Here in Connecticut Covid rates are again on the rise. Wastewater in our part of the country shows increased infections. Hospitals are beginning to see a slight rise in patients, the highest since February. But since so many people are testing and treating at home it is difficult to get a true reading of the risk right now. Our county is listed a “medium,” whatever that means. Meanwhile people are going about their lives, a vast majority without masks. And each week I learn of another person who has caught Covid. This has produced tug of war in me with my “I want to be safe” conflicting with my “I want to fit in.”
Sunday we decided to take off our masks in Mass for the first time in two years. It allowed the priest to make more than eye contact for a change. We like being expressive as we listen. As we settled into our pew a mother and her two adolescent sons took the seat directly behind us. And all three began to sniffle. And blow their noses. And cough. And cough. And cough. We had no idea what ailed them. We decided to switch seats though we had already had a viral bath.
Covid has given friends my age long lasting side effects. I really don’t want to catch it. A mask reduces, though not eliminates, my risk. The mask will stay on in public. I will continue to look like a duck with a long white bill. Quack!
Saved By Words 
Mask wearing in the UK has all but disappeared. When I went for my Covid booster recently, I walked in wearing a mask, and was told it was not necessary. I kept it on anyway. During hospital tests in early September, I kept my mask on for almost 4 hours of different procedures, but the doctor dealing with me was not even wearing one.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Our medical people are still masked as are many clerks who encounter many customers.
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us oldies have all been offered a covid booster along with our annual flu jabs, so we’ve had those. I’ll be seeing more of my grandchildren in the next months, and they are little virus factories, so at least if we pick it up it should be a mild dose.
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Here my family just had the flu! I wish I didn’t believe in the germ theory and that “happy thoughts” would keep me safe. LOL
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I think it would be harder to maintain ‘happy thoughts’ than to have the jab. Having said that, I’m sure my daughter’s positive attitude is keeping her (currently) uncureable cancer at bay. (One tumour is even shrinking!) She’s a sensible girl though. and takes every vaccination she’s advised to.
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I agree that positive attitude seems to help with cancer. It gave my sister 12 additional years through three bouts of it.
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Covid mandates have more or less disappeared here. I’m wary of sniffles. I’m still using my sanitizer for my hands…which I discovered a month back I had around 9 purse size bottles…and I’ve got back up wet wipes. And still have masks in my outing bags in case I feel the need.
Apparently though I’m immune for a few more weeks as I HD covid late July. Then I can get the 2nd booster…I plan to continue as I’ve still got the fatigue, which hits at unexpected times.
A new variant just arrived in NZ but it’s another unknown on what will happen…
For me it’s “be prepared”
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I am with you on that one.
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Masks are only mandatory in certain settings here in Australia.
And now there’s no mandatory reporting or mandatory stay at home requirements when CoVid postive here!
It’s over to the individual to monitor & stay home for the greater good. Sadly we know not all will do this.
This to us is complete madness, especially when a new variant of the highly virulent Omicron stain has just been found!
While we don’t live in fear, we need to be cautious.
I always observe medical, health workers & pharmacists…if they’re all still wearing masks then there is still danger.
So hubby & I will still keep the safety practices in place when we go out.
Blessings, Jennifer
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I am with you on that decision. At some point fatalism seems to have taken over instead of public health sanity..
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Covid is down in our part of the country right now, but that seems to be part of the cycle. I’m pleasantly surprised how many people still wear masks in public places.
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We do seem to be ahead of the curve each cycle.
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Most people I see outside still wear masks here. And we still do.
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I am glad to hear that. Stay well.
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Hello Elizabeth, nice to see you back- even in your troubled state.
It’s all holds barred now here in Victoria – everything goes except in certain circumstances- medical mainly. I’m a ‘can’t be too careful’ person and my mask goes on the minute I’m inside certain premises (whether needed or not). With no isolation when infected allowed now you never know what’s going on around you.
Take care
Cathy
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Thanks. I assume people have Covid and are coughing and sneezing. So I echo your “can’t be too careful” position.
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Well, mask wearing has practically disappeared here, but I’m still wearing in public places..I get my booster next weekendu
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After a man sneezed on us at church this Sunday I am glad we are back masked.
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Indeed
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Yeah, I wear a mask when at work, when riding the bus, in crowded settings. Not mandatory; I’m one of the very few that still wears a mask. Occasionally I’m asked questions like “Are you forced to wear a mask?” Sometimes…I feel a little odd about it. But in the end, it is my choice and I choose to wear a mask.
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I haven’t been asked about my mask. Perhaps they are afraid of my answer!
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It is a tug of war. If everyone who had a cough kept their mask on, the rest of us could feel safer taking their masks off.
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It appears that they don’t! It would certainly simplify things if they did.
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Yes, it would!
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Here most people do not wear but my husband continues to wear when wego out.
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I had the person behind us in church sneeze all over us Sunday! Fortunately we at least had on our masks.
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I wish people would be more careful. I think they 2ould have learnt from the pandemic.
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When people have decided it is over, despite reality, it is hard to get them to be cautious.
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I’m sorry to hear your first taste of freedom went so badly!! I’m still masking, but I unmask outdoors and in open air places. Thankfully, there are many such places in Mexico! Be safe please, my friend!
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Thanks.
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Staying masked for all public indoor events continues to make sense.
Also getting the latest booster.
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That is our plan.
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It is better to “duck” when you have still time than be “out for a duck”. Good decision keeping the mask up.
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Well put.
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