3 ms·

> loss of smell is rare Not sure if 20% (at least for the original strain) qualifies as rare. And, it doesn't matter if it goes away after months, the question

by spion 5y ago

> loss of smell is rare Not sure if 20% (at least for the original strain) qualifies as rare. And, it doesn't matter if it goes away after months, the question is - is there long term neurological damage from that process. > reducing oxygen intake via masks This is not true. Breathing is more difficult but oxygen intake is the same. Especially for n95 designs which have really tiny volume > I'm also not sure what you're expecting in terms of taking it "seriously" I mean that there is real chance of serious brain damage and long term consequences due to neuroinvasion. Instead we're thinking of COVID as if its the flu or cold. > My speculation is that many illnesses like the common cold have similar side effects, but we're only now rigorously studying and measuring them because of the prominence of COVID-19 in the public's mind. In one of the brain studies, they specifically compared with flu. With COVID, T-cells are found in the brain (i.e. neuroinflammation): https://twitter.com/fitterhappierAJ/status/1407143750032363530 https://twitter.com/fitterhappierAJ/status/14071437500323635... - with flu, there isn't anything like that at all. And this is precisely what I mean - its in the general mindset to treat SARS-2 like the flu. We think flu, we think fatality rates etc - we dismiss long term consequences, we dismiss long covid brain fog as psychological. I think that's a fatal mistake. It may not be Polio exactly, but it should be placed at similar distance from the flu in our minds. The writing is all over the wall, but we're in optimistic denial, trying to cope, grasping at any (sophisticated) potential straws.

ekianjo 5y ago
> Not sure if 20% (at least for the original strain) qualifies as rare Even for the original strain a year after most people have recovered their sense of smell. This is not a long term effect.
- Valkhyr 5y ago
  We can split hairs about what constitutes "long-term" and what doesn't, but if I can't smell anything for a year - not knowing for sure if I ever again will be able to - I'd consider that pretty devastating. The point is that there are basic steps (vaccination being one, but not the only) that too many people still refuse to follow that can spare many people from having to wonder if they will ever be able to smell again (or worse).
  - ekianjo 5y ago
    > We can split hairs about what constitutes "long-term" and what doesn't, Pretty easy to define. Long-term = chronic illness. There are tons of such conditions around. Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriasis, or even viral infections with flares that never go away for the lack of good cures. 1 year is nothing. > too many people still refuse to follow that can spare many people from having to wonder if they will ever be able to smell again (or worse). What a ridiculous position to have. You also have a simple way to avoid STDs, is to never have sex in your life ever again. If you want to avoid risks at all costs, you don't have a life anymore.
    - Valkhyr 5y ago
      > Pretty easy to define. Long-term = chronic illness. Not that easy. If I'm unable to exercise for a year due to COVID complications, that is a major life changing event and has long-term impact. Does it have permanent impact on my health? Maybe, maybe not, but certainly enough that I want people to take this shit seriously. > You also have a simple way to avoid STDs, is to never have sex in your life ever again. Fortunately I don't have to, because we have condoms. Do you see where I'm going with this?

by spion 5y ago

ekianjo 5y ago

> Not sure if 20% (at least for the original strain) qualifies as rare Even for the original strain a year after most people have recovered their sense of smell. This is not a long term effect.

Valkhyr 5y ago
We can split hairs about what constitutes "long-term" and what doesn't, but if I can't smell anything for a year - not knowing for sure if I ever again will be able to - I'd consider that pretty devastating. The point is that there are basic steps (vaccination being one, but not the only) that too many people still refuse to follow that can spare many people from having to wonder if they will ever be able to smell again (or worse).
- ekianjo 5y ago
  > We can split hairs about what constitutes "long-term" and what doesn't, Pretty easy to define. Long-term = chronic illness. There are tons of such conditions around. Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriasis, or even viral infections with flares that never go away for the lack of good cures. 1 year is nothing. > too many people still refuse to follow that can spare many people from having to wonder if they will ever be able to smell again (or worse). What a ridiculous position to have. You also have a simple way to avoid STDs, is to never have sex in your life ever again. If you want to avoid risks at all costs, you don't have a life anymore.
  - Valkhyr 5y ago
    > Pretty easy to define. Long-term = chronic illness. Not that easy. If I'm unable to exercise for a year due to COVID complications, that is a major life changing event and has long-term impact. Does it have permanent impact on my health? Maybe, maybe not, but certainly enough that I want people to take this shit seriously. > You also have a simple way to avoid STDs, is to never have sex in your life ever again. Fortunately I don't have to, because we have condoms. Do you see where I'm going with this?