Texas to open 100%

[NannyBeBe]

Decisions like this are why I will be wearing a mask for a long time.

 

[danissmart]

You do realize how many people have lost loved ones to covid? This is beyond flippant in the face of so much pain and loss.

No. It’s not.

Should we stay locked in a perpetual state of half life forever in memoriam of the lives lost to Covid?

Should we not consider the cost benefit analysis of our Covid response? How many lives lost, how many lives ruined, how many businesses destroyed, how many kids futures destroyed?

No, what’s flippant is suggesting that what we have done the last year is right. That the losses suffered due to Covid response don’t matter. That’s flippant.

 

[EACarlson]

Missouri actually hasn't had any state-wide restrictions since.... June? July? This includes on crowd size/capacity. Tehnically, we could have had a large indoor concert here, so long as people were six feet apart. However, Kansas City and St. Louis areas both have restrictions. There was never a statewide mask mandate, but there are mask mandates in St. Louis City, St. Louis County (St. Louis City proper isn't part of St. Louis County... just don't ask), I think Kansas City (but don't quote me on that) and a few other areas. I'm acutally surprised Missouri isn't worse with its numbers, but I guess the county level mandates have helped.

This is the way it should have been the whole time in every state. I will be very interested in what data comes out of research 5-10 years from now and what if anything these statewide mandates actually accomplished. My guess is not much other than making the flu almost non-existent this year.

 

[Skippy918]

Who’s eligible for a vaccine in Texas? Can frontline workers at restaurants, grocery stores, and retailers, etc, get vaccinated already?

If not, that’s really unfortunate for any one who’s stuck trying to make a living but has concerns for their health or that of potentially vulnerable family members.

Still only doing 1A and 1B. Healthcare, ppl over 65 and over 16 with medical conditions. No front line staff like teachers, police, retail, etc.

 

[Skippy918]

Let's just watch TX over the next month and see what happens. It's not like we're not already watching them since they had their snow storm.

Spring break is in two weeks for most of the state.

 

[dclpluto]

Decisions like this are why I will be wearing a mask for a long time.

nothing is stopping you. You can wear it the rest of your life if that’s what you want. Wished people would of did the right thing and not get covid this should of been gone a long time ago.

 

[Suz333]

If you don’t feel comfortable then stay at home. That decision is always up to you.

Actually, this is what I’ve been doing for most of the past year. But many people don’t have the luxury of just staying at home.
I’m lucky: My job can be done from home (I worked most of the time from home pre-Covid, but it’s been 100% for 11 1/2 months). Grocery store clerks have to go into a building.
I’m lucky: My spouse has a possible risk factor, but also is working from home, and since we both mask up indoors other than our own home or vehicle, we can lower our risk. Restaurant workers with at risk family members have to worry about bringing something home.
I’m lucky: I live close to a metro area with grocery delivery, so I can seriously reduce my exposure. Many people don’t have that option.
I’m lucky. But I want my fellow neighbors, friends, family, townspeople, and just everyone to also make it the the finish line.

 

[danissmart]

This is the way it should have been the whole time in every state. I will be very interested in what data comes out of research 5-10 years from now and what if anything these statewide mandates actually accomplished. My guess is not much other than making the flu almost non-existent this year.

Flu disappeared worldwide in March. Well before any restrictions took hold. It also disappeared in areas with no restrictions. That’s a false narrative.

 

[JimMIA]

Spring break is in two weeks for most of the state.

Spring Break for South Florida is from last week to about April 20.

We won't be in quarantine from Covid -- we'll be trying to avoid the violence on South Beach!

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

This is the way it should have been the whole time in every state. I will be very interested in what data comes out of research 5-10 years from now and what if anything these statewide mandates actually accomplished. My guess is not much other than making the flu almost non-existent this year.

KS had a state-wide mandate but counties could opt out and initially the vast majority of them did second time around more rural counties opted into it. The difference was the counties with the most populations DID opt in from the beginning and those were the hardest hit in the state. Some rural parts per their population also did get hit hard but in sheer numbers the more populated areas would have been worse without some sort of restrictions. In MO having KC and STL have the restrictions made differences and it was the opposite no statewide mandate but the most populous areas had it (generally speaking).

IMO much of the mask mandates is more dependent on just where they were placed rather than looking at it state-wide vs not. A county with less than 2,000 people and extremely low density or a county with 600,000+ and much higher density are not the same and a mask mandate may have differing affects.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

This is the way it should have been the whole time in every state. I will be very interested in what data comes out of research 5-10 years from now and what if anything these statewide mandates actually accomplished. My guess is not much other than making the flu almost non-existent this year.

I have a feeling when all is said and done the cure will have been worse than the disease.

 

[LadyBeBop]

Wonder if Covid got the memo it's supposed to go away now because everyone is over it... we can hope this is how it works, time will tell.

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.

 

[danissmart]

I have a feeling when all is said and done the cure will have been worse than the disease.

I’d like to agree, but then I would be agreeing that the Covid restrictions actually acted as a cure. Which...

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I’d like to agree, but then I would be agreeing that the Covid restrictions actually acted as a cure. Which...

“cure”

 

[RamblingMad]

Spring break is in two weeks for most of the state.

Remember. This is the state that just had a massive power outage and people living with no water or electric for a good period of time. Is this the state we really want to use as an example of what to do with the pandemic?

 

[mefordis]

The cynic in me just says this is to divert the news cycle away from the power grid debacle a few weeks back.

Oooh. I love conspiracy theories.

 

[spiders]

Actually, this is what I’ve been doing for most of the past year. But many people don’t have the luxury of just staying at home.
I’m lucky: My job can be done from home (I worked most of the time from home pre-Covid, but it’s been 100% for 11 1/2 months). Grocery store clerks have to go into a building.
I’m lucky: My spouse has a possible risk factor, but also is working from home, and since we both mask up indoors other than our own home or vehicle, we can lower our risk. Restaurant workers with at risk family members have to worry about bringing something home.
I’m lucky: I live close to a metro area with grocery delivery, so I can seriously reduce my exposure. Many people don’t have that option.
I’m lucky. But I want my fellow neighbors, friends, family, townspeople, and just everyone to also make it the the finish line.

I have been and continue to go to work. I don’t need other people to “protect” me. I’m not giving up 2-3-4 years of my life. I also had a choice...go to work or don’t go to work. I went to work because I like money which is the same reason why everyone else goes to work.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Remember. This is the state that just had a massive power outage and people living with no water or electric for a good period of time. Is this the state we really want to use as an example of what to do with the pandemic?

Texas isn't the only state ditching masks and opening up. Some never had a mask mandate.

 

[JimMIA]

Remember. This is the state that just had a massive power outage and people living with no water or electric for a good period of time. Is this the state we really want to use as an example of what to do with the pandemic?

If we apply that reasoning to every state, we'll run out of examples, lol!

I seem to remember some fires (and many other disasters) in CA. Here is Paradise, we have hurricanes (and jelly fish...and sharks!). New York has their issues.

Everybody has something for the rest of us to make fun of.

 

[White Cat]

I have a feeling when all is said and done the cure will have been worse than the disease.

Someone else said that and was harshly condemned for saying that. But you are right.