On 2023-05-05, Eric Ramon <ramon.eric@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Friday, May 5, 2023 at 6:50:57 AM UTC-7, RSFC Moderator wrote:
>> In the early days of COVID, I had high hopes for {Ivermectin| Surgical Masks}. The early reports seemed promising, and while I was aware of the {small study sizes| lack of RCTs}, I thought that wasn't important given the {sheer number of RCTs| large Bangladesh study}. I didn't let the {backwater locales| non-robust findings} bother me too much--- I wanted a magic bullet.
>>
>> I knew that {Ivermectin's in-vitro antiviral effectiveness required implausibly high doses| masks didn't work for the flu} but I thought maybe this time it would be different because {you can't argue with RCTs| Covid might be transmitted differently}.
>>
>> Alas, having looked into the more recent research such as {Vallejos and Ravikirti| the Cochrane review}, I have to conclude it was just {publication bias| wishful thinking} and positive effects are at most very small and probably non-existent.
>>
>> Still, I can at least take some solace that I wasn't one of idiots who believed in {masks| Ivermectin} with their silly {face diapers|horse paste}.
>
> oddly enough, these last few years have been the healthiest of my life. I've always gotten some kind of cold or flu in the winter, until this covid thing came around. I got one shot which didn't seem to affect me. I wore a mask for quite awhile but stopped awhile back, too. The main difference between before and now is I wash my hands an awful lot. My wife and I call the thing "corny", short for "corona" and after shopping I wash my hands, saying "I don't want to get supermarket corny". Or "liquor store corny" or, if I go to a certain store, "Bezos corny".
>
> Sure it's anecdotal but I do believe washing up frequently has kept germs away.

I've also been infection-healthy, but that is normal over my life. My
nurse mother ingrained hand-washing in me. A doctor friend explained
about hand consciousness, which makes me remember to wash/sanitize
those hands at the right times.

Have gotten flu maybe once in my adult life, and I didn't get COVID,
just about the only one in my circles who didn't. I suspect it is
genetics as much as anything else, but I don't think hand washing
hurts.

--
An amateur practices until he gets it right. A pro
practices until he can't get it wrong. -- unknown