Here is link to the tweet

https://twitter.com/nursekelsey/status/1386495431174205441?s=09

She is an RN in Wisconsin who has taken care of many, many patients with COVID in the ICU.

I had Covid and fully recovered. This nurse's post is absolutely not my experience with the virus.

Thanks, KT pals!

Right littlespaces. You either live or you die. Simple as that.

Edit to add, my whole family had covid twice. We all lived.

A word of caution on the fully recovered. You do not know what damage that the virus did to your body that may show up years from now. There are several illnesses such as chickenpox and measles that are directly related to virus infections when younger that people know about. Nothing is yet known about the long term affects of Covid infections.

Littlespaces, not every Covid patient needing ICU treatment dies but many do. Did your illness require ICU treatment? If not, then of course that nurse's experiences wouldn't relate to you at all.

"You either live or you die."

Isn't that true for every health condition that's potentially life threatening?

I certainly hope that what I'm hearing is not belittling the experiences of this hardworking nurse who is working in ICU with the sickest of the sick.

It's nice that you two recovered but millions around the world are not.

I got mine. AstraZeneca. So did hubby.

Waiting for the kids age groups to open up...likely won’t be for a while. They are all in their 20’s.

EDIT: My son has had his, but we are waiting for my step kids.

Not belittling people's experiences, at all. Sorry if it comes across that way. I'm just tired of people blowing covid off as a pita. My family recovered as did I. I have what are termed long haul symptoms that nothing can really be done about. I feel it and live with it every minute of each day. I hope someday resolution with come about, but no one knows. Look, I have a dd who sees death daily because of covid. I take this seriously and I am good and tired of those who do not. To the point that if one scoffs at getting a vaccine, I can't worry about you anymore. Apologies if this sounds harsh, but how much evidence do some people need to understand many people become seriously ill from this and some do not recover. I agree with getting vaccinated.

I had Covid and fully recovered. This nurse's post is absolutely not my experience with the virus.

Shhhh! Covid is special. Only doom and gloom is allowed to be spread about the illness. just imagine if nurses working in other types of special units twittered about their experiences. People would be outraged if they posted graphically frightening details about what really goes on in neonatal units, cancer wards, details about dying of pancreatic cancer, what kidney failure, diabetics gangrene, encephalitis, lung issues and deaths that begin with a common cold or flu etc. People who are hospitalized often get well. But many never recover fully and many die. That is the reality no one talks about. But somehow Covid is special.

Covid is real. It makes some people very ill. The outcomes for a few are heartbreaking. But the outcomes for most are no different than any other fast spreading virus the world has dealt with. The fear mongering has to end at some point.

Wild child,

While I do agree with you that the fear mongering does have to stop at some point, I disagree about the comparison to other diseases such as cancer etc. The difference between the two is that Covid can be prevented by getting the vaccine where is, in most cases, cancer cannot.

The chance of dying from Covid is less than 1 in 100, true. But for those 1 in 100, it could’ve been avoided if they got the vaccine. That’s the point of this nurse’s post.

Indeed, it is real. And for those in at risk groups or others whose bodies overreact, the fatality risk is also real.

I'm not sure about how prevalent fear mongering is, that's a term that's been overused by those who've tried to discredit and deny the truth. Who refuse to wear masks, refuse getting vaccinated, poo poo common sense conduct. Act ignorantly and continue to suggest it's a political problem.

With that dichotomy as an either or choice, I'd rather our country had many more fear mongerers and far fewer ignorant deniers.

fear mongering

I'm disgusted every time I hear that term, which is used as a disparagement to those urging caution. Covid is a very real danger. Merely because it is not fatal for everyone does not make it less of a threat. Many survivors of Covid have continuing problems, and no one knows what the full extent of the long term effects are.

Perhaps a number of us who have made a serious attempt to follow the safety precautions should call our local hospital(s) to suggest that, since they are trying to distance the chairs in the waiting room for emergency treatment, which may require several hours, that they add a question to the triage on arrival as to whether the arrival had been following safety precautions. It being unfair to people who had observed safety rules to be forced to wait for hours sitting near people who hadn't and were now ill.

If not, they would be given a number and directed to a waiting area for people who hadn't made an effort to keep safe, in a recently erected tent outside, or in their cars, with their number to be called over a loudspeaker when they could be served.

With the understanding that people who had tried to be safe would be served first.

Fair's fair, no?

ole joyful ... living a distance fro town, seldom going there ... and thankful that this old fart ain't sick ...

... yet.

Lucille,

Fear mongering is just a term used to describe an over amplified sense of danger.

There’s all sorts of fear mongering. I see it used not just with the danger of Covid, but on the other side, fear mongering against the vaccines as well.

The risk of dying or having long lasting effects from Covid is small, but the danger is real. The risk of dying or having bad side effects from the vaccine is absolutely minuscule, but for some people the danger is real.

But many people are over amplifying the actual dangers. I consider this fear mongering.

Edited to add: Wildchild, I am not disgusted with you. I love your horse stories and your many positive qualities. I am puzzled by why you are drinking the 'fear mongering' koolaid when my view of Covid is so different.

Thanks to this nurse who tells it like it is. Why would someone want details of cancer patients or others with diseases? You can't take a vaccine to prevent cancer or most other illnesses but you can wear a mask and get the vaccine for Covid. I love when how people say I had it and it was a piece of cake. Everyone is different. That's a slap in the face to the 577,000 people who have died and their loved ones.

Sea sea, I read your original comment as validating the OP but could see it could be read by someone as agreeing with littlespaces who seemed dismissive of the dangers of the disease. Your second post makes it very plain that you are taking the dangers seriously and have experience with them. Perhaps some people arent comfortable with that. I saw nothing wrong with what you said and frankly if people want to be dismissive it is their right but I do not agree. I see no reason to play russian roulette with my health. Simple easy inexpensive things like masks will help protect us and there is the vaccine. I have had mine. Moderna.

Sea Sea your first remark that you all lived made it sound like you suffered no consequences from it which is not what your second one states. You are alive but are battling the after affects which to me does not mean you have escaped from the virus, yet. The reason I put yet is that one of the articles I saw this morning mentioned that for at least one woman receiving the vaccine reduced for her some of the long term affects. I hope for it is the same for you.

SEA SEA, I don't understand why anyone would want to remove your comment. And I am sorry you are suffering long-term effects.

Thanks kadefol.

Don't understand why comment was removed, not spam, inappropriate, or abusive. Thank you for reposting.

Yeah, it's why I'm truly worried about my brother's BIL, and have little hope. His progression seems to be slowly, yet progressively, worse. Two ECMO machines instead of one now, on dialysis, and still no urine output. Decline, decline, decline.... If he's gotten better in any way, it's not noticeable.

Yesterday, I listened to a story from This American Life from a physical therapist who, because of the pandemic, got drafted into being a phlebotomist at the hospital where she worked, and her personal experiences dealing with COVID patients.

There are so many health care professionals who have been very public about what they've been dealing with over the past year.

And how about the latest news from India? Things are horrific there - Brazil as well. It was reported that COVID patients were being intubated without sedatives because there weren't any to be had. They had to be restrained instead.

I honestly don't know what to say about or to people who keep clinging to the completely nonsensical conspiracy narratives about this pandemic and vaccines. I feel like this public health/economic crisis has revealed precisely how gullible and ignorant some people are - let alone self-centered, as there seems to be zero consideration for the heroic efforts of the people on the frontlines of this.

These are people who do such hard work to care for other people, and they deserve some respect, and at the very least the consideration of not adding to their already overwhelming workload.

I'm not sure about how prevalent fear mongering is, that's a term that's been overused by those who've tried to discredit and deny the truth.

And now those peddling fear are the anti-vaxxers!

Absolutely, Carol. If people don't care about themselves ("I'm young, I won't get too sick."), then think about the dedicated health professionals who have labored long and in bad conditions for over a year. Think of those who have died serving virus victims. Also think about those around you who might not be young and healthy.

A family member doesn't want to get the vaccine. Not sure how to approach the person but I'm waiting to see if there's a work requirement or some other motivating factor kicks in. Like Chisue's grandson. It's disappointing.

As for India (Brazil, Minnesota too), it's tragic. No one anywhere is safe until the world has a high level of vaccination. In Calif. we are doing so well but it could change at any time. I remember when our governor said we would have to stay home until May 15......2020!!! That didn't work.

Right, not everyone dies of the virus. But when it hits your family, someone who meant something to you is gone, it feels like "everyone dies."

@SEA SEA - Thanks for posting your comment again. I'm sorry for what you are going through. My impression of your second comment sounded like you were brushing off the effects off covid. I'm sorry if that was incorrect and thanks for explaining.

I don't understand why your comment would have been removed either.

Thanks blfenton.

Sorry about your brother's BIL, rob. I hope there will be improvement.

My husband and I had our 2nd Pfizer doses last Wed., very few side effects (slight headache for 8 hours, he had a bit of joint pain that only lasted a day), so very grateful to be fully vaccinated and likely not to be patients of the heroic healthcare workers trying to see everyone, the rational as well as the deniers, through this scourge of a pandemic.

I come from a large family, and just like a cross section of the country, most have been/will be fully vaccinated and a couple are refusing, I hope with all my heart they don't end up infected or hospitalized with covid but there just isn't any convincing some people (even when they're family).

Both my husband and I are both vaccinated, and will continue to wear mask. We know people who were seriously ill and hospitalized, and those who had mild cases. Right now, I'm concerned about more deadly mutations happening. As long as the virus is active, there's a likely chance of it causing variants.

terezosa / terriks What do anti-vaxxers have to do with spreading fear when it concerns covid?

Function,

Fearmongering about the side effects

"What do anti-vaxxers have to do with spreading fear when it concerns covid?"

They're the same fools who've denied the problem all along, refused to follow public health directives, and endanger others with their selfishness. And speak with contempt of those whose opinions are better informed/less ignorant. To be cautious doesn't mean being fearful.

I think it is different for everyone. I know at least 10 people in my immediate circle who have had it. Thankfully, for most it was like a bad flu or cold. One guy(my supervisor at work) a 45 yo guy who works out, lifts weights, eats organic, etc, said it completely kicked his butt for a week, ended up needing supplemental oxygen for a few days, but then improved. My 33yo nephew had it(also generally a guy who was in good shape and a former college jock) and still pretty athletic. He got it, was pretty sick but seemed to get over it. A few weeks later he started having seizures. Thankfully the doctors got it under control and he’s been improving since. So while for many, it’s not a big deal, for those that do get a serious case, I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. Got my second vaccine last week. Didn’t bother me anymore than getting a smallpox vaccine in 1st grade.

Apparently yinz don't even know what an anti-vaxxer is. Anti-vaxxers are a group of people who don't believe in any or most vaccines. A person who is fully vaccinated but chooses to wait to see the long term effect (if any) of the covid vaccine is no more an anti-vaxxer than anyone who chooses not to get a flu shot or shingle shot.

I'm a month after my last shot and I am acting no differently than I have been the last year. My daughter's family is a few weeks after their second and my son and wife are just a week after their first Pfizer. The rest of us got Moderna. My daughter is freaking because she went to an outdoor party for a friend which was larger than she thought it would be. And people had to shout since there was a loud band. I would not have gone.

I finally watched my mayor's presser from today and learned that unless something changes drastically as of May 28 when the governor's distancing but not masking requirements are due to end the city may also end all of theirs. While I am tired of staying home and wearing masks, first one then the last few months doubling, I am not ready to join the throngs. I will eventually but I also think that this fall and winter I will bring the masks out.

I know the governor wanted to do little even after he and his wife developed Covid but I look at the number that are being tested showing positive and it is still in the 30-50K range every day. Death rates are down dramatically but that only means better treatments.

"What do anti-vaxxers have to do with spreading fear when it concerns covid?"

They are spreading fear of the vaccines. The very vaccines that are our way back to (somewhat) normal life.

Thank you, mdln. That is a gutting thread. I am so sorry for all the suffering doctors and nurses have been forced to endure this past year plus. Your work is taxing under the best of circumstances. I don't have words for what these circumstances have been, so many failures to lead, so much needless suffering.

terezosa / terriks You don't read additional posts, do you. I posted this earlier.

Apparently yinz don't even know what an anti-vaxxer is. Anti-vaxxers are a group of people who don't believe in any or most vaccines. A person who is fully vaccinated but chooses to wait to see the long term effect (if any) of the covid vaccine is no more an anti-vaxxer than anyone who chooses not to get a flu shot or shingle shot.

Oh, about the v@**, I am all in, husband is and so are my young adult kiddos. Our children's schools are requiring immunization for returning students this fall. We will all be done by the middle of May. Everyone in the family has had his first dose so far.

Both doses all around for our small family too. oh! except for sister and BIL who are more alternative medicine.

We're all done here too, except my son who still needs his 2nd dose.

Nobody had any adverse side effects either. I was just reading earlier that some folks welcome an adverse reaction as proof that it's working and are skeptical if they have none.

That "read" IS a graphic reminder of what others have faced, who experienced COVID...differently and with a harsher experience. wow.....and I really feel for them and their families.

Zalco/bring back Sophie! I'm curious to see how the requirement of schools, business, etc requiring the covid vaccine plays out in court. Especially in institutions that receive tax payers money. It is not FDA approved and the US government cannot mandate it. Employers can't terminate or deny employment on medical history. That would be discrimination. It will be interesting on how this plays out.

Patriciae-gw,

It seems to me that my comment wasn't the only one removed as yours from yesterday addressed to me is only just now showing up for me. Thank you, and sorry that I hadn't responded until now. I could have worded my upper thread comment better to be more concise but I didn't. I was actually repeating what medical staff have been saying for a year now, but I see now that it sounds like those are my words. The staff are worn out and this is how they feel when a person presents with a serious case of covid. I should have included that, but I think my frustration with people who don't take this seriously caused me to be short. Thus, the confusion. That's on me.

mafluer03,

Same, your comment to me did not show up until now, for me. Sorry I did not respond. Thank you for the well wishes and I too am hoping for a little reprieve/improvement having received the vaccine. We can hope. Again, sorry for confusion I caused. That was not my intent, but I did it. One of the several issues I am dealing with from covid aftereffects is stuff like this (comes and goes) and I think it might be best to refrain from commenting in the written word for a while.

While none of the vaccines have full FDA approval three of them do have emergency authorization. There is no evidence that they will not get full approval, as a matter of fact there have been fewer problems and side effects than anticipated. The full process takes so long that many more people would die before that happened. Paperwork in other words would be killing people. Our FDA is known world wide for its slow and stately progress. The sheer number of people all over the world getting vaccinated without issue should be reassuring to those who worry. We dont yet know about the long term side effects of getting covid either. Take your pick. Odds are you are more likely to die or suffer serious injury if you forgo the vaccines.

Function, our children's various schools all require regular immunizations, so I don't see how this is different. I worry about the students who live in countries where there is not good access to the v@**. And will SinoPaharm's jab count? How about the Sputnik one? There are students from all over the world at these schools.

Zalco/bring back Sophie! Those immunizations are FDA approved that are required at schools. The covid vaccine is not and government can't mandate it until it is. By then covid will be just another run of the mill virus. There is also provisions in our laws that people can opt out of vaccines for various reasons with out curtailing discrimination. I'm not debating the vaccine pluses or minuses. I just think it will be interesting how this plays out in court. I see many lawsuits in the future. I read there was already a few lawsuits started.