Should Covid survivors wear masks?

[intrepidity]

This issue will soon arise with regards to vaccines--should those who have had a full vaccine still mask up?

If so, is the reason cosmetic, ie, optics?

Or, is it based on the slight possibility that survivors and the vaccinated might still become infected?

I haven't come to a satisfying conclusion yet, so am curious what you all think.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. YES. Why tempt fate?

There may not be any immunity, or it might be only temporary.

Again: Why tempt fate?

[elleng]

2. YES.

possibility that survivors and the vaccinated might still become infected

[SoonerPride]

3. Yes

I will wear a mask even after I get vaccinated until I hear from Biden’s CDC that the pandemic has receded.

Mainly for optics and peer acceptance of keeping up the fight. For everyone.

[Wellstone ruled]

4. YES!!!!!!!!

[Rorey]

5. I've been wondering about this too

I have a feeling we won't be seeing many masks once the vaccine is widely available. There will be some who assume they're safe because they're vaccinated, and there will be some ant-vaxxer/anti-mask folks. Maybe there will be an adjustment period where the numbers really don't go down much because there won't be mask mandates, but there will still be idiots.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

8. Alas, there will always be idiots!

[Skittles]

6. absolutely YES

[TDale313]

7. If mask mandates are still in place, I think so

I don’t think it should be up to the retail worker to check if each person without their mask has had their shot. Also, I think we can be pretty sure people would lie.So keep if simple and encourage people to mask up until spread has reached a certain level.

[Hekate]

9. Yes, we should, and I will

[Cracklin Charlie]

10. I would be afraid of picking up a mild second case, and passing it to someone else.

As much as catching a second case myself.

I think I had it last January. I wear a mask.

[burrowowl]

11. Yes!

[FreeState]

12. Yes you may still spread it

With the flu and flu vaccine you can be immune but still spread it.

[intrepidity]

26. I don't quite understand how that works

Immunity, by definition, means that the body mounts a successful defense. And a successful defense, by definition, means that the invader has been neutralized.

So how can one be both immune and a reservoir/spreader?

Aside from a transition period, I don't understand how those two states exist, unless it's like quantum superposition?

[Laelth]

13. We don't know.

The safer policy will be to remain masked.

-Laelth

[dweller]

14. Yes

Just yes

✌🏻

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

15. Yes. Read this Twitter thread by a vaccine researcher:

I'm thrilled at the vaccine. Cloud 9. We have a chance, a real one, to not only control but possibly eradicate this virus. Researchers all over the globe have worked together for months on end to do this immunology work. I'm proudly one of them. (the Dolly location, howdy!). [3]

It's a medical breakthrough and global effort that doesn't have a recent rival. For the skeptics, I could get into the weeds about naïve T cells and S-protein structure and nanolipid suspension formulas (big boring words!), but legit who cares. Here's what you need to know: [4]

1. It works yo!!!! 2. It's freakishly safe (the only future-unknown being when you need a booster, with thousands of trial participants months ahead of us for warning. They stay in the studies). 3. It is 2 shots. 4. YOU ARE NOT IMMUNE UNTIL 6 WEEKS AFTER YOUR FIRST SHOT. [5]

Here's why that info matters: Despite this wonderful outcome, if people think it's magic and they're instantly immune after dose 1, they'll ACT immune and will go catch Covid. Millions of them. No vaccine is instant, but most aren't given during uncontrolled pandemics. [6]

The rest of the unrolled thread here: https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1329979552135852032.html

[Rorey]

21. Thank you!

I'll still wear a mask, even after the six weeks. I just don't see a point in taking any bigger chance than necessary when putting a mask on is so easy.

[relayerbob]

16. Yes, they can still be reinfected

And can also be spewing live virus after symptoms subside

[Progressive dog]

17. How will others know why they are not wearing a mask?

[Rorey]

22. I know, right?

There will be idiots who aren't vaccinated and will say they are as an excuse to not wear a mask.

I wish there was an anti-idiot vaccine.

[Midnight Writer]

18. I may continue to wear masks even after the pandemic recedes.

I am now much more conscious of how much of other people's contaminants are washing over me.

Now, when I walk by an unmasked spreader and they are talking in my direction, or some little kids are in the store running around me, or, as in the other day, when I am in a checkout line and the asshole behind me is crowding up against me and whistling tunelessly, I notice.

I don't think I will ever take a trip to the store as casually as I used to.

[Rorey]

24. I'm a bit of a germaphobe already

This mask wearing and social distancing is awesome, in my opinion. I hate it when total strangers get too close to me, and especially when they exhale.

[intrepidity]

28. Honestly, me too

I wear a KN95 when I go out, and I have come to really appreciate it, often for reasons not related to covid. So far it has come in handy for keeping dust out, like when walking my dog, he likes to kick the dirt up... also, in this colder weather, it keeps my face warm, lol.

I plan to wear one indefinitely. I just wish the N95s were more available and more affordable so I could dispose of them somewhat more frequently than now.

[torius]

19. Yes

People have caught it twice. And at least one got a different strain of it the second time and got sicker than than the first time.

[judeling]

20. Definitely for the near term

While everything looks good now, we just do not have enough controlled studies yet. By the time the first people in these trials hit their six month review point we probably will. But until March or so we have to be very vigilant.

[leftieNanner]

23. Absolutely Yes!

I believe there have been several cases of people becoming reinfected. There is no 100% guarantee of immunity for people who survive covid. Plus, a survivor might be medically compromised and would not fare well with a regular flu or cold.

[DBoon]

25. Yes it encourages others to wear masks too

the more people wear masks, the more other people will wear them

infectious or not, wearing a mask reinforces a good social rule.

[flying rabbit]

29. Incestuous?

[panader0]

32. That's when masks mate with someone related to them. Deplorable.

[DBoon]

33. Changed it

I hate spell check

[bottomofthehill]

27. They should

It is never a bad thing to model good behavior

No vaccine is 💯 percent fool proof

Having had Covid before lessens the possibility of getting it again

And back to 1, it’s never bad to model good behavior.

[cwydro]

30. I had it in August.

I wear a mask everywhere I go in public if around others

Mostly I’m only out to walk my dogs in the woods, and then I don’t wear one.

[Meowmee]

31. Yes

I still wear kn95 and goggles/ gloves when out or for home service etc. I had covid pneumonia in April and still don’t feel fully recovered, no way I am getting it again if I can avoid it. After vaccination I am not sure, I will probably wear them until the numbers go down drastically. I think vaccination will give me better and longer immunity. I do not have antibodies but may have t cell immunity.

[Ms. Toad]

34. Yes.

There are confirmed reinfections so the CDC advice is to assume you can be reinfected - with the same risk of asymptomatic transmission, and take the same precautions as if you have never had it.

[kacekwl]

35. EVERYBODY SHOULD WEAR A MASK.

[Ms. Toad]

36. I got ridiculed about two days ago when I suggested

Having COVID did not necessarily make one immune. So while it is a head-slapped for me, it isn't even believable to everyone in DU.

[Laelth]

39. We have no idea what "immunity" to COVID means.

None. You were right.

-Laelth

[Ms. Toad]

41. Ironically, that's almost precisely the same phrase I used

that started the brouhaha.

There are way too many unknowns, and I don't know any serious scientist who suggests we know enough to toss the precautions once we've had the disease.

[Lady Freedom Returns]

37. Yes. Didn't you hear Fauci talk about not knowing how long the vaccine would keep a person safe?

[birdographer]

38. I will wear a mask

until told by Biden or Fauci that it is not necessary. Mostly because I don't want to be mistaken for a trumper by those not yet vaccinated. No mask=trumper, period.

[Blue_true]

40. Yes. Until the virus is no longer the risk that it is, everyone should wear masks. nt