As you likely know, a nearby CCRC has had a medium sized COVID positive test outbreak among both residents and staff–reportedly six fully vaccinated staff testing positive for the virus plus some residents. As a consequence all activities and their dining room have been shut down.
So far we’ve been fortunate at Skyline and are beginning to debate the timing of getting a third shot. There’s so much information, we’re all a bit off balance. It’s beginning to look like two things to me: If you are vaccinated and not immunocompromised your chances of a severe illness or hospitalization are very small. You may just have mild, or even no symptoms thinking it’s just a cold (but get tested please if symptomatic).
The not so good news is that the delta variant is beginning to look like it will hang around indicating that this variant (and others) may require annual shots much like our long experience with flu shots.
Below is a somewhat disconcerting article from San Diego about the situation there. We may not be as protected as we think. Perhaps, it’s time to step up our masks, particularly if you are immunocompromised. N95 and KN95 masks are now available on Amazon for those wishing the highest level of protection. This is akin to driving a new car: good shoulder/lap belts; automatic warning lights; backup camera; lane changing warnings; rear automatic braking, etc.
On the other hand, our one layer “surgical” masks leak, don’t have the strength to actually block the virus (though it keeps droplets from escaping), and at times when hanging from our chins are more hygiene theater than protection. I’d say these are better than nothing, perhaps like the flimsy lap-belt in your old Chevy.
Here’s a worrisome article from the current New England Journal of Medicine.
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