Knowing what I know now, I am just going to wear a mask when out shopping or any traveling

[CTyankee]

out of town (which I rarely do).

I am shopping online for everything except food.

I rarely go to restaurants and never to bars (I don't drink).

My health care so far does not require inperson visits to doctors, only dentists.

My last family get together over the 4th of July was as safe as possible, everyone vaccinated.

I guess I live in a bubble. It's good thing I research and write about art (a lot of which I have seen). I have a wealth of information from the Internet that libraries don't have or are out of reach.

Facebook provides some socialization. Family zoom calls are dreaded (I try to avoid them).

[roamer65]

1. Smart move.

[Dream Girl]

2. Except the Facebook part. Please don't use Facebook!

[lagomorph777]

6. Fascistbook is a contagious social disease.

[Wounded Bear]

3. Never quit doing that...and I'm fully vaxxed...

though I haven't gone full on-line. Not really convenient for me.

Other than that, I'm essentially a recluse anyway.

[ismnotwasm]

4. Yes

My oldest daughter lives in Trump country. I’m planning on a visit. You bet I’m masking. Her and her husband are vaccinated, but there’s a lot of yahoo’s out there

[Rorey]

5. I just don't see a reason not to do so

I can't see myself stopping wearing a mask when I go to stores. I don't care what anyone else thinks about it.

I haven't set foot in a restaurant since, well, probably 2019.

That said, my family has had a few gatherings, and we don't wear masks. All of the adults are fully vaccinated, and we all believe in science. So far the gatherings have been mostly outside.

[lagomorph777]

7. I have never stopped mask-wearing and visor-wearing.

Looking at the spread of Delta, and the continuing COVIDiocy in this country, I plan to continue for a very long time.

[malaise]

8. Once I leave home my mask is with me

I actually pull it down during my morning walk because we're outdoors but if anyone not in our group approaches I pull it up again.

[SheltieLover]

9. Glad you are being safe!

Masks & social distancing are small inconveniences to protect from long-haul!

[CTyankee]

10. Plus, it cuts the chances of catching the yearly flu! I do, of course, get flu shots...

[SheltieLover]

11. It sure does!

I've never had a flu shot, but I did take elderberry extract daily to protect from flu. Now, no need because of masking. Many docs & nurses are taking elderberry from what I'm hearing, in hopes it will help to protect from covid.

It's infuriating what the anti-vax / maskhole crowd is putting our treasured medical professionals through, along with endangering all of our lives! 🤬

Stay safe! 😷👍

[Disaffected]

13. Is the elderberry extract efficacy based on

anecdotal evidence or something more credible?

Any info on the many docs & nurses supposedly taking it?

Not trying to be difficult - just looking for evidence.

The Cleveland Clinic doesn't seem to think it works:

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/is-elderberry-really-an-effective-cold-and-flu-cure/

[SheltieLover]

14. Both

There is one study that I read about it helping to protect against flu.

Tons of anecdotal evidence.

OhioChick's 2 ER Dr. Kids take it.

Lady at health food store told me about it. She & yound daughter took the extract & hers was only kid in school not out sick. They closed the school briefly due to flu & they never got sick.

To me, it' a win-win. Can't hurt & can help, so I used it. Lol

If you search elderberry and flu article should come up.

[Disaffected]

16. Thanks,

What was the one study? I did search "elderberry & flu" which is where I found the Cleveland Clinic info. I saw some other references to claims & studies that seemed to support its use but nothing I would consider reliable.

Keep in mind one can find studies on the internet that support just about anything but many(most?) are useless because of errors in methodology, data analysis and/or conclusions drawn. Some also have conflicts of interest (such as studies sponsored by the manufacturer of the treatment) or may be downright fraudulent. Performing a properly controlled and analyzed clinical trial of a medical treatment is unfortunately both difficult and expensive which helps explain why many such studies are unreliable.

When it comes to medical efficacy, anecdotal evidence is also generally considered to be pretty useless unless the purported effects of a treatment are quite immediate and obvious.

As far as a "win-win, can't hurt" goes, taking the elderberry stuff in place of vaccination (which is conclusively known to be effective) can hurt and maybe hurt a lot if you catch the flu as a result.

I know, in view of the masses of info and counter-info available, it is often difficult for lay persons (such as myself and perhaps yourself) to know with any certainty what is good and what is harmful. Here's a very good source IMO for reliable information and advice on the topic folks might find useful:

https://www.skepdoc.info/6043-2/

[Runningdawg]

12. We will be taking part in our first public event since NY eve 2019 this weekend.

Let me remind you OK is less than 50% vaccinated with the counties surrounding Tulsa MUCH less. It's a geek event, rock and mineral show, so I don't expect large crowds but you can bet I won't be near anyone and if people want to get near me, I will be wearing a mask. If it gets crowded or the crowd turns out to be rat lickers - we are OUT OF THERE.