Am I being too cautious about covid?

As far as I know smallpox is the only disease where your chances of getting it are nil, because it has been irradicated. Although polio is getting close to that point.

Whenever we go out we are in danger of catching all kinds of infectious and contagious diseases. Life is not and never has been risk free.

COVID is a new disease.It is with us and we just have to learn to live with it. As with flu, pneumonia and umpteen other similar diseases. Most people who get flu/pmeumonia/COVID etc etc, will have it mildly, or it can be very quickly treated, an unfortunate few will get it seriously or may die.

We have to balance the risks of the threats to our lives that surround us all the time in the home, garden and outside and work out to balance them with living a normal active life.

I'm only suggesting alternative and more realistic ways of calculating your risk. So what I said is true.

Also being vaccinated reduces your chance of being infected compared to others in a group who are not infected.

It reduces, but doesn't totally prevent as various friends can testify. A friend's husband who has had all the jabs has had Covid for 11 days now and still testing positive. Several people I know are getting it for the 2nd or 3rd time.

I went to the theatre with a small group of friends last night (5 of us altogether)
We shared a car and had a meal together before sitting in a row together. As it happened the row in front of us was empty.
Two of the group -a couple- donned masks as soon as they went in.
I wondered why, and also why it had not occurred to me but if I had felt that way, surely being in the car and going into the restaurant were equally if not more “risky” ?
Just reflecting.

Anybody spending more than a few minutes in an enclosed space with more than 55 people stands a good chance of being infected.

There are a couple of problems with that.

1 in 55 are infected but a proportion on them will be ill and at home, so it's not really one in 55 of the people who are out and about who are infected.

Also being vaccinated reduces your chance of being infected compared to others in a group who are not infected.

"Good chance" implies that it's more likely than not, which is not known. "Possibility" might be a better description.

I agree that everybody has to decide for themselves.

fear is the greatest threat to your health.

No, Covid is a greater threat!

The ONS estimates that 1 in 55 people is currently infected with Covid at any time. People are entitled to make their own risk assessment without gaslighting, especially by fake news.

Anybody spending more than a few minutes in an enclosed space with more than 55 people stands a good chance of being infected, especially if ventilation is poor and activities are strenuous and involve more breathing. Despite vaccinations and better treatments, some people are at higher risks of serious illness and will work out how important that risk is to them personally. Nobody has any right to tell anybody else they're being over-cautious.

Not true MOnica (as I've pointed out before). Covid deaths this Winter have been similar to flu and pneumonia deaths combined.

I didn't know that, Monica. It would save me so much time and hassle if I didn't have to wash my shopping. Thank you so much.

Gossamer It was discovered quite early in the pandemic that COVID was passed on through aerosol droplets, so infectious, not contagious, so that washing your shopping does nothing to reduce the spread of COVID as it is not involved in the transfer process anyway.

Deaths from COVID this winter have been no higher than flu deaths in winters before the pandemic. With the reduction in the probability of getting COVID by being vaccinated and the wide range of medications and other remedies for dealing with COVID should you get it. Yes, I think you are over cautious.

Especially as you say Then I think about the way I live and sometimes I wish I was dead! I think it would be sensible for you to see a doctor and get some therapy to help you find a solution to your real problem, which is not COVID itself but fear of COVID, that fear is the greatest threat to your health.

I am still cautious. I do let my daughter into the house now. She is a frontline nurse! Should I|? I am ashamed to say that I still wash my shopping with diluted bleach. I have had 4 vaccinations - 3 Pfizer and 1 - Moderna. I am 76 years old. Do you think I am overreacting? Covid terrifies me! Then |I think about the way I live and sometimes I wish I was dead!

My husband is CEV so I'm still being careful. I wear a mask shopping and don't go to restaurants or pubs. We do have friend in occasionally and family visits. He was due to have his booster a couple of weeks ago but unfortunately was admitted to hospital night before. I'll be more relaxed once he's had it. I'm in my 73, in reasonably good nick so ,if it weren't for my husband's vulnerability,I think I'd be much more relaxed. I don't think of myself as old.

Thanks, Farzanah, and I apologise for misunderstanding . It's just that I am constantly meeting people who are dismissive and don't understand why I need to be cautious. I'm trying to get on with my life, but after finding out that the CEV list has been reviewed, with many being removed from it, and I still remain CEV, has been a bit of a bummer, (or even bu**ger) despite in my heart I knew I would be. It's seeing it in black and white, which is disheartening.

I’m sorry if I appeared flippant, that wasn’t my intention and of course I don’t think it’s all over, and certainly didn’t mean to touch a nerve Marydoll.

I’m constantly irritated by those who do act as if it is over, without a thought for those who necessarily have reason to be cautious, and indeed my previous posts state that around 1 in 55 people in England, 1 in 45 in Scotland are still infected.I was trying to make a point and sorry if it appeared otherwise.

After a lifetime working in the NHS I am only too aware of the impact covid continues to make..

I suppose it could be ambiguous, but it still touched a nerve.

I didn't take it as a facetious comment.
I took it as a sarcastic remark meaning that those people know there is still danger, while many of the public (and politicians) seem not to.

So do I. I don’t find it a laughing matter.

It was your facetious comment, which touched a raw nerve. I wish it was all over, but it's not, unfortunately.

I think you are just as likely to find CEV people cautiously shopping, out and about, and trying to live as normal a life as possible, and this is why I wear a mask in busy indoor settings, although I am not CEV.

Farzanah

I went to the doctor’s last week, everyone masked. Went for a molar root filling today (ouch), all masked, and dentist wore a spaceman type PPE.
Funny thing……..no one has told them it’s all over. ?

Masks are still worn in any medical setting, and this is quite understandable. Waiting lists are massive and nobody wants to have to shut a dental surgery, or a gp surgery if it can be avoided. Also medical settings are exactly where you are likely to find CEV people.

Funny thing……..no one has told them it’s all over. ?
That's because it isn't for those who are CEV, as my correspondence from the Scottish Govt. continues to advise me.! ?

I went to the doctor’s last week, everyone masked. Went for a molar root filling today (ouch), all masked, and dentist wore a spaceman type PPE.
Funny thing……..no one has told them it’s all over. ?

I had to go to the dentist yesterday and popped into a shop and the garage afterwards ( I like to get plenty of use out of my mask as the FP wotsit ones are quite expensive). Then drove my daughter to her dads so she could show me how to look after his cats when he’s away. Tonight I’m babysitting my sons children. I’ve probably done more over the past week or so than I’ve done for over two years. I still won’t be going into any crowded indoor areas. I do feel better mentally for getting out more.

You must do what you think is right and makes you feel safe .

I don't think that you are being too cautious .
My friends and I are still weraing masks , using hand sanitiser and not hugging .
One has a husband on immune suppressants .
I'm prone to chest infections due to my asthma, which is getting worse .
Precovid - I had several bouts of serious respiratory infections .
I look after my father, who has COPD and is at risk .

Inside or out, a lot of people were clustering very close to the Queen around that buggy, not to mention the four other people sharing it with her.