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Coronavirus prep
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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 -
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 -
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-82ddcb214656
I'm not surprised at all. They didn't know how to treat normal COVID except for giving oxygen combined with rest and fluids. This 'long covid' has very diverse symptoms and they don't know the cause very well.
I'm grateful my immune system handled covid without much difficulty, suppose that's a DNA gift from my parents4 -
YES! I've finally received my invitations: first one on June 11th and second on July 16th - both Pfizer and both on schedule. I'm so relieved!
Our country (Belgium) had set a deadline to have every adult vaccinated with at least one shot before July 18th, but that deadline will not be met as two big deliveries have been postponed: first AZ which is very sketchy in its deliveries and chances are their contract with the EU will be ended; secondly J&J from which we were expecting 1.4 million doses, which accounts for almost 12% of our total population. Those from J&J are stuck in the US as EMA (European Medicine Agency) won't approve them as their might have been a contamination of both J&J and AZ products. Fingers crossed this gets solved !10 -
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.
I have RA, and got the AZ vaccine. My doctor had me stop all RA meds for a fortnight on either side of the COVID vaccine. I don't have to do that for the flu vaxx.3 -
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9623007/Melbourne-Covid-residents-flee-Victoria-head-Sydney-ahead-imminent-five-day-lockdown.html
Interesting! When I first heard of this tight lock down order I was wondering if it might trigger a super spreader event. The fear factor seems to be huge. On the bright side maybe the vaccination rate/demand with shoot up.0 -
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-82ddcb214656
@lokihen thanks for sharing this link. Long Covid-19 is a bad trip because it's just is starting to be understood. I have been dealing with serious blood clots since mid January 2021 and spent Easter weekend in the cardiac unit to clear 28+ specks in my lungs that had already lead to the enlargement of the right side side of my heart. Clearing the lungs help some with the breathing issues.
It was getting my first Moderna Covid-19 shot 3 weeks ago today that got me to thinking about Long Covid-19. 12 hours after this first shot I woke up with the understanding that my serious sinus infection the first week of January 2021 that put me in bed may have actually been Covid-19. It was the same dreaming state that was my first clue before I fully got awake at 4am that Friday morning. When I got fully awake and realized this was the same way I had felt 4 months earlier I had to rethink my serious sinus infection self diagnosis back in January.
My strong reaction to my first vaccine shot indicated the presence of Covid-19 antibodies. 8 hours later I woke feeling better and I ate. 26 hours after my first vaccine shot I went for a walk. My breathing was fine and I felt much stronger than in months. I had read the Covid-19 Vaccine was helping about 30% of Covid-19 Long Haulers to recover.
My story convinced my sister to go for the Covid-19 Vaccine. 3 days later she called to say her main side effect was spontaneous remission of serious arthritis in her hands and she had worked in the yard all day. 2 days later she was still doing well.
We have so much to understand about Covid-19 especially the heart and brain damages that can occur. Thankfully the Covid-19 Vaccine is being highly effective and seems relatively safe so far.9 -
@AnnPT77 and @lemurcat2
Thank you for your tolerance.
To those still yelling at me, please so back to my original post and please understand that was in context of a particular person in a particular setting. I am very accepting of masks. I just may not always understand someone's choice to do it when I personally cannot identify a benefit. I am not being mean. I have done nothing harmful to anyone, I just shared my personal thoughts in what I thought was a safe place to do so. So many arguments against my are tangential.
If you want to know more about me and masks. I am betting that I am the only one in this whole forum that spent the last year sewing 3D masks, donating my time and the materials costs, and providing those masks to a charity for them to use as they see fit. I have provided hundreds of masks, free of charge and of no benefit to me other than feeling like I am helping others. I am not anti-masker, but I am someone who best understands things that are defined by logic. That applies to all aspect of my life. It is how my brain works and has always worked.
I am tired of defending myself. Again, I wrote about ONE woman and have spent 48 hours defending myself for making an observation that has harmed no one. This is a discussion group. If someone had issues with my statement, we could have talked about why I felt this way. IMO it was a logical thought - though I will totally agree that I did not think of the allergy scenario.15 -
@AnnPT77 and @lemurcat2
Thank you for your tolerance.
To those still yelling at me, please so back to my original post and please understand that was in context of a particular person in a particular setting. I am very accepting of masks. I just may not always understand someone's choice to do it when I personally cannot identify a benefit. I am not being mean. I have done nothing harmful to anyone, I just shared my personal thoughts in what I thought was a safe place to do so. So many arguments against my are tangential.
If you want to know more about me and masks. I am betting that I am the only one in this whole forum that spent the last year sewing 3D masks, donating my time and the materials costs, and providing those masks to a charity for them to use as they see fit. I have provided hundreds of masks, free of charge and of no benefit to me other than feeling like I am helping others. I am not anti-masker, but I am someone who best understands things that are defined by logic. That applies to all aspect of my life. It is how my brain works and has always worked.
I am tired of defending myself. Again, I wrote about ONE woman and have spent 48 hours defending myself for making an observation that has harmed no one. This is a discussion group. If someone had issues with my statement, we could have talked about why I felt this way. IMO it was a logical thought - though I will totally agree that I did not think of the allergy scenario.
I don't think anyone was yelling at you, (some) people were just pointing out that there are multiple reasons one might choose to wear a mask. If you don't want to defend your statement about her being silly, you don't have to.11 -
@janejellyroll interesting take away from all I said above6
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Internet is a difficult place, especially in written communication. There are people from all around the world, filtering messages through their own indiviual viewpoints and cultures, and written text leaves out a lot of tone, facial expression etc. Things get easily heated especially arond controversial (personally don’t see any controversy around covid, but many do), life-consuming and exhausting topics like covid.
@SModa61 while I personally wouldn’t have bothered typing your original message about that woman wearing a mask and you wondering about it, I understand you were simply wondering about it. To put this in context of how differently people view these things culturally, I’ve been baffled by the whole conversation that ensued and by how many people apparently wear masks outdoors in general. Here people only wear masks outdoors when exiting or entering an indoor space, or traveling between two indoor spaces that are close enough that they won’t bother removing the mask.
To put our national spirit of not wearing masks outdoors into perspective, here’s an old picture of how people naturally wait for a bus in here, long before covid was ever heard of. If I only viewed this outdoor masking question through the local viewpoint of the social distancing masterpiece that is Finnish culture, I’d probably think all of you are insane for even potentially feeling the need to mask up outdoors to protect yourselves from others since others are simply so far away.
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Tuesday, my husband was taken to the hospital from work with tightness in his chest. His heart is good. It’s been determined that he has blood clots in both lungs, that have apparently traveled from his left knee area. He’s being given blood thinners to try to dissolve clots. No family (or personal) history of blood clots. The vascular specialist yesterday brought up side affects from the vaccine, which, in rare cases have been associated. We were fully vaccinated as 4/8/21. He’s not in the ICU, but next step down, critical care. Round the clock monitoring. At least in the hospital for one more day.
I’m not trying to suggest this is due to the vaccine, just that it maybe a possibility. Knowing this, we both still would have been vaccinated. Stay aware of changes in your health.27 -
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.
A way masks are not a positive for me - I've long suspected I do a little lip reading - it is harder for me to understand people with certain accents when we are on the phone vs speaking in person where I can see them. (Interestingly, after spending a long time working with people from India I apparently adjusted to that accent and stopped having a problem understanding them over the phone.)
So I have a harder time understanding people with accents when they are masked. I notice I look at masks when people are talking, which is not very helpful 9 -
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'm on a dead end street with very very little foot traffic. During the beginning of the pandemic, a neighbor used to walk her dog while wearing a mask. She stopped wearing it at some point.2 -
kshama2001 wrote: »
A way masks are not a positive for me - I've long suspected I do a little lip reading - it is harder for me to understand people with certain accents when we are on the phone vs speaking in person where I can see them. (Interestingly, after spending a long time working with people from India I apparently adjusted to that accent and stopped having a problem understanding them over the phone.)
So I have a harder time understanding people with accents when they are masked. I notice I look at masks when people are talking, which is not very helpful
The problem I have with masks is that they make my glasses steam up. The only solution I came up with is to put medical tape across the top - it worked but wasn't super comfortable to remove.
That and my mom (87) has trouble hearing/understanding me when I wear one.5 -
missysippy930 wrote: »Tuesday, my husband was taken to the hospital from work with tightness in his chest. His heart is good. It’s been determined that he has blood clots in both lungs, that have apparently traveled from his left knee area. He’s being given blood thinners to try to dissolve clots. No family (or personal) history of blood clots. The vascular specialist yesterday brought up side affects from the vaccine, which, in rare cases have been associated. We were fully vaccinated as 4/8/21. He’s not in the ICU, but next step down, critical care. Round the clock monitoring. At least in the hospital for one more day.
I’m not trying to suggest this is due to the vaccine, just that it maybe a possibility. Knowing this, we both still would have been vaccinated. Stay aware of changes in your health.
Friend had something similar happen.
Best wishes for speedy recovery.1 -
kshama2001 wrote: »
A way masks are not a positive for me - I've long suspected I do a little lip reading - it is harder for me to understand people with certain accents when we are on the phone vs speaking in person where I can see them. (Interestingly, after spending a long time working with people from India I apparently adjusted to that accent and stopped having a problem understanding them over the phone.)
So I have a harder time understanding people with accents when they are masked. I notice I look at masks when people are talking, which is not very helpful
This is me! I suspected hearing issues with certain tones, and I do so much better with movies when there are subtitles (I blamed my ADHD for that one), but I, too, find myself staring at masks when people talk 😬 and frequent repeating is sometimes necessary... throw in a plexiglass barrier with background music and other ambient room noises and there are times I am sure we are both beyond frustrated... I can’t imagine behind behind one and having to do it all day, I would be exhausted!5 -
Internet is a difficult place, especially in written communication. There are people from all around the world, filtering messages through their own indiviual viewpoints and cultures, and written text leaves out a lot of tone, facial expression etc. Things get easily heated especially arond controversial (personally don’t see any controversy around covid, but many do), life-consuming and exhausting topics like covid.
@SModa61 while I personally wouldn’t have bothered typing your original message about that woman wearing a mask and you wondering about it, I understand you were simply wondering about it. To put this in context of how differently people view these things culturally, I’ve been baffled by the whole conversation that ensued and by how many people apparently wear masks outdoors in general. Here people only wear masks outdoors when exiting or entering an indoor space, or traveling between two indoor spaces that are close enough that they won’t bother removing the mask.
To put our national spirit of not wearing masks outdoors into perspective, here’s an old picture of how people naturally wait for a bus in here, long before covid was ever heard of. If I only viewed this outdoor masking question through the local viewpoint of the social distancing masterpiece that is Finnish culture, I’d probably think all of you are insane for even potentially feeling the need to mask up outdoors to protect yourselves from others since others are simply so far away.
LOL, @hipari I would fit right in there in Finland! I love my personal space and while I am friendly and polite in public, I'm not big on interacting with strangers in depth while going about my business. Social distancing has made me like people more, TBH. I feel more comfortable around strangers when they are respecting my space.
I'm not touchy-feely with acquaintances either, and I hate it when people who are not closely related try to hug or kiss me as their form of greeting. (Although I am super affectionate with my spouse and the little ones.)
I kinda just want to be left alone and leave others alone when I'm out and about. I smile and say hi and that's enough interaction for me. People swarming up close, breathing down my neck and brushing up against me really drive me nuts. Get off me!
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moonangel12 wrote: »
This is me! I suspected hearing issues with certain tones, and I do so much better with movies when there are subtitles (I blamed my ADHD for that one), but I, too, find myself staring at masks when people talk 😬 and frequent repeating is sometimes necessary... throw in a plexiglass barrier with background music and other ambient room noises and there are times I am sure we are both beyond frustrated... I can’t imagine behind behind one and having to do it all day, I would be exhausted!
I have been tested for hearing loss and mechanically my hearing is near perfect. I still struggle to hear people in masks. Even over the phone! It is the muffling affect I assume plus I think I have an auditory processing difficulty on my end.4 -
GaleHawkins wrote: »https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9623007/Melbourne-Covid-residents-flee-Victoria-head-Sydney-ahead-imminent-five-day-lockdown.html
Interesting! When I first heard of this tight lock down order I was wondering if it might trigger a super spreader event. The fear factor seems to be huge. On the bright side maybe the vaccination rate/demand with shoot up.
They got one fact wrong. It's a 7 day lockdown for them right now but who knows, might end up longer yet. If any of them that leave have been to any of the exposure sights they'll be contacted most likely and put in quarantine or worse.5 -
ExistingFish wrote: »
I have been tested for hearing loss and mechanically my hearing is near perfect. I still struggle to hear people in masks. Even over the phone! It is the muffling affect I assume plus I think I have an auditory processing difficulty on my end.
I'm convinced some people are speech lazy and enunciate less when they are wearing a mask. Research indicates that faceware has a small effect on speech clarity.
https://theconversation.com/the-science-of-how-you-sound-when-you-talk-through-a-face-mask-139817
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