The Maskers Comics 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. Our works are free to view and share with others.
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 wear N-95 or equivalent masks, use pandemic-level ventilation/filtration practices in our home, and only go to indoor places with good ventilation/purification, and where everyone is masking, OR we meet others masked in uncrowded outdoors spaces. We also participate in virtual classes for education, advocacy work, and socially.
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!
Here are a few of our most recent pieces, developed to combat reduction in protections, such as our article "CDC's 2024 Isolation Policy Change Unsupported; 14 Days Needed" which fights back on CDCs recommendation that encourages known contagious people to return to work and school. We advocate for a research-backed 14-day isolation with test-out in order to reduce both symptomatic spread (which makes up approximately half of the spread of COVID-19), as well as asymptomatic spread.
COVID-19 is not the flu, and it poses much higher risks in both its acute infection state as well as in its long-term risks (often referred to as long-COVID or Post Acute Sequelae of COVID (PASC). Read more about the urgent long COVID problem at our Summary of the 2024 Senate Hearing on Long COVID.
COVID-19 poses a unique and severe problem to the world and should not be ignored or minimized. It has a higher rate of transmissibility than the flu, and greater capacity to sneak into cells throughout the body and cause system-wide damage (often referred to as long-COVID or PASC). It also does not have a season, but instead poses a threat year-round, evolves faster to evade immunity than most other viruses, and higher risks with every reinfection. These risks can be chronic, disabling, and deadly. These factors combined puts the COVID-19 virus (SARS-CoV-2) in a completely different category than any other virus we know of. However, it is important to know that preventing infection is possible!
We have the knowledge and tools to fight back against poor policies and systems that do not benefit anyone, and we can create change for the better through clear, effective policies!
COVID-19 risks move well past the acute infection-- the term for the initial "sick" phase that now is resulting in less deaths and hospitalizations than earlier in the pandemic but still has killed over 1,000 Americans each week since August 26th 2023.
The health effects happen in four different time windows after SARS-CoV-2 infection: 0–30 days (namely the acute phase), 31–90 days, 91–180 days and 181–365+ days (these last three comprise the post-acute phase). For example, this image from a study on the cardiac effects of COVID-19 shows heart effects at different phases in vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, highlighting the reduction of some types of effects in different phases by vaccination status.
COVID-19 more than doubles heart attack and stroke risks for up to a year after infection. A 2021 Lancet study showing heart attack risks 3-8 times higher, and strokes caused by blood clots 3-6 times higher the weeks after COVID infection, and increased risks persisting for at least a year after COVID-19 infection for all ages. One reason is that COVID-19 infections trigger an exaggerated inflammatory response that makes blood clots more likely. Other research shows that SARS-CoV-2 infects coronary vessels, inducing plaque inflammation that could trigger acute cardiovascular complications and increase the long-term cardiovascular risk, and at a rate more than 7 times higher than after the flu. Many factors might be playing into COVID-related heart and stroke problems, including microclots – tiny blood clots – or an autoimmune response targeting heart muscle cells. A 2023 study in Nature Cardiovascular Research shows the virus may infect coronary arteries, causing plaque buildup to become inflamed and break off, which can then lead to a heart attack. A 2022 study confirmed stroke risks were heightened in younger and healthier people, including those with seemingly mild acute infections.
A 2023 study on long COVID among Canadians showed that: "on those who reported ever experiencing long-term symptoms, those who continue to experience these symptoms (58.2%) outnumber those who have reported them resolved (41.8%). As of June 2023, an estimated 2.1 million Canadian adults continued to experience long-term symptoms after a confirmed or suspected COVID-19 infection that could not be explained by anything else. Almost 80% of these adults had been experiencing long-term symptoms for 6 or more months and about half reported no improvement in their symptoms over time. When at their worst, these symptoms often or always limited daily activities for more than 1 in 5 Canadian adults who continued to experience long-term symptoms at the time of the survey. In addition, among adults who experienced long-term symptoms and were employed or attending school, more than 1 in 5 missed days because of their symptoms." They also showed increasing risks with each reinfection, as can be seen in the image below:
We are firm believers in using methods to prevent infection in the first place, because preventing COVID-19 infection protects against the acute effects of the disease, prevents further transmission, and prevents long COVID. Respirators, like n95 masks, along with cleaning the air, are non-invasive ways to filter out the SARS-CoV-2 virus from the air so that it cannot infect you. We give more information on these topics in our Multiple Layers: A Step Beyond the Swiss Cheese Model, where we also discuss the importance of clear public health messaging, such as the importance of openly acknowledging and expressing the risks of COVID-19 and long COVID, the need to push for political action, and the need for policies that prioritize public health over short-term economic interests. We also talk about the important responsibility of each individual and organization to develop effective strategies on how to prevent COVID-19 in our homes, schools, workspaces, and communities, and take a look at how to properly use the tools we have to prevent infection.
We all deserve to be given the information and tools we need to keep ourselves and others safe, while also being social. Creating that opportunity is what this website is all about.
the maskers comics presents
Table of Contents:
Click the category buttons below to get zoomed to that section, or simply scroll down to view them all!
Many ask how long we are going to mask for or use protections for (of which we usually answer, as long as it takes). There is research on treatments and technologies out there that have the potential to be real game changers. Here are a few that we have been keeping our eyes on.
While we wait for new treatments and technologies to develop, check out the tools we have right now that will prevent infections and stop transmission for an airborne-spread disease (which includes COVID as well as many other diseases it can stop along the way)
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!
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. See a snap shot of our comic below featured in Clean Air Times Magazine, Air Support Project’s quarterly science, health, and lifestyle publication. You can get a free download of the first edition of Clean Air Times below.
Who says keeping up with the research has to be boring? Keep your humor while staying informed by enjoying these vastly different varieties of comic advocacy writings:
Where it all started! "The Maskers" started in 2020 (but with updated links to any changed information since), and with new episodes each year up til 2023 (so far-- still making more!).
Episode 1: Armor Up (2020-2021) Follow Little Chicken and the Maskers superhero group on their journey to armor up with masks, distance, eye protection, and good sanitation, all while keeping an eye out for the Gloobers, a group of villainous clowns who are leading the townsfolk astray in order to make more money at their circus.
Episode 2: Clowning Around (2021-2022) Meet new member Darington Duck as he joins the crew with N-95s (and their equivalents). Watch as they battle super-villain Pogo the Clown all while promoting gathering in lower density spaces, outdoor events, and increasing ventilation as part of a comprehensive plan to keep things both safe AND social.
Episode 3: Red Light, Green Light (2022-2023) The Maskers and Super Chic take a stand against the Rats and Big Cats who are tampering with the COVID tracking systems. With the help of Zakia Zoinks, a magic hare, and Henny Red, the business-minded granddaughter of Little Red Hen, the heroes start using HEPA purifiers, CO2 monitors, and mask policies to create a COVID-safer headquarters and business.
Preview of Maskers Episode 4: Down the Rabbit Hole (2023-2024) In these comic drafts, join the Maskers superhero crew in their latest adventure as they journey Down the Rabbit Hole and bring what they've learned to the surface world. Subjects: Long COVID, COVID minimizing and denialism, anti-mask legislation, and virtual/remote options.
This satirical series started as Smokey vs CDC Smokey as a way to visualize the wild public messaging of 2022 compared to classic Smokey the Bear.
As CDC Smokey and Classic Smokey battle it out, it begins to transform into the story of the Smokey family as they navigate COVID-19 and reinvent themselves again and again.
Follow along with Stompy, Russel, Little Ranger, Mom Smokey, and the Ghost of Great Grandpappy Smokey as they battle through the best ways to handle the COVID-19 pandemic and each other in this series, all while getting links to great public health resources.
The latest of the comic series, Zorro COVID picks up where the Smokies series left off-- with the bears deep within a cave hiding out from hunters. It is here, while Russel Smokey and Little Ranger are being stalked by something sinister beneath the murky waters, that a new leader awakens from a deep slumber, destined to Zorro Covid!
Think outside the Box, with this short series: "On Protection of Towns", as we ponder Benjamin Franklin's advice: "An Ounce of Prevention is worth a Pound of Cure"!
This series shows some of the things going around town besides COVID-- like both safe and unsafe politics, economics, and policies that play into our everyday lives and either enhance or detract from our collective safety.
Join us in our COVID-19 fact-checking column as we analyze the data (aka spaghetti), pull out the misinformation (aka "Worms") and focus in on the good information (the meatballs--or juicy veggies, depending on your preferences). Make sure to leave room for the Cannoli-- a sweet ending-- to any (worm-free) meal!
Our Worms Collection: Examines forms of misinformation and disinformation such as:
November 2022: The WHO's misuse of the death rate metric as a tool for assessing the pandemic, the continued silence on long covid despite significant research, and the ignoring of scientific consensus on how to end the pandemic as a public health threat.
February 2023/ Updated May 2023: The inaccuracy of the "immunity debt" hypothesis andthe silence on COVID-virus-caused immune system damage when assessing the cause for the huge surge in RSV cases and severity the past few seasons.
March 2023/ Updated on 5-23-23: The premature ending of COVID-19 protections and safeguards by the US and other governments and the resulting worsened surveillance, greater divide in treatment access, more stress on the healthcare system, and overall negative impact on infection prevention strategies has left an increased responsibility on the individual to use COVID precautions to protect health.
The maskers comic Presents
the bad news
Research shows long COVID risks are substantial after infection, and they rise significantly after each reinfection.
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.
If we can hold out long enough and not get infected, it would give time for new therapies and technologies to develop. Although right now these are not available, it is good to note they are working on developing better technologies, and interesting to keep an eye on them while you are using the precautions we do have like wearing an n-95 or equivalent mask.
FUTURE POTENTIAL GAME-CHANGERS ARE BEING STUDIES AND ARE IN DEVELOPMENT:
Ensitrelvir (known in Japan as Xocova®), an oral antiviral drug for COVID-19 currently approved under the emergency regulatory approval system in Japan, is a 3CL protease inhibitor created through joint research between Hokkaido University and Shionogi. SARS-CoV-2 has an enzyme called 3CL protease, which is essential for the replication of the virus. Ensitrelvir suppresses the replication of SARS-CoV-2 by selectively inhibiting the 3CL protease. Ensitrelvir is the first antiviral agent to show both clinical symptomatic efficacy for five typical Omicron-related symptoms (primary endpoint) and antiviral efficacy (key secondary endpoint) in a predominantly vaccinated population of patients with mild-to-moderate SARS-CoV-2 infection, regardless of risk factors, in the results of the Phase 3 part of the Phase 2/3 study conducted during the Omicron-dominant phase of the epidemic. With regard to safety, most adverse events were mild in severity and no deaths were seen in the study.
Phase 2/3 study also indicated a potential for reduced risk of development of long COVID and further evaluations in this regard are still ongoing.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Fast Track designation to ensitrelvir for COVID-19. FDA Fast Track designation is designed to facilitate the development and expedite the review of potential new therapies that treat serious conditions and fulfill an unmet medical need.
NACE2i, a new drug developed by QIMR Berghofer could transform the treatment of COVID-19 by potentially protecting against infection by any SARS-CoV-2 variant and reversing the persistent inflammation that is a major driver of debilitating long COVID.
"The research opens up an entirely new area of immunology research around 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."
University of British Columbia researchers have identified three compounds that prevent COVID-19 infection in human cells, derived from natural sources including a B.C. sea sponge.
The discovery paves the way for the development of new antivirals for COVID-19 variants.
"Researchers led by UVA’s Steven L. Zeichner, MD, PhD, found that COVID-19 may prompt some people’s bodies to make antibodies that act like enzymes that the body naturally uses to regulate important functions – blood pressure, for example. Related enzymes also regulate other important body functions, such as blood clotting and inflammation. Doctors may be able to target these “abzymes” to stop their unwanted effects. If abzymes with rogue activities are also responsible for some of the features of long COVID, doctors could target the abzymes to treat the difficult and sometimes mysterious symptoms of COVID-19 and long COVID at the source, instead of merely treating the downstream symptoms." More research is needed.
"This study demonstrates a proof-of-concept pAQ monitor built by coupling a wet cyclone-based PILS with an ultrasensitive MIE biosensor. The chamber experiments and indoor air sampling inside the apartments of two SARS-CoV-2-positive patients demonstrate the high virus capture efficiency of the wet cyclone even in low virus concentration environments. The high sensitivity (77–83%), high time resolution (5 min), low LoD (7-35 RNA copies/m3), and automation capability of the pAQ monitor make it an 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 (longitudinal or grab sampling) would enable the occupants to take immediate action to prevent or limit the air transmission of SARS-CoV-2."
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.
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!)
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 -- some say this study was not done rigorously enough to show the true effect which nat be lower, and that metformin may only reduce risks for certain types of long Covid and only for those at greater risk for that type of long Covid). More research is needed to answer these questions.
A new skin test has proven effective at detecting alpha-synuclein clumps (the misfolded proteins in the nervous system that indicate a disorder), thereby providing a means of clinically diagnosing diseases like Parkinson's at far earlier stages.
Low-Dose Naltrexone Shows Promise In Treating Long COVID
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.
A paper published May 2 in The Journal of Clinical Investigation describes a recently concluded clinical trial of a small-molecule drug that’s been shown in lab studies to prevent the buildup of hyaluronan, a substance responsible for thick sputum that causes severe breathlessness in COVID and long COVID patients.
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.
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,” senior author Wang Linfa, a professor and bat virus expert with Duke-NUS’ Emerging Infectious Diseases Programme, said in a news release. Research will continue on the most potent antibody, E7.
"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, and stay infectious for hours. This is why we need to wear masks-- and N95 masks at that-- since they are the type 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 protect your eyes and 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 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. His full presentation can be viewed here.
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.
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.
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.
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:
In other words, if you have done things to enhance ventilation and filtration, such as adding HEPA purifiers and/or CR-Boxes in order to get 6 air changes per hour (see section below to learn how many/what type your space needs), then it will take them 69 minutes to flush out that space from a person who was not masked.
If you get 12 air changes per hour, it will take 35 minutes to flush out that space. During that time, you should remain masked. Even if the other person was masked, it is still a good idea to wear your mask during that flush out period, since our masks are typically not fit tested.
If you need to take a quick sip or a drink, you can use either a sip straw mask insert like the one in the section above, or go outside to, or be very quick about it (studies show it take a few minutes to inhale enough virus to become infected, but the virus has gotten more contagious and evolved ways to more efficiently attach to cell receptors, so its best to make it quick if you need to take off the mask for whatever reason.
learn how to achieve the needed air changes per hour in your space by determining the Cadr!
Note: Purification and Ventilation should be done in indoor environments ALONG WITH masking, and it is NOT a replacement for masking. Masking helps prevent short-range transmission from closer exposures, something that ventilation and filtration cannot do. Ventilation and filtration lower the amount of covid-19 particles that might linger in a room, and reduce chances of those particles building up in a room and getting into any gaps in masks over time.
Total CADR, or Clean Air Delivery Rate, is a measure you need know for your customized space to achieve the 6-12 ACH, or Air Changes Per Hour, that are commonly recommended to reduce COVID-19 Risks.
Note: Purification and Ventilation should be done in indoor environments ALONG WITH masking, and it is NOT a replacement for masking. Cleaning the air makes masking more effective, especially over longer periods of time.
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 12*)/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. We aim for 12 ACH for our calculations.
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 units combined.
For instance, 1800 cfm can be achieved by combining:
two extra large room HEPA purifiers combined to reach 600 cfm (so for instance each with a smoke CADR of 300 cfm on the setting it is run on, make sure it does not use ionizers), AND
a DIY air cleaner such as a CR-box (typical CR Box with four 2" MERV-13 filters and a lasso box fan has approx 700 cfm CADR when run on medium), AND
with an a/c unit with MERV-13 AC filters installed turned in the ON position so it is constantly moving air through it , and/or 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); these methods can give an additional 1-5 air changes per hour (100-500 cfm in this situation).
so at a high estimates: 600 + 700 + 500= 1800 cfm (which equates to getting 12 ACH),
and at a low 600 + 700 + 100 = 1400 cfm (which equates to 9 ACH)
Note:
On HEPAs CADR is listed by manufacturer for your model, under the Smoke CADR setting.
For CR Boxes made with 4 20"x20"x2" MERV 13 filters, and a LASKO Box Fan, each unit's CADR is 600 (for low fan speeds) to 800 (at highest fan speeds).
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, ACH, and L/s Calculators:
We have acquired multiple HEPA purifiers and built a DIY CR-Box in order to reach 12 ACH in our home. We also air out the home by opening windows up when the weather permits, and during lower allergy times (we have environmental allergies but can do air-outs and run HEPAs and CR-boxes on high, as well as use MERV-13 filters in our AC and that filters out any allergens that get inside out quickly, and does not trigger our allergies).
Below is a sneak peek at 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.
Learn more about how to advocate for clean air, how to create a covid-cautious learning community, how to Use 504 Plans to advocate for your rights and the rights of your household, and alternative schooling options in this broadcast by the World Health Network (and in the PATHS TO HEALTHY LEARNING GUIDE linked below).
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. Here we provide resources with more information. Our journey into schools started pre-pandemic with a Public Virtual School and then we moved to straight homeschooling in 2021 and have been doing so ever since. Here are some resources we use/have used and recommend:
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:
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.
wear a mask all times of year not just during surges
covid, flu, and rsv can all be reduced by mask use and masks should be used all year long
COVID-19 is not seasonal as it is present all year long and surges happen when new variants evolve that are increasingly immuno-evasive, and their effects can be mediated by the use of protections in place in the community. When events happen that cause an increase in the number of people engaging in higher risk activities (like traveling, especially without mask mandates on public transportation, as one-way masking only offers limited protection), or when there are more people going into multi-household gatherings (especially without protections in place), then we often see huge (and preventable) surges. However, these things happen all times of year. Thus, it is important to implement policies for masking and cleaning the air, regardless of the mass data statistics, to prevent infections to individuals that are damaging in both acute and long-term effects. As you can see from the chart below, unlike flu or RSV, COVID is not seasonal.
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!
The maskers comic presents
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!
Advocating for affordable clean indoor air world-wide, through education, publications, and the development of an affordable, highly efficient air cleaner.
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.
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.
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.
Here is a highlight reel of public comments left at the November 2023 HICPAC meeting concerning the inappropriate drafted recommendations for Infection Control in healthcare facilities by HICPAC.
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.
Never listen to someone who says you have to sacrifice your and other's physical health to obtain good mental health. Good mental health is defined within the context of maintaining good physical health, and that includes using the strategies listed on this website to avoid a viral disease that has proven to affect the body in short- and long-term ways, at a risk higher than we allow for other things, with actions that still allow us to participate in our society without undue burden. Remember, a mask is not undue burden; Chronic disease and death are.
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."