Be careful with this flu going around.

[LuckyCharms]

I haven't worn a mask in awhile, but I think I will start again for a bit.

My barber shop has 5 or 6 barbers, and it's usually packed in like sardines in there. I had a haircut and beard trim scheduled for tomorrow. I think I'll cancel it, shave my beard off, and cut my own hair again until this thing passes.

My wife works from home, but she occasionally has to go to local group homes. She tells me that the local group homes are absolutely ravaged with the flu.

Our neighbor, who works in a local hospital, made a special trip this morning just to knock on our door and tell us that the hospital is full of flu cases, and it's a nasty strain.

I'm in upstate NY.

Be careful out there. It seems to be hitting my area especially hard.

[MuseRider]

1. We have started to do that depending where we are

but will likely start all the time in stores and crowds soon. It is so easy, much more than being so sick.

[LuckyCharms]

2. I have a HUGE box in my garage...

that I ordered off Amazon. It has 440 3m Aura N95 masks in it.

I ordered them as soon as trump got into office again.

Had a feeling we'd be needing them.

Stay safe.

[yorkster]

3. Schmart move, Lucky.

[LuckyCharms]

4. The thing is...

I just went and checked them out.

A label on the box says "Use by Nov 2025".

I'm sure they'll work well enough. Each one is sealed individually in plastic.

[Attilatheblond]

11. Yeah, got a bunch of those and some of those clear, full face sheilds to go with them

Also got a battery back up charger in case I have to video a lot of ICE behaving badly, and a LONG tether for my phone to have it handy on my shoulder for protests. And a walker for protests cuz I am old and gimpy. Wanna see my hard hat? Got it for when I prune my tree, but thinkin it might be good protest-wear.

[LuckyCharms]

12. Ha! I have a hardhat too!

I was issued it when I worked a stint in highway construction. It's bright orange, and I also was given a bright orange vest at the same time.

I still wear the hardhat when the occasion arises (like you, when pruning large limbs).

[Attilatheblond]

13. Our usual protest helpers all have those vests. Good idea to have them. They have cases bottled water in pull carts too.

Been wondering about those clear full face shields that disrupt facial recognition gadgets in case things get really bad. My daughter does a lot of different costumes for when we all hit the street. Several people around here have purchased inflatables. Kinda wish I use scuba gear

We have a LOT of candy asses who strap on side arms just to go to the store for milk and bread. And they call us 'scaredy cats' for masking in public! Saw one guy with FOUR handguns on him in the grocery store making fun of a very VERY elderly lady with a mask on. I don't even know how he kept his pants on with all that iron on his belt.

[LuckyCharms]

15. I was given some shit about my mask in public...

maybe 2 or 3 times.

I LOVE shutting those people down!

I fucking humiliate them. I view it as a sport!

[Attilatheblond]

22. Seems a lot of 'em think we are wusses and they feel big when they make fun of us

Always good to shut that bully stuff down. Fun to watch them tuck tail, isn't it?

[BurnDoubt]

48. It's only cool now if you're kidnapping. Who's the pussy now?

Stay healthy, Sir.
People Love you.
I hope you're feeling better.

[erronis]

23. Who's the candy-ass when they feel alone and threatened without their rods?

[paleotn]

28. Same here.

3 years ago....that's a lot of masks. Wonder if we'll ever use them. Fast forward....darn glad we got those masks.

[ananda]

39. I still have a bunch too.

You never know.

[marble falls]

6. I see it more and more, but it's still less than 10%.

[marble falls]

5. We had the masks out and washed and ready for a couple of months, now.

[LuckyCharms]

7. That's good prep.

We masked up longer than a lot of people did. We stopped not too long ago.

I don't go to church, but my wife does. She wore one to church this morning, and she skipped receiving communion.

[marble falls]

8. We know it's only a matter of time. A couple of times I saw others in the HEB wearing them and I felt we're ...

... awfully close.

[paleotn]

29. With the harbinger of plague back in office, that's a smart move.

[debm55]

9. Thank you , LuckyCharms for the warning.

[LuckyCharms]

10. You're welcome, Dear Deb.

[chouchou]

14. Went to Publix (Pharmacy) and got the latest 2 flu shots. Sore arms but well worth a little peace.

Naturally, still cautious..

[LuckyCharms]

16. I get one every year, but this year, it's still on my list because

I have an auto-immune condition that is flaring. As soon as it calms a bit, I'll go to Wegmans and get the shot.

I hope I don't sound discouraging, but I'm hearing that they messed up the strain this year. I'll still get the shot though...it can't hurt.

I got the flu bad in 2018 (even after getting the vax). Ended up in the ER. I don't want that shit again.

[chouchou]

35. Seems like I caught a flu bug in 2018-19 like yours.

Jesus Christ! I kept thinking .."I'll be fine in a few days"
The Flu Bug answered my cheerful reality...."Fuck you Asshole....sleep like a stick of dynamite...Shit your pants..
...I'll tell you when to get well and not a God-Damn day before!"

Not fun that year..

[nilram]

32. It is helpful, but this year it doesn't cover the bad one.

"Subclade K"

Masking in public is the best option for preventing transmission, or getting it.

https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/13/health/flu-season-subclade-k-variant


https://www.hsacoalition.org/issue-analysis/briefing-on-h3n2-subclade-k-also-called-j-2-4-1-dubbed-the-super-flu-by-u-s-media/

[Evolve Dammit]

37. Do you know if it is effective against this newly identified variant strain?

[chouchou]

41. The Pharmacist said he was giving both variants this year.

I've been forced this Christmas and New years, regarding with LOTS of people ...and still feel great.
(Cross fingers and all that)

[Evolve Dammit]

46. Hope so too!

[Tetrachloride]

17. a young friend got hit. Took 3 weeks to recover

[LuckyCharms]

18. So sorry. Yes, I hear it's a bad one.

[MiHale]

19. Michigan is getting hit hard also...

Up to date on all vaccines … at a family Christmas gathering wife and I got a small touch, basically lethargic and runny nose with a cough at times. Rest of the family (mostly teachers) was hit a little harder. 4 days of discomfort…lingering cough which is fading.

Good advice Lucky.

[LuckyCharms]

20. I'm glad yours wasn't too horrible, MiHale.

[MiHale]

24. In reality it should have been nothing...

This is the first year in 10 that we didn’t immunize ourselves with the ‘tea’ we normally drink in the winter before group get-togethers …have no reason to why…but we now see the benefits we receive from it..

It’s a blend of herbs we have growing in the yard…primarily Prunella Vulgaris and Meadowsweet, with Bee Balm, Red Raspberry leaves and white clover flower in a Red rooibos tea base.

On the daily menu now.

[4Sitka]

21. I'm on day 10

It is a nasty one. I even got my flu and cold shots, but I still got this flu.

[Scrivener7]

27. Whoa! I'm sorry. Feel better!

[paleotn]

31. Getting the commonly available flu vaccine "right" is very difficult.

Figuring out exactly which strain(s) become dominate is the hard part but people way smarter than me do their bast. The recent H3N2 is a bit of a surprise. Each year's flu vaccine may not cover all strains, and their may be surprises, but it's way better than nothing. Pneumonia vaccine is also uber important.

[Fil1957]

25. Since I live with a 95 year old, I've been masking up with a KN95 whenever I go into indoor public places since 2020.

Over the last 6+ years I've gotten one mild case of Covid, no colds and no flu. In my entire life I've never been this disease free.

On rare occasions people look at me funny, probably less than 5 times total over the last 6 years, but you know what, I'd much rather have people look at me funny than to be down a single hour with a cold or flu. The trade is well worth it.

If you really don't want to get sick and get others sick, you don't have to, just wear a mask!

Masks work! It's as simple as that.

P.S. You only need to do this indoors. Going outside without a mask is just fine...

[chowder66]

33. I still wear mine and I'm not around anyone who is compromised. I just don't want to get it.

Long covid sounds like something I don't ever want to experience. I've noticed more people wearing masks again in the Hollywood, CA area. Not a lot but more than I've seen in a long time.

[Skittles]

49. I really don't get the people who would judge someone for wearing a mask

ESPECIALLY since they are the same folk who are A-OK with masked ICE goons

[orangecrush]

26. Just got COVID flu and measles shot

Today.

Glad I'm over 65 and they can't deny me.

[LuckyCharms]

30. Good job, orangecrush.

[paleotn]

34. Good to hear!

I was geared up for an argument back in the fall since I'm not quite 65. My healthcare spouse was on "speed dial" just in case. But our pharmacist didn't even blink. Covid and RSV one week, flu and pneumonia the next. He asked about my last tetanus shot. 3 years ago, so I'm covered. It was like when I was a kid....pin cushion time. Load him up! First time I've gotten RSV and pneumonia shots. He did mention measles since I probably got the inactivated version. Said I'd think about it. Thanks for the reminder! I'll probably do that one too shortly just in case.

[Lars39]

40. Please get your titers checked!

I had zero immunity. I fall into that age gap, too, where for some reason they changed the vaccine or vaccine schedule. Too many anti-vaxxers around spreading everything now.

[paleotn]

43. Exactly!

Inactivated version of the measles vaccine, 63 to 67.

[paxmoki]

36. Good to mask up

I’m 72, with autoimmune issues, and just at the tail end of the latest flu.
Spent two days in bed and could hardly move. Dizziness, cough, congestion, the works.
My partner brought it home from a job and graciously gave it to me.
Mask up everyone.
Good luck out there!

[Marthe48]

38. I was at quick care yesterday

to get treated for resp. illness. I told the nurse I had met my great great nephews the day after Christmas and they had sniffles. I was there Monday for other symptoms and had to go to e.r. for tests. The nurse said I prob. got sick at either place. Here i was blaming it on the germ laden children. I've got some kind of virus, but don't have flu or Covid, glad about that. I trust the vaccines and boosters I get.

I'm on a course of heavy duty antibiotics for the other ailment. I imagine if I had anything bacterial, the medicine I'm taking would take care of it. Probably made diagnosis easier.

My local friends have said that something is going around. Usually call it Marietta crud, but whatever this is really landed on me.

I'll be masking when I go out.

Stay well! Be nice to yourself!

[barbtries]

42. I was just yesterday talking to my son about this.

people are not getting the jab. it's going to be a bad winter for flu and other respiratory illnesses. I told him i"m kinda going back to lock down. I'll still grab lunch with a friend or other loved one, I'll still march if a Mass Protest happens, but I'm trying to stay alive.

I never did quit masking. I plan to continue to do so until I shuffle off.

[Keepthesoulalive]

44. Virginia here

Flu, whooping cough and measles. Started wearing a mask a last month.

[SidneyR]

45. Also upstate NY.

I always mask in indoor public spaces, but for now I don't have to go anywhere. I'll be getting a home-done haircut until Spring or Summer. I trim my own beard with a Remington MB-200. Old tech but it works, with an adjustable length comb. Groceries are delivered to the house. Staying away from that flu and covid.

[snot]

47. I still mask if I've got a bug, too,

especially in medical facilities. Could be people with compromized immunity.

[Historic NY]

50. Its really bad with little kids

parents are waiting too late and pneumonia develops and then sepsis. They need to get treatment fast and get kids shots. A relative called an one of her nieces kids 4yrs old is in bad shape. Was transferred from Orange County NY to Brooklyn Childrens because most peds ICUs are full. If your kid is sick go early its better to seek treatment at the first sign. They had to vent and then go in and draw out a ton of fluids. The Dr was amazed he kept breathing.

[Ritabert]

51. I got an old-fashioned cold last week

Not the flu. No fever and no symptoms aside from sneezing and a runny nose. I attribute it to sitting in a clinic waiting room earlier that week. Luckily I'm feeling better. I'm masking from now on.

[OLDMDDEM]

52. My wife and I both have this flu. Not fun.

[PJMcK]

53. We got our shots in November

Both flu and Covid booster.

We both got the K-variant of the flu anyway. Go figure.