When would you feel safe? (maskers only)

[nrbeckking]

To start I live in San Antonio.... Background to my question:
I have a month old granddaughter. Her father works in a warehouse job. My wife will be returning to work in a public school. My kids will not be returning to public schools. (they are doing virtual school but I am homeschooling them seeing as everything is asynchronous and I know they will not actually receive an education and we may pull the high schooler and finish his high school through homeschooling....the 6th grader would like to return to her school when it is safe next year the 2nd grader we are not sure where/when/if he will return). I am petitioning my university to take all my grad classes online because I am high risk as it stands 1 of my 3 classes are currently online. My oldest daughter is currently unemployed but is looking for a teaching position. The next oldest daughter is the mom to the granddaughter and is unemployed and is currently feeling the beginnings of PPD. Mom is also immunocompromised due to an autoimmune disorder. I picked her and baby up today. Everyone in the house wore masks including baby's mom.

When would you feel safe not wearing a mask when baby and mom came over? I wonder if this baby will ever recognize her Mema without a mask. She is a month old now. Picture of my sweet granddaughter included

Edited August 9, 2020 by nrbeckking

[stephanier.1765]

Good question! I will be visiting my new grandson next month. He'll be 6 weekish and I'll be there for 2 weeks. I don't plan to go out and about, just to visit with my grandbabies. So when or if, can I remove my mask?

[nrbeckking]

I have only removed my mask when I have been in my bathroom or bedroom away from Jo. Today I put her in the dining room with my wife so I could use the restroom and wash my face while here momma slept on the couch lol.

[Pen]

All the children are beautiful!

 

@nrbeckking @stephanier.1765

 

I would play it safe with infants and people with autoimmunity.

I expect that babies will learn to recognize relatives even with masks on.  By sight of parts not covered, by voice sound, perhaps even by smell and movements. 

 

ETA: also this is a situation where it seems to me that physical touch for baby and someone with PPD are important and I’d rather do touch and chance the distance some, but use masks to help prevent respiratory spread.

I would also do everything I could with Vitamin D etc which could affect both immunity and depression (that is more tendency to illness and depression if they are low). 

Edited August 9, 2020 by Pen

[Jean in Newcastle]

My son just visited for two weeks.  He did a very strict quarantine for two weeks before coming over .  (Not even going to grocery stores.  He got deliveries only.)  He did not wear a mask around us.  So the answer is, if you and the other people quarantine for two weeks, and then make a bubble of just yourselves then I would not mask within that bubble.  I do think that one person going out for essentials while masked would not break the bubble.  

[PrincessMommy]

My situation is different.  I was babysitting grandkids before Covid and I have continued to babysit.  DD works in research and needs to be at the bench.  SIL worked from home, but he goes into the office occasionally. 

I have seen my other granddaughter (1yr old) in another state.  Her parents are very cautious.   Granddaughter has feeding issues and was on a feeding tube up until about 3 mos. ago. We were not asked to wear masks.    She has been in quarantine and not been out, except for drs. appts. *at all* the first time she saw us.  She is afraid of us.   They just spent 3 days with us on the familyVaca last week with all our kids.  No masks in the house.  She was very timid and fearful.  Of course, there are a lot of us when we're together so that is overwhelming anyway.  I held her once and she wasn't happy.  I held her one more time and she erupted.  

I would encourage you to spent time with grandbaby and your daughter -esp. since she has PPD.  She needs supportive family around.  

[catz]

If everyone in the house quarantines for 2 weeks.  Reset every time you do some else. If you have someone working schools with kids that may be never.  
 

Or if you stay outdoors spaces at  6+ feet.  

[stephanier.1765]

4 minutes ago, Pen said:

All the children are beautiful!

 

@nrbeckking @stephanier.1765

 

I would play it safe with infants and people with autoimmunity.

I expect that babies will learn to recognize relatives even with masks on.  By sight of parts not covered, by voice sound, perhaps even by smell and movements. 

 

Thank you! I meant to comment on the absolute adorableness of @nrbeckking 's granddaughter but then got caught up in worry instead. 🤦‍♀️ I think you are right about sound and smell, especially now that they are so small. Plus keeping my mask on will be a good reminder to not kiss sweet little heads. 

[Pen]

Good Vitamin D status lowers PPD

[nrbeckking]

I save my fun colored masks for when I know I will see her instead of the black ones and wear contacts instead of glasses so she sees my eyes. I know it is harder on me than it will ever be on her. I also know as an infant these are things she will never remember but she is my first granddaughter and there are times I want to cry. I remember my mom visiting in the hospital, playing pretend gobble the baby toes, etc., all things that are simply impossible with Jo. Above all else I want to keep her safe and healthy. I am thankful my wife's school is one that is being super cautious in today's climate. They are not scheduled to begin any in person classed until Sept 21.

[prairiewindmomma]

SA has a 17% positivity rate right now. With as much community contact as your family has right now, I would just be masking. 

[nrbeckking]

1 minute ago, prairiewindmomma said:

SA has a 17% positivity rate right now. With as much community contact as your family has right now, I would just be masking. 

Yep it is a scary situation.