"We are the antivirus."

[babylonsister]

Found on FB~

We are the antivirus. We are the mask wearers, the hand washers, the social distancers, the self isolators. We are scientists, doctors, writers, leaders, workers. We are careful neighbours, caring parents, helpful teachers. We are homebodies, we are zoom callers, we are backyard vacationers. We are everyday encouragers.

We do this not from fear, or because someone on TV told us to. We do this from a deep sense of love, and from a duty of care that defines the way we look after each other as people. It’s not always easy, but it comes from a place of understanding.

We are protectors. Giving our hospitals the space they need to carry us through this winter, so that when the sun rises on a bright spring day, we will all be here to celebrate.

We might be quiet, behind our masks and inside our living rooms. We might seem a bit withdrawn at times, because fair enough. But we are legion.

We are not everyone. Definitely not, but we are enough. Enough to turn the tide on the virus before it turns us. Enough to hold the line down while medical science catches up. Enough to be containment, because — and here it is — this virus can be stopped when enough of us work together.

We are the antivirus. Will you join us?

[barbtries]

1. We can call ourselves

Antivi for short.

[panader0]

4. You beat me to it--but the backlash would be the same as antifa.

It already is-the same folks who oppose antifa are convinced masks are slavery and the virus is a
hoax anyway. Sigh.....

[lunatica]

25. Fuck them.

They will do what you say, but who gives a shit! Let them rant all they want since we can’t stop them.

[Hugin]

2. KnR

[Soxfan58]

3. This is great!

Thank you!

[FailureToCommunicate]

5. My mother survived (barely) the 1918 flu pandemic...and her spirit approves this message.

[marble falls]

6. Old veteran here, down for the whole fight.

[calimary]

7. Answer: YES.

We’re there already.

[DesertRat]

8. k&r

[bronxiteforever]

9. Wonderful! K&R

[Laura PourMeADrink]

10. agree except for no fear part

[DownriverDem]

11. I am too, but

I'm scared, frustrated & mad. We do the right thing and are still stuck on our couches wondering if Christmas will be cancelled too.

[Snackshack]

12. Don't be scared. 🙂

Be cautious, be questioning, control what you can to limit your risks and take it one day at a time (easier said then done, I know).

As for the frustration, mad. I am too. Never thought America could be divided over something like this. Sure, Americans disagree on things like Taxes, Social Security, Healthcare some Americans believe in a greater good and some have a more myopic view but to disagree on best practices to stop a virus that is an equal opportunity killer...never did I think we would be divided about this...but here we are and I don’t know what the solution to this is. I know it will take a very longtime (if ever) to find forgiveness for people who support anti-mask/social distance efforts. The absolute and pure selfishness of that stance i find atrocious. So being frustrated and mad is just going to be a part of each.

As for Christmas. I think it is safe to say that is going to be canceled this year as well. Even if a vaccine is released by Dec. 11 (that a very optimistic news story I read said) the logistics alone of getting it produced and distributed by Christmas is highly unlikely not impossible but unlikely.

Just do the best you can at one day at a time. I hope you had a decent Thanksgiving and a nice weekend. 🙂

[wnylib]

13. People were divided during the

1918 flu pandemic, too. Some cities urged people to avoid crowds and wear masks when they did go out. Others said it was not necessary and held parades and public events as usual.

The cities that took precautions had about 1/3 the numbers of acute infections and deaths as the ones that didn't.

President Woodrow Wilson discounted the flu epidemic and refused to quarantine sick troops during WWI, causing the flu to spread farther and faster. The 1918 flu, like covid, also caused a kind of "brain fog" that affected people's ability to think clearly. Wilson caught the flu himself and was suffering the effects of it during the armistice negotiations. He gave in to some demands that he had previously opposed, possibly setting the stage for WWII.

EDIT to add: You can go to the CDC website to view photos of nurses wearing masks in 1918 and read about people who volunteered as nursing assistants with on-the-spot training. Also, photos of volunteer groups that made cloth masks for health care workers and the general public.

[Snackshack]

23. Yes,..

You are correct.

I recall watching a documentary on the 1918 Flu Pandemic and it mentioned the parade held in Philadelphia in September 1918 to promote war bonds. The city was asked to cancel it but didn't and consequently thousands ended up getting the flu. I also read an article about about the Versailles Treaty and how Wilson did give in to items he had originally opposed. We call the war in the early 20th century World War 1 and World War 2 when it really was just one war with a very long half time between the first and second half.

I guess I should not be too surprised at the division given the historical precedent. After 9/11 we came together as a country (at least for a little bit) to stand up together after the attack and present a united front to the world. That is not the case this time.

Thanks for reminding me. I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving and are enjoying the long weekend.

[wnylib]

24. Enjoying the long weekend?

LOL. I am retired and since I am staying at home during the pandemic, every day is a weekend for me. I check my phone sometimes to be sure of the day of the week.

Thanks for the well wishing. I did have a good holiday. Stayed home, ate good food, and had distance contact with people I care about. Hope yours was good as well.

[Snackshack]

26. Congratulations

On retirement. I still have about 8-10 yrs to go if things go according to my plan...we’ll see if that happens.

I have been incredibly fortunate. I have a great job with a very good company and in the beginning of this back in March I was deemed an “essential employee” so for me I have been going to work everyday, 8-5 Monday-Friday so for me this is day 2 of a 4 day weekend.

Glad you had a decent day yesterday and got to connect in some way with people close to you.

🙂

[wnylib]

27. All my relatives are out of state.

I am in NY. They are in South Carolina, Florida, and Arizona. I would not travel now even if someone paid my air fare and offered a bonus, too. My local friends are distancing, as I am.

When I retired I was determined to stay actively involved in things I didn't have time for while working. Did not want to just sit around like so many retired people do. Then covid hit and here I am, sitting at home and discussing plans with friends for AFTER the pandemic ends.

But, I am grateful for the ability to stay as safe as possible and feel guilty about people who can't, e.g. people who have to work in dangerous or unhealthy settings, or who lost jobs they needed, who might lose their homes, who don't have enough money for food and clothing. So I've connected with local agencies giving out donations of food and clothing and am urging others to donate to them. Seems like so little when the need is so great, but in the absence of federal aid, if people don't look after each other, who will?

[Camaromjr]

14. We all are in this together.

Another part is that we are all in this together. We are in this with those who deny the science. Science doesn't care, but we need to. We have to be the stronger. It must be a strength of action. We must "mask up", keep our distance, stay at home, reward generously (if you can) those who bring us our food and essentials to our doors and be kind. Kindness is a strength. You may need that kind strength to defend those who may be weaker from those who would intimidate. We are all in this together. Together with those that would kill us all through ignorance, selfishness and stupidity. Our kindness and our strength are our weapons.

[grantcart]

15. We care about others and would rather get it than live the horror of giving it to someone.

[AllaN01Bear]

16. help me race to get this monster down to 0.

[BobTheSubgenius]

17. Wow!

Just...wow. Those are some powerful words. Thank you!!!

[MasonDreams]

18. They are going to deny us the Oxford-AstraZ vaccine.

Watch carefully

[babylonsister]

20. There were flaws in testing; I want to be denied that one.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/25/business/coronavirus-vaccine-astrazeneca-oxford.html
After Admitting Mistake, AstraZeneca Faces Difficult Questions About Its Vaccine

[peacebuzzard]

19. I am at the only one in my neighborhood adhering

to the recommendations. Neighbors on all sides are having huge gatherings, cars going by constantly, lots of activity.
red rural state plays along w/ no-maskers policy. Gov Lee has not acknowledged our President elect.

[former9thward]

21. Most people who get the virus were following all the preventive guidelines.

According to the CDC over 70% of people who have gotten the virus were following CDC guidelines. They were the "anti-virus" also.

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/pdfs/mm6936a5-H.pdf

[JudyM]

22. Those who stayed away from public dining were 1/2 as likely to get Covid, unless a close contact

of theirs had it.

Adults with confirmed COVID-19 (case-patients) were approximately twice as likely as were control-participants to have reported dining at a restaurant in the 14 days before becoming ill. In addition to dining at a restaurant, case-patients were more likely to report going to a bar/coffee shop, but only when the analysis was restricted to participants without close contact with persons with known COVID-19 before illness onset.

(1st paragraph in the Discussion section of the above report)