@augieray what worries me are thoughts of the future.

What the loss of potential may be for young people to come, our future scientists, mathematicians, medical professionals…. What have ignorant, incompetent, selfish, venal politicians and their corrupt cabal done to the future health and progress of so many?

How can previous successes of public health be re-established after the 180 degrees reversal which now seems so firmly established?

I’m struggling; I’ve to keep such thoughts at bay.

@augieray OH there will be...there'll be at least 3 generations to come who'll not only die younger, but suffer horribly for years beforehand...and not only because of the multiple illnesses and disabilities they'll have but that there'll be so few health care professionals around to care for them, or no money available. Self deletion from the gene pool is happening now.

@augieray

You have me curious enough now to look up a list of conditions and diseases that damage the brain.

@augieray

There better TF be regret!

@augieray Is it bad to go out nowadays? I haven't seen or heard about anyone around me getting covid for the past year. I guess we're safe. Don't get yourself locked up because of some disease that apparently has been around for ages.

@augieray
Have unvaccinated relatives who've had it 2X and still refuse to vaccinate, even though studies are showing that having multiple cases compounds the effects of long COVID.

@augieray How could there not be?

@augieray I'm wishing you all the responsibility-aware friends you & human community fully deserve!

@augieray "In the long run, we're all dead." - Keynes Cultivating a nonjudgmental awareness of the present can bestow a host of benefits. Mindfulness can reduce stress, boost immune functioning, reduce chronic pain, and can lower blood pressure. Try it!

@augieray

There is. And there will be.

Was having similar conversation with a friend on FB. I was unaware of pst-Covid strokes in 30 yo people.

We know long-covid is real and still poorly understood.

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/998107

@augieray they'll just blame the vaccine...

@augieray I was vaccinated 2 times and got 2 additional shots (they are offered by the government). Should I be that worried? I got it once and it was very bad, after vaccines and all I caught it again but it was very mild. Should I be that worried being vaccinated? I don't use masks when I am not sick or in an hospital.

@augieray
I think we can pretty much count on that (declining health, etc) and all the while Republicans will be trying to take away healthcare from millions.

@augieray I am honestly quite concerned for the next five to ten years, as the effects continue to stack at a population level, for heart disease, diabetes, Long Covid itself, and all the other deleterious conditions and damage Covid can cause. Between that and the climate crisis, I feel like things may get very difficult. I try to hang on to hope, and pray and act to try to improve things.

@augieray
we were recently in Mexico City, and the airport was beyond packed. I think we were the only ones wearing a mask. On the plane too!
What the hell !!

@augieray one of the reasons I'm in the process of moving to East Asia. Where ppl believe in science not just when it's politically convenient to, and feel morally superior to others

We can't possibly understand the consequences it will have for years. And getting it yearly or even multiple times a year seems rather reckless without this knowledge

The criticism of zero covid policies drives me crazy. They are bad for wanting to reduce death bc we can't imagine a gov with a real project

@augieray Oh, there won't be regret.

They just won't recognize cause and effect.

@augieray Rest assured, there will be. Too many people have been infected too repeatedly - and many of them are crucial workers, like doctors, nurses, medtechs, teachers, social workers, therapists.

@augieray I avoid crowds and haven't eaten out or been to an entertainment event for years, but after getting all of COVID/flu/RSV shots earlier this fall I decided it was safe to do without a mask at grocery stores etc where I don't have lingering exposure to any one person. When my vaccine starts to wear off, or if there's another wave, I'll mask up everywhere again, and for sure I would still be wearing a mask now if I lived with or visited an elderly or immuno-compromised person.