Immunity down

 Attempting to protect ourselves from Covid 19 by wearing masks seems to have negatively affected our immune systems. Daily contact with viruses and bacteria help build our immune system and help our bodies defend sickness. Our bodies build immunity from exposure. Children are exposed to many bacteria and viruses when surrounded by peers or touching stuff in the community. Contact with many of these germs does not always result in sickness, rather it helps the body recognize them as invaders to assist with protecting against them in the future.  Masking and social distancing for an extended period of time did not do anyone any favors.



The news is reporting daily that cases of RSV, strep A and the Flu are on the rise. Studies have shown that from wearing masks and keeping our distance in 2020, the result is weaker immune systems. Experts are not sure if it is the lack of exposure or the inherent stress caused by being isolated that is the root cause of the increase in sicknesses.



I am a healthy 19 year old. I pride myself on drinking plenty of water, eating healthy and working out to keep myself well. Like others, I wore a mask for protection from Covid in public places and I socially distanced myself indoors and out. I believe that this caused a depletion in my immune system’s ability to fight infection. I had not been sick or in need of an antibiotic since I was 8 years old. Since masking, I have had a severe case of covid, 2 rounds of the flu as well as strep A followed by cellulitis.  I am not accustomed to feeling weak or being sick. Personally, I believe masking and being isolated are the reasons that my immune system cannot seem to fight off infections as it has in the past.

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