My brother is an organ transplant recipient and is immune-compromised due to the lifelong anti-rejection med he must take. He’s extremely vulnerable to even the more common viral and bacterial infections, so Covid-19 could potentially kill him. The pandemic is not over for him and may not be, ever. He hasn’t flown or eaten at an indoor restaurant in three years, must always mask, and his family likewise, as he is still high-risk. Sucks.
Sanity is knowing when masks serve a purpose. Not walking down the street by yourself, or driving alone in your car. I am still mandated to wear a mask at work, I go to my office shut the door, take it off, put it on to walk back and forth to the bathroom. I have zero face to face conversations in a typical day. Yet I’m still mandated to wear it because it is a healthcare setting.
If I go into a patients room, interact with a family, go to a code I mask up because it’s logical to do so and has some merit. Even the most vigilant at our facility have been infected at least once. There are very very few unicorn uninfected left.
They can make sense driving alone in your car. If you are about to pick up someone who is immunocompromised, for example, and want to keep the air as safe as possible for them. Or just dropped off someone who has covid. I am just adding this because it's easy to judge the person wearing a mask alone in the car as over the top, but we can't know why they are doing that.
Because even at the height of the pandemic there were plenty of medical people pretending the virus wasn’t real even as hospitals overflowed?
Unless you meant that as a tongue in cheek joke
It's disingenuous to present that as if that was the case for the majority. Well less than 1% of medical professionals in NY were part of the group that threw a fit about the mandatory vaccination. It wasn't a widespread problem in the medical field.
I read through all the comments here — it’s interesting to see a wide array of risk tolerance here. That’s what it really boils down to.
Ask me this question in 2021 and I’d say I wear a cloth mask on transit and when shopping. Ask me in 2022 and I’d say the same but with a KN95. Ask me now, after a recent COVID infection sent me to the ER and gave me a heart condition, and I say I wear an N95 everywhere indoors. I don’t dine in. I only socialize outside.
It’s all risk tolerance. How bad do you want to avoid COVID? For me, I really do.
But the people who mask only on trains, etc — yes that mitigates your risk. But it means nothing if you catch COVID at a concert or a restaurant or a bar.
I hope people don’t develop post-COVID sequelae like I did. But I’d be remiss not to say that I didn’t understand the severity of long COVID until it happened to me.
I just tell my friends and my family that they have to make their own decisions about what is important, your health or “getting back to normal”. I feel that I have pretty much gone back to normal except for dining inside. I just do it with precautions.
You’re not the only one. I’m still covid cautious because I have very good reasons to be. The 1918 flu pandemic took about 5 years to settle into endemicity, so that’s my projected timeline, and hopefully we get a sterilizing vaccine.
This folder of covid studies (masks, vaccines, air filtration, testing data, etc.) was shared in r/zerocovidcommunity and it’s helpful to have up to date scientific research handy when faced with people who aren’t informed and are wrapped up in the social opiate of cognitive dissonance and denial.
https://www.zotero.org/groups/5006109/covidstudies/library
Sure, some nurses making $60k/yr say covid is over for them but if you look at the precautions taken at the most recent WEF meeting in Davos, those people don’t believe it’s a little cold, and those people are really pulling the strings. They don’t care if little guys get covid at school, Applebee’s or wherever 7 times and have a stroke at 43, there’s another little guy ready to jump right in to his job for $10k less.
But I get it, capitalists want everyone to sacrifice their bodies for the economy, and living with a critical lense on our current reality is isolating and exhausting. I can very clearly see that no one else will look out for me, so I have to look out for myself.
However, I think it’s important to take some calculated risks, so I do, and use a nasal rinse after. But raw-dogging germy strangers’ air on the subway or grocery store everyday just isn’t it for me.
Wishing you well OP. Hope you can get the community and support you need and have a great summer.
“Raw-dogging germy strangers’ air” is one of the best phrases I’ve ever heard. I mask with KN95 always indoors and will be adopting this for everyone who keeps asking why. Thank you for your eloquence.
Exactly. WSJ and Financial Times have already called this a “mass disabling event” through an economic lens. I don’t know why people are so apathetic about a virus that can cause issues of every single organ system for “months and years after infection.” - The CDC, 2 months ago
thank you for this post! it validates what i know and understand… im immunocompromised, and had covid then a pneumonia that almost ended me. its hard when everyone is “over” covid, yet there are so many vulnerable and apparently disposable people that still struggle…
Thank you, I learned something new. I was wondering when the disease would stabilize and when it might be safe to unmask. And yes, "social opiate of cognitive dissonance and denial".
After 3 years of being very careful, our entire family came down with COVID this week. I will continue to mask in public spaces that are crowded. For me I don’t want this again if at all possible to avoid.
Mask on planes, trains, and automobiles. I know my local cafe and restaurants that have slow hours to go to if I want to feel like a normal person. Punk shows and perreo were my thing and I just haven't been to anything (and bummed there isn't more pushing for masking in crowds at least as a semi-mitigating factor). I've been to a few small events where people were masking as a policy. I'm not perfect but fuck man, I still put the legwork in. I don't want it, and I don't want to spread it. I don't know. It's a grind. I do the "do I want COVID to go see Propagandhi?" math (or whatever band I really love). I know my friends are pretty conscious also so I have some people to be around. Just... I don't know. I know they are working on a root vaccine and not just maintenance but ugh. Tired also.
Yeah, I was working in a healthcare setting briefly during the time most people consider "peak" and had some patients with pretty severe long covid responses from early cases. Likely permanent mobility issues, speech disabilities. I am pretty afraid mine would be psychiatric. I already have psychiatric disabilities and one of the boosters sent me into a complete spiral for a day. I'd hate to see what it did long-term.
I was pretty healthy and young and now have POTS, ME/CFS, my hair is falling out, and chronic pain like you wouldn’t believe. And my infection was 10 months ago.
No. I have Long COVID and have to be careful not to get reinfected because my immune system is fucked. There are FB groups called “still coviding” and I know there’s at least one bar in Brooklyn that does a COVID safe open mic night.
I'm immunocompromised and thankfully can work remotely. I mask in public, particularly indoors and limit time spent in public indoor places. I mask outdoors in any type of crowd. I hope to continue to avoid getting infected. I'm at higher risk, there are few options for the immunocompromised now, and other people are masking less and being careless more. I don't want to risk more brain damage or blood clots.
It really can suck to still be holding back and taking precautions, but they gave up on public health measures and particularly on people like me. So, I'm just glad it's getting warmer and outdoor activities will become an option again.
I have lupus so I still wear a mask on subway and at work also in stores.My husband doesn’t so it’s kinda counterproductive because If he gets it guess who else is getting it?? Last time I had it I couldn’t breath and almost went to the ER.
I’m sorry that your husband doesn’t value your health more. I left a relationship like that mid-lockdown and it’s been so liberating not having to beg someone to do the bare minimum to protect me.
My friends have been suggesting the COVID meetups site which I haven’t used yet. Idk how much time/energy you have for advocacy but you’d probably find likeminded people in groups that are still campaigning for COVID safety (people’s CDC, mandate masks, act up NY, 504 Dems). Also if there’s any bookstores or event spaces near you that still have masking requirements, that might be a good place to mingle too.
Kids wear N95s to high school everyday but have to remove them to eat. We wear them everywhere indoors but once in a while we eat or drink indoors (taking risks basically for our mental health). Whole fam got Covid for the first time a month ago from our daughter. Both kids have bfs so we knew it could happen.
Why do people act as if making smarter choices is akin to giving up your whole life? I’m still making choices to avoid a vascular disease, yet that’s somehow the same as “living in fear”? Mitigating personal risk is not some insane way of living.
Anyways, speaking of which, I’m one of the ones still ‘Coviding’. No indoor dining, clubbing, bars, etc. When I do go somewhere indoors for fun I just wear my N95 and other personal precautions. But otherwise still masking at work and on transit. I may consider downgrading to KF94/KN95 if case load permits. Hopefully with the warmer weather we’ll get to that point.
I’m in two Still Coviding FB groups, both of which have meetups coming up. One for Young Adults with a NYC subgroup and one specifically for NYC. Like I said if you’re interested I can drop the links.
I still mask in a) places like the supermarket that I’m not there to socialize at, and b) crowded indoor spaces - I also consider the size of the space when deciding on this. If I’m going to a small dinner party I’ll leave it off, but I carry a kn95 with me everywhere I go.
But if you’re looking for a company, you should tell us about yourself. With no information on who you are or what age you are it’s kind of not as inviting to decide to hang out with you, you know?
I still mask outside and inside (when not home) at all times. I just attended PAX East, and mask was mandatory at all times except when in designated eating areas. And masking rules were very much obeyed by most if not all, which was achieved with very little noticeable enforcement. Good to see that folks can still be reasonable and respectful.
I’ve never had COVID. Vaccinated and boosted (once).
I take it as "eat at your own risk, and this is where you can take that risk so everyone else can avoid being in the risk area," because they are pragmatists.
You’re not alone.
I was super anal about wearing it around others *always*, indoors and outdoors (even walking my dog or going to a crowded beach- lmao *the stares you get when you arrive at the beach with a KN94 on your mug*).
I’ve eased up a bit this past month, especially outside, and guess what?
I got a sinus infection! ^yAy!
I mean, it’s not covid, thank goodness (and I’ve never had it- *knock on wood*); but, still, I was mad at myself, I had not been sick or had allergies for the past 3 years- like *at all*.
Masking made a huge difference in my quality of life. I used to get sinus infections and tonsillitis *super* often (like at least once every month or two).
Masks were miraculous, I was loving life, not feeling sick, not having my immune system freaking out all the time (which was leading to CFS-like symptoms, inflammation and joint pain).
I had almost forgotten how much it sucks to get sick, how much time & energy it drains out of you, *the pain*, the fevers, ugh.
So, yeah, I’m with you.
Keep staying safe.
Wash hands and wear masks when around others, it’s quite simple.
I’m still cautious. Ironically we as a family avoided Coronavirus completely for the last 3 years. Two weeks ago my wife, my son, my in laws and myself all tested positive. All fully vaccinated and thankful for that. My mother in law is elderly and had a 103 fever and low O2. My wife was very sick for 3 weeks. My son kicked it in about two- three days ( 8 yrs old ) and I had what I would call a bad cold or a mild flu. Kicked it in about a week. I credit the quick recovery to the vaccine, and healthy living. Truly. I think it’s dangerous to not get complacent. For seniors, it can be a very dangerous situation. My mother in law is 82.
You and your family are lucky and blessed but even those who are vaccinated and living healthy lives are at risk of Long COVID. It doesn’t discriminate. The narrative that only the elderly or informed get lasting problems is extremely dangerous.
We have a huge outbreak right now in Central Florida thanks to Spring Breakers. I’m on day 9. I think I might survive. It was the sickest I’ve ever been in my life. My father-in-law is still in the hospital. Everyone is our family got hit.
Still masking indoors in all places when outside of our home. I mask outdoors if I’m in a crowded area. If I’m outside and no one else is nearby and there’s good airflow, I’ll go without one. We’re usually comfortable with outdoor dining as long as it’s not crowded, there’s decent space between tables and the air isn’t stagnant.
Still masking all times indoors. No indoor restaurants. But, I'm not confident it's the right call anymore. Dismantling all the testing infrastructure makes making an educated decision difficult.
There’s also nyc wastewater data. There’s 2 sources in Manhattan, one of which I believe covers parts of the Bronx and Brooklyn as well. Per March 21st they were at the “High COVID” level
Masks everywhere always. Avoid crowds/ no dining indoors. I've had long covid for 3 years. Covid is still here, it's still a level 3 pathogen, its still causing severe immune dysregulation and organ damage. Thats not changing anytime soon. Ya'll can go frying off whats left of your T cells but I'm not playing that game.
I am still masking, most times I am the lone person in a store ( drugstore/ grocery) who is. I still have large grocery orders delivered and I don’t eat out or do gatherings outside my family. Maybe overcautious, but I don’t think so. Yes, I am fully vaxed and boostered.
I decided I don't want to catch COVID from strangers so I still mask up N95 on train, airplane, DMV, etc. Not masking around close friends, or dining out (rarely once every 3 months maybe), not masking with small group I work with but I'll mask at a large work meeting.
My mom is immune compromised so a week before I visit I wear a mask everywhere except with close friends or with a couple people I work with only. She's dealing with long COVID right now so I'm not just worried about COVID; I also don't want to give her the flu or other various illnesses going around - which masks also help prevent.
I've caught COVID once and definitely do not want it again and scared to death of long COVID. Still I take some risks, I just try and be smart about dumb risks. i.e. going out to a bar once a month won't get you COVID, but going out to a bar 3 times a week will definitely get you COVID (and possibly an alcohol problem)
I know people at work who had it last week. One had bad lung issues too. It’s definitely not over.
I still mask indoors and in crowds if I’m walking through busier parts of the city. The mask wearing has definitely dropped off though.
I only mask on transit. Seems like about a third of the people in the subway mask. Maybe its less than that. Maybe its a quarter. I mask at work sometimes but I work in construction so, there’s lots of stuff other than Covid particles Im trying to avoid breathing in. I’ve been to a few concerts where I haven’t masked and I was surprised I didn’t get Covid. I guess the vaccine is working.
im still ultra-cautious and im here if you want someone to talk to 💖 i rarely go anywhere cause i’m high-risk and when i get the courage to go places i constantly wear an N95. but it totally feels like i’m the only one a lot of the time
i still wear a mask going into any stores and going to my doctor appointments. i’m 7 months pregnant and just got covid in February after i helped out at my mom’s business and worked with people who weren’t feeling well and kept taking their masks off. i’ve been working from home since i became pregnant and the one time i work in close proximity with other people, i got sick lol. i’m not as crazy about wearing my mask as i used to be but i definitely don’t want to get sick again.
Still masking. Anywhere indoors. The end. I feel more comfortable wearing my mask in Homecrest where we live than when we go into downtown Brooklyn or Manhattan. There’s just more people masking here, especially in the Chinese community.
I work at a college, I mask whenever I am in a classroom or other high traffic place. Also on the subways religiously.
I used to mask 100% of the times indoors, but I am relaxed a bit, like when I am in my office alone or with one co worker who is distant. Like someone else noted, I had something that wasn't covid a week ago. It was my first sickness outside of covid in three years and I was a little perplexed at what to do, so I just stayed home for a few days and masked when I got back and was symptom free.
Still masking on mass transit (bus, plane, subway) and at work. Prefer to dine outside, but will tentatively inside if it’s not crowded (I know that one’s taking a chance). I’m one of very few still masking at work. Meh, I figure it doesn’t hurt anyone if I’m masking, and it’s protecting me.
Haven’t yet had COVID and I’m trying to ride that out as long as I can. We have a ton of tests due to my kid’s school sending them home every week.
How old are you? There *is* the Still Coviding NYC Facebook group, but it was only recently created so membership is small and probably won’t grow very much more. It also skews older in membership. Nothing wrong with that but I personally am prioritizing finding folks my age. I think they have another one of the monthly meetups this weekend.
If you’re a young adult, I can paste a link to the Young Adults Still Coviding FB group. There’s a sub-chat for those located in NYC and it sounds like we’re trying to organize our first meet up soon. Feel free to msg me or reply here if you’re interested and I can pass along the info!
Hey okdokke! I’m in my early 20s and am in that group. Not sure if you’re considerably younger than that. Feel free to DM me if you like for more info. We have monthly events, so it could be worth attending one and seeing if you vibe with anyone / maybe some younger folks than you’re expecting would be there. Based on a pure guess, I found the median age to be early 30s / late 20s. Most people in the group don’t have kids (and are thus slightly younger) since there is a separate group for parents in NYC.
I still mask outside and inside (when not home) at all times. I just attended PAX East, and mask was mandatory at all times except when in designated eating areas. And masking rules were very much obeyed by most if not all, which was achieved with very little noticeable enforcement. Good to see that folks can still be reasonable and respectful.
I've never had COVID. Vaccinated and boosted (once).
I am. SO many people are not. I’ve loosened up a bit in the past month but still mask on train, markets, etc. Have done a few indoor restaurant situations. I was in a coffee shop for the first time in forever and amazed how crowded it was, and, how, for so many people, Covid was over. That’s a good question re: meeting up with like-minded folks.
I still mask on transit, in stores, the movies and at the office. It’s a gamble and it’s not worth it for those places. I will gamble to socialize but I go out less than before so…
mask on trains + anytime that’s unexpectedly been crowded has been so nice. i’ll probably have one on me forever at this point but the pandemic is over. get vaccinated
I still mask on the trains, stores, etc and very rarely eat in a restaurant (only when there's few people in it).
I got covid for the first time in January and I definitely don't want to go through that again.
Serious question for those that are still masking everywhere: when will it be over for you?
Deaths are around 300 a week now. So about 15k a year. This is in the range of the flu. For vaccinated people without comorbidities, the risk of Covid is actually lower than the flu (I’m vaxed and triple boosted). They’ve said Covid is endemic - like the flu, it’ll never go away. At what point do we return back to normal?
COVID is the 3rd leading cause of death in the US. And that doesn’t even include the complications it causes like stroke, heart attack, and organ failure. Between 5-20% of COVID cases wind up with Long COVID, like me. I’ve been disabled for almost a year and had good health before my infection. I’d rather wear a mask than die or become further disabled.
Do you think we’re all running around out here getting covid all the time? I havent worn a mask practically at all the past two years besides for like going to the doctor office and although I did get it once last summer (it was like a bad cold for me), I havent gotten anything more than the sniffles since and am feeling quite healthy, as are all my friends, colleagues and acquaintances who are in similar boats
What I’m saying is that we are NOT all getting covid all the time. I don’t know your exact situation but just want you to be informed of what is really going on out here
I’d argue that I’m more informed, since I follow immunologists, infectious disease doctors, pathologists, and research labs, partially because my life depends on it. But “you do you”.
It'll be over once the risk returns to pre-COVID levels. Once we're not seeing COVID as one of the leading causes of death in our country (third leading cause of death in 2022). Once we have a way to address the issues caused by long COVID, which has knocked out a noticeable number of working age, presumably fairly healthy people.
I take whatever precautions are wise based on the risk I'm faced with. I wouldn't drive without a seatbelt, I wouldn't cycle without a helmet, and I wouldn't go into a crowded, potentially poorly ventilated indoor space without a mask at this point.
I’m not sure where you are, but in the US, *right now,* deaths are at ≈2,000 per week.
^https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home
That said, even 300 per week is too many.
Each one of those hypothetical 300 you mentioned are people, humans like you and me, with lives, families, hopes and dreams, and a desire to continue living- many of them people who would not have died a pretty horrible, isolated death “before their time”, if it weren’t for COVID.
When does it end for me? I don’t know. I don’t mind them at all, though.
>Each one of those hypothetical 300 you mentioned are people, humans like you and me
This is where I will never understand how people get past this. People say “Oh, it’s only the disabled and elderly who will die or get really sick. Oh, those who would have already got it the worst have already died. Get over it, the majority of us will be fine.”
Do they not realize that one of those hypothetical 300 that they are okay with letting get infected and die may very well be one of the people they are saying that to? Saying to our faces, I’m okay with letting you get really sick, even if it means long term disability? News flash: we’re still here. You just like to think, or rather believe that we aren’t because you don’t see us in your everyday lives. Have they ever thought that the reason they don’t see us is because it’s quite literally dangerous for us?
It’s such a fucking gut punch. What happened to people caring about one another? US culture is so hyper individualistic, it’s insane. It’s not like I’m asking everyone to give up their individual rights. It’s always framed as, “Why should I give up my rights for yours?” All I would’ve liked was collective masking, especially in essential areas like transit, doctor’s offices and grocery stores. If everyone masked then we could all have more equitable access to daily life and leisure - which yes, includes indoor activities. Look at the nations which have a more collectivist mindset - they were able to adapt to living with Covid much better.
When does it end.. as if we have any control over it. Sorry for the venting, but some of the replies on this thread are just not it.
I don’t treat the deaths minimally. I treat them pragmatically.
First: vaccinated people are no more likely to die from Covid than they are the flu.
Second: at this point, If you’re WILLINGLY unvaccinated and you die, that’s your fault. Im not going to change my behavior for an idiot that believes the vaccines are unsafe. I get it. Those people have family (some ARE my family). But I can’t control the world.
Third: on the theme of not controlling the world. This really sucks for people with comorbidities and diseases, I get that. The elderly are at higher risk too. But we as a human race are never going to not have respiratory diseases. And we’re never going to switch to wearing masks as a primary garment. So at some point (and the world has already picked that point), we decided the at-risk people need to be cautious and the rest of us will risk it.
This is just pragmatism. Not callousness or flippancy to human life.
The flu does not peak several times per year so you’ll have to pick another comparison. It might be 300 this week and 1000 next week, just look at other nations to see this at work.
FYI the mortality rate, which I’m sure is off by your citation, stops counting on day 28. if you die on day 29 it does not count. If you die 6 months later because of a Covid induced stroke, heart attack, etc same thing.
Is HIV, or pick your pathogen, over? has everyone gone back to normal or do people use precautions adequate to the threat?
You cannot compare putting on a condom for sex to wearing a mask everywhere, or HIV and COVID for thar matter, considering there is no HIV vaccine available to the public yet.
Covid is exactly like HIV. It does the exact same thing to your T cells. Only HIV drs and researchers are saying covid is worse because it does the same amount of damage in a much shorter time frame. The current covid vaccines dont even work that well anymore, because covid mutates too fast, which is the same reason we dont have a working vaccine for HIV. At least we HIV has antivirals that can keep it under control. We dont have any form of treatment for long covid.
> Covid is exactly like HIV.
aaaaannnnddd this is where this leg of the conversation dies.
- HIV, if left untreated is 100% fatal
- HIV is transmitted by sexy fluid and blood, not because someone near you was breathing.
- The mechanisms of spread and prevention are worlds apart for the 2 diseases.
So sorry, I don’t think you’re having cogent thoughts on this.
Its literally already been confirmed that covid does the exact same thing to your T cells that HIV does. It hides in little viral reservoir pockets the same way too. It has the same impact on your body and immune system. The fact that it is airborne and easily spread by aerosols makes it a million times WORSE.
I know this is really scary and uncomfortable information, but its true. Go look it up. Theres already piles of evidence confirming it. You're not going to be able to "lalalala I cant hear you" out of this one.
I've had Long Covid for 3 years, so I've been actively following every bit of science that comes out.
[https://whn.global/scientific/covid19-immune-dysregulation/](https://whn.global/scientific/covid19-immune-dysregulation/) lots of further links in here.
[https://www.msdmanuals.com/en-au/professional/hematology-and-oncology/leukopenias/lymphocytopenia](https://www.msdmanuals.com/en-au/professional/hematology-and-oncology/leukopenias/lymphocytopenia)
not my compilation but [https://raindrop.io/JW\_Lists/covid-and-the-immune-system-30487300?utm\_source=substack&utm\_medium=email](https://raindrop.io/JW_Lists/covid-and-the-immune-system-30487300?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email)
theres so much out there just googling covid and T cells will keep you easily occupied for hours/ days. We knew this was causing severe immune system damage all the way back to early 2020. It doesnt take a severe case to cause a ton of damage and the damage accumulates the more times you get reinfected. Virus do not strengthen your immune systems kids- they destroy them.
yeah that's bullshit. Covid is closer to HIV than the cold or flu. It does the exact same thing to your T cells that HIV does. (dont believe me, look it up. There's plenty of information about it out there). Thats serious immune system damage, not to mention damage to every single organ system in your body. Each infection is an automatic decade off your life.
Say what now? Auto decade off your life?! Hyperbole like this is asinine
Edit: decade off your life has some real “let’s put bleach and light INSIDE the body to kill the virus” energy to it. Very trumpy approach to the truth!
Yeah, you know all those tests they run? Bloodwork, MRIS, scans, biopsies, etc? Those give drs "life meters". They tell you when your body is damaged which generally is an indicator of how much longer you're expected to be around. When you nuke your T cells and destroy your vascular system, that amount of time is very short. Drs giving an estimated time left is not anything absurd or new. Your "gotcha" moment just made you look even more dumb and ignorant.
Once you nuke your T cells, that leaves your body vulnerable to everything imaginable - cancer, viruses, fungal infections (if you havent noticed thats a big one going around currently) any illness you come across you will not be able to handle the way you would have with a previously full-functioning immune system. (see: millions of people wondering why they've been nonstop sick the past few years) Your chances of developing MS, Parkinson's, Alzheimers, all the other horrific illnesses skyrocket. Not to mention all the vascular damage (see: the insane increase in strokes/ heart attack, etc). Your immune system can not just bounce back from that level of damage (again, HIV/ AIDS levels of damage). Ya'll can go read up immunology 101 and why you need T cells to not die. I wish I was making this shit up, but unfortunately this is the severity of the situation at hand.
There's an enormous mountain of science backing up everything I said. You're welcome to educate yourself, but I know you won't and will continue to be an ignorant twat. I dont really care. Most of these people will go on to develop horrible illnesses decades earlier than they otherwise would have, die much younger, and have a reduced quality of life. (yes, theres also mountain of articles published already on the links between covid and developing all of these diseases). You can call me crazy all you want- its not going to change reality. Take a look at the most recently updated life expectancy chart and LMK how the good ol US of A is doing there.
Covid effects your immune system the same way hiv does via T cell damage and viral persistence. There's plenty of publications that will explain this to you. I know, learning things about physiology and science isn't very easy. There's a lot of big words that are very hard for you. Again, you can call me crazy as many times as you want. You saying I'm crazy is an *opinion*, my telling you covid destroys your t cells and causes immune dysregulation is a fact. Opinions do not override facts, you daft, ignorant, uneducated fool.
Ok you can take your google degree and prove that each infection of Covid means a decade less of life. I’ll wait. But until then know you are the same problem as that indicted asshole advocating for sunlight in the body. Mental twins you two
Bluestockings bookstore typically requires masks at their events; not sure if that’s your scene though. I am still being cautious, and it definitely makes it harder to make new friends.
I’m an elementary music teacher and am the only staff in my building who still masks. I have two students (out of 290) that still do. I mask everywhere I go including visiting family and do my best to avoid high risk situations. I do curbside pickup, get food to go, etc. I haven’t flown at all. Besides going to work and running errands, the only extra places I go are salons. I caught covid once when I started teaching and don’t want to get it ever again. I upgraded to KN95s and have been covid free for over a year.
i still mask in elevators and over half crowded shops and busses.
btw, all the people i know catching covid, get it on airplanes
from mildly sick people nearby who no longer give a shit.
I keep my mask on 90% of the time and got exposed on a girls’ trip. I’m so sad lmfaoo it’s not really their fault cuz they’re healthcare workers but still
I dont go to crowded spots or shop at peak hours or days sometime wear my n95 mask, I have even had all the vaccine boosters but still use hand sanitizer every time i get back in the car it made my wife crazy till mom got covid 2 months ago now she is back on board.
You’re not alone. I always mask indoors. I don’t stay indoors long, groceries is the longest. I don’t do indoor dining because COVID doesn’t pause when you eat or drink. I only hangout with friends outside. It’s tough and sucks. But preventing transmission is the only way to end a pandemic.
This is your answer though. Covid cautious folks are now and incredibly small minority - this group is organizing meetups in NYC, this is how you’ll meet likeminded people.
Personally I am done with it....but it's interesting how some of the stuff has become ingrained. I have a bad cold (and insisted on testing even though that is hard here ) and wore a mask (even though I cannot stand them) before seeing my elderly parents. I wouldn't have done either prior to covid, just avoided seeing them until I was totally fine. even for those of us who are done with the pandemic; and taking general precautions all the time, i think/hope will continue to take precautions when we are actually sick....I hope
You can check out the virtual events held by this still coviding group: https://twitter.com/covidisntover?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
I was fully vaxed and was within a week of getting my scheduled booster when I got Covid. Make of that what you will, but I can assure you I DO NOT want Covid again. I had a severe case and feel that had I not been vaccinated I wouldn’t be here. I continue to mask, avoid crowds and still have groceries delivered. I haven’t eaten out inside a restaurant in three years, don’t do movies, concerts or large family gatherings.
I have since had my booster.
Last April, my husband and I drove from Chicago to New York. In one day we visited the BBG, Queens Museum/Unisphere/NY Pavillion, Central Park, Modern Bread (to go order), By the Way Bakery (to go), Nespresso, Laduree (take out), Ralph Lauren coffee bar, Union Square Park, Senza Gluten (ate outside), Washington Square Park, Battery Park.
We used an N95 mask the entire time. We only took mask off in car and in dining pod outside Senza.
Here in Chicago I always have a mask on around people - indoors and outside. Even when pumping gas or walking to my mailbox. I will continue to do this.
Covid is not over.
Well, I watch NHK World Japan. They showed an animation (must have been 2020 or 2021) of how a group of people passed another (outdoors) and the passing wind had covid particles in it. This animation was based on an actual occurrence, verified with testing that the transmission happened between the passing groups.
I’m trying to minimize my chances.
We were at Brooklyn Botanical Garden when it opened. We only went into Queens Museum because it looked to be a very slow day. There was less than maybe 40 people (plus staff) in the entire building. We have been successful in doing “socially distant” travel this way.
I'm LI, not NYC, but yeah I still mask in all public indoor spaces, and outdoors if it's really crowded. Since I can tolerate masks pretty easily it's my ethical duty to help protect people.
Husband and I mask 100% of the time we’re outside of our house, yard, or car. We only get food to go. No big crowds like concerts. We’re masking because neither of us wants to roll the dice on a covid infection plus long covid risk and longterm damage. Covid is not over. People are getting covid three or four times or more. That damage is going to add up.
As a country, we need responsible adults and federal mandates for air filtration, rapid breath testing, a push and support for contagious people to be home, masking when cases are above low, monitored wastewater and cases publicly reported weekly, and etc. We also need new meds including a nasal vaccine. Rather than hold our breath waiting for any of this, my husband and I mask and avoid high risk situations as much as possible.
My brother is an organ transplant recipient and is immune-compromised due to the lifelong anti-rejection med he must take. He’s extremely vulnerable to even the more common viral and bacterial infections, so Covid-19 could potentially kill him. The pandemic is not over for him and may not be, ever. He hasn’t flown or eaten at an indoor restaurant in three years, must always mask, and his family likewise, as he is still high-risk. Sucks.
We mask anytime we leave our house, including outside, we homeschool the kids, my husband masks at work, we mask at all stores, etc. There are some pretty large still coviding groups on Facebook if you need support.
I find that the worst of the pandemic is over. We've reached the point where the most recent strain of the flu is more deadly than covid. The main concern is hospital capacity to handle the ones most ill because of the disease. Being cautious at this point is no longer worth it to me.
Please don't find this bashing. I totally respect people who wear masks and want to keep their distance and limit their exposure to the rest of the world. Just me personally after having it and being vaccinated and most people around me having the same status, I'm not being as cautious. When I do see and interact with people who wear masks, I make sure to keep my distance or I'll throw on a mask myself. It costs me so little to make sure others feel comfortable, so I do.
I have a newborn baby so we are avoiding indoor spaces (not like I go too many places anywhere ha), and my husband is masking on the train and in his office. We have people mask when holding her, and we see friends occasionally outside. We’re equally worried about rsv and other illnesses affecting her. We’ve each had covid and did fine with it, and we keep up with boosters and are very hygienic with hand washing. I think that’s the most we can do at this point. Once she’s older and the weather is better, we will probably go back to normal (but always mask on transit, and good hand washing). She’ll be in daycare starting sept so the illnesses will just come and come I’m sure.
I still mask on the subway and on airplanes but thats it. You all need to stop living in fear, live your lives, its not 2020/2021 anymore the virus is more of an endemic, our hospitals are not overrun anymore and have the means to treat it. Go, live your lives this post is so sad that people are still that afraid. Wear your mask and take your precautions if thats best for you, but there is no sense in putting down the rest of society that is just too damn tired and wants normalcy.
I have some friends who won't dine inside, period. They have kids. They are scared of long covid - I think its nuts. Like you are never going to dine out again?
Who gives a fuck about dining indoors when a virus can leave you permanently disabled for the rest of your life? Sitting in a restaurant isnt exactly a thrilling adventure and not how I measure a good time.
Do you ride in cars? Becoming permanently disabled is more likely from a car crash than getting long covid from dining out. I dunno, when does one stop being that risk-conscious?
I wear a seat belt and follow the speed limit when I drive in a car. You can do things and make smart choices that will lower inherent risks. There are currently at least 30 million people in the US alone with long covid, and thats considered to be a vast underestimate. Many people catch covid from indoor dining, and many people get permanently disabled from long covid, even kids. Since most people dont get into car crashes multiple times a year, you are statistically more likely to get disabled from catching covid dining than a car accident.
Sorry, I cant go live my life because Ive been disabled by long covid for the last 3 years. Dont worry, you'll get to be disabled too eventually, whether it takes 3 or 5 infections to get there.
Yes you’re one of the few. You can be as cautious as you like but Covid will likely stick around. You just have to move on with your life at some point.
Taking appropriate precautions and moving on with your life aren’t mutually exclusive. I’m not hanging onto COVID related news and developments like I was a year ago. I’m also continuing to mask, because the new reality is that there’s a fairly common, fairly dangerous illness floating around. Sometimes what life looks like changes, and COVID turned out to be one of those events that changed things long term.
If you want to continue to mask then do it. I didn’t say otherwise.
But the idea that the pandemic isn’t over is ludicrous. It’s practically over. Go back to your life and be as cautious as you want to. Even my doctor friends don’t mask up anywhere they go. That tells me something about the seriousness of it right now.
It was the third highest cause of death in 2022. There's plenty of economic analysis showing that long COVID's a significant issue. Seems serious enough to me.
I plan to! I follow the data, not feelings, and until it’s not a significant cause of both death and disability, it’s only rational to continue to take precautions.
Why are you still living like the pandemic is still going strong? Do you have an underlying condition? For most people, if you’ve been vaccinated and/or have already been infected, life goes on. I rarely ever hear about the pandemic anymore.
I think some people have legitimate cause to be cautious, though I wonder if they were as cautious about things like the flu before COVID. That being said, I truly believe there's a lot of mental illness that was exacerbated by the pandemic. Anxiety and paranoia have always been a challenge for some folks and fear of catching COVID at this point is just an avenue for that.
I know I'll probably get down voted in this sub for it because people take offense to the suggestion that they might have an issue, but people who are still avoiding things like restaurants and are wearing a mask in public, even when they're feeling fine, really need to consider if they have other problems they need to seek help with.
COVID isn't even a topic of conversation in most circles anymore, the vast majority of people have gone back to life as normal months if not years ago. People who are still very worried are in the extreme minority now.
I assume you are looking for in person gatherings. Please correct me if I am wrong. If you’re looking for any kind of actual social gathering and feel that you’d like to gather in a space with others who are “COVID cautious”, you’re just a massive hypocrite. This is no different from the alcoholic looking down on the heroine addict. Clearly, you are looking to take some risk to have social interaction, but you feel that you are hedging that risk significantly as long as you wear a mask. You’re NOT. There have been studies saying masking is ineffective. Aside from the fact that you are only *moderately* attempting to hedge COVID transmission, you consider your level of risk management as morally superior. Perhaps I am misinterpreting your stance, but if this is really how you feel, get off your high horse and stop being ridiculous. I was an early and enthusiastic vaccine recipient and remote worker. COVID is now unfortunately a part of life that we should work to reduce transmission of as much as we do the common cold. If you’re sick, stay home. But we don’t contact trace colds. If you’re still looking down on other peoples COVID precautions, you’re really being stupid and I have no problem telling you my stance.
Scientists really went out of their way to demonstrate how masks work and why they’re effective, via animations combined with the amount of particles that are being stopped by the mask wearer.
We used to have this saying “You’re entitled to your own opinion but not to your own facts.” But I know we’re way past this point and ignorance is idolized every day in this country and doubled down on, so…
Lmao “bECAUse aN AnIMatIoN SAys iT wOrKed”…
https://www.newsweek.com/fauci-said-masks-not-really-effective-keeping-out-virus-email-reveals-1596703?amp=1
I’ll leave this here…
Ahh the circle of Reddit. I love seeing this question popping up on covid subs lately. Your question is like going to a bar right outside of Yankee Stadium on opening day, and asking customers if they like baseball.
Virus’s don’t ever go away. There’s no need for you to be cautious unless you have a weakened immune system, which I then would completely understand. I mean it’s just like cold and flu season in the fact that when it comes around we should all make sure to wash our hands and cover our coughs.
My brother is an organ transplant recipient and is immune-compromised due to the lifelong anti-rejection med he must take. He’s extremely vulnerable to even the more common viral and bacterial infections, so Covid-19 could potentially kill him. The pandemic is not over for him and may not be, ever. He hasn’t flown or eaten at an indoor restaurant in three years, must always mask, and his family likewise, as he is still high-risk. Sucks.
I haven't worn a mask in about a year and a half. Subways, concerts, sporting events, restaurants etc. I haven't caught it. I'm not bragging, I'm just telling you my experience. I hope I don't ginx myself.
you're not alone. i have not left my apartment without a mask in now over three years. it's upsetting and thank you for continuing to treat this as seriously as you do
My brother is an organ transplant recipient and is immune-compromised due to the lifelong anti-rejection med he must take. He’s extremely vulnerable to even the more common viral and bacterial infections, so Covid-19 could potentially kill him. The pandemic is not over for him and may not be, ever. He hasn’t flown or eaten at an indoor restaurant in three years, must always mask, and his family likewise, as he is still high-risk. Sucks.
Same.
I was just at a conference with 6k+ attendees. Of healthcare professionals. I saw 5-6 masks tops.
Insane-if you look at the history of healthcare professionals, they are very poor role models in general
Sanity is knowing when masks serve a purpose. Not walking down the street by yourself, or driving alone in your car. I am still mandated to wear a mask at work, I go to my office shut the door, take it off, put it on to walk back and forth to the bathroom. I have zero face to face conversations in a typical day. Yet I’m still mandated to wear it because it is a healthcare setting. If I go into a patients room, interact with a family, go to a code I mask up because it’s logical to do so and has some merit. Even the most vigilant at our facility have been infected at least once. There are very very few unicorn uninfected left.
They can make sense driving alone in your car. If you are about to pick up someone who is immunocompromised, for example, and want to keep the air as safe as possible for them. Or just dropped off someone who has covid. I am just adding this because it's easy to judge the person wearing a mask alone in the car as over the top, but we can't know why they are doing that.
Also I sometimes just forget and I’m going about my business driving somewhere, damn don’t judge me
Noscomical infection rates 3 years in are a travesty
That’s been a trend for a very long time… Do they think they’re invincible bc they work in healthcare?
Why would you think you are more knowledgeable than people who are experts in their field?
Because even at the height of the pandemic there were plenty of medical people pretending the virus wasn’t real even as hospitals overflowed? Unless you meant that as a tongue in cheek joke
It's disingenuous to present that as if that was the case for the majority. Well less than 1% of medical professionals in NY were part of the group that threw a fit about the mandatory vaccination. It wasn't a widespread problem in the medical field.
The hospitals haven't been overflowing for awhile now. It's over. Time to move on.
Oh NOW the docs are always right, bit when they say to get your kids boosters amd wear masks they're wrong eh?
🤣
This is ignorant ☝️
I no longer trust doctors to protect my health.
I read through all the comments here — it’s interesting to see a wide array of risk tolerance here. That’s what it really boils down to. Ask me this question in 2021 and I’d say I wear a cloth mask on transit and when shopping. Ask me in 2022 and I’d say the same but with a KN95. Ask me now, after a recent COVID infection sent me to the ER and gave me a heart condition, and I say I wear an N95 everywhere indoors. I don’t dine in. I only socialize outside. It’s all risk tolerance. How bad do you want to avoid COVID? For me, I really do. But the people who mask only on trains, etc — yes that mitigates your risk. But it means nothing if you catch COVID at a concert or a restaurant or a bar. I hope people don’t develop post-COVID sequelae like I did. But I’d be remiss not to say that I didn’t understand the severity of long COVID until it happened to me.
I just tell my friends and my family that they have to make their own decisions about what is important, your health or “getting back to normal”. I feel that I have pretty much gone back to normal except for dining inside. I just do it with precautions.
Hey, sorry you have the Ever-Rona too. ❤️🩹😷💪 Stay strong and solidarity.
Stealing Ever-Rona. Typing out Long COVID has gotten so tiresome, and nobody knows what PASC means. Ever-Rona has a nice sparkle to it
Lol 😝 Go for it. Have to help myself laugh about it so I don’t cry 😅
I'm with you there. Work at Mount Sinai and most of us in the lab wear masks. I wear a mask on the train, bus, and most stores
You’re not the only one. I’m still covid cautious because I have very good reasons to be. The 1918 flu pandemic took about 5 years to settle into endemicity, so that’s my projected timeline, and hopefully we get a sterilizing vaccine. This folder of covid studies (masks, vaccines, air filtration, testing data, etc.) was shared in r/zerocovidcommunity and it’s helpful to have up to date scientific research handy when faced with people who aren’t informed and are wrapped up in the social opiate of cognitive dissonance and denial. https://www.zotero.org/groups/5006109/covidstudies/library Sure, some nurses making $60k/yr say covid is over for them but if you look at the precautions taken at the most recent WEF meeting in Davos, those people don’t believe it’s a little cold, and those people are really pulling the strings. They don’t care if little guys get covid at school, Applebee’s or wherever 7 times and have a stroke at 43, there’s another little guy ready to jump right in to his job for $10k less. But I get it, capitalists want everyone to sacrifice their bodies for the economy, and living with a critical lense on our current reality is isolating and exhausting. I can very clearly see that no one else will look out for me, so I have to look out for myself. However, I think it’s important to take some calculated risks, so I do, and use a nasal rinse after. But raw-dogging germy strangers’ air on the subway or grocery store everyday just isn’t it for me. Wishing you well OP. Hope you can get the community and support you need and have a great summer.
“Raw-dogging germy strangers’ air” is one of the best phrases I’ve ever heard. I mask with KN95 always indoors and will be adopting this for everyone who keeps asking why. Thank you for your eloquence.
Exactly. WSJ and Financial Times have already called this a “mass disabling event” through an economic lens. I don’t know why people are so apathetic about a virus that can cause issues of every single organ system for “months and years after infection.” - The CDC, 2 months ago
thank you for this post! it validates what i know and understand… im immunocompromised, and had covid then a pneumonia that almost ended me. its hard when everyone is “over” covid, yet there are so many vulnerable and apparently disposable people that still struggle…
Excellent reply, thanks for these resources. Second everything you said heavily.
Thank you, I learned something new. I was wondering when the disease would stabilize and when it might be safe to unmask. And yes, "social opiate of cognitive dissonance and denial".
Immunocompromised & receiving treatment for multiple myeloma. Still masking.
I still wear masks on the subway and in medical offices.
I work in a school. I still mask. About half of the kids still do so it’s good for them to adults that still do and not feel funny about it.
After 3 years of being very careful, our entire family came down with COVID this week. I will continue to mask in public spaces that are crowded. For me I don’t want this again if at all possible to avoid.
Mask on planes, trains, and automobiles. I know my local cafe and restaurants that have slow hours to go to if I want to feel like a normal person. Punk shows and perreo were my thing and I just haven't been to anything (and bummed there isn't more pushing for masking in crowds at least as a semi-mitigating factor). I've been to a few small events where people were masking as a policy. I'm not perfect but fuck man, I still put the legwork in. I don't want it, and I don't want to spread it. I don't know. It's a grind. I do the "do I want COVID to go see Propagandhi?" math (or whatever band I really love). I know my friends are pretty conscious also so I have some people to be around. Just... I don't know. I know they are working on a root vaccine and not just maintenance but ugh. Tired also.
As someone with Long COVID, thank you and you don’t want this. ❤️🩹😷
Yeah, I was working in a healthcare setting briefly during the time most people consider "peak" and had some patients with pretty severe long covid responses from early cases. Likely permanent mobility issues, speech disabilities. I am pretty afraid mine would be psychiatric. I already have psychiatric disabilities and one of the boosters sent me into a complete spiral for a day. I'd hate to see what it did long-term.
I was pretty healthy and young and now have POTS, ME/CFS, my hair is falling out, and chronic pain like you wouldn’t believe. And my infection was 10 months ago.
So very sorry to hear that
No. I have Long COVID and have to be careful not to get reinfected because my immune system is fucked. There are FB groups called “still coviding” and I know there’s at least one bar in Brooklyn that does a COVID safe open mic night.
Join the NYC group if you’re interested OP! We have events outdoors + prior testing + masking 98% of the time.
Mind dropping the name of the bar? Much appreciated
Found the tweet: https://twitter.com/rnussbaum11/status/1633291563081031682?s=46&t=AFkLApkKu1Ghumn57InU0w
Thanks!
I'm immunocompromised and thankfully can work remotely. I mask in public, particularly indoors and limit time spent in public indoor places. I mask outdoors in any type of crowd. I hope to continue to avoid getting infected. I'm at higher risk, there are few options for the immunocompromised now, and other people are masking less and being careless more. I don't want to risk more brain damage or blood clots. It really can suck to still be holding back and taking precautions, but they gave up on public health measures and particularly on people like me. So, I'm just glad it's getting warmer and outdoor activities will become an option again.
Hey just wanted to say stay strong. I’m immunocompromised too and the world really sucks for us to live in right now. 😷💪 Solidarity.
I have lupus so I still wear a mask on subway and at work also in stores.My husband doesn’t so it’s kinda counterproductive because If he gets it guess who else is getting it?? Last time I had it I couldn’t breath and almost went to the ER.
I’m sorry that your husband doesn’t value your health more. I left a relationship like that mid-lockdown and it’s been so liberating not having to beg someone to do the bare minimum to protect me.
My friends have been suggesting the COVID meetups site which I haven’t used yet. Idk how much time/energy you have for advocacy but you’d probably find likeminded people in groups that are still campaigning for COVID safety (people’s CDC, mandate masks, act up NY, 504 Dems). Also if there’s any bookstores or event spaces near you that still have masking requirements, that might be a good place to mingle too.
We mask inside places and avoid dining inside with others.
I know two people who recently got covid, it's still out there but the media is reporting less about it, moved onto other things.
I still wear my mask indoors. You're not alone! Edit: I wear an N95. Also, my partner still wears and N95 indoors.
Kids wear N95s to high school everyday but have to remove them to eat. We wear them everywhere indoors but once in a while we eat or drink indoors (taking risks basically for our mental health). Whole fam got Covid for the first time a month ago from our daughter. Both kids have bfs so we knew it could happen.
Why do people act as if making smarter choices is akin to giving up your whole life? I’m still making choices to avoid a vascular disease, yet that’s somehow the same as “living in fear”? Mitigating personal risk is not some insane way of living. Anyways, speaking of which, I’m one of the ones still ‘Coviding’. No indoor dining, clubbing, bars, etc. When I do go somewhere indoors for fun I just wear my N95 and other personal precautions. But otherwise still masking at work and on transit. I may consider downgrading to KF94/KN95 if case load permits. Hopefully with the warmer weather we’ll get to that point. I’m in two Still Coviding FB groups, both of which have meetups coming up. One for Young Adults with a NYC subgroup and one specifically for NYC. Like I said if you’re interested I can drop the links.
I still mask in a) places like the supermarket that I’m not there to socialize at, and b) crowded indoor spaces - I also consider the size of the space when deciding on this. If I’m going to a small dinner party I’ll leave it off, but I carry a kn95 with me everywhere I go. But if you’re looking for a company, you should tell us about yourself. With no information on who you are or what age you are it’s kind of not as inviting to decide to hang out with you, you know?
I still mask outside and inside (when not home) at all times. I just attended PAX East, and mask was mandatory at all times except when in designated eating areas. And masking rules were very much obeyed by most if not all, which was achieved with very little noticeable enforcement. Good to see that folks can still be reasonable and respectful. I’ve never had COVID. Vaccinated and boosted (once).
What good is a mask policy when there's a designated eating area where everyone takes them off? Does the virus respect the eating area?
I take it as "eat at your own risk, and this is where you can take that risk so everyone else can avoid being in the risk area," because they are pragmatists.
You’re not alone. I was super anal about wearing it around others *always*, indoors and outdoors (even walking my dog or going to a crowded beach- lmao *the stares you get when you arrive at the beach with a KN94 on your mug*). I’ve eased up a bit this past month, especially outside, and guess what? I got a sinus infection! ^yAy! I mean, it’s not covid, thank goodness (and I’ve never had it- *knock on wood*); but, still, I was mad at myself, I had not been sick or had allergies for the past 3 years- like *at all*. Masking made a huge difference in my quality of life. I used to get sinus infections and tonsillitis *super* often (like at least once every month or two). Masks were miraculous, I was loving life, not feeling sick, not having my immune system freaking out all the time (which was leading to CFS-like symptoms, inflammation and joint pain). I had almost forgotten how much it sucks to get sick, how much time & energy it drains out of you, *the pain*, the fevers, ugh. So, yeah, I’m with you. Keep staying safe. Wash hands and wear masks when around others, it’s quite simple.
I’m still cautious. Ironically we as a family avoided Coronavirus completely for the last 3 years. Two weeks ago my wife, my son, my in laws and myself all tested positive. All fully vaccinated and thankful for that. My mother in law is elderly and had a 103 fever and low O2. My wife was very sick for 3 weeks. My son kicked it in about two- three days ( 8 yrs old ) and I had what I would call a bad cold or a mild flu. Kicked it in about a week. I credit the quick recovery to the vaccine, and healthy living. Truly. I think it’s dangerous to not get complacent. For seniors, it can be a very dangerous situation. My mother in law is 82.
You and your family are lucky and blessed but even those who are vaccinated and living healthy lives are at risk of Long COVID. It doesn’t discriminate. The narrative that only the elderly or informed get lasting problems is extremely dangerous.
We have a huge outbreak right now in Central Florida thanks to Spring Breakers. I’m on day 9. I think I might survive. It was the sickest I’ve ever been in my life. My father-in-law is still in the hospital. Everyone is our family got hit.
Hope it works out well for y’all
Still masking indoors in all places when outside of our home. I mask outdoors if I’m in a crowded area. If I’m outside and no one else is nearby and there’s good airflow, I’ll go without one. We’re usually comfortable with outdoor dining as long as it’s not crowded, there’s decent space between tables and the air isn’t stagnant.
Still masking all times indoors. No indoor restaurants. But, I'm not confident it's the right call anymore. Dismantling all the testing infrastructure makes making an educated decision difficult.
“The people’s CDC” website publishes wastewater data which helps get a vague idea of how much transmission there is. 😕 it’s not great though.
There’s also nyc wastewater data. There’s 2 sources in Manhattan, one of which I believe covers parts of the Bronx and Brooklyn as well. Per March 21st they were at the “High COVID” level
You can say that again
Masks everywhere always. Avoid crowds/ no dining indoors. I've had long covid for 3 years. Covid is still here, it's still a level 3 pathogen, its still causing severe immune dysregulation and organ damage. Thats not changing anytime soon. Ya'll can go frying off whats left of your T cells but I'm not playing that game.
I am still masking, most times I am the lone person in a store ( drugstore/ grocery) who is. I still have large grocery orders delivered and I don’t eat out or do gatherings outside my family. Maybe overcautious, but I don’t think so. Yes, I am fully vaxed and boostered.
I got my fifth shot and I still 😷 up
I decided I don't want to catch COVID from strangers so I still mask up N95 on train, airplane, DMV, etc. Not masking around close friends, or dining out (rarely once every 3 months maybe), not masking with small group I work with but I'll mask at a large work meeting. My mom is immune compromised so a week before I visit I wear a mask everywhere except with close friends or with a couple people I work with only. She's dealing with long COVID right now so I'm not just worried about COVID; I also don't want to give her the flu or other various illnesses going around - which masks also help prevent. I've caught COVID once and definitely do not want it again and scared to death of long COVID. Still I take some risks, I just try and be smart about dumb risks. i.e. going out to a bar once a month won't get you COVID, but going out to a bar 3 times a week will definitely get you COVID (and possibly an alcohol problem)
I know people at work who had it last week. One had bad lung issues too. It’s definitely not over. I still mask indoors and in crowds if I’m walking through busier parts of the city. The mask wearing has definitely dropped off though.
I only mask on transit. Seems like about a third of the people in the subway mask. Maybe its less than that. Maybe its a quarter. I mask at work sometimes but I work in construction so, there’s lots of stuff other than Covid particles Im trying to avoid breathing in. I’ve been to a few concerts where I haven’t masked and I was surprised I didn’t get Covid. I guess the vaccine is working.
im still ultra-cautious and im here if you want someone to talk to 💖 i rarely go anywhere cause i’m high-risk and when i get the courage to go places i constantly wear an N95. but it totally feels like i’m the only one a lot of the time
I mask inside always
i still wear a mask going into any stores and going to my doctor appointments. i’m 7 months pregnant and just got covid in February after i helped out at my mom’s business and worked with people who weren’t feeling well and kept taking their masks off. i’ve been working from home since i became pregnant and the one time i work in close proximity with other people, i got sick lol. i’m not as crazy about wearing my mask as i used to be but i definitely don’t want to get sick again.
I work in retail and my mask is on from the second I leave my place til I get back.
Still masking. Anywhere indoors. The end. I feel more comfortable wearing my mask in Homecrest where we live than when we go into downtown Brooklyn or Manhattan. There’s just more people masking here, especially in the Chinese community.
I work at a college, I mask whenever I am in a classroom or other high traffic place. Also on the subways religiously. I used to mask 100% of the times indoors, but I am relaxed a bit, like when I am in my office alone or with one co worker who is distant. Like someone else noted, I had something that wasn't covid a week ago. It was my first sickness outside of covid in three years and I was a little perplexed at what to do, so I just stayed home for a few days and masked when I got back and was symptom free.
Still masking on mass transit (bus, plane, subway) and at work. Prefer to dine outside, but will tentatively inside if it’s not crowded (I know that one’s taking a chance). I’m one of very few still masking at work. Meh, I figure it doesn’t hurt anyone if I’m masking, and it’s protecting me. Haven’t yet had COVID and I’m trying to ride that out as long as I can. We have a ton of tests due to my kid’s school sending them home every week.
How old are you? There *is* the Still Coviding NYC Facebook group, but it was only recently created so membership is small and probably won’t grow very much more. It also skews older in membership. Nothing wrong with that but I personally am prioritizing finding folks my age. I think they have another one of the monthly meetups this weekend. If you’re a young adult, I can paste a link to the Young Adults Still Coviding FB group. There’s a sub-chat for those located in NYC and it sounds like we’re trying to organize our first meet up soon. Feel free to msg me or reply here if you’re interested and I can pass along the info!
Hey okdokke! I’m in my early 20s and am in that group. Not sure if you’re considerably younger than that. Feel free to DM me if you like for more info. We have monthly events, so it could be worth attending one and seeing if you vibe with anyone / maybe some younger folks than you’re expecting would be there. Based on a pure guess, I found the median age to be early 30s / late 20s. Most people in the group don’t have kids (and are thus slightly younger) since there is a separate group for parents in NYC.
My wife and I mask all the time. She’s IC due to cancer. Her home health nurse had to be asked to put on a mask🙄
I still mask outside and inside (when not home) at all times. I just attended PAX East, and mask was mandatory at all times except when in designated eating areas. And masking rules were very much obeyed by most if not all, which was achieved with very little noticeable enforcement. Good to see that folks can still be reasonable and respectful. I've never had COVID. Vaccinated and boosted (once).
>boosted (once) Did you get the bivalent booster? It is probably worth getting.
I am. SO many people are not. I’ve loosened up a bit in the past month but still mask on train, markets, etc. Have done a few indoor restaurant situations. I was in a coffee shop for the first time in forever and amazed how crowded it was, and, how, for so many people, Covid was over. That’s a good question re: meeting up with like-minded folks.
I still mask on transit, in stores, the movies and at the office. It’s a gamble and it’s not worth it for those places. I will gamble to socialize but I go out less than before so…
mask on trains + anytime that’s unexpectedly been crowded has been so nice. i’ll probably have one on me forever at this point but the pandemic is over. get vaccinated
I still mask on the trains, stores, etc and very rarely eat in a restaurant (only when there's few people in it). I got covid for the first time in January and I definitely don't want to go through that again.
Serious question for those that are still masking everywhere: when will it be over for you? Deaths are around 300 a week now. So about 15k a year. This is in the range of the flu. For vaccinated people without comorbidities, the risk of Covid is actually lower than the flu (I’m vaxed and triple boosted). They’ve said Covid is endemic - like the flu, it’ll never go away. At what point do we return back to normal?
COVID is the 3rd leading cause of death in the US. And that doesn’t even include the complications it causes like stroke, heart attack, and organ failure. Between 5-20% of COVID cases wind up with Long COVID, like me. I’ve been disabled for almost a year and had good health before my infection. I’d rather wear a mask than die or become further disabled.
Do you think we’re all running around out here getting covid all the time? I havent worn a mask practically at all the past two years besides for like going to the doctor office and although I did get it once last summer (it was like a bad cold for me), I havent gotten anything more than the sniffles since and am feeling quite healthy, as are all my friends, colleagues and acquaintances who are in similar boats
In short, yes. Perhaps you’re lucky. Many people are on their 5th and 6th infection.
What I’m saying is that we are NOT all getting covid all the time. I don’t know your exact situation but just want you to be informed of what is really going on out here
I’d argue that I’m more informed, since I follow immunologists, infectious disease doctors, pathologists, and research labs, partially because my life depends on it. But “you do you”.
You can trust /u/Razorsk00ter, he's a covid detection wizard!
🤣🤣🤣
It'll be over once the risk returns to pre-COVID levels. Once we're not seeing COVID as one of the leading causes of death in our country (third leading cause of death in 2022). Once we have a way to address the issues caused by long COVID, which has knocked out a noticeable number of working age, presumably fairly healthy people. I take whatever precautions are wise based on the risk I'm faced with. I wouldn't drive without a seatbelt, I wouldn't cycle without a helmet, and I wouldn't go into a crowded, potentially poorly ventilated indoor space without a mask at this point.
I’m not sure where you are, but in the US, *right now,* deaths are at ≈2,000 per week. ^https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home That said, even 300 per week is too many. Each one of those hypothetical 300 you mentioned are people, humans like you and me, with lives, families, hopes and dreams, and a desire to continue living- many of them people who would not have died a pretty horrible, isolated death “before their time”, if it weren’t for COVID. When does it end for me? I don’t know. I don’t mind them at all, though.
>Each one of those hypothetical 300 you mentioned are people, humans like you and me This is where I will never understand how people get past this. People say “Oh, it’s only the disabled and elderly who will die or get really sick. Oh, those who would have already got it the worst have already died. Get over it, the majority of us will be fine.” Do they not realize that one of those hypothetical 300 that they are okay with letting get infected and die may very well be one of the people they are saying that to? Saying to our faces, I’m okay with letting you get really sick, even if it means long term disability? News flash: we’re still here. You just like to think, or rather believe that we aren’t because you don’t see us in your everyday lives. Have they ever thought that the reason they don’t see us is because it’s quite literally dangerous for us? It’s such a fucking gut punch. What happened to people caring about one another? US culture is so hyper individualistic, it’s insane. It’s not like I’m asking everyone to give up their individual rights. It’s always framed as, “Why should I give up my rights for yours?” All I would’ve liked was collective masking, especially in essential areas like transit, doctor’s offices and grocery stores. If everyone masked then we could all have more equitable access to daily life and leisure - which yes, includes indoor activities. Look at the nations which have a more collectivist mindset - they were able to adapt to living with Covid much better. When does it end.. as if we have any control over it. Sorry for the venting, but some of the replies on this thread are just not it.
I don’t treat the deaths minimally. I treat them pragmatically. First: vaccinated people are no more likely to die from Covid than they are the flu. Second: at this point, If you’re WILLINGLY unvaccinated and you die, that’s your fault. Im not going to change my behavior for an idiot that believes the vaccines are unsafe. I get it. Those people have family (some ARE my family). But I can’t control the world. Third: on the theme of not controlling the world. This really sucks for people with comorbidities and diseases, I get that. The elderly are at higher risk too. But we as a human race are never going to not have respiratory diseases. And we’re never going to switch to wearing masks as a primary garment. So at some point (and the world has already picked that point), we decided the at-risk people need to be cautious and the rest of us will risk it. This is just pragmatism. Not callousness or flippancy to human life.
Feel free to vent. I understand how you feel and I agree with you.
The flu does not peak several times per year so you’ll have to pick another comparison. It might be 300 this week and 1000 next week, just look at other nations to see this at work. FYI the mortality rate, which I’m sure is off by your citation, stops counting on day 28. if you die on day 29 it does not count. If you die 6 months later because of a Covid induced stroke, heart attack, etc same thing. Is HIV, or pick your pathogen, over? has everyone gone back to normal or do people use precautions adequate to the threat?
You cannot compare putting on a condom for sex to wearing a mask everywhere, or HIV and COVID for thar matter, considering there is no HIV vaccine available to the public yet.
Covid is exactly like HIV. It does the exact same thing to your T cells. Only HIV drs and researchers are saying covid is worse because it does the same amount of damage in a much shorter time frame. The current covid vaccines dont even work that well anymore, because covid mutates too fast, which is the same reason we dont have a working vaccine for HIV. At least we HIV has antivirals that can keep it under control. We dont have any form of treatment for long covid.
> Covid is exactly like HIV. aaaaannnnddd this is where this leg of the conversation dies. - HIV, if left untreated is 100% fatal - HIV is transmitted by sexy fluid and blood, not because someone near you was breathing. - The mechanisms of spread and prevention are worlds apart for the 2 diseases. So sorry, I don’t think you’re having cogent thoughts on this.
Lol at “Sexy fluid”
Its literally already been confirmed that covid does the exact same thing to your T cells that HIV does. It hides in little viral reservoir pockets the same way too. It has the same impact on your body and immune system. The fact that it is airborne and easily spread by aerosols makes it a million times WORSE. I know this is really scary and uncomfortable information, but its true. Go look it up. Theres already piles of evidence confirming it. You're not going to be able to "lalalala I cant hear you" out of this one.
I’m curious where you learned this- do you have a link or source?
I've had Long Covid for 3 years, so I've been actively following every bit of science that comes out. [https://whn.global/scientific/covid19-immune-dysregulation/](https://whn.global/scientific/covid19-immune-dysregulation/) lots of further links in here. [https://www.msdmanuals.com/en-au/professional/hematology-and-oncology/leukopenias/lymphocytopenia](https://www.msdmanuals.com/en-au/professional/hematology-and-oncology/leukopenias/lymphocytopenia) not my compilation but [https://raindrop.io/JW\_Lists/covid-and-the-immune-system-30487300?utm\_source=substack&utm\_medium=email](https://raindrop.io/JW_Lists/covid-and-the-immune-system-30487300?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email) theres so much out there just googling covid and T cells will keep you easily occupied for hours/ days. We knew this was causing severe immune system damage all the way back to early 2020. It doesnt take a severe case to cause a ton of damage and the damage accumulates the more times you get reinfected. Virus do not strengthen your immune systems kids- they destroy them.
PrEp?
Is a precaution
You forgot to mention that Paxlovid works too... There is a drug you can take THAT WORKS if you catch COVID. It actually works very well.
It doesnt work that well and comes with the risk of kidney and liver damage. This is not a long term solution.
I took Paxlovid and still wound up disabled from Long COVID. 🤷🏻♀️
yeah that's bullshit. Covid is closer to HIV than the cold or flu. It does the exact same thing to your T cells that HIV does. (dont believe me, look it up. There's plenty of information about it out there). Thats serious immune system damage, not to mention damage to every single organ system in your body. Each infection is an automatic decade off your life.
Say what now? Auto decade off your life?! Hyperbole like this is asinine Edit: decade off your life has some real “let’s put bleach and light INSIDE the body to kill the virus” energy to it. Very trumpy approach to the truth!
For real. How would we even be able to measure a decade off one’s life being 3 years since Covid started. Do doctors have a “life meter”?
Yeah, you know all those tests they run? Bloodwork, MRIS, scans, biopsies, etc? Those give drs "life meters". They tell you when your body is damaged which generally is an indicator of how much longer you're expected to be around. When you nuke your T cells and destroy your vascular system, that amount of time is very short. Drs giving an estimated time left is not anything absurd or new. Your "gotcha" moment just made you look even more dumb and ignorant.
Once you nuke your T cells, that leaves your body vulnerable to everything imaginable - cancer, viruses, fungal infections (if you havent noticed thats a big one going around currently) any illness you come across you will not be able to handle the way you would have with a previously full-functioning immune system. (see: millions of people wondering why they've been nonstop sick the past few years) Your chances of developing MS, Parkinson's, Alzheimers, all the other horrific illnesses skyrocket. Not to mention all the vascular damage (see: the insane increase in strokes/ heart attack, etc). Your immune system can not just bounce back from that level of damage (again, HIV/ AIDS levels of damage). Ya'll can go read up immunology 101 and why you need T cells to not die. I wish I was making this shit up, but unfortunately this is the severity of the situation at hand.
Lol, you’re crazy. Literally on this thread people say there are folks on 6th or 7th infection. They’d be dead already by your “logic”.
There's an enormous mountain of science backing up everything I said. You're welcome to educate yourself, but I know you won't and will continue to be an ignorant twat. I dont really care. Most of these people will go on to develop horrible illnesses decades earlier than they otherwise would have, die much younger, and have a reduced quality of life. (yes, theres also mountain of articles published already on the links between covid and developing all of these diseases). You can call me crazy all you want- its not going to change reality. Take a look at the most recently updated life expectancy chart and LMK how the good ol US of A is doing there.
You said hiv was bad. It is. Covid isn’t hiv. You also said each Covid infection takes off decades. You are full on crazy
Covid effects your immune system the same way hiv does via T cell damage and viral persistence. There's plenty of publications that will explain this to you. I know, learning things about physiology and science isn't very easy. There's a lot of big words that are very hard for you. Again, you can call me crazy as many times as you want. You saying I'm crazy is an *opinion*, my telling you covid destroys your t cells and causes immune dysregulation is a fact. Opinions do not override facts, you daft, ignorant, uneducated fool.
Ok you can take your google degree and prove that each infection of Covid means a decade less of life. I’ll wait. But until then know you are the same problem as that indicted asshole advocating for sunlight in the body. Mental twins you two
Are you a scientist?
Bluestockings bookstore typically requires masks at their events; not sure if that’s your scene though. I am still being cautious, and it definitely makes it harder to make new friends.
I’m an elementary music teacher and am the only staff in my building who still masks. I have two students (out of 290) that still do. I mask everywhere I go including visiting family and do my best to avoid high risk situations. I do curbside pickup, get food to go, etc. I haven’t flown at all. Besides going to work and running errands, the only extra places I go are salons. I caught covid once when I started teaching and don’t want to get it ever again. I upgraded to KN95s and have been covid free for over a year.
How are your students doing? I recently got Covid from someone who works in a school
I still mask- 3 years and no COVID yet. Fully vaccinated and working to get my 3 year old his booster. Hang in there!
you are not alone!
i still mask in elevators and over half crowded shops and busses. btw, all the people i know catching covid, get it on airplanes from mildly sick people nearby who no longer give a shit.
I keep my mask on 90% of the time and got exposed on a girls’ trip. I’m so sad lmfaoo it’s not really their fault cuz they’re healthcare workers but still
I’m still being careful! I actually cannot believe the sheer ignorance in these comments, it’s a little bonkers…
I dont go to crowded spots or shop at peak hours or days sometime wear my n95 mask, I have even had all the vaccine boosters but still use hand sanitizer every time i get back in the car it made my wife crazy till mom got covid 2 months ago now she is back on board.
You’re not alone. I always mask indoors. I don’t stay indoors long, groceries is the longest. I don’t do indoor dining because COVID doesn’t pause when you eat or drink. I only hangout with friends outside. It’s tough and sucks. But preventing transmission is the only way to end a pandemic.
https://facebook.com/groups/805408544096403/
Pretty small group but thanks!
This is your answer though. Covid cautious folks are now and incredibly small minority - this group is organizing meetups in NYC, this is how you’ll meet likeminded people.
Personally I am done with it....but it's interesting how some of the stuff has become ingrained. I have a bad cold (and insisted on testing even though that is hard here ) and wore a mask (even though I cannot stand them) before seeing my elderly parents. I wouldn't have done either prior to covid, just avoided seeing them until I was totally fine. even for those of us who are done with the pandemic; and taking general precautions all the time, i think/hope will continue to take precautions when we are actually sick....I hope
You can check out the virtual events held by this still coviding group: https://twitter.com/covidisntover?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
I was fully vaxed and was within a week of getting my scheduled booster when I got Covid. Make of that what you will, but I can assure you I DO NOT want Covid again. I had a severe case and feel that had I not been vaccinated I wouldn’t be here. I continue to mask, avoid crowds and still have groceries delivered. I haven’t eaten out inside a restaurant in three years, don’t do movies, concerts or large family gatherings. I have since had my booster.
Last April, my husband and I drove from Chicago to New York. In one day we visited the BBG, Queens Museum/Unisphere/NY Pavillion, Central Park, Modern Bread (to go order), By the Way Bakery (to go), Nespresso, Laduree (take out), Ralph Lauren coffee bar, Union Square Park, Senza Gluten (ate outside), Washington Square Park, Battery Park. We used an N95 mask the entire time. We only took mask off in car and in dining pod outside Senza. Here in Chicago I always have a mask on around people - indoors and outside. Even when pumping gas or walking to my mailbox. I will continue to do this. Covid is not over.
Why outdoors?
Outdoor transmission is still possible, especially in crowded areas.
Well, I watch NHK World Japan. They showed an animation (must have been 2020 or 2021) of how a group of people passed another (outdoors) and the passing wind had covid particles in it. This animation was based on an actual occurrence, verified with testing that the transmission happened between the passing groups. I’m trying to minimize my chances. We were at Brooklyn Botanical Garden when it opened. We only went into Queens Museum because it looked to be a very slow day. There was less than maybe 40 people (plus staff) in the entire building. We have been successful in doing “socially distant” travel this way.
I'm LI, not NYC, but yeah I still mask in all public indoor spaces, and outdoors if it's really crowded. Since I can tolerate masks pretty easily it's my ethical duty to help protect people.
Husband and I mask 100% of the time we’re outside of our house, yard, or car. We only get food to go. No big crowds like concerts. We’re masking because neither of us wants to roll the dice on a covid infection plus long covid risk and longterm damage. Covid is not over. People are getting covid three or four times or more. That damage is going to add up. As a country, we need responsible adults and federal mandates for air filtration, rapid breath testing, a push and support for contagious people to be home, masking when cases are above low, monitored wastewater and cases publicly reported weekly, and etc. We also need new meds including a nasal vaccine. Rather than hold our breath waiting for any of this, my husband and I mask and avoid high risk situations as much as possible.
My brother is an organ transplant recipient and is immune-compromised due to the lifelong anti-rejection med he must take. He’s extremely vulnerable to even the more common viral and bacterial infections, so Covid-19 could potentially kill him. The pandemic is not over for him and may not be, ever. He hasn’t flown or eaten at an indoor restaurant in three years, must always mask, and his family likewise, as he is still high-risk. Sucks.
There is a club! We don’t meet.
I am young and get tested weekly, been vaccinated as much as I can and wear one when I am sick.
Where do you work that still does weekly testing?
I’m five shots in,mask to go indoor shopping.
We mask anytime we leave our house, including outside, we homeschool the kids, my husband masks at work, we mask at all stores, etc. There are some pretty large still coviding groups on Facebook if you need support.
I find that the worst of the pandemic is over. We've reached the point where the most recent strain of the flu is more deadly than covid. The main concern is hospital capacity to handle the ones most ill because of the disease. Being cautious at this point is no longer worth it to me. Please don't find this bashing. I totally respect people who wear masks and want to keep their distance and limit their exposure to the rest of the world. Just me personally after having it and being vaccinated and most people around me having the same status, I'm not being as cautious. When I do see and interact with people who wear masks, I make sure to keep my distance or I'll throw on a mask myself. It costs me so little to make sure others feel comfortable, so I do.
In which year has flu been deadlier than Covid?
I have a newborn baby so we are avoiding indoor spaces (not like I go too many places anywhere ha), and my husband is masking on the train and in his office. We have people mask when holding her, and we see friends occasionally outside. We’re equally worried about rsv and other illnesses affecting her. We’ve each had covid and did fine with it, and we keep up with boosters and are very hygienic with hand washing. I think that’s the most we can do at this point. Once she’s older and the weather is better, we will probably go back to normal (but always mask on transit, and good hand washing). She’ll be in daycare starting sept so the illnesses will just come and come I’m sure.
I still mask on the subway and on airplanes but thats it. You all need to stop living in fear, live your lives, its not 2020/2021 anymore the virus is more of an endemic, our hospitals are not overrun anymore and have the means to treat it. Go, live your lives this post is so sad that people are still that afraid. Wear your mask and take your precautions if thats best for you, but there is no sense in putting down the rest of society that is just too damn tired and wants normalcy.
You are the only person putting others down There is no cure for long Covid, act accordingly
you sound paranoid and unbearable. just stay at home for another 5 years i’m sure you won’t grow to regret it
Cool story bro
I have some friends who won't dine inside, period. They have kids. They are scared of long covid - I think its nuts. Like you are never going to dine out again?
I have had long covid. And after that you will do anything to not get it again. Period.
Who gives a fuck about dining indoors when a virus can leave you permanently disabled for the rest of your life? Sitting in a restaurant isnt exactly a thrilling adventure and not how I measure a good time.
Do you ride in cars? Becoming permanently disabled is more likely from a car crash than getting long covid from dining out. I dunno, when does one stop being that risk-conscious?
I wear a seat belt and follow the speed limit when I drive in a car. You can do things and make smart choices that will lower inherent risks. There are currently at least 30 million people in the US alone with long covid, and thats considered to be a vast underestimate. Many people catch covid from indoor dining, and many people get permanently disabled from long covid, even kids. Since most people dont get into car crashes multiple times a year, you are statistically more likely to get disabled from catching covid dining than a car accident.
at that point they should just move out the city into a remote farm with a bubble wrap barrier between them and the outside world.
Sorry, I cant go live my life because Ive been disabled by long covid for the last 3 years. Dont worry, you'll get to be disabled too eventually, whether it takes 3 or 5 infections to get there.
I followed everything for 3 yrs I can’t continue to live masked & afraid
Yes you’re one of the few. You can be as cautious as you like but Covid will likely stick around. You just have to move on with your life at some point.
Taking appropriate precautions and moving on with your life aren’t mutually exclusive. I’m not hanging onto COVID related news and developments like I was a year ago. I’m also continuing to mask, because the new reality is that there’s a fairly common, fairly dangerous illness floating around. Sometimes what life looks like changes, and COVID turned out to be one of those events that changed things long term.
If you want to continue to mask then do it. I didn’t say otherwise. But the idea that the pandemic isn’t over is ludicrous. It’s practically over. Go back to your life and be as cautious as you want to. Even my doctor friends don’t mask up anywhere they go. That tells me something about the seriousness of it right now.
It was the third highest cause of death in 2022. There's plenty of economic analysis showing that long COVID's a significant issue. Seems serious enough to me.
If you feel like it’s serious for you then keep doing what you’re doing.
I plan to! I follow the data, not feelings, and until it’s not a significant cause of both death and disability, it’s only rational to continue to take precautions.
It’s not “pretending” it is effectively over for anyone in good health.
It’s done, get over it.
Why are you still living like the pandemic is still going strong? Do you have an underlying condition? For most people, if you’ve been vaccinated and/or have already been infected, life goes on. I rarely ever hear about the pandemic anymore.
Bro, the media coverage of this shit fucked some of y’all all the way up.
I think some people have legitimate cause to be cautious, though I wonder if they were as cautious about things like the flu before COVID. That being said, I truly believe there's a lot of mental illness that was exacerbated by the pandemic. Anxiety and paranoia have always been a challenge for some folks and fear of catching COVID at this point is just an avenue for that. I know I'll probably get down voted in this sub for it because people take offense to the suggestion that they might have an issue, but people who are still avoiding things like restaurants and are wearing a mask in public, even when they're feeling fine, really need to consider if they have other problems they need to seek help with. COVID isn't even a topic of conversation in most circles anymore, the vast majority of people have gone back to life as normal months if not years ago. People who are still very worried are in the extreme minority now.
I assume you are looking for in person gatherings. Please correct me if I am wrong. If you’re looking for any kind of actual social gathering and feel that you’d like to gather in a space with others who are “COVID cautious”, you’re just a massive hypocrite. This is no different from the alcoholic looking down on the heroine addict. Clearly, you are looking to take some risk to have social interaction, but you feel that you are hedging that risk significantly as long as you wear a mask. You’re NOT. There have been studies saying masking is ineffective. Aside from the fact that you are only *moderately* attempting to hedge COVID transmission, you consider your level of risk management as morally superior. Perhaps I am misinterpreting your stance, but if this is really how you feel, get off your high horse and stop being ridiculous. I was an early and enthusiastic vaccine recipient and remote worker. COVID is now unfortunately a part of life that we should work to reduce transmission of as much as we do the common cold. If you’re sick, stay home. But we don’t contact trace colds. If you’re still looking down on other peoples COVID precautions, you’re really being stupid and I have no problem telling you my stance.
Scientists really went out of their way to demonstrate how masks work and why they’re effective, via animations combined with the amount of particles that are being stopped by the mask wearer. We used to have this saying “You’re entitled to your own opinion but not to your own facts.” But I know we’re way past this point and ignorance is idolized every day in this country and doubled down on, so…
Lmao “bECAUse aN AnIMatIoN SAys iT wOrKed”… https://www.newsweek.com/fauci-said-masks-not-really-effective-keeping-out-virus-email-reveals-1596703?amp=1 I’ll leave this here…
I mask up on transit and in stores. Although if I didnt live in a large city like NYC I probably wouldn't ever wear one
Ahh the circle of Reddit. I love seeing this question popping up on covid subs lately. Your question is like going to a bar right outside of Yankee Stadium on opening day, and asking customers if they like baseball.
I’m at the point where I’ll take off my mask to eat indoors etc but otherwise I’m masked up when not at home
Virus’s don’t ever go away. There’s no need for you to be cautious unless you have a weakened immune system, which I then would completely understand. I mean it’s just like cold and flu season in the fact that when it comes around we should all make sure to wash our hands and cover our coughs.
It's literally the post just said in a less cutesy way.
That’s not what I said, that’s what you assumed. Pick another thread to troll
My brother is an organ transplant recipient and is immune-compromised due to the lifelong anti-rejection med he must take. He’s extremely vulnerable to even the more common viral and bacterial infections, so Covid-19 could potentially kill him. The pandemic is not over for him and may not be, ever. He hasn’t flown or eaten at an indoor restaurant in three years, must always mask, and his family likewise, as he is still high-risk. Sucks.
I wear an n95 on transit, in stores, and at work. I don't wear one at the gym tho. Too hot.
ditto
Well I wasn't being particularly careful anymore- no masking. My daughter and I are currently home from work with Covid; first time for me. Ugh.
I haven't worn a mask in about a year and a half. Subways, concerts, sporting events, restaurants etc. I haven't caught it. I'm not bragging, I'm just telling you my experience. I hope I don't ginx myself.
Leave Nyc. It’s been over
you're not alone. i have not left my apartment without a mask in now over three years. it's upsetting and thank you for continuing to treat this as seriously as you do
Honestly, that’s ridiculous. You should get therapy for your anxiety.
💯