Texas to open 100%

[TippyThomas]

I don’t think anyone is “worked up” here. It’s just that our collective actual opinions have been and are being muzzled everywhere you look.

Not wanting to wear a cloth face mask in public spaces is not, has never been, nor should it ever be, considered to be some sort of fringe position. How it became that in less than a year is puzzling and frightening.

I don't find it puzzling at all. I think it is very clear how it happened.

 

[angelmav]

All I'm saying is that the Federal Government should have more power to put regulations in place due to ease of travel. Nothing about making inter-state travel more difficult.

You are openly advocating for a form of government that does not exist, and runs counter to the fundamental establishment of our nation. I truly hope you never receive your wish, but so many people hold your opinion that by having more power you can compel everyone to do what you ‘think’ is right that surely it can’t be far away.

Side note, I see people driving in their cars alone with masks on all the time here in Italy. Not because they are between stops and it’s convenient, but out of sheer terror. We’ve been masked up almost a year with no end in sight. The worst part is, were heading into more restrictive lockdowns. So we’re accomplishing what exactly? When people say they should have waited a few more weeks, I have no idea why they think it would matter based on what I’ve lived through here.

 

[Heigh-Ho]

Not wanting to wear a cloth face mask in public spaces is not, has never been, nor should it ever be, considered to be some sort of fringe position.

Neither is the opposite of wearing one.

Majority of people are in the middle unrelated to this or that.

 

[Starport Seven-Five]

You are openly advocating for a form of government that does not exist, and runs counter to the fundamental establishment of our nation. I truly hope you never receive your wish, but so many people hold your opinion that by having more power you can compel everyone to do what you ‘think’ is right that surely it can’t be far away.

It's a question of balance between the two and I lean more on the Federal side when actions in one state impact another. It's that simple.

The US is #3 in the world in cases per capita (among countries with more than 1 million citizens). What we did had issues and we should try to resolve them going forward before a more deadly pandemic happens.

Side note, I see people driving in their cars alone with masks on all the time here in Italy. Not because they are between stops and it’s convenient, but out of sheer terror.

How do you know their reason?

 

[angelmav]

It's a question of balance between the two and I lean more on the Federal side when actions in one state impact another. It's that simple.

How do you know their reason?

Are you trying to be obtuse? I live here. People are terrified and the rules change all the time. There are heavy fines if you do something wrong. I’ve had to have travel documents with me just to go to work or the grocery store at least a half a dozen times if not more. I also work with several local nationals. Would you like me to record our conversations and post them? Would that satisfy you?

 

[motherof5]

Michigan just went to 50% restaurant capacity today versus the 25% capacity she allowed about a month ago.

Things, hopefully, are looking up!

That's great. Feel bad for all the business that have had to close during the past year. Some will never open back up. It's sad.

 

[Starport Seven-Five]

Are you trying to be obtuse? I live here. People are terrified and the rules change all the time. There are heavy fines if you do something wrong. I’ve had to have travel documents with me just to go to work or the grocery store at least a half a dozen times if not more. I also work with several local nationals. Would you like me to record our conversations and post them? Would that satisfy you?

Yes, I would like you to interview drivers that you see driving with a mask on to hear their reasoning for doing so. I have a feeling you're jumping to conclusions and "sheer terror" will not come up in the discussion.

 

[angelmav]

Yes, I would like you to interview drivers that you see driving with a mask on to hear their reasoning for doing so. I have a feeling you're jumping to conclusions and "sheer terror" will not come up in the discussion.

You really are a piece of work.

We have had multiple times where the mandates included wearing a mask while traveling in your car, and also included not being allowed to have a second adult sitting next to you in the same vehicle. My spouse whom I reside with has had to sit in the back seat.

Our suicide rates have spiked, and 80% of Italians surveyed stated they needed to seek Psychological help to cope with this. But continue to mock this.

 

[mrs. magoo]

All I'm saying is that the Federal Government should have more power to put regulations in place due to ease of travel. Nothing about making inter-state travel more difficult.

I understand that you think that this is an area that the federal government should be more involved with but the principle of Federalism does not allow it. You would want the Constitution to be changed due to one event and be careful what you wish for in terms of states giving up power to the federal government. Once you have given up power it can be very difficult (impossible) to get it back. There are many times during this crisis that I have wished for a more united front but I do not want to see the Constitution changed or have freedoms taken away from people either.

 

[ThistleMae]

We were over Covid last Memorial Day.
Unfortunately, Covid is not over us.

I’m looking at the Governor’s decree with horror. My daughter lives in Houston, and she’s expecting her first-born any day. My husband and I are going down to visit in May. We’ve already cancelled two trips down there since last July. He and I will be fully vaccinated, so we’ll go this time. But my daughter and son-in-law probably won’t be. And my granddaughter surely won’t.

My brother, who lives in Texas, age 77 died last week from Covid. He should have been eligible for a vaccine but that didn't happen. It happened very quickly, feeling okay with it, then it got worse and within 2 days his oxygen fell to 49%, then hospital and respirator within 24 hours, then death....24 hours later. He had no other comorbid conditions. Very scary news to lift the mandate completely.

 

[HeatherC]

I understand that you think that this is an area that the federal government should be more involved with but the principle of Federalism does not allow it. You would want the Constitution to be changed due to one event and be careful what you wish for in terms of states giving up power to the federal government. Once you have given up power it can be very difficult (impossible) to get it back. There are many times during this crisis that I have wished for a more united front but I do not want to see the Constitution changed or have freedoms taken away from people either.

And the federal has proven themselves to be so successful in all other matters over the years. NOT! The last thing we need is more government involvement. Things will then be guaranteed to go from bad to worse.

 

[angelmav]

My brother, who lives in Texas, age 77 died last week from Covid. He should have been eligible for a vaccine but that didn't happen. It happened very quickly, feeling okay with it, then it got worse and within 2 days his oxygen fell to 49%, then hospital and respirator within 24 hours, then death....24 hours later. He had no other comorbid conditions. Very scary news to lift the mandate completely.

Firstly, I am sorry to hear of your loss.

Unfortunately the mandate being in place didn’t save him. It didn’t save my Uncle who lived in Cypress, TX from passing away four months ago either. He was much younger than your brother and had no health issues to speak of. Both my aunt and two cousins all got it and they were recovering. He never recovered and passed away in the ambulance on the way to the hospital.

 

[dez1978]

Even schools? I think most of the teachers would quit in my school if Indiana did that. I would. I am okay with teaching in person, but only if they all have their mask on.

Its weird to read this. My kids school has been in person since school started in August, and masks have never been required there. We've had sports, including football and wrestling, and none of those have required masks for the participants either. We have had very few cases reported in our district even with all of that.

 

[mrodgers]

That's great. Feel bad for all the business that have had to close during the past year. Some will never open back up. It's sad.

My favorite pizza by the slice shop, gone

 

[ThistleMae]

I don't know, it seems either way we have some extreme points of view. Those of us living in the time of this pandemic haven't been through anything like this in our lifetimes. I think it's extreme to say, masks be damned, people die from all sorts of things...beware of the government. We are all struggling to figure this out. We don't want to lose people we love, or see them having long lasting physical problems from Covid. I don't think the government always handles things the best way, but aren't we all trying to figure out how to manage this without losing our freedoms? I believe the experts and the public in general have the best of intentions. Using caution seems wise to me. I do understand there is a cost for the restrictions and that some folks may not be able to recover economically. There isn't an easy answer. I believe we are all trying to do the best for the country and no one wants the government to be the decider of all things, at least I don't think so.

 

[tex1989]

Not that it will change anyone here's opinion but this is what is being said here in Texas. The mask mandate is being lifted, but as it was before the mandate any place of business, or organization, has the right to require people to wear masks within their facilities. Abbot has said that he thinks people are responsible enough and have lived with restrictions long enough that they will continue to follow safe practices of social distancing, hygiene, and mask wearing at appropriate times. Call it a Libertarian approach if you will. Having enough confidence that the individual will do the right thing. While I have certain Libertarian feelings when it comes to government myself, I also know how (hate to use the word but it is the only one that fits) "stupid" people can be. Locally where I live businesses are already stating that they will not be lifting the mask restrictions which is completely in their rights to do. All it means is that not wearing the mask in these places changes from violating a State Mandate to committing Criminal Trespass.

This is purely a political move saying the individual should have the right to make their own choice and the government should not be intruding on their personal lives.

My life, as a result of these changes will not change at all. To shop the stores say I have to wear a mask, to go out to eat the places I go still require a mask, my office will not reopen so I will still be working from home. At my age I don't go to bars or clubs so in the end nothing changes other than my wife and I have an appointment to get our first shot on Monday.

 

[winterwhite]

I don't know, it seems either way we have some extreme points of view. Those of us living in the time of this pandemic haven't been through anything like this in our lifetimes. I think it's extreme to say, masks be damned, people die from all sorts of things...beware of the government. We are all struggling to figure this out. We don't want to lose people we love, or see them having long lasting physical problems from Covid. I don't think the government always handles things the best way, but aren't we all trying to figure out how to manage this without losing our freedoms? I believe the experts and the public in general have the best of intentions. Using caution seems wise to me. I do understand there is a cost for the restrictions and that some folks may not be able to recover economically. There isn't an easy answer. I believe we are all trying to do the best for the country and no one wants the government to be the decider of all things, at least I don't think so.

Actually, many people alive today have lived through this. Ask anyone who grew up in the 40s what summers were like waiting for the polio outbreak. There are many children who grew up in fear of playing with other children or using swimming pools, not knowing who would get a disease that would cripple them for life. Parents were afraid to let their children go outside. Towns were strictly quarantined for polio outbreaks and there were travel restrictions.

The oral polio vaccine didn’t come into use until 1961, and polio wasn’t eradicated until 1979.

Your grandparents, or maybe even your parents, remember this well.

 

[Starport Seven-Five]

You really are a piece of work.

We have had multiple times where the mandates included wearing a mask while traveling in your car, and also included not being allowed to have a second adult sitting next to you in the same vehicle. My spouse whom I reside with has had to sit in the back seat.

Our suicide rates have spiked, and 80% of Italians surveyed stated they needed to seek Psychological help to cope with this. But continue to mock this.

I'm not mocking anything. I just know there could be other reasons for actions that you're prescribing a root cause to. Jumping to conclusions isn't healthy for anyone.

Regarding the rules in Italy, have they changed from below? The current rules don't have limitations you mention but I obviously haven't lived them so they may have changed.

TRAVELLING BY CAR

It is possible to travel by car without limitations together with spouses, cohabitants and stable relationships.

Non-cohabiting people

You can travel by car with up to 3 non-cohabiting people including the driver. Everyone in the car must wear a mask.
The passenger seat next to the driver must remain free. Passengers must sit on opposite sides of the rear seat leaving the centre seat free.
If the car has several rear rows, it can accommodate a maximum of two passengers per row seated on opposite sides of the seat, leaving the centre seat free.

http://www.italia.it/en/useful-info/covid-19-updates-information-for-tourists.html

 

[LadyBeBop]

So I am just wondering how you would like to enforce border patrol. Many people live in one state and work in another. My son would be an example. He needs to cross a state border everyday. We are 50 states and not 50 countries. We are not Europe and therefore do not have border crossings. This is why the Constitution was written. The preamble is a very important part of it - "We the people in order to form a more perfect union... " The Article of Confederation was a hot a mess because it allowed states to act more like individual countries. You seem to want each state to act like its own country. We have an interstate highway system that in theory you could put up border restrictions if the Federal government wanted but I can't see that happening.

It wasn't that long ago that Florida tried to restrict travel from NY State, NJ and Louisiana. Enter Florida from those states, and you were subject to a 14 day quarantine. And there were roadblocks along the interstates to enforce it.

Almost as soon as Florida lifted its edict on those three states, NY and NJ tried to limit travel to and from Florida (later expanded to other states). That edict was just lifted.

I also live on the border between two states. My husband works across the river. Our movement between states was never questioned. We can now travel freely between state borders. But, with the lifting of mask mandates, I worry that travel between here and Texas might be limited. Again. I've already cancelled two trips to see my daughter. I don't want to cancel a third one.

 

[goodeats]

In response to this the California governor recommended that people wear double masks I certainly hope stores don't try to enforce that one. I personally don't think the government should ever have made a mask mandate (of course the legalities and "enforceability" of such a thing is another debate). It should be up to the private businesses and institutions (like schools) to require it.

In general, I don't think the masks do much. I wear them to be polite in certain situations and when I'm required to, but I don't wear them outside in general. I certainly am not going to wear two!