balzaccom
Trail Wise!
Waiting for spring...
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Post by balzaccom on Aug 28, 2020 8:11:06 GMT -8
To set the stage, we have been pretty darn careful--being in that over 65 range--to minimize contact outside of our household. If we do need to go shopping, we wear masks and religiously use hand sanitizer and wash our hands once we return home. True, we have done some backpacking...but probably with less human contact than when we are in town.
But every evening, we go out for a walk around town---something between 2 and 5 miles. If we meet someone coming the other direction, we make an effort to move far to the side of the sidewalk, or even leave the sidewalk and walk in the street to avoid close contact. But we don't wear our masks outside. So far, no complaints. Until last night.
Last night, as we walked along a sidewalk that was 8-10 feet wide, we met another couple--also in their golden years. The woman immediately pulled on a mask and edged past us while shaking her head and muttering "come on people, make an effort." The man stopped short and pulled on a mask when we was still a good twenty feet away from us. And he yelled out "To good to wear a mask? Give me a break." Then he, too, edged past.
Well then, we were shamed. I pointed out that we were staying at least six feet away...but to no avail. We were convicted and not given the opportunity to enter a plea.
First time in the nearly six months of Coronavirus quarantine that someone has complained about this. Also the first time that have have seen this couple outside---and we live only two blocks away.
Oh well.
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Post by autumnmist on Aug 28, 2020 9:00:54 GMT -8
Tensions are high, people are scared. And we still don't understand all the methods of transmission. I've been guilty several times of walking the wrong way down now one way aisles in the stores; I just didn't think of looking at the floor.
Value systems shift. A neighbor wants to help mow the lawn, cut the trees, and more, to help me with my yard. But he and his wife don't mask, even though they have small children. Even though I'm not that worried about transmission out in the yard, I still don't want to become involved or reliant on people who don't mask, especially with kids. (The other reason though is that I've seen him splitting wood with both children within about 25 - 30' of the area in which he's working.)
I think compliance with masking or not is now a high priority in determining interaction.
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sarbar
Trail Wise!
After being here since 2001...I couldn't say goodbye yet!
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Post by sarbar on Aug 28, 2020 9:09:01 GMT -8
I refuse to wear a mask in the outdoors. People visiting the island I live on complain loudly on the beaches (and for those wondering...this isn't East Coast beaches - we have stiff winds and you have tons of room around you). I don't make people wear masks on my land either .... we are outside.
I think more hilarious is the Nervous Nancies who lectured you were not wearing a mask before they encountered you....so they were virtue signaling to the max how they were better than you.
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Post by Lamebeaver on Aug 28, 2020 9:09:45 GMT -8
I pointed out that we were staying at least six feet away Six feet is the absolute minimum required to reduce the risk......and that depends on wind direction and several other factors. |
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sarbar
Trail Wise!
After being here since 2001...I couldn't say goodbye yet!
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Post by sarbar on Aug 28, 2020 9:12:01 GMT -8
Even though I'm not that worried about transmission out in the yard Working in your yard isn't the issue. He's not spreading anything out there if you are inside. That's just silly - but I know many people actually scared of this. To the point they sit inside angry over it. The real issue here is he isn't aware of safety with his kids when doing work. So say no thanks and carry on. Or ask him to not have his kids there. But his not wearing a mask while working outside is not the issue. |
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Post by bluefish on Aug 28, 2020 9:27:46 GMT -8
I think more hilarious is the Nervous Nancies who lectured you were not wearing a mask before they encountered you....so they were virtue signaling to the max how they were better than you. Perhaps they were immuno-compromised or have lost someone close to them from Covid. Might change your perspective. Just making assumptions and mocking from the saddle of your tall horse is what keeps this pandemic non-scientific, contentious and long lasting. |
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sarbar
Trail Wise!
After being here since 2001...I couldn't say goodbye yet!
Posts: 940
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Post by sarbar on Aug 28, 2020 9:35:21 GMT -8
Perhaps they were immuno-compromised or have lost someone close to them from Covid. Might change your perspective. Just making assumptions and mocking from the saddle of your tall horse is what keeps this pandemic non-scientific, contentious and long lasting. Had that been the case, they would have had their masks ON BEFORE. Not putting them on then lecturing. Just saying...... |
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desert dweller
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Power to the Peaceful...Hate does not create.
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Post by desert dweller on Aug 28, 2020 9:35:49 GMT -8
but I know many people actually scared of this. I don't think "scared" is the right word. Mostly, it's being cautious. As in, it's better to be on the safe side. Here, on the university campus, masking is required whenever inside unless a person is in their office alone. When outside walking around, the six-foot rule is in place. I don't mask up when on the bike or when driving my golfcart around. They will be keeping an eye on everyone on campus and will mention it to anyone who violates the guidelines. I don't hesitate to put on the mask. It doesn't hurt. |
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sarbar
Trail Wise!
After being here since 2001...I couldn't say goodbye yet!
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Post by sarbar on Aug 28, 2020 9:38:49 GMT -8
Here, on the university campus, masking is required whenever inside unless a person is in their office alone. Are they using HVAC air in the offices? Then they are unsafe sitting there, without a mask on. Just saying.....forced, shared air. And I stand by the word scared. I have a friend...who was screaming on FB because her landlord was outside, unmasked, fixing pipes. She then went outside and sprayed her backyard with sanitizer. I wish I was joking. I am not. That is scared insanity. |
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gabby
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Post by gabby on Aug 28, 2020 9:51:23 GMT -8
Tensions are high, people are scared. And we still don't understand all the methods of transmission. I've been guilty several times of walking the wrong way down now one way aisles in the stores; I just didn't think of looking at the floor. I think this is it. Everyone seems to wobble back and forth on many issues: it's very trying times, to say the least. First step is to admit that we don't know. Second step might be realizing that everyone else is suffering the same way you yourself are. I refuse to wear a mask in the outdoors. I have been carrying a folded mask in my back pocket for a number of months now, even when I go on a hike. If someone says something about it, I simply say "sorry" and put my stashed mask on, at least for a bit. The last thing I want to be is dogmatic in these times. Perhaps they were immuno-compromised or have lost someone close to them from Covid. Might change your perspective. Good point. Yield to fear or paranoia rather than fight. Fighting merely stiffens the fear. And I stand by the word scared. I have a friend...who was screaming on FB because her landlord was outside, unmasked, fixing pipes. She then went outside and sprayed her backyard with sanitizer. I wish I was joking. I am not. That is scared insanity. You can't argue with paranoia. Don't. (They might be paranoid for a reason, including accuracy!) |
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Post by cweston on Aug 28, 2020 12:19:20 GMT -8
I think more hilarious is the Nervous Nancies who lectured you were not wearing a mask before they encountered you....so they were virtue signaling to the max how they were better than you. Yeah, I think that's completely unfair. Yes. clearly the risk of transmission is far lower outdoors. But it's completely sensible to cover your mouth/nose when you're going to come close to others, like passing on a sidewalk. This is what I generally do, and what I see a lot of folks doing in town. I think what it "signals" is "I'm a person who is willing to inconvenience myself a tiny bit if it reduces the chance that I could be exposing you to Covid." There's no magic to six feet--depending on wind or other conditions, the "safe" distance could be more than that. I also don't agree with their mask-shaming behavior. If they really thought it necessary to say something, they could at-least not have been rude to Mr. and Mrs. Balzaccom. |
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sarbar
Trail Wise!
After being here since 2001...I couldn't say goodbye yet!
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Post by sarbar on Aug 28, 2020 12:30:33 GMT -8
Hence....why I live rural. I don't have to deal with people like this most of the time.
Although this summer I had a farm customer who threw his cash on the ground and ran off. I do contactless sales mostly, because it makes many happy, but this guy had to have me there, as it was plant sales.
The other is the customers who would refuse cash back - they'd buy $15 and give $20. Ok-E-Dokey. Thanks for the tip!
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sarbar
Trail Wise!
After being here since 2001...I couldn't say goodbye yet!
Posts: 940
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Post by sarbar on Aug 28, 2020 12:32:33 GMT -8
I have been carrying a folded mask in my back pocket for a number of months now, even when I go on a hike. My masks stay in my car, sanitizing in the window, on the dash. I carry a backup in my chest rig I wear as a "purse" in town but it isn't a "real" mask. It's only there as a political statement. I don't carry them in my pockets. I farm, so my pockets are usually pretty dirty from eggs and tools...... |
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Post by cweston on Aug 28, 2020 12:35:11 GMT -8
Hence....why I live rural. I don't have to deal with people like this most of the time. There is no doubt that this is an excellent time to live in the sticks. However, the very small town that is the closest town to me (about 10 miles away) was the site of a recent Covid outbreak, at the office of the school district. A cautionary tale for rural folks who think it's not our problem. |
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Post by autumnmist on Aug 28, 2020 12:36:23 GMT -8
But his not wearing a mask while working outside is not the issue. , I appreciate your insights. But if he comes on my property w/o masking, which has happened, then it is an issue for me (and I was masked at the time.) bluefish , you raise a good point about being immunocompromised. It's pretty obvious that I'm much older than the neighbor, and even though I'm not immunocompromised, age is at a least factor. gabby , you're right; I try to avoid the noncompliant people; there's no point in attempting discussions with them. |
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