Daria, your frustration is well-founded and easy to understand. I think a lot of those who make that choice are just plain scared and uncertain. I hear story after story, still, from families who are sharing their own tragic stories, trying to convince their neighbors and communities to get the shots, lock up guns, take care of themsel…
Daria, your frustration is well-founded and easy to understand. I think a lot of those who make that choice are just plain scared and uncertain. I hear story after story, still, from families who are sharing their own tragic stories, trying to convince their neighbors and communities to get the shots, lock up guns, take care of themselves so they don't get diabetes. And on and on.
When I got my booster last fall, I ran into some older folks I didn't know, probably close to my own age. I was coming as they were leaving and somehow, distanced, masked, and outdoors, we got into a conversation (I'm like that).
They had actually been isolating at home, with help from family, this whole time, and admitted, a little sheepishly, that they decided to finally get vaccinated when it became clear that the people getting sick were the unvaccinated. I congratulated them and told them I was happy they had made that choice.
That opened the door for them to ask me questions. I told them that I was there for the booster. I explained that I had had Covid at the beginning of the pandemic, was pretty sick but able to recover at home, slowly. I spent nearly a year waiting for the vaccine, and got it as soon as it was available. They were curious about how I'd reacted to the vaccination before (it turned out that their big concern was the possibility of adverse reactions). And wondered how the vaccination was compared to having Covid. I told them that Covid scared the **** out of me, because I had a hard time breathing and a lot of weird neuro stuff, and it took a while to get back up to speed. I did have a strong reaction to the vaccine (sore arm, achiness), it was nothing compared to Covid. My reaction was a good thing: it showed that my body was already producing antibodies. Both of them thanked me, and looked relieved. I got to pet their dog, and off they went.
I think this is fairly typical, though sometimes people give other reasons than simply being frightened about what they think of as the unknown. They are not so much making a choice for death as they are waiting and seeing.
Then there are those who honestly think it's not that bad, and it won't hurt them- until they or someone in their family gets it and dies or spends weeks in the hospital. The young man at the pizza shop on my first outing stated with much braggadocio that the whole thing was blown out of proportion; he thought it was bogus, no worse than the flu. I had a rapt audience as I explained to everyone in the whole shop (door open, ppl distancing) point by point why he was wrong. And that I could personally attest that this was definitely NOT the flu. A couple months later when I went in (now shop was call-in, pick up only, so no crowd). His whole family had had Covid. The whole crew called out to me as I picked up my pizza and left.
The ones that seem to not be reachable are the folks who've bought into the conspiracy pit and are so vested that their egos won't let go. I'm not sure any of these people are choosing death. They just can't see past the immediate.
I ache for them at the same time I am angry: because of them, I am again in a kind of isolation because I am in that "high vulnerability" group. And so is my son-in-law. And some people I care about. My anger is this: why is it okay to make us have to isolate and wear masks so they can hang onto their fantasies and pretend that they are not going to get it?
People are getting sick again and most of them will be from one of those three groups. I can be comforted by knowing that I, at least, might get mildly sick, but not likely to need special care. Many of the unvaccinated will not be so fortunate. The ones I worry about, though, are people who cannot be vaccinated, such as people being treated for cancer or auto-immune. disease. Lots of kids too young to be vaccinated- but hopefully soon. In the meantime we should be protecting them, not isolating them.
Annie, I'm glad you were able to recover at home and not go through the added risk of hospitalization. And, I'm glad you were able to reach out and have a conversation with the folks outside the vaccination center and allay some of their fears.
I think you're right though – there are many people who do not see beyond the moment they are in and fail to understand that the here and now shapes the basis for every tomorrow. Please take care of yourself. Spring and summer are ahead for us to enjoy. 🌷🌷
Thank you, Daria. It shouldn't surprise me that entitled Americans assume that their rules are the one that apply. Still it stuns me that people would go to another nation and expect to be accommodated. That kind of person also will do that in other people's houses and claim "their rights" being violated. Mine are violated by their coming in my house unmasked, so they are asked not to. I figure they are not my friends if they behave this way, so no loss. In my state, some towns retain the mask mandate while others don't. Even in those towns, some businesses require masks and distancing. I will enter those shops, even if only to talk to someone I am not related to. We get a lot of tourists here, and our small "super"market is often crowded with unmasked people. I drive to another town to grocery shop, which is fine, because it's a coop and I also run into people I know. I think I would feel right at home in the Yucatan, from your description. Another place I'd like to visit, but I'd never get around to them all anyway, even if I could afford it. So I enjoy your posts about what is going on there, and the attitude of the people.
We lived in Vermont for a time. In Fayston. In some ways I regret the fact we ever left. In the best of both worlds, Vermont and Yucatán are THE places to be if one wants to live a tranquil but enriched life.
Daria, for sure! I will put that on my calendar under "when possible". You can find me on FB, then just use Messenger to send me a direct message with an email address (this is reasonably safe). Then I'll send you via email my personal email address (which is encrypted). I do check FB when I watch Heather's video presentations.
Daria, your frustration is well-founded and easy to understand. I think a lot of those who make that choice are just plain scared and uncertain. I hear story after story, still, from families who are sharing their own tragic stories, trying to convince their neighbors and communities to get the shots, lock up guns, take care of themselves so they don't get diabetes. And on and on.
When I got my booster last fall, I ran into some older folks I didn't know, probably close to my own age. I was coming as they were leaving and somehow, distanced, masked, and outdoors, we got into a conversation (I'm like that).
They had actually been isolating at home, with help from family, this whole time, and admitted, a little sheepishly, that they decided to finally get vaccinated when it became clear that the people getting sick were the unvaccinated. I congratulated them and told them I was happy they had made that choice.
That opened the door for them to ask me questions. I told them that I was there for the booster. I explained that I had had Covid at the beginning of the pandemic, was pretty sick but able to recover at home, slowly. I spent nearly a year waiting for the vaccine, and got it as soon as it was available. They were curious about how I'd reacted to the vaccination before (it turned out that their big concern was the possibility of adverse reactions). And wondered how the vaccination was compared to having Covid. I told them that Covid scared the **** out of me, because I had a hard time breathing and a lot of weird neuro stuff, and it took a while to get back up to speed. I did have a strong reaction to the vaccine (sore arm, achiness), it was nothing compared to Covid. My reaction was a good thing: it showed that my body was already producing antibodies. Both of them thanked me, and looked relieved. I got to pet their dog, and off they went.
I think this is fairly typical, though sometimes people give other reasons than simply being frightened about what they think of as the unknown. They are not so much making a choice for death as they are waiting and seeing.
Then there are those who honestly think it's not that bad, and it won't hurt them- until they or someone in their family gets it and dies or spends weeks in the hospital. The young man at the pizza shop on my first outing stated with much braggadocio that the whole thing was blown out of proportion; he thought it was bogus, no worse than the flu. I had a rapt audience as I explained to everyone in the whole shop (door open, ppl distancing) point by point why he was wrong. And that I could personally attest that this was definitely NOT the flu. A couple months later when I went in (now shop was call-in, pick up only, so no crowd). His whole family had had Covid. The whole crew called out to me as I picked up my pizza and left.
The ones that seem to not be reachable are the folks who've bought into the conspiracy pit and are so vested that their egos won't let go. I'm not sure any of these people are choosing death. They just can't see past the immediate.
I ache for them at the same time I am angry: because of them, I am again in a kind of isolation because I am in that "high vulnerability" group. And so is my son-in-law. And some people I care about. My anger is this: why is it okay to make us have to isolate and wear masks so they can hang onto their fantasies and pretend that they are not going to get it?
People are getting sick again and most of them will be from one of those three groups. I can be comforted by knowing that I, at least, might get mildly sick, but not likely to need special care. Many of the unvaccinated will not be so fortunate. The ones I worry about, though, are people who cannot be vaccinated, such as people being treated for cancer or auto-immune. disease. Lots of kids too young to be vaccinated- but hopefully soon. In the meantime we should be protecting them, not isolating them.
Annie, I'm glad you were able to recover at home and not go through the added risk of hospitalization. And, I'm glad you were able to reach out and have a conversation with the folks outside the vaccination center and allay some of their fears.
My husband and I have been vaccinated and boosted and, thus far, have remained Covid free. Because I am in an extremely high risk category we go out infrequently and take every precaution when we do. Nonetheless, things are a little different in the state of Yucatán. Masking in public is still required, there are still limits on the number of patrons allowed in stores/eating/drinking/establishments and entertainment/sports venues. Most people who live here adhere fairly strictly to the protocols. Many tourists, particularly from the US, don't. Their pat answer when asked to mask is: the CDC says I don't have to wear a mask. Of course, it never occurs to them that the US CDC has no jurisdiction in México. The couple times I've been to the US since Covid hit I've been struck by how many people take the whole thing so casually...too me, it's otherworldly.
I think you're right though – there are many people who do not see beyond the moment they are in and fail to understand that the here and now shapes the basis for every tomorrow. Please take care of yourself. Spring and summer are ahead for us to enjoy. 🌷🌷
Thank you, Daria. It shouldn't surprise me that entitled Americans assume that their rules are the one that apply. Still it stuns me that people would go to another nation and expect to be accommodated. That kind of person also will do that in other people's houses and claim "their rights" being violated. Mine are violated by their coming in my house unmasked, so they are asked not to. I figure they are not my friends if they behave this way, so no loss. In my state, some towns retain the mask mandate while others don't. Even in those towns, some businesses require masks and distancing. I will enter those shops, even if only to talk to someone I am not related to. We get a lot of tourists here, and our small "super"market is often crowded with unmasked people. I drive to another town to grocery shop, which is fine, because it's a coop and I also run into people I know. I think I would feel right at home in the Yucatan, from your description. Another place I'd like to visit, but I'd never get around to them all anyway, even if I could afford it. So I enjoy your posts about what is going on there, and the attitude of the people.
Annie, first of all, if you ever want to visit Mérida, mi casa es su casa. We live in a fab, fancy, renovated colonial home but in an every day Méxican neighborhood. It is safe. It is cordial. We welcome you, though not in April through July – it is hotter than hell and we go away if possible (Covid makes it difficult).
We lived in Vermont for a time. In Fayston. In some ways I regret the fact we ever left. In the best of both worlds, Vermont and Yucatán are THE places to be if one wants to live a tranquil but enriched life.
Daria, for sure! I will put that on my calendar under "when possible". You can find me on FB, then just use Messenger to send me a direct message with an email address (this is reasonably safe). Then I'll send you via email my personal email address (which is encrypted). I do check FB when I watch Heather's video presentations.
Well Annie, you see I was right. We share some anger but you let your good heart guide you. A sound example to us all.
I'm grateful for your telling of these simple exchanges with fellow human beings not malevolent but confused.
I wish I could be more outgoing but I have noticed that, when seriously ill, fellow-feeling comes naturally and social barriers vanish.
The suffering of children is unbearable and here the indifference of Manchin's daughter becomes criminal.
As for the father's attitude to the service of his country, the kindest word that comes to mind is "perverse". Some others are unprintable.