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,
And shark attacks. Every summer, shark attacks always make the network news broadcasts. Doesn't matter how rare they are, or how narrowly geographically located. Shark attacks sell advertising!
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.
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.
I can relate. As an RN with an immune disorder I always wear a KN-95 when I go out (which is not often) but rarely see anyone else wearing one. Last February, after a grocery bagger sniffled all over my food, I got COVID (and I still wash my purchases as I unbag them). Thanks to being fully vaccinated, it was pretty mild except for the terrible fatigue. Which hasn't left 8 months later. And the brain fog. And the panic attacks. Not Fun. Please wear masks.
Yes. When you have rested, and feel energy returning, you don't get up and mow the lawn. You have to make yourself NOT do stuff. Believe me, it's war. Then, after another hour (or 3) you have sustainable energy.
My best friend had Covid in early March 2020 and has suffered from long haul ever since. She and her Mom both. A childhood friend and his wife (both work low wage, no insurance jobs) are both long haulers. They buy meds on “the black market”.
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.
And protecting others if I happen to be asymptomatic but infected and shedding. But it is still better when both parties or all parties in close proximity are masked, since that significantly cuts down the spread of aerosolized droplets that carry the virus. See the chart at the link.
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.
The strangest story l’ve heard came from a cousin, a doctor who compared his experience counseling dying people who were unable to have to comfort of family, as being akin to working in a concentration camp. The staff felt totally incapable of providing the needed emotional support for families as well.
The toll on the medical profession is incalculable. Burnout, suicidal depression even anorexia is wrecking havoc this vital aspect of a humanity. Surely this needs to be addressed.
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.
I highly recommend the booster.
Perhaps COVID-19 will thin out that herd.
In CT, you have to make an appointment! Yay CT
Agree, booster and flu shot.
Lucian knows this, if our shot records weren't up to date, Dad would have to explain.
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,
And shark attacks. Every summer, shark attacks always make the network news broadcasts. Doesn't matter how rare they are, or how narrowly geographically located. Shark attacks sell advertising!
And alligators swimming in the streets in flooded coastal Florida.
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.
I can relate. As an RN with an immune disorder I always wear a KN-95 when I go out (which is not often) but rarely see anyone else wearing one. Last February, after a grocery bagger sniffled all over my food, I got COVID (and I still wash my purchases as I unbag them). Thanks to being fully vaccinated, it was pretty mild except for the terrible fatigue. Which hasn't left 8 months later. And the brain fog. And the panic attacks. Not Fun. Please wear masks.
P.s. the grocery bagger probably ran out of sick time.
P.S. I have recently been experimenting with Aggresive Rest Therapy (ART) and, for me, anyway, it helps.
Agressive Rest sounds like an oxymoron?
Yes. When you have rested, and feel energy returning, you don't get up and mow the lawn. You have to make yourself NOT do stuff. Believe me, it's war. Then, after another hour (or 3) you have sustainable energy.
My best friend had Covid in early March 2020 and has suffered from long haul ever since. She and her Mom both. A childhood friend and his wife (both work low wage, no insurance jobs) are both long haulers. They buy meds on “the black market”.
This is real, and it’s not going away.
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.
Were not doomed if we wear our masks like you. We can be good examples to others too.
I agree. But it is still frustrating because so few pick up on the example.
And protecting others if I happen to be asymptomatic but infected and shedding. But it is still better when both parties or all parties in close proximity are masked, since that significantly cuts down the spread of aerosolized droplets that carry the virus. See the chart at the link.
https://www.bryanhealth.com/app/files/public/4953/wear-a-mask-to-protect-yourself--others_social-media.png
I feel it’s a courtesy to others to wear a mask indoors, as well as a protective device to (hopefully) keep me safe.
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!
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?
Wowza!
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.
Excellent.
The strangest story l’ve heard came from a cousin, a doctor who compared his experience counseling dying people who were unable to have to comfort of family, as being akin to working in a concentration camp. The staff felt totally incapable of providing the needed emotional support for families as well.
The toll on the medical profession is incalculable. Burnout, suicidal depression even anorexia is wrecking havoc this vital aspect of a humanity. Surely this needs to be addressed.
What makes this worse is how unnecessary it was. The evil politicization can only have added to their heartache.