This weekend, the grandtwins and I went to see “Addams Family 2” (meh), but the deal before we went in — masked — was that if the theater was crowded, we’d head right out the door.
As it turns out, we had a private viewing. We scampered to our favorite seats (middle, very back) and we chatted as if we were watching in our living room. The grandtwins are 10, and so they are not vaccinated. The pandemic has curtailed a trip to Niagara Falls, an annual trek to Santa’s Village in New Hampshire, and a host of other fairs, plays and other events we’d normally crowd into.
So I’m curious: How much are you circulating? I still wear a mask, still stay clear of most people. I’m in Connecticut and other than a couple of exceptions, I haven’t ventured back into restaurants, and I’ve skipped a few wakes and funerals out of a concern of infection. You?
A lot. For several reasons (vaccinations & health), there is an enormous difference between how I'm operating now vs a year ago. I feel alive again. I am fully vaccinated and just got the Pfizer booster last week.
(I'd urge anyone eligible for the booster to get it now, while there are plenty of vaccines available AND plenty of practitioners available to administer them. Once the kids are eligible, I hope they get the appointments.)
I have been on a plane*, eating in restaurants, shopping*, going to hair appointments* and doc appointments*, and gathering with friends indoors and out.
* wearing a mask - also wearing a mask when not at table in restaurants
Though I did not go to an outdoor music fest that I felt was potentially risky. Maybe it was or maybe it wasn't. We're all operating on imperfect information on risk. I wish there were more mask mandates indoors and wear a mask in indoor public places regardless of mandates. It just seems like an easy thing to do to reduce some risk.
I am not at all worried about myself. I trust the vaccine will work to protect me. I am more concerned about being a carrier and incubator for mutation of the virus. I believe the booster will reduce the odds of that happening so yay for that!
I hope the vaccine is available to kids SOON! It's too late for my pediatrician daughter-in-law who ended up with a breakthrough infection and son who is now sick with a breakthrough infection as well. Physicians, nurses, other medical staff who had Moderna vaccines are at risk, and we can't afford to lose more medical staffing. They typically need to stay out for 10 days, I'm hearing. They need more protection so I hope Moderna's booster is also approved SOON!
I'm angry at the people who refuse to vaccinate. We vaccinate for each other. I'm sad for the parts of the world where vaccines aren't as available. I'm trying to do my part though.
I worry about being a carrier, myself, given that I'm teaching in classrooms with real, live students. But I have to say they're mostly taking this seriously. I'm relieved.
We shouldn’t be shy about getting tested if we’re worried about exposure or have suspicious symptoms. I’m at the end of the peak of my own personal hay fever/allergy season (sounds special, I know) when OTC medicine doesn’t always help eliminate symptoms so I got tested just in case. I didn’t think Covid was likely but the negative result was a relief.
I get tested pretty frequently (though less lately) just because I'm concerned about being a carrier. It's free. It takes just a few minutes. And it reassures me I'm not putting people at risk.
I'm not circulating at all these days. Then again, I'm the reader who's in the middle of radiation so I really can't afford to get a Covid breakthrough infection or anything else for that matter. I'm serious about that so won't go to inside gatherings even w/ a mask and have even gotten up the nerve to ask people to back up when they get too close. I'll be done w/ radiation next week but I think it will be awhile before I'd let my guard down even a little - most likely not until a few weeks after I get a booster shot. I have to admit though I can't wait to post a picture on FB of the immobilization mask I have to wear in case I have any family or friends against masking.
I am fully vaccinated but still trying to be careful. Not eating indoors or going to movies or other indoor events. I do have to teach in person this year but we are all masked and I am very strict about enforcing it in my classes. I often see students not wearing masks in common areas where they are supposed to and I find myself constantly telling them to wear their masks correctly (The nose exposed drives me up the wall.) I am getting together with small groups of family who I know are all vaccinated. I do go into stores but I wear a mask all of the time. I am no longer wearing a mask outdoors but still avoided big crowds even outdoors. I am erring on the side of caution.
Ha ha! I recently said to a whole group of students: "I am sure your noses are all perfect, I just don't want to see them." No wonder we get along. That plus foul language and a generally sarcastic way of dealing with this vale of tears.
We are staying masked and try to eat outdoors. But have eaten indoors at times when places are not crowded, early dinner... late lunch. Went to a wedding in NYC this past weekend and was initially concerned about whether we should go. Then the invitation arrived 6 weeks ago with an insert that said "we are grateful and excited to welcome you to be a part of our wedding celebration. The safety and comfort of our guests and staff is our highest priority. We would like to formally request that all those attending are fully vaccinated. The venue will require proof of vaccination at the door. If you are unvaccinated, or in any way uncomfortable attending, we respect you decision and would love to celebrate with you another time." This made us feel more secure knowing the people there will be taking this seriously. Even so, there could be a breakthrough infection, but this made the odds that we would be safe much better in our minds. The venue was an old warehouse and there were doors and windows open and lots of good ventilation. This weekend we have out tix to the Goodspeed for the first time and they also are requiring vaccinations. But we are struggling with this one because of the close quarters even though everyone will have to give proof of vaccination. I think we will continue to look at everything on a case-by-case basis and determine the risk in each situation.
That was a coupla smart cookies, planning that wedding. I haven't gone to a wedding or a funeral or anything like that since the pandemic. I look forward to big crowded halls with lots of wailing and gnashing of teeth -- which could describe a wedding OR a funeral, in my group.
Not eating indoors yet. Socializing indoors with a few friends we trust. We’ve eaten some indoor concert tickets we bought on wishful thinking a few months ago. Went to an outdoor music festival and masked when moving about the crowd. Staring at our season tickets for basketball and holding our breath. We continue to mask like we have right along. We seem more cautious than most, maybe the boosters will change that when we get them. I have a hard time being optimistic about the winter but I’m glad to be living in Conntecut.
I feel the same way. I'm grateful I live here, where most people take this virus seriously. My little town has a bunch of festivals coming up that have been modified, but it will sure beat the cold, dark winter we had last year. And no sweat about misspellings. I really wish this comment section allowed for editing your own comments.
We're vaxxed. We mask. I now have some at-home COVID tests supplied by the state of Colorado, and used the first yesterday on our son, who came home from a hockey tournament with what presented as a bad cold. (It turned up negative.)
That hockey team, largely fielded out of a GOP and anti-vaxx and Christian dominionist locale, is our biggest exposure and the venue most vulnerable to infection from us. And in fact we all got COVID a year ago, I am certain from his last year's team, out of the same location and demographic.
As for going out-- we don't, much, and only when the restaurant layout permits distance and ventilation. With winter coming on again we are likely to go out less. That said, we are going to the Avs opening game tonight good grief I think hockey world tends GOP.
Meanwhile we are now living in a much smaller space during the week, with a much smaller kitchen and refrigerator situation, with Chun Woo and Sheeyun now adhering to quite disparate jock diets and that makes both tripartite self-catering and any attempt at providing food for all of us rather painful.
I draw a veil over scheduling issues to do with school and hockey and work trips and bathroom remodeling and farming and today, the ratcatcher. While screaming lightly.
Wow. That's a LOT on one plate (and I'm glad your son's test came up negative). I'm amazing sometimes, when I look at how I've changed the way I do things over this. I never questioned the protocols from Dr. Fauci, and now I'm just kind of feeling my way.
I have eaten indoors a few times at the local pub, but I prefer sitting outdoors. I've got one local favorite place that has sidewalk tables, and I'll only eat indoors there if it's not crowded (it's never full) and it's raining or very cold outdoors. I floated the idea of going to a movie on Sunday, but neither one of us is willing to sit for two hours with strangers who are most certainly not going to keep their masks on for two hours. I skipped the annual party at a friend's lakehouse because I trust my friends but not the neighbors who are invited who are strangers to me. Bob went, and said he kept his mask on except when he was eating or singing, and he seems fine. Maybe I should have gone, but there's always next year.
This is pretty much my protocol, though I have been to two movies and the time before this recent visit there were 10 of us in the entire theater. I’m cautious. And I’m alive.
I hadn't realized before the pandemic how many rituals and traditions we have, the grandtwins and I, and those have mostly gone by the wayside. We have started a few new ones, but I miss the trips and the movies and such.
A lot. For several reasons (vaccinations & health), there is an enormous difference between how I'm operating now vs a year ago. I feel alive again. I am fully vaccinated and just got the Pfizer booster last week.
(I'd urge anyone eligible for the booster to get it now, while there are plenty of vaccines available AND plenty of practitioners available to administer them. Once the kids are eligible, I hope they get the appointments.)
I have been on a plane*, eating in restaurants, shopping*, going to hair appointments* and doc appointments*, and gathering with friends indoors and out.
* wearing a mask - also wearing a mask when not at table in restaurants
Though I did not go to an outdoor music fest that I felt was potentially risky. Maybe it was or maybe it wasn't. We're all operating on imperfect information on risk. I wish there were more mask mandates indoors and wear a mask in indoor public places regardless of mandates. It just seems like an easy thing to do to reduce some risk.
I am not at all worried about myself. I trust the vaccine will work to protect me. I am more concerned about being a carrier and incubator for mutation of the virus. I believe the booster will reduce the odds of that happening so yay for that!
I hope the vaccine is available to kids SOON! It's too late for my pediatrician daughter-in-law who ended up with a breakthrough infection and son who is now sick with a breakthrough infection as well. Physicians, nurses, other medical staff who had Moderna vaccines are at risk, and we can't afford to lose more medical staffing. They typically need to stay out for 10 days, I'm hearing. They need more protection so I hope Moderna's booster is also approved SOON!
I'm angry at the people who refuse to vaccinate. We vaccinate for each other. I'm sad for the parts of the world where vaccines aren't as available. I'm trying to do my part though.
I worry about being a carrier, myself, given that I'm teaching in classrooms with real, live students. But I have to say they're mostly taking this seriously. I'm relieved.
We shouldn’t be shy about getting tested if we’re worried about exposure or have suspicious symptoms. I’m at the end of the peak of my own personal hay fever/allergy season (sounds special, I know) when OTC medicine doesn’t always help eliminate symptoms so I got tested just in case. I didn’t think Covid was likely but the negative result was a relief.
I get tested pretty frequently (though less lately) just because I'm concerned about being a carrier. It's free. It takes just a few minutes. And it reassures me I'm not putting people at risk.
I'm not circulating at all these days. Then again, I'm the reader who's in the middle of radiation so I really can't afford to get a Covid breakthrough infection or anything else for that matter. I'm serious about that so won't go to inside gatherings even w/ a mask and have even gotten up the nerve to ask people to back up when they get too close. I'll be done w/ radiation next week but I think it will be awhile before I'd let my guard down even a little - most likely not until a few weeks after I get a booster shot. I have to admit though I can't wait to post a picture on FB of the immobilization mask I have to wear in case I have any family or friends against masking.
I am holding you in my heart during radiation. Hugs all around.
Getting my Pfizer booster tomorrow but have been publicly masking again indoors. Going to be sad when it gets too cold to dine outside.
I'm going to miss that, as well.
I went to a memorial for a friend who died of Covid in December
It was the first time I was at an indoor event since last February
I got there a little late and cut it short when I saw some of the people who I know are anti mask and anti vax goofballs
I'm so sorry for your loss of your friend. I have avoided those gatherings mainly for that reason -- too many goobers.
I am fully vaccinated but still trying to be careful. Not eating indoors or going to movies or other indoor events. I do have to teach in person this year but we are all masked and I am very strict about enforcing it in my classes. I often see students not wearing masks in common areas where they are supposed to and I find myself constantly telling them to wear their masks correctly (The nose exposed drives me up the wall.) I am getting together with small groups of family who I know are all vaccinated. I do go into stores but I wear a mask all of the time. I am no longer wearing a mask outdoors but still avoided big crowds even outdoors. I am erring on the side of caution.
I'm the mask granny here, too. I don't want to see your nostrils. I'm sure your nostrils are beautiful. I can tell. But I don't want to see them.
Ha ha! I recently said to a whole group of students: "I am sure your noses are all perfect, I just don't want to see them." No wonder we get along. That plus foul language and a generally sarcastic way of dealing with this vale of tears.
Great minds? Or twisted ones?
We are staying masked and try to eat outdoors. But have eaten indoors at times when places are not crowded, early dinner... late lunch. Went to a wedding in NYC this past weekend and was initially concerned about whether we should go. Then the invitation arrived 6 weeks ago with an insert that said "we are grateful and excited to welcome you to be a part of our wedding celebration. The safety and comfort of our guests and staff is our highest priority. We would like to formally request that all those attending are fully vaccinated. The venue will require proof of vaccination at the door. If you are unvaccinated, or in any way uncomfortable attending, we respect you decision and would love to celebrate with you another time." This made us feel more secure knowing the people there will be taking this seriously. Even so, there could be a breakthrough infection, but this made the odds that we would be safe much better in our minds. The venue was an old warehouse and there were doors and windows open and lots of good ventilation. This weekend we have out tix to the Goodspeed for the first time and they also are requiring vaccinations. But we are struggling with this one because of the close quarters even though everyone will have to give proof of vaccination. I think we will continue to look at everything on a case-by-case basis and determine the risk in each situation.
That was a coupla smart cookies, planning that wedding. I haven't gone to a wedding or a funeral or anything like that since the pandemic. I look forward to big crowded halls with lots of wailing and gnashing of teeth -- which could describe a wedding OR a funeral, in my group.
LOL!!
Not eating indoors yet. Socializing indoors with a few friends we trust. We’ve eaten some indoor concert tickets we bought on wishful thinking a few months ago. Went to an outdoor music festival and masked when moving about the crowd. Staring at our season tickets for basketball and holding our breath. We continue to mask like we have right along. We seem more cautious than most, maybe the boosters will change that when we get them. I have a hard time being optimistic about the winter but I’m glad to be living in Conntecut.
Connecticut. Sheesh!
I feel the same way. I'm grateful I live here, where most people take this virus seriously. My little town has a bunch of festivals coming up that have been modified, but it will sure beat the cold, dark winter we had last year. And no sweat about misspellings. I really wish this comment section allowed for editing your own comments.
We're vaxxed. We mask. I now have some at-home COVID tests supplied by the state of Colorado, and used the first yesterday on our son, who came home from a hockey tournament with what presented as a bad cold. (It turned up negative.)
That hockey team, largely fielded out of a GOP and anti-vaxx and Christian dominionist locale, is our biggest exposure and the venue most vulnerable to infection from us. And in fact we all got COVID a year ago, I am certain from his last year's team, out of the same location and demographic.
As for going out-- we don't, much, and only when the restaurant layout permits distance and ventilation. With winter coming on again we are likely to go out less. That said, we are going to the Avs opening game tonight good grief I think hockey world tends GOP.
Meanwhile we are now living in a much smaller space during the week, with a much smaller kitchen and refrigerator situation, with Chun Woo and Sheeyun now adhering to quite disparate jock diets and that makes both tripartite self-catering and any attempt at providing food for all of us rather painful.
I draw a veil over scheduling issues to do with school and hockey and work trips and bathroom remodeling and farming and today, the ratcatcher. While screaming lightly.
Wow. That's a LOT on one plate (and I'm glad your son's test came up negative). I'm amazing sometimes, when I look at how I've changed the way I do things over this. I never questioned the protocols from Dr. Fauci, and now I'm just kind of feeling my way.
I have eaten indoors a few times at the local pub, but I prefer sitting outdoors. I've got one local favorite place that has sidewalk tables, and I'll only eat indoors there if it's not crowded (it's never full) and it's raining or very cold outdoors. I floated the idea of going to a movie on Sunday, but neither one of us is willing to sit for two hours with strangers who are most certainly not going to keep their masks on for two hours. I skipped the annual party at a friend's lakehouse because I trust my friends but not the neighbors who are invited who are strangers to me. Bob went, and said he kept his mask on except when he was eating or singing, and he seems fine. Maybe I should have gone, but there's always next year.
This is pretty much my protocol, though I have been to two movies and the time before this recent visit there were 10 of us in the entire theater. I’m cautious. And I’m alive.
I hadn't realized before the pandemic how many rituals and traditions we have, the grandtwins and I, and those have mostly gone by the wayside. We have started a few new ones, but I miss the trips and the movies and such.