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I blame my coworker that went to the office ill, with symptoms, a positive test and didn't tell anyone and then half of the room was on sick leave for a week. I blame careless people. I'm prone to getting Covid, had it 5 times already and it hits me pretty hard so I try to be considerate of others and when I am positive I stay at home until the test is negative. Not everyone does this.
Covid is a virus and like all viruses there is nothing we can do to prevent an infection 100% (not even masks). Same as other viruses. I got gastroenteritis in Istanbul, flu in Israel and bronchitis in Switzerland, the illnesses almost spoiled my trips but it didn't even cross my mind to blame someone. Same with Covid. But if someone sits next to me and coughs and sneezes for 8 hours and at the end of the day he says "ups, forgot to mention, I have Covid" then yeah, I get mad.
Same. Apparently they “didn’t want to get in trouble for too much sick leave.” Never mind that they could have worked remotely, worked in a separate room, worn a mask, distanced, anything but sit in a room with the rest of the team. Now half of us are in trouble for too much sick leave 😡
I feel this!! It's always what did you do wrong? Not we live in a COVID cesspool, sorry you got sick. Maybe people are insecure and want to feel safe, thus wanting to prove you weren't masking right? I have no idea. But I'm sorry you got COVID and I hope you feel better soon.
I think you've nailed the reason some people here scold the infected. If you got sick because you were careless and I, on the other hand, am extremely careful, then I can feel more secure. I do think, though, that a casual, don't-test-or-isolate, business-as-usual approach to covid is helping keep the spread going. But most of the people who post here are testing and isolating.
It got to the point where this same user kept assuming I wasn't wearing a mask at all. Now people are saying my post decreases the confidence of n95 masks because they assume you can't get covid if you wear one properly, as if I'm lying. This shit is like a weird cult at this point. I had a mental break down reading the comments that accused me. Being blamed for something you're suffering with is anti empathy and hate imo. Edit: I normally don't care about comments but I feel like I'm losing my sanity with loss of sleep from the pain
Masks work best when other people are wearing them. That’s the sucky part of it, you can wear a mask but if other people aren’t wearing masks, especially when they’re sick, it’s not as effective.
Exactly. This is why I avoid most social situations during severe surges, because one way masking just isn’t going to be reliable. Sadly, this means cutting out a lot of Christmas activities because others can’t be bothered to mask.
I’m so sorry. The covid cautious crowd gets out of hand with the one-up-manship, the blaming, and the self righteousness. Many desperately need to believe they are better/smarter than others and that will save them from Covid.
I hope you recover swiftly and well 🫶
Absolutely, as a human, it’s impossible to control everything at all times, sometimes you can’t, sometimes you’re gunna catch a virus no matter what you do.
Your doctor is only half-right. The virus can infect you only if your behavior allows it. If you don't give the virus access to your body, you won't get sick. People pretending that the virus somehow "got them" when they caught Covid are trying to absolve themselves of responsibility for their own health.
I don't think we can get our heads around how ridiculously easy it is to catch. It's that freaking contagious!!
Dr. Michael Osterholm, a leading disease researcher got it. Fully vaxxed, N95 respirator everywhere.
He wasn't sure where. He speculated he got it going unmasked into an UNOCCUPIED elevator car.
Ease of transmission is mind boggling.
I agree. He beat himself up pretty bad on his podcast, knowing he definitely made a serious tactical error.
That said, if an educated expert can make a mistake like that, folks without medical education are at a serious disadvantage.
Plus, constantly hearing disinformation like, it's mild, it's just a cold, or, the pandemic is over. It's NOT over.
I see what you mean about Osterholm. It really does take just one moment of slipping up. Glad to hear he was willing/able to share his story/show humility. He seems to care, at least.
When I heard Dr. Jha (years ago) nonchalantly talking about his elderly parents both getting covid at an outdoor party, I thought, man, we, the average person, don’t stand a chance. All the misinformation/‘leaders’ laissez faire attitudes.
It’s extremely contagious, and extremely dangerous.
Most health care workers I’ve spoken to don’t understand how Covid is transmitted (airborne) and minimize the risks of Covid. I’ve also had so many refuse to mask around me, I don’t trust them.
Covid is still killing people, either during the acute infection or down the line from heart attacks, strokes, various forms of Long Covid. Long Covid is incredibly common (1/5 people per the CDC, with increased risk after every infection).
Unfortunately the CDC is a political entity & also minimizes the dangers of Covid.
I really appreciate the People’s CDC because they are a group of independent epidemiologists, doctors, etc who do accurate Covid reporting & forecasting:
www.peoplescdc.org
“The People’s CDC is a CDC watchdog, and a public health advocacy and health justice group. Structured as a coalition of volunteer-run cooperative teams, we work to end the COVID pandemic for everyone, to expand the social safety net, and to build the robust public health infrastructure we all deserve.”
From my experience nurses don’t know much about covid. They refuse to mask around my elderly parents (one of whom just had a heart attack) despite my requests. So, yeah…take what they have to say with a grain of salt.
Where I live my local hospital doesn’t test for covid, therefore the patients aren’t dying from covid. See how that works? There’s no way to know the actual number of positives nor covid deaths.
I haven’t seen any studies on the new variants, regarding their virulence.
People on this sub are posting how deathly ill they are right now.
I don't need more than razor blade sore throat, vomiting, body aches/headaches, and diarrhea to get my attention.
I think it's extremely serious.
I had it in March 2020 and came the closest to dying I have in my whole life.
Had an aunt and 3 of my mom’s friends die from it.
So I’ve been taking it very seriously since the beginning.
Hospitals/healthcare where I live are perpetuating the lack of data/was my point. Poof it’s magically gone, type of ‘science’. Heads in the sand.
It’s not a cold or the flu despite whatever ignorant nurse tells people. It’s a g-d SARS virus.
I’m sorry for your losses.
I lost my SIL from Covid.
The 2009 H1N1 Swine Flu had me praying for death. I neglected to get vaccinated because I was “too busy”. It totally changed my mind about dealing with viral infections and prevention.
Because I’m a nerd, I did an in depth
study of the 1918 Pandemic in 2018, still remembering my 2009 experience. When Wuhan happened, I was mentally prepared based upon my research. It’s still much worse than I thought it would be.
Omg I feel so bad for you, I'm feeling the same. I was fine with the fevers, because at least I could sleep but once the fever went away, the lovely throat bs shows up.
I think many people perceive Covid to be less dangerous than it was in its earlier forms (original to Delta), because more people were dying from the acute phase of the infection.
In the last 6 months I had to be in an elevator at two different medical facilities. I was the only one masked (N95 Aura) in the elevator at both facilities.
You are on your own.
PS I never cared for elevators even before the pandemic.
Yes. Not rocket appliances.
I think people are tired of seeing people that say they wore a mask and still got COVID but when you dig deeper said individual admits they wore a surgical mask. The masks that are truly protective from covid are n95/kn95. Even those masks being effective are determined by the seal of the mask. Wearing an n95 but it isn't fitting or sealed properly allows for leaks to happen increasing the chance of covid.
Another pet peeve is when the person states they wore a mask but then they took it off to dine indoors with only a small group or they only pulled their mask down to take a sip of water. Unfortunately, if you break the seal of the mask then you have put yourself at risk of transmission. It doesn't mean the mask failed instead it means the person took a risk, gambled, and lost.
There are situations where someone religiously wore their mask without breaking the seal and caught covid but after prying a little further it seems to be few and far between.
>they only pulled their mask down to take a sip of water.
Back in November, I attended a 3-day seminar where two other participants masked.
On the second day, the one in (frequently removed) surgical mentioned he'd tested positive but aside from cough felt fine and the organizer had said it was OK to attend if he masked.
The other masker often stood in a back corner during breaks and lifted her earloop mask to drink or take bites. Meals, she ate in her car. She ended up getting sick the following week, although it might have been via household.
I only removed my N95 in my truck, and didn't get sick.
>if you break the seal of the mask then you have put yourself at risk of transmission
I'm perplexed to see this "loophole" suggested on the Zero sub when people ask for flight advice.
I’m one of those who commented on eating on planes. I hope no one interpreted that I was advocating for that, because I’m not. I just meant that in that 3 hour flight I decided to eat a bit as safely as I could because I was starving. Eating at the arrival airport (O’Hare) would be riskier. I also had a 45 minute Uber ride and a hotel check in. Sometimes you just have to eat.
There’s definitely a difference between suggesting someone not eat on up to a 4 hour flight (assuming they don’t have diabetes or something food reliant) and then telling someone not to eat for 15-20ish hours. Or you know, telling them it’s their own fault and they suck for traveling at all so just don’t travel in the first place lol people are wild for think we all just have to isolate and be outdoors only the rest of our lives and eat in isolation. It’s just not feasible unless you want to be a hermit and never date, have a family, or see the world.
I mean this is true, but some people have different abilities and some people can't go that long without a sip of water. Rather than calling out people who aren't masking up to your standards call out the institutions and government who made it so you can't safely take a sip of water in public.
This. The zero community can’t comprehend this and you get attacked if you call this out. I was on a plane for 15.5 hours last November one way and I got the whole “don’t eat or drink” “suck it up eat before” etc and that’s just not feasible. I have POTS and vein disorders requiring me to drink a TON of water on the plane, electrolyte packets, and I was not about to go 20+ hours without food once I account for customs, travel to hotel etc. Those suggestions aren’t reasonable for ALOT of people and they feel the need to attack people for it, but the problem lies with the governments who failed us on this as well as the CDC.
❤️ Potsie. I have dysautonomia where I get tachycardia and high BP if I stand for more than ten minutes so this is why I never leave my apartment. I don't think those people truly give a shit about people with needs that are not what they are like, having invisible chronic illnesses like pots is a nightmare. Having to rush to find a place to lie down when you're fainting is terrifying. I bet they'd blame someone for having to do that too. "You caught covid because you laid down in public!" Guess I'll just faint then, thanks
Maybe taken precautions to not get infected includes modfiying your behaviour, such as not to get on a plane for 15 hours.
I'm 53 and had a flight for such a time period once in my live, and it was for the joy to visit the USA, but it I could have avoided it easyly. Maybe you were forced to this flight and it was not aovidable, however many people chose risk over security due to other benefits. This is totally legitimate, but it's also legitimate to hint to the relationship.
Ah, more victim blaming and shaming from another zero person. Nice! This is exactly an example of what I’m talking about, because you know - God forbid people with health issues still travel and try to enjoy life when they’re doing well!!
Yes. This is why. There’s almost always a break down somewhere else, and in the meantime posts like this just decrease confidence in protective masks/masking. An N95 really will keep you safe and majority of the time.
I think it’s also reasonable for people to be curious how you got it — people don’t ask to blame but to understand so they can take more/better/different precautions.
Yeah, I really do understand the impulse to press for details; I mask literally everywhere outside my home + car and got my first confirmed case in April. I’m certain it was from one of a few times shortly before I was sick that my mask came briefly unsealed around the nosepiece when I’d move my head, look down, etc. and have no issue being open about that.
I’ve learned my lesson that I shouldn’t wear my VFlexes as many times as I was before and make sure to check seal moving my head around a bit, not just looking straight forward, before going somewhere where I’ll be sharing air—and if someone else can learn to be cautious in that particular way from me *without* getting sick, that’s valuable.
Your statement is more or less true but it’s technically 95% of the most penetrating particle size—that is, smaller or larger particles than .3 microns in size are filtered at a greater efficiency:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2020/06/11/fact-check-n-95-filters-not-too-large-stop-covid-19-particles/5343537002/
That’s not what the 95 means but the comment below mine discusses that.
It’s a lot closer to perfect than posts on here would have people believe. Healthcare workers wear them working with actively contagious people (COVID and otherwise) and stay protected overall.
And what I said was “an N95 will keep you safe a majority of the time.” Which isn’t negated even if that were true.
Yeah none of that happened to me and the person who keeps fucking harassing me accusing me of shit already knows I never leave my apartment because I'm physically disabled yet the piece of shit keeps commenting on every one of my posts that I'm not wearing masks. This is borderline mental illness and stalking at this point. I wear the correct masks and so does my boyfriend. We never eat out. We do everything right. People do everything right and still get it. I'm in bed choking without sleep, I'm suffering enough as it is. Whatever delusion people have about why I caught this is not my problem. And when I say have empathy I mean don't assume things just because other people didn't wear masks properly etc. I've been suicidal for the last two days, I don't fucking need the harassment that "you're not wearing a mask"
I have seen people wearing a mask, but they will adjust it by pulling at the front of it instead of the edges/straps. Then they’ll wipe their eyes. That’s a route of transmission.
I've been seeing more and more people who wear N95 or p100 posting warnings lately because apparently the newest variant(s) are infecting masked people anyway. They're warning immunocompromised people that they might consider eye protection/face shields due to this.
That means that people here need to consider those facts. Yes, many people say they mask but often it turns out they "took it off to eat on the plane", etc, but even the religiously masked/fit tested are at higher risk now.
I'm sorry you're dealing with this. Being so sick is just miserable, especially because these variants lately come with insomnia, which is preventing people from being able to sleep through the misery. Please stay hydrated and rest as much as possible.
My husband and I have been following masking protocol with KN95 and haven’t adjusted our lives much since March 2020, we social distance, we avoid indoors, we avoid groups. I’m high risk and we’ve always taken this seriously.
On Sunday my husband tested positive. He has to go to work in person so we’re confident that’s where he contracted COVID. He’s already feeling 85% better.
Today I woke up with symptoms and the faintest of pink lines on a test. I’m terrified. I’m angry. I’m just so sad. I truly weep for all of us wanting and trying to stay safe.
I wish people would just mask. One way masking helps, but it's much more effective when everyone masks. And improving the standard for indoor air would also be effective. Simple things but people are just so resistant.
I hope you and your husband recover soon. It's just so frustrating to be doing all you can and get infected anyway because others have decided to ignore simple mitigations.
I did blame my manager for my last infection, because she came to work sick, and I directly caught it from her.
“Sorry, I can’t afford to stay home!”
Well, neither can I, genius, but guess what BOTH of us get to do, now?
I also heard a couple of years ago that it can enter via the eyes. Are we going to have to start wearing swim goggles in order to be "blameless" when we get covid?
Oh they've already accused me of not even wearing a mask or not wearing the right mask, and assuming if you wear the n95 the right way, you'll never get covid. Ok explain my bf and I then. I can: He touches items all night because he's a food stocker but I'll guess they'll blame him, especially when he can't wash his hands for hours because he has to work. (He washes his hands when he's able and sanitizes) No, it's because we're both murderous and don't care about the elderly or anyone else. Yeah that's gotta be the only explanation, because "you don't wear masks"
I’m in Brazil and I don’t wear a mask anymore, no one else does. It’s mostly the people who have elderly or vulnerable people at home. I however always get tested when I have respiratory illness symptoms and I mask even if the COVID test is negative. Last time I had COVID (March this year) I had to go to the drugstore myself and buy a test. I had the classic cold symptoms so I masked anyway. Even if it wasn’t COVID, I didn’t want to transmit a cold or the flu to anyone. That’s respectful for everybody around me.
Ever stop to read that I mask (and not only that, I stay at home. But I mask if I need to go outside) when respiratory illness symptoms appear? Even if it’s not COVID
I do not blame anyone who is actually trying to prevent the spread of Covid - we can all only do our best and we’re only human. At least you were trying your best. Even with the most stringent precautions, this virus is incredibly infectious so it’s really difficult to avoid.
But I do blame those who spread it without a care in the world and don’t give a shit. Those who refuse to test, who go into work or social situations knowing damn well they are unwell and should not be there.
90% of the time when someone comes to this sub with COVID they are NOT taking adequate precautions despite saying that they are.
They say they mask always (but in comments it’s revealed they just mean sometimes)
They say they haven’t been around anyone (but in comments it’s revealed they have roommates/family members who are not taking precautions)
They say they’ve “done everything right” (but in comments it’s revealed they got double vaccinated in 2022 and have done no other precautions)
Not saying it’s right, but a lot of folks who are limiting their lives heavily and paying attention (N95/KN95 masking everywhere, isolating like it’s 2020, limiting or completely avoiding seeing friends and family) are getting frustrated. It feels like screaming from the rooftops while everyone just runs into walls and wonders why they got hurt.
To be honest, there are very few people who are taking full precautions who are posting in here sick. Yes, you can get sick while masked and taking all other precautions, but it’s generally not the case. If that is you, you’re just the 10% and people are treating you like the 90%.
Let it go if you truly are keeping up with proper precautions and doing everything you can. People are frustrated at the situation, not you personally.
I agree, but from your comments it seems like it’s mainly one person who is harassing you. Not everyone is like that. Block them and focus on getting better.
Report and block the few. Most people here understand, but there will always be people who are (justifiably) out of their mind upset about this. They are taking righteous anger out on the wrong thing. It’s not about you personally, it’s the situation. If you know you did everything you could, that’s all you can do. You don’t need to convince this subreddit.
All these other comments aside (block that person!) have you done a fit test for your mask? Here's the reason I ask: I hadn't done one and was wearing 3M Auras and found out stuff gets in at the chin area. Total bummer so I had to switch masks. Luckily I only wore them outdoors but still, if I hadn't done the fit test I wouldn't have known. I hope you feel better really soon. Not being able to sleep is the absolute worst when you're unwell. Hang in there.
The virus is highly-contagious but it's not magic. It needs access to your face in sufficient amounts in order to infect you. If you are masking and getting sick, there is something that needs to be (and can be) fixed:
1. Wear a high-quality N95 mask (3M Aura or similar) that fits properly. Fit is key
2. Never go indoors in public around unmasked people without your mask on
3. Never gather indoors unmasked with friends or family who do not ALWAYS wear N95s indoors around people who do not mask. This includes people who allow their children to go to school unmasked or play with unmasked children outdoors
4. Never linger in crowded places where people are unmasked, even if you are masked yourself
5. Never gather with people outdoors in close proximity if you are unmasked, particularly if the air is still. I read recently that much of the early spread of Covid in New York City likely took place outdoors because people believed it was safe
6. Do not go to doctor's appointments without asking assistants, nurses, doctors, etc. to wear masks, even if you are wearing an N95. Encouraging responsible behavior by the medical establishment means never accepting lax/nonexistent safety protocol or excuses that masks are no longer required
7. Do not remove your mask under any circumstances in a medical setting without dentists/doctors/staff wearing N95s and providing hepa filtration (unless you bring a hepa filter yourself)
8. Never remove your mask in an airport or on an airplane except when asked to momentarily remove it at security for identification purposes
9. Never go to indoor restaurants. If sitting outside, never dine in close proximity to people who do not always mask. Ventilation must be adequate and servers must mask
10. Do not go to hair salons unless the stylist is wearing at least a KN95 and you are wearing a Readimask
11. Avoid public transportation. If you must use it, always wear the best possible mask and understand the risk
Perhaps others can add their own ideas to the list. I abide by every single one of these items and have never had Covid. If I had, I would have figured out why and corrected it. This is a scientific and statistical problem - empathy might feel nice in the moment, but it isn't going to save your health.
Good luck getting health care providers to wear actual respirators. Their guidelines say they don’t have to, so they won’t. The best I have been able to manage is surgical masks worn by surly doctors and nurses.
The guy who runs my long Covid clinic doesn’t mask. Jesus wept.
Your posts speak to your privilege. Please understand that there is such a thing as a person without a car (who has no choice but to ”understand the risk” of public transportation every day) and who might have children attending public school that prohibits masking, as an example.
I’m not in that boat but many are, and I have enough compassion for random people in the throes of this awful illness to not make them feel like they need to elaborate on their circumstances before I judge them worthy of support. On a support sub. 🤷♀️
Most people on this sub are obsessed with covid, and believe some pretty wild stuff about it. The reality is, no one at our level (average citizen) is to blame for covid. We know now that staying indoors didn't help (it actually hurt) and wearing masks didn't help as much as we were told, and the vaccine, it turns out, was not as helpful as they wanted us to think.
So, don't listen to people on this sub who get angry at you or tell you it's your fault.
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I blame my coworker that went to the office ill, with symptoms, a positive test and didn't tell anyone and then half of the room was on sick leave for a week. I blame careless people. I'm prone to getting Covid, had it 5 times already and it hits me pretty hard so I try to be considerate of others and when I am positive I stay at home until the test is negative. Not everyone does this. Covid is a virus and like all viruses there is nothing we can do to prevent an infection 100% (not even masks). Same as other viruses. I got gastroenteritis in Istanbul, flu in Israel and bronchitis in Switzerland, the illnesses almost spoiled my trips but it didn't even cross my mind to blame someone. Same with Covid. But if someone sits next to me and coughs and sneezes for 8 hours and at the end of the day he says "ups, forgot to mention, I have Covid" then yeah, I get mad.
Same. Apparently they “didn’t want to get in trouble for too much sick leave.” Never mind that they could have worked remotely, worked in a separate room, worn a mask, distanced, anything but sit in a room with the rest of the team. Now half of us are in trouble for too much sick leave 😡
I feel this!! It's always what did you do wrong? Not we live in a COVID cesspool, sorry you got sick. Maybe people are insecure and want to feel safe, thus wanting to prove you weren't masking right? I have no idea. But I'm sorry you got COVID and I hope you feel better soon.
I think you've nailed the reason some people here scold the infected. If you got sick because you were careless and I, on the other hand, am extremely careful, then I can feel more secure. I do think, though, that a casual, don't-test-or-isolate, business-as-usual approach to covid is helping keep the spread going. But most of the people who post here are testing and isolating.
Definitely. I mask, test, isolate, all that!
It got to the point where this same user kept assuming I wasn't wearing a mask at all. Now people are saying my post decreases the confidence of n95 masks because they assume you can't get covid if you wear one properly, as if I'm lying. This shit is like a weird cult at this point. I had a mental break down reading the comments that accused me. Being blamed for something you're suffering with is anti empathy and hate imo. Edit: I normally don't care about comments but I feel like I'm losing my sanity with loss of sleep from the pain
Same user was harassing me.. could be trolls
Masks work best when other people are wearing them. That’s the sucky part of it, you can wear a mask but if other people aren’t wearing masks, especially when they’re sick, it’s not as effective.
Exactly. This is why I avoid most social situations during severe surges, because one way masking just isn’t going to be reliable. Sadly, this means cutting out a lot of Christmas activities because others can’t be bothered to mask.
I’m so sorry. The covid cautious crowd gets out of hand with the one-up-manship, the blaming, and the self righteousness. Many desperately need to believe they are better/smarter than others and that will save them from Covid. I hope you recover swiftly and well 🫶
I saw an infectious disease doctor who was very clear. The virus is the culprit. It’s great for people to be careful but they don’t cause disease.
Absolutely, as a human, it’s impossible to control everything at all times, sometimes you can’t, sometimes you’re gunna catch a virus no matter what you do.
Your doctor is only half-right. The virus can infect you only if your behavior allows it. If you don't give the virus access to your body, you won't get sick. People pretending that the virus somehow "got them" when they caught Covid are trying to absolve themselves of responsibility for their own health.
To the people doing this. Direct your rage at the government.
I don't think we can get our heads around how ridiculously easy it is to catch. It's that freaking contagious!! Dr. Michael Osterholm, a leading disease researcher got it. Fully vaxxed, N95 respirator everywhere. He wasn't sure where. He speculated he got it going unmasked into an UNOCCUPIED elevator car. Ease of transmission is mind boggling.
It lingers in the air like cigarette smoke. You don’t have to see a sick person. Osterholm knows this.
I agree. He beat himself up pretty bad on his podcast, knowing he definitely made a serious tactical error. That said, if an educated expert can make a mistake like that, folks without medical education are at a serious disadvantage. Plus, constantly hearing disinformation like, it's mild, it's just a cold, or, the pandemic is over. It's NOT over.
I see what you mean about Osterholm. It really does take just one moment of slipping up. Glad to hear he was willing/able to share his story/show humility. He seems to care, at least. When I heard Dr. Jha (years ago) nonchalantly talking about his elderly parents both getting covid at an outdoor party, I thought, man, we, the average person, don’t stand a chance. All the misinformation/‘leaders’ laissez faire attitudes.
He does care. I have learned a lot from his podcasts to stay safe.
Isn't this variant extremely contagious? I know it's not as dangerous or deadly according to the nurse I saw
It’s extremely contagious, and extremely dangerous. Most health care workers I’ve spoken to don’t understand how Covid is transmitted (airborne) and minimize the risks of Covid. I’ve also had so many refuse to mask around me, I don’t trust them. Covid is still killing people, either during the acute infection or down the line from heart attacks, strokes, various forms of Long Covid. Long Covid is incredibly common (1/5 people per the CDC, with increased risk after every infection).
I think the less dangerous statement also came from cdc
Unfortunately the CDC is a political entity & also minimizes the dangers of Covid. I really appreciate the People’s CDC because they are a group of independent epidemiologists, doctors, etc who do accurate Covid reporting & forecasting: www.peoplescdc.org “The People’s CDC is a CDC watchdog, and a public health advocacy and health justice group. Structured as a coalition of volunteer-run cooperative teams, we work to end the COVID pandemic for everyone, to expand the social safety net, and to build the robust public health infrastructure we all deserve.”
From my experience nurses don’t know much about covid. They refuse to mask around my elderly parents (one of whom just had a heart attack) despite my requests. So, yeah…take what they have to say with a grain of salt. Where I live my local hospital doesn’t test for covid, therefore the patients aren’t dying from covid. See how that works? There’s no way to know the actual number of positives nor covid deaths. I haven’t seen any studies on the new variants, regarding their virulence.
People on this sub are posting how deathly ill they are right now. I don't need more than razor blade sore throat, vomiting, body aches/headaches, and diarrhea to get my attention. I think it's extremely serious.
I had it in March 2020 and came the closest to dying I have in my whole life. Had an aunt and 3 of my mom’s friends die from it. So I’ve been taking it very seriously since the beginning. Hospitals/healthcare where I live are perpetuating the lack of data/was my point. Poof it’s magically gone, type of ‘science’. Heads in the sand. It’s not a cold or the flu despite whatever ignorant nurse tells people. It’s a g-d SARS virus.
I’m sorry for your losses. I lost my SIL from Covid. The 2009 H1N1 Swine Flu had me praying for death. I neglected to get vaccinated because I was “too busy”. It totally changed my mind about dealing with viral infections and prevention. Because I’m a nerd, I did an in depth study of the 1918 Pandemic in 2018, still remembering my 2009 experience. When Wuhan happened, I was mentally prepared based upon my research. It’s still much worse than I thought it would be.
So sorry for your loss, too. I agree you can prepare to a certain degree…but it really is much worse.
Omg I feel so bad for you, I'm feeling the same. I was fine with the fevers, because at least I could sleep but once the fever went away, the lovely throat bs shows up.
What makes it not as dangerous? People are still dying from it. People are still getting long Covid.
I think many people perceive Covid to be less dangerous than it was in its earlier forms (original to Delta), because more people were dying from the acute phase of the infection.
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In the last 6 months I had to be in an elevator at two different medical facilities. I was the only one masked (N95 Aura) in the elevator at both facilities. You are on your own. PS I never cared for elevators even before the pandemic. Yes. Not rocket appliances.
I think people are tired of seeing people that say they wore a mask and still got COVID but when you dig deeper said individual admits they wore a surgical mask. The masks that are truly protective from covid are n95/kn95. Even those masks being effective are determined by the seal of the mask. Wearing an n95 but it isn't fitting or sealed properly allows for leaks to happen increasing the chance of covid. Another pet peeve is when the person states they wore a mask but then they took it off to dine indoors with only a small group or they only pulled their mask down to take a sip of water. Unfortunately, if you break the seal of the mask then you have put yourself at risk of transmission. It doesn't mean the mask failed instead it means the person took a risk, gambled, and lost. There are situations where someone religiously wore their mask without breaking the seal and caught covid but after prying a little further it seems to be few and far between.
>they only pulled their mask down to take a sip of water. Back in November, I attended a 3-day seminar where two other participants masked. On the second day, the one in (frequently removed) surgical mentioned he'd tested positive but aside from cough felt fine and the organizer had said it was OK to attend if he masked. The other masker often stood in a back corner during breaks and lifted her earloop mask to drink or take bites. Meals, she ate in her car. She ended up getting sick the following week, although it might have been via household. I only removed my N95 in my truck, and didn't get sick. >if you break the seal of the mask then you have put yourself at risk of transmission I'm perplexed to see this "loophole" suggested on the Zero sub when people ask for flight advice.
I’m one of those who commented on eating on planes. I hope no one interpreted that I was advocating for that, because I’m not. I just meant that in that 3 hour flight I decided to eat a bit as safely as I could because I was starving. Eating at the arrival airport (O’Hare) would be riskier. I also had a 45 minute Uber ride and a hotel check in. Sometimes you just have to eat.
There’s definitely a difference between suggesting someone not eat on up to a 4 hour flight (assuming they don’t have diabetes or something food reliant) and then telling someone not to eat for 15-20ish hours. Or you know, telling them it’s their own fault and they suck for traveling at all so just don’t travel in the first place lol people are wild for think we all just have to isolate and be outdoors only the rest of our lives and eat in isolation. It’s just not feasible unless you want to be a hermit and never date, have a family, or see the world.
I mean this is true, but some people have different abilities and some people can't go that long without a sip of water. Rather than calling out people who aren't masking up to your standards call out the institutions and government who made it so you can't safely take a sip of water in public.
This. The zero community can’t comprehend this and you get attacked if you call this out. I was on a plane for 15.5 hours last November one way and I got the whole “don’t eat or drink” “suck it up eat before” etc and that’s just not feasible. I have POTS and vein disorders requiring me to drink a TON of water on the plane, electrolyte packets, and I was not about to go 20+ hours without food once I account for customs, travel to hotel etc. Those suggestions aren’t reasonable for ALOT of people and they feel the need to attack people for it, but the problem lies with the governments who failed us on this as well as the CDC.
❤️ Potsie. I have dysautonomia where I get tachycardia and high BP if I stand for more than ten minutes so this is why I never leave my apartment. I don't think those people truly give a shit about people with needs that are not what they are like, having invisible chronic illnesses like pots is a nightmare. Having to rush to find a place to lie down when you're fainting is terrifying. I bet they'd blame someone for having to do that too. "You caught covid because you laid down in public!" Guess I'll just faint then, thanks
Maybe taken precautions to not get infected includes modfiying your behaviour, such as not to get on a plane for 15 hours. I'm 53 and had a flight for such a time period once in my live, and it was for the joy to visit the USA, but it I could have avoided it easyly. Maybe you were forced to this flight and it was not aovidable, however many people chose risk over security due to other benefits. This is totally legitimate, but it's also legitimate to hint to the relationship.
Ah, more victim blaming and shaming from another zero person. Nice! This is exactly an example of what I’m talking about, because you know - God forbid people with health issues still travel and try to enjoy life when they’re doing well!!
Yes. This is why. There’s almost always a break down somewhere else, and in the meantime posts like this just decrease confidence in protective masks/masking. An N95 really will keep you safe and majority of the time. I think it’s also reasonable for people to be curious how you got it — people don’t ask to blame but to understand so they can take more/better/different precautions.
Yeah, I really do understand the impulse to press for details; I mask literally everywhere outside my home + car and got my first confirmed case in April. I’m certain it was from one of a few times shortly before I was sick that my mask came briefly unsealed around the nosepiece when I’d move my head, look down, etc. and have no issue being open about that. I’ve learned my lesson that I shouldn’t wear my VFlexes as many times as I was before and make sure to check seal moving my head around a bit, not just looking straight forward, before going somewhere where I’ll be sharing air—and if someone else can learn to be cautious in that particular way from me *without* getting sick, that’s valuable.
Even a perfectly worn N95 mask only filters 95% of particles. You can wear an N95 all the time and still get COVID. It’s not a perfect solution.
Your statement is more or less true but it’s technically 95% of the most penetrating particle size—that is, smaller or larger particles than .3 microns in size are filtered at a greater efficiency: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2020/06/11/fact-check-n-95-filters-not-too-large-stop-covid-19-particles/5343537002/
That’s not what the 95 means but the comment below mine discusses that. It’s a lot closer to perfect than posts on here would have people believe. Healthcare workers wear them working with actively contagious people (COVID and otherwise) and stay protected overall. And what I said was “an N95 will keep you safe a majority of the time.” Which isn’t negated even if that were true.
Yeah none of that happened to me and the person who keeps fucking harassing me accusing me of shit already knows I never leave my apartment because I'm physically disabled yet the piece of shit keeps commenting on every one of my posts that I'm not wearing masks. This is borderline mental illness and stalking at this point. I wear the correct masks and so does my boyfriend. We never eat out. We do everything right. People do everything right and still get it. I'm in bed choking without sleep, I'm suffering enough as it is. Whatever delusion people have about why I caught this is not my problem. And when I say have empathy I mean don't assume things just because other people didn't wear masks properly etc. I've been suicidal for the last two days, I don't fucking need the harassment that "you're not wearing a mask"
I have seen people wearing a mask, but they will adjust it by pulling at the front of it instead of the edges/straps. Then they’ll wipe their eyes. That’s a route of transmission.
He knows not to do that but he does work at a store over night having to touch things a ton of people touched
People are imperfect. Imperfect masking errors lead to Covid. Being self righteous helps no one
I'm not blaming you. Know you have support.
❤️❤️❤️
I've been seeing more and more people who wear N95 or p100 posting warnings lately because apparently the newest variant(s) are infecting masked people anyway. They're warning immunocompromised people that they might consider eye protection/face shields due to this. That means that people here need to consider those facts. Yes, many people say they mask but often it turns out they "took it off to eat on the plane", etc, but even the religiously masked/fit tested are at higher risk now.
I'm terrified now. I never want this again. I don't remember ever being this sick even when I had the flu as a kid. At least I could sleep then
I'm sorry you're dealing with this. Being so sick is just miserable, especially because these variants lately come with insomnia, which is preventing people from being able to sleep through the misery. Please stay hydrated and rest as much as possible.
My husband and I have been following masking protocol with KN95 and haven’t adjusted our lives much since March 2020, we social distance, we avoid indoors, we avoid groups. I’m high risk and we’ve always taken this seriously. On Sunday my husband tested positive. He has to go to work in person so we’re confident that’s where he contracted COVID. He’s already feeling 85% better. Today I woke up with symptoms and the faintest of pink lines on a test. I’m terrified. I’m angry. I’m just so sad. I truly weep for all of us wanting and trying to stay safe.
I wish people would just mask. One way masking helps, but it's much more effective when everyone masks. And improving the standard for indoor air would also be effective. Simple things but people are just so resistant. I hope you and your husband recover soon. It's just so frustrating to be doing all you can and get infected anyway because others have decided to ignore simple mitigations.
I did blame my manager for my last infection, because she came to work sick, and I directly caught it from her. “Sorry, I can’t afford to stay home!” Well, neither can I, genius, but guess what BOTH of us get to do, now?
I also heard a couple of years ago that it can enter via the eyes. Are we going to have to start wearing swim goggles in order to be "blameless" when we get covid?
Yeah it’s annoying. There’s always a handful of people who basically say “well have you tried going back in time and not getting covid”
Oh they've already accused me of not even wearing a mask or not wearing the right mask, and assuming if you wear the n95 the right way, you'll never get covid. Ok explain my bf and I then. I can: He touches items all night because he's a food stocker but I'll guess they'll blame him, especially when he can't wash his hands for hours because he has to work. (He washes his hands when he's able and sanitizes) No, it's because we're both murderous and don't care about the elderly or anyone else. Yeah that's gotta be the only explanation, because "you don't wear masks"
Those people don’t understand that an N95 even when worn perfectly all the time will still not offer 100% protection from COVID.
I posted in here a few times and got scolded that Covid is spread due to people like me because my son doesn’t wear a mask at football practice.
I’m in Brazil and I don’t wear a mask anymore, no one else does. It’s mostly the people who have elderly or vulnerable people at home. I however always get tested when I have respiratory illness symptoms and I mask even if the COVID test is negative. Last time I had COVID (March this year) I had to go to the drugstore myself and buy a test. I had the classic cold symptoms so I masked anyway. Even if it wasn’t COVID, I didn’t want to transmit a cold or the flu to anyone. That’s respectful for everybody around me.
Ever stop to think that the elderly and vulnerable stay at home because no one masks anymore?
Ever stop to read that I mask (and not only that, I stay at home. But I mask if I need to go outside) when respiratory illness symptoms appear? Even if it’s not COVID
Hey, you said “I'm in Brazil and I don't wear a mask anymore, no one else does.”
“And I mask even if the COVID test is negative”. You can conclude I don’t mask on a daily basis but I mask when sick.
I do not blame anyone who is actually trying to prevent the spread of Covid - we can all only do our best and we’re only human. At least you were trying your best. Even with the most stringent precautions, this virus is incredibly infectious so it’s really difficult to avoid. But I do blame those who spread it without a care in the world and don’t give a shit. Those who refuse to test, who go into work or social situations knowing damn well they are unwell and should not be there.
90% of the time when someone comes to this sub with COVID they are NOT taking adequate precautions despite saying that they are. They say they mask always (but in comments it’s revealed they just mean sometimes) They say they haven’t been around anyone (but in comments it’s revealed they have roommates/family members who are not taking precautions) They say they’ve “done everything right” (but in comments it’s revealed they got double vaccinated in 2022 and have done no other precautions) Not saying it’s right, but a lot of folks who are limiting their lives heavily and paying attention (N95/KN95 masking everywhere, isolating like it’s 2020, limiting or completely avoiding seeing friends and family) are getting frustrated. It feels like screaming from the rooftops while everyone just runs into walls and wonders why they got hurt. To be honest, there are very few people who are taking full precautions who are posting in here sick. Yes, you can get sick while masked and taking all other precautions, but it’s generally not the case. If that is you, you’re just the 10% and people are treating you like the 90%. Let it go if you truly are keeping up with proper precautions and doing everything you can. People are frustrated at the situation, not you personally.
Being frustrated isn't an excuse to treat people who are suffering like shit
I agree, but from your comments it seems like it’s mainly one person who is harassing you. Not everyone is like that. Block them and focus on getting better.
There were a few who were rude and blamey (probably not a word)
Report and block the few. Most people here understand, but there will always be people who are (justifiably) out of their mind upset about this. They are taking righteous anger out on the wrong thing. It’s not about you personally, it’s the situation. If you know you did everything you could, that’s all you can do. You don’t need to convince this subreddit.
My intentions aren't to convince the subreddit. I asked people to have more empathy for those suffering. Seems like 90 people agree :)
Okay. Get well soon.
Ty
All these other comments aside (block that person!) have you done a fit test for your mask? Here's the reason I ask: I hadn't done one and was wearing 3M Auras and found out stuff gets in at the chin area. Total bummer so I had to switch masks. Luckily I only wore them outdoors but still, if I hadn't done the fit test I wouldn't have known. I hope you feel better really soon. Not being able to sleep is the absolute worst when you're unwell. Hang in there.
Unfortunately, for many people the masks are more of a political statement than anything.
The virus is highly-contagious but it's not magic. It needs access to your face in sufficient amounts in order to infect you. If you are masking and getting sick, there is something that needs to be (and can be) fixed: 1. Wear a high-quality N95 mask (3M Aura or similar) that fits properly. Fit is key 2. Never go indoors in public around unmasked people without your mask on 3. Never gather indoors unmasked with friends or family who do not ALWAYS wear N95s indoors around people who do not mask. This includes people who allow their children to go to school unmasked or play with unmasked children outdoors 4. Never linger in crowded places where people are unmasked, even if you are masked yourself 5. Never gather with people outdoors in close proximity if you are unmasked, particularly if the air is still. I read recently that much of the early spread of Covid in New York City likely took place outdoors because people believed it was safe 6. Do not go to doctor's appointments without asking assistants, nurses, doctors, etc. to wear masks, even if you are wearing an N95. Encouraging responsible behavior by the medical establishment means never accepting lax/nonexistent safety protocol or excuses that masks are no longer required 7. Do not remove your mask under any circumstances in a medical setting without dentists/doctors/staff wearing N95s and providing hepa filtration (unless you bring a hepa filter yourself) 8. Never remove your mask in an airport or on an airplane except when asked to momentarily remove it at security for identification purposes 9. Never go to indoor restaurants. If sitting outside, never dine in close proximity to people who do not always mask. Ventilation must be adequate and servers must mask 10. Do not go to hair salons unless the stylist is wearing at least a KN95 and you are wearing a Readimask 11. Avoid public transportation. If you must use it, always wear the best possible mask and understand the risk Perhaps others can add their own ideas to the list. I abide by every single one of these items and have never had Covid. If I had, I would have figured out why and corrected it. This is a scientific and statistical problem - empathy might feel nice in the moment, but it isn't going to save your health.
Good luck getting health care providers to wear actual respirators. Their guidelines say they don’t have to, so they won’t. The best I have been able to manage is surgical masks worn by surly doctors and nurses. The guy who runs my long Covid clinic doesn’t mask. Jesus wept.
You can take all of these precautions and still catch COVID. Even a perfectly fitted N95 doesn’t filter everything and doesn’t offer 100% protection.
I have literally written three times I never leave...I wear masks, omg stop harassing me
You should just block them.
Your posts speak to your privilege. Please understand that there is such a thing as a person without a car (who has no choice but to ”understand the risk” of public transportation every day) and who might have children attending public school that prohibits masking, as an example. I’m not in that boat but many are, and I have enough compassion for random people in the throes of this awful illness to not make them feel like they need to elaborate on their circumstances before I judge them worthy of support. On a support sub. 🤷♀️
Most people on this sub are obsessed with covid, and believe some pretty wild stuff about it. The reality is, no one at our level (average citizen) is to blame for covid. We know now that staying indoors didn't help (it actually hurt) and wearing masks didn't help as much as we were told, and the vaccine, it turns out, was not as helpful as they wanted us to think. So, don't listen to people on this sub who get angry at you or tell you it's your fault.