SIL still isolating due to covid risk

[dragontears]

AIBU to think this is no way to live now? She works from home and will only leave the house for essential errands with mask on. She is terrified of getting long covid. Feels like her life is very very limited for a 38 year old!

Anyone else have people they know in this position? How to support them?

Each strain is different. The first strain was more deadly as it was a novel virus so zero immunity in the population. We assumed that once we all had immunity and the vaccinations it would become like the common cold.

In terms of serious outcomes it is less deadly. However, each strain is different. The issues are now it is still causing long Covid/ post viral fatigue and we are not developing immunity against this. So risk of death is much lower but we will all continue to catch it. Each infection can cause damage.

The strain that was going around last autumn was causing a lot of issues and people were taking months to get over it. So I would say some strains are fine and some are more severe. A little like flu. Only we don’t get flu that often..and it’s not continually circulating.

Part of the issue I feel is that it does seem mild. So we don’t rest and push through and that can cause issues. Flu tends to make you so ill you go to bed..

The ONS conducted a winter survey on covid in 2022/2023 and 2023/4. Between those two years, there was an increase of 50,000 cases of long covid just in children.

I’ve never found it mild. It’s wiped all my family and friends out for 2 weeks at a time. And they’ve all been in bed for at least 3-4 days.

Sorry yes that can often be the case. And it really lingers. I was trying to say that even mild cases can lead to long term issues. It’s turning out to be a very complex virus and far worse than we initially thought. Even being wiped out for a few weeks every year will have an impact. Previously it was only flu that could do that.

Gosh that’s awful. I think the fact that it’s indiscriminate as to who is affected.
Those poor children.

Me and my husband had it at least twice and barely noticed it, tbh. Neither of our sons have had it (that they know of).

Pushing through was my major downfall when the warning signs began. Energy breeds energy, right…or so I thought then.

Sorry that you also have long covid.

Flu can also be asymptomatic.

Not many people are in a position to live like this, but if she can and she's happy that way I wouldn't try to interfere. She's not actually hurting anybody.

I don't think wearing a mask when she goes out will help much, though. The mask is to protect other people in the event that you are carrying the virus, not the other way round. There are some really heavy-duty ones that look like respirators that might offer some protection to the wearer, but will also make them look like they play the angle grinder in an industrial rock band. But again, if she believes it's keeping her safe, and it's encouraging her to go out, I say live and let live.

@EmotionallyWeird
I don't think wearing a mask when she goes out will help much, though. The mask is to protect other people in the event that you are carrying the virus, not the other way round.

That is actually factually WRONG.
Wearing a mask protects you from catching the virus. That’s why HCP wear one (or used to, eg in ICU where patients can’t possibly wear one)!
yes it’s better if you have two ways masking.
no it’s not 100%.

But somehow I’m pretty sure than having 90% protection is better than 0%.

FWIW other things that have been proven to eliminate viruses, including Covid

• Air filters (the same ones people use at home to remove allergens)
• UV light

What does not in any way help control air borne viruses: hand washing.

EDIT TO ADD
If you have any more doubts about the efficacy of masks, that’s what HCP use around people who have tuberculosis, another highly contagious, air borne virus. It protects HCP when THEY are the ones wearing them. It works. Even when people hospitalised don’t wear one (for obvious good reasons).
Wearing masks to protect yourself is nowhere new.

Do people even test for Covid, let alone isolate. Seems like some kind of a mental health issue to do that.

This is correct. When I was in hospital with covid four years ago all the HCPs wore high grade masks, some wore hazmat suits. This was after vaccines.

@KhakiTiger I am sure not many people test but those who are extra vulnerable will do. It's not a mental health issue it's a physical one. I nearly died of covid because of a compromised immune system. If I get cold like symptoms I test because I get anti viral treatment.

Maybe they just care about the economy.

Yes sure, by removing themselves from it.

a stitch in time saves nine

Or hysterical overreaction more like.

How very sneery you are.

Long covid costs billions. Testing and acting on that result (e.g. isolating) is forecast to be much cheaper than the cost of long covid, even when allowing for decent sick pay. There is a fair amount of research on this. Even reducing spread of infections by 20% would make a big difference.