Fear is the Mond Killer…

“I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.”

When it comes to COVID-19 fear and trepidation affect our health and well-being. And why shouldn’t it. The science is less than absolute with ambiguity over face mask effectiveness, the distance that aerosolized virus can travel, how much virus load causes illness, does the virus bind to DNA, can vaccinate people get sick or die, etc.

After polio and cancer-causing HPV 16 I am no stranger to dealing with doctors and learning to live with illness-related consequences. The doctors who treat us usually know little about a virus; their job is to keep us alive regardless of the consequences. Doctors err on the side of caution because they don’t want to say something or suggest something that may lead to death. But often their treatment has severe life-changing consequences. They read a list of side effects that most people ignore (most people don’t read service or software apps terms and conditions) because what choice do we really have. But when the side effects kick in they can be life-altering. Sometimes there is a treatment alternative but doctors don’t like to be challenged. I refused neck dissection to the outrage of the head and neck surgeon but 10 years later I was proved correct. It wasn’t easy to make that decision and most people will listen to their doctor. It’s best to be your own advocate, learn about your disease and be your own advocate and make informed decisions.

And on that cheery not her is the good news…

Lasting immunity found after recovery from COVID-19

https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/lasting-immunity-found-after-recovery-covid-19