Entry 2229, on 2022-08-08 at 13:28:49 (Rating 3, Activities)
Well, it's happened. After two and a half years of living in a global pandemic, the 'VID has finally got me! I tested positive on Sunday morning, after feeling pretty bad, but getting a negative two RAT results the previous day.
And I know where it came from too. My daughter caught it from a friend, who ironically was fastidious in his use of masks, to the extent of using them even when he was alone in his car. I know no one claims masks to be a 100% reliable method for protection from the virus, but I think they are more trouble than they're worth.
I am basing the following stats on material I have read in credible sources, so if you have different numbers just be aware they vary greatly depending on the methodology used. Masks give about a 30% increased level of protection if worn by a person with COVID in ideal circumstances. Cloth masks are almost useless, masks worn incorrectly are almost useless, masks worn for protection for someone who wants to avoid catching COVID are of limited use.
So sure, they're not useless, but they are almost useless, so I say forget about them. Just isolate if you have COVID and keep your distance when possible. Otherwise, just accept that you will get it. It's almost inevitable.
In fact, we have masks because they're easy for our "leaders". they involve no real thought, and they do have an element of effectiveness, which helps, plus (and here comes a conspiracy) they act a s a signal of compliance. People who wear them are saying "look at me, Im a good person doing what my esteemed PM tells me to do!"
So how did it affect me? Well, I'm three days into it now, and already feeling a bit better. It's hard to evaluate these things, but I would say it is worse than a cold, but not as bad as flu. That is just me, and I have only ever had flu once, so it is difficult to remember, but I'm fairly sure the symptoms were worse, and lasted for longer.
If it wasn't for isolation rules I might have gone to work today, because I really don't feel that bad, but the hot and cold sensations, fatigue, and a bit of coughing and sneezing were unpleasant without making me feel like the grim reaper was knocking on my door! Of course, going to work when you are sick, whether it is COVID or just a cold, is pretty unreasonable at any time, and maybe this pandemic might change attitudes to that in the future.
I have not been too worried about following the lockdown rules for the entire duration of this rather tedious period in our history, but I will take isolation seriously now that I have the disease. Within a day or two one person infected my whole family of four, so clearly it is quite contagious. It just makes sense, whatever the government's rules are (which I largely ignore, except when I'm forced to comply), I will isolate because that is the reasonable thing to do, not because some bureaucrat in Wellington has told me to.
But what about the science? Well, the science is very much over-rated, in my opinion, and that is not an opinion you will see here often from me. Why?
Well, doctors aren't scientists. Far from it, in fact. I've heard an awful lot of ignorance and poor reasoning from doctors over they years and I don't rate them highly. I do rate them in the upper half of professions, but not near the top.
What about "real" scientists, like the people doing the modelling? Well, the modelling is embarrassing. I've never seen any (so-called) scientific endeavour be so consistently wrong, yet still be taken seriously. Forget the modelling. It tends to be done by non-specialists (like by a physicist) and scientists working outside their area of expertise have a very poor reputation for producing anything of any value.
And the medical scientists are taking a very simplistic view. They keep telling us to wear masks, for example, but don't allow for the fact that most people wear the wrong mask, or the right mask but in the wrong way. These people are OK in the tiny little area of expertise they have, but we need a big picture view here.
Of course, I hardly need to say that we should ignore the politicians.
We have just treated our illness with fairly common drugs like paracetamol and ibuprofen, which seem to be helpful. I use drugs to help sleep as well, but that happens all the time for me. And my wife suggested lemon juice and whiskey which probably didn't help with my symptoms but which I "reluctantly" took anyway!
My wife also contacted the pharmacy about getting anti-viral drugs, but apparently because she is not a Maori she isn't allowed any, even though she has other relevant health issues. Is this the sort of racist policy we really should be celebrating here in New Zealand? The sooner this revolting government is gone, the better, I say.
Surely we should have no policies based on race. Maori don't have worse outcomes because they are Maori (in most cases), they have them because of cultural issues, such as poor housing and poor attitudes to self-help, and these issues affect every community to varying extents. So if people who live in poor housing need extra help, ask that question instead, and include people of all races who might need the help.
So there's an update on my personal life, which inevitably got political. I'm sure no one is surprised about that. Even when I'm sick, I'm still keen on a good rant!
Whisky, spelled without the "E" is effective.
Especially a malt. Not that stuff from USA or Ireland.
"my wife suggested lemon juice and whiskey"
Comment 2 by OJB on 2022-08-08 at 20:57:44:
Oh no, I thought I might cause some controversy with my views on COVID, but this is much worse. It was scotch whisky. Please forgive me!
Comment 3 by Lyn on 2022-08-23 at 22:41:17:
Hi Owen. Here's a thought. Next time you or your wife have need of anti-viral drugs just identify as a Maori. It doesn't solve the race issue but who are they to deny your true feelings??
Comment 4 by OJB on 2022-08-24 at 09:41:16:
Yeah, you can identify as whatever you want now. Depending on my whims I identify as Maori, Asian, female, unspecified gender, a cat,... hey the possibilities are endless. And, by the way, if you disagree with my choices, you are a bigot!
Comment 5 by Lyn on 2022-08-25 at 08:17:06:
Absolutely correct. On discussion with this very topic with a friend yesterday he told me he identified as a Black Hawk Helicopter. I said I don't have a problem with that but how do you get into your house.
Comment 6 by OJB on 2022-08-25 at 09:37:37:
Yeah, I identify as a billionaire but for some reason the bank doesn't recognise my identity. Bigots!
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