Fucking non-mask-wearing-motherfuckers. Good vibes for Tim's test, needless to say, but that co-worker is a fucking moron; that's so anger inducing.

I mean, Tim is diligent about wearing his mask, so I'm somewhat reassured because of 2 things, one of which is actually data-based and one of which is pure anecdata: (1) the CDC recently confirmed that masks *do* protect the wearer, not just other people; and (2) my father, the poster boy for Holy Shit You Are High Risk, has been working at a grocery store through this entire pandemic, and is required to wear a mask while at work, and he's fine (as far as we know; obviously he could be asymptomatically infected, but I'm going with the "he's fine" theory). So we know that masks help. But if Tim's co-worker would have worn a fucking mask, it would have helped EVEN MORE GOD DAMN IT.

I keep “hearing” via anonymous emails or third person accounts of Departments that have employees that do not wear masks in the office and I really really wish I could be ENFORCER one day and do office visits and literally shut them down and put ppl on double probation.

I find the people who won't wear masks beyond my understanding. We STILL get some tourists, many of whom wander around downtown without masks. The gathering this past weekend was mostly mask-free and I expect some of them are going to get sick. I'm out and about on a limited basis (public transit between home and office and grocery/drug store visits), but I distance as much as possible and always wear a mask. I'm high risk and, actually, I kind of expected to be dead by now. I'm not and am taking precautions.

I saw a story about a high school that had a homecoming dance/get together at a steak house - the invitations were sent, pictures posted online. The parents are refusing to share information about who was there/invited so contact tracing is impossible. The restaurant owner said that his staff are free to wear masks or not, whichever they prefer.

I'm just boggled.

Do circumstances matter? I went in to the office one day last month. I had my mask on while outside my office but took it off while I was in my office. Nobody came into (or even near) my office.

I've been going on the assumption that if nobody is in sight (assuming reasonably distant lines of sight), going maskless is a matter of no harm, no foul.

We STILL get some tourists, many of whom wander around downtown without masks.

Toddson, this also breaks my brain. This summer a food writer for the Seattle Times did a piece touting the joys of a day trip to Kitsap County; the locals proceeded to jump on her head, asking which part of "no non-essential travel" on the ferry had she missed? Only 20 ICU beds for a population of 271,000; keep your cooties on your side of the Sound, please and thank you.

I had to quit that homecoming article half way through. So infuriating.

I would stay masked in any indoor place that isn't your own place, Fred Pete. I don't think you have to be alarmed about past actions, but moving forward, wear one. Your office is probably pretty safe, but it's not like it's a negative pressure room. The virus is airborne. HVAC systems can spread it.

When I called my mother to cancel Thanksgiving, we commiserated about how fucking angry we are at people who aren't isolating and wearing masks.

So you did end up cancelling, Dana. I'm getting there, I think, even though we're all quarantining. There are people who don't know how they got it, and that's what scares me.

Fucking god damn it, one of Tim's co-workers tested positive for Covid. Their shifts overlap by about 2 hours, and they do work together, in the same department, though generally 6 feet (or more) apart. Tim always wears a mask at work, but the co-worker does not

Teppy, I hope Tim is okay. How does the co-worker get away with not wearing a mask? WTH?

So you did end up cancelling, Dana.

Yep. I'm pissed about it and I'm gonna stay pissed.

Msbelle, Disney seems unlikely to be safe in January! I’m expecting with thanksgiving and xmas cases will soar by then!!

I am so not with it today. Woke up with a headache and then the muffins I made last night disagreed with my tummy. And the dog got up at 530 and would only be quiet for 20 minutes at a time after that. And I don’t want to do work and I just can’t even.

I do am one of the thinking I posted things and hugs and condolences, but not actually doing it. The new board has been a god-send in terms of the phone use.

One of my cowworkers and her husband tested positive 14 days ago and are still sick. This was after she crossed state lines to see her grandchild. She hadn't been back to work, because of NYS quaratine policy, followed by testing, for out of state travelers.

We have an office building where everyone has a separate office (not shared) with a door. The rule is we can be unmasked in our office with the door shut, because no one else goes in their (except presumably to empty the garbage. We are still work from home, but I had started going in because my mental health was suffering and I have perked up a little, so I am glad I did it while I could.