OK - I GOTTA ask....

Wondering how long this can go before it turns political.

 

I'm a healthy guy in my early 20's, in a canadian province that has done an excellent job of handling the pandemic, and yet, I am extremely strict about social distancing even now when things are opening back up. I can tell you why:

It's not about me, it's about everyone else.

I know people that are immunocompromised, that are elderly, or that have underlying conditions that make this extremely dangerous to them. Keeping myself out of the equation means that there is less of a chance of spreading this pandemic. The more people that follow that example then drastically lowers those chances again. When those chances are low that means that friends, family, and acquaintances are safe. It isn't even necessarily the people I know that are safe, it's the people I don't know. If I catch it, spread it, and someone catches it and dies, then I have caused needless suffering to that person's family and the people that knew them.

So again, the best way I can say it, is that it's not about me, it's about everyone else that I know and the people that I don't know.

 

I'm 64 and "essential". I work nights at a USPS processing facility in upstate NY monitoring and fixing sorting machines. I've been working straight through the crisis and so far no issues. In pretty good shape for my age, but way overweight (6'3" - 275#). I'll be working on that soon. My immune system has been very good since having my tonsils removed at 45. Bands are just starting to get back at it. One (Revolver) is doing a live stream thing this Sunday. The other (No Dice reunion thing) is rehearsing for the first time in 3 months this Saturday.

 

I'm 48. I work in healthcare (but not a nurse or doctor). I'm physically fit.

I live in Eastern NC. C19 had very little affect here.

I've been ready to rehearse for weeks. I wear a mask to the grocery store sometimes. I don't fear eating out, shopping, or working in 71 medical facilities in 21 towns. I probably enter dozen businesses a day between traveling around, working, and errands. Again, I wear a mask grocery shopping... sometimes..... mainly to make others feel better.

All that being said, try to be understanding. We all fear different things. While I don't fear C19 in my area anymore, it's not an "irrational" fear. Each band member has to decide for him/herself. The last one to agree to get together in my band was our guitarist. He has his reasons. Nobody pressured him. We're rehearsing for the first time Thursday night. I can't wait! These guys aren't just my band. They're some of my best friends.

Your band will get together soon. If not, start looking for some players who will. But don't beat up on people who aren't ready yet. It could ruin friendships over something that will pass.

Right about now, this world could use a ton of patience and understanding toward people who think/feel differently from the way you do. Take a deep breath. And then decide how @Aceman needs to proceed. If it's waiting out your band, great. If it's moving on to find others who are ready to play, great. But choose your words carefully when discussing it. If you leave, leave on good terms. We have enough scorched Earth and bridge burning going on right now as it is.

I hope it works out for you.

 

I've seen some people state they won't do anything until there is a vaccine. That could be years!

As far as my band, the leader hasn't said anything about resuming. At this point it's more of a fun social thing (and an excuse to buy gear ). No gigs planned.

 

The problem is that there is still not enough real information to be able to get a handle on risk of infection. As long as that is the case, I'm being cautious. I do know that singing loudly indoors is a great way to spread infection, and I adjust my behavior accordingly. I live in central Massachusetts. The number of recorded cases of infection are one tenth of one percent in my town. But that makes no difference when someone from Florida, for example, comes to visit and turns out to be a super-spreader. So we all wear masks; we're offered hand sanitizer at the grocery store, etc. And if I were you, I'd be careful, no matter what. It's less populated areas that are getting hit the hardest now. Yesterday's report:

Florida's Rising COVID-19 Numbers: What Do They Mean?

 

I'll be 65 in 12 days. Home with 11 y/o (biological) daughter - "school" pretty much ended yesterday. I could lose 40-70 lbs . No covid enhancing conditions and fully vaccinated. Pretty low death rate area here in Swamp Yankee NE CT. Of the four bands that have commenced rehearsing no-one is wearing masks. <insert bannable political/religious/philosophical speculations here LOL>. Have one confirmed gig for July 22nd on a town common. Woo!

 

I live in Vancouver BC. I am 58 and relatively healthy. I cycle to work 5 times a week but unfortunately my hips are probably needing to be replaced at some point. I work as a Music Therapist in a Mental Health and Substance facility. We have been in lock down for almost 3 months. Covid 19 did get into our 100 bed building which is shocking based on our population.

I just started rehearsing 2 weeks ago. Some of our restaurants are opening up, with plexi glass and 50% capacity. I will always where a mask outside my home and follow the directions of our public health officer. She has done an amazing job IMO and even had a write up in the NY times.

Our borders will probably remain closed to non essential travel for longer than we expect. Hopefully the vaccine is close. I'll quote Dr. Bonnie Henry "be kind, be calm, and be safe" to everyone where ever you are.

 

I'm 45 and my bandmates are in their 50's. I'm an essential employee in 2 hospitals as a cardiovascular tech and see the bug everyday I go to work. In Colorado, the bug admissions and deaths have decreased as of lately. We started practicing last week but have several rules. One, hand sani into my house and leaving. Two, 6 feet apart at all times. Three, ANY sign or symptom, no go for practice. Four, as soon as they leave, the house is wiped down and Lysoled. The smell of "great waterfall" was abundant throughout the house last week.

The WHO did state that asymptomatic transmission is rare and I trust my bandmates to let me know if they are feeling sick. I'm not going out in public often accept for household necessities and groceries and mask up when around other people. I don't mask up when walking the dog but will cross the street when I see people to avoid a possible contamination.

As it safer if we didn't have practice, yes. And we are trying to have some normalcy our life and taking measures to be as safe as possible.

 

Or gets moved to the correct sub-forum: Off Topic

 

I can see this getting political/divisive. I'm just gonna relay neutral info: I worked at a SPFX makeup school in Hollywood until I got laid off in March. I'm non-essential (depending on who you ask). I'm 52 and I've had pneumonia 5 times in the past. Plus I have hereditary high blood pressure, inarguably exacerbated by 20 years of heavy smoking (quit cold-turkey 12 years ago). I live in a fairly high-density urban space (Los Angeles). I'm 10 years older than my next oldest bandmate. I guess all these things make me fairly high-risk. We're probably gonna rehearse (hourly studio rental in Echo Park) again in a couple of weeks, but I have my misgivings.

 

SQUIRREL!!!

 

I'm soon to hit 51, been laid off since mid march. I'm the oldest of all my bandmates. I don't have kids, wife and all that stuff. I know me and my house are safe. I'm a kind of a football player shape, not muscular but rugged built - could let go of 25 lbs though. I'm healthy, a few allergies at this time of the year, other than that nothing. I run all kinds of errands for my old parents and I respect social distancing and whatnot. Basically I use common sense and I am not overdoing it. I don't wear a mask. Been going like that since mid march, not a single problem whatsoever. But I respect rules, I wash my hands and respect the distancing. Common sense, really. All my projects/bands rehearse at my house, in the basement. I miss the guys a lot, I miss playing a lot but I'm in no rush for practice. I said goodbye to this years gigs in april, they ain't gonna happen. When everybody feels comfortable and regulations allow that kind of gathering, I will gladly have the boys at my place for band practice, always respecting common sense rules. I'm in no rush, again everybody needs to be okay to do it. I won't hold a grudge to no one if we only start practicing in the fall. Some have families, kids and all, I gotta respect that.It's all about respect, like anything in life.

 

You should go for it, doing Kung Fu 2x a week, for you chances are coved19 would just be a way to take that off that extra weight fast, and then you'd be a certified safe non carrier after a few months.

 

Austin, TX. Epicenter of the Milky Way.
So far, seems better here. We'll see. High school football practice started yesterday so that will be a better test than any political direction I could take this in. Bars here are open but at very limited capacity so that still locks out most live music situations, but 100%. It's HOT as blue blazes here today. I only know a couple folks who were diagnosed. But I know a ton of folks including myself and my wife who had very typical flu and respiratory symptoms and yet tested negative for influenza in late January, early February.

 

Massachusetts, Half a century, Not dead yet

 

I'm an almost 66 year old essential. Diabetes, Heart condition, currently typing from a very nice spot in the Northwoods of Minnesota. Soon to pack up and head home for a day or two.

 

I think it is healthy to have a healthy fear of this virus. While life must go on, there are things that can be done to prevent infection that are not complete lifestyle changes. I mean, I like eating in cafes, but that is not something I currently feel the need to participate in.

I think the people who were alive during 9-11 still have some residual reactions to the pandemic to "not let the terrorists win" by staying home and hiding except this time it is a microscopic virus instead of a terrorist. Of course these two events are not the same thing. It just seems to me that people want to spit in the eye of biology.

I think of this like climbing on a ladder or watching your kids play on a playscape. I always tell them and remember that it is good to respect gravity and take precautions to not fall. But I also don't want to terrify them from ever climbing up to the highest part of the playscape.

My state's governor took many steps to stop the spread, and it has worked well as our daily averages continue to dwindle thus making it far less likely that infected persons are walking around out there.

My reaction to this is like preparing for problems at gigs. I bring lots of extra cables and a spare amp, but I never bring an extra bass or PA just in case.

We can adjust for a while. Think of what it must have been like to live through the Blitzkrieg in London during WWII? They made many adjustments to daily life for years with no end in sight.