Who have you allowed into your "social circle"?
 

So far, my husband and myself are the only ones in our "social circle". Sure we have been to driveway parties where we are socially distanced OUTSIDE. I'm talking about being seated INDOORS in a restaurant at a table for 4, 6 or 8. I've seen plenty of social gatherings in restaurants who certainly do not look like they are all in the same family.

I'm aware that "social circle" is defined by our experts as "people that you know are like minded as you are and who you are sure have been taking the same safety precautions as you have." I just don't feel comfortable yet assuming people we decide to socialize with indoors and seated at the same table have been as careful as hubby and I have. We do dine indoors at table for two always.

I really want to get over this fear and would love to get back to being social and sit at the same table and have dinner and cocktails but I don't think this is the right time.

So.....who have you allowed into your social circle?

As of July 13, newly brought back friends in my circle is 97, who see each other anywhere from 10 to 24 hours a day. All are So glad for This close group of friends to now be complete

Just my wife. We do not feel comfortable sitting in a restaurant or someone elses home at this time.

We will speak or visit with our neighbors or others we meet on a walk and have a conversation but we will be at least 6 ft apart.

Cannot wait until we can start to socialize with others again and go to restaurants.

97!!! Can’t believe that. You are taking lots of risks, good luck

Just hubby, although hubby’s friends keep showing up and refuse to wear a mask so we talk outside about 10 ft away from them - we both wear masks and I set the timer for 15 minutes. The friends seem to show up somewhat regularly anyways. I keep suggesting the masks should not be on the scooters .... maybe one day they might get the hint and we can have an outdoor BBQ.

My wife and I have never been out of contact with my sister and BIL. They live on the same block and we are usually in and out of each other's houses a couple of times a week. They've been isolating the same as us and have all groceries delivered. We've always just treated each other as extensions of the same household as far as Covid goes.

Other than that, there's been no socializing other than one casual driveway gathering in the neighborhood. This week I got takeout for the first time since February. Woot!

No one.

Roughly 10-12 but only outdoors. Key for me at this point is people who will let you know if they may have been exposed so you can self isolate. And vice versa.

I am guess you are joking,, thinking anyone in TV has close to 100 people they see daily for 10 to 24 hours a day, even before March, unless they were working. We don’t have the ability to shelter in place.

Many Forget those who have been taking risks this whole time, and sometimes masks have not keep them safe. If we were in fear, this would be a very different world.

So we try to stay as safe as possible, and yet

“ I do not worry about things I cannot change.”

I am confused by your answer. I am never sure which of the two of you is posting. I know one or both are medical people and still working and the other is here in The Villages...I think.

97 is a lot of people.

We are trying to do what has to be done not to catch this nasty bug. Husband still plays golf and was inadvertently exposed to a friends son here visiting who joined their group three times and then returned to his home area and was tested as part of a work group and was found to be positive. Today was the fourteenth day since my husband played golf and with this young man and he got tested but has not yet heard back, but he is well at least.

We weren't terrified, but a bit somber, I must say.

Please tell us how 97 people are part of your group?

Someone I think was being funny by saying 97.

How in the world can you know so many people and keep up with their contacts and behavior?

If it's important for you to wear a mask why would you leave anyone near you without one? I occasionally go to Breakfast with a friend in a golf cart and we both wear masks. We have a small circle of 6 and we always wear masks and social distance. We avoid those places that allow non social distancing. If we have a need for a contractor inside they must be masked, wash their hands when they come in and social distance. We both play golf with our groups and don't wear masks to play but one is always in my pocket. Staying safe really isn't that hard.

I'm comfortable with a few of my neighbors, though I wear a mask when I go into their houses. I'd also be fine with a couple of people in the one club I've joined, but we haven't had any opportunity or reason to meet inside (it's an outdoor club).

Do no panic.......I have left my family in TV from the short 3 months of retirement along with many, and returned to work, so those with young children could stay home. My plan was to stay a few months, but most likely will be more.

Yes it takes over 100 people to staff the OR. Or any department in any hospital. We are a close knit department that loves what they do, and will take the risk to do it. We are not heroes, just doing our job, most of us over 40 plus years.

Have you forgotten all of the essential workers living in TV that leaves their home, so you can have groceries, or staff the testing sites. Their Circle is much Bigger than 100.

Yet they leave their home so you can stay in yours.

Thank you for clarifying. I had no idea that it took over 100 people to staff an operating room.

I thank you for your dedication and service and I thank Orange Blossom Baby for hers.

Your phrase " Yet they leave their home so you can stay in yours", makes me pause and wonder just exactly what you mean by that.

Did I/we do something wrong again? I was trying to explain, along with many others on this thread that we have limited our social circle to the people in our home, and my husband plays golf, his includes his golf group who we thought were safe outdoors and distanced.

Most people have self preservation as a motivating force but many have more than saving their own skinny necks. Many people who post on here are at higher risk of dying and there are many of their children and grandchildren who love them very much and would be heartbroken to lose them to Covid-19. Those people and friends are cheering them on to stay safe. Some of us even think that by trying to avoid others we are protecting more people than just ourselves.

I am sure that is what you meant too. We all owe you both an enormous debt of gratitude for the risks you take on the behalf of all of us. And Orange Blossom Baby too. We were worried and concerned you might be sick when you weren't posting.

We do not eat inside restaurants, and we do not go inside other people's houses. Except...we have two couples who we know are as picky as we are about social distancing. We get together with them once a week for cards and games. Outside if it's not too hot, and inside if it's hot. We all wear masks all the time...no exceptions. We all drink from straws we can slip under our masks. It is not safe to be inside a building with others without wearing a mask...this includes restaurants in our opinion.

I don't think I KNOW 97 people!

One other couple who behave in the same manner that we do. We both golf with others but avoid contact and lunches afterward.

Now I understand. You are very honorable in what you do at this time during a pandemic. Thank you for taking care of those who are ill.

Turn off the MSM news and live your life. You have a better chance of dying in a car wreck than from COVID.
However, respect those with medical conditions that are of greater risk.

We stay inside and away from others 99% of the time. We have socialized a few times outside under the covered area at different rec centers. Once we've had another couple over on the lanai and once a friend stopped by and we all wore masks inside. We finally ventured to culvers the other day and ate outside where tables were spacedout well apart. No inside seating for us, not yet.

I just went out for the first time since March with a group of 4 girl friends to celebrate 2 of our delayed birthdays. I'm the most health concerned and wanted to make sure we'd still be distanced within the table and that proved difficult. We ended up being about 4 feet apart instead of 6 and I wasn't super comfortable. I'm completely fine with waiting before going out again.

Schedule test...wait two weeks for result !!!! What is wrong with this picture?

I'd like to get a singles perspective. I'm single and enjoy meeting people and dating on occasion. I find it difficult to meet someone to date right now. I don't go to indoor restaurants yet. Outdoors is fine, but it's too hot most days to do that. Movies, museums, etc. All indoors. Tough to meet people and date right now.

Wow! Sounds like a sci-fi film “The Invincible 97”

Finally, someone makes sense.

So you disagree with the number of new Floridian Covid cases reported yesterday?

I am thrilled to hear about the wise safety practices mentioned in these replies.
Yes, we need to be thankful for all the people that can and do leave home to provide essential services! I trust that they are are wise about their own safety and not at High risk. Villagers are a high risk group on average and some much higher than others. Villagers on average need to keep risks/contacts low. The caution shown in these replies seems fabulous to me. Your care helps keep the rest of us safe too. THANKS for your careful practices.

If you are an active type, try Beach Tennis or Pickleball. Easy to maintain distance at these games, you get sunshine and socialization time, so important these days.

I think that is crazy,97? I’m not a medical person but I’m not taking a chance. Don’t want to die alone with 97 friends in the parking lot waving good bye.

Our golf group basically consisting of 10plus... all very COVID aware and conscientious of safe procedures.

97 people in your circle of close friends with whom you spend ten to twenty-four hours a day? Excuse me, but that sounds about as dangerous as living in a nursing home. I would not be willing to do that.

You are the wife! Tell them to put on their masks or go home and don’t come back. The rules in your house should be whatever the most nervous person in the household is comfortable with. And if your husband wants to go party with his pals and come home to put you at risk, tell him to sleep on the lanai permanently.

.


10-24 hours are you all in a commune???

I don't even KNOW 97 people. And I have trouble standing myself for 24 hours. 97 dogs would be easier to deal with than 97 people.

Any one who was in my social circle 4 months ago is in it now.

Now, that makes sense. Thanks Aisianthree. Kudos to you.

Yes, spin the wheel of chance, hope your CV number does not come up. What about the principle that "hope is NOT a strategy".

I personally have never heard of anyone timing a visit… 15 minutes? I guess whatever you feel safe with

That IS a problem! You would need, when indoors, to have everyone on a dance floor to be in full PPEs like a surgeon to be safe to the max. CV has changed everything and the US is the world's worse / most affected. US history will practically be pre CV and post CV. It is THAT big of a change. I would suggest trying for a Visa to work for a year somewhere in Europe, where you could date and socialize in a normal manner. I am serious. But, it may be too late. Maybe New Zealand would take US citizens if they had advanced degrees?
Alternatively, maybe virtual dating services will get more and more sophisticated. So couples could get to know each other well virtually, then promise to quarenteen themselves for 10 days. Then meet and hold hands and walk at a beach and then do etc, etc.