We’ve been in this pandemique for four and a half years and to my knowledge I haven’t ever gotten infected with Covid 19, the virus that causes Long Covid.
Of course, half of infections come without symptoms, but it feels nice to say I haven’t felt sick from an external infection, even a common cold, in 5 years*! As a result of the precautions I take!
About every six months I add something new to my repertoire of personal fortification, some of which I’ve blogged about before.
A friend asked me to write up what I’m doing and I thought I’d share with the world wide web because I would LOVE to be a good influence on you.
Immunity is a group project and we would be in a better situation if more folks took personal responsibility for their immune systems and behavior! Every time you get another Covid 19 infection you deplete your immune response and increase your likelihood for long covid! Which makes it harder for everyone else!
Before I see people/interact with people unmasked:
Nasal Spray! I currently use Covyxyl. It briefly (less than a minute) feels like cinnamon in my nose and I use two squirts in each nostril (following the directions on the bottle, and I re apply every 6 hours or when my intuition says I need it). I started nasal sprays for higher risk occasions in Sept 2023. Covyxyl is out of stock so I’m switching to this bee brand that has both xylitol and propolis from bees!
Hard conversations! I will ask for an open window or outdoor hang if I can (it does mean dressing in heavy layers 9 months of the year where I live), I will ask for more social distance from people or just take it if my intuition says I need it.
People who say they are “cautious” mean that in a wide spectrum of ways. My bestie Rachael got Covid the first time from a family member who hadn’t disclosed her risky behaviors. It’s best to be clear with folks what risks you’re willing to take!
At the end of the day (especially after higher risk activities):
I use a mouthwash with CPC! (I use the Glister brand, there are other brands out there.) CPC kills viruses and bacteria you may have breathed in with others after one minute of swishing! At the airport I do it before and after a flight. Even though I mask on planes it’s just such close quarters. (Here’s a guide to covid safer flying.)
Nasal irrigation! I like this version but you could do classic neti pot. Years ago I did this daily for my allergies and was inspired to pick it up again after reading about a study that nasal irrigation can prevent infection and even if someone is infected the symptoms were lessened. (Viral load matters, and of course so-called mild symptoms can still lead to Long Covid.) Nasal irrigation feels a little like drowning momentarily but it’s worth it if I don’t have to deal with getting sick!
Daily Practice:
*Hand washing! My intuition says it’s the most effective thing I can do. 20 seconds, warm water and soap when I can (not everywhere has warm water).
FYI: The Norovirus is rampant (you do not want to get that if you can avoid it, such a distressing 24+ hours) and is only killed through soap and warm water not hand sanitizer.
*Take my vitamins! Here’s what I take that especially helps my immune system prevent Covid:
- Vitamin C extended release
2. Vitamin D (I’ve read this helps prevent hospitalization if you do get C19)
3. Prebiotic (Fiber) and Probiotic, some ayurvedic herbs, fermented superfoods and more (Gut health is immunity health!)
4. CBGA & CBDA through an RSO I get at my local dispensary. About six months ago my intuition shifted me from a 6:1 to a 10:1 CBD:THC ratio. More info on why I use this in this blog post!
5. Ashwagandha for stress (reducing stress supports your immune system)
Not all vitamins/supplements are created equally—it is an unregulated industry and you want to see that your brand is 3rd party verified (my brand is NSF certified and very effective). Costco / drug store brand vitamins are often just peed right out of your body.
(I use additional supplement protocols, book a one on one with me to discuss more. I’m happy to share what I do for my optimal health and help you build your optimal health plan!).
I think being an “outsider” my whole life has given me so much practice being resilient to what people think about me. Being Covid cautious is less stressful than coming out was!
Air purifiers are great! I like to ask venues if they have them before booking (and I disclose that in the ticketing information for my in person Fat Kid Dance Party aerobics classes). I wish we had more widespread air quality requirements for public spaces. We deserve clean air inside just like we have clean filtered water.**
Masking! I still mask 100% of the time in stores, on planes, on public transit and healthcare environments. Vulnerable people matter! All that staying home in 2020 and masking in 2020/2021 was about vulnerable people, right? Why aren’t we still masking in these mandatory environments?***
Mask 4 Mask: If an employee someplace has a mask on I will mask when I interact with them. (I rarely go out to eat but if I did and the waitress had a mask on or the person at the counter had a mask on I would mask when I interacted with them. Or if someone in a drive through was masking I would mask when our windows were open together.)
I don’t mask inside people’s homes unless there’s a present risk (someone has been exposed or is symptomatic). But I rarely enter people’s homes! If something doesn’t feel like a full body yes I don’t do that thing.
I rarely do big events/concerts. (I have gone to 2 big events and 1 concert this year.) When I do I have to be careful about my air flow because I have a history of fainting in crowds. I went to a 10,000 person arena conference in April and tried masking, got woozy to the point of thinking I might faint and decided to rely on my other protocols. I did not get sick!
Everything about this pandemique is about risk assessment and doing our best.
*I deal with ongoing chronic digestive issues that force me to rest, occasional migraines, injuries, and in 2024 an undeniable fatigue which my intuition says is just part of a cycle and I’ll have renewed energy next year. My overall rule is to ask the question “What does my body want?” When she wants rest I give her rest. I think that helps my immune system, too!
** Everyone, everywhere deserves clean water and that’s not even available to every human even though we have the resources. Another rant for another day!!
***To be honest I have very complicated feelings about folks who once masked for moral reasons to protect vulnerable people and now do not. This pandemique has given me on the ground training to not judge people but I feel really let down by the so-called “liberals” who chose to “vax and relax” and abandon vulnerable people. Vaccines help but they don’t prevent being a carrier of covid. I know there was a lot of terrible leadership around pandemique behaviors! I value folks who look at the data and act according to their values, not just what feels comfortable or going along with the crowd.
Please support my blog!
Patreon.com/fkdp (you can follow for free and get updates and freebies from me!)
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/bevin (safe and secure way to buy me a snack!)
Venmo: @bevinb
Cash App: $BevinBoss
Buy my aerobics video! fatkiddanceparty.com/video4pack
Amazon Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1SJCL864DDKEH?ref_=wl_share
Tee shirts: https://genuinevalentine.com/collections/fat-kid-dance-party
Instagram: @fatkiddanceparty @bevinsparty
Work one on one with me: https://queerfatfemme.com/one-on-one-with-bevin/
Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/bevin (Search “Bevin” on Spotify or Apple/Google Podcasts)
You Tube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/c/SelfCareParty
Blog: queerfatfemme.com
Email list: http://eepurl.com/dyX3db
Buy anything on Amazon using this link to go to their website and I make a 3% commission on anything you buy! Costs nothing extra to you and cuts into that “astronaut’s” profits just a lil bit. https://amzn.to/2PQ52A9
Threads, Tik Tok, Twitter: @bevinsparty
Facebook.com/bevinsparty
Like/subscribe/review/send a link to a friend! It all helps!