So this is what a restrictive city feels like (Orange: renters, condo)

[BobPhipps]

It's a bit of an eye opener.

I popped back into town for a quick overnight stay to take care of some business and to visit some friends and family (stop over from a Vegas trip).

I got on Bart at the airport and was trying to figure out why I couldn't buy a ticket as opposed to the Clipper card (it's been awhile since I rode on it and wasn't sure if this was something related to the pandemic or if it had been going on for awhile). I just missed the train and had to wait about 25 minutes for the next one (great). Maybe that ended up being a good thing as when I got on, there was $70 sitting on a chair (that covered 40% of the hotel cost).

I texted one of my friends to see if she wanted to have coffee. She says "sure", if you can find a place to go. I didn't know what that meant until I found out that most coffee shops are closed. We ended up chatting at her condo for a couple of hours. I walked from the W over to Nob Hill and have to say that was quite interesting to see so many people masked up. The city kind of reminded me of a zombie apocalypse. And my understanding is it was considerably worse previously. Her and her husband have a great view of the city (it's like they're on a perch from the location of their condo). She said they're absolutely losing it and are extremely stir crazy. Their place is fairly spacious so I can imagine what people are going through that live in smaller units.

Then I met up with another friend at an outside pizzeria not far from where I was staying. There seem to be very few hotels open, and I guess the W was one of the main games in town. The front desk attendant tells me at check in that the restaurant is closed and if I needed food, I could call GrubHub and have them deliver since many downtown restaurants are closed.

The friends I spoke with (who I would consider fairly strong liberally-minded people) were pretty pissed off. They were glad to see the recall efforts on the Governor and felt it played a role in getting some of the restaurants open for outdoor seating again. They felt the way things had been handled was complete overkill and said Newsom was killing the businesses in town (The friend I was having dinner with said his properties have been closed for at least 9 months out of the process).

One of the things I'm dealing with is an eviction and he said it was a good time for renters in the city as prices have come down significantly (was glad to hear that).

I'm having breakfast with my son on the Peninsula this morning if we can find a place to go.

I'd actually like to take a walk down to the Embarcadero and maybe over to the Wharf area before I get out of here, but being that it's 4:30 in the morning, I think it might be wiser to wait until the sun comes up.

All I can say is God bless you guys and I hope this thing ends soon. This would not be an environment I would thrive in. I'm glad to be going back home today.

[dmlandissf]

Actually if you leave the downtown Financial District area, there are people out on the street and outdoor dining. I drove through Marina District and the Mission last Friday evening and there was a lot of action. Cases are going down in most Bay Area counties and I'm glad that people are taking masks seriously. Also, vaccines are more readily available - my wife(65) was able to get Moderna vaccine at City College. I'm not sure where you are coming from.

[BobPhipps]

Originally Posted by dmlandissf

I'm not sure where you are coming from.

My impression from my walk yesterday (W to Nob Hill). Also walked from the W to Muni Pier and back through Pac Heights this morning (got back at 915). Albeit early, but pretty desolate while walking (there were at least a decent amount of cars out). Glad to hear there were people out and about going into the weekend.

My friend said they just reopened the outdoor dining back up recently (he felt it was due to pressure from the recall effort and the lawsuits filed).

[Ruth4Truth]

OP, where do you live, that it's unusual to see everyone in masks in public, and that seeing that make you feel like you're in some apocalyptic scene? This is normal. And it's a good thing. Hospitals have been full in my state the last few months; I haven't checked the recent status. But people are still dying. Young people, as well as middle-aged and older. Actually, in my state the states have ALWAYS reflected a higher death rate for younger people, even children, than for the 40-60 demographic. Even from the start of the pandemic.

So, there are good reasons for the mask requirement. I'm really curious to know where you live. Oh, and btw, there are two new strains that recently were imported to the US from abroad, both known to be much more contagious than the original, and there's also a mutation of the original strain in the US.

Just saying. Something to think about, as you enjoy returning to your mask-free city, wherever it is.

[saibot]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

Young people, as well as middle-aged and older. Actually, in my state the states have ALWAYS reflected a higher death rate for younger people, even children, than for the 40-60 demographic. Even from the start of the pandemic.

So, there are good reasons for the mask requirement. I'm really curious to know where you live.

I'm really curious about where YOU live. What state is it, where the death rate for children is higher than for 40s-60s? I've been under the impression that the death rate for children is extremely low everywhere and the rise is steady as age increases.

In my county (Orange), there have been 24,503 cases among children 17 and under, and one death. Rate= 0.004

37,792 cases among adults ages 45-54 (they report ages by the "fives," so no way to figure 40-60) and 212 deaths. Rate = 0.56

[HappyinCali]

Downtown is a different world right now. In other areas of the city, things are open, people are sitting around etc. it is pretty nice

[BobPhipps]

Originally Posted by HappyinCali

Downtown is a different world right now. In other areas of the city, things are open, people are sitting around etc. it is pretty nice

Good to know. Again, I was basing it only on the areas I ventured out to.

[KerrTown]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

So, there are good reasons for the mask requirement. I'm really curious to know where you live. Oh, and btw, there are two new strains that recently were imported to the US from abroad, both known to be much more contagious than the original, and there's also a mutation of the original strain in the US.

At least Californians are taking it seriously. Meanwhile here in Houston, my mom's company has literally gone back to normal (forcing everybody back to the office, despite age or other protected classes) since New Year. It's probably for the founder/president/CEO to please the Texas governor and GOP by doing their part to end the lockdown (and curry favor for later).

Other companies in Downtown Houston are more flexible because there are much fewer people at the commuter bus stops, despite the schedule reduction to both rush hours. Surprisingly there are so few people out, that each bus can handle the load of commuters while implementing social distancing.

[BobPhipps]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

OP, where do you live, that it's unusual to see everyone in masks in public, and that seeing that make you feel like you're in some apocalyptic scene? This is normal. And it's a good thing. Hospitals have been full in my state the last few months; I haven't checked the recent status. But people are still dying. Young people, as well as middle-aged and older. Actually, in my state the states have ALWAYS reflected a higher death rate for younger people, even children, than for the 40-60 demographic. Even from the start of the pandemic.

So, there are good reasons for the mask requirement. I'm really curious to know where you live. Oh, and btw, there are two new strains that recently were imported to the US from abroad, both known to be much more contagious than the original, and there's also a mutation of the original strain in the US.

Just saying. Something to think about, as you enjoy returning to your mask-free city, wherever it is.

I think you may have misinterpreted much of what I said. The "apocalyptic" reference had to do with the amount of people out in public. It had nothing to do with masks. My apologies if the comment was misleading to you.

[BobPhipps]

Originally Posted by saibot

I'm really curious about where YOU live. What state is it, where the death rate for children is higher than for 40s-60s? I've been under the impression that the death rate for children is extremely low everywhere and the rise is steady as age increases.

In my county (Orange), there have been 24,503 cases among children 17 and under, and one death. Rate= 0.004

37,792 cases among adults ages 45-54 (they report ages by the "fives," so no way to figure 40-60) and 212 deaths. Rate = 0.56

I thought the same. I've never heard that claim.