To Vaccinate or Not---The Rat Flu Odyssey Continues

[Ted Striker]

Mostly, it just feels weird after two years, with a brief period late spring early summer '21 where masks came off in VT.

Last time I couldn't take the mask off fast enough. I was fresh off vax #2 and most places here made their makeshift outdoor spaces semi-permanent. And I was pretty bummed when it didn't work out. This time around, I'm the only guy at Lowes wearing a KN95 getting the side eye from the Make America Get Another case crowd.

[Cisco Kid]

It's ok, man. Don't stress it. At this point, unless you're rocking an KN/N95, it's little more than a security blanket. If you or the ones you're with are immunocompromised, that's different (again better be wearing the right type of well-fitted mask), but other than that, society is now allowing people to make their own risk assessments. Esp now that the majority of people are vaccinated. People are coming out of their hidey holes and enjoying Spring. I'm loving seeing it. Maybe it's cuz Trump's gone or people aren't as afraid of Covid now, but seems the sharp divisions are eroding somewhat. Not making a political statement. Just my casual observations. Cheers, Riser.

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So many words. So much ignorance. Take a lap.

[oldnew_guy]

Last time I couldn't take the mask off fast enough. I was fresh off vax #2 and most places here made their makeshift outdoor spaces semi-permanent. And I was pretty bummed when it didn't work out. This time around, I'm the only guy at Lowes wearing a KN95 getting the side eye from the Make America Get Another case crowd.

Right?

[riser4]

I did fuck up my facial hair when my wife had covid so I could rock the legit N95 with a full seal. I kept it that way for a few weeks because it was peak omicron up here and I wore the N95 everywhere in public, plus in the house when I wasnt behind a closed door. The beard is still growing back and has a ways to go.

[Hopeless Sinner]

Yeah still wearing the N95 to gym, grocery store, and ski locker room. I avoid any other exposure, but if not possible wear the mask and social distance. We do socialize w couples that have minimized their exposure, probably the only really unnecessary risk.

[Ted Striker]

I have ridiculously long covid hair, but have been mostly clean shaven for the mask seal/comfort factor.

[Ted Striker]

society is now allowing people to make their own risk assessments

My firefighter friend and I have had this conversation a few times because both of our careers are considered to be dangerous. The average person doesn't have the ability to perceive actual risk from things that aren't in their wheelhouse. The obvious example being that we each think the other's job is an order of magnitude more dangerous than our own (yet we agree that riding motorcycles is the most dangerous thing either of us do)

I don't actually know what my covid risk is. If I err on the side of caution - even if it's silly - I'm ok with that. I'm also willing to do what makes other feel safe, even if I doubt its effectiveness.

Not really a rebuttal, just putting it out there.

[climberevan]

I just recovered from a cold (neg CV tests for myself and GF) and decided that that is some bullshit i don't need in my life so I'm back to masking in most situations. Real N95 all the way.

I also just got shot #4, which technically counts as a booster since my original J&J wasn't recorded. 2x Moderna and now a Pfizer. Good times!

[liv2ski]

I guess I am over a lot of the masking precautions, as I never wear one these days. I am triple vaxed (3rd was in January) and my wife suggested doing #4 in mid May before we leave for Yurp. So I do feel vaxed to the hilt and hope if I do come down with something it doesn't fuck me over to bad. We will see what happens.

[Trackhead]

I guess I am over a lot of the masking precautions, as I never wear one these days. I am triple vaxed (3rd was in January) and my wife suggested doing #4 in mid May before we leave for Yurp. So I do feel vaxed to the hilt and hope if I do come down with something it doesn't fuck me over to bad. We will see what happens.

The Omicron wave for us, in Montana, was pretty underwhelming. Very few patients in respiratory distress. Most covid admissions were elderly, without significant hypoxia or lung pathology. Most were admitted for fatigue/dehydration/weakness. I haven't seen a positive covid test for over a month (urgent care and ED). During the Omicron wave I saw exactly zero people under 65 with any significant disease burden (vaxed or unvaxed).

My anecdote. Take it for what it's worth. Where we are now, a 4th shot for an otherwise healthy person seems entirely unnecessary. Obviously that could change with the next variant, or maybe it won't.

[riser4]

I need long facial hair to over a bunch of chins. Mosty I just didn't go out. I actually liked the safety blanket feeling of the N95s I have and they were great when pushing my cart accross a cold parking lot. Warm face. I really need the need for masks to be over so I can go back to the big beard permanently. Or I'm not going out in public. And I'm not posting any Ben Franklin pictures.

[skaredshtles]

I'm pretty comfortable maskless, at this point. I will wear a proper N95 occasionally if I know I'm going to be in an enclosed space for a decent amount of time with a bunch of rando's, but for popping into the liquor store, taking a piss at the ski area restroom, etc., I don't bother any more.

We hit up Aspen for spring break and ate out for breakfast and dinner every day sans masks. Triple-vaxed at this point and feeling about like I did last summer when we ditched the masks for about a month... it's nice, if I'm honest.

[yeahman]

Where we are now, a 4th shot for an otherwise healthy person seems entirely unnecessary. Obviously that could change with the next variant, or maybe it won't.

Yeah I think I'm done with shots for awhile.

This time around, I'm the only guy at Lowes wearing a KN95 getting the side eye from the Make America Get Another case crowd.

Why are you standing within 6 feet of strangers for 15 minutes at Lowe's? Maybe such odd stalker behavior is why you're getting the side eye. [emoji846]

[Ted Striker]

Ha ha.

[Trackhead]

Yeah I think I'm done with shots for awhile.

Same, masks too. Disease burden just isn't evident to be obsessed with covid anymore for most healthy folks. Might change, but at present the hysteria around boost, boost, boost, zero covid, can't test positive, can't get covid......is unwarranted for many.

[riser4]

Same, masks too. Disease burden just isn't evident to be obsessed with covid anymore for most healthy folks. Might change, but at present the hysteria around boost, boost, boost, zero covid, can't test positive, can't get covid......is unwarranted for many.

Ya, no. Just because I'm not wearing a mask doesn't mean I went full magtard. Jeebus. Give you guys an inch and you take a mile. I will definitely be getting boosters as they become available. And if numbers tick up in my area, the mask is going right back on.

[SumJongGuy]

Triple vaxxed and healthy COVID survivor, I'm not that worried about ME getting it. I don't want to get sick but probably NBD if I do.

I'm a little worried about spreading it to people who are immune compromised........ or just too damned dumb to protect themselves with masks or vaccines..

I'm 100% on board with protecting the community from overcrowded healthcare system overload again if it starts ticking up again.. That's hands down the main reason I will still cover up in sketchy, tight quartered indoor situations around others.

[Cisco Kid]

Same, masks too. Disease burden just isn't evident to be obsessed with covid anymore for most healthy folks. Might change, but at present the hysteria around boost, boost, boost, zero covid, can't test positive, can't get covid......is unwarranted for many.

So you Don't care about unhealthy old folks. Cool. Thanks for sharing.

[Buzzworthy]

So you Don't care about unhealthy old folks. Cool. Thanks for sharing.

Bad take, we don’t need to be opposite ends of the spectrum anymore. People can also mitigate their risks taken with over 2 years or data and anecdotal information.

Haven’t touched a mask in a few months now.
Triple vaxed. Never got it to my knowledge.
I deal with the mask on a plane but that’s about it.

Utah said it’s over a long time ago.
As of March 31, Utah moves to a Covid testing model of For Profit. You now pay for a test or bill insurance come April.

[RoooR]

Utah said it’s over a long time ago.

Based on my travels in Utah during the pandemic they seemed to have said it was over pretty much the entire time. And they somehow ended up with the one of the lowest COVID death rates in the entire country. Only non Island state lower was Vermont.

[The SnowShow]

Based on my travels in Utah during the pandemic they seemed to have said it was over pretty much the entire time. And they somehow ended up with the one of the lowest COVID death rates in the entire country. Only non Island state lower was Vermont.

Maybe a combo of a relativity healthy and very white population?

[RoooR]

Maybe a combo of a relativity healthy and very white population?

I figured mostly young and healthy. Not much booze, drugs or fast food consumption in that state.

[Buzzworthy]

I figured mostly young and healthy. Not much booze, drugs or fast food consumption in that state.

I’ll give you the booze and drugs (actually those are mine) but hot damn the fast food consumption here is all time. And the soda pop places…there is never NOT a long line in the drive through.

[Danno]

The 4th shot may be unnecessary, but is there a medical reason not to get it? Because if they offer it (and it sounds like they will for the over 50 crowd), what's the downside?

[Core Shot]

Fuck.

This thread makes me sad.

That is all

Carry on.

Vibes.