While the COVID regulations have been relaxed, we can still follow the the procedures that were initially put in place, especially hygiene and properly wearing quality masks (P2 or N95). There are no guarantees and a high level of chance involved in whether we catch it and how it effects us in the short and long term. All we can do is reduce the chance and hence risk of poor outcomes by following simple procedures. I agree that masks can be contaminated, leak and are not perfect, but as the saying goes, we shouldn't let the search for perfection destroy the good.
Here are two examples of chance and uncertain outcomes:
1/ One of our friends is undergoing cancer therapy (chemo, radiation etc) so has a depressed immune system. Her husband (both well into their 60's) caught COVID and was quite sick. She also tested positive but had no symptoms and continued with her therapy.
2/ Another friend in his late 70s caught the COVID twice and was quite sick but recovered each time. His wife (retired GP) tested negative throughout both infections.
My wife and I (both retired and fully vaccinated) don't understand why most people don't wear masks. So far, we have not had COVID and we wear P2 masks (Australian made) whenever we are with others, except for family.
In my retirement, I work with horses and people-with-disabilities. We need to wear masks and often gloves. This is uncomfortable, especially in hot weather when we probably walk 10 to 15 km per day with short busts of running. We're occasionally exposed to clients, volunteers and staff who have COVID. All of the other staff were not as diligent about wearing masks once the regulations were relaxed. Each of them have had COVID (twice for a couple).
I don't want to be smug about this, because, as I said earlier, that there is a high level of chance involved. Maybe my mask wearing & hygiene has not protected me and maybe my wife and I have had COVID but without symptoms. Maybe I'll test positive tomorrow, but I'll continue with basic protections.
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Jock
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Original Message:
Sent: 16-01-2023 11:22
From: Michele
Subject: Covid and Type1's
Absolutely agree with your post David B. Hits the nail on the head.
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Michele
Original Message:
Sent: 15-01-2023 17:41
From: David
Subject: Covid and Type1's
I agree wholeheartedly that the community's most vulnerable members, both here and overseas, have been thrown under the proverbial bus when it comes to protection from Covid-19. Even the most basic of measures like mandating masks indoors and compulsory high-quality clean air filtration in all public buildings and schools have been forgone in the interest of big business and their endless profiteering.
Our leaders (government and business) have failed the community absolutely by insisting the damage being caused by Covid-19 is made nothing more than a by-line in the news and people are being lulled into a false sense of security that covid is a benign illness like a common cold when they are fully aware that for many individuals it is a death sentence and for many more, the impact of long covid is a debilitating chronic condition that is ruining lives.
Every week new science is being uncovered to demonstrate that Covid-19 has serious long-term implications for millions of people, even those who might get so-called smiled cases. It affects all major organs, including the brain, and all around the world, including here, it is clogging up hospitals and hospital beds meaning other illnesses like cancer and coronary disease are going untreated or being forced to take second place for treatment.
Because of the total lack of preventative measures, new strains are evolving like the so-called "Kraken" XBB.1.5 which is declared by the World Health Organization to be "the most transmissible" descendant yet of the omicron variant. It went from 2% of US cases at the start of December to more than 27% by the first week of January. But we hear hardly a peep from State and Federal leaders and heal authorities about what steps they are taking to protect the community from this evolving disaster. I sincerely believe that history will look back at this time and view our political and business leaders as being criminally culpable in deliberately encouraging this virus to spread in a frantic attempt to resume "business as usual".
Everyone, most importantly our community leaders and those in positions of authority, needs to take this virus extremely seriously because at any point it may be them (through multiple infections) or their family and friends who are the victims of this pandemic. At the very least wear a good-quality mask in indoor spaces, not just for your own protection but to stop it from spreading to those around you.
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David B.
Original Message:
Sent: 14-01-2023 07:20
From: Michael
Subject: Covid and Type1's
I remember at the beginning of the epidemic Type1's were designated as being in the highest vulnerable groupings with masks being imperative as was hand wiping etc etc. Then it was 10 deaths per week now it's 112! I was just looking up the NSW Covid statistics and really the numbers of deaths have only increased throughout the community, and that's what's recorded by the department of health, statistics can be twisted, especially cause of deaths. The nursing homes are having substantial increases in deaths, however again not much reported in our media.
I still wear a mask everywhere and wash my hands during and after shopping 🛒.
I have not read anything recently on the Diabetes Australia website reflecting the horrors of the virus 🦠. The lack of information on the virus by the department of health and media requires others such as Diabetes Australia to take up the slack for the rights of the vulnerable and chronically sick.
Do other Type1's on this forum feel the same as me or is it all just passé, get on the bus 🚌 and just shop.
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Michael
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