topic Re: Some observations on a day out in Community Chat

Some observations on a day out

Mominohio — Sun, 31 May 2020 15:51:10 GMT

Yesterday (Saturday) I took my elderly mom out to Ohio's Amish country in the Holmes county area. I thought I'd share what I experienced.

First, my mom hasn't been much of anywhere since early March. I have taken her for some ride alongs when I run mostly drive through errands or some rides in the country, but she hasn't been in a store or business but one time, a very rural Dollar General, and no one inside but us.

She needed a shephard's hook for her garden, and it was a beautiful day, so we planned a drive to the Walnut Creek / Sugar Creek / Berlin area of Ohio. The goal was to stop at only one store, get the item and move on. She is still uncomfortable being in public, and I'm ok with that.

Not sure what I expected, but what I anticipated as I thought about that area throughout the stay at home times, was that when they opened things back up in Ohio, that area would be flooded as usual.

I was right. The streets in Berlin were jammed, tons of families, lots of kids and babies and older people....the usual summer Saturday in that area. Very close range and crowds. No social distancing on sidewalks or in lines waiting to get into the local diner. What surprised me was no masks. I think in that particular area I saw only a handful of people with masks on.

The shop we went to for her item (in a different town) also very crowded, and only us and two other people had masks. None of the workers were wearing masks. They have a large outdoor furniture sales area that was full of people in close quarters, and no masks or any social distancing.

Most of the businesses in the entire area were full, and lots of out of state plates (again, all as usual for this time of year). The infection and death rate in this area of Ohio has been very low, but I have wondered as tourism starts back up there (and anywhere else in the US for that matter) with people coming in from big cities, and from states with much higher numbers, how the local population will fare, and if there will be great spread from the mixing and mingling of so many people from so many different places.

I'm not making a judgement one way or the other about what I saw. I'm not railing against the fact there were almost no masks, and I'm not saying hurray, people have gotten their own minds back and ditched the masks. I have mixed feelings about it.

I'm simply reporting what I saw and experienced. I know many people from all over like to visit that particular area, and I thought I'd let you know what I experienced, in case you are planning a trip, thought about it, and have a preference or concern over crowds, masks, business practices etc. going on in the area.

We have waited and wished for so long, for things to get 'back to normal' but I have to say, that when we were faced with near normal down there yesterday, it felt odd and a bit scary for us. We didn't eat at a restaurant, but I did go in a bakery attached to one and picked up an order, and the restaurant was not busy, neither was the bakery.

We have decided we aren't in any hurry to go back down. If this virus is spreading very easily through respiration/ breath, and masks and social distancing are key to it's control (and I'm not saying that is gospel, just seems to be logical and what we are being told), then I don't see it being as safe as I want it to be for my mom and her age and condition, and neither does she.

I don't think our experience is any different than what most people are going to see many places across the nation as things open back up, but wanted to put out there, for those that haven't been out much or live someplace different, what we saw in a tourist area.

Re: Some observations on a day out

fthunt — Sun, 31 May 2020 16:06:14 GMT

As I watched the riots in NY City last night.......couldn't help watch mobs of people shoulder to shoulder.......and NYC has been the very hot center for the virus. Saw many masks BUT......... I think they were being worn more from identification from the police....rather than social distancing!

Re: Some observations on a day out

RedTop — Sun, 31 May 2020 16:10:12 GMT

I expect this type of response can be seen in each state as restrictions are lifted. People are going hog wild and doing whatever they want.

I have never felt we had a snowballs chance of curtailing the spread of this virus when it boils down to human cooperation.

Re: Some observations on a day out

CelticCrafter — Sun, 31 May 2020 16:13:26 GMT

@fthunt wrote:
As I watched the riots in NY City last night.......couldn't help watch mobs of people shoulder to shoulder.......and NYC has been the very hot center for the virus. Saw many masks BUT......... I think they were being worn more from identification from the police....rather than social distancing!

We'll see what happens to the numbers in these places in two weeks...

Re: Some observations on a day out

Mominohio — Sun, 31 May 2020 16:17:55 GMT

@CelticCrafter wrote:
@fthunt wrote:
As I watched the riots in NY City last night.......couldn't help watch mobs of people shoulder to shoulder.......and NYC has been the very hot center for the virus. Saw many masks BUT......... I think they were being worn more from identification from the police....rather than social distancing!
We'll see what happens to the numbers in these places in two weeks...

I think in the case of the riots, the people are being bussed in from other locations, and there will be very little contact tracing to be done, so we may not be able to see just how much those events increase (or don't) the infection rate.

Re: Some observations on a day out

fthunt — Sun, 31 May 2020 16:19:41 GMT

@CelticCrafter That's what I was thinking too.

Re: Some observations on a day out

San Antonio Gal — Sun, 31 May 2020 16:20:48 GMT

I'm not planning on venturing out until a vaccine is created. I'm only going somewhere if absolutely necessary.

Re: Some observations on a day out

deepwaterdotter — Sun, 31 May 2020 16:24:16 GMT

Being introverted homebodies is working out for my husband and I, our old normal is the 'new normal'.

Re: Some observations on a day out

golding76 — Sun, 31 May 2020 16:28:10 GMT

As the May 31, 2020, "Doonesbury" cartoon says today: "(Cough! Cough!)" / "Wow...Real-Time Natural Selection!" / "Darwin, right again."

Re: Some observations on a day out

wildcat fan — Sun, 31 May 2020 16:30:45 GMT

@CelticCrafter wrote:
@fthunt wrote:
As I watched the riots in NY City last night.......couldn't help watch mobs of people shoulder to shoulder.......and NYC has been the very hot center for the virus. Saw many masks BUT......... I think they were being worn more from identification from the police....rather than social distancing!
We'll see what happens to the numbers in these places in two weeks...

Yes, will be interesting to see the numbers in the next few weeks. Currently, according to the CDC, the death rate in the U.S. is at .059%.

Re: Some observations on a day out

Witchy Woman — Sun, 31 May 2020 16:36:07 GMT

@San Antonio Gal

Hearing you say that made me feel better about my own decision to stay put.

I'm in Maryland, and for the last few months, I've gone out just when necessary to shop.

We've gone to phase 1 opening, which is still limited, but I have NO desire to go out anymore than I have.

Just seeing big crowds of people makes me anxious.

Re: Some observations on a day out

Kim-QVC — Sun, 31 May 2020 16:36:08 GMT

This post has been removed by QVC because it is political.

Re: Some observations on a day out

QueenDanceALot — Sun, 31 May 2020 16:36:14 GMT

@fthunt wrote:
As I watched the riots in NY City last night.......couldn't help watch mobs of people shoulder to shoulder.......and NYC has been the very hot center for the virus. Saw many masks BUT......... I think they were being worn more from identification from the police....rather than social distancing!

@fthunt

My best friend lives in Brooklyn. He told me that virtually EVERYONE has been wearing a mask there for the past few months as they have seen first hand the devastation from COVID.

Plus, most of the demonstrators are peaceful and have no reason to conceal their identity.

Re: Some observations on a day out

willdob3 — Sun, 31 May 2020 16:38:28 GMT

@Mominohio Thank you for sharing your experience. I think it is what is happening most places that are reopening.

We we still have very little knowledge about this virus - we are told something different every few days, it seems - so I choose to err on the side of caution. I have no plans to go into any store any time soon. I can order and pickup or have things delivered.

I figure if I get the virus it will be because I am back working in the office and there is no evidence anyone knows there is a pandemic; no social distancing, no masks. I go early and stay late to avoid being in a crowded elevator.

Re: Some observations on a day out

Porcelain — Sun, 31 May 2020 16:48:09 GMT

I'm glad you had a fun time. It's too bad people weren't protecting themselves or each other. Maybe the businesses will at least benefit temporarily from it. As to the future, who knows? Not sure what will happen if we prove ourselves untrustworthy to each other.

Re: Some observations on a day out

kaydee50 — Sun, 31 May 2020 16:48:47 GMT

I envy those who are "homebodies" "introverts" and those who are willing to wait months or even years for an effective "vaccine." I can't wait for life to get back to some sort of normal--sooner rather than later.

We have been going to stores where masks are mandatory. For walks where we do not wear masks because the streets are empty. Trying to stay as positive and upbeat as possible. Good luck to everyone!

Re: Some observations on a day out

stuyvesant — Sun, 31 May 2020 16:49:50 GMT

I know the death rate from Covid came at the cost of an unprecedented economic/social shutdown of the nation.

As we start to open up I hope the worst is behind us. It would be great if there's no second wave, and maybe just a few outbreaks we'll read about in the paper but that we don't experience and are competently contained.

It's just so simple to wear a mask. Even when I can't social distance, I can always say, well at least I got my mask.

At least wear it around your neck and give yourself the option of pullling it up over your face if you feel a little bit uneasy in any given situation. Or keep one in your pocket.

And I keep my hands away from my face. These are easy things anybody can do.

Re: Some observations on a day out

Greeneyedlady21 — Sun, 31 May 2020 16:59:40 GMT

Yes it is so simple to wear a mask. I'm glad I live in a state that requires it, and sees a mask as a public health measure and not anything else. I see it that way too.

Re: Some observations on a day out

CrazyKittyLvr2 — Sun, 31 May 2020 17:11:37 GMT

@Mominohio My daughter and I also ventured out further than normal. There is a restaurant about 30 minutes from my sister's (85 mi. away). They just opened for take out only. Their dining rooms can seat hundreds but is closed off naturally. They have a huge gift area and a garden center.

I called ahead and ordered for pickup at 11:30 am. There were only about 15 cars in the normally packed lot. Everyone had masks on and followed the 6 ft. rule. DD asked if I wanted to go through the garden center and get anything. Nope, not now, too soon. Got the food and left.

Drove to my sister's to drop off a bunch of stuff I've had for her grandkids. Never got closer than 10 feet. Never went inside, stayed outside. We stayed 20/25 minutes and left.

The shopping plaza lot was packed to the gills. There is no way people could be any distancing. We weren't going shopping but noticed every place was jammed.

We just enjoyed being out, it was a beautiful day. Oh, we had to go by a state park and both parking lots were full.

Re: Some observations on a day out

noodleann — Sun, 31 May 2020 17:12:40 GMT

My state is not doing well. It's playing whack-a-mole, not flattening the curve.

As it becomes more and more unsafe to go anywhere because of the end of mask-wearing and social distancing, the need for masks that protect the vulnerable becomes urgent. If people are going to stop wearing masks entirely, I will take that as a tacit okay for me to wear a valved mask that protects me but not others.

I reason that once masks and social distancing end, the "do it for others" edict also terminates and the priority becomes PROTECT YOURSELF AND THOSE YOU CARE ABOUT. If you're failing to wear a mask, even though the etsy and disposables afford you little protection, you're declaring open season on yourself as well as others. I won't fight you, but I sure won't protect you, and you have no right to expect me to.

We're in the process of going from "we're all in this together," which was never really true, to "save yourself." The smart money is on figuring out how to do that.