It’s not been long since I tested negative for Covid, but here I am again, laid up in bed with a coughing virus that I caught from going out into my local town centre, with people coughing in shops, without masks and without putting their hand to their mouths and having to dodge their space. Having tested for Covid-19 yesterday, thankfully it's not Covid.
Illness concerns moving forward
There is still a concern for me, in how I might fare moving forward, as I continue to struggle with immunity issues and in the pandemic that concern isn’t without merit. Also, social media is still rife with concerns about Covid in schools and the new potential strain of Covid. That isn't going away.
Masking-up
Masking-up is a simple thing to do, which saves on illness for everyone, but particularly for those who have immunity problems and/or are high risk. It’s staggering just how many people are actively choosing not to wear masks.
The New Covid Variant, XBB.1.5
In the face of new data coming through on the new variant, the data shows that one in 25 cases in the UK, have the highly infectious Omicron sub-variant XBB.1.5, nicknamed ‘the Kraken’ which is expected to put pressure on an already overstretched NHS, in the coming weeks.
Pressures on the NHS
As a result, health chiefs are urging Brits to increase their mask wearing to protect those working in the services. Over a dozen trusts have declared ‘critical incidents’ over rising rates of Covid and flu, with staff shortages and too few beds. The pressure is expected to continue to at least Easter, with services getting cancelled. Not great if you're the one relying on the service.
Scientists are now throwing their weight in
Scientists are also throwing their weight behind masking wearing again. Mask-wearing is simple, but effective, since the situation warrants pandemic-era curbs with this new strain, which will inevitably start to pile the pressure on the NHS. In the meantime, GP practices, hospitals and care homes, are pleading with visitors to cover-up.
Fresh calls are being made
Fresh calls are also being made for people who know they’re ill to stay home and for anyone out in public spaces to wear masks. It's a small price, but mask-wearing has huge benefits, not having to deal with illness, where for some catching Covid can still be critical.
With or without the vaccine, you can still catch Covid. Does this new variant work with the current vaccine to protect better? Perhaps more people would champion the vaccine, if it worked better to stop and spread the vaccine. The flu vaccine does exactly that. (Source: Dailymail.co.uk)
In the pandemic in life and death scenarios, which is what this has been, it is important to continue to support and look after yourself, making decisions that will keep you safe. Self-care is important. Masking-up is part of that and is a small price to pay.
Wearing masks in busy public spaces and in shops simply makes sense and I have noticed more people are now wearing masks than have for the past few months.
With sensible measures in place I managed to avoid catching Covid for 3 years, so I am not especially concerned about a new variant.
We have had a number of variants, as that's what viruses do and I am determined to 'cautiously' get out and about more. It must be hard for those who are high risk, who struggle to get themselves out with restrictions having been lifted.
Having had Covid in December, I have now picked up a coughing virus in January. I did manage to get out just over a week ago to go into my local town centre and there must have been three people wearing masks.
I didn't wear a mask because it was my first time out since I caught Covid, so I am immune still, but what a mistake that was. People were openly coughing. Luckily, I have tested for Covid and it's not Covid.
But we need to want to care. Even if you're not high risk, why would you want to continue to be sidled with a virus that you can continue to be reinfected with.