Finally, an intelligent and informative post. It is ethnocentric to NOT look at how other countries have SUCCESSFULLY handled the Virus. And now ask why the US failed? It is SSSOOOO easy!

Maybe we should have followed Sweden’s lead and left everything running. Rather than choosing to spread the virus out like we did, they left their economy open. They didn’t suffer the negative economic impact we did and they quickly achieved herd immunity. Now their nationwide deaths from Covid are down to one or two per day...

Life goes on....we can't allow every small business to fail, but we also can't place those at risk in harms way...trying to find a happy medium is the challenge

We take responsibility for ourselves and our own health & safety...we wear masks, we wash our hands and we maintain social distancing to the best of our ability

We absolutely have no intention of 'hiding in the house', but will continue to play it as safe as we feel appropriate

We'll go to "The Squares" periodically...but most likely remain on the sidewalks vs. bothering to get a ticket and wait in line to get in

We'll vote in person and grocery shop in person

As much as we like going to The Sharon and The Savannah Center if there's no vaccine when they reopen, we'll wait...same with the movie houses

We'll go to a few select restaurants, like we have been, but mostly we'll cook at home...the food is better and less costly anyway

We'll avoid flying...but we'll travel via auto and stay in high end hotels

Shortly we're off for a week at the beach...nice little beachfront cottage...cooking in all week

Next up is a trip up to South Carolina's Low Country...exact timing TBD

Wife had a girlfriend neighbor over for 'coffee and' the other morning....they're playing it safe too....low risk

We had backdoor neighbors over for dinner a week or two ago...they're playing it safe too...low risk

We had a friend and his wife over for wine & conversation...they're playing it safe too...low risk

just not interested in herding into a crowded bar or restaurant with folks that we don't know yet

Herd immunity or herd mentality. It is a non-scientific rationalization for the US to return to "normal" without being close to normal in reality. Look to Germany and Japan for correct results, not Sweden.

A quick search reveals many scientists disagree with your remark of herd immunity being a non-scientific rationalization.

For example:

“Herd Immunity”: A Rough Guide
Paul Fine, Ken Eames, David L. Heymann

Clinical Infectious Diseases, Volume 52, Issue 7, 1 April 2011, Pages 911–916

Then how do you explain the fact that Sweden is down to 1 or 2 Covid deaths per day now?

Read the paper I mentioned in my first quote. I never said anything other than many scientists do think herd immunity is real and science based.

covid deaths in new york state - Bing

Covid deaths in Florida - Bing

Florida is more populous than New York State.

That’s your choice, no one is mandating you go to restaurants. I for one am happy to have the chance to get out a bit more.

I do think your logic is ridiculous but it works for you right?

It's all about the money.....tis the season so making things available for the snowbirds and tourists is the only think that matters. Disney, Universal need more people inside. Hopefully there will be surprises over the next couple months and the cases and deaths won't increase. I never lead in these things so will sit back and watch the non-believers, uninformed or those that make up the statistics take the lead.

Try looking at the the recent past; not the accumulated death toll since March. NY has averaged only a handful of deaths per day since the end of June. Florida has been averaging over 100+ deaths per day.

A good book to read: Lying with Statistics

They used contact tracing via an individual’s cell phone. You would be okay with a government entity tracking your whereabouts 24x7? Specific to South Korea, They also confiscated medical supplies from commercial companies and as yet there has not been a final decision on the repayment methods. You’re okay with that too?

The vaccine from at least one company who is in phase three trials does prevent infection from Covid. Another in phase three not only prevents but has been shown to eliminate the virus. You can look it up. And just how many people do you believe don’t get an annual flu shot. You can go to the CDC website and find out. But here’s a stat. Only 60% of individuals 65 and older in 2019 got a flu shot. So that leaves 40% at risk. The same will hold true with the Covid vaccine and in the initial year of availability the percentage of individuals 65 and older who get the Covid vaccine will be in my opinion less than 60%.