I am going to a small family gathering this Sunday. Less than 10 people, and in a back yard. I am sort of podded with Maria and her mom (the birthday girl) and I spent the a whole 8 hour day with her brother Philip at work together (masked, but pretty close the whole day for student orientation) , so I feel fairly safe with that but add in the other brothers, wives and kids, it makes me a little nervous. But I will feel silly if I am the only one masked.

Less than 10 people

I'd be fine with that. I was even okay at the prospect of 20 people. But 50 people is way past my comfort level, even outdoors.

Oh, that is worrying, Tep. Good luck to everyone.

It really is hard to maintain the urgency of the "being in a pandemic experience" as long as we have been half-assedly dealing with it. At this point I think I am coping more by not believing that there is a normal to get back to than by embracing the mess we are in, if that makes sense. Like, when someone says something about when we are working in the office again there is a not-that-small part of me that is surprised that that is something that might happen. And if other people are doing the same thing, I can see where that might trigger an urge to discount the danger to make it easier to live with. Or something.

Any 50+ meeting of people is almost guaranteed to have one presymptomatic person roaming around shedding viral load. And COVID is surging through rural Ohio right now.

Outside is nice in theory but then people cluster up close and talk louder and if you're in the shade without the wind blowing through it's not a whole lot better than being inside.

I would not do that.

These family events are EXACTLY how superspreader events are happening now.

Hec, I 100% agree with all of that. My line in the sand is that I'm not comfortable going, but I'm not going to tell Tim he's not allowed to go. He knows damn well that I think it's a bad idea for him to go. And it's so fucking stupid for his 83-year-old father to go and then go right back to his assisted living facility.

But I will feel silly if I am the only one masked.

Our world is a dumpster fire, and silliness is sadly missing. Adding more silliness to the world would be a net plus, I think.

Apparently over 15% of Big 10 football players who tested positive for COVID now have myocarditis, so Steph's high school acquaintance needs to take all the seats. [link]

It really is hard to maintain the urgency of the "being in a pandemic experience" as long as we have been half-assedly dealing with it.

Yeah. It's weird, I mean it's killed 200,000 people in this country alone and I go to the convenience store and I'm the only non-employee wearing a mask.

his 83-year-old father to go and then go right back to his assisted living facility.

That's crazy.

My little team (me and someone I brought over from my old team) got it together in 2 weeks.

Woo, Lisa! I also hope the people get something out of it.

It looks the savings in benefits will be like 6k over a year which is pretty dang compelling and it looks like a really nice plan too.

Ooh, that is good.

Not that her son's life is worth getting a scholarship: can't go to college if Covid-19 kills you.)

Or have an athletic scholarship if you have heart damage....

Any 50+ meeting of people is almost guaranteed to have one presymptomatic person roaming around shedding viral load.

Not according to this, not where I live, not where Steph lives. THAT SAID, I think you are totally making the right call for you not to go, Steph!

Any 50+ meeting of people is almost guaranteed to have one presymptomatic person roaming around shedding viral load.

Not according to this, not where I live, not where Steph lives. THAT SAID, I think you are totally making the right call for you not to go, Steph!

Our county is 47% risk, and the county where the shindig is happening is 69% risk. Even 47% is too high for me.

I am definitely not saying you (or anyone!) should be going to or having a gathering of 50 people, just that David was overstating things.