Coronavirus prep
Replies
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So many of these responses are tangential and do not apply to the scenario described.
As for those mentioning acceptance, sure I get that. BUT, when you are mentioning acceptance of masks, please honestly answer this question. How accepting would you have been a year and a half ago if someone with social anxiety wanted to wear a mask into a bank? My point is that our sudden acceptance of this new norm of wearing masks is not because we suddenly care about the feelings of those with social anxiety, it is because this past year with COVID has made masks normalized. You NEVER could wear a mask into a bank, yet now it is required.
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@kimny72 I am assuming your response relates to my latest comment. I keep saying that my comment was in context. I would ask you that if you had no allergies and you were in your private backyard with no one in sight, would YOU where a mask in that situation? I wear mine in all public settings and often it is still on when I get to the car. I don't rip my mask off either and am always respectful of the mask wearing - even the ones who wear it and wear it wrong. I embarrass no one. I am shocked that I am getting such blowback given it was a specific scenario that I was addressing and describing.
You mustve replied while I was adding the ETA to my response. We posted at the same time so I hadnt seen your post.
I appreciate that @kimny72. thanks for the ETA and I appologize for directing my next comment back at you.2 -
So many of these responses are tangential and do not apply to the scenario described.
As for those mentioning acceptance, sure I get that. BUT, when you are mentioning acceptance of masks, please honestly answer this question. How accepting would you have been a year and a half ago if someone with social anxiety wanted to wear a mask into a bank? My point is that our sudden acceptance of this new norm of wearing masks is not because we suddenly care about the feelings of those with social anxiety, it is because this past year with COVID has made masks normalized. You NEVER could wear a mask into a bank, yet now it is required.
As we learn new information and encounter new situations, different acts become normalized. We make room for varying types of behavior that meet individual needs. This seems like a positive thing overall, not a negative.12 -
janejellyroll wrote: »So many of these responses are tangential and do not apply to the scenario described.
As for those mentioning acceptance, sure I get that. BUT, when you are mentioning acceptance of masks, please honestly answer this question. How accepting would you have been a year and a half ago if someone with social anxiety wanted to wear a mask into a bank? My point is that our sudden acceptance of this new norm of wearing masks is not because we suddenly care about the feelings of those with social anxiety, it is because this past year with COVID has made masks normalized. You NEVER could wear a mask into a bank, yet now it is required.
As we learn new information and encounter new situations, different acts become normalized. We make room for varying types of behavior that meet individual needs. This seems like a positive thing overall, not a negative.
While accepting new behaviors is part of life. I personally do not consider masks a positive. I miss facial expressions and seeing people smile. I do not like that people can better hide their identities. I fully accept that some may need them for medical reasons. I am so happy to be fully engaging with people again. Did you hear the story on the news last week about the young boy that encountered his teacher outside of the masked school setting? She had no idea who he was. We can relate and connect with people better when we can see our expressive faces.10 -
janejellyroll wrote: »So many of these responses are tangential and do not apply to the scenario described.
As for those mentioning acceptance, sure I get that. BUT, when you are mentioning acceptance of masks, please honestly answer this question. How accepting would you have been a year and a half ago if someone with social anxiety wanted to wear a mask into a bank? My point is that our sudden acceptance of this new norm of wearing masks is not because we suddenly care about the feelings of those with social anxiety, it is because this past year with COVID has made masks normalized. You NEVER could wear a mask into a bank, yet now it is required.
As we learn new information and encounter new situations, different acts become normalized. We make room for varying types of behavior that meet individual needs. This seems like a positive thing overall, not a negative.
While accepting new behaviors is part of life. I personally do not consider masks a positive. I miss facial expressions and seeing people smile. I do not like that people can better hide their identities. I fully accept that some may need them for medical reasons. I am so happy to be fully engaging with people again. Did you hear the story on the news last week about the young boy that encountered his teacher outside of the masked school setting? She had no idea who he was. We can relate and connect with people better when we can see our expressive faces.
But for another individual, wearing a mask may be a net positive because it allows them to engage in interactions they wouldn't feel comfortable with otherwise. I think the world is big enough for you AND for those who might want to wear masks in various situations. I don't think we'll ever be in a situation where most people choose to wear masks most of the time, so it's not like you're truly in danger of losing the type of engagements that you prioritize.
As someone who has worked from home since March of 2020 and am still in a city with a requirement of indoor masking outside the home, I've also missed seeing full faces . . . but I also appreciate how masks have allowed more types of connection that I otherwise would have had, as well as allowed my co-workers who didn't have WFH options to work in a safer way. It's not that I don't get the desire to see full faces, I do. But I also appreciate that as mask requirements are lifted, people can choose how they feel safest and some people might be masking longer than others due to comfort level with risk or specific health factors that make COVID more dangerous for them or those in their lives.13 -
So many of these responses are tangential and do not apply to the scenario described.
As for those mentioning acceptance, sure I get that. BUT, when you are mentioning acceptance of masks, please honestly answer this question. How accepting would you have been a year and a half ago if someone with social anxiety wanted to wear a mask into a bank? My point is that our sudden acceptance of this new norm of wearing masks is not because we suddenly care about the feelings of those with social anxiety, it is because this past year with COVID has made masks normalized. You NEVER could wear a mask into a bank, yet now it is required.
I understand the bank comment, but I *did* see people wearing masks before the pandemic. (I live in a big university town, and there are many international students, some of whom come from cultures - mostly Asian - where wearing a medical mask is standard in certain circumstances). I'm not sure I would've been un-accepting of someone wearing an obvious medical mask (like the blue disposable ones) going into a bank, though I don't know how the bank services would've been affected (and might've wondered about it in that sense).
As far as I can recall my own reactions, when I saw masks in the past, I noticed it as an unusual thing, but don't remember giving it much thought beyond that. I can't think of a time when I saw someone who "looked USA-ian" wearing a mask outside a medical facility - might have done at a cancer support group meeting - but I probably would've assumed they were immune compromised, having gone through that myself at one point.@kimny72 I am assuming your response relates to my latest comment. I keep saying that my comment was in context. I would ask you that if you had no allergies and you were in your private backyard with no one in sight, would YOU where a mask in that situation? I wear mine in all public settings and often it is still on when I get to the car. I don't rip my mask off either and am always respectful of the mask wearing - even the ones who wear it and wear it wrong. I embarrass no one. I am shocked that I am getting such blowback given it was a specific scenario that I was addressing and describing.
I think this is more amusing than really a counter-case or anything, but I actually literally did the bolded yesterday. I normally wear a bandana over a medical mask, because it stays in place better for me with less fussing, but it's also a little fussier to put on and take off. (I do try to fuss with or handle it as little as possible, while community transmission here is still significant, though dropping.)
I'd left the mask on between stores, then for the short hop home from the last stop. I have a specific place I put it, and sometimes leave it on until it's logistically convenient to put it there. When I got home, I noticed that some outdoor plants were looking pretty dehydrated, so got a watering can, filled it a couple times from the outdoor spigot, watered the plants (back yard) then went out to get the mail (front yard but area with no sidewalks, busy road) . . . while wearing the mask. It was not needful for any reason at all, it was just more convenient to leave it on.
FWIW, perhaps it was a misplaced reaction to chance phrasing, but I had a reaction similar to Jane's to "I get the differences in opinion on masks but can we all agree that some are just being silly." I'm open to believing you didn't mean it that way, but the phrasing hit some notes I've heard before in conversations where the clear subtext was reinforcement of certain social norms, and "othering" of people who didn't follow them. From the totality of your posts here, you seem like a reasonable, kind person, so probably my reaction was off.13 -
I have to say there have been times when I have just put on my mask and kept in on in stores or when I ran errands then still wore it in the car- I thought nothing of it- so maybe some people just forget about it until they get home-- I just don't want to forget to wear it when i do need it- until I feel comfortable--- and as well all know- everyone is different-- it will take time to get rid of our masks- I am in no hurry12
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I support anyone wearing a mask who wants to,
but today I shopped at Costco without my mask.
It was a weird feeling since most others were masked up.
(Costco doesn't require masks if vaccinated)
I was at my Costco last weekend and it was about 50/50...the weekend before it was still around 90% wearing masks, but the governor's mandate for the state had just been lifted late Friday. It's been a couple of weeks now and definitely starting to see masks becoming more the minority while out running errands, but people have been pretty slow and cautious about it.
We still have various private businesses still requiring masks despite no mandate...went to Subway to pick up lunch today and they are still requiring them of the public. I asked about it and they said as long as it was policy for their workers to wear one, they would also require the public to wear one. Seems fair enough. The gas station I most frequent also requires them to go inside.
I carry mine around everywhere still because I'm not sure when I'm going to go to an establishment that still requires them. My gym now has signage that says "strongly encourage"...did my workout last weekend without one for the first time in a long time and it felt good...but weird.10 -
I get the differences in opinion on masks but can we all agree that some are just being silly. I was just driving my car and I am in an area were street are 25 feet wide and both cars and people are not frequent. It is a quiet area. Despite that, when I was out driving I passed a woman walking a dog. No other humans in sight and she was wearing a mask. Those are the people I don’t understand.
I really do think for some it's just political symbolism. I'm a Dem myself and live in an area where mostly everyone else is, and here most don't wear masks outdoors, but I've definitely seen on Twitter people saying they will keep wearing masks everywhere so as not to be taken as Rs.
I also am near an area that is largely Asian and we had people masking pre covid, but that's not what I'm talking about.4 -
janejellyroll wrote: »So many of these responses are tangential and do not apply to the scenario described.
As for those mentioning acceptance, sure I get that. BUT, when you are mentioning acceptance of masks, please honestly answer this question. How accepting would you have been a year and a half ago if someone with social anxiety wanted to wear a mask into a bank? My point is that our sudden acceptance of this new norm of wearing masks is not because we suddenly care about the feelings of those with social anxiety, it is because this past year with COVID has made masks normalized. You NEVER could wear a mask into a bank, yet now it is required.
As we learn new information and encounter new situations, different acts become normalized. We make room for varying types of behavior that meet individual needs. This seems like a positive thing overall, not a negative.
While accepting new behaviors is part of life. I personally do not consider masks a positive. I miss facial expressions and seeing people smile. I do not like that people can better hide their identities. I fully accept that some may need them for medical reasons. I am so happy to be fully engaging with people again. Did you hear the story on the news last week about the young boy that encountered his teacher outside of the masked school setting? She had no idea who he was. We can relate and connect with people better when we can see our expressive faces.
100% agree with this.1 -
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Just doing a general response. Remember I put this in context. I did not bring up any of the other individuals where their mask choice may have not been mine, but I could figure out a scenario where it made sense.
This woman was in a neighborhood where no destination walks go on in this area. Streets are super wide. I began walking them myself last fall and have been never come closer than the 25 ft width of the street (yes, due to action and choice but still never close). So, from a COVID point of view, the choice this woman made happens to not make sense to me. Though, I had not thought of the point of view of allergies or pollen and that may be the case. From a contagion point of view, in this scenario as outlined, it made no sense. And yes, I can agree it is her choice, but I am also allowed to think it is illogical. I have done nothing to harm or shame her so these thoughts that I have have done nothing to hurt her either.
@galehawkins thanks for sharing that. Something I wonder though is does that change the expected or required vaccination actions of those with previously diagnosed COVID cases.
@SModa61 I gather it does NOT change the expected or required vaccination action. Borders requiring Vax Proof will still do so I'm expect.
Huge to me is the implication the vaccination efforts maybe longer lasting. This may encourage some to go ahead an get vaccinated now.1 -
I recently signed up for short course at a specialty store and they said all of their employees have been vaccinated but they will still require masks until the immediate families of their employees are also vaccinated which was already in process and should be completed next month. I thought that was a different take than what I've seen elsewhere.8
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the other thing about wearing masks when not required or the mask not serving any purpose - people have been told to take them off properly, sanitise hands, bin it properly - so, makes sense to wear it alone in your car, on your dog walk etc when you have come form somewhere and are wearing it until you get home to do that properly.
Not silly or illogical at all.15 -
janejellyroll wrote: »So many of these responses are tangential and do not apply to the scenario described.
As for those mentioning acceptance, sure I get that. BUT, when you are mentioning acceptance of masks, please honestly answer this question. How accepting would you have been a year and a half ago if someone with social anxiety wanted to wear a mask into a bank? My point is that our sudden acceptance of this new norm of wearing masks is not because we suddenly care about the feelings of those with social anxiety, it is because this past year with COVID has made masks normalized. You NEVER could wear a mask into a bank, yet now it is required.
As we learn new information and encounter new situations, different acts become normalized. We make room for varying types of behavior that meet individual needs. This seems like a positive thing overall, not a negative.
While accepting new behaviors is part of life. I personally do not consider masks a positive. I miss facial expressions and seeing people smile. I do not like that people can better hide their identities. I fully accept that some may need them for medical reasons. I am so happy to be fully engaging with people again. Did you hear the story on the news last week about the young boy that encountered his teacher outside of the masked school setting? She had no idea who he was. We can relate and connect with people better when we can see our expressive faces.
Of course humans generally have both inherited and learned abilities to indicate and interpret emotional states and other information from facial expressions. And of course those who are not neurotypical may have difficulties interpreting those expressions, and both non-neurotypical individuals and those with certain medical issues leaving them with flat affects may not be able to indicate emotional states with facial expressions.
While you personally don't consider masks a positive, no one is telling you to wear one when it doesn't make sense for you medically or for society from a public health standpoint. I like seeing faces too, but I don't see that as outweighing the choices of individuals who may have all kinds of medical, psychological, or other reasons for wanting to mask up. It's not my business what their reasons are. If banks and convenience stores and what not eventually decide that the crime risk of allowing masked individuals in their establishments again outweighs the public health benefits of allowing masks, that's their business (literally).11 -
What has occasionally struck me as odd is that I am instantly recognizable even with a mask on. Early in the pandemic I ran into a retired former colleague that I probably haven't seen in 15 years and he spotted me right away. Guess I'd better reconsider that side gig as a bank robber.
We are required to be masked at work in all common areas, which means everywhere but your own cubicle. I get fed up with navigating the ear loops around my hair and dangly earrings so I have a tendency to just wear it under my chin when I'm in my own space. I'm well aware that this is NOT a good look for a woman with a 57 year old neck
That mask is better off on my face, aesthetically speaking. 10 -
What has occasionally struck me as odd is that I am instantly recognizable even with a mask on. Early in the pandemic I ran into a retired former colleague that I probably haven't seen in 15 years and he spotted me right away. Guess I'd better reconsider that side gig as a bank robber.
We are required to be masked at work in all common areas, which means everywhere but your own cubicle. I get fed up with navigating the ear loops around my hair and dangly earrings so I have a tendency to just wear it under my chin when I'm in my own space. I'm well aware that this is NOT a good look for a woman with a 57 year old neck That mask is better off on my face, aesthetically speaking.
I went to a pharmacy I once worked at for my shots. At that time I was very cautious and wore a P100 half mask, the ones with the round pink filters, and nobody knew me even when I made eye contact and spoke to them. Last week I went there wearing a cloth mask and everyone recognized me.2 -
I was reading a FB post by an epidemiologist who has RA, so she has been watching closely for data on vaccine effects in immuno suppressed or compromised people. She said while there still not enough data to be conclusive, there have been no obvious increased or different side effects from the vaccines.
There is a suggestion though that in some situations, the mRNA vaccines are less effective. Methotrexate looks like it might diminish effectiveness of the vaccine. And it seems like there might be a notable reduction in effectiveness in those who have had organ transplants, are on dialysis, or who have cancer. Anyone in any of those situations, or taking some other medication that reduces immune response, she said should still consider themselves higher risk and keep in touch with a specialist who is staying on top of the latest recommendations
It looked to me like this is specifically about the mRNA vaccines. I'm not sure if this is also a concern in the traditional vaccines.9 -
That seems logical - given some other vaccines are known to be less effective in some immunosuppressed groups - paradoxically, those groups that are most at risk of the disease.
In Australia people who have had organ transplants are recommended to get 2 flu vaccines a month apart.( for example)5 -
I don't know if this has been posted before, but a chilling account of trying to get medical treatment with long covid issues.
https://mylongcoviddiaries.medium.com/i-finally-have-a-diagnosis-for-long-covid-and-its-shocking-82ddcb2146565
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