Whenever I have a viral post (my definition is >250K views), I feel some kind of weird obligation to use that opportunity to warn and educate more people. Deep down, I know new followers can’t handle the truth and they’re gone before getting to the TLDR. But here goes: COVID causes permanent brain damage and immune system dysfunction. It’s why everyone’s sick. Public messaging has downplayed COVID’s risks because corporations, employers, and politicians benefit from inaction. Protecting people costs money, and they’d rather you stay sick than force change. The problem is that life is not sustainable from a pathogen that does this kind of destruction. Repeat infections do cumulative damage. People are already struggling with brain fog and exhaustion, and it’s only getting worse. The systems we rely on won’t hold when so many are mentally and physically deteriorating. But you don’t have to play along. Take control: wear a respirator, filter your air, push for clean indoor air standards. Sharing is caring. Why should you protect your body and brain? Read my published Letter to Mensa. uofi.box.com/s/to7acbvjeh679… Also check out my Covid Cautious Survival Guide (the terms you forgot or never knew) - a field guide to the pandemic reality everyone wants to ignore. - Find more resources on the the Covid Toolbox covidtoolbox.com/resources/ The artwork has been modified because it’s #longcovidawareness month. ME/CFS is a different condition but many people with Long Covid have been diagnosed as having ME/CFS. Covid causes Long Covid. ME/CFS can be caused by all sorts of things. Recognizing this distinction is important to the LC Community I advocate for, but it in no way is meant to diminish the decades of dismissiveness those with ME/CFS have faced. The artwork now includes both. Let’s push for research and treatments for both! Original artwork: Lu Baker