We have attended a number of events across Aotearoa New Zealand since the decision was taken to stop trying to prevent this Level Three biohazard ripping across our population. I was dismayed at the transformation of our country from a world-beating "team of five million" striving to keep every Kiwi safe into a nation not much better than many other countries that have also stripped away protective measures, made no progress on clean indoor air initiatives, and provided little if any updated and ongoing public health information about Covid and how to avoid it. I'm also sad that people have been coming away from board game events unwell, in part because organizers really aren't taking seriously their duty of care toward their attendees. We simply cannot "personal responsibility" our way out of an ongoing public health threat without some collective protections and advocacy.
I remember how shocked I felt at hearing of the first community transmission cases when let-'er-rip came to pass. I was also suspicious--why was this suddenly okay, when we'd made such Herculean efforts to prevent Covid circulating? It may have already been clear that vaccination alone wasn't going to curb this thing when I started following scientists, medical researchers, and other experts on my personal Twitter account, which has been an eye-opener. Even (especially) if you've already had it once or twice and believe you've suffered no ill ongoing effects, Covid is worth avoiding. That is an understatement!
No credible research is concluding that Covid is "just a cold", rather it is actually best characterized as a vascular disease which can damage many bodily organs and systems, sometimes quite subtly. If you believe Covid is no big thing, I encourage you, not to do your own research, but to listen to those who really do know what they are talking about. Two Aotearoa-based experts I trust are Dr Michael Baker and Dr Amanda Kvalsvig, who are both based in the Public Health Department at the University of Otago.
Longer term, we simply must have clean air standards, just like we do for water, to stop the next pandemic in its tracks, but shorter term, while Covid and other illnesses are known to be circulating, even if good ventilation is in place, it may not be enough to keep us safe.
Staying safe and smiling with my eyes
Through Cheeky Parrot I have tried to role model Covid safe behavior by always masking at events and encouraging anyone working with me to do the same. Although people like to believe they are special, we are actually an incredibly conformist species, sometimes to a very dangerous degree. So when I wear a mask, I am not only protecting myself, but I am hoping to encourage the same non-conformist behavior in others. By the way, in taking steps to protect myself from Covid, I am also protecting myself from influenza, measles, and other airborne illnesses.
I know for a fact I have been in many venues where later it turned out other people had been contagious with Covid and my mask has never failed to protect me. Science bears out that masks work, but there are caveats. "Baggy blue" surgical masks are not form-fitting enough to provide optimum protection---what a shame these were the kind Kiwis could get for free---and cloth masks are only effective against droplet-borne illnesses (like RSV) but do not block aerosols, the tiny particles that transmit Covid and can linger in indoor air for hours. What you want are N95 masks that fit you well or even elastomeric masks. My mask of choice is the 3M Aura, which was recommended to me by a Novid urgent care nurse. Sometimes I will also use earloop KN95 or N95 masks, but I have found the Aura, with its straps that go all the way around the head, is more comfortable to wear over many hours. Many pharmacies sell Aura masks individually. I order mine by the carton from Blackwoods.
Once you've got the right mask for you, the key is to wear it 100% of the time you are sharing indoor air with others. It doesn't take many inhaled particles to spark an infection, so leave your mask on for selfies and take your meal and drink breaks outdoors, away from other people if you can.
That said, some masking is better than none at all. Personally, I find it easiest to simply mask in all shared indoor spaces, including people's homes and cars. I even wear a valved mask when I play badminton. At the very least, however, I recommend masking in all shared transit vehicles; inside airports; in healthcare, educational, and aged care settings; and in large indoor spaces used by many people, especially when you will be there for more than a few minutes. If you really prefer to engage in the analysis paralysis of constant risk assessment, have a play with this citizen-activist's Covid Risk calculator.
A Covid-safe lunch in my car during a Scrabble tournament. At Wellycon this year, I bought a roll and a smoothie from New World and ate them in a glamourous setting: an open parking garage!
In recent times, I have added additional layers of protection to my regimen, but the mask is above and beyond our most reliable ally in staying safe. You can reduce their expense by reusing them so long as the straps remain tight. In our house, we collect our used masks in a box in our bathroom and I peg them on our laundry rack when it's a sunny day, then cycle them back into circulation.
Just briefly, here are some other layers of protection you can employ, but again, they are no substitute for a well-fitting, assiduously worn mask:
Nasal sprays such as flo Travel.
Lozenges that populate the throat with beneficial bacteria. Blis Probiotics Daily Defense are made right here in Aotearoa.
Lozenges with zinc.
Gargling with mouthwash that contains CPC.
Finally, a word about hand sanitizing. Absolutely worth doing, but not especially effective against Covid, which is almost always transmitted by aerosols.
Join other Kiwis who want to stop surrendering to a serious preventable illness at Aotearoa Covid Action.
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