Just picked up a few items for the office in a rough neighborhood in Tacoma.

[Aristus]

In-store mask policy strictly enforced. And everyone was complying.

The rich, white assholes of America are screaming, spewing, and bleating about their 'right' not to wear a mask. Or whimpering that they can't breathe with a mask on.

Meanwhile, the people for whom everyday life is a struggle for survival are masking up without complaint. They know what's really important. These are my people...

[Generic Other]

1. And yet the Northend bellyachers

are whinging and wheezing away enough for the whole damn town.

[cyndensco]

2. What exactly makes the neighborhood rough?

Just curious.

[Aristus]

6. Hilltop.

It was a center for violent gang activity back in the 80's. The gangs are mostly gone, but the neighborhood is still poor and struggling. It's one of the few places in town where the homeless aren't roughly 'moved along' all the time. There are small homeless camps here and there, and a lot of individual campers.

A large homeless shelter is just a few blocks down the hill and over a bit. We hold clinic there one afternoon a week. One of my colleagues roams the neighborhood trying to connect with homeless people to get them to establish at the clinic for medical care, mental health care, public services, and so on.

The place has been in recovery for a long time. It's two steps forward, one step back a lot of the time. And TPD is no help. Once, when I was crossing the street to get to the Safeway, a bunch of cop cars screeched to the curb, and the cops got out and starting screaming at some poor homeless guy shuffling along. I tell you, cops hate the homeless and defenseless, and make no effort to hide it.

[cwydro]

3. I live in a red, wealthy area.

Everyone is wearing masks.

[CatWoman]

4. I hope I'm in that category

i.e., your people

[Aristus]

7. You always will be...

[CatWoman]

8. ....

[Sherman A1]

5. Went to my local Home Depot yesterday

Not an employee wearing a mask 😷 at all. The feedback they got from my cash register receipt wasn’t positive.

[In_The_Wind]

9. A local McDonald's is asking customers to wear a mask while paying at the drive-thru.