On the one hand there are those who think the whole pandemic is wildly exaggerated, with frenzied scare-mongering from politicians, health experts, trade unions and journalists about the number of deaths, the possibility of infection and the stupidity of those who shun even the most basic precautions.
They happily mix with jam-packed gatherings of hundreds of people, and scoff at any suggestion they're helping to spread the virus to all and sundry.
On the other hand there are those who're terrified of being infected and believe just a few seconds' exposure to someone else could see them in hospital fighting for their lives. They take every possible precaution and rage at anyone who isn't. They won't even leave the house except for a very good reason.
Photos of mass gatherings fill them with horror and they wonder why such irresponsible activities aren't being instantly closed down.
I'd say I'm somewhere in the middle. Yes, I feel more vulnerable than I used to, but I think the chance of being infected is greatly exaggerated (I haven't had the virus although it's been around for eight months or so, and I know very few people who've had it). Nevertheless it makes sense to follow all the recommended measures like wearing a mask and distancing. Why ignore all the precautions and expose myself to risk for the sake of some egocentric obsession with "personal freedom"?
One thing's for sure. The "new normal" of anti-virus measures everywhere we go will be the reality for quite a while. The free-and-easy gadding-about of 2019 is but a distant memory.
I’m somewhere in the middle as well. Reading scientific articles on how the virus is transmitted can help one make decisions on how to respond. I agree that we, as a society, will be more careful in the future about sanitizing.
ReplyDeleteBijoux: I'm not sure how effective it is to sanitise my hands. I think the most important thing is distancing. Obviously the closer you are to someone, the more likely you'll be infected.
DeleteNick, here are certain shops, say John Lewis, who won't let you in unless you sanitize your hands at the entrance (the sanitizer provided by them and watched over by staff). And, most certainly, but I did that before anyway, wash your hands once you are back home and before handling anything.
DeleteOn a lighter note: We are all directed the way of OCO (obsessive compulsive ORDERED).
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Where on earth would you find "jam packed gatherings" at the moment? They are not allowed. And easily policed. It's why the whole live music industry is under jeopardy.
ReplyDeleteYet, I agree, it's all shit since lockdown loosened. I have a bird's eye view so know what I am talking about.
If I have mentioned it once I have mentioned it a dozen times. As soon as wearing masks was made mandatory in closed spaces (other than restaurants - HA) the whole social distancing thing fell apart. The masks are just cosmetic, lulling people in a false sense of security. Forget the mask. I'd rather keep my two meter distance.
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PS Before I forget, Nick, since you seem to be interested in both recycling and keeping the environment clean: A new type of littering. Face masks. Discarded. Everywhere. What the eff?
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Ursula: You can't be following the news very closely. Police have been called to hundreds and hundreds of jam-packed mass-gatherings. In one evening, West Midlands Police were called to almost 90 of them. And if they try to break them up, they're pelted with missiles.
DeleteThere was a week-long Southern Baptist revival at a church less than 5 miles from us not long ago. Numerous cases have resulted from it.
DeleteHalf a million motorcyclists flocked to small town in South Dakota for the annual 10-day Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. COVID cases linked to the rally are starting to appear in multiple states.
Mike: That doesn't surprise me. There are similar reckless activities going on here all the time. And the USA seems to be especially lackadaisical about controlling transmission routes.
DeleteI remain super cautious in a province free of Covid completely but vulnerable to illegal breaches. The residents in my building have been lulled into a false sense of security so ne'er a mask to be seen even though it was mandatory yesterday. Who's going to jail the elders?
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www: Not wearing masks in sheltered housing like yours seems pretty daft. Obviously people will be coming and going all the time.
DeleteWe are cautious. I haven't left the property in about 11 days. However, in recent weeks, I've been in all of the health care offices I regularly go to, plus 1 (cardiologist, local clinic, optometrist, and ophthalmologist) as well as our big box department/grocery story and the home improvement store. Thursday, I have a regular appointment with my primary care physician and, a week from today, I have cataract surgery for my right eye scheduled with a followup the next day and the left eye a couple of weeks later.
ReplyDeleteOur "normal" is severely curtailed. We haven't been out to eat since late February, except for going through drive-through on our way home from the office of the ophthalmologist doing my eye surgeries. My pickup truck hasn't been refueled since early march. The gym is closed and we now have a treadmill in our living room.
Mike: Well, there's no point in taking unnecessary risks. You're certainly being very cautious about venturing out. I go out all the time to local shops and for a daily walk, but I'm very careful to keep well away from other people.
DeleteFortunately people around here are good about wearing masks. We go to the grocery store about half as much as before and I've stopped my gym membership after 24 years even though they are enforcing mask-wearing and social distancing. They even have hours reserved for us more vulnerable people. I have plenty of exercise equipment here in the apartment and it doesn't seem worth the hassle and the risk. I'm guessing the dentist is our greatest risk because of aerosols in the air, but I'm not worrying about it.
ReplyDeleteJean: If you have plenty of exercise equipment in your home, there's no point in risking visits to the gym. Luckily I haven't needed the dentist since my annual check-up last February. If I needed any serious dental work, I'm not sure if I could get it done.
DeleteI go into town about once a week, my friend and I are eating out to help out, we went to Ask Italian a couple of weeks ago and we have been on two coach trips. I’m ambivalent about the virus, and the scare-mongering is shameful. I’m sure the anti virus measures are just a box ticking exercise. Our council have removed seating from shopping malls (which I really needed when the weather was hot) but the ones at the market and in the High street are still in place with people happily sitting side by side. I wear a mask but I don’t panic if I get too close to others. Social distancing is impossible. We have to wait in a queue before going into shops, then once in some shops just aren’t big enough to stay 1 metre, let alone 2 metres apart. And I am SO fed up with being asked to sanitise my hands. I’ve always been OCD about door handles, shopping trolleys etc and have always been an avid hand washer, I don’t need telling what to do. We had a rave in the village weeks ago, in a private house and grounds. They were all outsiders. No villagers became ill.
ReplyDeletePolly: Seating removed from shopping malls? I haven't heard of that before. I don't think 1 metre is enough, I always aim for a good 2 metres between me and other people.
DeleteI only shop for groceries. I suppose I could order them but the walking is good for me. and a mask is mandatory thank goodness. otherwise this town is hit and miss!
ReplyDeletewith college starting soon... the university can't seem to make up its mind what to do with the students!
time will tell I guess.
to me for large groups of people to take it back to wherever they're from is ridiculous. at some point I think thoughts for your fellow man should be considered... even if you don't mind dying with it yourself!
Tammy: I also go to the supermarket and food shops myself. It seems like a bit of a faff to order online. And if I did, would all the fruit and veg be in good condition?
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DeleteHi Jennifer. What were you trying to say?
DeleteI'm sorry! I was trying to type something on my phone and as usual that went south. I'm back at work now (at a school) and we're required to wear masks all day. It's hot and not terribly comfortable, but it's a small price to pay to help keep everyone safe.
DeleteJennifer: As you say, a small price to pay for the sake of safety. I don't understand the ferocious opposition to wearing a mask. It's only a bit of fabric, for Pete's sake!
DeleteWe avoid large gatherings in any case given Leo's health problems, but I feel that this mask business is counter productive.People wearing it come a lot closer than they did before it was being pushed by the health authorities and it is the distance which worries me.
ReplyDeleteFly: I've also noticed that people in masks tend to get too close to other people. They seem to think a mask on its own is all the protection they need.
DeleteWe head out to see our gr-kids nearby, go to get groceries, and that is about all of our outings. Fortunately, we can sorta tolerate each other, having been married nearly 48 years.
ReplyDeleteSusan: Yes, it must be hell for couples (or families) who have to stay at home but don't get on with each other. They must be desperate to get out!
DeleteI'm in the middle as well. I wear my mask like a good little girl - I don't think it's that big of an issue. Just wear the damn thing!
ReplyDeleteDebby: I don't understand all the ridiculous fuss people make about mask-wearing. You'd think they were being asked to wear a suit of armour.
DeleteI think we can only be responsible for ourselves, take precautions and avoid the crowds. Which makes me grateful I do no live in New York City.
ReplyDeleteJoanne: Indeed, just be responsible for ourselves. Rather a waste of energy to moan about what others are doing or not doing.
DeleteI have four of what they are calling co-morbidities which means if I get this flu I am likely to die. So, I pretty much stay home. But I have no problem with Dave putting on a mask and going to the grocery store or fetching meals. He's good about sanitizing/washing his hands. That feels like the right balance to me.
ReplyDeleteLinda: That sounds like a good set-up. It must be frustrating if you have a partner who refuses to take any precautions and is putting others at risk.
DeleteI've got to go to the dentist tomorrow. I don't feel particularly comfortable about it, but I have to go. I'm worried I'm going to get the mask etiquette wrong - or say I sneeze? I will give them extra cleaning. Oh God.
ReplyDeleteThere is just too much to worry about at the moment.
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Ms Scarlet: Good luck with the dentist! I'm sure it'll all go fine and they'll be very used to nervous patients.
DeleteI really have no choice in the matter. With my age and COPD I am in the vulnerable category and have to avoid all possible sources of the virus. So, I am at home and am not missing the pre covid days which in any case were also mostly staying at home.
ReplyDeleteRamana: I know you have plenty of things to occupy your time and aren't yearning to get out and about. As you say, since you have COPD you can't afford to take any unnecessary risks.
DeleteI'm like you, somewhere in the middle. Muttering under my breath at people who come too close and don't wear masks in shops, but not unduly worried.
ReplyDeleteLiz: People who comes too close are annoying. Don't they understand how easily they could infect someone?
DeleteI'm pretty damned cautious. I don't like my odds if I were to contract the disease. I have seen MANY instances of jam-packed gatherings and people flagrantly disregarding masks ordinances. I find it appalling. I try to stay out of indoor public spaces as much as I can.
ReplyDeleteAgent: With your medical history, I think you're quite right to be ultra cautious. Especially when other people are not bothering to follow the safety measures and are putting people like you at risk.
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