98 Comments
Dec 9, 2021Liked by David Farrier

Was it maybe Omicron?

How is your taste and smell?

Are you still in quarantine?

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Dec 9, 2021Liked by David Farrier

I was never anti-vax but I resisted the flu shot for a number of years, thinking it was unnecessary. That is until I caught a particularly nasty strain (wasn’t tested but I have a suspicion it was H1N1) and honestly thought it would end me. I had never been so sick in my entire life. That was my wake up call and I’ve never missed a flu shot since. Even after a doctor once accidentally hit a nerve in my shoulder with the needle and I had limited use of my arm for 3 months. Anti-vaxxers talk about vaccine injury as a deterrent for getting one but I fear the disease much more than any potential injury from the jab.

Glad to hear you’re feeling better!

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Dec 9, 2021Liked by David Farrier

I hope you come right soon, and thank you for telling us all what it's like. Having Covid is still so much of a strange concept to many of us in Aotearoa so a first hand account of it is so valuable. Take good care of yourself, and I hope that when you see the light at the end of the tunnel, you can also smell whether it's from a wood fire or a kerosene lamp!

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Dec 9, 2021Liked by David Farrier

I wish you the swiftest of recoveries! Seeing as it's your personal story, here's my personal appreciation - getting covid after vaccination is going to be NZs reality. I feel reassured by your experience, and the facts you've provided to demonstrate that for many of us, covid will be manageable. We need stories like yours, alongside the stories from unvaccinated people who catch covid, to demonstrate the importance of vaccines for anyone still on the fence.

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Dec 9, 2021Liked by David Farrier

Oh gosh, what a relief you're ok - and indeed vaccinated. I have so many friends in the UK who've had it - some have it right now. Most vaccinated: one was not, but he has survived and is now getting the jab.

We are the covid innocent here in Aotearoa, right? Few of us know kiwis who've had it, let alone died from it; most of us haven't crossed paths with it at all. Most of rest of the world does so every single day, but we've still got all that ahead of us. Or maybe not, if the plan works, and wouldn't that be great? But I think it's going to take me a while to pluck up the courage to travel overseas.

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Dec 9, 2021Liked by David Farrier

Glad you have come through the worst of it David, and glad you are vaccinated so your body was somewhat prepared, not quite sure any of us could face a world with no David Farrier :) Thanks for sharing your experience and well done for managing to edit and get your last newsletters out during the worst of it! Hope you're out and furnishing your place soon.

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Dec 9, 2021Liked by David Farrier

I'm so pleased your dance with the devil was brief and relatively smooth! As someone with one of those pesky chronic health conditions, I am PETRIFIED of catching Covid. What can you do?

All my very best wishes for ongoing recovery and rude good health x

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Dec 9, 2021Liked by David Farrier

I’m glad the “yes, you have covid” text comes with reassuring words. It’s interesting to see the little details of what happens, so thanks for this.

Next time you’re in mortal peril let us know though. As a community we can email you cat pictures.

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Dec 9, 2021Liked by David Farrier

Thanks for sharing your experience David, so glad you are feeling better. It was really interesting to hear what the illness felt like since it really could happen to any of us despite our best efforts to avoid it. Thank goodness for vaccinations.

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I read this standing at the train station using the tote bag. People have already dropped off the scanning except where compulsory so I’m avoiding large crowds for a while. After moving to Wellington from Auckland just before the end of the L3 part of lockdown it’s quite amazing how relaxed it all is here. I wish ‘mild covid’ on anyone who catches it. That’s the point though eh - not everyone will have such a successful encounter.

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Dec 10, 2021Liked by David Farrier

Random question for the Webworm community - what quirky or outdated habit do you still find yourself following, that you've inherited from your generation?

Mine is the strange fear/shame of undergarments showing through clothing, like wearing a black bra with a white T-shirt, or showing a bra strap while wearing a tank top. It was extremely uncouth to do so back when I was a teenager. Like heaven FORBID people know what colour your underwear is (gasp).

Only thought of that as I am planning to wear a black bra with my nice new white Webworm cat T-shirt tomorrow. And I'll do so without worrying about what people think of the bra showing through LOL.

Am I weird or do other people have hangups like this as well they have to challenge??

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Dec 9, 2021Liked by David Farrier

Golly. What struck me actually was that you were paying for tests, and that there seems to be different tests depending on affordability. Here testing is free. I am glad you are better. And ups to Jay whose comments are always worth reading. I enjoy reading material posted here by people who write more vanilla stuff elsewhere, like Dylan and Hayden. It may be that people can be more honest here

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Dec 9, 2021Liked by David Farrier

I’m so glad you’re feeling better, David. Thanks for sharing your experience with us. I can’t imagine how you felt seeing the positive test result. I’m looking forward to getting my booster on Sunday (12/12), and I’m back to wearing masks indoors in public places. I really don’t trust anyone at this point.

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Dec 9, 2021Liked by David Farrier

Firstly, I'm so glad to hear you are recovering and beyond the worst of it. Second, your piece read like every example I have given to help people understand the importance of quarantining, monitoring for symptoms, and testing 3-5 days after exposure (thank you for your diligence) even if you feel fine at first.

I work in the disability service field in Massachusetts, and we are facing an absurd workforce crisis. Our residential group homes want to send members to day programs because they have no staff to support them at the homes, but they do so at the expense of following quarantine protocols and that can lead to outbreaks and deaths. I argue with people daily about the need to follow these procedures, and I still lose sleep about the times we failed the people we serve. I have lost track of the names and numbers of people I have served that we have lost to this virus. I don't see how I'll ever forgive myself for not fighting harder for safer conditions, longer closures of programs, state level advocacy, salary increases for the high risk work my employees do, faster access to vaccines and testing for the people I serve.... I used to be a warm person. I feel very cold these days.

Thank you for sharing your experience, and cultivating a community where people can share their experiences as well. There will be warmer days. Best, Jess

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Dec 9, 2021Liked by David Farrier

Glad to hear you’re feeling a lot better. I hope coffee isn’t still terrible for you. I had my booster yesterday and apart from a sore arm I feel great!

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founding
Dec 9, 2021Liked by David Farrier

Hold on hold on hold on. How was Flaming Lips and Danzig!?

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