A Few Signs of the Times

Throughout the year 2020

Though we tried to be as active as possible, and I think we did pretty well, these are some of the things we constantly had to look at.  You almost had to be a rebel to get out of your house.  Even to shop.  We had to go outside Montgomery County to shop.  We really couldn't deal with the long lines and rules here plus you never know when you are going to get too close to someone and they will freak out.  Other counties were handling things a little better, plus it seemed that we have so many people in this county it was just too much competing with them.  I was always watching the numbers, which never really made sense, and the news was always frightening.  It seemed that anyone who died or got sick, it was only Covid that caused it.  In my opinion, even though the virus was/is terrible there was way too much fear and overreaction spread around.  There was so much unknown in the beginning, but even as new things were learned about the virus things were very slow to change particularly in Montgomery County.  People were masking up and wearing plastic gloves afraid to touch their groceries.  Then go out in the parking lot and throw them down instead of putting them in the trash.  It never ceases to amaze me when I would see an individual driving in their car with a mask on. And no one will ever know why there was a toilet paper shortage.  Some of my pet peeves were closing public bathrooms "for your safety." Yet there were porta-potties set up outside the doors in some places.  Other places, once they could open for business still had restrooms closed.  How can not being able to go to the restroom when you need to, be safe?   Safeway wrapped their credit card machines in Saran wrap as if that surface was different from the original surface.   We have fortunately been able to go back to our water exercise classes.  Though in the beginning, we had to come and go from our pool (because of renovation) in our swimwear.  Leaving the pool in a wet bathing suit when it is winter is no fun.  We have to wear a mask in the facility but not in the pool.  Some women actually wear two masks in the pool.  I can't imagine keeping them dry if they are putting any effort into the workout nor can I imagine breathing in that chlorinated water is healthy.  They have obviously increased the chemicals in the pool.  Our skin will show you that, plus they have to spray some kind of disinfectant all the time.  What we won't do for some exercise.  I am sick of hearing "We are all in this together," "this is the new normal," and "it is too soon to open anything up, stay home and save lives." I could go on and on about things that didn't make sense but people are getting very sick and people are dying.  I just wish there was a little more thought put into things.

Never did figure out why people were throwing balls in the playground. 
 Think it was a silent protest.

Look at all the tennis balls.

Tennis Courts eventually opened up but the basketball hoops
are still gone as of the end of 2020.