Last week I asked about #masking policies at #synagogues for the upcoming high holidays.
Yesterday I found out that one my own rabbis won’t be leading #RoshHashanah services because she has COVID. She’s already dealing with long COVID, as well.
If you’re attending services this weekend, regardless of policy, wear a #mask. We’re in a surge, and we cannot allow these most holy days to super spreader events.
And many someones in overlapping layers of responsibility ENABLED this infection.
This linguistic shift from the passive to active voice might seem irrelevant but, instead of just echoing the framing we see in the headlines — that Neil Gaiman got COVID-19— it’s time to own that somebody has infected Neil.
The passive voice has served a macabre purpose in this pandemic. The passive voice, by erasing the subject of the sentence, neatly obscures accountability, and with it our own role in unmitigated infections. Moreover, it has prevented us from identifying the layers of responsibility in enabling infections on a mass scale. This mental block is the first obstacle to advocating for effective mitigations and constructive solutions. It stops us from preventing infections. But that is changing now.
It is time to own the damage that we are causing by infecting others with COVID-19. I believe that we all know, deep inside, that we are causing harm. And many of us are suffering from the cognitive dissonance of pretending that we aren’t. Because, in a pandemic, this is serious and large-scale harm.
This harm that, according to estimates, has killed over 25 million people and disabled at least 65 million and counting. The sooner we face the harm we are causing by infecting other people, the less damage we will cause to ourselves, to our loved ones, to our community, to strangers on the other side of the world. And to people who entertain and inspire us, like speculative fiction author and TV creator Neil Gaiman. And inspiration is necessary when we are facing so many challenges. It’s that simple.
I recently took an indoor training course in which I was the only one #masked. That didn’t bother me as it’s not the first time and I’ve grown quite accustomed to people’s strange looks.
What truly affected me was the sad fact that when we partnered up at the start, I was last to be picked due to my #mask.
It was clear everyone felt that if they partnered with me they’d have to mask up as well. I told the last unfortunate fellow who was forced to sit with me that was not the case, he was relieved.
Over the 2 day course I found out my new partner had already taken the same course a month previous and barely retained anything.
I was shocked by his inability to remember numbers or follow basic instructions in a timely matter. Despite this, I continuously helped him along, explaining things thoroughly through my mask. At the end he gratefully thanked me for helping him so much through the course.
Upon leaving on the last day, I overheard my former partner admitting to the teacher that since he’s had #covid (multiple times) he now has difficulty remembering things, which is affecting his studies.
So, next time you need to partner in a course don’t assume the only person masked is an incompetent fool, when it’s most probably quite the opposite.
My wife and I have managed to avoid #covid19bc thus far through maintained #masking and social #distancing. Life changed and we’ve adjusted. Masking shows our strength and resilience not our weakness.
My kid told me that other students have been asking her why she's still #masking at school. So I showed her this, and then we sat down to pick colors for her next #mask order.
CDC director recommends #masking against tide of rising respiratory illnesses, including #COVID
The CDC hasn’t seen anything new in terms of viruses or sickness, but recommended a handful of precautions
By Nicole Karlis
December 7, 2023
"CDC director Mandy Cohen released a video this week about how to take precautions this winter as the #pirola clan outpaces previously dominant COVID-19 variants, alongside the rise of other respiratory viruses across the country. In the video, Cohen said respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases are 'elevated.' COVID-19 is starting to increase again, and pneumonia cases are also on the rise. Cohen specifies the CDC hasn’t seen anything new in terms of viruses or sickness.
"Still, she recommends taking specific precautions for people to protect themselves, like getting the updated COVID-19 vaccine, this season’s influenza vaccine, and the RSV vaccine for those over the age of 60. Additional layers of protection, she said, include washing your hands, improving #ventilation, and wearing a #mask.
"As masking recommendations eased up over the summer, the CDC appears to be tightening its guidance on masking this winter in light of Cohen’s latest video briefing. In May 2023, the CDC advised healthcare facilities to take a risk-based approach when it came to universal masking in healthcare facilities. In addition to masks, Cohen urged Americans to get tested when they’re sick in order to receive proper treatment. As of November 20, 2023, households in the U.S. are eligible for another order of four free coronavirus tests.
"'CDC will continue to closely monitor respiratory illnesses including respiratory viruses and pneumonia spreading across the US and around the world,' Cohen said. 'And we'll be sure to share additional updates and information.'"
Very useful explainer posted by @dfisman. I’m am going to try and copy and paste it over here as it’s worth sharing and reading.
Going to be a bit bloody tedious as Bluesky doesn’t seem to allow copying of text. I have to “translate” it which opens it in a web page.. where I can copy the text😔
At this point, I know maybe 6 or 7 people (8 if you include me) irl, that haven't been infected with #Covid19.
Every time I tell people I've never gotten #Covid , they seem shocked.
All the people I know who are #Novid do at least 2 of the following.
Not spending time indoors unmasked around others that aren't in their "bubble." If they do see people outside their bubble, they try to do stuff outside. If it has to be indoors, everyone must #MaskUp when inside
Don't spend a lot of time in public places indoors - especially when there are crowds.
Having common shared agreements about #CovidPrecautions with the people they do see unmasked (usually about 3 people total - sometimes less - and it's pretty much always the people they live with).
#Masking in public using high-quality and well fitted masks (N95/KF94/KN95) - everyone I know who has remained Covid free is doing this.
I've watched basically every single person I know catch Covid, some of them multiple times, and it gets harder for me to comprehend how myself and others are screaming from the rooftops about #LayersOfProtection , yet they're still not #MaskingUp.
It's honestly just exhausting at this point because not only can the social isolation get you down sometimes, but I'm also just tired of seeing my friends get sick.
Actor, producer, director, and writer Will Keenan was attacked last week for wearing an N95 mask and may never regain vision in his left eye.
"For the entirety of the pandemic, I became known as the lone masker. I wore a mask all the time because through my research I believe doing so protects my infant, now toddler, daughter..." Keenan told Newsweek.
This important news even if most people that care already new it. It’s important on the face of it, it’s important the WHO is acknowledging it (again), AND it’s important that the CDC still won’t admit it.
Masks work. Indoor fresh-air ventilation works. The US Gov’t says, “Your job is to keep shopping…nothing to see here.”
The Pirola variant is spreading, covid monitoring & data gathering has been stripped back, #vaccinationis getting under way but is limited by capacity & demographic(s)... no social measures (#masking, #socialdistancing) are as yet being publicised.
Could this be about to be a very difficult #winter? The trouble is as yet we have no good way of knowing until well down that road!
If you’re in the #Halifax area, and you’re still #masking, and you want to meet a friend for a coffee ☕️ but it’s not patio weather: Glitter Bean Café on Spring Garden Road. Masked staff, space between tables inside (and a patio) and The Has Bin consignment shop upstairs for a browse afterwards. If you know another café with a mask policy in HRM, let me know! I gotta get out more.
“'A question shadowing suits such as these is whether there is a #FirstAmendment right to refuse to wear a protective mask as required by valid health and safety orders put in place during a recognized #PublicHealth emergency. Like all courts to address this issue, we conclude there is not...
On #COVID#masks#masking, I frequently read (and empathize with) people around here posting abt comments by various ppl questioning their masks. It sucks!
Wanted to give an other perspective: I've worn N95s (pillowy Dräger 1750) at the office for 2 years (incl. dozens of business meetings) and nobody's ever said anything about it. (A couple of "are you sick today or just cautious" in 2 years.)
Your mileage may vary, but in case you've been thinking about trying, hope hearing that might help?
That headspace where I’m watching a documentary on Juggalos and finding myself thinking … “fuck, I think I may be into this #ICP thing after all”
Noticed I was maintaining the same opinion I formed twenty years ago, and it’s maybe time to re-evaluate. I’m finding some really interesting contrasts.
With #autistic#masking, my past avoidance of the subculture makes perfect sense. Very similar past-tolerance / new-affinity feeling as I’ve found for #furry folks