The Coronavirus Panic Thread

[Ironclad Alibi]

I don't know how to break this to you, Seanette, but your local WM is populated with vampires.

No wonder I can't get any service during the daylight hours.

Next time I'll leave my sunny disposition at home.

Is that why they don't sell garlic, crosses, mirrors or stakes?

[EricKei]

Amazing how much more relaxed and human shopping feels when you can swap visible smiles with people around you.

Smiling? ... At a WALMART?!? O_O
I don't know how to break this to you, Seanette, but your local WM is populated with vampires.

[MadMike]

The state dropped the mask requirements yesterday -- for the most part. They're still required on busses (until September I think), in airports, doctors' offices, etc. And of course any business that chooses to still require them can still do so. I had a doctor's appointment yesterday, and there was a sign on the door that said "Masks are still required."

I went into my job to use the fitness center last evening, since I can now go in without bothering with a mask. The drive there takes me past a hospital, and ever since this began, they had a huge tent in the parking lot that they used for COVID testing. I noticed when I went past this time, the tent was gone. I figured it would be awhile longer before that happened. Not even sure when they took it down. I didn't see it when I went past there last time, but then I wasn't really paying attention either.

After I finished my workout, I went upstairs to check things out since they're getting ready to start bringing us back in. The first thing I wanted to see was if I still had the same desk. I saw a seating chart, but since I hadn't been up there in quite some time, I wasn't sure if it was or it wasn't. We were doing desk-sharing before they sent us all home, but they're ending that, so some people had to move. The guy I was sharing retired, so it would make sense to just keep me where I am, but then what makes sense and what's actually done is often two different things. But it turns out they kept me where I am, so I don't have to move anything. But I have to throw a bunch of the other guy's trash out. He took his belongings with him when he retired, but apparently couldn't be bothered to throw out his junk. One thing he left in one of the drawers was a thing of powdered coffee creamer. Even if I drank coffee, that stuff's probably no good anymore. I might go back over there later to get rid of his trash, bring a few of my belongings in, and make sure I can connect the laptop at my desk. They switched me over to a new laptop last summer, and it uses a different type of docking station. It looks like there's one of the new ones on my desk, but I want to make sure.

While I was up there, I looked around a bit. Most of the pre-pandemic stuff that was on the bulletin boards has been taken down, but there is still some old stuff on some people's white boards relating to events that were supposed to happen but never did. The weirdest thing had to be seeing the empty vending machines. They haven't been stocking them, and since there have been very few people still working in the building, it wouldn't have made sense to do so.

[KuariKaydrith]

My daughter's job has announced that they are slowly going to start bringing people back into the office. She's already decided that if they are not willing to continue to allow people the choice to work at home that she's going to tell them she's looking for a new job because a two hour round-trip commute is nuts, and they've proven that it is easier for all the staff to work from home instead of making them go into the office. The unfortunate thing is that there is nothing hiring f/t time right in our area, and I don't know if they would really want to work for another call center. Not to mention that she still hasn't gone in for her first vaccination...I wonder if part of the reason she's been putting it off is because it will delay her having to return to the office.

[MadMike]

My job made the official announcement that they'll drop their mask requirement on Monday, the same day that state does. I figured they would, since they've been following the governor's actions every step of the way.

My wife just found out that they'll start bringing people back into the office next month, just like mine is doing, but hers is doing it in groups, and her group won't go back until September. But so far, her job isn't dropping their mask requirement.

Our state seems to be doing OK with the case count. They've been dropping pretty quickly. I think it was maybe two months ago when they finally dropped below 1000, and the last few days they've been under 200. That's the best we've seen since this whole mess started. Roughly a year ago, they were down to 300-something, but then they started creeping back up again. Really hoping that doesn't happen this time. We're enjoying being able to do things we haven't been able to for a long time, including our beach trip next month, which we weren't able to do last year.

[Pixelated]

Just out of curiosity,how can they tell if you've been fully vaccinated? It's not like you turn bright blue or something....

There's no way to tell, of course, and AFAIK nobody's allowed to ask for any kind of proof. Which means any anti-mask, anti-vaxxer can now wander around in these places with impunity.

***************

I had a customer the other day ask if I had to wear gloves. I said no but I'd gotten used to them. About an hour later some dipshit comes through my line, I scan her groceries and tell her the total. She grunts, pulls her mask down and licks her thumb so she can sift through her bills.

I will definitely remember that next time somebody asks if the gloves are mandatory.

[Seanette]

First in-person grocery run since California lifted the mask mandate. At the Walmart I went to, mask usage was about 50% among customers. Being fully vaccinated (and I had both my physical card in my purse and a photo of it on my phone), I indulged in facial freedom . Amazing how much more relaxed and human shopping feels when you can swap visible smiles with people around you.

I was a bit worried when I noticed the paper and cleaning aisles looking a bit decimated again.

[Ironclad Alibi]

Just out of curiosity,how can they tell if you've been fully vaccinated? It's not like you turn bright blue or something....

Really?!? I was wondering why I never turned bright blue. Not that they said I would.

[Dreamstalker]

When the vaccine rollout was first announced, one of my online forums was tossing around an idea involving a UV-reactive pigment added to the vaccine vial; to verify vaccination, all you would need to do is shine a blacklight/counterfeit pen on someone's arm. "Progress" could be marked by a color change (first shot, purple; second shot, blue or something like that). The big question was how long would the dye be detectable; it would need to be engineered to last as long as any protection.

My salon is still requiring masks, but has relaxed all other protocols; no more temp checks and you can carry your phone/wallet on you (before, you had to place it in a clear bag). Still limiting what you bring in, the door is locked and you need to text on arrival (still appointment-only) and come solo unless you absolutely need assistance.

[Kit-Ginevra]

Just out of curiosity,how can they tell if you've been fully vaccinated? It's not like you turn bright blue or something....

[Nunavut Pants]

California has dropped most mandatory mask requirements for fully-vaccinated people. The major exception is medical offices.

I still wear a mask in many places, as any business can require them if they choose.

But still, we've eaten in actual indoor sit-down restaurants several times now!

[Android Kaeli]

Just got my second shot, am waiting for the fifteen minutes to be up. By July 4th I'll be fully vaccinated.

[Monterey Jack]

They also have chairs in the waiting area again. I didn't even notice until the cashier told me that the stylist would be ready in a few minutes and said I could sit and wait.

The lobby in my movie theater put in new sofas a few weeks ago. Now I finally have somewhere to sit down and read while waiting for my movie again.

[MadMike]

I got my hair cut today, and they're no longer requiring masks if you're fully vaccinated. The sign on the door specifically mentioned that "fully vaccinated" means at least two weeks since the final shot. I guess they don't want a repeat of what happened with that cruise ship.

They also have chairs in the waiting area again. I didn't even notice until the cashier told me that the stylist would be ready in a few minutes and said I could sit and wait.

About the only places still requiring masks anymore is some restaurants. The state is dropping the requirement entirely a week from Monday

[Bandit]

Just getting ready to head into town for my second dose today.

I have a long drive tomorrow so I hope the only side effect is a stiff arm again.

B