Continued caution? What are your 'sensible measures'?

[Halloweenrainbow]

For context I haven't had covid yet that I know of so unsure how I will be with it. I also don't want to pass to vulnerable family who have not had it so far either.

I'm the old 'group 6' so was once considered to be at increased risk. I'm vaccinated but several months ago now.

If you're like me are you still taking steps to avoid it?

I'm still wearing a mask indoors and on the bus despite sometimes being the only one! Going to shops and restuarants but at quieter times. Not comfortable yet with indoor concerts or going to the theatre but otherwise living life as normal and quite relaxed about it most of the time.

Are you doing the similar or is this overkill?

I test before seeing my cev mum and I'll continue to test if I have symptoms and isolate if positive. I would wear a mask at the doctors or hospital. No-one in our household is vulnerable so it's about protecting others for me.

Critically vulnerable person in the household.

So wear masks (the sort that protect us too, not the usual 'protect others') avoid going into crowded indoor places, have social life outdoors. And as we can still get free LFTs no the gift advice is that people should test before visiting, we ask for that too.

Many many people in RL know our circumstances and are happy to help keep us safe, in how we meet and letting us know their assessment of how much risk they've taken

School is the Damoclean sword that hangs over us

I’m in Scotland, where masks are still mandatory. We have the highest infection rate in the UK!
Which seems to demonstrate that they don’t work - especially as most people wear them with their nose sticking out, put them in their pocket then reuse them, etc.

I'm in the group where I have had the 4th vaccine, still get free LFTs and eligible for antiviral treatment.

I've had covid twice, both almost certainly caught at work from pupils. First time was pre vaccines, I was in hospital due to complications with blood pressure (ongoing issues ever since and controlled with daily medication.) Second time was earlier this year, after 3 vaccines (4th was due that week infact) - had antiviral infusion on day 5 which helped lots it seems.

I work in an infant school so have no real way to avoid it. Children that age are very touchy and don't always have the best hygiene anyway especially regarding washing hands, covering mouth when coughing and sneezing, etc. I know some posters don't like to hear teaching staff say that but I'm afraid that overall it is true for many children. Plus lots come in with coughs, colds and other bugs all the time both pre and during covid times. It's almost certainly where/how I caught covid both times.

My only real precaution these days is washing hands and taking a weekly LFT (and more if I feel ill) That way I know if I get it I should catch it soon enough and before I become more ill, so I can access the treatment quicker. Both DH and Dd are fully vaccinated and boosted, both have flu vaccines and both will take LFTs if feeling ill or they've been in close contact with covid. It just means we can be more aware and take action if we need to for my health.

Having had it already I made the decision that as I can't avoid it at work I wasn't going to restrict my own life outside of work, the bits of my life I want to enjoy and make the most of. So, holidays, social evenings with family and friends, meals out, theatre, cinema, etc are all things I do now happily.

@Halloweenrainbow

For context I haven't had covid yet that I know of so unsure how I will be with it. I also don't want to pass to vulnerable family who have not had it so far either.

I'm the old 'group 6' so was once considered to be at increased risk. I'm vaccinated but several months ago now.

If you're like me are you still taking steps to avoid it?

I'm still wearing a mask indoors and on the bus despite sometimes being the only one! Going to shops and restuarants but at quieter times. Not comfortable yet with indoor concerts or going to the theatre but otherwise living life as normal and quite relaxed about it most of the time.

Are you doing the similar or is this overkill?

I'm what was cev. Hadn't caught it until this spring when all restrictions were removed and the attitude seems to be let it burn! I wasn't well, but luckily the medication I was prescribed meant that I was better a month later. We don't eat out in restaurants at all, as even quiet means there's still an increased risk of catching versus not going. But we have been to small museums and galleries that have good ventilation policies. What you're doing sounds sensible. It's very difficult when so many people spout it's a minor illness when you don't know how you'll react.

I get my 4th jab next week, how come you've not had your third yet?

While rates are high I'm being cautious e.g. wearing a FFP2 mask in shops and on public transport. I'm not doing anything indoors except for shopping occasionally. I live with my elderly parents (just a year too 'young' for the Spring booster) so I need to be careful for them. Plus, I don't fancy taking my chances with getting Covid as it's so unpredictable.

@Halloweenrainbow

Thanks everyone!

Yes, I wear a ffp2 (the ffp3s are a bit too pricey ). I'm just torn between feeling that it's a sensible precaution and wondering if I'm being a bit hysterical about it all. I never wore a mask to avoid flu but because I haven't had covid, I'm just a little more wary than most people. I also don't yet buy into the idea that catching it is inevitable - for now anyway. I haven't had it! The kids havn't had it despite being at school, family members havn't had it despite working throughout in health/social care type settings (regular testing). The official line is "wear a mask if you want to". Well I don't really WANT to. I do in the hope that it makes some difference to myself or others. I don't really WANT to avoid the theatre but it might lead to a bout of ill health that I would rather avoid.

How long I'll do this for I've no idea! Until prevelance goes down a bit? Until I catch it? Until there's more reassurance that I won't suffer long-term organ damage? I don't really know. Anyone else feel the same? Maybe I'm over thinking.

I think it's sensible to try to avoid catching covid. Flu doesn't cause brain shrinkage, organ damage, or heart problems afterwards as far as ai know. Our friends have a tiny baby who has already had it twice, and it upsets me to think that we can't protect our babies and small children from covid at all. I can't help worrying if there's a cumulative effect of repeated infection that we just don't know about yet. We avoid a lot of things we used to do because of covid. School and work are unavoidable, but we don't take on much additional risk. I cancelled my gym membership because all that breathing hard indoors must increase the risk of catching covid if anyone there is infected. We haven't been to the cinema or the theatre this year. Or a restaurant, gig or pub. We don't book three holidays a year like we used to, or festivals or big days out either, but that's more from the risk of not being able to go of we're ill with covid than the risk of catching it. I feel like we should be better off with all this stuff we're not doing, but I suppose the cost of living crisis is putting paid to that.

DH & I were both also in the old group 6. Both fully vaccinated. We are doing the same as you. Masks on indoors in busy shops and public transport, only go to pubs/restaurants at quieter times, not been to any theatres yet (we chose not to go to a concert in December 2021 which had been rearranged from March 2020). I've got tickets for a concert in June which I think I will go to (rescheduled twice).
Neither of us have had Covid and nor has adult DS who now lives back home but was away at a uni when covid struck. He has worked in a supermarket and now an office job with some covid precautions.
DH works with clinically vulnerable people so still tests every day. I only test if I have had to mix unmasked in very close contact with people (had to go to a work related dinner with strangers a couple of weeks ago) and if I'm going to see my friend whose DH is undergoing cancer treatment. I'm looking forward to the warmer weather so we can socialise outdoors more and venues will have doors/windows open a bit more.