Fully open squares

[kcrazorbackfan]

I guess you old folks want to look and act like the spring breakers in Miami.

[tophcfa]

My wife and I decided to take a risk and mask up and check out the cruise in at Spanish Springs last night. After about 30 seconds we looked at each other and said WTF and went home. The numbers now are about the same as they were a year ago when everything was totally shut down, yet many folks are now acting like the pandemic is over. Go figure? We have made significant sacrifices for a year now and are not going to give in and make it all for not. Hopefully we will all be vaccinated soon and can begin to return to the new normal.

[thelegges]

Squares have been open for awhile, other than the ticket issue, things pretty much look the same. Depending on who the favorite is at a square, means really packed. Just got home around 11:30, kind of chilly to be out and about tonight.

[Stu from NYC]

Are the chairs back yet?

[billethkid]

The wild card will be the number of folks who get vaccinated (or not).

If it follows the annual flu trend...maybe 50%....maybe higher in TV due to concentration of elder folks.

[Chi-Town]

Saw the Spazmatics at LSL Friday. No barriers and no entry/exit checks. Everything was back to normal except the lack of provided chairs. People were partying like 2019.

[John_W]

...

[Chi-Town]

So no chairs, is happy hour back? I actually prefer to go to the drink huts just before happy hour when I arrive. You always miss the beginning of the band waiting in line at 5pm. I'll get two double wines for $10 and at happy hour it's $8, I rather pay $2 more and walk right up and be in my seat when band starts.

Happy hour is back for beer and wine but not mixed drinks. Prices have gone up since the kiosks reopened. Ordered a double mixed drink and it was $9.00. Not sure about wine.

[Love2Swim]

I guess everyone has their own level of comfort and their own degree of belief in science. I would guess there a lot of people who haven't been vaccinated and don't intend to be. I've had my shots, but don't want to be around them. Dr. Fauci is recommending social distancing and masks.

[karostay]

All I saw on the news was bunch of idiots looking for a party don't think a single one was in college

[MickeyStevens]

All I saw on the news was bunch of idiots looking for a party don't think a single one was in college

I'm glad I did all the partying to last a life time when I was young. Just because someone gets older doesn't mean they got any smarter.

[vintageogauge]

I guess you old folks want to look and act like the spring breakers in Miami.

I wish I looked like the spring breakers in Miami but unfortunately those days are over.

[Stu from NYC]

The reason I asked about if chairs were back is that last week walking around Lake sumter saw some very big stacks of chairs in the square and didnt remember them being there the week before.

[stanley]

The reason I asked about if chairs were back is that last week walking around Lake sumter saw some very big stacks of chairs in the square and didnt remember them being there the week before.

There are chairs at Sumter and Spanish Springs,,, just not as many as before

[EdFNJ]

The numbers now are about the same as they were a year ago when everything was totally shut down, yet many folks are now acting like the pandemic is over. That's what I can't understand. I have had my shots and don't really care too much but the logic boggles my mind. Of course when folks in high places say "everything is fine go out and party" that does contribute to the "it's all over" mentality as well as the absolute disaster in Miami Beach which would be bad even without a pandemic.

[camaguey48]

I guess everyone has their own level of comfort and their own degree of belief in science. I would guess there a lot of people who haven't been vaccinated and don't intend to be. I've had my shots, but don't want to be around them. Dr. Fauci is recommending social distancing and masks.
Two masks. We'll be ready to go by July 4th. I can't wait, meanwhile, I'll keep re breathing my own carbon dioxide. Such bliss!

[coffeebean]

Two masks. We'll be ready to go by July 4th. I can't wait, meanwhile, I'll keep re breathing my own carbon dioxide. Such bliss!

Has anyone keeled over from CO2 intoxication yet? Didn't think so.

[golfing eagles]

Has anyone keeled over from CO2 intoxication yet? Didn't think so.

Doubt it. The only people a mask would affect are those with severe COPD since the mask adds a bit of extra obstruction. Those people are probably already in a wheelchair on supplemental O2.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Are the chairs back yet?

Chairs were back last night.

Haven't we been told that it's almost impossible to contract this virus outdoors? What's the problem.

The problem in Miami Beach was caused by the city instituting a ridiculous 8PM curfew during spring break and then sending out riot squads to enforce it. Instead of realizing their mistake, they changed the curfew to 7PM.

The chances of contracting the virus outdoors is practically nil and the chances of a college aged person getting seriously ill from it are even lower.

Yes, I do believe that those of us that are in the Villages age group have to be especially careful but wearing a mask while driving in your golf cart is preventing nothing. And he chance of catching the virus outdoors at the squares is almost zero.

There's a difference between being careful and being paranoid.

[Tmarkwald]

Has anyone keeled over from CO2 intoxication yet? Didn't think so.

No, however, the paper masks are one-use things, and cloth masks are supposed to be washed. There have been incidents of mold growth on the masks due to humidity.. not CO2..

[chet2020]

Two masks. We'll be ready to go by July 4th. I can't wait, meanwhile, I'll keep re breathing my own carbon dioxide. Such bliss!

The amount of air we inhale and expire dwarfs the airspace in a mask.

[golfing eagles]

The amount of air we inhale and expire dwarfs the airspace in a mask.

The problem for those with respiratory compromise is not the AMOUNT of CO2 they "rebreathe", it is the added obstructive component that leads to CO2 RETENTION.

[La lamy]

I love how SS square was designed with so much parking around the band. Easy to stay in parked vehicle and enjoy a night out.

[Bay Kid]

I love how SS square was designed with so much parking around the band. Easy to stay in parked vehicle and enjoy a night out.

The SS square always reminds me of the movie American Graffiti. Cruising! And also reminds me of home, being on the water.

[Stu from NYC]

Guess it is time for my wife and I to start enjoying entertainment on the squares

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

In spite of the negative wording, this article says what has always been known about contracting Covid-19 out doors. From the article: "There were virtually no cases that we could identify that took place in sort of everyday life outdoors," study author Mike Weed, a professor and researcher at Canterbury Christ Church University, told AFP.

About 9% of all people in the United States have contracted Covid-19. What this article says is that six percent of that nine percent have contracted it outdoors. Someone do the math for me and tell me what the odds are of catching it at the squares.

But read the whole thing here:
Catching coronavirus outside is rare but not impossible (https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-10-coronavirus-rare-impossible.html)

[swissy]

Guess it is time for my wife and I to start enjoying entertainment on the squares
Check out the webcams of the 3 squares and surroundings. Maybe this will help you to decide if you want to go there. :popcorn:
Here is the link: The Villages (https://www.stockers.ch/thevillages/)

[Packer Fan]

I guess everyone has their own level of comfort and their own degree of belief in science. I would guess there a lot of people who haven't been vaccinated and don't intend to be. I've had my shots, but don't want to be around them. Dr. Fauci is recommending social distancing and masks.

I wasn't going to say anything, but you bring up Emporer Fauci so I had to. I have been paying attention, and I have an Engineering degree and understand statistics. To be honest you don't have to be a scientist to see what is true and what is not- The most obvious things are - Lockdowns and masks do just about NOTHING. It is all theater. This virus is kind of nasty if you are older than 65, if you are not, it just is not that scary, especially if you are under 40 (I am 57). The Vaccines are SAFE and EFFECTIVE. Once you are 2 weeks past second shot, go live your life, you will be fine, no matter what your age.

Trump should have fired Fauci, he can't make up his mind, and he would not know "science" if it bit him. Of course if you believe that people don't know their sex when they are born and that is your idea of "Science", then Fauci is an "Expert".

Sorry, I just am so sick of people believing lies, on BOTH sides(including the antivax crowd), I had to say something. I did not mean to sound like I was attacking you.

Once you have the shot - go have fun.

[coffeebean]

I love how SS square was designed with so much parking around the band. Easy to stay in parked vehicle and enjoy a night out.

LSL is designed that way too. LSL is my favorite town square.

[Packer Fan]

In spite of the negative wording, this article says what has always been known about contracting Covid-19 out doors. From the article: "There were virtually no cases that we could identify that took place in sort of everyday life outdoors," study author Mike Weed, a professor and researcher at Canterbury Christ Church University, told AFP.

About 9% of all people in the United States have contracted Covid-19. What this article says is that six percent of that nine percent have contracted it outdoors. Someone do the math for me and tell me what the odds are of catching it at the squares.

But read the whole thing here:
Catching coronavirus outside is rare but not impossible (https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-10-coronavirus-rare-impossible.html)

Winston- I have to say I agree with just about everything you posted in this column, except one. My wife is a school district Nurse and has been a peds nurse for 35 years. Basically, she would tell you that a LOT more kids have had this than have been tested. Most Pediatricians are telling parents not to bother testing, and don't worry about it, they will be over it in 2 days. In fact, many parents have had "covid parties" to get it over with (remember chickenpox parties? Same thing). Also, JP morgans statisticians think that between 30 and 40% of the population have had this. Based on people I know that seems a bit high, but oh well. My view is get everyone over 40 vacinated and open up. the young people will pass it around to all of the rest in no time. We should leave the spring breakers alone to have fun. They have made their decision.

Of course I ride a Harley and some people think I am nuts. Get you Vaccine and stop worrying is my view. The whole idea is that if you are vaccinated, you won't end up in to the hospital. Even if you get sick it will be minor.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Winston- I have to say I agree with just about everything you posted in this column, except one. My wife is a school district Nurse and has been a peds nurse for 35 years. Basically, she would tell you that a LOT more kids have had this than have been tested. Most Pediatricians are telling parents not to bother testing, and don't worry about it, they will be over it in 2 days. In fact, many parents have had "covid parties" to get it over with (remember chickenpox parties? Same thing). Also, JP morgans statisticians think that between 30 and 40% of the population have had this. Based on people I know that seems a bit high, but oh well. My view is get everyone over 40 vacinated and open up. the young people will pass it around to all of the rest in no time. We should leave the spring breakers alone to have fun. They have made their decision.

Of course I ride a Harley and some people think I am nuts. Get you Vaccine and stop worrying is my view. The whole idea is that if you are vaccinated, you won't end up in to the hospital. Even if you get sick it will be minor.

I wouldn't disagree with that. But take even 6% of 30%. The chances of contracting it outdoors are very low.

But the fact remains that in states like Florida, that have had less restrictive policies, the number of cases and deaths are no worse and in many cases better than states like California, New York, Massachusetts and New Jersey that have the most restrictions. And those states economies are in much worse shape than ours in Florida. Lockdowns have no worked.

With the age group in The Villages, one would think that we would be the epicenter of the death toll from this virus. In fact we are not. Add to that we have not have had he most restrictive policies and the economy in and around The Villages is relatively good.

I've had both of my shots by the way.

[MrFlorida]

Chairs are back, squares are back to normal.

[Happinow]

Things are getting back to Pre-covid and that’s a good thing. If masks worked, there wouldn’t be people sick. It says right on the box of masks that it doesn’t protect against viruses, yet Fauci says wear them...🤷*♀️🤷*♀️. We have been mask free for about 6+months now and are as healthy as ever. If people are scared to go out without a mask then feel free to wear one. Likewise, if you don’t want to wear one, then don’t. It’s called freedom of choice. The masks have proven nothing except they don’t work! We won’t be going to any events that require masks. No more diapers on our faces! I want people to see my smile and that I have an identity.

[PugMom]

Are the chairs back yet?

in brownwood last night the usual brown plastic chairs were not set up, but they were available.

[Papa_lecki]

Enough -

50% of Florididians over 65 are vaccinated (with both shots).
70% have at least their first.
62% of Sumter County 65+ has both shots (here’s the source for that)
CDC COVID Data Tracker (https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view)