Wastewater Wednesday - 4/16/25

Note: Publication of this post was delayed until Thursday, 4/17/25, due to server problems.

Time for another Wastewater Wednesday because the 💩 doesn't lie!

COVID

Looking at the graph, it seems pretty clear that we did see a spring break bump in COVID levels - a larger bump than we saw this time last year. Fortunately, the decline in wastewater levels has now resumed, and if we're lucky (or, y'know, if we take ACTION), we can keep driving those levels lower so we can enjoy a summer lull.

The spring break bump was most pronounced in Milwaukee - look how high the levels spiked! I'm glad to see that it didn't trigger a sustained wave, but that's still a lot of COVID cases that happened, and consequently a lot of Long COVID cases that were triggered or worsened.

Because let's face it - every infection does damage.

Some of that damage might be silent.

Some of that damage might eventually heal.

But some of that damage might be permanent.

And it's a roll of the dice which system(s) in your body get affected, because the ACE2 receptors that the virus uses to break into your cells can be found virtually everywhere.

That's why Long COVID doesn't look the same in every person who has it. One person might end up with POTS. Another person might get migraines. A third person might get diabetes. A fourth might get weird new allergies. A fifth might end up with hepatitis. A sixth might have lung damage. A seventh might have a stroke or a heart attack. And so on and so on.

Every future infection you prevent MATTERS. Even if you've already had COVID three, four, five, or more times. Prevention still MATTERS. Because, for example, your heart might still be okay through the first three infections but what if the fourth damages it irreparably? Maybe you were lucky and didn't get any brain fog the first four times you had COVID, but will you be so lucky the fifth? Or maybe you did get brain fog - isn't it worth keeping it from getting worse??

The pandemic isn't over. COVID never went away. It ebbs and flows, but it's still here. It's still causing irreparable harm to people. And in a time where the government is slashing science funding, taking away the data that we paid for with our tax dollars, and allowing grifters and liars to set policy, don't you think it's worth doing what you can to protect your health?

Masks work.

Clean air works.

It's not glamorous, but we DO have the tools to protect ourselves if we use them consistently.

So open the windows. Move your gathering outside. Turn up the air purifier. Make sure you're wearing a well-fitting respirator. Offer one to your friend. Stay home if you're sick. And take care of each other, friends. We keep us safe.