Can We Avoid Colds Forever? Should We?

[@Up2_nogood]

Even if it costs me my job and way of life, I will never submit to authoritarian/draconian measures ever again.

[@pathacker4963]

I am with you!

[@Up2_nogood]

@@pathacker4963 I felt awful the first time, it really went against the grain for me and by the end of it I was sick of it all. To think they're still mask mandating kids in schools is a gross violation of their personal bodies.

[@pathacker4963]

@@Up2_nogood agreed.

[@pathacker4963]

@@Up2_nogood yup.

[@killpop8255]

You are in North America right?

[@sarahbarnwell5296]

I read the substack this morning. My mind immediately went to a friend of mine, who is still very angry that people are "abandoning" masks and thereby abandoning all hope for a virus free world. I'm not quite sure we really want a virus free world. Thanks for your viewpoint!

[@ghjcmo]

For so many people, masking seemed to have taken on an almost religious like experience. They adopted the mantra of “Follow the science” but not saying the rest of that which was “and abandon all common sense in the process.” For example, people were required to wear masks on cruise ship UNTIL they sat down to eat or drink. Somehow the “Follow the science” people seemed to think having a drink in your hands was a magical talisman that warded off viruses.

[@Podcastforthewin]

That reminds me of a friend on Facebook. He’s obviously young, looks to be in good shape, but every picture he’s uploaded for the past two years, is him in a mask. Even to this day at any concert or venue, he’s wearing it. Even if his friends aren’t. I think he’s in California

[@krishna-e-bera]

Virus-free world is impossible because we have viral DNA in our genes - we are all part virus. On the other hand, if you mentally wipe out viruses by believing in Terran Theory, maybe it is possible.

[@redneckreefer6992]

🤣

[@lolfirepoisonftl]

​@@Podcastforthewin I'm in Southern California and there's still a decent number of people wearing masks when they're not required... It's crazy... Although there aren't as many nowadays, I will once in while still encounter a person wearing a mask while driving alone or in their own garage alone...

[@helenblack9583]

I grew up in a flat in Stockholm, Sweden. We had double glazed windows and well sealed units and in general a lot of cleaning products were used to clean one's home. We lived in relatively 'sterile' environment. When I got older the Swedish Health authorities started to encourage people to open their windows, that a little exposure to dirt were good for us. Basically we, as a nation had gone overboard when it came to cleanliness that it negatively affected our health. History is repeating itself.

[@ruthhamilton4882]

Yep. My mother kept house hyper clean and I was sick over and over. I grew up, moved out, got a dog and worked on a farm. I have been MUCH healthier since.

[@SuperSarahbop]

as a person with an autoimmune disease I’ve never asked or expected anyone to do anything out of the ordinary to ensure I don’t get sick. My immune system might be a mess, but that fact makes me realize the actual importance of allowing our immune systems to be active at times.

[@tallard666]

Canadians (and I imagine equally so in Sweden) had tremendous levels of vit.D deficiency. The cold makes Canadians spend tons of times indoors, or outdoors and bundled up. Canadians are generally used to wearing scarves over their mouth and nose in winter (not me, I can not tolerate anything on my face, no matter the cold) so Canadians generally thought nothing of the mask mandates, so Canadians didn't care about that mandate here, or being stuck inside, because Canadians are a stuck inside nationality. (highest facebook usage, highest gamer culture, highest in many internet areas, disgusting). But Canada is now shifting to "green houses" which will make everything more airtight, but "ventilated" with yet more noisy electric contraptions that circulate air. Because Canada has experienced a couple of heat waves in the last couple of years (comparable to the Dust Bowl heat waves), Canada is on the verge of decreeing that AC (air conditioning) is a human right and that all homes will have to include AC !!!! The worst environmental thing possible, being made mandatory. This country is the worst.

[@cellgrrl]

It is why we have been told to stop protecting our kids from germs and let them go roll around in the grass and play in mudpuddles. In fact the uptick in children's allergies is because we live "too cleanly". That's how we build immune systems; we have to challenge them. On a personal note I am a nurse that used to work in an urgent care setting. You name it, I was exposed to it. But I almost never got sick, in fact I went about 30 years with only one case of flu I got from a patient. Otherwise I was bulletproof. I have been retired awhile so don't know if that immunity is still there, but I will say it took me 2.5 years to acquire Covid (no jab). Got Omicron, worst of it was a about a week, two weeks back to normal. I am over 70.

[@Ralph_Baric_PhD_C2019]

You have to grow up with the dirt, like cat shit in a sandpit, and house hold pets.... Otherwise you end up like peanuts... Peanuts, once hypersensetive takes years of tiny amounts of exposure to break it. Better not to slug dose a hypersensetive body later in life, get dirty to begin with... I have found that masking is good for hey fever. Our city loves those "Plian Trees", they have seed balls that consist of tiny hairs, that keep giving all yesr round even when dry and dead... Also the gas emitted from the star jasmin vine is like poison to my nasal mucosa. Both are much reduced by masking. Better than the body load of an antihistamine.

[@missjanetmb]

Perfect timing. I have a friend who said yesterday they are going to just keep masking and they wish we all would. He's not unintelligent, just so misguided. Love the quote "All the great moments in life happen when you are breathing the same air as someone else. " And it's not just air--we need to SEE FACES to be human.

[@abprepboy33]

Most of the people pushing this new normal have no intention of doing it themselves. They will do it when a camara is on, but nobody really thinks this is sustainable. The people pushing the new normal are people who want to feel morally superior to others by saying this stuff. This is why governors and mayors in blue states and cities were constantly breaking the covid rules while preaching their importance.

[@WeighedWilson]

I've a friend that is doing the same. He says he didn't get sick during mandatory mask times. He also didn't get sick the ten years before Covid...

[@kammonkam4905]

He always has the best lines.

[@killpop8255]

To play devil's advocate I don't see why not breathing in another persons air makes you by definition 'inhuman'. Total overreaction statement don't you think?

[@kammonkam4905]

@@killpop8255 Did you ever kiss someone?

[@russellmania5349]

Getting sick is apart of life and this is what makes our immune system stronger.

[@killpop8255]

tell yourself that next time you go to your doctor...

[@robertallan6373]

@@killpop8255 Maybe the doctor needs to know that.

[@luluz209]

I told this to a doctor and the look I got was priceless. It’s just preposterous and gaslighting!!!

[@WeighedWilson]

I've been prescribed two medications at different times in my life that are no longer on the market due to side effects that they caused. I guess I should continue to trust the science. /s

[@justylex]

@@killpop8255 most people do not go to the doctor due to viruses they catch. They go to the doctor due to illnesses or health problems brought on by poor lifestyle/health choices. To you go to the doctor every time you catch a cold?

[@KD-lf5vn]

I'm sitting drinking tea, on the edge of the Australian Outback, pondering, and feeling thankful for, Dr Prasad's conversations. I wonder what price he must pay to hold these lines of enquiry - to challenge the medical dogma of the day. So many of us will know what it's like to stand up in the much smaller circles of our own families and wider communities - it isn't easy, so heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Vinay Prasad for widening my knowledge base and perceptions, and helping me form my own more critical and persuasive arguments.

[@havenbollinger2426]

Well said, and I agree!!

[@thankmelater1254]

I am grateful to and for Dr. Prasad.

[@vice4134]

LOL 🤣😂😂

[@brettanderson6743]

We should shift our focus to maintaining a healthy immune system. The healthier you are the less likely you are to get sick. Eat healthy, exercise and get some sunshine.

[@helenreich713]

Yes! My thoughts exactly.

[@mariecurie7491]

Might explain why, at age 69, unmasked unjabbed leading a normal life, I still haven't met this lethal virus. PS I also smoke 😎

[@sassysandie2865]

@@mariecurie7491 smoking isn’t good and leads to many diseases as I’m sure you know.

[@carolb5677]

That’s Terrain Theory vs Germ Theory and we can’t have that discussion.

[@brockreynolds870]

@@mariecurie7491 The only reason for that is you're lucky. You're walking through life like Mr. Magoo. Your luck will run out one day.

[@sandylewis8897]

After quarantining for most of 2020, I had 3 bad colds and 1 Covid in 2021 -- 4 respiratory infections! I haven't been that sick in years. I think we could discover that avoiding immune challenges is actually bad for your immune system.

[@katielee4892]

Same. I had one in April, May, July, and August (in Australia)

[@philrab]

Masking became a sign of social virtue, and he or she who wears the mask the longest and in the most ridiculous circumstances is the most virtuous. It became a symbol for those who “care” about others, and by default it’s absence identifies the “bad” people.

[@sufyb6432]

I avoid those in masks.

[@alexluthiger731]

Hypocrits and psychopaths fear death and life and truth and wish to hide behind masks and cosmonaut suits. To be driven by fear is like riding on a tiger. Bethink the end. 🍷🎃

[@cellgrrl]

The crazy part those drugstore masks don't work. It is even printed in small lettering on the box of masks I bought that they won't work with viruses. The masks might stop a bacteria, for awhile, but the viruses just laugh right though the mask.

[@tallard666]

no different than Islamist veiling of women

[@caljn1]

You people are idiots. If someone wishes to wear a mask, what the heck is it to you?

[@guapodesperado2822]

Well said, sir. Let us hope this madness ends soon.

[@dedetudor.]

"For the World At large, normalcy only returns when we've largely vaccinated the entire global population." "Under the guise of philanthropy they steal our humanity." Mikki Willis PLANDEMIC2 InDOCTORnation.

[@tallard666]

"Hope" is useless. We need to get out there and be active to end this bs. Unless everyone gets off their collectivist arses, this ain't ending.

[@greglarson6293]

Liberals love masking. They’ll be doing it for years and years to continue their virtue signaling. It’s very bizarre.

[@wisenber]

I would imagine that a continuous low level exposure to potential pathogens yields an immune system more capable of adapting to new and existing threats. Sort of like kids that play outdoors more often tend to have fewer allergies than kids who stay in more sterile environments. Then there's the lifelong opportunity cost of avoidance.

[@xraceboyex]

In my work I regularly change air filters for heavy residential and commercial buildings. I change out walls of air filters 4 feet high and 12 feet wide that filter the air for an entire 10-20 story building. I almost never wash my hands, never use hand sanitizer, never wore masks, etc. Like it or not, most of the guys in my HVAC trade are like this - and none of us ever seem to get sick. Meanwhile all the clean freaks I know seem to be severely immunocompromised. Needless to say, I find these people hilarious and pedantic

[@wisenber]

@@xraceboyex I look at it this way. I'm not intentionally looking to step in dog crap, but I'm not giving up using my lawn to avoid it. That being said, I've always used hand sanitizer when I've worked on someone's computer, and I stay away from customers when I'm sick. I've also kept my distance when I'm around someone who's sick. I don't go around in a hazmat suit unless I'm around hazardous materials, and my N95 masks are in my shop when I'm painting, sanding or using epoxy. If I thought a place was dangerous enough to need a mask, I probably wouldn't go there. That's why I go places where people don't wear masks.

[@killpop8255]

@@xraceboyex that's very caring of you. funnily enough i find your attitude pathetic.

[@helenreich713]

I don’t get colds much, and I haven’t had flu since the early 90s, despite not ever having had a flu shot until last fall. I never wore masks before 2020, so I’m confident that masks had nothing to do with my good fortune with the URIs. My personal opinion is that if you really want to avoid URIs, try prioritizing sleep, eat a decent diet, get some exercise, and spend a little time outdoors.

[@misarthim6538]

You probably actually got cold many times over. But because you’re fit and healthy your immune system just absolutely destroyed it without you even noticing.

[@techadsr]

An appropo saying may apply here:. Use it or lose it. As the pandemic mitigation controls were being rolled out and then enforced, I hypothesized that colds would be worse when the controls were lifted due to weakened (perhaps atrophied) immune systems. Are we getting flu now or a cold that our immune systems are taking longer to clear? I don't know but I recently got a cold or flu and don't know which. Lasted about a week with feeling rotten and another week or two to return to normal. Didn't feel like I was dying like I did in 2017 with type A flu but then that took three weeks to get back to normal only to devolve into bronchitis. So maybe it was a lesser flu. Or a cold. Who knows. But perhaps I'll recover from the next one quicker.

[@misarthim6538]

@@techadsr It's impossible to say, there are evolutionary paths for both. You can get more attrofied immune system, but colds actually also can be milder because we put them under heavy evolutionary pressure with Covid controls.

[@jakebradminster709]

Arrogance in not realizing that centuries and centuries of human experience proves these ideas are wrong.

[@theprogressivemichigander6588]

As long as no one tries to mandate it for others, I don't think adults voluntarily masking more in public spaces with N-95's to reduce cold frequency is crazy. I don't plan to do it - at least until I'm very old and viruses pose a much greater threat to me. The annoyance and the inability of others to see my facial expressions isn't worth the benefit of reduced cold frequency for me. But as I understand it, throughout human history, there were far fewer cases of contagious diseases. It's only with modern population densities that we have this rate of contagious diseases. To me, that's a reason to move to a more rural area. But I don't think it's crazy for some people living in densely populated cities to want to mask with an N-95 on public transit during flu season. At least since SARS, lots of people in Asia have done that with no disastrous consequences I am aware of. And I think it might be a positive good to do so when you are feeling sick but still need to go out.

[@pollychase6099]

The best way to avoid infectious diseases is have a good lifestyle and try to stay strong and healthy. Too many people think vaccines improve health.

[@sufyb6432]

After years of observing folks in my office, I believe that the flu shot just makes everyone sicker also.

[@stevecatlin5609]

and the arrogance of some who downplayed natural remedies so as to boost your immune system, that the mRNA drug was the only way out- forgetting everything else available, especially cheap, safe, naturally sourced, supplements

[@xraceboyex]

Yeah like the literally nothing that I took. Turns out nothing was all i needed

[@killpop8255]

@@xraceboyex probably because many people were not ill or killed? as in percentages?

[@Tommie22x]

@m_train1 exercise and proper diet is not to be disputed. however, thats not a short term treatment to the issue that was plaguing the world at the peak of the pandemic. Just eating right and exercise today wont substantially improve your chances to deal with covid (if you contract it in 2-3 weeks). The vaccine has proven it does. Does that mean you just take the vaccine and go back to sitting at home and eating burgers all day. of course not.

[@athinakaviris110]

You have a calm, rational way of discussing sensitive topics. It’s like this channel is your office and the Vp ZD show is the bar. “Duty” is your best SubStack.

[@soulpowerful]

My gut instinct tells me to continue living normally and expose my immune system to life!

[@killpop8255]

tell that to the people c19 killed. or did you forget that little fact?

[@alexluthiger731]

We should be ready and open for the virus of love. 🍷🎃

[@alexluthiger731]

@@killpop8255 tell that to the people that starve of hunger and thirst and malaria.

[@janeteddddd]

Exactly.. no fear. Clean healthy living .

[@killpop8255]

@@JeffE-reked intelligence abounds. that's completely cancelled my argument.

[@jess3591]

If it weren't for viruses, complex life as we know it may not have been possible. There is a vast micro ecosystem living in, on and all around every living being, playing complex symbiotic roles in the survival of that being. This idea that we must be terrified of all microbes and live in an antibiotic-soaked world needs to be thought through much more deeply by those striving for such sterility. Start with the word: anti- meaning against and bio- meaning life. Do we truly want to be immersed in a life-destroying way of living?

[@KRDos_Aus]

Apart from the fact that there is no such thing as a sterile anything. Once reecposed to air or hands or breath nothing remains sterile. Its a marketing con.

[@HondoTrailside]

I agree with you. But viruses are generally viewed as non-living. "Obligate intracellular parasites". Yummy. They can be beneficial as in providing protection against other more toxic... Viruses, and bacteria. They are also key in causing cellular evolution which created stuff like the placenta. So there is that, if you look at health and being over periods of hundreds of millions of year.

[@phatjones6263]

Thank you for laying out the truth about life, for asking the questions we all should have been asking all along and telling us how we "could" get real and accept that life is beautiful with its challenges! Peace to you. How do we get more sensible professionals like you practicing medicine and enriching our lives instead of the brainwashed elite doctors who only enrich the pharmaceutical industry, how? Cheers...keep on talking to us.

[@YN-ot9jk]

A lot of these people suffer from a disorder called mysophobia/germophobia. Unfortunately it was triggered by long-term media hysteria around COVID. It is almost impossible to explain how insane are their ideas. Whenever I refute their false claims with evidence, they end up questioning my character, who i am or simply curse me :)

[@killpop8255]

Curse you? What cursed do they cast? that ye children be deformed and ugly children of the devil forever to walk the earth in turmoil?

[@alexluthiger731]

Those who bless you shall be blessed. Those who curse you shall be cursed. Be blessed 🍷✌️

[@rorykahneisenberg5299]

The "arrogance" of the perpetual maskers doesn't bother me, it saddens me. I work in healthcare and am amazed at the number of misguided people who I have heard say over the last year they like the masks because they don't want to get a cold, or they fear bringing home viruses and infecting their elderly vaccinated-boosted-quadrupled-boosted parents. What I think is tragic is that the YOUNGER people I work with who have elementary school kids love masking because they fear all germs for their kids. They think that if they send their kids to school without masks they can outrun colds, flu, stomach viruses, etc, and I live in an area of high vaccination. People are getting angry if their kids get sick from school. And these kids are so normalized by masks because they started their schooling in a Covid world so they never knew school or the supermarket without it. The early onset of anxiety disorders is increasing at a rate never seen.

[@kohort1]

I live in the bay where it is relaxing, but the school is very masked. To be masked or strictly unmasked is not arrogant. Let's not frame people that way. A lot of people live in very tight quarters with elderly. They should be as cautious as they feel. None of them really care about virtue or etc especially by now. I think there is anxiety but it's not really the masks, it's the parents. Whether pro or anti mask or vax. We are all driving each other mad. At first, understandably, bc we didn't know. And now that we know a bit more you'd think we'd all be better to each other but it's just more "see I told you".

[@nooa69]

So many are mentally unwell now. It really helps you see who to avoid.

[@killpop8255]

You are so right. I'd like to believe most post on YT. If the majority of them don't the we are fkd.

[@alexluthiger731]

If you can't avoid them, give them testimony of your hope. 🍷🦍

[@OTOWN2STOCKTOWN]

Keep your friends close but keep your enemies even closer

[@thailandfruitmonster7315]

In most parts of Asia and here in southeast Asia, the "new normal" is glady accepted and welcomed. There is no opposition. People are okay with masking indefinitely. But it's not arrogance VP, it's fear. A naive fear like being "afraid of the dark" when you were a child. But of course as you grow up you realize there's no reason to be afraid. The masses placing all those with a medical degree or Phd on a pedestal doesn't help either. The arrogance comes from the doctors & health professionals that are captured by big pharma and who believe have knowledge no one else could possibly understand or acquire. All the while ignoring what actually makes you healthy. Medicine & public health are failing not just here, but around the world.

[@alexluthiger731]

The Phd-humans represent the priest class in the babylonian pyramid. Above the MPs. 🍷🎃

[@danboyd6180]

As Dr Drew Pinsky says, "Ain't no free lunches in nature" ie. All treatments have downsides, every single one.

[@AtypicalPaul]

a lot of great insight here. So many unknowns no one can say what is 100% right to do. This pandemic has further shown me how little we really know.

[@irishpatti3152]

Amen!! How many healthcare workers are not working right now because we're TIRED and worn out? Morally injured....come spend years, decades even wearing a mask for your livelihood and then make a decision. Vinay, don't stop educating and keeping it real.

[@ye333]

Narcissism is the problem.

[@dedetudor.]

Bill Gates is the biggest narcissist of all.

[@alexluthiger731]

and fear and greed. All handed over to desperation in the youngest day.

[@MABO07]

I understand why people are still being cautious and concerned. A lot of people are still recovering from covid. Their bodies and immune systems could be weakened. They need time to recover and convalesce. We are dealing with a globally weaker population so I understand why people aren’t ready to get sick again after battling covid. Many people are also dealing with long covid as well. It doesn’t help to minimize that.

[@melanielemay4701]

Great video once again! Could you please talk about how the importance mental health has been completely thrown out the window during the pandemic and how the aftermath of lockdowns are going to significantly increase the rate of mental illness?

[@nadeemamode]

The lack of logic shown with these mad practices is mental Holding the breath to take a selfie 🤣

[@HondoTrailside]

@@nadeemamode I agree, particularly now. Particularly outdoors. But at the same time, he makes it sound as though it would be impossible to do it. "What if it took more than 15 seconds". Right that explains where there are 40 000 snaps on my phone. This guy got his balls when he got tenure.

[@Tabitha_K]

I am someone who has long term OCD (mostly contamination fears) and am still masking. I haven’t had Covid-19. I’m an introvert and surprisingly still human (😅) despite enjoying time on my own most of the time…. BUT, I actually appreciate this video and your substack post. I hasten to add that I have never demanded others mask around me, or adopt my behaviours. One thing that has concerned me is that by continually avoiding viral infections, I am causing detriment to my immune system. Long Covid does bother me because I have a history of CFS. All in all I think you make some great points.

[@Tahoe1969]

Keep it up! Voice of reason and sanity we all need!

[@sarahb.6475]

I haven't had a cold or flu for many, many years. even before that C19. and I haven't had that either yet. and I don't wear masks and I really don't avoid people. but I do have allergies to stuff like perfume, air freshener, candles, corn (which is in everything), etc. i mainly live on grass fed beef with a little fruit (organic). I avoid chemicals, toxins, plastic, etc. and I exercise daily. oh and I am 50 with a bunch of genetic conditions but I am metabolically healthy.

[@lolfirepoisonftl]

Do you know if allergies actually help to limit your chances of getting sick? I usually have allergies a few times a month (I know because of how my eyes feel) but I haven't gotten sick since 2019 and even before the pandemic, I didn't get sick as often as my co-workers.

[@WeighedWilson]

The last time I got a cold/flu was immediately following my flu shot in 2013.

[@lorimiller623]

I caught cold while in quarantine last year. I live alone and didn't have any visitors. Since it's evidently possible to catch cold even in isolation, heroic measures to avoid it don't make any sense.

[@bobthebuilder9553]

Dr. Prasad, you are a national treasure, sir!

[@mariecurie7491]

My adult children have been eager maskers. When they started school, they brought home all the bugs that were doing the rounds. They would then infect me, so I was sick looking after 3 sick children. That was life; we all survived. I now ask them if they think I put face masks on any of us LOL

[@ElsieDreamWorld]

Isn’t it ‘funny’ how this culture wants to avoid the idea of sickness and death? Those are facts of life, you are born, get sick many times during your life, get old (if you are lucky and don’t die along the way) and die! Get ready for that and don’t hide your head in the sand, prepare for death so you can live a better life! Thanks doctor Prasad. As always, an excellent commentary.

[@Boblib1970]

Im 52 and I fear death less and less everyday. I don't want to die, but if it's my time, it's my time. I have a lot of life to live yet, but I've also done a lot, seen a lot, experienced a lot, and raised 3 great kids who will live on.

[@FreeSpeechWilderness]

Beautifully said by Dr Prasad: to be human is to be close.

[@dav5580]

Love your content VP thank you for sharing

[@paulo7200]

Psychiatric interventions needed in the referenced cohorts.

[@8020drummer]

I’m less bothered by a few ocd people on the fringes, as long as the public policy apparatus doesn’t swing into full-scale panic if we have another wave or variant this winter. Unless we have a new variant for which the death rate (not just the infection rate) is higher even for people previously infected, I’ll know life is back to normal if I don’t suddenly have to start masking in restaurants again just because cases are rising. And it’s in that scenario that I’ll take comfort in your clear-eyed critique of the ocd. Till then, I’m gonna let twitter kooks be twitter kooks. (Not that I don’t appreciate all your videos and the vpzd show 💪)

[@sarasamson5922]

Getting the vaccine and 1 booster was my body's way of learning about a new illness (I felt like I was about to get a cold or flu and then it went away after a day). I took it easy and got extra sleep. Getting an actual cold or flu is a way to let my body hit 'pause' and get the fluids and rest I need. Even in the early days of Covid, I recall thinking that although I wanted to stay alive, I also wanted to have a life worth living. That does not include indulging the increasingly irrational fears of others. Done with all of that.- California Bay Area Gen-X

[@Althea1111]

Agreed! 👍 Signed another Bay Californian Gen Xer

[@carolb5677]

Your body learned about spike proteins.

[@sarasamson5922]

Right, lesson learned, survived, no need to keep boosting my memory in perpetuity!

[@maryhackney3545]

I was always raised on the philosophy that "A little dirt won't hurt" I was a Jr in high school and had an assignment to research something new and interesting in the sciences. This was 1985 and EEEEEKS! there was no internet. I found an interesting article about Toxic Shock Syndrome and tampons. It was in Science Digest or another science and health magazine. The study they were diving into seemed to indicate that Toxic Shock Syndrome was an affliction of affluent people that were never ever permitted to be "dirty" since their infancy. I do not know if that was ever proven or not, but this certainly supports my "A little dirt won't hurt" philosophy. LOL

[@alexluthiger731]

Masked sinners make the saints laugh 🍷🎃

[@annmareemillerholistichealth]

In natural medicine philosophy colds are necessary to remind people to slow down and balance life . Rest and rejuvenate ..Love your videos. Also people don't catch colds , they are run down if they get sick from a cold. So listen to your health status. 🙏🌝🧘‍♀️

[@LohnPondai]

Interesting video. Im a physician and since March 2020 when we started using masks all the time, I've had absolutely no respiratory infections. I normally had one or two upper respiratory infections every autumn, with the usual fever, snot, cough... etc. but I've had none in these 2 years. I didnt get Covid either despite managing multiple Covid infected patients. I know I am a very small sample and it could be simple coincidence. Since April, masks are no longer compulsory in my country. I no longer wear a mask outdoors but stil use it in public transports (well, its compulsory there) but also indoors in big gatherings (like in coventions). I wonder about the longer term effects on immunity, since exposure to antigens reinforces your immunity. When I eventually get a cold... will it be worse? 😅 Just some food for thought.

[@everwhispfrands6767]

Thank you for covering this!! I know people with this philosophy now

[@peggybruening4415]

Excellent, I totally agree Dr. Prada’s!

[@Soundsaboutright42]

If the word "REEEE" could ever be a person, it's each and every one of these people.

[@Althea1111]

People forget: WE HAVE AN IMMUNE SYSTEM!!

[@scottwolff5394]

Thank you for all you do and for educating us on these issues.

[@melissaholton2772]

My daycare experience: 2020 - return in July maskless, one case of Covid closed the class 10 days the entire year. Society largely shut down and very few resp illnesses. 2021 - new director - toddler masking with all the idiocy of it you describe, but have new baby so 2 year wait list to change. Multiple cases of Covid, but thankfully we were only excluding the affected child at that point, and some sort of resp virus every 2-4 wks. Once society returned to normal and people traveled again and we returned to life - in SC, that was May 2021 after vaccination - l olds came back too. I’m simply not willing to endure the disaster that was 2021 in order to not have the occ cold. I write this on day 4 of a cold when I’m basically recovered. I think laying around resting Friday while a hurricane hit my house was a fine way to spend the day.

[@cindylai6728]

Thank you,doc. I live in HK, wish we had sensible doctors like you.

[@Gumbatron01]

"I'm going to stay physically fit by avoiding all physical activity" That's effectively the same argument. However, natural systems such as your body or even your immune system are antifragile. They BENIFIT from stress that does not exceed the breaking threshold of the system. You get fitter by stressing your bones and muscles. Your immune system needs input, otherwise it will become weak, or worse hyper-vigilant and attack your own body.

[@thierrylandrieu7441]

Brillant and courageous .... 100% agree on immunity .

[@arden8290]

My husband sucks on a Cold Ease zinc losenge every time he has a sniffle or tickle in throat. I didn’t. I got sick and he didn’t. I’m on the zinc train now.

[@HoratiosPhilosophy]

Well said Dr Prasad. Very well reasoned out.

[@saraazar223]

Thumbnail is all -_- lmao Yes, there are good points here. Everyone knows their own body best, though. So, I'd personally avoid blanket generalizations about character based on act. Still, this is highly worthwhile commentary. Thank you.

[@jaycay2069]

Thank you for bringing sanity to the insanity going on. Side note: I really like your jacket!

[@ajsorensen2585]

I'm skeptical of "THE SCIENCE!!!" because I am a scientist, actually.

[@killpop8255]

depends on what the science is and if you understand it?

[@LanceWinslow]

I totally 100% agree.

[@matthewwallace9280]

Question regarding the effectiveness of 6 feet social distancing: I am an avid jogger, and have continued running outside unmasked throughout this pandemic. However, on several occasions I have detected the "aroma" of second-hand smoke (outside) at distances around 50 feet. So that means a cubic centimeter of air travelled from the smoker's mouth to my nose carrying sufficient quantity of smoke for me to smell it. You can't get air that is more diluted than in the out of doors. What does this suggest about "social distancing?" I am mid-60's, have had two negative PCR tests, and only two or three "minor colds" since the beginning of this pandemic. I masked only when required. Getting on with life!

[@GeorgeOu]

I know too many people who got COVID while wearing a fully certified N95 that's fitted tightly with back head straps within an hour of exposure.

[@ancabostinariu6550]

Thank you for this brilliant talk.

[@zvonkom]

Life is hard. It's harder when you're stupid.

[@sufyb6432]

Or have mental health issues.

[@kerriecu2]

I’ve been very lucky in my life. I never have had flu.unfortunately had to have my first flu vax this year to keep my RN job. I don’t get colds, twice I had a sore throat and lost my voice for a day. I did get COVID this year, masked and at work. I’m either lucky or healthy 🙏🏻

[@janetwest55]

I'm concerned also that wearing masks regularly is detrimental to the wearers health. Re-breathing stale exhaled air cannot be good for the lungs

[@xraceboyex]

What you mean having your face kept warm, moist, and restricted - while you constantly touch at your face with your hands, could be unhealthy? Hu nu? Seriously though I want to see all these mask people start wearing professionally fitted HEPA full face masks and changing the filters every half hour or so. Then I'll take them seriously

[@killpop8255]

So how does a giraffe fair? with that big long neck full of stale exhaled air? maybe they have special giraffe lungs?

[@killpop8255]

@@xraceboyex why would you change a hepa every 30 mins?

[@russoft]

I've hated masking from day one. While waiting at the gate to board a plane yesterday my two kids sat next to me hacking up a lung. We certainly received some uneasy glances. Maybe a few people slipped on their masks. I might have even wished in that moment my kids were masked. I ended up catching a mild cold, but I'd have it no other way. Seeing someone's face invites interaction. I feel as if people are warmer toward each other when they aren't behind plexiglass wearing a respirator. Our trip this year was a joy and it made me glad to be alive. Everyone seemed to be aching for human interaction. I don't think there's any going back. The pandemic is over in the mind of America and the world.

[@runswithraptors]

This dude literally receives zero dislikes. Keep up the good work sir!

[@1984-i1w]

there are no more dislike counters

[@runswithraptors]

@@1984-i1w But there are dislike counter add-ons. He literally has 2841 likes and 0 dislikes on this one

[@geepers9513]

Thanks for the excellent breakdown

[@Rakealia]

I'd really love it if you'd go into Terrain Theory, because I'd like to know your thoughts on it.

[@Individual_Lives_Matter]

I have definitely heard this said.

[@Truthseeker552]

There was a study that showed that those that rarely got colds had a higher risk of cancer, and conversely, those that got many colds were less likely to get cancer. Hmmm. I think that has something to do with complex systems.

[@balthazarbeutelwolf9097]

Reminds me of peanut allergies. These used to be rare, before people became wary of nuts. Now more people have these allergies.

[@danmark7803]

Thank you Dr. Prasad!

[@spaghelle]

I’m in baltimore city maryland. They’re still testing and masking in public schools despite cdc guidelines not to do so. I’ve fought and fought with schools public health and they won’t budge. Their first argument is people are scared and they won’t send kids to school in person without the tests. But they also promote tests and masks as how to keep kids safe. So they both spread an encourage the misinformation. My kids re still wearing masks if anyone in school tests positive HELP!

[@lisabadell7864]

That’s simply awful! Masks are so detrimental to children’s education. Especially at the elementary level, they need to see faces.

[@dannyiskandar]

What comes in my mind is doing something is better than nothing. You mentioned that there is like 5% maybe lower risk by wearing mask than none. Agree for majority of people probably does not make a difference, but for a particular person that could be life and death.

Thank you!! 😊

[@jimcarbone2748]

These are all salient points. People will make choices based on the information at hand. Some will make the choices after very careful and thoughtful analysis of all of the data that they can find and some with limited data and perhaps even on nothing more than a whim. Even though we cannot be certain of the effectiveness of masking and other measures in reducing the rate of respiratory illnesses, it would seem likely that it would have some protective effect based on what data is available. Since no one is an expert in all phases of this topic, you need to gauge the reliability of sources to form an opinion that is useful. To expect that these measures have no significant benefit would be a bit naive and conversely expecting that these actions would have a largely beneficial effect would be presumptive at best. It is also hard to ascertain if the benefits derived from employing these actions will have a weakening effect on the immune system or if the benefits outweigh the loss in immunological strength. I would hope that we can be accepting enough to allow people to have their choices respected especially ones that were formed thoughtfully.

[@goldlotus7831]

If someone wears a mask that should be their choice and we should honor it. Maybe, masking does not make a difference but no clinical trials have been carried out so cannot say one way or the other. On a population level, maybe results are doubtful or unclear but for an individual person it may help. So respect other people's choice just like they respect yours.

[@listonsen]

@tipihedroncollider I'd say just be indifferent. If someone wants to walk around with a bumble bee headband, let em. There's way worse things going on in this world.

[@JerryEmanuelson]

@tipihedroncollider Assuming that you know the reason any individual person does what they do is contemptible. If anyone wants to wear a mask (or balance a potato on their head) that is just fine, and they may have very good reasons for doing so. If you see a person in public wearing an N95 mask, and you make a snap judgement about them, you have a significant psychological problem.

[@Boblib1970]

@@JerryEmanuelson Lol! Ironic, but you've just made a judgement about him. Are you any better? Do you have a significant psychological disorder too? What he shouldn't do is personally embarrass, humiliate, or make fun of the person with the mask on their face or the potato on their head. But other than that, he's free to make judgements, as are you and I. We all do it, it's human nature. You just did.

[@vanessapatman5591]

Hi VP! Curious your thoughts on the paper by UK cardiologist Dr Aseem Malhotra? 🙏🏼

[@jasminecrandall2262]

Considering that I’m not getting any younger and that we have no idea what the next variant holds, I’ll take my chances with the organic reality of the now.

[@josephe.5792]

Beautifully said.

[@bassi1973]

Also under your point n.3: these folks who embraced the eternal social distancing and mask wearing philosophy are the same folks who do not go to the gym, do not play sports, etc. Most of those activities require not fearing being near people. Anecdotally, people who are walking around outdoor with an N95 mask do not appear to be metabolically healthy. Anecdotally.

[@killpop8255]

So wrt the end of your statement you are being sarcastic about people predisposed to sever illness take precautions to prevent the same?

[@bassi1973]

@@killpop8255 so wait are you saying that wearing a mask outdoor is scientifically proven to reduce your risk of severe illness, compared to, I don't know, spending time and energy to try and get your BMI under 25, as an example?

[@killpop8255]

@@bassi1973 err no I said...so wait while i copy and paste it for you (JC!) QUOTE you are being sarcastic about people predisposed to sever illness take precautions to prevent the same? UNQUOTE. That was my question. How about answering that instead of talking about BMI?

[@jessezheng7198]

I hope colleges don't go back to yelling at college kids and calling them selfish

[@theclotshotdidit3115]

Sorry doc. Sealing yourself in the bunker won't work. The Antarctic expedition a year ago were all jabbed, isolated several times on the way for weeks all tested negative, soon after arriving everyone gets covid 🤣

[@alexluthiger731]

The virus spreads. Especially when you inject it regularly. 🍷🎃

[@sfisch]

Question? What about the flu or pneumonia vaccines?

[@stefansondergaard]

A beautiful talk about the human condition. Stay healthy with a bit of unavoidably flu and cold in-between!

[@Carolleemakesthings]

Thank you for another reasoned and logical viewpoint.

[@ThatGoodBarbequ]

When are we going to stop masking in hospitals and clinics…?

[@russellmania5349]

My mom still has to wear a mask when she takes her dog to the Vet. This is beyond insanity.

[@ruthhamilton4882]

@@russellmania5349 for what it is worth, veterinarians are either complete nutjobs and still making people wait outside and surrender their pet at the door, or never participated in any covid nonsense around my area.

[@alexluthiger731]

When will the doctors be set free? 🍷🎃

[@splashsb]

Government mandated injections are the evil, the rest is just games we play.

[@RidiPwn]

I get cold always every year around October/November, I believe this carries me throughout the entire year getting necessary immunity

[@RidiPwn]

@tipihedroncollider yeah cold is part of life, I think on average we get 60 colds per year I hard our bodies just take care of it

[@Magibrew]

The friends and family members who should hear this are the ones who will avoid this the most.

[@ConniePretula]

Excellent video and such good common sense content. Thank you!!

[@robyn3349]

Thank you, you are making sense. So nice!

[@OpenMind3000]

Great video.

[@LTPottenger]

They'll have us on 6 boosters for colds per year if we let them.

[@beatrizguimaraens82]

Ouch! Years before Covid I used to wear masks when I went to the supermarket/indoor shopping centre/mall because of the difference in temperature between the cold air-con and the hot weather outside and vice versa - really hot in winter and you'd go outside and freeze your throat and nose... and it worked for me...This is my third attempt at editing this post but I will give up because YT keeps preventing me from saving it. Just wanted to add that it also helped to wear a mask when i had a sore throat/nose... I never thought about germs just warmth and not having changes in temperature... I also think that in terms of germs/viruses a barrier is better than no barrier ... even if minimal... and now i will listen to the video :-)

[@gavinr5576]

Our bodies are adaptive engines. Without exposure to stimuli that triggers adaptation our bodies become stagnant, vulnerable and even potentially atrophy. We must stop pandering to people whose health-related anxiety has made them non-rational with regard to public health measures. Then again, this type of pandering is widespread across western culture in many spheres and is proving very difficult to combat.

[@alexluthiger731]

Hypocrits and psychopaths love to give testimony of their goodness and virtue as they have perceived the one and only understanding of a healthy life. There is nothing to combat but silly health dictators. 🍷🎃

[@lucyalderman422]

I liked your talking point

[@Macam2macam]

tq doc. small sickness is like a training to our body. a training. it s needed to make it stronger. my view.