Just wanted to chime in and give the periodic reminder–to anyone that needs this–that no, you are not crazy for still being incredibly concerned and cautious with COVID. I say this because every day, it’s absolutely batshit crazy to me how many people I see who are walking around maskless in the grocery store, dining indoors at a packed restaurant, watching an NBA game at home and seeing packed, maskless crowds, etc. I regularly feel like I’m in the twilight zone and it freaks me out until I have to remind myself that we’re in a fucking pandemic.
On one hand, I can kind of sympathize with anyone wanting to get on with their normal, pre-pandemic life that they may have mapped out prior to 2020 (I’ve personally been guilty of this kind of thinking before, even very recently). Especially when considering the abject failure of a response to the pandemic from the western world that is basically just eugenics–it feels very easy to throw one’s hands up and say “what’s the fucking point?”.
But on the other hand, I still think being cautious instead of cavalier with risk exposure is by far the better option. We will have no fucking idea of the extent of the repercussions from repeated COVID infections, or the full impact of long COVID until years, if not decades from now. And the shit that we do already know about long COVID is already quite disconcerting. I don’t want permanent organ damage for the rest of my life, jesus christ. And while my mental health can be pretty shitty at times in large part because of the pandemic, I think I would rather gamble with that than the brain fog and other brain damage that COVID can cause.
Ultimately, do what you’re gonna do I guess, but just wanted to send some love :meow-hug: to anyone who is struggling right now like myself and exhausted from the litany of propaganda trying to gaslight us into thinking that millions of deaths and health complications is completely normal and not the disgrace it actually is.
Edit: if anyone ever needs someone to talk to about this clusterfuck, my DMs are always open
It’s wild to know anyone out there is still living to avoid it. We haven’t had meaningful covid regulations in the south since fucking 2020. At this point it’s normal conversation for people to joke about how glad they are that we’re done with it and don’t have to wear masks anymore. Like imagine the chuds clapping on the plane that no more masks but an entire region because the sentiment is truly wall to wall
I feel exactly the same way. It’s truly maddening - both the disconnect from seeing ridiculous crowds where there really shouldn’t be and the fact I’ve been putting off life for over 2 years now for this shit. It sucks too because even though COVID is still out there, information on both the spread and prevention methods are just harder to come by than ever before. I’m pretty sure my vaccine/booster is worthless by now but it feels like I would really have to dig to find good info on getting the most effective shot now and fight my insurance or some shit to get it. Few things really surprise me anymore, but sitting down to think what a colossal fuck up this pandemic has been blows my mind. I can’t believe it’s gotten to this point.
Getting another shot seems like the only thing I can do to be safe, my first booster was in October, but I cannot figure out how to get one. CVS isn’t giving second boosters unless you’re old for some fucking reason.
I got my second booster at CVS recently. When you fill out the sign-up form, you will need to claim that you are severely immune-compromised / take medication which puts you at risk of covid. As long as you self-verify, they’ll give you the booster, no further questions are asked. Only downside is that once again it feels like someone hit me in the arm with a baseball bat lol.
Sending lots of :meow-hug: your way, my friend.
Few things really surprise me anymore, but sitting down to think what a colossal fuck up this pandemic has been blows my mind. I can’t believe it’s gotten to this point.
Same. I mean I know that capitalism is woefully unequipped to handle any kind of crisis (and also just in general exploits disasters for profit, like the vaccine makers right now), but I also never imagined things would get this fucked.
Thanks :meow-hug:
I haven’t seen a mask for months. People in Aus have truly lost it. I’ve had people ask me why I still wear a mask because “covids over!”
It really makes you feel crazy and I hate it. Like you I have to remind myself that yes, the pandemic is still here and worse then ever where I live so I am in fact being rational by wearing a mask.
Sorry to hear that shit is particularly bad where you are. I hear ya on the “feeling crazy” part, I think the biggest influencer for my own behavior in regards to COVID is whether epidemiologists I find credible are still sounding the alarm. And they still very much are, in some ways more now than ever, hence why I’m still taking lots of precaution.
thanks for the post, definitely feeling crazy lately. I’m by far the most concerned of anyone I know. Only really go out for errands and in-person organizing work, when I see friends it’s always outside and I’m masked. Haven’t gone out to eat since March 2020. Used to go out to work also but just recently started working from home which has been great. I’m extremely homebound, but I think part of the reason it’s been easier for me is because it’s been sort of nice to get away from my pre-pandemic life. All that shit I was doing before I had sort of gotten to the point in 2019 where I felt like it was getting old, a lot of my friends were becoming reactionary or very bourgeois, and covid’s sort of helped me clear out a lot of stuff in my life.
Definitely feel very weird seeing all the maskless gatherings, especially when cases are at delta levels around here and I supposedly live in a “follow the science” blue state.
I’ve given up on the the idea of a return to normal - I try to do social activities outside as much as possible, do takeout instead of eat in a restaurants, and avoid large gatherings. In general I don’t socialize as much anymore, have friends I haven’t spoken to in a while, and don’t really see myself going to concerts or plays as frequently and never unmasked. I don’t see that changing for the foreseeable future.
