The DU Lounge

Masks are a necessary part of life for me. Daughter on immune suppressants, parents who are 94, COVID x 2 (caught in my home from spouse and daughter - neither of whom knew they had it at the time), long COVID (including pancreatitis and immune deficiencies) and I expect to be told next month that I shouldn't get any more vaccinations because of the month-long medication-resistant headaches they give me.

But even though I don't see an alternative to masking all the time, I'm not sheltering in place. I've retired, so I could. But I have confidence in my masks to protect me. They are high quality and fit well. So I just wear them and live my life. I'm pursuing a second bachelor's degree, diving (outdoors and relatively safe), traveling, and acting twice a year. Only that last carries any significant risk - it requires being unmasked on stage for 9 performances over the space of a month and being unmasked during tech week because it interferes with the mics. I've decided that is worth the risk as long as I can vaccinate just ahead of tech week. Now that I may be unable to get the vaccine any more, I'll have to re-evaluate that risk/reward balance.

I hope you can get to the point where you aren't feeling like you can't live because of the selfishness of others.