You are the strangest stranger I've ever seen

[sovay]

And two years ago the WHO declared a pandemic and now we are supposed to behave as though it is over and COVID-19 as modestly endemic as the common cold. Who needs masks? Who needs social distancing? Who cares about vulnerable populations? I don't know if I could feel disillusioned by 2020, but it was impressive to realize how many people really just wanted me and just about everyone I cared for dead in the casual, impersonal sort of way where the likelihood of our deaths troubled them less than any alternative which might personally inconvenience them. And they still do, and the country has decided it is more important to placate them than protect anyone else, and I don't know when I will ever visit a museum again. After an optimistic start to the week, my physical health flattened me and I wouldn't be enjoying this concentration of pain no matter what, but the reminder of all the crowds unmasking like it's 2019 that I am seen as so very expendable certainly isn't improving the experience. I have not felt very much like placating people for a long time now.

Comments

[umadoshi]

I'm generally pretty cynical, but part of me is still genuinely stunned that so many governments at all levels are just like "Okay! Pandemic over! Good luck!"

I'm sorry you're dealing with so much pain on top of the global nightmare. I hope it eases up soon. *hugs*

[sovay]

I'm generally pretty cynical, but part of me is still genuinely stunned that so many governments at all levels are just like "Okay! Pandemic over! Good luck!"

Nothing about this horror has needed to be as bad as it's been and this latest isn't helping.

I'm sorry you're dealing with so much pain on top of the global nightmare. I hope it eases up soon.

Thank you.

*hugs*

[jreynoldsward]

I am so with you on this. Both husband and I are on the same page with regard to masking and maintaining care--especially since the news about the latest flu variant is that the vaccine missed this year's version. Yep, keeping up with the masking and hand sanitizing and social distancing.

[sovay]

--especially since the news about the latest flu variant is that the vaccine missed this year's version.

Whee!

Yep, keeping up with the masking and hand sanitizing and social distancing.

Good call.

[gwynnega]

It is pretty shocking, and it makes me wonder if the country has forgotten what happened every other time we've dropped masking. I would love to believe it will be different this time, but wishful thinking and sound public policy are not the same thing.

I hope your pain level lessens soon.

[sovay]

It is pretty shocking, and it makes me wonder if the country has forgotten what happened every other time we've dropped masking.

Everyone's memories are short when they want something, but I thought that was what we had a CDC for.

I would love to believe it will be different this time, but wishful thinking and sound public policy are not the same thing.

I really was expecting better public policy from the current administration. I'm aware it's better than the public policy of the last administration, but that bar could be cleared just by sitting up.

I hope your pain level lessens soon.

Thank you.

[dewline]

I am not going to behave like it's over. Not just yet.

[sovay]

I am not going to behave like it's over. Not just yet.

That is sensible and humane of you. I hope the people around you can do the same.

[minoanmiss]

Me neither. My boss can force me to come in until I find another job but no one can force me to stop masking and washing my hands.

[sovay]

My boss can force me to come in until I find another job but no one can force me to stop masking and washing my hands.

*hugs*

[aurumcalendula]

*hugs*

[sovay]

*hugs*

*hugs*

[rachelmanija]

It's very depressing. It seems like governments worldwide decided everyone was sick of the pandemic and therefore they'd just declare it over. If there's any actual real-life reason to believe Omicron is the last variant, I have yet to see it. So I guess we just accept that 2000 people dying of Covid every day, plus however many people survive with permanent damage, is a perfectly fine price to pay in exchange for not making people wear masks inside?

[sovay]

It's very depressing. It seems like governments worldwide decided everyone was sick of the pandemic and therefore they'd just declare it over.

I don't know anyone who isn't sick of it, including me, but I want genuinely innocuous variants and/or an effective coverage of broad-spectrum vaccines before I ditch my mask and start dining out! I called in an order to a store tonight and was not pleased to discover when I had to come inside to pick it up that everyone else in the place was unmasked, including the cheerful cashier who had told me not to worry about coming in. I saw bars and restaurants tonight with lines down the block. I'm waiting for the wastewater spike and for my chances of seeing the doctors I really need to see to close back down to zero, which is going to make me feel so much better about everything.

If there's any actual real-life reason to believe Omicron is the last variant, I have yet to see it.

I hadn't seen people claiming that. For God's sake, it's not even like it's Omega. I thought that was the one thing about the Greek alphabet anyone knew.

So I guess we just accept that 2000 people dying of Covid every day, plus however many people survive with permanent damage, is a perfectly fine price to pay in exchange for not making people wear masks inside?

I have a friend who caught an insultingly mild case of Omicron and recovered with no apparent ill effects beyond the damage to their family holidays and then suddenly I was on the phone with them while they were having a heart attack at four in the morning with no berths in any ER within driving distance and now they have needed two rounds of cardioversion for recurring arrythmia and their ejection fraction is for crap. Vaccinated, boosted, masked, high-risk. It's not acceptable. I know you know that.

[asakiyume]

Oh man, your friend ;_;

(And I agree with you entirely, about everything.)

[vass]

Thinking about it is like standing up again in a stormy sea. I just get flattened by another wave of rage as soon as I get my feet from the last one. There's so much.

[sovay]

There's so much.

There really, really is.

[princessofgeeks]

I am so sorry.

[sovay]

I am so sorry.

*hugs*

[selkie]

*hugs* There’s always hitting people accidentally with your cane. Do you need one? I have extra. I’m thinking of branching out to the whippy ski-pole kind.

Edit: when I die, trebuchet me at a ridiculous angle at That Man’s mausoleum, as I will be outliving him from sheer spite keyn ayin hora; preferably after letting me hang and get gamey in a shed so there’s a beautiful splat.

[sovay]

There’s always hitting people accidentally with your cane. Do you need one? I have extra. I’m thinking of branching out to the whippy ski-pole kind.

I might could use a walking stick. They look dapper. The thwacking at a distance sure has its attractions right now, though.

as I will be outliving him from sheer spite keyn ayin hora

Damn right!

*hugs*

[minoanmiss]

If we hang you you'll dry out. If you really want a splendid splat we need to wet age you in a sealed plastic bag.

*hugs both you and our splendid hostess*

[pameladean]

I am out of words. But not of hugs. Do have one.
P.

[sovay]

I am out of words. But not of hugs. Do have one.

*hugs*

[radiantfracture]

Yes. They lifted most restrictions here yesterday.

I'm hoping the lifting at least undermines the momentum of the truck convoy, which is supposed to be coming here on Monday. That is the best I can do by way of hope. And since the occupations are not in essence about the ban, but far-right organizing, it's not a very shining hope.

Well anyway.

You are essential.

[sovay]

Yes. They lifted most restrictions here yesterday.

Feh. I hope you may be safe.

And since the occupations are not in essence about the ban, but far-right organizing, it's not a very shining hope.

No, but it does remove the fig leaf, even if that now means everyone has to look at their junk.

You are essential.

*hugs*

[choco_frosh]

< hugs >

[sovay]

< hugs >

*hugs*

[madwriter]

My wife has said many times over the years that this world would be a much better place if more people were willing to inconvenience themselves just a little. I never imagined before 2020 how many people were unwilling to inconvenience themselves just a little even when failure to do so could kill others.

[sovay]

I never imagined before 2020 how many people were unwilling to inconvenience themselves just a little even when failure to do so could kill others.

It became a badge of identification not to care.