The Lounge Covid Vaccination Discussion Thread

[Deskisamess]

Originally Posted by binaryhermit

Sounds about right, not saying that all old people are a massive pain in the ass to deal with, but in my two years plus working in a grocery store, the customers that are a massive pain in the ass to deal with are almost all old people or Instacart shoppers.

Do you realize how difficult grocery shopping is for many elderly people? Most stores are huge, navigating them can be tough if not almost impossible. Lines can be long as stores have reduced employees, few offer baggers anymore. I never see employees helping older folks to their cars anymore either. With no bagger, there is no one to assist the customer to their car.

I've taken care of an elderly person who couldn't get to the store on her own, and I sometimes take my 90 year old independent mother to the store. The entire process is more difficult from beginning to end than it was even 20 years ago. For someone who is slower getting around, by the time they get to the checkout, they can be exhausted.

And I didn't mention the electronic advances that have complicated payments as well, for those who struggle with technology. The checkout clerks are short tempered as well at times.

Not one store in my area offers any type of real help to their elderly or physically challenged customers. The customer has to ask for help, then stand and wait until someone responds to the page. As recently as the mid 90's, when I did our shopping for a family of 6, every store had a clerk and a bagger at each checkout. That bagger would automatically take my stuff to my van, unless I told them I would get it myself.

Getting old isn't for sissies. Younger folks need to remember that.

[BetterRed]

At the start of the outbreak the state of New South Wales decided that the elderly should have exclusive access to major supermarkets for a set period each day. The set period was 7-8AM Mon-Fri.

For me that meant getting up at 05:30 and 30 min walk there and back.

I only tried it twice. First time I picked up a couple of litres of milk and fled for the checkout - which was empty! Second time I didn't even bother going in. Going into battle with a horde of elderly couples… each armed with a trolley, that they couldn't handle… was more than I was willing to bear. What struck me was the preponderance of couples, in normal times elderly men are rarely seen shopping for groceries with their elderly wives.

I reverted to taking my chances with Mums and their toddlers at a civilised hour.

[meeera]

Originally Posted by BetterRed

At the start of the outbreak the state of New South Wales decided that the elderly should have exclusive access to major supermarkets for a set period each day. The set period was 7-8AM Mon-Fri.

I remember when this hit - for "elderly and disabled people". What it ended up meaning in practice is that the very few disabled people who could make it at that time (those who have support needs in the morning to get out and about never had a chance) got trampled and trolley-snatched by hordes of healthy vigorous people in their sixties.

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by meeera

I remember when this hit - for "elderly and disabled people". What it ended up meaning in practice is that the very few disabled people who could make it at that time (those who have support needs in the morning to get out and about never had a chance) got trampled and trolley-snatched by hordes of healthy vigorous people in their sixties.

In this area, I took a friend of mine shopping during the early openings at various grocery stores and Costco on quite a few occasions. I never noticed any trampling or "trolley-snatching" happening even by the younger people who accompanied many of the seniors and/or disabled people. I did see people helping others shoppers on several occasions with reaching products on higher shelves, etc. I thought of it as showing common politeness. Perhaps just a Canadian thing...

[meeera]

Originally Posted by DNSB

In this area, I took a friend of mine shopping during the early openings at various grocery stores and Costco on quite a few occasions. I never noticed any trampling or "trolley-snatching" happening even by the younger people who accompanied many of the seniors and/or disabled people. I did see people helping others shoppers on several occasions with reaching products on higher shelves, etc. I thought of it as showing common politeness. Perhaps just a Canadian thing...

Unfortunately this did happen here at the very start, at the time when there were lots of bare shelves and some people were getting anxious about supplies. It settled, but disabled friends of mine had some bad experiences.

[timebug]

I am elderly myself,and I amble round the supermarkets picking up stuff I want.
Never had a problem with anyone younger or more agressive 'pushing in' or crowding me, indeed, some have been very polite and helpful. Of couse,having said that, there's always one.....

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by meeera

Unfortunately this did happen here at the very start, at the time when there were lots of bare shelves and some people were getting anxious about supplies. It settled, but disabled friends of mine had some bad experiences.

I also remember some bad experiences from when people were panicking and there were some bare shelves at the local stores. OTOH, I also saw more people helping other shoppers. Sometimes something as trivial as watching someone reaching something off an upper shelf, helping to push a buggy, etc. makes you feel better about your fellow humans.

OTOH, I still get a laugh out of two neighbour of mine who are still griping about Costco. They went into "we're going to make a killing" mode and purchased more than a lifetime supply of toilet paper, paper towels, rice, canned foods, etc. Over a year later, their basement and garage are still pretty much full and they still kvetch about Costco not allowing them to return their purchases since the shortages didn't last long enough for them to profit as they had hoped.

[poohbear_nc]

Well, as in most states, NC is hurtling in the wrong direction - numbers of hospitalized, new infections, etc. skyrocketing back to surge levels.

And our governor? He "implores" private businesses to "encourage" employees to get vaccinated. He "recommends" private businesses and citizens to mask up.

It's fascinating to watch government officials offloading the responsibility for Public Health onto .... well, the public.


Note: did my weekly grocery run today - everyone (employees & customers) masked up again.

[BetterRed]

Originally Posted by timebug

I am elderly myself,and I amble round the supermarkets picking up stuff I want.
Never had a problem with anyone younger or more agressive 'pushing in' or crowding me, indeed, some have been very polite and helpful. Of couse,having said that, there's always one.....

I find it's the people who are closer to my own age who are more likely to be aggressive and less considerate. I'm a couple of years short of 80 so I'm referring to the 50-70 cohort. For some reason, especially in pharmacies and banks. And that was true in pre-covid times too.

I've seen the years between 1946-66 referred to as "The Age of Entitlement"

[meeera]

Originally Posted by DNSB

As one comedian said, "When you are out shopping, it's easy to recognize vaccinated people. They're the ones wearing masks."

I just spotted a titch of data on this, and thought of you.

"The Kaiser Family Foundation surveyed 1,517 adults in mid-July about their thoughts and experiences surrounding the vaccines. At the time, Covid-19 case numbers were rising because of the delta variant of the coronavirus, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had not yet recommended indoor mask use in areas with high transmission rates.

Still, 62 percent of vaccinated adults said news of the variant had prompted them to continue masking in public places, and 61 percent said they avoided large gatherings because of the variant.

By contrast, 37 percent of unvaccinated adults said the variant had prompted them to wear masks, and 40 percent said they steered clear of crowds.

'When we look at who's more likely to be changing their behaviors because of delta, it's vaccinated people versus the unvaccinated people. That's what really stands out' [...] "

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/healt...m_npd_nn_tw_ma

[poohbear_nc]

I think that my observations this morning at the grocery store support this - the seniors remain masked inside while the younger folk are now unmasked - employees and shoppers.

[Hemmi]

I rarely see anyone masked here anymore. Young or old.

I haven't worn a mask since the mandate was lifted unless I'm in a place that requires it.

[astrangerhere]

Originally Posted by poohbear_nc

I think that my observations this morning at the grocery store support this - the seniors remain masked inside while the younger folk are now unmasked - employees and shoppers.

Yeah, and our daily number today is 4,331 new infections - highest number in six months. Weaver Street over in Carrboro restarted their mask requirement. One of the bigger gas stations right on 15-501 in Chapel Hill is also requiring masks again.

I never stopped wearing mine, so I am not really fussed, but I know its going to be a fight when 20,000 college students descend on us over the next few weeks. I will continue doing my grocery shopping before work on Friday mornings to avoid as many folks as possible.

[SteveEisenberg]

FDA is aiming to speed extra vaccine doses for immunocompromised

Until I just now read this, and one of the links behind it, I didn’t even realize that the word immunocompromised meant me. It now sounds like, due to the specific diagnosis I have, I’m going to be close to the top of the list for getting a third jab once the expected authorization comes from my national drug approval outfit (U.S. FDA).

The message also is, to anyone here who isn’t vaccinated and was thinking of dropping in for a physical surprise visit, please don’t

[poohbear_nc]

Well, Durham city and county has declared a State of Emergency and reinstated the mask mandate for ALL people inside buildings.