I disagree with you. I was on a cruise ship during the last week before cruise lines were forced to shut down. It was awesome, we had a blast, ate in dining rooms packed full of people, attended concerts, sat shoulder to shoulder laughing with other customers...it was fun and relaxing and we all survived just fine. We got home and suddenly going to the store was "risky".

All of this Clorox, sterilized, 10 foot pole distancing is stressful and not particularly helpful because people are still getting this virus and the vast majority are experiencing mild cold symptoms if that. This has been a psychological experiment in government control more than anything else.

This is the start, they are learning to control people. Communism, socialism may take over our country without taking a shot! Have we not heard that for many years? They never need to fire the first shot, just let half the population believe the propaganda of media. Teach in schools how wrong absolutes are and humanism and the other ism’s and in 50 years the great USA is in deep do do! Do you think there’s a difference in the basic teachings of the 1950’s and 1960’s compared to 2020. I remember quite well infractions back in the 1960’s schools were chewing gum, running in hallways, clowning around, interrupting in class but now in 2020 murder, rape, gang fighting is just a few. What will it look like in 2070? Forget it! What if the government declares no one can go on airplanes, or in theater’s, restaurants, ect without the COVID vaccine. Just a thought as some officials are already pondering this and many other ideas. Get your supplies because another shutdown is coming! Restaurant’s, airlines, and many businesses won’t survive if a leader doesn’t handle the situation correctly! Many believe we should try the socialist way! The take over of America without firing a shot!!!!!!

They are ruthless and they targeted this scam with laser focus at the elderly who become more prone to falling for scams as they age. They are robbing them of their golden years and precious time spent with loved ones.

The older generation grew up in a time when the media had some integrity and professional standards. They grew up in a time when they could take it for granted that politicians were largely looking out for our country and respected our constitutional rights. When an authority issued a dire warning it meant something. Back then it did mean something.

Today fearmongering is the name of the game. Anything for control.

I’m sure you’d feel differently if your taxes were going up to pay the cost of this virus instead passing it on to our grandchildren. $2 mask would look a lot better, just saying.

I am by far much more concerned by the consequences that all of these lock downs and mask mandates, quarantines and contact tracing will have on our future generations. Add in the potential for a vaccine mandate and the future does not look too bright for this country. The precedent being set in 2020 does not bode well for our children and grandchildren Which is why we need to put a swift end to this nonsense now.

Emphasis on "control"

Not to worry. The government will take care of us. They will keep taking care of us until they have total control of all. No worries.

Publix has a "mandatory" mask rule, but their corporate policy is to not enforce it.

My disagreement with you is about wearing masks, I agree with you on long term damage being done by shutting down economy. Although many, maybe you think stories of hospitals being over loaded and bodies being piled up in refrigerator trucks is fake news but I’m all in. Wearing a mask is such a simple and very small sacrifice even if there is only a %50 chance it helps anyone. This rugged American individualism against masks is sad to this writer.
Regards

It doesn't work that way. By not wearing a mask, they are violating company policy and endangering public health. Everyone has to shop for food. Its a necessity. That said, if a store is not enforcing its policy, and there are people stupid, selfish and self entitled enough to wander around without masks in the store, I'd opt for grocery delivery or the free pickup that Walmart offers.

If you are wearing N95 (Niosh certified) mask you are protecting yourself too. But I still skidaddle out of there after 15 minutes. Precise, fast, efficient shopping if in person.

Are shoes and shirts required in Restaurants??

How many Floridians will die before masks become mandatory?
 

North Dakota just became the 35th state to implement a state-wide mask mandate. Masks will become mandatory here, sooner or later. It is just a question of whether thousands of Floridians will unnecessarily die before our politicians (either state or county) muster the political courage to do the right thing.

Even with Florida's 9% positivity rate and rising with a bullet there is a much chance of the gov of this state doing that as there is the current "leader" of the country doing that ...... ie. not a chance in h3ll.

Oh, going back to the OP it has just been announced that PUBLIX, COSTCO, WALMART and a few others will once again begin limiting the number of people in the store to (IIRC 20%). And here we go again. Perfect timing for The Villages to open the squares without limit. Bahhhh, Hopefully that won't last long either because when all the "young'uns" come down here for T'Giving to see Grammy and Grampy and dance the night away to Rocky and the Elders things certainly will go from bad to worse. Absolutely BRILLIANT move by T.V. (NOT!).