#4 A year ago we had no idea where we’d be as far as the pandemic was concerned. Last year Dr. Anthony Fauci stated that possibly by the fall of 2021, we might be able to go back to normal. Illinois has now opened to full capacity (restaurants, bars, entertainment venues, churches etc.)
What are your thoughts? Will you still practice protocol if you go back to social events, etc.?
I’m ecstatic. I credit the vaccine for all of this greatness and I believe the scientific community deserves all the praise the American people can heap on it. I think you have to look at not just the life-saving accomplishment but at the economical saving of America.
I would hope that the people of America grasp and take a great lesson from all of this and that it will make us a better and stronger nation of people. I would like to think that things like this can bring us all together in a better world.
I’m glad you are ecstatic. I’m sure many people are. It’s interesting that you mentioned “the economical saving of America,” but what about still practicing protocol? One thing that will be nice is seeing people smile and knowing they can see you smile as well.
Personally, I think it’s too soon. This is how we began seeing increases in positive cases. However, since it’s summertime, being outside will help keep numbers down. However again, there are too many unknowns about this NOVEL virus and the vaccine. We’re in uncharted waters. Just because everyone else is going along, doesn’t mean we all have to follow. We have the freedom of choice. I don’t mind wearing a mask and I follow protocol with hand sanitizers, alcohol on commonly-used surfaces, etc.
Regarding the phase 5 period, at this point it feels political to me. The public has complained to the point that the government leaders had to respond. So just as if a switch was flicked, it’s all ok to go out in public again. But, oh yeah, let’s still wear a mask if we feel like it. They just throw that mask bit in there to cover all bases. But if you look at the ballgames this past weekend, there were 40k fans at Wrigley Field and I saw very few masks.
I won’t be going out to restaurants yet or any other place where there are lots of people. I might still order food from restaurants and go pick it up. I will still wear a mask if I go somewhere in which I will be interacting with people. I’m basically not going to change a thing from the protocol that I have used for the last 15-16 months. Why take a chance now? I didn’t have the annual winter cold or flu this past winter either, an added bonus to wearing a mask and staying away from people.
Several countries have had resurgences of variants because they may have opened things up too soon. And then the air flights from those countries to other countries can spread the virus again and again. The vaccine is unapproved and unknown, and the companies that make the vaccine have no liability if someone gets injured or dies from the vaccine. Many have said that the vaccine could be more dangerous to some folks than the virus. Let’s toss a coin and decide.
There are no guarantees with the vaccine. The people pushing the vaccine have money vested in the manufacturing of the vaccine, so its normal for them to push the vaccine. It’s most likely that the virus is running its own course as the other pandemic viruses did in the past. There were no vaccines back then. The people just stopped traveling and spreading the disease, and they wore masks and avoided gatherings. That’s all we need to do now.
Thank you for such a meaty response. It’s certainly food for thought (pun intended). I agree that politics and money invested is playing a major role in this. Something had to be done to control the mass hysteria and financial collapse.
I haven’t been to any restaurants either, just necessary trips for groceries, errands, etc. Unfortunately, I’ve encountered people who have been fully vaccinated and let their guards down – no masks or sanitizers.
On a lighter note, another plus about the mask is that allergy sufferers have reported less symptoms because the mask is keeping out pollen and other irritants. So, we know it’s doing a reasonable job as a filter. I’ve also had less colds over the past year and I’d like to continue this practice.