Covid

[sun_flower]

Just a warning, for the 2nd time in a month my sister's care home has a covid outbreak no visits until new year,my son in law also have it,l think l will start wearing a mask again, people are not testing anymore .😷.we have always worn a mask when visiting too.

[zaax]

The USA has brought back free test kits

covid.gov/tests

[sun_flower in reply to zaax]

We should, l know lots of people have colds and coughs but not test,l still have some but not many.

[PaulaS Volunteer]

Sorry to hear this, Maggie. Hubby and I still wear masks in indoor public spaces, but avoid such spaces as much as possible.

Very hard when everyone wants to see family, especially over Christmas.

Stay safe,

Paula x

[sun_flower in reply to PaulaS]

Thanks Paula,yes l am back to wearing a mask,still having online shopping deliverys avoiding supermarkets,happy Christmas 🎄

[PaulaS Volunteer in reply to sun_flower]

Happy Christmas to you too, Maggie. (Sorry I can't find a Christmasy emoji). xx❤️

[CycleWonder]

We continue to wear masks indoors. We have colds now but tested negative fortunately and the three of us who had (or have) colds are all improving on the timeframe of a cold.

[SofiaDeo]

I've worn a mask during influenza season since I got this diagnosis in 2011. Since Covid, I wear one whenever in public. I am happy my CLL specialists' office is still requiring masks, since Covid hit.

[esn1967]

My family always masks indoors around other people with N95 or KN95 masks . I was just diagnosed with CLL in October, but I've been masking since prior to covid due to moderate asthma. I run a department at a college, I am around students constantly, sometimes one hundred or more. And sometimes during an on campus covid outbreak. The masks must work as I have not caught covid.

[AussieNeil Administrator in reply to esn1967]

Thanks to this study on the effect of the staggered lifting of masking mandates in Massachusetts schools, there is excellent evidence of the effectiveness of mask wearing. That the study showed a strong effect, even with the variability in effective, well fitted, good quality mask wearing in students, indicates to me, that if you wear a well fitted N95 PPF2 mask or better, then you'll be even more protected. Per nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/N...

Lifting Universal Masking in Schools — Covid-19 Incidence among Students and Staff

Background

In February 2022, Massachusetts rescinded a statewide universal masking policy in public schools, and many Massachusetts school districts lifted masking requirements during the subsequent weeks. In the greater Boston area, only two school districts — the Boston and neighboring Chelsea districts — sustained masking requirements through June 2022. The staggered lifting of masking requirements provided an opportunity to examine the effect of universal masking policies on the incidence of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in schools.

Conclusions

Among school districts in the greater Boston area, the lifting of masking requirements was associated with an additional 44.9 Covid-19 cases per 1000 students and staff during the 15 weeks after the statewide masking policy was rescinded.

Neil

[Thursday45]

I wish the mask rules were still mandatory. Met a friend when I was out walking the other day. She had Covid ‘but it was only a feint line, now, on the test.’ Said she was well muffled up to go to the shops. I’m so anxious about catching it again and I think lots of people are out and about with it.

[sun_flower in reply to Thursday45]

Yes exactly that 👏

[PaulaS Volunteer in reply to Thursday45]

I clicked "like" because I can relate to what you said, Thursday, not that I'm happy that people are out and about with Covid.

Like you, I wish the mask rules were still mandatory. Last week a man came to service our boiler, and my husband politely asked him to wear a mask when he came in. (We have a good store of masks at the door, ready to give people).

The boiler guy said he didn't need to wear a mask any more. Hubby explained my vulnerability, and boiler guy still refused. Hubby asked him to phone his boss and ask what he should do. Rather reluctantly, he did that. He came back rather sheepishly and said his boss said he should wear the mask.

He didn't take very long doing the boiler, and after he'd gone, hubby saw he'd left a screw loose that should've been tightened. We were not impressed. More than that, we are very sad that people can't be more understanding.

Paula

[Thursday45 in reply to PaulaS]

I guess it’s just difficult for some to imagine what it is like for people who are vulnerable. When I wore a mask on a coach trip someone said I looked like Donald Duck. It doesn’t help your confidence!

[sun_flower in reply to PaulaS]

We had our boiler serviced and l have to say the engineer couldn't have been more polite he already had one on,also my chiropodist wears one,l have been to hospital twice this week and masks are worn,for goodness sake it's not much to ask for

[PaulaS Volunteer in reply to sun_flower]

Great to hear that, Maggie. Not all the world has forgotten us...

[HopeME in reply to PaulaS]

I understand the reluctance to wear masks. I really do. However, when you enter a person’s home and they explain their wife has a medical condition and can you please wear a mask do you really need to call your boss to ask what to do? Talk about a lack of respect and common decency. Geez.

[LeoPa]

Good move. I never stopped wearing mine. There is too much other stuff flying around now. It's not only covid I want protection from.

[Newdawn Administrator]

I found this article very interesting and somewhat scary today (US based);

‘One of our best Covid-19 treatments doesn’t work anymore. What now?’

vox.com/platform/amp/scienc...

Newdawn

[sun_flower in reply to Newdawn]

😪

[DawnRedwood]

That's a shame. I still wear a mask at doctor's offices, hospital, and crowded places. Sometimes I'm the only one who has one on. Even at the oncologist's office last week, no one had a mask on but me!!!

[Wroxham]

Hi MaggieHappy Christmas & New Year.

I still wear a mask whenever I'm out. Usually the only one. It dosent bother me now. Even when people stare or comment.

I thought that we could still order test kits in the UK for free being immune suppressed but it wouldn't let me. Have you tried?

Stay safe.

⛄😘⛄Sue.

[sun_flower in reply to Wroxham]

Hi Sue,yes l have tried but not able too,me too l am wearing a mask again and not bothered what others think,l hope you are keeping ok,happy Christmas and new year to you and your family xx

[Jonquiljo in reply to Wroxham]

Masks are growing in popularity these days — just not fast enough. People are starting to understand that they are important. Hand sanitizer too. I carry little 1 oz. Bottle of sanitizer in my pants pocket.

It’s just not worth the risk to go out without these things.

[Wroxham]

Totally agree. I have a bottle attached to my handbag, which of course goes where I go.Best wishes Sue.

[Denis64]

I’m being treated with Acalabrutinib for Call. I just got back from the hospital after being diagnosed with Covid. This was a nightmare. Two weeks in hospital with high fever, not to mention full recovery of the lungs. We all got a bit careless over time. I strongly encourage to wear masks, even when it looks strange being the only one who is doing so and avoid crowds (I got infected at the doctor’s waiting room). Believe me, it can save your life.

[sun_flower in reply to Denis64]

Oh so sorry, yes l think l have gor a bit careless too,hopefully you will feel better soon 😘