#covid 19 recovery

[culturaldiversityday]

(2nd meeting) 2023/3rd Session of the United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names.

This session will address the theme "Strengthening relationships, links and connections in geographical names standardization and for sustainable development and pandemic recovery". This theme is not only aligned to the theme of the 2023 ECOSOC High-level Political Forum on sustainable development, but also to UNGEGN's Strategic Plan and Programme of Work 2021-2029, Strategy 2: Relationships, links and connections.

[southsouthcooperationday]

"Accelerating the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda through South-South and triangular cooperation." Plenary meeting.

The 21st session of the High-level Committee on South-South Cooperation will be convened on 30 May to 2 June 2023 to review progress made in implementing the Buenos Aires Plan of Action for Promoting and Implementing Technical Cooperation among Developing Countries, the New Directions Strategy for South-South cooperation, the Nairobi outcome document of the High-level United Nations Conference on South-South Cooperation and the Buenos Aires outcome document of the second High-level United Nations

Description

Adoption of the agenda of the organizational meeting

Election of the President of the twenty-first session

Election of officers other than the President

Adoption of the agenda of the twenty-first session and organization of work 

The thematic discussion of the 21st session, decided by the Bureau of the High-level Committee, will focus on "Accelerating the recovery from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development through South-South and triangular cooperation".

Related Sites and Documents

High-level Committee on South-South Cooperation, 21st Session Website

[epidemicpreparednessday]

Investing in epidemic preparedness saves lives.

Improved public health emergency preparedness and response capacity is one of the priority outcomes of Zimbabwe’s National Health Stategy 2021-2025.

[worldaidsday]

COVID-19 and the world of work: Ensuring no one is left behind in the response and rescovery.

Overview of specific groups that risk being left behind which includes people living with HIV.

[gumjrop]

On February 13, 2024, the Washington Post reported that the CDC is considering ending the five-day isolation period for those with a COVID infection according to anonymous CDC staff. It is imperative that the CDC minimally maintains current isolation guidelines to prevent the unnecessary spread of COVID.

Why is the five day isolation period necessary? The five-day isolation period has allowed people infected by COVID to rest and recover from illness and prevent the exposure and spread of COVID to uninfected people. Ideally, a ten-day isolation period is better to ensure an adequate amount of time for rest and recovery.

Allowing your immune system sufficient time to fight the infection is important. Rest and recovery from an active COVID infection is important, as physical overexertion can have adverse effects on one’s health. Even if vaccinated, boosted, and healthy, a COVID infection can greatly harm one's health, and may lead to Long COVID, a condition that has harmed and disabled millions of Americans.

Prevention of exposure to and spread of COVID requires a minimum five-day isolation period. Clear evidence demonstrates that in the course of an active COVID infection, the highest viral load occurs approximately by day 4 of an infection. Some people may have their symptoms end earlier than others, however, early symptom resolution does not necessarily mean the end of infectiousness, as asymptomatic COVID transmission can occur. Ultimately, by preventing COVID infections, the likelihood of people becoming severely ill from COVID, as well as those who will develop long COVID, will be greatly reduced.

The CDC will be considering and making a decision by April. During this time, we urgently ask Congress and the White House to intervene and ensure that the CDC maintains the current COVID five-day isolation policy. 

Instructions:

We must ask Congress and the White House to ensure the CDC maintains the current 5 day isolation policy for COVID infection. It is important that the CDC maintains its current policy to ensure that the American people have enough time to rest and recover from an active COVID infection, as well as to prevent the spread of COVID to other people. Rest and recovery is important, as an infection can have adverse effects on health. Even those vaccinated, boosted, or healthy could face irreversible harm from COVID. Having multiple infections has the potential to increase the risk of developing Long COVID, a condition that has already injured and disabled millions of Americans. Submit a letter to your government officials via Action Network!

Letter to White House and Congress

Example Letter Below:

Dear Representative,

I am writing to ask you to ensure that the CDC maintains the current isolation policy for those with an active COVID infection, as this protects the health and well being of all Americans at work, school, and all other places of gatherings.

COVID infections injure, harm, and cause death among millions of Americans. Everyone must be protected from COVID infections. COVID is spread through the inhalation of aerosol particles, and the risk of becoming infected is higher in indoor settings compared to outdoor settings. Due to its mechanism of spread, the current 5-day isolation policy is a primary key layer of protection for prevention, as opposed to other approaches against infections in public settings. 

Shortening the isolation window is a failure to recognize the clear scientific evidence that people may have the highest viral loads by day 4 of an infection.(1) For some people, their symptoms may abate below the 5-day time window, but they may remain infectious.(2)

The public relies on guidelines that establish sufficient standards in workplaces and other places of gathering. It ensures protection in vulnerable settings, such as healthcare, long-term care facilities, schools, and workplace settings. COVID remains an ongoing pandemic and threat to the health of the American people. Ongoing reinfections result in more people developing Long COVID.(3)  Any consideration to reduce or eliminate the COVID isolation guideline inexplicably fails to acknowledge core control measures for infectious disease. Any changes prevent the public’s ability to have a standard threshold for rest and recovery from a COVID infection. 

We ask for your support to ensure that the CDC prioritizes the health of people first. We urge you to act on the behalf of all people, especially for those who are most vulnerable. This includes those with advanced age, the immunocompromised, those living with other health conditions, disabled people. Let’s decrease infections in our communities by keeping scientific and evidence-based isolation guidelines.

References:

1. Jennifer K Frediani, Richard Parsons, Kaleb B McLendon, Adrianna L Westbrook, Wilbur Lam, Greg Martin, Nira R Pollock, The New Normal: Delayed Peak SARS-CoV-2 Viral Loads Relative to Symptom Onset and Implications for COVID-19 Testing Programs, Clinical Infectious Diseases, Volume 78, Issue 2, 15 February 2024, Pages 301–307, https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciad582

2. Rinki Deo, Manish C. Choudhary, Carlee Moser, et al. Symptom and Viral Rebound in Untreated SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Ann Intern Med.2023;176:348-354. [Epub 21 February 2023]. doi:10.7326/M22-2381

3. Bowe, B., Xie, Y. & Al-Aly, Z. Postacute sequelae of COVID-19 at 2 years. Nat Med 29, 2347–2357 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-023-02521-2.

Submit Letter to Government Leaders

[ivygorgon]

AN OPEN LETTER to THE PRESIDENT & U.S. CONGRESS; STATE GOVERNORS & LEGISLATURES

Act Now: Save Public Transit from Extinction!

2 so far! Help us get to 5 signers!

I am writing to highlight the critical state of public transit in the United States and urge your support increased investment in this essential service. The challenges facing public transit—under-investment, over-reliance on car ownership, and racial disparities—have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. It is imperative that we take bold action to address these issues for the benefit of our communities and our future.

Investing in public transit is not merely a matter of convenience; it is a necessity for tackling climate change, advancing equity, supporting essential workers, and fostering economic recovery. The largest source of carbon emissions in the U.S. stems from transportation, and increased investment in public transit can significantly reduce this impact. Furthermore, public transit plays a crucial role in providing equitable access to jobs, schools, and services, especially for those who cannot afford or do not have access to private vehicles.

With over 2.8 million essential workers relying on public transit, our pandemic response and economic recovery hinge on the strength and viability of our transit systems. According to studies, sustained investment in public transportation yields substantial economic returns, with every $1 billion invested annually resulting in approximately $5 billion in additional GDP.

I commend initiatives like the Green New Deal for Transportation and efforts by organizations such as the CHARGE coalition to electrify and expand public transportation. These initiatives are pivotal in shaping a more sustainable and equitable transportation system for all Americans.

Therefore, I urge you to support emergency relief funding for public transit and join the movement to rebuild and improve our public transit system. This is not just an investment in infrastructure; it is an investment in our collective future.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. I look forward to your support in advancing policies that will ensure a robust and accessible public transit system for all.

📱 Text SIGN PZHBAF to 50409

🤯 Liked it? Text FOLLOW IVYPETITIONS to 50409

💘 Q'u lach' shughu deshni da. 🏹 "What I say is true" in Dena'ina Qenaga

[tmarshconnors]

The Pointlessness of the SAG Strike 2023

In recent weeks, the entertainment industry has been rocked by news of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) strike in 2023. While the actors involved in the strike have their reasons and concerns, it's essential to critically examine whether this strike is truly necessary or if it might be, in fact, quite pointless.

Economic Impact: One of the most immediate consequences of the SAG strike is the significant economic impact it has on the industry. Thousands of jobs, from actors to crew members, are being affected. Production companies are losing millions of dollars every day the strike continues. Given the economic hardships that many people have faced in recent times, including the COVID-19 pandemic, one must question the wisdom of causing further financial strain on the industry and its workers.

Demands and Priorities: The demands put forth by the striking actors are not unreasonable. However, one could argue that these demands might not be the top priority in a world grappling with more pressing issues. With global crises like climate change, social justice, and healthcare disparities, is a higher salary for already well-paid actors truly the most critical concern? Many people struggle to make ends meet, and it's hard to sympathize fully with actors making exorbitant salaries, especially when so many others are struggling.

Timing: The timing of the SAG strike is questionable, at best. It's happening in an era when the industry is still recovering from the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people in the entertainment business are just getting back on their feet after months of uncertainty and unemployment. Striking now seems insensitive to the plight of others in the industry.

Alternative Solutions: Are strikes the only way to resolve disputes and negotiate better terms? In an industry that thrives on creativity and innovation, one would hope for more imaginative and collaborative solutions. Negotiation and dialogue could lead to more mutually beneficial outcomes without causing widespread disruption and financial loss.

Public Perception: Lastly, it's worth considering the public perception of the strike. In an age where people are increasingly disillusioned with celebrities and their lavish lifestyles, a strike like this may only further alienate the audience. The entertainment industry depends on the support and admiration of the public, and a strike that seems self-serving could harm its reputation.

In conclusion, while the actors participating in the SAG strike 2023 may have legitimate concerns, it's crucial to weigh the impact of their actions on the broader industry and society as a whole. In a world facing numerous pressing issues, this strike may indeed appear pointless to many, given its economic consequences and the perceived priorities of those involved. Perhaps there are more constructive ways to address the concerns of actors and create a fairer and more equitable entertainment industry.

[giftfromblythe]

Homecoming

This earth doesn’t ground me like it used to. Did it ever? The moon shines still outside my bedroom window; The birds still wake me in the morning. It’s easier here, Where my blood once stained the gravel as I tripped and fell, But not easy. I thought I was homesick. I thought I was longing for a place that is no longer the same, For a time gilded in remembrance that never quite happened. I was wrong. I’m not looking for an ever-changing beauty that I thought lost. I’m not searching for a place to lay my bones. I’m yearning for a self that I’d forgotten, A person I had pretended I wasn’t. They’re closer to the surface here, In this place where my tears soaked the grass The first time I learned loss. They live in the corner of my mind, Summoned by joy and sorrow both; I gave them all the pieces I fought to hide So I could smile as I looked in the eyes of someone I despised— Or thought I did. These days the hate of a child seems so petty. There on that playground—look away! The ghost of me is on that swing. The ghost of me has no words yet for the truth of themself. The truth I could not name has risen up inside, And while I no longer fear it, I fear for my life. There’s a ballot cast, sealing doom Until the next voice calls out for justice; Are we with the tide or against it? It feels like fate. And here I am, returned to this place— Older, broken and remade— Watching the shade of myself wonder why I cannot change, Unknowing that my fate is to shift With the intent of my mind. Every time I return, I craft myself anew. This time, it’s not reaction. This time I do not wait for the wind to blow into my lungs— This time I breathe.

I wrote this poem two weeks ago to express a realization I had recently.  For a long time, I considered my mental illness inevitable.  I thought that it was something I would always have to deal with in some fashion.  I thought that the seeds were sown in my childhood and what sprouted would continue to grow all my life, no matter how much I pruned it back.  I thought I always had to be on my guard against it.

I don’t.

I don’t have to constantly assess and reassess my state of mind.  I don’t have to always be wary of what my mind will wield against me.

The first step was coming home—initially that meant physically returning to the house where I grew up, to recover during all the many times I required healing.  It helped to be in a familiar place where there were people to support me.  For me, that meant going home.  It might not be the same place for other people, but the principle is the same: returning to a place of comfort.  I often needed to leave again as soon as I was well, to escape the baggage that lingered there, but those times gave me a needed sanctuary.

The next step was realizing that something was still missing.  That baggage wasn’t going away, no matter how far I fled from it.  Ultimately, I realized, I couldn’t get away from it because I was still carrying it with me.  I was letting it keep its power over me.

The way we view our homes changes as we change.  When I first left home, I was relieved to be away, but homesick for certain little things: the dogwoods and redbuds blooming in spring, the quiet in the woods, eating meals almost entirely homegrown.  Then I would come home to visit and feel restless to leave—nothing was quite how I remembered, and that was as dissatisfying as it was a relief.  When I became ill and had to return, it was a comfort and a prison—I could cling to the familiar even as I felt trapped by the limits my mind was imposing on me.  Then I spent one of those times of illness unable to return home; Covid had begun, the isolation triggered my depression, and it wasn’t safe for an immunocompromised person to travel.

That’s when I became fiercely, desperately homesick.  The little problems of living in an apartment that I had grown accustomed to over time suddenly grated on every nerve I had.  I found myself longing even for the difficult parts of returning home; at least there, I would have someone to turn to when things were hardest.

Then I did return home.  Something was still missing.  I was happier, for sure, and working hard to maintain that, but I was still restless and unable to pinpoint why.

It has only been in the past month that I realized what was missing—and that’s because it’s not missing anymore.  I wasn’t homesick for a place.  I was homesick for myself.

When we live with mental illness, there’s a lot we do to protect ourselves that ends up hurting us in the long run.  This is one of them: we hide away the parts of ourselves that we fear others will harm us over.  We bury them so deep that they become ghosts to haunt us.  We miss them and fear them in equal measure.

But we don’t have to fear ourselves.  If we let those pieces we hid come back, we might initially feel more vulnerable…but we’re actually less so.  We’re taking away one of the weapons our illness wields against us.  When we’re fully ourselves, we have more of the tools we need to fight back against what hurts us.

When we’re ourselves, we can act instead of react.  We can choose our own course instead of letting the current take us.

That’s what I’m learning to do.  I hope you can learn it too.

Thanks for reading.  As always, take care, listen well, and share your stories.

—Blythe

[handypolymath]

MAD LARRY DISEASE RECOVERY SLOG CONFESSIONS

f a t i g u e

physical, mental, emotional: it all runs on the same wetware

[did you know scurvy can dissolve scar tissue? without ascorbic acid you can't make collagen as fast as you normally turn it over, and scars aren't much else, so they get fucked first.]

Mad Larry Disease hits the scars in a different way, but just as hard. healthcare systems, exploited workers, supply chains, chronic conditions, public health as a fucking concept, it's all shrapnel now.

i take a med during my period to control the otherwise outrageous blood loss. they sometimes use it after surgery, it gives your clotting a boost so your leaks stay plugged - - ain't no way i'm taking it while trying to clear out and recover from a prothrombic virus.

[the-expatriate]

((So today I have finally managed to get a little freshened up and such, did a test and the positive line on the covid test is ever so slightly starting to fade.

Still isolating though, and I'm gonna have a little rest.

I don't feel as feverish, but I am very wiped out. Still, onwards and upwards ♡

Anyway, have a bonus Havoc!))

[beesmakesthings]

Do you know what absolutely SUCKS right now?

I’ve been an anxious kinda human all my life that I can remember. And I’ve done a lot of work (in and out of therapy) to manage the ways that have manifested. Mainly because if I want to actually do the things, I have to leave the house. Going into social situations or just situations that involve people got really hard and gathering myself to do it became massive. I’d end up hot sweaty and disorganised. I developed strategies that involved anything from using relaxation techniques to use of containers. for instance for poetry adventures I have a bag now that’s primarily used for that - same for other jobs. Always ready, always prepared.

Recently I read a Reddit repost that was something like “chronic overthinkers, what’s one time where your overthinking saved you” and all I could think of was “homelessness” and then “everything”. If I’m always ready, nothing can be unexpected. Except of course hyper vigilance is exhausting.

In the last…… 8-9 years as I’ve started doing new things, I’ve had to screw down that anxiety again, prepare for new things. Some is good sense, some is the old gremlins at work. I got better at wondering if anything they brought was truly useful (I’m a woman of menopausal years who still bleeds. A pair of spare pants and pads is a reasonable accommodation. More than one pair is an anxiety response.)

But lockdowns and increasing health anxiety have decimated all this to a point where I have to begin again.

I do absolutely know that I'm not alone in these feelings. We have realised that people both care much more and a great deal LESS than we had hoped. I know a good number of people who will continue to be shielded for the foreseeable future because their immuno-vulnerability has been brought into sharp focus. And it means I see them less than I would like, and means that precautions will keep being necessary for a bit longer.

And for some of us it means we have to force ourselves to go out because if we don't, the quagmire will swallow us harder and deeper than ever before. But I'm nervous of new people now that people have felt weaponised. That I felt like a bomb. I don't know if I'm doing the "right" thing or even what that is any more. Feeling more stumbling in life when I finally felt like some confidence was present is honestly a bitter blow. People are desperate for a normal that doesn't really exist any more - or is so changed that it isn't recognisable - they cannot admit that we have been fundamentally changed by a pandemic.

But that's the nature of the seismic. We're not supposed to be the same. But this same isn't the one I was hoping for. And this same is one I will fight to change.

[adhd-dog-guy]

I HAVE COVID … AND PTSD… AND GENDER DYSPHORIA … YAY LIFE!

[pastorjeremynorton]

Why You Should Reconnect with Your Faith Community THIS Sunday

Reconnect with your faith community! Discover the benefits of church attendance and overcome post-pandemic challenges. Where are you going to church this Sunday? #Faith #Community #ChurchReconnect

Where Are You Going to Church? On May 5, 2023, more than three years after COVID-19 was designated a pandemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared an end to the global Public Health Emergency (PHE) for COVID-19. It’s now May 2024, a year out of the pandemic…where are you going to church? Have you returned to regular church attendance? If you have, well done and thank you! If not,…

[patientmakt]

Good news for mRNA and Nanotechnology Vaccine recovery - Using the Body’s Microbiome, Virome, and Phageome to Defeat Nanotechnology and mRNA Damage By David Jernigan

Covid-19 "The question is, how do we save humanity or at least those who are remorseful? The reality is that everyone who has gotten the life-altering nano and frequency-manipulation is now epigenetically and genetically-altered."

[rylredrants]

Best Case Disasters

The fire happened last summer on the one odd day when the wind was blowing away from the house.

My ex-husband put the loaded shotgun outside before hanging himself last fall.

The water pump blew out (the first time) 30 minutes before I left to pick my husband from a week-long trip and last time, (yesterday) right after I’d run a load of laundry but before we went to bed.

The pharmacist fixed my medication cost, taking it down from $77 to $15 on the 3rd refill.

My dog got sick before we left for vacation rather than a literal shit storm starting in a carpeted hotel or Air BnB room.

We’ve had the available credit to cover all of these disasters, trips, medications. I keep looking for the good and trying to be grateful because ‘it could have been worse.’ I wake up and look for the baby bunnies in the yard or the free-range horses in the valley out back. I go to bed beside a man who loves me with his whole heart and supports me in every possible way.

My pants fit.

All of the COVID tests were negative and I’ve managed to not pee my pants in the throes of a coughing fit.

I made a new friend, was offered a promotion at work and made two amazing pots of soup- avgolemono and roasted garlic which blended together perfectly when the leftover ratios were wonky.

The kitchen sink is the only drain that’s backed up.

“Your breast imaging exam shows no sign of cancer.”

[handypolymath]

Mad Larry Disease Recovery Slog Confessionals

With ceremonial negative testing accomplished, we enter the recovery phase, where we attempt to heal while, you know, getting all our regular shit done on top of catching up from being mostly dead, which, if I may be so bold...?

Fuck. That.

I’m managing the fuck out of expectations. Especially my own. As many working class walking wounded, I can, and have, pushed myself through all kinds of shit to put food on the table. I am incredibly lucky to not be up against that wall right now, and no good can come of scraping my way through the bricks out of habit.

Yesterday I ended my first day back to work with a migraine and mild fever for a couple hours; I took it down a gear today, so my brain isn’t trying to flee my skull.

Yay!