Fewer colds, because We are exceedingly cautious during the cold/flu months, avoiding places where viruses might be circulating and wearing masks in places like airports/airplanes and movie theaters. The pandemic made us more conscious of taking precautions
Since the outbreak of covid-19, with masking (N95) I had not been sick at all. Until right before Thanksgiving 2023 covid-19 finally got me! But even after catching covid-19, I have not been sick with anything else so far. Still masking with my N95 and as always handwashing galore!
The precaustions that I take to avoid Covid have enabled me to avoid colds and other illnesses. The only time I'vee been sick in the last few years was when I had Covid in June 2023.
Masking in crowded places, healthcare settings, grocery stores and pharmacies. Caring for chronically ill, immune compromised family member keeps me home more. Also no longer working in an elementary school.. likely main reason not sick as often.
Since 2020 I’ve had Covid once and a bad cold once. I am sure it is because I mask in crowded places, spend virtually no time in stores, continue to wash my hands thoroughly and often, and stay 100% up to date on vaccines (which I always have done). I do go places—domestic and international flights, public transportation, theater, out to dinner—but I am way more proactive in using mitigation strategies to avoid illness than I was pre Covid.
Fewer, but some of that is because my demographics changed. My kids were in daycare/preschool before the pandemic and sick all the time; now that they are older they bring home fewer illnesses. We also mask in crowded places and during sick seasons, and use air filters at home which has helped reduce what comes home/transmits at home. I've been diligent about hand washing for a long time but my kids are better at it now that they are bigger.
I myself wonder how much it is things like air filters at home. We have a couple that we run when one of the kids gets sick. Hard to know how much it helps, but I have literally not gotten sick from them.
I'm able to work from home now so I avoid the semiannual "plague" that would hit our office. I also follow the local wastewater virus level information and adjust my socializing (either by masking up or avoiding altogether) as rates increase. If anything good came out of the pandemic, it was the availability of timely information about virus levels and learning how to understand it.
Ditto on the masking and handwashing. Also I no longer snack in the car because everything I've touched while out ends up on my steering wheel. My only cold in the last few years has been after a trip to the dentist......
I'm also more careful about that. I have hand sanitizer with me much more often. Before the pandemic, my spouse used to do it and I would sorta judge her as OCD. But she was right!
There seems to be annual news article now about "people for whom the pandemic isn't over" that is always dismissive and paints mitigation as crazy (just ran in the Globe yesterday). But today my local library newsletter said "stay home if you're sick." That was never even addressed before 2020.
I haven't been sick in years... We mask and are more vigilant with hand hygiene since 2020. We're child free and can be choosy about crowded spaces. I'm not worried about acute covid, it's the long covid potential that I am determined to avoid.
Answering “more” to the survey question is a consequence of watching infant/toddler while his parents both work. It’s a happy privilege we as grandparents get to perform when we are fortunate enough to live close by.
I should add that our family is 100% behind mitigation measures such as masking guidelines and following updates on local disease trends and waste water monitoring. We really appreciate your newsletter too.
About the same. I get very few URIs, maybe one a year or none. Probably because after 23 years as an RN followed by 22 years as an NP, I’ve built up immunities. Plus good handwashing and infection control practices. Also, I like to think I’m from hardy peasant stock.
I still use a mask in appropriate settings (public transportation, elevators, crowded spaces). I am more conscious of those around me and if someone coughs, sneezes, etc, I step away. When I can, I eat outdoors.
Same as others, far less illness as I take much more proactive preventative measures - masking as needed, distancing in crowds, air purifiers, better health habits, carry hand sanitizer.
Fewer colds, because We are exceedingly cautious during the cold/flu months, avoiding places where viruses might be circulating and wearing masks in places like airports/airplanes and movie theaters. The pandemic made us more conscious of taking precautions
That's my take too, and I think many agree!
Since the outbreak of covid-19, with masking (N95) I had not been sick at all. Until right before Thanksgiving 2023 covid-19 finally got me! But even after catching covid-19, I have not been sick with anything else so far. Still masking with my N95 and as always handwashing galore!
🙌
The precaustions that I take to avoid Covid have enabled me to avoid colds and other illnesses. The only time I'vee been sick in the last few years was when I had Covid in June 2023.
Same!!!!! (May-June 2024)
Masking in crowded places, healthcare settings, grocery stores and pharmacies. Caring for chronically ill, immune compromised family member keeps me home more. Also no longer working in an elementary school.. likely main reason not sick as often.
That last one!!! (But the others too). Glad to hear you're doing well
Since 2020 I’ve had Covid once and a bad cold once. I am sure it is because I mask in crowded places, spend virtually no time in stores, continue to wash my hands thoroughly and often, and stay 100% up to date on vaccines (which I always have done). I do go places—domestic and international flights, public transportation, theater, out to dinner—but I am way more proactive in using mitigation strategies to avoid illness than I was pre Covid.
Yup! It's nice that we can resume life and still take reasonable precautions to stay healthy.
Fewer, but some of that is because my demographics changed. My kids were in daycare/preschool before the pandemic and sick all the time; now that they are older they bring home fewer illnesses. We also mask in crowded places and during sick seasons, and use air filters at home which has helped reduce what comes home/transmits at home. I've been diligent about hand washing for a long time but my kids are better at it now that they are bigger.
I myself wonder how much it is things like air filters at home. We have a couple that we run when one of the kids gets sick. Hard to know how much it helps, but I have literally not gotten sick from them.
I'm able to work from home now so I avoid the semiannual "plague" that would hit our office. I also follow the local wastewater virus level information and adjust my socializing (either by masking up or avoiding altogether) as rates increase. If anything good came out of the pandemic, it was the availability of timely information about virus levels and learning how to understand it.
Working from home options are so important! Even if you stay home for 1-2 days of max contagiousness and are still able to work, it's a win-win.
Ditto on the masking and handwashing. Also I no longer snack in the car because everything I've touched while out ends up on my steering wheel. My only cold in the last few years has been after a trip to the dentist......
I'm also more careful about that. I have hand sanitizer with me much more often. Before the pandemic, my spouse used to do it and I would sorta judge her as OCD. But she was right!
More aware and mitigate.
There seems to be annual news article now about "people for whom the pandemic isn't over" that is always dismissive and paints mitigation as crazy (just ran in the Globe yesterday). But today my local library newsletter said "stay home if you're sick." That was never even addressed before 2020.
I think there is more social acceptance / appreciation for staying home with the sniffles, yes.
I haven't been sick in years... We mask and are more vigilant with hand hygiene since 2020. We're child free and can be choosy about crowded spaces. I'm not worried about acute covid, it's the long covid potential that I am determined to avoid.
I always said that if we learned to be more vigilant that SOME DAY we'd actually save more lives than we lost (could take decades, but it's true).
Answering “more” to the survey question is a consequence of watching infant/toddler while his parents both work. It’s a happy privilege we as grandparents get to perform when we are fortunate enough to live close by.
Fair enough!!!
I should add that our family is 100% behind mitigation measures such as masking guidelines and following updates on local disease trends and waste water monitoring. We really appreciate your newsletter too.
About the same. I get very few URIs, maybe one a year or none. Probably because after 23 years as an RN followed by 22 years as an NP, I’ve built up immunities. Plus good handwashing and infection control practices. Also, I like to think I’m from hardy peasant stock.
Your immune system should be donated to science and studied :)
We have always been religious about hand washing and now avoid crowds and high risk areas. Grandchildren are an ongoing source of contagion.
I can think of no better reasons to take a risk, though!
I still use a mask in appropriate settings (public transportation, elevators, crowded spaces). I am more conscious of those around me and if someone coughs, sneezes, etc, I step away. When I can, I eat outdoors.
Totally. My interest in outdoor eating went way, way up since Covid.
Same as others, far less illness as I take much more proactive preventative measures - masking as needed, distancing in crowds, air purifiers, better health habits, carry hand sanitizer.
Adds up!
I have two little Petri dishes visiting grandma more often now.
an apt description 🥴🤣