I have had all my booster shots but I still, feel uncomfortable in groups of people I have already been invited to two holiday get-togethers, but I really do not want to go. Mr. Image can not get boosters or flu shots as he is homebound and on Hospice and I sure do not want to bring anything home to him. I think it strange his Hospice nurse can not give him boosters.
Since masks went from being compulsory to "strongly recommended" sometimes the only people wearing them on the bus are the driver, another elderly woman and I. Medical advice from the experts says they should be worn. but the Government is ignoring this advice despite case numbers increasing up on a daily basis. The result is people don't sit near me because they think I'm masked because I'm infectious - which suits me.
AFAIK, mask-wearing is still compulsory on public transport here - at least we and everyone else we see on the trains and platforms are acting on that basis. Our theory is that even if we don't need to, there's no harm in it.
AFAIK, mask-wearing is still compulsory on public transport here
Not in Victoria, but the change was announced so quietly that perhpas as many as half the passengers on trams and buses (I don't know about trains) are still wearing them, although there is no longer any signage that says that they must.
Not in Victoria, but the change was announced so quietly that perhpas as many as half the passengers on trams and buses (I don't know about trains) are still wearing them, although there is no longer any signage that says that they must.
We're not catching buses or trams - few buses and no trams locally. Most people on the trains we use are wearing masks still.
I'm off for my next jab tomorrow. Every time I've been before, the jab itself has been quick and efficient - but the buses are about 2 hours apart, so I may head to the local small tower/castle and take photos while I wait.
What a good idea to do something enjoyable to fill in the time. The venue sounds much more interesting than the two down at heel shopping malls that host the vaccination programme here.
We've got a hall within a local sports centre. It's very convenient for me, almost literally just across the road (it's about 5min walk), but for the majority not well located unless you have a car - there are a couple of bus routes that go that way with regular services every 10min or so, but for most people this would need getting a bus to the town centre and then another bus out to the vaccine centre. Taking over one of the many empty shops in the town centre would have been far more convenient as all the buses to and through the town go there. It would also mean that one of the recreation facilities in town wouldn't be unavailable for it's purpose for so many years.
In terms of easy access shopping malls are a brilliant venue, but I think it goes further than that, they are places people are used to using as part of their lives, which is really important. Vaccination rates for Maori and Pasifika people here are lower than for Pakeha (people of European ancestry) so having a venue they are comfortable using helps. (There have also been pop-up centres at Marae* in both urban and rural settings).
*Marae -" The hub of the Maori community, the places where people gather in time of joy and celebration. and in times of stress and sadness."
Agree with Huia that familiar places, of whatever kind, are a help. Also helpful is a drop-in clinic, so you don't have to make an appointment in advance.
I am wondering what you are seeing in your neck of the woods. Last year, about this time my wife had a mild case. A few months later my one son and his wife got it. Since April two friends have gotten it. I have yet to get it at all.
Today, we flew in from Seattle to Chicago. I would say about one third of the plane was masked. We were not.
It is my understanding that come this fall, they will be offering a new booster to pick up on a new subvariants that have developed, the BA.2.75.2, and a strain called the FE,
I also just received the information about a fall booster from our drugstore. I will get it indeed. I am wearing a mask still in the grocery store, but not at the bank where the teller is behind a screen, or doctor's office, where contact is one on one. This Saturday there is a booster pop at our senior mobile home park, but I have already had a booster in May,
The bug is still circulating here, just yesterday I heard that one of the other labs in the building have several people down with it and they're desperately trying to get test kits for everyone else who works in that lab.
I've had a couple of bouts of bad cold or mild 'flu symptoms, but while I still had test kits these all came up negative. I worked from home for a couple of days when not 100% anyway.
Any and all vaccines and boosters ... yep, here's my arm jag away.
I had my second bout of Covid in March, and it wiped me out. Given that I was fully vaccinated and had already had it once, I was surprised how grim I felt. Recovery second time round was quicker than first time round.
We have just restocked our medicine cabinet with tests - I test before visiting an elderly relative in a care home and will continue to do so.
Had 5th vaccination ( Pfizer bivalent) in April. Had 4th shot last July and copped a dose of COVID in early Dec. Luckily was only unwell for 2-3 days but was banned from work ( busy sexual health clinic) for 5 days and was unable to visit a dying friend for that time.
I wear a mask at work (mandatory) but not on public transport ( how I travel if not on foot) or shopping.
So far so good. If a booster is offered will go for it on the grounds of age (71) & potential risk to (some) immunosuppressed patients; not to mention colleagues who don’t need either the infection risk or my absence from work (we are a small service)
My daddy-o was diagnosed about a week and a half ago. I had been with him for six or seven hours when the test results came back positive. The doctor said they have a lot of positive cases of Covid now. No surprise, I now have it. This is my second bout; the first time was last July.
It's like a head cold. I hope this is as bad as it gets.
Mrs Ba and I had our fifth boosters yesterday, delayed by a month as we both had 'flu with heavy chest congestion and hacking cough. I still don't feel right after my pre-Christmas bout of Covid and have had a series of minor problems in the ensuing months. Looking to get through winter without further dramas and rebuilding my aerobic fitness.
Got my COVID booster on Tuesday along with the Flu vaccine and the RSV vaccine. All three at once. Everyone said they wouldn't do it. I have had not problem with the exception of a slightly sore arm.
OUCH went for my COVID-19 shot today. I was the first person there. Put the needle in my arm, no liquid coming into the needle. Changed cartridges put the needle in my arm no liquid moving again. Changed cartridges and put the needle in my arm no liquid moving into the needle. OH, the liquid is frozen. They warmed up a cartridge and 4th shot worked. They did not even give me a lollypop. So if you are going for a shot and it is not working tell them to check that the vaccine is not frozen.
Wife got her COVID shot Monday. Took her three days to recover. Not really sick, just feeling blah. She really never had any medical experience for her first 28 years (had been a Christian Scientist). I think she is just more sensitive to vaccines and even medications./
Having managed to avoid the dreaded bug since the beginning of the pandemic, both Mrs TonyK and I have now succumbed. Possible source of infection was our church's harvest lunch!
Mine seems fairly mild - rather like flu' - while hers is worse, but she has other medical problems which would exacerbate the symptoms.
Now cancelling various scheduled activities. Trouble is it puts burdens on others.
That is a pain @TonyK. I hope you both feel better soon. Both times I've had it I didn't feel that ill, but it really made me feel tired for a few weeks.
I’ve still never had it, as far as I know (and was testing in the early days, being a frontline worker) - but a few people at church seem to have had it for the first time this month, so I’m not getting too complacent.
There is torrential rain outside and one of the cats is telling me to Make It Stop Now.
Had my booster jab today. I was a brave girl (actually not brave at all) so I got a sticker.
I asked my jabber if this would be the last one and he replied it would be offered annually.
AFAIK I'm too young for the booster, and now that I don't work with health professionals, I'm not eligible.
I am old enough for the flu jag, but I'll have to try and arrange either a day off work, or a day when I can leave early, just to make things simple.
There are apparently St John's Ambulance people who will be at the health centre on certain dates in the next few weeks; unfortunately the health centre is almost as far from my flat in the opposite direction from work, so going up during my lunch break probably wouldn't quite work, especially if I felt a bit gippy afterwards.
I’ve got a bruise and a sore arm.
Slightly frustrating conversation at the clinic:
Nurse: If you’re an NHS employee I can do your flu jab at the same time.
Me: Sorry, I’m not.
Nurse: How have you been called for a Covid jab then? Your record says you’re only 57 so you shouldn’t be here.
Me: I’m a frontline health worker [gesturing at ID badge and presenting appointment letter]
Nurse: What sort of health worker?
Me: Occupational therapist.
Nurse: But they all work for the NHS. Unless they’re private.
Me: I work for social services.
Nurse: But you’re still employed by the NHS then, aren’t you?
Me: No. Social services. For the last 21 years. Physios and nurses are employed by the NHS wherever they work, social workers are employed by social services wherever they work, but occupational therapists can be employed by either.
Nurse: Oh. Oh yes, I think you’re right.
Me: [polite smile]
How kind it was of the covid to visit the Tauri household five days before Christmas. The rest of you please stay well clear - I am not nice to know at the moment. My Dear Wife keeps testing negative. All shots up to date for both of us, of course.
Although I feel fairly well I have decided that with a blood clot in my lung, and Covid out and about, now is not the best idea to attend the packed Christmas Eve service. So this year it is worship by live stream. Most likely I will choose the National Cathedral service of my childhood.
I've noticed that some people have started wearing masks again - not many but it has gone from 0 to seeing a few when out and about, particularly in shops.
I've noticed that some people have started wearing masks again - not many but it has gone from 0 to seeing a few when out and about, particularly in shops.
I have noticed that too. There will a few who still wore them in church, but most of them were immunocompromised or their spouses. I had a light cold one Sunday, so I did wear a mask myself. Iy have also noticed the people working the windows at a drive up I go to to get coffee are almost all wearing masks now too, though they have not put up the barriers yet.
I am masking again because cases here in Aotearoa/NZ have increased. Also I have read that the supply of the usual anti-viral is running low. While my nephew who is in his 30s wasn't badly affected my brother in his 60s was.
I notice more supermarket workers and older people on buses are masked too.
My latest masks are hi-vis orange because the pharmacy have sold out of purple.
Comments
* not guaranteed - I could get lost in a village with just one street ...
We're not catching buses or trams - few buses and no trams locally. Most people on the trains we use are wearing masks still.
*Marae -" The hub of the Maori community, the places where people gather in time of joy and celebration. and in times of stress and sadness."
Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand.
I am wondering what you are seeing in your neck of the woods. Last year, about this time my wife had a mild case. A few months later my one son and his wife got it. Since April two friends have gotten it. I have yet to get it at all.
Today, we flew in from Seattle to Chicago. I would say about one third of the plane was masked. We were not.
It is my understanding that come this fall, they will be offering a new booster to pick up on a new subvariants that have developed, the BA.2.75.2, and a strain called the FE,
Will you get the new booster when it comes out?
I've had a couple of bouts of bad cold or mild 'flu symptoms, but while I still had test kits these all came up negative. I worked from home for a couple of days when not 100% anyway.
Any and all vaccines and boosters ... yep, here's my arm jag away.
We have just restocked our medicine cabinet with tests - I test before visiting an elderly relative in a care home and will continue to do so.
ISTM that cases. although still numerous, tend not to be too serious, but that's perhaps anecdotal evidence.
I wear a mask at work (mandatory) but not on public transport ( how I travel if not on foot) or shopping.
So far so good. If a booster is offered will go for it on the grounds of age (71) & potential risk to (some) immunosuppressed patients; not to mention colleagues who don’t need either the infection risk or my absence from work (we are a small service)
Happily, I've had no noticeable side effects from any of the jags, so will go for the next booster, as and when (if I live...).
My daddy-o was diagnosed about a week and a half ago. I had been with him for six or seven hours when the test results came back positive. The doctor said they have a lot of positive cases of Covid now. No surprise, I now have it. This is my second bout; the first time was last July.
It's like a head cold. I hope this is as bad as it gets.
* apart from Revised Standard Version (of the Bible), which I assume you don't mean ...
There will be a tiny baby coming into our family very soon, so I had vaccines for RSV, flu and TDAP just a couple of weeks ago.
I did a lot better than a friend who had the flu and RSV vaccines earlier this week and is still in bed with fever, pain and headache.
Mine seems fairly mild - rather like flu' - while hers is worse, but she has other medical problems which would exacerbate the symptoms.
Now cancelling various scheduled activities. Trouble is it puts burdens on others.
The latest version sweeping the country includes diarrhoea, a rash and eye irritation apparently. Always something new to look forward to.
There is torrential rain outside and one of the cats is telling me to Make It Stop Now.
I asked my jabber if this would be the last one and he replied it would be offered annually.
I am old enough for the flu jag, but I'll have to try and arrange either a day off work, or a day when I can leave early, just to make things simple.
There are apparently St John's Ambulance people who will be at the health centre on certain dates in the next few weeks; unfortunately the health centre is almost as far from my flat in the opposite direction from work, so going up during my lunch break probably wouldn't quite work, especially if I felt a bit gippy afterwards.
Slightly frustrating conversation at the clinic:
Nurse: If you’re an NHS employee I can do your flu jab at the same time.
Me: Sorry, I’m not.
Nurse: How have you been called for a Covid jab then? Your record says you’re only 57 so you shouldn’t be here.
Me: I’m a frontline health worker [gesturing at ID badge and presenting appointment letter]
Nurse: What sort of health worker?
Me: Occupational therapist.
Nurse: But they all work for the NHS. Unless they’re private.
Me: I work for social services.
Nurse: But you’re still employed by the NHS then, aren’t you?
Me: No. Social services. For the last 21 years. Physios and nurses are employed by the NHS wherever they work, social workers are employed by social services wherever they work, but occupational therapists can be employed by either.
Nurse: Oh. Oh yes, I think you’re right.
Me: [polite smile]
I am up to date on all vaccinations. They seem to be working for me.
Stay well or get well as the case may be.
I have noticed that too. There will a few who still wore them in church, but most of them were immunocompromised or their spouses. I had a light cold one Sunday, so I did wear a mask myself. Iy have also noticed the people working the windows at a drive up I go to to get coffee are almost all wearing masks now too, though they have not put up the barriers yet.
I notice more supermarket workers and older people on buses are masked too.
My latest masks are hi-vis orange because the pharmacy have sold out of purple.