[wmcgowan]

Originally Posted by davem4616

stay the course...this isn't going to last forever

continue to take control of your life/life choices....do what you feel comfortable doing

avoid those places where you know there will be people there that are not playing it as safe as you are

you cant control other people - they will do as they please - take care of yourself - remember it's a virus - there is no cure - there is no vaccine - anybody ever take a sick kid to the Dr. who said - it's a virus - gotta ride it out - be smart be safe

[spubear2]

Originally Posted by Boomer

I have said it before and I will say it again — we are finding out who we really are and we are finding out who other people really are.

It is not just the aggravation of having to dodge barefaced, angry-looking strangers in grocery stores. It is also the bizarre behavior of people we know — or thought we knew.

In my northern life, I have been a part of a loosely connected social group of women for the past few years. We have been able to get together outside this summer with proper social distancing. We could all scoot our lawn chairs around until we felt OK.

One of the women phoned me for a normal reason, but half way through the conversation she suddenly launched into a harangue about the virus being a hoax and how stupid masks are — and then she fevered up into a creepy ode to the source of her disinformation.

I did not argue with her. I knew there was no point. I simply wrote her off. I figure if she considers me to be disposable, I will not feel bad about disposing of having her in my life, by backing away — backing up, both figuratively and literally.

She has no idea though where I have placed her in my thinking. Actually, that makes me feel kind of guilty, not because I am finished with her but because I did not speak up. I feel guilty because I am so good at the suburban social dance. Damn.

Boomer

Boomer - I hear you. I think you did the right thing!

[Katydyd]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

Most people are behaving.

This morning everyone in Big Lots and mostly everyone at Walmarts are masked up

I just decided to stop shopping at Wal-Mart. Not at all safe inside, and every time I try pick-up, they say they have my most important item, then when I get there, they don't. Or, they tell me to pick it up inside the store, totally defeating the purpose of doing pick-up or delivery. Life is too short, and there are too many other stores following the rules. Big Lots and Dollar General seem to follow the rules. I have too many immunocompromised people I love in my life to risk infecting them. I have to sadly admit "culling the herd" has crossed my mind, but what about all the innocents they infect in their path of destruction?

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

What stands out to me in the original post is the couple claiming that their civil rights would be violated if they are required to wear a mask.

This is not the first time this argument has come about. I saw a video of a guy trying to get into a store screaming that it's still a free country.

Freedom and civil rights have nothing to do with businesses requiring people that enter their premises to wear a mask.

A business has every right to decide with whom and under what circumstances they will do business. Some upscale restaurants require men to wear a coat and tie. Some have signs saying "No Shirt, No Shoes, No Business". These requirements have nothing to do with freedom or civil rights. If you don't like the store's rules, you are free to not go in. The store is also free to set standards on which you may enter.

Some business do not allow firearms. There is not law against someone that has a permit to enter these facilities. All the business can do is to tell you to leave. If you refuse to leave, you can be arrested for trespassing, but not for violating gun laws.

What surprises me is businesses that have a sign stating that masks are required yet fail to enforce their rule. I've seen many people not wearing masks in such businesses and no one does anything about it.

Soon they'll be a vaccine and treatment for Covid-19 and this will all be behind us.

I don't like wearing a mask, but it's not a big deal to wear it when I'm on someone's property that requires it. I'm not giving up my freedom or civil rights. In fact, I just stopped doing business somewhere because they have a sign outside stating that masks are required and half of the staff are not wearing masks and some of the clients were not wearing them. In fact, I was free and it was my right not to do business with them any longer.

[kanoa1kale2]

Originally Posted by Madelaine Amee

Out and about this past few days I am coming to the conclusion that trying to fight this virus is a losing battle.

We, my little family, are doing our part in every way possible, masks, social distancing, dining out or take out, no small groups indoors. But, this weekend I noticed more and more people becoming truly belligerent over the masking for shopping, i.e. WalMart yesterday ... young couple absolutely refusing to wear a mask and just pushed right into the store saying "you cannot take away my civil rights". People, mostly elderly men, in Publix without masks and not socially distancing to cash out. Today at P;aneras in SLS people not wearing masks and not distancing, and then throw in the crazy woman who was screaming about politics to everyone who would stop and listen.

I am sick and tired of this awful situation and am suggesting, we just give up and let nature take its course. If someone is sure that the virus is a hoax and will not kill anyone, let them have at it and cull the herd that way. The rest of us who do want to live without catching this virus can go on our merry way protecting ourselves.

What say you ..... for or against with good reasons.

I follow the requirements of the store I'm visiting. I will never disrespect the employees who are following corporate guidelines. With the current population of the U.S. around 328 million and we've only had around 8 million infected, this will be with us for a long time. My suggestion is to follow your own instincts and situation. If you are vulnerable, keep the guidelines. If not, just use common sense but do follow the business rules. My feeling is none of us know how much time we have left, could be tonight, could be 20 years from now. Do I want to spend the time isolated? No and I won't. Will I tempt fate by diving in to a situation where there is a high chance of contracting it, No. Depending on the strain you get, it can be mild or devastating, including death. The country cannot afford to lock down again and I don't expect that to happen.

[FromNY]

Tired of the statement wear the mask to protect others. I tested negative. I wear the Mask to protect me from you. I wear gloves in stores to protect my hands from your germs. Yes I know how to safely remove them. My skin has to many broken areas and requires protection. I do not like to wear them I do not like masks. What I do like is living.. Commodities puts me at risk. So I do what I need to do to protect me. If that helps you too that is an extra point in life's game.
Everyone has a right to move away from those they do not want to swap air or space with. If you approach me without a mask you will see my hand go up as a stop and I will move away from you. Check my eyes for the smile . It is not about you. It is for me. May we all accomplish what it is we think we want and need. Just be kind.

[cherylncliff]

The key is to stay the course while scientists develop vaccines and effective therapies. Those should start coming out by next spring or summer. Once we have vaccines and therapies then it becomes more like colds or flu. During WWII Germany invaded Russia and it looked really bad for the Russians but they held on knowing that come winter, the advantage would turn to them. Just hold out while we rally the defenses.

[Barefoot]

...

[NotGolfer]

I read through all of the responses and the thought came to me about the Far East where they wear masks all the time (because of the air quality---or lack there-of)...yet China had a (what sounded to us) a large group of infected people and deaths back when this started. Why would they get the virus if they were wearing masks? I personally don't have any family or friends who've had it---but have heard of some friends/relatives of friends who have. I've had SARS (I think it was anyway) as well as the H1N1. What was the strain 3 yrs ago that filled up the hospital? I had that one, along with pneumonia but not hospitalized for it. We've ALL heard conflicting reports---numbers, wear the mask/don't wear the mask---with all the conflicting stuff it filled everyone with fear. The fear in turn has made people snappy. People, who otherwise were quite civil prior to this past Feb./March. Will this end? I wonder if the folks back during the flu of 1918 acted the way people are acting now? Many questions on this whole thing that haven't been answered fully.

[Johnsocat]

For those who feel the government should mandate or it is ok for the government to mandate safety measures: how would you feel if the government mandated the covid vaccine when it becomes available?

[Mary Windsor]

Where in the Constitution does it say that you have the right to put others at risk? Where is the thoughtful nature of folks gone? Is this what our service men and women sacrificed their lives for?

[yankygrl]

Originally Posted by FromNY

Tired of the statement wear the mask to protect others. I tested negative. I wear the Mask to protect me from you. I wear gloves in stores to protect my hands from your germs. Yes I know how to safely remove them. My skin has to many broken areas and requires protection. I do not like to wear them I do not like masks. What I do like is living.. Commodities puts me at risk. So I do what I need to do to protect me. If that helps you too that is an extra point in life's game.
Everyone has a right to move away from those they do not want to swap air or space with. If you approach me without a mask you will see my hand go up as a stop and I will move away from you. Check my eyes for the smile . It is not about you. It is for me. May we all accomplish what it is we think we want and need. Just be kind.

Wearing gloves to protect you is fine, however, everything you touch is now contaminated with whatever you have touched. Would happen without gloves also, those who don’t wear gloves are at risk. Are we at an increased risk then before? I think not.

[mrf6969]

WE just got back from Walmart this Monday morning and EVERYONE we saw in the store had a mask on. I think you are speaking to and focusing on an isolated situation. Please take a breath and together we will get through this.

[jklfairwin]

Wearing a mask provides some protection for the wearer, but the more important function is protecting others from you,. If one contracts the virus he/she is contagious for several days before any symptoms appear. So many contagius people are unaware and spreading the virus to others.

[Joe V.]

Originally Posted by Mary Windsor

Where in the Constitution does it say that you have the right to put others at risk? Where is the thoughtful nature of folks gone? Is this what our service men and women sacrificed their lives for?

This has not a thing to do with veterans and their service. As one, please leave me out of this.