We are faced with thousands of cases every day, so many deaths, and yet a tide of mask-refusers. People who call it their constitutional right to refuse to wear a mask. I honestly don't even understand the position. Partly it is a stubbornness that refuses the hear the facts or to update their knowledge:
Initially, the CDC and the medical community made a large mistake. Because of the scarcity of masks, the CDC said there was no need for citizens to wear masks. They needed to be reserved for health care workers. The fact was, though, that wearing masks right from the outset would likely have saved thousands of lives. The position of the CDC was essentially a practical one, rather than a scientific one. And now the mask refusers are still relying on this early advice, even though it has changed.
The mask refusers say that they won't spread the virus if they are not sick, if they are not actually coughing. They refuse to acknowledge that this virus is spread by those with no symptoms, perhaps more than by any other way. They say that those who are vulnerable should stay indoors or protect themselves; it isn't the duty of others to protect them. They refuse to understand that this virus does not only attack the "vulnerable". Everyone is vulnerable. They say it is better to get it, to develop "herd immunity". This position ignores just how many people would have to get sick to develop that immunity, and therefore how many more lives would have to be lost.
The casinos are opened up again, but with precautions. Fortunately, masks are now required indoors. I had occasion to witness that this is actually happening. People are wearing them; the rule is being enforced.
In my daily life things go on as they have. I "graduated" from physical therapy, which was the last regular thing I had on my schedule. Shortly after that graduation I went to see a pain doctor (referred by the NP in my doctor's office), who looked closely at the MRI and Xray images taken of my back and had a diagnosis. After so many months of guesswork, at last a diagnosis. Treating the pain is another story, but a hopeful one. I begin that process in August.
I am continuing to order groceries rather than go to a store. I don't go pick them up (curbside) as often because they are so often out of the items I order and I don't know until the last moment if they will be. At this point I think fewer people may be ordering delivery because I can usually get them delivered on the same day now.
The gyms reopened but my gym allows people to work out without masks. I find this too dangerous so I am not going there. There is ample proof that people can indeed work out while wearing masks. Even olympic runners have worn masks because of allergies, proving that it is possible, that wearing a mask does not cause breathing difficulties.
And I bought a car. I bought a Chevrolet Bolt Premiere, 2019. I am still getting used to its features and to the charging capabilities available to me. Because I live in an apartment I decided to rent a garage so I can plug in there. It is just 110 V, however, so charging is very very slow. Therefore, I have been trying out various fast charging stations available commercially. I have encountered problems. One, there aren't very many of them. Two, not all are compatible with my car. Three, some don't work well or have even been deactivated. And then there is this: it is super hot outside so I don't want to spend even 45 minutes outside while the car charges, yet going inside can be dangerous because of Covid. Still, I continue to track down these locations and see what they can do for me.
BBC World Service continues to report on Covid-19 a great deal of the time but more subjects are getting more time now, even though infections are increasing at an alarming rate. Lebanon is falling apart. China is flexing its muscles with Hong Kong. Russia...
My biggest hope right now is that Trump gets defeated in November. It would be a start. However, I am facing the fact that a large number of Americans still support him.
Confirmed cases worldwide: 14,211,652
Deaths worldwide: 599,827
Confirmed cases US: 3,770,138
Deaths US: 142,065
Confirmed cases Nevada: 33,295
Deaths Nevada: 637
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