I Had Covid For The First (and Only So Far) Time In 2024 - Blog Posts

nozescaramelizadas

8 months ago

Photograph of a zine called “What’s Up With COVID and How to Protect Yourself: 2024 Edition.”
Subtitle:
“Feat. ADVANCED COVID safety tips!”
word balloon: “Have you heard the bad news?”
By Hazel Newlevant

Back cover text:
“Every chain of transmission that is broken is VALUABLE. Every person that doesn’t GET SICK, that doesn’t lose that WEEK OF WORK, that doesn’t become DISABLED or DIE, from the minorest of inconveniences, to the GREATEST of losses: every single one of those things is VALUABLE.” -Becca on DEATH PANEL podcast 2/16/23.

Print and distribute this zine yourself!
Download a PDF here.
Citations:
Newlevant.com/COVIDzine

ALWAYS FREE

New zine that's free for anyone to print and distribute! Read the whole thing at newlevant.com/COVIDzine or in the rest of this post.

COVID zine page 1

Unless you make it a hobby to follow COVID news and studies, you're probably going off old info.
[stack of word balloons coming from different directions]
"COVID is mild now"
"The pandemic is over"
"'Pandemic of the unvaccinated'"
"COVID is like the flu"
"Only 'high risk' people need to worry about it."
"There's nothing you can do."

Businesses have a clear interest in YOU not worrying about COVID, and governments want to claim "victory" by hiding the problem.

They want you at work, shopping, traveling, and going to events just like you did in 2019--NOT demanding sick pay, clean air infrastructure upgrades, etc.

The CDC didn't want to admit COVID is airborne because it would open employers up to workplace safety lawsuits.

Masks are a visual reminder of the ongoing danger.

In a 2020 study, people who complied with mask mandates spent *25% less time shopping.*

In 2021, the CDC shortened their COVID isolation guidelines...at the request of Delta Airlines' CEO.

COVID zine p2

Here's the real tea:
[handwritten, bold text] COVID is airborne & movies like smoke.
Because the virus is transmitted by respiratory aerosols--the fog that you can see exhaled on a cold day.

Could you smell if someone was smoking? Then you could inhale their COVID virus.
[Cartoon of a person standing near 2 cigarette smokers, surrounded by smoke.]
This is why airflow, filtration, and limiting contacts are key to stopping infections.
[handwritten, bold text] Six feet apart /= safe
That's old news, from when scientists *hoped* COVID was mainly spread by large droplets.

Turns out, it can hang out in the air for hours.

COVID zine page 3

[Bold, handwritten text] COVID is still everywhere.

At least half of COVID spread is from people who don't (yet) have symptoms.

With no paid sick leave and too-short isolation guidelines, people are regularly forced to work while infectious.

[Cartoon of a waitress, unmasked, looking abashed, surrounded by an infectious cloud, saying "may I take your order?" Many jobs now disallow masks!]

The CDC stopped tracking COVID tests, so now the best way we have to estimate how many people have COVID: wastewater testing. Virus levels in sewage closely follow actual cases.

[Cartoon of a toilet with viruses getting flushed]

[Graph of Biobot COVID wastewater levels from jan 2020 to Feb 2024, showing 929 copies per mL on Feb 17]

[Cartoon of me, looking at the graph, saying "More cases than ANY TIME in 2020. Not great."]

COVID zine p4

[Conversion chart of Biobot wastewater levels measured in copies/mL to what percentage of the population is infectious. They are from https://pmc19.com/data/ and @michael_hoerger on twitter.]

Using the national measurements from Feb 2024, approx. 1 in 36 people were infectious with COVID.

[How Does Risk Increase with More Social Contacts? conversion chart]

[Cartoon of me, looking tired, wearing a respirator, pointing up at the chart. I'm in a crowd of people, drawn in silhouette, and clouds of COVID.]

You can see how the risk skyrockets with crowds.

U.S. residents can estimate how many people are infectious with COVID in YOUR area NOW with data from your nearest wastewater testing facility: biobot.io/data/covid-19 [QR code]

COVID zine p5

[Bold, handwritten text] COVID is really dangerous.

[Cartoon of a person's circulatory system]

COVID isn't just a respiratory illness. It injurs the blood vessels and can damage nearly any organ, all over your body.

Even mild infections cause brain shrinkage equivalent to aging 1 to 10 years.

Each infection has a ~1 in 10 chance of causing new, lasting symptoms, aka Long COVID. This is true for kids AND adults.

Long COVID can present in all kinds of ways. Even cases that start mild can become debilitating.

[Cartoon of a person lying down and wearing an eyemask, surrounded by handwritten descriptions of potential Long COVID outcomes]
Can't read, watch TV, look at phone, listen to music.
Brain fog, hard to even think.
In pain, feel like you have the flu for months on end.
Have to lay in the dark and quiet.

See pandemicpatients.org for an extensive list of Long COVID and Post-COVID Conditions: [QR code]

COVID zine page 6

[Graph labeled "Excess Deaths and COVID Deaths in Young Adults (age 18-49)". The "excess deaths [all cause]" number is at about double "COVID-19 deaths".]

So far in 2024, at least 1,000 people are OFFICIALLY dying of COVID in the U.S. every week. Chances of having a heart attack or stroke go WAY UP after a COVID infection, so it contributes to many more deaths than the official count.

[Bold, handwritten text] Repeat infections are hurting us.
The chances of bad shit happening get higher each time you get infected.

Viral fragments have been found in tissue samples even 12 months post-diagnosis. Viral persistence is a likely mechanism of Long COVID.

COVID disregulates the immune system, even in recovered patients. We're seeing outbreaks of RSV, monkeypox, polio, TB and more--possible signs of widespread immune dysfunction.

[Chart labeled: "Fig. 5: Cumulative risk and burden of sequelae in people with one, two, and three or more SARS-CoV-2 infections compared to noninfected controls."
It lists the following bad health outcomes, showing that each is more likely after 1 infection, more likely after 2 infections, and even MORE likely after 3 infections:
Hospitalization
at least one sequela
cardiovascular
coagulation and hematological
Diabetes
Fatigue
Gastrointestinal
Kidney
Mental health
Musculoskeletal
Neurological
Pulmonary]

COVID zine page 7

[Bold, handwritten text] Vaccines and "hybrid immunity" are not enough.

COVID vaccines create antibodies that fight infection. They've greatly reduced hospitalization and death from acute infection. But antibody levels quickly decline over the following months. Vaccines aren't stopping people from getting infected, spreading COVID, and long-term damage

[diagram of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The virus is covered in spike proteins, and there are circulating antibodies, some of which bind to the spike proteins. There's a human cell covered in ACE2 receptors. When a spike protein binds to an ACE2 receptor, that's cell infection. When an antibody binds to the spike protein, it can't infect!]

COVID keeps mutating, with new shapes in the spike protein that evade old antibodies. You can get reinfected with a different variant, even in weeks.

[Bold, handwritten text] COVID vaccines are like an airbag. Avoiding exposure is like keeping your hands on the steering wheel.

COVID zine page 8

[Bold, handwritten text] Rapid tests give a lot of false negatives.

Taking a single rapid test only successfully detects ~60% of early symptomatic infections and ~12% of asymptomatic infections. The FDA now recommends repeat testing after a negative result.

Positive: You have COVID.
Negative: You MIGHT have COVID. Try again in 48 hours, or get a PCR test, especially if you have symptoms or known COVID exposure.

Improve test accuracy by collecting a combined nose and throat sample!

Instructions (from Ontario Health):
Do NOT eat, drink, chew gum, smoke, or vape for at least 30 minutes before collecting the sample.

Blow your nose first. Wash your hands and only hold the swab opposite the soft swab tip.

1. Swab between the inner cheek and lower gum, on both sides. Then, swab your tongue, as far back as you can go. OR, look in a mirror and swab your tonsils.

2. Swab the nasal wall. Tilt your head back and insert the swab straight back (not up) until you hit resistance. Rotate several times. Then do the other nostril.

Order free COVID tests (if covered by insurance): fastlabtech.com [QR code]

Find free testing locations: testinglocator.cdc.gov [QR code]

[Diagram drawing of a combined nose and throat swab, with the swab placed on the tonsils labeled "1" and the swab in the nose labeled "2", to indicate the correct order to swab in.]

COVID zine page 9

[bold handwritten text] What we can do:
[Cartoon of me, looking peaceful, wearing a Flo Mask, surrounded by a light cloud of virus.]

Don't breath COVID in. It's all about MASKS and AIRFLOW.

Wear a mask with N95 or better filtration (aka a respirator) and make sure there are no gaps. A mask is only as good as its seal!

N95+ filters trap particles with an electrostatic charge, which is why they're much better than cloth or surgical masks.

Head-straps give a better seal than ear-loops, and are more comfortable!

Elastomeric masks (reusable face piece, replaceable filters) give the BEST seal, assuming the model fits your face!

[Graphic of a CDC MMWR report, bit.ly/MMWR7106 :
People who reported always wearing a mask in indoor public settings were less likely to test positive for COVID-19 than people who didn't
Among 534 participants reporting mask type
Cloth mask: 56% lower odds
Surgical mask: 66% lower odds
Respirator (N95/KN95): 83% lower odds ]

COVID zine page 10

Seal check: Cover the surface with your hands. Can you feel the mask going IN when you inhale and OUT when you exhale? That's good.

[Cartoon of me with my hands over my mask]

If you feel any air leaking around the edges, the mask doesn't fit properly.

To better know if a particular mask fits you, try a DIY fit test. [arrow pointing to a QR code that goes to the DIY fit test instructional video linked in the tweet]

Source control is BETTER at stopping transmission than just the uninfected person wearing a mask! But both people masking is safest.

[Cartoon of me getting checked out by a cashier. I'm wearing a mask that has virus in it, demo-ing source control]

3M Aura is a good disposable respirator. (buy from a hardware store or stauffersafety.com, Amazon is full of fakes!)

EnvoMask Pro and FloMask Pro are good elastomerics.

[Drawings of the masks]

Laianzhi HYX1002 is currently the best mask that comes in black.

Fit test results: testtheplanet.org [QR code]

COVID zine page 11

Go outside for more airflow to disperse the virus!

Outdoor COVID transmission is still possible, but it's much safer than an enclosed space.

[Cartoon of me and a friend, both wearing masks. A leaf is blowing between us; evidently we're outside]

Failing that, open windows, run fans to pull in fresh air, and use HEPA air purifiers. Get a cross-breeze going!

[Cartoon diagram of two open windows with a box fan in between, pulling clean air in from one window and blowing indoor air out the other window.]

You can make a DIY air purifier by taping a furnace filter to a box fan.

Instructions: cleanaircrew.org [QR code]

Mini DIY purifier with a PC fan and a round HEPA filter!

[Cartoons of furnace filter taped to a box fan, and a round filter with a PC fan on top.]

Purifiers also help with pet allergies and wildfire smoke!

COVID zine page 12

[bold, handwritten text] Extra precautions:
SARS-CoV-2 primarily infects in the upper respiratory tract, so it makes sense to target treatment there. Some nasal sprays have been shown to reduce the risk of getting COVID!

XYLITOL nasal spray reduced healthcare workers' risk of infection by 62% in one randomized controlled trial.

IOTA-CARRAGEENAN nasal spray reduced HCW's risk of infection by 80% when dosed 4x daily in one RCT.

NITRIC OXIDE nasal spray reduced infection risk by 75% when taken 4x daily after COVID exposure for 10 days, in a preliminary study.

Povidone-iodine mouthwash reduces viral load in the mouth, though how well this prevents infection is unknown.

S. salivarius k12 probiotic losenges reduced upper respiratory tract infections by 65% among HCWs in one RTC.

[bold, handwritten text] NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR MASKS AND CLEAN AIR!!

The evidence base is much smaller and they won't stop you from spreading COVID if you DO get infected. But it's good to have many layers of protection!

COVID zine page 13

[bold] I have COVID, now what??

What I'm planning to do if/when I get COVID again. Not medical advice. I am not a doctor.

People's CDC has a detailed "What to Do if You Have COVID" guide. Gather supplies BEFORE you get sick!

[bold] There's still a chance to stop the spread!

Reduce the chances of infecting others in your household by isolating ASAP, ventilation, and everybody wearing masks. People stay infectious for at least 10 days! After that, test to find out if you're negative.

[drawing of bottle] "CPC or iodine mouthwash to kill virus in mouth"

Don't go out if you can help it. If it's an emergency that can't be delegated or postponed, WEAR A RESPIRATOR!!!

(In a catch-22, you may need results from an in-person PCR test to get disability benefits or Long COVID care down the road)

[bold] REST.

[drawing of mug] Dehydration is ALSO linked to Long COVID, so drink up!

Inadequate rest can WORSEN or potentially even CAUSE Long COVID. Don't work out!! Avoid exertion as much as possible, during infection and in the weeks after. Rest and pacing are also crucial for dealing with chronic fatigue syndrome, a common Long COVID condition.

COVID zine page 14

[bold] Early Treatment

Paxlovid is an anti-viral medication and lowers Long COVID risk by ~25%. It's prescribed for those at increased risk of severe illness...which is 75% of U.S. adults. It must be started within 5 days of symptoms.

Ideally, you can get a Paxlovid prescription from home with a telehealth doctor visit. More options:

Find a Test to Treat site (free prescriber visit) and/or a Paxlovid Patient Assistance Program site (free Pax for eligible people).
treatments.hhs.gov [QR code]

In New York State, you can get assessed through Virtual ExpressCare or by calling 212-COVID-19 .
ondemand.expresscare.video/landing [QR code]

[smaller] (outrageously insufficient, i'm sorry!!)

Here are the non-prescription meds and supplements that RTHM, a Long COVID clinic, recommends to reduce symptoms and risk of developing Long COVID:

H1 blockers
H2 blockers
Low-dose aspirin
colloidal silver nasal spray and gargle
Nattokinase
N-Acetyl-L-Cystein (NAC)
Curcumin (turmeric)
Multivitamin with Vitamin D3
Melatonin
Alpha Lipoic Acid (if noticing increased heart rate)

Read why: rthm.com [QR code]

UPDATE 4/11/2023:

I swapped out the colloidal silver nasal spray info for xylitol nasal spray info. I originally included colloidal silver spray because of the linked study and recommendation from RTHM, but I don't want to be pointing people toward something with notable health risks. Xylitol spray (Xlear) is also cheaper and more widely available!