I take another picture, the world is waiting

[sovay]

Massachusetts is reopening and I have gone back to the glassy feeling of not quite being in the same reality as the people who are saying the words. "Tough times never last, tough people do." Well, good for the tough people. Shame about the rest of us. I don't expect a second spike of infections in the fall, I expect one by July at the latest. But I'm glad houses of worship are considered essential businesses in Massachusetts. I'm sure that ancestor of mine from the Puritan migration would be thrilled.

Comments

[choco_frosh]

But I'm glad houses of worship are considered essential businesses in Massachusetts.
Agreed; though the Diocese of Mass. is currently leaving in-person services suspended until July. On the one hand, this is sucky and terrible (and somewhat questionable from a theological standpoint); on the other hand, it has to be admitted that in-person church services combine piles of likely transmission vectors (inc. singing.)
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In modest defense of the governor, I think staying shut-down all summer would lead to mass disobedience, economic collapse,* or both. So we have to start reopening at some point.

I really don't get the hairdresser thing, though.

* Yes, I know, unless the federal or Commonwealth government paid people lots of money to stay home; but I can't see that getting through the legislature.

[sovay]

the Diocese of Mass. is currently leaving in-person services suspended until July. On the one hand, this is sucky and terrible (and somewhat questionable from a theological standpoint); on the other hand, it has to be admitted that in-person church services combine piles of likely transmission vectors (inc. singing.)

I sympathize on the suckiness; I haven't been inside a shul in decades (exception made last spring for selkie's bat mitzvah) and I'm feeling weird about no longer having access to the possibility. I think the diocese's decision is sensible and protective. I hope by July will be safe enough. What makes the current circumstances theologically questionable?

Yes, I know, unless the federal or Commonwealth government paid people lots of money to stay home; but I can't see that getting through the legislature.

I know, I just wish it would! The federal government is a lost cause, but I feel like the state government might have pulled it off and should at least have tried. I understand an economy cannot be juggled indefinitely, and we are already witnessing the closure of beloved businesses and I don't want to see more, but I really don't want to go through cycle after cycle of blooms and shutdowns in search of an ideal minimum of acceptable losses.