I deleted my post from earlier but it didn't take somehow. I'm proud of the guys that are gung ho and can go out there without any worry. At this stage, that's not me. Let's hope things turn for the better very soon. I want to be positive about all of this and it is a struggle because I want to be involved. We are a strong group of guys so let's encourage those that can make it happen, IF it happens.
And, I for one, will respect and have no ill thoughts whatsoever about anyone that, with the best information available, voluntarily chooses to not put himself/herself in a position of risk, whatever the real risk may be. Sadly, we don't fully know the real level of risk, either in contracting the virus, or in the effect the virus will have on any particular individual. Clearly, the risk and effects vary per individual. With each day that passes, we see increasing percentages of folks that contract the virus, and increasing percentages of folks that fully recover from the virus. In many areas, the recoveries are outdistancing the infections. And, in analyzing the recoveries, a high percentage of those felt very little effect.
Of course. There are folks that are at higher risk of both contraction, and of suffering major ill effects (sadly, including death). The medical professionals can tell you what those risk factors may be. I don't know those, but you can bet smoking is a major factor. Obviously, age is a factor, too, gauged by the average age of fatalities attributed to COVID-19.
The biggest issue in this pandemic is not the disease itself, but the politicization of it. On one extreme, you have those that would force all persons to avoid any interaction with other persons, whatsoever, until such time as some politician declared the world/country to be safe - by their standard, whatever that might be. On the other extreme, there are those that think no preventive measures are necessary, period, and they should be able to carry on with no consideration for others (or themselves), whatsoever. In the middle - which is a huge and majority portion of the population - are those that are willing to exercise reasonable and sensible precautions to help minimize the risk of exposure (either giving or receiving the virus), while being allowed to choose to accept the risk, and carry on life as it was known before C19. They simply want to be able to make that choice for themselves, individually, and as discrete communities. What is best for New York, Houston, LA, Miami, etc., is not necessarily needed for Idalou, Texas. Let the leaders of those communities - accountable to the citizens of those communities - make those choices for themselves. If a densely populated community wants to make students stay home for the next two years, let them make that choice. But, if small communities want to put sanitization protocols in place, and let kids return to school in September, let them make that choice. And extend that to extracurricular activities. If a number of communities return to school, and choose to field football teams, let them play. There may be some drastic reformations of districts and/or divisions, but give the students their chance to get the education they deserve, and participate in athletics, etc., for which they only get (maximum) four years of their lives to enjoy.
COVID-19 is not an automatic death sentence. And, by all accounts, for the vast, vast majority of folks, it has no more effect than the "common cold."
Let's get back to life.
Y'all know how I stand. This will be my final expression on the issue. Thank you for 'listening.' And I hope all of you stay safe and healthy, no matter what happens.
