Responsible Partying in the Time of COVID?

This Labor Day weekend I went to two parties. One was an 80th birthday party for a dear friend and another was a birthday party for a dear cousin. (Names will be withheld to protect the innocent and the guilty!)

Both parties were held outside with people who were doing an okay job wearing masks and social distancing. Both parties were hosted by Democrats, if that makes any difference. The reason I mention this, is that I notice that generally speaking, Democrats seem to take more precautions than Republicans. 

Republicans, who typically support President Trump, think Democrats are alarmists and that their desire to partially shut down society and the economy are motivated by trying to make the President look bad. They think the coronavirus is not much worse than the flu. Consequently, Republicans don't put much stock in masks and social distancing. On the other hand, Democrats are worried about coronavirus spreading like wildfire and more people dying or being seriously ill with all the consequences that entails. I think that is it likely that people's political affiliations are affecting how they view the virus.

Joe King for President 2020

I have my own biases. I would like my son to be in school for his senior year and for St. Mark's the grade school I support to also be in school, for the students, families, and staff. 

If Catholic schools aren't in session, we don't collect tuition and can't pay our teachers. I also believe there is a large collateral cost in shutting down society. I worry about people who are isolated, people who don't receive medical care, the economic repercussions of so many people not working. 

On the other hand, I also worry about my parents and other loved ones in high risk groups. It's such a balancing act: how do you reduce risk and still live your life? 

My parents are well into their 80's and therefore in a high risk group. Under the best of circumstances, they have a limited amount of time left. How many get togethers, hugs, parties do they forgo in order to not get COVID? They might not get COVID and they could die from something else at their age. Plus, again under the best of circumstances, as time goes on, the quality of their life will diminish. It's impossible to calibrate. 

Adirondack chairs on the campus of Bradley University

As far as the younger set goes, COVID is taking off on college campuses as many predicted it would. My nieces who are a senior at University of Dayton and a sophomore at Bradley University, have both been affected. With more than 300 active COVID cases, Dayton is under stage 4 restrictions. My niece has to remain in her university-owned house, only leaving to get food or for other necessities. At Bradley, someone on my niece's dorm floor was diagnosed with COVID and the entire floor has to quarantine for two weeks. As my sister was home for the aforementioned parties, my niece went home with her and will continue her classes online.

It's an evolving situation. Lots more to say later. Stay tuned.



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