What are they thinking?

[tophcfa]

So, entertainment at the town squares were closed when the pandemic was under much better control than it currently is. Fast forward, the pandemic numbers have never been worse, and a massive influx of potential Covid spreaders are migrating south. Then the seasonal influx of high risk children and grandchildren visitors will follow. People from all over the country will be flying to Florida and converging on the 55 plus community that has been relatively safe during the slow season, where the older and more vulnerable full time residents generally take appropriate precautions. Despite this, starting next week the town squares will go back to business as usual, like the pandemic doesn’t even exist, WTF?

Could there possibly be a worse time to decide to open everything back up? I get that the powers that be need to sell all the houses they are cranking out, and it’s hard to sell houses without being able to showcase the Villages experience. But this could backfire in a big way if the Villages Covid numbers spike, which they most likely will. Not only that, but all the new houses they are trying to sell will have to compete with all the new pre-owned homes that will go on the market vacated by unfortunate Covid victims.

OK, all the Covid deniers, let me have it, I can deal with it.

[Taltarzac725]

Bobby Pickett "Monster Mash" - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNuVifA7DSU)

I hope we do not all turn up in the cemetery or doing the monster mash! All dressed up as mummies that is or acting like zombies.

[Advogado]

So, entertainment at the town squares were closed when the pandemic was under much better control than it currently is. Fast forward, the pandemic numbers have never been worse, and a massive influx of potential Covid spreaders are migrating south. Then the seasonal influx of high risk children and grandchildren visitors will follow. People from all over the country will be flying to Florida and converging on the 55 plus community that has been relatively safe during the slow season, where the older and more vulnerable full time residents generally take appropriate precautions. Despite this, starting next week the town squares will go back to business as usual, like the pandemic doesn’t even exist, WTF?

Could there possibly be a worse time to decide to open everything back up? I get that the powers that be need to sell all the houses they are cranking out, and it’s hard to sell houses without being able to showcase the Villages experience. But this could backfire in a big way if the Villages Covid numbers spike, which they most likely will. Not only that, but all the new houses they are trying to sell will have to compete with all the new pre-owned homes that will go on the market vacated by unfortunate Covid victims.

OK, all the Covid deniers, let me have it, I can deal with it.

The Sumter County Commission, which is no longer in the Developer's pocket, needs to act to put an end to this insanity. People are going to die.

[patfla06]

So, entertainment at the town squares were closed when the pandemic was under much better control than it currently is. Fast forward, the pandemic numbers have never been worse, and a massive influx of potential Covid spreaders are migrating south. Then the seasonal influx of high risk children and grandchildren visitors will follow. People from all over the country will be flying to Florida and converging on the 55 plus community that has been relatively safe during the slow season, where the older and more vulnerable full time residents generally take appropriate precautions. Despite this, starting next week the town squares will go back to business as usual, like the pandemic doesn’t even exist, WTF?

Could there possibly be a worse time to decide to open everything back up? I get that the powers that be need to sell all the houses they are cranking out, and it’s hard to sell houses without being able to showcase the Villages experience. But this could backfire in a big way if the Villages Covid numbers spike, which they most likely will. Not only that, but all the new houses they are trying to sell will have to compete with all the new pre-owned homes that will go on the market vacated by unfortunate Covid victims.

OK, all the Covid deniers, let me have it, I can deal with it.

I totally agree with you.

Since the start of this pandemic my response to people going back to normal life has been “what’s changed?”

I am high risk and cannot resume my previous way of life.
I understand many are NOT high risk and their response may be quite different.

One thing we can all agree with is everyone would like life back to normal.

[LiverpoolWalrus]

The Florida strategy appears to be herd immunity. A White House official said a couple of weeks ago “we can’t control the virus” and Florida powers-that-be might feel the same way. Just my take.

[Worldseries27]

so, entertainment at the town squares were closed when the pandemic was under much better control than it currently is. Fast forward, the pandemic numbers have never been worse, and a massive influx of potential covid spreaders are migrating south. Then the seasonal influx of high risk children and grandchildren visitors will follow. People from all over the country will be flying to florida and converging on the 55 plus community that has been relatively safe during the slow season, where the older and more vulnerable full time residents generally take appropriate precautions. Despite this, starting next week the town squares will go back to business as usual, like the pandemic doesn’t even exist, wtf?

Could there possibly be a worse time to decide to open everything back up? I get that the powers that be need to sell all the houses they are cranking out, and it’s hard to sell houses without being able to showcase the villages experience. But this could backfire in a big way if the villages covid numbers spike, which they most likely will. Not only that, but all the new houses they are trying to sell will have to compete with all the new pre-owned homes that will go on the market vacated by unfortunate covid victims.

Ok, all the covid deniers, let me have it, i can deal with it.
no one should let you" have it".
Your points are valid. However , there is an instruction given to fighters in the ring. " gentleman, protect yourselves at all times"
pretty good advice.
Rely upon your own instincts for self preservation.
Good luck to all.

[westernrider75]

I would be very surprised if you are able to get a vaccine in December, just saying.

[DrBrutyle109]

Why Covid deniers? You stay home and cower in your house. I’ll go out, be careful and enjoy the The life I worked 50 years to have.

[jksturgeon]

no one should let you" have it".
Your points are valid. However , there is an instruction given to fighters in the ring. " gentleman, protect yourselves at all times"
pretty good advice.
Rely upon your own instincts for self preservation.
Good luck to all.
It is not the responsibility of The Villages to protect you. if you feel unsafe going to the squares, don't go.
You must take personal responsibility to protect yourself as you see fit.

[Cheapbas]

The Florida strategy appears to be herd immunity. A White House official said a couple of weeks ago “we can’t control the virus” and Florida powers-that-be might feel the same way. Just my take.

I believe the context was “won’t” control the virus, although your quote above is accurate.

[Scott O]

So, entertainment at the town squares were closed when the pandemic was under much better control than it currently is. Fast forward, the pandemic numbers have never been worse, and a massive influx of potential Covid spreaders are migrating south. Then the seasonal influx of high risk children and grandchildren visitors will follow. People from all over the country will be flying to Florida and converging on the 55 plus community that has been relatively safe during the slow season, where the older and more vulnerable full time residents generally take appropriate precautions. Despite this, starting next week the town squares will go back to business as usual, like the pandemic doesn’t even exist, WTF?

Could there possibly be a worse time to decide to open everything back up? I get that the powers that be need to sell all the houses they are cranking out, and it’s hard to sell houses without being able to showcase the Villages experience. But this could backfire in a big way if the Villages Covid numbers spike, which they most likely will. Not only that, but all the new houses they are trying to sell will have to compete with all the new pre-owned homes that will go on the market vacated by unfortunate Covid victims.

OK, all the Covid deniers, let me have it, I can deal with it.
Can the TOTV just have a CCP aka Covid ban like politics? This is just beyond ridiculous...we have been on this hamster wheel of discussion for months now and it’s NEVER going to change...are people’s lives so boring that this is the only thought or discussion they can fixate on? Yesterday we had a nut job talking about shooting people who walked to close to him on a thread, I found this just unbelievable that his posts were not removed...yet I’ve had some pretty benign comments removed on this forum...the censorship here needs to take a look at their guidelines and find some consistency....

[Miguel 1952]

I would be very surprised if you are able to get a vaccine in December, just saying.

I too agree that December vaccinations is very optimistic. Hoping the vaccine is approved very soon though. My best!

[jack.hunter00@yahoo.com]

They want everything to look normal so that snowbirds will come back and purchase new property which they have stock piled.
There is no concern about the population already here.

Very unfortunate

[jmkeyzers]

Easy fix. Stay home.

[matandch]

Unfortunately people have lost interest in mitigating the pandemic at this point. Then there are the outright deniers as you mention. It’s now every man for himself. Good luck. We’re Doomed!

[banjobob]

I agree with your comment , those with their hair on fire about Covid should do everything possible to protect themselves. I am in good health, thank God and am going to enjoy life.

[Mardarlowe]

Easy fix. Stay home. Stop whining.

[MandoMan]

So, entertainment at the town squares were closed when the pandemic was under much better control than it currently is. Fast forward, the pandemic numbers have never been worse, and a massive influx of potential Covid spreaders are migrating south. Then the seasonal influx of high risk children and grandchildren visitors will follow. People from all over the country will be flying to Florida and converging on the 55 plus community that has been relatively safe during the slow season, where the older and more vulnerable full time residents generally take appropriate precautions. Despite this, starting next week the town squares will go back to business as usual, like the pandemic doesn’t even exist, WTF?

Could there possibly be a worse time to decide to open everything back up? I get that the powers that be need to sell all the houses they are cranking out, and it’s hard to sell houses without being able to showcase the Villages experience. But this could backfire in a big way if the Villages Covid numbers spike, which they most likely will. Not only that, but all the new houses they are trying to sell will have to compete with all the new pre-owned homes that will go on the market vacated by unfortunate Covid victims.

OK, all the Covid deniers, let me have it, I can deal with it.

As Nancy Reagan used to say: “Just Say No!” Look for me at the town squares. You won’t find me.

[Blackmagic]

Why open the town squares ?
The treatments are more effective and the mortality rate is down from those who contracted it. As Americans we have civil liberties that allow us to make decisions on risk and reward. If you are at risk stay home and don’t infringe on others who have very low risk.

[acornhome]

Why Covid deniers? You stay home and cower in your house. I’ll go out, be careful and enjoy the The life I worked 50 years to have.

Because when you are done drinking and dancing you go to Publix, the dr’s office, or the gas station where you run into people who have been “cowering in their homes” because of compromised health issues or age but still need food, gas and to get to the drs office. That’s why.

[sktb888]

So, entertainment at the town squares were closed when the pandemic was under much better control than it currently is. Fast forward, the pandemic numbers have never been worse, and a massive influx of potential Covid spreaders are migrating south. Then the seasonal influx of high risk children and grandchildren visitors will follow. People from all over the country will be flying to Florida and converging on the 55 plus community that has been relatively safe during the slow season, where the older and more vulnerable full time residents generally take appropriate precautions. Despite this, starting next week the town squares will go back to business as usual, like the pandemic doesn’t even exist, WTF?

Could there possibly be a worse time to decide to open everything back up? I get that the powers that be need to sell all the houses they are cranking out, and it’s hard to sell houses without being able to showcase the Villages experience. But this could backfire in a big way if the Villages Covid numbers spike, which they most likely will. Not only that, but all the new houses they are trying to sell will have to compete with all the new pre-owned homes that will go on the market vacated by unfortunate Covid victims.

OK, all the Covid deniers, let me have it, I can deal with it.
In total agreement. Thanks for posting.

[Dana1963]

So, entertainment at the town squares were closed when the pandemic was under much better control than it currently is. Fast forward, the pandemic numbers have never been worse, and a massive influx of potential Covid spreaders are migrating south. Then the seasonal influx of high risk children and grandchildren visitors will follow. People from all over the country will be flying to Florida and converging on the 55 plus community that has been relatively safe during the slow season, where the older and more vulnerable full time residents generally take appropriate precautions. Despite this, starting next week the town squares will go back to business as usual, like the pandemic doesn’t even exist, WTF?

Could there possibly be a worse time to decide to open everything back up? I get that the powers that be need to sell all the houses they are cranking out, and it’s hard to sell houses without being able to showcase the Villages experience. But this could backfire in a big way if the Villages Covid numbers spike, which they most likely will. Not only that, but all the new houses they are trying to sell will have to compete with all the new pre-owned homes that will go on the market vacated by unfortunate Covid victims.

OK, all the Covid deniers, let me have it, I can deal with it.
$ $ $

[Blackmagic]

The treatments are better and the mortality rate from those who contract it are down. For those who are more at risk stay at home and don’t infringe on the civil liberties of others who have a lower risk.

[Beyond The Wall]

You can stay home if your afraid or you can chose to live life. The China Virus is serious . It is not seasonal. There are now treatments for it and a vaccine or 2 are on the way. With tickets to square there were more people outside surrounding squares then inside them! I chose life standing rather then sitting in fear. Yes I’m sure it is economically related but I don’t care what the motivation is. I’m just pleased they are opening .

[TandHSTAR@AOL.com]

Well said. If you do not look out for yourself don"t make it the responsibility of others
Be Safe but don't become a hermit.

[divolady@bellsouth.net]

My take is everyone is in control of their self. If one doesn’t think going to the square at this time is good for them. Don’t go. Stay home get things brought to you. We know what is best for ourselves.

[Singerlady]

So, entertainment at the town squares were closed when the pandemic was under much better control than it currently is. Fast forward, the pandemic numbers have never been worse, and a massive influx of potential Covid spreaders are migrating south. Then the seasonal influx of high risk children and grandchildren visitors will follow. People from all over the country will be flying to Florida and converging on the 55 plus community that has been relatively safe during the slow season, where the older and more vulnerable full time residents generally take appropriate precautions. Despite this, starting next week the town squares will go back to business as usual, like the pandemic doesn’t even exist, WTF?

Could there possibly be a worse time to decide to open everything back up? I get that the powers that be need to sell all the houses they are cranking out, and it’s hard to sell houses without being able to showcase the Villages experience. But this could backfire in a big way if the Villages Covid numbers spike, which they most likely will. Not only that, but all the new houses they are trying to sell will have to compete with all the new pre-owned homes that will go on the market vacated by unfortunate Covid victims.

OK, all the Covid deniers, let me have it, I can deal with it.
Totally agree! No brains in this decision. We’ll stay away, thank you. We can’t trust where all have been, if they’ll follow CDC guidelines and where masks. Stupid, stupid, stupid....

[Singerlady]

Why Covid deniers? You stay home and cower in your house. I’ll go out, be careful and enjoy the The life I worked 50 years to have.

Thank you for caring about others and their situation. What a guy! (Person) NOT!

[8notes]

Because when you are done drinking and dancing you go to Publix, the dr’s office, or the gas station where you run into people who have been “cowering in their homes” because of compromised health issues or age but still need food, gas and to get to the drs office. That’s why.

:bigbow: Amen. Unfortunately the selfish and entitled won't understand this.

[wisbad1]

no one should let you" have it".
Your points are valid. However , there is an instruction given to fighters in the ring. " gentleman, protect yourselves at all times"
pretty good advice.
Rely upon your own instincts for self preservation.
Good luck to all.
Think about all the social security they won’t have to pay. Money saving, sad.

[lindaelane]

It is possible to entirely stay home if that is your choice. There is grocery delivery, there is delivery from the drug store (door dash) and there is telemedicine. If you need to go to your doctor's office, no one is allowed in without a temperature check, a mask and social distancing, so you are not going to catch it there. Why not let those small businesses survive?

Deaths of despair (suicide, drugs) are way up. Deaths of people not getting cancer checks are going to go way up. Deaths of people so afraid of Covid they have strokes and heart attacks and call no one are up. In New York, when the lockdown was strict, 63% of those catching the disease had been locked down. In other words, the fact that there are essential workers already means the disease can spread in the community to anyone going out at all, or letting someone in their home who goes out.

Epidemiologists before this year always said "lockdowns do not work" - exception: 100 percent lockdown early in the disease, but we can't do that. You can look up this fact on the WHO site. Epidemiologists had no evidence that lockdowns were suddenly going to work, they just used them to slow the spread, stopping hospitals from being overwhelmed. In spite of scary headlines that our hospitals have more in them that they did before, only one-third of those are in hospital for Covid and no hospital yet has been unable to accept patients.

- - In some degree it seems to be a function of where you get your news, sensationalism creates ratings - why not change the channel to different news or read some facts from the internet?

Those who doubt we will get a vaccine in December - Do you know non-political doctors say that is when it will happen? Again, your news channel gets ratings by scaring you. A large majority of Americans believe "the news" is often untruthful. Please cheer up. Stay home with only no-contact delivery if you decide to, but please cheer up at least about the vaccine.

Oh, and read the Great Barrington Declaration (find it through a search engine) - signed by tens of thousands of medical professionals including epidemiologists and public health officials.

[Singerlady]

Why open the town squares ?
The treatments are more effective and the mortality rate is down from those who contracted it. As Americans we have civil liberties that allow us to make decisions on risk and reward. If you are at risk stay home and don’t infringe on others who have very low risk.
Get the virus...survive..ok! What are the long term effects from this virus? NO ONE KNOWS YET! That’s where my brain is. Whether you are low or high risk.......if you get it and survive, what will your health be like in 10-20 or even 5-10 years. Frankly, I don’t want to think about that. Not fearful, just being smart, cautious and RESPECTFUL of others who may not be in my situation!

[Debfrommaine]

It is not the responsibility of The Villages to protect you. if you feel unsafe going to the squares, don't go.
You must take personal responsibility to protect yourself as you see fit.

Absolutely.

[Jazzman]

It is possible to entirely stay home if that is your choice. There is grocery delivery, there is delivery from the drug store (door dash) and there is telemedicine. If you need to go to your doctor's office, no one is allowed in without a temperature check, a mask and social distancing, so you are not going to catch it there. Why not let those small businesses survive?

Deaths of despair (suicide, drugs) are way up. Deaths of people not getting cancer checks are going to go way up. Deaths of people so afraid of Covid they have strokes and heart attacks and call no one are up. In New York, when the lockdown was strict, 63% of those catching the disease had been locked down. In other words, the fact that there are essential workers already means the disease can spread in the community to anyone going out at all, or letting someone in their home who goes out.

Epidemiologists before this year always said "lockdowns do not work" - exception: 100 percent lockdown early in the disease, but we can't do that. You can look up this fact on the WHO site. Epidemiologists had no evidence that lockdowns were suddenly going to work, they just used them to slow the spread, stopping hospitals from being overwhelmed. In spite of scary headlines that our hospitals have more in them that they did before, only one-third of those are in hospital for Covid and no hospital yet has been unable to accept patients.

- - In some degree it seems to be a function of where you get your news, sensationalism creates ratings - why not change the channel to different news or read some facts from the internet?

Those who doubt we will get a vaccine in December - Do you know non-political doctors say that is when it will happen? Again, your news channel gets ratings by scaring you. A large majority of Americans believe "the news" is often untruthful. Please cheer up. Stay home with only no-contact delivery if you decide to, but please cheer up at least about the vaccine.

Oh, and read the Great Barrington Declaration (find it through a search engine) - signed by tens of thousands of medical professionals including epidemiologists and public health officials.

👍👍👍👍👍👍

[oneclickplus]

So, entertainment at the town squares were closed when the pandemic was under much better control than it currently is. Fast forward, the pandemic numbers have never been worse, and a massive influx of potential Covid spreaders are migrating south. Then the seasonal influx of high risk children and grandchildren visitors will follow. People from all over the country will be flying to Florida and converging on the 55 plus community that has been relatively safe during the slow season, where the older and more vulnerable full time residents generally take appropriate precautions. Despite this, starting next week the town squares will go back to business as usual, like the pandemic doesn’t even exist, WTF?

Could there possibly be a worse time to decide to open everything back up? I get that the powers that be need to sell all the houses they are cranking out, and it’s hard to sell houses without being able to showcase the Villages experience. But this could backfire in a big way if the Villages Covid numbers spike, which they most likely will. Not only that, but all the new houses they are trying to sell will have to compete with all the new pre-owned homes that will go on the market vacated by unfortunate Covid victims.

OK, all the Covid deniers, let me have it, I can deal with it.

Not a COVID denier - rather a COVID realist. We all need to be exposed for herd immunity to take effect. Be a patriot and take off your mask. Shakes hands with a stranger. Go to the town square events and mingle mingle mingle. We need to see 1,000,000 ... 2,000,000 ... 5,000,000 new cases (positivity tests - not deaths) every day. Lets "git'er done".

This is NOT sarcasm.

[72lions]

It is not the responsibility of The Villages to protect you. if you feel unsafe going to the squares, don't go.
You must take personal responsibility to protect yourself as you see fit.

As you too must take personal responsibility to not infect others.

[Johnsocat]

Recovery rate is 99+%. You got the same chances of getting pregnant with a condom. I think I'll take my chances and begin living life again. If course I'll wear mask if I cant distance myself.

[oneclickplus]

As you too must take personal responsibility to not infect others.

Nonsense. This assumes you know that you are contagious. The alternative is that we assume everyone is contagious (which is what most are doing now). And that's just ridiculous. I'm not responsible for making sure others don't catch the virus. Put on YOUR mask. Wash YOUR hands. Cower in YOUR house. Then, you don't have to worry about what everyone else is doing.

As if this isn't extreme absurdity already - can we just BAN all cars / planes/ lawnmowers to protect asthmatics from dying from pollution? Why aren't you worried about that?

"And you too must take personal responsibility for not putting any pollution in the air which will cause a child with asthma to die. Do it for the children."

It involves the same logic (but not the same agenda)

[merrymini]

Fun to watch you be manipulated by the crazy media. Run rats run!

[Krittermom]

Easy fix. Stay home.
Yes, those of us with preexisting conditions do stay home. But we still need to go out to the pharmacy, groceries and doctor offices, where we run the risk of exposure from those who just don’t care to take precautions.

[Bill14564]

Because when you are done drinking and dancing you go to Publix, the dr’s office, or the gas station where you run into people who have been “cowering in their homes” because of compromised health issues or age but still need food, gas and to get to the drs office. That’s why.

Please take proper precautions to protect yourself in these situations. Publix should require masks but if there is someone not wearing one, stay away from them. A doctor's waiting room is full of sick people by definition; if they don't require a masks then find yourself a different doctor! I don't know if it is physically possible for me to be within six feet of another person while pumping gas, I'm certainly not there for 15 minutes, but according to the CDC you wearing a mask and using hand sanitizer will help protect you.

In most of the country Covid is not being spread by those who enjoyed the entertainment at the squares in The Villages. Covid is in the community (some more than others) and you can't tell where. Assume everyone you come in contact with is a potential carrier and you take necessary precautions to protect yourself.

[Deb H]

agreed

[Stu from NYC]

Guess full capacity of the squares is all about the money.

Merchants at the square have probably put pressure on to either reopen or they fold so reopen we will go.

[dewilson58]

Yes, those of us with preexisting conditions do stay home. But we still need to go out to the pharmacy, groceries and doctor offices, where we run the risk of exposure from those who just don’t care to take precautions.


Bingo.


Others are thinking, It's all about me.

[rugbyjohn]

You are absolutely correct.

[Lil GTO]

Why Covid deniers? You stay home and cower in your house. I’ll go out, be careful and enjoy the The life I worked 50 years to have.

Exactly

[Lil GTO]

I agree with your comment , those with their hair on fire about Covid should do everything possible to protect themselves. I am in good health, thank God and am going to enjoy life.

Agree and life is to short to lock down and watch the clock tick off.

[Lil GTO]

Because when you are done drinking and dancing you go to Publix, the dr’s office, or the gas station where you run into people who have been “cowering in their homes” because of compromised health issues or age but still need food, gas and to get to the drs office. That’s why.

If you’re going to get it you are and if you’re not you won’t.

[Lil GTO]

You can stay home if your afraid or you can chose to live life. The China Virus is serious . It is not seasonal. There are now treatments for it and a vaccine or 2 are on the way. With tickets to square there were more people outside surrounding squares then inside them! I chose life standing rather then sitting in fear. Yes I’m sure it is economically related but I don’t care what the motivation is. I’m just pleased they are opening .

Well said and I couldn’t agree more.

[Travelingal702]

I too agree that December vaccinations is very optimistic. Hoping the vaccine is approved very soon though. My best!

Even if the vaccine IS available in December, I won't be rushing to get mine. I'd want to know what the side effects are and how it interacts with my current medication. I heard that one of the side effects is mental illness. Would someone with a predisposition to dementia or Alzheimer's be more likely to be affected? And, if so, would they want the shot or would they be willing to take their chances? Something to think about.

[fastboat]

So, entertainment at the town squares were closed when the pandemic was under much better control than it currently is. Fast forward, the pandemic numbers have never been worse, and a massive influx of potential Covid spreaders are migrating south. Then the seasonal influx of high risk children and grandchildren visitors will follow. People from all over the country will be flying to Florida and converging on the 55 plus community that has been relatively safe during the slow season, where the older and more vulnerable full time residents generally take appropriate precautions. Despite this, starting next week the town squares will go back to business as usual, like the pandemic doesn’t even exist, WTF?

Could there possibly be a worse time to decide to open everything back up? I get that the powers that be need to sell all the houses they are cranking out, and it’s hard to sell houses without being able to showcase the Villages experience. But this could backfire in a big way if the Villages Covid numbers spike, which they most likely will. Not only that, but all the new houses they are trying to sell will have to compete with all the new pre-owned homes that will go on the market vacated by unfortunate Covid victims.

OK, all the Covid deniers, let me have it, I can deal with it.

Simple solution for you, don't go.

[Chitown]

As of today’s date in Florida. 871,000 cases, 17,400 deaths, do the math. 2% death rate, 98% recovery rate. I know of plenty of people who have had the virus and have completely recovered with minor symptoms and have no complications, including myself. Last night in Brownwood Square it was blooming there had to be 200 people on the dance floor everyone was enjoying themselves and having a great time. If you want to stay home if you wanna wear your mask by all means do so but leave us who don’t think like you alone. We will be going to the restaurants, we will be going to the town squares, we will be enjoying life without the worry of catching the virus. And if I see you in the town square or walking the street I will be very proud to shake your hand. By the way don’t feel sorry for me and I don’t wanna hear your ridiculous argument about how we don’t know what the long-term effects are even if we recover.

[Lil GTO]

It is possible to entirely stay home if that is your choice. There is grocery delivery, there is delivery from the drug store (door dash) and there is telemedicine. If you need to go to your doctor's office, no one is allowed in without a temperature check, a mask and social distancing, so you are not going to catch it there. Why not let those small businesses survive?

Deaths of despair (suicide, drugs) are way up. Deaths of people not getting cancer checks are going to go way up. Deaths of people so afraid of Covid they have strokes and heart attacks and call no one are up. In New York, when the lockdown was strict, 63% of those catching the disease had been locked down. In other words, the fact that there are essential workers already means the disease can spread in the community to anyone going out at all, or letting someone in their home who goes out.

Epidemiologists before this year always said "lockdowns do not work" - exception: 100 percent lockdown early in the disease, but we can't do that. You can look up this fact on the WHO site. Epidemiologists had no evidence that lockdowns were suddenly going to work, they just used them to slow the spread, stopping hospitals from being overwhelmed. In spite of scary headlines that our hospitals have more in them that they did before, only one-third of those are in hospital for Covid and no hospital yet has been unable to accept patients.

- - In some degree it seems to be a function of where you get your news, sensationalism creates ratings - why not change the channel to different news or read some facts from the internet?

Those who doubt we will get a vaccine in December - Do you know non-political doctors say that is when it will happen? Again, your news channel gets ratings by scaring you. A large majority of Americans believe "the news" is often untruthful. Please cheer up. Stay home with only no-contact delivery if you decide to, but please cheer up at least about the vaccine.

Oh, and read the Great Barrington Declaration (find it through a search engine) - signed by tens of thousands of medical professionals including epidemiologists and public health officials.

Very well written and all true.

[terenceanne]

If you want to risk your life to hear another version of "Mustang Sally" then go ahead doesn't bother me.

[Altavia]

The virus requires some minimal time at an exposure level. So outdoors in fresh air is orders of magnitude lower risk than inside.

[Tom M]

Even if the vaccine IS available in December, I won't be rushing to get mine. I'd want to know what the side effects are and how it interacts with my current medication. I heard that one of the side effects is mental illness. Would someone with a predisposition to dementia or Alzheimer's be more likely to be affected? And, if so, would they want the shot or would they be willing to take their chances? Something to think about.

Please cite your source before you throw stuff out like that. I believe you're confusing a side effect of COVID survivors as mental illness (all the more reason to get the vaccine). And "mental illness" includes depression and anxiety - both of which are certainly understandable if someone gets Covid.

[Queenie504]

You are so right.

[Tom M]

As of today’s date in Florida. 871,000 cases, 17,400 deaths, do the math. 2% death rate, 98% recovery rate. I know of plenty of people who have had the virus and have completely recovered with minor symptoms and have no complications, including myself. Last night in Brownwood Square it was blooming there had to be 200 people on the dance floor everyone was enjoying themselves and having a great time. If you want to stay home if you wanna wear your mask by all means do so but leave us who don’t think like you alone. We will be going to the restaurants, we will be going to the town squares, we will be enjoying life without the worry of catching the virus. And if I see you in the town square or walking the street I will be very proud to shake your hand. By the way don’t feel sorry for me and I don’t wanna hear your ridiculous argument about how we don’t know what the long-term effects are even if we recover.

Except they still think that several times more people have had it than have tested positive. The last number I heard was 6 to 10 times more. So take the 2% rate and divide by 6 (0.33%). However, there are certainly a lot of people who have it that are not yet recovered so the number is still in flux. And still one more point - there's been a lot of treatment improvements so it's hard to mix in a mortality rate in April and apply that to November. One could suggest if someone is doing that math to look at rates for the past 3 months rather than the entire duration.

[Advogado]

“We blew it: U.S. reaches explosive COVID-19 spread as virus is nearly impossible to control, experts say.” The recklessness of fully opening the squares without even a mask requirement can only be explained by the Developer's selfish desire to jack up his rental income from area businesses.

It is time for the Sumter County Commission to act and save lives-- not just of those idiots who will actually go to the squares, but, more importantly, the lives of the people whom they will later infect.

[GPGuar]

Can the TOTV just have a CCP aka Covid ban like politics? This is just beyond ridiculous...we have been on this hamster wheel of discussion for months now and it’s NEVER going to change...are people’s lives so boring that this is the only thought or discussion they can fixate on? Yesterday we had a nut job talking about shooting people who walked to close to him on a thread, I found this just unbelievable that his posts were not removed...yet I’ve had some pretty benign comments removed on this forum...the censorship here needs to take a look at their guidelines and find some consistency....

I couldn’t agree more, how many threads need to be written about masks or Covid19. Enough already! Wear a mask or don’t, go to the squares or stay inside, just use the common sense that God gave you and try to be safe. Covid will pass hopefully sooner than later. I like reading TOTV but I’m really getting sick of the same type of threads about masks and covid19 over and over again. JMO!

[Sunfla1998@gmail.com]

Too dangerous to get out in the public.

[CWGUY]

I couldn’t agree more, how many threads need to be written about masks or Covid19. Enough already! Wear a mask or don’t, go to the squares or stay inside, just use the common sense that God gave you and try to be safe. Covid will pass hopefully sooner than later. I like reading TOTV but I’m really getting sick of the same type of threads about masks and covid19 over and over again. JMO!

:bigbow: Thank you!

[Sedlecky]

Because when you are done drinking and dancing you go to Publix, the dr’s office, or the gas station where you run into people who have been “cowering in their homes” because of compromised health issues or age but still need food, gas and to get to the drs office. That’s why.
EXACTLY correct!

[Lindsyburnsy]

Definitely don't want to go to an overpacked, overworked hospital, or worse yet, no beds or staff. These people have families too. So many doubters don't want to wear masks "my body, my decision"?? Have a little consideration for the healthcare workers and wear a damn mask and keep your distance!

[CWGUY]

“We blew it: U.S. reaches explosive COVID-19 spread as virus is nearly impossible to control, experts say.” The recklessness of fully opening the squares without even a mask requirement can only be explained by the Developer's selfish desire to jack up his rental income from area businesses.

It is time for the Sumter County Commission to act and save lives-- not just of those idiots who will actually go to the squares, but, more importantly, the lives of the people whom they will later infect.

:confused: Do you think your hatred for the developer or your name calling of residents helps your argument? :shrug:

[stanley]

:confused: Do you think your hatred for the developer or your name calling of residents help your argument? :shrug:

There's a lot of posters calling people names when others don't agree with them......when all else fails call someone a name.......childish

[Plain&peanut]

If people think they will die or get sick from going to the squares then they should stay home. It’s that simple. Personal responsibility
Life has choices.

[sooziesoul]

WHERE masks?????? I thinks it WEAR masks!!!!!

[stanley]

not just of those idiots

I know you are but what am I.....................nah nah nah nah nah:p

[shut the front door]

Not a COVID denier - rather a COVID realist. We all need to be exposed for herd immunity to take effect. Be a patriot and take off your mask. Shakes hands with a stranger. Go to the town square events and mingle mingle mingle. We need to see 1,000,000 ... 2,000,000 ... 5,000,000 new cases (positivity tests - not deaths) every day. Lets "git'er done".

This is NOT sarcasm.

This is what the sky is falling crowd refuse to accept. Yes, covid cases have gone up. THAT IS GOOD! You know why? Because hospitalizations and deaths have gone DOWN! That means herd immunity is spreading.
When I use the FL dashboard, I am only interested in hospitalizations and deaths. The rest is just numbers for the "I'm not living my life and I don't want anyone else to, either" crowd to whine about.

[Marine1974]

In reality , you anti maskers and risk takers are putting the healthcare workers at risk and other people in your community and most likely looking for attention . When there are no more ventilators for you or a shortage of doctors or nurses , don’t complain about it . As you say , “live your life “ without being able to breath and don’t complain about it , Sadly . You are a healthcare workers worst nightmare. No the squares should not reopen right now . The country just saw its highest one day new cases number of Covid 19 , 152,000 in a day . At that rate it means every 10 days 1 million 520 thousand people will have contracted Covid 19 . In 100 days a 3rd of the country could contract the virus . That’s pretty serious numbers all because people want to live their life and not take precautions like the smart people who do . You can’t blame the President for this . Thank you for the people who are taking precautions and sacrificing and staying home. God speed . We can fight and stop this .

[Joe C.]

People need to give it a break ....... let things be.

[mrrmauu]

Can the TOTV just have a CCP aka Covid ban like politics? This is just beyond ridiculous...we have been on this hamster wheel of discussion for months now and it’s NEVER going to change...are people’s lives so boring that this is the only thought or discussion they can fixate on? Yesterday we had a nut job talking about shooting people who walked to close to him on a thread, I found this just unbelievable that his posts were not removed...yet I’ve had some pretty benign comments removed on this forum...the censorship here needs to take a look at their guidelines and find some consistency....

I agree! The pearl clutching is getting tiresome.

[kanoa1kale2]

So, entertainment at the town squares were closed when the pandemic was under much better control than it currently is. Fast forward, the pandemic numbers have never been worse, and a massive influx of potential Covid spreaders are migrating south. Then the seasonal influx of high risk children and grandchildren visitors will follow. People from all over the country will be flying to Florida and converging on the 55 plus community that has been relatively safe during the slow season, where the older and more vulnerable full time residents generally take appropriate precautions. Despite this, starting next week the town squares will go back to business as usual, like the pandemic doesn’t even exist, WTF?

Could there possibly be a worse time to decide to open everything back up? I get that the powers that be need to sell all the houses they are cranking out, and it’s hard to sell houses without being able to showcase the Villages experience. But this could backfire in a big way if the Villages Covid numbers spike, which they most likely will. Not only that, but all the new houses they are trying to sell will have to compete with all the new pre-owned homes that will go on the market vacated by unfortunate Covid victims.

OK, all the Covid deniers, let me have it, I can deal with it.

Just a basic understanding is needed of the economic vs need of quarantine. This country cannot survive another economic shutdown. We, in the Villages, have a bubble oriented view of the situation. Many are much older and have many comorbidities. Those people should definitely stay secluded and safe. Since we rely on retirement income, we aren't really affected much by the shutdown, other than the obvious isolation and lack of activities. However, perhaps we need to go talk to our "essential" workers who are asked to place their health on the line to provide us with our day to day needs. Are we willing to share our income to those laid off, with children and mortgages or rent to help them survive? The shutdown limited medical operations for "non-essential" surgeries or elective operations. Medical procedures that could have diagnosed deadly diseases earlier were bypassed in order to satisfy the lockdown. Covid has a 99% recovery rate for most people. If you are susceptible, stay home. Don't go running around looking for problems and trying to impress your dangerous comorbidities onto the rest of us. Stay home, take advantage of the many online order and delivery systems available to remain safe. Always remember, if you do this, you will not encounter those who are out and they become no danger to you. The vaccine is about six months out according to most "experts" guesses. The U.S. population is approx. 328 million, the covid cases are approx 11 million, giving us 317 million future targets for the virus. We are NOT going to control it anymore than we control other annual illnesses like the flu each year. We minimize it's affect as best we can and move on with our lives and continually search for better vaccines and support procedures for those that contract it.

[Advogado]

:confused: Do you think your hatred for the developer or your name calling of residents helps your argument? :shrug:
I believe that my criticism of the Developer and my characterization of residents who jeopardize not only their lives but, more importantly, the lives of others are fully justified by facts.

[Dayeight99]

Stay home.

[LiverpoolWalrus]

I am far from a Covid “denier” but I’d just like to say I track statewide positivity rates every couple of days, and I am pleasantly surprised that Sumter County’s rate is relatively low compared to the rest of the state. This in spite of two large rallies, restaurants opened and crowded for months and squares open for weeks.

I can’t seem to access and copy the data right now on my iPhone but it’s there for all to see on the FL Department of Health website.

[Jokomo]

It is not the responsibility of The Villages to protect you. if you feel unsafe going to the squares, don't go.
You must take personal responsibility to protect yourself as you see fit.

Society does have the right and the responsibility to protect its members from dangerous behaviors of others. It’s the core value of safety regulations, starting with not smoking in restaurants, wearing life jackets and seat belts, and ending with criminal laws against drunk driving, assault, and murder. People who don’t accept reasonable restrictions on group behavior, such as masking and social distancing, are a danger to themselves and others and should be treated accordingly.

[Rosebud1949]

So, entertainment at the town squares were closed when the pandemic was under much better control than it currently is. Fast forward, the pandemic numbers have never been worse, and a massive influx of potential Covid spreaders are migrating south. Then the seasonal influx of high risk children and grandchildren visitors will follow. People from all over the country will be flying to Florida and converging on the 55 plus community that has been relatively safe during the slow season, where the older and more vulnerable full time residents generally take appropriate precautions. Despite this, starting next week the town squares will go back to business as usual, like the pandemic doesn’t even exist, WTF?

Could there possibly be a worse time to decide to open everything back up? I get that the powers that be need to sell all the houses they are cranking out, and it’s hard to sell houses without being able to showcase the Villages experience. But this could backfire in a big way if the Villages Covid numbers spike, which they most likely will. Not only that, but all the new houses they are trying to sell will have to compete with all the new pre-owned homes that will go on the market vacated by unfortunate Covid victims.

OK, all the Covid deniers, let me have it, I can deal with it.

Thats the way they do things here BACKWARDS...... This week the storm was here Tues/Wed VCDD sends a email Wed afternoon saying Rec activities, gates courts etc will be closed from 11am.... too late...

Many who have been here for 10 years or more, know that the "whole idea" of this community and the control of it has totally got away from the Owners. Now only $$$$$$$$$$$$ matters, facilities are less, maintenance is poor in the older parts, and so it theVillages care.

[nick demis]

So, entertainment at the town squares were closed when the pandemic was under much better control than it currently is. Fast forward, the pandemic numbers have never been worse, and a massive influx of potential Covid spreaders are migrating south. Then the seasonal influx of high risk children and grandchildren visitors will follow. People from all over the country will be flying to Florida and converging on the 55 plus community that has been relatively safe during the slow season, where the older and more vulnerable full time residents generally take appropriate precautions. Despite this, starting next week the town squares will go back to business as usual, like the pandemic doesn’t even exist, WTF?

Could there possibly be a worse time to decide to open everything back up? I get that the powers that be need to sell all the houses they are cranking out, and it’s hard to sell houses without being able to showcase the Villages experience. But this could backfire in a big way if the Villages Covid numbers spike, which they most likely will. Not only that, but all the new houses they are trying to sell will have to compete with all the new pre-owned homes that will go on the market vacated by unfortunate Covid victims.

OK, all the Covid deniers, let me have it, I can deal with it.
Do what you want. Don't dictate what I should do.

[donassaid]

No one is denying Covid, just the insane paranoia associated with it. People screamed about the Trump rally and how, 2 weeks later there would be this massive outbreak of Covid. Didn't happen although I am sure some were hoping for it. Some are calling for a mask mandate and another complete lockdown all for a virus that has a 99.9% recovery rate! Absolutely insane. Many accuse those who refuse to wear masks as ignorant and selfish when the "science" of CDC has admitted that 84% of those who tested positive wore a mask most if not all the time. I don't ridicule those who wear a mask but respect their decision as well as their health issues that would make them more at risk. Is it too much to respect the personal decisions of those who choose not to buy in to this hysteria?

[chuckpedrey]

Those who are at risk should act accordingly. The rest of society should act accordingly as well.

[mgkw1]

This is The Villages giving the seasonal residents and the Lifestyle guests a false sense of safety. If you golf you will see they don't offer their golf staff any protection because they don't want the people thinking they may get sick. This is not a sterile bubble, but it is a controlled environment, and we do not control it.

[jarodrig]

Can the TOTV just have a CCP aka Covid ban like politics? This is just beyond ridiculous...we have been on this hamster wheel of discussion for months now and it’s NEVER going to change...are people’s lives so boring that this is the only thought or discussion they can fixate on? Yesterday we had a nut job talking about shooting people who walked to close to him on a thread, I found this just unbelievable that his posts were not removed...yet I’ve had some pretty benign comments removed on this forum...the censorship here needs to take a look at their guidelines and find some consistency....

Did you take a moment or two to report the post ?? With the thousands of posts daily, I don’t think it is reasonable to assume that they read all of them.....

I haven’t read through the 6 pages on this thread so don’t know if anyone else asked you the same question......

[Curtisbwp]

I am NOT a covid denyer, i know it is real and a clear danger. I do not care if the squares are open or closed. I assume responsibility for MY safety. I do what i think is best for me.

[jarodrig]

Even if the vaccine IS available in December, I won't be rushing to get mine. I'd want to know what the side effects are and how it interacts with my current medication. I heard that one of the side effects is mental illness. Would someone with a predisposition to dementia or Alzheimer's be more likely to be affected? And, if so, would they want the shot or would they be willing to take their chances? Something to think about.

Thank You !!! :bigbow:

That will result in the availability to get my vaccine sooner !!! :coolsmiley:

[Bogie Shooter]

This is The Villages giving the seasonal residents and the Lifestyle guests a false sense of safety. If you golf you will see they don't offer their golf staff any protection because they don't want the people thinking they may get sick. This is not a sterile bubble, but it is a controlled environment, and we do not control it.

Huh? Been playing champs staff in pro shops are masked up.

[Seve1]

Man you folks are jumping to unfounded conclusions. They have been limiting the crowds and masks are mandatory. It is outside. If people are uncomfortable with the situation, please stay home. My wife and I stay away, but don’t begrudge those that attend the square activities as long as they follow the vivid guidelines. We are all adults here and personally I’m fine with the way it’s been handled. We need to live our lives, we’ve had flu virus for a long time and never locked down. Even the crazy WHO said lockdowns don’t work. Some of you people are getting paranoid again. Like I said if you’re concerned stay home.

[doodles]

Was announced that essential services will be first the rest of us should not expect vaccines until April at the earliest

[allsport]

Actually I think the gov wants to kill off the old people but those are the ones that elected him, so maybe he needs to rethink his strategy.

[jimjamuser]

The Florida strategy appears to be herd immunity. A White House official said a couple of weeks ago “we can’t control the virus” and Florida powers-that-be might feel the same way. Just my take.
Herd Immunity does NOT work and it will play into the hands of our enemies like Russia. The US has been making such bad decisions in the last recent years, that China will become the #1 economic world power. It is especially sad because we could have controlled CV nationally with simple, intelligent early actions. Spitting out words like HOAX at a virus and doing nothing will live on in History as a textbook example of bad leadership. Locally here in TV Land we are ALL guilty of NOT reacting to reality. Look to Australia, New Zealand, Germany, and other countries for the solutions that worked for them - try to learn from our mistakes. .......And in order to pre-butt the fool that always tells me," you can't compare the US to other countries"......I would tell them......Yes, it is a bad comparison because those countries are successful and we are currently on the trash heap in COMPLETE disarray!

[FromNY]

Because when you are done drinking and dancing you go to Publix, the dr’s office, or the gas station where you run into people who have been “cowering in their homes” because of compromised health issues or age but still need food, gas and to get to the drs office. That’s why.
If you have no regard for others that is fine. Just remember when you get sick the people who work in health care are risking their lives to save yours.
Wear the darn mask😷.Wash your hands and go on your self centered selfish way. Every person is accountable and responsible for SELF. Oh and if your grandchildren get sick or get you sick that's fine. As long as it is not a serious occurrence. And pray no long term results. Yes live love dance drink play. Just be aware you are human and the drugs given to high powerful people are not available to you ...yet.

[coffeebean]

It is not the responsibility of The Villages to protect you. if you feel unsafe going to the squares, don't go.
You must take personal responsibility to protect yourself as you see fit.

I won't go to the squares until I'm vaccinated. However, in the mean time, I still want to go out to eat in restaurants. The virus is going to be rampant in the next month or two, much worse than it is now, with the squares being open for business as usual.

Me not going to the squares does not help me when I want to go out to dinner in a restaurant. As it is, now that restaurants can open to full capacity, there is no more distancing like it was with 50% capacity. I truly believe, Florida is opening up too quickly. I wish we could all just wait the few more months it is going to be before the vaccine will be available to everyone.

Vaccine? Sign me up! I want to get back to a normal life.

[graciegirl]

They want everything to look normal so that snowbirds will come back and purchase new property which they have stock piled.
There is no concern about the population already here.

Very unfortunate

Watch carefully at the homes sold here...every day. EVERY DAY. The housing market is booming here as it is most every where in the U.S.

We can't control the virus. We can control ourselves. The Villages is not our mother.

[coffeebean]

I believe the context was “won’t” control the virus, although your quote above is accurate.

I totally agree with this. We, as Americans, most certainly are able to control the virus if only we all would follow the guidelines. It is so unfortunate that many people are not on board with slowing the spread of the virus. We will never be able to accomplish what needs to be done by the attitudes of too many Americans.

[Byte1]

Oh dear, the sky is falling. Repent, for the end is nigh.
No one is going to get sick because someone is not wearing a mask. You wear the mask and you can feel protected, period. Get over thinking that you are so important that you can disrupt everyone else's lives.

[coffeebean]

Can the TOTV just have a CCP aka Covid ban like politics? This is just beyond ridiculous...we have been on this hamster wheel of discussion for months now and it’s NEVER going to change...are people’s lives so boring that this is the only thought or discussion they can fixate on? Yesterday we had a nut job talking about shooting people who walked to close to him on a thread, I found this just unbelievable that his posts were not removed...yet I’ve had some pretty benign comments removed on this forum...the censorship here needs to take a look at their guidelines and find some consistency....

As long as Covid is a threat to humanity and life as we knew it pre-pandemic, there will be discussion. Click or don't click on the thread. That is totally your decision.

[coffeebean]

I agree with your comment , those with their hair on fire about Covid should do everything possible to protect themselves. I am in good health, thank God and am going to enjoy life.

Did you hear about the 22 year old healthy as an ox young man who just died of Covid? What a shame. Good looking young guy shot down as his life was just beginning. Don't think that can't happen to any one of us. You say you are "healthy". Uh.....that doesn't help you sometimes.

[coffeebean]

Because when you are done drinking and dancing you go to Publix, the dr’s office, or the gas station where you run into people who have been “cowering in their homes” because of compromised health issues or age but still need food, gas and to get to the drs office. That’s why.

Those folks who keep saying "stay home", just do not get it. They do not understand how this virus is spread.

[coffeebean]

:bigbow: Amen. Unfortunately the selfish and entitled won't understand this.

I honestly think they are clueless. Sad.

[kenoc7]

It is not the responsibility of The Villages to protect you. if you feel unsafe going to the squares, don't go.
You must take personal responsibility to protect yourself as you see fit.
That issuch a narrow view. It is the first responsibility of government to keep its citizens safe and it is also the responsibility of businesses. And quite apart from that it is completely clear that in the USA relying on personal responsibility simply doesn't work!

[Andyb]

I suggest for your safety that you move to a remote area and stay indoors. Your welcome.

[Bill14564]

Those folks who keep saying "stay home", just do not get it. They do not understand how this virus is spread.

Okay, stay home and don't invite people over. If it can be spread to you without you coming into contact with anyone then forcing others to wear a mask isn't going to help.

[coffeebean]

Not a COVID denier - rather a COVID realist. We all need to be exposed for herd immunity to take effect. Be a patriot and take off your mask. Shakes hands with a stranger. Go to the town square events and mingle mingle mingle. We need to see 1,000,000 ... 2,000,000 ... 5,000,000 new cases (positivity tests - not deaths) every day. Lets "git'er done".

This is NOT sarcasm.

This MUST be sarcasm. You are asking for millions of Americans to die for us to reach natural herd immunity. That is absolutely ludicrous!!!! Be patient. The vaccine is becoming a reality for everyone. The vaccine will provide herd immunity but will provide it SAFELY.

Just a few more months to go until we can see that light at the end of the tunnel. Natural herd immunity is NOT the way to go. Those of you who have been doing your best to slow the spread of the virus, please keep it up.

Vaccine? Sign me up!

[coffeebean]

Recovery rate is 99+%. You got the same chances of getting pregnant with a condom. I think I'll take my chances and begin living life again. If course I'll wear mask if I cant distance myself.

Now THAT is a great attitude. I'm also living life as best as I can now but I always wear a mask when in public indoors. I do not wear a mask outdoors unless I can keep my distance from others. So......the squares are out until I'm vaccinated. I can wait it out. At least I will be able to enjoy myself as best I can in the meantime.

Vaccine? Sign me up!!!

[TNLAKEPANDA]

I just say don’t go anywhere that you don’t feel comfortable going. We can not live in a shut down world. What’s good for some is not good for everyone!

[Bill14564]

Did you hear about the 22 year old healthy as an ox young man who just died of Covid? What a shame. Good looking young guy shot down as his life was just beginning. Don't think that can't happen to any one of us. You say you are "healthy". Uh.....that doesn't help you sometimes.

No, didn't hear about the 22 year old. Can you provide a link?

I *did* hear about the 1,000 deaths in people under 30 out of 2,500,000 cases. That's approximately a 99.96% survival rate IF there are no non-diagnosed cases. If the estimate of 6 to 10 non-diagnosed cases for every known case is correct then it becomes a 99.993% survival rate.

I also heard about the 69,000 non-Covid deaths of people under 30. With 69 times greater chance of dying from something other than Covid, if I were in that age group I don't think Covid would be on the top of my list of things to watch out for.

[Gulfcoast]

Can the TOTV just have a CCP aka Covid ban like politics? This is just beyond ridiculous...we have been on this hamster wheel of discussion for months now and it’s NEVER going to change...are people’s lives so boring that this is the only thought or discussion they can fixate on? Yesterday we had a nut job talking about shooting people who walked to close to him on a thread, I found this just unbelievable that his posts were not removed...yet I’ve had some pretty benign comments removed on this forum...the censorship here needs to take a look at their guidelines and find some consistency....

I would love nothing better than for people to stop obsessing over Covid and do whatever is right for them and whatever makes them feel safe. The problem is that people want to assert control over what others are doing and that isn't right.

[coffeebean]

If you’re going to get it you are and if you’re not you won’t.

It doesn't work that way. Those who take the guidelines seriously and do everything they can to protect themselves and others have less risk of contracting the virus. Those who are carrying on as if there is no global pandemic are at greater risk of contracting the virus. Easy concept. Do you grasp it?

[coffeebean]

Even if the vaccine IS available in December, I won't be rushing to get mine. I'd want to know what the side effects are and how it interacts with my current medication. I heard that one of the side effects is mental illness. Would someone with a predisposition to dementia or Alzheimer's be more likely to be affected? And, if so, would they want the shot or would they be willing to take their chances? Something to think about.

I read just the opposite about side effects. I read that a sore arm, flu like symptoms and a fever for a day or two is a common side effect but no other problems have arisen with the vaccine. Hmmm. I guess it depends on the news source. I believe I heard about no serious side effects from one of the TV networks.

[jimjamuser]

It is not the responsibility of The Villages to protect you. if you feel unsafe going to the squares, don't go.
You must take personal responsibility to protect yourself as you see fit.
The 1st principle of our Federal Government is to defend and protect its citizens. And that SHOULD (?) work its way down to local governments - even to The Villages. What could be a better Principle of The Villages than to fight AGAINST the spread of the deadliest threat to Villagers in modern history - rather than to fight FOR the spread of CV? Why play into its deadly clutches? For money??? To dance the YMCA???? To stroke your ego and say that, "I am a rugged individual - I fear no evil". "I am invincible like Rambo" !!!!!!

[coffeebean]

Simple solution for you, don't go.

That is NOT a solution. It has been said numerous times by numerous people on this forum that those folks who go to the squares also go out into the community to all sorts of places. That is where they will be spreading their good joy this holiday season. Thanks but no thanks. You can keep your joy.

[Gulfcoast]

No, didn't hear about the 22 year old. Can you provide a link?

I *did* hear about the 1,000 deaths in people under 30 out of 2,500,000 cases. That's approximately a 99.96% survival rate IF there are no non-diagnosed cases. If the estimate of 6 to 10 non-diagnosed cases for every known case is correct then it becomes a 99.993% survival rate.

I also heard about the 69,000 non-Covid deaths of people under 30. With 69 times greater chance of dying from something other than Covid, if I were in that age group I don't think Covid would be on the top of my list of things to watch out for.

There was a young athletic guy whose death was attributed to Covid. Turned out he had undiagnosed leukemia which made him very susceptible to getting sick. Not sure if that is the same guy or not.

[coffeebean]

As of today’s date in Florida. 871,000 cases, 17,400 deaths, do the math. 2% death rate, 98% recovery rate. I know of plenty of people who have had the virus and have completely recovered with minor symptoms and have no complications, including myself. Last night in Brownwood Square it was blooming there had to be 200 people on the dance floor everyone was enjoying themselves and having a great time. If you want to stay home if you wanna wear your mask by all means do so but leave us who don’t think like you alone. We will be going to the restaurants, we will be going to the town squares, we will be enjoying life without the worry of catching the virus. And if I see you in the town square or walking the street I will be very proud to shake your hand. By the way don’t feel sorry for me and I don’t wanna hear your ridiculous argument about how we don’t know what the long-term effects are even if we recover.

It has been reported that people who were asymptomatic or very mild symptoms are having side effects of the virus. What those effects are, I do not know but it does not bode well that even people who were barely ill with Covid are having adverse effects after they recover.

[Gulfcoast]

That is NOT a solution. It has been said numerous times by numerous people on this forum that those folks who go to the squares also go out into the community to all sorts of places. That is where they will be spreading their good joy this holiday season. Thanks but no thanks. You can keep your joy.

I don't think it's reasonable to expect people to cancel the holidays or to celebrate Christmas over Zoom. Luckily, it is possible to avoid human contact if that is important to you. All you have to do is stay home, order in and wait for a vaccine.

[Gulfcoast]

It has been reported that people who were asymptomatic or very mild symptoms are having side effects of the virus. What those effects are, I do not know but it does not bode well that even people who were barely ill with Covid are having adverse effects after they recover.

Life comes with risks. Same thing could be said of pneumonia, the flu, strep or any other contagious illness. There can be lingering after affects. That doesn't mean you shut down the country and go into self isolation - there will always be viruses out there, it will never be completely safe.

[jimjamuser]

It is possible to entirely stay home if that is your choice. There is grocery delivery, there is delivery from the drug store (door dash) and there is telemedicine. If you need to go to your doctor's office, no one is allowed in without a temperature check, a mask and social distancing, so you are not going to catch it there. Why not let those small businesses survive?

Deaths of despair (suicide, drugs) are way up. Deaths of people not getting cancer checks are going to go way up. Deaths of people so afraid of Covid they have strokes and heart attacks and call no one are up. In New York, when the lockdown was strict, 63% of those catching the disease had been locked down. In other words, the fact that there are essential workers already means the disease can spread in the community to anyone going out at all, or letting someone in their home who goes out.

Epidemiologists before this year always said "lockdowns do not work" - exception: 100 percent lockdown early in the disease, but we can't do that. You can look up this fact on the WHO site. Epidemiologists had no evidence that lockdowns were suddenly going to work, they just used them to slow the spread, stopping hospitals from being overwhelmed. In spite of scary headlines that our hospitals have more in them that they did before, only one-third of those are in hospital for Covid and no hospital yet has been unable to accept patients.

- - In some degree it seems to be a function of where you get your news, sensationalism creates ratings - why not change the channel to different news or read some facts from the internet?

Those who doubt we will get a vaccine in December - Do you know non-political doctors say that is when it will happen? Again, your news channel gets ratings by scaring you. A large majority of Americans believe "the news" is often untruthful. Please cheer up. Stay home with only no-contact delivery if you decide to, but please cheer up at least about the vaccine.

Oh, and read the Great Barrington Declaration (find it through a search engine) - signed by tens of thousands of medical professionals including epidemiologists and public health officials.
South Dakota had to fly CV patients to Oregon.

[jimjamuser]

Not a COVID denier - rather a COVID realist. We all need to be exposed for herd immunity to take effect. Be a patriot and take off your mask. Shakes hands with a stranger. Go to the town square events and mingle mingle mingle. We need to see 1,000,000 ... 2,000,000 ... 5,000,000 new cases (positivity tests - not deaths) every day. Lets "git'er done".

This is NOT sarcasm.
Not sarcasm, but it is complete stupidity.............the idea of Herd Immunity

[jimjamuser]

Recovery rate is 99+%. You got the same chances of getting pregnant with a condom. I think I'll take my chances and begin living life again. If course I'll wear mask if I cant distance myself.
Propaganda is "condomizing" American brains!

[jimjamuser]

Nonsense. This assumes you know that you are contagious. The alternative is that we assume everyone is contagious (which is what most are doing now). And that's just ridiculous. I'm not responsible for making sure others don't catch the virus. Put on YOUR mask. Wash YOUR hands. Cower in YOUR house. Then, you don't have to worry about what everyone else is doing.

As if this isn't extreme absurdity already - can we just BAN all cars / planes/ lawnmowers to protect asthmatics from dying from pollution? Why aren't you worried about that?

"And you too must take personal responsibility for not putting any pollution in the air which will cause a child with asthma to die. Do it for the children."

It involves the same logic (but not the same agenda)
I AM very worried about pollution....both gas pollution and noise pollution from cars AND lawnmowers. Besides bad air to breathe, pollution CAUSES Global Warming (oh, oh, I just said that bad, ugly word - around here). The fact that you are NOT is a condemnation of the US education system that is producing SCIENCE-DENIERS (oh, another BAD word - I am going to wash my mouth out with soap). Please excuse me!

[Byte1]

Did you hear about the 22 year old healthy as an ox young man who just died of Covid? What a shame. Good looking young guy shot down as his life was just beginning. Don't think that can't happen to any one of us. You say you are "healthy". Uh.....that doesn't help you sometimes.

Is that the one that was killed in a drive by shooting that was labeled "cased by COVID?"

[JoMar]

It's called acceptable collateral damage. The goal is to make sure the economy survives, make sure people come here and buy houses, that the business's in the squares have people attend so they can sell their stuff. If people get sick, or if people die it is considered collateral damage to achieve the goal and the propaganda is spewed to make it seem like it's a good thing. We used that model in the Vietnam war. There is no financial downside for opening squares or anything else until if it gets too bad that the local government is forced to do something and I don't think Sumter County has the desire to do anything. The businesses have never had a desire to do anything that wasn't mandated and the population has never had a desire to do anything if it interfered with their personal selfish agendas. The major health organizations in the world are in agreement, the major hospitals and research centers in US are in agreement that 1) there is no cure and stopping the virus won't happen until there is a vaccine and 2) while treatment has improved and they are keeping people alive, the long term effects of those with or without symptoms are unknown and 3) emerging studies that by contracting the virus, with or without symptoms, can decrease life expectancy by up to 10 years or more especially in the black and latino populations. It is comforting to know that those that are supporting the opening and selfishly want their life to return to normal have more knowledge then some of the best medical minds in the world.

[Bill14564]

South Dakota had to fly CV patients to Oregon.

I would check on that. I could find no mention of it in a google search and the South Dakota Dept. of Health reports at least 33% hospital bed availability. In addition, to get to Oregon those patients would have been transported over Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. There are at least nine other states closer to South Dakota than Oregon and it's hard to believe a dozen states refused to help.

[jimjamuser]

If you’re going to get it you are and if you’re not you won’t.
What a philosopher!

[coffeebean]

Please cite your source before you throw stuff out like that. I believe you're confusing a side effect of COVID survivors as mental illness (all the more reason to get the vaccine). And "mental illness" includes depression and anxiety - both of which are certainly understandable if someone gets Covid.

Agree with your post above.

Article about what to expect with the Covid vaccine. Mental illness is not mentioned......

Covid-19 vaccines may have potentially unpleasant side effects (https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/covid-19-vaccines-may-have-potentially-unpleasant-side-effects-n1247485)

[Kilmacowen]

Covid patients need Intensive care beds, not just any bed.

[Marykschulz]

Our governor is part of the problem, stifling daily Covid reports. The Orlando Sentinel has had to use legal means to get the information. Pretending everything is ok does not make it so. The people who do don’t believe in Covid should sign a waiver saying they won’t seek hospital care if they get infected.

[coffeebean]

I couldn’t agree more, how many threads need to be written about masks or Covid19. Enough already! Wear a mask or don’t, go to the squares or stay inside, just use the common sense that God gave you and try to be safe. Covid will pass hopefully sooner than later. I like reading TOTV but I’m really getting sick of the same type of threads about masks and covid19 over and over again. JMO!
You can choose not to click on the thread that discusses Covid or anything to do with Covid. It really is a very simple fix for you. Many of us enjoy the discussion so we decide to click on the thread. Click or don't click.....that is the decision you must make. Not too tough, is it?

[jimjamuser]

This is what the sky is falling crowd refuse to accept. Yes, covid cases have gone up. THAT IS GOOD! You know why? Because hospitalizations and deaths have gone DOWN! That means herd immunity is spreading.
When I use the FL dashboard, I am only interested in hospitalizations and deaths. The rest is just numbers for the "I'm not living my life and I don't want anyone else to, either" crowd to whine about.
A strange distortion of REALITY - those statements. Every TV channel is showing that Utah is at Hospital capacity, they are deciding who lives or dies. This COULD(?) be you someday that the Doctors are deciding about whether YOU die. Maybe they just flip a coin? Wisconsin has 37% positive cases. Every THIRD person is INFECTED! How is THAT NOT an emergency? The US Constitution does NOT give the people dancing at the squares the right to endanger the lives of ANY other people. They are WRONG and double wrong!

[Tom M]

Was announced that essential services will be first the rest of us should not expect vaccines until April at the earliest

Please cite sources. The CDC does not say anything about April. They mention some will be available by the end of this year.Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 Vaccination | CDC (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/faq.html)

Fauci mentioned that it would be available to all Americans by April. That's toward the end of the vaccine period, not the beginning. Those over age 65 will likely be earlier.

‘Help is coming — and it’s coming soon’: Dr. Fauci outlines when COVID-19 vaccine will be available to all Americans - MarketWatch (https://www.marketwatch.com/story/help-is-coming-and-its-coming-soon-dr-fauci-outlines-when-covid-19-vaccination-will-be-available-to-all-americans-2020-11-12)

I remain hopeful that seniors and those at risk will have vaccines available to them by January/February.

[jimjamuser]

In reality , you anti maskers and risk takers are putting the healthcare workers at risk and other people in your community and most likely looking for attention . When there are no more ventilators for you or a shortage of doctors or nurses , don’t complain about it . As you say , “live your life “ without being able to breath and don’t complain about it , Sadly . You are a healthcare workers worst nightmare. No the squares should not reopen right now . The country just saw its highest one day new cases number of Covid 19 , 152,000 in a day . At that rate it means every 10 days 1 million 520 thousand people will have contracted Covid 19 . In 100 days a 3rd of the country could contract the virus . That’s pretty serious numbers all because people want to live their life and not take precautions like the smart people who do . You can’t blame the President for this . Thank you for the people who are taking precautions and sacrificing and staying home. God speed . We can fight and stop this .
You are THE MAN - Mr. Marine. You are a credit to your country and to TV Land. May your spirit, intelligence, and clarity of thinking and writing live on FOREVER! God loves his Jarheads.

[Tom M]

I read just the opposite about side effects. I read that a sore arm is a common side effect but no other problems have arisen with the vaccine. Hmmm. I guess it depends on the news source. I believe I heard about no serious side effects from one of the TV networks.

I've been looking around and can't find any of these dramatic side effects...
Side Effects of COVID-19 Vaccines By Moderna, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, J&J | Observer (https://observer.com/2020/10/vaccine-side-effects-moderna-pfizer-johnson-astrazeneca/)

[coffeebean]

If people think they will die or get sick from going to the squares then they should stay home. It’s that simple. Personal responsibility
Life has choices.

Have you been listening? Those folks who will pack the squares will also go out into the community and pass along the virus to those around them. Masks do help to minimize the risk of contracting Covid but they are not 100%. Not even N95 masks are 100% protective. Social distancing is another form of mitigation but that is not 100% either. Aerosols, carrying the virus, can float in the air for several hours and can infect people, even if they have on masks.

Masks and social distancing are not 100% protective but do lower the risk of contracting Covid. Holding up at home is not an option for many people so why do you want to put unsuspecting people at risk of contracting the virus? You are not doing your part to slow the spread of the virus. That is not very neighborly.

[Advogado]

North Dakota just became the 35th state to implement a state-wide mask mandate. Masks will become mandatory here, sooner or later. It is just a question of whether thousands of Floridians will unnecessarily die before our politicians (either state or county) muster the political courage to do the right thing..

[Bill14564]

Covid patients need Intensive care beds, not just any bed.

Assuming this was directed at my comment....

This is not exactly true. According to the SD DoH, Covid patients are occupying 20% of their staffed hospital beds. According to the same page, 33.1% of their ICU beds are unoccupied.

Regardless of the type of bed, the fact still remains that there are a dozen states closer than Oregon that patients could have been driven to or flown to if necessary. It's possible that Oregon was chosen for some reason but I would expect to be able to find a source for that claim.

[jimjamuser]

Just a basic understanding is needed of the economic vs need of quarantine. This country cannot survive another economic shutdown. We, in the Villages, have a bubble oriented view of the situation. Many are much older and have many comorbidities. Those people should definitely stay secluded and safe. Since we rely on retirement income, we aren't really affected much by the shutdown, other than the obvious isolation and lack of activities. However, perhaps we need to go talk to our "essential" workers who are asked to place their health on the line to provide us with our day to day needs. Are we willing to share our income to those laid off, with children and mortgages or rent to help them survive? The shutdown limited medical operations for "non-essential" surgeries or elective operations. Medical procedures that could have diagnosed deadly diseases earlier were bypassed in order to satisfy the lockdown. Covid has a 99% recovery rate for most people. If you are susceptible, stay home. Don't go running around looking for problems and trying to impress your dangerous comorbidities onto the rest of us. Stay home, take advantage of the many online order and delivery systems available to remain safe. Always remember, if you do this, you will not encounter those who are out and they become no danger to you. The vaccine is about six months out according to most "experts" guesses. The U.S. population is approx. 328 million, the covid cases are approx 11 million, giving us 317 million future targets for the virus. We are NOT going to control it anymore than we control other annual illnesses like the flu each year. We minimize it's affect as best we can and move on with our lives and continually search for better vaccines and support procedures for those that contract it.
I don't agree with everything, but it WAS really well written.

[coffeebean]

In reality , you anti maskers and risk takers are putting the healthcare workers at risk and other people in your community and most likely looking for attention . When there are no more ventilators for you or a shortage of doctors or nurses , don’t complain about it . As you say , “live your life “ without being able to breath and don’t complain about it , Sadly . You are a healthcare workers worst nightmare. No the squares should not reopen right now . The country just saw its highest one day new cases number of Covid 19 , 152,000 in a day . At that rate it means every 10 days 1 million 520 thousand people will have contracted Covid 19 . In 100 days a 3rd of the country could contract the virus . That’s pretty serious numbers all because people want to live their life and not take precautions like the smart people who do . You can’t blame the President for this . Thank you for the people who are taking precautions and sacrificing and staying home. God speed . We can fight and stop this .

I blame him. If it weren't for his anti mask and anti social distancing stance, he would have EASILY won this election. It is on him. He could have had another four years in the WH and he screwed it up all by himself.

[coffeebean]

Stay home.

NO!!I'm not going to stay home. I want to be a member of society who supports our restaurants, big box stores, small business, fitness centers, gas stations, retail stores, movie theaters (when ever they open up), coffee shops, etc, etc, etc. I'm doing my part to allow the economy to recover, keep the economy healthy and eventually thrive. That is what I'm doing and I do it with a mask on indoors and I keep my distance from others at all times. No reason for anyone to not remain employed and support their families if people adhere to the CDC guidelines.

American cities which are having spikes due to folks who are "Living their lives" are beginning to have shut downs and impose curfews. THAT is what happens when people "Live their lives". Do you understand why that is happening?

We can continue to "live our lives" as long as we wear masks and remain diligent about keeping our distance from others. That means no shoulder to shoulder proximity to others you do not know. The squares are a perfect example of that. I'm staying away from the squares but, NO, I will not stay home.

[coffeebean]

Do what you want. Don't dictate what I should do.

It is people like you who have fueled this pandemic. Thank you. NOT!

[coffeebean]

No one is denying Covid, just the insane paranoia associated with it. People screamed about the Trump rally and how, 2 weeks later there would be this massive outbreak of Covid. Didn't happen although I am sure some were hoping for it. Some are calling for a mask mandate and another complete lockdown all for a virus that has a 99.9% recovery rate! Absolutely insane. Many accuse those who refuse to wear masks as ignorant and selfish when the "science" of CDC has admitted that 84% of those who tested positive wore a mask most if not all the time. I don't ridicule those who wear a mask but respect their decision as well as their health issues that would make them more at risk. Is it too much to respect the personal decisions of those who choose not to buy in to this hysteria?

NOT TRUE! That information was misinterpreted. Please Google the subject and you will see FACT CHECK shows it is not true. I don't want to link to articles about this because I'm sure this post would be deleted. Just know, that claim has been debunked.

[coffeebean]

Man you folks are jumping to unfounded conclusions. They have been limiting the crowds and masks are mandatory. It is outside. If people are uncomfortable with the situation, please stay home. My wife and I stay away, but don’t begrudge those that attend the square activities as long as they follow the vivid guidelines. We are all adults here and personally I’m fine with the way it’s been handled. We need to live our lives, we’ve had flu virus for a long time and never locked down. Even the crazy WHO said lockdowns don’t work. Some of you people are getting paranoid again. Like I said if you’re concerned stay home.
I guess you haven't heard......All three squares will be open to everyone, no tickets required as of November 18th. The squares will be back to business as usual as in pre-pandemic. I won't be going until I'm vaccinated.

[ts12755]

We have therapeutics and soon a vaccine... Thanks to China it is here to stay, just like the regular flu virus. As we get back to normal, 80 million Americans will get Covid each year, just like regular flu. Also, just like regular flu expect 70,000 to die each year from Covid. It is here to stay. Get used to it. Go on with your life. Yes, tens of thousands will die each year, even with a vaccine. This is the new normal. Live, you dont have many years left.

[ts12755]

Exactly

[Polar Bear]

As of the 18th, do you still need to provide your own chairs?

[coffeebean]

I suggest for your safety that you move to a remote area and stay indoors. Your welcome.

Who did you direct this comment to? Please QUOTE the post when you are directing a comment to someone. Thanks.

[ts12755]

Your ignorance is glaring. Don't you understand this pandemic. The only way to stop this pandemic is to shut down the entire world. 100 percent shut down. No grocery stores, no pharmacies, no TV or radio employees. No hospital workers, no police or firepersons leave their homes. No school operate. This has to take place across the world. No travel by car, plane, or ship. No food processing. If the world can do this, for at least 3 months we can stop covid. If not, learn to live with it. The president gave us therapeutics and a vaccine.

[coffeebean]

No, didn't hear about the 22 year old. Can you provide a link?

I *did* hear about the 1,000 deaths in people under 30 out of 2,500,000 cases. That's approximately a 99.96% survival rate IF there are no non-diagnosed cases. If the estimate of 6 to 10 non-diagnosed cases for every known case is correct then it becomes a 99.993% survival rate.

I also heard about the 69,000 non-Covid deaths of people under 30. With 69 times greater chance of dying from something other than Covid, if I were in that age group I don't think Covid would be on the top of my list of things to watch out for.

I heard about the 22 year old male on a newscast on TV just yesterday. His mother was interviewed. I can not find an article to link regarding this young guy. There is, however, an article from April of a 22 year old Tulsa man, new dad, who passed away from Covid. Google it.

[coffeebean]

There was a young athletic guy whose death was attributed to Covid. Turned out he had undiagnosed leukemia which made him very susceptible to getting sick. Not sure if that is the same guy or not.

No, doesn't sound like the same 22 year old man. His mother was interviewed on TV and she said he was very healthy.

[coffeebean]

Life comes with risks. Same thing could be said of pneumonia, the flu, strep or any other contagious illness. There can be lingering after affects. That doesn't mean you shut down the country and go into self isolation - there will always be viruses out there, it will never be completely safe.

I'm not a proponent of shut downs. Just the opposite. I'm all for going about our lives as best we can, out and about in the community but be smart about it. Always wear masks when in public spaces indoors and keep your distance from others. Outdoors, I'm NOT a proponent of wearing a mask unless you can not keep a safe distance from others. Please.....no shut downs. I do not want to see that happen.

[Dana1963]

NOT TRUE! That information was misinterpreted. Please Google the subject and you will see FACT CHECK shows it is not true. I don't want to link to articles about this because I'm sure this post would be deleted. Just know, that claim has been debunked.
Since you won't due it I will your assertion was debunked.
Fact check: Does CDC study show '85 percent' of COVID-19 patients wore masks? Not exactly. :: WRAL.com (https://www.google.ca/amp/s/www.wral.com/coronavirus/fact-check-does-cdc-study-show-85-percent-of-covid-19-patients-wore-masks-not-exactly/19340391/%3fversion=amp)

[coffeebean]

```

[Dana1963]

No, doesn't sound like the same 22 year old man. His mother was interviewed on TV and she said he was very healthy.
Leukemia is a curable disease it's not what killed this person.

[Jpk180]

When Biden takes office his COVID task force is already talking about a 4-6 week shutdown of THE COUNTRY so nobody will have to worry about the squares or any other business being open, good luck

[coffeebean]

Covid patients need Intensive care beds, not just any bed.

There are not enough ICU trained staff to work ICU. Hospitals are "floating" staff nurses to work in ICU. That does not give me warm fuzzies knowing that might be me or a loved one in ICU, being cared for by a floor nurse. But......that's just me.

[coffeebean]

Assuming this was directed at my comment....

This is not exactly true. According to the SD DoH, Covid patients are occupying 20% of their staffed hospital beds. According to the same page, 33.1% of their ICU beds are unoccupied.

Regardless of the type of bed, the fact still remains that there are a dozen states closer than Oregon that patients could have been driven to or flown to if necessary. It's possible that Oregon was chosen for some reason but I would expect to be able to find a source for that claim.

I Googled it and could not find that information.

[woderfulwendy1]

So, entertainment at the town squares were closed when the pandemic was under much better control than it currently is. Fast forward, the pandemic numbers have never been worse, and a massive influx of potential Covid spreaders are migrating south. Then the seasonal influx of high risk children and grandchildren visitors will follow. People from all over the country will be flying to Florida and converging on the 55 plus community that has been relatively safe during the slow season, where the older and more vulnerable full time residents generally take appropriate precautions. Despite this, starting next week the town squares will go back to business as usual, like the pandemic doesn’t even exist, WTF?

Could there possibly be a worse time to decide to open everything back up? I get that the powers that be need to sell all the houses they are cranking out, and it’s hard to sell houses without being able to showcase the Villages experience. But this could backfire in a big way if the Villages Covid numbers spike, which they most likely will. Not only that, but all the new houses they are trying to sell will have to compete with all the new pre-owned homes that will go on the market vacated by unfortunate Covid victims.

OK, all the Covid deniers, let me have it, I can deal with it.
Stay home, there is nothing that can't be delivered to you!

[coffeebean]

Since you won't due it I will your assertion was debunked.
Fact check: Does CDC study show '85 percent' of COVID-19 patients wore masks? Not exactly. :: WRAL.com (https://www.google.ca/amp/s/www.wral.com/coronavirus/fact-check-does-cdc-study-show-85-percent-of-covid-19-patients-wore-masks-not-exactly/19340391/%3fversion=amp)

Thank you. Maybe those who believe that lie will no longer spread that misinformation.

[Bill14564]

I Googled it and could not find that information.

Practice makes perfect.

Available beds: Start with doh.sd.gov/news/coronavirus.aspx then click on the Hospital Capacity tab.

States closer to South Dakota: Try google maps for one

[coffeebean]

When Biden takes office his COVID task force is already talking about a 4-6 week shutdown of THE COUNTRY so nobody will have to worry about the squares or any other business being open, good luck

Look what the shut down did for us back in April and look at where we are today. Shut downs are NOT the answer. Dr. Fauci is not a proponent of shut downs. I surely hope it does not come to that. America will not be able to recover from another national shut down.

[Bill14564]

Thank you. Maybe those who believe that lie will no longer spread that misinformation.

A lot of misrepresentation on this one and a CDC contradiction.

No, not 85% of all patients were found to be wearing masks. While Tucker and Trump seemed to be claiming that, it just wasn't true.

However, 85% of the patients in the particular study reported wearing masks most of the time. Of course, this makes sense since ."CDC guidance on masks has clearly stated that wearing a mask is intended to protect other people in case the mask wearer is infected," It doesn't matter if the patient was wearing a mask, it matters whether the others were wearing masks.

The CDC spokesperson goes on to say, "At no time has CDC guidance suggested that masks were intended to protect the wearers." Well, it does now. Which makes you wonder what those 131 patients that reported wearing masks all or most of the time think about that.

[Medtrans]

Recovery rate is 99+%. You got the same chances of getting pregnant with a condom. I think I'll take my chances and begin living life again. If course I'll wear mask if I cant distance myself.

My dr said people aren’t getting as sick with the virus BUT no one knows the long term side effects of having had the virus.

[gaetanamc@comcast.net]

For all those who want to shelter in place, please do. However please let the rest of us live our lives as we wish. No one should have that kind control of your life.
Everyone has free will.

[jimjamuser]

This is The Villages giving the seasonal residents and the Lifestyle guests a false sense of safety. If you golf you will see they don't offer their golf staff any protection because they don't want the people thinking they may get sick. This is not a sterile bubble, but it is a controlled environment, and we do not control it.
Yes, agreed. We are expected to NOT get too uppity and NOT make waves. So much for individual, American exceptionalism. Be a good puppy and beg for your treats!

[Dana1963]

A lot of misrepresentation on this one and a CDC contradiction.

No, not 85% of all patients were found to be wearing masks. While Tucker and Trump seemed to be claiming that, it just wasn't true.

However, 85% of the patients in the particular study reported wearing masks most of the time. Of course, this makes sense since ."CDC guidance on masks has clearly stated that wearing a mask is intended to protect other people in case the mask wearer is infected," It doesn't matter if the patient was wearing a mask, it matters whether the others were wearing masks.

The CDC spokesperson goes on to say, "At no time has CDC guidance suggested that masks were intended to protect the wearers." Well, it does now. Which makes you wonder what those 131 patients that reported wearing masks all or most of the time think about that.
Just as the husband said to the wife on an unexpected pregnant ” I wear a condom most of the time”.

[Bogie Shooter]

Your ignorance is glaring. Don't you understand this pandemic. The only way to stop this pandemic is to shut down the entire world. 100 percent shut down. No grocery stores, no pharmacies, no TV or radio employees. No hospital workers, no police or firepersons leave their homes. No school operate. This has to take place across the world. No travel by car, plane, or ship. No food processing. If the world can do this, for at least 3 months we can stop covid. If not, learn to live with it. The president gave us therapeutics and a vaccine.

What a stretch.....

[jimjamuser]

It's called acceptable collateral damage. The goal is to make sure the economy survives, make sure people come here and buy houses, that the business's in the squares have people attend so they can sell their stuff. If people get sick, or if people die it is considered collateral damage to achieve the goal and the propaganda is spewed to make it seem like it's a good thing. We used that model in the Vietnam war. There is no financial downside for opening squares or anything else until if it gets too bad that the local government is forced to do something and I don't think Sumter County has the desire to do anything. The businesses have never had a desire to do anything that wasn't mandated and the population has never had a desire to do anything if it interfered with their personal selfish agendas. The major health organizations in the world are in agreement, the major hospitals and research centers in US are in agreement that 1) there is no cure and stopping the virus won't happen until there is a vaccine and 2) while treatment has improved and they are keeping people alive, the long term effects of those with or without symptoms are unknown and 3) emerging studies that by contracting the virus, with or without symptoms, can decrease life expectancy by up to 10 years or more especially in the black and latino populations. It is comforting to know that those that are supporting the opening and selfishly want their life to return to normal have more knowledge then some of the best medical minds in the world.
Great post, well written. Kudos!

[Pettys1]

So, entertainment at the town squares were closed when the pandemic was under much better control than it currently is. Fast forward, the pandemic numbers have never been worse, and a massive influx of potential Covid spreaders are migrating south. Then the seasonal influx of high risk children and grandchildren visitors will follow. People from all over the country will be flying to Florida and converging on the 55 plus community that has been relatively safe during the slow season, where the older and more vulnerable full time residents generally take appropriate precautions. Despite this, starting next week the town squares will go back to business as usual, like the pandemic doesn’t even exist, WTF?

Could there possibly be a worse time to decide to open everything back up? I get that the powers that be need to sell all the houses they are cranking out, and it’s hard to sell houses without being able to showcase the Villages experience. But this could backfire in a big way if the Villages Covid numbers spike, which they most likely will. Not only that, but all the new houses they are trying to sell will have to compete with all the new pre-owned homes that will go on the market vacated by unfortunate Covid victims.

OK, all the Covid deniers, let me have it, I can deal with it.
If your that considered then stay home. Order on line get delivery service.. People just want to live there lives. The numbers are fudged it's been proven... So just be cautious for yourself. Wear a mask,gloves an your ok... 95% of the people are wearing mask an they say the numbers are climbing? People you really need to do your own research not just CDC or Media we know how accurate they are

[jimjamuser]

North Dakota just became the 35th state to implement a state-wide mask mandate. Masks will become mandatory here, sooner or later. It is just a question of whether thousands of Floridians will unnecessarily die before our politicians (either state or county) muster the political courage to do the right thing..
True....that!

[Pettys1]

It's called acceptable collateral damage. The goal is to make sure the economy survives, make sure people come here and buy houses, that the business's in the squares have people attend so they can sell their stuff. If people get sick, or if people die it is considered collateral damage to achieve the goal and the propaganda is spewed to make it seem like it's a good thing. We used that model in the Vietnam war. There is no financial downside for opening squares or anything else until if it gets too bad that the local government is forced to do something and I don't think Sumter County has the desire to do anything. The businesses have never had a desire to do anything that wasn't mandated and the population has never had a desire to do anything if it interfered with their personal selfish agendas. The major health organizations in the world are in agreement, the major hospitals and research centers in US are in agreement that 1) there is no cure and stopping the virus won't happen until there is a vaccine and 2) while treatment has improved and they are keeping people alive, the long term effects of those with or without symptoms are unknown and 3) emerging studies that by contracting the virus, with or without symptoms, can decrease life expectancy by up to 10 years or more especially in the black and latino populations. It is comforting to know that those that are supporting the opening and selfishly want their life to return to normal have more knowledge then some of the best medical minds in the world.
No it's called people have bills to pay.. Just because you may be able to afford to not work an pay your bills MOST of Americans have to work... You've got Flu season now so of course numbers or got to go up.

[jimjamuser]

No it's called people have bills to pay.. Just because you may be able to afford to not work an pay your bills MOST of Americans have to work... You've got Flu season now so of course numbers or got to go up.
"numbers or got to go up". Must be some kind of code? America....we are #30 at all quality of life issues! Yeah!

[Brynnie]

I agree with your comment , those with their hair on fire about Covid should do everything possible to protect themselves. I am in good health, thank God and am going to enjoy life.

Why the derogatory words directed to people who are cautious and need to protect themselves? Snarky phrases like “cower in their homes” and “those with their hair on fire” say more about the people who use them than the people they’re mocking. Those who are healthy and plan to go out and “enjoy themselves” obviously have no clue that if they get the virus and are asymptomatic, they could spread it to others when they go shopping, to a restaurant, or wherever. We are all responsible for each other, regardless of what selfish people may think.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

The Florida strategy appears to be herd immunity. A White House official said a couple of weeks ago “we can’t control the virus” and Florida powers-that-be might feel the same way. Just my take.

They feel however their chief orders them to feel.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Why open the town squares ?
The treatments are more effective and the mortality rate is down from those who contracted it. As Americans we have civil liberties that allow us to make decisions on risk and reward. If you are at risk stay home and don’t infringe on others who have very low risk.

You mean:

if you are at risk of infecting other people, stay at home and don't infringe on others who prefer to be healthy.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Do what you want. Don't dictate what I should do.

What I want, is to be out and about, as I feel like it, however I want, with or without a mask, and not run into you.

That's what I want. In order for me to "do what I want," I'll need YOUR cooperation. If you're not willing to cooperate, then I won't get what I want, and your suggestion to "do what you want" is an empty, hollow, meaningless statement.

So, will you walk the talk? Or is it just lip service and you don't really mean it?

[tophcfa]

Well, one of the things I have learned during this pandemic is that it often shows people’s true colors. Many folks are very concerned about the well being of other people, and are more than willing to make personal sacrifices for the greater good of fellow human beings even if it causes them some inconvenience. Other folks are selfish, insensitive, self absorbed *&$#@‘s who obviously don’t get the long term big picture and are only concerned with their short term personal agendas. I will forever remember which side of the fence many people have chosen.

[MaxCat]

You are thinking “health and safety” and logic — the squares opened because our governor is thinking economy and moved FL into fully open for business some months ago . . . So here we are. Sadly, our government leaders don’t seem to be able to offer decent guidance on how to stay open AND operate safely while in a pandemic — which at its core is the non-political act of wearing a mask — something we all learned back in high school health class that a mask is an effective means for curbing the spread of respiratory infections. But fast forward to today and it has become a “my rights” issue. Quite sad. Also learned in sixth grade was that one’s rights only extend so far as they don’t trample the rights of someone else. That, sadly, seems forgotten too.

[TimeForChange]

You nailed it! $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$!

[Jpk180]

Agreed

[Rwirish]

Spot on.

[DrBrutyle109]

Stay home. I’ll go out

[DrBrutyle109]

Stay home. I’ll go out.

[seoulbrooks]

It is not the responsibility of The Villages to protect you. if you feel unsafe going to the squares, don't go.
You must take personal responsibility to protect yourself as you see fit.

Well said! We do not need Florida turning into another nanny state. If that is what you need, move elsewhere. Take some personnel responsibility and do not impose your thoughts or beliefs on me.

[kannon]

Well, one of the things I have learned during this pandemic is that it often shows people’s true colors. Many folks are very concerned about the well being of other people, and are more than willing to make personal sacrifices for the greater good of fellow human beings even if it causes them some inconvenience. Other folks are selfish, insensitive, self absorbed *&$#@‘s who obviously don’t get the long term big picture and are only concerned with their short term personal agendas. I will forever remember which side of the fence many people have chosen.

Very well said. I view Covid Pandemic similar to WWII. In WWII, the greatest generation made sacrifices, many with their lives overseas, others at home collecting scarce material or rationing. As a society we were all in, helping and caring about each other. Today sad to say we are not the next greatest generation.

[Clydles1]

When Biden takes office his COVID task force is already talking about a 4-6 week shutdown of THE COUNTRY so nobody will have to worry about the squares or any other business being open, good luck
No where have I heard that the country will shut down again in all the info that has been coming from the new admins task force.

[Swoop]

No where have I heard that the country will shut down again in all the info that has been coming from the new admins task force.

"An advisor to President-elect Joe Biden has said that closing businesses for four to six weeks could help keep reduce the number of infections and get the economy on track until a vaccine is approved and distributed."
That is a scary, misguided statement. Closing businesses for 4-6 weeks will get the economy on track?!?!?

[Neils]

Can the TOTV just have a CCP aka Covid ban like politics? This is just beyond ridiculous...we have been on this hamster wheel of discussion for months now and it’s NEVER going to change...are people’s lives so boring that this is the only thought or discussion they can fixate on? Yesterday we had a nut job talking about shooting people who walked to close to him on a thread, I found this just unbelievable that his posts were not removed...yet I’ve had some pretty benign comments removed on this forum...the censorship here needs to take a look at their guidelines and find some consistency....

So you like and want someone censoring free speech, but only as long as the process does not impact you??
Free speech is an American right. No one should support censorship of the right to speak out.

[Swoop]

North Dakota just became the 35th state to implement a state-wide mask mandate. Masks will become mandatory here, sooner or later. It is just a question of whether thousands of Floridians will unnecessarily die before our politicians (either state or county) muster the political courage to do the right thing..

Look at the new case numbers for the long standing mandatory mask wearing states. They are, in most cases, spiking at a rate equal to or greater than states without mandatory requirements.

[gregcharlesnelson@gmail]

Kind of reminds me of Agent Orange ...didn't seem so bad in the beginning........I got 40% disability from it..

[msilagy]

So if the restaurants are operating at 100% capacity, why not the squares? Blaming the "family" for this is absurd. If you are not comfortable - don't go. I limit what I do, you have choices!

[Fisherman]

Once again, such division over something as simple as following CDC guidelines to protect yourself and others from a virus that is out of control all over this country. And guess what, folks, those people that live all over the country have arrived here and will continue to arrive here throughout the winter season. I expect the numbers to rise and you can see that it can explode in just a few weeks. Last point, for all those that think you are healthy and no worry if you get the virus......how many of you have underlying conditions that you don’t even know you have. My husband was the healthiest person, even drs were amazed with his blood work. Never had to take pills. He played golf, ate dinner and died during the night from a heart attack. Cancer is a silent killer. It is your age....your immunity is not the same as when you were 20. That is why our community is at risk. Yes, people should go out, but wear a mask and practice social distancing.
This disease is one like we have never seen because you can be a spreader and not even know you are sick. Just my opinion. And a thumbs down to the sarcastic bloggers that add no value to someone’s post.

[greenflash245]

blame the governor

[Girlcopper]

The Sumter County Commission, which is no longer in the Developer's pocket, needs to act to put an end to this insanity. People are going to die.
Not necessarily. Dont feel comfortable going ? Stay home

[terenceanne]

A small amount of common sense is all that is required - we still play golf and occasional sit outside at a restaurant. Whenever called upon to go to the grocery store etc. we wear our masks - wash hands afterwards. We are not coming in your house and you are not coming in ours. We do not consider ourselves to be in lockdown just being careful. Those who are determined to put themselves at risk - good luck to you.

[rde3036]

89 people out of 135,000 in Sumter county have died due to the virus. That is .o66 percent of the population! And yet everyone thinks this virus is another Ebola.
The number of cases is meaningless since there is no corresponding information about the individual test. How many times has this person been tested? Is the person symptomatic on non-symptomatic? What test was used?

Get a grip people.

[jbrown132]

Can the TOTV just have a CCP aka Covid ban like politics? This is just beyond ridiculous...we have been on this hamster wheel of discussion for months now and it’s NEVER going to change...are people’s lives so boring that this is the only thought or discussion they can fixate on? Yesterday we had a nut job talking about shooting people who walked to close to him on a thread, I found this just unbelievable that his posts were not removed...yet I’ve had some pretty benign comments removed on this forum...the censorship here needs to take a look at their guidelines and find some consistency....
So this forum can be just like Facebook, Twitter and Google controlling what you can see and think.

[G.R.I.T.S.]

In reality , you anti maskers and risk takers are putting the healthcare workers at risk and other people in your community and most likely looking for attention . When there are no more ventilators for you or a shortage of doctors or nurses , don’t complain about it . As you say , “live your life “ without being able to breath and don’t complain about it , Sadly . You are a healthcare workers worst nightmare. No the squares should not reopen right now . The country just saw its highest one day new cases number of Covid 19 , 152,000 in a day . At that rate it means every 10 days 1 million 520 thousand people will have contracted Covid 19 . In 100 days a 3rd of the country could contract the virus . That’s pretty serious numbers all because people want to live their life and not take precautions like the smart people who do . You can’t blame the President for this . Thank you for the people who are taking precautions and sacrificing and staying home. God speed . We can fight and stop this .

I'm not worried 'cuz Joe Biden gonna stop the virus.

[Marine1974]

You didn’t listen to your Governor and state health department?

[Cubnut]

It is not the responsibility of The Villages to protect you. if you feel unsafe going to the squares, don't go.
You must take personal responsibility to protect yourself as you see fit.
You missed the point entirely. Sure you have to protect yourself, but responsible leadership should also prohibit social gatherings that would spread the virus.

[Bill14564]

You missed the point entirely. Sure you have to protect yourself, but responsible leadership should also prohibit social gatherings that would spread the virus.

Solitary confinement for everyone? It only takes two people for one to spread the virus to another.

Please stop asking the Govt to create laws and mandates to protect you from yourself or us from ourselves. Do the right thing. Accept that others may make different choices and should have the freedom to do so. Don't ask for an authoritarian state, you really won't like it.

[Bill14564]

So you like and want someone censoring free speech, but only as long as the process does not impact you??
Free speech is an American right. No one should support censorship of the right to speak out.

Threats of assault should not only be removed, they should also be considered for referral to the proper authorities. At the very least, they should be subject to the stated rules that "users are not allowed to direct comments toward another user."

[doyle31]

The problem is, you and I both go to the grocery store to get essentials and we cross paths there. Then I am exposed. I’ve now gone to grocery delivery because of that issue.

[Gulfcoast]

Well, one of the things I have learned during this pandemic is that it often shows people’s true colors. Many folks are very concerned about the well being of other people, and are more than willing to make personal sacrifices for the greater good of fellow human beings even if it causes them some inconvenience. Other folks are selfish, insensitive, self absorbed *&$#@‘s who obviously don’t get the long term big picture and are only concerned with their short term personal agendas. I will forever remember which side of the fence many people have chosen.

I don't think it's true that the one side (the mask advocates/stay at home people) are more caring than the people saying that it's time to return to normal and limit the economic devastation, massive job losses, despair and loneliness brought on by extended self isolation. Businesses are not going to stay afloat unless they can operate at capacity again. Young people need to be in the physical schools around their friends. We need fun things like concerts, football games, 4th of July parades, family gatherings, church services, weddings, parties, etc for our quality of life.

We ALL have done our part to slow the spread while the medical community figured out how to treat this virus and got a better understanding of it. We now know that this virus is not nearly as deadly as once feared which is wonderful news. People have grown frustrated with the "mask nazis" or "the maskholes" as I've heard them referred to.

Were you aware that Antifa wore masks over their faces BEFORE this whole pandemic even started? Those are the folks who were setting cop cars on fire, throwing bricks at police officers, looting businesses, making the streets unsafe in many of our cities across the country. Do you think that they wear those masks because they care about you?

[giorgio1948]

Why Covid deniers? You stay home and cower in your house. I’ll go out, be careful and enjoy the The life I worked 50 years to have.

As Spock once said..."Live long and prosper"..."May The Force be with you" :pray:

[kanoa1kale2]

Yes, those of us with preexisting conditions do stay home. But we still need to go out to the pharmacy, groceries and doctor offices, where we run the risk of exposure from those who just don’t care to take precautions.

Not true!! The pharmacies have drive through pick up. Some groceries have delivery, some have pickup without contact ala Walmart. Doctors offices check you BEFORE you are admitted and enforce mask discipline. Therefore, the only exposure you would have is if you allowed it to happen, not that is is certain to happen. You are responsible for the degree of risk you take on. If you are indeed one with the comorbidities, then take the max care by staying home and having home delivery options. Be safe for you!

[kanoa1kale2]

EXACTLY correct!

Don't you wear your mask and practice social distancing at the store and gas station? If the stores have the mask sign, most of us will acknowledge that and comply as respect to the store's wishes. Therefore, the only problem you would have is if YOU don't comply with the guidelines. Don't force your views on the rest of us. That will simply not work!

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I don't think it's true that the one side (the mask advocates/stay at home people) are more caring than the people saying that it's time to return to normal and limit the economic devastation, massive job losses, despair and loneliness brought on by extended self isolation. Businesses are not going to stay afloat unless they can operate at capacity again. Young people need to be in the physical schools around their friends. We need fun things like concerts, football games, 4th of July parades, family gatherings, church services, weddings, parties, etc for our quality of life.

We ALL have done our part to slow the spread while the medical community figured out how to treat this virus and got a better understanding of it. We now know that this virus is not nearly as deadly as once feared which is wonderful news. People have grown frustrated with the "mask nazis" or "the maskholes" as I've heard them referred to.

Were you aware that Antifa wore masks over their faces BEFORE this whole pandemic even started? Those are the folks who were setting cop cars on fire, throwing bricks at police officers, looting businesses, making the streets unsafe in many of our cities across the country. Do you think that they wear those masks because they care about you?

Yes, and the KKK wore masks before anyone ever heard of the word antifa (which is NOT an organized group, for the umpteenth time, sheesh).

That has NOTHING to do with the need to wear masks during a pandemic. Nothing, zilch, nada, zip.

Try to stay on topic.

Yes, people have a need, as social creatures of the human race, to be social creatures and interact with each other. Yes, it is considered "cruel and inhuman punishment" to force anyone into isolation or intimidate them through YOUR actions such that they feel unsafe in your presence.

Yes, people who REFUSE (not merely forget, and not have some life-threatening disease that might exist but I've never actually hard of a real actual bonafide example of) to wear a mask, ARE uncaring dolts. Yes, they are. There is no "fine people on both sides." There are two sides here. The people who - regardless of how they feel about masks - are willing to wear them as a courtesy and consideration to their fellow human being. And there are people who don't care, and won't wear them, period.

People can ABSOLUTELY congregate. They can hang out at each others' houses, they can go to school, they can dance in the squares, they can vote in elections in person, they can shop in the supermarket, they can go to the movies.

They can ALSO be required to wear masks while they're doing it. The thing is - no one should need someone else to "require" it. But sadly - some people are SO myopic, SO selfish, SO aggressively nasty, that they will REFUSE to comply and allow mask-wearing to become a social nicety, and the rest of society is allowing them to change the entire tone of society into one of anger and "my rights are more important than your health." We are no longer a community. There is no spin on this. A community works together. We work against each other. Therefore, we are not a community.

We're just a bunch of neighborhoods where people all live. That's all we are now.

[Niferlou06]

AGREE, agree, and agree more with you. Just because time has passed does not mean we should lower our defences or attention. Now more than ever EVERYONE MUST WEAR MASKS, remain away from ALL crowds, to include all Villages activities and clubs. Sorry, but if we truly want this to go away we need to be vigilant now, more than ever.

[kendi]

Life is good and meant to be lived. For myself I simply take the proper precautions while out, for the sake of myself and others. If I get the virus then so be it. If I die....well shouldn’t we all be looking forward to that at least a little? At least for Christian’s that is. If not then maybe it’s time to rethink the ultimate goal of the Christian life.

[denniskathyb]

Most of my golfing buddies believe that the numbers are only going up because of increased testing. More testing more cases uncovered. (ie: Trump's position).
I disagree.

[Gulfcoast]

OrangeBlossomBaby - I know from other posts that you are a sweet lady. But the reality is there is no way to make it safe for a vulnerable person to be in a crowd. Wearing a homemade mask does not make it safe for you to do any of the things that you say. If you are susceptible to infection and severe complications from what amounts to a cold virus then you really do need to take added precautions to keep yourself safe - staying at home, ordering delivery, teledoc, pharmacy drive thrus, grocery pickups, etc. You can't live in a car dependent, active adult community like The Villages and expect to stay perfectly free from the risk of catching a cold or other virus. That is simply not the lifestyle of the community that you live in.

FWIW, I see nearly 100% compliance with mask requirements at the stores and I currently live in a regular Florida suburb. People are wearing masks but this virus is still going around because the masks offer only so much protection. "Global Pandemic" only means widespread around the world. It doesn't mean that a virus is particularly deadly even though the media would love for you to believe otherwise.

As far as Antifa not being an organized group, I beg to differ. There has very obviously been a coordinated group of anti American agitators inciting mobs across this country to riot and terrorize. The media has been doing nothing but fanning the flames.

[coffeebean]

Look at the new case numbers for the long standing mandatory mask wearing states. They are, in most cases, spiking at a rate equal to or greater than states without mandatory requirements.

Well, they must be doing SOMETHING wrong.

[LiverpoolWalrus]

"An advisor to President-elect Joe Biden has said that closing businesses for four to six weeks could help keep reduce the number of infections and get the economy on track until a vaccine is approved and distributed."
That is a scary, misguided statement. Closing businesses for 4-6 weeks will get the economy on track?!?!?

That doesn’t necessarily mean it’s Biden’s intent to do so. Can you post the source please, for full context?

[Swoop]

AGREE, agree, and agree more with you. Just because time has passed does not mean we should lower our defences or attention. Now more than ever EVERYONE MUST WEAR MASKS, remain away from ALL crowds, to include all Villages activities and clubs. Sorry, but if we truly want this to go away we need to be vigilant now, more than ever.

Wearing masks will NOT make Covid “go away”. At best they may help slow the spread.

[Swoop]

That doesn’t necessarily mean it’s Biden’s intent to do so. Can you post the source please, for full context?
CNBC
Shutting down businesses and paying people for lost wages for four to six weeks could help keep the coronavirus pandemic in check and get the economy on track until a vaccine is approved and distributed, said Dr. Michael Osterholm, a coronavirus advisor to President-elect Joe Biden.

[coffeebean]

Yes, and the KKK wore masks before anyone ever heard of the word antifa (which is NOT an organized group, for the umpteenth time, sheesh).

That has NOTHING to do with the need to wear masks during a pandemic. Nothing, zilch, nada, zip.

Try to stay on topic.

Yes, people have a need, as social creatures of the human race, to be social creatures and interact with each other. Yes, it is considered "cruel and inhuman punishment" to force anyone into isolation or intimidate them through YOUR actions such that they feel unsafe in your presence.

Yes, people who REFUSE (not merely forget, and not have some life-threatening disease that might exist but I've never actually hard of a real actual bonafide example of) to wear a mask, ARE uncaring dolts. Yes, they are. There is no "fine people on both sides." There are two sides here. The people who - regardless of how they feel about masks - are willing to wear them as a courtesy and consideration to their fellow human being. And there are people who don't care, and won't wear them, period.

People can ABSOLUTELY congregate. They can hang out at each others' houses, they can go to school, they can dance in the squares, they can vote in elections in person, they can shop in the supermarket, they can go to the movies.

They can ALSO be required to wear masks while they're doing it. The thing is - no one should need someone else to "require" it. But sadly - some people are SO myopic, SO selfish, SO aggressively nasty, that they will REFUSE to comply and allow mask-wearing to become a social nicety, and the rest of society is allowing them to change the entire tone of society into one of anger and "my rights are more important than your health." We are no longer a community. There is no spin on this. A community works together. We work against each other. Therefore, we are not a community.

We're just a bunch of neighborhoods where people all live. That's all we are now.

Sad but true commentary.

[Gulfcoast]

Well, they must be doing SOMETHING wrong.

Yet, you would feel safer in those places with curfews, mask mandates, shut downs and schools shuttered.....even though all of those draconian measures are not helping. Does that even make sense?

[LiverpoolWalrus]

CNBC
Shutting down businesses and paying people for lost wages for four to six weeks could help keep the coronavirus pandemic in check and get the economy on track until a vaccine is approved and distributed, said Dr. Michael Osterholm, a coronavirus advisor to President-elect Joe Biden.

Thanks Swoop. That’s “advice” TO Biden, which he may or may not follow, right?

[coffeebean]

Most of my golfing buddies believe that the numbers are only going up because of increased testing. More testing more cases uncovered. (ie: Trump's position).
I disagree.

Without a doubt....more testing yields higher numbers. BUT.....many people are tested multiple times and each one of those tests are counted as a NEW case. That is just irresponsibly wrong on every level. I'm appalled at how the records are being kept in this country. It seems so antiquated. This is why I pay absolutely no attention to the numbers of any sort. I pay attention to how over whelmed the hospitals and health care workers are. I pay attention to how many satellite hospital beds are being set up in parking lots. I pay attention to the refrigerated trucks being used to store bodies because morges are filled to capacity. Nope.....I don't pay attention to the numbers.

[oneclickplus]

It has been reported that people who were asymptomatic or very mild symptoms are having side effects of the virus. What those effects are, I do not know but it does not bode well that even people who were barely ill with Covid are having adverse effects after they recover.

So, it has been REPORTED but they failed to REPORT what the side effects are? Then, it wasn't reported. More fake news.

[LiverpoolWalrus]

Thanks Swoop. That’s “advice” TO Biden, which he may or may not follow, right?

From boropark24.com:

“Just last month, at a town hall in Philadelphia, Biden said, "I don't think there's a need to lock down...I laid out a plan [on] how you can open businesses. You can open businesses and schools if in fact you provide them the guidance they need as well as the money to be able to do it.”

Here’s Osterholm’s latest take of HIS opinion of a shutdown which weakens the case further that Biden would follow it.

Biden adviser walks back earlier proposal calling for lockdown - ABC News (https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/biden-covid-19-advisory-board-member-suggests-week/story?id=74173793)

[Swoop]

Thanks Swoop. That’s “advice” TO Biden, which he may or may not follow, right?
That is correct. But he named him as a Coronavirus adviser after he came out with his recommendation to shut down the economy.

[oneclickplus]

Not sarcasm, but it is complete stupidity.............the idea of Herd Immunity

Herd immunity is what Fauci and other "experts" were pushing for early on. Now it's stupidity? I don't think so. It's REALISTIC as my original post read.

If flu vaccine penetration is any guide, less than 40% will take a vaccine that comes along. I think even less than the flu vaccine participants will accept it because it is new and rushed. Everyone saying they don't know what the future holds in terms of residual effects of getting the virus is not considering the unknown of a vaccine. Sure, they tested it. And those tested have had the vaccine for at most weeks or months. But the non-realists are worrying about months and years after getting the virus.

I prefer to trust my God-given immune system to take care of this much more than I trust Pfizer.

Again - REALISM. No matter what you think is stupid, REALITY will run you over like a truck. If only 30% get the vaccine, we are still going with herd immunity by INFECTION (not necessarily sickness or death). What if 90% get this new-fangled vaccine because it's free and widely available and suddenly MILLIONS are dying. What then? Personally, I will be calling that STUPID.

On the plus side, that will make a lot of water front property available and good prices and simultaneously solve the social security financial mess. I think those relying on a vaccine are the stupid ones.

[oneclickplus]

I AM very worried about pollution....both gas pollution and noise pollution from cars AND lawnmowers. Besides bad air to breathe, pollution CAUSES Global Warming (oh, oh, I just said that bad, ugly word - around here). The fact that you are NOT is a condemnation of the US education system that is producing SCIENCE-DENIERS (oh, another BAD word - I am going to wash my mouth out with soap). Please excuse me!

But, why aren't cars / planes / lawnmowers banned then?

[Dana1963]

Well, they must be doing SOMETHING wrong.
No shirt, no shoes, no mask, NO SERVICE

[Gulfcoast]

From boropark24.com:

“Just last month, at a town hall in Philadelphia, Biden said, "I don't think there's a need to lock down...I laid out a plan [on] how you can open businesses. You can open businesses and schools if in fact you provide them the guidance they need as well as the money to be able to do it.”

Here’s Osterholm’s latest take of HIS opinion of a shutdown which weakens the case further that Biden would follow it.

Biden adviser walks back earlier proposal calling for lockdown - ABC News (https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/biden-covid-19-advisory-board-member-suggests-week/story?id=74173793)

Well, it seems as though Florida is about a thousand steps ahead of Biden because schools and businesses here are reopened and Desantis has said there will be no more shutdowns or mask mandates in this state. Other states' supreme courts have ruled that the shutdowns are unconstitutional....so, yeah, Biden probably wouldn't have much luck with a national shutdown even if he ordered one.

[oneclickplus]

I AM very worried about pollution....both gas pollution and noise pollution from cars AND lawnmowers. Besides bad air to breathe, pollution CAUSES Global Warming (oh, oh, I just said that bad, ugly word - around here). The fact that you are NOT is a condemnation of the US education system that is producing SCIENCE-DENIERS (oh, another BAD word - I am going to wash my mouth out with soap). Please excuse me!

A strange distortion of REALITY - those statements. Every TV channel is showing that Utah is at Hospital capacity, they are deciding who lives or dies. This COULD(?) be you someday that the Doctors are deciding about whether YOU die. Maybe they just flip a coin? Wisconsin has 37% positive cases. Every THIRD person is INFECTED! How is THAT NOT an emergency? The US Constitution does NOT give the people dancing at the squares the right to endanger the lives of ANY other people. They are WRONG and double wrong!

Wisconsin is lucky to get it that high. We need 90%-100% positivity and this will be over. The weak will die and 99% will survive. What - evolution and survival of the fittest is no longer the religion you profess?

[Advogado]

The bottom line is that Florida needs to join 35 other states and save lives by enacting a state-wide mask mandate. However, since DeSantis is living is in an alternate universe regarding the severity of COVID-19, a mask mandate has to be enacted in Sumter County at the county level. Such a county mandate will have to be carefully drafted in light of DeSantis's executive-order suspending fines and penalties "on individuals" violating COVID regulations, but local action is necessary. Action by enough local governments will pressure DeSantis to get real in dealing with the virus.

Eventually, there will probably be a statewide mandate in Florida, but DeSantis will apparently only change his position after thousands of Floridians needlessly die.

Full disclosure, I voted for DeSantis, but he has fumbled the handling of COVID-19.

[Rosebud1949]

Why Covid deniers? You stay home and cower in your house. I’ll go out, be careful and enjoy the The life I worked 50 years to have.
Make the most of " the life you have worked for for 50 years" It will not last that long with these actions.

[Gulfcoast]

The bottom line is that Florida needs to join 35 other states and save lives by enacting a state-wide mask mandate. However, since DeSantis is living is in an alternate universe regarding the severity of COVID-19, a mask mandate has to be enacted in Sumter County at the county level. Such a county mandate will have to be carefully drafted in light of DeSantis's executive-order suspending fines and penalties "on individuals" violating COVID regulations, but local action is necessary. Action by enough local governments will pressure DeSantis to get real in dealing with the virus.

Eventually, there will probably be a statewide mandate in Florida, but DeSantis will apparently only change his position after thousands of Floridians needlessly die.

Full disclosure, I voted for DeSantis, but he has fumbled the handling of COVID-19.

I think that Desantis is one of the best governors in this entire country. When this crisis first began, he had the foresight to protect our most vulnerable senior citizens by implementing strict visitation guidelines in assisted living and nursing home communities.

Some of the most abysmal statistics in that regard come from the states like Michigan, NY and NJ who put COVID-19 patients in with medically fragile elderly people while shutting out visits from their (very) concerned family members. The lack of common sense and decency in those so called leaders is beyond appalling and they are not the ones to look to for standards.

Statistics are simply not bearing out this idea that shut downs, mask mandates, curfews or other draconian rules are keeping citizens any safer.

[Swoop]

The bottom line is that Florida needs to join 35 other states and save lives by enacting a state-wide mask mandate. However, since DeSantis is living is in an alternate universe regarding the severity of COVID-19, a mask mandate has to be enacted in Sumter County at the county level. Such a county mandate will have to be carefully drafted in light of DeSantis's executive-order suspending fines and penalties "on individuals" violating COVID regulations, but local action is necessary. Action by enough local governments will pressure DeSantis to get real in dealing with the virus.

Eventually, there will probably be a statewide mandate in Florida, but DeSantis will apparently only change his position after thousands of Floridians needlessly die.

Full disclosure, I voted for DeSantis, but he has fumbled the handling of COVID-19.
States that require mask wearing are not faring any better than states without mandatory mask ordinances.
If fact some are doing considerably worse. Look it up.

[LiverpoolWalrus]

I prefer to trust my God-given immune system to take care of this much more than I trust Pfizer.



Bingo. No greater words of wisdom have been spoken in all these months, in my opinion, as regards the healthy among us, with no co-morbidities.

Not just the immune system, Oneclick, but our mental conviction that we're going to stay healthy (some might call it "faith," I call it the astonishingly powerful mind/body connection, which isn't given nearly enough credit, as I see it.)

7 Ways to Use Your Mind to Strengthen and Heal Your Body | Psychology Today (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/what-mentally-strong-people-dont-do/201611/7-ways-use-your-mind-strengthen-and-heal-your-body)

Mind & Body Connection: Helping Seniors Stay Healthy - California Mobility (https://californiamobility.com/mind-and-body-connection-helping-seniors-stay-healthy/)

[Jacob85]

You are so right! They are acting like it is gone and it’s never been worse. Guess some people thought it would be gone on Election Day but since this is science, guess they were wrong! When people are out there being super spreaders we can’t even go to the grocery store without being worried. They also discovered the mask protects both people which I thought all along.

[Jacob85]

You are so right! They are acting like it is gone and it’s never been worse. Guess some people thought it would be gone on Election Day but since this is science, guess they were wrong! When people are out there being super spreaders we can’t even go to the grocery store without being worried. They also discovered the mask protects both people which I thought all along. Herd amenity is not possible and a very bad idea as about 500,000 more people would have to die

[Byte1]

NO!!I'm not going to stay home. I want to be a member of society who supports our restaurants, big box stores, small business, fitness centers, gas stations, retail stores, movie theaters (when ever they open up), coffee shops, etc, etc, etc. I'm doing my part to allow the economy to recover, keep the economy healthy and eventually thrive. That is what I'm doing and I do it with a mask on indoors and I keep my distance from others at all times. No reason for anyone to not remain employed and support their families if people adhere to the CDC guidelines.

American cities which are having spikes due to folks who are "Living their lives" are beginning to have shut downs and impose curfews. THAT is what happens when people "Live their lives". Do you understand why that is happening?

We can continue to "live our lives" as long as we wear masks and remain diligent about keeping our distance from others. That means no shoulder to shoulder proximity to others you do not know. The squares are a perfect example of that. I'm staying away from the squares but, NO, I will not stay home.

Then don't complain when someone does not agree with your view and decides not to wear a mask. You cannot make demands on other people, just because you believe all the hype and wish to panic when you see someone not wearing a mask. It is your choice to jump into the water. Most likely there won't be a 'gator in the water, but there could be. It is only your fault if you wish to enter the "danger" zone.

[Byte1]

Why the derogatory words directed to people who are cautious and need to protect themselves? Snarky phrases like “cower in their homes” and “those with their hair on fire” say more about the people who use them than the people they’re mocking. Those who are healthy and plan to go out and “enjoy themselves” obviously have no clue that if they get the virus and are asymptomatic, they could spread it to others when they go shopping, to a restaurant, or wherever. We are all responsible for each other, regardless of what selfish people may think.

Nope, you are not responsible for "each other" unless you wish to take on the responsibility. Sorry, but I no longer wish to be responsible for anyone but whom I choose to be responsible for. And that currently is limited to my spouse. If that is being selfish in your eyes, then you are entitled to your opinion. But, in my eyes it is those that demand that are selfish.

[coffeebean]

Wearing masks will NOT make Covid “go away”. At best they may help slow the spread.

That is nothing new. It has long been touted that we must do everything we can to slow the spread of the virus. It was and remains imperative to slow the spread of the virus so we do not overwhelm our health care system and our over worked health care workers who put themselves at risk every time they go to work. Anyone who refuses to do their part is just not listening.

[jimjamuser]

Stay home. I’ll go out.
Sadly Fl. Gov. DeSantis has bent to the will of his superiors in Political leadership. And there are not enough free-thinking, empathetic Fl. citizens to complain and throttle back on his 100% opening up Florida edicts. Many more conscientious Governors of either party are dialing back selected activities in their state. They are, also, instituting needed mask mandates - despite mask-wearing having UNNECESSARILY become an extremely polarizing subject, a wedge issue. This should NEVER even become an issue in the US - it was easily accepted by the citizens of New Zealand when their government needed them to respond - no problem, they responded. Many other successful countries have reacted JUST like New Zealand. They TRUST their government because they show them the science of mask-wearing and they believe in science more than citizens do in the US. The US citizens put too much weight on anti-science promoters and obscure conspiracy theories - like Qanon. With US CV cases hitting a record of 184,000 per day, the US and particularly Florida are going to have to have a "come to Jesus" moment when America is cemented back together and wedge issues are "put in the rearview mirror" so that mask-wearing, restaurant limitations, and other limitations of activity are universally WELCOMED and ACCEPTED by citizens. Wedges need to be torn down and replaced with empathy and one single mindset to fight against the CV. The CV problem will become so BAD after Thanksgiving that Florida and the US will be dragged "kicking and screaming" back to science and empathy for each other. Because we are ALL together in one big boat and to survive we MUST cooperate. Failure to do this will cause Florida to become like South Dakota which today has a 60% positive CV rate, meaning that every 2 out of 3 persons is carrying the virus.

[coffeebean]

Yet, you would feel safer in those places with curfews, mask mandates, shut downs and schools shuttered.....even though all of those draconian measures are not helping. Does that even make sense?

I never said I want shut downs, curfews, schools shuttered or any of those economy shattering measures. You must have me mixed up with someone else.

What l I would like to see is universal masking when indoors, strict social distancing and masking outdoors when social distancing can not be maintained. I much prefer the conservative measures, if you will, than the Draconian measures you mentioned.

[Byte1]

Society does have the right and the responsibility to protect its members from dangerous behaviors of others. It’s the core value of safety regulations, starting with not smoking in restaurants, wearing life jackets and seat belts, and ending with criminal laws against drunk driving, assault, and murder. People who don’t accept reasonable restrictions on group behavior, such as masking and social distancing, are a danger to themselves and others and should be treated accordingly.

That is YOUR opinion. My opinion is that it is not the gov's responsibility to regulate your healthy habits. Smoking in businesses is the businesses' business, not those that complain. If I do not wish to wear a mask, that does not make me dangerous. It is ONLY dangerous IF I have a contagious disease. Many of you folks insist that those that do not wear a mask are dangerous, and that is unfounded and you have no evidence that it is dangerous. If a person has been maskless all their lives and suddenly you decide they must wear a mask or be labeled dangerous just because of mass hysteria, then that is all on the one making baseless demands. And I say baseless because there is no evidence that those that do not wear a mask are even infected. The ones that say that demanding others to wear a mask if to protect other folks, do not know if that person that is maskless just came from a testing where he was deemed uninfected. Some folks always have an excuse to infringe on others' liberty.
Some folks need to be responsible for themselves and quit demanding others take care of them.

[Byte1]

I never said I want shut downs, curfews, schools shuttered or any of those economy shattering measures. You must have me mixed up with someone else.

What l I would like to see is universal masking when indoors, strict social distancing and masking outdoors when social distancing can not be maintained. I much prefer the conservative measures, if you will, than the Draconian measures you mentioned.

WHY?
Perhaps I wish to see everyone wear only blue shirts and pants. Does my demand matter any less or more than yours?

[Byte1]

CNBC
Shutting down businesses and paying people for lost wages for four to six weeks could help keep the coronavirus pandemic in check and get the economy on track until a vaccine is approved and distributed, said Dr. Michael Osterholm, a coronavirus advisor to President-elect Joe Biden.

I think the gov should close down everything and just pay our mortgages, utilities and food as well as give us free health care, permanently. They can just print up more money. Let us stay home and watch TV. After all, why go to all the dangerous trouble of leaving home when the gov can have our meals delivered. Oh, wait a minute....who's going to deliver the meals? Who's going to keep the power on and the water running? Who's going to put the fires out? Who's going to populate the hospitals and take care of the ill or wounded? Oh my! Who's going to take care of us?

[Dorebea]

Why Covid deniers? You stay home and cower in your house. I’ll go out, be careful and enjoy the The life I worked 50 years to have.

Here is a case study the CDC published about an outbreak in Maine last August. 55 people went to a wedding. 177 people ultimately became infected and in the end 7 people died. None of the 7 attended the wedding but were exposed from people who did (2nd or 3rd level exposure). Sobering report. It’s not just about you! It’s also about helping others enjoy the life they too worked for years to have!

Multiple COVID-19 Outbreaks Linked to a Wedding Reception in Rural Maine — August 7–September 14, 2020 | MMWR (https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6945a5.htm)

[Happinow]

I don’t think anyone can deny that the virus is real. Everyone has their own opinion on how they want to handle it. By opening everything back up, it gives those who desire to go about their lives to do so, and those who don’t want to go out of the house a choice as well. As I see it, it’s a win win for both sides....it’s open if you would like to enjoy it, and if you choose not to, don’t. It’s as simple as that. One side should not be condemning the other. We are’s till free, for as long as it lasts, to make our own choices.

[jimjamuser]

I don't think it's true that the one side (the mask advocates/stay at home people) are more caring than the people saying that it's time to return to normal and limit the economic devastation, massive job losses, despair and loneliness brought on by extended self isolation. Businesses are not going to stay afloat unless they can operate at capacity again. Young people need to be in the physical schools around their friends. We need fun things like concerts, football games, 4th of July parades, family gatherings, church services, weddings, parties, etc for our quality of life.

We ALL have done our part to slow the spread while the medical community figured out how to treat this virus and got a better understanding of it. We now know that this virus is not nearly as deadly as once feared which is wonderful news. People have grown frustrated with the "mask nazis" or "the maskholes" as I've heard them referred to.

Were you aware that Antifa wore masks over their faces BEFORE this whole pandemic even started? Those are the folks who were setting cop cars on fire, throwing bricks at police officers, looting businesses, making the streets unsafe in many of our cities across the country. Do you think that they wear those masks because they care about you?
Mask-wearers and non-mask-wearers BOTH agree that they preferred the better times before CV - but the REALITY of the situation is that ALL our lives are SEVERELY changed by CV. Modern History will speak of this period as BEFORE CV and AFTER CV because the changes are so abrupt, so intense, and so DISRUPTIVE! We just need to LIVE through this society CHANGING event!

I am confused by the 3rd paragraph. Was it to point out that within the US, terror groups exist? We ALL probably are aware of that? To point out that both BAD and GOOD people wear masks for Bad and GOOD reasons? I tried to analyze that 3rd paragraph, but I could not reach a conclusion?

[Advogado]

I think that Desantis is one of the best governors in this entire country. When this crisis first began, he had the foresight to protect our most vulnerable senior citizens by implementing strict visitation guidelines in assisted living and nursing home communities.

Some of the most abysmal statistics in that regard come from the states like Michigan, NY and NJ who put COVID-19 patients in with medically fragile elderly people while shutting out visits from their (very) concerned family members. The lack of common sense and decency in those so called leaders is beyond appalling and they are not the ones to look to for standards.

Statistics are simply not bearing out this idea that shut downs, mask mandates, curfews or other draconian rules are keeping citizens any safer.
There simply is no question that masks save lives. Thus, they are recommended by virtually every expert in the field.

[jimjamuser]

Life is good and meant to be lived. For myself I simply take the proper precautions while out, for the sake of myself and others. If I get the virus then so be it. If I die....well shouldn’t we all be looking forward to that at least a little? At least for Christian’s that is. If not then maybe it’s time to rethink the ultimate goal of the Christian life.
No religion would say for people to SURRENDER to a PLAGUE and become a denier of Science!

[Gulfcoast]

I never said I want shut downs, curfews, schools shuttered or any of those economy shattering measures. You must have me mixed up with someone else.

What l I would like to see is universal masking when indoors, strict social distancing and masking outdoors when social distancing can not be maintained. I much prefer the conservative measures, if you will, than the Draconian measures you mentioned.

O.k. so you don't want people to impose restrictions on you that you don't agree with but you feel it's o.k. to impose your restrictions on others that they don't agree with?

I think that people have been playing along with the masks for the most part and there will be some major push back if there are mask mandates put in place.

[jimjamuser]

OrangeBlossomBaby - I know from other posts that you are a sweet lady. But the reality is there is no way to make it safe for a vulnerable person to be in a crowd. Wearing a homemade mask does not make it safe for you to do any of the things that you say. If you are susceptible to infection and severe complications from what amounts to a cold virus then you really do need to take added precautions to keep yourself safe - staying at home, ordering delivery, teledoc, pharmacy drive thrus, grocery pickups, etc. You can't live in a car dependent, active adult community like The Villages and expect to stay perfectly free from the risk of catching a cold or other virus. That is simply not the lifestyle of the community that you live in.

FWIW, I see nearly 100% compliance with mask requirements at the stores and I currently live in a regular Florida suburb. People are wearing masks but this virus is still going around because the masks offer only so much protection. "Global Pandemic" only means widespread around the world. It doesn't mean that a virus is particularly deadly even though the media would love for you to believe otherwise.

As far as Antifa not being an organized group, I beg to differ. There has very obviously been a coordinated group of anti American agitators inciting mobs across this country to riot and terrorize. The media has been doing nothing but fanning the flames.
Sorry but this COVID IS (big time IS) an extremely deadly virus that you REALLY do NOT want to tango with. Total deaths are about 1/4 of a MILLION deaths, today. Medical experts predict one-half of a million deaths by mid-2021. Today hospitalizations are about 4.5 million people. So, to extend that to mid-2021, that would be (say) about 10 million people that have been killed or have had terrible experiences with CV. A terrible experience could be a hospital bill too big to ever pay. So, by mid-2021 10 million out of 360 million have suffered badly from CV. That is 1 person out of every 36 that you walk by in a week had bad experiences. Then count the families that have been disrupted. That would make about 1 person out of EVERY 6th person having bad experiences with CV. NOW, everyone knows a friend that has been affected by CV and we are just to mid-2021. It might be over by then, but SOME MEDICAL experts believe that CV will remain an every- year problem into the future????

[jimjamuser]

CNBC
Shutting down businesses and paying people for lost wages for four to six weeks could help keep the coronavirus pandemic in check and get the economy on track until a vaccine is approved and distributed, said Dr. Michael Osterholm, a coronavirus advisor to President-elect Joe Biden.
Dr. Osterholm has been right about all his predictions to date. If you saw the whole context of his remarks you would see that he is again correct. He is ADVISING for a good, possible solution.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

OrangeBlossomBaby - I know from other posts that you are a sweet lady. But the reality is there is no way to make it safe for a vulnerable person to be in a crowd. Wearing a homemade mask does not make it safe for you to do any of the things that you say. If you are susceptible to infection and severe complications from what amounts to a cold virus then you really do need to take added precautions to keep yourself safe - staying at home, ordering delivery, teledoc, pharmacy drive thrus, grocery pickups, etc. You can't live in a car dependent, active adult community like The Villages and expect to stay perfectly free from the risk of catching a cold or other virus. That is simply not the lifestyle of the community that you live in.

FWIW, I see nearly 100% compliance with mask requirements at the stores and I currently live in a regular Florida suburb. People are wearing masks but this virus is still going around because the masks offer only so much protection. "Global Pandemic" only means widespread around the world. It doesn't mean that a virus is particularly deadly even though the media would love for you to believe otherwise.

As far as Antifa not being an organized group, I beg to differ. There has very obviously been a coordinated group of anti American agitators inciting mobs across this country to riot and terrorize. The media has been doing nothing but fanning the flames.

You're using unreasonable goalposts to justify an opinion that has no justification.

Yes people who have EXTREME situations, need to take EXTREME measures. But MOST people don't have extreme situations. Most people - especially here at the Villages, have moderate risks. Higher risks simply by virtue of the fact that they're OLD, and lower risks by virtue of the fact that this is an active community and most of these old people don't hang out on rocking chairs knitting until their arthritis and dementia puts them in a home for the aged. I'd venture to guess that the overall fitness level of our community is the #1 reason we're not all sick - and if it weren't for that, there would be thousands more dead old people in Sumter County than the comparable low quantity there are now.

You're also using "safe from" as your benchmark. That is an unreasonable benchmark. The appropriate and correct benchmark with regards to mask wearing, social distancing, and hand sanitizing is "LESS UNSAFE."

There is a HUGE difference between "100% safe" and "less unsafe." There is ALWAYS a risk. The risk is reduced when we (get ready for it)...


(wait for it)...


(drumroll)...


Wash your hands. Social distance. Wear a mask.

Risk reduction. Not safe. Less unsafe. Risk reduction. Not safe. Less unsafe.

Not sure how many posts have to have these phrases in them, before people who insist that the opposite of their opinion is "masks will prevent" anything at all, realize that it is not the opposite of their opinion.

Their opinion is "screw masks, they don't work, I don't like them, I don't wanna, my freedom to go where I want and if you don't like it stay home."

OUR opinion is: "Masks REDUCE THE RISKS, we don't like them, we don't wanna, but we are civilized, so if you don't like it, YOU stay home."