Coronavirus ~ COVID-19

[Kelt]

So a couple of months ago we were getting horrific scenes and numbers out of NYC and I was so grateful that where I am in Southern California was not so nearly ravaged, in fact, while taking lots of precautions the whole thing seemed sort of unreal and like it was mostly something on TV. At the time lock down in California was pretty complete and just about to start opening.

Fast forward a couple of months and now it is Southern California’s turn in the bucket along with some other hotspots in the southern half of the United States. Well we have closed back up a little bit, it’s not at all like it was, people are mostly going about their daily lives while just staying away from bars, restaurants and gym’s. This time is surreal in a different way, I have to keep reminding myself how bad things are here because when lockdown was tight there wasn’t as much actual danger, now that the danger is real and present folks are just having to shift for themselves without any extra rule and it doesn’t seem to be working out so well.

We know more now than we did and I, like most other folks figured out what I will use as boundaries for myself to stay safe. It just seems weird that everybody is freelancing this and there is no real guard rail. I think this might be the source of some of the wildly differing behaviors that we see, the messages have been confusing for a while, so people are interpreting for themselves. I think this next stretch of road is going to be pretty bumpy.

[clay]

Originally Posted by Kelt

So a couple of months ago we were getting horrific scenes and numbers out of NYC and I was so grateful that where I am in Southern California was not so nearly ravaged, in fact, while taking lots of precautions the whole thing seemed sort of unreal and like it was mostly something on TV. At the time lock down in California was pretty complete and just about to start opening.

Fast forward a couple of months and now it is Southern California’s turn in the bucket along with some other hotspots in the southern half of the United States. Well we have closed back up a little bit, it’s not at all like it was, people are mostly going about their daily lives while just staying away from bars, restaurants and gym’s. This time is surreal in a different way, I have to keep reminding myself how bad things are here because when lockdown was tight there wasn’t as much actual danger, now that the danger is real and present folks are just having to shift for themselves without any extra rule and it doesn’t seem to be working out so well.

We know more now than we did and I, like most other folks figured out what I will use as boundaries for myself to stay safe. It just seems weird that everybody is freelancing this and there is no real guard rail. I think this might be the source of some of the wildly differing behaviors that we see, the messages have been confusing for a while, so people are interpreting for themselves. I think this next stretch of road is going to be pretty bumpy.

Kelt, you are spot on!

[theoddz]

I'm posting this here because we have, whether we recognize it or not, learned some very valuable insights into the truths about the United States capitalistic system with this Coronavirus/ COVID-19 pandemic.

I think we should all see this and realize what is, and has been, happening in this country since the pandemic broke out. Really, it's been happening all along, but the virus has, most definitely, brought a LOT of things out in a huge, glowing spotlight of truth.

Please, take some time and watch this.

It's worth it.

~Theo~

[Gemme]

Originally Posted by Kelt

....*snip*.....

We know more now than we did and I, like most other folks figured out what I will use as boundaries for myself to stay safe. It just seems weird that everybody is freelancing this and there is no real guard rail. I think this might be the source of some of the wildly differing behaviors that we see, the messages have been confusing for a while, so people are interpreting for themselves. I think this next stretch of road is going to be pretty bumpy.

The difference in behaviors is because there are 3 kinds of people out there.

1. The believers who abide by the guidelines and do everything they can to keep themselves, their families and their communities safe.
2. The non-believers who think it's a hoax or just don't care about it who crow about their American rights being more important than them getting sick or passing it on to others.
3. Those who may or may believe but are doing everything in their power to profit off of the virus and the backs of those who are trying to work and be safe.

Until there is one single goal, there will not be 100% compliance with safety and wellness guidelines. Which basically means there will never be 100% compliance across the board.

[Kätzchen]

Originally Posted by Gemme

The difference in behaviors is because there are 3 kinds of people out there.

1. The believers who abide by the guidelines and do everything they can to keep themselves, their families and their communities safe.
2. The non-believers who think it's a hoax or just don't care about it who crow about their American rights being more important than them getting sick or passing it on to others.
3. Those who may or may believe but are doing everything in their power to profit off of the virus and the backs of those who are trying to work and be safe.

Until there is one single goal, there will not be 100% compliance with safety and wellness guidelines. Which basically means there will never be 100% compliance across the board.

I happen to agree with you wholeheartedly, Gemme.

Just yesterday, while driving to a spot on the river to watch boats go by and jet-skiers alike, there were waves and waves of people, standing on the side of both sides of the road, some by themselves, some with their entire members of family. No one was wearing masks. No one was standing six feet apart. All of them were waving GOP-type flags and under the premise that Blue Lives Matter (referencing Police). I hate that people will not abide by life saving mandates (wearing a mask, standing six feet apart, etc).

Most likely, COVID-19 will escalate by numbers due to people who just think it's a hoax and that this virus is not killing anybody.

My sister-in-law and a close friend just got back from Idaho. What did they see? No body wearing a mask, except at major retail chain stores (Freddy's, Target, Wal-Mart). They never saw anybody standing six feet apart. In fact, public swimming pools were open, and it would seem that certain small business owners have adopted the idea that COVID-19 is a hoax because people can shop in their stores without wearing a mask and the store owners do not limit the amount of people who can visit their business.

Meanwhile, my s-i-l wore her mask. She's very ill and if she were exposed to an active case, she'd be 6-feet *UNDER* in a matter of days.

Toxic White Privilege and the tenets of The Toxic political party (The GOP) seem to reside in sinister ways across the country. Especially in my home state of Idaho. And it's creeping into the fabric of the inner-metro area where I live, which has been thought of as The Pale Blue Dot (referencing Carl Sagan), the stronghold of Democratic Politics.

It's the number one reason, second only to my toxic family, of why I left years ago.

Here in the metro area, we have digital bill-boards which gives drivers specific directions on how to conduct themselves in traffic and in other social settings. Big warning statements about COVID still on the rise and that people need to give space in traffic, and in other social settings, and to wear masks.

What do people do though? They tail gate, break the speed limit, they don't wear their masks while driving, etc.

I feel that Covid-19 has not only exposed how fragile our medical system is, but it also exposes toxic levels of deep seated entitlement and gross levels of perceived privilege by people who don't care for others by trying to force their own magical thinking at the expense of not only their own lives, but at the expense of the lives of others.

It's is super concerning and deeply worrying, what I see here at home (in everyday life).

[FireSignFemme]

I don't think it's going to happen but if it does and people aren't going to face eviction for non-payment of rent, then what about landlords? Though some people I know with rentals own their buildings outright many more don't. So if they're living elsewhere and no longer generating income from their rental/rentals then what?

[~ocean]

this virus is a double edged sword.