Page 3 | To Think People Have No Idea How Covid Messaging Has Changed

Sunshineguy · 2024-02-02T06:40:21+00:00

The CDC, HHS, and WHO are warning that Covid infections can get progressively worse and that the risk of Long Covid increases with each reinfection. Are people aware of this change in messaging?

Elphame · 02/02/2024 08:56

UnmentionedElephantDildo · 02/02/2024 07:18

I think that most people don't actually care about long covid.

Or the silent organ damage covid is known to cause.

Or the increase in rates of diabetes, or exacerbation of dementia. Or that "brain fog" is a mild form of brain damage. Or the effects on the immune system (including the parts that are implicated in cancer development)

Let alone the less well evidenced emerging harms, such as increased rates of developmental delay to babies who were exposed in utero.

This collective denial will only break down when enough people - or their DC - are showing signs of harm, by which time it will be too late.

And they'll claim "but they said it was just a cold", despite many attempts by professional bodies and WHO to give people the information on the continuing dangers.

People really don't want to hear about this stuff. Anyone who tries to point is out is derided as a fear-mongering lockdown lover who's living in the past. It is however beginning to dribble through in the press.

I am fully vaccinated and have had it twice. The first time I caught it at the vaccination station of all places.

Are we all to stay home indefinitely? That may suit your agenda but I have a life to live and worrying about ifs and maybes when there is nothing I can do about it is pointless. No wonder people suffer from anxiety nowadays.

GreekDogRescue · 02/02/2024 08:58

Just more fear mongering which can be safely ignored

Growlybear83 · 02/02/2024 09:02

I'm fully vaccinated, had my booster the day my pharmacy received stocks of the vaccine in September, and I work from home the vast majority of the time. I don't use public transport, don't go out socially very much, and wear a mask in the supermarket most of the time. I still caught Covid just after Christmas and I don't ever remember being more ill. I've only had proper flu twice in my life, and that was bad enough, but this was much much worse. I was in bed for a week, and it took a full two weeks to feel anything like normal again. I don't think the prevention of the spread of covid is taken seriously enough now by many people. Even if people just tested when they have covid-like symptoms and then kept away from people as much as they can if they are positive and wore a mask it woukd help to reduce the spread - tests are £1 each now and readily available.

Vegetus · 02/02/2024 09:04

COVID Stockholm syndrome is more irritating than COVID itself

EarringsandLipstick · 02/02/2024 09:10

Ginmonkeyagain · 02/02/2024 08:35

@EarringsandLipstick Thr UK (and devolved nations) did a lot of mad stuff during covid but I think the vaccine policy was and still is sensible.

Vaccines supply is not unlimited so it makes sense to prioritise the most at risk. The best way to do that is for govenrment to control the supply and delivery. That way the "worried well" and better off aren't clambering over the vulnerable to get vaccines.

I tend to follow JVAC advice and currently they do not think people in my situation (under 50, very healthy, no regular contact with highly vulnerable people) need any more jabs - so what is the point of making one available privately to people like me?

As others have said I suspect it will settle down soon to be like flu jabs - free jabs avaible to at the defined risk groups and the opportunity for others to pay if they want one.

Edited

I understand about regulating it in terms of free vaccines.

I do assume (could be wrong?) that it's available if people want to pay.

In Ireland, we are encouraged to avail of it (ie pay) - some did, some didn't.

Broadly the more people who choose to be vaccinated against seasonal viral illnesses like flu, and Covid, the better for the vulnerable and those with underlying health conditions, and for the over-stretched health systems (overcrowding & trolley numbers are a very significant problem in Irish hospitals in the winter months).

Babadook76 · 02/02/2024 09:10

BananaLlama123 · 02/02/2024 06:48

Well that may be true. But how am I supposed to avoid catching it these days? Without giving up my job and isolating the whole family at home for something that might happen. We are all vaccinated, test when we've got bad colds to make sure we don't pass it on, but I don't know what else I can do.

If the vaccinations work then why are you so scared of catching it

EarringsandLipstick · 02/02/2024 09:11

GreekDogRescue · 02/02/2024 08:58

Just more fear mongering which can be safely ignored

Of course it's not.

It's public health advice, which should be noted.

EarringsandLipstick · 02/02/2024 09:11

GreekDogRescue · 02/02/2024 08:58

Just more fear mongering which can be safely ignored

Why would government agencies (US or others) want to scaremonger?

New2024 · 02/02/2024 09:13

BugsyDrakeTableScape · 02/02/2024 06:46

And slightly pointless as most of the general population aren't eligible for any more vaccines

Bizarrely,asthmatics like me haven’t been eligible for vaccinations and boosters for a while.

desolcat · 02/02/2024 09:14

UnmentionedElephantDildo · 02/02/2024 07:18

I think that most people don't actually care about long covid.

Or the silent organ damage covid is known to cause.

Or the increase in rates of diabetes, or exacerbation of dementia. Or that "brain fog" is a mild form of brain damage. Or the effects on the immune system (including the parts that are implicated in cancer development)

Let alone the less well evidenced emerging harms, such as increased rates of developmental delay to babies who were exposed in utero.

This collective denial will only break down when enough people - or their DC - are showing signs of harm, by which time it will be too late.

And they'll claim "but they said it was just a cold", despite many attempts by professional bodies and WHO to give people the information on the continuing dangers.

People really don't want to hear about this stuff. Anyone who tries to point is out is derided as a fear-mongering lockdown lover who's living in the past. It is however beginning to dribble through in the press.

I am concerned about Covid but what can we do about it? The vaccines don't prevent you from getting it or spreading it or even getting long covid although hopefully they help with the severity. We don't even know if a particular strain we encounter will be covered by a vaccine. Most of us are no longer eligible for vaccines either.

We all need to go to work to be able to afford to live, our kids need to go to school, people need to be able to see their loved ones. I am careful to stay healthy and boost my immune system as I can and I still test before seeing vulnerable relatives but other than that there is not much we can do as individuals.

BestBadger · 02/02/2024 09:15

I wasn't. I had my third infection over the Christmas week, the symptoms weren't as bad as the first one. However, I've been permanently fatigued since.

Had two vaccinations, didn't have the booster because I'd had covid around the time it was offered so there was no point.

Anecdotally, I've seen a few cases of viral damage since Christmas (not necessarily covid) setting off Af, diabetes etc amongst my friends.

vitahelp · 02/02/2024 09:18

UnmentionedElephantDildo · 02/02/2024 07:18

I think that most people don't actually care about long covid.

Or the silent organ damage covid is known to cause.

Or the increase in rates of diabetes, or exacerbation of dementia. Or that "brain fog" is a mild form of brain damage. Or the effects on the immune system (including the parts that are implicated in cancer development)

Let alone the less well evidenced emerging harms, such as increased rates of developmental delay to babies who were exposed in utero.

This collective denial will only break down when enough people - or their DC - are showing signs of harm, by which time it will be too late.

And they'll claim "but they said it was just a cold", despite many attempts by professional bodies and WHO to give people the information on the continuing dangers.

People really don't want to hear about this stuff. Anyone who tries to point is out is derided as a fear-mongering lockdown lover who's living in the past. It is however beginning to dribble through in the press.

But let’s say, for arguments sake, someone did realise all of these things - what next? I’m still unclear on what I can do about any of it?

Rather like I’m well aware I will develop some sort of cancer at some stage, but aside from eating well/exercising/not smoking or drinking, I’m
not clear on what I can do.

inamarina · 02/02/2024 09:18

UnmentionedElephantDildo · 02/02/2024 07:18

I think that most people don't actually care about long covid.

Or the silent organ damage covid is known to cause.

Or the increase in rates of diabetes, or exacerbation of dementia. Or that "brain fog" is a mild form of brain damage. Or the effects on the immune system (including the parts that are implicated in cancer development)

Let alone the less well evidenced emerging harms, such as increased rates of developmental delay to babies who were exposed in utero.

This collective denial will only break down when enough people - or their DC - are showing signs of harm, by which time it will be too late.

And they'll claim "but they said it was just a cold", despite many attempts by professional bodies and WHO to give people the information on the continuing dangers.

People really don't want to hear about this stuff. Anyone who tries to point is out is derided as a fear-mongering lockdown lover who's living in the past. It is however beginning to dribble through in the press.

But what exactly do you want people to do? Stop working? Only go out when absolutely necessary? Never attend any concerts/ conferences/ etc?
It doesn’t really matter whether or not people think about Covid, they can’t put their lives on hold indefinitely.

VeryInteresting12 · 02/02/2024 09:19

This whole thing reminds me of the arguments around Brexit
Nobody has said ‘project fear’ in this thread, but some of the answers have been reminiscent.
And Brexit turned out just wonderfully, no?

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 02/02/2024 09:20

Wolfiefan · 02/02/2024 06:54

That’s not what that says at all. It’s saying just because you’ve had it before doesn’t mean it couldn’t possibly be worse if you get it again. Stop scaremongering.

But the chances of LC increase after each infection. Thats common knowledge.

notknowledgeable · 02/02/2024 09:24

BananaLlama123 · 02/02/2024 07:23

I'm not deeply stupid and I do know it's killing people. The same way measles, flu and any other fast spreading disease does. I just don't know what else I can do as I can't work from home, my kids have to go to school so what precautions are even possible?

Show quote history

The death / disability rate from covid is a hundred times that of flu. I'm not saying there is much that can be done, other than take sensible precautions to prevent spread of infections generally - just pointing out the wrong impression that is perpetrated by comparing covid directly with flu.

NoggintheNoggin · 02/02/2024 09:24

The whole Covid thing isn't black and white.

My DP had it recently and he's on immunosuppressant drugs. He's been vaccinated many times (maybe 7?) and still caught it (maybe in a medical setting.)

He wasn't that unwell when it was at its height, but he's felt under par now for 5-6 weeks.

For MOST younger and healthy people, it is like flu . Or a cold.
Although more people died from flu last year than Covid.
Flu can be very serious.

It's like all viruses. Some people have severe reactions and long term side effects. Others don't.

I've had every vaccine available (I'm over 50) and will continue to have them.

It's not a rule that you won't get Covid if you've had the vaccine.
Me and DP have been VERY careful for 3 years. We've not been hermits, but have avoided crowded cafes, don't go to pubs, rarely eat out, and trying to figure out where he got it is unclear. 3 out patient hospital appts and one trip to a quiet cafe.

Obviously not everyone is testing now and that's why it's easy to catch it.

Tattletwat · 02/02/2024 09:25

FuppinNora · 02/02/2024 07:22

I had covid last year and it certainly is not like the flu. It was the worst sickness I ever had and I'm not in the vulnerable category either. Usually I'm just get on with it type. Hopefully it is getting milder and will just be a cold. However if an elderly or vulnerable person had it like I had I'd be surprised they would have made it through.

Get the vaccine, don't get the vaccine, respect everyone's choices.

You see I hate this where people pretend having the flu is just like some cold or something.

Fly is is a serious illness diabilitating and can and does kill. You want people to stop minimizing Covid, stop minimizing the flu.

greenacrylicpaint · 02/02/2024 09:25

I am concerned about Covid but what can we do about it?

staying home if ill
keeping distance to others if coughing/sneezing
sneezing/coughing into a tissue or your elbow
wearing masks in crowded indoor spaces
handwashing

basically anything that you should do anyway if you have a lurgy

NoggintheNoggin · 02/02/2024 09:28

The death / disability rate from covid is a hundred times that of flu.

It's not.

Look at the figures for last year.

Thethruththewholetruth · 02/02/2024 09:30

I can’t believe people still think face mask wearing in all medical settings is a good idea! We won’t want to wear a face mask all bloody day, wearing one in a mental health setting makes consultations so hard as you don’t build the same rapport, it’s just not right that “all medical settings” need a mask it’s a silly suggestion. In the NHS we don’t even get told to stay at home, we have to go into work if positive so what’s the point in testing, I’m certainly not paying for that! I’ve seen the effects of long covid, it’s horrific for some people and the children’s type1 diabetes rates through the roof I agree, buts it’s a sad after effect of covid unfortunately.

notknowledgeable · 02/02/2024 09:30

NoggintheNoggin · 02/02/2024 09:28

The death / disability rate from covid is a hundred times that of flu.

It's not.

Look at the figures for last year.

I mean in unvaccinated people. Death rate is 1% for covid, and 0.01% for flu in unvaccinated people

OceanicBoundlessness · 02/02/2024 09:32

People asking what can we do...

One of the things we can do if there's likely to be an upside in cancer is campaign for the three closed down centers here to be un-mothballed.

To Think People Have No Idea How Covid Messaging Has Changed

ViscousFluidFlow · 02/02/2024 09:34

I had covid in the first wave and was horribly unwell, it took me over a year to recover as was so knackered with post viral fatigue. I had covid last February, this time we all got it and whilst I did feel ill it was nowhere near as bad. Both DH and I felt tired for about a month after, we are mid fifties. I qualify for the vaccine still as have a dodgy heart.

Winederlust · 02/02/2024 09:35

UnmentionedElephantDildo · 02/02/2024 07:18

I think that most people don't actually care about long covid.

Or the silent organ damage covid is known to cause.

Or the increase in rates of diabetes, or exacerbation of dementia. Or that "brain fog" is a mild form of brain damage. Or the effects on the immune system (including the parts that are implicated in cancer development)

Let alone the less well evidenced emerging harms, such as increased rates of developmental delay to babies who were exposed in utero.

This collective denial will only break down when enough people - or their DC - are showing signs of harm, by which time it will be too late.

And they'll claim "but they said it was just a cold", despite many attempts by professional bodies and WHO to give people the information on the continuing dangers.

People really don't want to hear about this stuff. Anyone who tries to point is out is derided as a fear-mongering lockdown lover who's living in the past. It is however beginning to dribble through in the press.

Even a cold isn't "just a cold" for the most vulnerable people, it can be deadly to some, or cause long term health issues. But for the vast majority it is.

Covid is exactly the same. For most it is "just a cold". That doesn't take away from the fact that for a few it's not. That's why those in vulnerable categories are offered vaccines (same as for flu).

To suggest otherwise is scaremongering. FWIW I also think the anti-vaxxer rhetoric is also scaremongering. If you're in a vulnerable category or particularly worried, get one. If not, don't.