Unscientific Survey: Being Inside
When the COVID-19 vaccine became widely available in the U.S. earlier this year, it felt like we finally had a shot (pun intended) at defeating the pandemic. But with the rise of the delta variant, earlier guidance provided by the federal government allowing vaccinated individuals to unmask indoors has given way to new recommendations encouraging higher levels of caution. One step forward, two steps back.
We asked our subscribers how they felt about being inside with others these days. As we anticipated, the majority of people (62%) responded “it depends.” Only 17% felt truly comfortable being inside with others.
Here are a few of the comments we received:
“I only go inside socially if all are vaccinated and only in groups of less than 15. I wear a mask to market, doctor appointments, and anywhere outside of my home. I entertain one vaccinated couple at a time at home without a mask.”
“How many people? Have they all been vaccinated? Are they the kind of people who can be counted on to stay home if they feel ill or believe they’ve possibly been exposed to COVID? How much physical exertion is everyone doing that might lead to heavy breathing (e.g., running on treadmills)? How closely spaced is everyone? Does the venue have adequate ventilation and space?”
“Stop the hysteria. Don’t live in fear.”
“That June respite when we thought the vaccine would keep us safe and we could resume life was wonderful. Not so fast, Delta is lurking.”
“I work indoors wearing a mask and in contact with hundreds of strangers every work day since September 2020. Vaccinated, aware, but not fearful.”
“I am fully vaccinated (I had almost no side effects from the vaccine; very sore arm and exhausted; that’s it) and will take a booster as soon as I am eligible, but vaccinated people too can still get (although much less likely to, and usually much less severe) and transmit COVID. There are people who want vaccines and cannot take them (immune-compromised, people with cancer, etc), and delta is spreading. New variants are developing. Every bed taken up by an unvaccinated covid patient takes one away from someone who needs treatment. So I stay home as much as possible and wear masks, because I want to minimize my being part of the problem.”
