My Inner Endemicity

Sascha Lobo impressed me again, coining a new German term: Innere Endemie, although this time it is not Lobo's neologism but my insight that I am in such a 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 only based 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 prevent the spread of droplets and reduce the speed of finer aerosols so that the Corona-contaminated cloud remains in the immediate neighborhood of the exhaling and infected person. Thus distance remains the second most important measure to reduce the risk of infection.

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 the concentration of Corona-contaminated aerosols 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 fixed on that practice, supported by his Apple Watch, requiring a minimum of 20 seconds of washing time. I didn't catch a cold during this winter or even had a clogged or running nose. Washing your hands avoids trapping bacteria and viruses, but it has little impact as a protection measure against a Corona 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

The news about mRNA vaccines' efficiency 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.

Following worldwide studies, virologists still conclude that the three-shot vaccination is the second-best protection against a severe Corona illness. Still, nothing beats the boost of antibodies with an additional Covid-19 infection on top. 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 any vaccination will have a high risk of a severe illness.

Sasha tells the story of a gym where he did a trial workout. Everyone was gasping, panting, and sweating. Out of about fifty people, he was the only one with 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 means of getting infected deserves it. How much can you wish for a fucking self-inflicted Omicron infection? Zero sympathy."

When at Kieser for my muscle training, I always wear an FFP2 mask, although it is not required while doing an exercise. Because you exhale the maximum amount of 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 at freezing temperatures, and distances are always kept.

In Conclusion 

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

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