The Lounge Covid Vaccination Discussion Thread

[Terisa de morgan]

I live in Spain, at the zone I live we haven't had to show proof of vaccination at any point, but there are zones where they have requested it. Our vaccination rate is high, so it hasn't been necessary. We still have to wear mask indoors (and I think for some time, but that's another matter). I was at NY on December and you had to show the proof of vaccination for going inside a lot of places, no problem for me. But that's me, of course. Vaccination doesn't make that you don't get the virus (not the current vaccines, at least), it helps you to be less sick. And we are in our sixth wave, beginning to talk about seventh.

[mlewis78]

I haven't been hearing much about the new variant, at least here in New York City, where most of the restrictions were lifted. We still are required to wear masks on public transit (which is all that I use -- most of us don't have cars), taxi cabs, medical offices (I think that will last forever), Broadway theaters, opera and most concerts. I still carry around my vaccine card, but they just lifted the proof of vax in restaurants.

I have not been eating in restaurants, except for brief visits to pizza place for a slice of pizza. I went to a photo exhibition opening Thursday evening and wore my mask (left on from the subway ride) inside a small space. Masks were not required and I only noticed when I watched replay of a livestream (youtube) that half the people didn't wear masks (the photographers giving the show didn't wear them either).

We are still supposed to wear masks in common areas of my building, so that's every time I leave my apartment and go up or down the 4 flights of stairs. It is not mandated by law, but our management wants us to wear them and have kept up the signs.

[arjaybe]

Originally Posted by meeera

Right

I thought you were saying that no premises should be displaying a "Please Wear A Mask" sign anymore.

I shouldn't have assumed that 'used to have "Please Wear a Mask" signs' would be understood as them having taken the signs down.

[mlewis78]

Originally Posted by mlewis78

We are still supposed to wear masks in common areas of my building, so that's every time I leave my apartment and go up or down the 4 flights of stairs. It is not mandated by law, but our management wants us to wear them and have kept up the signs.

Our building management put up a memo on the inside door this week to say that we don't have to wear masks in the common areas of the building now. They have left up the mask sign on the outer door, however.

[ownedbycats]

I wish my apartment neighbours had been wearing a mask when I went to get my mail; COVID finally caught up to me a month back. I've managed to avoid hospitalization so far (if I weren't triple-vaxxed, I'd definitely be in far worse shape) but I'm still fighting it off.

[Ripplinger]

Even though not required at most indoor places now, I still wear my mask. All the checkout people still wear them, and probably about 50% of the customers are still wearing them even though not required. I'm vaccinated and boostered (and checking when another booster will be advised), but still not letting my guard down yet. We could be so close to the real end of all this...

[4691mls]

I personally know someone who was vaccinated and boosted and still got Covid. I know vaccinated people have a lower chance of getting long Covid but it's not zero chance. Long Covid does weird things to people and I really don't want it.

If I'm going to be indoors with unmasked people I am going to be wearing a mask. I will not eat in an indoor restaurant or go to a movie.

Even if people are required to show proof of vaccination, it's still possible (maybe not likely, but still possible) that one of those vaccinated people could have caught Covid and be contagious but not know it yet.

I'm sure someday I will be willing to relax my guard but I am not there yet.

[mlewis78]

Since our building management lifted the mask rule, I've been tempted to let my guard down, but I don't want to mess up at this point. I'm 70. I've been pulling the mask down outside but ALWAYS wear it on public transit (required) and when I go into a shop. I was on a walking tour today. There were 4 of us guests and two leaders of the tour and their dog. I was the only guest who wore a mask when we went into very small shops and sat in on an artist talk. Almost all other people at the talk (seated in a small room) wore masks. The leaders didn't mask at all, but I know that they would have when shops require it or on public transit.

[snip - no politics here please.]

[ernieh]

no politics here please.
Really? Our definition of what constitutes discussion and what constitutes politics is somewhat different, o well I tried...

[ownedbycats]

Originally Posted by 4691mls

I personally know someone who was vaccinated and boosted and still got Covid. I know vaccinated people have a lower chance of getting long Covid but it's not zero chance. Long Covid does weird things to people and I really don't want it.

Yah, I had a breakthrough infection myself. I don't doubt that it was the vaccine that was able to keep me out of the hospital. Long COVID is still a worry though.

[poohbear_nc]

Got my second booster this weekend. Sore arm but not much reaction.

[DNSB]

Locally, we're getting ready to roll out the 4th vaccine shot.

Emulating the German gentleman who was nabbed when going for his 91st Covid-19 vaccination shot might be going a bit too far.

[ownedbycats]

Originally Posted by DNSB

Locally, we're getting ready to roll out the 4th vaccine shot.

Emulating the German gentleman who was nabbed when going for his 91st Covid-19 vaccination shot might be going a bit too far.

I wonder if his 5G ever kicked in. I was looking forward to more reliable wifi, but it didn't show up even after my booster.

Spoiler:

[issybird]

Originally Posted by poohbear_nc

Got my second booster this weekend. Sore arm but not much reaction.

I was all over getting my initial shots and first booster as soon as I could, but I’ve decided to go more slowly on the second booster. Given that we’re in a lull and I’m not engaged in any particularly risky behaviors and that we’re heading into better weather, I think I might be better served by waiting until at least one of those factors changes. In other words, trying to time it for maximum personal efficacy, since immunity seems to drop fairly rapidly. Or maybe there’ll be a better shot if I hold out.

Dunno. There’s the argument for starting the clock ticking again by getting the shot now as we wait on new developments, too, and it’s not as if a better shot is imminent. And recommendations about getting this fourth booster are mixed. Don’t misunderstand me; I definitely plan to get it. I’ll get as many as they’ll give me. But while I’m still essentially in hunker-down mode, it seems as if it’s something I might like to keep in reserve.

[poohbear_nc]

Unfortunately I am being recalled back into the workplace - at least a couple of days a week - so I decided to get boosted now before I have to share air with people I haven't been around.