Hundreds of millions Covid-19 cases have been reported around the world. One fifth of them came from the United States. One-fifth of the total U.S. population have been infected with this evolving virus. Some people say COVID is here to stay, so they stop taking precautions. We disagree. Every variant of the COVID-19 virus, including Omicron, is dangerous and can cause severe disease and death. Further virus mutations can result, which jeopardizes the effectiveness of the tools we have to fight it.
The Power of Collective Action:
STOP THE SPREAD
COVID is airborne. Virus-laden particles build up in the air over time in an indoor environment, such as a classroom. Vaccination, mask use, physical distancing, testing, ventilation, handwashing, respiratory etiquette, cleaning and disinfection, quarantining and contact tracing are standard prevention strategies. High quality masks are a standard and effective way to reduce transmission. Public health should be preventive and proactive, not letting the problems explode before reacting to them.
PROTECT THOSE AT HIGH RISK
Pregnant women, people with underlying medical conditions, elderly people, people who are immunocompromised, people who are not up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations, the unvaccinated, which includes young children under 5 who cannot receive the vaccines in the U.S. — all fall into higher risk categories.
People who are allergic to vaccines cannot get vaccinated. Some people refuse to get vaccinated because of their beliefs. Lots of people have no choice but to stay home to protect themselves and their loved ones. Diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, cardiac disease, pulmonary disease and chronic liver disease are among the known risk factors for COVID complications
You might be asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic but you can still spread the virus and infect others. Collective action can help protect people who are at higher risk of severe illness and death.
AVOID POST VACCINATION INFECTIONS AND REINFECTIONS
Variants such as Omicron and Delta evade immunity from previous infection and vaccine protection. Even if you are fully vaccinated, you need to mask up to prevent post-vaccination infection. Even if you had COVID, you still need to mask up to prevent reinfection.
AVOID LONG COVID
COVID-19 can injure the brain, affect the nervous system, the heart, the GI tract, the respiratory tract and multiple organ systems. Many people who survived COVID are living with mild to serious health issues including cognitive impairment. A study shows that even a mild infection can lead to brain damage. Our research in collaboration with over 200 members of Survivor Corps, a Facebook group with over 184.1K COVID survivors, shows how a Long Hauler’s quality of life can be greatly affected by lingering symptoms including severe fatigue, loss of taste and smell, loss of memory, anxiety, weird sensations, allergies… and brain fog.
Impairment in attention, concentration, speed of information processing and memory prevent people from leading a normal life, including attending schools or performing at work. Some children with Long Covid are unable to attend school. Many long haulers were forced to quit their jobs. Data from a University of Arizona Health Sciences longitudinal study on COVID-19 shows that 67% of people with mild or moderate COVID-19 infection develop Long COVID, with symptoms that last more than 30 days after a positive test. Dr. Akiko Iwasaki, an immunologist with the Yale School of Medicine, who studies COVID-19’s long term effects, warned that vaccines are no guarantee in preventing Long Covid.
SUPPORT THE FRONTLINE
Our frontlines are feeling burnout. Unable to put up with the high stress, some have left the industry. The pipeline of new doctors and nurses is insufficient to fill the void and meet the demanding health crisis.
PROTECT THE MEDICAL SYSTEM FROM COLLAPSING
Doctors and nurses are out sick, on top of dealing with exhaustion from serving the frontline for over two years. Hospital beds are running out. Hospitals are turning patients away, even patients who need critical care.
We mask up together for all the good reasons. Protecting ourselves feels overwhelming, but we will band together. What is overwhelming alone is possible TOGETHER. Let’s raise awareness together. Join Mask with Us.
