PhineasC

Could be an interesting study one day. I think it's debatable which aspect of all of this caused the most suffering, fear, and dread at a national level. The concern over the risk of dying or a loved one dying from COVID versus the impact of shutdowns, business closures, school closures, and general economic decline. It's a complex problem. I do believe there is very little appetite nationally for more shutdowns over COVID, and an attempted second round of them will get ugly.

The sooner people come to grips with the fact that the vaccine will not eliminate COVID and it will always be here, the sooner they can start being a little more rational about how to deal with it. Folks should realize that the govt and corporations are more than happy to keep you masked-up and at home forever. This has all been great for them on several levels. Every time we panic over case counts and demand a lockdown it gets harder to ever go back to normal. Hope some people see that...

Maybe an odd question, but why not? Eventually the virus will burn itself out. There are already signs that is happening.

Europe is hardly a model for us. They are not doing any better, even with stricter lockdowns and vast social welfare programs.

Paying businesses to stay open is not a sustainable approach.

Like some of us tried to say... the majority of Americans are simply willing to accept some level of death amongst the old and sick part of the populace in exchange for keeping their jobs, businesses, and mental health intact. It doesn’t help that the media spent six months trying to convince everyone that young people were dying from this disease in any appreciable way when it is clear to anyone paying attention that is totally false.

Hate to sound like a heartless asshole, but the deaths don’t really affect the economy. The people dying are mostly old and sick already. Not really engines of economic production. Lockdowns of healthy young workers and consumers definitely affects the economy.

That’s why the VT rules are kind of silly. The resorts are still saying “come on up” as if it’s situation normal.

Felt the same way out there today with the log splitter as the sun was starting to head behind the ridge line. It looked like I should be freezing out there but in a t-shirt and shorts I just felt a light chill.

That’s 2020 right there.

I’m sure it will be fine, but the uncertainty and “wink wink” messaging is hard on rule followers and worriers.

It's almost as if the Vermont government only kinda wants to have a quarantine. They want to be able to say they are being strict to protect residents, but at the same time winking a little so that people know they can still come ski, for example. I just find it a little unclear. People can call NY's policies draconian, but at least they are clear you have a real risk of penalties for violations.

That's exactly what I am saying. They have a very strict quarantine on paper but then are very vague about enforcement. In fairness, you have made posts here indicating that enforcement is very lax and you expect big crowds. That may be the case, but on paper Vermont is saying very clearly that is against the law and there will be penalties... of some sort. Expecting big crowds despite the guidance means the regs are basically bait or a dare to people. They should just say, "If you are from the red counties, do not come here unless you have a very good reason to do so, and be prepared to prove to law enforcement that you have a valid reason to be here and have either tested negative or have proof of quarantine."

Topped out at 71. Sitting on the deck this evening, like it's early September again. Hopefully this ends soon. Bring on the huge cold and snow please.

It finally makes sense to have houses in three states!

Damn Massholes... LOL

They need to have the courage to just say that, instead of making veiled threats and basically daring people to run the quarantine blockade. It's a cowardly thing they are doing, actually.

Hoping the rubber band snaps big time later in the month. What a crazy week. Last Tuesday I was mid-20s with snow squalls.

I see this all the time between my site and Gorham. They beat me on clear cold nights, but my high temps are always 5-7 degrees colder.

Cuomo indicating he will “block” the vaccine from wide distribution. This kind of talk is causing skepticism for the vaccine in the minority communities hit the hardest by COVID. So stupid. More people will die.

How does the media still have credibility with you at this point? It isn’t even a partisan issue. They are so terrible now. That includes Facebook and Twitter too. They are actively censoring what you are allowed to see.

LOL at all the sudden anti-vaxxers. Gonna need to get Fauci up there to tell the masked-up scared sheep this is a good vaccine and they can receive it.

Says everything you need to know about the corporate side of this whole pandemic, really.

The “we need to trust the experts and scientists” and “we need to do more to stop COVID” crowd now saying they will not take the COVID vaccine right away is hilarious and sad.

What a series. LOL