Leadership in... inaction?

Mayor Walsh says that Boston's decision of what to change in response to the rise in COVID-19 cases in terms of what businesses can be open and under what conditions is not about closing businesses that are known for spreading COVID-19 and instead about simply trying to reduce the networks that are available.  This is indeed a good step but why aren't we looking at the numbers and having that weigh in on which businesses should be impacted?  Oh, right, because Child Care and K-12 Schools would be at the top of that list after Healthcare and places of residence like Long Term Care Facilities and we need both Child Care and K-12 Schools open because all businesses demand it.

Meanwhile, Gov. Baker is pleading with people to (while maintaining that they should keep up risky behaviors related to businesses making money) not see friends and family over the holidays.

Look, we're all tired and for a variety of reasons.  That doesn't mean we can allow ourselves to let our guard down.  We're seeing record numbers of cases, hospitals are filling up again, and daily deaths are now 3 times the rate they were in July through September (and twice the rate from the first half of November).  And with the networks for the spread remaining open, unlike in our first wave, now is just that much more risky a time to engage in any behavior that brings you indoors with and/or within 6 feet of people outside your home bubble.

Please time your shopping trips as far apart as you're able to and go when there are the fewest people there.  Please wear your mask whenever not in your home (including over your nose).  Please do not visit with people indoors.  

Please remember that 

  • If you are working in an office, you are not quarantining.
  • If your kids are doing in-person learning, you are not quarantining.
  • If you go inside to go grocery shopping, you are not quarantining.
  • It can take days to a couple weeks for COVID-19 to show up on a test after you've been exposed so if you are going to visit with friends/family, actually quarantine for as long as possible (preferably 1-2 weeks), then get your test, then continue your quarantine until you see your friends/family.
For other tips on how to stay safe: https://funwithmacovid-19reporting.blogspot.com/2020/12/how-to-avoid-covid-19.html

Stay safe. Stay sane. Stay informed. Stay aware that hundreds of people are going to die between now and the end of the year and it didn't need to be that way.

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