Now begins my foray into languages that I can’t even pretend to know how to count from one to fourteen…

As I begin my fourth two week grouping…

I know many of you disagreed with my new stance of live and let live….

I’m going to show some pictures that I took yesterday when I walked my dog at the park. You will see the reality of one nice day in the city. As the weather gets nicer, defenses will begin to go down. Do you really want people to start reporting each other for trying to feel normal? There were a lot of people in the park yesterday- I just stood in one spot and sort of swung around real quick. This will continue to happen, unless the city decides to shut us down completely…

Also, I want you to think about this: How do you think a person of color feels, or is treated when they enter a store with a mask on… I know we all have utopian ideals, but I want you to think of the reality of the situation. Again, I state that I live in the most liberal, tolerant city in America. If it happens here, it happens everywhere.

65 thoughts on “Einer- Highlights”

  1. I feel odd walking into stores, wearing a mask. The people working there are halfway-committed about it as well. These times are making for odd, alienating social boundaries.

    Those are lovely spring pictures. 🌼

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    1. I went to market last week. None of cashiers were wearing their masks around their mouths…they were all at their necks. After two months if there was any novelty to this it’s now worn off, and it’s nothing but stark reality. But yeah….

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      2. I’m wearing my face covering, I’m washing my hands….but we have to stop thinking that the avengers are going to swoop in and save the day

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      4. Of course. We’re the society excellent at pointing fingers and blaming others, when if we took care of ourselves and our children, there would be no problems…

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  3. More people of color in one store were wearing their masks the other day, so I attached my mask after a few dirty looks from some. I felt illegitimate in the fray. I almost asked someone wearing a very fashionable mask where they had acquired it but then I remembered all our businesses will be opening again in 6 days. Thank you. We do have common sense to know mostly how to protect ourselves.

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      1. True and we can’t be held responsible for other people’s angst but we should try to be considerate of one another on both ends of the spectrum whether we are in cities during these times, rural areas or overseas.

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      3. This might be a blog in itself. Sometimes people put labels on us not understanding who we really are. Our experience might surprise some people and that is why I am a fan of Ruth’s character on Ozarks. No one gave her anything but yet she takes control and makes things work. You might not like her but you find yourself rooting for her.

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  5. Won’t deny that this has been really difficult no matter where you stand on lockdowns or distancing. Complacency now replaces the initial fear for many, especially those who have been untouched by Covid thus far.
    Personally, I have a greater fear now than I ever did in March. This stuff hasn’t disappeared and as viruses do, is likely mutating as it continues to infect. With no ability to confirm immunity at this point either so many of us have only weathered round one, but it’s not over by any means.

    As choices and options are once more granted by cities and states I am more focused than ever on self-preservation. I really don’t want to be a statistic.

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    1. Problem is, you’ll eventually become a statistic of something. The outlying effects of this are far reaching. The problem is shutting us down won’t work for the exact reasons you stated. It’s mutating faster than thought possible, and effective vaccines are worlds away, keeping us inside and lowering our immunity in general is the worst possible thing. We have to rethink how to open things and protect ourselves. This could mean wearing masks all the time if you are in a building (though you know my thoughts on that) it could mean temperature checks, reducing room capacities. People pick one lane of thought on this and forget there are way to many turns along that road. There is no one right solution, yet people think there is, and shout down anyone who disagrees. It’s like I said two months ago. There are no right answers, no wrong answers, just answers that may or may not work. Shaming people though? Isn’t that bullying? There is no happy ending to this

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  6. I’m outside almost every day. On the trails I prefer to hike, it’s easy enough to keep 6ft or more away, but some people seem oblivious.
    We ended up on one the other day that was narrow and groups of 2-6 people, all without masks, were going the opposite direction or running past us. No one seemed to even consider their rudeness. Not going back there any time soon. 🤷🏼‍♀️

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    1. I have come to the conclusion that I can protect myself, but I can’t tell others what to do or not do. People break laws all the time. I wear a mask, I wear gloves , but yeah…if I go out…

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      3. I feel stressed these days too when I shop. Mostly ahead of time is when the anxiety kicks in. I always feel better in hindsight though, wondering why I was so worried when all went relatively well.

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      4. Right now, my gut feeling is any novelty of this situation is now gone. I’m sensing that people are going to cease caring about protocol as soon as the nice weather hits

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  7. Two days ago a relative of mine died in Arizona from the covid virus. He was a senior and died within two days of them finally testing him. He is now a statistic, but he was my Dad’s cousin.
    People are discussing minor inconveniences to their behavior, and being tolerant.
    This isn’t wearing a seatbelt just in case you have an accident. Those numbers on the news are dead people.
    How many deaths, how many waves of infection does it take, how many times will countries have to start all over with isolation because of tolerance and personal “freedom”. Choice of personal action when it affects others is different. This isn’t about letting someone litter, or cut in line at the supermarket, this is about responsibility.
    Why don’t people stand up for being, acting, and promoting responsible actions. If you want call that intolerant, then I am intolerant.

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    1. My father is being treated for prostate cancer, which has happened for about six months. While doing something else, it turns out he has lung cancer. The lung cancer is a separate cancer and not a byproduct of prostate. He can’t get treated for the lung cancer because it is “new”, he is old, and there is no capacity to treat new things, and he’s old. He will die. I feel horrible for people who have died, and who will die, no matter what the cause. I don’t think you’re intolerant. I totally understand your point of view…i wear my mask and gloves when I go out. But if these are my last days on earth, I will not go out ratting out my neighbor for eating a cheeseburger in the park. Right now, there is no end in sight for this, especially a happy one. Mental health, addiction issues, depression….the toll of these things are going to be far worse. There is nothing good about this right now. And again, I totally think you have a valid opinion on this, and I completely understand your point of view

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    2. I’m sorry for your loss. We all tend to believe it’s far removed from us, until it isn’t.
      Every state is handling this crisis differently, some with stronger measures for safety than others. I am all about choice and freedom, but you hit on a very important aspect with the word responsibility and responsible actions.

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  8. I though Gov. Cuomo had it right when he said a mask needs to be worn when you are within feet of another human. If you are out on the street and you come to an intersection then you will be within that feet so you need to use a mask. When I am walking I avoid people but if I look like I am going to come into contact with someone I will change direction or stop and turn away. Doctors tell you not to wear a mask when running, jogging or the like but you still should be aware of those around you.

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    1. The actual rule is wishy washy. Then, if you keep putting a mask on and off you’re touching unwashed hands to your face. What’s worse? The cashiers at my market weren’t wearing face masks on their face last week, they were around their necks.

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  9. living with autoimmune disorder I am wearing a mask and have been wearing one for weeks………it is so weird to go into some places and everyone is wearing one including the employees and then go into another and no one is……….the whole thing is surreal.

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    1. There’s no pandemic handbook….I’m protecting myself, but we just don’t know anything about this. No one is right, nor is anyone wrong. It’s uncharted territory

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  10. So many questions still, and no answers forthcoming any time soon. I dislike the idea of ratting out your neighbors. Shaming to control others is still controlling. It’s a bit of a dilemma because I also believe we need to protect ourselves AND one another and we do that by social distancing, wearing masks etc. But some do not see it that way. What to do? I have no idea. Like you, I do what I can to protect myself and my family and pray for all the rest.

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  11. Working inside the parameters of an unprecedented situation doesn’t mean we can lose sight of context and perspective. By understanding the context of social distancing and that it’s application didn’t come about in a vacuum. There was good reason for it. As for perspective, let’s remember social distance is not a law and should not be considered as such.

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    1. That’s exactly it. I said to someone that the rule, and yes, it’s a rule, it very ambiguous. I agree that people should use common sense. I wear a mask and gloves, wash my hands, wipe down everything. But, how much can I push someone else? Do I shame someone? I’m very Leary of enforced bullying. Sort of like taunting Jews in Germany because the rule was Jews were dirty. I understand if people don’t like my new revised POV. I understand that everyone has their own code. But to think there will be a happy ending, that dr. Strange us going to come in and save the say is short sighted. There is no happy ending, people will die. But we are all going to be statistics in one way or another. Do I think people should wear masks? Yes. Will I shame them for not? No.

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  13. And the side effects of people being unemployed, children at home in not good situations, businesses failing are also things to consider. Today I read a horrendous story of a home invasion overseas and the stabbing death of three of relatives. There have also been many stories of child abuse in the media since safe places are not open.

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      1. Yes, I have read many crime reports in our area and other places. Very sad to hear of some home situations and children running away. It is indeed a challenging time so many want to return as soon as possible to jobs and libraries opening. If you are not in this situation, we are the lucky ones. But for many: money, food, safety is putting them between a rock and a hard place.

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      3. I feel very grateful. Our area of Florida on the West Coast does look out for children,unemployment, etc. The police force, medical care is very good. I don’t know about social services. There are still many unprepared.

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  14. Sorry to hear about your dad. I don’t wear a mask when walking the dog around our neighborhood but I do have a scarf around my neck that I can pull up if need be. Generally, I cross the street or move into a driveway to let the other person pass if there happens to be anyone. We can’t go into a store without a mask on now. There are people at the door making sure of that. Dog parks, city parks and the beach are all closed. My son is resisting everything. It’s so frustrating.

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    1. Thanks. People aren’t thinking that you can get biopsies now, because they’re non essential. Routine health checkups that can catch a disease are not being done. There are so many facets that people don’t think about. There is no happy ending to this. We have to have some sort of common sense, and act rationally. Of course, why we should start now is another question…

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  15. I want less restrictions and getting back to some sort of living but desire EDUCATION on how to do this. You will always have some who will not follow the rules. Many people (most?) are relatively level-headed and will do what is best for them, their families and their communities in terms of understanding and acting accordingly. But like you say, the weather improving will only bring more people out. Keeping us indoors is not practical.

    I want people to keep educating us. At the gov’t levels, and from anyone else who has that capacity. That’s the only way we can get back to some sort of adjusted way of life, toward the new normal. If this means wearing masks correctly in the places where it makes most sense, then let’s do that.

    In Canada, in my area (Toronto), not all store staff are wearing masks. All the cashiers though are behind plexiglass. I think the gloves are more important than the masks, personally, unless in an environment where we are close to each other. So public transit, stores that are above normal busy, around covidiots, that sort of thing. Have one handy, wear it correctly, but more importantly, UNDERSTAND why it’s important.

    One thing we noticed: many people getting stopped by police or reported admit openly to not watching the news or informing themselves. I think we can all agree that we need to limit the exposure to the endless onslaught of info, but to be completely clueless is not acceptable to me. You’re not that special, you belong to a community. Get with the program.

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    1. I haven’t heard of the police harassing anyone for not wearing a mask. Technically these are rules not law, and the rule itself is ambiguous. Our rule is that you need to wear a mask if you can not socially distance. What does that mean? Some stores are requiring masks to be worn, and people are complying, but soon people won’t care. People want a happy ending. That’s just not going to happen

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  16. I enjoyed the photos, that’s Central Park right? Life will change post pandemic but we’re all apprehensive of when and how, one day the horror will end, restrictions will remain and yes I’m feeling positive and hopeful, hopeful that a changed life of social distancing might just be enough to get us leading normal lives again.

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  18. Here’s what haunts me: what if when the restrictions are finally lifted, whether tomorrow or next year or anytime in between (and Lord knows you can find people who support both those times), the virus is still very much with us and all the number spike again? How do we know the lock-downs are doing anything but prolonging the inevitable? Do people really think we can stay in lock down for the rest of our lives, if this virus hangs around forever, constantly mutating, like the flu? I would love to think that the virus will be on it’s way out when the restrictions are lifted so that this response worked. But we have no way of knowing that in advance. But it seems that we’re not even allowed to ask that question without being accused of not caring if people die. Meanwhile, those who are suffering from other things than the Covid-19 virus are struggling to get treatment.

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    1. That’s exactly it, like my father. He can’t get treatment because first he needs a biopsy which is considered elective at this point. And me and all my friends..our routine health checkups have been postponed indefinitely. How many things will not be caught till it’s too late? Plus, by these restrictions were further lowering our immune systems, so we’re going to be more likely to get sick when we do go out. Keeping healthy people under quarantine is the fastest way to disable an entire population. People aren’t exercising, eating healthy, getting sunlight or interacting with others. I was reading my daughters final paper for her theology class, and she states something about the mind of a man who sits in his house all day, watches tv and doesn’t interact with others. That’s a sign of a mental health issue…yet…here we are….

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      1. I know! Covid -19 is horrible, and I’m more than happy to do what I can to avoid getting it or spreading it. But why did we all agree to make it the ONLY thing that we’re worried about these days? I’m so sorry your father can’t get the treatment he needs, and I’ve heard of so many others in the same boat. And depressed people suffering greatly. And people who were just hanging in there financially now being pushed into poverty. At what point is the “cure” worse than the “disease” if you know what I mean. We need a balance. But sadly, it’s being presented as an “either/or” scenario, and most people are buying into that and picking sides. It’s not about sides. It’s about humanity as a whole.

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      2. I know! Why are we taking sides! Isn’t the objective to have as many people prosper as possible. And by prosper I don’t mean financial, I mean well being in general. Why are people making this either/or? We are multi faceted…if we can multi task, we can have more than one thought, feeling or emotion. I don’t want anyone to die, but right now, we’re all slowly dying, in one way or another.

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  19. Our new neighbors have took no notice of the lock down at all, they have had visitors all the way through it. They even have two children to think about

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  20. I’m so sorry to hear about your father LA, that must be very difficult for you all.

    A friend has asked me to provide support to someone she knows who’s been diagnosed with breast cancer but has had her treatment plan radically altered due to the virus – an all too common occurrence right now. She’s asking me as I’ve both had breast cancer & work with grief. But none of us, no matter the training, has any experience of this type of situation. I’ll be providing the best support I can, but it’ll be a new & difficult experience for us both.

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    1. That’s just it…this is unprecedented. But right now, we’re spending all of our resources on helping corona, which I understand, yet, it’s sort of like having two children, and one has an issue, and you spend all your energy on the child with issues and you forget that your healthy child needs nurturing too

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