QueerlyAutisticDec 18, 2022

I've been off work sick for almost a week. Not with covid. Not with the flu. But with a cold.

I've never experienced a cold this badly before - I've always been terrible at being ill, but could generally work through a cold (working from home, that is).

But this? I've been in bed for nearly a week.

The difference between now, and before, is that I had #covid a few months ago.

Mask, everyone. Be careful. Please. My immune system is utterly, utterly fucked. Don't do this to yourself.

Show threadRaphael Savir
@QueerlyAutistic It'd be interesting to figure out if the increased severity and frequency of illness this winter is due to our being frequently masked and reducing our immune response?
Dec 19, 2022 at 12:41pmWeb
Show threadQueerlyAutisticDec 19, 2022
@rsavir Unlikely, Sweden is experiencing a similar thing in terms of sickness and severity, particularly amongst kids, and they had neither lockdowns nor mask mandates. There seems to be increasing evidence that covid causes lasting damage to the body even if had mildly, including to the immune system, which is making regular seasonal illnesses much more severe.
Show threadQueerlyAutisticDec 19, 2022
@rsavir This is a really good article, including interviews with experts in the field, explaining why the idea that masking/shielding has 'weakened' our immune systems is a fundamental misunderstanding of how our immune systems work. https://globalnews.ca/news/9272293/immunity-debt-covid-19-misinformation/
‘Immunity debt’: Why experts say this new term promotes COVID-19 ‘misinformation’

The term "immunity debt" is circulating as an explanation of a surge in illness in Canada, but infectious diseases experts say it's “dangerous” and promotes COVID “misinformation.”

Global News
Show threadRaphael SavirDec 22, 2022
@QueerlyAutistic It's definitely interesting, and my (limited) understanding is that there are a lot of theories and little concensus right now. Would be great to get real data.