Nina HatfieldJul 29, 2024
Brian Vastag

Someone I know who is chronically ill recently contracted #covid because a healthy person she trusted didn't tell her about being at an indoor event.

They both got COVID. The healthy person bounced back. My chronically ill friend? Now sicker than she ever was and no way to know if her downturn is long term or permanent.

That's what it's like now. If you're already chronically ill the world is a dangerous place and healthy people generally DGAF.

Jul 29, 2024 at 6:51pmWeb
Show threadBrian VastagJul 29, 2024
I should also say that, yes, plenty of healthy people are allies. But I don't think many of them can really empathize with what it's like to be chronically ill & it's hard for them to understand that a covid hit can mean permanent decline.
Show threadBrian VastagJul 30, 2024
My friend is now experiencing severe neurological symptoms while battling covid. It's awful.
Show threadDebbie BelairJul 30, 2024
@brianvastag Sorry to hear that. People are being so unfair. 😩
Show threadAlex BallJul 31, 2024
@brianvastag My wife (who has CIDP) woke up paralyzed after getting Covid in the hospital two years ago. Still functionally quadriplegic now. People really don’t realize the potential consequences and damage.
Show threadBrian VastagJul 31, 2024
@polarweasel That sounds very challenging.
Show threadAlex BallJul 31, 2024
@brianvastag It is indeed. Good luck to your friend, and I hope the healthy person smartens up a little!
Show threadStefan BohacekJul 29, 2024
@brianvastag That's awful. Wishing your friend all the best.
Show threadDebbie BelairJul 29, 2024
@brianvastag It's why I don't socialize anymore. People aren't worth it. Even healthy people can become unhealthy with covid, it's not just chronically ill. Until there's better vaccines I intend to stay isolated. I live with my Hubs and we don't go near other people and don't go indoors without a mask.
Show threadloptaJul 29, 2024
@brianvastag I work with people who've been coughing and spluttering for a week or two. Nobody mentioned taking a test. I took a test on Friday. :-/
Show threadloptaJul 29, 2024
@brianvastag Took another test this morning. Still positive.
Show threadKay   Jul 29, 2024

@brianvastag that's really tough. It reminds me of the AIDS epidemic and the advice given then to assume everyone may be harbouring the virus. The suggestion then was to use condoms and dental dams for sex.

Now the advice is to wear a mask indoors and on public transport, and when visiting immune vulnerable friends. It may feel clunky but it works. If friends won't do that, are they really friends?

Show threadStuartBJul 30, 2024
@Kay
A lot of people are surprised when I tell them that one of the reasons I wear a mask is because I'm assuming that I've got it asymptomatically, and don't want to pass it on.
"But how would you get it if you wear a mask?"
"These FFP2/3 masks are better at stopping passing it on that at stopping the wearer getting it."
"So what is the point of wearing a mask, if you can still get it?"
"Wellbif you dirty bastards were to wear masks as well, no one would get it!"
@brianvastag
Show threadBellison22Jul 30, 2024
@brianvastag that's horrible. I hope your friend heals
Show threadKraftwerk-Das Model CollapseJul 30, 2024
@brianvastag sadly you can even catch it outdoors, you never know if there's a super spreader around... I've been disabled for over two years now thanks to an outdoor transmission. (Also antigen tests aren't sensitive enough to determine whether someone is contagious, which is why we've pivoted to PoC-NAT testing. More expensive but still affordable and what's left of my health has infinitely more value anyway)
Show threadUnprecedented 2023Jul 30, 2024
@brianvastag Sorry to hear it. Hope your friend recovers completely.
Show threadLooking for explanations…Jul 30, 2024

@brianvastag

Oh that’s sad. We’re catching up with friends during the week, timed to be before we hold a family gathering. We’ll be using HEPA filters at that gathering & hope the weather will be mild enough to throw windows open, but I wouldn’t risk that friend’s health.

Show threadkeschi   Î˜Jul 30, 2024
@brianvastag yeah that's straight-up negiligent homicide if that leads to death.
Show threadDomJul 31, 2024
@brianvastag it's so easy to get it now as well. Far too easy. I feel like it's almost hopeless trying not to. I even bought a HEPA filter which didn't save me.