D&D and the rising pandemic

Out of curiosity, what are people's risk tolerances like these days?

For the last three weeks I've been doing the curbside pickup for groceries, and any exterior food has been delivery or drive through. I'll be going back to the store this weekend as we now have KN95's and the local hospitalization rate has dropped pretty dramatically. My wife's skipped her last few in-office days. Only thing we did the last couple weeks was a couple already scheduled (and paid for) dog training sessions.
 

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Out of curiosity, what are people's risk tolerances like these days?

My wife and I are both vaccinated and boosted. Since the CDC announced that fabric masks weren't doing it for Omicron, we have switched to KN95s, and have a small tock of at-home antigen tests at hand. I do a major grocery run every two weeks, and only occasionally have to do supplemental shopping. We don't go to major public events - like concerts or movies. I have not eaten indoors in a restaurant since March 2020. I think I have eaten outdoors at a restaurant... twice in that span? And those were in the very low case-rate times in summers.

My entire company is working from home. I have been in the work office twice since March 2020 - once to remove my own stuff, once to do my part clearing out company stuff as we'd decided to sublet out the space since we weren't using it. My wife's work means she has to see pet owners on a regular basis, but that's one or two people at a time, and she has a set of guidelines for those contacts that so far seemed to have kept her safe (knock on wood) - I am sure this is assisted by our relatively high vaccination rates, and how her work tends to select for clients who have working "care and empathy" circuits in their heads.
 

hadn't heard cloth masks weren't as good for omacron, but that's all I got. I figure it's still a better sneeze guard than nothing. (as always masks were better for ougoing than incoming).

We've dodged covid thus far, but it's hit people in our bubble (that we haven't seen for weeks+ before infection due to schedules). They got it from classmate infecting their kid. So schools and kids are vectors despite what the "send the kids back to school" crowd thinks.

I still end up at the store or ToGo for food every day or so. But always masked.

Not the tightest ship, but still better than the maskless, fraternizing masses are doing by far.
 

hadn't heard cloth masks weren't as good for omacron, but that's all I got

Then you use what you have, of course.

The basic issue is that Omicron out produces all previous variants by a large margin. So, a mask that used to block enough, now no longer blocks enough. In addition, cloth masks generally don't protect you very much, but a KN95 or an N95 do protect you somewhat..
 

hadn't heard cloth masks weren't as good for omacron, but that's all I got. I figure it's still a better sneeze guard than nothing. (as always masks were better for ougoing than incoming).
The fabric used in N95 masks are electrostatic (i.e. magnetic). They can pull and hold particles in the air and prevent them from getting into you. But that is also why you can't wash them or must dispose them after using it a few times. The thing to watch for is counterfeits, especially in the KN95 variety. This website has some solid information and tips to obtain the right ones if you need it: Project N95.

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The fabric used in N95 masks are magnetic. They can pull and hold particles in the air and prevent them from getting into you. But that is also why you can't wash them or must dispose them after using it a few times. The thing to watch for is counterfeits, especially in the KN95 variety. This website has some solid information and tips to obtain the right ones if you need it: Project N95.

That's why I didn't have any for so long; all the ones I looked at seemed suspect.
 


Out of curiosity, what are people's risk tolerances like these days?

Since Omicron we're back to no indoor dining, N95 masks, 1 weekly shopping trip to groceries. I go to my office 1-2 days/week, my wife to gym 3 days/week (both require full vaccination). We're both boosted, in our 50s, with no other major risk factors.

I'd probably be a bit less cautious if it weren't for my oldest friend winding up in the hospital for 6 days with Omicron (though he had more risk factors than me).

Still waiting for delta to arrive locally, omicron might beat it.

We don't go to large public events (they've all been cancelled anyway), more insular in social circles (close family and friends), and more exercise and outdoor activities.

Working way up to go tramping/hiking. Been doing local walks outdoors and visiting ecosanctuary.

Been dining out more but that's a use it or lose it type scenario will likely scale that back once omicron arrives.

Rules generally get followed where we go so we'll avoid certain places. Generally shop for essentials early morning at quiet times.
 


I am happy to report that I have recovered from my battle with covid and can get back to running my comic and game store. One of my top employees didn't catch it was able to do all the heavy lifting while I was out. The employee that gave it to me is still out, but she's double-vaxxed so she should be okay. I missed getting my booster because my appointment was right in the middle of it (and so did my wife, in case she was a carrier, though she and our two teenagers never came down with anything, which is good.)

I really feel for all the shops of my type (and any other small business) that are being killed by this. I spent 27 of the 28 years I've been in business worrying about tomorrow, but the pandemic has made me realize that I built a strong foundation. My business will ride this out for sure, I have no doubt.
 

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