Are you going to continue to wear a face mask after you've had both vaccine jabs?

I have had my booster shot, but I will continue to wear masks in shops, crowds etc.  I've finally seen my GP an4d she is referring me to an arthritis specialist. So hopefully I'll discover what is going on in my body....

I have always worn a face mask in public regardless of The Prime Minister making it voluntary to wear one earlier this year.  Cases are very high and both my parents are in the high risk group  due to age( both 70 years) and ill health.  I'm a healthy 41 year old but I have epilepsy, father diabetic and heart failure with mother suffering from arthritis.  Both my mother and father in - law had Covid and were on Oxygen for 1 month at home, as going to hospital in Africa would mean family cannot visit.  Fortunately recovered but at their worst Oxygen levels fell from 100 to under 80%.

They have fortunately recovered but that occurred after their 2 twenty year old sons got covid as rules are not strictly enforced there.  I have no children and only my wife, no friends and fear having no one to care for me an my wife if we were careless and got Covid.

I dont wear face masks in remote places but carry it always, especially when going to the shops.

I hope God can eradicate this awful disease soon as Scientists can only do so much.  

@Sunshine5‍ 

You are doing everything right and following the guide lines.  Continue to be careful and follow the rules. I understand how you feel, with no children of your own to care for you in later life. I have 2 sons but living far away and am in similar situation. I am in my seventies and hubby in his 80 both of us disable and in poor health. We remain positive and do every thing we can, to keep us healthy so we can care for ourselves. We are fortunate that we have not had covid, as we had remained isolated from the outside world other than attending medical appointments, and followed the Govt. guidance.

Take care and stay safe

Thank you nineteen_gale.

I don't want to sound negative or draw a victim locked in complex, but since my grandparents passed away in their 60s, when my parents reached the same age I have been fixated from time to time about dying. And more so since my parents passed the 60 mark. If I am fortunate to reach that age I only have 20 or more years left and struggling to find work past 5 years due to my illness.

Working self employed on Amazon but not earning enough to come off benefit. I should be able to work but I have moderate learning difficulties such as problem solving, difficulty following instructions etc. 

Married 14 years and my wife has felt like leaving me but did not as she did not want me to end up in a care home. 

Sorry to go off the subject here.

@sunshine5

No, you are not negative. You have to do what you think is best for you. Your wife is very considerate in not leaving you as she does not want you to end up in a care home. That is very noble of her. I hope that you both can work on reviving your relationship. You can all but try.

Good luck. Take care and stay safe.

@Sunshine5 This is the place to share how you feel, I often wonder how many marks we give ourselves when we struggle with life? How many marks would you give a friend if he or she was going to the same struggle 10 out of 10? How many did you give yourself today? As I found out over the years telling ourselves we are useless and not good enough does not work, Would you listen to someone every day telling you that you were useless or a burden? But we get into the habit of our mind, telling us, Instead, we should give our self a little pat on the back, for getting out of bed, washing ourselves, eating. For going to work, looking after children, cleaning the home. looking for a job, reaching out for help. Always remember 2 steps forward and 1 step back is still 1 step forward, We did not ask for illness, was never in our life plan, it is the hand that was dealt to us. Like the boxer in the ring when he goes down, he takes a count and gets back on his feet, bloody but  unbowed   

@whitecross1955 , I guess we all need reminding at times not to compare ourselves, or put ourselves down for not being able to achieve what we think we could achieve. 

I was more accepting of myself growing up, as I had no need to compete against anyone at school for example, as not everyone was bright in studies.  It was only when I started working that I noticed my struggles in jobs and ultimately my Drs analysis of my illness made me focus more on how my illness holds me back.

I take comfort that there was a time I never thought I could have my seizures treated so I have days or weeks without now, as opposed to having many each day pre operation.

Just need to remind myself which I also remind my wife when she compares her difficulty having to work quickly, and comparing herself to her Manager. She (my wife) is a Bookkeeper but does Payroll too. Her Manager from what my wife said was a Pub Landlady before so has more experience, so I tell her not to compare someone with far greater experience. And she is not the only one. 

I do feel at times " if only I could work" to offload the worry and pressure on my wife but I try to accept reality that working for someone is not got for me. 

Anyway, I guess we all have our bad moments, and we just need to reach out when we need help or to talk to someone.