‘Near, far, wherever you are…’ how are you? If we were having coffee I would tell you the weather is getting cooler here. We had a rain cloud parked over our area this afternoon and got a shower. It still feels humid but the air is cleaner. We have too much fire and smoke in California this year. Our state wants to work on climate change, fire prevention, and water conservation, all good goals. We are still struggling with COVID. California is doing better than a lot of other places, though. How are you doing where you are? I mentioned before that I was opting out of exercise classes because our community here was not requiring masks indoors. Well, things have changed since we have another outbreak. I heard 2 people died from COVID who were unvaccinated and attending events here. Now we are all required to wear masks indoors in public settings. So I felt safer going to yoga class again this week. Different parts of California are reacting differently to vaccines and masks. The places with low vaccination rates are seeing a surge in hospitalizations. You would think that people would be able to figure out that they are at risk because they are not vaccinated when other areas that have higher vaccination rates are doing much better.
It would be good to get this pandemic far behind us. It will be strange to resume all activities again with no worries. But I am afraid that time is no where near us yet. I feel grateful to have the internet and the ability to stream films and TV shows via wifi. It would be harder to cope without it.
Stream of Consciousness Saturday, #SOCS, is hosted by Linda G Hill. The prompt for today is ‘near/far’.
Featured image ‘Far Away’ by Greta Louisa Gustafsson on Flickr.com
Weekend Coffee Share is hosted by Natalie of Natalie the Explorer.
Notes Tied On The Sagebrush 
It’s sad that we require deaths to increase before exercising common sense. We have indoor mask mandates, but not in all towns.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Our county health department recommended everyone wear masks indoors but this retirement community chose to ignore the recommendation. They told everyone they were following guidelines but they really weren’t. I suppose they felt since it wasn’t mandated they didn’t need to follow the recommendation. It’s sad that some people refuse to follow recommendations from the County Health Department unless they are forced to. Yes, it took deaths before they followed the recommendation.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s sad. I don’t know why CT let individual cities and towns decide this time. It’s such a small state, but we have over 160 towns! of the five towns around me, three have mandates. I just wear a mask any time I go inside.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are wise. We do the same. I do see many others wearing masks as well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, to have the pandemic behind us! That won’t happen for a while yet though… 😦 Covid hangs like a dark cloud over everything now and I’m quite miserable about it from time to time. The situation is stable here but with more cases than what I’m comfortable with. Still, everything is opening up and restrictions are easing. Indoor events are back. There is a singing festival going on this weekend but I don’t feel ok with being inside a pub yet – unless it’s very spacious and airy. We might go later this afternoon for an outdoor singing session though.
Glad you can do your yoga sessions, and that they are clever and bring mask mandates back.
LikeLike
Staying outdoors sounds like a good idea. If vaccination rates are up that would help with the reopening. Stay safe and well, Susanne.
LikeLike
That is such a lovely photo Deborah! Glad you had a shower … it always helps to clear the air. Being cooler too must be a blessed relief! Sorry to hear about the virus taking people’s lives. For the time being it makes sense to me to continue wearing masks when indoors, in public spaces. I don’t like wearing a mask so the shopping that I do is very quick. And the vax probably being made mandatory is a bit scary to me … I’m vaccinated but still …
Have a lovely weekend. I’m about to go for a walk ..
LikeLiked by 1 person
We should be used to having mandatory vaccines here. Children are not allowed to attend school without their childhood vaccines for polio, measles, mumps, diphtheria…I think people were all happy to have vaccines then. I remember getting the smallpox vaccine. Parents used to worry about their kids getting polio. Now we don’t have to worry. I know in some countries many of these diseases are still around. Thanks for stopping by, Susan.
LikeLike
I have a feeling times of no worries are behind us, something may come along as COVID simmers down. Here in WA we are mandated masks indoors and outdoors in groups of more than 500. A fair vaccination rate and most wear masks when they should. I work in a middle school so it is pretty stressful as we send so many kids home every day ill or contact with someone ill. I heard the nurse joke she wondered if we have any kids by Friday. I am out to enjoy the sun today, as well!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope the kids will all be eligible for the vaccine soon as well. My daughter in law is a teacher and wears a mask at work along with everyone else. She said the only teachers who got COVID right away were the ones who were unvaccinated. Enjoy the nice weather.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Deb,
Our corner of California is doing pretty good against covid, well — except for the part where I got it, but since I was vaccinated or I was just lucky, I had a very mild case and experience. It did get me some time off of work because I became a professional sleeper, the need of which was likely my worse symptom.
It also taught me a few things and the immunity question inspired a new story that I really like. It’s fiction but pivots on this part of covid. I invite you to check it out if you would like a “feel-good” 10-minute read. I created something of an emotional roller coaster with this one.
I wish I could say that I’m impressed with how California has managed our water and forests, but I’m far from that impression. We’ve killed off most of our lumbar industry which did so much to maintain our forests and torn down dams rather than building any. Much of the water we need to save from the limited rain we do get is simply dumped back into the ocean rather than routed to reservoirs. I grew up here and we never had water rationing as such a constant part of living.
Sigh.
It sounds like things are beginning to look up for you and your part of the state.
I certainly hope you’re right, and healthy, and safe.
Blessings.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Delta variant has been very contagious. I am glad you were vaccinated and got a ‘mild’ case. I am glad that we have the desire to work on our issues here in California. I think the water shortage is due to the drought, but we do need to get even more proactive about managing our resources. I am glad that we are taking precautions here with mask wearing. Thanks for stopping by, Gary.
LikeLike
I’ll be very glad when it’s far behind us! I’m tired of wearing a mask but see it as important. My son was vaccinated with his pals yesterday. There is a bus that travels round the various neighbourhoods and the kids just need to show up, DOB and name. Job done. Thanks for coffee.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It sounds like the vaccine roll out is well organized there. I am hoping that my grandson will get vaccinated soon. He is in the younger group. Thanks for stopping by.
LikeLiked by 1 person
They are lifting all restrictions for everyone that is vaccinated on Wednesday. People who choose to not get vaccinated still have to keep their distance, and are not allowed into care facilities. I hope Covid disappears completely soon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wonder how they would enforce the rule for those unvaccinated people. Hope it all goes well there. Maybe next year we will be finished with COVID.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope so.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We have mask mandate here and vaccinations have been going well. Thank you for your #weekendcoffeeshare.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s good news.
LikeLike
Masks are required at the senior center where I do yoga and at my gym. I’m glad they’re being required at your events, now. Thank God for videos, TV, and internet, and also the great outdoors. NC has long way to go when it comes to climate change work. CA is doing better than many US states in that regard. Enjoy those cooler temps!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s good that masks are required there! Thanks for stopping by, JoAnna.
LikeLiked by 1 person