[MDLNB]

Spent a whole year without the vaccination, living life as normal as possible. Didn't catch the virus or a cold. Was offered a mask at the entrance to Walmart the other day and refused it. Told the lady to give it to someone that felt they needed it. If you feel the need for a mask to enter Walmart or Publix why don't you order food on line and have someone put it in your car for you? I don't wear my mask anymore except at the doctor's office when I take the spouse. Usually I wait in the car instead of going inside. I don't take cruises, and never have so I don't care whether they wear masks, get vaccinated or stand on their heads and recite the AA creed.
I live my life normal unless someone else attempts to limit my liberty. I do not have a safe room and do not wear a mask when conversing with my neighbors on the street. Just giving a truthful answer to the question of how I cope with the virus hype today. Oh, and I attempt to social distance when I can because I have always liked to stay my distance from others. Never was much of a hugger type.

[coconutmama]

Originally Posted by Two Bills

I wear a mask when required or requested, as I think it reassures a lot of people, and makes them feel safer.
We are doing pretty much as normal otherwise.
My biggest worry at moment is whether my Dahlias, will last until Saturdays Garden show, or my onions will be big enough to compete!
Virus is definitely on back burner at moment.

Oh, please send a photo of the Dahlias! Best of luck at the show

[coconutmama]

Originally Posted by EdFNJ

Not really because that is 90% political BS (note I said 90%), but the US (and local governments) should restrict ALL UNVACCINATED people whose medical history we do OR don't know from local restaurants, stores, rec centers, movie theaters, airplanes, cruises, buses and shows, sports arenas etc. It should restrict them from classrooms, public buildings and from anything else that will make our kids or grandparents or US sick. If the illegal immigrants who are unvaccinated are so awful because they allegedly spread covid all over the place why should those plain old unvaccinated "real Americans" be treated any better for doing the exact same thing?

Totally agree. Thank you for your post.

[tsmall22204]

That is a very good point.

[jbrown132]

Originally Posted by Villages Kahuna

Like the desk sergeant used to forewarn his cops going out on their shift on the old, popular TV series, “Hill Street Blues” ….”Stay safe out there.”

Maybe stay well might be more apropos here in The Villages, particularly if you get sick and need hospitalization. We haven’t heard sirens or helicopters arriving at The Villages Regional Hospital for almost two weeks now. A close friend came back from a doctor’s appointment yesterday with the report that both hospitals in Tavares are closed to any new patients.

Tavares is the Lake County seat and the hospitals there are the next closest to The Villages. Other than the information that none of the hospitals anywhere near The Villages are doing elective surgeries and procedures, no reports on whether they’re even accepting new patients. And of course there’s not even a mention of COVID topics in The Villages Daily Sun. If anyone has current information in whether any of the hospitals in Ocala or other nearby hospitals are open to ER or other new patients, feel free to let us know.

But I guess it bears repeating… Stay well out there! It looks like we’re all pretty much on our own for awhile.

This to shall pass.

[Hiltongrizz11]

And with all your vaccinations and protocols and hiding in your house you're still just susceptible to getting covid is anyone else whether they are vaccinated or not and whether they mask or not.
Hooray for you.

Do not think there is superiority in what you do

[Hiltongrizz11]

Originally Posted by Dana1963

Why do people who choose not to get vaccinated go to the hospital when they get sick?
It’s literally filled with people they don’t trust

Why should people who smoke get medical treatment? Why should obese people get medical treatment? Why should anyone with any addiction ever get medical treatment?

You know what you are even saying?

[Mike193534]

Originally Posted by Dana1963

“ At the doctors we are asked to wear them.”. I’m not a professional patient and visit Dr Office only when necessary. Does anyone have a Dr that doesn’t require masks on recent visits?

Yes just yesterday went to neurosurgeon and masks not required.

[ChicagoNative]

My partner and I have taken this seriously, right from jump, but I like to think we exercised what used to be known as common sense.

We try to separate messages from the messengers and vet each each piece of data before coming to conclusions.

If anyone read the mask efficacy study that was done in 2015 before everything became political, the data stated that unless one was wearing a properly fitted N95, that masks were essentially useless in preventing respiratory infection. Also, next time you’re at the grocery store, take a look at how many people wear their masks….loose, below the nose etc.

So, all the homemade cutesy cloth masks with clever political slogans are nothing more than psychological crutches or tools of virtue signaling used by the chattering classes, IMO.

That said, as we go about living the best normal lives we can, we will start carrying our N95s with us out in public indoor spaces in case we run into any mask nannies, even though we’ve both been fully vaxxed.

[Dilligas]

Originally Posted by Dana1963

“ At the doctors we are asked to wear them.”. I’m not a professional patient and visit Dr Office only when necessary. Does anyone have a Dr that doesn’t require masks on recent visits?

Gee, do you think that is an indication of a problem?
Masks are protective, some far better than others, but vaccinations are the primary method of controlling and defeating the COVID virus and variants.
This is not a personal choice, one person cannot do it alone. If everyone is vaccinated the virus will diminish, like polio, chicken pox, diphtheria, etc……for which most Americans were vaccinated as children.
The “no government will tell me what to do” portion will hamper the fight.
This is not political, it is a major medical problem.
Yes, the southern border control is hurting our fight, but that is a additional fight.
Please get vaccinated. An extremely high percentage of new patients are those unvaccinated, and an even higher percentage of COVID deaths are those unvaccinated.

[MDLNB]

Originally Posted by EdFNJ

Not really because that is 90% political BS (note I said 90%), but the US (and local governments) should restrict ALL UNVACCINATED people whose medical history we do OR don't know from local restaurants, stores, rec centers, movie theaters, airplanes, cruises, buses and shows, sports arenas etc. It should restrict them from classrooms, public buildings and from anything else that will make our kids or grandparents or US sick. If the illegal immigrants who are unvaccinated are so awful because they allegedly spread covid all over the place why should those plain old unvaccinated "real Americans" be treated any better for doing the exact same thing?

WHY? Because it is OUR country and it was those that came from elsewhere that brought and still bring the virus into our country. If the virus did not originate here then it came from outside. That's why.

And there are lots of reasons for someone not to get vaccinated. They may not meet with your approval but they have the right to their opinion and reason. It's funny how SOME wish to treat illegal aliens better than their own countrymen.

[Pat2015]

I follow the science. Fauci quote- The typical mask you buy in the drug store is not really effective in keeping out virus, which is small enough to pass through the material.” Enough said!

[Lisanp@aol.com]

Originally Posted by John41

The hospitals are closed to elective inpatient and non time critical surgeries. In about a month this surge will fall off quickly. The problem is immigrants from South America both legal and illegal keep bringing in new Covid variants. Even the Washington Post has called the border policies a disaster. Many illegals want to stay in southern states like Texas and Florida so they are given $1000 and a one way bus ticket. Then they undercut the wages of Americans with low wage jobs or go on welfare.

The "problem" is that every un-vaccinated human gives the virus an opportunity to take hold and to mutate (get stronger) - not the "immigrants from South America". Do you think that the Australian borders are closed because of those pesky "immigrants from South America"? This "herd immunity" thing is virology - it means that there are not enough hosts for the virus to continue to propagate. Until we get there, this "surge" will certainly not go away in a month or so. These are virology facts, not liberal spin of COVID, and "natural immunity" does not protect you from Delta (or Lambda) or whatever variant this virus mutates to next. Masks, Vaccines - all of it - is just about stopping the virus from mutating, and if the immunity from the vaccines doesn't protect us from the next virus mutation we are all in very big trouble. So, to bring it back, as OP said be careful, be kind, and just think about the reaction of your actions. Don't not "live your life" - just realize we are still in a very severe pandemic, and all of our actions effect the lives of everyone around us. I want to enjoy my villages home too, not have to leave because its a virus hot spot, so try to "stay well out there"!

[Gizemo33]

We are sequestering again. By the way, the big wig recreational direct issue a statement that the Rec center employees are NOT required to wear masks. So we all should employ Social Distancing again and wear masks.

[Swoop]

Originally Posted by Lisanp@aol.com

The "problem" is that every un-vaccinated human gives the virus an opportunity to take hold and to mutate (get stronger) - not the "immigrants from South America". Do you think that the Australian borders are closed because of those pesky "immigrants from South America"? This "herd immunity" thing is virology - it means that there are not enough hosts for the virus to continue to propagate. Until we get there, this "surge" will certainly not go away in a month or so. These are virology facts, not liberal spin of COVID, and "natural immunity" does not protect you from Delta (or Lambda) or whatever variant this virus mutates to next. Masks, Vaccines - all of it - is just about stopping the virus from mutating, and if the immunity from the vaccines doesn't protect us from the next virus mutation we are all in very big trouble. So, to bring it back, as OP said be careful, be kind, and just think about the reaction of your actions. Don't not "live your life" - just realize we are still in a very severe pandemic, and all of our actions effect the lives of everyone around us. I want to enjoy my villages home too, not have to leave because its a virus hot spot, so try to "stay well out there"!

The “virology” fact is, that if you have had Covid, you are better protected from the variants than you would be if you’ve been vaccinated…