The Maskers Comic

The Maskers Comic

Comics with a purpose

The Maskers Comic began as a way to identify the thoughts, emotions, and frustrations of living in the era of COVID-19, as well as ways to navigate how to be safe and social.

From there, it became an informational and social guide to show to family and friends, all put into comic-style for ease of understanding, but with accurate COVID-19 information, including links to all sources. 

Read about the start of our comic advocacy journey, at "Behind the Mask", published at The Polyphony

But our Masker's Comic Series, (most recently with Episode 4 made in 2024) is just one part of our advocacy work. Since then, we have continued making writings and resources to promote COVID-consciousness-- that is, being conscious of the continual spread of COVID-19, the serious implications of long COVID, the lack of awareness in others as a problem and not as a reason to not use precautions, and the need to help develop, use, support, and participate in organizing together to create safe and social communities that keep the science of airborne-spread diseases at their forefront.

Read more about the connection between psychology and COVID-19 in our recent publication "The Mosaic of COVID-Consciousness", published in the Psychologist by the British Psychological Society. 

We also take part in advocacy movements to bring masks back in healthcare, and resources to help people be safe and social in their communities. 

All our works are free to view and share with others. 


Authors, Illustrators, and Advocates

Shea and Tommy O'Neil

Comic Creators, Writers, Advocates for COVID-19 Safety Strategies

We are a mother and son dynamic duo working hard to create support for individuals and families who want to be safe AND social.

We follow the precautions in our works in real life: We

We created our comics and writing series to help ourselves and others navigate the new risks to our lives that COVID has brought, and to keep us safe AND social!

the maskers comic presents

Long covid is covid

COVID risks move beyond initial acute infection risks, and include serious, severe, common, and oftentimes disabling long-term effects (long COVID), including in younger people with mild initial symptoms. There is nothing mild about that. We know it is happening; we know millions are affected of all ages, health statuses, vaccination statuses, and they are not being supported properly medically, financially, or socially. It is a big deal. And many people who are getting hit hardest have been speaking out for years and been ignored completely. It is frustrating to say the least. Some things are true whether you believe them or not, whether you connect the dots or not-- the thing is, we have an overwhelming amount of research that has connected the dots clearly from development of these conditions to COVID-19 infection. Still, we have no type of reaction that matches this level of devastation that is occurring on a day-to-day basis. If you want to see a glimpse of the research, I recommend checking out IS COVID-19 Still A Problem in 2024 and our other Writings and Resources. If you want a brief (5 minute) video on how to use precautions correctly to prevent infection, check out our presentation below. There are things we can do to stop COVID-19 infections and thus stop long COVID. Things that we NEED to do. And time is of the essence. Furthermore, we can do them while still enjoying life, and being safe, and social (the good kind of social-- the kind that respects each other's health and wellbeing). That is what this website is all about!

Presentation at 2023 clean indoor air expo

Using Clear Public Health Messaging to Break Barriers to Infection Prevention

October 2023


the maskers comic

home page table of contents

We have a lot of excellent information right here on this home page:
  • Our Comics

    The Maskers Series follows the hero Little Chicken and his super hero crew as they armor up to face villainous clown, rats, and big cats, and protect each other, their farms, and their towns from COVID-19. Episode 1: Armor Up (2020-2021), Episode 2: Clowning Around (2022); Episode 3: Red Light, Green Light (2023); Episode 4: Down the Rabbit Hole (2024)

    The Smokey Series starts as a satire of Smokey the Bear versus CDC -style public health messaging, and then moves to following the Smokey Bear family as they navigate COVID-19. It is followed by Zorro COVID series, as they seek the underground for safety. 

    On Protection of Towns series is a mix of comics and links to happenings around town that focus around Ben Franklin’s logic “An Ounce if Protection is Worth a Pound of Cure”

     Worms in Your Spaghetti series is a critical media and fact-checking series that helps identify worms of disinformation and misinformation from the real spaghetti and meatballs of facts. 
     

  • Our Writings and Resources

    Join us as we look into all the latest information with links to sources to help you decide how to protect yourself and your community: 

    Is COVID Still Considered Dangerous in 2024?

     CDC Isolation Guidance Not Supported. 
    Minimum 14-day Isolation Period Needed April 2024
     
    Clear Public Health Messaging on Multiple Layers: Beyond the Swiss Cheese October 2023
     
    Email Campaign Against North Carolina's Anti-Mask Bill- Google Doc June 2024
     
    Infection Control Policies Work-  March 2024

     The Need for Infection Control in Healthcare Facilities August 2024               Why We Mask

     
     

  • 2024 World Health Network (WHN)  Highlights

    Highlights from a network of individuals from across the globe working and volunteering to create a true ending to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

  • Masks

    How they work,
    Why respirator masks like N95 are better than surgical masks,
    How to Safely Re-use N95s Using the Rotation Method
    Our Recommended Masks and Personal Favorite Masks and Accessories
    How to Don and Doff with Shea and Tommy

  • Air Support Project (ASP)  Highlights

    Catch the latest at Air Support Project, a start-up company that develops clean indoor air educational materials and resources, and is currently working on commercializing the technology behind more efficient,
    more affordable air filtration using what we have learned from the
    DIY movement of fan and filter models like the CR-BOX. 

  • Air Filtering

    How many purifiers do you need? CADR is Key: Learn the Clean Air Delivery Rate needed for your space using these tools to help you pick our the right number and type of air cleaners/ HEPA purifiers.
    How to make a DIY CR Box for under $100: (Supplies, Video, Studies on effectiveness and safety)
    What Air Cleaners and Filters We have in Our Home (A combination of HEPAs and cool new DIY Air Boxes made with PC fans, all of which allow us to reach 12 ACH in our home, so we can entertain guests while everyone is wearing respirator masks (like N95/ KN95, KF94) without sacrificing safety!

  • The Bad News, the Good News, and the Tools We Have

    Start by taking a look at what some of the biggest baddest issues with COVID-19 are today in videos and articles. Many ask us how long we are going to mask for or use protections for (of which we usually answer, as long as it takes). However, we do like to keep our eyes on the is research on the Good News-- the treatments and technologies out there that have the potential to be real game changers. While we wait for new treatments and technologies to develop, check out the tools we have right now that will help prevent infections and stop transmission for an airborne-spread disease!

  • COVID Infection 

    Links to RESEARCH on treatments that may help with recovery if you test positive, or have been exposed recently, or are experiencing symptoms (Note: always check with your doctor before taking any treatments, I am not a doctor, and am only providing links to research studies and information).

  • How to Stay Safe and Social

    - COMMUNITIES, finding ways to be safe and social.
     -WORKSPACES, find out how to promote a culture of health, and get information on remote work, and reasonable accommodations.
    - SCHOOLS, advocacy for in-person schooling situations, as well as alternatives including Public Virtual and Homeschooling.
    - HEALTHCARE : Resources to find COVID-safer Providers, Join Efforts to Demand Safe Access, Psychosocial Resources, Physician Print-outs, Worksheets for Implementing COVID-safe Habits
    -VIRTUAL GAMES, EVENTS, CLASSES, HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES, AND MORE

  • Other Resources 

    -Noteworthy Works from other Artists 
    -COVID-conscious Blogs and Websites
    -Creative Protesting 
    -Personal Disclosure- DO we have any conflicts of interest? (no); Why Listen to us? Find Out Here.
    -Call to Action- The time to act is now. But many get caught up in how to implement COVID Prevention Strategies into their everyday lives. Find out how in this section.

What's new

World Health network

The Maskers Comic is proud to be volunteering with the World Health Network, a global network that aims to identify problems and find solutions to the problems COVID-19!
World health Network's

New Kids Zone Covid-conscious magazine

Checkout the new WHN Kids webpage, https://whn.global/kids, with #COVID conscious content for kids, teens, and young adults, including a free downloadable monthly Kids Zone COVID-Conscious Magazine. The WHN Children's Psychosocial group is now accepting submissions of kid-related materials (from adults and/or their children) of ideas, artwork, writings, and materials related to living a COVID-Conscious lifestyle, for the magazine and/or their website.  Submit your works, ideas, photos, etc. here !
What's new

Air Support Project

The Maskers Comic is proud to be volunteering at Air Support Project, a social start-up that aims to find affordable solutions to cleaning indoor air.
Check out our brand new 7-part blog series: Thinking Outside the Box: How to Solve the COVID-19 Problem

Air Support Project's Mark Denning 2023 Clean Indoor Air Expo (full)

The maskers comic Presents

the bad news

Research shows long COVID risks are substantial after infection, and they rise significantly after each reinfection.
Heart disease risks

Today show

March 2023

Data shows link between COVID-19 and heart disease. The risk has increased notably in healthy and young people between the ages of 21-45, whether vaccinated or not, and whether initial illness is mild or not. 
The maskers comic Presents

the good news

If we can hold out long enough and not get infected, it would give time for new therapies and technologies to develop. 
FUTURE POTENTIAL GAME-CHANGERS ARE BEING STUDIES AND ARE IN DEVELOPMENT:

Vaccines and Medicines that Prevent Infection and Antivirals that reduce risks

New Intra-nasal Vaccine now entering clinical trials

"The vaccine offers potent protection against transmission, prevents reinfection and the spread of the virus, while also reducing the generation of new variants," Dr. Liu said.

"Unlike the mRNA vaccine which targets only the spike protein, CDO-7N-1 induces immunity to all major SARS-CoV-2 proteins and is highly effective against all major variants to date.

"Importantly, the vaccine remains stable at 4°C for seven months, making it ideal for low- and middle-income countries."

The vaccine has been licensed to Indian Immunologicals Ltd, a major vaccine manufacturer.

New Antiviral approved for emergency use in US

March 2024

Ensitrelvir (known in Japan as Xocova®), an oral antiviral drug for COVID-19  suppresses the replication of SARS-CoV-2

  

New Medication to Prevent COVID Infection and Reverse some effects of Long COVID

Next step is beginning clinical trials.


Scientists Discover A Receptor that Blocks COVID-19 Infection

February 2023
LRRC15 receptor and offers a promising pathway to develop new drugs to prevent viral infection from coronaviruses like COVID-19 or deal with fibrosis in the lungs."

NATURE STUDY: NEW ANTIBODY NASAL SPRAY MAY INHIBIT COVID 19, BA AND XBB VARIANTS 

March 2023
"TriSb92 could be useful as a nasal spray for protecting susceptible individuals from SARS-CoV-2 infection."

Next steps include trials.

Prospective Technologies  to better Detect COVID

Inexpensive Real-Time COVID Detection (All variants)

July 2023
"This study demonstrates a proof-of-concept pAQ monitor, ideal choice for affordable real-time detection of viruses in different indoor environments such as schools, residences, offices, conference halls, and crowded public places, where real-time virus monitoring 

COVID-Causing Virus in Air Detected with High-Tech Bubbles

October 2022
Scientists say this low-cost detection system can accurately detect Covid 19 and requires a much lower level of viral particles, and produces fewer errors that current technologies.
The team published its findings online Oct. 25 in MRS Communications.

Breathalyzer That Can Detect COVID-19

April 2023
Based on Nobel Prize-winning frequency-comb technology detects SARS-CoV-2 infection with excellent accuracy, showing its capability to diagnose disease in exhaled human breath. (not out yet, hopefully soon!)



Possible COVID and Long COVID  Treatments

Common Diabetes Drug metformin could reduce risk of getting long covid if Taken soon after infection

June 2023

When metformin was started within 3 days of symptom onset, patients had a 41.3% lower risk of developing long COVID. (Note: Metformin risks/benefits for individuals needs to be discussed with doctor; Metformin may only reduce risks for certain types of long Covid. More research is needed.

Low-Dose Naltrexone Shows Promise In Treating Long COVID

February 2024 Science Direct Study 

2022 Article 

Studies shows Low-dose naltrexone may be a promising treatment for long COVID, reducing symptoms and helping to clear the virus out of the body. 

Naltrexone is FDA-approved to treat alcohol use disorder and opioid addiction, but it has also been used off-label in low doses to treat inflammatory diseases, including long COVID.

HYPERBARIC OXYGEN CHAMBERS TREATING LONG COVID

Some patients have had good outcome at Long COVID treatment facilities, such as this Florida  Treatment Facility (for symptoms of brain fog, memory, cognitive  issues due to long COVID).  see Long term outcomes of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in post covid condition: longitudinal follow-up of a randomized controlled trial | Scientific Reports (nature.com).

New Trials of Antibody Treatments

NEW SRNA COVID-19 ANTIBODY TREATMENT 

August 2023

A new sRNA COVID-19 antibody treatment shows promise in preclinical Trials as a variant-proof inhaled medication that targets the virus directly and thus is able to treat even people with impaired immunity, working better than current antibody treatments on the market. 

Scientists discover new antibodies capable of stopping several coronaviruses including SARS-CoV-2, potentially preventing future outbreaks

July 30th 2023

These antibodies can neutralize virtually all known variants of COVID-19 (including XBB.1.16), and may have the potential to prevent future coronavirus outbreaks. According to a recent study published in the peer-reviewed Science Advances journal, a team of researchers was able to isolate potent neutralizing antibodies from a recovered SARS patient, who was vaccinated against COVID-19. This work provides encouraging evidence that pan-coronavirus vaccines are possible if they can ‘educate’ the human immune system in the right way.” 

New Antibody Cocktails That More Effectively Target COVID

April 2023
"The strong effect we see with our cocktails is probably explained by the fact that there are more antibodies in different places of the spike protein that 'wave' to immune cells and show where the virus is."

While we wait for new tools and treatments to be developed, let's stay safe uSing the tools we currently have to prevent infection and transmission of COVID-19


The Maskers Comics Presents

COVID Is Airborne

That means it primarily spreads through the air, in virus-laden aerosols, that are exhaled by a person with COVID-19, and can linger in buildings for hours. 

Aerosols do NOT drop to the floor with gravity (that is droplets), and COVID is spread in both. So just staying 6 feet away will not protect against getting COVID-19, since the aerosols stay in the air, spread long distances, and stay infectious for hours. This is why we need to wear masks-- and N95 masks at that-- since they are the type of mask that protects against aerosols. 

It is still good to stand 6 feet away while you are masked to reduce the density of both aerosols AND droplets-- ESPECIALLY if the other person is NOT masked. Masks work best at lower viral densities (especially those that are not fit-tested, as most of us are wearing masks have not gone through a professional fit-test). 

An infectious person may not have symptoms and still can be releasing a high amount of virus through aerosols just when talking and breathing. Studies have shown that a person can be infected in a few minutes of exposure. Wearing a mask will greatly reduce your chances, but if the other person is not masked, also give 6 feet or more distance as that will help reduce any vulnerabilities in the mask. 

Note that because the infectious aerosols spread into the room and remain in the building for hours, that you cannot just mask when they are there. You will need to keep your mask on and air out the building or home after they leave for a few hours (see ventilation/filtration section). 

Check out the one-minute short below for more info:


the maskers comic presents

Jose-Luis Jiminez

View a Short Highlight Clip of Dr. Jose Jimenez presentation at the 2023 Clean Air Expo.
The Maskers Comics Presents

Don't just wash your hands, wear a mask!

Because COVID is mostly transmitted by aerosols, just washing hands and/or surfaces does very little to stop transmission. However, N95 masking captures airborne aerosols. 

Just as you wouldn't just wash your hands to protect yourself from wildfire smoke, you shouldn't for COVID-19. Surely washing your hands is a good idea after touching any germy surface and before eating, but COVID-19 is a breath-emitted virus that lingers in the air for hours. 

Keith Muse Parody: To Stop An Airborne Virus Just Wash Your Hands (no really, wear a mask!!!) 

Hand-washing does not stop airborne transmission!


Wearing a respirator mask does stop airborne transmission!


CHECK OUT The Astounding Physics of N-95/ Equivalent Masks

A quick an informative video on the physics behind N-95 masks.

Expo short highlight: Aaron Collins (aka the Mask Nerd)

Covid Meme

Mask type Matters

Surgical Masks do not offer reliable protection against airborne particles  (but are better than nothing). Upgrade to unvented n95 Respirator masks or their equivalents or better.


if you only have surgical masks available, then use the

knot and tuck modification

This method helps reduce leakages on the sides of the surgical mask and makes it more effective. If N95's are not available, use the knot-and-tuck modification to make the mask more effective:

Recommended Video: How Does Airborne Transmission Work- WHN Broadcast



respirator masks are recommended for filtering airborne aerosols to prevent the spread of covid-19. there are a few different names for them based on country and regulatory body. see the graphic below from breathe safe air.
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Reusing n95's

Here is some info on how to reuse N95's or their equivalents, by switching the ones you use on consecutive days using the rotate method:
The Maskers COmics Shopping list

A few of our favorite things

We don't get any kick-backs and have no relationships to any of these brands, these are just the ones we like to use personally in our homes and in our lives:

masks, eyewear, And necklace fans


  • IMPORTANT NOTE: There are also N95 Readimasks without metal in them for use in certain medical situations and emergencies, hospital-safe, MRI-safe, and we strongly recommend keeping some on hand so they are there in case of such situations. They are strapless and can be worn in facilities that may not allow metal nose pieces.

mask accessories

Recommended video

How to put on (don) and take ofF (doff) respirator  masks


Filtering is Fun!

What is Enhanced Air filtration? 

Adding air purifiers such as HEPA purifiers and/or fan-and-filter air cleaners that use MERV-13 filters to improve your air filtration can reduce COVID risks. Most standards recommend 6-12 Air Changes Per Hour, which will require knowing the size of your space and the CADR (specifically smoke CADR) of your air cleaners.

ASHRAE Standards: ASHRAE’s 2021 Ventilation for Industrial Settings During the COVID-19 Pandemic states: “Maintain between six and twelve air changes per hour (ACH), which will provide a greater than 99% purge in 30-60 minutes. This reduction applies when the building is unoccupied – the concept of purging does not apply if a source is still present (i.e., potentially infectious individuals are still in the workspace). It is important to maintain as much outside air and/or sufficiently filtered recirculated air as possible to achieve the goal of > 6 ACH.” 

The 2023 ASHRAE Standard 241Control of Infectious Aerosols, which can be previewed here, sets minimum equivalent clean air flow rates for infection risk mitigations for long range transmission according to the building’s occupancy category. In Table 5-1 they define spaces such as gym, classroom, lecture hall, classroom, health exam room, residential common space, etc and expresses the minimum equivalent clean airflow rate required using cubic feet per minute (cfm) per person as well as liter per second (l/s) per person to allow for better variation based on number of people in the room and activity level of the people. For a classroom setting it uses 40 cfm per person, or 20 l/s per persons, which for an average classroom of 25 it converts to approximately 8-12 ACH.



HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR FILTRATION TO REMOVE VIRUSES FROM A ROOM WHERE THE SOURCE IS NO LONGER PRESENT?


It depends on the Amount of air changes per hour (ACH) you have achieved in your space by enhancing the your ventilation and filtration. 


HOW many units do you need to achieve 6-12 ACH in your space?


Use the size of your room and to determine the total CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate) needed, and then find out the smoke CADR for your units (they are listed by the manufacturer, typically as cfm (cubic feet per minute).

CADR Is What Matters!

To determine the total CADR needed for your space, you can use this formula:

Total CADR needed in cfm (cubic feet per minute) =

[(LxWxH of room in feet) multiplied by (pick a number from 6-12*)divided by (60).

*6-12 ACH are commonly recommended to help lower COVID-19 risks, leaning toward higher end when more people are present or when closer together. Pick the number you would like for your space (leaning toward 12 for spaces where higher numbers of people gather, where 6 feet distance is not possible, where people gather for longer periods of time, or where people are singing/playing musical instruments they blow into, or working out in).


For example, a classroom that is 30x30x10 feet will need 1800 CADR to achieve 12 ACH

The math: 

30x30x10= 9000

9000x12= 108,000

108,000/60= 1800 cfm


You can achieve this total CADR by combining the individual CADR from multiple air cleaning units (look up the unit's smoke CADR listed by manufacturer), along with supplementing with ventilation strategies.


For instance, 1800 cfm can be achieved by combining:

  • two extra large room HEPA purifiers (with a CADR of 300 cubic feet per minute (cfm or ft2/min) each, make sure to get one without ionizers as ionizers produce lung irritants) combined to reach 600 cfm together, (Note: If manufacturer lists CADR as M3/hr (cubic meters per hour) you can convert it to cfm using the calculator here.)

AND

  • a MERV 13 fan-and-filter air cleaner such as a CR-box (a typical CR Box cube with four 2" MERV-13 filters and a 20 inch Lasko box fan has approx 230 cfm CADR when run on medium, which is typically running on high is too loud when occupants are present, use the CADR for the speed you are running it at),

AND

  • if you have air conditioning (aka HVAC) install MERV 13 AC filters, and turn the unit into the ON position so it is constantly moving air through it. This can give an additional 1-3 air changes per hour (100-500 cfm).

AND

  • and with windows opened 6 inches (as weather permits; can also do this for short times to refreshen the air for 15 minutes a few times throughout the day); can give an additional 1-3 air changes per hour (100-500 cfm in this situation).

so at a high estimates: 600 + 200 + 500 + 500 = 1800 cfm (which equates to getting 12 ACH),

and at a low 600 + 200 + 100 + 100 = 1000 cfm (which equates to 6.7 ACH



Sources:

  • Other DIY fan-and-filter models vary based on the number of filters used and the types of fans used. DIY Kits typically list the Smoke CADR on their website. 

  • Windows open can vary widely, depending on how many windows, how big the opening is, how much cross-breeze between windows/doors, and how long they are opened for.  You can see info about different ways to calculate,  an EPA study, and another study, which is why we give them a big variation of 100-500 cfm, or 1-3 ACH. 

  • Air filtration is NOT a substitute for wearing masks. Here is a real world study showing that you really need a combination of the strategies above to increase ventilation and filtration, AS WELL AS having people wear masks for the purposes of reducing COVID-19 transmission. 


If you don't like doing math, you can also use these CADR to ACH Calculators BELOW:


NOTE on Converting recommendations that use L/S

to ACH 

Liters per second (l/s) is an alternative to ACH that is used in certain recommendations, such as ASHRAE's newest Standard 241, which can be previewed here (scroll to Standard 241, then find Table 5-1) and

1- find the recommendations for the occupancy category that is closest to your space.

2- Multiply the cfm per person by the approximate number of occupants that will be in your space.

3- Then use the cfm to ACH converter below to see how many ACH that translates to:

The Maskers comic recommended video by

Jaydo Covid : air Filters 101-

the science

Jaydo COVID does an excellent job telling about the science behind air filters!

LEARN HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN DIY CR BOX AIR CLEANER FOR UNDER $100!

what we have in our home

Along with CR box above we also have acquired a few other air cleaners over the years, and using the OHCOW spreadsheet above, have obtained 12 ACH in our home.  

Our favorites are the CR Box above, along with these two below:

These next units below we purchased prior to knowing much about cadr and price, but I use them for smaller rooms still

I would recommend different ones now (knowing more about CADR and Price).

However, if you have smaller units (as far as lower CADR), adding them throughout the home can be helpful for air mixing and purifying, as their CADR's do add up. Just make sure if they have an ionizing feature to turn it off if you can, and if you cannot I would not recommend using it as ionizers produce lung irritants, which can set off asthma and just aren't good for anyone to breathe in.  

the Maskers Comic presents

research on treatments that might help

Here is some of the latest research on what might help with reducing the severity of an infection during the acute infection phase if one does slip by your preventative protections. Note to always check with your doctor before taking medications.
I am not a doctor, am not prescribing treatments, and am only providing links research, so that you can discuss them with your doctor. Also, none of these are a cure-all, and you should primarily try to avoid being infected in the first place.
This is just a collection of information, and information is always changing, so my recommendation is to check out the links, and do your own research, and talk to your healthcare providers. In any emergency situation, call 911 or your local emergency number.


Keep ReadiMasks Hospital-safe, MRI safe masks in your emergency kit, along with these recommendations from Violet Blue,

and see the information on treatments below:

Paxlovid (Prescription) Antiviral

Reduces Viral Replication, May Shorten Symptoms Duration, must be taken within 5 days. Talk to your provider, requires a prescription.

OTC Famotidine (ie Pepcid Complete) Clinical Trial 

Shows evidence of symptom reduction.

15 minutes of sunlight a Day Video 
How  photobiomodulation may be helpful for recovery.


XClear Nasal Spray

Study suggests it may reduce chances of getting COVID if you have been recently exposed.

Mouthwash

Mouth care for COVID-19 may reduce symptoms and length of infection.

Things to look out for after an infection

The maskers comic presents

Any space can be made into a Covid-safe space

Watch and Learn from a real Covid ninja!


Find and connect with other families, businesses, and healthcare still using Covid precautions!

COVID meetups . Com  

Masks work in the workplace. see the following for a multiple study review:

Public health Ontario review of multiple studies
the maskers comic presents

don't forget about fred

Below is a sneak peek at drafts of a comic Short, "Don't Forget About Fred", which follows the Maskers crew in their newly developed COVID-safe Bakery business, as they meet a new character, Fred.  
The Maskers comics list

our personal RECOMMENDATION: Homeschooling and public virtual schooling resources

Despite our and others efforts many schools do not appear to be responding to creating safe learning environments. As a homeschool family, we highly recommend homeschool and virtual school over going into most public schools at this time due to the limitations of one way masking in high viral density settings. Since schools have a high population of unmasked people in a small place with inadequate ventilation and filtration, and kids are there for long periods of time, we do not believe this is safe. Here we provide resources with more information to help advocate for bringing air purifiers into schools and using 504 plans if you do need to go to public schools. We also provide resources on public virtual school and homeschool. Our journey into virtual schools started pre-pandemic with a Public Virtual School and then we moved to straight homeschooling in 2021 using virtual curriculum and social groups to supplement, and have been doing so ever since. Here are some resources we use/have used and recommend:
world health network

WHN's Special Safe Schools Broadcast

Suggested video

Why do we need clean air in schools

The Maskers Comics

guide to living safe and social

Below is a collection of our best resources to help you sort through the information, stay safe and social, and join the movement of people who are living with COVID-19 not by ignoring it, but by making meaningful changes to safeguard themselves and others by stopping transmission.

Parenting groups that are COVID-safe and virtual on Facebook:

Still Coviding parents eDition (Facebook Group)


Find and connect with other families, businesses, and healthcare still using Covid precautions!

COVID meetups . Com  


Find and connect with others for friendship or dating who are still using Covid precautions!

Refresh Covid smart friendships and dating app 
The Maskers Presents

Masks in Healthcare

Healthcare professionals have an extra duty to provide accessibility to vulnerable people, protect all their patients from infection, and be leaders in advocating for masks as a measure for infection control from COVID-19 (along with increased ventilation and filtration). COVID-19 is still a pandemic, transmission is occurring world-wide, and it has significant health impacts. Read more about the movement at Keep Masks in Healthcare
from the world health network

The Airborne paradigm shift: a flyer for healthcare

Shifts in applying new knowledge to hospitals and healthcare settings have historically been slow and come with resistance. However, in the age of high speed communication and technological prowess, we have the capability and the need to move quickly and establish airborne protections in healthcare settings and beyond. This flyer (shown below) is available in many translations and in a low ink print-friendly version at the link below. Print yours today and show to your providers, so you can have a discussion on how to stay safe and have access to healthcare!

10 questions to ask your provider 

1- Do you require staff to wear N95/KF94, KN95, or better respirator masks?
2- If not, will you and your staff wear N95/KN94/KF94 respirator masks or better upon request?
3- Do you require masking and testing for patients reporting and/or experiencing symptoms of diseases transmitted through the air (ie coughing, sore throat, fever, GI symptoms, pink eye, etc)?
4- Do you require masking and testing for staff reporting or experiencing symptoms of diseases transmitted through the air?
5- Do you require COVID-positive staff to isolate at home for a minimum of 10 or more days?
6- Do you have MERV-13 or better filters installed in HVAC?
7- Do you have HEPA purifiers or air cleaners in the patient and/or waiting rooms?
8- Will you allow patients to bring a portable HEPA purifier with them to appointments?
9- Do you enhance ventilation by opening windows or having mechanical ventilation?
10- Do you have Far UV or other air cleaning/ surface disinfecting technology installed in the building?


bio-psycho-social factors

facing the covid-conscious community

by SHEA O'NEIL, 4-23-24


 Good mental health is defined within the context of maintaining good physical health,

and that includes using strategies such as those listed on this website to reduce chances of COVID-19 infection, which has shown can cause short-and long-term health risks that can seriously impede our quality of life, our ability to provide for ourselves and our families, and to maintain the foundations of our communities.


We can protect ourselves and others from COVID-19 infection

while also participating in our society by using tools, strategies, and accommodations that do not put other places or people at undue burden. 


Finding ways to use COVID-19 precautions to stay safe and social prioritizes both physical and mental health.

Remember, a mask is not undue burden; Chronic disease and death are.


-- The Maskers Comic

the maskers comic presents

using habit psychology to reduce cognitive load when using covid precautions

See the resource/worksheet below that uses research-backed habit psychology applied to using COVID precautions, and develop your own personalized habit guide. 
The maskers presents

CoviDing can be hard work,

so make sure to make time for safe fun!

Join a virtual class, create a virtual get together with family and friends, and/or join with others who are Still COVIDing social in-person or virtually to have safe and social fun!:

Virtual library events 
The Maskers Comic

make your own Advocacy Doodles at saw friday night comic sketches

 
How to handle

The Holidays

This is an excellent broadcast by WHN on different options to stay safe with others, communicate boundaries, and offer solutions to keep the holidays safe and social!
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Keep holidays special and safe

There are many ways to stay safe and celebrate. Here are a few snapshots of us wearing clear window masks (they make for a great Santa beard!), joining fun holiday zooms, making crafts, hosting all-masked get-togethers in our home (which has enhanced filtration to the 12 ACH), and going on our annual Turkey Hike at the parks!
Honoring other comic artists of the cause

other Covid awareness comics

Here is a collection of other COVID comics shared from artists across the world. 
Image 3 (below): "What did we learn from COVID?" By  Jen Sorenson
Image 4 (below): from "What's Up With Covid, How to Protect Yourself 2024 Edition"
By Hazel Newlevant
Great works

More Graphics Shared on social media from the covid-conscious community

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great websites

Here are some other excellent groups involved in advocacy. 

World Health Network 

A network devoted to global compassion—working together to inspire collective action through science for a safer, healthier world.

Air Support Project

Advocating for affordable clean indoor air world-wide, through education, publications, and the development of an affordable, highly efficient air cleaner.

The People's CDC

Answers all your questions on what we know and what we are learning about long COVID in a user-friendly, easy to understand, yet comprehensive way, and direct you to movements and actions.

COVID-19 BLOGS AND WEBSITES


  1. Air Support Project Blog: COVID And Other Airborne Germs – AIR SUPPORT PROJECT

  2. Augey Ray Google Doc Spreadsheet of 400 Studies finding long-term, chronic risks of COVID-19 

  3. Burnout, COVID, and Community Care by Alryt.world

  4. CHRISTINA PAGEL SUBSTACK: ENGLAND IN BIGGEST COVID WAVE

  5. Compilation of Reputed Sources on COVID-19

  6. COVID Safe Scouts 

  7. COVID UNDERGROUND SUBSTACK: COVID-FREE MOVEMENT

  8. Covid Tips: How to Talk to Your Family About COVID 

  9. DEREK FRANKS SUBSTACK: COVID ISN'T OVER. YOU'RE IN DANGER. I'M DONE WITH THE GASLIGHTING. YOU SHOULD BE TOO.

  10. Do Not Panic (Nate Bear): Biden Quits While Sick with Covid Says We Overcame Covid

  11. The Disabled Ginger: "We Don't Do Sick" and Tips for Surviving Hospital Trip When Chronically Ill

  12. DR. RUTH COVID NEWS AND MORE Substack

  13. Dr. Joe’s COVID and Science Substack

  14. Easy Chair Substack (Anthony Leonardi) The Attack on Long COVID

  15. Find Your Tribe WordPress

  16. Friesein: Thread: COVID Causes Cumulative Damage

  17. THE GAUNTLET (JULIA DOUBLEDAY) SUBSTACK (BILLIONAIRES AT DAVOS DON'T THINK COVID IS A COLD)

  18. Hearts on the Horizon: My 5 Stages of Pandemic Grief

  19. IMMUNOCOMPROMISED TIMES ON SUBSTACK (COVID-19 TREATMENT INFO IS POORLY ACCESSIBLE AND DIFFICULT TO READ ON STATE, TERRITORY AND DC WEBSITES

  20. It's Airborne (Joey Fox): Equivalent Clean Airflow Rates from ASHRAE 241 Control of Infectious Aerosols (Part 2

  21. JESSICA WILDFIRE'S SUBSTACK HOW TO KEEP GOING FORWARD IN A WORLD THAT'S GOING BACKWARD

  22. John Snow Project: Everything You Need to Know About COVID

  23. Long COVID Moonshot: Awareness and fundraising for long COVID. 

  24. The Maskers Comic Website COVID-19 Advocacy, Comics, and Resources

  25. Never Not Broken Substack: Why We Are Like This

  26. Pandemic Accountability Index

  27. PANDEMIC ROUNDUP Patreon 

  28. People's CDC (peoplescdc.org)

  29. Sharon A Blog: Not Just the Flu -Why This PARTICULAR Covid Wave is Bad  

  30. The Sick Times

  31. So Very Virtual Substack

  32. TACT NOW INFO SUBSTACK (WHY DID EXPONENTIAL GROWTH STOP IN INDIA?)

  33. TEAMS HUMAN Substack: Everything is Political. Famines are political. And so are pandemics. 

  34. Testimonials of the Collectively Abandoned Zine

  35. Violet Blue: Huge, Free Covid-19 Safety and resource List

  36. World Health Network Blog: COVID-19: The Elimination of the Virus is Always Possible

  37. Why our Family is COVID Cautious- Website with Resources

  38. You Have to Live Your Life but "Doctors Aren't Wearing Masks": A Resource for COVID-19 Research and Information 


Honoring heroes

Shared art

This art honoring our young maskers was created and shared by Jo Blakely, "Not All Heroes Wear A Cape But They Do.. Wear A Mask"
Razorcake Webcomic #480 by Silas Haglund: "Loud and Fast Punks Wear Masks"
"It's Never Too Late to Start Masking", Artist Unknown
more shared works

Excellent Animations

Below are a few of the excellent animations created by other artists for speeding awareness and education on COVID-19.

Still COVIDing

Impactful video from those who are Still Coviding (taking actions like wearing a mask to prevent getting and transmitting COVID-19), sharing their experiences and difficulties.
The Maskers Comic presents

Creative protesting 

The image here is our pillowcase design to protest the end of the US Public Health Emergency on May 12th, showing us as one of the Millions Missing as a result of increased COVID-denialism in the community. 
the maskers comic

Public comment Highlights at HICPAC

Here is a highlight reel of public comments left at the November 2023 HICPAC meeting concerning the inadequate drafted recommendations for Infection Control in healthcare facilities by HICPAC that do not protect patients and staff from COVID-19 infection, and that make safe healthcare inaccessible. Listen as the public commenters, including doctors, nurses, industrial hygienists, financial advisors, patients, and advocates, give unanimous recommendations for masking with respirator masks in healthcare settings. 
The Maskers comics

Personal Disclosure

This work I do here on my site is unpaid work. You may be wondering:

Why listen to my work and research here?

My Credentials: 

I have a BA Degree in Psychology from the University of South Florida, with over 11 years of continued education experience in allergy, asthma, autoimmune disease, N95 masks, and airborne irritants. I have a disabling autoimmune disease, and am a single parent-- which together equate to a full-time job keeping my child and I safe and social, and making this work a personal calling. 

Unlike many health organizations (like the CDC and WHO) who often get funding for science from political members/countries, I have no reason to make unsubstantiated policies to quell the self-interests of political and/or economical entities of my member states. (Although I refer to studies run by these groups, and support some of their better policies that are backed up by studies, I also point out they times their policies do not match the science, are made for political or economic reasons, and/or are part of their attempt to stay relevant to masses at the expense of their safety.)

Unlike many in the healthcare industry, I am not influenced by money, administative policy, appearances, unruly patients, overworked/limited/overstressed staff, or trying to stay within industry standards to compete and stay in business, all while neglecting science and patient care in the process. 

Unlike many businesses who are prone to overvalue short-term profits at long-term expense, I have no reason to let greed interfere with the health and wellbeing of individuals, or our society as a whole. Health brings more prosperity to us all, even if it takes a little more up front to provide a system that supports it, it more than covers costs and pays back millions-fold. What's good for human health is good for business.

Unlike many politicians who depend on a majority-- a majority that have now been misinformed and misguided, inadequately supported during early pandemic response, and confused by mixed messaging -- I am not encumbered by a need to pander to a crowd to win an election.

Unlike many in "the crowd", I am not confused by the conflicting and often contradicting health organizations' policies, since I do spend any extra time I have staying informed by reading a variety of scientific sources and networking with those in independent global organizations.

Unlike those who know but who cannot manage to put it in their lives due to personal circumstance, I am significantly protected in my personal life from any pressures that may affect my ability to feel safe in talking about/living with COVID-19 precautions.

My Disclosure:

As my health allows, I volunteer with World Health Network and Air Support Project. My comics and works are free to view digitally, although those works that are available for print, may have a print costs associated to cover expenses only. 

I aim to stay informed and share quality information with others, as well as to remind that we need to prioritize each other's health first over all else, because there is no benefit to social without safe, and no need to choose between.  

Follow The MaskersComic (AKA Zorro COVID) on Mastodon! 

@themaskerscomic@forall.social

"Sometimes you have to evolve systems and traditions because-- there's a freaking airborne viral pandemic that's still killing and disabling and chronically injuring people and your traditions and systems mean nothing if you ignore that. Nothing." 

                              ----Zorro COVID


Call to action

The time to act is now, but many find it difficult to implement the tools into their lives even though they know they need to. We developed a helpful document based on habit psychology that uses research-back methods to help in this regard. You can view it here in "How to Implement COVID Prevention Strategies using Research-Backed Methods in Habit Psychology"
If you would like to contact us, please email us themaskerscomic@yahoo.com .

You can follow our Maskers Blog to learn more about A Day in the Life of a Masker. 

Thank you for your interest in staying COVID-conscious.

We wish you the best! 

The Maskers Comic