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.
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.
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.
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. 😷
If you can find “Nature’s Way Sambucus immune Lozenges Elderberry / Zinc / Vitamin C” (comments won’t seem to let me add a picture but the packaging is usually mostly purple with white and green) GET THEM. They have them at target by me, but I’ve recommended them to others who can’t find them there. Most mass market elderberry stuff seems like the walked it past the idea of an elderberry at some point in the last ten years but these are actually effective at killing whatever is lingering in your throat / have given me real relief for a sore throat. Highly recommend!
Preschool teacher here - these elderberry lozenges are extremely popular with teachers in my school! I switch back and forth between them and regular Halls cough drops when my throat is bad.
For all the upper respiratory stuff and sore throats, good old fashioned saltwater gargling is one of my go-tos here. I'm sure there's the perfect saline concentration formula online somewhere, but I just eyeball some kosher salt in some very warm (almost but not quite too hot) water.
also nasal irrigation - make sure to follow the CDC steps to boil it for one minute and 10 min at high altitudes to kill off N. Fowleri (brain eating amoeba).
If I'm feeling too irritated by the process of boiling and then cooling to the right temperature, I buy a gallon of distilled water at the grocery store to use for this. Definitely more straightforward to just boil your own, but just wanted to give the option in case it helps anyone.
Yes I do that and because I am paranoid and don’t trust manufacturers I sometimes then boil that anyway :) apparently the survival rate for neti pot acquired N. Fowleri is better than other types but still…
A few drops of oregano oil diluted in water really clears my throat and lungs. I also love Vocal Zone's throat coat tea and lozenges— they're super mentholy and cut right through a sore or guttural throat.
Re: #6- Child of the 80's here! I have vivid memories of childhood sick days, lying on the couch and my mom letting me watch all the tv and movies I wanted. We didn't have I pads, but "screen time" was alive and well! My choice was always Christmas movies, no matter what time of year it was.
Hot lemonade is the go to around these parts. Hot water, juice of a lemon, sweeten to taste with maple syrup or honey. Can add peeled, lightly crushed ginger for nausea and/or a cinnamon stick (just for cozy vibes).
I also discovered when I was sick post-Christmas that the Panera chicken noodle soup in the refrigerated section at the grocery store is pretty decent.
So much tea. And water. Also love everything Vicks! I got their cool-mist humidifier and put the little tablets in with the scent. I also love the shower steamers. When I'm particularly stuffy I've been known to boil a pot of water with mint tea bags (or whatever your favorite sick time tea is), lay a towel over my head and lean over the pot and just breath for awhile. Similar effects to a hot shower but minus the having to fully shower. Finally - egg drop soup or hot and sour soup from my favorite Chinese takeout place. I don't know what they put in these magical soups but they do not fail to make me feel better.
We had the norovirus fun right after new year's. Don't forget the big metal pans/mixing bowls into/next to the bed for kids old enough to use them! Then sanitize sanitize sanitize! We had 3 family members down in one day, then 4 days of everyone better and then I still caught it after that. :( But one kid (the good hand washer) escaped.
We’re a fully vaccinated and western med but also crunchy stuff sometimes family… Boiron Oscillococcinum homeopathic really does seem to make a difference alongside more typical rx and OTC treatments and remedies! I also really like DayQuil liquicaps as well as their generic counterparts. We had adenovirus last Christmas season and it really helped us all on the harder days and nights — I had heard something about NyQuil and minimizing its use if I’m white and have dementia risk and I was too sick to properly weigh this out — DayQuil is so helpful at night, too!
This hit at the right time. I did not know about the flu tests!
My kid woke up with a fever and headache just in time for her birthday tomorrow. And just a month after our family went through a strep-norovirus-pink eye extravaganza. (No one had all of them, it was really quite something.) The whole thing has me extremely bummed out. ☹️
As a mom to a family who has someone vomit and/or get pinkeye every vacation we attempt, you have my absolute sympathy. I say put candles in everything she's willing to eat and put streamers and balloons around the couch and her bed. Be so obnoxious that it's her birthday, in spite of it all, that she laughs.
Thank you -- this is much sweeter than my idea, which was just to delay our plans! I will do both...celebrate tomorrow and delay the rest of the plans. (I knew she really wasn't feeling well when I said we would have to reschedule getting her ears pierced and she didn't even complain!)
But have you guys tried the cepacol with the benzocaine? There is nothing better for my sore throats than straight up topical anesthetics! You can get viscous lidocaine to gargle with from a prescriber, too.
If I’m coughing without a sore throat, I like sugar free hard candies (weathers, jolly rancher). The full sugar ones also work but then I have to brush my teeth constantly. I can’t do menthol, ginger, lemon, etc, because all that gives me heartburn which makes me cough more.
Throat coat lemon echinacea tea is my favorite when I’m sick. I add plenty of honey to each cup. I don’t necessarily think the echinacea is helping but I just like the lemon and honey flavor combo. And it does temporarily soothe my sore throat and keeps me hydrated.
About 10 years ago, a friend told me that if I had a cough that wouldn’t stop at night, I should rub Vicks on the soles of my feet and put socks on! Weirdly, it works?!?!
And, if all else fails, FOLD IN THE CHEESE! #SchittsCreekForever
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.
Thank you for the note about masks, Amy. And def co-sign mucinex!!
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.
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.
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. 😷
If you can find “Nature’s Way Sambucus immune Lozenges Elderberry / Zinc / Vitamin C” (comments won’t seem to let me add a picture but the packaging is usually mostly purple with white and green) GET THEM. They have them at target by me, but I’ve recommended them to others who can’t find them there. Most mass market elderberry stuff seems like the walked it past the idea of an elderberry at some point in the last ten years but these are actually effective at killing whatever is lingering in your throat / have given me real relief for a sore throat. Highly recommend!
Ooh this is v good intel.
Preschool teacher here - these elderberry lozenges are extremely popular with teachers in my school! I switch back and forth between them and regular Halls cough drops when my throat is bad.
Found some of these at a Rite-Aid recently and got them on a whim -- glad to hear it was a good choice!
For all the upper respiratory stuff and sore throats, good old fashioned saltwater gargling is one of my go-tos here. I'm sure there's the perfect saline concentration formula online somewhere, but I just eyeball some kosher salt in some very warm (almost but not quite too hot) water.
also nasal irrigation - make sure to follow the CDC steps to boil it for one minute and 10 min at high altitudes to kill off N. Fowleri (brain eating amoeba).
If I'm feeling too irritated by the process of boiling and then cooling to the right temperature, I buy a gallon of distilled water at the grocery store to use for this. Definitely more straightforward to just boil your own, but just wanted to give the option in case it helps anyone.
Yes I do that and because I am paranoid and don’t trust manufacturers I sometimes then boil that anyway :) apparently the survival rate for neti pot acquired N. Fowleri is better than other types but still…
That's totally fair -- it is a terrifying possibility!
Yes! I use a Neti pot every morning, and it’s especially good when you’ve got a stuffed up nose.
A few drops of oregano oil diluted in water really clears my throat and lungs. I also love Vocal Zone's throat coat tea and lozenges— they're super mentholy and cut right through a sore or guttural throat.
I had no idea oregano was so useful!
Oregano oil is my not-so-top-secret treatment. Amazing at mitigating the effects of cold viruses.
Good for singers too, apparently!
All the World Of puzzles are amazing. And the best for sick days or just cold days to take us away from reality.
Re: #6- Child of the 80's here! I have vivid memories of childhood sick days, lying on the couch and my mom letting me watch all the tv and movies I wanted. We didn't have I pads, but "screen time" was alive and well! My choice was always Christmas movies, no matter what time of year it was.
Hot lemonade is the go to around these parts. Hot water, juice of a lemon, sweeten to taste with maple syrup or honey. Can add peeled, lightly crushed ginger for nausea and/or a cinnamon stick (just for cozy vibes).
I also discovered when I was sick post-Christmas that the Panera chicken noodle soup in the refrigerated section at the grocery store is pretty decent.
I’m glad you found a good pre-made chicken soup. I tried Costco’s and it was awful.
So much tea. And water. Also love everything Vicks! I got their cool-mist humidifier and put the little tablets in with the scent. I also love the shower steamers. When I'm particularly stuffy I've been known to boil a pot of water with mint tea bags (or whatever your favorite sick time tea is), lay a towel over my head and lean over the pot and just breath for awhile. Similar effects to a hot shower but minus the having to fully shower. Finally - egg drop soup or hot and sour soup from my favorite Chinese takeout place. I don't know what they put in these magical soups but they do not fail to make me feel better.
On the brownie front, have you tried the Dolly Parton mix? https://www.duncanhines.com/dolly-partons-favorites/baking-mixes/dolly-partons-fabulously-double-fudge-brownie-mix
I saw a YouTuber reviewing celebrity products, and she and her mum were absolutely floored by how good these were. The whole range slaps, apparently!
We had the norovirus fun right after new year's. Don't forget the big metal pans/mixing bowls into/next to the bed for kids old enough to use them! Then sanitize sanitize sanitize! We had 3 family members down in one day, then 4 days of everyone better and then I still caught it after that. :( But one kid (the good hand washer) escaped.
We’re a fully vaccinated and western med but also crunchy stuff sometimes family… Boiron Oscillococcinum homeopathic really does seem to make a difference alongside more typical rx and OTC treatments and remedies! I also really like DayQuil liquicaps as well as their generic counterparts. We had adenovirus last Christmas season and it really helped us all on the harder days and nights — I had heard something about NyQuil and minimizing its use if I’m white and have dementia risk and I was too sick to properly weigh this out — DayQuil is so helpful at night, too!
Totally agree on the Oscill.... I had someone recommend it to me when I was pregnant and I never looked back.
This hit at the right time. I did not know about the flu tests!
My kid woke up with a fever and headache just in time for her birthday tomorrow. And just a month after our family went through a strep-norovirus-pink eye extravaganza. (No one had all of them, it was really quite something.) The whole thing has me extremely bummed out. ☹️
As a mom to a family who has someone vomit and/or get pinkeye every vacation we attempt, you have my absolute sympathy. I say put candles in everything she's willing to eat and put streamers and balloons around the couch and her bed. Be so obnoxious that it's her birthday, in spite of it all, that she laughs.
Thank you -- this is much sweeter than my idea, which was just to delay our plans! I will do both...celebrate tomorrow and delay the rest of the plans. (I knew she really wasn't feeling well when I said we would have to reschedule getting her ears pierced and she didn't even complain!)
But have you guys tried the cepacol with the benzocaine? There is nothing better for my sore throats than straight up topical anesthetics! You can get viscous lidocaine to gargle with from a prescriber, too.
If I’m coughing without a sore throat, I like sugar free hard candies (weathers, jolly rancher). The full sugar ones also work but then I have to brush my teeth constantly. I can’t do menthol, ginger, lemon, etc, because all that gives me heartburn which makes me cough more.
Homemade cough syrup: honey, lemon juice, ginger, cayenne pepper.
Throat coat lemon echinacea tea is my favorite when I’m sick. I add plenty of honey to each cup. I don’t necessarily think the echinacea is helping but I just like the lemon and honey flavor combo. And it does temporarily soothe my sore throat and keeps me hydrated.
About 10 years ago, a friend told me that if I had a cough that wouldn’t stop at night, I should rub Vicks on the soles of my feet and put socks on! Weirdly, it works?!?!
And, if all else fails, FOLD IN THE CHEESE! #SchittsCreekForever
Best. Scene. Ever. 😂
My favorite scene is the Bert Herblinger Wine one. If you need a belly laugh, that one gets me every time.
https://youtu.be/jVojhvifruk?si=Bxtnz23Ag7KqNLnC