Worst day in a while

The COVID numbers in Massachusetts are getting worse. Like a lot worse. We had been in the low 200s in August and most of September. Yesterday was 700+.

Somehow though the governor still thinks it's appropriate to push to open schools, to increase the limit on gatherings, and to allow indoor dining, among other things. Up until recently I had thought he was doing a pretty good job managing the pandemic in the state, but things have changed dramatically for the worse.

I am not sure if anyone knows the exact cause of this uptick, but it seems pretty clear to me that the students returning from all over the country hasn't helped. And neither will these crazypants newly relaxed guidelines. Indoor performances up to 250 people? Is he high?

Personally I think this uptick is a wake-up call that we have gotten too relaxed, too permissive, and too complacent about COVID. Sure the new guidelines only apply to 'low risk communities' like mine, but it's not like we have some virus-proof wall around the town. People come and go as they please and the virus will inevitibly follow.

We had a case of COVID in one of the elementary schools this week. The students weren't back in there yet thankfully, but it seems like only a matter of time before this happens again with kids in the building. I'd like to see this hybrid nonsense shut down before it endangers the whole town.

And yet parents continue to agitate for a full reopening of in-person schooling. I am not sure if it is selfishness, ignorance, or magical thinking at work. I'd like to believe that our town leadership is too smart to bow to such pressure, but it is hard to say at this point. I'd like to see the kids in the classroom as much as anyone else, but not until it's safe to do so for everyone involved, which seems like a long way off.

Today we woke up to news that 45 had tested positive for COVID-19. I hope that will be a wake-up call to the country about how transmissible the virus is, and how foolish it is to ignore precautions. Now I worry about Biden, who was standing on the same stage just a few nights ago.