Well it's quite some time (years) since I've posted on this blog, and I'm sure I'm the only one that will see it, but it is a great way to vent and get my thoughts out there (wherever "there" is).
Covid-19. One word and a number we will always remember with fear, anger, disgust, sadness, and many other adjectives. The question we all ask regarding this menacing virus is "when will it be gone"?
The unfortunate thing about that question is that it has no answer, yet. We seem to think that if we keep our "social" distance, wash our hands, where a mask, and get vaccinated, we will irradiate this little monster. I am not a virologist, but I would bet all that I (and you) have, that it is not going away anytime soon, if at all. We have all heard of the different variants of this virus, of which there are already many, and that's because that's what virus do. They change, or mutate to survive. That's what all living organisms do, virus just do it very quickly.
Every year millions get their flu shot, and every year the vaccine is a little different because virologists give their best guess and to which strain of influenza will be prominent this year. Sometimes they are right. Sometimes they are not. Now don't get me wrong, covid-19 is not the flu. But it is a virus. Polio is also a virus. The common cold is caused by a virus (rhinovirus). But not all virus are created equal, but don't get me started on how a virus can be created... Focus on what we do now that it is here.
So, does the mask, washing your hands, the vaccination, etc. all actually help? In my opinion, it all "helps", but none is the holy grail. I think anything we can do to keep our vessel (body) stronger and less susceptible to illness, will give us a better chance to fight off any virus. I get asked constantly "do you believe in masks?", the answer is yes, even though I am so tired of wearing them. But look at it this way, even though a virus is small enough to get through a mask, it does prevent most of them from making their way into your body. The argument is that if some get through the mask, why bother with it at all? So tell me then, why cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze? It certainly does not stop all those virus coming out of your body, but it does help the direct onslaught to those in front of you. Some is better than none. Is a mask hazardous to wear? I Don't buy into the whole breathing in our own CO2. Those that think a virus can get through a mask but think molecules of CO2 can't, are making a ridiculous argument, surgeons have been wearing masks successfully for over a hundred years, they work. I get that it's uncomfortable to wear and we don't like being told we have to do anything, but, I feel it is the safe, thoughtful and right thing to do. I don't want to get anything from you, and I certainly do not want to give anything to you.
Now the vaccine is so controversial, should I or shouldn't I, is it safe, will we have to get boosters, how effective is it really, how long will it last? And of course the doomsayers and conspiracy theorist's want you to believe that if you get the vaccine, you're surely going to die, or they are put a chip in you, or it's some other government plan to control you. I say, first, the government already controls you (don;t think they don't), and second, there is nothing important enough in my life that would be worth the effort and expense of tracking, how about you? And death? Come on, I'm not saying there are not side effects, also I won't say no one will ever die from a vaccination, but the benefits do outweigh the risk, by far. Especially for those at a higher risk!
To summarize (as one of my old college professor would at the end of every lecture), covid-19 is a virus that is not going away anytime soon. Know the symptoms and take the measures to protect yourself and those around you. Do not live in fear, but in knowledge of how to best prevent and also how to treat. Keep your body strong with proper nutrition, hydration, exercise, and rest.
Live Healthy, be Healthy! And that's my tilt on it!
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