@cercopithecoid I'm sure a flu could be arranged for you if you're looking to get back into the communicable diseases market without the hassle of dealing with the populous. There's probably someone sick at mediocre labs who can spit in a bottle of water and ship it to you...for a price.
@connorbush If you needed to be living like this, you would be. If it's a choice you're considering, proceed very carefully. To the larger world an eccentric is acceptable, a weirdo is not. And if you haven't had a spoken conversation for months or years, your brain changes and slowly you lose the option of return. Practically: go naked, make your clothes last decades and you won't need to shop for them. For food, canned and dried in large quantities are the way to go. If you can't use Amazon grocery or similar service, shop @ 10-11pm or 4-5am and pick a store with a self check-out. Learn sign language, eventually someone's going to try to speak to you and if you sign you can probably avoid the conversation. Lastly, find something fascinating about yourself or you'll die from boredom or loneliness.
Last time I got the flu was also the last time I got the flu shot. Mom had me get it every year, and I got the flu anyway. Then, I got to college, never bothered, and never got the flu, a grand tradition that carries on to this day. I don't really think the shots are useless (too much data going the other way), but I'm too lazy to get the shot, and it makes for a fun story.
I started getting the flu shot about five years ago and have not had the flu. The flu shot works. If you don't get it than you are an idiot, just like the republicans running president (I won't name any names).
I have a compromised immune system so my doctor is pretty insistent I get a flu shot. I haven't had the flu since I started getting the shot, but that doesn't necessarily indicate cause/effect. But I'll keep getting the shot, anyway.
I had a flu shot this year, but I know there are a ton of strains. I did get a HORRIBLE sinus infection (I think?) the nurse practitioner that I saw made me take antibiotics even tho both of us had spoken early in the appointment that we were the kind of people who usually let sinus infections ride out. I felt as bad as I did the one time I did have the flu? So. Who knows? What if it was the flu AND a sinus infection?
Flu usually comes with a lovely feeling that something is squeezing your head. neck, and shoulders with a vise to just short of the moment when the bones crack. This special sensation also comes with a "i would moan in pain but only have energy to collapse" level headache.
Aspirin, ibuprofen, tylenol, nyquil and the like barely touch the pain.
Also once you are mostly clear of other flu symptoms and are well enough to go back to work, you get to keep the headaches and extreme fatigue/weakness for a few more weeks.
As bad as sinus infections are, they usually dont do that.
But lucky flu victims will prob get a sinus infection as an additional bonus.
I'm a hermit, I haven't had the flu in over a decade.
@cercopithecoid I'm sure a flu could be arranged for you if you're looking to get back into the communicable diseases market without the hassle of dealing with the populous. There's probably someone sick at mediocre labs who can spit in a bottle of water and ship it to you...for a price.
@cercopithecoid same
@cercopithecoid do you have a work from home job? Do you get groceries delivered or plant and grow your own crops? Please advise.
@connorbush If you needed to be living like this, you would be. If it's a choice you're considering, proceed very carefully. To the larger world an eccentric is acceptable, a weirdo is not. And if you haven't had a spoken conversation for months or years, your brain changes and slowly you lose the option of return. Practically: go naked, make your clothes last decades and you won't need to shop for them. For food, canned and dried in large quantities are the way to go. If you can't use Amazon grocery or similar service, shop @ 10-11pm or 4-5am and pick a store with a self check-out. Learn sign language, eventually someone's going to try to speak to you and if you sign you can probably avoid the conversation. Lastly, find something fascinating about yourself or you'll die from boredom or loneliness.
@cercopithecoid
I admire true dedication.
I drink alcohol, so I never get the flu. I am ,however, prone to occasional multi day hangovers.
Did you know, true fact, having your home team in the super bowl makes you 18% more likely to die from the flu?
https://apps.health.ny.gov/pub/ctrldocs/alrtview/postings/Notification_20124.pdf
Current Flu stats in NYS, FYI?
Last time I got the flu was also the last time I got the flu shot. Mom had me get it every year, and I got the flu anyway. Then, I got to college, never bothered, and never got the flu, a grand tradition that carries on to this day. I don't really think the shots are useless (too much data going the other way), but I'm too lazy to get the shot, and it makes for a fun story.
No, I have the immune system of gods.
@chr I, on the other hand, am on the toilet thanks to the flu at this very moment. Damn you, Immune God.
I started getting the flu shot about five years ago and have not had the flu. The flu shot works. If you don't get it than you are an idiot, just like the republicans running president (I won't name any names).
@deemoy I take umbrage to that statement! I am not an idiot and I do not get the flu shot.
Flu shots since the 80's. No flu.
I have a compromised immune system so my doctor is pretty insistent I get a flu shot. I haven't had the flu since I started getting the shot, but that doesn't necessarily indicate cause/effect. But I'll keep getting the shot, anyway.
@AnnaB My parents are immunocompromised so I always get the flu shot too. I have no idea if it's cause and effect for me either...
I had a flu shot this year, but I know there are a ton of strains. I did get a HORRIBLE sinus infection (I think?) the nurse practitioner that I saw made me take antibiotics even tho both of us had spoken early in the appointment that we were the kind of people who usually let sinus infections ride out. I felt as bad as I did the one time I did have the flu? So. Who knows? What if it was the flu AND a sinus infection?
@linnry
At least in my case:
Flu usually comes with a lovely feeling that something is squeezing your head. neck, and shoulders with a vise to just short of the moment when the bones crack. This special sensation also comes with a "i would moan in pain but only have energy to collapse" level headache.
Aspirin, ibuprofen, tylenol, nyquil and the like barely touch the pain.
Also once you are mostly clear of other flu symptoms and are well enough to go back to work, you get to keep the headaches and extreme fatigue/weakness for a few more weeks.
As bad as sinus infections are, they usually dont do that.
But lucky flu victims will prob get a sinus infection as an additional bonus.
Hence flu shots.
I teach third graders, kids are filthy.