[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by pmken2

People can do what they want, but yesterday in the Villages there were 50 cases, the most in a long time. All were in Sumter except fr a couple in Lake.

Is that a number for TV, or in all of Sumter County???? Big difference, especially considering the prison.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Originally Posted by canyonblue

I think you also summed up the response to getting the vaccine.

The vaccines have been determined to be very safe and highly effective. The difference is, that if you don't eat any jelly beans you have no chance of getting the virus. If you don't take the vaccine you still have the same chances of getting the virus, getting sick from it and/or dying from it.

Are there risks with the vaccine? Maybe but they are very low and that risk has to be measured against the risk of getting the virus.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Originally Posted by shut the front door

Actually, that number does lie. Numerous studies have suggested a much higher rate of asymptomatic cases. Fauci himself said 40% of cases are asymptomatic.

OK so 90% of the people that contract the virus will have very mild OR NO flu like symptoms. Is that better?

[jbrown132]

Originally Posted by eweissenbach

I am not posting this to scare or chastise, but I have heard of many people who know no one who has passed due to the Coronavirus, some of whom think it is really not serious. Well, if that is you, you are fortunate indeed, but I am here to tell you it is very real and very serious. In just the last week I have learned of three deaths; one a teacher and former student of mine; one a former college classmate and friendly competitor when we both coached high school basketball in the same conference; and another a long time family friend. I don’t know if my experience is common, but I am certain it is not unique. I am happy we are beginning the vaccine process, but until immunity is pretty universal, I implore everyone to be careful and vigilant. I do not want to add a TOTV friend to my list.

I am sorry for the loss of your friends and acquaintances. I agree with you that we must remain vigilant. I am not crazy religious but I remember a verse from the Bible, I think it’s in the book of Ezekiel and it says “ For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord God; so turn, and live.” throughout this pandemic I have tried to live by those words. I wear my mask, I socially distance and avoid large crowds, I wash my hands and use hand sanitizer every time I come out of a store but I have gone on living. I still meet friends, take walks, play golf etc. but while practicing good habits. I have refused to let this pandemic rule my life or make me a prisoner in my own home. Just be safe out there but go on living.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Originally Posted by manaboutown

While I have used the Russian roulette scenario this virus can leave survivors seriously debilitated, sometimes for life. Amputation anyone? How about regular appointments on a dialysis machine? and more...

I believe that I covered that in my post.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Originally Posted by nick demis

I know how everyone says that the numbers don't lie, but they do lie. How is it that on the average 200,000 people die of the flue every year but this past year it has been almost 0. I would love to get some true numbers and not what the fear mongers want you to believe.

The number of flu cases and deaths have been way down this year because of all of the preventative actions and social distancing being done because of the pandemic.

People wearing masks, staying home, washing hands and staying six apart has pretty much ended the seasonal fly this year.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Originally Posted by ts12755

96% of those that die from Covid already have severe underlying illness. Most were already knocking on deaths door. Covid got them in.

And I pray young folks still desiring to have children aren't forced to take the vaccine. It will be years before we see the birth defects caused by the vaccine.

I don't know that it's 96% but certainly many people are in a high risk category. I'm 69 years old and have coronary artery disease, high blood pressure and have recently been treated for prostate cancer. I have underlying conditions, but that doesn't mean that I'm on death's door.

That is why after the front line workers, people like me and many here in The Villages will probably be first in line to get the vaccine.

No one will be forced to take the vaccine and there is no evidence that it will cause birth defects. Did the polio vaccine cause birth defects? The smallpox vaccine? Measles, mumps or any other vaccines?

Talk about fear mongering. Stating that this vaccine or any other vaccine will cause birth defects or any other conditions is the real fear mongering.

[eweissenbach]

To those saying “just live life”, I say I hope to do just that, thank you. I have been living my life for the last several months, and, with God’s grace will for the foreseeable future. Living my life during a pandemic includes playing golf, getting out and walking, shopping when necessary, and visiting with kids and grandkids regularly at social distance. I wear a mask anytime I am around other people and take all the other recommended precautions. I also use my seatbelt, take my meds, try to eat a healthy diet, follow rules of the road, and exercise regularly. My life is full, and I look forward to the day I can relax some of the self imposed restrictions forced by this pandemic. Once again, I don’t listen to “fear mongering” and I don’t listen to idiotic conspiracy theories. If living ones life in fear means I don’t go to large gatherings, especially those with people who don’t think it necessary to take precautions, then I guess I’m guilty of being cautious. My life has been just fine for the last several months and I hope to continue to enjoy good health for several years to come. I hope all of you, whether you believe the science and the statistics or not, have a safe and happy holiday and 2021.

[Byte1]

I believe that the virus is real and dangerous. That said, I also believe that ALL the information and opinions on this thread are valid.
For instance, just about everyone knows someone that has died supposedly of the virus. I know of two that probably would have passed anyway, but died WITH the virus. I believe that there are as many false positive tests results as valid ones. I also believe that every time some is re-tested, it is counted as a new infection if it comes back positive. And some folks that receive positive results go back several times for testing until they get a negative result so that they can go back to work, etc. I am not discounting the validity of the virus, just the accuracy of the test. Apparently, the test is run up to 40 times before they consider it finished and valid, depending on how many times they have to run it to get a positive. If they run it 20 times and get a positive result, they are satisfied. If they run it 39 times before getting a positive, they are satisfied. If they run it 40 times or whatever limit they put on it, and get a negative result, then that is what is documented. The test was not conceived originally for this type of use. I am basing this on a couple of writings I have read, and I am not even close to being an expert. If this is true, then we may have hundreds of thousands that show a false positive. We also have many, many folks being counted several times as new infected.
That said, I wonder how many folks have been infected and will never know it because they have never had symptoms and have not been tested.
Example: when this first started, and before the mask wearing practice, I was at the hospital when they had their FIRST infected patient. I was sitting next to her for between 20 to 30 minutes, no masks being worn. She was admitted and hospitalized, and I waited in the waiting room for the person I transported to the hospital to be released. Never thinking more about it until much later, I wondered why I had not become infected or if I might have and not known it. Of course, I never bothered to be tested because I did not have any symptoms and did not see any reason to get tested. No one around me, family or friends or neighbors have become infected. I will mention that I know two that supposedly died WITH Covid. Neither of them have I seen in decades, so I had no contact with them when/if they were infected.
I take the virus seriously, but I do not live in hysteria and panic. Does that make me irresponsible? Maybe I do not worry so much about it because I have never had the Flu and I haven't suffered even a mild cold in at least over a decade. Do I take precautions to prevent my carrying it IF in contact when I go out shopping or to a restaurant? Yes. I am careful, but like everything else in moderation. I do not consider everyone around me to be infected. I do wash my hands frequently during the day, but I have been like this for many years, due to my travels. I social distance, but I have always practiced that. When this first started, I wore gloves, mask and eye protection, as well as long sleeved shirt. I used hand sanitizer consistently. Now, I only wear a mask when in a business, but not in a restaurant. I have adjusted to the information that I have accumulated over the year and have modified my behavior according to my pragmatism. I do not suggest that others do what I do and I do not criticize those that are more cautious than myself. I firmly believe that I have a high immunity system. Perhaps, I have achieved this immunity from all the traveling to third world countries.
Do what you must to stay safe and I will not disparage you. However, disparaging someone about their belief is a two edged sword. When you claim that someone is selfish, are you not thinking of yourself at the time? Like they say, when you point at someone, you have more fingers pointing back at you from the same pointing hand.

[toeser]

Originally Posted by eweissenbach

I am not posting this to scare or chastise, but I have heard of many people who know no one who has passed due to the Coronavirus, some of whom think it is really not serious. Well, if that is you, you are fortunate indeed, but I am here to tell you it is very real and very serious. In just the last week I have learned of three deaths; one a teacher and former student of mine; one a former college classmate and friendly competitor when we both coached high school basketball in the same conference; and another a long time family friend. I don’t know if my experience is common, but I am certain it is not unique. I am happy we are beginning the vaccine process, but until immunity is pretty universal, I implore everyone to be careful and vigilant. I do not want to add a TOTV friend to my list.

I am surprised I don't know anyone who has even had a confirmed case, let alone died. No downplaying here, the numbers are real.

[justjim]

Originally Posted by jimchristie

Covid is worse than ever right now with 30 to 40 new cases a day in the Villages when before opening the squares it was only 4 or 5 a day. Yesterday the Villages had over 50 new cases and there were almost 150 in total with the surrounding towns. It's time to shut down the squares, the bars and forbid any large group gatherings for a short time until the vaccine is given here. At a minimum wearing masks as much as possible.

Yes, makes you wonder how “smart” it was to open back up the squares. But people have a choice to believe in science or not or go to the squares or not.

OP, thanks for your post. I can tell from your words your concern for your friends and fellowman. I’m from the Midwest and grew up in a small town. COVID 19 has reached my small town just as it has reached NY, LA, TV and other parts of the country. My son has a small business but like he told me the other day. “Dad, I could go bankrupt but I can start again but I can’t replace anybody’s life after they are gone”. Just a paraphrase
of his words. True words. For the first time, my family won’t be together this Holiday Season. Maybe next year.

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by eweissenbach

To those saying “just live life”, I say I hope to do just that, thank you. I have been living my life for the last several months, and, with God’s grace will for the foreseeable future. Living my life during a pandemic includes playing golf, getting out and walking, shopping when necessary, and visiting with kids and grandkids regularly at social distance. I wear a mask anytime I am around other people and take all the other recommended precautions. I also use my seatbelt, take my meds, try to eat a healthy diet, follow rules of the road, and exercise regularly. My life is full, and I look forward to the day I can relax some of the self imposed restrictions forced by this pandemic. Once again, I don’t listen to “fear mongering” and I don’t listen to idiotic conspiracy theories. If living ones life in fear means I don’t go to large gatherings, especially those with people who don’t think it necessary to take precautions, then I guess I’m guilty of being cautious. My life has been just fine for the last several months and I hope to continue to enjoy good health for several years to come. I hope all of you, whether you believe the science and the statistics or not, have a safe and happy holiday and 2021.

Amen to that, couldn’t have put it better.

[kendi]

I lost count of the number of people I know who have had it. None were serious and all recovered nicely. I am aware though that it can be very serious, as are many health conditions. COVID is not something that is in the forefront of my mind. I simply take the proper precautions while enjoying life.

[Spalumbos62]

I don't think it was lame...🤣🤣

[TheWarriors]

If we only knew where this terrible virus originated, maybe we could figure out a way to ensure it never happens again.