Post by Velar Fricative on Jul 6, 2020 10:18:48 GMT -5
I feel like we need to bring back daily threads given the increases in much of the country, but I can turn this into a weekly thread if we want. I'm shocked at how the case numbers from FL are close to NY's peak daily numbers back in April.
I'm trying to wrap my head about what's going on elsewhere. Basically, if you're in the states seeing huge increases, is your life as it was back when everything shut down in March or are you in some sort of weird middle ground where you can still do some things you weren't able to do a few months ago but not everything?
I’m in FL. Other than bars closing, most people haven’t changed any of their behaviors. My family is still pretty locked down, but we have started being more cautious in the last few weeks. Me personally, I was exposed to a COVID positive person at work and haven’t been able to get my test results back, so I’m acting like I’m positive and staying shut in. My husband and son have gone out for no-contact stuff a few times (drive through, curbside, etc). If everyone is healthy, we may try to visit his parents in another part of the state in about 4 weeks.
I have a lot of thoughts about how Florida got to where we are, but I’ve shared them before, and many of you can probably guess what I think anyway.
Post by picksthemusic on Jul 6, 2020 10:37:32 GMT -5
We're in the second category. Kind of opened up our bubble to my ILs and my mom/her husband. I've visited my grandfather at his nursing home (I was outside on the back patio, he stayed inside behind the screen door). I won't go get any services that aren't necessary, however. No hair cuts, massages, or mani/pedis. I do work in a sort of high-risk job, though, since I'm in public-facing healthcare. I'm the greeter before people can come in the clinic and I screen for C19 symptoms and fever. People still come in without masks even though it's a mandate.
I'm in Utah, and life here is definitely in that middle ground. We finally got a mask ordinance for my county approved by the governor around a week ago, and I have been so impressed by how many more people I've seen wearing one ever since. My mom even saw two people refused entry to Trader Joe's because they were refusing to put on masks. I'm optimistic that we'll start to see numbers go down within the next week because people who want to live life more normally (going to stores, etc...) have to wear masks.
Now, the rest of the state--the truly red parts--are a different story entirely. And it could get worse here after November because the less moderate Republican candidate for governor looks to have the lead after last week's primary election. My county did not vote for him, but the areas of the state where local elected officials are refusing to consider masks and speaking out against wearing them are big fans of his.
Personally, we're still trying to stay home as much as possible. I am willing to go to the grocery store instead of getting curbside pickups (see: masks), but we're still not socializing with friends and only see my parents while masked and outdoors.
Post by Velar Fricative on Jul 6, 2020 10:47:30 GMT -5
VillainV, I guess I just didn't expect any other state, even ones more populated than NY, to see these kinds of numbers since I thought a huge reason ours were so high was because of our density. It was also just a few weeks after people were still packed into mass transit, still attending school and work, and going to concerts, sports, and other large gatherings. That stuff is still not happening anywhere (mostly anywhere?) save for protests, which haven't even resulted in outbreaks that we know of. But chalking it up to bars and parties seems a little too simplistic too. But maybe that really is why, coupled with the conditions in each state when they reopened.
I am frustrated with the people who comment on local news here who respond to everything with: if people can gather to protest without a mask mandate X gathering is legal or else you are a hypocrite who gives special favors to rioters. Everything gets this response and I can see it easily leading to a large part of the community refusing any mask or distancing measures. I'd seen it before, but now it seems constant.
I’m in SE PA and our numbers are staying low. There’s a lot of online no-mask warriors in community groups, but at the grocery store everyone wears a mask and stays apart. We are still staying home and isolating bc we have that privilege for now. I feel like I’m watching the rest of the country in horror, though.
I am in LA and we have definitely seen an increase in cases. We stayed pretty locked down, but as time went on we visited our parents and did distanced playdates at a park with one friend and I let the boys go back to golf. I think at this point, we know enough about transmission that we can make educated choices. Restaurants and salons and indoor playdates and the beach (since it's very crowded) are a no go for us. Private swimming lessons where the teacher wears a mask; golf at the course that is enforcing the distance and mask rules; take out; a bike ride around the neighborhood with a friend? Those we are doing.
MN numbers have been steady/lowering over the past month, and hospitalizations are going down.
But...what I saw on Saturday is a good snapshot. We went biking at a regional park and there is a large beach, picnic area, and campground. No one was wearing masks at the beach or picnic areas.
Also, a large TC metro lake is a huge party spot for the 20-30 crowd, and I was waiting to see photos/news today. Last year, over 100 people got e.coli like sickness from the water, so you know, lets go back in 2020 when there is a pandemic:
My parents and my sister's family live in Houston area. I am frustrated, because they all have been SO good all along about staying home, staying isolated, etc. But it is getting harder - there are things they need to do, like my mom needs an MRI and some other doctor appointments, my dad has something weird going on with dizziness that he really needs to get sorted out, my sister is going stir crazy being home 24/7 with 2 little kids and wants to see some friends from 6 feet apart, etc. But it turns out it would have been safer to do all that 2-3 months ago instead of now. I wish their cases weren't rising just when the fatigue and the inability to put everything off forever wasn't an issue. It really seems like Texas has done this backwards.
VillainV, I guess I just didn't expect any other state, even ones more populated than NY, to see these kinds of numbers since I thought a huge reason ours were so high was because of our density. It was also just a few weeks after people were still packed into mass transit, still attending school and work, and going to concerts, sports, and other large gatherings. That stuff is still not happening anywhere (mostly anywhere?) save for protests, which haven't even resulted in outbreaks that we know of. But chalking it up to bars and parties seems a little too simplistic too. But maybe that really is why, coupled with the conditions in each state when they reopened.
I think part of the reason for Florida’s increase is because it just took a little bit longer for the disease to get here in the kind of numbers required to have the community spread we’re seeing. Combine that with opening things up too quickly, “quarantine fatigue,” having more visitors to Florida from other parts of the country, Floridians traveling to other places and bringing it back, a new strain that’s more easy to transmit, and our politicians not emphasizing mask wear....and, well, here we are. Perfect storm. I mean, I think it’s possible we could have avoided having the high number of cases we’re seeing, but there are a lot of factors at play.
Post by Velar Fricative on Jul 6, 2020 11:14:18 GMT -5
AdaraMarie, I really hate to acknowledge this, but I'm not surprised that that argument is gaining steam. The anti-mask, anti-science people are capitalizing on the fact that scientists entered the political fray by outright supporting protests (not riots but they're all using that language too) or at least not coming down hard on them as they may have when they were protesting the right to get a haircut. The fact that protesters wore masks, carried sanitizer, tried to social distance if they could, protested against something that also kills people, haven't resulted in outbreaks, etc. simply doesn't matter to them because they stick to their own set of "facts."
Post by amandakisser on Jul 6, 2020 11:15:15 GMT -5
I'm in RI and our new cases have been under 100 each day for just about a month; hospitalizations are down, as well as the number of people on ventilators. I finally ventured out of the house to go to stores for the first time since March about to weeks ago and I've only seen three people total without masks. People are taking it very seriously here, despite the people who are vocal against wearing masks.
I know most people had cookouts or get togethers this weekend, so I'm curious to see if we have a spike in cases in a couple weeks. I often forget that the rest of the country is not doing as well as we are, aside from the daily updates I get from my sister in Orlando.
Post by sillygoosegirl on Jul 6, 2020 11:19:35 GMT -5
Our numbers are still relatively low in Oregon compared with elsewhere, but our confirmed infections per day are rapidly approaching what they estimate actual infections per day were at our peak. My household is back to being isolated. We were in a pod, but the other household in the pod has decided, in spite of the explosion of new cases and deaths, to take on a higher level of risk that I'm not comfortable with. Meanwhile, walking around the neighborhood on the 4th, I saw a lot of big parties, and almost no masks. Things look pretty dang back to normal, even as we need to shut it back down.
We're actively seeking a new pod, while mourning the end of our old pod, as I think we're seeing the result of abstinence-only thinking in the veritable orgy going on now.
@@@@ Meanwhile, I'm trying not to cry when my kiddo (5) is asking an endless string of questions about why her BFF, whom she's been seeing about 6-7 days per week for most of the day, doesn't want to play with her anymore and wants to go to summer camp instead. And why can't she go to summer camp too. Oh honey. And I don't know how I'm gonna get any work done with her playmate gone (that part has actually been pretty fine with a friend to play with), but I'm not ready to risk my life on the limited evidence that kids might not transmit it as much as adults. Especially with children under 10 being the fastest growing COVID+ demographic in my state. www.oregonlive.com/coronavirus/2020/07/coronavirus-infections-rising-fastest-among-kids-younger-than-10-dimming-prospects-for-oregons-school-reopening-plans.html?outputType=amp
We're pretty much doing the same as what we've been doing, which isn't all that different than what we were doing before all this started other than I'm working from home some days. We're just not all that social and we're homebodies.
My parents and my sister's family live in Houston area. I am frustrated, because they all have been SO good all along about staying home, staying isolated, etc.
I think this is what frustrates me most. Nationally, it simply feels like March/April were a giant waste, and it pains me to say that because so many people have died and here we are not learning anything from that awful experience. Of course people are tired of this, because we're human. We knew it would be incredibly risky to have to shut down again or pull back even a little bit. It just goes to show how our federal leadership failed us so badly because they needed to take advantage that almost the entire country was hunkered down to execute a consistent plan and provide real guidance, and that never happened. Couple that with our divisiveness and a president who stokes that to his benefit, and we are fucked.
I know most people had cookouts or get togethers this weekend, so I'm curious to see if we have a spike in cases in a couple weeks. I often forget that the rest of the country is not doing as well as we are, aside from the daily updates I get from my sister in Orlando.
What I keep trying to tell myself is that we shouldn't expect that every cookout, party, etc. will cause an outbreak. Scientists have acknowledged the element of luck here in tandem with all other exposure risks, even in places where cases are skyrocketing.
IL numbers aren't bad but my county numbers are higher than a county our size should have. We're pretty much still staying as quarantined as we were in April. Dh is super high risk, so not taking any chances.
Mask usage is bad here. It's very much the typical you can't tell me what to do mindset.
My company has an office in Tx and I know they've carried on with bringing people back in to the office the last few weeks, even as numbers have gone up. I don't get it
I'm in Houston and I know too many people that think this was all overblown, a big overreaction, or not a big deal because the people they know recovered just fine. It's so frustrating. For us while we can do things we are not. A month ago we were doing more not knowing all this brewing. We are back to only going out when we need to though because the hospitals--including the largest medical center in the world--are at capacity. March and April still mattered because it gave doctors time to learn more and to get more PPE but yeah....in terms of case numbers they ballooned way faster than I anticipated.
I am hoping the new mask order helps and at least Abbott seems to realize that he rushed things too quickly. I'm hoping he won't make the same mistake again.
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We are not being perfect. I am not taking the pool away from DD. It is legit the only thing saving her summer and making her even remotely happy. We go to the lap pool and she will legit swim laps for 30 minutes. She needs the exercise and fresh air. It's a risk but not a giant one. We also have re-started tennis lessons for the same reasons. Otherwise we are way more locked down than anyone else I know. It sucks. We have the ability to still go out and do things like mini golf or out to eat but we are not.
I’m pretty sure MD is still considered a hot spot, but our numbers are going down. And I think it’s because we do have decent mask compliance. Although, I don’t see it with community outdoor things, but inside every building I’ve been in, yes. It’s to the point I’m no longer putting off medical care, which I was for months. And a friend is having surgery (on his lungs!) tomorrow.
I actually don’t know where we are in reopening. I think there is 50% inside dining, but not bars.
IL numbers aren't bad but my county numbers are higher than a county our size should have. We're pretty much still staying as quarantined as we were in April. Dh is super high risk, so not taking any chances.
Mask usage is bad here. It's very much the typical you can't tell me what to do mindset.
My company has an office in Tx and I know they've carried on with bringing people back in to the office the last few weeks, even as numbers have gone up. I don't get it
I'm in a red county in Southern IL and I'm pleased with how seriously most people are taking this--probably 80%+ mask usage (except at Rural King, home of the Republican red necks). I guess it helps that the Republican county health director keeps stressing every day that people need to wear a mask.
We are in a middle ground. I have had to go back to the office part-time, and I can work from home part-time. The days that I go in to the office I bring my 3yo to daycare. My work is very strict about PPE usage.
At home, we are trying to minimize our risk as much as possible while also trying to figure out a new normal. We haven't eaten in a restaurant, only pick-up or delivery. I had to go into the grocery stores at the beginning because it was so hard to get a delivery window/you never knew what would be in stock, but now our stores are pretty stocked up and it's not too hard to get delivery, so we're doing that for groceries. There have been one or two instances lately when we've had to go inside a store, but we mask up and minimize time inside.
We've done a couple of playdates for my 7yo. Outdoor only, and active stuff where they're running around and not on top of each other. I've also taken them to the park twice since it re-opened. It hasn't been crowded at all--we went this past saturday and mine were the only kids for a while. We signed my 7yo up for a couple of activities where it seemed like appropriate precautions were going to be taken.
I feel nervous about the risks, but again I feel like we have to find a new normal. My kids need socialization, so that's our priority, over eating out, or shopping, or haircuts, etc. Texas is going to be a disaster forever, I assume, and I can't keep my kids away from peers for a year or more. We can maintain everything else indefinitely, so we're prioritizing that.
PDQ I work in a children's hospital. I feel like if my work thinks it's ok to have non-essential care happening in person, then it's ok for my kids to have limited socialization.
As for what we are doing, H is a teacher and I am still WFH. My office hasn't officially opened yet, but some in leadership who have their own offices are going in a few days a week. I might have to go in to do something with physical copies of paper, and I am not thrilled. I might go over the weekend or after hours when no one is there. The whole air quality/transmission through HVAC in indoor spaces is what concerns me. We are also still only going to get groceries every 2 weeks and try to keep trips to a minimum.
We have planned to go to my parents cabin in 2 weeks, and then still tentatively planning a road trip to the Black Hills. We have a rental that has a kitchen, so we would most likely get our groceries and cook everything there. I will be keeping an eye on the numbers there though after the idiot who insisted on the Mt Rushmore publicity stunt.
@@@@@@@@ DD is doing a once a week softball clinic, but its only with 6 other kids. That's the only activity they are doing right now. We've had two outdoor playdates, and have started letting them play at playgrounds in our neighborhood. All of that has only been since mid-June.
H takes care of them while I work all day, and with the heat, he is wanting to take them to the pool at our gym. Its a huge outdoor pool, but they would have to go through the building to get to it. With how hot its been, I worry it will be super busy. They might go at the end of the day today hoping it will be less busy. It's so hard to manage their mental health with risk right now.
I’m pretty sure MD is still considered a hot spot, but our numbers are going down. And I think it’s because we do have decent mask compliance. Although, I don’t see it with community outdoor things, but inside every building I’ve been in, yes. It’s to the point I’m no longer putting off medical care, which I was for months. And a friend is having surgery (on his lungs!) tomorrow.
I actually don’t know where we are in reopening. I think there is 50% inside dining, but not bars.
Bars are open but still at only 50% capacity. I think if you're sitting at the bar itself you need to keep at least one empty seat between groups, but I think our local hipster bar actually closed seating at the bar and is just allowing at some tables. As for mask compliance, it's the same here (central MD). I don't see anyone without when I'm inside, but very little masks when outside walking around our little Main Street, which makes me cringe. (A little @@@) And when I was working last week a group sat the kids at the tables, but the adults stood around talking without masks. I was so irritated because they were less than 6 ft from my workspace without masks on so didn't feel comfortable doing my job while they were there. I'm more pissed at my boss, TBH, for allowing indoor seating at all. Our shop is narrow, only about 18ft wide. About half that width is customer space, with the counter that is my workspace dividing customer side and staff side. If a customer is against the wall, they can be 6 ft from the workspace, but as soon as they get up they're not. And anyone who walks past customers at the tables is going to still have to get fairly close.
One business got put on blast on FB, the barber shop on Main Street who is not requiring masks of anyone. Every time I drive by and look in the window neither the barber or the client are wearing masks. That post made me "quit" our community FB group, actually, because of the amount of stupidity in the comments of that post.
VillainV , I guess I just didn't expect any other state, even ones more populated than NY, to see these kinds of numbers since I thought a huge reason ours were so high was because of our density. It was also just a few weeks after people were still packed into mass transit, still attending school and work, and going to concerts, sports, and other large gatherings. That stuff is still not happening anywhere (mostly anywhere?) save for protests, which haven't even resulted in outbreaks that we know of. But chalking it up to bars and parties seems a little too simplistic too. But maybe that really is why, coupled with the conditions in each state when they reopened.
I don't know of any way to say this that doesn't sound flip or like I am being self-congratulatory, because I'm not any better than anyone else (I've just been following the state and local rules). But after the news the past few weeks about other parts of the country, I guess I don't know if I truly believe that certain other places were taking this seriously or doing even the bare minimum to prevent spread for the past several months. In any event, at least not in the way most of New York was. I am on the other side of the state from you, and we've been in the same SAH/wear masks/no public events/no seeing people indoors since day one - so, March 13th started the SAH, and by April 1st, I feel like we were all wearing masks. So I have been flummoxed over the past few weeks seeing people suddenly outraged over potentially having to wear a mask. Like, why the outrage now, and not 3 months ago when mask-wearing started? That just leads me down the road thinking that they went this long without doing anything...so of course the increases make sense. I don't know the specifics on each state's respective lockdowns and when things re-opened or started loosening, but I don't get the sense that things in a lot of states were ever really locked down in the sense we are thinking.
Our numbers are still relatively low in Oregon compared with elsewhere, but our confirmed infections per day are rapidly approaching what they estimate actual infections per day were at our peak. My household is back to being isolated. We were in a pod, but the other household in the pod has decided, in spite of the explosion of new cases and deaths, to take on a higher level of risk that I'm not comfortable with. Meanwhile, walking around the neighborhood on the 4th, I saw a lot of big parties, and almost no masks. Things look pretty dang back to normal, even as we need to shut it back down.
We're actively seeking a new pod, while mourning the end of our old pod, as I think we're seeing the result of abstinence-only thinking in the veritable orgy going on now.
@@@@ Meanwhile, I'm trying not to cry when my kiddo (5) is asking an endless string of questions about why her BFF, whom she's been seeing about 6-7 days per week for most of the day, doesn't want to play with her anymore and wants to go to summer camp instead. And why can't she go to summer camp too. Oh honey. And I don't know how I'm gonna get any work done with her playmate gone (that part has actually been pretty fine with a friend to play with), but I'm not ready to risk my life on the limited evidence that kids might not transmit it as much as adults. Especially with children under 10 being the fastest growing COVID+ demographic in my state. www.oregonlive.com/coronavirus/2020/07/coronavirus-infections-rising-fastest-among-kids-younger-than-10-dimming-prospects-for-oregons-school-reopening-plans.html?outputType=amp
I will be shocked if Oregon doesn't go back into a full shut down in the next month. Kate Brown has been hinting very heavily that she's headed that way, and I didn't see many people following the mask or social distancing guidelines during the holiday weekend. In fact, if anything, the gatherings on Saturday seemed bigger and rowdier than normal. The mask mandate hasn't meant much where I live, either. People aren't following it, businesses aren't following it, and no one really seems to care much.
I get to go into the office tomorrow to pick up things. But that’s it. Grab everything we forgot in March when we thought it would be weeks, not months. That’s going to be weird.
I will be shocked if Oregon doesn't go back into a full shut down in the next month. Kate Brown has been hinting very heavily that she's headed that way, and I didn't see many people following the mask or social distancing guidelines during the holiday weekend. In fact, if anything, the gatherings on Saturday seemed bigger and rowdier than normal. The mask mandate hasn't meant much where I live, either. People aren't following it, businesses aren't following it, and no one really seems to care much.
I really hope you are right. But I'm afraid there just isn't enough public support.