When masking, what counts as a public space?

[MusicalEighth]

I’m still wearing a mask in public and socializing outdoors, but I’m wondering about other spaces and activities.

If you’re also still wearing a mask in public, what about indoor family gatherings, weekly church services, and your workplace? Do you count these as public spaces, too?

I’m especially curious about work, since I’m hoping to return to the workforce soon. I would be in an office environment. Ideally, of course, I’d have my own office with a door and a window that opens, but that is highly unlikely. More likely, it will be a shared office space with 12 to 25 other people at desks, with each desk in its own half-walled cubicle. If you’re in that situation, what do you do about masking?

It's been three years since my transplant.

Thanks!

[sugabear]

All of those are public spaces for the purposes of exposure to illness. If you are concerned about contracting any airborne illnesses, then I would continue to mask in those places. You do also have to think about your own quality of life. Will you be happy and fulfilled masking in those places or avoiding them altogether? It really comes down to your happiness.

[Transplant2018]

I stil mask indoors. and I don't go to events like theatre. At church we sit away from others by an open window. On planes I wear my N-100 mask. For famiy gatherings I use a molecular Covid test (currently Metrix) to test people before removing my mask. It's a lot, but thus far I've never had Covid or other illnesses and I want to do everything possible to protect this precious kidney that was given to my by my friend almost 6 years ago.

[ShyeLoverDoctor]

Masking = any time I walk out the front door. Yes, I will wear it around my family. I have stopped wearing it when I walk the few blocks around my house for exercise, but I do step into the street rather than pass close to someone, or, sometimes I do carry it with me and will slip it on.

[MusicalEighth in reply to ShyeLoverDoctor]

My husband and I do a lot of walking in our neighborhood and hiking on local trails. We often find ourselves crossing to the other side of the road or stepping to the side of the trail for people who are walking their dogs. A lot of our neighbors want people to play with their pets, which I don't want to do because I don't know how healthy the dogs are, if they've had all their shots, etc. and I don't want to get infected.

[ShyeLoverDoctor in reply to MusicalEighth]

You can 100% get an infection from a dog or cat that will cause you to lose your new kidney. My friend Heather knew a little girl that happened to.

[Winner76]

Hi,

I’m sure lots of you won’t agree with me but I don’t wear a mask anywhere except hospitals and doctors office. I go on holiday , to concerts , shows the whole lot. I have a young child that brings home all sorts of germs from school. Luckily I have never had covid or the flu , I’m big on hand hygiene . I’m in Ireland and now we’re coming into Winter I might wear one more often.

But this is just me, you do what makes you comfortable and happy .

[LisaSnow in reply to Winner76]

I believe people who wear masks are not doing it to be "comfortable and happy". We simply do it to be responsible for our health, out of respect for our donors, and to practice good public health.

[Winner76 in reply to LisaSnow]

I think you took what I said the wrong way. Ido think though after the first year a little exposure helps strengthen the suppressed immune system a bit. I also very much respect my donor . I suffer with health anxiety and I try my best not to live in fear.

[Tankjsl]

I always have a mask with me. My wife is a nurse practitioner so she is very knowledgeable too about this and a constant voice in my ear about what she observes and recommends. We simply survey the situation if we go inside. If I go in to the grocery store and basically very few people around and no one in the area where we are, I may not mask. If there is a crowded situation, then I mask for sure. When I go to church, I sit in the back and mask. I think now, about 19 months post transplant, I have a good feel for the situation. If some place is real crowded I simply avoid it as much as possible. I didn't go through all of this to stay home or not enjoy life BUT I feel like I have been vigilant of "reading" the room where I am going too.

I sing in 2 different choruses and wear an N95 singers mask....have not had a problem. I work with a personal trainer at a gym. Again, if it is crowded, I mask. I go to the YMCA and swim. At the time I go, it's never crowded in the pool area. I take a mask to have in the entrance or if the rest of the building is crowded. I also make sure that every group I'm involved with, be it a choir or another organization, knows of my compromised immunity and hopefully these people are friends enough to take it seriously. So far I have had NO issues and I am very grateful for that. I have also received the updated vaccines too which adds an extra layer of protection

I try to do my very best out of respect for my close friend who was my donor. So I am going to be careful but I know she wants me to live life to the fullest and I am ever so grateful for her selflessness and friendship. She is a true blessing and friend.

Best of luck!

[MusicalEighth in reply to Tankjsl]

Thank you for your detailed answer. It helps to see how others are handling the nuances. I laughed a little when you mentioned sitting in the back of your church.... at our church, the back is often the most crowded section!

[Oceansideup]

It’s been over 3 years since my transplant and I don’t wear a mask in the grocery store or while shopping. I also choose to shop at times when those places are the least crowded, and as in the pandemic, I stay 6 feet away from people, wipe my shopping cart handle down and use hand sanitizer after. As others have said, I use my best judgement given the situation. Doctor office, airplane, airport, yes masking there.

We choose restaurants that have seating that is not jammed together, go early before it’s crowded and sit away from others, or sit outside if weather allows. I am vigilant about getting all vaccines. I have discussed my approach with my doctors and they are fine with it. I have not gotten sick with the exception of my husband bringing home a cold, and I got thru that ok.

All that to say - it’s really best to run through these types of scenarios with your doctor. Each person’s vulnerability is unique to them and affected by their specific health variables so your doc is really the most qualified person to advise you about masking.

[Darlenia in reply to Oceansideup]

My husband, who also has had his transplant for 3+ years, handles things just like you do.

Interestingly, the vast majority of kidney transplant failure is due to chronic rejection, not viruses. Like your doctors, my husband's team also agreed that he was handling everything appropriately, probably for that reason as well as his overall health. But, yes, we are situationally aware, using masks and sanitizers when we feel that potential for illness is there. We're all different. It's best for people to ask their own team for guidance.