[askcarl]

The ICU at The Villages Hospital is full. Leesburg as well. Ocala? Make a Plan now.

[John_W]

More people are hospitalized because of the pandemic, but the death statistics don't jive.

2015 (2,712,630)

2016 (2,744,248)

2017 (2,813,503)

2018 (2,839,205)

2019 (2,900,689)

2020 up to Nov. 16 lists 2,487,350 total deaths whole-year projection 2,818,527.

[GoPacers]

Originally Posted by John_W

More people are hospitalized because of the pandemic, but the death statistics don't jive.

2015 (2,712,630)

2016 (2,744,248)

2017 (2,813,503)

2018 (2,839,205)

2019 (2,900,689)

2020 up to Nov. 16 lists 2,487,350 total deaths whole-year projection 2,818,527.

Probably should fact check your reference before posting.

Fact check: Chart does not present accurate US deaths figure for 2020 | Reuters

[EdFNJ]

Originally Posted by John_W

More people are hospitalized because of the pandemic, but the death statistics don't jive.

Also because they have better treatments now for Covid so fortunately more people are surviving but they are filling up the ICU. The fact they are surviving doesn't mean they all come out ready for dancing and jogging.

[EdFNJ]

Originally Posted by askcarl

The ICU at The Villages Hospital is full. Leesburg as well. Ocala? Make a Plan now.

What I don't understand that as this gets worse and worse by the day here in FL more things go back to "normal" around here. Art shows, car shows, restaurants packed, theme parks packed. Yea, they are outside but when people are packed shoulder to shoulder and mostly maskless it just can't be good to get things going back in the other direction.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by EdFNJ

What I don't understand that as this gets worse and worse by the day here in FL more things go back to "normal" around here. Art shows, car shows, restaurants packed, theme parks packed. Yea, they are outside but when people are packed shoulder to shoulder and mostly maskless it just can't be good to get things going back in the other direction.

Well this is what happens when you have people making decisions, who reject science and even the actual evidence in front of their own faces.

Now granted, the initial closures were intended to reduce hospitalization, freeing up more beds and allowing medical professionals to catch up with the pandemic.

So I get that now that the virus has slowed some, they want to re-open. But FLORIDA never actually shut down. The state. Individual towns had various and sundry mandates, but the state didn't ever shut down. The virus was still free to spread, and simply funneled its way through the state, around the closed areas wherever people would bring it.

And since there was no mask mandate - and not only no mask mandate but Ocala's sheriff actually forbade mask wearing in his offices...

well all that happened was, the virus just slowed down a little, waiting for the opportunity to snap right back on up again. Now the state is encouraging people to gather in groups, unmasked, no social distancing - the science deniers are out en masse, getting all up close and personal, while those of us who are still "only" cautiously optimistic are told to stay home if it bothers us.

I'll continue to wear my mask in buildings that aren't my own property. And if you don't like seeing me wearing it, then stay home. I have the right to wear it, and you don't have the right to make me take it off.

[tophcfa]

This was as predictable as the sun coming up and setting each day. More and more stuff opening up, quarantine burnout with less caution being taken at the worst possible time, snowbirds arriving from all over the place, many flying south, multi generation Holliday gatherings with children and grandchildren visiting, the maskhole deniers digging in, and more indoor gatherings as the weather turns cold. Why is it that necessary precautions were taken back in March through most of the summer when the numbers were a small fraction of where they are now, but as the numbers spike caution is being thrown to the wind? News flash, 2020 might be over, but we are setting up for an even worse 2021. Very scary and sad.

[tag460]

Florida Governor has allowed its residents to make their own choices and I support his decision. If people attend events, go to the squares, have their family visit that are from out of town or any other place where their is a crowd they will have to accept the consequents of their actions. Because Florida is open we will have many businesses make it through this and bounce back. If you are not conformable stay home it's your choice.

[EdFNJ]

Originally Posted by tag460

Florida Governor has allowed its residents to make their own choices and I support his decision. If people attend events, go to the squares, have their family visit that are from out of town or any other place where their is a crowd they will have to accept the consequents of their actions. Because Florida is open we will have many businesses make it through this and bounce back. If you are not conformable stay home it's your choice.

The old "stay home if you don't like it" response. Kinda like the "if you have a complaint about life here in TV then move." Seriously, the only thing the FL GOV was doing was playing politics to impress an audience of one. Now that that audience is leaving the theater he'll be very lonely. Why should I be forced to stay home because of a bunch of people who don't or won't follow simple guidelines from scientists and doctors and who care about no one but themselves? I don't give a sh1t about what they do to themselves but when it affects me then I care. If everyone just followed CDC and scientific basic guidelines and NOT the political BS from the beginning this would be likely over or a heck of a lot better than it is now. Just look at California. Sadly that new strain will hit hard here as well. Don't hold your breath for a vaccine to solve it sooner rather than later either because that ain't happening so fast.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

Well this is what happens when you have people making decisions, who reject science and even the actual evidence in front of their own faces.

Now granted, the initial closures were intended to reduce hospitalization, freeing up more beds and allowing medical professionals to catch up with the pandemic.

So I get that now that the virus has slowed some, they want to re-open. But FLORIDA never actually shut down. The state. Individual towns had various and sundry mandates, but the state didn't ever shut down. The virus was still free to spread, and simply funneled its way through the state, around the closed areas wherever people would bring it.

And since there was no mask mandate - and not only no mask mandate but Ocala's sheriff actually forbade mask wearing in his offices...

well all that happened was, the virus just slowed down a little, waiting for the opportunity to snap right back on up again. Now the state is encouraging people to gather in groups, unmasked, no social distancing - the science deniers are out en masse, getting all up close and personal, while those of us who are still "only" cautiously optimistic are told to stay home if it bothers us.

I'll continue to wear my mask in buildings that aren't my own property. And if you don't like seeing me wearing it, then stay home. I have the right to wear it, and you don't have the right to make me take it off.

It appears to me that you can blame the government for not doing this or that, but rules just don't seem to matter to some people. There are those who will make up fairy stories and reject science no matter who tells them to do this or that. Also the need to continue with business is crucial to the whole system of keeping people employed and getting them money for important things like food and shelter. It was not an easy call for anyone in authority. I am glad it wasn't on my shoulders.

But of course we each had to do what was best for us. If teachers thought that being in the classroom was too risky, then they may have decided to do another type of work temporarily. Some people like the ones who work in grocery stores are the true hero's to me. The people most at risk, usually were retired and could shelter in place and protect themselves and others, but some could not. This awful pandemic was not something that could be solved with edicts and legislation. I think most people got tired of doing what they were told. I am amused at the ones who preach about doing this or that, but allow themselves convenient loopholes to do pretty much what they wanted to do.

Humans are strange animals. I cannot wait to get the vaccine and see the end of this.

[patfla06]

Originally Posted by EdFNJ

What I don't understand that as this gets worse and worse by the day here in FL more things go back to "normal" around here. Art shows, car shows, restaurants packed, theme parks packed. Yea, they are outside but when people are packed shoulder to shoulder and mostly maskless it just can't be good to get things going back in the other direction.

I feel the same way!
Squares are packed with no social distancing.
Some aren’t wearing masks.

Covid is still with is and is spiking. But if you complain about people’s behavior
the response is “ if you’re afraid stay home.”
How sensitive!

We SHOULD be afraid. Our age makes us susceptible and MANY of us
have health problems that put us at risk.

[mlmarr1]

Plus you dont have the right to make me wear one..even play..

[Two Bills]

Originally Posted by mlmarr1

Plus you dont have the right to make me wear one..even play..

That post just about sums up why the spike continues!

[matandch]

Originally Posted by EdFNJ

What I don't understand that as this gets worse and worse by the day here in FL more things go back to "normal" around here. Art shows, car shows, restaurants packed, theme parks packed. Yea, they are outside but when people are packed shoulder to shoulder and mostly maskless it just can't be good to get things going back in the other direction.

I noticed the same thing. We surrendered to this long ago. It’s our new way of life. We’re Doomed!

[Rwirish]

Make a plan? Total silliness.