[nick demis]

Originally Posted by billethkid

We took a short ride just to see how things were going the first night.

Surprised at the crowd level. More surprising and disappointing was almost nobody wearing masks.
Outside bars and tables shoulder to shoulder.
Even the strollers on streets surrounding the square.

I would have never ever guessed there would be more than 90% with no masks or social distancing.

Totally surprised! Extremely disappointed!

The clock is running....time will tell.

Was anyone forcing you to go there?

[Aloha1]

Originally Posted by Annie66

Wow .... I really hope you don't believe this deep down. The science is clear. My mask protects you, and yours protects me. If you choose not to wear one, it tells me and others around you how much to care for your fellow man.

Actually according to the CDC from a 2019 study just released, not so much.

[justjim]

Originally Posted by Don Ferguson

OK. I read seven pages of comments, so I gotta' vent!

The whole issue is so simple! You can choose any level of caution you desire. I respect your choice. Just stop trying to impose YOUR views on everyone else.

My situation: I'm 79, have AFIB, Pulmonary Hypertension, COPD with seven lung spots from way too many years of past smoking. In short, I have most of the co-morbidity problems. I work 3-4 full shifts at Spanish Springs Lanes and bowl in 4 leagues weekly. I never wear a mask when doing either event. I work and play elbow to elbow with many hundreds of people a week. Of the THOUSANDS of contacts, I have known a total of 3 people with Covid-19, one had it back in February and two this summer. A frightening and bad situation for all three. (They are all 3 back actively living life and bowling). I know that the death and actual case statistics are grossly inflated. (Contact me if you desire to argue - lol). My whole point is I have lived, and enjoyed, life as fully as possible during the last seven months of national trauma. If I had chosen the extreme opposite, that so many have, I would have lost those seven months of enjoyable life. I DO wear masks and comply with the desires of any store/home I am in. Not always because I agree, but to make the host person or business comfortable. Many of you have cheated yourselves and loved ones for the last 7-8 months, out of an enjoyable life. We don't have many more 7-8 month periods left in our lives folks!

I respect a person whatever choice they make good, bad or otherwise. COVID 19 is a virus that we have never been confronted with during my lifetime. There are many unknowns, but that said, there are some factual science that we know too. With all due respect I believe there is a road that you can travel that is somewhere between the “extremes” of never wearing a mask and being so paranoid about COVID 19 that you live like a recluse. I know it’s popular to be on one side of the debate or the other and as Eisenhower once said “throw rocks at those in the middle”. I believe in living my life and respecting others by wearing a mask as I think is appropriate and I don’t mind being somewhere in the middle on this subject. Wearing a mask, social distancing and often washing your hands seems to me a reasonable approach to the virus and still allows you to live a rich and active lifestyle.

[Byte1]

Originally Posted by jimchristie

With the advent of the squares being opened and evidently, few people wearing masks, and the golf courses returning to normal operations that require 2 people to a cart, rakes back in the traps, we will undoubtedly see a huge spike in infections and deaths. This is just insanity at best. The virus isn't gone, there is no vaccine or reliable treatment. The Villages will pay for this dearly with many deaths, snowbirds not returning due to the coming outbreak and businesses dying quickly right and left. Time will tell and the odds are not good.

Simple solution, don't play golf and don't attend the squares. You were asking for advice, right?

[billethkid]

Originally Posted by nick demis

Was anyone forcing you to go there?

NO!

You missed the point! "... went to see how the opening day was going..."

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by justjim

I respect a person whatever choice they make good, bad or otherwise. COVID 19 is a virus that we have never been confronted with during my lifetime. There are many unknowns, but that said, there are some factual science that we know too. With all due respect I believe there is a road that you can travel that is somewhere between the “extremes” of never wearing a mask and being so paranoid about COVID 19 that you live like a recluse. I know it’s popular to be on one side of the debate or the other and as Eisenhower once said “throw rocks at those in the middle”. I believe in living my life and respecting others by wearing a mask as I think is appropriate and I don’t mind being somewhere in the middle on this subject. Wearing a mask, social distancing and often washing your hands seems to me a reasonable approach to the virus and still allows you to live a rich and active lifestyle.

I'm afraid the concept of pragmatism is lost on many people in the Villages.

[jarodrig]

Stay home.... then you don’t have to worry about it .....

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by Byte1

Simple solution, don't play golf and don't attend the squares. You were asking for advice, right?

You forgot stay away from the people who went to the squares without masks. And how to identify them elsewhere.

[charmed59]

I’m disappointed more people at the squares were not wearing masks. That means I’ll be waiting to venture out to the squares and see how that goes. Hopefully there are so few cases of Covid floating around the Villages there will not be any upticks in cases due to the squares and bars reopening.

For those who are tracking hospitalizations, right now there are 16 people hospitalized with Covid in Sumter county. In the last week there were 4 to 7 new cases in the Villages per day. Let’s see if it stays that way, or maybe even goes down.

[Decadeofdave]

Originally Posted by Mardarlowe

Anyone remember Mrs Kravitz on the show Bewitched? Sure do have a lot of those in The Villages. LOL

Abner tried to tell here to myob!!

[xkeowner]

Drove around two squares this evening. Lots of occupied golf carts parked next to each other listening to the band. Saw people sitting in chairs on the sidewalk at both squares. Saw one person step over a barricade at the side of one square and enter the square. Was not around long enough to see if the person was challenged. My knee jerk assessment is the "rules" are being ignored and the "enforcers" do not care. Time will tell how long the current procedures remain in effect.

[CMink]

People have to use their own judgement. I will continue to wear a mask out in public. It's hard to do so when your at a restaurant or drinking, but here too, one must exercise their best judgement and not go into an establishment with shoulder to shoulder people, instead opt to be in these places when it is less crowded. Time will tell indeed. Now that everything will be opening up more or less in the Villages, I think there will be a spike in Covid numbers before the end of the year. It makes it more dangerous cause of flu season. Just remember that no matter where you are never let your guard down. Be safe and well everyone!

[Byte1]

I keep hearing "you better watch out." I keep hearing many with crystal balls that can tell the future and it is not bright. I am hearing over and over again about how we are going to have many, many, many people die from the virus here in the Villages because someone isn't wearing a mask. People that are living their lives and enjoying what time they have left are supposedly putting everyone else's lives in jeopardy. Well, it looks like there has been hardly any additional deaths chalked up to the virus in the Villages. It looks like those that are worrying about it elsewhere are having more trouble than those living their lives here. I am sure someone can come up with all those high "infection" rates here in the Villages. Don't get me wrong, I do know how dangerous the virus can be. I have lost two in my family to the virus(supposedly). I have also read stats that show millions that have been tested positive that have survived, most with hardly a scare and some more serious. I am glad that some folks are very cautious. Many folks have frailties that make them vulnerable. BUT, they should also be careful during flu season. I realize that my posts seem to shrug off the seriousness of this pandemic, but in reality I have learned from experience that it does no good to get hysterical in exigent circumstances. You learn that especially in situations of live fire, as some on here know what I am speaking of. Worrying about what others are doing in serious situations does you no good at all. Take care of yourself and let others live their lives. You THINK you know it all, but in reality even the scientists and doctors, supposed experts can't even agree. So, you may think that you know how everyone else should handle a situation, but you may be wrong and they may be right. Those folks in the square that are having a great time, may be doing so for the very last time. They may have a stroke or a heart attack and pass way before any virus or flu gets them. Let's face it, today's opinions are mostly influenced by politics and political pundits.
I am going to make a prediction. My predictions are just as valid as anyone else's on here and with three bucks will get you a cup of coffee (I think). I predict that not one of you that are posting on here will pass due to the virus. You see, I prefer to think positive and like to look at life as a glass mostly full. I still believe that The Villages IS America's friendliest town.

[NotGolfer]

Originally Posted by Byte1

I keep hearing "you better watch out." I keep hearing many with crystal balls that can tell the future and it is not bright. I am hearing over and over again about how we are going to have many, many, many people die from the virus here in the Villages because someone isn't wearing a mask. People that are living their lives and enjoying what time they have left are supposedly putting everyone else's lives in jeopardy. Well, it looks like there has been hardly any additional deaths chalked up to the virus in the Villages. It looks like those that are worrying about it elsewhere are having more trouble than those living their lives here. I am sure someone can come up with all those high "infection" rates here in the Villages. Don't get me wrong, I do know how dangerous the virus can be. I have lost two in my family to the virus(supposedly). I have also read stats that show millions that have been tested positive that have survived, most with hardly a scare and some more serious. I am glad that some folks are very cautious. Many folks have frailties that make them vulnerable. BUT, they should also be careful during flu season. I realize that my posts seem to shrug off the seriousness of this pandemic, but in reality I have learned from experience that it does no good to get hysterical in exigent circumstances. You learn that especially in situations of live fire, as some on here know what I am speaking of. Worrying about what others are doing in serious situations does you no good at all. Take care of yourself and let others live their lives. You THINK you know it all, but in reality even the scientists and doctors, supposed experts can't even agree. So, you may think that you know how everyone else should handle a situation, but you may be wrong and they may be right. Those folks in the square that are having a great time, may be doing so for the very last time. They may have a stroke or a heart attack and pass way before any virus or flu gets them. Let's face it, today's opinions are mostly influenced by politics and political pundits.
I am going to make a prediction. My predictions are just as valid as anyone else's on here and with three bucks will get you a cup of coffee (I think). I predict that not one of you that are posting on here will pass due to the virus. You see, I prefer to think positive and like to look at life as a glass mostly full. I still believe that The Villages IS America's friendliest town.

I'm happy!

[EdFNJ]

Originally Posted by Byte1

Maybe they will become infected, maybe they won't. Maybe they will become infected and never show any symptoms, like MOST folks. Over 99% survival rate, right?

So you use "survival" as your guideline? What about the many people who have permanent damage to their lungs and or heart or kidney? Just "surviving" is a very low bar to set.

What if one of the "Most folks" without symptoms sickens you or a loved one? Maybe they would die or maybe they will "survive." Would that be an acceptable result for you? I doubt it. Most people with congestive heart failure also "survive" ... is that how you would accept "99% survival" barely able to breath carrying around an oxygen tank on a little push cart? Have fun dancing like that. I have personally seen what that kind of survival can do to you. I'd rather have died and fortunately he finally did and now he is out of horrendous misery.