topic Re: Are things back to normal? in Community Chat

Are things back to normal?

lovesrecess — Tue, 11 May 2021 22:14:35 GMT

I was wondering if things in your area are "back to normal" since before the pandemic ....are the restaurants open to eat inside? Are the schools fully open? Are masks required if you go into a store or other business? Just think it would be interesting to see if things differ where you live from other areas. We are fully open but it is up to individual stores or business owners whether to require masks or not. Most do at this point, but some say masks are optional.

Re: Are things back to normal?

on the bay — Tue, 11 May 2021 22:18:09 GMT

Things are open and some people are still cautious, wearing masks inside but not outside.

Re: Are things back to normal?

Kachina624 — Tue, 11 May 2021 22:18:24 GMT

No, restrictions have been relaxed but they're far from "normal" still. It will be a good while until we achieve normal.

Re: Are things back to normal?

gidgetgh — Tue, 11 May 2021 22:20:16 GMT

I'm in Atlanta. We've been able to eat in restaurants here for months, but fast food restaurants remain drive through only.

I'm vaccinated, but I still wear a mask when out. I have no plans to stop that.

Re: Are things back to normal?

threecees — Tue, 11 May 2021 22:23:53 GMT

I'm in PA. Our county is 45% vaccinated and we have to get to at least

70% before we ditch the masks.

My son goes to school 4 days a week and one day virtual, school

shuts down that day for cleaning.

Re: Are things back to normal?

Marp — Tue, 11 May 2021 22:24:15 GMT

Around here things are not officially back to normal but increasingly much of the population is acting like it is.

Our once again increasing new cases rate is testament to gathering, not wearing masks, etc.

The primary attitude seems to be I got my vaccines so I can do whatever I want.

It is also the beginning of our tourist season which is contributing to the number of new cases. Rules and guidelines apparently don't apply to tourists and part-time residents.

Re: Are things back to normal?

Meowingkitty — Tue, 11 May 2021 22:25:07 GMT

Arizona here is fully opened. Restaurants have always been eat in (can't eat outside in the summer in AZ any more than you can eat outdoors in winter in Michigan). Everything is open. I guess kids are in school as I do see them walking back and forth in my area. Masks are requested but not required in many places. I've gone to Walmart, hairdresser, many restaurants, gas stations all without wearing a mask. Traffic is back to normal which means it's a nightmare.

Re: Are things back to normal?

Mom2Dogs — Tue, 11 May 2021 22:27:12 GMT

@lovesrecess Our governor will not lift the mask mandate, so citizens are doing their own thing. Some restaurants, stores, etc are enforcing the masks, others are not.

fixed typo

Re: Are things back to normal?

Greeneyedlady21 — Tue, 11 May 2021 22:29:46 GMT

Masks are still required indoors. My state is among the leaders in percentage of population fully vaccinated. Capacities increased, everything is open. Full capacities not far away, depending on data. Schools fully open.

Re: Are things back to normal?

lovesrecess — Tue, 11 May 2021 22:32:04 GMT

It is confusing to get fully vaccinated, and now see some who have both doses wearing masks when they are out for a walk in the park. I am in Texas and although we were the first state to fully open, most places still have signs on the doors saying don’t come inside without a mask. The owners can make the rules now. Tourism will be a problem some places as summer gets here, especially if you live in an area that really depends upon the revenue. No way to know if those visiting and don’t wear a mask have been vaccinated or just won’t wear a mask.

Re: Are things back to normal?

lovesrecess — Tue, 11 May 2021 22:35:44 GMT

What state are you in? Your governor is probably just “erring on the side of caution” with the mask mandate.

Re: Are things back to normal?

deepwaterdotter — Tue, 11 May 2021 22:52:11 GMT

We haven't eaten in a restaurant for over a year, but the parking lots appear to be full when I drive by. The schools are open for in-person learning, but parents are also given the option to continue remote teaching.

Neither of us has had a cold or flu since we started wearing masks, so we will continue to wear them indoors. We found some online that are so comfortable that we will continue to wear them everyday.

Re: Are things back to normal?

lovesrecess — Tue, 11 May 2021 22:39:30 GMT

I can tell things are getting back to normal because the traffic here is almost as bad as before. Even though most are still working from home if possible, I guess the traffic is due to so many just wanting to get out of the house.

Re: Are things back to normal?

schorsch — Tue, 11 May 2021 22:40:22 GMT

Our restaurants are open but not capacity yet. That restriction comes off the end of May. We still have a mask mandate indoors and it will come off end of June. I don't understand the "magic" of those dates but so be it. Our schools have been open almost all year. There were a few exception weeks but mostly in school learning. I'm in MN.

Re: Are things back to normal?

Snowpuppy — Tue, 11 May 2021 22:44:35 GMT

Here in Northern MI, nothing is normal.

Most restaurants are still drive thru/ take out only. Several have closed their doors permanently.

Masks still required indoors, schools are hybrid, depending on classes.

I'm still on WFH.

Re: Are things back to normal?

drizzellla — Tue, 11 May 2021 22:47:16 GMT

No, nothing is normal.

Still must wear a mask in every store. And they are still counting # of people entering stores. Can sit down and eat in a few restaurants but have to be 35% capacity. Some restaurants have remained closed, don't have the staff to open. Every fast food place is drive through only.

School some open, some closed, depending on the school district. Our district has no bus service.

Re: Are things back to normal?

chrystaltree — Tue, 11 May 2021 22:51:38 GMT

Of course not. We are on our way. More than 50% of the state has been vaccinated. Schools are open. Restaurants and other places open with restrictions and limited capacities. Masks are no longer required when we are outside. As more people get vaccinated and as transmission rates continue to fall, we will continue to get more of our lives back. I believe the prediction is that we'll be back to normal by August 1.

Re: Are things back to normal?

On It — Tue, 11 May 2021 22:52:07 GMT

I am from Texas but left when our governor fully opened the state and removed the mask mandate. I did not feel safe in my hometown that has a major university. Events were packed, bars fully open, and only 25% of the residents were fully vaccinated when we decided to leave. Infection numbers are rising and deaths are beginning to increase. People refuse to wear masks and blatantly enter stores that request they do so. This is far from being normal.

Re: Are things back to normal?

Mz iMac — Tue, 11 May 2021 22:56:55 GMT

N.J. - NOPE!

Never will be. This IS the "new" normal.

The Brazilian & Indian variants are in N.J. according to the local news & the Governor.

Re: Are things back to normal?

ninjawife — Tue, 11 May 2021 23:07:00 GMT

I live in Delaware and all restrictions except for the mask mandate will be lifted on May 21. Public schools are still hybrid.