Post Vaccination Behavior

[REWahoo]

Our 14th day post the Moderna second dose was Saturday, DW's birthday. Saturday also marked one year to the day we stopped virtually all personal contact with others other than outside, separated by a comfortable distance.

To celebrate we had dinner at our favorite Mexican restaurant - on their patio with a "hang on to your cloth napkin" breeze blowing. The frozen Margaritas were every bit as good as I remember!

 

[pacergal]

Good idea. I have put mine in my passport.

Thats where I have our hard copies, also, along with a picture on our phones and Drs office has info on file.

 

[JoeWras]

Although I see less of it today, in the past I have seen many, many people talking on their phone while they shop for groceries. I've also seen people remove their mask to talk on the phone, although heaven knows why that is necessary.

Maybe I should put this on the pet peeve thread. But do ya'll remember the days where you went to the store with your list, or your list generated by your spouse or SO, and actually managed to buy stuff on your own? It was an amazing lost skill! So much work, so much training required. </sarc>

Now, many need to apparently have a 1/2 hr discussion in the aisle on the pros and cons of Hellman's VS Duke's mayonnaise while simply trying to buy a few condiments.

 

[Chuckanut]

Traffic in my area is almost back to pre-Covid normals. IOW, it's getting bad again. But, due to the still higher unemployment rate and the number of people who are now working permanently from home, the 'bad' traffic hours are shorter. What used to be a mess from 6:30 to 10:00 AM now runs from about 7 to 9 AM.

 

[tmm99]

Today is 14 days since dose 2 - Pfizer. Starting to shop - Home Depot, Community Gardens seeds and bulbs, inside Costco, etc. No long trips yet. But? DW is looking at sidewalk dining when it gets warmer.

Traffic by my measure has greatly increased over the months of 'the lockdown'.

Heh heh heh - only slight arm soreness myself and DW so ready to start some activities previously off the table.

Hey, I'm so happy for you. Isn't it weird that little things like shopping and dining out can make you feel liberated? I can't wait to get vaccinated!

 

[Alan]

Our 14th day post the Moderna second dose was Saturday, DW's birthday. Saturday also marked one year to the day we stopped virtually all personal contact with others other than outside, separated by a comfortable distance.

To celebrate we had dinner at our favorite Mexican restaurant - on their patio with a "hang on to your cloth napkin" breeze blowing. The frozen Margaritas were every bit as good as I remember!

Congratulations, I bet that felt just great!

3 weeks now since our first shot and we have bought and eaten breakfast outside 3 times in the past few days. No indoor or outdoor dining on premises allowed but cafes and restaurants are allowed to sell carry-out so we have been buying breakfast and coffee, then sitting on one of the many benches scattered around the town. We even drove a few miles to a local garden center to buy plants, seeds, compost etc.

 

[harllee]

I am about a month past my second Moderna vaccine and I am starting to do more things. I went to a college baseball game last Saturday and had a great time(spaced apart and masks required--there were mask police everywhere). I went to dinner indoors at a friends house--all of us post vaccine--we sat spaced apart but no masks. I went to see my 90 year old vaccinated mother in her apartment--set apart and masked except while eating. I do curbside grocery pick up (did that before the pandemic) and I don't plan to go inside a grocery if I can help it--I hate grocery shopping. I do not plan to go into a restaurant until more people are vaccinated but I might eat outside when the weather warms up. For now, I am not rejoining the gym, I like my home fitness center. My Church is meeting outside and I am going to that, spaced and masked. I am not ready yet to go inside a Church yet.

 

[Ronstar]

I’m 13 days post 2nd dose moderna. I’m doing the same things as pre-vaccine, and still with a mask. Menards, grocery stores, hardware stores, dr, dentist, hair cuts, car repair shop, food to go. I’m starting to encounter more unmasked people, but it doesn’t bother me like it would have pre-vaccine.

Just visited some friends who are vaccinated- the 4 of us unmasked around their kitchen island chatting for 3 hours. And I have jury duty next week where people speaking are not required to be masked.

Things may slowly getting back to normal.

 

[athena53]

We get our second shot next week, and I already have flight travel planned in late April. I am a little concerned about becoming a basket case in the airport and onboard the plane, flinching and twitching every time someone comes near me.

I'm scheduled for my second dose 3/27 and had already scheduled a tour of E. Europe starting 6/26. (Most is moveable with little or no penalty if things change.) Yesterday I purchased airfare for a cruise in Belize and Guatemala in October. Typically I fly Business only on long hauls and these flights are 2-3 hours and have a connection- but I got Business Class anyway for the space.

I plan to mask indefinitely to protect myself and everyone else. I haven't been on a plane since I came home from Bolivia a year ago and yes, it will be scary. I've almost trained myself to be nervous when I'm around a large group of people for an extended period of time, even masked and socially-distanced.

Last year I was summoned for jury duty on December 1. WTH were they thinking? Got it postponed till late May. I feel a LOT better about that timing now.

Donating blood is on my to do list and that is exactly why I have put it off until I was fully vaccinated.

You are either in the clinic or on one of those buses. I don’t care how much they wipe the equipment and seats down it’s the airborne part that makes me nervous since I’m relying on everyone else around me to have a proper mask and use it correctly.

I've been donating blood regularly and haven't missed a beat- fortunately did not encounter anyone removing a mask to sneeze! I just figured people who feel sick aren't likely to donate blood and the centers have always been set up to prevent transmission of germs and viruses.

 

[explanade]

I am about a month past my second Moderna vaccine and I am starting to do more things. I went to a college baseball game last Saturday and had a great time(spaced apart and masks required--there were mask police everywhere). I went to dinner indoors at a friends house--all of us post vaccine--we sat spaced apart but no masks. I went to see my 90 year old vaccinated mother in her apartment--set apart and masked except while eating. I do curbside grocery pick up (did that before the pandemic) and I don't plan to go inside a grocery if I can help it--I hate grocery shopping. I do not plan to go into a restaurant until more people are vaccinated but I might eat outside when the weather warms up. For now, I am not rejoining the gym, I like my home fitness center. My Church is meeting outside and I am going to that, spaced and masked. I am not ready yet to go inside a Church yet.

Baseball game was outside?

How far apart were people seated in the stands?

 

[harllee]

Baseball game was outside?

How far apart were people seated in the stands?

Yes baseball was outside. NC allows 30% attendance at outside sporting events. Stadium holds 4,000 so 1,200 tickets were sold. Everyone was at least 10 feet apart, probably more. Masks were required and it was enforced. Felt very safe and I enjoyed it. I love baseball. The last sporting event I attended was a baseball game on March 4, 2020.

 

[Midpack]

We have season tickets to 9 Broadway shows that we’re suspended in Mar 2020. They’ve revamped their HVAC system and they’re planning to resume plays this Sept at full capacity with masks required and I assume some other changes (temps, etc.). I’m guessing they’re not going to reopen early at reduced capacity because they can’t make the economics work with reduced audiences (actors, lights, stage/support crews, etc.). I wonder how/if they will enforce masks - some people are belligerent about it? I’m hopeful we’ll be able to start attending again, we’ve really missed it. They’re offering a money back guarantee for anyone who isn’t comfortable attending, but we’ve let our package ride assuming they’d be having a tough enough time with patrons demanding their money back and no incoming revenue.

 

[sengsational]

Good idea. I have put mine in my passport.

Mine's in my wallet for the time being. I'll need it on April fools day (2nd of 2). After that, probably in the passport, as it sticks out the top of my wallet.

My favorite was the guy at the blood donation site that took his mask off to sneeze.

To celebrate we had dinner at our favorite Mexican restaurant - on their patio with a "hang on to your cloth napkin" breeze blowing. The frozen Margaritas were every bit as good as I remember!

We have a favorite Mexican place we haven't been to for over a year. I can't wait! They don't have outdoor seating, though, so it'll be a month before we can do it.

 

[JoeWras]

I wonder how/if they will enforce masks - some people are belligerent about it?

Like they do at the PNC arena in Raleigh for Hurricanes hockey games?

No mask? You are escorted out. Bark back belligerently? Season ban.

I haven't been to the games, but people on the forums have said that is what they are seeing.

Obvious accidents like masks slipping down under the nose after celebrating a goal and jumping around are simply pointed out and if you comply, no foul. But be intentional about it and you are outta there.

BTW, we started paying ahead way back last spring, so we had a balance. I got part money back, the balance is riding on to next season's hopeful tickets. They offered a short window of 100% money back which I missed.

 

[harllee]

We have season tickets to 9 Broadway shows that we’re suspended in Mar 2020. They’ve revamped their HVAC system and they’re planning to resume plays this Sept at full capacity with masks required and I assume some other changes (temps, etc.). I’m guessing they’re not going to reopen early at reduced capacity because they can’t make the economics work with reduced audiences (actors, lights, stage/support crews, etc.). I wonder how/if they will enforce masks - some people are belligerent about it? I’m hopeful we’ll be able to start attending again, we’ve really missed it. They’re offering a money back guarantee for anyone who isn’t comfortable attending, but we’ve let our package ride assuming they’d be having a tough enough time with patrons demanding their money back and no incoming revenue.

What they did at the baseball game I attended last Saturday--everyone was told when they bought their ticket that masks were required. If you took off your mask or let it slip down and you were not currently eating or drinking an usher kindly asked you to put it back on. Next offense you were asked to leave. If you were belligerent a uninformed police officer was on hand to escort you out. I saw that happen to 2 people, after that everyone was very careful to keep their masks on.

 

[Calico]

Tomorrow I will be exactly 4 weeks post-second Pfizer vaccination. I am cautiously venturing out a bit now, for the first time in a year.

Saturday marked my one year "Covid-versary" - March 13th, 2020 was the day we all fled our office and started WFH.

To mark the occasion, on Saturday I got my first haircut in 16 months (Nov. 2019 was the last one) and then I popped into my favorite Indy bookstore to pick up a book I had ordered, and then I popped into my favorite Italian restaurant to get some takeout.

After the haircut I felt like an entirely new person! I was required to keep my mask on during the cut, which was fine with me - the stylist said she is now an expert at working around masks. I did choose to get the cut outside; they offer this option if the weather permits, and it was 70 degrees, so it was lovely. I imagine we provided sidewalk entertainment for people passing by.

I've made plans to see my aunt (mid-80's) in ten days - although her local CCRC is now allowing a few visitors inside the independent living duplexes, we decided to meet and eat in the community garden area there, as the weather will be perfect. The last time I saw her in person was Christmas, 2019. I've only seen her on Zoom since then.

I am due for my annual eye appointment, and well overdue for a dental cleaning; I now feel comfortable enough to schedule those for some time in April.

At this point I don't plan to dine inside anywhere, or spend time with unvaccinated family members, or go to a movie. Those will have to wait at least a few more months.

The best thing about being vaccinated, and hearing of so many other folks being vaccinated, is the feeling of hope I now have that there is indeed a light at the end of this tunnel, although we aren't there quite yet.

 

[kcowan]

We are 2+ weeks after the first Pfizer and went to an indoor restaurant last week and the rooftop of another tonight. Getting the second jab in the next 10 days.

Still wear a mask everywhere. Sticking to open air restaurants so last week was an exception although there was good air flow.

 

[twaddle]

Fun article today in Nature.

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00728-2

At current vaccination rates, Israel is closing in on the theoretical herd-immunity threshold, Aran says. The problem is that, as more people are vaccinated, they will increase their interactions, and that changes the herd-immunity equation, which relies in part on how many people are being exposed to the virus. “The vaccine is not bulletproof,” he says. Imagine that a vaccine offers 90% protection: “If before the vaccine you met at most one person, and now with vaccines you meet ten people, you’re back to square one.”

 

[Chuckanut]

I am past my two week waiting time after the 2nd shot of the vaccine so as to be sure I had all the immunity advertised. I have now finished two routine medical appointments, and one that was done out of 'an abundance of caution'. Putting off the appointments until the vaccine had fully kicked in seemed like a good idea since the chances that a slight delay would cost me my health and/or life were small.

Other than that, and having a beer with a buddy inside a well ventilated room in a craft brewery with the nearest other human beings a good 15-20 feet away, I still take the usual precautions.

 

[sengsational]

Other than that, and having a beer with a buddy inside a well ventilated room in a craft brewery with the nearest other human beings a good 15-20 feet away, I still take the usual precautions.

Congratulations! I'm about a month behind you, but a taproom will be in first three places because that's where my buddies will be!

 

[dirtbiker]

I've been fully vaccinated for about two months now. The biggest difference I have is peace of mind that I'm much less likely to be bringing home the virus or transmitting to one of my patients after a long day of seeing dozens of patients up close. I've always been very careful and strict about wearing gloves, eye protection, and N95/KN95 respirators when seeing patients, but it was always on the back of my mind, what if I bring it home...

 

[Chuckanut]

https://academic.oup.com/ofid/article/8/3/ofab117/6178359

The above links to a conversation between Dr.Paul Sax of Open Forum Infectious Diseases and Dr. Zeynep Tufecki.

I find Dr. Tufecki (Ph.D. in Sociology) to be a breath of fresh air in regards to how people are affected by the corona virus, and sensible ways to fight the virus while not driving the general population crazy by scolding them for not following burdensome rules that don't do much good - and may even make matter worse as people find ways to circumvent the rules. Since she has voiced some of my own beliefs in a much clearer and authoritative voice, I have to assume she is brilliant.

Nobody got the vaccine to be scolded.” And again, we don’t trust people. We feel like if they’re vaccinated, they’re going to go, I don’t know, get sick and cough on people. I don’t know what the mental model of scolding is, it makes no sense to me.

Her discussion of the illogical thinking behind telling a 90 year old grandmother who has had her covid vaccine shots she still can't hug her grandchildren, and that she should 'wait another year' is spot-on.

 

[JoeWras]

Scolding is power. People like power.

 

[Aerides]

Mod Note:

Perhaps we can refocus this thread onto our own behaviors, vs. continued ranting about media/medical experts/"them", etc., to allow a positive discussion to continue.

Repeating for those late to class...

 

[Time2]

Now that I am fully vaccinated I have ventured back into the grocery store fully masked and was irritated to see the people with their noses hanging out of their masks. That's a sight I didn't have to witness when I was doing curbside pick up.

I see that mask over the mouth but below the nose thing way to often. If I was a Karen, I would ask, "Do you know why the swab the nose for a Corona virus test. BECAUSE THE VIRUS IS THERE!