In watching the local news here in DFW it looks like folks are

[Beachnutt]

totally ignoring masking or the covid all together now, they just showed a shot of the crowds at the Ft Worth stockyards and no mask in sight.
Governor Abbott and the rethugs will have many more deaths on their hands here in Tx.
I want to go see my grandkids and get out so bad but I just refuse to until I get my shots I hope I am wrong about folks getting sick but it sure is not worth the risk to me.

[USAFRetired_Liberal]

1. I am actually surprised in the San Antonio area people are still wearing them

I have been to 5 nearby cities (schertz, cibolo, new braunfels, San Marcos, and San Antonio)...,only city that seems to have people who aren’t wearing them is new braunfels....

[riversedge]

3. glad to hear there are still lots of wise folks in TX

[USAFRetired_Liberal]

5. New Braunfels is the MAGA city in between San Antonio and Austin

That’s where the Trump train that harassed the Biden bus during the election originated from, it’s also the city that is represented by Chip Roy...everything else in this area is either Blue or Purple.

[Tree Lady]

34. My daughter who lives there said the same thing

She sees people all over still wearing masks and promised me she will only shop at stores that require them and she said all the ones she goes to still do.

She lives in Alamo Heights.

[marble falls]

38. I'd bet San Antonio masks better than Austin and Austin does good. Another place where people ...

... take masking seriously, is Marble Falls. Now if they'd stay home more.

[Alice Kramden]

2. I agree it's not worth the risk

The Europeans are shutting down AGAIN due to the covid variants, and without widespread vaccinations we are still at risk

[wnylib]

12. Even with wide spread vaccinations, there is still

some risk from the variants, which is why masks are still important.

[GulfCoast66]

25. That's not proven at all.

Until we see large numbers of vaccinated people infected we will not know. The few lab studies done can’t simulate the real world.

I agree it could happen. Keep an eye on Israel. They have a higher percentage of the population vaccinated and also more variants than us. So far, so good.

The wife and I are both vaccinated. Well, I’ve still got my second dose to go. But unless we see vaccinated people getting the variants, I can’t wait to ditch the mask. I’ll keep wearing it till the evidence is in.

[wnylib]

26. Don't take my word alone for it. I am only

repeating what Fauci is saying. According to him, the fact that we don't know yet how vaccinated people will do with the variants is precisely why he advises caution about ditching masks altogether. Fauci has also said that vaccinated people might carry the virus in their nostrils without becoming sick, and then carry it to unvaccinated people. That's why he advises continued mask use in the general public, e.g. stores, but says it is ok to not wear them around people, e.g. family, where ALL of them are vaccinated, or at very low risk with no co-morbidities.

I understand the wish to let go of the masks and other restrictions. After my first shot last week, I was already looking so forward to feeling safer that I caught myself getting too lax before the second shot.

The vaccines hold up well against the UK variant, but not as well against the South African and Brazilian variants. Therefore, even a vaccinated person might catch one of those. If that wasn't true, then Pfizer and Moderna would not be working on booster shots, which they are currently trying to develop.

[Alice Kramden]

27. Completely agree with what you are saying

I understood Dr Fauci's remarks the same way

[Hortensis]

4. Hold tight, continue smart, right? Those variants are serious business even if the

crowds aren't literally rushing off cliffs as we watch. One of this viruses' most deadly traits is to NOT kill most of its hosts. Now we know why.

[Marthe48]

17. I'll wear a mask the rest of my life

We haven't had time to see if the vaccines are going to protect us, or for how long without a booster. Unless we get tattoos in the middle our our foreheads, we won't be able to tell who is vaccinated and who isn't. I've got long-term goals I'd like to meet, and I'll do as much as I can to be here as long as I can.

Darn right: Hold tight, continue smart!

[Blue_true]

28. Once the pandemic is over, I will wear a mask when I feel cold symptoms.

That out of courtesy to others. That seem to be common on Asia (particularly Japan) and it looks like a good idea.

[Hortensis]

37. Skipping the flu season, and colds, has really brought home why masks

are worn more often in some cultures.

[Blue_true]

41. Yes it does. That is why I am so sold on situational wearing of masks.

When I was much younger, I remember taking an airline trip that I had to take with a bad viral lung infection, I was coughing like crazy on the plane. I cringe today thinking about how many people I may have made sick in that situation. I would never go into a situation like that again without wearing at least two cloth masks at all times, given that I could not avoid taking the trip.

[blm]

6. The risk is huge and Abbott knows it which is why he

pre-emptively blamed the migrants crossing the border.

[dodgevillain]

7. I think you are smart n/t

[brewens]

8. I caught the Great Lectures series "The Black Death" on Prime when they had it. We are seeing

pretty much all of the bizarre behavior that made those plague's worse. Of course we saw the same thing with the 1918 flu too.

One story that sticks in my mind was some costal town in Italy. I think during the last time the plague came through. They had been lucky and had no cases but had a plague ship in the harbor. It was owned by the mayor and he ordered his cargo unloaded and killed thousands of people in the area. Pretty much what these people are doing because they are worried about their wealth not piling up as fast as they like.

[JohnSJ]

9. Unfortunately, you are not wrong. It looks like Florida and some other areas are heading in the

direction also.

Hopefully, the sane ones will get vaccinated as soon as they are able, and I am to the point to those who do not want to follow the recommended safety protocols, to hell with them.

I just want enough people get vaccinated fast enough so these others don't hurt it for the rest of us

[secondwind]

10. You are not wrong to think this way.

[Skittles]

11. it doesn't bother repukes that over HALF A MILLION Americans have died of covid

these "pro-life" fuckers DO.NOT.CARE.

[Pluvious]

40. My BIL is a doctor - refuses to believe the death stats

He also denies climate change.

And watches Fox shows, of course.

It's very hard for me to interact with him at (past) family get togethers.

There's no arguing with these types.

[DENVERPOPS]

13. Look at it this way

They probably have resigned themselves to the reality of that if the virus doesn't get them, they will either freeze to death in the next storm, or they will die of starvation because all their food budgets will have been spent on un-fathomable bills for utility profiteering.....

For me, after the last month, I can't believe there is a single Republican voter left in the entire State of Texas......

But what do I know? I also can't believe that after the past five years, that there is a Single Republican voter left in the entire United States of America......

[Tommymac]

15. +1

[Politicub]

14. Twitter is awash with people posting images from crowded shopping

malls and other venues.

There have been 29.7 million cases of Covid in the U.S., with 60,000+ new cases yesterday. The number of deaths is 541,000 as of yesterday. Almost two percent of people who contract Covid die.

We’ll start to see the effects of the new infections on the statistics in about two weeks.

[Beachnutt]

18. It's so sad really, the more I ponder it the madder I get.

Two of my daughters are trumpers because of their husbands and I have warned and warned them but they are going on wide open now since abbott gave the green light, it scares me to think what if they get this crap I won't be able to go see them and how do I help them even financially after I have warned and warned and they ignore me and continue on with fox news and the rethug agenda...
What gives here ?? DAMN

[Alice Kramden]

29. That is really tough

I don't have daughters but if I did I would feel sad about their choices, too

[Blue_true]

30. You are in a tough situation, hope for the best. nt

[Tree Lady]

35. I feel your pain my oldest daughter is a Trumper

Because of her boyfriend and being surrounded by republicans at work. She and other manager where she works both got vaccinated though, she got her second shot today. And she is telling everyone in the family to get it. When it started she said it was a flu, but some people at work got real sick and some employees at work had family die, that woke her up.

She isn't real political, just voted that way because she is making more money.

[ALBliberal]

16. I am here in Albuquerque

I could mix and mingle I miss my nieces and nephews so much but honestly I want to get safely vaccinated and make sure they are as well. It really is a matter of public health. And even if I could safely see them masked and outdoors it’s an example I want to show. It’s been since at least Halloween since I saw them but everyone’s health is the priority.
I know not the same as grandparents but I’m holding out!
Dang it’s hard.

[Beachnutt]

19. It sure is and my trumper daughter has been guilting me for not going to the zoo

and other places with them, I just can't yet not when I am so close to getting my shots.
I pre registered for my shot so I am waiting for my phone call for appointment.
I feel you my friend.

[ALBliberal]

24. My son is a server and I am an accountant

I think we will be in the next “wave” for scheduling.

We are so very close!

And we stay vigilant my friends.

[BarbD]

20. The women's NCAA Basketball tournament is in San Antonio.

As much as I missed my UCONN Huskies play last year because of the cancelled tournament. I certainly don't want them to put their health and the health of the cream of women's basketball in jeopardy because of money being lost by the NCAA, Colleges and ESPN.

We won't mention the corners being cut by the NCAA for the women's tournament as opposed to the men's being held in Indiana. That's another topic.

Does it always have to come down to money?

[Blue_true]

31. The way the NCAA has treated the women is a disgrace.

The NCAA claims that it is working to correct the problems, but as the South Carolina Coach, Dawn Staley said something like, “someone had to plan to have the women’s setup as it is, so even though the NCAA is saying that it is working to fix inadequacies, those inadequacies should have never happened to begin with”

[Sur Zobra]

39. The NCAA exists for the sole purpose

of making money off of unpaid student athletes, so yes, it always comes down to money

[Evolve Dammit]

21. I am totally in agreement. I want to, like everyone, be free to do whatever. But it's not safe yet.

Covid don't care, and these people certainly don't give a fuck about anyone. At all. Almost as if incapable of rational thought or any sense of shared sacrifice for the common good. And proud of it?? What the hell happened to the America that came together in times of crises? Asking for a friend, Lady Liberty.

[Chainfire]

22. Covid is over around here too.

I guess we are winding up for the big Easter Surge. All the kids coming back from Spring Break can infect all of their old folks.

[Blue_true]

32. Europe is seeing their surge among mostly younger people. nt

[Scruffy1]

23. It's rare to see anyone without a mask here in El Paso.

Of course it's debatable that we are are a part of Texas.

[KentuckyWoman]

36. Made me laugh.

I've been to El Paso only once.
Fond memories aplenty.

[Cha]

33. Do the planes still

require masks on board?