Post Vaccination Behavior

[tmm99]

Our local county health department has new figures out. While the infection rate is still higher than they would like, about the same as September 2020, 97% of the new infections are among the unvaccinated. This group includes those who have conditions that prevent them from being safely vaccinated, or immune systems that don't react strongly enough to the vaccine. But, the great majority in the group simply have chosen not to get the shot.

I have no sympathy for people who chose not to get vaccinated and got COVID (At least, they knew that that could happen). I feel for people who didn't get protected even with the vaccine (due to their compromised immune system). I hope they can get some kind of antibody treatment to boost their immunity.

I didn't realize that some people have conditions that prevent them from being safely vaccinated though. Is it due to allergic reactions to vaccine ingredients? I imagine the people who got into an anaphylactic shock after getting the jab probably won't get the 2nd jab, but I don't know any other groups of people who can't get safely vaccinated. Do you happen to know who?

 

[harllee]

I have no sympathy for people who chose not to get vaccinated and got COVID (At least, they knew that that could happen). I feel for people who didn't get protected even with the vaccine (due to their compromised immune system). I hope they can get some kind of antibody treatment to boost their immunity.

I didn't realize that some people have conditions that prevent them from being safely vaccinated though. Is it due to allergic reactions to vaccine ingredients? I imagine the people who got into an anaphylactic shock after getting the jab probably won't get the 2nd jab, but I don't know any other groups of people who can't get safely vaccinated. Do you happen to know who?

My sister in law is undergoing breast cancer treatment, radiation and chemotherapy. Her GP and oncologist both have recommended the wait a few months until she finishes the current round of treatments before she gets the Covid vaccine. So there is an example of someone who cannot get the vaccine now. Children under age 12 do not qualify for the vaccine (it is my guess that most children will eventually be able to get the vaccine but newborns may never qualify for the vaccine). It is not a large percentage of the population but there are definitely some people who cannot get the vaccine. That is why we really need herd immunity. Now as to those who just refuse to get the vaccine--that is a different story

 

[Ronstar]

I've been to a few stores in the last few days. Mask mandates are gradually changing around here, but not every establishment has changed to no mask yet.

Menards home improvement - Now allow vaccinated people in without masks - except employees

Macy's - still need masks
Binny's Beverage Depot - still need masks
Woodcraft woodworking store - still need masks
Jersey Mikes sub shop - still need masks

Our small town grocery store - Now allowing vaccinated people in without masks - except employees

 

[disneysteve]

I didn't realize that some people have conditions that prevent them from being safely vaccinated though.

My cousin, who sadly passed away last week, spent multiple days getting up early and trying his best to get a vaccine when they first became available. He finally got an appointment and was excited, and then his oncologist told him he definitely shouldn't get the vaccine due to his cancer and overall condition. He felt the risk wasn't worth the potential benefit. The shot would possibly do more harm than good.

 

[MarieIG]

My cousin, who sadly passed away last week, spent multiple days getting up early and trying his best to get a vaccine when they first became available. He finally got an appointment and was excited, and then his oncologist told him he definitely shouldn't get the vaccine due to his cancer and overall condition. He felt the risk wasn't worth the potential benefit. The shot would possibly do more harm than good.

A co-worker's oncologist also recommended against it for her.

 

[disneysteve]

A co-worker's oncologist also recommended against it for her.

And it's not that the shots are particularly dangerous - they're not - but if your immune system is greatly suppressed by disease or treatment for disease, the shot just won't work so why risk the potential after effects for no benefit?

 

[GenXguy]

About half the people in the stores I visited weren't wearing masks a couple days ago. That's the first time I didn't wear one into a store, and I've been vaccinated since December. I still have to wear one in the common areas at work (unless eating) but not in my office.

 

[ERD50]

... But anyway, when I see somebody with a mask on, I try to keep my distance in order to be as considerate as I can. It's not meant as an insult, but just trying to practice good manners. ...

I've been thinking about this lately. I'm fully vaccinated and some mask restrictions have been lifted here in IL, and I like being able to go w/o the mask. It's just more comfortable, and I like to see peoples facial expressions (well, the smiles anyhow!), and to be able to hear them speak easier.

At Home Depot the other day, I have my mask around my neck (I bring it, just in case the rules change or someone makes an issue of it). After all, this is a BIG BOX store, with high ceilings, and most of the time no one is within 20 feet of me.

But I get to the cashier, and they are required to wear masks, and they don't know if I'm really fully vaccinated or not, and they run the risk of coming into contact with hundreds of people a day.

So I think you have a good point - out of consideration, I'll wear the mask at the checkout counter, or if have to be close to people with masks for more than a few seconds if I can't maintain a distance. It's not that much of a hardship, if it makes them feel better, I'm good with it.

-ERD50

 

[RobbieB]

Stores here still say mask required for entry. Everybody all got masks on. Still see people driving in cars alone with mask on.

I've never been that scared.

 

[Cayman]

In stores, businesses: I wear my mask out of respect for the workers and anyone I may encounter who doesnt know I am fully vaccinated. It's a very simple thing to wear a mask.

 

[Dtail]

Still wear a mask in Publix, but went to our first movie in over a year. Didn't wear a mask and it was kind of liberating.
There were only about 10 people in the theater.

 

[harllee]

And it's not that the shots are particularly dangerous - they're not - but if your immune system is greatly suppressed by disease or treatment for disease, the shot just won't work so why risk the potential after effects for no benefit?

Yes, my SIL who is undergoing chemo/radiation for breast cancer said that her doctor said to wait until she is finished her treatment in a few months to take the vaccine so that the vaccine would have a better chance to be effective. Plus the doctor does not want her to go through the side effects of the vaccine while she is undergoing awful side effects from her cancer treatment.

 

[harllee]

Stores here still say mask required for entry. Everybody all got masks on. Still see people driving in cars alone with mask on.

I've never been that scared.

Regarding driving alone in your car with your mask on--I find myself accidentally doing that on occasion. If I have been inside somewhere wearing a mask and I get in the car and forget I have the mask on. My mask is comfortable and I have gotten use to wearing it so I forget i have it on.

 

[audreyh1]

Stores here still say mask required for entry. Everybody all got masks on. Still see people driving in cars alone with mask on.

I've never been that scared.

Driving with mask on - this makes sense if you are driving from one store to another and don’t want to handle your mask until you are completely done running errands. Or you forgot it was on or simply lazy. It’s not necessarily that they are scared in their own car.

 

[Alan]

Masks are still required in stores here and when moving around inside restaurants, pubs and cafes. Sports stadia have been running at 25% capacity for a couple of weeks now so it’s been good to have real crowd noise back at live events.

The mask rules in public places apply to everyone which makes it more fair to younger folks who have not even had the opportunity to be vaccinated. All mandates scheduled to be lifted in 3 weeks unless this latest surge here results in more hospital admissions, but so far so good. (75% of all cases here are said to be from the variant first seen in India)

 

[Aerides]

Driving with mask on - this makes sense if you are driving from one store to another and don’t want to handle your mask until you are completely done running errands. Or you forgot it was on or simply lazy. It’s not necessarily that they are scared in their own car.

Yeah I figured that, especially early on when fomites were suspect. I think a lot of folks just got used to it and don't mine the mask enough to take it off, put it somewhere to stay clean, and then put it on again and repeat 10 mins later.

In S. Fla probably still 80% mostly wearing at Publix/Costco, but I did a Fresh Market stop this week and I almost felt in the minority with a mask, it was more 50/50.

We're going to dinner indoors tonight for the first time.

 

[greengo523]

I'll continue to wear a mask when grocery shopping since the staff still has to. Most in my area still do.

We were so thankful for all the essential workers this past year, it seems rude to me, not to show some solidarity since they are all still wearing them for full shifts.

I will continue to wear a mask in stores as well for now, since I don't have any idea who has been vaccinated and who hasn't. Supposedly even if you are vaccinated it is possibly to carry the virus and transmit it to someone else, although not very likely. Also even if vaccinated and you contract the virus it may be possible to develop "long haul" issues.

 

[Gumby]

With minor exceptions, the state mask mandate for all but the unvaccinated was lifted on 5/19, although private businesses can still require them for everyone on their premises. It's interesting that even though over 60% of adults in Connecticut have been fully vaccinated, I see disproportionately few unmasked people in the stores I visit. I mainly just go to the grocery and Lowes, neither of which has a private mask requirement, and I'd guess that over 95% of the other people are still masked. I can't imagine that those two places especially attract the unvaccinated, so it must be that other people are still not comfortable unmasked even though they may be vaccinated.

While I was fully vaccinated in March, in a spirit of social solidarity I have remained masked until all people who want to get vaccinated have that opportunity. I feel that we have now reached that point in Connecticut. Every last person in the state over the age of 12 is eligible; they can walk up to any drug store or vaccination clinic and get it without a wait, but the daily rate of vaccination is slowing. As a consequence, the state is about to start closing down the mass vaccination centers and is starting to resort to bribery - free drinks, free meals, free entertainment* - to get people to vaccinate. At this point, I think I have done my part and I trust my vaccination to keep me safe, so I am no longer going to mask unless a business requires it.


* - I would not have thought this particularly effective, but apparently it works. My neighbor's 30-something son was not going to get vaccinated. (Too busy, didn't think it was important.) But a mobile vaccination clinic was set up on the New Haven Green, and they were offering free pizza to anyone who got a shot. He was there for something else and was hungry, so he got the vaccine. Not the way my mind works, but it's all good. Whatever it takes to incentive the holdouts can only benefit all of us.

 

[mystang52]

For all I know it was earlier in this thread, but I've mentioned before that I've been practicing germophobia for years due to being immuno-compromised. For example, pre-COVID I would wear gloves when playing competitive ("Duplicate") Bridge. I'd get comments about the gloves and would invariably respond that I would wear a mask too, except it probably would freak out other players.
So, I continue to wear a mask when I go indoors. Whenever in-person Bridge resumes, I will wear a mask then, too.

 

[disneysteve]

* - I would not have thought this particularly effective, but apparently it works. My neighbor's 30-something son was not going to get vaccinated. (Too busy, didn't think it was important.) But a mobile vaccination clinic was set up on the New Haven Green, and they were offering free pizza to anyone who got a shot. He was there for something else and was hungry, so he got the vaccine. Not the way my mind works, but it's all good. Whatever it takes to incentive the holdouts can only benefit all of us.

Endless studies in all sorts of realms have proven that positive rewards work to influence behavior. Look how many people will make a special trip to the casino to collect a $5 slot bonus even if the trip itself costs more than $5 between gas, tolls, and parking. Or how people will buy a new product because they clipped a 50-cent off coupon from the Sunday paper.


If a slice of pizza gets people to take the shot, so be it. Many places around the country are doing all sorts of incentive programs. Whatever it takes.

 

[Aerides]

* - I would not have thought this particularly effective, but apparently it works...<snip>...Whatever it takes to incentive the holdouts can only benefit all of us.

There is a noticeable national uptick in new vaccinations beginning with the recent announcement of incentives like the OH $1m prize. The increase coincides with the approval of the vaccines for 12-16 year-olds, so it's probably a combo, but, yeah - whatever works.

Throwing money at a problem often does.

 

[Chuckanut]

In stores, businesses: I wear my mask out of respect for the workers and anyone I may encounter who doesnt know I am fully vaccinated. It's a very simple thing to wear a mask.

+1

Let's hope these un-vaccinated workers will take the opportunity they have been given and get vaccinated (unless they have medical conditions that preclude the shot.)

 

[harllee]

For all I know it was earlier in this thread, but I've mentioned before that I've been practicing germophobia for years due to being immuno-compromised. For example, pre-COVID I would wear gloves when playing competitive ("Duplicate") Bridge. I'd get comments about the gloves and would invariably respond that I would wear a mask too, except it probably would freak out other players.
So, I continue to wear a mask when I go indoors. Whenever in-person Bridge resumes, I will wear a mask then, too.

DH is the same--immune compromised due to autoimmune disease. He catches any virus that comes around, always sick with colds, flu, sinus infection, etc UNTIL THIS YEAR. In 18 months he has not had even a sniffle. This has been life changing for him, he has felt so much better and his life is such improved. So going forward we are going to do things differently. During cold/flu season we are going to avoid indoor crowds to the extent possible and if it is something we really want/ need to do we will wear mask (have not decided yet about gloves). We had quit shaking hands long ago. I will do all the same things because I do not want to pass on something to DH.

 

[Another Reader]

California has gotten into the rewards game. https://covid19.ca.gov/vax-for-the-win/

 

[Ronstar]

+1

Let's hope these un-vaccinated workers will take the opportunity they have been given and get vaccinated (unless they have medical conditions that preclude the shot.)

I wonder if un-vaccinated workers have a greater risk of infection from other workers, unmasked vaccinated customers, or masked un-vaccinated customers.

I suspect that stores, etc believe that unmasked vaccinated customers present little risk to their employees or they would have kept their mask mandates for everyone.