r/pics
•
u/anthnyshark
•
Jul 05 '22
•
10
1
2
1
1
3
1
11
(OC) this couple on my flight the other day
27.5k
u/eva_rector
Jul 05 '22
•
A friend of mine is undergoing cancer treatment; if he had to travel anywhere, he would likely be wearing something similar, because his immune system is shot.
13.9k
u/PopeAdam Jul 05 '22 •
I’ve had the pleasure of having my 4 year old son (at the time) be diagnosed with Leukemia in May of 2020. 0/10 I would not recommend juggling a pandemic and childhood cancer.
4.0k
u/Mandielephant Jul 05 '22
That’s brutal. I hope you guys are doing ok
→ More replies3.8k
u/jmurphy42 Jul 05 '22 •
I found a comment of his from about four months ago saying his son is now six and would be completing treatment in July. Hopefully he’s still on track!
2.0k
u/Mandielephant Jul 05 '22 •
Aw thanks kind internet stalker
→ More replies431
u/KnopeKnopeWellMaybe Jul 06 '22
Seriously we all hope your kid is OK! No child should suffer through that!
27
u/editfate Jul 06 '22
God, for real. My heart goes out to families that have to deal with childhood cancer. My cousin, who was 3 at the time, got Leukemia and I remember my whole family crying about it during the holidays. She made it but it was devastating. Hope your child is doing well!!!
→ More replies→ More replies69
→ More replies392
u/Chris275 Jul 05 '22
The sleuthing we all need.
688
u/jmurphy42 Jul 05 '22 •
I’m a librarian, tracking down info is my jam.
→ More replies235
u/Pirate2012 Jul 05 '22
As a life long lover of books and information , thank you to all librarians
→ More replies869
u/Underdressed0000 Jul 05 '22 edited Jul 05 '22 •
I’ve been going through cancer treatment the entire pandemic. I can’t imagine having to protect my little boys from it everyday. I hope your boy is doing well and your family has the support and resources they need.
EDIT: What a great community. Words matter, even online. Today you all have given me comfort and strength, two things cancer patients can always use more of. I love you all.
298
u/Commercial-Spinach93 Jul 05 '22 edited Jul 06 '22
My mum was diagnosed with her third cancer before the vax. I was so scared and so paranoid, I was one her main carers and I stop having life except for work. I don't have siblings, nor a father... It was hell. And we couldn't enter the hospital to be with her. Her first surgery went bad very soon, and she had 3 unexpected surgeries in 6 days. Doctors only called once a day, sometimes to ask for consent. Ugh.
I will never laugh at people who travel like this for whatever reason.
I really hope you're doing well, people who had cancer during the pandemic deserve at least 10 extra years of life added. 😅
→ More replies143
u/Underdressed0000 Jul 05 '22 edited Jul 06 '22 •
We had several people we thought we were close to and could depend on. Some of them are blood relatives. They offered us thoughts and prayers and then looked away so they didn’t have to see the pain and suffering not only I, but my wife and my little boys, were experiencing.
Since then I’ve always said that love is a verb. Sometimes love means joining someone in their pain so they would not be alone in it. The love you showed to your mum, then pain you joined her in, that’s one of the most powerful things a person can do for another. It’s a mitzvah in the deepest sense of the word. Your mum felt your love in those moments. You should be very proud of yourself.
“‘Tis a fearful thing to love what death can touch. A fearful thing to love, to hope, to dream, to be – to be, And oh, to lose. A thing for fools, this, And a holy thing, a holy thing to love. For your life has lived in me, your laugh once lifted me, your word was gift to me. To remember this brings painful joy. ‘Tis a human thing, love, a holy thing, to love what death has touched.” ― Yehuda HaLevi
→ More replies25
u/archimedesscrew Jul 06 '22
Oh that quote brought me fear and hope, fear and love, fear and joy!
Thanks for sharing!
Hope you get out of this healthy and happy, may your loved ones forget fear and despair, to find love and life!
→ More replies189
40
u/Pumkin_Girl Jul 05 '22
I hope you're doing well as well, and you also have the support you need :)
→ More replies→ More replies19
u/Poutinezamboni Jul 05 '22
I hope you’re on the other side of it and have a long, healthy life. xoxo
55
u/Underdressed0000 Jul 05 '22
Thanks. Unfortunately it is a very rare form of kidney cancer and it’s stage iv, so I’ll never be done with it. But I’m tough, and I think I’ll be fighting for a very long time.
→ More replies979
u/Snoo-40635 Jul 05 '22 •
Yeah. My 4 month nephew was diagnosed with hepatoblastoma (liver tumor) April 2020. Thankfully he got a new liver and is doing great but it sure does suck to be immunocomprimised during a pandemic.
218
u/USArmy51Bravo Jul 05 '22
On the other hand you're protected a lot more from all the other goofballs. I have three young kids and the pandemic gave me 18 months without anybody throwing up in their bed or shitting their pants. It was great and although the pandemic had a lot of downfalls I sure do miss that part of it
→ More replies102
u/Csquared211 Jul 05 '22
Agreed. The pandemic and quarantine was the healthiest we’d been in a while. My daughter started preschool that year and I swear someone was always sick in our house the entire school year up to March.
→ More replies→ More replies129
Jul 05 '22
My sister has RA and 4 little kids, so it’s been rough for her, we try to help out as much as we can, but we try to also keep our distance since she’s immunocompromised
→ More replies25
u/Inconsistantly Jul 05 '22
Ugh so sorry. Just started working for an infusion center, so dealing with RA and other things daily. Gotta keep them safe.
154
73
u/scandr0id Jul 05 '22
I truly hope you guys are doing okay.
My mom got diagnosed with ovarian cancer two days before we went into lockdown. It's so rough. Internet hugs to you.
→ More replies56
u/Galwayblue Jul 05 '22
That's hard to hear. My son finished up his treatment for leukaemia in 2019 when he was 4. When covid came along my thoughts immediately turned to those going through treatment. We kept him in a bubble for 3 and a half years before covid was even a thing. I can't imagine the stress. Hope you're doing ok
→ More replies1.3k
u/Pancakesontuesday Jul 05 '22 edited Jul 05 '22
Yup, my best friend had cancer and had just undergone a special treatment. He was supposed to stay isolated because even the common cold could wipe him out. Well, he caught and it killed him.
Edit: He caught Covid and it killed him within a couple weeks
151
u/SharpenedStone Jul 05 '22
Immunocompromised patients are who I look out for the most by far, I make sure I always wash hands more thoroughly and take more precautions than normal before I see them. I'm very sorry your friend died
→ More replies310
→ More replies68
u/ladymorgahnna Jul 05 '22
I’m so sorry to read about your bff.
81
u/Pancakesontuesday Jul 05 '22
Thanks. Yeah, he was my bestie for 0ver 30 years, so it was pretty sad.
→ More replies238
u/onmywheels Jul 05 '22
I don't even have cancer, I have lupus (still immunocompromised) and if I had access to this, I sure as fuck would wear it on a plane. I don't care if other people think it's weird, I just want to stay alive after! People who have functioning immune systems just don't understand how awful it has been for the last couple of years. I have to second guess everything I do outside of the house, every interaction, and I still have to mask up around other people and wash my hands constantly. The pandemic hasn't ended for people like me, but we're constantly getting gaslit by everyone else who decided it was over a long time ago.
Okay, end rant. Just had that one ready to go after a relative told me I have to just "stop being afraid" again. (Which is weird, because...I'm not afraid. Cautious, yes.)
→ More replies51
u/ymo Jul 06 '22
Constantly hearing this from friends and relatives who have all had covid multiple times. The ultimate survivorship bias. Those are the people who deny this is a novel virus with unknown consequences, while the current estimates of long-term disease is 80% of everyone infected at least once.
→ More replies38
u/onmywheels Jul 06 '22
I also hear "well, you've had it twice and you're fine, though."
The first time almost killed me. I recovered (took about a year), but then I got hit again by Omicron seven months ago and I haven't felt right since. Incredible fatigue, joint pain, headaches, limited lung capacity, digestive issues, brain fog...list goes on. "Yeah, but you have lupus!" Yeah, and it was relatively managed before I got sick again. Now it's like my body has just...given up.
My husband has also had COVID twice (same two occasions where I got sick) and though he was relatively "lucky" in that the illnesses themselves were pretty mild, he also has a lot of issues with brain fog and headaches. He says it seems like it's more difficult to find the right words these days, and he worries about his long-term cognitive function.
→ More replies558
Jul 05 '22
Insanely scary how literally one part of us shuts down, and the soon rest follows, if it were not for medicine today
352
u/chefmattmatt Jul 05 '22
It is also the cancer treatment that kills your immune system. It is kinda a double whammy.
39
→ More replies178
u/Gseventeen Jul 05 '22
Isnt most cancer treatment based around "almost kill you, so that the cancer dies before you do" treatment? 😁
51
u/mrpushpop Jul 05 '22
Some are just the ripout method. I had a sarcoma take over one of the muscles that connect to my rotator cuff. Burn the area (radiation) for a month and rip it all out treatment. Luckily losing a muscle and part of your scapula ends up not being a huge deal. My other muscles adapted and I still have full range and surprisingly decent strength. As far as cancers go, got off easy.
→ More replies22
u/CheezusRiced06 Jul 05 '22
"if cancer hoards food for growth, give it poison so it starts hoarding that instead"
Essentially
→ More replies100
u/IAmA_Risky_Click_AMA Jul 05 '22
Really just chemo.
→ More replies135
u/IphtashuFitz Jul 05 '22
There’s chemo and then there’s chemo. I have a friend battling lymphoma. She had a bunch of stem cells harvested then went through regular chemo. After that she went through a second round of chemo designed to suppress her immune system 100% so that the stem cells could be injected back into her.
After that immune suppressing chemo she had to spend a month in isolation in the hospital. Upon her release she had to isolate at home for 3 more months. During that time only one family member was allowed to visit to bring food and clean for her. She had a very restrictive diet (no raw foods/veggies, no seafood, etc), and couldn’t even do something as mundane as empty or fill her own dishwasher given there could be mold in it. After that 3 month home quarantine she will need to go get all her vaccines once again (not just Covid but measles, mumps, and so on).
→ More replies91
u/Netherdan Jul 05 '22
So they gave her immune system a factory reset. Better than a custom ROM I guess (transplant). I hope she's working fine
→ More replies→ More replies173
u/jejcicodjntbyifid3 Jul 05 '22
Oh yeah. Funny thing is, I'm going through the opposite problem kinda. My immune system is working too hard and attacking my organs and spine and joints and eyes and... Everything
So now I'm trying another drug to suppress my immune system
It really is crazy...
→ More replies111
u/I0A0I Jul 05 '22 •
Have you tried getting cancer? I mean it killed that other dudes immune system.
106
u/jejcicodjntbyifid3 Jul 05 '22 •
You're hired! You're just the kinda doctor I'm looking for
→ More replies→ More replies20
u/InevitablyPerpetual Jul 05 '22
Reminds me of all the "We found a cancer treatment that's 100% effective in the lab!" things I used to see. Which wasn't wrong, it DID kill the cancer. And the host. And everything else attached to it.
→ More replies602
u/Ice_Hungry Jul 05 '22
And I'm sure he would be given an insane amount of ridicule and scrutiny without anyone knowing his story. People are fucking cruel and insane. I still wear my mask everywhere I go and some people get so pressed about it.
79
u/testingtestingtestin Jul 05 '22
Yep - this photo is a fine example. I couldn't care less what their story is, if they are comfortable taking these precautions then that's their business. In fact I'm jealous that they have the self-confidence to go out like this, I'm not sure I would be able to overcome the anxiety and would probably end up staying at home instead.
→ More replies389
u/PirateKatie Jul 05 '22
For real. My bf said some old lady laughed at him at the grocery store a couple weeks ago because he was wearing his mask. He doesn't care what strangers think, our 7 year old is on 2 immune suppressing meds. We wear masks religiously in public and avoid crowds when possible.
→ More replies246
u/worthlesscommotion Jul 05 '22 •
My daughter did a year of chemo 6 years ago. My household got very used to wearing masks, so Covid masking was simple. Her immune system, according to her most recent blood panel, is back to how it was before chemo. Everyone in our house is fully vaccined.
And we still wear masks. She sees 5 specialist a year, at a major pediatric research hospital. The kids being treated there are too sick to be vaccinated and would likely die if they caught Covid.
We're still masking to protect the kids still fighting. People stare at us too. We just stare back and give the occasional eye roll.
→ More replies79
u/o0llllllllllllllll0o Jul 05 '22
thank you for caring for others , my son also did chemo a year ago and I worry about exactly the same things.
26
u/Smooth-Dig2250 Jul 05 '22
It's 100% guilt. They need to see others doing what they're doing to validate their intentionally poor choices, and that surely it not their fault people died, it's at least "everyone's" fault if others aren't wearing masks, and then they don't have to feel conscious about not wearing one. Or it's about just exercising control/power over others, but even that comes back to attempting to absolve themselves of guilt.
Feel free to disagree, but instead of just nay-saying, I challenge anyone to come up with a more plausible explanation why people would grief you for wearing a mask.
→ More replies→ More replies181
u/tottalytubular Jul 05 '22
I'm in FL in a rural area. I get looks when I am masked, but I don't care. My kid currently has covid and I don't want to be the reason someone's family member dies.
→ More replies163
u/Freedom11Fries Jul 05 '22
Oh Yeah? Well that's just because you're a reasonable well-adjusted adult with a functional moral compass, buddy.
→ More replies345
u/BleedingOak Jul 05 '22
People don't bother to think of things like that they just take a picture like a total creeper and judge you.
→ More replies71
→ More replies54
u/paypermon Jul 05 '22
My wife's uncle had cancer treatment years ago and it left him with a very compromised immune system. So yeah you gotta do what you gotta do to stay safe.
→ More replies
1.7k
u/arajian
Jul 06 '22
•
I love that most of the comments here are like, “Maybe let them do what they want and stop taking pictures of strangers”
→ More replies274
20.3k
u/atrophiedambitions
Jul 05 '22
edited Jul 06 '22
•
One of them might have received an organ transplant.
Folks who have had a transplant have to take immunosuppressants ~~that more or less neutralize (~~EDIT) prevent the vaccines from being as effective in some people while suppressing immune function to prevent organ rejection.
EDIT: also could be a host of auto-immune/cancer issues that cause the extra precaution. When I see stuff like this I try to remember that this pandemic has been way harder on people for whom the vaccines aren't an effective preventative measure.
EDIT again: Passengers might also be Chinese as this has become commonplace for travel as several commenters noted.
Last edit: yes, you can still get covid after vaccination. Vaccines are preventative measures for severe infections and can also decrease the odds of a noticeable infection at all. If you think being able to get covid after vaccinated means the vaccine is not doing its job, that's pretty faulty logic as there are exactly zero vaccines that confer 100% immunity. Hence children vaccinated for mumps contracting mumps when there's an outbreak. Hence the vast, vast majority of ICU patients with covid are unvaccinated.
6.3k
u/lit_geek Jul 05 '22
Have a friend with leukemia who traveled from California to the Mayo Clinic to participate in a trial for a new chemo drug. He looked like this on his flights there and back.
2.2k
u/theangryburrito Jul 05 '22 •
I Got diagnosed with leukemia on March 25. Please tell your friend some random person on the internet is rooting for them!
→ More replies649
u/IamKare Jul 05 '22
On methotrexate for my rheumatoid arthritis and my immune system is absolute garbage because of it 🥴 I’m also rooting for them!!!! Wear whatever makes you feel comfortable and safe and don’t worry about the heartless wack jobs who take issue with others protecting themselves and their loved ones
→ More replies282
u/ireply2idiots Jul 05 '22 edited Jul 06 '22
Hoping you’re not in the US in a red state. I just read a thread that talked about rheumatoid arthritis sufferers who take it for RA and are now being denied methotrexate because it can be used as an abortifacient.
Edit re location pertaining to the US.
Edit 2: For the skeptics
https://twitter.com/ACRheum/status/1542513794160611334?s=20&t=pBbrWrelqnniqgEUnMrHTQ
222
u/dak4f2 Jul 05 '22
It's specifically women that aren't being allowed the meds, as far as I've heard. So it's sex discrimination.
Same for a lupus medication as well.
→ More replies72
u/paintlapse Jul 06 '22
IIRC arthritis is even more common among women :(
→ More replies33
u/IamKare Jul 06 '22 edited Jul 06 '22
Totally right. Autoimmune diseases are more common in women (2:1 ratio). 9 out of 10 of lupus diagnoses are women. And what is a common and effective treatment for several of these guys? Methotrexate. This is a women’s issue and it’s devastating.
225
u/lemlaluna Jul 05 '22
I had to get methotrexate for an ectopic pregnancy. To be clear, the pregnancy was never viable, nor could ever be viable. And yet, they would rather that patients like me just die.
→ More replies88
u/ireply2idiots Jul 05 '22
My heart goes out to you. There is so much misinformation out there, and there is going to be so much collateral damage regarding medically necessary medications and surgical interventions that it’s mind boggling and heart breaking. Thank you for sharing how this medication was used to save your life.
→ More replies→ More replies110
u/IamKare Jul 05 '22
I am thankful for being a Canadian every day. But my heart is shattered for women around America who are going to face the devastating effects of a decision that should have never come to fruition. Especially given the alternatives to mtx are hellishly expensive and for those without good insurance it may be the barrier treatment at all..
→ More replies283
u/chrisd93 Jul 05 '22
My dad went to Mayo clinic for a trial drug for something similar and it worked for him. His previously incurable cancer is in remission at the moment. Luckily he was within driving distance from the hospital though.
→ More replies→ More replies410
u/HonziPonzi Jul 05 '22
Shit I’d drive
→ More replies802
u/NaviCato Jul 05 '22
Its not necessarily any better. My niece had the same issue. But driving you need to stop so much more often and in so many more places. This way you just suit up for a few hours and are done
→ More replies734
u/Kapp_E_Tan Jul 05 '22
Plus let's be honest... Driving cross country with cancer when you need to participate in an experimental treatment... Doesn't sound fun
→ More replies998
u/TheFrenchPasta Jul 05 '22
Yes my dad received a kidney transplant and had to take extreme precautions since the vaccine doesn’t work for him. He unfortunately got Covid this week after successfully dodging it for years, but is doing ok.
He received monoclonal antibody therapy, which unfortunately doesn’t seem to work very well with the current form of Covid.
158
u/Skyfather87 Jul 05 '22
I’ve had a kidney transplant as well and still take extreme precautions because the vaccines won’t work because of all the medications I’m on.
I’ve been so lucky to have not gotten Covid, and that’s why I’ll keep taking all the precautions I can.
I hope he continues to do okay, this is a wonderful gift to receive and I hope it doesn’t give him any complications!!
→ More replies142
→ More replies277
536
u/FleetingInsight Jul 05 '22
Wanted to compliment you on considering possibilities rather than judging. We rarely know what people are going through, so it's always a better option to assume there is more to it and try to keep kind. I see a thirst for attack, insult, offence online so much, it's nice to see different.
204
u/NeverFresh Jul 05 '22
Came here to say this. I was pleasantly surprised to see all the top comments reflect compassion, understanding, and intelligent discourse about why they might be wearing this. Double checked to make sure I was on Reddit coz... You know.
→ More replies→ More replies236
u/Aitch-Kay Jul 05 '22 •
Or maybe just don't judge people, period. Who gives shit why they are wearing what they are wearing. They aren't hurting or inconveniencing anyone, so people need to mind their own goddamn business.
69
u/LurkingArachnid Jul 06 '22
Right? I mean can you imagine you have cancer and you see some asshole taking a picture of you. And then putting it on the internet
A huge percentage of the world's misery would be eliminated if people minded their own business.
→ More replies→ More replies62
u/Infamous-Glass5742 Jul 06 '22
Absolutely agree. The poster was not posting that as a compliment to them. First of all what gives him the right to take their picture to begin with them to post it
→ More replies155
148
u/max_cat Jul 05 '22
You’re right. I had a coworker buddy who was a kidney transplant recipient on immunosuppressants. He went home one day not feeling well and told us he’d see us tomorrow or see us in two weeks, if it was covid. I never saw him again.
→ More replies83
u/Orefeus Jul 05 '22
I have a rare autoimmune disease (Granulomatosis with polyangiitis) and I have to take immunosuppressants. In my case I have to tale a high dose of Rituxan every 6mths
There is lots of reasons why people are immunocompromised
→ More replies76
u/kmicg Jul 05 '22 •
My 32 year old boyfriend just got out of the hospital after almost 2 weeks from pneumonia post Covid because his medicine neutralized the Covid vaccines.
→ More replies→ More replies281
u/Janube Jul 05 '22 edited Jul 06 '22
Also getting covid presents a distinct risk of then getting long covid regardless of your vaccination status, and that's a literal permanent impairment for many.
JFC, everyone acts like covid is over even though it keeps morphing to be both more viral and more harmful explicitly because we keep treating it so lackadaisically.
Especially now with airlines dropping mask requirements. Shit is bananas and y'all need to return to taking this seriously
EDITED FOR PEDANTS
98
u/figurativelyme Jul 05 '22
True. I'm more concerned of a sudden increase in something like MS years from now.
We're pretty sure that MS is caused by EBV and we know that covid fucks with myelin production, so I think it's pretty reasonable to be cautious.
→ More replies115
u/spingus Jul 05 '22
Amen friend. After 2 years of successful avoidance, I caught it from a friend who caught it on a flight the weekend after the mask restriction was lifted.
That was in April and the infection was mild. But goddamn now I have to take a nap after any activity I do --and I can just forget about training for my next marathon right now.
Maybe I didn't die or become horribly disfigured --but still I do not wish this on anyone. Do what you can to not get it!
→ More replies40
u/fernshade Jul 06 '22
I still cannot smell or taste right 10 full months after getting Delta (I was masking and fully vaccinated, Pfizer, 2nd dose only 4 months prior to my positive). Am I miserable? Not exactly, but honestly it sucks not being able to enjoy so many things I did before.
I envy those who've managed to avoid it thus far, or to recover with no ill effects. I also do recognize I could have it a lot worse and wish peace and healing to those who do.
→ More replies29
u/r-ice Jul 05 '22
It’s been months and I have to ask my wife is I’m tasting something right. Smell is still messed up, I can only smell things that are super strong.
→ More replies27
u/wwaxwork Jul 06 '22
As someone that caught Covid in the early weeks before they even had tests for it, I'm still dealing with the damage it did to my lungs and body all these years later. Hell it took me 18 months to just not feel bone wearily exhausted by 5pm everyday.
→ More replies→ More replies23
u/hexydes Jul 06 '22
"Now that we're post-pandemic we're excited about welcoming everyone back to the office..."
I'm like...lol wut?
1.2k
u/Whiskeyperfume Jul 05 '22
I have to opt-out (get physical pat-downs) at TSA because of implanted medical devices. I wonder what TSA would do with me wearing this-i’m not kidding – I’m immuno suppressed. This is a viable option for me to wear
65
u/Henri_Le_Rennet Jul 06 '22
If they're flying like this in the states, they're probably registered with TSA Precheck. I imagine they still had to explain, but it wouldn't be as difficult to get through as going through regular security.
→ More replies38
u/Whiskeyperfume Jul 06 '22
I think you’re giving a lot of TSA workers too much credit
→ More replies→ More replies147
u/KillerJupe Jul 05 '22
I wonder if you go naked under the suit… doesn’t look very breathable
→ More replies275
2.4k
u/just_some_dude05
Jul 05 '22
•
I’m always embarrassed when I wear PPE in some settings and the comment section here has really lifted my spirits on the impressions of others, so thank you.
Recently I traveled and did contract Covid for the first time. With my neurological condition it has been terrible thus far. I haven’t been hospitalized yet, thank God, but if it is true you can catch the new strain multiple times I will look similar to these folks if I have to fly again.
Remember we are all different and what is a mild infection to most people can really devastate people who are immuno compromised or who have other under lying conditions.
115
u/TheFantasticAspic Jul 05 '22
I’m always embarrassed when I wear PPE in some settings and the comment section here has really lifted my spirits on the impressions of others, so thank you.
Same! I was expecting this comment section to be awful and judgey. It's great seeing everyone being so supportive and understanding of the fact that some folks are forced to play on hard mode.
→ More replies501
u/YahooFantasyCareless Jul 05 '22
Glad you're ok. I'm in Oklahoma and basically everyone has stopped wearing masks, but I live with my 90 year old grandma so I wear it everywhere still. I can just feel the looks sometimes but I don't give a damn. Please don't be embarrassed to wear your ppe. Don't let other's judgements dictate your health and safety. They don't give a crap about you or your safety, or else they'd be wearing a mask. So don't even worry about them! Stay safe out there.
136
u/DarkMenstrualWizard Jul 05 '22
Small town California here. People give me weird looks too. Fuck em.
→ More replies→ More replies71
u/148637415963 Jul 06 '22
UK here. Covid isn't much of a thing here anymore and I hardly see anyone still wearing masks.
I still wear one, and one of the several reasons I still wear a mask is to help those who want to/have to wear one feel not so alone. If they see me wearing then maybe that'll help make them feel a little less isolated and stand-out-ish.
That, and I live with someone whose immune system ain't so great, so I never stopped wearing.
→ More replies→ More replies107
u/___Guitarmadillo___ Jul 05 '22
Remember we are all different and what is a mild infection to most people can really devastate people who are immuno compromised or who have other under lying conditions.
you're right, and to add to this, it can really devastate perfectly healthy and vaccinated people. We're all playing an odds game, but sometimes you're just unlucky, and covid STILL kicks your ass. Long covid is real, and we're seeing reinfection in less than 2 months for some people.
I'm gonna continue wearing a mask for a looong time (I haven't been sick in 2+ years!). Also my dad is immuno compromised because of his MS medication, so any time I'm visiting him, I'm double masking and testing prior.
→ More replies
5.4k
u/fugaziiv
Jul 05 '22
•
10/10 would sit next to.
696
342
u/HoneyGramOfficial Jul 05 '22
This is who I dream of sitting next to in literally any situation.
→ More replies→ More replies308
u/DrZeroH Jul 05 '22
Honestly I see no problem with this. They just doing their thing.
→ More replies
1.2k
u/Enemy_16 Jul 05 '22
Fair enough, I'm sick of people too
111
u/Katie_the_Tall Jul 05 '22
My thought :I bet no one tried to make small talk with them - win!
→ More replies→ More replies84
1.3k
u/nancylikestoreddit Jul 05 '22
They’re not fucking around.
→ More replies251
100
u/NoVisibleTumors Jul 05 '22
Disabled people and elderly people still have to live like it's 2020 if they don't want to put themselves at risk for...you know...DYING.
→ More replies
1.7k
u/vaughnphoenix Jul 05 '22
Maybe they don’t want to be bothered? Also, one person might have a medical condition and the other is putting on the same gear to make them feel comfortable.
They could be worried that someone might wanna shake their hand.
473
u/BassmanBiff Jul 05 '22
If one of them has a medical condition, the other one probably needs to gear up too since they probably plan to be near each other after they get off the plane.
179
u/pamplemouss Jul 05 '22
Yep. Or they’re visiting someone with a medical condition and want to make sure to do so safely.
61
u/slickyslickslick Jul 06 '22
Those are likely reasons but additionally they can just wear those and I'm not going to judge them. I find this more reasonable than completely unmasked people who fight with flight crew over it.
→ More replies22
→ More replies18
u/LiopleurodonMagic Jul 05 '22
This is what I don’t get when I see someone with a family member in the store and one is wearing a mask/PPE and the other isn’t. I see it all the time. Today I saw a family and everyone was wearing a mask besides the mom. Or I’ll see an obviously married couple grocery shopping and the guy isn’t wearing a mask but the girl is. Doesn’t make any sense to me.
→ More replies→ More replies589
u/Doggleganger Jul 05 '22
I would love to sit next to these people. They aren't gonna bug you, and you know for sure they aren't going to get you sick, either with covid or just the plain old flu or other bullshit.
→ More replies168
u/stitchlover Jul 05 '22
Exactly. I work with immunocompromised patients and I would happily sit next to them with my mask on.
→ More replies
1.4k
u/JeremyGhostJamm Jul 05 '22
I'd be pretty hesitant before poking fun at these folks. Could be a ton of different things at play. As someone said, could be organ transplant, or a disease/virus leaving someone extremely susceptible to respiratory viruses. Hell, they could just be old and don't want to potentially die of something that's could be avoided. I will admit, it's a bit odd, but if they're good with it, doesn't bother me.
Unfortunately, it seems like the majority of the USA has gone the complete opposite route (just like everything else these days) and have basically abandoned masks for the freedom of summer.
155
u/pamplemouss Jul 05 '22
Yup - glad to see a fair amount of empathy here. My parents are about to fly cross country for my (tiny) wedding — I know they’ll be wearing N95s and like have other protection available.
→ More replies→ More replies517
u/ONLY_COMMENTS_ON_GW Jul 05 '22 •
Nothing wrong with wearing a full PPE suit on a plane, but it is pretty fuckin shitty of OP to snap pics of strangers minding their own business and post it all over Reddit like their some kind of circus act.
→ More replies
283
u/xAvaricex Jul 05 '22
They could be immunocompromised because of ongoing cancer treatment, organ recipient etc etc. Have to fight that initial impulse to immediately ascribe some character flaw like they are paranoid or crazy, and remember there might just be a legitimate reason why they are being so cautious.
567
Jul 05 '22
And? I would 100% rather sit next to these people than a mouthbreather who’s sick and constantly coughs but doesn’t wear a mask because “it infringes on my rights”.
My motto in life is: I don’t give a shit what you do as long as said thing doesn’t affect me or others.
You wanna stay at home and drink yourself to death? Fine, just don’t drive. You want an abortion? Fine, doesn’t affect me. You wanna wear a full suit like this to not get sick? Doesn’t affect or bother me in any way, so knock yourself out.
→ More replies27
u/iowan Jul 06 '22
Yeah, I'd sit next to these people happily. My mom had to fly for work in 2020 when you had to wear a mask except to eat. The person next to her held a sandwich for the entire flight to avoid masking.
130
u/Brtltbgcty Jul 05 '22
The fact they as a couple are that intune with each other warms my heart. Also this is how I would do it on a plane.
→ More replies
64
u/rehabforcandy Jul 05 '22
Agree with these top comments, I live in a very densely populated neighborhood in a major city and I see young people walking around with masks on all the damn time outside. Do you know what I say to them? Goddamn nothing because it’s none of my business. If that’s how they feel comfortable that’s their business. I’m really tired of this, “see how crazy liberals are??” bullshit. I don’t know you, I don’t know your life. I don’t know what you’re dealing with. Whatever you’re doing to feel safe affects me in no way.
213
u/GtheH Jul 05 '22
It would suck to be a doctor who couldn’t do their job due to covid. Not even just for lost income, but the stress of knowing the hospital is short handed and how many other people that affects.
→ More replies29
Jul 05 '22
That's what we are dealing with right now. We are so short staffed due to employee Covid deaths that no one can get sick. Working in a hospital.... where patients REFUSE to wear masks due to their "freedoms".... is so difficult because they don't seem to understand that it's not ALL about them as individuals. If I get sick, a week or two worth of patient appointments get canceled. Maybe more, who knows. Putting your doctor out of commission isn't smart.
→ More replies
369
106
152
705
u/Covette Jul 05 '22
Just mind your own business and don’t take pictures of people who are being safe for their own reasons.
→ More replies
235
u/ThaDirtiestD Jul 05 '22
The best part of this outfit is the headphones. My guess is one of them is immunocompromised
→ More replies90
u/IReallyLikeTheBears Jul 05 '22 edited Jul 05 '22
It could even be that they’re traveling for something where they absolutely can’t test positive upon arrival. I recently had a child, and he’s the first grandchild on either side so both sets of grandparents were very eager to visit him. We just let both sides know that for his safety they needed to be tested before hand, and we would test them again upon arrival. Both sets of grandparents opted to drive to us instead of fly to help prevent contracting Covid on the way, but if they did fly I wouldn’t put it past my mom to dress like this haha.
→ More replies
151
u/markhachman Jul 05 '22
I don't know OP's intentions in posting the pic, but I really appreciate all of the empathetic, wholesome replies.
→ More replies
16
u/TheTybera Jul 06 '22
I think this is adorable, at least they're in whatever is going on together. That kinda companionship can be hard to find.
2.2k
u/naunga Jul 05 '22
I’d take a flight packed with people like this over a nearly empty flight with the one guy who keeps asking people why they’re wearing a mask.
513
u/GuruCaChoo Jul 05 '22
Agreed. We had to endure an almost 3 hour flight with some woman coughing and sputtering the entire flight directly behind us. Ugh.
→ More replies277
u/treelife365 Jul 05 '22
If she had anything, you have the highest probability of contracting it. On the famous SARS flight from Hong Kong to Beijing, the passengers who contracted SARS from the one infected guy were all sitting in front of him... https://www.nejm.org/doi/pdf/10.1056/NEJMoa031349
→ More replies215
u/GuruCaChoo Jul 05 '22
To make matters worse, my wife is high risk, but we had our N95s on. We contracted nothing which was wonderful. I'm not sure about those around us though. Some of them were scrambling to see if they remembered their masks, most of them did not. One woman even grabbed her scarf and covered her nose/mouth with it. As expected, the woman who was sick obviously did not reschedule her trip, nor did she mask herself to try to protect anyone else.
22
u/evade26 Jul 05 '22
I flew back to Canada from Europe last week. Our first flight has so many people with a wet Jacky cough and sniffles it may as well have been a COVID Exclusive flight it felt like.
→ More replies52
u/krokodilchik Jul 05 '22
Did anyone offer her a mask? That would be my first step if someone was coughing behind me.
→ More replies75
u/rawker86 Jul 05 '22
surely the flight crew should have a supply for situations like this. it's probably asking for a meltdown, but they could at least try the "we've noticed you're unwell, please wear this."
→ More replies→ More replies131
u/Actually-Yo-Momma Jul 05 '22
At this point idc if someone wants a mask or not but BOTHERING others for wearing one is a big question mark to me
→ More replies70
u/XxRUDYTUDYxX Jul 05 '22
Antimask is a personality I've noticed. It really is most of their identity. It's even funnier when they tell at people wearing them for shit like pollen and autoimmune disorders. They always eat their words.
→ More replies
200
u/Midnight-Drew Jul 05 '22
Whatever makes people comfortable and have peace of kind, then so be it. I still wear my mask and the amount of stares I get is overkill. I still don't go out much and avoid crowds.
→ More replies
15
86
u/furyousferret Jul 05 '22
Having just got over COVID, it doesn't seem like a bad idea!
The lady across from us on the train was unmasked, coughing, with a runny nose and sneezed on my wife. Not even a cover-up. 5 days later we got it. Our FIL was exposed and since he has pancreatic cancer it could be his death warrant which is going to devastate my wife.
I really am not going to demonize people for not masking but if you're coughing every 2-3 minutes in a public place, ffs wear one.
→ More replies11
u/ratcranberries Jul 06 '22
I took a flight to Houston recently for work. There were three men within two rows of me that all were coughing every 1-2 minutes the whole 2.5 hour flight. It was infuriating. Thankfully, I saw it this sort of thing coming and had a kn95 and hand sanitizer ready. But for fucks sake people, is it too hard to stay home if you have a gnarly cough? I mean what else is it gonna be in early June, not much else going around.
102
u/jaxlils5 Jul 06 '22 edited Jul 06 '22
Don’t be an asshole man. You don’t know what these people are dealing with.
I’m in my third trimester pregnant and my husband had to travel for work recently. He wore an N95 mask and a guy came up to him at the airport and called him a dickhead and took a picture. Sorry he’s trying to protect his pregnant wife and unborn child? I was LIVID.
→ More replies
42
u/dubbleplusgood Jul 06 '22
- Did they get drunk and cause a ruckus?
- Did they take their shoes and socks off and put their feet up on the seat or armrest?
- Did they eat smelly food?
- Did they talk your ear off about their bitcoin investments?
- Did they hijack the plane with boxcutters?
If the answer was no to all these questions, I'd be more than happy to have them sit near me on my next flight.
13
u/Acrobatic-Compote-29 Jul 06 '22
Immune compromised elderly who have to travel for their treatment. Probably cancer
→ More replies
13
u/Practical_Target_874 Jul 06 '22
I would do the same. Lots of people laugh but who cares. My wife had TNBC inflammatory breast cancer, rare and aggressive. If she got sick they would have to stop chemo. The tumor grew from 1 cm to 7 cm in 4 weeks. If she had to stop chemo for 2 weeks she would be screwed. So more power to them.
97
u/Count_istvan_teleky Jul 05 '22
Got nothing but love for 'em. Hope they both got where they were going safe.
396
u/salesmunn Jul 05 '22
Seems like two people minding their own business. If they don't make you do anything different or wear a bubble, let's just leave them alone.
→ More replies
96
133
182
33
51
u/MamaDragonExMo Jul 05 '22
NGL...I could see this being me if I ever needed to fly. As a mom to an immune compromised kiddo, I still worry about risk.
10
u/threatlevelmidnite2 Jul 06 '22
It may seem over the top, but you have no idea what their situation is.
259
u/EmperorThan Jul 05 '22
An Asian guy sat next to me on a plane like that March 14, 2020. He had surgical gloves, face mask, face shield, swimmer eye goggles, protective gear, the works. Everyone on the plane had to think, as I did at the time "what a wack job". It was every seat filled packed plane. It's just crazy looking back. I always think about that guy now like "he was the only sane person on that plane."
37
u/canigeta99 Jul 05 '22
Damn. All the people who harassed me for wearing a mask at the grocery store…I hope they feel the same way you do now even tho they have no way to tell me
73
u/waddlekins Jul 05 '22
Asians have had way more experience with respiratory cos of bird flu, sars etc. I almost died from a respiratory illness as a kid in beijing. We're ahead of the curve on PPE
→ More replies→ More replies16
u/KadenKraw Jul 05 '22
Yup. Co-worker came into work with a cold and wore a mask around February. He was sent home because he was "scaring people"
→ More replies
50
Jul 05 '22
One of the senior consultants at the hospital i worked used to wear 5 masks plus a face shield whenever she came for morning rounds. Everyone used to joke around till we learnt about her son having some auto immune disorder. It became apparent that the social norms and attitudes don’t really matter when a loved one’s well being is in question. this might be the case with the above couple or they are just fed up of people in general.
→ More replies17
u/Few_Cup3452 Jul 05 '22
100%. My friend had a baby 8 months ago and even though we don't have to wear masks still here, I do. None of us spend time together if we have any illness symptoms. I regularly get asked why I'm wearing a mask still 😂 bc of my friends pregnancy/baby timeline, none of us have had COVID bc of extra procautions.
The baby comes first. I'm sure a lot of ppl are operating on the same basis.
→ More replies
47
u/georgee779 Jul 05 '22
My sister in law has cancer. If I had to fly to see her, I would do the same thing.
65
u/VeryCanadianCanadian
Jul 05 '22
edited Jul 06 '22
•
I hope all they received was understanding, kindness and compassion.
Whether they needed that for purely psychological reasons or have medical compromised immune systems, having to travel like that must be scary and uncomfortable.
They need kindness...not judgment
8.3k
u/Emergencyhiredhito Jul 05 '22 edited Jul 06 '22 •
I mean I get it. My sister recently got diagnosed with brain cancer and I’m taking a train to see her. You bet your ass I’m gonna be covered in PPE so I don’t bring any shit to her.
Edit: Holy smokes, didn’t expect this to take off the way it did. Thank you all for the support and tips, especially pertaining to proper mask fittings. Cancer is scary shit, and having a family member with it has meant putting on a brave face with them. I vent to my friends and they’re very supportive, but it’s been so so heartwarming to be getting such an outpouring of love and advice from people I don’t even know. Thank you all so much, and stay healthy!!