[LiverpoolWalrus]

From what I understand, our country is preparing to reopen soon, perhaps on a "rolling" basis, before there's an effective treatment or vaccine for Covid-19. Testing is also projected to remain difficult to get. I'm curious how you all will respond to the call to resume our activities under these conditions.

If the virus is still lurking and we have no weapons against it other than masks, alcohol and distancing, will you go back to your restaurants, town squares, the rec centers for card games, mahjong, jam sessions, Beatles group, ceramics, wood shop, etc.? Or will you continue to stay at home? I'm surprised TV's powers that be haven't polled the community on this important question. (Note to Winston: have you asked your members if they will indeed show up?)

I just don't see the logic in unleashing us prematurely. If the virus is still out there, large numbers of people, or even small numbers of people if you prefer, will continue to contract it and pass it on. And that's the situation that got us into this mess in the first place. Even though the virus was not widespread, there was enough of it to allow it to spread exponentially. What makes us think the same thing won't happen again? It probably will, and that's the set up for the "second wave" we've been hearing about.

So why would we want to make a bad situation worse? And why would the current administration want to commit political suicide in the process?

I just don't get it. Can anyone shed some light? What a Sophie's Choice on the part of our leaders on both sides, huh? Either let the economy crumble and the population go mad or kill off a segment of our citizenry.

[manaboutown]

It is a conundrum. I am following what is happening in Sweden. Interestingly, Switzerland this morning with a population of 8+M had suffered 1,100+ deaths; Sweden with a population of 10+M had suffered 1,000+ deaths.

As virus deaths rise, Sweden sticks to '''low-scale''' lockdown - ABC News

Coronavirus: the situation in Switzerland - SWI swissinfo.ch

[retiredguy123]

I agree, but there needs to be a compromise. A cure or vaccine may not be available for 2 years or more. But, a large percentage of the people who get the virus recover. I don't think people are willing to stay home for the next 2 years.

[DianeM]

I understand the need for caution, but we can’t stay home forever. I think the Rec centers should remain closed because they are a confined space. Perhaps open the larger pools since they are chemically treated. Perhaps open the squares but do not serve alcohol since people behave badly when inebriated.

[manaboutown]

Many things need to be considered. What about joblessness leading to domestic violence, suicides and rampant crime? What about the country and world entering a severe depression lasting years if not decades like we haven't seen in 90 years? We need to seek workable solutions.

[Bogie Shooter]

Would it be different if this wasn't an election year?

[Velvet]

This is just my opinion, but each day I see the news the virus management seems better and better. I think any opening of the economy will be evaluated carefully each day and recalled if necessary.

[LiverpoolWalrus]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

Would it be different if this wasn't an election year?

I don't think it matters. As I see it, that man in the White House can't win (against the virus) either way - he either allows many more people to get sick and die or he destroys the economy and people's livelihoods. He's somehow managed to save face for three years, let's hope he finds a trick to get us out of this mess. But barring a cure or vaccine, I can't see what it would be.

To the others: So far it sounds like the consensus is reopen the country and sacrifice lives in a sort of cost/benefit analysis.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by DianeM

I understand the need for caution, but we can’t stay home forever. I think the Rec centers should remain closed because they are a confined space. Perhaps open the larger pools since they are chemically treated. Perhaps open the squares but do not serve alcohol since people behave badly when inebriated.

I agree to some extent with the idea of what you post.

Agree that the inside rec centers be closed, or limited with someone to serve as a counter, and limited group sizes, with no loitering in the halls or central area. If a club has more than 15 members, then that club can't have a full-membership meeting inside. If the club only has 5-10 members then they can have their meeting, with chairs spaced appropriately, and any buffet-style treats at the end of the meeting have to be visited one person at a time.

If you open the larger pools only, then everyone who goes to any of the pools, will all try to congregate at only the larger pools. For that reason I would suggest opening ALL the pools but limiting them to ONLY residents of the area. In other words - if you live in the Paradise Rec center area, then you can't go to the Caroline Pool.

If your area doesn't have its own pool you can use the regional pool. If your area has its own pool, you should not be using the regional pool.

And it needs to be, for the time being, residents only. Tenants are residents, so as long as they have a residents' ID, they should have the same privileges. GUESTS should not be permitted, for now at least. Not grandchildren, not kids. Properties are intended to have 2 residents per home. So only 2 resident IDs should be issued to any individual home.

The problem with the squares is people congregating in close quarters. I'd suggest removing the seating entirely - no more seats allowed, not even if you bring them in yourself. That will drastically reduce the number of people who congregate, and limit how long they stay in the area.

Open all businesses to OUTDOOR business only. Sidewalk sales, outdoor eating, etc. It's a sad fact that if you give people an inch, they'll take a mile. If you let exactly 4 people into your boutique, then when one leaves the next one in line will demand to be let in with her spouse and visiting grandkids. It would just be a logistic nightmare to enforce social distancing rules inside cramped boutiques like those in the squares.

For the same reason, instead of weekly, biweekly, or monthly craft fairs - maybe make them daily. Turn the squares into pedestrian traffic only, and make these "events" non-events by making them commonplace.

You'll have fewer people attending on a daily basis, but vendors will still be able to take in a profit because the same number of people will be attending weekly. The population gets spread out, instead of all showing up at once.

I also think it might be possible to implement a drink chit system. You can buy drink credits, and use up to 2 per day. They could be attached to your Villages ID, or drivers' license for the public that doesn't live in the Villages. That way they can't be used by other people.

[LiverpoolWalrus]

Originally Posted by DianeM

I understand the need for caution, but we can’t stay home forever. I think the Rec centers should remain closed because they are a confined space. Perhaps open the larger pools since they are chemically treated.

Oh no, not the Rec centers!!! The activities are the reason I bought in TV just three short months ago! The risk of the "confined space" in the Rec centers would not be much greater than being close to someone in a store, restaurant, church, etc. The snowbirds probably wouldn't come down next season either if the Rec centers stayed closed, killing the rental market.

[karostay]

Originally Posted by Velvet

This is just my opinion, but each day I see the news the virus management seems better and better. I think any opening of the economy will be evaluated carefully each day and recalled if necessary.

Finally someone on here that actually has made a statement with some common sense...
Thank You

[GoodLife]

Any rolling opening of the country is likely to include an advisory for old fogies and younger people with covid 19 sensitive health problems to continue some sort of social distancing.

Since 99% of TV consists of retired old fogies you are probably going to get a skewed response here. People with jobs and families are most likely to be more important in a re opening of the economy.

[stadry]

opinions ? these are all opinions,theories, suppositions, wishes since NO one knows,,, vaccine ? we're still waiting for the aids vaccine & that's been since reagan's presidency
my prediction ? more of the same

[DianeM]

Originally Posted by LiverpoolWalrus

Oh no, not the Rec centers!!! The activities are the reason I bought in TV just three short months ago! The risk of the "confined space" in the Rec centers would not be much greater than being close to someone in a store, restaurant, church, etc. The snowbirds probably wouldn't come down next season either if the Rec centers stayed closed, killing the rental market.

You make it sound like a bad thing if the snowbirds don’t come.

Stores, restaurants and churches should remain closed. Only outdoor activities for short term.

[DianeM]

Originally Posted by stadry

opinions ? these are all opinions,theories, suppositions, wishes since NO one knows,,, vaccine ? we're still waiting for the aids vaccine & that's been since reagan's presidency
my prediction ? more of the same

Yes of course they’re opinions. Just conversation since no one has a working crystal ball.