Oso planning to go pro
Had the misfortune of traveling to WI today. Surprising number of people not wearing masks in the gas station and on the street.Nice to be back in Chicago again.
Masks are not required when filling up your car.If they went into the station, they are breaking the law.
Inside the gas station down by Ryan Rd. It was really odd to experience after having not left Chicago for a few months where everyone has been excellent with masks.
The decline of Wisconsin has been swift and embarrassing
Sad to hear, Skat. But living here, I am not surprised.On Friday, my next store neighbor (who I have been friends with for years) came over and walked right up to me, arm extended to shake hands. Big grin on his face. I just told him to get off my property. I am through with these people.
So you told someone, who you supposedly have been friends with for years, to “get off your property” like you would an annoying door to door salesman, instead of politely asking if he’d wear a mask or mentioning you’re not comfortable with him being mask-less?
No maskWithin 6 feetAttempting physical contactDuring a pandemicThat's no accident.Would you really be polite to someone intentionally putting your health and the health of your family at risk? Really odd sentiment. Most people have a greater sense of self preservation. Or are you just uncomfortable with conflict?
Yes. He’s a far right republican who makes fun of wearing masks. Much as I disagree, I recognize that is his right. But he knows exactly where I stand as we have talked about it. To blatantly show that much disrespect may also be his right, but it is not something I’ll be a part of.
Few folks like confrontation, and this is not an easy topic.My wife and I went to a brewery Saturday and sat outside with our dog. At one point, an older gentleman who we think was either the owner or manager came over, brought our dog a bowl of water and petted her.He couldn't have been nicer ... but he also wasn't wearing a mask. And neither were we, as we were enjoying malt beverages and sitting at our table, which was at least 20 feet away from the nearest table.So you have just a few seconds to think, "This guy is being so nice. Do I turn a nice thing into a potential confrontation by asking him to put on a mask? Maybe he's just about ready to leave, and even if I ask as politely as possible, he might take it personally and create a scene ... which will then pull me in and get me to turn ornery?"I could tell that my wife, who REALLY hates it when insensitive mouth-breathers refuse to wear masks and invade her space, was starting to get upset. Thankfully, the guy left a few seconds later, and conflict was avoided. My wife later told me she was just about ready to ask the guy to PLEASE wear a mask. And then some would have painted her as the mean one.FWIW, an NC mandate requires all restaurant/bar/store employees to wear masks when at work, whether inside or outside.Just wear an effen mask. It isn't too much to ask.
Side note, it may not be a scientifically provable outcome, but anecdotally masks work. My wife and her co-worker (both Physical Therapists) have had face to face, indoor, 50 minute interactions with patients who were both mildly symptomatic at the time of interaction (co-worker's spouse died of Covid two weeks later) but hadn't yet been tested or examined at the time of the appointments. These patients tested positive within 4 days of the latest visit......both my wife and co-worker tested negative when they went in on their own to get tested just to have piece of mind.
The transmission risk for "normal interactions" is at the highest under the following conditions:-Indoors-Talking face to face for 15+ minutes-One person is symptomatic-Minimal handwashing is taking place.-No masksIf any of those things switches to the safer side of things (ie the interaction is outdoor vs indoor) the transmission risk goes down. I tend to temper my reaction based on the risk side. So if I'm having a very brief conversation with someone not in a mask that is outdoors, I'm leaving well enough alone (because mentioning it is more than likely to create a longer conversation and by extension longer risk).Side note, it may not be a scientifically provable outcome, but anecdotally masks work. My wife and her co-worker (both Physical Therapists) have had face to face, indoor, 50 minute interactions with patients who were both mildly symptomatic at the time of interaction (co-worker's spouse died of Covid two weeks later) but hadn't yet been tested or examined at the time of the appointments. These patients tested positive within 4 days of the latest visit......both my wife and co-worker tested negative when they went in on their own to get tested just to have piece of mind.Why, because everyone in the encounter was wearing masks.
Well thats a very different piece of the story.