Coronavirus prep
Replies
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So if these are "protective" and not "sterilizing" yet it would mean that we should immunize in family or social groups? So for instance households would be best off all getting the shot at the same time or nursing homes etc.2
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Small rant on public health messages on Covid. We hear wear masks, distance, wash hands and those with comorbidities are more susceptible to complications from Covid.
Where is the messaging to take positive steps to reduce comorbidities? Lose weight, positive steps for better nutrition, etc.12 -
Theoldguy1 wrote: »Small rant on public health messages on Covid. We hear wear masks, distance, wash hands and those with comorbidities are more susceptible to complications from Covid.
Where is the messaging to take positive steps to reduce comorbidities? Lose weight, positive steps for better nutrition, etc.
Humans were programmed with a strong death wish perhaps. Maybe we are just lazy. In my case the lightbulb did not come on until I was rushing towards a misable death at the age of 63 in 2014.
I have family that still think that Type 2 Diabetes is a disease instead of being a side effect of their Eating Lifestyle.
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GaleHawkins wrote: »Theoldguy1 wrote: »Small rant on public health messages on Covid. We hear wear masks, distance, wash hands and those with comorbidities are more susceptible to complications from Covid.
Where is the messaging to take positive steps to reduce comorbidities? Lose weight, positive steps for better nutrition, etc.
Humans were programmed with a strong death wish perhaps. Maybe we are just lazy. In my case the lightbulb did not come on until I was rushing towards a misable death at the age of 63 in 2014.
I have family that still think that Type 2 Diabetes is a disease instead of being a side effect of their Eating Lifestyle.
Good for you on finding the switch.2 -
Theoldguy1 wrote: »Small rant on public health messages on Covid. We hear wear masks, distance, wash hands and those with comorbidities are more susceptible to complications from Covid.
Where is the messaging to take positive steps to reduce comorbidities? Lose weight, positive steps for better nutrition, etc.
I have had this same complaint. If there are variables that one has control over, why not make the effort.
On a related note, not sure where I heard it, but likely the evening news. But a gastric by pass doctor reported he was getting deluged with surgery requests. So maybe, some people are thinking the right way.
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SummerSkier wrote: »So if these are "protective" and not "sterilizing" yet it would mean that we should immunize in family or social groups? So for instance households would be best off all getting the shot at the same time or nursing homes etc.
I was thinking about this to a degree as well. When I first heard that there could be incomfortable side-effects, I was thinking that hubby and I should stagger our vaccinations in case one needed to care for the other (thought the same for my parents), but if person #1 is shedding the virus after vaccinations, could the delayed person #2 contract full fledged COVID during those weeks?4 -
Theoldguy1 wrote: »Small rant on public health messages on Covid. We hear wear masks, distance, wash hands and those with comorbidities are more susceptible to complications from Covid.
Where is the messaging to take positive steps to reduce comorbidities? Lose weight, positive steps for better nutrition, etc.
If people can’t even heed the public health guideline to wear a mask, do you seriously think they will take the advice to lose weight?
No amount of “messaging” has EVER resulted in people making a lifestyle change that they do not want to make.
People already know that being obese can result in early death. Does that knowledge have any effect on obesity rates? Nope.
Spending public money on a campaign like that would be a waste of money in my opinion.23 -
SummerSkier wrote: »So if these are "protective" and not "sterilizing" yet it would mean that we should immunize in family or social groups? So for instance households would be best off all getting the shot at the same time or nursing homes etc.
I was thinking about this to a degree as well. When I first heard that there could be incomfortable side-effects, I was thinking that hubby and I should stagger our vaccinations in case one needed to care for the other (thought the same for my parents), but if person #1 is shedding the virus after vaccinations, could the delayed person #2 contract full fledged COVID during those weeks?
The vaccination doesn't *cause* the shedding.
The issue about shedding arises when a vaccinated person later encounters an infected person. What's unknown is whether the vaccinated person gets "infected enough" in that scenario, while their body is successfully (symptomlessly) fighting it off, to temporarily become a carrier.
As long as you don't get infected with Covid after your vaccination, but before your family's vaccination achieves immunity for them, the issue doesn't arise.
And the side effects of the vaccination are not all that lengthy/severe for most people, anyway - not debilitating, commonly; and only lasting hours to a day or so, commonly, per reports.6 -
SummerSkier wrote: »So if these are "protective" and not "sterilizing" yet it would mean that we should immunize in family or social groups? So for instance households would be best off all getting the shot at the same time or nursing homes etc.
I was thinking about this to a degree as well. When I first heard that there could be incomfortable side-effects, I was thinking that hubby and I should stagger our vaccinations in case one needed to care for the other (thought the same for my parents), but if person #1 is shedding the virus after vaccinations, could the delayed person #2 contract full fledged COVID during those weeks?
You don't shed the virus after vaccination...at least not with the RNA or spike protein vaccines. If you become infected, then you may shed it. Sorry if this is what you meant.5 -
Theoldguy1 wrote: »Small rant on public health messages on Covid. We hear wear masks, distance, wash hands and those with comorbidities are more susceptible to complications from Covid.
Where is the messaging to take positive steps to reduce comorbidities? Lose weight, positive steps for better nutrition, etc.
I have had this same complaint. If there are variables that one has control over, why not make the effort.
On a related note, not sure where I heard it, but likely the evening news. But a gastric by pass doctor reported he was getting deluged with surgery requests. So maybe, some people are thinking the right way.
Yep.
Related to the gastric bypass surgery. If someone was morbidly obese obese when this all started and lost a reasonable 2 pounds a week we'd be talking 70 pounds or so taking many out of the morbidity obsse category just by taking personal responsibility.10 -
Theoldguy1 wrote: »Small rant on public health messages on Covid. We hear wear masks, distance, wash hands and those with comorbidities are more susceptible to complications from Covid.
Where is the messaging to take positive steps to reduce comorbidities? Lose weight, positive steps for better nutrition, etc.
I agree with the above statement, but I would like to remind you that even in the absence of co-morbidities people can and were infected by the virus and ended in a ventilator or even dead.
Some co-morbidities can't be eliminated. Such as diabetes type 1, RA, cancer, heart arrhythmias (like A Fib), COPD (not caused by smoking), asthma, and autoimmune disorders in general. They can only be controlled by medication. I am sure that those suffering from these diseases would like to have a magic way to eliminate them from their daily suffering, even in the absence of COVID.
I also agree that a healthy lifestyle and weight control could be addressed by health authorities and controlled by the population, but I don't think that people would be very receptive to hear about it right now (unless you are part of MFP).
If people are rejecting the request of wearing masks to save lives, including their own, do you think that they would be receptive to the idea of eating healthy and controlling their weight right now? I don't think so. Many people are out of work and reaching for the help given by Food Banks for their next meal, and I don't think that they are very concerned about what kind of food they get or how much of it, as long as they have something to feed their families. Would you????
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Theoldguy1 wrote: »Small rant on public health messages on Covid. We hear wear masks, distance, wash hands and those with comorbidities are more susceptible to complications from Covid.
Where is the messaging to take positive steps to reduce comorbidities? Lose weight, positive steps for better nutrition, etc.
I hope this disease acts as a wake up call to those who are obese and don’t yet have other serious health complications, although I doubt it will. People magazine in particular keeps flooding my feed with articles about “previously healthy 12 year old” and “32 year old mother of two” who have died of Covid, and it seems like in every single case the photo of the deceased shows a morbidly obese person. It’s tragic.
In many cases it’s not that simple - I was obese, I developed type 2 diabetes, and then I lost 125 lbs, got fit, controlled my diet, and improved my a1c and other numbers to within normal ranges. But I am still diabetic and always will be. And studies show that even well-controlled diabetes like mine remains a risk factor for serious complications and death from Covid.16 -
Theoldguy1 wrote: »Small rant on public health messages on Covid. We hear wear masks, distance, wash hands and those with comorbidities are more susceptible to complications from Covid.
Where is the messaging to take positive steps to reduce comorbidities? Lose weight, positive steps for better nutrition, etc.
I agree with the above statement, but I would like to remind you that even in the absence of co-morbidities people can and were infected by the virus and ended in a ventilator or even dead.
Some co-morbidities can't be eliminated. Such as diabetes type 1, RA, cancer, heart arrhythmias (like A Fib), COPD (not caused by smoking), asthma, and autoimmune disorders in general. They can only be controlled by medication. I am sure that those suffering from these diseases would like to have a magic way to eliminate them from their daily suffering, even in the absence of COVID.
I also agree that a healthy lifestyle and weight control could be addressed by health authorities and controlled by the population, but I don't think that people would be very receptive to hear about it right now (unless you are part of MFP).
If people are rejecting the request of wearing masks to save lives, including their own, do you think that they would be receptive to the idea of eating healthy and controlling their weight right now? I don't think so. Many people are out of work and reaching for the help given by Food Banks for their next meal, and I don't think that they are very concerned about what kind of food they get or how much of it, as long as they have something to feed their families. Would you????
Agree that there are comorbidities that people can't do anything about.
On the masks, sure people are rejecting the idea, but the message is still being put out there.to wear them, haven't seen messaging to take care of your overall health.
Also true if one is getting food from the food bank or other assistnace there is.less concern about nutrition, jiust getting something to eat. However most aren't in that situation and if one is they can still be consuming and appropriate amount of calories to maintain weight or lose if required for heath.4 -
Some co-morbidities can't be eliminated. Such as diabetes type 1, RA, cancer, heart arrhythmias (like A Fib), COPD (not caused by smoking), asthma, and autoimmune disorders in general. They can only be controlled by medication. I am sure that those suffering from these diseases would like to have a magic way to eliminate them from their daily suffering, even in the absence of COVID.
Agreed! I have idiopathic (inherited) hypertension although I am not overweight, exercise daily, do not consume alcohol or caffeine, don't smoke, and eat a fairly "healthy" diet that is at least 50% fruit and veg. It takes a three-medication cocktail to control my blood pressure at an acceptable level. At my last dr's visit it was creeping up again and I was supposed to have my meds reassessed in March... oops.
Although I think of myself as a 57 year old with above average health, apparently my hypertension puts me at somewhat greater risk, mitigated to some extent by the fact that it's controlled. Yet there are no lifestyle factors I can alter at this point.11 -
Theoldguy1 wrote: »Small rant on public health messages on Covid. We hear wear masks, distance, wash hands and those with comorbidities are more susceptible to complications from Covid.
Where is the messaging to take positive steps to reduce comorbidities? Lose weight, positive steps for better nutrition, etc.
My answer to that would be because simple messages hit home.
If one tries to have a message about, for example, getting regular pap smears - one doesnt throw in getting regular FOBT's and regular general check ups and vaccinations, and surgery is open x time to do it and the turn around time for results is x and if result is positive or negative, x is next step and other relevant but TLDR and now nobody is getting any message at all.
Simple poster: get a pap smear every 5 years.
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Theoldguy1 wrote: »Small rant on public health messages on Covid. We hear wear masks, distance, wash hands and those with comorbidities are more susceptible to complications from Covid.
Where is the messaging to take positive steps to reduce comorbidities? Lose weight, positive steps for better nutrition, etc.
Interestingly (to me 😉), when the word started getting out about higher mortality among those obese/inactive, I did see some instances over in the "Introductions" and "Getting Started" where people were talking about this issue finally pushing them to undertake weight loss and exercise. So, I think some people probably did metaphorically get that memo.
I haven't noticed whether any of the folks still hanging around and succeeding were among those who used that as motivation to start. I think we all know that quick quits are a pretty common thing in weight loss, no matter the reason for starting; and relapses common even after some good success. I'd be surprised if the odds differed.
Also, it appears (from comments in other parts of the forum) that even some long-term maintainers have struggled during the pandemic with overeating, experiencing some regain (comfort eating, changes in routine because of WFM, unavailability of preferred exercise, etc.).
So, I share an earlier commenter's cynicism about the value of public health messages that might try to use Covid complications and comorbidities as a motivator for better health practices. Those messages pretty much never work in a big way, and are probably even less likely to work under current circumstances. There are higher-priority ways to spend the marketing-message money right now, related to virus spread mitigation, not to mention the funding need for economic relief, food relief, etc.12 -
In spite of obesity being one of many conditions for not surviving from contracting COVID-19, there is a very simple solution, easy for ALL to follow, that has been preached from early days. Wear a face covering, social distance, and wash hands. Too many people disregard this, and have from the beginning. This has been the major contributor to the rampant spread of this virus in the US. Yet people continue to gather for holidays, weddings, funerals etc, and spread exposure to covid, that most likely won’t change during the upcoming holidays , that will be closing out this horrible year.
Singling out people that are obese is unfair. Losing weight is basic, eat less calories than your body burns. It wasn’t easy before COVID-19, isn’t easy during Covid-19, and won’t be easy after COVID-19. If it were easy there wouldn’t be sites like MFP. Singling out this risk factor seems judgmental and unfair. Walk a mile in their shoes. IMHO.19 -
missysippy930 wrote: »In spite of obesity being one of many conditions for not surviving from contracting COVID-19, there is a very simple solution, easy for ALL to follow, that has been preached from early days. Wear a face covering, social distance, and wash hands. Too many people disregard this, and have from the beginning. This has been the major contributor to the rampant spread of this virus in the US. Yet people continue to gather for holidays, weddings, funerals etc, and spread exposure to covid, that most likely won’t change during the upcoming holidays , that will be closing out this horrible year.
Singling out people that are obese is unfair. Losing weight is basic, eat less calories than your body burns. It wasn’t easy before COVID-19, isn’t easy during Covid-19, and won’t be easy after COVID-19. If it were easy there wouldn’t be sites like MFP. Singling out this risk factor seems judgmental and unfair. Walk a mile in their shoes. IMHO.
Pointing out that obesity and it's related health issues as something to work on to control the impact of Covid is not any more "unfair" than singling out unmasked individuals. Obesity along with smoking are really the only comorbidly factors an individual can control, just like wearing a mask.
Some people also say wearing a mask isn't easy but we all know they should be doing it.
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paperpudding wrote: »Theoldguy1 wrote: »Small rant on public health messages on Covid. We hear wear masks, distance, wash hands and those with comorbidities are more susceptible to complications from Covid.
Where is the messaging to take positive steps to reduce comorbidities? Lose weight, positive steps for better nutrition, etc.
My answer to that would be because simple messages hit home.
If one tries to have a message about, for example, getting regular pap smears - one doesnt throw in getting regular FOBT's and regular general check ups and vaccinations, and surgery is open x time to do it and the turn around time for results is x and if result is positive or negative, x is next step and other relevant but TLDR and now nobody is getting any message at all.
Simple poster: get a pap smear every 5 years.
Simple poster, "lose weight, reduce your chance of complications from Covid".4
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