Serious question

[malaise]

Are some folks (particularly seniors) still wearing masks?

[Lonestarblue]

1. I do wear masks some of the time.

My family is nowhere near me, so I’ll be flying for the holidays. I wear a mask in the airport and on the plane. I haven’t been as diligent in local stores, though I’ve seen more people wearing masks over the few weeks. Covid is still around, as is flu. I’d rather get neither.

[malaise]

3. Thanks

[underpants]

2. Yes. I see people all the time

They’ve become accustomed to it. Makes them feel safe so okay. Frankly we should’ve all been wearing them when we were spending time in the hospital with my father in law. All of us have gotten sick in the last two weeks.

[malaise]

4. Agree - makes sense

and thanks 😀

[Ms. Toad]

88. Makes them feel safe so it's okay? That's a bit insulting.

My daughter is also on immune suppressants, so she doesn't have what it takes to fight off COVID.

Wearing masks goes well beyond "feel(ing) safe." For my daughter it is a matter of life and death, and I'd rather not be the one who brings home something that kills her.

As for "feel(ing) safe," I've had COVID twice - both were by exposure within my home where I don't mask. I do isolate as soon as my spouse has any symptoms (and successfully avoided her most recent bout with COVID). And I've been exposed at least a half-dozen times (that I know of) since September, including by a person who admitted having COVID while wearing her mask as a chin diaper. I have never caught COVID while I was masked, despite numerous exposures. So masking goes well beyond "feel(ing) safe."

[underpants]

96. You are correct. That was lazy of me to use that phrase

I was trying to think of another way to put it and I should’ve taken more time.

Masks are absolutely an effective protection for the receiver. Masks are mostly effective to prevent the spread of germs etc FROM the projector. Wearing masks are a normal course of life in many very congested areas because they are considerate and they work.

I do apologize.

[usedtobedemgurl]

5. I do.

That being said, I have a brain injury which affects my memory. The other day, I found myself inside a store shocked that I was not wearing a mask! But I believe, despite the impairment, I wear a mask 98% of the time. I feel safer with it on, and my husband has cancer.

For my job, I am constantly in public places, such as gas station convenience stores and grocery stores. I cannot recall the last time I saw so.done else wearing a mask! This week I will be in 10 grocery stores, two Pizza Huts, at least four gas stations, a car wash and several convenience stores. That gives you an idea of my type of schedule. I will be lucky to see a single person in a mask!! The great thing is I have not received blowback for wearing a mask. Just FYI, I am in NC.

[malaise]

6. Take care and thanks

I wear one most of the time. 😀

[usedtobedemgurl]

8. Stay safe!!!

[WmChris]

7. Occasionally

We wear them when in doctors' offices or airports and airplanes or during hospital visits. When exposures to people are likely to be unwell and in close proximity. 😷

[malaise]

12. Thanks

😀

[niyad]

9. Yes, they are. And I see more people every day here, more so as it is getting

colder. Not just seniors, I see people of all ages wearing them. And I have noticed that stores are stocking them again.

Note to self: time to toss all of yours in the wash.

[malaise]

13. LOL

and thanks

[niyad]

14. You are most welcome!

[nitpicked]

10. Generally not

There are some in the clinic, but I don't think I've seen mask-wearers in other places.

[malaise]

15. Where are you?

Thanks

[nitpicked]

69. Northern VA

Where I got run over by pneumonia...and wound up being a pincushion for the clinic vampires (driving Mr. "I can solve this" nurse into retreat), transferred to hospital for further tests and treatment and eating hospital cuisine, then back home with more antibiotics (the kind they really don't want to give out unless you can't take the standard stuff) and "do NOT take this, that and the other with this medicine". Finally through with THAT.

((Stocked back up on masks at the big clinic last week (that still has masks to grab) when they looked to make sure the pneumonia is running away.))

[Emile]

11. Fully up on my vaccinations and I feel safe enough to not wearing them anymore.

[malaise]

16. Thanks

[DFW Dem]

17. Grocery store

No one wears a mask here in Texas. I figure, People who don’t feel well do not go out random shopping. But we DO need to get groceries & meds. I wear my mask in the supermarket. Tons of people go through there daily. It’s not just Covid; flu season here has been pretty fierce, too.
Hoping all of you stay healthy.

[malaise]

18. What I have noticed since Covid spread

I often wear a mask and have not had a cold or flu in years.
No way to know if that is due to retirement and less exposure to folks with either or wearing a mask.
Most of us in the Caribbean don’t do flu shots.

Thanks and welcome to DU.
Add

[DFW Dem]

57. Thanks

I really enjoy your posts. Been reading DU for years and just recently became a member.

[area51]

48. This masked Texan disputes your assertion. n/t

[LetMyPeopleVote]

73. I have COPD and type 2 diabetes

I still wesr a mask and I live in Texas. I see older types like me wearing masks

[Blue Dawn]

19. Yes, I do wear a mask...

...when out in public.

I am in my 60s and had the flu shot and COVID booster in October, but I prefer to wear a mask when around other people. So far, no one has ever made any type of negative comment to me. (I live in a very red county in a very red state.)

[malaise]

24. Good news

Thanks

[Scrivener7]

20. I have a bucket-list trip coming up in a few weeks.

I'm going to start wearing one in close spaces, I think.

[malaise]

25. Enjoy your trip

😀

[Scrivener7]

50. Thanks, my dear!

[Mossfern]

21. I don't wear a mask

76 years old
I've been vaccinated for practically everything in the universe.

Masks are more effective if infected people wear it ...I think. But that's not gonna happen in our society.
I do suffer from multiple psych traumas - just don't want to give into more feelings of anxiety about getting sick on top of all that mishegoss I experience.

I lead a pretty healthy lifestyle, so I trust my immune system to take care of things.
I have friends who wear masks and they've had Covid multiple times.
I've had it once during the pandemic and it just felt like I had a couple of "off" days.

I'm lucky I guess.

[malaise]

29. I haven't had Covid

Am vaccinated and continue to wear a mask most of the time

[Mossfern]

33. Funny thing is

the one time I did get it, I diligently wore a mask and had my 1st vaccination.
Honestly, I think it's a crap shoot.

I don't blame you for being very cautious.
It's my intense life's experiences that give me a devil may care attitude about it.
If I'm going to a gathering of family or friends and someone has a "cold", I graciously beg out.
It's difficult to wear a mask when sharing a meal.

[malaise]

95. Life is cruel that way

[TommieMommy]

22. Yes when I go grocery shopping. I don't want to get sick with anything 👍

[malaise]

32. Same here

Thanks

[Passages]

23. My parents still do, they are in their late 60's.

My own family does depending on where we are, NY Metro, airports anywhere especially crowded.

Snip
The virus continues to cause fatalities, even outside of the traditional respiratory season. During the summer of 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that COVID-19 killed thousands, with about 4,200 reported deaths in August alone. As of October, some 40,000 Americans have lost their lives to COVID-19 in 2024.

A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in May 2024 found that in the fall and winter of 2023-2024, the risk of death in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 was greater than the risk of death in patients hospitalized for seasonal influenza. On Sept. 28, 2024, the CDC reported that COVID-19 hospitalizations continued to outpace flu and RSV hospitalizations combined.
https://thehill.com/opinion/healthcare/4959967-covid-19-ongoing-public-health-threat/

[malaise]

34. Nice to see a young poster

Thanks

[usonian]

26. Every time I go out in public.

Red county and counties nearby. There's a 15 minute rule but I take no chances, since I live alone and even "downtown" is 12 miles away.

A fire truck missed my driveway when I had a gas leak, so no counting on any relief in a hurry.

Isolation had its benefits. One. I think.

[malaise]

36. Stay safe

Thanks

[surfered]

27. Sometimes. One of our doctors requires it in the waiting room.

[malaise]

37. Thanks

😀

[Clouds Passing]

28. Yes, whenever I leave the house.

[malaise]

38. Thanks

😀

[cilla4progress]

30. I just flew and got a cold!

Happens more often not. Should have been masked.

Will wear one on return flight.

[malaise]

41. THIS

Rec

[gypsy11]

31. I do

In all indoor public places. That won’t change anytime soon as Covid is still very much around and does long term damage to far too many people. I’m not a senior. I care about myself and the people around me. Do no harm and all. I’m usually in the minority.

[Ms. Toad]

89. Thank you!

I am so tired of all of the, "I'm not afraid of COVID, so I don't wear a mask," mentality.

People with compromised immune systems need those around them to care. I'm glad you do.

[LuckyCharms]

35. Yes, unless the place is almost empty and

I'm only going to be in there for a minute. Otherwise, an N95 mask indoors in public places.

[malaise]

45. I'll continue

wearing mine

[MichMan]

39. Haven't worn one for over three years n/t

[malaise]

44. Thanks

😀

[SallyHemmings]

40. Yep

When I visit my 89 year old Pop in the skilled facility & in airports & planes.

[malaise]

42. Makes sense

Tell pop hi😀

[SallyHemmings]

47. Sure will!

[SheltieLover]

43. In grocery & other stores & at drs office

The only places I go.

Lots of folks with covid I n NC atm.

[malaise]

46. Thanks

😀

[MuseRider]

49. More than I used to.

Living out here there is little reason to wear one and I confess I have become less likely to but should start doing it again. At 70 I am more aware of my new frailty, lol.

Last year I went shopping for my husbands birthday in October. The mall was closing down at that time so I knew there were going to be only a few people there so I skipped the mask. It wasn't long that I hit the bed and for 20 days was still testing high positive and could not get up for more than an hour. My doc released me from worry at that time but it took forever it seemed to feel normal again.

We have closet full of masks now and I have begun off and on using them again. That was one long and horrible journey there and back.

Mask up everyone. Mild cases are surely there but you do not want to get the big ones. As bad as I felt I was nowhere close to needing a hospital. I cannot imagine feeling worse than I did.

[malaise]

51. Wow,

Hope you’ve recovered completely

[MuseRider]

54. I figure it this way.

If I cannot remember it it never happened so I am completely recovered.

[malaise]

55. Good Attitude

Last edited Sun Nov 17, 2024, 07:20 PM - Edit history (1)

😀

[yorkster]

52. Still wear one in stores. Haven't eaten in

an indoor restaurant for eons.
Miss eating out but keep hearing about peeps getting Covid, so will stay cautious and get booster soon as well.

[malaise]

53. Haven't been to the movies

[yorkster]

56. Miss that,too. Oh well, got TCM, Netflix, etc.

But. big screen experience is unique.

I think I'll have to come up with a pretty basic bucket list:
Go to movie
Eat in restaurant
Fly on plane?? Dunno yet.

Ciao, Malaise. Good post.

[malaise]

70. Thanks

About to try one of your three😀

[yorkster]

79. Enjoy and keep us apprised...

[obnoxiousdrunk]

58. More people

will start wearing masks once the new HHS Secretary is sworn in.

[hlthe2b]

59. In even remotely crowded spaces. I grocery shop at 6 AM so I don't then (only a few re-stockers in the store)

with few customers. I still generally do at work (always when interacting directly with patients) --although policies in a lot of hospitals and certainly clinics have become inexplicably lax--undoubtedly because of RWers pitching a fit (many ERs have had to dramatically increase security and police calls every night and to some extent, during the days). Many hospitals have staff who have either bought into the RW view of masks and vaccines--again inexplicably-- or are just lazy or averse to anything that remotely lends to personal discomfort.

The very people who generally went through COVID-19 and were most at risk still have to deal with those in their midst who have bought into the bullshit--a la RFK JR. and MTG.

[malaise]

62. Indeed

Rec

[LoisB]

60. Yes.

[Rebl2]

61. Occasionally I

see people wearing masks. I saw a few wearing masks when I voted. I also see them wearing masks at grocery stores and stores like cvs. Oddly, I haven’t seen people at doctors offices wearing masks.

[TBF]

63. I live pretty close to medical center in Houston -

and do see some masks (often seniors or health care workers - obvious when they are in their scrubs) in places like the grocery store. At the hospital where I have appointments, they are required on the oncology floor and I suspect that will never change now (unless Trump completely bans them or something).

[malaise]

67. He can't ban them

No he can’t

[Alice B.]

64. Interestingly, the place where I most commonly see masks...

... on people of all ages, is in a Walmart in a seriously red town (where the TFG signs have yet to come down).

And this has been going on over the past few years, not just recently.

[malaise]

66. Interesting

Thanks

[lark]

65. I see people with these, but they are very few.

Mostly seniors or obviously sick folks - I approve of their diligence!

[malaise]

68. Ditto

[electric_blue68]

71. Hi. Never stopped wearing them outside my apt, in stores, other buildings. Generally taken off outside...

If I eventually go into more crowded street areas in Manhattan for certain things, I'll put it back on. 👍

[malaise]

74. Good

😀

[electric_blue68]

84. Ty, and so far, so good. Stay safe yourself. 👍

[LetMyPeopleVote]

72. I still wear a mask to the grocery store

[malaise]

75. Thanks

😀

[Solly Mack]

76. I do

[Maeve]

77. Know some who do, mostly immuno-compromised

[Quakerfriend]

78. I am the ONLY one I see when I go food

shopping.

I am 68 & am not immuno compromised.

[Mariana]

80. I always do if I am sick.

Whenever someone in the house starts feeling sick, we all don masks and keep some distance from each other. This seems to work most of the time to keep whatever from spreading.

[CrispyQ]

81. Oh yes, I never stopped.

I'm more casual outside, but always have a mask with me. In the stores, I get a few looks, like "you poor, deluded fool," more from other older women than men. I just say "fuck you" inside my mask.

[carpetbagger]

82. I'm a physician in my 50s...

I wear masks around patients on the nursing home units, if I'm seeing someone on chemotherapy, with HIV, or if either they have any symptoms suggestive of covid or if they wear a mask.

I wear masks when the numbers are up in crowded public spaces, at any time when I'm sharing a space with a person exhibiting symptoms, or any time when I feel off or have allergy symptoms.

Most of the time, no.

[rsdsharp]

83. Both my wife and I do. If we're out of the house (and out of the car) we're masked.

We’re in our early 70s. (Jeez, how did that happen?)

[KentuckyWoman]

85. Yes but not religiously.

Doc office - always.
Super busy store - usually
Kind of empty store - eh, maybe.
Around people I know have been sick - always
Cooped up in the senior bus - usually
With family and friends I trust to be respectful of other people health? Not often.
Outside - not in years.

[DET]

86. Yes

We almost always wear masks in an indoor environment outside the house. Thankfully, we’ve never had Covid. But the fact that we don’t have colds anymore alone makes it worth it. Initially, I mostly kept masking to protect my husband with Stage 4 cancer, but now I think that it just makes sense for general health.

[Ms. Toad]

87. Both my daughter and I still wear masks.

I'm a senior, she's not.

I wish more people were. I would probably wear one anyway, since COVID is not innocuous. I've had long COVID, and don't want to risk that again. But I also live with a daughter who is on medications that deliberately suppress her immune system. There are a lot of people with suppressed immune systems (cancer meds, autoimmune disorders, transplant recipients). About 1 in 28 people.

The lack of care in the general population because "I'm not worried about COVID," makes it a lot harder for those whose lives depend on others caring. My daughter is living her life relatively normally. We buy good quality masks that fit our faces well, and can afford to continue buying them. But masks are not perfect - they protect better if they are worn by the person who is (potentially) ill, and I know a number of people who are still very isolated because they are severely immune suppressed and the risk of being in public is too great. I also know that people are no longer testing for, or isolating because of COVID. I've been exposed to COVID a half-dozen times since school started. One person was wearing a mask, but wearing it as a chin diaper. I heard her comment to a classmate that she had COVID but didn't want to stay home.

[malaise]

91. Great post

Agree 100%

[DemonGoddess]

90. Yes, when needed

I will say that while I was still working (recently retired) that if I caught even a hint of someone I worked with getting something transmissible, I masked up. If I felt like I was getting something transmissible, I masked up.

But, I also had to mask for years as a child because of my brother and his multiple surgeries. He had transposition of the great vessels, and we all learned that in order to keep him healthy, and recovering, we had to wear masks. Which is why when we were all called on to do it, I never had a problem complying, nor did I understand when others poo-pooh'd it.

[Seeking Serenity]

92. I don't, but I still see people at work wearing masks, almost exclusively women

And of those, the majority seem to be black women. I don't know what that means.

And how is "seniors" defined nowadays? (I don't consider myself a "senior," although my 40-years-ago self would have likely considered the today me a "senior citizen." )

[malaise]

94. Not sure what it means either but more black people died from Covid

Extra caution

[Shrek]

93. Very rarely see one in public

I haven't used one since 2022, when the air travel mask mandate was lifted.

I'm age 61.