Starting this as thread to discuss life hopefully returning to "normal" as we come out of the pandemic.
Per Dan's wishes and direction, posts on this site should be NON-POLITICAL in nature.
I'm seeing more and more changes from the way things were in full 2020 lockdown - things changing and feeling a little more familiar. For example, I visited the local Home Depot today and the wear-a-mask sign at the front door was gone, and the HD employees were all mask-less. About half the customers in the store still wore masks. Out of habit maybe? I think some people will continue to do that for various reasons for a while yet. Who knows how long that will last? Seems you can really buy masks at massive discounts now - seen some at 90% off previous prices.
Just reflecting, it's really nice to be able to see people's faces again.
It seems to be loosening up around here too, we still wear a mask when we go into a business, but if no one else is wearing theirs we might take ours off too....most of the time we don't.
We've both had our cootie shots so we're feeling more comfortable without masks. Doctors offices and the like still require them, but the last time I went to my heart doc (a few days ago) the lady at the desk that used to check your temperature was gone, as were the machines but they still required a mask. At my knee Doc's they were both still in use and at PT they're still checking temps, requiring a mask and sanitizing every machine and table the instant someone vacates it.
I'm looking forward to see if they will open the swimming pools this year, both the kids outdoor pools and the senior center's indoor pool. I always thought being in a giant pool of chlorinated water would be a safe place in a viral pandemic.
I need to pick up some gloves, hope those are 90% off too!
Pool at our condo opens this week. Local businesses haven't been enforcing mask even if they still have the signs up. They lifted the mandate last month. Of course outside the city no one was enforcing it to begin with. I'm headed to South America later today and had to get my brains poked through my nose to prove I'm covid free and apparently can't leave the hotel room once checked in. Luckily I'm only there 14 hours.
In San Antonio proper, things are loosening up as well. Not quite as much as Bruce's area north of town. Most restaurant staff are still wearing masks and patrons wearing theirs to enter until at their tables even when the restaurant has signs indicating masks are optional. Lowes near me has taken down their signs and customers/staff seem to be mixed about masks or no masks. Grocery stores are still requesting customers wear masks, but are not enforcing any requirement.
Most people seem to still be politely distancing whether wearing masks or not.
Still pretty masked up here in N Dallas suburbs. All employees still wearing and probably 90% customers. Numbers have come down on the new infection rate that work is planning to drop our shit level by 1. Has to go down another level after that before I'll be required to go back. Unfortunately even then we will have to wear masks in the office. Sounds stupid if at that point the rest of the world is mask free. The neighborhoods around here with pools are open.
We're still requiring masks in our shop. I like the fact that I can't smell someones booze breath, coffee breath, garlic,breath, or onion breath while talking to them. I also like that I didn't get sick at all in the last year, no colds, no flu, nothing. We plan to relax mask wearing once the weather turns really nice, we have the doors open, and more people get vaccinated. I think once the weather turns colder in the fall I may go back to wearing a mask, the no colds or flu has been about the only plus from this last year....
We went to our favorite pizza joint last night, the place was absolutely full!
Our favorite BBQ restaurant is so busy now they only seat by reservations....
We have decided to continue to wear masks too, we're used to it and it's just not really a bother. I agree about both the stinky breath and no colds. Works for me!
Quote from: gr8kornholio on May 28, 2021, 08:13:30 PM
Still pretty masked up here in N Dallas suburbs. All employees still wearing and probably 90% customers. Numbers have come down on the new infection rate that work is planning to drop our shit level by 1. Has to go down another level after that before I'll be required to go back. Unfortunately even then we will have to wear masks in the office. Sounds stupid if at that point the rest of the world is mask free. The neighborhoods around here with pools are open.
About 5 years ago at my old job my workteam had to (got to!) work from home for almost a year while our floor in a high rise building was totally renovated. Everyone pretty quickly figured out how to adapt to working from home fulltime and having online zoom-type meetings and we all got really used to that environment. You know, waking up 10 minutes before work and climbing behind the computer still in pajamas. This went on for 11 months until finally the floor renovations were finished and we had to return to showing up at the office. While it was great to see all my coworkers and friends again on the office, the honeymoon was soon over. Just about everyone begin to question why we needed to show up in the office when it was proven for one year that we could be trusted to work from home and still get our jobs done. People begin to openly question the rationale for working in the office - as well as incurring the "extra expenses" of commuting, paying for work attire, etc. Not to mention the time and expenses wasted commuting to and from the office. Eventually we all just put up with going back to work in the office.
But I wonder if the pandemic will have a similar but longer-lasting effect with millions of people working at home? Will some jobs become permanently remote and never return to an office environment? Will that be a valuable tool to attract and retain employees? Well we see a permanent change in the "office job"?
Not only that, but do you need to own and maintain those giant office buildings when 80% of your employees are no longer in the building?
Around here, it seems like every business, large and small and ALL the restaurants have help wanted signs, offering sign up bonuses, now hiring etc signs .
Don and I went to breakfast at Big Biscuit this morning, all the employees were masked, none of the customers were and the place was packed. I think it's going to be that way for a while till the novelty wears off again.
Quote from: BruceK on May 29, 2021, 10:31:43 AM
But I wonder if the pandemic will have a similar but longer-lasting effect with millions of people working at home? Will some jobs become permanently remote and never return to an office environment? Will that be a valuable tool to attract and retain employees? Well we see a permanent change in the "office job"?
I work for a global IT Consultancy, and we have always had a flexible work from where you want to policy. I would go to the office if I had a reason to go to the office.
My current client is a large State Government department and they have announced they do not see the need for people to return to the office in the same way as pre-pandemic, which for an organization that did not give everyone laptops before the pandemic is a huge change. The Program I work on is did occupy 7 floors across 2 buildings, currently they only plan to open one building with the hope (and it is a big hope) that they can sub-let that other building.
My wife started a new job in August last year, and she was their first "official" work from home employee. She works for an organization that is based in Kansas City, previously they only recruited people who could commute to the office. However, the pandemic and the home working made them try recruiting people across the US rather than focusing on the people available locally, and they are finding that they are able to get better people by doing this.
I see that airlines are now booking flights to full capacity again - they were leaving the middle seats open.
Quote from: MiniDave on June 01, 2021, 09:48:40 AM
I see that airlines are now booking flights to full capacity again - they were leaving the middle seats open.
Flights have been pretty full too.
Cruises are restarting as well.
WOW. See the article below. Yeah, I guess it's a new expectation - at least for many. A sea change in white-collar jobs?
"Nearly 40% of workers would consider quitting if their bosses made them return to the office full time, a new survey shows"
https://www.businessinsider.com/quit-job-flexible-remote-working-from-home-return-to-office-2021-6?amp
Our swimming pools are open.....that's significant to me as a "getting back to normal"
I'm going to see if the senior center's pool is open too - it may sound funny to some of you that I would want to go to a senior center but we have a really nice one, with huge indoor pools, a 1/4 mile track running around the entire interior and all the work out equipment you can imagine, plus all sorts of exercise groups you can join, and it's fairly cheap to go there.
Those 40% - I wonder what they think they're going to do to make the money they are now if not with their current company?
Talking to my neighbor - she's young, educated (engineer) and very smart - she's able to work from home about 60% of her scheduled hours but her hubby is pressing her to have kid #3 - their first two are now 3 and 1. she says she hates to quit her current job because she makes good money (hubby is an engineer too, but with a different company) but she can't see working and giving up 3/4 of her income to pay child care - not to mention the benefits of raising her own kids rather than letting someone else do it. She has 10 weeks of maternity leave - fully paid - and if she needs to take leave because of a sick child she can take as much as she needs, again fully paid - so she also hates to lose her benefits.
I wonder if those working from home still have all their benefits as before?
Charlotte is nearly all back to normal at this point, and i would say that most of the Southeast is or already has been.,
Charlotte Motor speedway sold 50K tickets to the memorial day race, NCAA Baseball had huge event weekend. NHRA had its 4 wide drags. J&J vaccines were offered on site to those that wanted! One stop shop!
Locally i see its hit and miss on wearing masks anymore, sort of Do what you want type arrangements. Stores vary by their chosen masks requirments... every place is different, I still carry one if employees are still covering, ill join the same. Funny a bike shop of mine... No masks worn inside but they are keeping the front door locked so customers cant all come in willy nilly... like a bike sales + repair shop is really going to be over run to capacity, but hey play it safe.
Work wise = I'm an 'office' worker... and the thought of returning to office full time 100% is depressing.
I would Really r- think my employment choices (I do not love my job) it pays the bills, so I put up with it. Everyone says do what you love, back in office 100% would be the reason to CHANGE.
But fortunately for me , they have not notified a come back date.. and they are actually planning a whole office renovation (7M$$ spend) .. Making more Open space.. and 'flexible times' in office " so i think they will keep our WFH flexibility. I'm sticking with it for now, I appreciate the companies view that hey, we can still do the job without being monitored 100% in a desk, our CEO is also supportive of alternative work environments.
Here comes summer, we've been swimming for a month now!
Travel continues... half this week in Virginia visiting family myself!
Omg, the concert notifications I've got in the last 2 weeks are staggering. What sucks is one I was really looking forward too in sept was already canceled. But now there are like 5 others I could go to.
I went to the county tax office/DMV yesterday and NOBODY, employees or customers, wore a mask. Must have been 50 people or so there. I kinda figured that government offices open to the public would be last on the list to drop mask requirements.
I've been bumming around (drinking heavily) in Fort Worth this week. Only place that's been all about mask is the coffee shop attached to the hotel.
It never really differed a whole lot around here from normal. People wore masks of course but there was never really that many places that required you wear one and I would guess it was about 50/50 for the most part on people wearing them or not. It's now about 10/90 on wearers I'd guess so that's about the only difference.
At least that is how it was in the places I go, I am sure there were places like the courthouse, etc... that did require masks and such but I just have no need to go to those places for the most part.
The biggest change I noticed was the last time I was in KC a week or so ago, compared to about a 3 weeks earlier it went from most places requiring masks and nearly everyone wearing one most places, to virtually nowhere requiring them and the number of people wearing them going down drastically, more on par with how it has always been up my way. It was a pretty drastic change, or at least seems so to me, but I am not down there that often so it was probably mostly a timing thing.
We went to dinner at our favorite local BBQ place and not only were the wait staff not wearing masks, all the plastic "guards" between booths and such were gone.
At Home Depot, no one was wearing masks, including employees, but the guards were still up.
Pre-pandemic would have been an excellent time to invest in plexiglass. Who could have known vast sheets of it would appear in nearly every business or public building?
Plexiglass and TP, not exactly tops on my list of things to hoard.
Yeah. Never did understand the whole toilet paper hoarding phenomenon.
I meant invest in companies that make plexiglass - not hoard sheets of the stuff. Masks are not seen as often now, but I still see plexiglass up everywhere.
Yeah I knew where you were going on the plexiglass thing.
Never got the TP thing either. There are so many things that can be used as a substitute for it if you had to, it makes absolutely no sense that it was being hoarded. People do strange things sometimes.
Part of the TP thing was actually due to a shift is where it was being consumed. I read an article specifically about the issue.
It seems commercial TP and residential TP are produced and distributed using separate supply chains. Each supply chain tends to run near maximum in normal circumstances. When the lockdowns started, the commercial demand dropped, but the residential demand skyrocketed. The residential supply chain could not keep up and the commercial supply chain could not get redirected. This led to hoarding as a reaction to the perceived drop in residential supply.
Ah. Interesting insight. A quantum shift in where you... go.
I hope that 'normal' means normal - I'd like to be able to get on a plane and to visit and eventually move back to the U.S., WITHOUT any so-called 'vaccine' requirement. I'm not planning on getting any jab and I'd hate to have to live the rest of my life in exile.
On a positive note, I polished the mini today and have my lean-misfire problem (on over-run/rapid deceleration) 98% solved.
Quote from: MPlayle on June 05, 2021, 08:16:00 AM
Part of the TP thing was actually due to a shift is where it was being consumed. I read an article specifically about the issue.
It seems commercial TP and residential TP are produced and distributed using separate supply chains. Each supply chain tends to run near maximum in normal circumstances. When the lockdowns started, the commercial demand dropped, but the residential demand skyrocketed. The residential supply chain could not keep up and the commercial supply chain could not get redirected. This led to hoarding as a reaction to the perceived drop in residential supply.
This somewhat makes sense we could buy as many of the big rolls of TP we wanted for the shop when you couldn't find a single roll in the grocery store.
John, your Mini is looking good there!
I agree!
What turned out to be the problem with the lean running issue?
Does the roll bar cross bother you when looking in the rear view mirror? I had a 1980 Clubman Estate and I have a 2009 Clubman S, both have the center bar effect between the doors, it's annoying to try and look around...
Quote from: MiniDave on June 06, 2021, 07:26:45 AM
I agree!
What turned out to be the problem with the lean running issue?
Does the roll bar cross bother you when looking in the rear view mirror? I had a 1980 Clubman Estate and I have a 2009 Clubman S, both have the center bar effect between the doors, it's annoying to try and look around...
Thanks - it's amazing what a bit of old Simoniz paste wax can do...
The view through the rear view mirror, between the seats is about the same as a corner torn from a postage stamp. The gussets on the 'X' fit right behind the seat wings/ears, so it's the seats that restrict rear visibility the most. But oh well, there's so much vibration through the shell anyways at highway speeds that whatever view there is, is blurry anyways, so it's not really too much of an issue...
The lean running issue (misfire on rapid deceleration and overrun) was pretty much solved by trying many different vacuum advance units, and the funny thing is, the MiniSpares small bore unit (37H414MS (6-14-8)) is working the best. When I spoke to MiniSpares last week to get the specs, I also asked about the 37H8225 unit - it's the same as the 37H414MS - according to the parts-counter guy who quoted the spec.
If anyone is curious, the large bore (37H8379) appears to have (6-16-12) specs.
In it's current state, I'm getting around 38 - 40mpg, combined city and highway - driving out of the city and opening it up on the highway. It'll cruise for hours at between 65 and 80 mph without any trouble other than the farty-exhaust note that I'm subjected to. I think I'm going to leave it where it is and drive it, perhaps even enjoy it now and then.
I go to bed, I delete political post. I wake up, I delete political post. My patience is wearing thin.
I thought the big bold lettering I put in the first post on this thread would set the tone about this having to be a non-political thread.
But I'll repeat it again:
Per Dan's wishes and direction, posts on this site should be NON-POLITICAL in nature.
I hope we can keep this thread open because it's interesting learning about what's going on around us - we all want to get things back to normal and any progress of that happening is encouraging.
Quote from: BruceK on June 08, 2021, 11:55:12 AM
I thought the big bold lettering I put in the first post on this thread would set the tone about this being a non-political thread.
I thought so too.
So, I went to get a haircut today, sign on the door said "masks are optional".....
Last night at dinner they didn't look askance as we walked in without them, none of the servers were wearing them and only one or two of the patrons did.
Our local pools are open, I haven't checked the senior center yet....
Edit: Yes, their whole center is now open, including the indoor pools - for the last two weeks now.
I've noticed during mid day lunch/brunch hours here in Fort Worth that staffing is lacking at many places. So in turn service lacks.
The few times I have been out to eat lately, restaurants have been absolutely packed. Good for those businesses but like you said the service seems to be suffering as many seem to be short staffed or perhaps just over worked.
Perhaps people are just tired of eating their own cooking though LOL
Back home in Tulsa "we're hiring" signs are posted all over.
Quote from: cstudep on June 08, 2021, 01:34:49 PM
Perhaps people are just tired of eating their own cooking though LOL
I think that's definitely part of it. ;D But I also think people are taking a fresh look about going out to eat and realizing it is a nice luxury we have all missed.
Plus, it's really nice to be out in a social setting with other people who are also enjoying themselves.
I'm really looking forward to going back to a movie theater, once there's a movie that I'd like to see. Maybe the new, long-delayed James Bond movie once it finally comes out.
Quote from: 94touring on June 08, 2021, 01:54:30 PM
Back home in Tulsa "we're hiring" signs are posted all over.
The local McDonalds has had "help wanted" signs up for several months now. They switched to drive-thru service only when the pandemic hit 15 months ago. They have a smaller sign up now basically apologizing that the dining room can't reopen until they can get more people hired to staff it.
Yeah, makes me wonder if that's just an excuse to not hire more staff (the McD's)
I'm waiting for something decent to see at the theatre also.....we thought we might just go see anything just to be able to get out again, but nothing that's out right now is even remotely tempting. I wonder if Tix are going to be cheap or stupid expensive....same with popcorn.
Renewing my license tomorrow, had no problem getting an appointment for pretty much any time I wanted. Decided to get a haircut so my new pic would look OK and not so scruffy - there were only two guys working the place and they had stopped letting people walk in or make appointments online for that day by 2 pm, that's how backed up they were. The place has 8 chairs and usually there are 6 people cutting hair.....they close at 6 now instead of staying open till 9 cause it's not reasonable to ask people to be on their feet that long all day.
I use a "Great Clips" near my apartment for haircuts. Last year from March through about May they were closed. When they were allowed to begin reopening, they would prefer an online appointment, but were allowing walk-ins. I had no trouble checking wait times online, then doing a walk-in. Early on, they were a bit short staffed, but have seemed pretty normal for staffing the last few times. They did require masks. That was how they were still operating through this past April when I got my last haircut. The mask restrictions may be different when I get my next one soon.
Great Clips is who I go to also......
Every food joint over here in N Dallas is hiring. The local whataburger has a sign for walk in interviews every day from 2-7.
Its pretty much business as usual down here in Florida.
Lots of places looking to hire even Home Depot and Lowes had signs out.
Some folks still wearing masks but a lot are not.
I had to renew my driver's license today, plus add the Federal "Real ID" endorsement so if we want to fly somewhere we can get on an airplane......to do that you need all sorts of info - stamped copy of your birth cert, current lic, proof of address via utility bill or bank statement, SS number etc etc.
Rose pulled all that together for me and I had my appointment set for 10:10 this am. I got there a few minutes early, expecting to wait, and wait, and wait but to my surprise they took me right up to the counter, verified all my info and handed me a number, they said have a seat and they would call my number but before I could sit down they were paging me to the counter!
In the past I've had trouble with the eye exam due to my weird "see distance in one eye read up close with the other" vision, but the last time I told them about this, they switched something in the eye machine and viola! I could read it just fine. They did the same this time and I read the smallest numbers and badda boom badda bing I'm done and good for another 4 years.
No written test, no "older driver" counselling, no driving test, nothing but pay the lady $20 and it will be in the mail to me in 2 weeks.
I really think there should be better testing of older drivers, based on the number of older folks I see on the road that have difficulty with modern traffic. It's not as bad here as in God's waiting room Florida, but there are plenty of aging boomers on the roads around here too - me included.
Just for fun, I drove the classic Mini to the license bureau, hoping they would want me to do a driving exam! ;D
So, pretty normal, no masks on anyone, even the worker bees......
That's great that your DMV was so efficient. In my experience over the past four or five years they have taken all the criticism to heart and really stepped up their game. When I last renewed my drivers license about three years ago it was run like a business interested in getting customers in and out.
Just be glad we're not in Misery, they disbanded all the state run offices and now licensing is done by "franchise" holders and according to Don its a complete cluster! :-\
They have never been state run up this way, at least not in the last 20 years or so. Aside from the last year with all the covid restrictions it's always been a pretty smooth operation, in and out in less than 10 minutes most of the time. Of course our population density is substantially less, but the license offices nearby are ran by just 1 or 2 people depending on the day.
There are two different lic offices in Kansas - one for plates and titles and such and a different one for driver's licenses.
The plate and title ones in Kansas got better with the advent of cell phones and texting. You make an appointment and they text you updates on wait time. When you get within 30 or 15 minutes you head down to the lic office. I've actually timed it to where they were calling my number as I walked in the door. They still have walk ins of course, but for those you will wait, possibly a long time depending on the time of the month (busiest time is just after the first of the month and around lunch times.) I've waited as much as 5 hours to get plates in the past!
I'm glad that this (getting my DL) went so easily, the last time I did it there was a HUGE line of 16 year olds who were freshly graduated from driving school getting their lic or permit. The line for the driving test was 20-30 kids long. Fortunately - again - I didn't have to do a drive test.
This was a new lic office to me, I had never been here before, but the "manager" seemed to be really on top of things as he was walking around the floor making sure questions got answered and things moved smoothly. Either that or he was bored and had nothing to do! since appointments were every 10 minutes I guess that's how long they expect each customer to take.
sounds like a pretty decent operation, being able to make an appointment would be nice, wish they would start doing that here!
I wondering about "temporary" changes due to the pandemic becoming permanent because, well, businesses love ways to save money.
For example, scanning QR codes at restaurants in place of having actual traditional printed menus. A permanent change for some places I'm thinking.
I'm staying at a Best Western hotel and they have eliminated the hotel directory binder book in the rooms in favor of a QR code scan. Also, this is a twist: no maid service for your room unless you put a little flag out on your outside door handle specifically requesting it. So the exact opposite of "do not disturb" flag - the default for housekeeping service has flipped 180° and probably won't change back. Suits me fine, I don't need someone in my hotel room on a daily basis.
All the shift to using QR codes to see menus or directories fails to account for those without smart phones - not just those like me that stay with a flip phone, but also those without any sort of cell phone.
Also, how easy has it been for those with smart phones to actually read a restaurant menu on your phone? When I have had to share someone else's phone to read such a menu, it is a pain in the ass since the menu ends up so small you cannot read it without constantly blowing up a tiny section and scrolling all over the place to read the menu items and their descriptions.
Technology shortcuts are not always the best answer. They can often lead to a poor customer experience. Poor customer experience leads to no repeat customers leads to much lost business that cost you more than the shortcut saved.
I agree with both of you, I don't need maid service every day, and scanning QR codes is a PITA. Especially since I don't seem to have the right app on my phone to do that - we tried to do it at the pizza restaurant the other day - didn't work. Or I just don't know how to do theirs since I've done others.....come to think of it I did it successfully at their other store, same "brand"
Quote from: BruceK on June 10, 2021, 12:02:24 PM
I wondering about "temporary" changes due to the pandemic becoming permanent because, well, businesses love ways to save money.
For example, scanning QR codes at restaurants in place of having actual traditional printed menus. A permanent change for some places I'm thinking.
I'm staying at a Best Western hotel and they have eliminated the hotel directory binder book in the rooms in favor of a QR code scan. Also, this is a twist: no maid service for your room unless you put a little flag out on your outside door handle specifically requesting it. So the exact opposite of "do not disturb" flag - the default for housekeeping service has flipped 180° and probably won't change back. Suits me fine, I don't need someone in my hotel room on a daily basis.
As someone who lives out of hotels half the year I'd be happy if they left me alone unless I specifically request it.
I ate at a restaurant tonight that had a glorious full-size, multi-page printed menu chock full of interesting items. Soooo much better than trying to look at it on my phone.
Not a fan of the QR code for several reasons, the biggest being the risk for malicious activity, but also just not a fan of all the tracking that is very likely coming along with it every time you scan one.
For instance here are just some of the things QR codes can do, automatically create a new contact or contact list on your phone, start a phone call, create a text message, draft an e-mail, make a payment, share geolocation and other information, open a web page and/or download an app (most common), cause a user to follow someone on social media, add a Wi-Fi network to your preferred list.....etc...etc...
The biggest problem is you have no idea what a particular QR code is going to do until you scan it. I imagine as they become more prevalent the risks will grow as people invest more time and energy trying to exploit them. Scanning one on a restaurant menu might not be all that high of a risk (it is a pain in the ass though) scanning random ones out and about could be as you don't really know who put them there or if someone might have replaced a legit one with a nefarious one.
People have a lot of information on their phones these days for "convenience", banking info, passwords, login info....they really are just little computers now and people are a lot more careless with how they use them since they are so transportable.
Just reflecting on changes I've noticed over the past couple of weeks... Other than some remaining plexiglass still hanging around cashiers, I'm not seeing any pandemic reminders anymore. No masks, no hand sanitizer dispensers, no social distancing signs, etc. in restaurants, stores, etc. Seems pretty pre-pandemic "normal" around here now. And little talk of the vaccines, too. Perhaps because most people are vaccinated now?
What's it like where you are?
I know Hawaii is still pretty strict in businesses.
Most places in I visit in San Antonio are like Bruce says. A few are still having their staff wear masks, but letting them be optional for customers. I did see one place with a sign stating masks were optional for vaccinated staff and customers. The grocery store I use most often is not enforcing masks and when I was in over the weekend, it was about a 50/50 mix of masks and no-masks among customers. I know that store chain (HEB) has made masks optional for vaccinated staff and has been encouraging all staff to be vaccinated.
Edit: I also read recently that San Antonio city government is reporting 72% of the city population has had at least one dose of the vaccines.
Up hear just north of Dallas it is getting very much back to normal. Probably about a 20% mask wearing rate. All signage points to un vaccinated mask wearing is encouraged. We had our big 4th July thing last weekend and the large park was packed and I don't remember seeing a single mask. We just watched from a far.
As some of you know my wife and I have been on the road for the last 3 months we are still traveling.
We have gone from the west coast to new york via a southern route and are on the return via a northern route.
We have definitely seen a change since we left in April things are very much getting back to normal with the exception of staffing. Everywhere we go from big cities to backwoods small towns it's HELP WANTED!
In Yellowstone most of the folks we talked to came out of retirement to help for the summer one guy was 92 years old at the campground we stayed at he retired from the job 15 years ago and came back for a season they are so desperate that most of the stuff that's closed is not due to covid but lack of staff.
What happened to the park rangers that were doing it when covid hit? And everyone else for that matter did they just quit? I don't get that part of the whole thing.
Places are doing the best they can with the staff they have but whether it's a tire shop, restaurant, state park, national park, dentist, grocery store or you name it they all seem to have a help wanted sign.
Hey Jeff, glad to hear you guys are OK and still rolling....can't wait to hear all the stories from your adventure! 77.gif
Quote from: MiniDave on July 02, 2021, 07:51:17 AM
Hey Jeff, glad to hear you guys are OK and still rolling....can't wait to hear all the stories from your adventure! 77.gif
Thanks, Dave It's been fun we thought we'd be ready to go home by now but we're really not. However, the trip must end as we are running out of time with the people taking care of our place. so we'll be home middle of the month.
Concerning the topic of this thread, Oregon is supposed to be back to normal as of yesterday so that will be nice to return to.
Quote from: BruceK on May 29, 2021, 10:31:43 AM
Quote from: gr8kornholio on May 28, 2021, 08:13:30 PM
Still pretty masked up here in N Dallas suburbs. All employees still wearing and probably 90% customers. Numbers have come down on the new infection rate that work is planning to drop our shit level by 1. Has to go down another level after that before I'll be required to go back. Unfortunately even then we will have to wear masks in the office. Sounds stupid if at that point the rest of the world is mask free. The neighborhoods around here with pools are open.
About 5 years ago at my old job my workteam had to (got to!) work from home for almost a year while our floor in a high rise building was totally renovated. Everyone pretty quickly figured out how to adapt to working from home fulltime and having online zoom-type meetings and we all got really used to that environment. You know, waking up 10 minutes before work and climbing behind the computer still in pajamas. This went on for 11 months until finally the floor renovations were finished and we had to return to showing up at the office. While it was great to see all my coworkers and friends again on the office, the honeymoon was soon over. Just about everyone begin to question why we needed to show up in the office when it was proven for one year that we could be trusted to work from home and still get our jobs done. People begin to openly question the rationale for working in the office - as well as incurring the "extra expenses" of commuting, paying for work attire, etc. Not to mention the time and expenses wasted commuting to and from the office. Eventually we all just put up with going back to work in the office.
But I wonder if the pandemic will have a similar but longer-lasting effect with millions of people working at home? Will some jobs become permanently remote and never return to an office environment? Will that be a valuable tool to attract and retain employees? Well we see a permanent change in the "office job"?
So... Looks like many Apple employees aren't too happy about being instructed to go back to work in the office just 3 days a week. I wonder if a compromise will be done, or if Apple will tell them to go pound sand? Got a feeling Apple will knuckle under.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9655645/Apple-employees-revolt-against-CEO-Tim-Cooks-order-return-office.html
My work since we do government contracts made us get the jab. However they're paying us for 2 days, 1 year pay if we get bad side effects, 10 days paid off if we get covids (would be the 2nd or 3rd time for many of us), or 5 years personal leave if you just don't want to do it. No booster shots unless mandated then all of the above takes place again.
So much for normal. At this rate there will always be a variant to keep the fear and vaccine money trains rolling. Also the great city of Philadelphia has put all restaurants and food service on notice cause they are mandating patrons show a vaccine card before dining in.
I would imagine that would just mean more people inclined to move to states without all the restrictions. Around here covid rules aren't a thing anymore unless you're in the airport. It's almost unusual to see anyone wearing a face diaper out and about. I'm supposed to fly over to Germany this week and see a mandatory covid test is on my schedule. Might bang out sick for that one and go somewhere else.
I did recently see how many news organizations are sponsored by Pfizer. Pretty much all of them peddling the fear.
Oh and Bulgaria now requires vaccine cards to go in businesses. But they barely glance at it and some don't bother at all. Everyone just goes through the motions. We had pics of cards on our phones. Could have been the same card for all of us cause they aren't checking ID
The thing is, people are still getting sick and dying from this thing.....I think you both have either a very cavalier attitude or like many people are just tired of hearing about it.
I have a friend in hospital right now with Omicron.....he's not intubated or in the ICU, but he's very sick.....
We got our booster shots last week and like the ones before, only a little sore the next day, and by the second day even that was mostly gone - so there's no real side effect from getting the vaccine except that your chances of getting sick and dying go down dramatically.
I just don't see the downside of taking precautions......
Around here I would say mask wearing is about 50%, and almost 100% in some places like the grocery store with its higher percentage of older folks shopping. To me even that is a positive thing if it keeps it from spreading.
I don't know what you think Pfizer is getting out of this other than the sale of the vaccine as our gummint is picking up the tab for the shots, but I seriously doubt it's being faked just to keep selling the vaccine.
I thought a negative covid test was mandatory to re-enter the US after travelling internationally. My mother is planning to travel to visit in the new year and she needs a negative test. Maybe different rules for aircrew.
Where I live in Texas I estimate that around 30-50% of people are still wearing masks in the local grocery store. As my wife is pregnant, we continue to wear masks in public and avoid large crowds. This is on advice from her doctor, that covid when pregnant is not good for the mother or the unborn child - the stats are limited but it usually results in pre term birth and significant medical interventions for both. Also I know of a number of people who have had covid and been hospitalized - some have died, some have survived. A high school friend's wife has been diagnosed with Long Covid and that has been debilitating - they had to move out of their 2 story home and had to move to 1 story home as she could no longer walk up the stairs or care for their daughter.
Having said that, I fundamentally disagree with various governments (local, state or federal) making (often) minimum wage workers the enforcement point for vaccine restrictions e.g. restricting access to restaurants. This is especially an issue when the vaccination cards are so basic and can be easily copied etc. It is definitely a check box exercise to make governments feel they are doing something.
Also the international travel restrictions that we have seen with the latest variant are pointless. The variant still spreads and it does not seem to make much different to the speed of the spread - probably because by the time they identify it, it has been around for a while anyway (but I am no expert).
Ultimately, it is for each person to make their own decision on what the want to do, but don't belittle an individual's choices to wear a mask or be cautious as you do not know why they may be doing so. When I out alone I have had a few negative comments about wearing a mask (which I ignore), but when out with my heavily pregnant wife it is accepted.
The testing typically isn't required for air crew. Certain places are a bit over the top with it for crew. Like Germany and especially Australia. There isn't even staff working the hotels there. Just police. Over handed and then some. I am on the side of personal choice and freedoms.
I don't consider it freedom when you're potentially infecting everyone you meet and everyone they meet too....
I am on the side that everyone needs to do everything they can to help this thing get tamped down once and for all. I consider that the ultimate freedom - everyone pulling on the same end of the rope to kill the "enemy", to free us all from potential death or even terrible illness....
Brit - congrats to you and the bride on the upcoming little one - when is she due?
My granddaughter gave birth in April 2020 and again in May 2021 (13 months apart!!!!) . We were holding our collective breath that everything would be OK and so far so good. Both kids doing well as is the Mom and dad. Best wishes for you and yours!
Quote from: MiniDave on December 15, 2021, 02:43:09 PM
Brit - congrats to you and the bride on the upcoming little one - when is she due?
Thanks Dave, we are due late January.
Well everyone's favorite topic! Last month in Bulgaria they lifted the mask mandates in airports and airplanes, then of course we followed. Yesterday/today or whatever day this is for me, I've been in Taiwan. I can't wait to get the F out of here. Land and open airplane doors. People in hazmat suits approach and spray us down with whatever chemicals they have. We are given gloves and mask and head down the stairs to our ride. Where our luggage is sprayed. Drive around the airport ramp to a private terminal for charter type crew and get sprayed again by people in hazmat suits. Fill out forms and head outside to our main ride to the hotel. Get sprayed again. Arrive at the hotel which is roped off inside and a table is setup with a guy standing there in his hazmat suit. Get sprayed again. After filling out our breakfast, lunch, dinner and breakfast meals from a menu over our 30ish hours here are escorted to our room. We are to stay inside the room and not to leave for any reason. Maybe if the building catches on fire. Outside the door is a Styrofoam bin with lid which they place our meals in according to the time schedule on the menu. Once done with eating you place the food back in the bin. Must keep daily log of temperatures taken twice daily on form and turn in on departure. In order to leave to the airport they will call us and tell us it's ok to leave our room.
Is Taiwan dealing with a severe outbreak?
They've had a total of 856 covid deaths in 2 years, so I'd say no. Talking with some cargo pilot friends who have to come here this has been the way of life for 2 years. A fate worse than death.
Certainly no fun, but the good news is - you get to leave! 77.gif
Well I spotted a BRG mini on the van ride to the airport!
Quote from: 94touring on April 22, 2022, 02:21:03 PM
They've had a total of 856 covid deaths in 2 years, so I'd say no. Talking with some cargo pilot friends who have to come here this has been the way of life for 2 years. A fate worse than death.
I wonder how much of the Taiwan reaction is due to the virus originating from their mortal enemy, China? Maybe not overtly but the source certainly factors into things I would think.