The Maskers Comic

THE SMOKIES Series

A Comic that started off by parodying Smokey the Bear with the current COVID-19 Public Messaging, but over time it has developed into the story of Smokey the Bear's family creating (and recreating) themselves in the COVID-era.
The Smokies

Table of contents

#1 If Smokey the Bear Worked at the CDC, Fun camping Experience 
#2 Smokey vs CDC Smokey  How to Put Out A Small Camp Fire  
#3 How to Put Out A Large Fire
#4 Mandate Masks VS Mandate Covid-19
#5 You Can Stop This Shameful Waste
#6 Smokey vs YOU
#7 Fight vs Surrender
#8 Remember
#9 Fire Guidance
#10 Pals
#11 Choose Carefully
#12 What Will It Take?
#13 Just Ducky
#14 The Way
#15 Don't Be A Guberif
#16 The Song

#17 The Letter

#18 A Labor Day Special

#19 The Interviews

#20 Work Together

#21 The WHO, What, Where (The Elephant in the Room)

 #22 The WHeN: When Will the Pandemic Be Over? 

#23 The Why?

#24 The Wheel of MisFortune (I'd Like to Solve the Puzzle)

#25 Don't Bear Bad Air

#26 We've Been Replaced?

#27 Spying on Campers

#28 Weigh Your Risks

#29 Faded Smoke

#30 Old Smokey

#31 The Rescue Dream

#32 Wake Up

#33 Positive Test

#34 Stompy's 14 Days of Isolation

#35 Stompy Smokey the 3rd

#36 Stompy's Covid ABC's

#37 Like and Subscribe

#38 Trending Now

#39 Operation Bear Hunt

#40 Family Reunion

#41 The Smokies Friend Pledge

#42 Spelunking
THE MASKERS COMIC PRESENTS

#1: If smokey the bear

worked at the CDC

"Fun Camping Experience"
CDC: August 2022 UpdateD 
GUIDANCE Summary
 Also CDC: NEARLY 1 IN 5 OF ADULTS WHO HAVE HAD 
COVID STILL HAS LONG-COVID
2023 NIH:Long COVID: major findings, mechanisms and recommendations
NIH: Systematic review and Meta Analysis: Physical distance, Masks prevent 
person-to-person transmission of covid-19 
THE MASKERS COMIC PRESENTS

#2: Smokey vs "CDC smokey"

How to put out a small camp fire.
CDC: SUMMARY OF GUIDANCE 
FOR ISOLATION
 STUDY: SUPPORTs 
Minimum 10 DAY ISOLATION
NIID Study: duration of infectious viral shedding, omicron (isolation should be nothing short of 10 days)
MeD RX STUDY: shows within study that HIGH VIRAL LOAD CONTINUEs TO DAYS 10-14
THE MASKERS COMIC PRESENTS

#3: SMOKEY VS "CDC SMOKEY"

How to put out a large fire.
CDC: COVID "STRATEGY"?
 WORLD HEALTH NETWORK 
How to end the pandemic
Mask mandates work  Study: Face masks effectively limit the probability 
of SARS-CoV-2 transmission 
THE MASKERS COMIC PRESENTS

#4: SMOKEY VS "CDC SMOKEY"

Mandate Masks V.S. Mandate COVID-19
TIME: N-95 MASKS/EQUIVALENTS ARE 
THE BEST MASKS FOR OMICRON 
 (Links to Study 75-FOLD WHEN TWO-WAY)
 CDC ANYONE CAN SPREAD OMICRON EVEN 
VACCINATED AND/OR ASYMPTOMATIC
NIH STUDY: PEOPLE most contagious 2 DAYS BEFORE SYMPTOMS ONSET PNAS Study: 50% of Covid cases were caused by asymptomatic or presymptomatic spread 
NIH Study: PRE- OR ASYMPTOMATIC CASES RESPONSIBLE FOR more than 50% OF TRANSMISSION Nature Study: cumulative risks and burdens of repeat infection increased according to the number of infections
Study: Omicron Largely evades immunity from past infection or two vaccine doses
STUDY: many people with omicron are asymptomatic and spread unknowingly (an important reason for masking when in public to stop the spread)
Study: Omicron more contagious, outside transmission possible, mask up outdoors
THE MASKERS COMIC PRESENTS

#5: SMOKEY VS "CDC SMOKEY"

You can stop this shameful waste!

ORPHANHOOD AND CARETAKER LOSS 
DUE TO COVID
 LONG COVID IN KIDS
META-ANALYSIS
CDC report: kids long covid
long covid: as many as 4 million out of work
THE MASKERS COMIC PRESENTS

#6: SMOKEY VS "SMOKEY WHO"

Smokey VS YOU
WHO- WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO)
COVID-19 ADVICE FOR PUBLIC
 
 STUDY: COVID REINFECTIONS INCREASE RISK OF DEATH, 
WORSE HEALTH PROGNOSIS, LONG COVID, 
WHETHER INITIAL INFECTIONS WERE MILD OR SEVERE.
Academic Article: N-95 Masks plus ventilation work
THE MASKERS COMIC PRESENTS

#7: SMOKEY VS "CDC SMOKEY"

Fight vs Surrender.
INTERACTIVE CHART MASK TIME 
UNTIL INFECTIOUS DOSE
 PNAS STUDY: TIME UNTIL INFECTION 
IN DIFFERENT MASKING SITUATIONS
Nature STUDY: Vaccines give only 15% Protection against long-covid
 ARTICLE: BREAKTHROUGH COVID DEATHS INCREASING IN THE US 
30% OF COVID DEATHS IN US
WERE VACCINATED
Nature Study: Reinfection causeD 2 fold increased risk of death, 3 fold increased risk of hospitalization , 3 fold increased risk of heart problems, 3 fold increased risk of blood clotting (As compared to those who did not have reinfection)
THE MASKERS COMIC PRESENTS

#8: SMOKEY VS "CDC SMOKEY"

Remember.
CDC: KNOW YOUR RISK 
OF GETTING VERY SICK
 from Covid-19
 
(Those who
 Are considered 
 vulnerable)
 OMICRON STUDY: IRRESPECTIVE OF VACCINATION 
AND/OR PRIOR INFECTION, 
BREAKTHROUGH INFECTIONS WERE RESPONSIBLE 
FOR 80% OF TRANSMISSION. 
EACH VACCINE OR BOOST GIVES 
12% REDUCTION IN TRANSMISSION 
BUT THIS REDUCTION TREND 
LOWERS BY 6% EVERY 5 WEEKS.
Science direct Study-Results show Masking by both well and sick important 
THE MASKERS COMIC PRESENTS

#9: SMOKEY VS "CDC SMOKEY"

Fire Guidance.
NPR Article: HOW TO FIND 
THE BEST N-95 OR EQUIVALENT MASK FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY, 
HOW TO STORE AND REUSE USING PAPER BAG METHOD 
FOR CUMULATIVE 40 HRS PER MASK
 STUDY: KF-94 TRIFOLD 
BOAT-STYLE MASKS HAVE
 LESS LEAKAGE THAN 
OTHER STYLES OF KF-94
JAMA Study: respirators (such as N-95 and their equivalents) provide significantly 
more protection than surgical masks 
THE MASKERS COMIC PRESENTS

#10: SMOKEY VS "CDC SMOKEY"

Pals.
NIH: N-95 AND HEPAS TOGETHER PROTECT AGAINST 
COVID OVER LONG PERIODS OF TIME
 CDC guidance changes
 Streamlined
Systematic review: HEPA Air Purifiers help protect against covid
C-R BOXES EFFECTIVE
 AGAINST COVID
 (SHOULD BE USED ALONG WITH MASKING)
Guide to choosing HEPA Air Purifiers to help protect against covid
How to Make a C-R BOX for under $100
THE MASKERS COMIC PRESENTS

#11: SMOKEY VS "CDC SMOKEY"

Choose Carefully.
WHITE HOUSE PROJECTS ANOTHER 
100 MILLION COVID INFECTIONS 
WILL HAPPEN THIS FALL 2022
 CDC Operational Guidance For Schools To 
support safe in-person Learning
Study: Pulmonary Dysfunction 
after pediatric COVID
 Nature Study: Long-term Cardiovascular Outcomes of COVID 19 increased , regardless of age
Covid May more than double chances of developing Alzheimer's  
Lancet Study: Omicron infection can lead to serious neurological impacts
THE MASKERS COMIC PRESENTS

#12: SMOKEY VS "CDC SMOKEY"

What will it take?
GAO: LONG COVID QUICK FACTS
 NIH STUDY: DIVERSE COHORT LONG COVID
John Hopkins: LONG COVID AFFECTS ALL
THE MASKERS COMIC PRESENTS

#13: The Smokies

Just Ducky.
Article: COVID MUTATIONS COULD MAKE INFECTED PEOPLE 
SICKER FOR A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME
 STUDY: COVID SPIKE PROTEIN 
DAMAGED HEART MUSCLE CELLS
NATURE STUDY:  Heart Disease Risk Soars after COVID, even with a mild case
Nih news release how immune response to Covid can cause brain damage 
STUDY: Increased risks of AUTOIMMUE DISEASE after covid-19 infection 
ARTICLE: Covid-19 study suggests long-term damage to the immune system
Study (2023): Covid-caused immune dysfunction
THE MASKERS COMIC PRESENTS

#14: the Smokies

The Way.
WEB MD News Article: EACH COVID-19 REINFECTION INCREASES HEALTH RISKS
 FORBES ARTICLE: REINFECTION DOUBLES A PERSONS' CHANCES 
OF DEATH, Blood clots, and lung damage
Nature Study: Reinfection causeD 2 fold increased risk of death, 3 fold increased risk of hospitalization , 3 fold increased risk of heart problems, 3 fold increased risk of blood clotting (As compared to those who did not have reinfection)
PNAS Study: Transmission Percents in different masking situations
THE MASKERS COMIC PRESENTS

#15: The Smokies

Don't Be A Guberif.
PNAS STUDY: 90% TRANSMISSION AFTER A 
FEW MINUTES 
WHEN NEITHER IS MASKING AND ONE IS INFECTED
 STUDY: MASKING IN SCHOOLS, 
SIGNIFICANTLY
 LESS TRANSMISSION
CDCs irresponsible poster showing kids hugging, knowing that people still transmit Covid after vaccination, death rates and long Covid rates are high, and vulnerable households account fur approx 50% of us population
STUDY: Schools Are A Significant Sites of COVID-19 TransmisSion
 lung Dysfunction found in both recovered and long-covid children and ADOLESCENTS after covid
Study: COVID-19 infection linked to 72% increase in type 1 diabetes in children
THE MASKERS COMIC PRESENTS

#16: The Smokies

The Song.
Med RX STUDY: DURATION OF VIABLE VIRUS SHEDDING 
OMICRON (MOST ARE CONTAGIOUS PAST DAY 5)
 REINFECTION COMMON IN BOTH 
VACCINATED AND UNVACCINATED
NIID Study: duration of infectious viral shedding, omicron (isolation should be nothing short of 10 days)
THE MASKERS COMIC PRESENTS

#17: The Smokies

The Letter.
US TRANSMISSION LEVELS HIGH IN 
NEARLY EVERY COUNTY IN THE US
 CDC ANNOUNCES SWEEPING 
"REORGANIZATION"
Study: HEPA Purifiers Effective Against COVID (should be used along with masking) 
THE MASKERS COMIC PRESENTS

#18: The Smokies

A Labor Day Special.
OSHA COVID GUIDANCE BY INDUSTRY AMERICANS SHOWING UP SICK TO WORK
THE MASKERS COMIC PRESENTS

#19: The Smokies

The Interviews.
US COVID DEATH RATE VACCINE WANES SUBSTANTIALLY 
OVER TIME
THE MASKERS COMIC PRESENTS

#20: THE SMOKIES

Work Together.
 Nurse-Administrator Mary Wakefield tasked with revamping CDC
THE MASKERS COMIC PRESENTS

#21: The SMOKIES

The Who, What, Where? The Elephant in the Room.
W.H.O. WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION 
307% INCREASE IN LONG COVID
 NPR: WHITE HOUSE MEDICAL ADVISORY 
ANTHONY FAUCI'S RESPONSE TO IF COVID IS LIKE THE FLU
(SEPTEMBER 2022)
Longcovidlearning.org easy-to-read guide to long covid
 News Article: The Astounding Impact of Long COVID
THE MASKERS COMIC PRESENTS

#22: The SMOKIES

The When: When Will the Pandemic Be Over?
C.D.C. US TRANSMISSION MAP WORLD HEALTH NETWORK (WHN) 
5 PILLARS OF SAFETY
THE MASKERS COMIC PRESENTS

#23: The SMOKIES

The Why.
THE FLU DOES NOT CAUSE ANYTHING COMPARABLE IN SCALE (NOT NEARLY AS TRANSMISSIBLE, CONTAGIOUS), SIZE (DOES NOT AFFECT AS MANY PEOPLE AS COVID) OR INTENSITY TO COVID (SHORTER ACUTE SICKNESS TIME, NOT AS FREQUENT POST-VIRAL ILLNESS AS COVID, NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE SAME INTENSITY IF SYMPTOMS AND DISEASES AS LONG COVID)
 COVID VS FLU DEATH RATES STATISTICS
 Long Covid learning: research
Covid much more dangerous to children than flu 
Note from artist
We have not had strong, clear guidance from the authorities that be. Some may not have known this was the choice they were being asked to make in the past. But it is important to know what this choice is going forward:
The Maskers comic Presents

#24 The Smokies

"I'd like to Solve the Puzzle" aka The Wheel of Misfortune

Long COVID is common, serious, chronic, and often disabling group of illnesses that can result after even mild initial COVID infections. Long COVID disables millions, with its effects often beginning I the brain and nervous system, and have far-reaching negative consequences on other body systems, often causing damage to vital organs.

  Scientific American: Long Covid Is a neurological disease
REUTERS: LONG COVID
SUICIDE CRISES
 NPr: LONG COVID 1 IN 3 CASES

Long COVID is common, serious, chronic, and often disabling group of illnesses that can result after even mild initial COVID infections. For an in depth look at "The Impact of Long COVID on Health, Society, and Economies" check out the Long COVID Virtual Symposium hosted by the World Health Network (W.H.N)

 Long Covid Symposium
Long Covid learning: your Brain and senses Study: 7 in 100 Covid cases result in long-term brain disorders 
Life Expectancy continues to drop in the US due to COVID-19
MARCH 2023 NATURE STUDY ON HOW COVID ALTERS the genome structure of our cells, SUBSEQUENT EFFECTS ON IMMUNE SYSTEM and long covid
CDC report: kids long covid
long covid: as many as 4 million out of work
Long covid kids . Org
New survey suggests reinfection
worsens long Covid 
 Mandatory masks in school: 
great benefits with 
little to no risks
THE MASKERS COMIC PRESENTS

#25: The SMOKIES

Don't Bear Bad Air.

(Using water logic to combat COVID)
News Release: A MULTILAYERED APPROACH IS RECOMMENDED to mitigate risks during the ongoing pandemic
 SCIENCE DIRECT STUDY: THOSE WHO HAD HIGHER VIRAL LOADS DURING THEIR ACUTE COVID INFECTION—REGARDLESS OF SEVERITY OF SYMPTOMS—WERE MORE LIKELY TO DEVELOP LONG COVID.
Prehospital Treatment with Paxlovid Antiviral Reduces acute infection Risks (STUDY)
Paxlovid Antiviral Reduces long Covid risks (article with link to study) 
 Another way to reduce viral load and reduce chances of hospitalization if you do test positive for Covid is with saline nasal rinse (STUDY)- of course do not rely on this alone, but you can add on top of all other layers.
THE MASKERS COMIC PRESENTS

#26: The SMOKIES

We've been REPLACED?!?
 BC Canada replaced Smokey the Bear with ember the fox, to highlight new policy to
learn to live with fire (and she has an emblem of a house on Fire!).. That's OK, the Smokey's will find better venue. 
THE MASKERS COMIC PRESENTS

#27: The SMOKIES

Spying on Campers
Long-covid affects all, the only way to prevent long Covid is not to get covid
The WhO updated 2023 guidance recommends masking regardless of your local epidemiological situation due to the widespread Covid prevalence globally  
THE MASKERS COMIC PRESENTS

#28: The SMOKIES

Weigh Your Risks
 Omicron death ratE
 Cost to run hepa air purifier
Benefits to masks and 
ventilation in schools Odds of dying from
 Different causes 
THE Maskers comic presents

#29: The SMOKIES

Faded Smoke
Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT) miss many positive cases with omicron variants, can only be used to help rule-in, but not rule out covid-19 infection
 FDA Approved COVID-19 Tests
THE Maskers comic presents

#30: The SMOKIES

Old Smokey
Science brief: OmicrOn testing with Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT)
At-HOme PCR Tests (which are more reliable and sensitive than RAT tests) can be ordered online for delivery to your home, and may be covered in some instances by some insurances (as they are more expensive than RATs), click here to go to lab corp on demand site to learn more, and order tests online.
THE Maskers comic presents

#31: The SMOKIES

The Rescue Dream.
VIDEOS OF NASAL
AND/OR THROAT SWAB
(refer to your specific test instructions, but these videos are good for showing examples of how to collect samples for different types of common tests)
THE Maskers comic presents

#32: The SMOKIES

Wake Up.
FDA: steps to take to reduce chances of false- negative; serial testing
 Good practices:
Seek confirmatory tests if initial test result is negative 
1- Report symptoms to primary care physician
2- Practice quarantine if exposure or infection are suspected even in the absence of a positive test result
While waiting for test results (with or without symptoms)
3- Isolate if symptoms are present even if a test result is negative. Seek re-testing (via PCR and/or antigen tests)
Protect others by wearing a mask if having to leave home for essentials
4- Obtain HEPA filters to clean air and open windows to allow frequent air circulation
Disinfect frequently used areas 
 Study: Rapid Antigen Tests not as accurate for current (Feb 2023) omicron subvariants; can be used to rule in, but not to rule out infection Study: RAT tests, very accurate for positives, but can miss picking up infections in 39% (for asymptomatic) to 63% (symptomatic) infections. Serial testing is necessary to reduce this risk.
 REPORT YOUR TEST RESULTS TO MAKE My TEST COUNT .org (HELP inform each other so we aren't flying blind)  Info on the dominant omicron subvariants as of Feb 2023
The Maskers Comic presents

#33: The Smokies

Positive Test.
People's CDC: What to Do If You Have Covid/ have been exposed 
What to do if a family member tests positive for COVID-19  How to Isolate using Zones 
Interpreting Tests information for omicron variants  If positive,  Isolate for 14 days with a test out plan (maybe longer if immunocompromised or showing symptoms longer)
The Maskers Comic presents

#34: The Smokies

Stompy's 14 Days of Isolation.
STUDY: SYMPTOMS of different Covid VARIANTs 8 Common Symptoms of omicron subvariants (Jan 2023)
  
Symptoms have changed over time, here are the latest (Sept 2022)  What to expect/look out for During initial covid-19 infection (often known as the acute phase)
  
Metformin (a diabetes prescription medication) reduces chances of developing long Covid by 42%, and reduces chances of hospitalization during severe acute by 40%
 Paxlovid (antiviral) information  Paxlovid no more likely to cause rebound than not taking it
 You no longer need a positive test to receive Paxlovid (Feb 2023) Paxlovid lowers long Covid risks
Have COVID? Request Paxlovid Even if You're 'Not High Risk.' Here's Why PaxLovid drug interactions
 Paxlovid can Leave metallic taste in mouth, Which may be helped with home remedies such as hot coca-cola Other common Paxlovid side effects
PAXLOVID (ANTIVIRAL) Study- lowers chances of long-covid in higher risk individuals Research: Anticoagulants for long covid
The Maskers Comic presents

#35: The Smokies

Stompy Smokey the 3rd.
Yale medicine: omicron and the BQs, A guide to what we know  
One Pager on COVID Safety in schools (also can be applied to workspaces)
Guide to using a 504 Plan for COVID-related Reasonable Accomodations in schools 
(these would also be good for other workspaces as reasonable accommodation requests)
The Maskers Comic presents

#36: The Smokies

Stompy's COVID ABC's.
AIR CLEANER/ CADR CALCULATOR 
Cambridge UK study: hepa purifiers remove Covid from air in hospital 
Nature Article: Why the WHO took 2 years to Say COVID is Airborne
 Sub variants BQ1 and BQ1.1 are able to evade prior immunity There is a new sub-variant XBB that can evade prior immunity

You can build your own C-R Box unit using a box fan and MERV 13 filters for under $100, and it works as well as HEPA purifiers for less price. See how to build one here:

 How to build a Corsi-rosenthal box to help protect against covid 
The Maskers Comic presents

#37: The Smokies

Like and Subscribe.
Follow the maskers comic on Mastodon at forall.social
Follow the maskers comic (fb name "Shea Tommy") on Facebook
Follow the maskers comic (@themaskerscomic) on Instagram
The Maskers Comic presents

#38: The Smokies

Trending Now.
Follow "the People's CDC" on Instagram to get a weekly report on covid-19.
The Maskers Comic presents

#39: The Smokies

Operation Bear Hunt.
post-Covid conditions: "Medium-covid"
 (extremely dangerous 12 week period after Covid infection)  2022 Study: Between 6 and 18 months following symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection, 
almost half of those infected reported no, or incomplete, recovery
 Feb Study 2023 Multi-organ impairment of long covid:
Organ impairment persisted in 59% of 331 individuals followed up at 1 year post COVID-19, 
with implications for symptoms, quality of life and longer-term health, 
signalling the need for prevention and integrated care of long COVID
The Maskers Comic presents

#40: The Smokies

Family Reunion.
Derek Franks Substack  Jessica Wildfire's Substack
Immunocompromised times on substack  Covid underground substack 
TACT Now Info Substack
 DON'T PANIC SUBSTACK (covid silence and how the media works)

#41: The Smokies

Friend Pledge

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Take the COVID SAFETY PLEDGE, and post this sign on your business door to show others you care!

 COVID SAFETY PLEDGE
The Maskers Comic presents

#42: The Smokies

Spelunking.
View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Shea Tommy (@themaskerscomic)

Worms In Spaghetti article: The declaration of the end of the us covid-19 public health emergency means we we to take more actions to reduce transmission, not less 
Our world in data excess deaths vs confirmed deaths from Covid 19 
 Study: XBB1.5 (Kraken variant) IS HIGHLY EVASIVE TO ANY PRIOR IMMUNITY FROM VACCINES, PRIOR INFECTION, OR BOTH 
Article: Between 5-14 million could lose medicaid coverage when covid emergency declaration expires  
ARTICLE: Why Pediatricians are worried end of federal covid emergency
ARTICLE: people with long covid face-barriers to government disability benefits
Study: Face masks effectively limit the probability of SARS-CoV-2 transmission