[MandoMan]

Originally Posted by 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.

The idea is that sensible people LIKE US who are at greater risk of dying of this will continue to do the most sensible thing FOR US, while those at lesser risk or with lower IQs will rush back to their former lives and take risks they find acceptable. Reopening may be good for business and for many millions of workers, even if not for us, but we can wait it out. Keep on keeping your distance. I’ll see you in four or five months.

[davem4616]

okay, I'm going to go out on a limb here...

consider the analogy of being at war with this unseen enemy

when you go to war you are either fully prepared or you hunker down for awhile until you are able to fight back....people die in wars....but what is it that we are fighting for...we are not fighting for a cure (the cure will eventually come), we are fighting to keep the American way of life alive

ya can't win a war by keeping your head down and staying in a fox hole...some of us will be on those initial landing boats going ashore and yes, we won't make it to the beach...

it takes courage to fight a war

Courage is saddling up and riding out when you're scared to death (Pilgrim)

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by Gpsma

Nope..no bravado, just being realistic with no fear.

I see people in fear here. I suspect many come from a non-urban environment and think if they come close to someone they will get immediately infected.

Wonder how people who commuted to work in the NYC subways, Chicago Els, DC metros survived so many flu epidemics...with no colorful maskies on?

Um... and look at where the worst breakouts are.

[bruce213]

With almost everything in life you have to make the decision that is best for you. You gather the information, weigh it and choose

[villageuser]

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.

I don’t mean to be rude. But where are you reading this?

The last thing I read is that the droplets ARE falling on the ground and we have to be aware that the soles of our shoes are contaminated. We should not be outside, especially in the grocery store, Walmart, etc, and go home with our shoes on.

This virus is NOT being managed. This country still has inadequate testing, no way to be able to get the data of what people have come into contact recently with a person who tests positive, and an inadequate work force at this time to contact these people, if there was a way to figure out who they are. Bill Gates, Apple, Google and governors of many states are working towards these goals, but the process has only begun (finally!) and not near any level where we can say it is being managed.

Personally, I don’t care what the government or businesses do or say. I will continue to wear masks, and gloves, soap down my hands, countertops, table, etc, and take all other necessary precautions until there is a vaccine in place and no new cases for 2 weeks.

[LiverpoolWalrus]

Thanks for all your replies so far. It seems the consensus is yes we will go out and participate in TV's activities as soon as we are able to and not continue to "live in a foxhole" as one poster said.

[jswirs]

Originally Posted by davem4616

okay, I'm going to go out on a limb here...

consider the analogy of being at war with this unseen enemy

when you go to war you are either fully prepared or you hunker down for awhile until you are able to fight back....people die in wars....but what is it that we are fighting for...we are not fighting for a cure (the cure will eventually come), we are fighting to keep the American way of life alive

ya can't win a war by keeping your head down and staying in a fox hole...some of us will be on those initial landing boats going ashore and yes, we won't make it to the beach...

it takes courage to fight a war

Courage is saddling up and riding out when you're scared to death (Pilgrim)

I could not agree more with your brilliant analogy. Bravo for you.

[eyc234]

Originally Posted by fishon

You are responsible for your own choices.
You are not in control of the choices made by others.
Act accordingly.
There, that wasn't so difficult, was it?

Except when their choices effect me or the general public!

[Joanne19335]

Originally Posted by LiverpoolWalrus

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.

This is no time for tricks. Lives are at stake. We need to continue practicing social distancing and not gather in crowds. As we have seen, many of us Villagers still consider this virus something that can’t happen to us and continually break the rules. It is too soon to “open”. Florida’s curve is still weeks away.

[Ken Traverse]

Thank you George Orwell.

[mikemalloy]

It's one thing to be a senior citizen living in a retirement community with investment income, a pension, and Social Security. It's another to be a 32 yr. old production worker with a wife and kids who now finds himself one of the 16 million Americans who have lost their livelihood in the past month. Asking him to financially survive in a lock down for over a year until a vaccine is produced is not fair or reasonable. There has to be a decision that respects what's best for all Americans.
And on a second thought, the governors of states are puffing their authority and pretending that they are in charge of their fate. However, their lifeblood taxes have been severely disrupted and they will need federal help as well as a resumption of business as soon as possible. The smart ones know not to show too much disrespect to the individual on the other end of the lifeline.

[Stu from NYC]

I would not want to be the one to make the decision, can see it both ways.

[moe1212]

Perhaps they are finding it is as deadly as the seasonal flu as the actual numbers start to come in. The flu is bad people die every year but we have never closed the economy in such a way which can effect people / country drastically / worse
in many ways. I think moving forward the steps we are taking now during flu season in terms of masks distancing and washing hands would be good. As an important side note you should do some research regarding the flu vaccine it has a terrible track record. it is frighting to hear the term "they are unleashing us" I do not want them/ they telling me when I can be unleashed

[Bmacs]

China is starting it's "second wave" now because of rushing back to work. 169 new cases yesterday.

[nancymiller217@yahoo.com]

You have to look back-the ONLY reason we closed things down was to flatten the curve and keep from overwhelming hospitals. Except in a few areas, hospitals are NOT overwhelmed, many are operating at huge losses since no elective patients are using them. If this shutdown continues, we will not only destroy small businesses, but we will see hospitals close. Then if/when there’s a second wave....

The tipping point is here. Those who are vulnerable will need to Continue to stay home.