Coronavirus prep

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  • The_Enginerd
    The_Enginerd Posts: 3,982 Member
    jenilla1 wrote: »
    Well, with the vaccine now widely available where I live, and California now "open," I'm cool with people masking or not to their own prerogative. It would be nice if the unvaxxed would stay masked but since theres no way to know, people gonna do what they want. I'm still seeing quite a few masked - I'd say a third to half.

    I'm now unmasked in less crowded spaces, but still not rushing to crowded venues or theaters any time soon. Still eating on patios. That's my choice. I'll mingle when I'm ready. ✌

    In my area mask usage at the grocery store that I frequent is around 75% still.

    At my workplace, they stated vaccinated individuals could not longer wear a mask weeks ago, and the couple of times I've worked from the office since then I'd say mask usage was under 25%. Mask wearing seems to be about a 50/50 mix of those who haven't been vaccinated versus those who have and a still choosing to wear.

    I have been eating out once or twice a week now since being fully vaccinated. We still prefer to eat outdoors and the weather has been nice so we'd prefer that even without. Where we have eaten indoors, it's been spaced enough that we've been comfortable. Even during the pandemic, we did eat out at times including indoors where permitted. We chose places that were not busy and wore a mask except when eating.

    Outdoors, mask usage is basically non-existent now. I've been starting to go back to some of the busier, narrow trails and beach paths that I've avoided for the most part during the pandemic.
  • lemurcat2
    lemurcat2 Posts: 7,885 Member
    AnnPT77 wrote: »
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    Gisel2015 wrote: »
    33gail33 wrote: »
    Gisel2015 wrote: »
    33gail33 wrote: »
    mockchoc wrote: »
    33gail33 wrote: »
    ReenieHJ wrote: »
    Wow, masking has dropped way off here. :/ The governor gave his permission that if you're fully vaccinated, you can go without a mask. I went to the grocery store this a.m. and besides myself, there was 1 other person I saw who was wearing a mask.
    I'm not sure I agree or am comfortable about it but what are ya gonna do? I'll just continue doing what I'm doing and see what this new guideline does to our numbers.

    I am now fully vaccinated (13 days post second dose) and I am going to ditch the mask as soon as it is allowable wherever I am not required to wear it. Any store I have been in recently still has a sign up telling us to wear one, so of course I do.

    Why are you ditching the mask so soon? I wouldn't be if I lived there. You are still at risk of catching it and it's just a mask. Keep as safe as you can if in crowded places with others close to you. Just my thoughts on it unless it makes you feel unwell when using it then why not stay as say as possible for a little longer? Not enough are vaccinated yet.

    We have a very high vaccination rate here (75% first dose so far) and I am confident in the science that the vaccines will protect us. Even with only first doses our cases are plummeting here. My family has all been vaccinated (most first and getting second soon) as are all my work colleagues.

    I trusted the science as it evolved with masking, vaccines, distancing etc - so when the science also tells me that vaccines are effective and masks are no longer necessary I trust that as well.

    The problem is that the delta variant is very infectious and one dose of any vaccine only offers about 30% protection, according to my readings. The only way to have more protection is to have both vaccines.

    Delta Variant and COVID-19 Vaccines: What to Know https://www.webmd.com/vaccines/covid-19-vaccine/news/20210610/delta-variant-and-covid-19-vaccines-what-to-know

    A study conducted in the United Kingdom that was cited by the Biden administration finds that one dose of the Pfizer vaccine provided about 33% protection against the delta variant, which is officially designated B.1.617.2.

    Two doses of the Pfizer vaccine, meanwhile, provided about 88% protection. The study is a pre-print and has not yet been peer reviewed. (Click here to learn more about coronavirus variants.)

    The info I read is that one does of Pfizer is 94% effective in preventing hospitalization with the Delta variant, and 96% after two doses. I have had two doses - I am as protected as I am going to be at this point. If I do happen to get exposed I am VERY unlikely to need hospitalization or medical care.

    I think that the end point of hospitalization rates and deaths is a more important gauge for effectiveness at this point.

    I prefer NOT to get exposed. I trust science, I just have a problem these days trusting people... I am fully vaccinated since the end of February, but I don't know if people around me are fully vaccinated too or just faking it so they don't have to wear masks.

    Better safe than sorry, and being careful doesn't affect anybody, so what's the problem?

    I don't really think anyone has a problem with/if people want to continue to mask. People do seem to have some kind of a problem with people who no longer want to mask because they are fully vaccinated and the CDC says you don't have to. I'm far more protected with the vaccine than I ever was with the mask and at this point I don't really see any point in wearing one unless it's required somewhere or requested of me...in which case I have no problem either. I have no problem at all with people wanting to continue wearing a mask...it's their own personal decision. Hell, I know people who wore masks in public long before COVID.

    There have already been several comments in here about "why would you take your mask off so soon" and such...as if those of us who no longer are wearing one because we're fully vaccinated are doing something egregious or totally outrageous.

    I'm sure there's an element here of each of us noticing what we may be more sensitive to, but I *have* seen people having a problem with others continuing to mask.

    I can't recall whether it's happened on this thread (quite possibly not), but in real life I've heard/seen people challenging others with "If you believed the CDC when they said a mask would protect you, why don't you believe them now when they say you don't need one if vaccinated? I thought you believed the science." That's been in something pretty close to those words, and the context made it feel a little pushy/pugnacious.

    I think it varies quite a bit by location. Here, now, it seems pretty live and let live outside, with most stores I've been to still requiring them and people complying. But I've not noticed anyone here giving people a hard time for wearing masks outside, whereas at one point it was not unheard of for people to make comments about not wearing one outside. (And there were endless NextDoor threads about this.) Right around the time the CDC finally acknowledged they weren't needed outside unless in a big group where social distancing wasn't possible, people seemed to mostly collectively decide not to wear them outside. Of course if I'm just walking a short distance between places where they are required, I'll leave it on.

    I personally don't care if people mask or not indoors at this point, except I am irritated by anyone who violates posted rules.
  • tiptoethruthetulips
    tiptoethruthetulips Posts: 3,371 Member
    I am in Australia and the only location in my state right now that a mask is required is inside an airport (and on the aircraft) when the airport is open to the general public, but excludes parts of the airport when the general public is not allowed. I wear my mask from the staff carpark into the reception area of the office, but once I go through the office door I remove the mask. While in the non public office space we still have some strict requirements - max number of people as per the density requirements, wipe down communal spaces eg meeting rooms and lunch room after use, hand sanitising on entry / exit, stay home (and get tested) if cold or flu (and anything else that has similar symptoms to covid) until no symptoms and negative result etc.

    I am fully vaccinated and it's been many many many months since an active case in my state, but when I am out and about I still make sure I distance where I can, sanitise my hands as often as possible, sanitise my shopping trolley etc, use the check-in codes when mandatory and even when optional. If someone gets in my space, I move myself back or move away.

    I would prefer the ad hoc strict quarantine rules didn't apply and prefer the NSW model for lockdowns/quarantine but am not anti mask or anti vaccine and do follow all covid requirements because it isn't about me and I respect everyone's right to be safe and feel safe.

    I am looking forward to a short trip to Melbourne in September and another trip to Darwin in October...assuming there are no lockdowns / quarantine requirements...but if there are...I will take the trips another time...it is what it is.



  • GaleHawkins
    GaleHawkins Posts: 8,159 Member
    Based on local and international news a new Covid-19 wave may be forming.

    The 4th of July holiday may be additive to the Memorial Day Holiday activities as more and more burn their masks to celebrate vaccines ending the Covid-19 era.
  • mockchoc
    mockchoc Posts: 6,573 Member
    tiptoethruthetulips wrote: »
    I am in Australia and the only location in my state right now that a mask is required is inside an airport (and on the aircraft) when the airport is open to the general public, but excludes parts of the airport when the general public is not allowed. I wear my mask from the staff carpark into the reception area of the office, but once I go through the office door I remove the mask. While in the non public office space we still have some strict requirements - max number of people as per the density requirements, wipe down communal spaces eg meeting rooms and lunch room after use, hand sanitising on entry / exit, stay home (and get tested) if cold or flu (and anything else that has similar symptoms to covid) until no symptoms and negative result etc.

    I am fully vaccinated and it's been many many many months since an active case in my state, but when I am out and about I still make sure I distance where I can, sanitise my hands as often as possible, sanitise my shopping trolley etc, use the check-in codes when mandatory and even when optional. If someone gets in my space, I move myself back or move away.

    I would prefer the ad hoc strict quarantine rules didn't apply and prefer the NSW model for lockdowns/quarantine but am not anti mask or anti vaccine and do follow all covid requirements because it isn't about me and I respect everyone's right to be safe and feel safe.

    I am looking forward to a short trip to Melbourne in September and another trip to Darwin in October...assuming there are no lockdowns / quarantine requirements...but if there are...I will take the trips another time...it is what it is.



    We just flew into Brisbane airport last week and today there it says one of the shops is an exposure site. Just missed it by a few days!
  • paperpudding
    paperpudding Posts: 9,271 Member
    what state are you in tiptoe?

    I am in SA and as far as I know there is no mask wearing requirements here outside of quarantine hotels.

    But there may be in airports, aircraft etc, I dont know - I havent been to one of them since before Covid

    Mask wearing in aged care homes and medical facilities ended on Dec 23rd last year - that I do know, since I work in one.
    Dr's still wear one if seeing a patient with cold/flu symptoms (in their car in the car park, such patients are not allowed into the surgery) and the occasional patient wears one by choice
  • lemurcat2
    lemurcat2 Posts: 7,885 Member
    I think I actually got sick in the past less than I thought and was attributing some allergy things to colds, as I haven't noticed much of a difference this year, even though I don't think I ever got covid and I spent most of the year working from home and socially distancing and wearing a mask.
  • GaleHawkins
    GaleHawkins Posts: 8,159 Member
    https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210622-australia-struggles-to-quash-persistent-coronavirus-outbreaks

    This Delta (former India??) variant is shaping up to make for a long winter in the USA the way it is popping up in states with low vaccination rates.
  • Gisel2015
    Gisel2015 Posts: 4,185 Member
    kshama2001 wrote: »
    Gisel2015 wrote: »
    A coronavirus outbreak hit a Florida government building. Two people are dead but a vaccinated employee wasn't infected

    "The clinical presentation gives me concern that we're dealing with a very infectious variant that is quite deadly," Hopes told Burnett.
    "Clearly masks work, but the vaccine is more important at this point," Hopes said."

    https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/22/us/florida-manatee-county-coronavirus-outbreak/index.html

    This is the only comment about this article because I don't want to start a heated discussion. But why, why, did six people had to get infected and two people had to died when vaccines are available and masks have been recommended for un-vaccinated people?

    In case your question is not rhetorical - those who follow Florida politics know the answer to that. Since we can't discuss politics in the main forum, I cannot elaborate.

    Amen to that! I am still sad for the two people that died and the family that they left behind. I hope that the other four infected people get well soon and without lingering side effects.
  • lemurcat2
    lemurcat2 Posts: 7,885 Member
    SModa61 wrote: »
    I understand reasoning for those who wear masks and those who do not. Does anyone understand the person that walks around the store wearing a mask under their chin?

    I often wear a mask under my chin outside so I can pull it up if I go inside. So I assume that, and they forgot (or they did it to pull it up if required and maybe it wasn't required). A guy in my office building was scolded by a security person for not wearing a mask in the lobby and claimed (he was likely from the 'burbs) that he was used to thinking he needed a mask to go in places but kept finding it wasn't required so forgot. Seems plausible enough, he didn't object to putting it on when learning the rules. (I don't think he worked in the building, he was going to a title company with lots of people who visit for a closing.)
  • SModa61
    SModa61 Posts: 3,098 Member
    @lemurcat2 and @gisel2015 Logical explanations. The other person that wore it strangely was encountered in dollartree. I will call it "riding the lip". She had it under the nose and against her lip so that it moved up and down as she talked. But unlike Gisel's case, she was the only cashier and near every person that made a purchase. I have to assume that her mask is to fulfill employee requirements and not for personal protection.
  • Evamutt
    Evamutt Posts: 2,719 Member
    I have a friend who I walk our dogs with every weekend & her Dr told her since she had cancer to wear a mask at all times. I stated going back to the gym about 3 weeds ago which required masks but a few days ago it was no longer required so it was 50 50. I usually go when there's not many ppl anyway so I didn't wear a mask but do when there's more ppl, it's never crowded though

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