I hate the comment buttons on Substack... just putting that out there before I comment.
I don't think this makes you a bad person at all. A bad person is the one who never cared about their community in the first damn place and did pretty much nothing to protect themselves or others.
I am disappointed in the CDC decision that comes at this moment in time - because I don't think the message "get vaccinated, take off your mask" works for those who have been vaccine hesitant (forget the #asshats who are never going to mask or ever going to vaccinate - I believe you are correct about those folks. They are already maskless and vaccineless and are either going to get it and recover or get it and die...and hopefully not infect those who are immune-compromised in the process) - the truly vaccine hesitant needed to see us continue to mask, social distance, and get the vaccines and see improvements. That's how you convince the hesitant to get vaccinated. But whatever. It is what it is and we do the best with what we have and who we come across in our daily lives.
Which is my personal issue and not yours.
You are making the right decision for you - based on your risks and your community. I also get to go maskless a little more often than I have in the last 15 months, but I also have to continue to wear masks a LOT more often because TW is in an at risk category and there are questions about how effective the vaccines are for those on immune-suppressant meds. And, because we live in a community that was more than happy to let 80% of its population contract COVID and they're more than happy to see the other 20% contract it, as well.
My only advice to you is ... make sure your friends and family know that you WILL mask up or/and social distance if you're asked to around them. Because there are folks who are scared - some because of PTSD type situations and some because their health or their family's health could be at stake. There are just so many unknowns for those who have compromised immunities. I feel like we should just begin to ask folks... like we ask for their pronouns or like we ask before giving a hug? ... "Are you comfortable with me being unmasked or would you prefer we wear masks?"
Yes! I’ve already had that discussions couple of times…agreeing if we’re comfortable unmasking or not. I’m learning most about this issue that the vaccine may have lowered effectiveness for people with certain conditions or on certain meds. I would guess my stepdad qualifies, and I wonder if he was even warned about that. I doubt it.
I hate the comment buttons on Substack... just putting that out there before I comment.
I don't think this makes you a bad person at all. A bad person is the one who never cared about their community in the first damn place and did pretty much nothing to protect themselves or others.
I am disappointed in the CDC decision that comes at this moment in time - because I don't think the message "get vaccinated, take off your mask" works for those who have been vaccine hesitant (forget the #asshats who are never going to mask or ever going to vaccinate - I believe you are correct about those folks. They are already maskless and vaccineless and are either going to get it and recover or get it and die...and hopefully not infect those who are immune-compromised in the process) - the truly vaccine hesitant needed to see us continue to mask, social distance, and get the vaccines and see improvements. That's how you convince the hesitant to get vaccinated. But whatever. It is what it is and we do the best with what we have and who we come across in our daily lives.
Which is my personal issue and not yours.
You are making the right decision for you - based on your risks and your community. I also get to go maskless a little more often than I have in the last 15 months, but I also have to continue to wear masks a LOT more often because TW is in an at risk category and there are questions about how effective the vaccines are for those on immune-suppressant meds. And, because we live in a community that was more than happy to let 80% of its population contract COVID and they're more than happy to see the other 20% contract it, as well.
My only advice to you is ... make sure your friends and family know that you WILL mask up or/and social distance if you're asked to around them. Because there are folks who are scared - some because of PTSD type situations and some because their health or their family's health could be at stake. There are just so many unknowns for those who have compromised immunities. I feel like we should just begin to ask folks... like we ask for their pronouns or like we ask before giving a hug? ... "Are you comfortable with me being unmasked or would you prefer we wear masks?"
Yes! I’ve already had that discussions couple of times…agreeing if we’re comfortable unmasking or not. I’m learning most about this issue that the vaccine may have lowered effectiveness for people with certain conditions or on certain meds. I would guess my stepdad qualifies, and I wonder if he was even warned about that. I doubt it.