What's your comfort level? (COVID)

[Ryan]

Just out of curiosity, here's what I'm doing.  Curious to see if this is the norm or not.

-Ordering online when possible, otherwise trips to the store with a mask (mandated)
-WFH, have option of going into the office but not doing it.
-Allowing my kid's friends to come over, they just need to play outside.  
-Only really allowing going into my in-laws/parents house since I know that they are taking precautions as well.
-Avoiding being indoors with people.  Not crazy avoidance like if they need to use our bathroom, but trying to steer clear (like if they invite us over for dinner)

How bout you?

[busymom]

Basically, our social life is going to be nonexistent for quite awhile.  We're skipping all of the family reunion-type gatherings this year.  We're not attending any open houses, either.  It's pretty easy to skip church, since it's not happening (online services only), although I do miss my church friends.  I'm going to bail on a gathering of old school friends this Summer, too.  (The person hosting, well, no one at their house wears a mask.)

We avoid enclosed shopping malls, and always wear masks when doing any shopping.  (The good part is, we're spending less money.)  


DH doesn't have the option of staying home for his job.  (Doggone essential employees!)  But at least he can wear a mask.  In fact, right now his company is requiring masks on all employees.  DD has to go to work too, but no longer takes public transportation.  It means she spends money to park her car, but it is what it is.  


Can't remember the last time DH had his hair trimmed.  Barbers & beauty salons opened up a few weeks ago, but a lot of folks, like us, aren't in any rush to go there.  

[crazycat]

-ordering online , even groceries , Instacart is my BFF these days 
- haven’t gone back to work , I work retail and I’m not sacrificing my health for minimum wage 
- have had 1 friend stop by and we stood at least 6 feet apart and wore masks 
- went to MILs on Mothers Day but just dropped off dinner for her , didn’t go in 
- not going anywhere or having anyone over either 
-we have had quite a few friends and family either test positive or come into contact with someone who has , so we are being extremely careful 
- my DH won’t even go get his haircut , which for him is very telling , considering he always went every 6 weeks like clockwork 

[Tiny]

I've had more limited exposure to people since I've had out of town (from all the hot spot states) relatives in town this week - so I was planning to "self quarantine" of sorts (as in I'm NOT going to stop in at a friend (and her elderly mom's) house to socialize)  nor will I be spending time with another single friend (who has a very limited amount of outside contacts) for atleast 14 days.   And I won't be doing any sort of "shopping" other than online for delivery.

That said,  I limit my "shopping" to walking around the grocery store (every 7 or 10 days) and then using curb side pick up for other stuff (pet supplies, home depot stuff, office depot stuff, etc...)   I always wear a mask when required to. 

Prior to the out of state relatives arriving - I was spending time "outside" with local family (they all have limited circles of contacts beyond their household).   We'd sit out on the driveway  or patio or outside at a local brewery.   I will do this again in 14 days... 

The deciding factor for me - with people who's circle of contacts I don't know - is to NOT spend time indoors with them. 

(FWIW:  I just sold a couch (right before out of state rellies arrived) - and the buyer came to my house and we carried it out of the house to their vehicle.  I wasn't to sceeved out by having a stranger in my basement for 10 minutes or less.    ) 

I'm taking the view that I'm not gonna get the Covid19 virus from the shopping cart at the grocery OR from my mail or from the box of cereal I just bought or from the can of paint I had put into the trunk of my car.   I'm NOT gonna get Covid19 from the check out lady at the grocery or from the nice guy who loaded my home improvement stuff into my car.    I'm not gonna get it from sitting outside with a limited number of LOCAL relatives or friends and with some distance.   

I am concerned about having to breathe lots of other people's air for long periods of time (say more than 30 minutes in a confined space).   The grocery has people coming and going and I'm there for 30  to 40 minutes (if it's a big box store) I try to shop off hours (and get in/get out ASAP).    I don't want to eat in a restuarant or sit in a waiting room or get in a car with another person.      I'm guessing that if I do get covid19 - it will be from having spent a bit of time breathing in the air exhaled by someone with the virus.    So, I'm doing my best to avoid prolonged close/confined contact with people  with a lot of contacts/people who go out and about in their lives.    

[TheOtherMe]

I am trying to be extremely cautious.  If I catch it, I could tell a contact tracer exactly where I have been outside of the home because I have mostly stayed home since March.

I wear a mask when I have to be in contact with other people.

I have only ordered groceries online.  I have to do drive thru pick up because of where I live but there is no contact with the person who puts groceries in my car.

My biggest exposure was my colonoscopy.  I was concerned about going for the pre-op check up but it felt pretty safe.  Not nearly the number of people there as usual.  Same for the clinic where the procedure.  I ended up getting exposed by my driver.  The driver was my sister.  She had no symptoms yet and we were both wearing masks in the car.

I have tested negative.

I went to see my new great nephew yesterday.  That small family has not left the house since March and they knew about my negative test.  So I did get to hold the baby.

I then stayed at a hotel.  I hope that was not my downfall.  The employees were wearing masks.  Keyless entry with my phone so no checking in at the desk.  The room was sealed.  I happened to see the cleaning cart on the way to my room.  It had lots of lysol on it.  When I got in the room, I wiped everything down with lysol and then washed my hands.

When I got there, I was the only car in the parking lot.  I heard no one.  I was alone on the elevator.  Any time I left the room, I had a wipe with me to press the elevator button, etc.  When I was leaving this morning, most of the rooms on my floor still had the seal on the door.  They told me nobody had stayed in my room the night before.  

I don't foresee me taking any huge risks for a long time.

[stillmovingforward]

I don't go out much and never without a mask. Grocery shopping every 2 - 3 weeks, other stores as needed during the same run. Then I come home and wash. I only see the people I live with. DH, DD1, DSIL1, DS2 are essential workers so they have to go out. DD1 and DSIL1 work in medical fields so they are extra careful to shower either before leaving work or as soon as they get home (depending on what they treated that day). I can work from home so no issues there (right now, working from my rv due to DD1's job location).
Really, really boring people we are. No real family to deal with. And due to my health issues and the medical people in the house, we're extremely careful. The medical kids see a lot of crap they shouldn't have to (thanks careless people!).

[chiver78]

Jul 14, 2020 12:10:47 GMT -5 Ryan said:

Just out of curiosity, here's what I'm doing.  Curious to see if this is the norm or not.

-Ordering online when possible, otherwise trips to the store with a mask (mandated)
-WFH, have option of going into the office but not doing it.
-Allowing my kid's friends to come over, they just need to play outside.  
-Only really allowing going into my in-laws/parents house since I know that they are taking precautions as well.
-Avoiding being indoors with people.  Not crazy avoidance like if they need to use our bathroom, but trying to steer clear (like if they invite us over for dinner)

How bout you?

pretty much this, with these exceptions: 
-I don't have kids, but my dogs have playdates where the humans are socially distanced and outside. 
-I've only been indoors at my parents' house and my friend M when I head back to the Cape, since we were already in each other's "quarantine pod" when she helped me pack up my house. neither of us is working in the office or going much anywhere except grocery stores, masked. 

I will need to move again by the end of the summer, and I'll be house hunting on Thursday with a realtor. that will be masked/gloved/distanced 100% of the time inside listings. moving my stuff will be the same contactless delivery of the POD we packed back in April, and will be unpacked by the same people that packed it. I can organize and move shit around at my leisure later. 

I have yet to sit down and have a meal anywhere, inside or out, since March. I have gotten ice cream with my dogs, once - at a window, and we ate at a picnic table in a very spaced out patio area. takeout has happened 4 or 5 times since March, but that's it. my employer threw us out March 6th and keeps punting the decision on when to even start bringing people back. I'm totally okay with this. 

[Happy prose]

I walk in the park in the morning, where there is massive space between me and anyone else. Mid day I walk the neighborhood, and really see no one. No one has come over, but we did drive down to our daughter's house for a backyard visit. I used her bathroom twice. My husband has been doing our grocery shopping. Once I ran in the produce store with him, threw some fruit and vegetables in the cart, and back out the door, while he waited on line to pay. He just really sucks at picking produce! I would totally bore a contact tracer. 

[thyme4change]

Depends on the day. Depends on my mood. Depends on what my husband is feeling at that moment. But, we really haven't gone many places, except the grocery store, and to get take out food.

[teen persuasion]

We've been really isolated, staying home seeing no one, until beginning of July. Since then,

July 4th, mom and dad had us, my sister and her 2 boys, and my brother with his wife and 3 kids over. Picnic outside, mostly spread out.

Same weekend, DS2 called with a great temp job for the weekend ($50/hr). So DS4 stayed with DS2 and his roommates 3 days, plus worked with who knows how many people (his company wanted 80 temp workers, plus regular staff). Came home Monday.

Monday was my turn to work a week alone. UPS person didn't wear a mask (2 days), 3 guys installing carpet w/o masks. System delivery guy, wore a mask.

DH began summer school Monday. Teaching online, but from his agency (internet speed) twice per week. Learned an unnamed staffer tested positive.

Sunday DS2 dropped in unexpectedly, stayed most of the day. Didn't even think to distance as we caught up, hugged him goodbye, etc.

Monday, took DS5 with me to the library to help move stuff after carpet guys finished. We wore masks, no one else was. When the 2 of us were working alone, far from the others, we took off our masks (because we live together). Eventually we forgot to put them back on, when the others joined in to help move big full shelves. So a half dozen of us are crowded around a shelf pushing it into place.

It's so easy to fall back into old routines and forget the masks, because 99% of the time (at home) I don't need it.

[resolution]

-Ordering online when possible. If not possible, trying to find smaller, less crowded local stores to go to with a mask.
-I work from home, husband goes to work in person.
-Socializing outdoors without masks, occasionally indoors with masks.
-Outdoor walks without masks.
-Attend religious services over Facebook Live.
-No restaurants or travel beyond day trips to visit family.

We are skipping a family gathering this weekend because of family members that are practicing zero precautions and think that getting COVID will make them stronger.

[Artemis Windsong]

Low.

We shop at off times for the groceries every few weeks. This morning H. was unmasked in Walmart until he started seeing more people. I was masked/glasses the whole time. We use hand sanitizer on our hands and face masks. A lot of hand washing.

I play golf and both of us play tennis. We are a bit lax with these groups. I'm avoiding a tennis tournament July 25th. It's not worth the risk. The organizer's D. has it. We are in a low covid state BUT the positives keep ticking up. A lot of covid/mask deniers here.

We have socialized with family. A Memorial Day/Father's Day then 4th of July gathering that did have 20 somethings there. Outside mostly. They did distance from us.

The weekend before Memorial Day, my DS helped put in a fence for my DD with other family members. 2 work in a nursing home where there were 20 positives. 2 GrDs had to take 2 weeks sick leave. DS tested immediately negative and the rest of the family were tested the first weekend in June. That included the nursing home. There was only 1 positive. The 20 positives were false. Over and over, I declare Covid 19 to be a terror virus.

All but 2 family members are continuing to WFH or on the job. The 2 - 1 is retraining, the other is just looking. My H and I are thankfully retired.

I am no longer fearful of the mail or grocery items. The gym is on/off on being concerned.

I tried to get Real ID DL. They rejected a couple of my verification documents. A passport, dl, ss. was not enough. Ins. policy had to have declarations and where I paid for it. The financial statement had to be printed that day and have both pages so they can capture private information. I have no utilities in my name. We stopped the land line that had my name on it. I renewed w/o Real ID.

I do worship on FB vid.

AZ is our winter home. 1 in 5 have it. My GF is a denier and will travel to AZ this fall for the winter. She went shopping every other day March through mid-April. No mask. Telling everyone it's a hoax and continues that talk.

I took some additional home defense training. We had 4 burglaries in 30 years at our rural property that has been sold. We had two (2012 and 2017) known unauthorized entries that are very frightening. I seldom feel safe when I'm out even with H. Not covid related but the perps are still out there.

[Artemis Windsong]

I got my hair cut. It looks choppy and I hope it starts looking better. I had to trim some when I got home. She usually did a great job. I will need to change people.

I got gas. The pay at the pump was not easy. I thought, drive up, stick in my card, press the pump and finish filling. Nope. I had to press buttons on the screen. I goofed up and pressed debit card instead of credit card. So start over. My gloved hand and ungloved hand were contaminated. I got it done and spray everything with alcohol.

No dental check up.

[irishpad]

Been trying to be as cautious as possible, but with my profession, there is still a lot of interaction with people.  For that reason I have only visited my mother (83) once and kept good distance, mostly outside.   

Have had about 10 funerals and 4 weddings the last month.    Some groups have been great about being careful, others have been awful..... i stay as far away as I can.    What are they thinking!    Hoping for a mandated mask wearing for the state.  

[Deleted]

Jul 14, 2020 12:10:47 GMT -5 Ryan said:

Just out of curiosity, here's what I'm doing.  Curious to see if this is the norm or not.

-Ordering online when possible, otherwise trips to the store with a mask (mandated)
-WFH, have option of going into the office but not doing it.
-Allowing my kid's friends to come over, they just need to play outside.  
-Only really allowing going into my in-laws/parents house since I know that they are taking precautions as well.
-Avoiding being indoors with people.  Not crazy avoidance like if they need to use our bathroom, but trying to steer clear (like if they invite us over for dinner)

How bout you?

I order groceries and household necessities online for pickup. But around here, some items like toilet tissue and paper towels can’t be bought that way, so I have to go inside the store for those.

Neither DBF or I can WFH. I consider going in to work more than enough risk for me, so I’m not interested in going anywhere else that’s not necessary.

This was DBF’s oldest daughter’s last year of high school, so we did have a “celebration” for her. I insisted that it be outside on our deck, and the only people invited to come over were DBF’s parents, sibling, and his daughters’ Mom. The deck is big enough that we were all able to stay at least 6’ from each other.

When I was on 2 weeks vacation in May, I also gave in and let my grandkids come spend a few days with me. They’ve lived with me off and on their entire lives, and I was missing them something terrible. The same weekend they were here, DBF’s oldest daughter wanted to have a water fight. The only guests were DBF’s parents and we sat on the deck eating and watching the kids play in the yard.

Like I said before, I feel like the fact that I’m an essential employee that has to report to work is more than enough risk for me. And the fact that I’m still going to work makes me feel like I’m kind of a threat to other people. That’s why I didn’t go to the memorial services last week for my best friend’s mother. It’s a crappy way to live, and I’m not even the most sociable of people.

I have a new grandbaby that I’ve yet to touch. I’ve held her for a few minutes, but with a blanket between us, and without me actually touching her skin to mine. It sucks, because I want to give her smooches, but I’m afraid. 

I’m only a touchy feely person with my family, as in I don’t like for most people to even get in my personal space, let alone touch me. I’ll really be glad when I can get back to hugging and loving on my loved ones.

[ners]

I have been going into office. I found I am good at work from home. Hoping I do not have to go back to work from home due to increased cases.

I have been attending church since May 31. I wear a mask as do most other people. We sit socially distance.

I attended a graduation party in mid June. Stayed outside and only for an hour. Felt uncomfortable.

This pasted Friday was a celebration of life for an old friend, He died March 31 from cancer not covid. I did not attend. It was going to be inside and I was afraid that many of the attendees would not wear masks.
I try to limit my grocery trips.  When I shop at Aldi's I pack my groceries at the car to limit time in the store.

I have not seen my siblings or father in person since this started.

[haapai]

I work in a grocery store in an area that has not been hit hard yet.  I wear a mask to work and try to avoid standing around talking with coworkers.  Then I go home and cannot get myself to leave home until it is time to go to work again.  I feel like a threat to others and cannot get myself to go to a barber, optometrist or dentist.  Logically, I know that this is the least risky time to knock out those personal services but I just can't get myself to get them taken care of. 

On a more hopeful note, on Monday my state made it mandatory to wear masks in all enclosed public spaces.  My employer started enforcing mask wearing on Saturday and there have been minimal ugliness and pushback.  Previously, 15% of customers did not wear masks.  Additionally, employees were recently warned to wear their masks over their noses and compliance has been pretty good so far. 

I have no idea how effective cloth masks are in slowing down transmission, but masks and avoiding everyone that I care about are the only tools that I can wield. 

ETA:  I wrote this post before hearing that someone refused service in an establishment about 10 miles from here, stabbed a 77-year old man and was later shot dead by the police. 

[dannylion]

Most everything ordered for delivery, groceries, household supplies, craft and hobby supplies, everything.  

When my neighbor orders groceries for pickup, she lets me know when she's placing her order so I can add whatever I need and she picks it up and brings it to me (remaining at a safe social distance).  

I've been out only 6 times since the pandemic began, once when I was hospitalized for 3 days with kidney stones in late February, a week after that for my last trip to the grocery store, and the other 4 times for doctor's appointments.  I take my car for a little drive every couple of weeks so it doesn't atrophy, but I don't get out of the car, just take it out on the highway and come home.  

I communicate with friends and family electronically.  I talk to my neighbors at safe distances outdoors.  I pet their dogs.  

I'm an old person with comorbidities that put me at high risk for a bad outcome if I contract the virus.  I am determined to remain alive until at least November so I can vote for whoever is running against the current dumpster fire.    

[countrygirl2]

I'm trying to be careful. but as hubs said we are drifting and going out and about to much.  We wear masks but not enough. We are going to avoid people more again.

We had 4 new cases in our low population county in one day. The 4th of July groups are hitting now I think.  So 54 in our county now.

[haapai]

Jul 14, 2020 23:44:17 GMT -5 countrygirl2 said:

I'm trying to be careful. but as hubs said we are drifting and going out and about to much.  We wear masks but not enough. We are going to avoid people more again.

We had 4 new cases in our low population county in one day. The 4th of July groups are hitting now I think.  So 54 in our county now.

CG, I like your husband.  I've never heard from him directly, but he resembles my own parents.  If he's saying that a bit more distancing is prudent, I'd listen to him.  Let me make this clear,;  I would listen to him, very carefully, even if I did not live with him and he had nothing to say with my purse. 

I don't think that your husband is overly-cautious as a result of being an oil man in hot zones for most of his working life. life.  I think that your husband has learned something by being an oil man in hot zones most of his working life. 

When I was growing up, I mocked US citizens that started evacuating when things got remotely interesting and long before the embassy re-located non-essentials, but I've changed my thinking since then.  There's something to be said for understanding the order in which folks will be evacuated and how out on a branch you are.  I do not think that your husband is a fool, or a scarddy-cat I think that he might have learned a thing or two in the last twenty or thirty years that might be worth paying attention to. 

[plugginaway22]

I am torn about attending a funeral later this week...inside visitation, inside services.  If it was my loved one we would not have planned anything right now.

[countrygirl2]

I had to convince my husband at first, but after his mom got covid, he took it way more seriously.
We both have been out a bit more, always masked, but both of us are going to pull back more. 

After his eyes are healed it will be past the end of July, have to see how things go.

He and I agree if things aren't clamped down like other countries did or NY, we will be dealing with this stuff for years. What a mess.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Jul 14, 2020 14:56:26 GMT -5 resolution said:

-Ordering online when possible. If not possible, trying to find smaller, less crowded local stores to go to with a mask.
-I work from home, husband goes to work in person.
-Socializing outdoors without masks, occasionally indoors with masks.
-Outdoor walks without masks.
-Attend religious services over Facebook Live.
-No restaurants or travel beyond day trips to visit family.

We are skipping a family gathering this weekend because of family members that are practicing zero precautions and think that getting COVID will make them stronger.

Like turn them into X-men or something?  Never understood this logic and would love more details in this mindset.

[resolution]

Jul 15, 2020 7:28:22 GMT -5 NomoreDramaQ1015 said:

Jul 14, 2020 14:56:26 GMT -5 resolution said:

-Ordering online when possible. If not possible, trying to find smaller, less crowded local stores to go to with a mask.
-I work from home, husband goes to work in person.
-Socializing outdoors without masks, occasionally indoors with masks.
-Outdoor walks without masks.
-Attend religious services over Facebook Live.
-No restaurants or travel beyond day trips to visit family.

We are skipping a family gathering this weekend because of family members that are practicing zero precautions and think that getting COVID will make them stronger.

Like turn them into X-men or something?  Never understood this logic and would love more details in this mindset.

They believe that not needing a doctor a sign of their faith, along with the quoting of lots of unrelated bible versus from the old testament. They believe that being ill is the bodies way of building immunity, and that the bible says the Lord's blood is stronger than any illness. They also use a lot of essential oils, which for some reason is acceptable and trustworthy even though doctors aren't.

They also believe that COVID is fake news from the deep state and that it is taking so long to end because Trump is busy fighting the deep state. 

[swamp]

Jul 15, 2020 7:28:22 GMT -5 NomoreDramaQ1015 said:

Jul 14, 2020 14:56:26 GMT -5 resolution said:

-Ordering online when possible. If not possible, trying to find smaller, less crowded local stores to go to with a mask.
-I work from home, husband goes to work in person.
-Socializing outdoors without masks, occasionally indoors with masks.
-Outdoor walks without masks.
-Attend religious services over Facebook Live.
-No restaurants or travel beyond day trips to visit family.

We are skipping a family gathering this weekend because of family members that are practicing zero precautions and think that getting COVID will make them stronger.

Like turn them into X-men or something?  Never understood this logic and would love more details in this mindset.

I'd totally get COVID if it turned me into an X man.  

[sesfw]

Both of us wear masks in public and I wear one at work except when I'm working alone.

Haven't seen family since our Christmas celebration, except for brother coming to town over Easter.  Our church is over utube and we greet our neighbors a driveway distance away.  Groceries is our only outing and that is in masks and gloves.

Have done some take-out from restaurants, and drive-thru hamburgers when I'm tired of cooking

Otherwise we stay home.

[plugginaway22]

Because DH and I have been working outside the home since this all began, we are hunkered down whenever not working.  Our home is my safe refuge and we do not mind being here. After living here 25 years, we have made it very nice. I guess that is why I do not understand people so excited to get out to restaurants or wherever.  My whole mantra is to minimize exposures. We wear masks anywhere we go (which is basically only grocery shopping or picking up an occasional take-out order).

We have had several family gatherings (less than 10 people) in outside parks, or at a lake.  We met my nephew's new baby on July 5th.  They live 30 minutes away and the baby was born February 25th. We have grand-baby #3 due in December, so I have concerns about that and quarantining so that I might help DD.

The inability to travel has me a bit upset, since we had plans for a big trip this year. Overall I am thankful for the position that we are in when so many are struggling.