Delta-COVID Fourth Wave Survival Guide (for Canadians)

 

Generally speaking, things are not going so well; and so we might as well prepare for survival. Here is a list of things that you could do. Suggestions are welcome, and more may be added later.

1. Get both doses of the vaccine AND continue wearing the masks regardless of vaccination status.  The pandemic isn't over yet and the virus is still circulating, and it's not over until we've actually stopped it from circulating at such an astronomical rate. And like it or not, fully vaccinated people are still, figuratively speaking, inside "the eye of the storm" as much as the unvaccinated are; 'pandemic' means prevalent over a whole country and/or the world. COVID-19 has not even reached endemic levels. I don't think I need to explain why vaccines are great preventative measures, that should already be a given. Yes, of course the vaccines are still extremely helpful, very useful, and lifesaving; but it doesn't necessarily mean they will 100% stop you from coming into contact with the virus especially when the pandemic still hasn't ended (and hence we have 'breakthrough' cases). There is no doubt that unvaccinated or only-partially vaccinated people still have a higher risk of getting infected, and that the virus circulates among them at a higher rate. 'Breakthrough cases' are probably more likely to happen to those with weaker immune systems; but regardless, if it does happen, you are much less likely to get really sick or severely ill, you will recover faster, much less likely to end up hospitalized and on a ventilator, you have a much better chance of surviving, and you are less likely to get long COVID because your body is basically prepared and trained to recognize and resist COVID-19 more effectively. However, you are still carrying a viral load -- as a fully vaccinated person who happened to get a 'breakthrough case' -- and you could still infect someone; hence the need for masks which help to mitigate the transmission. Not to mention, it's still a very unpleasant experience to be getting COVID as a fully vaccinated person who just happened to get a 'breakthrough case', even if you're significantly better off than someone who isn't vaccinated or is only partially vaccinated.

'Breakthrough' cases are not entirely new or unheard of. As an example: the measles has been eradicated in most places and the measles vaccine is still considered to be very effective. But, if one were to be overconfident by travelling to an area that is a measles hot spot, and is surrounded by an overwhelming number of infected persons, then yes: chances are that the individual -- despite being vaccinated against the measles -- will be infected. However, he or she will still be able to fight off the disease more effectively and recover quickly thanks to the measles vaccine boosting their immune response. Either way, it is still highly inadvisable to surround yourself -- completely unmasked and with no precautions taken -- with persons infected with the measles, despite being vaccinated against the measles; just as it is inadvisable to approach a herd of deer, regardless of being vaccinated against tuberculosis. Therefore, why should it be any different when it comes to COVID-19, especially when one considers that the pandemic is still far from being over? 

Here is an analogy for 'breakthrough' cases: winter hats, gloves, and coats are designed to be water-resistant (which is not the same as waterproof) thanks to the materials that are used to make them; thus helping you to stay warm. And as long as you are bundled up properly, you can go out in a blizzard and you will not freeze to death because your winter coat is not absorbing liquid like a sponge. But that does NOT mean that you should go for a swim in a frozen lake, in the 'dead of winter', with your water-resistant winter coat; it should go without saying that this is a very foolish thing to do. Yes, your coat will at least prevent the worst of hypothermia and decrease your chances of freezing to death, but it will become soaked due to being plunged in high-pressure water.

It is not enough nor is it entirely correct to blame everything on the unvaccinated. Don't get me wrong: there are certain, "special", groups of people (the "Give me convenience or give me death!"-crowd, most if not all of whom are anti-vaxx anyway) who clearly never gave a f*** to begin with and either never wore the mask unless forced to or were always just itching to look for excuses to drop the masks in a heartbeat, are essentially just hellbent on killing everyone and dragging everyone down with them, and who will continue to refuse to get vaccinated. Quite frankly, to hell with those people; and if those people want to kill themselves, that's not really our problem. Obviously, I agree that people like that have no right to inflict their self-destructiveness on everyone else, and I have no sympathy for people like that. But we need to remember that we also have children under 12 who are still not eligible to get the vaccines; and we also have those who are severely immunocompromised or who essentially have no immune system who literally can't get vaccinated even if they wanted to. There's also the possibility that some people just have difficulties booking their appointments due to the nature of their workplace schedules, and/or they're just choosing to stick with their original second dose appointment dates because they personally find it less of a headache to re-book -- but they'll still be able to get both doses eventually regardless; and besides, i.e. Ontario's booking system wasn't exactly without its problems. For the record, I'm very happy to have been able to get my second dose re-booked for an earlier date, but the booking process was still an unnecessary pain in the butt; but, I digress. Not to mention, a lot of younger people -- most of whom are in the workforce and are 'essential' workers -- had to wait longer to book their appointments because of Ontario's aged-based tier system; and by the time they were actually allowed to book their appointments earlier, it was during a time when the booking system got overloaded, with really long wait times, because of the online traffic. And some people, who were frustrated with the high online traffic during the months of May and June, and therefore decided to wait until it all 'died down' before they can book, may not even be aware that there are now more walk-ins being accepted in many clinics; or that GO Transit is currently deploying buses -- as mobile walk-in clinics -- to tour the province and help with vaccinations.

In the end, it's ultimately the fault of capitalism as to why we've reached this point of the pandemic in the first place. And yes, business interests which dictate our reopening policies (with the goal of protecting short-term profits), thereby going against public health and science, certainly helped to enable and empower the anti-mask/anti-vaxx cranks. So yes, it's a mistake to assume that every single individual will automatically take personal responsibility as we prematurely loosen more restrictions. 

2. Upgrade to better masks. Highly recommended: KN95, other respirators that are similar to the NIOSH N95 Particulate Healthcare Respirators by 3M, and/or elastomeric respirators (either half- or full-faced).

Sadly, the NIOSH N95 Particulate Healthcare Respirators by 3M are still not easily accessible to the general public in Canada, despite the fact that there is actually enough of them to be distributed to anyone who wants them. 

Elastomeric respirators, on the other hand, are not as "out of reach" in comparison. Keep in mind, however, that they are quite expensive. But on the upside: they are reusable, they can be kept for a very long time, and can be cleaned using water and dish soap.  

As for KN95's: my personal preference and recommendation would be the fish-shaped FFP2 KN95 masks, Model 8862, from Sky Screen. They are indeed approved by Health Canada. 

For other respirators that are very similar to 3M's NIOSH N95 Particulate Healthcare Respirators, my personal preference is the FFP3 CAN99 from Vitacore, which I only wear when going to work. I would also recommend the CAN95, another product from Vitacore. Both are approved by Health Canada as well.

Regardless of which mask you choose, you need to keep in mind that COVID-19 is primarily spread through airborne transmission -- hence the emphasis on wearing masks as a safety precaution. Yes, you should still wash your hands and not touch your face with unwashed hands, but those are personal behaviours. The main objective here is to focus on the collective. 

3. Continue to practice physical distancing and avoiding large crowds. 

4. Start prepping with your food staples and essential supplies. Gradually and quietly stockpile, little-by-little, by doubling the frequency of your trips to the grocery store for the duration of the summer season; instead of going once a week, go twice a week for the time being. But do not hoard.

Walking out with a shopping cart that is piled high with items and looking like a landfill is not exactly a very good look, to put it lightly, and it will attract a lot of unwanted attention. But more importantly, hoarding is not good because it will cause a ripple effect and lead to a lot of people panicking and into thinking that there's a shortage when there isn't; and once they think there is a shortage, shelves will be cleared and emptied out (which will then, ironically, lead to a real shortage where demand outstrips supply), thus catching negative media attention. 

For starters, on one day you could be focusing mainly getting personal hygiene items and buying things in twos, such as two packs of toilet paper or two large bottles of shampoo. And on another day,you could be focusing on getting staple food items that you can store in your freezer or pantry and cook later -- also buying the items in twos. For example: two bottles of olive oil, two large packs of ground beef, two large packs of chicken breast, two 796 ml cans of crushed tomatoes, etc., etc. 

Just remember that most produce (fruits and vegetables) do not have a very long shelf life, and so it is generally not recommended that you buy them in bulk; but rather, in small batches once per week. There are exceptions, of course. These exceptions, which have longer shelf lives, include:

• onions and garlic -- both of which are staples for many home-cooked meals
• potatoes and sweet potatoes
• squash, which can be kept in the dark, in a i.e. cupboard or pantry for up to 6 months
• citrus fruits (as long as they are refrigerated)
• full-sized carrots

Also, if you are unable to finish a dish within a certain number of days because of how big it is, and you are worried that it will spoil, you can save it by freezing it. But, that's another story.

5. Stay updated on COVID-related news and daily trends. You do not go back to "normal" by pretending that everything is back to "normal".

6. Working people need to help each other to survive. Stay connected with your community and give mutual aid to each other at whatever capacity you can (while obviously still taking precautions).

• If you are already part of a union, but your work contract still does not include permanent paid sick days, now would be a good time to put it on the bargaining table (if it isn't already) as a top priority and to push hard for it. Even when the COVID-19 pandemic ends, permanent sick days will still be a great benefit in the event that workers get sick or injured outside of a pandemic; as well as in the event of a future pandemic (disease outbreaks are naturally recurring phenomena). 
• You and your co-workers have the right to refuse unsafe work; apply that principle where applicable. Hazards are especially high during this ongoing global pandemic. 
• Organize or join a union if you haven't already. 
• Share mask recommendations and other health & safety tips with each other.
• Check up on each other.
• Don't be a scab.

7. Avoid indoor dining. Just because your province's current stage or phase of reopening policies say that it's okay, that does not mean that you should do it, especially when the pandemic is still not over. Indoor dining is not only non-essential but is still an unnecessary risk during a pandemic. Either: eat on the patio (while the seasonal weather still permits it), do take-out or delivery, or -- as an even better option -- cook your own meals.