Covid frustrations JAWM

[Murphy101]

I see exactly 5 people outside my household no more than once a week.  Yesterday was one of them’s bday so we did a very small private paint session thing together.  4 of us with masks inside while someone instructs how to paint a theme. Spaced 4-6ft apart.  Then we drove separately to share lunch. 

So I get to the lunch place and realize birthday friend had met her brother along the way to drop off something to him and have a quick chat.  No masks standing right next to each other.   And while she’s describing it she says they talked about how her brother and his wife and their whole household are sick to various degrees and tested positive for Covid Friday.

🤦‍♀️🤬🥴

Seriously?! Why the bleep would you meet them in person for nothing vital and then go have lunch with us?

And I’m mad at myself bc I should have said, oh um sorry. See you later. Instead I ate lunch awkwardly.  Ugh!! What a cluster fail. 🥺

[NorthwestMom]

Hugs to you.  That sounds like an awkward situation and so frustrating. I hope you stay healthy.

[mommyoffive]

Wow wow wow .   WTF!       Pissed isn't even enough of a word for what I would be feeling.   I am so sorry.   Yes you should have left,  but I am sure you were just so stunned that you were not thinking clearly.   

Prayers that you stay healthy.   I would probably start the vitamin protocol. 

[Murphy101]

3 minutes ago, mommyoffive said:

Wow wow wow .   WTF!       Pissed isn't even enough of a word for what I would be feeling.   I am so sorry.   Yes you should have left,  but I am sure you were just so stunned that you were not thinking clearly.   

Prayers that you stay healthy.   I would probably start the vitamin protocol. 

I’ve been on the vitamin protocol for 3 years. I was Covid ready before it wasn’t cool. lol

[mommyoffive]

Just now, Murphy101 said:

I’ve been on the vitamin protocol for 3 years. I was Covid ready before it wasn’t cool. lol

That is a good thing.  Sending lots of good thoughts your way. 

[Kassia]

That is awful.  I'm sorry that happened and hope you stay healthy.  

[Kassia]

If your friend had contracted the virus, would they be contagious that quickly?  I'm wondering that for myself when we have to pick up relatives from the airport (from two different locations, but landing at the same time) and drive them home enclosed in the car for an hour.

 

[Pen]

I am thinking positive thoughts your way.

it sounds like isolation/quarantine is not being observed by your friend and her brother’s family

On the positive side, unless your friend had already caught the virus on a previous visit with bro, it seems unlikely to me that she would already have enough virus shedding to infect u based on the stop before lunch    She would probably be more like a potential fomite with virus that might have landed on her surface  

 

 

My working assumption is that there is a lot of this sort of behavior all the time.

and that any number of people may have had such an exposure and with enough time to incubate it into asymptomatic but infectious.  Plus, the music instruments study (posted by someone on long thread) that showed that aerosols waft up suggests to me that even if there are plexiglass type dividers there will still probably be wafting virus indoors in many situations

 

In addition to vitamins etc I have added iodine based disinfection mouth wash and nebulizer if I think I have been exposed — or if nebulizer needed for other reasons like wildfire-smoke caused cough, then potentially there’s double duty.  I have heard that good iodine levels may also help the mucous itself to me more microbe resistant, but have not seen a study on that.  I was just doing it and not talking about it because I didn’t have anything that sounded like “credible justification “ let alone placebo controlled trials that WTMers would demand.  But DrBeen covered some tiny trials on a recent video, so now I feel I can mention these. There were some other substances that helped in some of the little studies, maybe, iirc, a particular Listerine for example. 

 

Edited October 25, 2020 by Pen

[Pen]

7 minutes ago, kand said:

Ugh, so sorry that happened. I can’t imagine what someone is thinking to leave the house (for other than medical care) while they have Covid. That’s just shocking disregard for others. 
 

I Agree!

 

7 minutes ago, kand said:

@PenDo you have an iodine that’s safe for nebulizing? I would be concerned about doing more harm than good. The mouthwash at least shouldn’t hurt, but I did read an article this week about why it isn’t expected that it would actually help, either. 

 

I personally am using Lugol’s a single drop (single drop!!!  Maybe 2 drops at most) in 5ml commercial saline solution. I don’t run the nebulizer dry and some mist goes all over the place, so it’s probably actually even less than that. 

Many People have used this as a home remedy for respiratory sickness for ?  decades ?  or maybe longer . This assumes not having adverse reactions to iodine, using the nebulizer safely, and not overdosing the iodine .

(an oral upper limit dose I read was supposedly ?  a maximum of 4 drops in an 8 hour period so I am being careful to stay way under that) 

 

(The mouthwash and nasal rinse in the extremely small studies were commercial and I think maybe in Europe with names largely unfamiliar to me, but I think one may have been Betadine which I recognize from when it was usual in hospital and office for hand wash and pre minor surg prep — but I think the version for mouthwash or nasal wash isn’t available in US. )

[Storygirl]

I would be really upset, too. I just found out that my brother tested positive on Thursday, but he has a mild case (so far) and now feels fine. He is definitely going to chafe against doing his quarantine, because he is convinced that Covid is not really dangerous and I think he believes the pandemic is a hyped up hoax (I don't talk to him about this at all, but my sister has told me things that my brother and his wife say and post online).

I'm certain he will go out and about. The terrible part of it is that my 86 year old dad works with my brother, so they see each other all of the time, and I don't trust either of them to be careful enough. I'm really hoping my brother will stay away from my dad for the rest of his quarantine. It's really hard when you can't trust the people you are close to.

[Murphy101]

Someone about 8 ft ahead of me on the way into mass in the parking lot was complaining loudly that they think we all ought to just do away with masks and let those who get it get it and it’ll be however it is.

I sorta laughed and said in the same tone, “Sure. YOU first!”

And they acted horrified I’d say that.

wth? Let me get this straight— so they were okay with exposing thousands but my suggestion they go into that setup first was unchristian?  Yeah. Maybe they should think a bit on that cognitive disconnect. 😒
 

Yeah. I know. There’s a reason confession is offered before mass. Thankfully. 😔

[ktgrok]

2 hours ago, Murphy101 said:

I see exactly 5 people outside my household no more than once a week.  Yesterday was one of them’s bday so we did a very small private paint session thing together.  4 of us with masks inside while someone instructs how to paint a theme. Spaced 4-6ft apart.  Then we drove separately to share lunch. 

So I get to the lunch place and realize birthday friend had met her brother along the way to drop off something to him and have a quick chat.  No masks standing right next to each other.   And while she’s describing it she says they talked about how her brother and his wife and their whole household are sick to various degrees and tested positive for Covid Friday.

🤦‍♀️🤬🥴

Seriously?! Why the bleep would you meet them in person for nothing vital and then go have lunch with us?

And I’m mad at myself bc I should have said, oh um sorry. See you later. Instead I ate lunch awkwardly.  Ugh!! What a cluster fail. 🥺

Wait - she went and purposely exposed herself, no masks, to someone who was known to be positive, and then went out to lunch????

[SounderChick]

I would have been stunned and likely sat there like an idiot.  I don't think you have to worry too much about catching it.  Afterward, I would feel like I accidentally condoned the behavior.

[Murphy101]

15 minutes ago, ktgrok said:

Wait - she went and purposely exposed herself, no masks, to someone who was known to be positive, and then went out to lunch????

I suspect she just forgot to put her mask on and then didn’t think about it since they were chatting right outside her car. But yeah. Exactly what happened. 

[Carol in Cal.]

That is awful.  What a horrible friend.

I’d be hitting the zinc pretty hard right now.  Sucking lozenges under my tongue every two hours for the next few days for sure.

[Murphy101]

11 minutes ago, Carol in Cal. said:

That is awful.  What a horrible friend.

I’d be hitting the zinc pretty hard right now.  Sucking lozenges under my tongue every two hours for the next few days for sure.

She’s not a horrible friend. She’s been better than a sister for 35 years. Sigh. I suspect the lack of mask was simple absent mindedness And the rest combined with being a people pleaser and having a brother that’s a horse turd. 

I’m on high dose vitamins and some minerals like zinc for years now. 

[SereneHome]

1 hour ago, Pen said:

I Agree!

 

 

I personally am using Lugol’s a single drop (single drop!!!  Maybe 2 drops at most) in 5ml commercial saline solution. I don’t run the nebulizer dry and some mist goes all over the place, so it’s probably actually even less than that. 

Many People have used this as a home remedy for respiratory sickness for ?  decades ?  or maybe longer . This assumes not having adverse reactions to iodine, using the nebulizer safely, and not overdosing the iodine .

(an oral upper limit dose I read was supposedly ?  a maximum of 4 drops in an 8 hour period so I am being careful to stay way under that) 

 

(The mouthwash and nasal rinse in the extremely small studies were commercial and I think maybe in Europe with names largely unfamiliar to me, but I think one may have been Betadine which I recognize from when it was usual in hospital and office for hand wash and pre minor surg prep — but I think the version for mouthwash or nasal wash isn’t available in US. )

Can you post a link to your nebulizer?

So....as anecdotal evidence goes...When I was a kid, I had lots of sinus problems. Once my parents started taking me to Black Sea every summer for about a month - it got much much better. I don't know how much iodine I was ingesting through swimming there for a  month, but I know that I got much better. It was a well known "remedy" where I am from.

[Farrar]

The bubbles you think you have are not the bubbles you have.

I'm so weary of people who keep going about their business even though they're showing signs of illness. I get it. I mean, I spent a couple of days two weeks ago being like, ragweed or covid, ragweed or covid. A week later, mild stuffiness alleviated by Zyrtec and no one else sick, I went about my (always masked and limited) business. But if you're sick sick or if anyone has tested positive?!? Ugh. Right there with ya.

[catz]

I wouldn't worry horribly about contracting it from this interaction.  But I would worry about this friend's choices over all if she considers that "safe" conduct and I would probably eject her from my bubble.  It's not a great season to be a people pleaser and I say that as a recovering people pleaser.   I would be irritated too!

[Katy]

I’m so sorry. That stinks. Even if she’s got it she’s probably not contagious yet, so at least there’s that. 

[Carol in Cal.]

27 minutes ago, Murphy101 said:

She’s not a horrible friend. She’s been better than a sister for 35 years. Sigh. I suspect the lack of mask was simple absent mindedness And the rest combined with being a people pleaser and having a brother that’s a horse turd. 

I’m on high dose vitamins and some minerals like zinc for years now. 

Yes, but that’s the point where you back off from the lunch, and let people know what happened and why.

[Not_a_Number]

Oh, that would make me so mad. That's ridiculous. 

[Murphy101]

14 minutes ago, Carol in Cal. said:

Yes, but that’s the point where you back off from the lunch, and let people know what happened and why.

I obviously agree and yet there I was eating lunch like a normal idiot. 🤦‍♀️

[Wheres Toto]

That's truly WTF behavior.  I wouldn't worry about contracting it from that exposure, but what about next week when you get together again?

[Not_a_Number]

Just now, Murphy101 said:

I obviously agree and yet there I was eating lunch like a normal idiot. 🤦‍♀️

Nope, not an idiot -- a social being. 

My Lyft driver the other day had his mask over his mouth but not his nose. Did I ask him to put it on his nose? No, I didn't. I had already asked him to open the windows, and I felt bad making more requests. People are like that... they don't like to impose. 

[Not_a_Number]

Just now, DorothyNJ said:

That's truly WTF behavior.  I wouldn't worry about contracting it from that exposure, but what about next week when you get together again?

This is an excellent point. I wouldn't pod with this woman anymore. 

[ktgrok]

2 hours ago, Murphy101 said:

I suspect she just forgot to put her mask on and then didn’t think about it since they were chatting right outside her car. But yeah. Exactly what happened. 

Even WITH a mask - brother is positive, so brother should be in isolation which does not mean chatting with his sister!

Ugh 

I agree she wouldn't be contagious yet, although could have touched something, spread it that way. But ugh. 

If we can't at LEAST get people on board with not having contact with others when they KNOW they have Covid, how on earth are we going to get this under control? Like, I'd think that was the one thing everyone could agree with. 

[Murphy101]

8 minutes ago, ktgrok said:

Even WITH a mask - brother is positive, so brother should be in isolation which does not mean chatting with his sister!

Ugh 

I agree she wouldn't be contagious yet, although could have touched something, spread it that way. But ugh. 

If we can't at LEAST get people on board with not having contact with others when they KNOW they have Covid, how on earth are we going to get this under control? Like, I'd think that was the one thing everyone could agree with. 

Yeah well. It’s been obvious to me for months now that for a not small number of people unless they are puking sick they just don’t think being a carrier should matter to their personal freedom. 
 

eta: our local health department just put out a live news conference saying they are having lots of trouble doing contract tracing because people are refusing to share any information at all because they don’t want to quarantine and they don’t want others to quarantine either. 

Edited October 25, 2020 by Murphy101

[ktgrok]

2 minutes ago, Murphy101 said:

Yeah well. It’s been obvious to me for months now that for a not small number of people unless they are puking sick they just don’t think being a carrier should matter to their personal freedom. 
 

eta: our local health department just put out a live news conference saying they are having lots of trouble doing contract tracing because people are refusing to share any information at all because they don’t want to quarantine and they don’t want others to quarantine either. 

Ugh.

Our priest today said in his sermon that the greatest commandments are to love God and your neighbor. Love - NOT freedom - is the call for Christians. 

I had really hoped maskers, non maskers, etc could at least agree to not expose others when they are actively sick. I was wrong. 

[Not_a_Number]

1 minute ago, ktgrok said:

Ugh.

Our priest today said in his sermon that the greatest commandments are to love God and your neighbor. Love - NOT freedom - is the call for Christians. 

I had really hoped maskers, non maskers, etc could at least agree to not expose others when they are actively sick. I was wrong. 

I would have guessed people would AT LEAST quarantine when they know they have it... 

[Murphy101]

4 minutes ago, ktgrok said:

Ugh.

Our priest today said in his sermon that the greatest commandments are to love God and your neighbor. Love - NOT freedom - is the call for Christians. 

I had really hoped maskers, non maskers, etc could at least agree to not expose others when they are actively sick. I was wrong. 

It is genuinely painful to the soul to watch unfold. 

Edited October 25, 2020 by Murphy101

[ktgrok]

4 minutes ago, Murphy101 said:

It is genuinely painful to the soul to watch unfold. 

Exactly.

[dirty ethel rackham]

10 minutes ago, Murphy101 said:

Yeah well. It’s been obvious to me for months now that for a not small number of people unless they are puking sick they just don’t think being a carrier should matter to their personal freedom. 
 

eta: our local health department just put out a live news conference saying they are having lots of trouble doing contract tracing because people are refusing to share any information at all because they don’t want to quarantine and they don’t want others to quarantine either. 

 

3 minutes ago, Murphy101 said:

It is genuinely painful to the soul to watch unfold. 

This behavior is becoming so prevalent and it just makes me feel so hopeless about the future.  I am so weary of the callous disregard for others.  I am just so sick of it!

[happi duck]

(hugs). That's frustrating!

I am going into situations psyching myself up that it is okay to speak up even if it feels rude.  I even practice so I know what I'll do. I tell those around that it's okay to remind each other even if it feels rude.  It's hard!

[Frances]

40 minutes ago, ktgrok said:

Even WITH a mask - brother is positive, so brother should be in isolation which does not mean chatting with his sister!

Ugh 

I agree she wouldn't be contagious yet, although could have touched something, spread it that way. But ugh. 

If we can't at LEAST get people on board with not having contact with others when they KNOW they have Covid, how on earth are we going to get this under control? Like, I'd think that was the one thing everyone could agree with. 

Sadly, I think you have way too positive a view of people. I think we have to assume selfishness and be pleasantly surprised when we sometimes get something else.

[KungFuPanda]

Was the conversation lengthy?  If it was 5-10 minutes of outdoor conversation I would remove it from my list of things to stress over.  I do get the covid stress.  It's real.  Recently I've realized that I have to switch my mode of coping.  I've been sort of keeping my head down and just riding it out at home.  Now I'm realizing I have to adjust to this "new normal" and not just keep my eyes closed until it's over.  I so desperately WANT things to be like they were, but that's so far in the future that I'm just now coming to terms with letting go of that mindset.  I do NOT want to do this anymore, but here we are.  That other people just move about doing whatever they please is completely maddening.

[prairiewindmomma]

2 hours ago, Murphy101 said:

I obviously agree and yet there I was eating lunch like a normal idiot. 🤦‍♀️

What’s your plan for next time? (No need to reply, just a note to myself because I nearly found myself in this boat once this summer.)

I am really angry for you that you were put into that position by someone else’s disregard for your health and safety.

 

Edited October 25, 2020 by prairiewindmomma

[Murphy101]

12 minutes ago, prairiewindmomma said:

What’s your plan for next time? (No need to reply, just a note to myself because I nearly found myself in this boat once this summer.)

I am really angry for you that you were put into that position by someone else’s disregard for your health and safety.

I’m more sad than angry. I don’t think she would view it that way. She has a lot going on and that’s one reason why I really wanted to be there for her birthday.  I don’t think she even thought of it bc there were several things taking more urgency atm on her mental plate.  It’s a fine line between being Covid aware and abandoning those in need. If I’d been thinking better, I’d have excused myself from lunch and talked to her later about why. 

[Pen]

1 hour ago, kand said:

No, that’s just human nature. It’s awkward in the moment, even when after the fact it seems clear what you wish you’d done. 

I found the article about mouthwash I had seen earlier in the week: No, Mouthwash Will Not Save You From the Coronavirus

eta: The mouthwash is at least unlikely to do any harm, but I know you’re taking a lot of measures to protect yourself, so if there’s one that you can cut from your routine, it might make the rest of them more doable.

 

This is a commercial product being promoted, but possibly of interest— some of the people writing comments also had interesting things to add:

https://www.oralhealthgroup.com/features/molecular-iodine-could-this-be-a-game-changer-for-dentistry/

 

I brush my teeth and use mouthwashes anyway so it doesn’t add any particular great difficulty.  And it may have some oral health benefits beyond just toothpaste or a mouthwash to smell nice. 

 

https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-05/covid-19_-_position_statement_-_managing_a_sore_throat_associated_with_covid-19_-_29_april_2020.pdf

Quote from the above follows with bold re SARS1 and MERS (other potentially similar coronaviruses) added: 

“respiratory tract pathogens showed effective bactericidal activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae and Streptococcus pneumoniae and rapidly inactivated SARS-CoV, MERS- CoV, influenza virus A (H1N1) and rotavirus after 15 s
of exposure. The authors concluded that povidone-
iodine gargle / mouthwash may provide a protective oropharyngeal hygiene measure for individuals at high risk of exposure to oral and respiratory pathogens.”
 

(In vitro) 

Edited October 25, 2020 by Pen

[danada1]

On 10/25/2020 at 2:19 PM, Not_a_Number said:

I would have guessed people would AT LEAST quarantine when they know they have it... 

Someone I know has a son who tested positive for Covid (likely meaning the rest of the family was infected). From what was shared with me he told this news to the others who regularly play soccer together, and they all were fine with still playing a big multi family soccer game together. Even though I already knew they all played twice weekly in violation of our county guidelines, and didn't use masking or distancing in many of their interactions, I just never imagined that they would all knowingly play while one of them had active Covid in the household. I felt like something in my brain broke. Or maybe my heart because it made me cry. I feel like I don't know who people are anymore. 

Edited October 27, 2020 by danada1
Typos

[Terabith]

Are the iodine based mouthwashes safe if you're on synthroid?  They look really promising, but I saw a warning about "thyroid conditions."

[Harriet Vane]

9 hours ago, danada1 said:

Someone I know has a son who tested positive for Covid (likely meaning the rest of the family was infected). From what was shared with me he told this news to the others who regularly play soccer together, and they all were fine with still playing a big multi family soccer game together. Even though I already knew they all played twice weekly in violation of our county guidelines, and didn't use masking or distancing in many of their interactions, I just never imagined that they would all knowingly play while one of them had active Covid in the household. I felt like something in my brain broke. Or maybe my heart because it made me cry. I feel like I don't know who people are anymore. 

I felt similarly just recently. A friend’s son and husband had direct, unmasked, extensive exposure to covid through a sports teammate, both in play and also sharing a meal together. Friend’s husband refused testing and went to work as usual. Friend kept her son home, but she and four other kids in the house have been out gallivanting all over the city. Not even for necessary stuff—just fun to get out of the house. Friend had NO understanding at all that she and her kids are exposed. 
 

I feel just as you do. Something in my brain broke. My heart is sad too. I haven’t been able to talk to her since—I am sick with disappointment and I don’t feel safe. I know we will talk again because I really love her, but it will be a looooong time before I feel safe to see her in person.

[Murphy101]

9 hours ago, Terabith said:

Are the iodine based mouthwashes safe if you're on synthroid?  They look really promising, but I saw a warning about "thyroid conditions."

They are not. I would not take those unless a dr confirmed I had to. Iodine is more serious stuff than people realize and is not worth the additional risks imo. 

[SounderChick]

People are up in arms because two local school board decided to delay bringing back the secondary students.  The main reason for the delay is the behavior of students, staff, and community members who decided to put together a huge unofficial county-wide homecoming dance.   I am impressed in a way that hundreds were able to keep the location secret long enough to pull this off.   

[happi duck]

My county is locking down again. 

I feel like no one takes this seriously enough.  Like others have said, I feel like my heart and brain are broken by this.

 

[Murphy101]

1 hour ago, rebcoola said:

People are up in arms because two local school board decided to delay bringing back the secondary students.  The main reason for the delay is the behavior of students, staff, and community members who decided to put together a huge unofficial county-wide homecoming dance.   I am impressed in a way that hundreds were able to keep the location secret long enough to pull this off.   

I’m not surprised. I mean we all joke that conspiracies aren’t possible bc people can’t keep their mouths shut but it’s really not true.  Entire communities keep silent about all kinds of things historically and now.  And then there’s the not keeping silent but looking the other way when hearing/seeing it crowd that abets things along. 

[Murphy101]

1 hour ago, happi duck said:

My county is locking down again. 

I feel like no one takes this seriously enough.  Like others have said, I feel like my heart and brain are broken by this.

 

I wish my area would realize we are past heading into lockdown but I’m in a state that still thinks a mask mandate is stupid and not necessary. I no longer have any doubt bodies could pile up in the street and they’d still adamantly insist they have the right to attend their mega church without a mask.

[Not_a_Number]

4 minutes ago, Murphy101 said:

I’m not surprised. I mean we all joke that conspiracies aren’t possible bc people can’t keep their mouths shut but it’s really not true.  Entire communities keep silent about all kinds of things historically and now.  And then there’s the not keeping silent but looking the other way when hearing/seeing it crowd that abets things along. 

I think it's hard to keep a large conspiracy going for any length of time. But not so much something like this, where there's something in it for everyone who's organizing it... 

[Garga]

On 10/25/2020 at 5:41 PM, happi duck said:

(hugs). That's frustrating!

I am going into situations psyching myself up that it is okay to speak up even if it feels rude.  I even practice so I know what I'll do. I tell those around that it's okay to remind each other even if it feels rude.  It's hard!

This is a good idea. I’ve had 4 covid nightmares since March. In the most recent, I was at a party with friends and no one was wearing masks (I wouldn’t have actually gone to a party like this IRL!), and then the hostess started coughing and said, “Oh yes, I’ve been sick, but it’s probably not covid.” In the dream I said I had to leave and everyone made fun of me.

But I’m realizing I need to prepare IRL for this sort of thing.

A few months ago IRL I got together with friends outside and we had food. At the end, everyone picked up the dishes and took them inside for the hostess. No masks. And I found myself doing the same thing, but I kept my eye on the clock and wasn’t inside for more than 5 minutes. And while inside, I positioned myself on the opposite end of the room from the other ladies. Others lingered and were ok with standing close. I know that they don’t take covid seriously, because they’ve said they don’t. The only reason the gathering was outside at all, is because I asked for it to be. 

But it’s sooo easy for the peer pressure to make you do something stupid when you’re the odd person out. I was like the OP and froze and didn’t know how to say, “I’ll help take this stuff to do the door, but I can’t go in.” But it feels so rude as if you’re finger pointing and saying to your friends, “Ew! You have cooooties!”

On 10/25/2020 at 5:46 PM, Frances said:

Sadly, I think you have way too positive a view of people. I think we have to assume selfishness and be pleasantly surprised when we sometimes get something else.

I used to think better of people, but not so much anymore. 😞

14 hours ago, danada1 said:

Someone I know has a son who tested positive for Covid (likely meaning the rest of the family was infected). From what was shared with me he told this news to the others who regularly play soccer together, and they all were fine with still playing a big multi family soccer game together. Even though I already knew they all played twice weekly in violation of our county guidelines, and didn't use masking or distancing in many of their interactions, I just never imagined that they would all knowingly play while one of them had active Covid in the household. I felt like something in my brain broke. Or maybe my heart because it made me cry. I feel like I don't know who people are anymore. 

I feel like I don’t know who they are anymore either. I’m very close to just cutting ties with many people. Not with an announcement, but just backing away from them in my heart and letting the friendships die. 

5 hours ago, Harriet Vane said:

I felt similarly just recently. A friend’s son and husband had direct, unmasked, extensive exposure to covid through a sports teammate, both in play and also sharing a meal together. Friend’s husband refused testing and went to work as usual. Friend kept her son home, but she and four other kids in the house have been out gallivanting all over the city. Not even for necessary stuff—just fun to get out of the house. Friend had NO understanding at all that she and her kids are exposed. 
 

I feel just as you do. Something in my brain broke. My heart is sad too. I haven’t been able to talk to her since—I am sick with disappointment and I don’t feel safe. I know we will talk again because I really love her, but it will be a looooong time before I feel safe to see her in person.

People really don’t seem to understand how germs work.

Edited October 27, 2020 by Garga

[mathnerd]

3 hours ago, Harriet Vane said:

I felt similarly just recently. A friend’s son and husband had direct, unmasked, extensive exposure to covid through a sports teammate, both in play and also sharing a meal together. Friend’s husband refused testing and went to work as usual. Friend kept her son home, but she and four other kids in the house have been out gallivanting all over the city. Not even for necessary stuff—just fun to get out of the house. Friend had NO understanding at all that she and her kids are exposed. 
 

I feel just as you do. Something in my brain broke. My heart is sad too. I haven’t been able to talk to her since—I am sick with disappointment and I don’t feel safe. I know we will talk again because I really love her, but it will be a looooong time before I feel safe to see her in person.

I watched the breaking news out of Utah this weekend (there was a health officer there who said something to the effect of "I don't know what to do anymore, so don't ask me!") and the infection numbers nationwide are so bad that it makes me wonder if people have either made up their minds (or if they were persuaded by glib talkers/facebook posts etc) that it is in their best interests to go out and get the infection in mass numbers before the winter sets in and to "get it over with". I see this attitude very prevalent everywhere because "Covid Fatigue" and the loss of social lives and income is hitting people hard.

@Murphy101 I think that you should keep away from that friend for a while because she might be going to other places without wearing masks as well (and it could just be absent-mindedness as you think, but, still not good for you if you fear infections).