In 3 counties combined ( Marion Lake and Sumter) for 3+ months we had less than 1000 positives and around 30+ deaths. Considering the rest of Florida that was so good. Since they "opened things up" who knows. WE cant get TRUE figures... With travel from hot spot States, and other visitors, it will bad in the fall and winter. If you value your life stay safe, and stay home.. Too many here will NOT wear a mask or social distance. NO MASK MEANS YOU DONT CARE, about family, friends or even yourself.

And BTW, if you rent then cancel with the Villages they WILL keep your money.. regardless of the US & global situation on travel.

Don't plan on coming anytime soon but keep checking. Today Texas and Florida reversed themselves and are now banning alcohol sales in bars because of the huge uptick in positive cases. Many here do not wear masks because it's restricting their freedom to contract or spread the virus. It may come under control once again.

After being basically couped up at home for the past three months, We are driving down from NY next week. We will try not to stay in a hotel, but will have my own sheets, etc, just in case. But I will tell you that I will not be doing anything that has me to close to other people, and I absolutely will not go out to public areas without a face mask. Of course in my golf cart, no need for a mask I guess. I just plan to do some things in my house, bike ride, take rides in the golf cart, go to the pool, if not crowded, etc. Watch out for this NY gal, because if someone walks past me in an indoor place, not wearing a mask, the Brooklyn will come out!! HAHA

stay safe scary out there

Snowbirds deserve our thanks!
 

As fairly new homeowners in The Villages, we enjoy our time there though we were happy to return to Oregon after our extended stay this Winter and Spring.
You know, we snowbirds pay property taxes on our homes, amenity fees, and other fees for garbage and water even when we are not there. So as we see it, we are subsidizing the full timers in The Villages. And we don’t mind.
A simple thanks would be enough.

Don’t
 

There’s a reason why certain eastern and northern states are quarantining travelers coming from Florida. The virus is bad here and getting worse. It’s appalling to see the number of people walking around without masks. If I were you, I’d plan to stay put. I wish I were up there right now. I won’t be surprised if The Villages has to close much of what it has opened too soon. Getting the virus is a high price to pay for “ having fun.”

If you have a house here and really like it, come on down. Not necessarily safe to do any “normal” activities except maybe golf.

A friend ventured out to dinner at Cane Garden last week, at an outside table. They observed ‘back to normal’ activities at the bar. Two deep, loud, agitated....terrific for COVID spread. As you ride around town, you see similar ignorance of the CDC guidelines.

If you feel really safe up north, stay there.

By the way, bring groceries. If you come to Florida you’re expected to quarantine for fourteen days.

You might want to think about risk in more than one way: first the risk that you get sick. That risk is difficult to quantify. Your movements, your interactions, your health profile, etc, The second risk is that if you get sick, will there be enough hospital capacity to treat you effectively? That is the secondary risk which actually is more easily quantified, and may be more relevant.

Personally, the risk here is a bit more elevated that in other states due to culture, but you can catch the virus in either place. Your outcome may depend more on the availability and quality of healthcare than of getting the virus. However, there are no future guarantees and statistics are not a guarantee, just a historical measurement with never enough details, to any future outcome so being conservative will always be your best option.

sportsguy

You won't get a 'Thanks' from me.

You are enjoying your way of life and we are definitely enjoying ours. We all make decisions that are best for us. There is no need for any of us to thank the other for simply enjoying their life as they choose.

Fewer than 5 cases diagnosed in the Marion County part of ZIP code 32162.

Over 100 cases in The Villages now
 

Latest Updates:
Friday June 26, 2020

Today, Florida reported another record for daily new coronavirus cases, with more than 8,900 new cases.

Florida Smashes Coronavirus Case Record: Nearly 9,000 Positive Cases on Thursday (NPR)

It was a rough week in The Villages too, which now has more than 100 cases.

Seven more Villagers test positive for COVID-19 (**************)

As you might expect, with numbers rising like they are, the brakes are being pumped on our “re-opening”, starting with bars.

All alcohol consumption at Florida bars suspended effective immediately (WESH)

Some businesses that have been open, are now shutting back down, either as a precaution, or as a result of their employees or customers contracting the virus.

Village Dental shut down due to COVID-19 (**************)

Testing will be available this week at the New Covenant United Methodist Church in The Villages from Monday, June 29th through Thursday, July 2nd from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

Registration is required and you can do that here: Events List Page | Florida Department of Health in Sumter

Another factor to consider: traveling is especially difficult. My younger brother is an over the road trucker (all over Eastern states.)
He could not stay home - essential worker delivering food and goods to businesses, etc. For the past 4 months, clocking 60-80 work hours a week. He said it has been extremely high stress. Truck stops and motels not open, can't get a shower, can't eat anywhere except for takeout or eating food brought from home in truck. Makes long traveling days even longer.
I wouldn't even consider getting on an airplane these days.
If you are in a relatively safe area, I would stay put. Many people in Florida ignoring consequences and we have yet to reach peak numbers. The threat is a long way from over.

We have a small but non violent group of Grantifa activists here but so far no riots or statue toppling.

New cases are surging but they are mostly younger median age 35. Its safe here as long as you stay away from people. Hospitals are not overwhelmed as most younger cases rarely need them.

Grantifa?? Do you mean antifa?

Nope, it's a new word for older ones. Grandma, grandpa, Grantifa :icon_wink: