My Inner Endemicity

Sascha Lobo impressed me again by coining a new German term, Innere Endemie, though this time it is not Lobo's neologism but my insight: I am in that state too.

©mdr

Sascha's inner endemicity "is a mixture of indifference, ruthlessness, and resignation. That may sound more negative from the outside than it feels from the inside."

My state of inner endemicity is somewhat different and is based only on what knowledgeable scientists have learned about the Corona epidemic so far.

Masks

Aerosols transmit the Covid-19 virus. Therefore, the wearing of a mask is the primary protection against infection. FFP2 masks do not protect 100%, but they prevent droplet spread and slow finer aerosols, so the Corona-contaminated cloud remains in the immediate neighborhood of the exhaling, infected person. Thus, distance remains the second most important measure for reducing infection risk.

In open spaces with air circulation and moving people, aerosol clouds with high virus concentrations will not form, so masks are rarely required.

The situation differs in confined spaces like public transport, concert halls, and lecture theaters. Here, forced ventilation measures with required air exchanges may not be sufficient to keep coronavirus-contaminated aerosol concentrations low. In these places, Red Baron will always wear an FFP2 mask. This is not possible when dining with friends in a restaurant. Sitting at a table in the same seat for extended periods and talking increases the risk of stationary aerosol clouds. I am willing to take this risk, relying on all participants' a priori personal responsibility.

Hand Washing

Washing your hands is good practice whenever you come home from outside. With the advent of Corona, Red Baron is strict about this practice, supported by his Apple Watch, which requires a minimum of 20 seconds of washing time. I didn't catch a cold during this winter or even have a clogged or runny nose. Washing your hands helps prevent bacteria and viruses from sticking around, but it has little impact as a protection measure against a coronavirus infection.

I'm not too fond of those disinfecting dispensers mostly placed on shop entrances. I don't like alcohol on my hands, and gels are the absolute horror.

Vaccination

News about mRNA vaccines' effectiveness against new Coronavirus strains is disturbing. Breakthrough infections with the Omicron variant are now countless. Vaccines optimized for the COVID-19 wild-type virus were expected to partly fail against differently "spiked" mutations.

After worldwide studies, virologists still conclude that the three-shot vaccination offers the second-best protection against severe coronavirus illness. Still, nothing beats the antibody boost from an additional COVID-19 infection. Nevertheless, both an infection and vaccinations increase the number of T cells, the ultimate defense line of our bodies against intruders.

Only those who categorically refuse vaccination face a high risk of severe illness.

Sasha tells the story of a gym where he did a trial workout. Everyone gasped, panted, and sweated. Of about fifty people, he was the only one wearing a mask. He writes, "If someone doesn't have a mask on where it would be necessary, I don't care at all if the person gets infected. Anyone who can't even muster the minimal effort to avoid getting infected deserves it. How much can you wish for a fucking self-inflicted Omicron infection? Zero sympathy."

When I'm at Kieser for muscle training, I always wear an FFP2 mask, although it is not required while exercising. Because you exhale the most aerosols during that phase, this rule is crazy.

Here I should add that the Kieser gym is well-ventilated. Most windows are wide open even in freezing temperatures, and people always keep their distance.

In Conclusion 

Red Baron is an old man. I will certainly look for a fourth vaccination to boost my antibody level. Even when masks are no longer compulsory, I'll wear an FFP2 mask when I consider the aeration situation critical.

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