General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: When will you stop wearing mask ? [View all]Backseat Driver
(4,400 posts)mask wearing, i.e., the question regarding how likely would one encounter an ill stranger whose history of receipt of vaccine/booster or personal hygiene is unknown. It could be as dangerous to your health as the likelihood one might encounter a drunk uninsured driver on a crowded vehicle interstate or major highway, city or rural, despite the weather and/or your confidence in controlling your defensive driving/in-public accident avoidance abilities or their bad DUI or bad health choices for themselves or in protecting others!
I have pre-existing conditions that MIGHT make me, personally, more vulnerable to this infectious disease. Because DH has a job with an employer that has taken and provides considerable public precautions, he is the "runner" of most errands. We have continued wearing masks for all indoor errands. We do not wear masks when we visit with close family as we are confident they would come forward in the case of symptoms and/or exposure as well as their personal habits in their homes. All other visitors to our home must be masked for now and possibly for a longer term than recommended by public government officials AND the CDC who may be impacted by biased political concerns.
I continue to use best judgments toward science and health, i.e., vaccines and nutrition, supplemental vitamins, sleep, and exercise as well as decreasing systemic inflammation (a body stressor) to increase personal immunity.
In addition, I no longer have close continual night time co-sleeping/breathing with DH with general sinus issues. Safe kissing/contact is allowed - There are no major marital problems - It's my older 10-year old medicated doggie is sick and must be kept calm and quiet in recovery. She is happiest where I am, so I am happiest where she is capable of being near me because she can't climb steps or even play without pain and stress, and I promised her a forever home and my love. Without perhaps 4 expensive surgeries or treatments, her prognosis is about two years. We are willing to make sacrifices, emotionally and financially, to meet her needs, and, understand, she has not yet told me she no longer wants to live but I cannot yet let her go across the bridge or to a rescue that only might allow her longer life somewhere else through long periods of surgury, physical therapy, and special diets.
In the past two years, I have self quarantined for possible exposure twice. We have followed both recommended protocols and personal health beliefs to the best of our abilities. To my knowledge, both of us have successfully avoided infection. I'd feel better if more had been convinced about the efficacy of vaccines - SMH...so, despite new recommendations, have mask will travel - use TBD per confidence in that situation. LOL, feel the same about daily clean underwear! No one should tell me I don't need to wear a recently laundered pair daily - that's my choice!