Definitely in agreement with you, Lucian, on wearing masks again. I’ve been carrying an arsenal of them in my handbag for months (years!) now, but have gotten lazy about using them, except in the grocery store. We recently received our new-and-improved boosters and for a short time I felt invincible. Thanks for this column, which has brought my feet back to earth. I will return to masking up more often.
We've come a long way and have more tools to deal with this virus. Honestly, I'm more concerned about the flu this year as Australia just ended their flu season commenting that they landed hard with the flu and warning the US to be aware. Plus, the symptoms of both COVID and the flu can be similar.
I get the flu vaccine every year, scheduled this week for it & still on the fence about the new booster.
At this point, I have to say I'm more scared of losing our democracy, then COVID. It scares the hell out me to see so many citizens in pictures of rallies with their arm raised as we saw during Hitler's reign.
Thanks for the reminder, Lucian. Media appears to be tiring of covid coverage and anxious to move on: 'Wait, breaking news: there's a HURRICANE!' Now, hurricanes are deadly too, and because hurricanes kill loudly and rapidly while covid kills slowly and quietly, hurricanes are better material for TV. But both are dangerous and we ignore ignore either one at our peril. Thanks again,
Lucian, your column, as always, is spot-on. That said, it's inexcusable that so many Americans have chosen to disregard the information & vaccines that are out there for them to use. It's a no-brainer to get the most recent vaccine that has been developed to help us fight this evolving disease and remain healthy, yet millions STILL haven't done that for reasons only they can explain. I understand there are some folks who, for sound medical reasons, cannot take the vaccines. And the wearing of masks while out in confined public spaces is another way we can help ourselves. But as you say, most folks aren't doing that because Covid has taken a back seat to other news stories. How is it that we've come to (apparently) accept the high number of Americans dying every day? I don't understand it and I never will. Well, I do understand at least a part of it: TFG did the country no favors in his handling of Covid and his influence on many Americans continues to haunt (and kill) us.
Like you and Tracy, I stopped wearing a mask in the grocery store but only a couple of weeks ago. I can’t believe I still haven’t gotten the damn virus. I traveled all over the US and Europe in late Spring and Summer and had unmasked people breathing on unmasked me at book signings. I’ve had all three of the boosters, so I think I started believing too much in mine and my wife’s good fortune. I’ll be heading to Whole Foods in an hour or so, and the KN 95 will go with me. Thanks, Lucian.
Oct 1, 2022·edited Oct 1, 2022Liked by Lucian K. Truscott IV
Hi, Lucian, I know 2 people who have had long Covid since the start of the pandemic. One of them is retired but too exhausted to be as physically active as he used to be. The other works from home, where she struggles to get more than 3 hours’ worth of proofreading and editing done per day.
We are fully vaccinated and have been super cautious throughout the pandemic. We haven't stopped wearing masks when in an indoor setting in a public place since the pandemic began. Never got COVID. But all that good behavior doesn't prevent infection or further spread, when you are the only one doing it. And that is infuriating.
I want to enjoy a normal, maskless, life as much as the next person. But the effects of long COVID are unknown, as are the effects of multiple infections which many have experienced. So it falls to the populace as a whole to "do the right thing" and follow that similar behavior of vaccination and masking - yet they won't. COVID has disappeared from the news - out of sight, out of mind.
After being extremely careful I got Covid recently from a dear friend who didn’t know she had it until 2 days later. Unfortunately I had a pretty gnarly experience for several weeks and I’m still having some trouble breathing and a heavy feeling in my limbs - the exhaustion that people are talking about. I do not want to get it again!!!!
My friend, who is a manicurist to the stars and goes to their homes, worked straight through the Pandemic and wore a KN95 mask the whole time. She has never gotten it yet was in the homes of people who had it and didn’t know they did. She says she’ll never stop wearing her mask and doesn’t want to get a cold or flu either!
i'm still masking in stores and indoor spaces. i find that in my town people are tending to mask. before gatherings we all rapid test. which isn't a perfect solution but so far so good. had the booster three weeks ago. headed to boston after the mid terms, will be wearing my N95!
Total agree that Covid is still amongst us. While fully vaccinated my wife and I got Covid a month ago after we’re learned that another couple in the group had Covid. Mild, three day symptoms in our case. Home rested but never reported officially. Makes us wonder about how accurate official counts are these days.
True here too in Portugal. Thanks for your notes. It's complicated trying to convince younger generations who think they know better than us oldies, that Covid is as serious as it is. My 30 year-old veteranarian insists that those of us who are constantly around animals develop an immunity, much like parents do from being around their young children and chides 74 year old me for wearing a mask. Maybe she's just a skeptic about everything?
I just stopped wearing a mask this past week after getting my booster and flu shot but I think I'm going to begin wearing it again after reading your article. Having had COVID in August 2020, before the vaccine was available I know how sick you can get and consider myself lucky to be alive but I also had the brain fog and fatigue for several months after recovery. Yup I'm masking up.
Definitely in agreement with you, Lucian, on wearing masks again. I’ve been carrying an arsenal of them in my handbag for months (years!) now, but have gotten lazy about using them, except in the grocery store. We recently received our new-and-improved boosters and for a short time I felt invincible. Thanks for this column, which has brought my feet back to earth. I will return to masking up more often.
We've come a long way and have more tools to deal with this virus. Honestly, I'm more concerned about the flu this year as Australia just ended their flu season commenting that they landed hard with the flu and warning the US to be aware. Plus, the symptoms of both COVID and the flu can be similar.
I get the flu vaccine every year, scheduled this week for it & still on the fence about the new booster.
At this point, I have to say I'm more scared of losing our democracy, then COVID. It scares the hell out me to see so many citizens in pictures of rallies with their arm raised as we saw during Hitler's reign.
Thanks for the reminder, Lucian. Media appears to be tiring of covid coverage and anxious to move on: 'Wait, breaking news: there's a HURRICANE!' Now, hurricanes are deadly too, and because hurricanes kill loudly and rapidly while covid kills slowly and quietly, hurricanes are better material for TV. But both are dangerous and we ignore ignore either one at our peril. Thanks again,
Lucian, your column, as always, is spot-on. That said, it's inexcusable that so many Americans have chosen to disregard the information & vaccines that are out there for them to use. It's a no-brainer to get the most recent vaccine that has been developed to help us fight this evolving disease and remain healthy, yet millions STILL haven't done that for reasons only they can explain. I understand there are some folks who, for sound medical reasons, cannot take the vaccines. And the wearing of masks while out in confined public spaces is another way we can help ourselves. But as you say, most folks aren't doing that because Covid has taken a back seat to other news stories. How is it that we've come to (apparently) accept the high number of Americans dying every day? I don't understand it and I never will. Well, I do understand at least a part of it: TFG did the country no favors in his handling of Covid and his influence on many Americans continues to haunt (and kill) us.
Like you and Tracy, I stopped wearing a mask in the grocery store but only a couple of weeks ago. I can’t believe I still haven’t gotten the damn virus. I traveled all over the US and Europe in late Spring and Summer and had unmasked people breathing on unmasked me at book signings. I’ve had all three of the boosters, so I think I started believing too much in mine and my wife’s good fortune. I’ll be heading to Whole Foods in an hour or so, and the KN 95 will go with me. Thanks, Lucian.
I never stopped wearing a KN95 mask inside. And I did get a booster.
Hi, Lucian, I know 2 people who have had long Covid since the start of the pandemic. One of them is retired but too exhausted to be as physically active as he used to be. The other works from home, where she struggles to get more than 3 hours’ worth of proofreading and editing done per day.
We are fully vaccinated and have been super cautious throughout the pandemic. We haven't stopped wearing masks when in an indoor setting in a public place since the pandemic began. Never got COVID. But all that good behavior doesn't prevent infection or further spread, when you are the only one doing it. And that is infuriating.
I want to enjoy a normal, maskless, life as much as the next person. But the effects of long COVID are unknown, as are the effects of multiple infections which many have experienced. So it falls to the populace as a whole to "do the right thing" and follow that similar behavior of vaccination and masking - yet they won't. COVID has disappeared from the news - out of sight, out of mind.
We are doomed.
Thanks for reminding me to check if I’m ready for a booster. I’m going now to check now and guessing yes. Gotta get my flu shot, too.
After being extremely careful I got Covid recently from a dear friend who didn’t know she had it until 2 days later. Unfortunately I had a pretty gnarly experience for several weeks and I’m still having some trouble breathing and a heavy feeling in my limbs - the exhaustion that people are talking about. I do not want to get it again!!!!
My friend, who is a manicurist to the stars and goes to their homes, worked straight through the Pandemic and wore a KN95 mask the whole time. She has never gotten it yet was in the homes of people who had it and didn’t know they did. She says she’ll never stop wearing her mask and doesn’t want to get a cold or flu either!
i'm still masking in stores and indoor spaces. i find that in my town people are tending to mask. before gatherings we all rapid test. which isn't a perfect solution but so far so good. had the booster three weeks ago. headed to boston after the mid terms, will be wearing my N95!
Good idea to err on the side of caution! I carry masks with me, too! When you’re dead, it’s forever! Be careful out there!
Much as I didn’t want to hear this news, thanks for the update. I’d become lax about wearing my mask.
Total agree that Covid is still amongst us. While fully vaccinated my wife and I got Covid a month ago after we’re learned that another couple in the group had Covid. Mild, three day symptoms in our case. Home rested but never reported officially. Makes us wonder about how accurate official counts are these days.
True here too in Portugal. Thanks for your notes. It's complicated trying to convince younger generations who think they know better than us oldies, that Covid is as serious as it is. My 30 year-old veteranarian insists that those of us who are constantly around animals develop an immunity, much like parents do from being around their young children and chides 74 year old me for wearing a mask. Maybe she's just a skeptic about everything?
I just stopped wearing a mask this past week after getting my booster and flu shot but I think I'm going to begin wearing it again after reading your article. Having had COVID in August 2020, before the vaccine was available I know how sick you can get and consider myself lucky to be alive but I also had the brain fog and fatigue for several months after recovery. Yup I'm masking up.