We were supposed to have extended family gather for dinner tonight. I said no since my nephew has Covid, his mom (my sis) has some GI illness, and D has been having sinus infection. Don’t want anyone to spread anything to anyone else. My other sis said she and her family wouldn’t be attending so the event was cancelled. Lots of “bugs” going around—Covid + others.
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Folks in my area still generally mask. Vax rate here is extremely high. I’m still masking indoors, and we eat outdoors (which has become more of a challenge now that everyone reverts to Before Times protocols. There’s a social event at our synagogue on Wednesday I’d like to attend, but I wouldn’t eat or drink if I go, so that I don’t have to remove my mask. My niece’s hs graduation party is in early June. Indoors, 100 people. Not going to attend, though admit it’s tempting. I feel badly that noone else on this side of the family will be there.
My SIL tested positive today. Teaches preschool, fully vaxed and boostered.
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This shocks me, I thought they were still mandated in health care settings across the country. Can I ask what state (or at least region) you were in with the unmasked doctors? And is it not mandated there, or were they simply ignoring the mandate? Thanks, I’m just curious.
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I recently got my 2nd booster (4th shot). I no longer care much if others are vaccinated—as mentioned above, it’s likely that most remaining unvaccinated people had covid, likely recently (seeing the national statistics that 60%+ of US had contracted covid through February, and estimates it’s now in May over 75%+, and if unvaccinated are MORE likely to catch covid than vaccinated, their rate should be very close to 100%!) so with the immunity they gained from exposure, I don’t view them as that much greater a threat to me vs. vaccinated people. 
To me, if there was an entrance requirement to an event, I’d rather it be a recent test in the past 12 hours than a vaccination. Neither is perfect, but test would make me feel far better.
I agree the OP sounds uncomfortable plus you didn’t make it sound like this was super important to you to attend, so given that, I can totally understand skipping it.
For me, once the massive Omicron wave subsided, I’ve been way more comfortable doing things, usually without a mask. In my extended circle I am not seeing any serious disease with Omicron, which I’m sure plays into my increasing comfort. Obviously if I had 3 friends who died or even one who went briefly to the hospital with Omicron, I’d probably be hiding in my attic ;-). But knowing not a soul who even had to step into the ER does start to chip away at my concern.
I do have a very important-to-me event coming up in 2 weeks. I will be extra careful the week before as being stuck home isolated with covid would be devastating to me. But otherwise, I’m largely back to living life as normal. I wouldn’t hesitate to skip something I actively didn’t want to attend though!! 
To me, there are mitigation methods that do not reduce quality of life and some that are far more annoying/negative to me. To me, the relatively painless ones are: vaccination, frequent rapid testing, HEPA filtration, open windows when weather is at least somewhat comfortable, generous (but not excessive) spacing, people staying home if they have even a hint of symptoms or know they’ve been really exposed, and wearing masks in situations where you wouldn’t be talking anyway, such as in a movie theater or church. Whereas the following mitigation efforts I believe are effective, but are far more unpleasant to me and significantly reduce quality of life: masking in circumstances where you would want to be chatting with people, opening windows or eating outdoors when the weather is bad, staying home and avoiding wonderful events, spacing far enough apart that it feels awkward, etc. To me the first batch is currently worthwhile, but I’m less interested in the 2nd batch of mitigation efforts. But I understand everyone must and should be comfortable with their decisions, and I think that’s great.
People I know who have personal major events coming up (e.g. wedding, birthday, trip, etc) they avoid going to any risky events the weekend prior or 5 days prior to avoid getting sick.
My colleague’s daughter is getting married Memorial Day weekend. HIs wife has a formal event at work (to honor her team) the weekend prior, and they are not going to the event.
People pick and choose what’s important to them and their risk tolerance.
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I’m seeing this as well. Especially since there seems to be a huge spike in strep in my area right now- little kids who’ve been exposed to nothing in the last two years are getting it with a vengeance and then spreading it to the entire family. So avoiding anything- whether viral or bacterial- before an important event seems like a solid strategy.
I am doing everything again - indoor events included. Recently went to a 90th birthday party with 30 or so people and a charity event with probably 150. I eat in restaurants with friends and family, and just went on a weekend trip staying in a hotel with some friends.
My family and I are done putting our lives on hold. We will wear masks when required and all have 3 shots.
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It’s pretty clear now that vaccinations or prior infections alone aren’t going to protect you from getting infected by the new Omicron variants. They’re even much less protective than before against severe consequences of COVID infections. According to a recent Washington Post analysis, more than 40% of the COVID deaths during the Omicron wave were vaccinated. Quality masks, in the event that social distancing isn’t possible, still offer the best protection against infection. Personally, I try not to take unnecessary risks. When I did take risks (which I had to do many times during the pandemic), I use quality masks (even double masking). I haven’t had COVID so far, and I intend to keep it that way.
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This is a great idea! I would definitely not go to the shower. Very very few things would be worth going to an indoor dining event for me. Actually, I wouldn’t want to go to any crowded indoor event, period.
We are still not eating indoors. I will attend indoor events if I can keep my good-quality mask on and it’s not too crowded (went to a book festival event that way this weekend.)
I’m looking forward to more eating outside if the weather here ever feels like spring, which hopefully it will this week.
My family used extensive testing to get through the winter and have a vacation together. I know it’s not perfect, but the one time any members got Covid, the tests showed it very clearly. We all also are (except for that one time), very cautious. No one eats out indoors, we all have good masks, we avoid crowded events.
My grandkids still cannot be vaxxed yet, and that’s a lot of the reason for caution. Also, my H does have some compromising health concerns, as does my sister, so I am willing to be extra cautious.
My life is not “on hold.”
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We are attending a wedding in a couple of weeks with a huge guest count. No requirement for vaccines or anything else. We will go, probably, but won’t stay very long.
We are going to a second wedding in CO. Part indoors and part outdoors. Options for dining and dancing also outdoors. No restrictions.
We are going to a third wedding in NH. The wedding couple has asked everyone attending to upload their proof of vaccine AND proof of at least a rapid test done within 72 hours of the wedding day.
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I think there are multiple ways to interpret this. I think you are interpreting it to mean that the vaccines are less effective at staving off death than they used to be, since the ratio of unvaccinated/vaccinated deaths has recently declined. I interpret a very different possibility. I believe now in Spring 2022, almost all unvaccinated people have had 1 or MORE cases of covid (I’m assuming 90%+ of them, since the overall population is now approximately 75%—I’m joyfully in the 25% still!). Anyway, nowadays, those unvaccinated people have acquired some levels of immunity, and after one or more prior covid infections, are themselves at less risk of death from a case of Omicron, as they have acquired protection. Over time, I imagine the risk of death to vaccinated and unvaccinated may not end up being nearly as skewed as it was back in 2021 when a lot of unvaccinated people had NO immunity as they had neither vaccine nor their own acquired-by-infection-immunity. So the fact that 40% of the Omicron deaths were in the vaccinated population does not have to mean that the vaccine isn’t working as well to prevent deaths in that group, since the overall death rate appears to still be declining as a percent of cases. I think it’s more logical to just look at deaths as a % of infections within the vaccinated population, and not compare the ratio you mentioned, to know if your personal risk is increasing or decreasing. Hope this makes sense, I’m in a rush.
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It shocks me, too. We are not even allowed to visit our son in the hospital, they’re still so strict. That might change this week, they said, but masks are definitely required. My dentist is still requiring them, too.
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Here in rural Michigan, masks are still required in medical facilities. Had my annual physical and dental appointment this month, everyone was masked.
For those not feeling comfortable attending indoor events, my very serious question, what would make you comfortable?
Also if this is the new normal, are you comfortable not attending events in what timeframe? Indefinitely? Another year? Better masking mandates? (That part I don’t think will happen).
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I think this is a very real question. What would it take for you to return to normal?
I have decided this is the new normal, and have resumed everything I had stopped doing.
COVID will be here forever, just like Strep, Measles, etc. Everybody will be exposed, and people will continue to contract it. Some people will have more severe cases than others, just like with other viruses.
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What makes me feel more comfortable in an indoor setting with lots of people is masking myself (it would be nice if others were too but that seems to have passed) and still keeping some distance. Like I don’t need the unmasked person behind me in the grocery store check out line to be standing 3 inches away from me.
Another thing that would make me more comfortable would be if there was a vaccine for B-5 year old children. They are often among the people in an indoor setting.
I just weigh out each situation and decide if I’m going to mask. Plant shopping yesterday in partial open air? No mask. 2 weeks from a vacation I’m taking - I’ll mask extra to be provide any better chances of not getting sick before I go.
For me, I would not lock into a timeframe. That is not pertinent. The current local situation and my personal situation is what is pertinent - from day to day.
And for the ? of masking in healthcare…I work on a hospital campus and masking is 100% mandatory for everyone in public areas including clinics, visiting, cafeteria unless eating, etc. My mask goes on from the moment I leave my car to head into work.
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@1NJParent - I read that article, but it also said that two thirds of the vaccinated deaths were among people 75 and older. This tells me that the elderly still need to be very, very careful even when vaccinated.
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I will be more comfortable when my grandkids can be vaccinated.
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I base my activity on our covid cases and hospitalizations, not a time horizon. Cases are back up again here.
We went to a musical yesterday vaccine cards, or a negative covid test in the last 48 hours, and IDs were checked at the door, and everyone was masked. I also saw an usher tell someone to pull it up over their nose too.
I’m OK with indoor events under those circumstances but otherwise we are back to doing everything outdoors. I wear a KN95 indoors everywhere.
I know too many people who have prematurely lost parents and grandparents to Covid to be nonchalant over this virus.
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Yes, my FIL who passed away in January of Covid was fully vaxed. Got it in a rehab hospital after a brief hospitalization for a UTI. Doc sent him to rehab to regain muscle strength so he could go home.