Yay, I have a documented allergy to ragweed (with an allergy test done by the Navy).

Ragweed pollen season returns to Nebraska; symptoms can mirror those of COVID-19 (Omaha World-Herald)

Dr. Linda Ford, a Bellevue allergist who tracks pollen counts, said ragweed pollen usually shows up in the first few days of August.

“Then it takes a few days to get up to a high enough pollen count to be clinically significant to those who are allergic to it, and it has made it to that count,” said Ford, who operates the Asthma & Allergy Center in Bellevue.

Ragweed pollen counts usually reach their peak around Labor Day. Symptoms include sneezing; itchy eyes, nose, ears and throat; watery eyes; a runny nose; and congestion.

People can take steps to minimize the misery brought on by the airborne irritant: Keep windows and doors closed, don’t hang laundry outside to dry and shower after spending time outdoors. The masks people wear to help stop the spread of COVID-19 also help allergy sufferers, Ford said.

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The one difference between Covid-19 and ragweed pollen allergies is fever associated with Covid-19.

Masks for Covid-19 will effectively eliminate breathing in ragweed pollen.