Was anyone forcing you to go there?

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

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.

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

NO!

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

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

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

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

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.

Abner tried to tell here to myob!!

Rules, what rules
 

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.

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!

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.

:bigbow::bigbow::bigbow: I'm happy!

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.

Very good point! I don't think Byte 1 gets that.

Just being pragmatic. Everyone dies. It's just a matter of when and how they die that is documented. No one gets out of life, alive.

Pretty sure they were all adults able to make their own decisions. If it upsets you, don’t go. See. That was easy.

Me too! Looking forward to our visit!

I recently saw a woman on television that had a sneer of derision on her face. Be careful when you minimize another person. Try to listen and patiently respond. Pretend you are a teacher where your job is to try to accept misinformation and correct it.

The following sentence is lifted directly from the Center for Disease Control. I have snipped it because as a teacher of little ones and being around big ones too, I have learned that simple sentences are best sometimes to convey important information.

Read below. Be safe. Be kind to other people. Live long and prosper.

In general, your risk of getting severely ill from COVID-19 increases as you get older. In fact, 8 out of 10 COVID-19-related deaths reported in the United States have been among adults aged 65 years and older.

I do not believe these facts. In fact, I have seen a few videos filmed with ultra violet cameras that demonstrate the exact opposite of your what you say are "facts". Videos which show a person speaking in a normal tone, emitting aerosols into the air while the person is NOT wearing a mask. Same person, WITH a surgical mask on, speaking in same tone of voice. It is totally amazing how much less aerosols escape the mask. Those masks do trap much of the aerosols when a person either breaths or speaks. The masks do not trap 100% of the aerosols but the masks do mitigate and slow the spread of this virus. I embrace the science and what has been proven before my very own eyes.

That is not the point. I thought the idea of limiting access to the squares was to allow for proper social distancing. I understand that wearing a mask is not an option when sipping on an adult beverage but at least give people the space to properly social distance. From what I'm reading, seems like folks are not even trying to follow the social distance guideline.

I haven't been to the squares to check it out and doubt I will be going there until it is safer. Hubby and I did go to Edna's on the Green to see Johnny Wild perform. People made a very good attempt at social distancing. We made sure we were not too near anyone. No masks there but, again, who can sip on an adult beverage while wearing a mask? Hubby did wear a mask while on line to purchase the adult beverages as there was no social distancing on the line. I don't have one of those masks that have an opening for a straw and don't plan to ever purchase one of those.

If that is so, then why is the CDC pleading with people to cover their faces now that we are in the middle of a pandemic?

No, that is not the simple answer. I just don't think you get it. Those folks who go to the squares and play golf also go out into the community for all sorts of other activities and can be anywhere anyone is at any time.

For example.......Mr. X goes to the square on a Monday and does not wear a mask and does not social distance. The next day, Mr. X goes to a store or a restaurant or a doctor's office or just about anywhere people go to live their lives. Mr. X contracted Covid on Monday night when he was at the square but he has no idea he has the virus. Mr. X has no symptoms because he is either pre-symptomatic or asymptomatic. Mr. X has now exposed more people to the virus and he didn't even know he did that.

So.......staying away from the squares and not playing golf will not stop anyone from the possibility of contracting the virus. The only way to do that is not to go out of the house at all. No one wants to live life that way. We all have to do our part to slow the spread of this virus. Please follow the CDC guidelines and do your part.

Another person who just doesn't get it. SAD.

The enforcers are too afraid of confrontations is more like it.

No, not easy. See my post #144.

Using this logic, why have any preventative measures in life.

Speed limits? Pedal to the metal bro.
Vaccines? Not needed.
Antibiotics? Don't get sick.
Seat belts? Unproven.
Sunglasses? Stay inside.
Masks? Wimp.

As you said, we all die sometime. Might as well be sooner, right?

Your 100% correct

Great analogy, TVbound, and it’s interesting that it could go either way: Villagers mindlessly obeying arbitrary rules OR flouting the warnings en masse and slowly marching toward their demise.

Disclosure: I personally don’t think the rules are “arbitrary.” But the Jonestown analogy could be interpreted that way. In any case, it seems TV is well stocked with Kool-Aide.

For the person saying that some of us "don't get it" it also goes the other way. Some of you INSIST that others protect you by wearing a mask. So, if I say that I insist that YOU wear eye protection(goggles, shield, etc) because the eyes are easier to infect than a closed mouth or through a nose that is filtered by hairs, then you must conform, right? And maybe I want you to also wear gloves. No, it is you that just doesn't get it. We all make up our own minds as to how much risk we wish to take to support our lifestyle. It is not up to others to dictate their idea of how we must conform to their standards.
I wear a mask where I deem it to be prudent. I wear it for my wife's sake, or if an establishment requests that we wear a mask. I do not do it for you. If that makes me inconsiderate, oh well. Like others have said, if you are afraid then don't leave home. No, it is not your right to demand conformity of others. You are not law enforcement and you are not the morality police.
If you say, "I wish folks would wear their mask" I have no problem with that. When you say "you people must wear a mask or you are putting us at risk" then be prepared to be ignored. Sorry, but guilt trips have been known to influence very little.

Masks help lower the chances of becoming infected. They do NOT prevent all chances of infection, but they may be enough to save your life in a particular circumstance. Gloves added are better and eye protection is also helpful. A few months ago, the media was putting out that most of the infections occurred at home. Apparently, a lot of folks were infected by family that "carried" it home with them. I would be very surprised to hear of anyone that wears their protective gear at home.

So, it has been established that if anyone is in close vicinity for a prolonged period of time, the mask wearing person has a better chance of avoiding infection than a person with no protection. No one can argue that. Just like the fact seems to remain that those that are older, prone to illnesses, have medical issues, etc. are more prone to suffer worse than those that are young and healthy. Simple, right?

That would be me. Yes, there is a possibility of contracting the virus via the eyes, but it is believed the main mode of transmission is through the nasal passages and the respiratory system. The CDC has not added wearing goggles to their guidelines to keep us protected and to mitigate the virus.

Can You Catch COVID-19 Through Your Eyes?

Not to move off subject but I'm surprised no one mentioned the real treat of the misquitoes that seem to have become a real issue at the squares, golf and even pickleball counts. At the Squares after sunset even the band members have made a request over the mic for Misquitoe Spray and some people leave since they are getting bit. I've been bit on the golf course and now even on the Pickleball courts in the early morning. I know many will post There are no misquitoes here, we haven't seen any but I can post a picture of my Pickleball racket with blood on it from swating one off my body in the early morning. BTW if your locked up in your house your probally safe and there are clearly less here than NY but in previous years we never have seen any misquitoes here > I think someone is saving some money by not spraying the amount they used to before.