if someone had covid & now has antibodies should they continue to wear a mask?

[orleans]

can they still spread it?

what if they are around someone who has been vaccinated?

i feel like i should know this but i guess i don't and i can't seem to google up an answer

[flying rabbit]

1. Whether or not they can spread it

they should still wear it where required. People gonna say they are vaccinated just to get out of it.

[lapucelle]

2. CDC Guidance for Wearing Masks: Help Slow the Spread of COVID-19 (Updated April 19, 2021)

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover-guidance.html

Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People
Updated Apr. 2, 2021

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated-guidance.html

[orleans]

6. thanks but it doesn't answer my questions. good link about masks tho.

just doesn't mention antibodies

[lapucelle]

7. I think the inference, then, is that you still need to wear a mask, even if you have antibodies.

If it were an exception to the mask-wearing rule, that would have been stated.

[marybourg]

3. For the time being, *everybody* should wear a mask outside of their own home.

[hlthe2b]

4. Natural infection wanes and even when recent may not be as comprehensive against variants

as those receiving vaccine or COVID-recovered receiving vaccination boosters. For that reason, you should definitely wear a mask in close contact with those not in your immediate household or among those you have reason to believe have not been vaccinated. Indoor masking continues to be a priority. Outdoors, only in crowded settings.

If it has been 90 days since your COVID infection, you should go ahead and get vaccinated.

[roamer65]

5. Yes, because researchers are finding the immunity generated from the actual virus is much weaker.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

18. Which is weird, because normally the immunity you get

from actually having a disease is vastly stronger than that from a vaccination. That's not to suggest vaccines aren't a Very Good Idea, just to point out how it usually works.

[roamer65]

27. The Moderna vaccine produced higher levels of antibodies than SARS-CoV-2 infection.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/search/research-news/12157/

[womanofthehills]

20. Not true - can you site the research?

When you have natural antibodies, you have antibodies to the entire virus- not just the spike protein. Natural antibodies are more protective of the variants. The mRNA vaccines have a very narrow focus - this is why they have to make boosters.

[roamer65]

26. ..

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/search/research-news/12157/

The mRNA vaccines are the best route.

[lapucelle]

30. Can you cite the research for your claims? N/T

[genxlib]

8. I look at it like this

Immunity (by illness or vaccine) is not a forcefield. It is the ability to fight back when the virus invades again

So by definition, you have to have the virus for some length of time so that your system can recognize and go to work. During that time, it seems reasonable that you could still be giving off virus. Surely it is probably less and for a shorter duration but still conceivably possible

Besides all that, I still mask because it is expected behavior and it would be a disaster to try and distinguish. So I do my part.

[Iggo]

9. Yes.

[Midnightwalk]

10. Of course

Others gave the cdc guidance and other good reasons. Here’s some others.

Until the virus is completely under control there will be vulnerable people who can catch or carry the virus. Masks should continue to be required. I want to be done with this thing

Going into stores without masks because “I’m vaccinated or immune and can’t catch or carry it” makes mask enforcement that much harder. Maybe slightly less selfish as the person who refuses because of my freedoms but I’d still say selfish.

There are several variants and more brewing. We don’t know the risk of reinfection. Let’s shut it down as best we can.

I don’t mean any of this personally. I think it’s a good question and wanted to put my 2 cents in. I’m still trying to figure our if or how I’ll relax now that I’m vaccinated. Teeth cleaning for sure. I’ll use an excuse to avoid a haircut.

[orleans]

13. thank you. i'm not taking any advice for precautions negatively

i am concerned about those variants &
i'm a bit of a mask freak
been vaxxed but i wear my mask when i'm around ANYONE--even if they have gotten a vaccine
i have to wear a mask at work (which i would do anyway) and of course in the stores (although i don't go into the stores very often; i mostly order groceries online and just pick them up)

i posted this because i am concerned about a friend who is elderly and not in great health. she had both of her shots, and the person she lives with just got their second shot today.

but a family member of hers came by to visit. this person had covid a couple months ago and because he has antibodies (i don't know if he was tested for them, but he assumes) he wasn't wearing a mask while in her house for a few hours. (and she probably wasn't wearing her mask either)

nothing i can do at this point--mr. anti mask has come and gone.
i'm just concerned for my friend. and, while i'm of the mind that if you don't live together and you're inside a mask would be a good thing, i'm wondering if i'm just over-reacting or worrying unnecessarily.

anyway, thanks to you and everyone for the replies.

[Midnightwalk]

17. I'll add one more bit then. Relax

At least allow yourself the mental relief that they were almost certainly protected by the vaccine. We all should enjoy that feeling of security.

[orleans]

25. thank you

[orleans]

14. thank you. i'm not taking any advice for precautions negatively

i am concerned about those variants &
i'm a bit of a mask freak
been vaxxed but i wear my mask when i'm around ANYONE--even if they have gotten a vaccine
i have to wear a mask at work (which i would do anyway) and of course in the stores (although i don't go into the stores very often; i mostly order groceries online and just pick them up)

i posted this because i am concerned about a friend who is elderly and not in great health. she had both of her shots, and the person she lives with just got their second shot today.

but a family member of hers came by to visit. this person had covid a couple months ago and because he has antibodies (i don't know if he was tested for them, but he assumes) he wasn't wearing a mask while in her house for a few hours. (and she probably wasn't wearing her mask either)

nothing i can do at this point--mr. anti mask has come and gone.
i'm just concerned for my friend. and, while i'm of the mind that if you don't live together and you're inside a mask would be a good thing, i'm wondering if i'm just over-reacting or worrying unnecessarily.

anyway, thanks to you and everyone for the replies.

[iemanja]

11. definitely

even the vaccinated are supposed to wear masks.

[roody]

12. I'm wearing a mask for the rest of my life.

I don't want to get Covid. Yes, I'm vaxxed.

[GulfCoast66]

15. For now, yes. But while not popular on DU, once everyone who wants the vaccine gets it,

Mask mandated should and will end. Politically they will be untenable and people will not live like this forever.

I personally hate the damn thing but wear it faithfully even though my wife and I are fully vaccinated. But once everyone has one who wants it, I’m done.

[cinematicdiversions]

21. I am on board the same train.

I will wear when mandated. But I have stopped wearing it outdoors at the beach or playing golf or visiting other vaccinated folks.

[GulfCoast66]

24. I've never worn it outside when spaced from others. Seems silly.

And even the CDC says vaccinated folks can gather with out masks.

The wife and I have spent tons of time in the gulf on our boat. Common sense says a mask there is nuts.

If someone wants to wear a mask the rest of their life I won’t criticize. Their choice. But when all are vaccinated who want it I’m done.

95-99% protection against getting the virus and pretty much 100% against hospitalization or death means something.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

16. Read in a recent study 10% of those who had covid got it again.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

19. Do you remember where you saw that?

Because my understanding is that almost no one has gotten it a second time. 10% would be a huge number.

[Peppertoo]

22. I was going to say something because that sounded outrageously high.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

31. I'll try to find. It was a recent study of a specific group. I think

That they don't know enough about how much immunity each individual builds against the virus depending on severity.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

33. Not the study itself... But description of it..

These results, though, are in line with another study carried out by Dr. Stuart C. Sealfon, a professor of neurology, neuroscience, and pharmacological sciences at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and colleagues.

This group followed more than 3,000 Marine recruits attending basic training in South Carolina, including almost 190 recruits who had a previous SARS-CoV-2 infection.

During the 6 weeks of the study, around 10 percent of those with a prior infection contracted another infection. However, they were 82 percent less likely to contract an infection compared to recruits with no previous infection.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

34. Link - Mt Sinai

https://www.mountsinai.org/about/newsroom/2021/past-covid19-infection-does-not-fully-protect-young-people-against-reinfection-study-shows

[lapucelle]

28. Do you remember who reported those findings and whether CDC protocols for confirmation

of reinfection were followed? Did you read the study in a medical journal?

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/invest-criteria.html

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/reinfection.html

Suspected Recurrent SARS-CoV-2 Infections Among Residents of a Skilled Nursing Facility During a Second COVID-19 Outbreak — Kentucky, July–November 2020

Summary

What is already known about this topic?

Case reports of reinfection with SARS-CoV-2 exist; however, data are limited as to the frequency and outcomes of reinfection.

What is added by this report?

Five residents of a skilled nursing facility received positive SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid test results in two separate COVID-19 outbreaks separated by 3 months. Residents received at least four negative test results between the two outbreaks, suggesting the possibility of reinfection. Severity of disease in the five residents during the second outbreak was worse than that during the first outbreak and included one death.

What are the implications for public health practice?

Skilled nursing facilities should use strategies to reduce the risk for SARS-CoV-2 transmission among all residents, including among those who have previously had a COVID-19 diagnosis. Vaccination of residents and health care personnel in this setting is particularly important to protect residents.

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7008a3.htm

What reinfections mean for COVID-19

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/PIIS1473-3099(20)30783-0/fulltext#coronavirus-linkback-header

[Laura PourMeADrink]

35. Mt Sinai link

https://www.mountsinai.org/about/newsroom/2021/past-covid19-infection-does-not-fully-protect-young-people-against-reinfection-study-shows

[lapucelle]

41. The study's finding was that seropositive individuals had

had one- fifth the risk of infection that seronegative individuals had. They had a 10% risk of infection compared to a 48% risk in barracks-style living quarters.

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanres/article/PIIS2213-2600(21)00158-2/fulltext

[Laura PourMeADrink]

42. Thought we were talking about REinfection ?? Was that taken incorrectly?

[lapucelle]

43. We are talking about reinfection.

Implications of all the available evidence
Despite seropositivity, some individuals can be reinfected by SARS-CoV-2. In young, healthy, seropositive adults, the risk of subsequent infection is about one-fifth that in seronegative individuals. Infection in seropositive individuals might be associated with lower IgG antibody titres or with a failure to generate or sustain neutralising antibodies, leaving them susceptible to reinfection and potential transmission. Despite previous SARS-CoV-2 infection or documented seropositivity, vaccination might still be necessary to boost the natural immune response and prevent reinfection and reduce transmission.

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanres/article/PIIS2213-2600(21)00158-2/fulltext

[Laura PourMeADrink]

44. Thank you!!!

[lapucelle]

47. The conclusions in the study (fully published in The Lancet) are much more nuanced

than the Mt. Sinai press release implies.

Discussion

... The high rate of infection at MCRDPI can be attributed to the crowded living conditions, demanding regimen, and requirement for personal contact during basic training despite the pandemic leads, which is known to contribute to an increased risk for respiratory epidemics.

The close quarters and constant contact among recruits that are needed for team building allow a viral infection to rapidly proliferate within a unit. The physically and mentally demanding training environment might also suppress immunity. These factors are not typically present in the civilian community.

Therefore, the study setting limits the generalisability of our findings to other settings where the frequency and intensity of exposure and the susceptibility of the host might differ.

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanres/article/PIIS2213-2600(21)00158-2/fulltext

[Laura PourMeADrink]

48. My layperson takeaway - that even though you had covid before,

You can still get it again if you are in very close prolonged contact with lots of people.

[Ms. Toad]

23. Vaccination is recommended for everyone, including those who have had COVID

In part, because people have become reinfected after an initial infection. Also in part because if having had COVID does confer immunity, no one knows how long it lasts.

So anyone who has had COVID, but has not been vaccinated, should behave as any other unvaccinated person.

[eShirl]

29. err on the side of caution when we don't have all the facts yet

[Laura PourMeADrink]

37. This single statement is SO true!!! So many people seem to think

because a single human politician says you were unsafe yesterday but safe today then it is a fact.

And common sense should have told everyone that early on if medical workers needed masks then we did too - there just weren't enough of them.

[Vinca]

32. I'm going to continue to wear a mask until the issue of variants is under control -

even if they say vaccinated people don't have to wear masks. There are too many unknowns. Unless you're in a crowd outdoors, I don't see any reason to wear a mask then unless you fear coming in contact with an infected raccoon.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

38. +1

[KG]

36. gonna wear mine for a while longer in crowds. it's not that much trouble.

and pity the fool that gets in my grill about it.

[FSogol]

39. Me? I'm going to wear it when I rob liquor stores and 7-11s, but won't wear it when I

can safely social distance outside.

[pnwmom]

46. People who have had Covid still need to get vaccinated.

The vaccinations provide greater protection than the natural infections.

[leftyladyfrommo]

40. Everybody has to in KCMO. nt

[pnwmom]

45. Yes. We know that people who have had Covid have been re-infected

because they got symptoms and tested positive again.

Those people were contagious before they even got symptoms. And others who have had repeat infections might not even have had symptoms.