Covid19 story:
I went to a six-monthly specialist appointment today. I know the doc well and we get on. My N95 and goggles were in place and when I walked in, after completing words of delight at seeing him again, I was struck by something.
He had no mask on. 1/ The last time I 'saw' him was via ZOOM. He didn't need to wear one for ZOOM, but it was around his neck for his next physical patient.
We talked about Covid, he'd had it once and kicked his guts. He told me he always wore a mask, that he really didn't want it again. 2/

I went out today. I walked into a coffee shop wearing an N95 & goggles and ordered takeaway coffee and pastry. There were two workers behind the counter and another customer, all maskless. As my body turned to leave, my brain had other ideas. 1/ I turned back around and blurted out:

"You guys should all be wear quality masks you know,"

There was silence and a lot of staring - me staring at each of them, them staring back at me. The worker who served me then said:

"It's not mandatory." 2/

Today, the doctor who told me if I didn't like how they ran their medical clinic (no masking) I could find another one, rang and apologised.

There were a few steps leading to the apology, but I didn't expect it when it came and it has jiggled my previous perspective. I had made another appointment for today (Mon) to get the blood results but the thought of going there breached my acceptable anxiety levels.

So I rang and asked if there was a doctor there who WOULD mask for an immunocompromised patient given Covid was increasing again. 2/

A few days ago I posted about how a new doctor told me if I didn't like the fact that they no longer masked-up at that clinic, I could find another clinic to go to.
1/ That post drew quite a number of similar horror stories by Covid Conscious people and a lot of animosity was revealed toward this laissez-faire attitude of not masking for the elderly or immunocompromised.
2/

This happened today. No exaggeration. I had an appointment with a brand new doctor today. After everything was attended to the Doc said: How’s your social life?

Me: It’s too dangerous for me to socialise because no-one masks anymore. Even going to the doctor is a risk now.
1/ Doc: We don't have to wear masks anymore here.

Me: I noticed.

Doc: (mildly defensive) We spent three years masking and we decided no more masking.

Me: So you wouldn’t consider wearing a mask if an immunocompromised patient like me asked you to?
2/

Yesterday I went to register a car. The place was packed, people lining the walls. I asked for the lady I saw a few days earlier:
"Oh, she's off sick."
"Covid?"
"No no no, she's got conjunctivitis and a really sore throat..."
I couldn't bring myself to utter the words "Arcturus" which, among other horrible symptoms, is distinguished from other variants by conjunctivitis and 'pink eye'. I felt deeply saddened by this news as I almost ran out of the place. Sat in my car for a while with a mix of emotions: rage (at official silence), horror (that it's here)