How's 'that' situation going now?

[Emerkeith Davyjack]

1. How is the Coronavirus situation where you live? What's closed down? Have you gone out much? Are you (Oh, what's the trendy term now " Self-distancing "?) staying inside as a precaution or actually infected or is anyone else you know? I hope, if so, you're well. Let's...well, exchange comments.
2.   I am now in Portland, Oregon. The Govenor, and then, locally, Portland declared a state of emergency. I saw the comment made that Oregon was the furthest behind on dealing with CV of the 3 West Coast states.
3.   I went out yesterday ( Sun.), I am ill and had sleep to make up to-day (Mon.) and ended up not going out - I may go out across the street to a all-nite grocery tonite-early Tues. I have not heard of a regular medical appointment Tues. being cancelled.

[Richard Willis]

Here in California each county has its own restriction level based upon cases. Where I am the level of restriction has improved enough that capacity in restaurants has increased. The expectation is that by June 15th the whole state will be restriction-free.

Everywhere I go a mask is still required inside. The only caveat I’m hearing from doctors who are interviewed is that if you are in a very large group where vaccinations are unknown or a small gathering where some are still not vaccinated a mask is a good idea.

There is a 5% chance of infection even for those vaccinated. The good news is that so far the vaccinations are still protecting against the variants. Even if a vaccinated person gets sick it wouldn’t be bad enough to even be hospitalized.

[Rob Staeger (Grodd Mod)]

We've been to several unmasked gatherings at friends' houses now... everyone's vaccinated, everyone feels safe. We've got one friend with an unvaccinated toddler, and I take my cues from them regarding her, but they were okay with us interacting with her the other day.

The only businesses I've been in have still had everyone masked up, though I noticed that our Wawa had taken down its "please mask before entry" sign. But all the customers but one were in masks just the same. I figure this will differ regionally; I was talking with a friend in Indiana yesterday, and his local supermarket had a sign that you could be unmasked if you were vaccinated; no one was masked, which is way higher than that county's vaccination numbers would presume. The sign should probably say "You can be unmasked if you're vaccinated or a liar."

[ClarkKent_DC]

Things are beginning to open up; some of the public libraries in my county opened today, and more will open in two weeks. Up to now, the libraries only allowed people to pick up items they had reserved online; going forward, people can visit, without appointments, but will still be required to wear masks.

I go around outdoors without a mask, but keep it handy when I enter a store; the stores around here haven't lifted their mask requirements, and my county has been stricter than the rest of the state.

As about half of the residents in this area have been vaccinated, there's a push to bump it up even more. Maryland and West Virginia have begun lotteries; if you've had at least one vaccination shot, you're automatically enrolled. Maryland has had a daily drawing with a cash prize of $40,000; the prize will be $400,000 on July 4, when this contest ends. West Virginia is offering things like money, vacation trips, F-150 pickup trucks, rifles, shotguns, and free-ride scholarships to any of its state colleges or universities.

[ClarkKent_DC]

I'm watching my late local news, and the two anchors are sitting side-by-side for the first time in over a year.

[Jeff of Earth-J]

I have pretty much stopped wearing a mask in public, except for my LCS. Over the course of the past several weeks we have: 1) gone out to dinner at out favorite Russian restaurant with friends, 2) had lunch at our favorite pasta place with our friend and her young nephew, and 3) I've eaten solo at my favorite Vietnamese noodle house. Next weekend, we will attend an indoor get-together which will include some strangers. Over the last three days I have gone to three different half-price bookstores; some people were wearing masks, some weren't (about 50%). This morning I went maskless to the grocery store for the first time, where, again, masking was about 50/50. They still have a "masks required" sign up, but only about 50% of the employees were wearing one.

When I see people wearing masks, I figure they are vaccinated, just being careful. when I see people not wearing masks, I figure about half of them are vaccinated and half are not. 

[Richard Willis]

Two days ago I came down with a cold or something like it. It had been so long that it took me time to recognize the symptoms. I thought it was just my allergies. Once I realized it was a cold or flu, I was able to overcome it quickly. When I was relaxing wearing a mask I figure that I picked up a virus from someone.

It is said that the masking and social distancing have led to a major drop in seasonal colds and flu.

[Mark Sullivan (Vertiginous Mod)]

Same here. I've still got lingering congestion and coughing, but it's fading. It occurred to me that I might have gotten a virus from someone at the glorious jam sessions I've played at. Totally worth it! 

[Philip Portelli]

I just went to my Public Library for the first time in TWO years!

[ClarkKent_DC]

I find myself thinking in terms of "I haven't done _____ in a year," or "I haven't been to _____ in a year."

Like getting a haircut, something I hate doing anyway. I got one last week, the first I've had since last October (and I wouldn't have gotten that one then, except I thought I was going to a wedding). The last one I had before that was in March 2020, for a job.

Or like riding mass transit. Masks are still required on those by federal law, but I find people have been complying. Better yet, the trains and buses aren't crowded, which was my biggest concern.

Or visiting the main library, which I haven't done in FOUR years. It was closed for three years for extensive renovations, which included adding two upper floors and an auditorium and a rooftop terrace, and when the work was done, it stayed closed because, y'know, COVID.

I've traveled to several states in the past couple weeks (Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio) and the rules on mask wearing have been relaxed. Most places bear signs saying it's optional for people who have been vaccinated but still encouraged, and some people do. On the other hand, some restaurants say mask wearing is required, but of course people take them off to eat ... and then don't bother to put them back on because, what's the point?

[ClarkKent_DC]

Jeff of Earth-J said:

When I see people wearing masks, I figure they are vaccinated, just being careful. when I see people not wearing masks, I figure about half of them are vaccinated and half are not. 

I saw an editorial cartoon that showed a guy walking along outside, wearing a mask, and he thinks to himself, "I've been vaccinated, but I'm wearing a mask. That shows I'm responsible." He passes a woman who thinks to herself, "That guy is wearing a mask because he hasn't been vaccinated. How irresponsible."

[Philip Portelli]

I got a "professional" haircut two weeks ago and tomorrow I'll be on the subway for only the second time in the last couple of years.

Here in NYC, masks are required on mass transit and for the library, grocery store and pharmacy near me.

[Travis Herrick (Modular Mod)]

I remember everyone commenting last year, how easily they go used to wearing masks. For me, it is the same in not wearing a mask. On Sunday, me and a friend went to a burger joint that still had a "mask required" sign on their door, neither one of us had thought to bring one.

Its their store and they can do what they want, I have no problem whatsoever. We didn't even go in, we just walked a couple of doors down to a place that didn't have that requirement.

As for work, those who aren't already permanent work from home. They are getting a hybrid option. Monday and Friday you can work wherever (home, office, and I guess etc), and Tuesday through Thursday you will be in the office.