So we’re still rolling the dice as far as getting a bad covid. Yeah, the virus has generally gotten less serious, but it still has the potential to be serious, and it’s still killing lots of people.
I got long covid after 4 timely boosters. It blows that people assume we don’t exist.
I don't assume that people like you don't exist, I assume you're in a tiny minority compared to people who either actively refuse vaccination or are too lazy to make an appointment.
A friend of mine had mild complications after the vaccination. A few days of mild fever. Their conclusion was no never again get vaccinated. Now the sense of smell is gone after an undiagnosed infection with flu-like symptoms a few months ago (because why go to the doctor and get a proper diagnosis and a prescription for Paxlovid...).
I feel for people like you but my friend is a grownup who made their choice.
Yes, I'm very aware of my statistical insignificance that causes everyone to assume I did something to deserve long term consequences of covid. Between the antivaxxers who scowl at me for wearing a mask the rare times i dare be in public, the extreme pro-vaxxers who ask increasingly invasive medical questions to find a reason that I must have done this to myself, society leaving me to rot now they've all moved on because the vaccines solved everything, and the doctors telling me they have no strategies for me because there isn't enough research... I promise that I haven't forgotten that I'm the tiny and easily dismissable minority, despite my covid-triggered amnesia.
People always remind me of it when I don't fit their narrative of the irresponsible or gullible fool who bought into the anti-science grift or flouted restrictions. Perhaps it's because it's more comforting to remind themselves that it's improbable that they will also end up as one of the forgotten. At least, for now, until the ridiculously contagious and quickly mutating virus happens to not play nicely with their own latent medical issues and unknown genetic errors.
I'm sorry your friend was deceived by the propaganda that the vaccine was worse than the disease. And I'm sorry that you blame them for being deceived instead of understanding that fear causes people to make poor choices.
Thanks friend, I really do appreciate it. I'm still one of the much luckier ones at the end of the day, even if I'm having no fun being one.
It has been exceptionally frustrating to become someone who gets treated with suspicion by pro-science people though. Even though my statistical insignificance puts me in the company of literally millions of others, there are many millions more who really did make bad choices that warrant some suspicion. (Edit: Actually no, I've changed my mind. Nobody deserves the suspicion at all.)
Has it? The last I heard, the new strains were even more infectious and more dangerous, but people weren't getting as sick thanks to the vaccines.
But that was before this current strain, which is resistant to boosters from before late September and is the cause of the second highest spike in infections the US has seen, with an estimated 2 million new cases on the 11th alone. Hopefully, this new strain has mutated to be less dangerous than the original, and that's why it's resistant to the vaccines/boosters except for the most recent.
COVID can cause neurological damage in ways other viruses can't, and can leave people with permanent symptoms. It's definitely mildly infuriating to know that our governments have all given up on doing anything about it and have the attitude of just letting people get it when we don't know all of the long term consequences of COVID.
It’s definitely mildly infuriating to know that our governments have all given up on doing anything about it
Over here in Germany covid vaccinations are now treated like flu vaccinations. Insurance covers the cost but it's up to the people to make their own appointments at pharmacies or doctors. I have little empathy for people refusing to get boosters and then have to deal with consequences.
Boosters alone aren’t enough to prevent the spread
Of course not but they vastly reduce the risk of severe complications (I'm not up to date with the latest research but the figure I remember is >90%). Vaccinations boost the immune system, they aren't impenetrable force fields.
and people who don’t get the vaccine aren’t the only ones who are at risk of getting sick.
For people suffering from more severe symptoms, there is now very good medication available to aid in recovery.
Mask requirements wherever possible. Especially in businesses where people don't need to expose their mouths. There is no reason you couldn't make everyone in a bookstore or on a bus mask up. In addition to mandatory vaccinations (barring legitimate health concerns like allergies) and limiting the amount of people in indoor spaces during high points in the viral spread.
Weird. I work in hospice. We somewhat regularly get patients signing in because of COVID/COVID effects, but I can't recall the last time someone signed in because they had "really bad flu." It's almost like one is still significantly worse to get.