What's the situation like?

[Loneoak]

We live in Canada, but have travelled extensively in the U.S. We have wintered in Florida for the past twelve winters. Of course the border is now closed, so we will camp in our own province.

I would like to get some information from people around the U.S. as to how things are going with regards to the pandemic. Are people taking it seriously? Are they social distancing? Are people wearing masks?

I have been in touch with someone I know in Florida and she tells me things are business as usual down there, with no one paying it much attention. This is a state which is the epicenter of the country for the virus!

I don't want any political discussions. I just want to know how things really are. We get the news up here, but I just would like to know what the people are saying, not just the journalists. One article I read stated "Not only is the genie out of the bottle, there is no longer bottle"! Are things as bad as they say? Do any of you know anyone who got the virus, and maybe even someone who died from it?

[RMcNeal]

Hi, Loneoak. I'm in northern Florida (Jacksonville). Everything is essentially business as usual here. Wear a mask when going inside anywhere, but most people are ignoring the virus. Due to health issues, I'm at particular risk, so I am careful not to go out unless absolutely necessary. Most of the problems are further south so it's hard to say what's going on down there. We have had more than our share of cases here, but for the most part it's not really effecting much other than distancing and mask wearing here. No crazy stuff like I'm hearing on the news.

[Dave W]

Can't speak for elsewhere but Upstate NY is having a bit of an uptick in C-19 cases. The US has closed its borders to Canada for non essential travel. NY State has closed for travel for folks from 22 other states. If you are traveling via airplane, you need to fill in a 'landing card' and will be quarantined for 14 days with a fine of 2 to 5000 USD if you break that restriction.



Business though is starting to get back somewhat to normal and possibly the reason fot that Covid uptick. We only go out if absolutely necessary though are using the 5er 3-4 days a week but at a virtually deserted CG seasonal that has had very few travelers this year.

[mlh]

The US has 5 times more virus than all of Europe combined. Florida averages 10,000 cash a day and Canada had 330 cases yesterday. Does that tell you what you need to know? I wouldn’t go to Florida if they gave me the place.
Lynwood

[richfaa]

Remember we are Americans we like our freedoms no one tells us what to do.

My reply is short. We own lot in Central Florida and have been spending the winter there for years. We will be spending a very cold winter in Northern Ohio this year. Florida is a disaster and with the attractions deciding to open it will be even worse.

[DQDick]

We've been in NM, TX and KS since the virus started and we have a friend in Tucson we keep in touch with. It's much like when seat belts were required, a few people take it seriously but most don't. Events like the 4H fair are not called off. It's disgusting and if I could, I'd go somewhere safer.

[JRogers]

Florida is fine.
Thankfully we are some what open.
If you are one that fits the known factors for danger, stay home. Else, get out and follow the rules.

[Mark7]

Trying to keep the politics out of this, but it's pretty tough for me.

I advise all to think for yourselves, do what you are comfortable with, and vote with your feet and your wallet!

ND and SD are wide open... people for the most part are going on with life as normal... only some big companies, the Menards, Walmarts, et. al. have their own mask rules, but none are enforcing them. Law enforcement agencies have told everyone to stop calling about people not wearing masks in their stores (most calls from other customers) that they will not come and will not enforce any mask rules.

I and my wife and our adult children and grandchildren just did a week long visit up the north shore in MN. Nobody in the big state parks (which were not staffed by the way were wearing masks. Campgrounds were all full to capacity. Looked like a normal tourist season there. MN Governor did put a mask in public places rule in order after we left, but my brother who lives there tells me it is being ignored.

So... There you have it for the tri-state area. If you are concerned about others masking up, you are best to stay away because there is not a lot of that happening here.

BTW... our hospitals have lots of room and after being closed for a good 6 weeks because of the expected influx that never came, are now hurting for business and begging people to come back and reschedule elective procedures. Apparently what was then very dangerous has become just fine now.

[Bad Moon]

Mike Rowe has probably the best take on the whole covid debacle. Read his response to the end.

https://www.facebook.com/TheRealMike...5963458747106/

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by Bad Moon

Mike Rowe has probably the best take on the whole covid debacle. Read his response to the end.

https://www.facebook.com/TheRealMike...5963458747106/

^^^^And there you have it! Thanks for that post. It's about as cut to the chase as it gets. We can all accept it is what it is and get on with it...you aren't going to outrun the virus, just like you can't outrun old age or death...it's there or be "afraid" every minute.

The question is do you want to live in fear every minute? Stop living? Live in a bubble? Lose your job? Cause millions of others to lose their jobs, lives, homes? Think the government is going to send you a "welfare" check every so often so you don't have to go out - I hope not? (Remember folks have to work for the government to have money). If you are that afraid one needs to find that bubble and someone to feed them. JMO

[Loneoak]

Originally Posted by Bad Moon

Mike Rowe has probably the best take on the whole covid debacle. Read his response to the end.

https://www.facebook.com/TheRealMike...5963458747106/

Very interesting! Thanks for sharing!

[BB_TX]

In Texas it is a mixed bag. Most people are wearing masks when out in public. But the younger party crowds are not and ignoring it all as if a problem doesn't exist. The result is a significant upsurge in COVID19 cases, an increase in percentage of testing coming back positive, an increase in hospitalizations, an increase in numbers in ICU, and an increase in deaths. All hitting new highs on an almost daily basis. And those are not simply due to more testing as some try to claim. More testing does not cause more ICU cases and more deaths.

As one 21 year old man who went to a COVID party said just before he died "I think I made a mistake".

Some businesses that had been allowed to reopen are now being told to close again. And could get worse. And schools are going to be on-line only, at least to begin the new school year. No end in sight at this point.

[Montana Man]

You are wise to recognize that journalists are not the source for information. They are indeed working with a political agenda.

Where we are in CA people mask up to enter stores when required. Otherwise 50/50 with distancing and masks. The Gov has basically shut down business with many that are gone for good. We have knowledge that many covid deaths are of those that were on hospice and or gravely ill already. Inmate cases are counted and used in part for reasoning to close businesses. Most thinking people see through the deception but will mask and distance to a degree.

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by Montana Man

You are wise to recognize that journalists are not the source for information. They are indeed working with a political agenda.

Where we are in CA people mask up to enter stores when required. Otherwise 50/50 with distancing and masks. The Gov has basically shut down business with many that are gone for good. We have knowledge that many covid deaths are of those that were on hospice and or gravely ill already. Inmate cases are counted and used in part for reasoning to close businesses. Most thinking people see through the deception but will mask and distance to a degree.

This is a good observation. We have been in the FL panhandle since May 1. Will leave August 1 heading back to TX. What's it like here? BAU almost. Social distancing is pretty much followed, restaurants have spaced seating - if they're even open anymore, some use masks in stores; some do not. No waiting lines at the clinics etc. I don't know about the metro areas down south but figure the larger the population, the more dense, the higher the count will be for those that test positive; not particularly sick, just test positive. To shed some light on what you read vs reality here is an excerpt from my hometown newspaper with the local doctors (hospital director) comments on the situation back in TX:

"Dr. Key said the number of deaths (Covid) so far in Texas is about a fourth of the number of deaths in the state from flu in each of the past two years.

That, he said, should be taken into consideration when people weigh whether or not they should wear a mask in public."

This is from "boots on the ground", frontline medical providers that deal with the situation on a daily basis, not sensationalized media accounts with an agenda.

The above is posted to simply point out the disparity between what is printed by "non involved" media and those that actually deal with the situation. I'm sure the scenario might be different in a densely packed city....but I don't live there nor go to them. You asked how it was down here and there is a little bit different perspective.

As far as knowing anyone who has had Covid or died from it, we know - sort of. My wife has a good friend in MI (we winter side by side in FL) whose 94 year old mom tested positive (she was already in the hospital) then died. She already had lung disease so could have been the flu just as well.....

[mtlakejim]

I'm not sure how to take it. If you believe the journalists it is almost the apocalypse (except of course they don't believe in the Bible).


But if you believe your own eyes and common sense it doesn't seem that bad. Business is conducted close to normal and while I hear of a death or two here and there I don't know anyone (not even very distant relation) that has actually died from the virus. In fact, I haven't even heard of anyone that has had it or even tested positive.


For that reason it is extremely difficult for me to believe there isn't some sort of political motive involved. Particularly because we have never reacted to any of the other pandemics in recent history like this. But I still wear a mask and sanitize my hands when in public, just in case I am wrong.....

[richfaa]

Originally Posted by mtlakejim

I'm not sure how to take it. If you believe the journalists it is almost the apocalypse (except of course they don't believe in the Bible).


But if you believe your own eyes and common sense it doesn't seem that bad. Business is conducted close to normal and while I hear of a death or two here and there I don't know anyone (not even very distant relation) that has actually died from the virus. In fact, I haven't even heard of anyone that has had it or even tested positive.


For that reason it is extremely difficult for me to believe there isn't some sort of political motive involved. Particularly because we have never reacted to any of the other pandemics in recent history like this. But I still wear a mask and sanitize my hands when in public, just in case I am wrong.....

The death or two is now over 140K.

Remember this virus came out of nowhere it did not exist last year and there is no historical data on what medication controls it and there is no vaccine. We took worst case scenario which IMO was the right thing to do.

[BB_TX]

Originally Posted by richfaa

The death or two is now over 140K.

Remember this virus came out of nowhere it did not exist last year and there is no historical data on what medication controls it and there is no vaccine. We took worst case scenario which IMO was the right thing to do.

Annual US flu deaths in the last 10 years have ranged from a low of 12,000 to a high of 61,000. COVID19 deaths are over 141,000, and that is just for the last 4 months. Multiply that out over a full year and then say COVID19 is no worse than the flu.

[jimcol]

Originally Posted by BB_TX

Annual US flu deaths in the last 10 years have ranged from a low of 12,000 to a high of 61,000. COVID19 deaths are over 141,000, and that is just for the last 4 months. Multiply that out over a full year and then say COVID19 is no worse than the flu.

86% of the people who have died from Covid have had other contributing factors. John Glenn's 100 year old widow was scored as a Covid death. Numbers are interesting but the source for the numbers is vital to understanding them.

[mlh]

Originally Posted by jimcol

86% of the people who have died from Covid have had other contributing factors. John Glenn's 100 year old widow was scored as a Covid death. Numbers are interesting but the source for the numbers is vital to understanding them.

Old people and people with other health problems get the flu too and they don’t die as often as people with Covid.
Lynwood

[BB_TX]

Originally Posted by jimcol

86% of the people who have died from Covid have had other contributing factors. John Glenn's 100 year old widow was scored as a Covid death. Numbers are interesting but the source for the numbers is vital to understanding them.

Older people and people with compromised health conditions are more likely to die from any disease than a healthy person. Show me the percentages of people who died from the flu that had other contributing factors. Or any other disease for that matter. You can’t say the percentages for COVID are any different without providing numbers for the others.

But total annual deaths attributed to a specific disease compared to another disease are hard numbers and easy to compare.