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Tuesday Reading Kaffeeklatsch 7/21/2020
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Joi wrote: "I feel like all of this just proves how America is a "me-first" country. (Some) People don't want to masks because they don't take the consideration of the community around them, and don't feel like it's "my problem" to make sure "someone else doesn't get COVID". Masks have now been politicized. Civil rights have now been politicized. Other countries have PROVED that its possible to flatten the curve...."I know Canada hasn't been hit nearly as hard as the US, but I feel like many in Canada (certainly in Alberta... which is probably the province most similar, politically, to the US) are doing the same. So sad. :-(
Theresa wrote: "I'm not saying there are not bona fide times that someone cannot wear a mask for medical/psychological reasons, but they are few and far between. Plus the law makes it clear that alternate means of protection need to be explored -- a plastic shield may not be as effective but still better than nothing. However, I'm sure he just does not want to wear a mask - it's like Emotional Support Animals -- you have to weed out the fake from the real. ..."Agreed, Theresa! I have a friend with asthma who says he is only comfortable wearing a mask for about 15 minutes before his asthma gets going. BUT, he also said he picked up a plastic face shield for when his mask is bothering him. So, he's obviously trying. (Although I'm not sure if he got the shield before city council came out with the new mandatory mask bylaw this week or before.)
Theresa wrote: "And don't waive a lawyer's letter in my face as your first round of defense. I mean, that's absolutely a red flag that you don't have a real problem. If you had a real problem, you would have contacted management to discuss the situation months ago when the law was put in effect. BTW- did you know that there are people buying these supposed medical exemption cards from wearing a mask? Totally fake, a total scam, no such thing exists. ..."Wouldn't a letter from a doctor make more sense if this was a real medical issue!? Ugh!
Yeah, I heard about those cards, too. Sad sad sad... or, really - selfish.
Meli wrote: "My home state just hit the highest numbers for COVID infections since we were in quarantine. ..."I heard on my local news at lunch today that we (in Alberta) are at our second highest number of hospitalizations since it all started.
Congrats Meli. My test was negative too. My husband is no longer sleeping on the couch to avoid my coughing.
So glad for you, Nancy! Hope you're feeling better.
NancyJ, I am so pleased and relieved for you! Now just make sure you aren't trying to fight pneumonia without medication!
Spent most of this afternoon running errands in Morninside Heights...the part of Manhattan around Columbia University and Barnard College. It felt almost normal...except for wearing a mask. I even went to see if my favorite nail salon open...sadly not and actually out of business. Not surprising as their business relied entirely on local office workers and guests in 2 large hotels. Treated myself to steak frite and a brasserie that has a large outdoor, well-spaced eating area. It was delish.
My successful afternoon out running errands ended though on a sour note. As I started to enter my building, a man I never saw before, 50s, using a cane, and wearing a mask protecting his neck, steps off the elevator whose doors have just opened on arriving at the lobby and heads to the exit door I am about to enter. We reach it at the same time and he opens it and holds it for me to enter, presumably planning to exit. He has not pulled his mask up. I thank him and tell him politely, calmly that he should be wearing his mask. He lets the door go, I grab it and enter as he turns back to the elevator and spits out "I hold a door for you, and you tell me to put a mask on?" I said: 'I said 'Thank you. You should put a mask on" still in a quiet calm voice. " You fucking bitch!" He yells at me getting back on the elevator as I detour to the mailboxes and fumble for my mail. I said 'then fuck you too" matter of factly. Clearly I am not as mature and gracious as AOC - https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/24/politi... and https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LI4ueUt....
Elevator closes and he goes up to the 4th floor. Only then does another person enter the lobby from stairwell, so no witnesses. After looking through the pile of packages left in lobby, I call elevator down and come home.
I swear he deliberately got back on the elevator and went upstairs to force me to wait in lobby for elevator.
Email going to management. Wonder if he is the new resident whose movers I yelled at and reported for not wearing masks?
Holding the door open politely does NOT give you a 'no mask' card. One has nothing to do with the other, and his screaming rude names at me was a clear indicator that he knew he was in the wrong. Especially given he screamed it at a tired hot sweaty masked white-haired rotund woman about 10 years old than he, loaded down with bags and limping from bad knees.
But in the end did not ruin my day! Now to find a new nail salon....
Glad to hear of the negative tests Meli and Nancy.Theresa sorry about the jerk in your building. I truly don't get the hostility over this.
NancyJ wrote: "Congrats Meli. My test was negative too. My husband is no longer sleeping on the couch to avoid my coughing."Good news! Congrats!
Theresa wrote: "Spent most of this afternoon running errands in Morninside Heights...the part of Manhattan around Columbia University and Barnard College. It felt almost normal...except for wearing a mask. I eve..."
Sad that insults are so predictable, you got the same one as AOC! I don't think there's an equivalent for men. Insults for men that I can think of are more unisex, except for son of a b, which is actually an insult to a woman!
I saw a picture of a sign posted at a business somewhere that requires masks. It had a list of insults they had already been called and then said "Be kind or be original".
Robin wrote"Be kind or be original".Oh, i love that! During our trip recently I visited a small bakery and they had a huge sign on the door "Don't even think about coming in without a mask", I asked the woman at the counter how that was working out. She told me if someone comes in without one, she exits to the back room and tells them there are masks for sale on the table, buy one or get out. Most people just leave-but she had to call the local Sheriff twice.
I’m so glad to hear of y’all’s negative test results!I’m glad you didn’t let angry dude get you down Theresa!
Federal troops have arrived in Seattle and the mayor is begging everyone to stay peaceful. I am so glad that I leave so far out of town but it’s really scary.
Charlotte wrote: "I’m so glad to hear of y’all’s negative test results!I’m glad you didn’t let angry dude get you down Theresa!
Federal troops have arrived in Seattle and the mayor is begging everyone to stay pea..."
I hate to say it but everyone needs to stay home. What happened in Portland and earlier in DC happened to peaceful protesters.
It is a terrible wrong thing that is happening and 38% of our country still supports this Malignant Orange Toad.
Theresa wrote: "NancyJ, I am so pleased and relieved for you! Now just make sure you aren't trying to fight pneumonia without medication!"If my husband saw the words "without medication' he would laugh out loud. If I had to treat pneumonia at home, I have almost everything I might need (because my mom is susceptible to it). In addition to over-the-counter meds, we have prednisone, 3 different nebulizer medications, inhalers, an oxygen machine, a misting machine, and a closet full of tubes and related supplies.
LibraryCin wrote: "Theresa wrote: "I'm not saying there are not bona fide times that someone cannot wear a mask for medical/psychological reasons, but they are few and far between. Plus the law makes it clear that al..."I wonder if an N95 mask is safer for someone with Asthma. It's certainly more comfortable. I felt out of breath when wearing a cloth mask in the heat, but I was fine with the N95 mask. I think the vent helps. I don't know for sure that I have asthma (my tests were rescheduled twice), so I can't say it's that simple for everyone. I do understand how scary it is when you can't catch your breath.
I notice on tv that there are a lot of different types and shapes of masks out there.
@ Nancy your "walk through pharmacy" sounds like my house! LoL
NancyJ wrote: "I wonder if an N95 mask is safer for someone with Asthma. ..."I'm not sure if he'd be able to get his hands on one, but I'll mention that. Thanks!
Theresa wrote: ""I hold a door for you, and you tell me to put a mask on?""Sheesh, what an entitled dude. The same kind of guy who EXPECTS you to sleep with him because he bought you half a plate of mozzarella sticks and two beers. GROSS. Glad you stood up for yourself.
Also SHIT IS STILL GOING ON in Portland. We're talking Nazi Germany level stuff happening. Now Trump Troops are standby in Seattle. Charlotte, if it makes you feel any better, the shenanigans in Portland are happening in like a small 2-3 block radius (I'm assuming similar to the Cap Hill Zone). Media makes it look like the entire city is a war zone, and it's really only the area around the Federal Buildings. This is also really the only area being vandalized (buildings that support/uphold systemic racism are being targeted)- not the entire PDX downtown. But still-it's terrifying.
Joi wrote: "Also SHIT IS STILL GOING ON in Portland. We're talking Nazi Germany level stuff happening. Now Trump Troops are standby in Seattle...."Yea... similar... it's a 4-6 block area. The same area that was CHOP then CHAZ (or vice versa.. can't remember) In the news they say they are protecting federal buildings but I don't think there are even federal buildings in that area. I think the only thing is a Police Station that was the center of CHAZ that they've been trying to clean up and get back into.
I hate the perception that the media and others are giving the US about our cities when it's not even close to being accurate. I love what Jamie Oliver said about it.
My mom has a school friend in FL who keeps asking her if she's gotten a gun or something to protect her because "they" could come out here at anytime. Mind you... we are about 35-40 miles (60-90 min) away from everything. We are rural... 15-20 min away from the closest town and we are talking a small, small town. The scariest thing that could happen out here is a cow stampede ;)
only the area around the Federal Buildings. If the protests and demonstrations stay away from any federal buildings, including federal courthouses or even office buildings with federal offices in them, the states and municipalities not only can force these federal mercenaries (and that's what they are - provided by the Betsy DeVos family basically) to leave, they can even prevent them from being sent as Orange Cheeto has zero authority to do so.
Seems to me that the protestors need to be smart, think about how these legitimate protests are being twisted to Orange Cheeto and his cronies purposes, and take avoidance measures. The protests can continue but need to be really smart about it.
It's like those warnings you hear about not attempting to fight someone mugging you as they could be armed so best to take avoidance measures. The protestors are being mugged by a stronger force with no morality - our President. Need to outsmart the thug.
Theresa, how are Betsy DeVos and her family connected to this?
Betsy’s brother is the CEO of the mercenary group that is invading Portland and Seattle.
Trust the majority of the protesters being extremely smart about their goings on- there are protesting resources, bailout funds and organizations, groups providing aide- eye washing stations, many are using gas masks- I've seen insulation sprayed on fences- so rubber bullets can't hit protesters at eye level. Even when protests end- the legal repercussions will continue after, but please know that many protesters are "being smart about it". The flash bangs, pepper balls, tear gas canisters are being used against peaceful protesters. They are not being used to disperse a rowdy crowd- they are being used to punish protesters. Oregon's Attorney General has challenged the federal government against using unmarked vehicles and detaining innocent people- which was rejected by a federal judge.
Joi wrote: "Trust the majority of the protesters being extremely smart about their goings on- there are protesting resources, bailout funds and organizations, groups providing aide- eye washing stations, many ..."The Senate GOP has been stacking the federal courts with their handpicked sympathetic judges since 2016 after blocking appointments for 8 years. Barr has been steadily replacing the apolitical heads of the federal district courts with his flunkies for months...the latest being the Eastern and Southern Districts of NY, 2 of the most influential in the country.
I know they are attacking peaceful protestors. I am still saying the protestors are being used and need to be extremely diligent, even inventive. Much as it pains me to say it, the word of law cannot be relied upon by right now.
But, I will be safely in quarantine until 8/1 just in case, so I am relieved about that. .."
Happy to hear it, Meli! Now, feel better soon!