Reopening

Here is a good website that shows how each state is progressing toward being able to reopen safely. This website is updated regularly. A lot of states have rates of infection continuing to increase. https://www.covidexitstrategy.org/

Here is a website showing what activities epidemiologists are willing to do and when they think it will be safe to do them. This is the results of a survey and is not updated. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/06/08/upshot/when-epidemiologists-will-do-everyday-things-coronavirus.html

Although the survey is interesting, I think it would have been more useful if the survey had asked “what criteria would you need to be met?” rather than “when?” The article considers “when” as in a timeline; “now, summer, fall, a year from now, etc.” Problem is, nobody knows “when” because we cannot foresee the future. Will infection rates be declining in a month? We don’t know. Instead, the epidemiologists are probably watching for indicators, such as declining infection rates, development of vaccinations, etc., not just waiting for time to pass.

I’d like to know what criteria they would watch for before doing activities like eating at a restaurant or flying on a plane. Eating out after infection rates reach a certain threshold? Flying after there’s a vaccine?

It’s also interesting to see how much a person’s individual circumstances play a role in their answers. Job types, proximity to elderly family members, children’s developmental needs, etc. There is no one answer for all of us. We all have different risk levels, different risk tolerances, live in different areas, and have different values and motivations. Therefore, we all have to make guesses and judgment calls based on our own unique situations.

One thing that’s fairly universal though – we are all tired of the inside of our houses and we all want to be somewhere else right now! I’m dealing with that by looking at houses on the internet. Houses for sale, long-term rentals, vacation rentals, houses in California, Arizona, New Mexico…no, not Texas.

I know, springtime a bit over a year ago I was all ready to move to Texas, but that was in a moment of insanity. All my friends told me I was out of my mind, and yes, you were right. It’s just that the dry desert winds can get to you; can seep into your mind and replace neurons with sand. New Mexicans can go a little crazy in March – while the rest of the world has cherry blossoms and bluebells, we have blowing sand.

Speaking of replacing brain neurons with sand, guess what I discovered? There are basically no pet-friendly houses for rent with private pools in all of California, Arizona or New Mexico. You can get pet-friendly rentals. And you can occasionally get rentals with pools. But not both at the same time.

Guess where you can get pet-friendly rentals with private backyard pools? Florida! Yep. They’re all over down there. Tons of them! I’d been looking in California and Arizona and nothing, nothing, nothing, then I switched to Florida and suddenly, bonanza! I’m overwhelmed with the options. Slight problem – it’s a loooong damn drive to Florida and I’m not flying anywhere, anytime soon.

Yes, there are probably pet-friendly rentals with pools in Texas too, but I told you, Texas is no longer under consideration. Never mind why. Well, ok, unless my sister moves there, which she has mentioned as a possibility. Then I’d consider spending some time there. But for now she seems thoroughly ensconced in Boston.

The other thing you’re probably wondering is why I’m even looking at pet-friendly rentals with private pools. Am I planning on renting a house? Uh, I’m not really planning anything. I’m planning on making it through another round of chemo. I’m just going nuts with this house-bound situation. Like all the rest of you. Dreaming of being SOMEWHERE ELSE!

Yes, those places are really available! And pets are ok! And they cost the same amount to rent as our small, modest rentals here in Albuquerque. Except bigger and with pools!

Uh, is the water supposed to be green? Never mind, I’ll take it, I can fix that water.

Here’s one with a private pool and a private dock with a boat lift. Holy moly! You couldn’t even rent a studio apartment over someone’s garage in California for that price! Plus, all of these houses are updated inside, with stainless steel appliances and nice tile and everything.

Too bad it’s Florida, lol!

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