Professional skateboarder Manny Santiago wasn’t feeling right after getting back from his latest tour and he’s not brushing it off as just a regular bug.
Manny Slays All recently shared on his vlog that he fell seriously ill after returning home, dropping weight, losing his appetite, and feeling completely drained for several days.
“I got really sick, got thin, couldn’t eat,” he said. “If you feel any type of way, see your doctor, make sure you have your Advil or Tylenol on deck, and just prepare for days of insane ups and downs.”
Santiago even suspected that whatever hit him could be a new strain of the flu or COVID, given how strange the symptoms felt.
Though he didn’t confirm any test results, his main message was to stay alert, rest up, and take care of your health.
One small but telling sign of how hard it hit him: he couldn’t drink coffee for five days straight - something almost unheard of for someone constantly on the move.
The illness didn’t just take a toll on his body; it also slowed down his plans. Santiago mentioned that his board shipments got delayed because he couldn’t stay on top of things while recovering.
The good news is that he’s finally feeling better and back to filming. Still, he’s reminding everyone to stay cautious. “Take good care of yourselves,” he added.
And maybe he’s onto something. More than five years since COVID was declared a pandemic, new versions of the virus are still showing up. The latest one making headlines is called LP.8.1.
UK: Fears of new COVID wave as hospitalisations jump 19% in a week. COVID hospitalisations have increased by 19% in a week, reaching their highest level since early January. Concerns are rising that the LP.8.1 variant may be fuelling a new wave. inews.co.uk/news/science...
— Denis - The COVID Info Guy (@thecovidinfoguy.bsky.social) March 31, 2025 at 7:49 AM
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According to reports, the new variant has been rising fast - accounting for about 1 in 5 COVID cases in New South Wales, and more than half of recent cases in places like the U.S. and the U.K.
LP.8.1 was first spotted in mid-2024 and is part of the Omicron family. Scientists think it might spread more easily than older strains because of changes in the spike protein. The part of the virus that sticks to human cells. One specific mutation, V445R, has been shown in lab studies to help the virus latch onto lung cells more efficiently.
That said, there’s no sign yet that it causes worse symptoms than what’s already out there, and the World Health Organization currently lists it as a variant under monitoring, not a major threat. Still, cases are rising and actual infection numbers are likely higher than reported, since many people no longer test or report their results.
Vaccines are still expected to work well against LP.8.1, especially when it comes to preventing serious illness. But experts are encouraging folks, especially those with underlying health conditions to stay on top of their boosters and pay attention to any health updates.
So if you’re skating, traveling, or just trying to stay healthy like Manny, it’s not a bad idea to stay prepared. Listen to your body, grab the meds you might need, and don’t wait too long to check in with a doctor if something feels off.
Sometimes even skaters need a break and a few days without coffee.