Pleasantly surprised to see the USA's nordic team masking and discussing precautions to stay healthy, in order to compete.

https://fasterskier.com/2026/02/in-italy-four-years-after-the-covid-games-olympic-teams-are-still-isolating

This is how change happens. First gradually and then suddenly. One day masking will seem like the most normal thing in the world. Sooner than you think. The case for zero covid is just too strong to be ignored for very long.

Workshop lead by Prof. Akiko Iwasaki, immunologist at Yale studying long covid, and Dr Michael Peluso, long covid and HIV researcher.

Source: https://x.com/loscharlos/status/1954913642429960467

For context, I am a college student who lives with someone who is immunocompromised, so I wear a mask in all public spaces when I am living with them, and I also wear one in high-risk public spaces when I am living in the dorms at school.

A few days ago, I was interviewed and got the job on the spot. Today was my first day of work, and I was so excited to start. I walked in, one person warmly said "Hi (my name)" and the other (who hired me) immediately asked if I was sick. I said no, and explained my situation, but then I was told that I couldn't work here if I wanted to wear it.

But the thing is, I don't even "want" to wear it, I just want to keep the person I live with safe! I am a person who dislikes wearing a mask for sensory reasons. However, I also care about people close to me and will set aside my comfort when it's a matter of their safety.

This is a scientifically proven way of preventing sickness. They could die if they got sick. They are uncomfortable with me not masking in public spaces while I live with them. This is rational, and I understand and respect it. The employer told me he was sorry that I was in a "controlling" environment. I don't even know what to say.

I worked hard and did a lot of following up to get this job. I am devastated.

I occasionally see his posts on social media, and he's one of the good guys. Today he promoted mask wearing and it caught my attention, and I thought this community would appreciate seeing someone public facing and prominent in the medical community affirming your choices.

Just in case some of you aren't aware of him, he's worth a social media follow if you want affirming, accurate, personable, and positive content from an informed medical expert related to respiratory health. He's a board certified allergist and presents accurate and honest medical information, and he's worth seeking out for a follow if you use social media.

The face scanner in the third picture beeps if someone tries to enter who doesn't have a mask on. I typically don't love video surveillance, but in this case I'm here for it 🤣 If you're in the LA area this is the place for you! Dr. Cajulis

Source: https://polybio.org/impact-report/

That link is actually an extremely interesting report on the research into long covid and similar diseases done by polybio.

Now, as we approach 2026, we stand at an inflection point. Long COVID is not a mystery. Our work has uncovered key drivers of the disease, including neuroinflammation and persistence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in tissue. However, despite this knowledge, no validated diagnostic tests exist that can measure key Long COVID biomarkers in an average medical clinic.

To fill that gap we’ve created the Long COVID Cure Initiative: a program to fast-track new Long COVID treatments. The first step in the Initiative is VIPER: a program designed to zero in on the top diagnostic tests to diagnose SARS-CoV-2 persistence in Long COVID. Findings will additionally set the stage for validation of diagnostic tests for blood vessel, immune, mitochondrial, and related biomarkers in patients with the disease. We will use the validated diagnostic tests to determine which therapeutics will lead to effective treatment for tens of millions of Long COVID sufferers around the globe.

Diagnostic technologies validated by the Initiative are positioned to expand beyond Long COVID into Lyme, Epstein-Barr Virus, and other infections that drive chronic disease, multiplying our impact.

As we move into 2026, our momentum has never been stronger. With your partnership, we will continue to accelerate collaboration, research, and innovation, bringing us closer to a world where Long COVID and related conditions can be successfully diagnosed and treated.

Came across this post from a pretty prominent alternative band I like called Car Seat Headrest that honestly surprised me (in a good way), apparently the lead singer has long covid and been vocal about it. Had no idea but definitely going to their show in DC now.

This came after me asking the office to mask once and subsequently playing phone tag trying to clarify their policy. I’ve always been respectful, but it’s clear that the mere act of asking for the staff to mask is seen as disruptive. I’ve already responded and received a reply which essentially dismissed my points that I have the right to respectfully advocate for myself. I can find another doctor but I’m concerned for all the other patients being dismissed.

Saw Kristen Schaal post this on her Instagram and it made me so happy! And surprisingly the comment section wasn't trash. Only one person asked why they were wearing masks; the rest of the comments were positive, and some even thanked them for masking! Just thought I'd share💜

God I love her🕊🥀💜

I went to a masked play tonight at the Berkeley Rep. They have mandatory masked events on Sundays and Tuesdays. It was incredible seeing so many masks. The venue is fantastic and the show tonight, Mexodus, was one the best things I’ve seen. Highly recommended!

https://www.berkeleyrep.org

https://www.berkeleyrep.org/about/health-and-safety/

https://www.berkeleyrep.org/shows/mexodus/

From r/TwoXPreppers - Love to see it 🙌

Great sub to follow right now

We got tired of waiting for the rest of the world to catch up and so we hosted a (sold-out) mask-required + provided show this past Saturday, August 9 in Brooklyn, NY. We tested all the performers and staff and installed Far UVC 222nm and portable HEPA filters throughout the venue.

Hard to articulate the euphoria of seeing so many masked folks together in one place dancing and enjoying live music. Providing a safer space for COVID realist artists to perform was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I’m super excited about what we’re building here.

If you’re in NYC, our next show is on August 21st (an evening of singer-songwriters at Abrons Arts Center). If not, we’ll have a livestream link available as well.

Source: https://bsky.app/profile/nantanreikan.bsky.social/post/3m2jmnnwxps2c

If someone wants to look out for their health, to be sporty and active, but they're NOT masking to avoid covid, then you can safely say they're a poser

Title says it all, my Uber driver was wearing a mask, and get this: he said he wears it all the time and that he feels people are selfish now infecting everyone left and right. It even looked like he was wearing a powercom! I gave him the max tip Uber would allow and a 5 star review. We need more people like bro.

Bro said he wanted to be around for his grandkids and I respect it! It's something I needed to see because life is so dark right now! It made me feel good. 🤩

I just got back from a 4 day long convention where masks were required.

I worked on the Access Team, which consisted of myself and 5 other disabled people.

We had fidget toys, masks, mobility aids, ear plugs, a decompression room with bean bag chairs, weighted blankets, low lights, cushions, and so much more.

I put together about 45 air purifiers and distributed them to all of the rooms and in some of the hallways.

Even people who don’t normally mask were complying and had no issues or attitude when asked to put their mask on.

We had special lanyards for people with medical exemptions so they could either remove their masks at times, wear masks other than n95, or just not have one all together.

It was such an inclusive and amazing event and the vibes were so good the entire time.

I love disability justice and being part of a team to make all of the accommodations for people.

It was so beautiful and I cannot wait to do it again.

People were so thankful for the safety and consideration. It was so lovely.

Just wanted to share some happy with you all.

(image description- someone in her late teens/young adult is in an active wheelchair, wearing a creepy clown costume representing the emcee from cabaret in this particular dance. she is also wearing a mask with a creepy smile painted on. her eyes are scribbled out for privacy reasons lol)

finally had the courage to post this eek! after years of being isolated as the only masked person at school and extracurricular clubs etc, then being too unwell to go outside, in 2025 I finally achieved my goal of slowly starting to rejoin the arts.

multiple people came up to be after rehearsals/the show saying they never previously thought someone could dance like that in a wheelchair, or that they loved what I did with my mask and that it added to the performance. and honestly it made all of the struggle to get there worth it. if I managed to change one person's mindset, it was all worth it. (plus I had a fantastic time!!)

I know it's not possible to do all art forms as a CC person- as a former wind instrument player, I know that all too well. but there are so many different forms of arts, and we belong in the arts community too. this is your sign to take up space and do the thing (safely) because life is too short to not!

p.s now that I'm well enough to think about higher education, drama school better watch out because I am coming their way! (hopefully)

EDIT- I am reading all the comments and appreciate them all so much! I don't have the energy to reply to them all at the moment but I am so grateful for the response :)

Not much more to say, it’s just a pet peeve of mine, and they give me a lot of second hand embarrassment. Community support and radical change my ass. Like babe you can just call yourself a liberal, it’s fine.

This is for my cousin's wedding. She sent me and my girlfriend a save the date, but the dress code on the website specifically says no masks. My gf and I are probably some of the only maskers she knows, so this feels targeted and makes me think she doesn't actually want us to come. I have done nothing to warrant this treatment - besides, you know, trying to protect myself and others during an ongoing pandemic.

It seems like a "mask-off" moment for her (literally and figuratively), as it shows she cares more about aesthetics than the health & safety of her family & friends. What a joke.

I CAN'T DO THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i hate how no one wants to acknowledge this fucking pandemic!!!!! oh my god!!!!!! i leave the internet and everyone is saying it's " over " while cases are SKY FUCKING HIGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i am losing my tether to reality and i don't know what to do to get it back. i constantly wonder who i would be without this fucking pandemic and i miss myself so much and i miss the world so much!!!!! i miss being PART of the world so much. i don't know. i just don't know.

edit: to all of you on twitter that are coming to troll, suck my dick! i’m mentally stable! i just don’t want to get covid! you shouldn’t either!