Evusheld and masks

[Atds]

I’ve tested negative for all 4 covid vaccines and have finally been offered Evusheld. Will more activities be safe after the shots?

[sllincolorado]

Depends on your tolerance levels. From National Public Radio (US):

Analysis by AstraZeneca — completed last year — showed that the drug reduced the risk of getting COVID-19 by 77% and that the protection from a single two-shot treatment lasted for at least six months. Early data suggests it may work less well against the omicron variant of the coronavirus, but it is still expected to offer some protection.

npr.org/sections/health-sho...

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If the protective value maxes out at 77% and somewhat less against omicron then I am not changing too much about my daily situation. And to be brutal, the deaths of Dr. Coutre and Tom the CLL pharmacist have knocked me back each time I think about loosening up a bit.

Evusheld and post infection mabs are big improvements but those of us with CLL/SLL can still have poor outcomes.

I tested 0 antibodies after each of 3 Modernas. I chose to take Evusheld a few weeks ago and to postpone another mrna (was told 90 days after Evusheld).

I am in active treatment on a trial that has a drug that likely increases pneumonia issues so my choices are based on that. I am very privileged that I have worked from home for decades and that I have family members to do all shopping, etc. I also live in a place where I have been able to walk for miles almost every day of the pandemic (who knew that I could tolerate 19 degrees!).

I am however less stressed about covid. I will continue to socialize outside with friends whom I know are vaxxed/boosted. I see my adult children for short periods of time inside, masked. The one change I might make - but I keep postponing - is to go to a store so I can get some shoes. I've been able to shop online for most things but find that some shoe types are a challenge.

If I had young children/grandchildren I would probably make different choices than what I do now. Conversely if I lived in a community where vax rates were lower/infection rates higher I would be even more restrictive.

Which is a long and winding way to say - you need to decide for yourself what works best for you but Evusheld is certainly no panacea.

[lankisterguy Volunteer]

Hi Atds,-

I agree with sllincolorado , we all need to evaluate our own risks vs. rewards.

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An example are the people that fear flying and will drive long distances instead, but in reality the drive is far more likely to be fatal than flying. If they don't wear seat belts and drive aggressively in traffic it gets far more deadly.

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So I go to the grocery store at 7:00am and wear an N95 and a clear face shield. I met my barber this morning 30 minutes before the normal shop opening time and got a haircut. I gave her a new N95 to wear instead of the cloth mask she had already (see the chart below).

My wife and I do take out meals and share them in our well ventilated sun room (gas fireplace and heated floor) when it is too cold to eat out doors with our relatives & friends.

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I have a 21 year old granddaughter in nurse training that refuses to get vaccinated, and I have made it clear that I will take walks with her outdoors if we both are wearing N95s but she is NOT invited for meals at my house.

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So my mask rules and dining rules are like wearing a seat belt in a car with air bags and automatic emergency braking.

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Len

Exposure times for various masking combinations

[SamanthaJane123 in reply to lankisterguy]

Great idea about supplying your barber with an N95 mask!!! Will use that strategy.Thanks.

[DRM18]

Hi Atds,

I wouldn't necessarily count on it. I know someone who had 0 antibodies, got the Evusheld injections, was tested for antibodies three weeks later, and learned she now had 2 antibodies.

Not too sure what to make of that, honestly!

--Dave!

[Justasheet1 in reply to DRM18]

Dave,

Well hopefully those two antibodies like each other and have lots of little baby antibodies soon 🤡

Jeff

[DRM18 in reply to Justasheet1]

Lol. It is Valentine's Day, after all ...

[LeoPa]

What kind of activities do you have in mind? Safer yes. Safe not necessarily.

[wmay13241]

IMHO immunocompromised people should continue to follow Dr. Fauci's rules indefinitely: wear masks, social distance, wash hands, and avoid crowded indoor spaces.

[yazbe in reply to wmay13241]

Agreed!

[Big_Dee]

Hello Atds

The sad truth is CLL is cancer of the immune system. All the vaccines and antibiotics do is jump start your immune system, the body is the one to overcome our illness whether it be covid, flu or pneumonia. We also have varying degrees of immune system response and as such will need to make personal decisions on how safe we are. Best solution is protect yourself at your comfort level by hand washing, use sanitizer, wear masks and stay away from people who are sick. Blessings.

[Srli]

Anytime I feel like loosening up a bit more I do a little reading and come back to the fact that many researchers are concluding it is best to never get covid, whether you are healthy or not. Covid can have so many devastating long term consequences beyond the initial respiratory issues that most people think of. I do work and go in grocery stores as needed but only with an N95 strapped on tight. Up until this week we had a mask mandate. I don't eat out or with friends. I think you have to look at the local case rates, the indoor spaces you will be in and make decisions from there. Err on the side of caution.

[michaeledward]

I'm scheduled to get EVUSHELD tomorrow. I was feeling pretty good after being offerred this treatment last week, but now after reading this thread, not so much. Oh well. It is what it is.