I’ve had people ask me why I’m concerned about mask bans given there’s a “medical exemption”

Mask bans are a return to ugly laws that will further isolate & exclude disabled people from society.

Medical exemptions are inadequate & leave many people behind (like healthy covid cautious people)

My article goes into it in more detail - but police are NOT medical professionals. It shouldn’t be up to them to determine who’s “medically justified” in wearing a mask

Many of us have invisible illnesses & struggle to convince our doctors to take us seriously

What hope do we have with police?

Moreover - disabled people don’t exist in a vacuum. We have friends, family and caregivers who we rely on to mask to protect us. They don’t qualify under most medical exemptions.

If you’re non disabled and want to stay that way? If you’re trying to avoid covid? That also doesn’t qualify.

These bans represent escalating fascism. They’re preying on people’s hatred for the disabled as well as their anger over mask mandates and covid policies.

The best way to push back? Wear a mask. Right now.

Call local lawmakers & tell them you won’t visit any state or county with a ban.

The Governor of North Carolina vetoed the bill - but the senate super majority overrode his veto.

Right after the mask ban bill passed - a woman with stage 4 cancer was accosted for masking.

The man called her a liberal, identified himself as a conservative & coughed on her.

What’s even more appalling - is that if you read the language of the North Carolina bill - it says any OCCUPANT of a public space can legally demand you remove your mask.

Its essentially deputizing the public to enforce mask bans - and designed to dissuade people from masking in the first place

Given these bans have been pushed by Republicans - and JD Vance spearheaded the federal ban on mask mandates - it’s prudent to fight back now while we still can.

Wearing a mask in public shows solidarity. It helps normalize them as a medical device. It will make them harder to ban.

My full article on the Nassau County ban and why medical exemptions aren’t the answer is below - I just found out Facebook has removed it for “disinformation”. And we wonder why more people don’t know mask bans have already happened 😞

disabledginger.com/p/nassau-co…

#nomaskbans #maskbans #wearamask #CovidIsNotOver #covidisairborne #ableism #eugenics #discrimination #disability

Nassau County, NY Makes Masking Illegal - Why Medical Exemptions Aren't the Answer

Defendants of mask bans point to medical exemptions as proof that disabled people have nothing to worry about. They're wrong. A look at why bans are ableist, discriminatory and dangerous.

^{Broadwaybabyto (The Disabled Ginger)}

If you’re dealing with a COVID infection - remember it’s NOT your fault.

Those of us trying to avoid COVID & break chains of transmission have been failed by governments & public health. We’ve been left by the wayside.

It’s hard to avoid when NO ONE else is even trying.

I’m always sad when I see people blaming others for getting covid (or worse - blaming themselves).
There’s only so much a single person can do when covid is everywhere and most people refuse to acknowledge it (let alone mask or stay home)

This is extra applicable if you have young children or work in a public facing role where you’re exposed to large numbers of people every day.

When the collective whole gives up & decides to accept constant infection & reinfection - it becomes harder for those of us still trying.

Remember that every infection avoided or delayed is a win. The less times you get COVID - and the lower your viral load - the better.

Don’t give up - and never forget that if you’re masking - you ensured you didn’t pass your Covid infection to someone else.

You did the selfless thing. You protected other people. You made sure to NOT be responsible for someone else’s death or worsening disability.

That alone should make you feel proud - and negate any potential feelings of guilt or blame.

We need to do more to lift each other up and support our allies in this fight - because we don’t have many left.

Share advice, provide encouragement and don’t shame people when they get sick.
Also - can we stop shaming people for their choice of mask?

I see a lot of judgement towards people wearing surgical masks and/or earloops.

I consider anyone in a mask to be a win. These are people who are reachable - who would likely welcome information on how to better protect themselves.

They’re TRYING to do the right thing. We’ve been fed a steady diet of misinformation or no information for years.

If you’re involved with the Covid cautious community here - of course you know a surgical mask provides little protection.

But not everyone has this information - and many don’t have the time or the inclination to go hunting for it.

There’s also the matter of cost. Respirators are more expensive. Head strap and elastometrics cost even more.

Many people can’t afford a high quality mask - especially if they have to be out of the home 8+ hours every day

I’m incredibly grateful for my N99 respirator but will readily admit the only reason I can afford it is because of how little I leave my home.
I couldn’t afford to wear one every day. Covid IS a social justice issue.

So what can we do about it? Lots of things! If you have the means to carry extra N95s - offer them to people you see in a surgical mask. Tell them why a respirator offers better protection.

Find and support your local mask bloc. Donate masks if you can.

You can also donate tests to people who can’t afford them. Share or donate to people trying to raise funds for at home NAAT testing so they can keep themselves and their communities safe.

Keep pushing for mandatory masks in healthcare, free respirators and tests and clean air in all public spaces.
Educate people who want more information on how to keep themselves covid free.

Lastly - support your allies in this fight. Lift them up and be cognizant of their energy levels.
Don’t tear people down unnecessarily.

We’re almost five years into this and people are rightfully exhausted. We need to stick together in order to face another year

If you’re struggling and need advice on how to up your mask game, how to find a mask bloc or charity or just need support to stay covid safe - feel free to leave a comment 👇🏼.

Lots of informed people here who can help you find the best protection for your individual circumstances!

#CovidIsAirborne #CovidCautious #CovidIsNotOver #CleanAir #WearaMask #Disability #LongCovid #Ableism #Denial #CleanAir #Pandemic #PublicHealth #InfectionControl #Eugenics #SafeHealthcare #N95 #Respirators #MasksWork #MaskUp #Spoonie #Discrimination #Dysautonomia #mecfs #pots #mcas #communitycare #wearamask #chronicillness #keepmasksinhealthcare #MaskBans #NoMaskBans

Great video from Matt McGorry about the devastating impacts of Long COVID and how even a “mild” infection can leave you chronically ill.

He also says he was hesitant to speak out - because there IS a stigma associated with Long COVID.

We must change that.

He goes on to explain that while his initial infections would be considered “mild”… they’ve still left him with debilitating Long Covid.

It’s critical that people understand this. Too many think that hospitalization and/or death in the acute phase are the only negative outcomes.

Note that in its moderate and severe stages - Long Covid and other comorbids can have a quality of life equivalent of stage four cancer.

I had clipped short portions of the video to share on here - but my internet is currently giving upload speeds less than 1mbps and it keeps throwing errors. That said it’s an excellent video and you can watch the full thing on his IG here:

instagram.com/reel/DBra_TSRhpz…

On a personal note I want to thank Matt for his honesty and transparency. We need more of it.
We have too many celebrities and people with platforms saying "mystery illness". Too many people unwilling or unable to say the word covid.

With transparency comes greater awareness.

I wrote an article during the Olympics about the phenomenon that is people proclaiming they "don't know anyone with Long Covid."

There's 400 million people suffering from the condition. I assure you - you DO know someone. People are simply hiding it or unaware they have it:

disabledginger.com/p/covid-and…

#CovidIsAirborne #CovidCautious #CovidIsNotOver #CleanAir #WearaMask #Disability #LongCovid #Ableism #Denial #CleanAir #Pandemic #PublicHealth #InfectionControl #Eugenics #SafeHealthcare #N95 #Respirators #MasksWork #MaskUp #Spoonie #Discrimination #Dysautonomia #mecfs #pots #mcas #communitycare #wearamask #chronicillness #keepmasksinhealthcare #MaskBans #NoMaskBans

Covid and the 2024 Olympic Games - Denial on the World Stage

"No Olympic Athletes will get Long Covid! No one I know even has it!" An examination of the denial, gaslighting and ignorance that exists around chronic illness and invisible disabilities.

^{Broadwaybabyto (The Disabled Ginger)}

It’s been a month since Tinu’s passing and we still don’t have mandatory masks in healthcare. Something Tinu both NEEDED & fought for.

Someone with Long Covid going through chemo deserved to be SAFE while getting her care.

She deserved NOT to be given COVID again

There are many others like Tinu. We can’t know how many we’ve lost - but what we DO know is we will lose more if we don’t start mitigating Covid - especially in hospitals.

We know how Covid is spread. We know how to stop it. Yet we still have doctors saying they don’t want to mask because they’re not worried about THEIR risk. They’re forgetting the fact that the patients feel differently.

Patients care. Patients are putting their full trust in you to make them better. They’re trusting you NOT to make them worse.

Hospital acquired Covid has a fatality rate around 10% - and still we do nothing. In many instances we act like it’s just “the cost of doing business”. It’s not and it should never be acceptable to contract covid in the hospital.

I’ve said it once and I will say it again - if you’re sick enough to need the hospital the last thing you need is Covid.

If you’re a healthcare worker - please wear a mask. You don’t have to wait for a mandate to do the right thing. You can choose - right now - to stop chains of transmission. You can show patients that you’re on their side and committed to ensuring they get through their hospital visit without contracting COVID. You can tell us that our lives and long term health matters.

Hospitals, healthcare workers and society all failed Tinu. She fought so hard - for herself and for others. She knew that it would likely be hospital acquired Covid that killed her - and she did everything she could to raise awareness so it wouldn’t happen to anyone else.

Let’s keep fighting in her honour. Clean the air, ventilate, make masks mandatory, provide free respirators and isolate when sick. It’s not hard. We can do it.

disabledginger.com/p/a-plea-to…

#forTinu #CovidIsAirborne #CovidCautious #CovidIsNotOver #CleanAir #WearaMask #Disability #LongCovid #Ableism #Denial #CleanAir #Pandemic #PublicHealth #InfectionControl #Eugenics #SafeHealthcare #N95 #Respirators #MasksWork #MaskUp #Spoonie #Discrimination #Dysautonomia #mecfs #pots #mcas #communitycare #wearamask #chronicillness #keepmasksinhealthcare #MaskBans #NoMaskBans

A Plea to Maskless Healthcare Workers from Vulnerable Patients

If you see a mask - wear a mask. Better yet - wear a mask all the time and show us you understand that we're still IN a pandemic. We are depending on you to keep us safe - please don't betray that.

^{Broadwaybabyto (The Disabled Ginger)}

Before you tell a disabled person that they need to “just make the healthcare worker mask”… please understand the imbalance of power that exists in hospital settings.

We can’t “just make them” do anything. If they refuse -our options are to take the risk or go without care.

There’s little recourse when a HCW refuses to mask - there’s almost NO recourse that exists in the moment.

You can file a complaint after the fact - but if the care you require is urgent or an emergency - that won’t help you

Imagine you’re taken to the emergency room with an urgent (or life threatening) issue. The doctor comes in and refuses to wear a mask.

Do you walk out? Throw a fit? These are not good options

Even if you manage to keep your composure and strongly advocate for them to reconsider - the longer you argue the more potential virus you’re being exposed to.

The more you “annoy” the staff - the greater the odds of retaliation or reduction in care.

This isn’t like telling a friend or a colleague to mask. The dynamic is completely different.

HCWs have the ability to help you or harm you. You want them on your side.

A note in your chart indicating you’re anxious, difficult, non compliant etc can follow you around and impact all your care going forward. Getting charts corrected and notes removed is a time consuming and difficult process

As a result many patients don’t push the issue. They delay medical care as long as possible and then just cross their fingers they will get a compassionate HCW when they do finally go.

These delays can also cause harm - and shouldn’t be necessary.

Hospitals have never been terribly safe places. They’re where the strongest and most resistant bugs thrive. They’re also where the sickest and most vulnerable people are.

At least before Covid it felt like hospitals were TRYING to prevent infection.

These days it’s as though any amount of infection control is seen as weak. People are actually bragging about how many times they’ve had Covid or about the risks they’re taking with their health. Staff aren’t masking even around babies, cancer & transplant patients

We have to change course. Our healthcare systems could barely handle the amount of chronic illness they were facing before Covid - they certainly can’t handle the constant influx of disabled patients and staff that Covid is causing.

This is why we need mandatory masks in healthcare settings. The responsibility to keep themselves and others safe should NOT fall on the vulnerable patient.

Many are unable to advocate for themselves - and others are unable to mask.

Mandatory masking protects everyone

Lastly - the solution to this problem should not be “don’t go to the hospital”. It’s not right to make ANY patient feel like they’re wrong for seeking care. Like they’ve somehow “failed” if they end up with Covid.

Until you’re facing a life threatening emergency or serious health challenges - you can’t possibly know what you would do.

Is it scary to go to the hospital right now? Of course. Is it also necessary? Absolutely.

Patients should never be blamed for needing care or for being unable to get HCWs to mask. The system is failing us - we aren’t failing each other.

If you need the hospital - you have all my love & support. It’s impossibly hard - and I will keep fighting to make it better.

As long as hospitals refuse to do what’s right to prevent COVID (hello clean air & mandatory masking)… the onus is unfairly on the PATIENT to avoid COVID.

My guide offers tips to reduce your risk of hospital acquired COVID (and other HAIs)

disabledginger.com/p/how-to-st…

#CovidIsAirborne #CovidCautious #CovidIsNotOver #CleanAir #WearaMask #Disability #LongCovid #Ableism #Denial #CleanAir #Pandemic #PublicHealth #InfectionControl #Eugenics #SafeHealthcare #N95 #Respirators #MasksWork #MaskUp #Spoonie #Discrimination #Dysautonomia #mecfs #pots #mcas #communitycare #wearamask #chronicillness #keepmasksinhealthcare #MaskBans #NoMaskBans

How to Stay Covid Safe When in Hospital

A guide to navigating the risk of hospital acquired Covid - as well as how to manage overall risk of nosocomial infections and hospital derived complications.

^{Broadwaybabyto (The Disabled Ginger)}