list. How many germs might we find on a subway in New York? MRSA is everywhere, and it is not going to go away. It's not just COVID.

Removing the mask requirement for public transportation and indoor gatherings seems to me to be a political move to boost our economy. Summer is approaching, which means people vacationing, which means $$$$.

We have global instability and unrest, a pandemic, numerous national issues, and it is all quite unsettling for us to digest daily. People are anxious for normalcy. People want their "pre-COVID" lives back. So, they are willing to throw caution to the wind and proceed as if COVID doesn't exist.

As Senior Citizens, we view life differently than today's modern young adults. Think about it ... I have been with BrainTalk for 22 years. We had "dial up" then. Everyone didn't have a cell phone. iPads hadn't been invented. Facebook was new, taking over MySpace.

Today, young people "want it all, and they want it now." (Paraphrasing Queen, ironically)

I will never fly again, primarily because I can't walk far enough in a terminal to get to the plane. Even if I could walk that far, I would not fly again. Regardless of COVID, I feel that all passengers and crew should wear a mask. There are many viruses in the world, and any one of them could be circulating among the crowd on the plane.

Ikoiko ~

I am also familiar with the HEPA and fresh air circulating in commercial aircraft, but the subvariant BA.2 is highly transmissible.

Here is an article from December 2021, prior to the emergence of BA.2, regarding the risk of getting COVID on a plane:

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CRUCIAL QUOTE


“The greatest protection you can give yourself is to be vaccinated and boosted. The protection that you give yourself from an extra mask or a different type of mask, or not flying at all, frankly, is probably less than the benefit you would get from just being fully boosted,” Powell told Bloomberg.
TANGENT


Last week, top executives from the major U.S. airlines—all IATA members—addressed a U.S. Senate Committee where all Only registered and activated users can see links., Click Here To Register... that wearing masks on flights may be unnecessary. Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly told the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation that “masks don’t add much” on planes. This is a departure from what Powell told Bloomberg on Tuesday where he implied that masking was a key mitigation measure against infections.

This is an example of why there is so much confusion about COVID. Powell contradicted his previous statement. He also works for the airline industry, so he is biased in his accountability to that industry.

This circles back to my point that removing the mask requirement is all about increasing travel to bolster the tourist industry. I strongly suspect that they have a powerful group of lobbyists.

Stay safe and be well everyone ~

Love & Light,

❤️❤️❤️❤️

Rose

[Ikoiko]

Of course I will wear a mask when I fly! I wear one in all public spaces.

[Ikoiko]

Just wanted to add that I recently read an article about MS on Facebook and many, many, many commenters were MS patients who said they would never get the covid vaccine for fear that it would make their MS worse. I just can't fathom that.

[Earth Mother 2 Angels]

((((((Hugs to All)))))) ~

Ikoiko ~

That's great that you wear a mask, when you fly and are in public places. I only wish that everyone on a plane and in public places wore a mask. I just don't feel that we are ready to end the mask requirement, as BA.2 is infecting so many people now.

Where are the MS commenters getting the information that COVID vaccines will make MS worse? Have there been studies of vaccinated MS patients suffering exacerbations or other adverse effects from the vaccine? As far as I know, no one has posted here on the MS forum that the vaccine made their MS worse.

On the contrary, people with autoimmune disorders are encouraged to be vaccinated to protect them from severe illness. The people, who have the worst experience getting COVID, are the unvaccinated people. Add to that an autoimmune disorder, or cancer, or any other major disease, and being unvaccinated would surely result in hospitalization and probably death. Death is far worse than having whatever these commenters think would happen to them if they were vaccinated.

Facebook is well known for allowing the spread of misinformation, disinformation, conspiracy theories, and downright lies. Unfortunately, the world is full of gullible people, who will believe just about anything.

For example: Space lasers causing wildfires in California. A Representative in Congress actually said that this was the cause of the fires. Unfortunately, there are people, who believe her. There are people, who believe that John Kennedy Jr. will rise from the dead in Dallas.

All we can do is shake our heads, shrug our shoulders, and lift up our hands for guidance for these folks. As you said, it is unfathomable to us.

Stay safe and be well everyone ~

Love & Light,

❤️❤️❤️❤️

Rose

PRAY FOR PEACE!

☮️☮️☮️☮️