back to way of life

[Smallsteps]

You don't think masks are political? If so, you have not been paying attention at all. The use of masks, and the entire COVID situation overall, has been outrageously politicized. There are very stark differences in the approach that has been taken to all things related to COVID between the Democrats and the Republicans. It's really quite sad how it has played out.

No,
I think some would like to portray politics and division... if that is what you mean by paying attention is listening to the mantra............ there is a difference in believing all you are told and asking questions about items, especially ones that did not add up..........regardless of source.
The only political point is if you are a person some can count on being compliant regardless of changing information and questionable conclusions.

It started as masks not needed except medical professionals ....then everyone needs them............. The WHO just flip flopped on that once again.
The exposure was if close contact for longer periods of time like hours .... to even a brief moment of less then 6 feet in a store could be the reason if you got sick... that is a long jump but it created BIG fear among some.

In my group of friends, co-workers , neighbors etc... there are various political beliefs and have different takes on masks.... some simply have decided that many conflicting items are not adding up.
Those who are constant mask wearers and those who are not.... do NOT just reflect their political leaning. It would be more depressing if that were the case.

We have had misinformation from the start from ALL sources..........things ignored or downplayed and other items pushed that simply made little sense.

Just published in NE journal of medicine ...A European study of a claim made in earlier Chinese study about blood types being affected differently... no one warned those with type A that they may be at higher risk .... But we suggested washing groceries and leaving boxes outside to minimize the smallest of risk.

I know we did NOT have all the data.... we never will since most data has been compromised....even deaths were counted in many different ways...... but as items emerged we should have explored more possibilities had hope instead some simply wrote items off because who said it first.

We HAD to prove this or that theory wrong.... People literally openly rooted for outbreaks in areas that opened up early. That is just wrong and possibly mentally ill.

States have been hit harder economically do to if there was a political stance INSTEAD of what was best for the citizens .... some states had smaller areas economically destroyed, people lives ruined even with almost zero cases to prove a point?
MEDICAL professionals signing letters saying protests for (this) are SAFE...... but protesting (that) are NOT....... in whose world did that make sense.

It is a disgrace that we should have worked together but instead people made it divisive. In the end the division COST lives.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

No in the US there is a clear divide in what people think about based on political beliefs. Republicans aren't even sure this is a big deal or real https://fivethirtyeight.com/features...avirus-crisis/ And Democrats do. And how they react to it is based on this belief.

Nothing wrong with each belief but it does change how different states are approaching opening up and what to do. A lot of countries don't want americans to visit because they feel we are unsafe and spreading Covid. This is not a judgement just statement.

[disneysteve]

Smallsteps, on an individual basis, you may see varying views that don't necessarily align with someone's political affiliation. But broadly speaking, there is absolutely a clear difference between the two parties as a whole, as LivingAlmostLarge mentioned. Numerous articles and studies have been published about this. Psychology Today had some excellent academic articles discussing why Republicans and Democrats have such entirely different feelings about the pandemic and it really speaks to the core of how someone comes to identify with one party or the other as it goes far deeper than what they think about COVID. It involves their entire worldview, how they assess risk and threats, and more.

[disneysteve]

Another example of how politics creates different outcomes.

The governor of Florida, a Republican closely aligned with the president, has repeatedly resisted addressing COVID as much as he possibly could, including inviting the RNC to move their convention there as I mentioned earlier. And all of this despite rapidly rising cases in the state.

Today, Jerry Demings, the Democratic mayor of Orange County (Orlando, Disney World, Universal) instituted a law requiring masks to be worn at all times in public starting Saturday. Had that been state law all along, they wouldn't be in the situation they are in now.

[Singuy]

Another example of how politics creates different outcomes.

The governor of Florida, a Republican closely aligned with the president, has repeatedly resisted addressing COVID as much as he possibly could, including inviting the RNC to move their convention there as I mentioned earlier. And all of this despite rapidly rising cases in the state.

Today, Jerry Demings, the Democratic mayor of Orange County (Orlando, Disney World, Universal) instituted a law requiring masks to be worn at all times in public starting Saturday. Had that been state law all along, they wouldn't be in the situation they are in now.

The percentage of people I see walking around with mask has dropped dramatically the past 3 weeks here in orange county. I am more than ever convinced that the U.S is not the place I'll retire. Truly living among morons I can't stand. Make my money and leave. Enough of catering to the lowest common denominator BS here. Thanks president Trump for exposing just how many people are complete idiots who follows you like a mindless zombie.

[disneysteve]

The percentage of people I see walking around without mask has dropped dramatically the past 3 weeks here in orange county.

Hopefully, the new law will help some. The problem, among other things, is that all of the people refusing to wear masks are going to end up sabotaging themselves. The region depends tremendously on tourism dollars. If travelers feel the area isn't safe because people aren't following the rules, they aren't going to come. So if any of those anti-mask folks work in stores or restaurants or hotels or attractions that somehow depend on tourists, they're just making their own lives harder and prolonging the economic effect of COVID. For those places to recover, people need to start traveling there again which requires them feeling it is safe to do so.

[Singuy]

Hopefully, the new law will help some. The problem, among other things, is that all of the people refusing to wear masks are going to end up sabotaging themselves. The region depends tremendously on tourism dollars. If travelers feel the area isn't safe because people aren't following the rules, they aren't going to come. So if any of those anti-mask folks work in stores or restaurants or hotels or attractions that somehow depend on tourists, they're just making their own lives harder and prolonging the economic effect of COVID. For those places to recover, people need to start traveling there again which requires them feeling it is safe to do so.

Correct! This is why I am furious and the government sure helped by muddying the waters. All those jobs loss for nothing because people can't suffer through a little bit of mask wearing in public.

If people actually thought this through and realize that Orlando survives on tourism and they are just shooting themselves in the foot for some instant gratification, Americans wouldn't have such a problem with debt and saving money. Because it's the exactly same BS. Pissing away their future for instant gratification.

[disneysteve]

Correct! This is why I am furious and the government sure helped by muddying the waters. All those jobs loss for nothing because people can't suffer through a little bit of mask wearing in public.

Your governor is certainly a major part of the problem.

Again, this is largely a political issue as one party's approach is entirely different than the other's.

[disneysteve]

Today, Jerry Demings, the Democratic mayor of Orange County (Orlando, Disney World, Universal) instituted a law requiring masks to be worn at all times in public starting Saturday.

Mayor Jane Castor of Tampa (also a Democrat) just put a mask requirement in place there as well.

[disneysteve]

I do not think it is a political thing,

Adam Aron, the CEO of AMC theaters, has said that masks will only be required in their theaters if local laws dictate it. The reason he gave in an interview for not making it standard everywhere was, "We did not want to be drawn into a political controversy."

Masks are totally political. It's insane to say that but it's true.

[Smallsteps]

Adam Aron, the CEO of AMC theaters, has said that masks will only be required in their theaters if local laws dictate it. The reason he gave in an interview for not making it standard everywhere was, "We did not want to be drawn into a political controversy."

Masks are totally political. It's insane to say that but it's true.

That is just the problem in a nutshell ...TOO many people take that bait and run with it. Just because some feel that way....other people have a choice to drop that narrative and not reinforce it
If some want to draw political lines on EVERYTHING it just causes divide.

I would like these CEOs to state the truth that MONEY is why --- if they develop policy they may turn other paying customers away pass the buck to they just at mercy of local rules. Many places wink wink and make exceptions because they have had months of zero income some need every dime to turn it around.

People are Not making a difference when you resort to broad stroke condemnations and name calling........Anyone doing that is stoking the fire of divide. NOT only on mask use.

To implement these guidelines.... being condescending never helps. The studies on effectiveness of this vary greatly and many of the doom and gloom predictions simply were way off base.
It is a hard sell when information changes .... so instead of debate or even consider someone else stance...... some people start Assuming things about those who see things differently.
It is amazing how many people feel the urge to judge with zero information about why someone is not in a mask.

See that stranger not wearing a mask ...... maybe they have a medical condition that they were told avoid wearing it .... maybe they forgot or did not have a mask at home / car etc

NOPE the reaction seems to be "they are the enemy / they are stupid and they belong to some group" Who in that case is fueling a divide?

I think many people are disillusioned by the conflicting and often inaccurate data that has surrounded this whole Covid pandemic and Mask use.
I see less and less compliance maybe because it warmed up or people just made a DECISION for themselves. I do not assume things about them you can stay a bit farther away or feel protected by your mask if you want.

The conflicting advice the in some cases overreaching rules that simply made little sense, but then some who do believe all ...... expect others to not question WHY. WOW.

[disneysteve]

Smallsteps, I’ll just agree to disagree. I never said someone not wearing a mask was the enemy. I was simply attempting to show how masks have been politicized which you don’t seem to see, so I’ll drop that point.

[disneysteve]

Restaurants and casinos here in NJ can reopen at 25% capacity on July 2. Lots of people were hoping they'd do that in time for the July 4 weekend.

We have yet to do outdoor dining. The weather really hasn't been nice enough. Either it's been too hot and humid or it's been raining. I don't know when we'll feel comfortable dining indoors though 25% capacity is appealing. I'll see what DW says.

[QuarterMillionMan]

Las Vegas culinary union says workers wearing masks is not enough and I agree (see video below).
https://www.reviewjournal.com/busine...afety-2058505/

[~bs]

at 25%, most restaurants are losing more money opening than closing. Better to stay closed and pray for rent relief from landlord.