How are you all dealing with coronavirus and the restrictions... #2

I'm not dealing well with this pandemic at all. By isolating in place for over 19 months, my physical and mental health have deteriorated. So I exchanged one risk for another, though both risks amount to possible premature death - either a rapid death from traumatic Covid, or a long-term death from traumatic insulin impairments, mobility problems, organ failures, and more. Either way, it's like choosing how fast I want to die.

I really want to socialize. I miss that.

I really want to travel. I miss that.

I really want to be accepted as a non-white Asian person. I miss being accepted and not being such a bold target these days. Perhaps that's my privilege being juxtaposed between pre-pandemic to pandemic times, but I felt safer as an Asian person before this pandemic. I isolate because of this mostly, but also because I don't want to catch or spread Covid.

I miss seeing the dentist. (I will risk it all to see the dentist in 2022 though. I have periodontal disease, and it's been 2 years since my last appointment. I can't afford to let that go. I honestly thought the pandemic would be over by now. I'm pissed that it's not.)

I fear dying a traumatic death. I'd rather have assisted suicide with all the comforts of being euthanized, including all the pain killers. I'd have to move to a different state for that though. The VA would never approve. They'd traumatize me more if it meant more data for their research and "national security." Whatever, I've learned as an abused child that my body was never mine. It still isn't. This pandemic made it even that much more a reality.

The isolation is hard. I miss the casual connections I used to have and it just doesn't seem like those things will start happening again anytime soon. Well, that's not true - some of these things *are* happening, but I'm not going because the cost/benefit ratio doesn't seem worth it to me. There is a parallel world with some people who are back to living life as normal and others who are still at home. I went for a walk yesterday and ran into two people. Both encounters were awkward, like I've forgotten how to make small talk. I think about reaching out to people I haven't talked to in a while but then don't in case they want to get together.

I hope you make it to the dentist soon @SprinkL3 - I feel okay going when I get the first appointment of the day.

Thanks . I accepted this freelance situation in December of 2019, so before Covid. I asked about time off and it seemed okay to coordinate it a few months in advance because that is what we usually do anyways when we need to make plane and lodging reservations. I had no idea that we were soon going to be facing a pandemic, lockdowns, etc. at that time.

I was able to get away in February 2020 because I was doing fewer projects a week, so I got them done earlier in the week. I did have to agree to check my messages a few times on the weekdays, just in case there was something like a client question or similar. Fortunately, nothing like that happened.

A friend of mine and her husband were also lucky enough to be able to do a getaway right before Covid showed up here. They went camping in late February/early March. They got back on March 2nd - the day before the first Covid case was discovered here.

We are definitely in a new wave here. There are major outbreaks in several soccer teams here. Isolation hotels for people who have been exposed or who have Covid but can't effectively quarantine from home are at high occupancy all of the sudden.


The presidential campaign has also been impacted. Most of the candidates were at a debate on Tuesday and one of them turned out to have a fever. Yesterday he tested positive. The candidates now have to quarantine. Contact tracing is going to be complicated considering how many campaign events they have been attending lately.

I guess only our virtual candidate is not affected. We have a candidate that is running from the US. He owes child support and if he comes back here, he can't leave the country. He keeps saying he will come back soon to finish the campaign. The latest excuse is that he has not been able to validate his vaccines.

The congress is being affected too since many of them had contact with the candidates who are in congress. It was possible to do virtual votes while we were in the state of constitutional exception, but not now. They are supposed to be taking up an impeachment motion against the president, which has very strict time frames. I am not sure what will happen with that.

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Originally Posted by SprinkL3 Where I'm at, the entire state remains on "crisis standards of care" in hospitals. Indeed, it is like we're back at square one - and most of the people taking space in ERs and ICUs are unvaccinated persons. Meanwhile, the residents of this state continue to act like there's no pandemic, and they refuse to adhere to recommendations for masking and vaccinating. That said, the vaccinations and masking work for the vulnerable populations. Masking helps to prevent disease - probably way more better than any current vaccine would. The masks won't go away for certain vulnerable populations, sadly. If you're not immunocompromised, elderly, or high-risk, then you could go maskless if you've been vaccinated. For most parties, the vaccinations do prevent severe disease and death, so we're technically not back to where we began there. But in terms of primary (not tertiary) prevention, yes, we're in the same boat. If you want to prevent getting Covid altogether, a mask is required from here on out - at least until the pandemic/endemic is over and/or until they find a cure. People would rather get sick and risk death than get vaccines these days (at least 40% of the population, that is, if they are still alive). So we have to now wait on advances in treatments and cures. Good luck in funding once they declare that this is now an endemic (the pandemic funding will be ceased, and there will be no more emergency funds to states from the federal or local governments). This is where we are headed, which is worse than a pandemic with certain benefits and protections in place. With an endemic, it will be the "new (dreadful) norm."

Agree except for the breakthrough infections.

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Thank you, sarahsweets. You're better with the vaccine stuff, so I was wondering what you think about breakthrough infections. They scare me. I'm compromised, so I wear a mask and am now proud to say that I'm boosted (I got my full-dose Moderna jab #3 on Oct. 29). But I'm still scared of dying a traumatic death from Covid-19, should I get it. And I can't wear a mask for my dentist appointment, so I'm scared about that. I do need to go though; it's been two years since my last appointment.

@BreakForTheLight Many people don't wear masks indoors now, but in my experience will not stare at you if you do. It's seen as a personal choice issue. Masks are mandatory on the London underground but according to my son (who works in London) many people ignore this and it's not enforced.

At the moment London isn't statistically one if the high areas for infection, and experts seem to think we could be past the peak of this latest wave, let's hope they're right.

Would it be reassuring for you to take a lateral flow test before you see your parents? I always take one before I see mine just in case.

I hope you have a good trip!

Well, we were masks even here in the street when we can’t have a proper distance.

I can’t believe the worry is about wearing face masks when many countries don’t even can afford the vaccines.

I don’t understand anything.

I can't even imagine getting on public transport without a mask anymore

I might pack a test with me and take it the morning before I leave... but really there's so little time between arriving in London and leaving again (and then straight to my parents).

This morning the corona app gave me a notification that the current recommendation in Germany is to get a 2nd vaccination with an mRNA vaccine only 4 weeks after getting J&J. That kind of beats the purpose of a one shot vaccine, doesn't it? Apparently that has been the recommendation for a while but I only found out today - I thought it was after 6 months. The press release said it was due to J&J having a relatively high rate of breakthrough infections and being less effective against delta. So I'm considering getting another shot. I'd kinda prefer Pfizer though and the places near me where you can get the shot without an appointment all have Moderna. Still scared of side effects.

I don't know, where does it end? I'm not antivaxx but I had my shot to be considered fully vaccinated and I'm not high risk.

I wish this pandemic were over already - no endemic, just over! The scientists initially predicted that it would be over in 18 months. We're about 20 months or more in with no end in sight.

Same here!

Right now I'm so confused about the vaccine situation. I know I'm in a very luxury position of being able to choose which one to get. But there is so much conflicting information! Last night when I couldn't sleep I did some googling. A lot of articles from around July mentioned that J&J was far less effective against delta, than articles from August/September saying it's very effective against delta in new research. Then in October Germany comes with the advice to get a second shot with an mRNA vaccine 4 weeks after J&J. While other countries are saying a second dose of J&J also offers very good protection, Germany isn't even considering it. My head is spinning

I decided not to get the Moderna shot today as I don't want to risk side effects when I'm traveling home in a few days. I might just pop back over to Germany while I'm there to get it though, if I can. Not sure if we can get a booster shot in a different state to where we live.

Last night when I was reading about the effectiveness of a second J&J shot I was even considering trying to get a second shot in NL - where my vaccination status isn't registered, I could pretend to get it as a first shot. But that would be kind of cheating the system.

I had zero side effects apart from a slightly sensitive arm after my J&J shot. Yes I'm a baby who's scared of the fever/chills/nausea that *might* happen after a moderna shot. Yes I realize it would be better than getting a serious case of covid but that is why I got the first bloody shot! And now they're saying that's not enough? Ugh!
Thing is like I've mentioned many times before - my biggest worry is long covid - THAT is the data I'm interested in, how does the vaccine protect against that? And maybe unknowingly passing it on to someone more vulnerable.

I totally understand your concerns.

First, my friend who initially got J&J decided to go and get a full round of Pfizer (1st and 2nd jabs with a brand new vaccination card, in addition to his saved J&J original vaccination card). He figured that Pfizer was a "wash," and that he'd start over. He didn't tell anyone at the vaccination place about his J&J; he only said that he needed to be vaccinated fully - from start to finish. He survived well. (He failed to get the flu shot, so then he wound up getting the flu since he's a coach at the gym. He's never gotten a flu shot before and thought he'd still be good without it - as he approaches his 60s). In essence, if you got the J&J, you have tons of options. 1. You could do what my friend did. 2. You could just get one of the mRNA boosters (the Moderna is really the best, and it's very similar to Pfizer in terms of reactions, so Moderna might be the best choice, but it's up to you). 3. You could elect to stick with getting only J&J boosters every few months until the scientists figure out what is going on. Not all vaccination places will allow you to do this though, but it doesn't seem like J&J will work well since the majority of breakthrough cases have been from the J&J jab.

Second, even with asymptomatic contraction (breakthrough cases), you can get long-Covid. You're more protected with the vaccines and boosters against long-Covid, when compared to those who've never been vaccinated. However, it is still possible to get vaccinated and boosted and still become an asymptomatic case (breakthrough case) with long-Covid (symptoms showing up weeks to months after asymptomatic contraction, and then those symptoms lasting for a long time or indefinitely).

Third, you're right about the differing of opinions from scientists who are allowing politics and economics to rule what they say to the general public. You can't really trust the leaders of today, because politics and economics relate to their job security and homeland security. Sadly, you're going to have to weed through all the political ******** and look at raw data from the sources, and hopefully multiple sources. Too bad the majority of the U.S. do not know how to read peer-reviewed research articles. I always err on the side of extreme caution, which is to say that I look for the benefits that outweigh the risks, and I do what I can to prevent getting ill holistically (e.g., wearing masks, having many air purifiers within my small apartment space, social distancing, isolating in place, shopping solely online for contactless or mail delivery, wearing goggles occasionally, always wearing gloves, always showering after any exposure to even shared air space when I open my door for 5 min. to get contactless deliveries, always washing and disinfecting incoming items, always quarantining papers that I can't wash or disinfect for at least 3 days, and doing the best I can with keeping my space cleaned and sanitized). When vaccines and boosters come available, I now elect to choose the immunocompromised route, to stay extra protected (since equality and equity should have allowed for this - the data suggest that the vaccines wane the most around month 5, so if everyone got boosted around month 4 to month 5, we'd be best protected; but then again, the flu shots only last 6 months, so you're gambling in Spring - when I used to get the flu, but a milder version due to the flu shot - since the flu vaccines wane around that time, but so does the flu itself). Many people aren't aware of how much politics affect our information on healthcare. There are so many preventable illnesses and deaths, but the healthcare industrial complex and pharmaceutical industrial complex don't offer as much information that could keep us all living healthier, longer lives.

In the end, it comes down to what you're willing to risk, given your cultural beliefs, affiliations, job/career, personal health, personal choices, and those whom you would affect by your choices (such as your significant other or children or roommates).

I'm very sick of the bad news today. In NL, things are close to breaking point. My home area is apparently the worst off. Hospitals are full. I hope none of my family members get any medical emergency while the hospital is full of covid patients. A hospital in another area announced today they are full up and might have to keep patients in the hallways tonight. Great going over there!

All those anti vaxxers who don't get the shot because they think they won't end up in the hospital with covid anyway - do they realize they are still contributing to the spread and hospitals overflowing? I bet if they get in a car accident or have a heart attack, they'd still like a apot in a hospital.

The numbers over in Germany are even worse. They just have (a LOT) more hospital beds available, so the situation isn't as dire here yet. Doesn't really want to make me spend 4,5 hours on a train to be honest - something I wasn't too worried about a month ago, apart from the inconvenience of having to wear a face mask the entire time.

I've looked into places where you don't need an appointment for a vaccination in the German city closest to my home town, so I'll try to get over there on Thursday or Friday for my booster shot.

Oops... apparently when I said nrs in Germany were worse than in the Netherlands I guess I misread or they made a typo. The actual number in my area is 1043 infections per 100.000

I got my second shot today. Pfizer because that's what they used at the centre I went to. Two hours in line this time. And when I left, the line was completely gone maybe I should've gone later.

@BreakForTheLight - yes that is high! Here my municipality has a population of about 109,000 and we have 102 active cases, so that's fewer than 100 active cases at the moment. I was reading that both Germany and Netherlands are considering implementing some types of restrictions again.


I'm glad you were able to get your booster. I am going to try on Monday early. They are now going to require people 45+ to have a booster to keep your vaccine passport valid if it has been 6 months since you completed vaccination. It had been people 55+ until now. I reach 6 months on Saturday and am between 45 and 55 years old, so I have to get it. The new rule goes into effect on December 1st.

It's 512 per 100,000 in my area at the moment and we seem stuck at around 40,000 infections per day in the UK.

My anxiety is up, it's not just covid though, it's climate change and lack of belief anything will be done and most of all the awful government we have here which reveal themselves to be worse as time goes on.

Our prime minister was pictured walking unmasked down a hospital corridor this week, everyone else in the picture, nurses, doctors, wore masks. It says it all really.

I just learned that my age group hasn’t yet been planned to have a 3rd dose of vaccine. Only over 50s and clinically vulnerable people.

Doesn’t really make sense to me!

You are nearly describing where I live, too. They've politicized public safety to the point that all preventative measures are seen as "communist" or "socialist" approaches that will "strip people of their freedom/rights," and all based on Social Darwinism (which Darwin never intended for his scientific works to be "Social" at all, which he stated somewhere in one of his books). It's sad how some people have seen prevention as an anti-God approach to allowing "God's will," and thus mixing religion with politics, healthcare, public safety, preventative medicine, and climate care. It's also sad how there are articles now describing how the alt-right are seeking to kill the dems.

Nowadays, Big Bird is being attacked for taking the vaccine. This is unsurprising, given that they are also bullies showing up at schools and traumatizing children and their parents for wearing masks, getting vaccinated, and social distancing.

I hope you are able to get the vaccine soon.

I hate how they aren't just allowing anyone and everyone to get the 3rd dose or booster, given that they complain how many people aren't getting the vaccines. Those who don't want the vaccines aren't getting them at all, and by now, they have no intention. If they do want to get it, they'll be able to. But to have millions of dollars of vaccines thrown away because not enough people got them before they expired is such a waste. They wouldn't have this spoilage if they just opened up vaccines and boosters to all.

Isn't he the same guy who was shaking hands with COVID patients at the start of the pandemic? And also caught COVID himself? Can't say I'm surprised.

It sucks that you can't get a booster yet They haven't even started in NL. They're starting next month with people of 80 years and older. They're always so bloody slow, it's ridiculous. And they haven't made a decision about people vaccinated with J&J yet as far as I know.

I'm slightly confused about what's happening in Germany now - they're starting with the 70 and older age group but younger people COULD get it already, it is just a recommendation or something? You'd just have to find a doctor willing to give you the shot. And of course everyone who got J&J can get a second shot from 4 weeks after the 1st one. (Should I be worried that there is actually 5 months between my shots?)

But no sooner than 6 months after the second shot. Quite a few people showed up too early at the location I went to I really felt for the girl who was checking people's documentation and forms at the entrance! One man got very upset, waving his invitation letter around, saying it came from the minister himself, keeping no distance, nose hanging out of his mask, demanding to see a doctor NOW until she showed him exactly where is said in the letter that the time between 2nd shot and the booster CANNOT be any less than 6 months Dear lord people were so unorganized, no wonder I had to wait in line for 2 hours. I don't really get why, there are plenty of options to get vaccinated in Germany, GPs do it as well, and by appointment. I'm so confused why all these older people would show up to a location where they had to stand in line for ages and fill out all these forms by themselves - so many of them struggled with the simplest instructions - instead of just making an appointment with their GP?

@Discombobulated I can't believe he didn't wear a mask in a hospital, of all places.


The booster is hard to find here. There are no clinics. Lots of places say they offer it but have no appointments. We continue to break records, incredibly frustrating when the vaccination rate was high.

There are already permanent hallways beds at my local ER, with their own room numbers even, so who knows where they will put people if they run out of room.