How are you handling COVID19 guidelines now that states have reopened?

Question

What is everyone doing now that the states have all opened up? Are you planning on getting together with family and friends over BBQ, going over neighbors houses to swim in their pools, inviting family over again? Are you setting rules and boundaries? For me, I am a bit lost what to do. So far, I have seen some people walking outside for exercise with masks on. Some do not wear them though keep physical distance from others. I see neighbor kids playing with each other outside without masks. I hear them going over to each other backyards to go in their pool. My relatives who live in the next town over recently invited me over their house again for dinner. I made up an excuse and stayed home, zoomed with them instead. I bought some new water toys for my kids to play with so they don't ask me about going over friends house for it and still exercise at home. I know people are getting tired of not being together but I am still uncomfortable especially eating out with those who I don't live with, even if they are family. Am I being too paranoid?

Gibboma · Answer

I’m in Nevada and we are expecting our governor to announce that the state is moving into Phase 2.  Casinos - our state’s top revenue earners - might get to reopen in early June.   I’m on the fence.   Full disclosure I’m in northern Nevada, not Las  Vegas which has had many more cases.   Unless the casinos have miraculously improved their ventilation systems during the shutdown, I don’t see how they will be any different than a cruise ship environment.   Petri dishes, basically - with second hand smoke thrown in.   I am privileged to work from home, so don’t have to worry about re-entry into an office.   I therefore have a wait-and-see attitude.   I have been supporting our local restaurant scene which has been AMAZING -by ordering take out regularly.   I will continue to do that.   No rush for me to resume attendance at any large-scale event such as sports/festivals.  I have an elderly father and a registered nurse sister that I care more about protecting through this unprecedented time.  It’s really been quite the experience for us all.    I have to admit I am saddened by the vitriol and selfishness of some.    My feeling is yes, we live in a society with immeasurable freedoms,  but that doesn’t recuse us from social responsibility or a level of order (rules/laws) in order to maintain a civilized society.

Susan Graye · Answer

I'm abiding by the thought better 'safe' than 'sorry' - 'self isolating' with my family, taking a lot of time for wellness with daily hikes - until there are more answers - why take the 'risk' if you don't have to - was truly surprised by the crowds at beaches this weekend.

Jolena Siegenthaler · Answer

I think it will be different for everyone.  For me, I am a social person and have not been doing well being isolated.  I also feel that we should not live in fear.  This past weekend my husband and I got together with our best friends, went for a drive, stopped and had lunch at a restaurant serving outdoors and stopped at another outdoor venue that had music.  Very few masks were seen.  I felt comfortable, was not over crowded and felt relief to be outside enjoying social time with friends.  I don't wear a mask unless it is required in a location.

Gina Diamante · Answer

Doesn't matter to me what the state says or what my neighbors do. I'm doing what my oncologist tells me to do. And he tells me to stay home as much as possible and wear a mask when it's not. And to wash my hands often.

Anonymous · Answer

When walking our dogs in the neighborhood, I don't wear a mask as I keep a distance from anyone we encounter. I avoid going out anywhere aside from groceries. I try to order online when I can. My parents are about an hour away and I haven't spent much time with them since Christmas (saw them briefly in February...would have visited for longer had I known what is in store). I want to see them, but am prolonging it partially due to concern for their health (they're in the age bracket though otherwise healthy) since my BF works in healthcare and is at higher risk for exposure (as am I). Plus, I'm on furlough for a couple more weeks and I haven't told them yet (for everyone's mental health) and it will be harder to avoid the topic in person than from a distance.

As crazy as I am going being at home all the time, especially on furlough, I'm not ready to go out much if I don't have to.

Anonymous for a day · Answer

I probably had a different perspective on this than a lot of people. I lost two friends this year who left this world way before their time, one unexpectedly and one after a one-year battle with cancer that came out of nowhere last year. Life is short and we don’t know when our time is up. Yes, I take precautions with social distancing and will wear a mask in places where I don’t feel I can effectively do that but I am not staying home. I’m fortunate. I live in Arizona and pretty much everything has opened back up. I’ve been shopping and to a few restaurants, to the gym, nail and hair salon. I’ve seen a few of my friends. I’m actually going to the nail salon this morning. I’ll wear my mask. They require them and with good reason. My hair stylist rents a studio space so it’s easy for her to keep her space clean and sanitized between customers. My gym offers classes only and is practicing social distancing with spacing and fewer class sizes. Even before coronavirus, they had us wipe down our equipment with disinfectant wipes after using it. I guess my take is take the needed precautions but live your life because you don’t know how much of it you have left.

Elizabeth Sholar · Answer

Avoiding indoor spaces where I would need to be with many others who I don't know for a prolonged amount of time -- studies show it is amount of exposure, plus length of exposure  that are key factors in transmission. If I must go to an indoor space where I may potentially be in closer contact with others for a prolonged period of time -- salons (hair, nail, etc.) -- if the establishment won't require both employees AND patrons to wear masks, then I will take my business to someplace that does -- masks definitely help curb spread, but it has to be the other people who are willing to wear for each other in order for all of us to be protected. Avoiding altogether indoor spaces where there is high respiratory activity -- gyms, exercise groups, church (singing), restaurants (loud and much speaking) etc. -- because of the potential for high exposure/length of exposure and studies that have shown the room can fill pretty quickly with the virus of someone is infected but doesn't know it. Have been willing to frequent restaurants with outdoor seating and tables spaced apart. Am willing to have friends and family who I know are practicing smart behaviors over for dinner and vice versa in very small groups -- a risk, but a lower one. I know I can't prevent every possibility of infection, but it's about lowering the risk -- for myself and others -- yet still living some semblance of a life. Please wear a mask when in an indoor public space -- you may save the life of someone less fortunate than yourself in their medical circumstances.

Julie S. · Answer

Being very cautious. Opening up doesn't mean it's over. If everyone follows health guidelines and maintains social distancing, proper hand washing, and wears masks in public, we'll continue to see fewer new cases.  I have been going to the beach with friends, carefully, but will not be spending much time indoors with groups where spread is more inevitable with shared air.

Patricia M. Velez · Answer

I am still very cautious, social distancing,  and wearing the face mask. In my neighborhood kids are out and visiting their friends like nothing happened in this past months. North Texas is open which is good for small business and to start rebooting the economy but there are places that have been crowed and no respecting any of the guidelines.

Donna Felt · Answer

No mask for me, and not really trying to social distance. I’ve been out to restaurants to dine in and to many stores without issue. Have gotten together with family and friends at their homes and mine.  Neighbors visiting without issues. Also, there are companies who are not requiring their workers to wear masks, which the workers are thankful for, and they’ve had no issues (this has been in force for the year thus far).

How are you handling COVID19 guidelines now that states have reopened?

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