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Comment by MrVandemar | Hacker News Reader

I've heard Covid referred to in some quarters as "aerosolised HIV", which should be at least taken seriously, even if it is (possibly) overly alarmist. It's certainly easier to catch than HIV.

While it's useful to have a distinct name for the virus/disease, it really should have been called what it is: It's SARS-CoV-2 not Covid. SARS: severe acute respiratory syndrome.

I wear a n95 mask at work (medical practice) and I consistently wear one in shops, especially shopping centres. It's kept me safe so far.

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> I've heard Covid referred to in some quarters as "aerosolised HIV", which should be at least taken seriously, even if it is (possibly) overly alarmist.

I've heard it too and it's definitely one of the more deranged takes I've run into.

To be clear, I do find it alarmist, but I take it seriously in the sense that it's definitely clear that Sars-cov-2 isn't "just a cold", and it's perhaps promotes a more healthy and cautious attitude to the virus in the face of the dangerous community apathy and dismissal, even in medical spaces.

In other words, "there would be no smoke without fire". I believe, personally, that this truism is a major cause of injustice and grief in the world, historically and at present time. It is absolutely fair and warranted to be skeptical in every possible way every time it is pronounced.

No, that's not an accurate paraphrasing.

I want to be crystal clear about this:

* Sars-cov-2 is a new virus to us and research into is ongoing.

* It demonstratably has short and long term health effects, and some of those lead to death or disability (see TFA). Repeat infections cause further damage.

* It is an easy virus to catch.

With those factors I believe in erring on the side of caution, and am alarmed at the way the a serious public health problem has become politicised and polarised.

You’re saying you haven’t caught covid yet? That’s quite the claim. I’d suggest you just never had symptoms when you contracted.

Covid 0 right here.

I work in a medical practice staffed by sane people so we had excellent infection control and procedures from even before the pandemic, and just doubled down on it. I live on a farm in the middle of nowhere. I'm an introvert and seldom socialise. My SO is susceptible to respiratory infections which motivates me to keep as safe as possible.

I haven't even had a cold.

> which should be at least taken seriously

I don't take things said "in some quarters" seriously.

> even if it is (possibly) overly alarmist

It's alarmist to the point of being damaging to prevention efforts and to the mental health of the population in general.

> It's kept me safe so far.

Case in point.

> I consistently wear one in shops, especially shopping centres.

...I don't know how I feel about this, honestly. I respect everyone's right to be as cautious how they want in their life and dress how they choose but after 4+ years I think those who haven't returned to not wearing masks 24/7 outside the home are being a little, uh -- I guess a word for it would be over-dramatic.

I think being over-dramatic would depend on it being burdensome. Wearing a mask is pretty easy and unobtrusive.

If nothing else, there are still legitimate medical risks to catching COVID for people who are immunocompromised (at minimum). A good mask lets them at least have less risk being out and about.

Plus, given how often it mutates, perhaps people just don't want to get sick again even if they don't have any long-term aftereffects.

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