I think it's easy to let your guard down if most of the people around you are doing the same thing and giving a false sense of security.
Very few people where I live wear masks. It can make a person question their concern and can be a kind of peer pressure. I almost feel like I have to give an excuse when people see me with a mask because a lot of people are anti-mask. Even doctors are feeling it. My GP still requires everyone to wear a mask. But, I went to a specialist and not only are masks not required but the doctor, nurse, etc. were not wearing masks. I think they are smart enough to know that isn't good for patients but it did make me question the doctor's judgment and medical recommendations for me. I suspect that they are pandering to patients who are so anti-mask. I went to the heart center at the hospital for a stress test. The receptionist had her surgical mask under her nose. The PA and technician told me to feel free to remove my mask.
However, I know that looking around at others can be misleading. A couple of weeks ago, I ran into a neighbor who happens to be an epidemiologist working on COVID in the county. They expect a surge by the fall but already are seeing significant increases. They have to estimate the numbers because a lot of people aren't getting PCR tests and aren't doing the rapid tests correctly (both because of timing or not going far enough up the nose). But, she told me that infections and reinfections are up and that they had so many teachers out that there were not enough substitute teachers to fill their spots.
She also told me that another virus (RSV?) and the flu are making the symptoms worse for people who have COVID. A person will get COVID, have mild symptoms, go back out after five days and catch this minor bug, and a few days later have much worse COVID symptoms. The masking early in the season delayed the seasons for flu and other viruses and many of the people who decided not to get vaxed for COVID also decided not to get vaxed for flu. And, because of the delay in the flu season, the flu vaccine is not as strong now.
I'll keep my mask on indoors and not go to events outdoors.
It's also easy to get lax with Omicron because the symptoms for the majority of people are minor or they are not symptomatic so you know people who will say it's no big deal. But, I know a couple of people who got long haul COVID and it's not pretty. I'd like to steer clear if I can, especially since I don't think I'm the best candidate for having an easy case.
Very few people where I live wear masks. It can make a person question their concern and can be a kind of peer pressure. I almost feel like I have to give an excuse when people see me with a mask because a lot of people are anti-mask. Even doctors are feeling it. My GP still requires everyone to wear a mask. But, I went to a specialist and not only are masks not required but the doctor, nurse, etc. were not wearing masks. I think they are smart enough to know that isn't good for patients but it did make me question the doctor's judgment and medical recommendations for me. I suspect that they are pandering to patients who are so anti-mask. I went to the heart center at the hospital for a stress test. The receptionist had her surgical mask under her nose. The PA and technician told me to feel free to remove my mask.
However, I know that looking around at others can be misleading. A couple of weeks ago, I ran into a neighbor who happens to be an epidemiologist working on COVID in the county. They expect a surge by the fall but already are seeing significant increases. They have to estimate the numbers because a lot of people aren't getting PCR tests and aren't doing the rapid tests correctly (both because of timing or not going far enough up the nose). But, she told me that infections and reinfections are up and that they had so many teachers out that there were not enough substitute teachers to fill their spots.
She also told me that another virus (RSV?) and the flu are making the symptoms worse for people who have COVID. A person will get COVID, have mild symptoms, go back out after five days and catch this minor bug, and a few days later have much worse COVID symptoms. The masking early in the season delayed the seasons for flu and other viruses and many of the people who decided not to get vaxed for COVID also decided not to get vaxed for flu. And, because of the delay in the flu season, the flu vaccine is not as strong now.
I'll keep my mask on indoors and not go to events outdoors.
It's also easy to get lax with Omicron because the symptoms for the majority of people are minor or they are not symptomatic so you know people who will say it's no big deal. But, I know a couple of people who got long haul COVID and it's not pretty. I'd like to steer clear if I can, especially since I don't think I'm the best candidate for having an easy case.
