This is the reason I am still wearing a mask.

[Ms. Toad]

63. Go search for sentiments like the statement I identified as a right-wing talking point.

I shouldn't have to be vaccinated against measles, diptheria, tetanus, etc. because . . . freedom. It's my right as a car manufacturer to elevate my business (profitability, rather than minimization of emissions) over public health because . . . freedom. You can't force me to provide health insurance which covers birth control, etc.) because . . . freedom. You can't force me to make my building handicap accessible because people with disabilities will always have to take extra steps to access public accommodations. Sucks, but that is life. These statement virtually always come from right wing jerks Right wing talking points are not allowed on DU - identifying a comment which falls into the category of banned speech in this forjum is not slander.

And - congratulations. You just made my point about why masks, and a focus on prevention of transmission, are needed. It is way too soon to know how long these detrimental consequences which we have already identified will last, nor do we have enough data (i.e. science) to predict that these will be the only consequences which follow the end of the acute phase, or even following the end of long COVID.

Until we know about long-term consequences it is reckless, at best, to focus solely on preventing the immediate consequences, rather than also working to minimize the risk of transmission. We already know too much about consequences which have been demonstrated to last up to 2 years to pretend that there won't be long-term consequences about which we will learn.

And yes, both polio and shingles are examples of things we thought were over when they were over, only to discover new consequences decades later. I am nowhere near the first, nor only one, noting parallels between COVID and polio. Polio was "over" around 1955, due to vaccinations. Post-polio syndrome (a cluster of new consequences from having had polio) was identified in the mid-1980s, 3 decades later.

https://connect.uclahealth.org/2021/01/25/long-haul-covid-19-similar-to-post-polio-syndrome/

Post covid-19 syndrome includes symptoms common to post-polio syndrome, i.e. weakness; fatigue and pain like myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome; breathlessness; and cognitive disturbances. We conducted a narrative review to establish the basis for an evidence-informed health and lifestyle framework, that underlies the management of post-polio syndrome, as a prototype for managing post covid-19 syndrome.

Referencing children, since a post-polio like syndrome will impact those who have decades left to live:

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-00334-w

It is irresponsible of governments to allow the virus to spread in this age group, especially in countries where the majority of children are unvaccinated. Past disease outbreaks often led to lasting symptoms, such as post-polio syndrome, and COVID-19 is clearly no different.