Is it time to be alarmed again? Recently had phone calls and emails from friends (9) who now have

[Samrob]

COVID. All contracted over the past 10 days. ALL had stopped wearing face masks unless required to do so by the venues visited.
WTF?? I haven't been in their presence for months. In the past, they all wore masks and all have been vaxed and boosted. Also heard from family traveling south to help with IAN cleanup and assistance. Three out of 19 have tested positive with the test kits they are travelling with. One is really sick.

It seems that a resurgence is happening. Anyone else hearing similar stories. Also, a virtual book club to which I belong that zooms once a month had to be cancelled because four out of the 7 members were to sick with COVID to want to talk too much. A common symptom my friends are reporting as well as my family is hoarseness and problems speaking. All complain of feeling overly tired.
Anyone else???

[Nanuke]

1. Yep

I just tested finally negative again this morning. Had it TWICE in the past 3 weeks. Doc says Paxlovid rebound. Fully vaxed and boosted. Ear ache, soar throat, congestion, fever, fatigue. Isolated both times and wearing a mask anywhere in public. Followed all CDC guidelines.

[Tetrachloride]

2. a distant friend has been off work for a week or 2.

covid or flu or cold.

[secondwind]

3. Yes, COVID is still going strong.......

And we are going into colder weather soon, which will make things worse, sad to say...

[RAB910]

4. did any of them get the new bivalent booster?

[malaise]

5. ReTHUGs in Florida wore their no vaccines policy like a DeathSentence badge

Now post Ian volunteers are exposed.
My Florida sibling had Covid despite vaccines and a booster. Thankfully it was mild.

[jaxexpat]

54. We need a Stephen Crane for these times.....

to document in stirring realism, the false flags and tarnished badges of our current crop, the MAGA "courage" mongers.

It's too ridiculous for comedy.

[malaise]

55. Sure need folks with courage

[jaxexpat]

61. Maybe it's a shame or a saving grace that certainty comes fully accompanied by arthritis.

Sometimes I am brave, a saber-rattler, danger in a coil, my strike zone, though I play a wiser oldish gentleman and am, in truth, most comfortable there. How does one write the plays of the last innings when surprised that we've even, somehow, stumbled into the stretch? It is a wonder, this orb, circling in the void.

[malaise]

64. That is profound man

Food for thought😀

[dsc]

6. I teach and have had my first quarantined students since about March or so

now there is summer so no students for about half of June, all of July and most of August but we went from the last week of August till now without quarantines.

[ruet]

7. Again, Wearing A Mask Does Not Protect YOU From Contracting Covid From Others.

It helps to protect others from contracting COVID from you. I don't mean to pick on you but the, "I wear a mask and still got covid", narrative is counterproductive, at best, and still quite prevalent.

[Blues Heron]

10. Again, well fitted masks n95 or k94 most certainly do protect you

From getting it - the virus particles get filtered out so they they don’t go up your nose.

[ruet]

15. And No Authority Is Recommending or has Recommended That The Entire Population Wear KN95 Masks.

You know what I'm talking about and you're just being argumentative. Again, counterproductive.

[Blues Heron]

16. Cool story bro

You are spreading disinformation

[senseandsensibility]

20. We really don't need this almost 3 years into

this pandemic. I am surprised that anyone on this board would believe such FAUX news B.S.

[moonscape]

36. You said an N95 would not protect me, and while

I know it’s not perfection (not professionally fitted, etc), as a cancer patient I’ll take the huge protection it does offer and continue wearing it. My oncologist agrees.

[wnylib]

75. I do not go indoors anywhere without an N95.

No one enters my home without an N95. If they don"t have one, I take one out of my box and give it to them before they go through the door.

[womanofthehills]

81. I recently upgraded to the 3M Aura N95 - great mask

I was wearing KN95 and there is no comparison. The Aura Fits really tight across the nose and face but very breathable and comfortable. I always wear a mask in stores, but a month ago, I ran into my small local grocery without a mask for a few minutes- there were no cars outside ….but the cashier coughed without covering her face and I got Covid - I think from that short exposure.

I believe how much virus you are exposed to also makes a difference. Easier for your body to fight a small exposure.

[wnylib]

86. Agree. I have a few Aura masks.

When I tried to order some I could not find a large box of 50 like I have for the Honeywell N95. The Aura price was higher, too. But I am due to order more soon and I will try to get the Aura, even if I have to order 3 boxes of 20.

[LymphocyteLover]

25. they still have their limitations though because they don't block 100% of virus especially

over prolonged exposure

[womanofthehills]

84. I"ll take 95% blocking of a well fitted mask

Over not masking any day. Yesterday, a little girl had a coughing fit in the grocery store line - I was thankful I had on my mask.

[LymphocyteLover]

100. Yes. Definitely wear them if you have them

[SheltieLover]

32. Absolutely!

[dembotoz]

92. when i wear a mask i am more attuned to social distancing

mask vs distancing

both help

[bottomofthehill]

13. Masks clearly protect you from getting covid.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/science/science-briefs/masking-science-sars-cov2.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fmore%2Fmasking-science-sars-cov2.html

Masks both help prevent the spread when you have Covid and when you do not. They both protect you and prevent you from spreading when positive.

CDC, departments of health, hospitals and nursing homes have all proven this to be true. The more you wear a mask, the less exposure to the virus.

If you properly put the mask on and take it off, and wash your hands you dramatically slow the transmission and protect yourself.

[Rhiannon12866]

47. +100

[wnylib]

76. Then why do health care workers wear them when

treating covid patients?

[Ms. Toad]

104. That is nonsense, perpetuated at a time when it was seen better to fib a little

and save the masks for medical workers.

While masks are somewhat more effective at protecting others, well-fitted masks are also extremely effective at protecting the wearer - as studies avaialble when the little fib was being perpetuated. And now the myth is hard to get rid of because it was perpetuated by people who should have known better (and who, for the most part, have retracted their statements - but corrections never get the headlines the initial splash does).

So you it is your narrative correction that is inaccurate and counterproductive. People do need to be wearing masks, not only to protect others - but also to protect themselves.

[Ziggysmom]

8. My daughter in SE WI was sick for 2 weeks, fully vaxxed & boostered, very careful. Was off

work almost 2 weeks, tested positive, with aches, fever, sore throat, extreme fatigue. She just went back to work Monday. It's definitely still out there. She's very careful due to having kidney disease. Hope all of DU & theirs stay safe & healthy

[captain queeg]

9. I got it about 6 weeks ago. Don't know where, I rarely go out. Vaxed and boosted

I was getting better and testing negative then got an infection. End up in the hospital for 8 days.

[Demsrule86]

44. That happened to me only I had blood clots, Covid Pneumonia, and ended up with A-Fib...one of the

clots in my abdomen broke off and hit my heart while I was in the ER...so I had a heart attack as well. Thank God it happened in the ER. I am doing well now. I wear a mask and had the vaccine and one booster. I did not however wear a mask to a wedding in June...big mistake. Also, If I ever get it again( God forbid). I am taking the medicine.

[captain queeg]

51. I saw my doc when I got out of the hospital. He suggested I wait a couple weeks for the new booster

I’m still tired all the time and have brain fog. It’s improving little by little though. Also had very low blood pressure for a couple weeks. I was afraid to take a real shower till the last week or two. Just sit down showers or sponge baths till then.

[Demsrule86]

99. Do you have a heart murmur? Some get that after Covid. My pressure never went back

to normal after Covid so I am on meds which were increased today because of the heart irregularities. I got Covid at a wedding I attended on June 18th I believe. I tested positive on June 23, it was quick and mild-I thought. I had the entire family over for July 4th and was dragging it...the next week on a Sunday I became ill with terrible pain on my left side. So be careful, complications can hit 10 days to 14 days my doctor said after a Covid infection. I hope you feel better. I also had lung issues and need breathing treatments and need to use the exerciser to expand my lung capacity which the doctors describe as 'limited'.

[captain queeg]

102. No heart murmur or issues there. They did a lot of tests.

[mahina]

68. Yikes!

[Demsrule86]

98. It has been rough... and hubs has had one surgery and has another on scheduled in January.

I also, have my youngest on the couch with a torn meniscus...we are clearing out the junk room the third bedroom for her...she can't walk at all...so it has been nuts here!

[haele]

11. Watch Amazon Reviews of Yankee Candle purchases...

It's been noticed that whenever there's a surge or a new variant of COVID starting, there's also a spike in 1-star reviews within a day or two of a surge starting.
Yankee Candles are a popular purchase on Amazon, with apparently tens of thousands being bought and hundreds of purchases reviewed daily.
Not being able to smell the candle, or the candle smelling 'off' is one of the most common symptoms of covid.

Sort of like the Waffle House index on local hurricane/disaster damage in the South.

Haele

[MissB]

18. I was just going to post that

[LetMyPeopleVote]

12. I am still wearing my mask most places

[IcyPeas]

14. Boosters don't last forever. month by month the protection you get from it diminishes.

[femmedem]

17. i have it now and was wearing a KN95 mask when I caught it.

I've been extraordinarily careful--no eating out, no going anywhere without a mask, no events, telling the board of directors at the nonprofit where I work that I didn't think it would be safe to start in-person meetings again. But I had one meeting with one person. She said she had the sniffles but not to worry, it was just allergies. Her mask kept slipping below her nose. That night she developed a fever and tested positive. My good mask wasn't enough to protect me during our 45-minute-long meeting in an unventilated, small space.

Ironically, I had to cancel my appointment for the bivalent booster.

[LowerManhattanite]

19. People are out here not giving a f*ck and clustering in large groups...

…everywhere. Especially here in NYC. Tourists from all over are here again in SPADES. And the locals are just as bad.

I’ve had people make snide comments about me still wearing a mask when out in the midst of this COVID soup they seem intent on cooking up.

“I don’t know who you’re doing this for…”

“Let it go.”

“It’s not helping you…”

I finally caught COVID in May of this year (after 2.5 years) and know exactly which wet-coughing, unmasked, insisting-I-handle-their-dirty-paper-money person I got it from.

I’m fully boosted (1st two plus the three boosters since).

My zip code alone has lost 311 people to it. I’m not f*cking about with this sh*t—nosiree.

[leftstreet]

21. The social pressure to unmask has been bizarre

I shouldn't be surprised I guess. It's just been so strange to see

Even before Covid, if you lived in, or even traveled through, east Asian countries you wouldn't see this creepy, bizarre social pressure to not wear a mask.

[womanofthehills]

82. I wear a mask everywhere and no one has ever said anything to me

I could care less if they did. If anyone does, I will just ignore them and act like I never heard them.

[Hugin]

90. I know exactly what you're talking about...

The Coronavirus Breeders Association is well represented in my area too.

I know it sounds trite, hang in there, you’re not alone.

[UpInArms]

22. I am seeing it around me, also

but I have never stopped wearing my mask ...

so, I shall just let those who want to be exposed and possibly get sick, do so on their own.

[HeartachesNhangovers]

23. It is strange. I only knew 2 people who were infected in the first 2 years, then about 20

in the last year. But the data keeps showing a downward trend in both infections and deaths.

[femmedem]

24. Throughout 2022 most cases are unreported due to home tests.

Last edited Tue Oct 11, 2022, 04:54 PM - Edit history (1)

So the current data isn't as accurate as it was in 2021, at least for new cases. The downward trend in deaths is more accurate, probably due to increased immunity from vaccinations and prior infections.

[LymphocyteLover]

26. yes, exactly

[LymphocyteLover]

27. I got it for the 1st time a month ago and recovered just in time to see Biden

say the pandemic is over

[wnylib]

77. The data are accurate about the deaths.

But the data are not accurate on the infections because people test at home and the positive results do not get reported to health departments. So whatever the local rate is, you can assume that the real infection figure is double or triple that number.

[Johnny2X2X]

28. Cases and deaths are way down right now

And trending lower. Stay up to date on vaccines, and wear a mask when you need to.

[Emile]

29. My son went to a concert and caught it again!

He's fully vaccinated too!

[mgardener]

30. Most people text at home and health depts do not require you to report a case.

Our county is rates are rising.
I know of 5 people who have had it and they were not counted in the health dept #'s.

We are going to Florida on Sat. We will be wearing our masks.
Still wear masks while shopping.

[LymphocyteLover]

31. I'm not sure it's worse now than the past few months but it's still around. What I don't get is how

rightwingers never seem to complain about it going around and getting sick... they still act like it's no big deal... maybe too stubborn to admit it, or they just go to the hospital in denial and many die in denial, who knows

[orleans]

33. 6 friends have had it (continue to have it) within the last month & a half or two months

please wear your masks -- try those nifty n95 ones

[wiggs]

34. What are people hearing from friends about long covid? Yes, people in our circle are still getting

covid, mostly people who have either had it before or who are vaxxed to some degree and so we are hearing about mild symptoms...some with fevers but mostly not.

I read about studies that approx 20% of those infected are having long covid symptoms (higher % for unvaxxed and those with more intense symptoms, lower for vaxxed and mild)...but haven't heard much from friends re longer effects.

Long covid is my main concern. Covid-19 and its variants apparently can mess with so many different body systems, especially neuro and brain, not just for the 4 or 6 days of initial symptoms but for longer...and we really don't know about effects for longer than 2.5 years, yet. Lots unknown and unpredictable on an individual basis, so I'll continue to be careful and try to get it as few times as reasonable. Not going for complete assurance against exposure, but it's so easy to be cautious most of the time, why not? Haven't had it yet as far as I know.

[niyad]

49. One friend who had it in June '20 nearly died from it. Still has serious brain

fog and kidney issues. Another friend who got it Oct. '20 still has no taste, very little smell.

[beaglelover]

56. Of all the people I've known to have had COVID, none of them developed long COVID symptoms.

[anarch]

88. I still can't breathe properly and can't smell anything after two years or so

but then again I've had the COVID at least three times (I think more like four or five, but without significant symptoms for a couple of them, b/c it was within a short time after just having had it and/or getting vaccinated). I have followed all precautionary guidelines and I still mask up when going anywhere; pretty sure I caught it one time from a repair guy who was working on our A/C (and coughing the whole time) and another time from relatives the one single time we've had company at our house since the pandemic began.

The worst long-COVID symptom for me is the lung damage--it's given me asthma; I also still have the "brain fog" periodically--I feel like it's been incremental additional brain damage every time I've been re-infected.

[wiggs]

96. So sorry, be well! And thx for posting. nt

[musette_sf]

35. Traveled for business last week

and tested positive upon return.

I have tested daily since the positive test and have subsequently tested negative each day since.

I had noticeable symptoms, not intense but unpleasant and noticeable, on Saturday, and hoped that it was not Day 1 of a siege. Felt better on Sunday, but would say that I feel like I am near the end of a bad cold. Still tired, taking ibuprofen and keeping hydrated.

I masked all the time on the trip - on the plane, in my meeting, and in all public spaces, except for when I ate, and tried to be conscious of distancing while I ate.

This is my third business trip this year. I made it back from the previous trips without getting infected. Now is NOT the time to let one’s guard down - I didn’t, in any way, and I still got it. Whatever strain I have, I seem to have resisted it well, thank goodness - but still a shock to see that second line come up in the positive test.

PS, fully vaxxed and boosted. Getting my bivalent booster next Friday.

[Kaleva]

37. People seem to have accepted COVID-19 as a normal part of life

[relayerbob]

38. Of course it is

It hasn't gone away, and isn't going to. It continues to mutate. There is a new strain of Omicron that is better at slipping past vaccine prevention (although the new version helps tremendously). Vaccines don't prevent it, nor do they prevent catching any diseases. They simply train the immune system to deal with the virus. The only prevention is staying masked and distant, and be very careful indoors.

I have lots of friends who have had it recently, and in almost all cases, they were going to concerts, dinners, parties and gatherings maskless.

[womanofthehills]

85. The new vaxx covers BA 4 and 5 - but new mutations

Are already here - mutations like BA 275.2 plus others that are more evasive of vaccines and natural immunity.
This sucks!! - plus I read the number of mutations in Europe is vast.

“The concern with BA.2.75.2 is that our collective antibodies — whether primed from past vaccination or a previous case — may be less able to recognize this new subvariant and ward off infection.

Specifically, a preprint study published in mid-September by scientists from Europe and Africa found that samples from random blood donors in Sweden were much less likely to recognize BA.2.75.2 compared to earlier subvariants.

The study also suggested the anti-COVID drug Evusheld was less effective against BA.2.75.2. Evusheld is a monoclonal antibody given to people with weakened immune systems to prevent coronavirus infection. Another monoclonal antibody, bebtelovimab, was still capable of detecting BA.2.75.2.

"Taken together, these data identify profound antibody escape by the emerging Omicron sublineage BA.2.75.2, suggesting that it effectively evades current [antibody] immunity in the population," the report said.” https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/new-coronavirus-subvariant-ba2752-tops-concerns-as-officials-gear-up-for-potential-winter-wave/ar-AA12tKmU

[YoshidaYui]

39. I DON'T CARE WHAT BILL MAHR SAYS about masking

fuck it , i will wear a N-91 WHERE ever I GO, and just try and take it from me!!!

[seta1950]

40. The threat

Never stopped we still have to be very cautious

[milestogo]

41. Its not even being tracked any more in a lot of places.

[blueinredohio]

42. My neighbor just had it, she's vaxxed and boosted.

She works at a hospital.

[Ferrets are Cool]

43. As I have said many times, I wear a double mask ANYTIME I go out to the grocery store, or to the

hospital, or the dentist or anywhere there are people. I can't afford not to do so. It's second nature now. I just do it unconsciously.

[Rebl2]

45. Nursing home

my Mom is in has had about 16 residents get Covid since around the 20th of September-couple weeks after Labor Day. Also had about five employees get it as well. We have not been allowed to go in without a mask since last fall. They do have patients leave sometimes to go out with family. Probably don’t wear masks while they are gone.

[Maru Kitteh]

69. You should have NEVER been allowed to visit w/o a mask. Ugh.

As an RN administrator at a LTC facility I can tell you the CMS/CDC guidelines have NEVER allowed for maskless visitors since the advent of COVID.

I can’t recommend any facility that plays fast and loose with a disease that is SO DANGEROUS to LTC residents.

This is just sad to me.

[Rebl2]

80. Exactly

This nursing insists you wear a mask when you come in. I have noticed a couple of people that work there wear one below their nose-a no, no. Like I said in my post, I think they have visitors come visit in residents room, close the door and take their mask off. So dangerous for the residents. Everyone seems to think this is over, but I am here to say it’s not. Some people, like me, can’t take Paxlovid that they give if you get Covid.

[Maru Kitteh]

93. In our last COVID wave, I think only about 2% of our residents were eligible

To take Paxlovid due to their renal function. It’s HARD on your kidneys! It’s a terrible twist that the people most likely to benefit from anti-virals are the same group of people most likely to be ineligible to take them.

[Rebl2]

97. I did

not know it was hard on the kidneys. I think my moms kidney function is okay so she might be okay to take it, but she is 91. I would not be able to take it because, from what I have read, you have to weigh at least 88 pounds and I don’t. I also have kidney issues.

[mercuryblues]

46. Yes

My best friend, her kids, grandkids and Mother all got it again. 2 of my kids and brother got it for their 1st time. All vaccinated.

My trumper brother claims he still has never had it, never vaccinated. I think he is lying. Last year he went to the ER twice in the same week. He would never tell me what was wrong with him.

[Raftergirl]

48. My cousin was her own super spreader event.

She came back from a business trip to Italy and went the next day to see her grand baby. Spent 6 hours with him. Then she went to her daughters to see other grandkids.

She had a “tickle” in her throat but didn’t bother to test before she went or mask.

The mom, dad and baby all got Covid as did her daughter and one of her kids.

My cousin was quite sick but she is doing better.

H had it three weeks ago. Took 13 days for him to test negative, He had very mild symptoms and only for a few days. We isolated from each other and I never got it.

[Skittles]

50. so many stupid, selfish people, so it is bound to happen

people do "what is within their comfort level" meaning they only give a fuck about themselves

[tanyev]

52. It came roaring through my workplace mid to late August.

Several co-workers who had managed to avoid it all this time came down with it. I did not, probably because I am still diligent about wearing a well-fitting N95 the entire time I am in the building. I noticed mask-wearing went up after they recovered enough to come back to work, but it’s definitely relaxed in the last few weeks.

[Maru Kitteh]

70. Are you in Texas? Nt

[tanyev]

72. Yep, North Texas. Collin County.

[Maru Kitteh]

74. It usually hits in the southeast before it hits the PNW, which is why

I was asking. So if you are on the panhandle, that means it’s absolutely on it’s way here.

So for me that means another season of looking at my residents and wondering who will be cut down. Who will have their already dwindling ledger closed out by a disease we could have stopped?

It’s wearing me out in every way possible.

[beaglelover]

53. NO cause to be alarmed. COVID is here forever.

We have effective treatments and shots. I haven't worn a mask in almost a year, live my life as I did pre COVID (e.g., eating out often inside a restaurant, going to the gym/pilates classes 4 or 5 times a week, going into the office 3 days a week, grocery shopping in person, etc.). The Company I work for feels that COVID is over and wants people back in the office at least 2 days a week. It's so nice to see people again in the office and going to lunch with them, etc. It's really helped my mood overall to be living like I did before COVID.

[wiggs]

58. Ignores individual needs, health, social contact with vulnerable people, etc. Some

may choose to approach exposure as you do, others may not for good reason.

[beaglelover]

60. Very true. You need to protect yourself depending on your own risk factors. If you feel safer in a

mask, go ahead and wear one. No one if stopping you.

[BannonsLiver]

95. How dare you not embrace the doom!

[beaglelover]

101. LOL! I know how you feel!

[Marthe48]

57. I know several people who had Covid in the last month

Haven't been around them. it is concerning. I am vaccinated and triple boosted. But remaining careful. I was unmasked yesterday in Dem hq when I was there. I saw one person with a mask. I'll start masking when I go back.

[JustAnotherGen]

59. Yes

My mom tested positive yesterday.

I'm masking up like nobody's business.

[FakeNoose]

62. If you recall, the same thing happened this time last year

After 3 or 4 months of doing stuff outside, going to outdoor restaurants, going on picnics and hikes, outdoor games and activities, and not many people wore masks while they were outdoors. I know I didn't. But the weather is cooler and activities are moving back indoors, and we're in the same boat as last year.

People are still carrying Covid, and it's easier to spread once we're indoors and not wearing masks. I need to remind myself, every time I enter a store, restaurant or public building of any kind, I must return to wearing a facemask. Every time.

Covid hasn't gone away and it's going to be back in big numbers if all aren't careful.

[phylny]

63. Our daughter and son-in-law came back from Iceland Saturday.

Daughter felt sick Tuesday, tested Wednesday, positive.

Son-in-law felt fine, kept his distance and took care of the baby. He tested negative (home tests) for three days after she tested positive, then he tested positive (home test and urgent care).

Baby woke up vomiting and feverish Friday. Positive.

Our daughter said the airplane terminal in Iceland was packed with Europeans, and there were few masks to be seen.

[Tree Lady]

65. I've been curious what the figures are

For people who never got covid vaccine and don't wear masks. What percentage caught covid?

I just got my 5th shot yesterday the new one, my side effects weren't as bad this time. Usually lasts 2 days, this time 1. Arm hurt like hell last night better today.

I wear a mask in stores and usually only one or just a few. People are treating it like a regular flu now.

[onetexan]

66. i'm not alarmed since i've been vaccinated & twice boosted, most recently last week.

There is always going to be some outbreak given people have gone back to not masking and gathering in public spaces. There are lots of antivaxxers so they w be out there spreading & superspreading. Besides, the virus will continually morph into variants. The best thing to do is get the boosters (latest one includes omicron strain immunity), continue masking, limit your outdoor exposure as much as possible and take necessary precautions such as washing hands frequently after you've been outside to protect yourself.
Remember, the vaccine doesn't prevent you from getting the virus. It prevents hospitalization and death in most cases.

Here's a reassuring article: New Omicron-specific vaccines offer similar protection to existing boosters
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-02806-5

[Maru Kitteh]

67. I have noticed an uptick in cases among employees at

Our long term care facility.

[GenThePerservering]

71. I'm recovering from Covid

The DH and I got it probably at a football game (the concourse was crowded) three weeks ago. We're both boosted and vaxed. He tested positive right away after symptoms. I tested negative after symptoms. Then about three days in I became really sick and tested positive. He's back on his bike feeling great. Because my test wasn't positive until later I got really sick, but was back in the gym two weeks later (I've always been masked at the gym).

My only lagging systems are the famous Covid Cough (that's very annoying) and some fatigue. Oh, and my sense of taste is pretty much gone, but I'm not that bugged by it - not a foodie, the cough and fatigue bother me more.

I mask up indoors (if I'd known we'd be crammed on the concourse, I would have masked up then, too). We have a very high (like 90%) vax rate here.

It's becoming an inevitable consequence of life on this planet - it's better to accept it and mitigate it as much as possible, and take care around vulnerable people.

[bullwinkle428]

73. Was planning to get booster soon. Will now try to get that done tomorrow.

[ecstatic]

78. Yikes. A co-worker who works in another office was really hoarse the other day

but she tried to play it off like it was allergies.

[Samrob]

79. Hoarseness seems to be one of big symptoms of this recent outbreak. On masks...you decide.

All I know is I have not had any colds, or annual sinus infections since March of 2020 when I began to wear a mask. I used to get really bad sinus infections at least twice a year.

[DemocraticPatriot]

83. Still haven't stopped masking,

and I won't attend any venue more crowded that a grocery store....


It seems rare that I see another masked person, usually older folks...

[Dorian Gray]

87. I have a few friends who are positive now

And it has been awhile. I'm in NYC, so maybe there is a resurgence. Nobody is all that sick, though.

[Celerity]

89. BQ.1.1 subvariant inbound, and it is nasty

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100217244355

[Just_Vote_Dem]

91. I've been invited to a wedding of a relative in North Carolina in a few months

And the bride-to-be has already informed me that "no one wears masks here"

[BannonsLiver]

94. You won't get a coherent answer to that at Doom Central

My advice is to fire up the Google and leave the mask on.

[Ms. Toad]

103. Again??

There was one very brief period last April/May when it was reasonable to go unmasked based on the community transmission rate (which measure the level of infection in the community). Outside of that time frame, most communities have been at either orange or red since the rates first started being measured.

From a likelihood of infection standard, what has changed is the CDC is pubicizing a different number: The community rate - which largely ignores the prevalence of COVID in the community, focusing almost exclusively on whether the hospitals can handle the number of infections expected to be generated.

That said, "alarmed" isn't quite the right descriptor - people should continue to take precautions against transmission because (1) COVID never went anywhere and (2) everything we are learning about long-term consequences makes this a more - not less - dangerous disease.