New Study Reveals DANGER for immunocompromised.

@loribmt Unfortunately in this little town [pop 800] we are in the vast minority of those who feel a mask is appropriate, or that a vaccination is a good thing. And around here it is more a political thing than a health thing. I have let people know I mask and socially distance because I value my health and future, and they have no right to criticize me for that. When I went in to a local chain store that said "masks required" at the door, but customers were not, I asked the manager why they would not enforce the rules. Her response was the sign was required, she didn't care if people were masked, or not. Last time I went there.

It is indeed sad to see how divisive all this is. But I, for one, would like to stick around for a while more...
Ginger

Firstly, many congratulations on the pending birth of your first grandchild! I think airplanes are better about their air flow, but that is a long flight, plus I’d be even more concerned in the airport!

PreCovid I use to fly to the west coast once a year for vacation. Always came down with a cold upon landing, until I discovered SinuOrega™ Nasal Spray. I would spray it in my nostrils before boarding and upon landing. Then afterwards for a few days. No more cold. I’ve started using it again now when I’m going out in public. As the delta variant hangs out longer in the nasal passages, I think it’s worth a try for it’s antiviral qualities.

And, eat a big meal before you get to the airport, so you don’t have to take off your mask 😷 until you get through the airport at Denver. I know that’s a drag, but doable; sanitize, and hold your breath when TSA makes you lift up your mask at security check!

Hang in there JK, think of the tales you can tell your grandchild about your first visit.

My husband is a two time stem cell transplant recipient, and my brother is on immunotherapy for small cell lung cancer. I still have neighbors and some I thought were friends ridiculing me because I never lost my mask. I do not let anyone, visit our home without a mask on and even those are only the relatives. I refuse to debate that any longer. We had the national guard come in today because the hospitals are so over run that someone died waiting for a bed last week. No one can get any care because COVID has every bed full. I do try to respect your right to choose, but I expect you to honor your responsibility as well and not infect your neighbors. We are all fully vaccinated but in our county vaccination rates are low.
I have to admit that I never realized I lived in an area where people were so fanatical politically. I was blissfully ignorant until covid came around that the nurse and the police officer across the street who have 4 children will not get vaccines because it infringes on their rights and don’t want their kids to wear masks because blah, blah, blah. Repeat this in every house in our neighborhood except one widowed elderly lady with cancer. We have a county population of 35,000 and posted over 1300 cases last week.
My choice is to protect ourselves in every way possible, this means keeping my distance, wearing my masks, not participating in the local super spreader events. Limiting contact with everyone who isn’t taking precautions that protect themselves. I am not saying this thing won’t get us all, but it won’t get us because we were careless.

Thanks, @athenalee for the encouraging words.

I have never heard of SinuOrega™ Nasal Spray before but are you sure that your transplant department is OK with it? I was told to not use the things like Airborne that people often use before flights because they do support your immune system, which of course is not what you want. Perhaps my transplant department is just ultra-conservative but I would definitely check with my transplant department before using it.

@rosemarya Your son's report back on flying is encouraging. My son said the same when he flew here but he is a bit more lax than I am.
JK

My husband is a two time stem cell transplant recipient, and my brother is on immunotherapy for small cell lung cancer. I still have neighbors and some I thought were friends ridiculing me because I never lost my mask. I do not let anyone, visit our home without a mask on and even those are only the relatives. I refuse to debate that any longer. We had the national guard come in today because the hospitals are so over run that someone died waiting for a bed last week. No one can get any care because COVID has every bed full. I do try to respect your right to choose, but I expect you to honor your responsibility as well and not infect your neighbors. We are all fully vaccinated but in our county vaccination rates are low.
I have to admit that I never realized I lived in an area where people were so fanatical politically. I was blissfully ignorant until covid came around that the nurse and the police officer across the street who have 4 children will not get vaccines because it infringes on their rights and don’t want their kids to wear masks because blah, blah, blah. Repeat this in every house in our neighborhood except one widowed elderly lady with cancer. We have a county population of 35,000 and posted over 1300 cases last week.
My choice is to protect ourselves in every way possible, this means keeping my distance, wearing my masks, not participating in the local super spreader events. Limiting contact with everyone who isn’t taking precautions that protect themselves. I am not saying this thing won’t get us all, but it won’t get us because we were careless.

Divisive is precisely the word! I have friends who know what I went through the past 2 years to survive and still questioning why I feel the need to wear a mask?! Really???
My BFF and I are having to take time apart. She and her husband, who is a physician, are completely on the opposite side of the spectrum in politics. We were able to keep things amicable throughout all of that hoopla but wow, toss in covid and we apparently aren’t speaking. My husband and I have had to turn down dinner invitations because they refuse to mask, won’t get vaccinated, travel extensively and frequently have all 25+ children/grands over to visit. That makes us the bad guys because we’re proactive with our health.
Either I’m doing something wrong or they’re all just darned lucky to not have gotten covid. Though my friend’s father died of covid last Christmas. And yet, they ALL gathered in a tiny town for the funeral.

We are ultimately in charge of our own health but it sure feels like a swim in a riptide, doesn’t it?

Great tips. Somehow I don't think my digestive tract and bladder would take kindly to that timetable for eating, since I need to "eat a bit of something" every couple of hours!

But, I like your ideas!
Ginger