I've always considered climate as an important factor that affects one's well-being and quality of life. ( long before the discussions on climate change).
I don't particularly like winter. Although our winters are short and mild, nevertheless there are days I'll rather stay indoors because of the weather elements of wind, rain and cold. This fact annoys me. I feel my freedom of choice is threatened. It's the weather that actually decides for me if I'm indoors or outdoors and the proper activities that go with it.
I don't like summer heatwaves either, but they are mostly bearable and don't affect my health, whereas the cold and rain might do that. Winter brings with it the flu (influenza), and in elderly people various joint and muscle aches.
I'm glad to admit that during the last three years , probably because of mask wearing, no flu has hit me. That's a big relief as I used to get a very nasty form of flu (sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, watery eyes, fever), despite the annual flu shot.
Thank God I can manage it with basic remedies: undiluted freshly squeezed lemon juice for the sore throat, saline nasal spray for the nose, ice for fever - and of course, hot soup and hot tea. Within a week, it's usually gone.
However, as I advance in age, the flu symptoms make me tired and vulnerable . If the mask is the solution - so be it. As long as it keeps the flu away from me, I don't mind to be in the minority ; most people have already abandoned mask wearing.
If it keeps you healthy, why not wear a mask?
ReplyDeleteI do wear a mask when I go out shopping or get on the bus.
DeleteI'm masking for the foreseeable future, no matter who else doesn't. People around here are half and half on masks, and there's no pressure either way that I've noticed, glad to say.
ReplyDeleteKeep well!
Indeed, there's no pressure or panic about wearing masks any more. So people decide what's good for them.
DeleteYou have to do what you can to keep safe. Janice
ReplyDeleteExactly. It's up to us to see what helps us and what not, and so try to be on the safe side.
DeleteI'm not a fan of winter either. We have nasty winters that seem to go on for far too long! Right now we are in the middle of another winter storm. I hate driving in bad weather, plus I have rheumatoid arthritis which is made worse in the cold. So, I am looking forward to Spring!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you've avoided the flu and hope you stay healthy.
Yes, every bodily ache gets worse in bad weather. Both driving and walking can be dangerous for people when there's rain, snow and storms. So, naturally we're all looking forward to Spring.
DeleteI am barely affected by hot weather or rain, but I am always depressed by totally grey skies. Today when I walked down to the coffeeshop for Sunday brunch, there was not a mm of blue sky. Everyone was miserable :(
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean. Gloomy , grey skies make us sad and even depressed. When I feel like this, I'll go for a walk, and increase the light at home.
DeleteI wear a mask as much as possible
ReplyDeleteNo doubt, the mask offers a certain kind of confidence and safety. For three years it has probably kept the influenza away from me. That's no light matter.
DeleteI think it's a real positive that the stigma around wearing masks seems to have disappeared.
ReplyDeleteUnjustified stigma! I consider the mask more efficient than the vaccine. It prevents the spread of the virus whereas the vaccine is only said to make the disease milder. Well, judging by the flu shot it neither kept the virus away from me, nor made the symptoms easier.
DeleteSo where do you live?
ReplyDeleteAnd I wear a mask when I am around a lot of people!
Where I live (Israel), people say the climate is the only bearable thing we've got (we have terrorism, military conflicts etc...). In summer, it might get quite hot, but it's the winter (usually mild), that affects health with its elements of rain and cold.
DeleteWe still wear masks at work (I work at the library) and you never know what someone might tell they just had. Also, that mask really comes in handy while getting to the car with these negative degrees we are having this week. I hope you are on the mend and able to rest up.
ReplyDeleteThat's sensible, considering that the library is a place where people come and go, and might spread the virus around, especially in winter.
DeleteOf course, there is that debate and even government pondering of when should you get boosted and who will pay for it and how expensive it will be. So, it's good to have those handy masks. 💗💗💗💗💗Thanks for your comments!
DeleteYes, it's definitely good to have them: they are light, cheap, efficient.
DeleteI’m with you…still wearing a mask. I had the thought while I was out and about recently that I will be wearing the mask for the remainder of my life. So few people here do any more.
ReplyDeleteI sometimes have the same thought of never giving up the mask. At least, as long as I feel it keeps away the viruses from me.
DeleteI haven't had a bout of flu in years. A cold virus, for sure, but not the nausea, vomiting and diarrhea of flu. I judge whether to wear a mask. Mostly if there are a lot of people in the location. Stay healthy!
ReplyDeleteAre we talking about the same thing? I never had nausea, vomitting, diarrhea when with the flu. You probably distinguish beteween the common cold and the flu. I don't. The flu is a bit more serious than the common cold, but not that serious. I might just call it common cold.
DeleteI love winter. When I lived in Sweden, I loved all four seasons. Here in the So. California mountains, I love only three. Summer gets way too hot for me here. So I'm only outdoors early in the mornings in the summer, it works, but is limiting of sorts.
ReplyDeleteYou were young when you lived in Sweden. When we're young we love it all. But then, we start feeling the weather's effect on our body (cold and heat), and we develop likes and dislikes.
DeleteI enjoy all four seasons, but I live in the mildest climate in Canada and it's rarely very cold or very hot. I used to live in the tropics and missed the change of seasons.
ReplyDeleteWearing a mask is a personal choice these days, and I'm glad for that.
How lucky for you to live in an area of mildest weather in Canada!
DeleteWith vaccines it's also usually a matter of choice, but in the case of Covid, panic was big, and took over.
I prefer the warmer weather so we live in Florida during the winter months. People are starting to wear masks again because the Covid cases are rising.
ReplyDeleteI can understand people who move to warmer weather during winter months. As for masks they are a barrier for any kind of virus.
DeleteHi Duta, Praise God for your getting through the winter seasons with natural remedies...and that the mask helped, its also a simple thing so if it works, thats good!! Ginger tea is another one I like, just sliced ginger and boil it for about 20 min, then add honey or drink plain, and is good for sore throat.
ReplyDeleteI see a sequel chapter to your post called `Good health and Me` , as you are victorious over influenza, may even the name of that sickness be `out` of your title!! I believe that the words we use are powerful, and when we put something like health close to `me` in the sentence, it is a way of proclaiming health and life!! Then a third chapter,
Yeshua and Me, or HaShem and Me, thus bringing close to `Me` a proclamation of God and wanting to be near Him alone!! This week we read in Exodus, `I am the LORD your Healer!!`.
That is the trilogy that your post inspired for me today. There is always something in your post that makes me think more about something! Blessings and a healthy winter and blossoming renewal in the coming spring to you and to us all!!
I like the sentence: "I am the Lord your Healer".
DeleteI'm very flattered you think I've inspired you to think about something.
Blessings to you too, dear Shayndel!
There always seems to be more coughs, colds, flu during the winter months and it affects both young and old. All we can do is take precautions as necessary.
ReplyDeleteI hope you stay safe and well
All the best Jan
That's a fact: the weather during the winter months do affect both young and old.
DeleteI hope you stay well and good fir you for masking and using commonsense.
ReplyDelete'commonsense' is the very right word here.
DeleteI wear my mask a lot -- almost always when I'm in a crowd of strangers, like the grocery or the rare occasion I might go to a film. If I don't have it (which I didn't at the art museum) I'm nervous. At the end of the month I'm going to our grand's bday party with people I don't know (and lots of kids). You can bet I'll be masked! You see a mix of it here now -- some wearing, most not. But while I've had my share of medical issues, none of them have been flu, Covid, or even a cold. I credit the mask for that (among other things, but mostly the mask.)
ReplyDeleteYour words do me good. I trust your capacity of reaching the right decision.
DeleteI like moderate climate, not too cold and not too hot. Even though people around me are taking easy with wearing mask, I will continue to wear mask whenever I am in public places with people around me. I agree that wearing mask has kept the flu virus away.
ReplyDeleteI believe we all are for moderate climate. It's not up to us, it's in God's hands. Wearing mask is our choice and decision.
DeleteWhatever works best for someone then that is what he/ she should do, no matter what others do. If wearing a mask protects you from illness, Duta, than it is the right choice.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you. One should do whatever one feels is best for him/her.
DeleteBoa noite de quarta-feira minha querida amiga Duta.
ReplyDeleteGood evening to you too, Luiz!
ReplyDeleteYou know, the cough is not always related to a cold or flu. Sometimes it has to do with some other kind of allergy.
ReplyDeleteHola, Duta, pues tu misma, si la mascarilla evita que te contagies, no deje de ponértela cuando llegue la época de la gripe, y más ecológico y sano que eso, no hay nada.
ReplyDeleteMe encantan tus remedios caseros, exceptuando el del hielo para la fiebre, no me veo yo metido en una bañera llena de hielo. jeje.
A pesar de mi edad, y de que la vacuna anti-gripe anual no me la he querido poner jamás, llevo muchísimos años sin contagiarme de la gripe, como también me he librado del COVID, ya que he sido el único de la familia que no se ha contagiado.
Un fuerte abrazo amiga, y cuídate mucho
Regarding ice, I apply it locally only, on the forehead, behind the nose and on the cheekbones, under which the sinuses that get congested are located.
ReplyDeleteYou've probably got a strong immunity system, Manuel, if you've managed to avoid the flu and Covid so far. Keep well and healthy!
Totally agree with you if wearing a mask keeps the flu and colds away, I'm a big fan. Several of my friends have said the same thing. One recently said she will probably always wear one now on a plane when she travels, as she's been so much healthier these past 3 years. I still have one in my car and one in my purse so am ready if I feel the need or urge to wear one. Sadly, the people who should be wearing them, those who are sick, coughing etc aren't, which has been my friends experience on the planes.
ReplyDeleteWe do what we can, and wearing a mask when neccessary is not a big deal, if it can help us avoid sickness.
DeleteI've only had the flu twice thankfully. I stay away from most people so I'm not exposed a lot.
ReplyDeleteIn winter it's a must to stay away from people, unless you wear the mask, or you have a particular strong immunity system.
DeleteI think I avoid crowds so I stay away from being exposed to flus and viruses.
ReplyDeleteAvoiding crowds, especially in winter , is wise.
DeleteHi Duta, been a while since I visited your site, I've missed your posts. I agree with you about the mask wearing. I have not been sick since Covid started, no flu, no colds but unfortunately what I have developed are seasonal allergies and they are awful. I have been sneezing and coughing and short of breath for a week now with no relief. I may have to go see my doctor for an allergy shot, but I hate shots or medications of any kind. Take care and I hope to catch up on reading your posts.
ReplyDeleteHi, Alicia.Glad to hear from you. Have you tried some anthistamine pill that people take against allergies? It might help bring relief.
DeleteSometimes you've got no choice but to take some medication. Feel better soon!