Thread by @broadwaybabyto

“Why should I bother testing for Covid? If I’m sick I’m sick. Knowing it’s Covid doesn’t change anything.” Actually - it does.

If you know it’s Covid there are things you can & should be doing differently - despite what the CDC or other people want you to believe. A 🧵/1

First off - stay home. If it’s at all possible for you to isolate please do so. These guidelines that suggest you can go back into the world as long as your fever is gone or symptoms are improving make ZERO sense. If you’re testing positive - you’re contagious. /2

Second - if you share a home with others (yes this includes pets) isolate away from them. Ideally in a room with an open window & HEPA filters. Wear a respirator whenever you go into other areas of the house. /3

Third - if you can’t stay home then please for the sake of your fellow human beings PUT ON A MASK. The best mask you can afford that fits your face. Headstrap respirators are the most effective. Try and have minimal contact with others. /4

Fourth - REST. Radical rest is important when you have Covid. Some studies suggest you should be resting for a minimum 4 weeks after infection (yes even if you feel “all better”). Rebound is a concern & Long Covid risk appears to increase when people don’t slow down. /5

Fifth - keep a record of your infection. Long Covid is not rare and it’s not mild. If you become disabled and you need social supports, medical care, disability etc? Guess what? If you can’t prove you HAD Covid you will have a much harder time. /6

I’m sure there will be people saying “but you should do all these things for other respiratory viruses” & I don’t disagree. I think we would all be healthier if people would stay home when sick & wear a mask IF they have to go out. But covid is NOT another respiratory virus. /7

It’s a multi system virus that has proven vascular, neurological and immune system damaging capabilities. It disables 1 in 10 people and the risk of disability increases with each infection. It’s been downplayed for economic & political reasons but the science is clear. /8

You don’t want to keep getting Covid and any person who cares a whit about others shouldn’t want to spread it to anyone. If we cared more about who we potentially infect - perhaps we would take more precautions. /9

I’ve had friends say to me “I’m so glad I didn’t visit you because I’m so sick it would have killed you” and yet they don’t stay home or mask. It doesn’t make sense. Just because you don’t personally KNOW the vulnerable person you infect doesn’t mean you should stop caring. /10

So please - keep testing to see if it’s Covid. Don’t buy into the idea that it’s “just another flu”. And if you’re positive take steps to mitigate contagion risk for others & Long Covid risk for yourself. If we do these simple things we would drastically lower transmission /end