COVID This and That –Cruises, Cases, and Cocktails

We live near a small town in central NC. The NC governor has been good and imposed stay at home and, now, safe shopping rules. We only had 4 cases in the county until 7 cases popped up in a local elder care/ rehab center. Then full testing revealed a total of 57 cases there! Now we have suddenly one of the highest county case counts in the state. A bit scary is that had the corona virus not forced "elective" surgery to be postponed, I might have been in rehab at that facility now. If that surgery takes place, I will be using a different rehab center.

As for cruising, no way. Years back we took a cruise and found that the ship had problems with norovirus the trip before and we were constantly told to wash hands and use sanitizer. Not a comforting way to relax.

Regarding the future of cruises, I feel that there will be a large shakeout in the industry. There are probably too many ships for the number of people that will be still willing to cruise.

Personally, I enjoyed the ocean and river cruises we have been on even though I was incapacitated with a virus for several days on an ocean cruise many years ago. We were invited to go on a cruise to Tahiti this fall with some friends but that is not going to happen now. My wife says she will never go on another cruise after this viral outbreak. I pretty much feel the same way about flying now. The passengers are packed like sardines in tiny seats now and one sick person can infect dozens of others on the flight. Maybe we will try taking the train for future vacations.

I've written previously about all of the things I considered when retiring 2 years' ago, so I won't do it again here. However, family and availability of good medical care (along with cost of living) were high on my checklist. I know it sounds like a very odd retirement destination, but I'm in a suburb of Cleveland, OH. I live in a neighborhood where all of my neighbors are retired, even though it isn't a formal 55+ community. My suburb has 40+ cases -- one reason allegedly being that it appeals to doctors and other health care professionals who are on the front lines. Ohio's cases of Covid-19 are actually relatively low for the size of the population (as of yesterday, 6,975 statewide & 275 deaths).

Our governor was among the earliest shut down & stay at home orders. He and Ohio's Dir. of Public Health give excellent daily briefings, from the inception of the crisis. As a result, the majority of Ohio residents have complied with self-quarantining early and our curve flattened. Our hospitals are not exceeding capacity, although plans are in place if that changes. Two of my kids who are medical professionals at the Cleveland Clinic are well-prepared, even though short of N95 masks. Whether close friendships or family, it's great to be able to keep up with a "social" life of daily texts, facetiming and calls while complying with the stay-at-home order. Before anyone in my family takes a store run, they check in to see if anyone else needs something....so that only one person risks shopping and the others avoid having to go to a store for another week or two. The groceries, Target, Walmart, drugstores & other stores all also have shopping and free delivery services. Being in a suburb of a major city is definitely paying off. I'm really glad I chose to live near my kids, and for having each other as a resource for support and in case of any health or other emergency in this crisis.

Our community has really pulled together. We have several internet sites where people offer to shop, check on elderly, make masks for non-sewers, leave toys/puzzles on porches for free pickup by others, etc. Neighbors who walk offer to check on non-walking neighbors. The library, community center, schools and other facilities have set up online classes, book reading/book clubs, digital downloads and other ways of keeping people connected and mentally active. We still get 4X a week home newspaper delivery. Groceries set up an hour (6-7 am) just for seniors and people with impaired immune systems. Many people have been wearing masks for weeks voluntarily. There is a lot of ongoing support for health care workers too. My daughter, for ex., has been given a surprise Easter egg hunt for her child in their yard, a Spring yard cleanup, a cookie delivery and other surprises by neighbors who wanted to help out since she & her spouse are working long hours in their hospital. There's an abundance of physicians in this area. since we have two large, good health care systems and several med & nursing schools, which I think has resulted in an especially cooperative approach to the crisis. Overall, I'd say our community is a poster child for doing things the right way. No regrets so far about choosing this area for retirement, despite the cold winters.

As far as cruising goes, I actually returned from a 7-night Bahamas cruise on 3/2. COVID was already a concern when I cruised (although no price refunds were being offered to passengers that early in the crisis). I did get an email in mid-Feb that no passenger who had traveled to (or from) China would be allowed to cruise, although RCL did lift that restriction before the cruise. We were told that 20% of our co-passengers canceled due to COVID fears. During the week, RCL did notably increase reminders about handwashing, instruct passengers several times about notifying the medical staff immediately if any passenger felt ill, added more hand-sanitizer stations around the ship, appeared to increase the amount of cleaning, etc. Nobody from our cruise has reported having the disease on its Facebook site. I have the same cruise pre-booked for my birthday next year, but haven't decided whether to go again or not. Repeat cruisers tend to be big fans of this mode of vacation. My guess is that the majority of them will return when the cruise lines open up again & 401Ks recover, although we might see some differences in buffets, cleaning supplies, etc.

Sorry if I wrote too much. That's what happens when you are self-quarantined and have lots of time LOL.

I came out of a 3 year three retirement last summer to go back to work. I am a nurse at an Assisted Living facility in Virginia Beach. At present our facility has no covid virus among staff or residents. Management has been very proactive in complying about all the guidelines
I doubt I will take another cruise again, I was apprehensive about the first one even though there were no issues.
My personal opinion is that we should all be social distancing until a vaccine is available. I will probably be wearing a mask and gloves for a long time to come..

I know my drink won't be a Moscow Mule! Drambuie, maybe.

I live in Jonesborough, Tennesse which is in the extreme NE section of the state. I have been shocked while going food shopping to find that people are not observing the six-foot distancing suggestion, nor are the supermarkets going out of their way to enforce this. Additionally, staff and most customers are not wearing masks. I feel like i am living in the land of the dense. I'm thinking of contacting local and state government officials to ask them to enforce the above when indoors. The Fresh Market locally has done this on their own, and i'm grateful for their diligence.
When my husband and i take walks, we turn our backs to others when we don't have a possible six-foot distance. It feels very unfriendly, and i'm certainly looking forward to life returning to normal!

I read about people drinking"Quarantinies." Not sure if that means any martini you drink while quarantined, or if there is really a new recipe.

Hi, thanks for the info about those stimulus checks, Admin. I have some questions:
1) Is the IRS sending these our or the SSA? I pay taxes by check, but have direct deposit for SS.

2) Will we have to pay these back if we earned above the limit for this year, but have not filed yet, but earned below the limit for the taxes filed last year? If so, I would rather not receive it.

3) Is there a mechanism to decline to receive the checks if we don’t need it? I would think a lot of us fall into that category and I would rather not contribute to the enormous deficit these checks will cause. We will just have to pay it in higher taxes somewhere down the road.

Responses to Maimi's questions:

From Clyde
Maimi, Under the circumstances you indicated, you should not have to pay anything back based on your higher unfiled 2019 income tax. We got our stimulus funds in our checking account today based on the IRS having our checking account information for a previous refund, I suspect. The Treasury also has my checking account info from Social Security deposits.
I agree that if you want to give your stimulus funds to charity, that’s a good idea. Stimulus funds are not taxable to you.

From Billy
Maimi, don’t look a gift horse in the mouth. It’s not going to make or break anyone, nothing but campaigning. Those who need it will only find small short time relief. Cash the check and give it away if you don’t want it.

On another note the virus has caused so many people to be out of work. That should make the date the SS trust fund reserve is depleted closer then previously reported. With fewer dollars going into the SS trust fund the reserve will be depleted faster and sooner.

We are nurses. We respect this disease, and social distancing is difficult and should be practiced, but we would not report an individual or business for a slackness in it, or for not enforcing the use of masks or gloves with employees, or expecting all customers to wear face masks. We will not accept a vaccine either, not unless more is known.

Paula, oh please, explain further. Are you really promoting the general anti-vaxxer philosophy, or not exactly?

Yes, I will explain. Aside from the necessity to maintain personal choice on this, I believe there needs to be more study regarding this particular virus. We are definitely not anti-vaxxers, just very cautious in this case. Thank you.

Well, think it's pretty obvious that caution is prudent, and no one would argue that careful study is needed. But personal choices end when they affect the health and safety of others we've all got an obligation towards. I'm not advocating the nitpicking of rules, by any means, but flagrant violations, particularly with groups of irresponsible people, is something we should seriously consider reporting.

I would not consider taking any vaccine until it has been in use for at least 2 years. And this one especially since they are rushing it so much. I just finally got the new Shingrix shot this week for shingles. It has been available for 3 years, but I have been watching for reactions, etc. before getting it. Vaccines are not without their risks.

As for cruises, I have one scheduled for Canada in September and will definitely go unless RCCL cancels it!

To Pat R, I agree with you about getting a new vaccine, I still have not gotten the shingrex vaccine. As a nurse I feel it is prudent with new vaccines and new meds to wait until all the "bugs"are worked out. I am really not sure if I will cruise again.

I am a cancer survivor who will be in some form of treatment for the rest of my life. I am 68 and have been fighting this for a long time. I have been through hell and back, but I am still here and doing well contributing to my community. I have now been in the house for a month because it is just not safe for me to be out and about. Even my hospital appointments have been postponed until June. I eagerly await and pray for a vaccine so my life can go on. I am shocked and startled by the number of people who think this virus is a hoax and don’t believe in science. I am nobody’s fool and I do my research, but the entire world needs this vaccine. Now, people are clamoring to open everything up again and being very cavalier about the number of people who will die and suffer from this virus which is out of control around the world.

We just found that two of our in-house staff at the co-op where I live have tested positive for the coronavirus and to my shock, I found two contracted workers in our parking garage not wearing masks or gloves. A letter was sent our via email to all Member Owners to be more diligent.

Then last night we found that the Board of our Co-op unwisely agreed to let renovations go forward on a kitchen in a unit that recently sold and the neighbors are up in arms because the workers are not wearing masks. While many are sympathetic to the new buyer of the unit, we also feel that she could have put-off the renovations. The kitchen she has was fully functional. The General Manager allowed the renovations to continue but no one is supervising the contracted workers. They pass through residential hallways without masks or gloves. We, now that we are aware of it, have made it known to the Board and to our own in house task force that this is unacceptable. Cases of CV are still climbing in the District of Columbia and Maryland as well as Virginia.

I am a still working nurse and I feel that anyone who thinks this virus is not dangerous is living in a bubble. People need to be reminded that carriers of the virus often feel fine and no one has any way to detect if they are infected or not without testing. This can happen up to fourteen days prior to developing symptoms...meanwhile they may have infected hundreds of people. That being said, I will never take a vaccine that has not been tested for at least two years. In the rush to get a vaccine out to the public many bugs may be overlooked by the FDA. A bad vaccine can do more harm than good.

I really hope the US taxpayer isn't asked to bail out the cruise companies. If they need help they should ask the countries in which they are registered. Or file bankruptcy. That's what it's for.

To DLJ, I am sorry to hear that; but we stand by refusal to report. We may have different ideas on what is "irresponsible", and reporting another is not the kind of human we wish to be. But this is not what this column is about, my apologies to Admin.

Good point Paula. Lets us get back to the original topics here: Is there coronavirus in your community, would you take a cruise, coronacocktails, and stimulus checks?

To Paula, and Admin, I think it's fair for me to provide another response, which should be directly in line with whether there is, "coronavirus in your community". First, indeed there is, and secondly, it's more than obvious that WE, as a community, have a shared interest in limiting the spread! I won't use a lessor example of someone at the nearby supermarket not wishing to use a mask, and anyone wanting to "report", but what I'd refer to again as acts of, "group irresponsibility". There's also a nearby city park, which remains open, as well as the restrooms, although Covid warning signs are abundant, and there are greater efforts at sanitation from the parks department. Most folks have been pretty good at distancing. But, if someone in a band of 20 or more clueless nitwits, closely packed together and picnicking, or whatever, gets in the restroom line, on a well attended day, with virus protocols, uses the unisex restroom, then the rest of us who notice must merely shrug our shoulders? We have numerous well founded laws for the betterment of society. It's with good conscience, such as when to call 911 when we observe someone driving while impaired, with actions presenting a clear risk to others sharing the roadway, that the right thing, at least on occasion, is to become involved.

Easter Sunday night the local news stations in Los Angeles showed the soccer games being played by very strong athlectic young males at city parks in Los Angeles. There is a portion of the population that basically isn't following any safety guidelines.

There is coronavirus in our community, but not on incline and hospitals are not overwhelmed.

We would not go on a cruise any time soon....maybe never now! We are thinking of just driving across the country during the next year or so- we have 7 adult children, 5 who live out of state, and most of our grandchildren are out of state. We just want to see them.

We are so glad to see proactive care when using gas pumps or the store pin pads - that should have been in effect in forever.

We still like our favorite wines, beers, margaritas and coffee creams...but we are exploring Asian and African recipes with the assistance of our dietician daughter. So...yeah...cooking more! And it is kind of fun.

The cruise industry registers its ships in countries that have minimal regulation and to avoid taxes. The industry is a major polluter. There have been numerous disease outbreaks on ships over the years. It's sad, because this should be an ideal way to travel for seniors. There are quite a few books on the subject, that you can find with an internet search.

Well, to stay in the mood of Corona-Lite, right now I’m learning how to make a bird feeder from a wine bottle on Kelly &Ryan (that will come in very handy!) and my neighbors just used their stimulus money to buy a Peloton.

We are in our 70s and will still cruise with one major change. In the past we would occasionally book an oceanview cabin if it was forward-facing on some ships with ceiling to floor windows.
But after viewing those with no balconies trapped in their rooms we will never book anything other than a balcony or above!!

BTW, although we have Covid19 in our community and the number keeps rising, people are driving their kids to friend’s houses for sleepovers, every fifth house in our neighborhood had a driveway full of cars on Easter, the local parks are closed but have groups kicking soccer balls around together, continuing their lives with Starbucks in hand. On the news I see the desperation of healthcare and other essential workers, hundreds of cars in food bank lines who can’t get a break. So, a real discrepancy between young and old, have and have-nots, “believers” in the danger of contagion vs the “No big deal” crowd. My drug of choice, or “Coronavirus cocktail” has been Pinot. Just think of all the bird feeders I can now make...

Maimi, here is what I found:

Say someone made below the $75,000/$150,000 income threshold in their 2018 return but their 2019 earnings turned out to be exceed that amount.If they receive the stimulus money and submit their 2019 tax return afterwards, the IRS won’t turn around and ask for the money back, according to Rob Seltzer, a Los Angeles–based financial planner who’s the president and founder of Seltzer Business Management.
“They are not going to claw it back,” he said.

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/do-i-have-to-pay-back-my-1200-stimulus-check-dont-fall-for-these-five-myths-about-the-stimulus-payments-2020-04-18

We posted a photo of a special offer on a Quarantini from a Key West bar in the article above. Comes with a free roll of toilet paper!

Now that we have been in this home quarantine for couple of months, I was wondering how others are doing. On the news I see the nice ways people are helping one another and the clever signs and Zoom get togethers. With spring here it is wonderful to do some gardening and read a book out in the sunshine, but even with emailing old friends, cleaning out every drawer and file, I am finding those hours between dinner and bedtime to be very long. I was wondering what others are doing, any suggestions? We only have one TV which I never thought was a problem but If I hear one more episode of Gun Smoke...

I am not usually bored but sometimes I play online solitaire. I love it and it makes you think. I can whittle away hours and hours playing it. Here is a link: https://worldofsolitaire.com/

Was also playing checkers on line and scrabble too. My spouse has word search puzzle books from the dollar store. He spends time doing that sometimes. I am surprised he has the patience for it.

Youtube is an interesting website to watch silly things or learn how to do DIY stuff. Organizing, cooking, shopping challenges, eating contests. Learn how to knit, crochet, sew. I even found people who go to really old cemeteries to view inscriptions and above ground mausoleums. People do unusual and interesting things!

Are you skilled at something in particular like cooking, like making drapes or a unique item? You could write you own book like Jemmie's Italian cooking, Irish cooking, Jewish cooking, Jemmie's drapes, Jemmie's batch cooking, cake making, candle making, soap making, orchids, gardening. Just as examples...If you can make something and write a do it yourself booklet with pictures of each step and explanation of why it needs to be done a certain way. Types of materials to buy to make the item. You could have the book/booklet made at a place like Staples and sell them on Etsy or Ebay.

A lot of people like to batch cook. You could come up with some ideas using common ingredients to make 5 recipes prepared 3 times each to make 15 meals you could pull out of your freezer. As an example but ho hum, meatballs, meatloaf, taco meat, chili with ground meat, poor man stroganoff with ground meat. You would need to find/create 5 recipes, easy to follow, freezer friendly, and write it up to make 3 recipes of each. Freezer meals are helpful for working people, older people who need easy recipes to dump in the slow cooker and those who want an easy dinner. Look this type of cooking up on youtube. Many demos there. This would be a good project to help the elderly. Make meals and deliver them frozen so they can just pop into a slow cooker or casserole dish and cook.

Years ago we made wine from wine kits. We also grew mushrooms from kits. There are lots of things to do!

Louise had a lot of great ideas! Evenings can be long if you aren't busy. I was going to suggest walking after dinner to help pass the time. I actually just started because after having a Zoom Mother's Day chat with my sister I was pleasantly surprised to see how noticeable fit she was and how good she looked ( age 71), I asked her what she did and she explained she discovered walking in mid-March when this all began and has walked 60-90 minutes everyday which made her feel better and cleared her mind and loved that she had to walk alone. She explained it is habit forming and I am finding that too. However when I get home I have a glass of wine while I read a few chapters. Walking and then getting wrapped up in a good book, along with a few evening prayers before I sleep is all I need. Hope this helps.

Another idea I was thinking about is if you are a frequent traveler (not so much now with the virus) to certain destinations you could write a booklet on where to stay, where to eat, what to do. As an example, my husband and I used to go to a certain Caribbean island twice a year for many, many years. We knew where to eat, where to shop and places to stay. Car rentals, taxi service, grocery stores. We knew where this seafood shop was that had the most gigantic shrimp fresh from the ocean every day. We went to all the touristy places and some that were just hole in the wall bars to have a drink and play the juke box. If you were to have pictures of different island places, you could include them in your booklet. We have not been to the Caribbean in years and years so I am out of the loop with good information and could use such a book now. If you like to cruise, you could write which cruise lines you have gone on, what you liked, what you didn't, pitfalls to look out for, how to get good deals, time of year to go. What you would avoid. Clothes needed or not needed. Where to find hidden gems on an island or cruising.

Think about what your interests are. What would you like to know more about? Since hunkering down I’ve taken up sourdough bread making using my home starter, making pasta from scratch, and I even tried making sauerkraut yuk- just salty cabbage lol. You can learn a foreign language for free on Duolingo or download ebooks from the library. I’m catching up on HBO old series- great ones like “Olive Kitteridge” and orhers from authors like Richard Russo and more. I watch while I do my exercising. I started doing a puzzle-1,000 pieces. It’s been sitting on my dining room table not changing if all that much.... Guess it’d not my thing lol.

Our friend at RetirementHumor.net, Ed LaFreniere, who normally focuses on the amusing side of retirement, got a little more serious (for him) in the answer to the fictitious reader comment he posed:

Dear Retirement Sage:

I am feeling guilty as I read all the news about Covid-19 and its countless victims. I live in a retirement community, a ‘bubble’ that has not been hit – yet, at least. This is going to sound selfish, but I feel fortunate to be retired. I have not lost a job; I have not lost a family member. Nor am I facing tuition payments, a mortgage or other onerous expenses that I would have had while my husband and I worked and raised our children. We now have a pension and Social Security and some savings, so we are shielded from dire financial catastrophe. Our extended family so far remains healthy, aside from the normal aches and pains. Is it reasonable to feel this way as other suffer?

– Somber in Arizona
Read Ed LaFreniere's response in his article:
Retirementhumor.net - it has a lot of practical advice on how to be helpful

I realize the Retirement Sage is a humorist and this might be some dark humor but I'd like to take a shot at replying to Somber in Az.
Dear Somber,
Before you get consumed with "Health-guilt" for not being directly impacted by the current virus consider these stats the suffering they reflect and if you always felt guilty about enjoying your life in light of them. Each year in the US about 650,000 people die from heart disease, 610,000 die from cancer, ,3,4000,000 die from complications of diabetes, and 32000 die in auto accidents (2 million are injured). And the most devastating of all: the death rate for Life is 100%!
I learned from my mother who had several tragic events in her life, don't dwell on the negative no matter how overwhelming it might seem, find something to be grateful for each and every day (doesn't have to be a big thing), and find something to look forward to (also doesn't have to be a big thing). And a tip Dr. Andrew Weil had in one of his books (8 Weeks to Optimal Health) - dont watch the news! (I'd qualify that and suggest just skim headlines in the morning so you know whats going on but avoid those who like to add a lot of drama to the their broadcast and interfere with your serenity and good sleep).
- Happiness Coach

Thanks Admin for the link to Retirementhumor.net website. I really enjoy it!

Lemmie: A popup on retirementhumor.net allows people to put in their email addresses to get alerts when the site is updated. Or please feel free to email me at retirementhumor@gmail.com and I will take care of it for you. Thank you for taking the time for these kind words.
Ed LaFreniere

Thank you Ed for your offer, I did go back and used the popup to sign up, it was easy and I look forward to smiling more often now!

Curious to see if others are seeing what I am noticing - a lot of people seem to think coronavirus is over. Or, if not that extreme, they are going out more often and not being as careful or obsessive as they once were. Perhaps it is balance. On the other hand, so many people, many of them younger, are going out in groups without masks or social distancing. Are you being as careful as you were, going out more, or are you keeping to the same regimen? Tell us what is happening in your area.

I think it is the mixed messages people are getting from the White House. Our governors, in some states, have kept things under control to the best of their abilities. Our governors tell us one thing and the White House tells us we need to go back to work, church and we can resume normal activities if we are careful. This is the perfect storm. The weather is breaking, people have been cooped up, holiday weekend, beaches opening up with crowds, relaxed rules. People are tired of following rules and as the weeks roll by, people will stop doing the right thing. This virus is not going away any time soon. I hope it subsides but if not, we are opening the gates of hell for not following the rules.

This week end there are many tourists in WNC. Pisgah National Forest and the Blue Ridge Parkway are very busy. I have not seen many people wearing masks or social distancing. Asheville and Buncombe Co will be requiring masks starting tomorrow. Wearing a mask seems to have become a sign of your political affiliation.

Similar in rural central NC -- few seem to be wearing masks despite increasing cases of Covid. We seldom go out and then with masks and hand sanitizer. Afterwards, we sanitize all car surfaces touched, wash hands and even change clothes after being out. We agree that this will continue indefinitely pending real treatment/vaccine despite the president and seemingly most others acting like fools pretending the pandemic is over or doesn't exist. Over 5 million cases worldwide and near 100 thousand deaths in the US from something that doesn't exist!

When our area went from red to yellow it looked like the monkeys-driving-cars scene from Jumanji. Police had many pulled over for speeding, delirium? Went to grocery store, garden nursery, Kohl’s, everybody had masks on, but none outside of any store. Have been taking many walks in park, neighborhood, but no one tries to social distance and they all continue to walk 2-3 abreast on paths, while I’ve been trying to avoid joggers bearing down on you like roaring, snorting, sputtering locomotives. Finally resorted to the deer trails in the woods, just chipmunks and poison ivy as companions. Today looks like any other Memorial Day in the neighborhood. I think we’re back to “normal” around here.

It is a real slap in the face to all the doctors and nurses and other emergency response people who have risked their lives helping sick people recover. All they are asking of us is to wear a mask, social distance, wash our hands. Is that so difficult? People are so selfish with their need to self gratify that the rules don't apply to them. It is also a slap in the face to the governors who have managed to bend the curve to slow and hopefully stop the virus.

If we had some solid leadership thru the White House, stringent rules, people would be more apt to buckle down. Everything is willy nilly from state to state. I give most governors a lot of credit for doing a great job considering they were left holding the bag when they could have used the Obama Pandemic Playbook to help understand what to do in a short period of time.

I live on the shore in New England in a town that is a favorite for tourists. What I am seeing is appalling to me. People think the virus is over, based on the messages that are coming out of the WH and the various governors. The need to recoup tax revenue and stimulate businesses has most of them talking out of both sides of their mouths. Mixed messages never work. Our governor says, “get out there and shop” and opened the retail stores, restaurants for outdoor dining and take out, state parks and beaches, etc. I would say that about 2/100 people that I see are wearing masks even though they are in close proximity. Now, the restaurants are allowed to set up tables right in the streets of the downtown, forcing walkers to be exposed to crowds of people without masks. This situation is not going to end well, especially for us seniors. Especially on Memorial Day, I cannot understand the lack of civic duty, sacrifice for others. I think of my Dad, a WW2 vet, and I know what he would say about these narcissistic cowards who whine about masks and minor inconveniences to protect others.

Warning to all—do NOT attempt to have a “civil” conversation about masks, lockdowns, hydroxychloroquine, or social distancing after several mojitos in the noonday sun at a picnic. Let’s just say the fireworks started early.

Countries who strictly enforced isolation and quarantining are reporting no new cases! Lack of leadership and enforcement of medical advice continues to allow the spread of this deadly virus! The second wave of deaths is increasing indicating we are far from over this pandemic in America

Just a question. I have tried several different masks and none of them so far have a good fit and will not stay on me. Also, there is supposed to be a good seal so air cannot escape or enter. What masks is everyone wearing?

I agree that it's pretty sad that people don't care enough about each other to potentially expose others to risk. Years ago I remember hearing about "the dumbing down of America," which I think has grown exponentially. I believe not wearing a mask indicates one is misinformed, defiant (following their "leader"), or just plain stupid. And getting so many mixed messages definitely does not help if one has no critical thinking skills!

I live in Florida near the beach and NOTHING has stopped people from being foolish. Yes, they closed the beaches but the rivers have been packed with people since this all started. No social distancing and no mask. People always have the attitude "that it won't happen to me." NY was a hot spot and some people still did not wear a mask. People need to follow the rules period. You can not force people to follow the rules. Blame is NOT the answer. .... Let's all do our part and pray.

On the news this morning they showed footage of revelers packing some beaches and swarming public pools. One twenty-something male interviewee actually said that “if the president’s not wearing a mask, I’m not wearing a mask. If the president’s not afraid, I’m not afraid.” So, yes, some take their cue from the president. Other various remarks included the ever popular “you have to die from something,” “if it’s my time to go, it’s my time,” and one very bright young woman beachside said she’s not afraid because “the air will blow it all away.” Reason, logic, facts, experts, are a waste of time on some people, and just angers them. Stay out of their way, and upwind if possible.

I live in Los Angeles County, the most populated county in the country, and more populated than 41 individual states. The cost of living is out the roof. Way too many people are unemployed and can't pay their mortgages and sky high rents. I perfectly understand the chaos that occurred yesterday all over the country. It was normal human reaction to a very stressful time. People have been on lockdown for several months in close quarters with other family members. Children have nowhere to go and play. I believe people are so stressed out and have so much bottled up energy that really needed to be released. Memorial Day was the day that many people just said the hell with all of this and I am going to live and have fun. From a mental health standpoint it was probably much needed. God willing too much damage was not done.

Good comments here. This pandemic has caused not only frustration and a sense of claustrophobia and pent-up restlessness, but mental and emotional problems. Alcohol purchases have been up 55% in recent months. Spousal and child abuse are on the rise. Disabling distress is wreaking havoc, especially as mental health centers have had to close during quarantines. People are fearful for their lives, for their families, for their jobs, for their futures. Depression and social isolation are increasing, and treatment is not available for millions. This is to say nothing about the nearly 100,000 deaths in this country or the pain that families are enduring.

I wish everyone would understand that we're in this together ... that we should try our best to understand each other's predicaments and be empathic ... that we should accept that most of us will take sensible precautions and should be respected for our choices ... that we should avoid taking out our anxiety on our families or on people who are simply walking on a sidewalk following CDC recommendations ... and that we are all able to find healthy coping strategies – the Internet is filled with suggestions from mental health experts – and get through this while acting with dignity, deference and kindness.

We don't want to look back on this with so many unnecessary regrets over our own behavior.

Ed LaFreniere
Retirementhumor.net

I live in CT and it seems every spring, on the first nice weekend, everyone goes nuts! Cars are screeching up and down the roads. Motorcycles are going 70 MPH on a 30 MPH road. Herds of motorcyclers are driving around in packs and you can count a hundred of them in one swarm at times. When my husband commuted, he commented on the crazy chances drivers took on the interstate. People were purposely driving on the interstate with no headlights on in the early mornings before sunrise. Driving on the roads is a death trap at times!

Bubbajog, when I saw the partiers enjoying themselves at the beach I thought wow, stress relief, social interaction, vitamin D, (not to mention the naughty thrill of mass rebellion and kindred spirits) all serving to beef up their immune systems against the virus. I just hope they don’t all return home as Typhoid Marys to infect the stressed-out well behaved who did as they were asked to stop the spread. Feels like we’re back to putting up with smokers in the office who threatened your health along with their own. I understand how they felt, just wish they were all quarantined together for the next couple weeks and then testing negative.

Very much so Daryl. I have been watching the young and middle aged males revving their engines. I knew they had to bust loose or lose their marbles. For whether we like it or not, they are only human. Let us not forget what we all did when we had youth on our side. And for many of us wishing we could do it again. Just one more time!

Donna, it’s interesting that many people packed the rivers in Florida when beaches were closed, thinking “it won’t happen to me.” I wouldn’t worry about just Covid-19. Those rivers can be packed with lots of unseen alligators, too. Covid or alligators- pick your poison!

I don't buy this "spring fever," "boys will be boys" crock of excuses for bad, and possibly deadly, behavior. And to paint being cooped up with family and children as some sort of painful experience and excuse to flee to the beach, the bar and the bingo parlor -- well, I just wish I was in close enough proximity to be cooped up with my children and grandchildren. No authority is locking you in your home; walk around your house a few times on a nice day or hit the streets for some exercise if you need it. Yesterday, I brought a package to UPS, wearing a mask, of course, and using plenty of hand sanitizer before and after touching the UPS office's doorknobs. You can emerge from your cocoon when you want; you just need to do it safely, as defined by "real" professionals who know more than you do. Responsible sheltering isn't that big of an inconvenience, and it can be beneficial. I've learned how to bake during the pandemic and saved a lot of money by cooking at home, rather than going out to eat, and I daresay I have ingested a lot less sodium and the preservatives restaurants load you up with. The weather is getting nicer, so take a good book outside and feed your head. Listen to opera, if you never have, for the experience (if not the pleasure). Plenty to do; you just need to execute your "Sliver Linings Playbook" until the real professionals -- you know, the ones with actual academic degrees and experience as doctors, scientists and public health officials -- give the all clear.

Larry, I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but there aren’t any adults left in America anymore, just various shades of teenagers. I asked a police chief friend how it’s going in his world and he said people are being stupid and crazy at the same time, you can’t tell Americans what you do, they won’t listen. I understand how they feel, but no, wouldn’t have acted like that in youth, either. My younger sister would have been right there in the midst of the belly button shots having a blast. She’s dead now, but probably had the happier, although shorter, more fun-filled life.

I have just gone through the latest string of comments above and surprisingly, I generally agree with all of them. Plenty of good points have been made. I see it here, where I live, in the North Dallas, Texas area. Few wear masks. Few socially distance themselves from each other and they all seem to be reciting from the same Fox News echo chamber script. Let's see what happens across the country in the weeks and months to come.

Ron, this is not the 'Second Wave.' we haven't finished the 'First Wave.' The Second Wave doesn't hit until Fall. They are hoping for a drop in cases in July/August.
A lot of people are falling into this trap of trying to telescope the time line, trying to get it over with already. The virus will be with us for another year, at least, and so will the deaths.

Mary, you ask a really good question. I haven't gone looking, but I also have not seen any guidance for how to wear a mask or what type of mask to wear. But in the news there are many, many examples of how NOT to wear a mask -- at least if you want to help not spread the virus or perhaps even protect yourself at least a little.

As a woodworker with significant lung issues, I researched masks and have had experience with different masks, so I'll try to help some. First of all, so-called "dust protection" masks with one elastic band are worthless for any purpose -- not for dust or pollen or any other rational use. For protection, always use a two-elastic-band mask. Of these, the greatest protection comes with N95 or higher masks. These are used by first line personnel and are expected to remove 95% of all particles 0.3 micron or greater. 1 micron is one millionth of a meter (.0004 inches). A typical human hair is about 50 microns. And yes, to be effective, your mask should have a decent seal around you nose and mouth.

So how to wear a mask to get a decent seal: The mask should fit across the bridge of your nose and cover down over your chin. The bands should be tight enough to pull the edges of the mask up to your face -- not blood restriction tight, but enough that you can feel around it that there isn't space or gaps between mask and face. Good masks with have a stiffening band across the top so that you can push in and shape it to your nose. If the bands leave your mask loose with gaps around your face, simply tie off (knot) a short 1 to 1 1/2" portion of each ear or head band to make it smaller and fit better.

Few masks are perfect, but the above can help minimize peripheral air exit and entry -- you want to breath through the mask, not around it. It shouldn't be so tight as to be uncomfortable, but tight enough to actually be protective. Beards (like mine) will interfere some with the seal, but I would rather filter through my beard than have no protection at all. Fine sawdust from wood sanding etc. can easily be 1 micron or less. The N95 masks work. If they don't fit properly, a woodworker can tell the impact on their lungs very quickly. The same applies to the virus.

What about all those people we see interviewed on tv or walking around stores who wear a mask below their nose or hanging off the end of their nose or hanging loosely around their face? They may as well not be wearing a mask -- save them for first our responders. There is a video that shows that even with a properly worn mask, a sneeze can cause the mask to bulge outward and release particulates all around the outside edges. Certainly not ideal, but it is still far better than no mask at all -- and hopefully you won't have to sneeze!

Aside from woodworking, my wife and I have severe airborne allergies. These masks allow us to work or enjoy the outside even in peak allergy times. Without a mask, we are reduced to tearing, sneezing, coughing and gasping for breath -- unable to function at any useful level. Sadly, with the virus, N95 masks can now be extremely expensive due to hijack pricing. I've seen good masks that should be priced at $1.00 or less but being sold for $10 each and more. Making your own mask may not be N95 level, but is far better than nothing. Find some good instructions for using a bandana as a mask -- don't be fooled by those who fold a bandana in half and wear "outlaw style" because it looks cool. Multiple layers of cloth are better.

I agree with Larry. Being cavalier about this Covid-19 virus does no good for anyone. I'm fortunate to have young healthy friends nearby who are willing (with masks and gloves) to go to the post office for us to pick up packages if needed. Any indoor gathering place for people is not safe for anyone at high risk. As for outdoor places ("blown away by the wind"!), expelled particulates have been shown to travel 40 feet with a prevailing wind. Six feet is not comforting at all.

Dear Top Retirements: Your censorship always puts a smile on my face.

Editor's note. Thanks Bubbajug, we always appreciate your comments and understanding!

Rich, I agree with you, but with morons in stores shooting employees who ask them to wear a mask, what can be done? Look how violent protesting is now. I had a rude awakening at age ten hearing the story of the Prodigal son and realized back then life would not be fair and the selfish, inconsiderate idiots of the world would always get a pass, and have seen it play out over and over again. I won’t wax political here, but it is important for parents, teachers, and leaders to set a good example for the clueless. I would be dragging them off the beach and out of the bars like they did in China, but that stuff doesn’t fly in America.

I was just watching a news story about the people who aren't using social distancing or masks. They seem so sure that they will either be symptomless or fight it off like a flu. Not to panic people even more, but polio was once a new virus too. It primarily attacks the nervous system. Some people fought it off or were symptomless, while we all know that others (particularly children) died or had serious lasting medical issues. Years later, PPS (post-polio syndrome) started showing up in some of the people who had the virus, even if they were originally symptom free or had recovered. We simply don't know enough about Covid-19 yet to be sure that it isn't another virus that can hide in the body or have potential future risks. (Researchers have determined so far that it attacks patients' immune systems.) The lessons that our generation learned the hard-way 50-70+ years ago shouldn't be casually ignored based on an assumption that Covid-19 is a "one and done" virus.

Police Departments all over the country are expressing the fact they are not equipped to enforce COVID-19 safety protocols. Retail associates are being injured trying to enforce store safety protocols. The retail situation will lead to numerous lawsuits regarding injured associates. Here in the Los Angeles metro area the lawyer legal hawks are already advertising every night on cable TV about getting employee's money for being wrongfully terminated due to COVID-19 or not being protected from COVID-19.

Thank you everyone for all your comments....for us being retired, our life hasn't changed that much and without many squabbles...lol. I don't understand how staying at home is so stressful. I'm happy that I don't have to worry about going back to work with social distancing issues. I understand how stressful is must be for families who are running out of money so I hope the govt will provide more help....

Just a reminder to everyone, vigorous discussion is encouraged - to a point. Politics, religion, and comments that could be interpreted as personal attacks are to be avoided here. Even with the best of intentions some times comments can be misconstrued. Also, if you mention the President's name or a political party -either attacking or supporting we are going to delete it. No matter how hard we try, Newton's Third Law cannot be denied: a comment from one side creates an equal and opposite reaction, as well as fueling the perpetual motion machine. Thanks for your understanding.

Fortunately, many of us, (NOT all) can shop online and have groceries delivered. We also can choose which activities we feel comfortable participating in, except for work. As a part-time worker in healthcare, (nurse/office director) when I am not working I am at home.

When I see people in high places who will not wear a mask and then those who follow suit, it upsets me. I had to create policies from protocols given to us by our state, train our staff, and then certify our office with our state health department before we could proceed with re-opening for anything other than emergencies. The Health Dept. had to be sure we were prepared and had enough PPE for each employee for over one week of work (we always had that). We can only have one patient in our office at a time and they have to call me from their car in the parking lot before coming to our front door. We require a mask and gloves if they have them, if not they must wash their hands in the restroom across the hall with no doors on the outside, and then I spray additional sanitizers (74% alcohol)l on their hands. Temperatures are checked, but we know this has downfalls. There is no waiting room--they go right back to the Treatment room. Children can be picked up at our front door once the visit is over. Check out is done via a credit card over the phone unless the patient has insurance, then they just leave. I encourage our doctor to spend only necessary time and not social time, with each patient--we also have to thoroughly sanitize all rooms and surfaces between each patient. Each staff member has an area of the office they must prepare before the arrival of the next patient. To say the least, this is a huge amount of work but worth it for safety and the well being of our patients--so when people do not bother to at least wear a mask--it is flagrant disregard of everything that healthcare workers are doing to prevent or lessen the degree of the virus. We had a lower than expected death rate so far in this country because of the self isolation and precautions that were taken. The next two weeks to a month will indicate if a second wave is on the way. Warm, seasonal, temperatures are not to be relied on as Florida, and Texas have that most of the year and they now are having an increase in cases.

There are good reasons so many young (and older) people are pretty much ignoring a lot of the edicts about physical distancing. For example the antibody testing now showing a lot of people were infected with this but either had no symptoms, symptoms so mild they did not seek medical care (i.e. for many the virus is mild, nothing to be concerned about), the vast, vast majority of people who have very severe reactions have preexisting conditions (particularly diabetes, obesity, and uncontrolled hypertension) and are seniors( a group that also has lots of preexisting conditions), and the ever changing edicts and estimates (all downward, like those catastrophic predictions that sent the hospital ship to NYC and converted the Javits center into a huge hospital never came to pass (the ship and Javits center barely used if at all and they were keeping the fetid subways open and even removing cars from the trains when ridership dropped thereby making social distancing impossible (wouldn't they stop the subway if SD really worked?) gotta wonder if Chicken Little is making the decisions or are they putting us through this because they like to be dictators . Since the population that clearly has to be concerned are people with the preexisting conditions, particularly we seniors with same, let them self isolate and if they are concerned a family member will bring the bug into them, take it up with their family. Why force these measures on the large majority when those at risk? Of and the unintended consequences of all this, the missed diagnostic tests and missed non-emergency surgeries (youd be amazed at what is considered "elective"), the teeth that could have been saved if the dentist was opened, the depression cause by the cancellation of a young brides wedding - all because some at risk people dont want to avoid risks unless everyone have to do the same, even those at risk no greater that the usual stuff we face every day.

Nevada casinos finally open June 4. I have a reservation for June 6th. Can't wait. My hand sanitizer will be used, as always, but it is time to get back to some fun! And all my favorite restaurants are now open at home, so I am 70 percent happy again.

As far as chicken little and dictators go, if this had been handled adequately, quickly and early by the experts and with good leadership, activating all those organizations who plan for pandemic responses, we wouldn’t be in this mass lockdown mess now. Procrastination, lies, obfuscation from China, procrastination, lies, obfuscation from our own government, labs fiddling with and weaponizing coronaviruses in several countries including our own. Now, since it predominately kills blue people with yellow spots, all the red, orange, and green ones can fart around how ever they want transmitting the virus asymptomatically and pre-symptomatically to anyone nearby. The blue people can all lock themselves in an airtight box or hold their breath for the next two years. Now, with big and little fires flaring everywhere there is no choice but to open everything up to save the economy and people’s sanity. Now there is no choice except to let it “wash through” the country as was suggested by a government official way back when.

We will be okay! This is the greatest country on earth. All American's should appreciate what we have and the freedom's we have. I am a proud American and love this country and what this country stands for. Remember Pearl Harbor, D-DAY, and 9/11. We do not run! We will defeat COVID-19 and every coronavirus that comes afterwards because we are the United States of America. This is not politics but pure patriotism for our country.

Smart man( or lady)?Bubbajog

Thanks, Bubbajog, I was getting waaaayyy too angry and depressed.

I will simply say that most people here are not wearing masks and it seems to be a statement. Everything is going to reopen June 1st, including indoor dining, summer camps, day care centers, beauty, retail, etc. I fully expect that there will be a huge spike in cases and deaths by August at the latest. The US now is leading the world in cases and deaths, which is very sad. I remember when the world looked to the USA for innovations in science and medicine. Not anymore.

Maimi... thank you. My husband and I dont plan on changing how we live even with all of the reopening going on. We order everything online and prefer eating at home anyway. We can safely adventure out in our car if we get restless. We stream everything and do crafts too. So if we have to live this way for a year or more it wouldn't be the end of the world. Im happy i did all of my travelling in my youth. We'd rather stay safe then sorry...

Maimi and Mary11, in my previous gloomy post, I felt that we were trapped in this position of being forced to shut down and now re-open while still unprepared to deal with the fallout. I, too, will wear my mask and do my part. Thank heavens Bubbajog put a more optimistic spin on things. Big picture, long game.

Ok, new question, I’m curious: anyone here had Covid-19 or a family member, friend, neighbor? How’d it go? Didja see the 103-year-old woman in Massachusetts nursing home who survived it and celebrated with a Bud Light? Had a hilarious conversation with a Southwest customer representative about her today while trying to get my flight voucher extended.

Daryl, My friend Liam died yesterday from Covid19. He had been on a ventilator since May 8th. From verified diagnosis to intubation was 48 hours. He was in his 60’s and an avid walker who possessed an amazing sense of humor. He was a husband, a father, and a gifted filmmaker. Covid19 isn’t such a hilarious topic for me at the moment.

Daryl: Unfortunately, one of my sons has a boss who lost an aunt (in her late 60s) to Covid. Another kid who works in a hospital has lost a coworker to the disease. The other kids know people who have tested positive. Their acquaintances got tested after getting sick, but fortunately got better without hospitalization. Ohio still posts daily updates on diagnosed cases, deaths, hospital usage, median age of patients (currently 49), etc. Our hospitals are maintaining 77% utilization of ICU beds since the curve was flattened, fortunately. Most people are wearing masks, following signs about 6 feet distancing etc., but it seems like there's always a few people who believe they know more than the experts.

Donna, Covid-19 wasn’t the hilarious topic, my fear of flying during the pandemic was. The agent was telling me how clean the aircraft is now, when I told her I would just worry myself into sickness anyway, she mentioned the 103-yr-old beating the virus and asking for a beer afterwards. We joked that Bud Light may be the secret, not hydroxychloroquine. If you saw any of my former posts, I am actually depressing everyone else and myself with my seriousness towards the topic. The representative felt just as morbid, it was gallows humor.

Actually, I am locked into this mindset of incredulity that the greatest country in the world could have bungled our pandemic response so badly, and continues to do so. Is it really possible for our entire government to be so inadequate, so stupid, so petty, so callous? Somebody there must have a clue, no one with enough power to do anything? And of course all the stupid, selfish sheep following their lead, that was a given. It reminds me of the Back To The Future movie in which Biff runs the show. I have never been so angry and depressed about the state of our country, and my heart breaks for all the innocent victims: patients, healthcare workers, “essential workers,” everyone who lost a job, kids without schooling, etc. I am desperately trying to take the long view and hope for a miracle, but feel powerless. There, happy Saturday everyone. I think I need to stop commenting.

I come to this forum for a sense of community of people in my age group, since I am physically surrounded in my neighborhood by a “Memorial Day at the Lake of the Ozarks” mentality. And though ads on TV say “we’re all in this together,” my eyes and ears are giving me the opposite message. Thank God I have a loving, caring, giving, smart, sensible family. Those are my blessings and comfort at this time.

Donna, so sorry for your loss. This virus is real and is causing so much suffering and heartbreak that the individual lives taken are getting lost in the discussions.

Daryl, I feel the same way about the way the government has handled this. It did not have to be this way. I am not hopeful for a change any time soon so we all have to stay informed and be very, very careful not to contract this virus. I am no doctor, but I saw this coming and after the Biogen conference in Boston, I bought masks when the CDC telling us that we did not need masks and washing hands was sufficient. I thought to myself that about 100 people in a conference room, did not all touch the same surface and that it was either contracted through the air or the food that they all ate. Presently, the USA makes up about 4% of the global population, but about 35% of the deaths. From what I am seeing here, this is going to get much worse soon. We have to protect ourselves.

Clyde, until now, I did not really think politics could so threaten my own health, but now, it has to be a top consideration for most of us.

With all the bad news, fear and general negativity in our country: Today we had a major successful accomplishment. NASA SpaceX launched successfully at 3:22pm Eastern Time from the Kennedy Space Center. I want to wish God Speed to proud Americans Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken. May your mission be a total success. Also a big thank you to Elon Musk with your incredible American ingenuity and leadership. As I watched the successful lift off, I felt nothing but pride in this American accomplishment. And when we defeat COVID-19, which we will, I will also feel that American pride. We aren't perfect, but we are better than anything else out there. To all the naysayers, all I can say is I believe in the United States of America. When the enemy presents itself, whether it was yesterday, today, or tomorrow, we will defeat that enemy!

Amen, Bubbajog. Reminds me there is hope for the future.

Great attitude, Bubbajog, have you always been such an optimist, or did you make a conscious decision one day to put a positive spin on things? Think it really keeps you happier in the long run.

Thanks, Bubbajog! I so agree with you! There are those whose agenda is to tell us that America isn't great and never has been. Don't believe them! We're not perfect, never will be; but as a nation we're trying to be better and fair to all.

Yes Daryl, we just have to keep going forward one day at a time. There is still a lot of good out there!