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I’m sure it was meant innocently but masks (N95s) have never gone away for some of us. Disabled people like me have basically become hermits because society decided we were expendable.

My winter list

Sugar free, menthol cough drop (I prefer honey lemon) also, sugar free only so as not to give bacteria more breeding ground not a diet-y reason!

In addition to a Vicks inhaler, there are also inhalers that help reduce nausea. So useful!

Mucinex (generic guaifenesin). So helpful for getting all the congestion out of the body without using a decongestant.

If a bad cough is present, Rx Tesselon pearls. I can’t do liquid cough medicine because the taste triggers a gag reflex and my doctor gives me these. They make it possible to sleep even with a cough. Flu for me too often turns into bronchitis so the cough one of the worst parts.

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Fellow masker here! It can definitely be annoying to wear them sometimes, but wearing a KN95 or N95 has been super helpful for me in avoiding the flu, norovirus, COVID, and common colds. I've barely been sick since 2020, and I used to get colds and strep at least once a year.

Disabled people are not expendable, and a mask is a very easy way to show solidarity while protecting yourself and others.

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Thank you for the note about masks, Amy. And def co-sign mucinex!!

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I wear a fit tested N95 for work frequently and it amazes me how many people have gotten rid of all their masks. They’re helpful for protecting others (who are not expendable!), helpful for the seasons when lots more germs are circulating, and helpful for non infectious stuff, too. I was giving my N95s to my LA neighbors who had to go out in dangerous air and deal with toxic clean up because they had tossed all their stuff. I want to run around and say put them in your emergency kits and first aid kits, folks.

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I stand with you. I'm not disabled (currently/yet, anyway) but have continued to mask and take many other precautions because of the risk of long covid to all of us. 😷

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It’s such a relief to see exactly my sentiments/approach articulated here. ♥️😷

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Oh boy do I get that, that relief. I'm so glad I was able to give it to you; your comment gave it back to me. 😷

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