Rant: I'm sick of the optimism around Covid 19.

[Bonano]

F this shit.

Since March, it has been a steady decent into lower and lower standards, and living with less and less. I'm sick of ads that keep talking about being "in this together." Fuck you. Nobody's together. How CAN you be, and simultaneously "socially-distance or die." Nobody's together. People may be "connected," but "real" communication's pretty much non-existent for me. I've been buying gear to distract me from all this BS.

If this shit ever ends, I'm probably gonna be the grumpiest MF'er around with too many amps and guitars. F this shit.

Nothing more f'n annoying than optimism during a bleak time. I know I'm coming off as a snowflake, but fuck everyone who's cheerleading their way through this shit. Imma be honest about it and be the grumpiest fuck out there. Don't fuckin' tell me, "You got this." Fuck you. I ain't got shit.

[/rant]

[EndTime]

Hmm. I’ve worked basically the same as normal. In fact, being a contractor and business owner, I’ve somehow done better than normal. I go to the grocery as normal. Every other day. I don’t wash my hands anymore than usual. I did in fact catch the Covid. There was some real side effects and symptoms but.... Here I am 42 yo, pretty healthy and fine. So yeah, I actually know people who have Barely left their house since March. I could imagine it’s very difficult and defeating. And they seem to be the ones having the most difficulty. Or....
You could just live your life regardless. There truly is a middle ground for us if we choose to live it. Somewhere between the Covid Hoaxers and “You are killing people’s grandma’s!” People, you can find a life where you take precaution and still function. And keeping your sanity. I’m not saying I won’t actually freak if my life is on the line, but I came to terms with Death before Covid. Simply because the only thing ALL of us are guaranteed is death and the idea we fear it, became kinda silly. Maybe it’ll be Covid, or maybe it’ll be old age at 87. Ain’t no telling and there ain’t no reason we as a society can’t function with extra precaution and still function.

[linthat22]

Sorry to hear banana man. But I feel ya, I too am getting over all the bullshit surrounding this "crisis."

When this is done, can I buy a guitar off of ya? ;-)

[TurboPablo]

Turn that baditude into gratitude and don't buck out little camper.

[fretless]

Yeah it changed things for everyone. Since there is not a fucking thing we can do other than ride along in this clown car together I chose to remain on the positive side to keep mentally healthy. There is a overload of despair and desperation with what seems like total failures by our leaders. I feel like everyone is left to fend for themselves. I am brought to tears seeing the food lines. Show me a more heartbreaking site than fellow Citizens hungry and lined up to feed their families. Sadly we had to give up some things we care about and the future is a unknown. I have a little more appreciation for some things today than yesterday. I’m not a thumper but I pray for all of us these days especially for the hardest hit. My personal hope is one of these vaccines will help the world stop it. Optimistic, hopeful and blessed we all made this far. Positive many things we love will come back to us. Stay safe fuck faces and don’t be stupid

[clipless bumper]

I'm somewhere in the middle - but closer to EndTime.
I work at Pep Boys on the weekend - have for over 15 years.
They are still open here in PA (slightly reduced hours) and have been throughout
(I think having out home office here helped in that regard)
Have to wear a mask all day there - but I deal with it, if only out of respect for others.

My other job has had an impact - I have been working from home since March, was at 50% pay/work during April, and have been at 80% since - taking off every Wednesday.
The break in the middle of the week is nice - but I need to get back to 100% pay before it really catches up with me.

Out in public - not really that different - still go to the grocery store a few times a week - we go out to our local bar (outdoor seating) often - and have been out to eat at various restaurants since they opened back up.'
It sucjs - but I'm not really experiencing significant emotional/physical stress over it.
The one thing I have resigned myself to - I'm not really counting on us ever getting back to 'the way it was before'.

[JiveTurkey]

I live in one of THE worst states (right next to EndTime). I've basically just increased my pre-existing anti-social tendencies and even as anti-social as I tend to be; it's been an adjustment. Mojo sent Bonano.

[K-Bizzle]

Strap in kids, we're stuck with this to some degree or another for at least another 2 years probably.
In the meantime take care of both your mental and physical health as best you can.

Also related to this I went to Mexico this week for work. I was very surprised to find how much more precautions they're taking down there than in the US.
Temperature scanning at the entry to literally everywhere, all service staff have masks and face shields, and they're taking sanitization a level or two beyond what I've seen in the US (they have shoe sanitization stations at every entry and also some plays spray people clothes as weird as that seems). They also put these red dots on high touch frequency locations that wear away over time to indicate sanitation needs. People also are much better about wearing masks there including being outside.

Aside from those precautions and some social distancing steps they're open as normal as far as I could tell. Its hard to say how much of that is effective vs performative but to me if you can be open fully but with those extra steps it certainly seems like a better day to day life than the shutdowns we're getting here in the US.

[Pepi]

[JiveTurkey]

[clipless bumper]

bad Pepi, bad!

[TurboPablo]

If America would simply grow up for a few months this could all be over in the short term.

[clipless bumper]

not quite sure what you mean by grow up - but some countires in Europe have proven that lockdowns don't eradicate the virus

[***1776***]

Its different in "Merica" because we have 50 different states and 50 different leaders of each state unless you have a federal lockdown you cannot compare us to Europe its not correct


The numbers are truly not 100% accurate, i just found out my girlfriend has the anti body and theres a good chance i may have had it in March, there are probably millions around the globe who havent been tested and its not reflective in the number. I TRULY wonder what the FLU season numbers will look like compared to previous years


We all know the rules are for the but not me as there are tons of pictures of politicians and those in power NOT enforcing their own rules


The big big question is when this is over what will be the consequences for China? We know for a fact is came from (not 100$ sure how, maybe a lab or something else) but we do know that it came from they and that they blocked help and assistance early on and allowed it to spread globally. I think that they also gave us S.A.R.S. so you have to wonder WTF is going on over their with those commies. At the very minimum any global debt owed to them should be reduced IMO thats a start but they should CLEARLY pay something for helping cause this crazy shit

[jgreenwd]

TIL you guys are going to the grocery store every other day... Mind. Blown. We shop for a week at a time ‘round here.

[JiveTurkey]

Without going to far into the owl zone; it's just destined to play out the way it is going to play out. No unified direction from any level. And I think even if things might have been different if certain high up things were different; we'd still find new ways to be fucked. We're just going to have keep going and pressing on and hopefully be able to come out the other side on this. If there is an other side to be found.

[Tortuga]

I've been incredibly fortunate, in that the two jobs I hold have continued to allow me to work entirely remote (at home). I've been able to tackle a lot of home projects and, as a byproduct, my boys have gotten involved and learned quite a bit: computers, electronics, woodworking, construction, metalworking, landscaping, and more. Most would say I can't complain, and I get that.

But, the mental stress of being concerned about my family, my son's senior year in HS that he's pretty much missing, dealing with fuckers that are completely self-centered about the whole mask-wearing thing, racism/riots, (seemingly) organized chaos, not to mention that the FUCKING GYM IS CLOSED and we gotta throw a CLOWN SHOW OF A FUCKED UP ELECTION in the midst of it - has made for some very dark days for me.

In 2016, I wanted to vote for a fucking meteor. Now, I just want 1982 again

[Pepi]

bad Pepi, bad!

The Owl was sleeping

[clipless bumper]

Its different in "Merica" because we have 50 different states and 50 different leaders of each state unless you have a federal lockdown you cannot compare us to Europe its not correct


The numbers are truly not 100% accurate, i just found out my girlfriend has the anti body and theres a good chance i may have had it in March, there are probably millions around the globe who havent been tested and its not reflective in the number. I TRULY wonder what the FLU season numbers will look like compared to previous years


We all know the rules are for the but not me as there are tons of pictures of politicians and those in power NOT enforcing their own rules


The big big question is when this is over what will be the consequences for China? We know for a fact is came from (not 100$ sure how, maybe a lab or something else) but we do know that it came from they and that they blocked help and assistance early on and allowed it to spread globally. I think that they also gave us S.A.R.S. so you have to wonder WTF is going on over their with those commies. At the very minimum any global debt owed to them should be reduced IMO thats a start but they should CLEARLY pay something for helping cause this crazy shit

I think the (50) states is a good comparison to the many countries (with differing lockdowns) in Europe.
Lockdowns here (as you said) vary depending on the state - just as they vary in Europe by country.
I was talking about individual countries in Europe.

but the rest of your post I agree with 100%

[JiveTurkey]

I've been incredibly fortunate, in that the two jobs I hold have continued to allow me to work entirely remote (at home). I've been able to tackle a lot of home projects and, as a byproduct, my boys have gotten involved and learned quite a bit: computers, electronics, woodworking, construction, metalworking, landscaping, and more. Most would say I can't complain, and I get that.

But, the mental stress of being concerned about my family, my son's senior year in HS that he's pretty much missing, dealing with fuckers that are completely self-centered about the whole mask-wearing thing, racism/riots, (seemingly) organized chaos, not to mention that the FUCKING GYM IS CLOSED and we gotta throw a CLOWN SHOW OF A FUCKED UP ELECTION in the midst of it - has made for some very dark days for me.

In 2016, I wanted to vote for a fucking meteor. Now, I just want 1982 again

My son is a junior. It's definitely a challenge. I feel like a motherf**ker for people with multiple small children at home trying to navigate this shit.

[Ostinato Rubato]

I’m sick of a lot of things about this whole situation. My poor wife is working from home full time while facilitating the distance learning for 3-5 kids (depending on the day of the week) who are all going nuts themselves and would throw a rock through a window just to see something interesting happen. They can’t help but be restless and irritable and tired of seeing each other’s faces all the time, so they make it harder on my wife.

We hired a tutor to come 2-3 days a week when the child load is heaviest. I get home and she’s pretty much done. She’ll finish dinner and retreats to our room for her only couple hours of peace and time to herself.

I’m an HR manager of a furniture factory, shoveling out all the psychological piles of shit that everyone brings in to the place, people like YOU BONANO who are losing their minds from all this crap, but it’s my job to be the same person in the room when everyone else has gone fucking psycho. And guess what these people do in times like this... they sue more than usual. Fun times.

When I get home my kids are dying for some interaction. I spend my evening listening to them talk about whatever is on their minds, helping #3 try to start a fire by hand, trying to convince #1 to find a fucking hobby outside of games, listening to #2’s latest beat that sounds like the last 5 and trying to seem like I’m actively hearing the little intricacies of why this one is different than the last 5, talking with #4 about the kinds of powers one her character has over the others, and doing fucking tea time and pretending doctor’s office with #5.

I don’t get to have a rant. I have to be the stabilizing balancing force in my world and many others. I don’t come here to have to continue doing what I do everyday. I come here to chill and drink beers with the hommies.

We’re men Bonano. You’re a man god dammit. Sick it up and drink or so drugs or bury your sorrows in women of the night. Ain’t nobody got time for this shit.

[clipless bumper]

Can we just call it Bleak Friday this year??

[GuitarBilly]

I've been working from home for 13 years, so not much change for me, except that I am now working 4 days a week on 80% salary. Which is fine since my cost of living is not high at the moment.

I miss playing shows, that's really what I miss the most. But we had 2 shows recently and have another one in Dec. Everybody wore their masks and kept their social distance and let's be honest, a packed house was never a thing for us my music career practically invented "stay at home and social distance" so it's been fine but we played 44 shows in 2019 vs 7 this year.

Other than that it's been fine for me. But I am not one to lecture people to "man up" or whatever because I don't know what their situation is, so I can only speak for myself.


Also, as a reminder, this thread will not go into politics in any way or it will be locked.

[K-Bizzle]

kept their social distance and let's be honest, a packed house was never a thing for us my music career practically invented "stay at home and social distance"

Ain't that the truth.

Only 25% capacity allowed?
What I'd give to play shows at 25% capacity.

[GuitarBilly]

kept their social distance and let's be honest, a packed house was never a thing for us my music career practically invented "stay at home and social distance"

Ain't that the truth.

Only 25% capacity allowed?
What I'd give to play shows at 25% capacity.

yeah people have been social distancing from my guitar playing since the late 80's I am a true pioneer in public health