What are we doing?

"Noah Lyles's bronze medal in the Olympic men's 200-meter dash Thursday in Paris surprised many, given the speed he demonstrated while winning gold in the 100-meter race. However, after the race—which Lyles left in a wheelchair—it was revealed that Lyles was suffering from COVID-19."

si.com/olympics/noah-lyles-say

"The Paris Olympics do not have anything resembling strict COVID protocols, so Lyles did not break any rules by particpating in Thursday's race. In fact, he reportedly isn't even the first athlete to participate in the 2024 Games while positive for COVID. "

We will not know many Covid cases, because many athletes might only compete in one event.

@ABScientist COVID is quite common without symptoms or issues. I have had it 8 times now because I worked as a scientist with patients so I was tested often. Of the 8 times i had it I presented no symptoms of any kind 7 out of those 8 times.

Only reason they are showing up positive is because its just so common to present asymptomatically. In fact you are probably around hundreds of people in a day who would test positive but have no symptoms.

@freemo

You be among the around 10% of the population with the HLA allele, which makes it likely that your infections are asymptomatic.

It is a genetic lottery. If you have the right genes, Covid is a walk in the park.

If you have the wrong genes, consider your role in society ended.

covid19.nih.gov/news-and-stori

@ABScientist genes certainly play a role. But no in my case that doesnt apply. In fact my response was quite typical, everone on my team was tested regularly and we all had similar results over the 2 year period.

@freemo

Many of the infections have limited symptoms (I think the estimate is around 40 to 60%).

What do you say to people who get sick as a dog each time they get Covid?

Or those who develop severe long Covid after their infections?

"Too bad. You are no longer worth your place in society."?

@freemo

I know people in both groups. And society indeed thinks that there is something wrong with them. And they are struggling in their jobs and financially.

Is this a way to treat people?

@ABScientist

Huh, there literally is something wrong with them, as you pointed out some sort of genetic abnormality that makes them high risk... not sure you mean about "treati g people" they were born that way, its not our fault somethi g is literally wrong with them, covid has mother nature to blame

@freemo

We could also clean the air and make sure people get infected less often, making it safe for everyone.

Next there might be mpox, bird flu or Nipah. And you may be on the wrong end of the gene spectrum.

@ABScientist

You can always do more, there comes a point of marginal returns. At some point there is a cut off where doing more takes too much effort for too little gain.

There are also issues with purifyibg environments too much as it te ds to lead to higher incidence of autoimmune disease, so there is also a point where cleaning the air causes more disease than it cures.

Not saying we are at that point mind you.

@freemo

It does mean that as an employer you are fishing in a smaller pond of talent.

Those who get seriously ill from Covid are not going to work in a workplace where Covid floats around freely and they are expected to take part in maskless food and drink events.

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@ABScientist

Yea they would have to find a job thry can do effectively remotely of course.

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