The Michael Osterholm edition. To be clear, I’m not dragging Osterholm, but I’ve noticed a belief among some of my colleagues that knowledge of the virus (or even microbiology) somehow makes you magically immune to it (boldface mine):

I also have to say, because I have received so many inquiries about this, how I’m doing now that I’m literally at two months post my onset of COVID…

Well, I wish I could tell you I was better. I actually have developed some of the classic symptoms of long COVID. I have very severe fatigue, something I’m not used to and any of my adult life. Some days it’s a challenge to keep up even somewhat of a semblance of my normal activities. And in addition, I do from time to time, have moments of memory loss, which has been very disconcerting. It doesn’t seem to last long term. It comes and goes. I have talked to a number of people who have had very similar long COVID symptoms who fortunately at four and five months post their onset, actually start to see complete resolution.

I hope he makes a full recovery. But even in his optimistic scenario–and there are far worse scenarios, ranging from full-blown chronic fatigue syndrome, to milder forms–there is no conceivable way having fatigue and memory loss for months is good for your long-term health. And, as you get older, long periods of inactivity take their toll on your health.

So, you’re not the weirdo if you’re still taking anti-COVID precautions.