Care home no masks or tests

[NoFrills01]

I work in a care home, the government has now dropped all asymptomatic testing for residents and staff. My work have dropped masks.

Whilst many of my colleagues are happy, I am not. I have many many health issues, with a child who is also very vulnerable and has been very ill over the last year

I'm constantly being asked why I'm still wearing a mask, constantly made to feel like I need to rip it off my face.

Facts of the matter are I had covid in March 2020 I'm pretty sure I have long covid, since then I've been very ill from other virus which have caused very random but life altering changes to my body ( I've lost some vison, my hearing i could go on ect ect).

I caught covid again earlier this year, and unfortunately suffered an early miscarriage. Whilst my Dr says there isn't enough to know if it was covid I can't help but feel my body just reacts to these viruses ever since.

I enjoyed my job, but I feel like I'm being pushed out because I'm wearing a mask. Some could argue covid is here for a while and we must learn to live with it, I agree totally but what about those of us who immune systems are wrecked what do we do. I'm only young and have just lost my hearing to a virus! Wearing a mask makes me feel better, like I'm doing something to protect myself and my child.

I need to work, but I have no idea what to do to feel safe, and give my health a break.

you have my sympathy

I’m still wearing masks and testing due to a CEV loved one. The availability of tests for household members of vulnerable people hasn’t changed as the risk really hasn’t gone away. There are still so many people who are having to live restricted lives because of health issues.

I see plenty of nurses in the hospitals still wearing masks, despite many trusts saying they no longer have to several weeks ago, and I will continue to do so. Work colleagues know my situation so don’t comment on the fact I’m the only one wearing one still. DF’s home briefly dropped mask wearing once they were no longer mandatory, a resident got covid and was transferred to hospital. They never returned.

I have a friend who is a midwife who still wears masks, even when doing home visits. Her colleagues have been mask free for weeks. You can only do what you feel safest doing but I wanted to let you know you are not alone. If wearing a mask makes you feel better then keep on wearing one.
I’m sorry for your loss.