Let’s Talk Tuesday: Covid Madness

It's been 4 months of mask wearing and I'm at the point where I'm surprised civilization has lasted as long as it has. Is it a lack of education, misinformation, or are people just incapable of using common sense? Here are some things I see on a daily basis:

*Masks hanging from rearview mirrors (it's safe to assume that they've never been washed/changed out)
*Masks worn under the nose or on the chin only
*Masks raised and lowered to speak (yes, the talking takes place without the mask)
*Masks stuffed into pockets and purses and used over and over again

I've tried counting the number of times that clerks touch/adjust their masks while helping me. I usually lose count after about 14. I had one guy who pulled his mask completely down, wiped his entire face on his sleeve, and then pulled the mask back up. No, I don't want my receipt after that. How do people not understand that touching your mask and then touching everything around you defeats the entire purpose of masks????

Some of you asked about the changes that the library has made since my daughter returned to work. Besides the masks, she has to put on a gown, gloves and a face shield to empty out the book drop (where people return their books). Then the materials are quarantined for 72 hours. Cleaning of surfaces (such as computers and counters) takes place every hour on the hour. You are encouraged to use an app on your phone to check out material, rather than use the self checkout counter. They are now closed on Sundays. She has her temperature taken before each shift. Only one person is allowed in the break room at a time.

Here's my issue with it all: I can walk into the library, return a book (that is then treated as contaminated) but then browse the shelves, touching every book I want and putting it back. How is that any different? It's not and you have to realize that it is just an illusion of safety so that they could reopen.

My husband and I have talked about how we are in the lucky age range of not having a kid in school/college but also not being in the danger zone of 65 and older. The local debate over whether to open the schools or not is insane. There have been kids marching/protesting outside local school board meetings, demanding that schools reopen in a few weeks. I can't say I ever thought I'd see the day where kids WANTED to go back to school, but I get the desperation of wanting to leave your house and see friends.

In other news, my husband's aunt, who he has responsibility for, turned 99. Since she lives in a nursing home, we haven't seen her since February. We had to get special permission to do a window visit outside of her room. Imagine a group of 12 family members standing outside in 94 degrees and waving to her through a closed window. My daughter made a sign and held it up while we sang Happy Birthday. Let's just say it: Pathetic! But what are you going to do? Be glad you aren't confined to your bedroom like she has been for almost 6 months! Can you imagine?

Last week, our governor tested positive, right before he was supposed to meet with Trump, who was visiting Ohio. People online joked that it was probably a false positive so that he could get out of the meeting. Sure enough, I wake up the next morning to the news that the governor tested negative after two more tests. This is where we get the term, “shitshow.”

Then you've got those who are taking advantage of the pandemic to do some proselytizing. My oldest daughter encountered two males in suits (90 degree weather) while she was at a park with her two children. She had to run away from them while holding one hand and pushing a stroller with the other. Here's what I got in the mail last week:

Of note: I don't live anywhere near Middleburg Heights. You are not my neighbor.

And finally, a picture that keeps appearing in our newspaper. It was taken during the riots downtown, where dozens of businesses were destroyed (and to date, still shut down). Every time I see it, I have to laugh at the absurdity of it. Let me know if you see it, too.