COVID, then and now

[blogcutter]

So where are we with COVID these days? Numbers are trending upwards again, as they generally do when winter draws near. But it's a different scenario from what we saw in November of 2020 or 2021 or even 2022. Vaccines are readily available. Limitations on social mingling have mostly been lifted. But ironically the lack of restrictions seems at times to be even more polarizing than the original public health measures ever were.

There will of course be those for whom it will never be time to ease the restrictions. "Don't they understand that COVID's not over??" they wail as they ruthlessly scrub their hands with hand sanitizer, disinfect their groceries and call 911 when they see a kid playing on the monkey bars at the local playground, even though our understanding of how the virus spreads and our development of ways to forestall it has evolved significantly since 2020. Then there are those who argue that even asking an employee to disclose their vaccination status, let alone to get vaccinated in the first place, is an unpardonable breach of their human rights and civil liberties.

Certainly, some of us are more vulnerable to COVID than others, and we need to adjust our level of precaution to our individual situation and that of the people closest to us. But if we put in place maximum restrictions for everyone in all situations, then we end up jeopardizing EVERYONE'S mental and physical health and overall quality (and maybe even quantity) of life! Do we want to live or just to meet the technical definition of existing or subsisting?

I've gotten every COVID shot I've been eligible for, a total of seven. I wear an N95 mask in all health care settings, whether it's required not. I almost never wear one outdoors, but have one handy just in case. In indoor settings, it varies. If the venue is crowded, I usually mask. If not, I usually don't. Ever since I discovered the type of mask that goes round the back of the head rather than looping over the ears, masking has been a lot easier and more comfortable too. As well, ventilation has been upgraded in a number of public buildings. I put a mask around my neck when I leave the house, and then I'm good to go!

Now if we could just break away from the tyranny of the QR code, the ZOOM meeting, the cash-outlawed society...

Comments

[dewline]

The thing that sets off my fear and rage is the premature end of masking as a proper precaution by most of the rest of the public in any indoor setting that we don't call our own homes.

[blogcutter]

I suppose that makes me a bit of a villain, as I don't invariably mask in every indoor setting. I will say that I'm always willing to mask on request, or if someone I'm with is masked. Maybe I should wear a sign around my neck, something like "Want me to mask?Just ask!"

[sabotabby]

For me it's a problem that the personal freedom of people to not mask in indoor spaces has now outweighed the necessity for immunecompromised, vulnerable, or people who do not wish to become immunecompromised or vulnerable, people to access those spaces. I have a right to access hospital care, and in fact go to the job that pays all my bills, without risking my health and life. No one gives a shit about that anymore.

I think the precautionary principle is such that we need to focus on needs over wants. And the need of disabled people to exist in public life should outweigh the want of the temporarily able-bodied to not wear a mask. Or, I dunno, they could properly ventilate all buildings and free us all from this bullshit, but that would make the money sad.