Yesterday we took a short walk and after arriving at our destination, I realized that I was still wearing a mask. We wear masks when inside our church building unless we are in our offices with the doors closed. I’ve gotten used to reaching for a mask and putting it on whenever someone knocks at the door. I also do a fair amount of walking around the building wearing my mask. I’ve discovered that some N95 and KN95 masks are more comfortable than others. I’ve gotten used to dealing with the problems of steamed glasses and ears sore from the elastic straps wrapped around them.

Most places around here are “masks optional.” I try to be responsible and wear a mask when I find myself in a crowd or in close proximity to others. What I know about the current variants of the Covid-19 virus is that it is quite possible for people to spread the virus before they know they are infected. More than fearing becoming ill myself, I am worried about spreading the virus to others. So I wear my mask.

I am under no illusion that the precautions we take give us any guarantee that we will not contract the virus. I know plenty of people who have been cautious and who have observed safety protocols and have still contracted the virus.

Still, getting the disease would put a crimp in our plans. We are heading across the state for a week of Family Camp on Sunday. An outdoors camp in a wilderness setting provides lots of opportunity for healthy activities with plenty of space and fresh air. But we will also be eating in a dining hall full of folks who have come from many different places. Then a week after we return from camp we have a day camp at our church. While it is not called “Vacation Bible School,” that’s what it is. We have excellent leadership recruited and have planned a very strong program for the children who participate. Nonetheless, someone getting sick would create a significant scramble to keep the program in motion. We will do our best to avoid contracting the illness so that we can assume leadership in these programs.

It is not an easy matter to keep up with all of the variants of the disease. Less than a year ago we were talking about Delta, a spike in infection rates and hospitalizations. Then Omicron surfaced and quickly became more common than Delta. The new strain was more contagious than earlier versions of the virus. A little more than a month ago it was announced that the sub variants of Omicron, BA.4 and BA.5 were even more contagious and causing more infection than other variants. These new variants, however, are not causing the spikes in serious illness and hospitalization that was the case with Delta. It seems that the disease is following a pattern that is similar to other viruses. As time goes on, more variants emerge, with a general trend of being more contagious but causing less severe illness.

It is unclear whether the virus is evolving faster than the ability of vaccines to protect us. Existing vaccines appear to be less effective in preventing infection from the newer variants, but still seem to result in patients having milder symptoms than those who are not vaccinated. It may be that Covid-19 vaccines will become more like the annual vaccination for the flu virus: a new formula each year with varying levels of protection.

I don’t have the background or the desire to become an expert in infectious disease. I try to learn enough to engage in safe practices in my community. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, age is a factor in he severity of the illness. I can’t do anything about my age. It has allowed me to obtain one more booster than those who are younger.

There is some evidence that exposure to the virus, including having contracted the illness, may increase immunity to future infection. There are, however, no guarantees in this illness. People who are fully vaccinated can contract the virus. Those who have previously contracted Covid can contract it again. I read in one online source that researchers are now conducting studies of those who have not yet contracted the illness to see if there are other factors than those previously known. I have been thinking that the fact that neither I nor Susan have tested positive for the disease is primarily a matter of luck. Although we have been careful and have tried to observe safety protocols, we have been in close contact with our grandchildren without wearing masks. They contracted the illness, and we did not.

There is a new item on my list of things to pack for camp this year. We have stocked up on Covid-19 rapid test kits so that we can test ourselves if we exhibit symptoms or if we think that we may have been exposed. Early detection can help with going into isolation and trying not to spread the disease. It may also allow sufferers to obtain antiviral medications which have resulted in milder symptoms for those who are infected.

Along with the test kits, we are trying to equip ourselves with accurate information and knowledge about the illness and steps we can take to minimize the spread of the disease.

Experts are predicting that new variants will emerge more quickly than was the case earlier in the pandemic. Newer variants may develop ability to evade some immune responses. The longer the pandemic goes on, the less protection having previously contracted the disease will serve as a protection.

Masks, test kits, accurate information, sleeping bags, sturdy shoes (with closed toes), bible, swimming suit, camera, medications, comfortable clothing, a positive attitude, sweatshirt and jacket - the list of items to take to camp is growing. For years my mother kept notebooks with her lists of items to take to camp. Because we went to family camp every year, previous years’ lists were helpful in remembering all that we would need. I don’t know what happened to those notebooks and those lists. We no longer have them. It might be interesting to compare them to my list for this year’s camp. Even without those lists, however, I know several differences between them and the list I am making.

Nonetheless preparing for camp is a wonderful and fun adventure.