I just don’t see this virus stopping until we have reached herd immunity either through raw numbers of infected or a vaccine (which may never come). I think the less that get it this first go around the more that will be left to get it when it comes around again.
I hope we get better treatments. I hope we get a vaccine. I also hope we can get people back to work and play in low risk jobs and activities soon.
Thankfully I’m out working everyday. I couldn’t make it financially on unemployment. I want to see businesses survive. I want our economy to survive.
People will continue to die from this and a thousand other causes. Life’s too short to crawl in a hole and wait for the storm to pass in 5 years.
A lot of times when people say “everyone should assess their own risk” - it’s not a sensible proposition. Most people don’t have the data (if such even exists), much less the analytical skill to make such an assessment.
It’s like when people criticize having an FDA or regulations on automotive emissions because “people should make their own choices about what is good” when there’s literally no way to do that.
I’m puzzled because the actual current federal government has made certain recommendations, and the usual defenders of same are in favor of flouting those very recommendations while blaming “the usual suspects” instead of their own chief.
I worry that there are counter-incentives at play here. I’m friends with a group that includes aestheticians and daycare teachers and one admin assistant. They are happy to be furloughed and safe for the time being, and are getting unemployment payments. I suspect it’s not these blue-collar workers who wish to reopen, but their employers and/or the type of voter who dislikes unemployment payments to begin with.
I certainly feel they need more testing in these facilities. I also feel some of these jobs can be modified to allow for more social distancing. I feel bad for these employees but I am in the defense industry and we are still going strong too. We have implemented strategies to try to mitigate some hazards. Ultimately we are all still somewhat vulnerable. In the end many are still on the front lines keeping the lights on for everyone else. We personally have allowed individuals to exclude themselves and stay home if they feel the need. I don’t have a great answer for many of these necessary jobs other than taking steps to make them safer. It is possible. We’ll never reduce the risk to zero for anything though.
I went into the local small store today - I usually only go once a week or so, but I forgot something D23 needed for an assignment, so today’s visit makes it twice in one week. This time neither the manager nor the young guy coworker were wearing masks. This surprised me, since the manager has been conscientious up until now. Two customers stood about two feet apart talking about the low gas prices in various parts of the state. Apparently they are truck drivers. Five other customers were in the store. Besides me and one other person, no one in the store was wearing a mask. Arg. I have been happy to shop there these past five weeks…but now maybe it’s time to venture out to the larger grocery store.
I appreciate the ability to discuss this with you. It’s a tough topic. We all have our own thoughts and ultimately we want much of the same things and just have different ideas about how to get there. I hope that staying home keeps you safe. I hope that my getting to work continues and more things open sooner rather than later.
For what it’s worth I wear my mask out in stores and keep my distance from everyone. I wash my hands and sanitize things. I’m trying to keep myself and others safe but I do want more freedom.
In Illinois the Governors plan is that there can be no gathering of over 50 people without a vaccine or effective treatment. That could take years. It could never happen. So no medium sized weddings, restricted funerals and memorial services, no graduation, regular sized religious services, no sports, no concerts or festivals etc…
I agree we shouldn’t move as fast as Georgia. But this seems untenable to me and is certainly keeping a lot locked down for a very very long time.
Aren’t these questions you should be posing to your elected officials? (Maryland, I assume?) What do they say? And what is a “low risk” businesses that is still closed where you live? What kind of low risk activities can’t you participate in?
Some people in my circle are very pleased with the UI on steroids which allow them to SIP. Count me in!
As much as we are grateful for it, we are also concerned about a possible double whammy in the near future.
The end of July rolls around and our old jobs are simply not there. Either the business had to cut pay, cut hours, eliminate positions, or the business itself went under.
Plus, very few available jobs that pay a living wage. And, looking for work at our age!
We don’t believe the UI on steroids will be extended. Maybe regular UI won’t be extended either. ACA premiums at our age? Holy cow. It’s very disconcerting.
The people I’m referring to as “we” are all in hospitality. Current or former coworkers. A mix of management, office, & crew. 40s, 50s (age).
It’s such a mess.
H has warned his crew (restaurant) that the PPP loan is only going to maintain payroll until x date. He told them to save as much money as they can & expect severe belt-tightening once that PPP money runs out.
Life in a southern state isn’t for everyone but there’s a little more room here, in a lot of respects.
You’ve my sympathy for the drawbacks of where you are.
On a somewhat related note: I think I saw that Pritzker said it may be a year or more before churches could reopen. Not religious, even though I live in the bible belt, but I think that’s going to end up about as effective as the Roman efforts to suppress worship.
“right to catch and transmit contagious diseases”, seems a little harsh, Fang.
Rather: they realize it’s out, it’s been out for quite some time, hospitals weren’t overwhelmed even when it was building up to a peak without the 'wash your hands, don’t touch your face" mantra. Possibly, they’ve come to the conclusion that other than a vaccine that’s 18 months away, it’s going to sweep through and they would like to skip the financial ruin of staying at home while it does.
@BunsenBurner I was on the road for a while tending “essential” business. It was to a state not affected by the virus much. No one there talked about it much. It was good not to talk about the virus and stayed away from CC when I got back.
There is obviously a lot less risk of getting the virus in countries doing a good job controlling the spread via testing and contact tracing and etc. They are opening their economies. We seem to want both things. Not to have to follow through on the national guidelines recommended by experts and also not have the virus impact the economy. Sounds like magical thinking to me.
Doubt too many people will disagree in principle. Where people may disagree would be the definition of “low risk”.
It would probably be simplest to define it in terms of:
Maintaining minimum distance between people not in the same household. Could be different for outside versus enclosed space.
Not exceeding some density. Could be different for outside versus enclosed space.
Not having things touched by multiple people without cleaning with soap or disinfectant in between.
But then a lot of businesses and activities may still not fall into the “low risk” category by definitions like the above.
The other issue is that many people who could maintain social distancing while doing something do not for some reason (e.g. go to already-crowded beaches and parks).
Couldn’t agree more. People are in denial. No, it’s not going away and no, we can’t stay in our homes forever. So we need to maybe give up some freedoms (creepy apps) in order to get some freedoms.
So you think restaurants are going to actually have any sit down business if this thing is still breaking out in the community? Read about the malls in Texas that are open with no customers. Let’s open, I’m fine with that, but FEAR will drive people. If restaurants use apps like these to make people feel safe, then people will patron the restaurants. They are doing this in restaurants and shops in Asia.
If you have apps or social media on your phone, you are already getting tracked, spied on, and data sold. People give this content up on social media all day long with no complaints. I personally hate the spyware and set every settings to protect myself but will enthusiastically sign up for this app to keep myself and others safe. It’s a sacrifice.
I also appreciate your reply. I wrote the last post before reading this one from you because I often read from the bottom up. I hope you stay safe and your business keeps going just fine. Best wishes.
In Illinois the Governors plan is that there can be no gathering of over 50 people without a vaccine or effective treatment. That could take years. It could never happen. So no medium sized weddings, restricted funerals and memorial services, no graduation, regular sized religious services, no sports, no concerts or festivals etc…
I agree we shouldn’t move as fast as Georgia. But this seems untenable to me and is certainly keeping a lot locked down for a very very long time.
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Honestly, I had not thought about that. I haven’t thought that far into the future yet. in fact, I’m having a hard time imaging the future. Thanks for your post.