The COVID Chronicle, August 1-15, 2021

 

August 8 [Sunday]

We returned from vacation week in Pacific Grove. Numerous factions of Klems had peacefully assembled in town. Was really a super time. This is the largest congregation of family since pre-Covid! We’re all vaccinated except for the youngest, my nephew. As a tourist location, Cannery Row, the occasional glut of people on the sidewalks and in stores made me uncomfortable for virus and variant concern. It was avoided when possible, but some things are worth that kind of exposure. Namely caramel apples, chocolate-dipped frozen bananas, lemon bars at the bakery, sea salt caramel banana milk shake at the Ghirardelli shop or an Italian restaurant visit. So, sure, I’ll mask up, but I expect my tasty positive reinforcement.

 

August 9 [Monday]

Some things will return to pre-Covid-normal more slowly than others as the virus and its effects wane. But my desire to distance from non-selected humans remains strong as evidenced by my continued crossing the street when another pedestrian approaches from the other direction. How long’s this going to continue? I kind of like it.

[Note: Admittedly, I had to forgo this preferred pedestrian distancing while on vacation last week. Crossing the street was not always an available option due to too many people down Cannery Row. Avoidance of that whole area was eventually self-imposed.]

 

August 11 [Wednesday]

Governor Newsom announced possible forthcoming enhanced safety precautions due to Covid and its variant’s refusal to wither. This potentially includes requiring proof of vaccination for entering stores and restaurants. I have a tough time imagining such tightened measures could actually gain traction and be implemented. There’s also the unexplained ‘Who’s responsibility it would be to enforce.’ [That dirty work would fall on the business owners. Come on, they just want to conduct commerce, not police the state’s hand-wringing.] Maybe it’s time we cull the herd. We start with those who choose not to vaccinate. We’re all aware of Covid, we’ve heard of the vaunted Delta variant, vaccinations have been made widely available for months now. If someone chooses to abstain from vaccination, well, they chose. Anyway, if this goes forward I foresee a big win for Amazon and online retailers.