My very careful, at-risk, friend came for lunch this weekend. BYO. (A couple of weekends ago we did a task together and wore masks AND kept distance.) We meant to eat on the terrace but it was too hot and humid, so we came inside to the AC in the dining room. I asked if we should wear masks, but we decided that my dining table was big enough that we could be (almost) 6' apart. She did not, however, help me in the kitchen, so as to be apart.

Another friend and I walked, one on the sidewalk and one on the street. We had our masks in case we had to be closer, but we did not need to be.

I hope our precautions were enough.

I messed up and removed my mask at some friends last week when I took them some veggies that I wanted to share but did not have a knife large enough to cut through the Chinese cabbage. I hesitated but I should have kept it on. I will not be seeing them without a mask. I have not felt comfortable about possibly endangering them since then.

Agree with socks. Risk goes way up in enclosed spaces. I would not have anyone in or go into anyone's home.

maifleur, wearing a mask (that isn't of the N95 3M type) doesn't protect you.

I've read more than a few comments (of the scientific type) that say that 6 feet isn't always sufficient, with parties all wearing masks.

And inside with stale air, yes, that's another wrinkle, because droplets and aerosols from exhalation linger. For how long, not known. 6 feet=not enough.

This is a one strike and you're out proposition. Make your own decisions.

My older brother lives with me. We stay 6 feet away from each other at all time. If we are watching tv he sits on the wing back chair and I am on the couch 6 feet away. He works in a grocery store and he is careful to self distance in the house. He sits on the porch in the evening and if he is at home on the weekend he goes down the basement to do work working. I am happy now masks are mandatory for all commercial employees and customers. I have no plans of going to anyone's home and no visitors will be invited to my house unless we sit outside

I am not going anywhere. I was just curious because I've heard other friends talk about going places. Thanks for all the prompt replies and good information.

Elmer I am not concerned about my safety but that of my friends. I should not have removed my mask even when they said it was ok.

I've had a friend visit a few times over the last couple weeks. Depending on the weather and if we are having lunch, we sit in the kitchen at opposite ends of a 5 ft table, or on the enclosed porch with lots of fresh air. No masks.

She suddenly needed to move two hours away but is back in town for doc appts. so we're catching up on things. She's 84. I just celebrated my 80th in March alone but enjoying the fresh flowers DD dropped off along with a few groceries that week at the beginning of lockdown. Neither of us or our families have been out and about much and I feel we were safe.

Edited to say here in Finger Lakes area of western NY we're slowly opening up. Hopefully wisely.

We don’t go anywhere without masks. I take care of my elderly mom. I don’t ever remove my mask there. No hugs and I tell her to stay on the other end of the room. Only recently I have started taking her out for walks. We both wear masks but I must walk next to her.

When I saw my friend once and my my brother and his partner, we wore masks and kept our distance outside. I did not enter their homes.

My daughter lives nearby. We kept our household immunity bubble going since the beginning. She is expecting and she will need our help. We wear masks outside but she can remove hers here or ours there.

I had a neighbor over for Easter and we did not wear masks inside, but we did sit at a distance...probably 5' or more apart and not face to face.

I had a friend over 2 weeks ago and we spent 95% of the time outside but when he was inside, no mask, but again we were at a distance of 5-6' and not face to face.

I also think how they're practicing is important too. If they are still active in the community in terms of working especially at jobs that are public facing is one thing...if they are stay at home retirees who only go out as absolutely necessary, it's another.

I had a neighbor over for Easter and we did not wear masks inside, but we did sit at a distance...probably 5' or more apart and not face to face.

If that neighbor was infected with Covid at that time would you still invite them in? You realize that Covid can be passed by those who are infected, but who are not showing symptoms?

Remember, you can become infected when going out to do those things thought to be absolutely necessary. COVID doesn't respect absolutely necessary activities.

Cherryfizz, beware of the outbreak surrounding the Essex farming area. Migrant farm workers can become the 2nd wave if it's not brought under control.

Lucille, yes I am aware, but as I said, the odds of him being infected were near zero as he was essentially isolating at home alone as he has medical issues. We too were essentially isolating at home so the odds that we had the disease were extremely low. Turns out we were right as none of us have gotten ill as a result or since given our current lifestyle.

I also suspect, as the Dr. at WHO suggested that there's little transmission from asymptomatic people. There may be some from pre-symptomatic people who have no symptoms, or may actually have symptoms but are in denial about it...a scratchy throat, a bit of a headache, a little cough...enough that they don't feel 100%, but not enough that they'd say they feel sick, and the most from symptomatic people.

This is not to suggest that mask wearing isn't essential...it is, because people may be pre-symptomatic and not know it or they can be symptomatic and in denial or lie about it or think that their presence is essential despite their illness. So to protect us all, we all need to wear masks in public. But as individuals we can make individual risk assessments and choose to behave accordingly.

DH and I try to be sensible about Covid risk. So far we have visited 3 breweries because they have large outdoor areas, with groups of seats arranged about 10 feet apart from other groups. And we went when they were not likely to be busy. I felt perfectly safe (and happy!).

We're not expecting to eat or drink inside any establishment for a long time, no matter how far apart the tables are. Carry out only.

Same philosophy for friends and family not already in our 'safe bubble.' We will enjoy their company unmasked if outdoors with at least 6 feet in between us and them. For our safety and theirs.

If they and we are masked, indoor time would have to be limited (15 minutes or less). If they are unmasked, zero indoor visiting time.

I watched a YouTube video of an interview of woman who has made her career in studying how aerosols move through the environment. Aerosols are smaller than droplets, they are invisible and you emit them when you speak. They remain suspended in the air for hours. She is a good, down to earth speaker, and the video is worth the time to listen to.

Professor Kimberly Prather on aerosols

Interesting and not surprising video, graywings. Thank you.

The stakes are the highest, folks. So don't take chances.

If your brother is out and about frequently, cherryfizz, do you often open some windows to move some outdoor air in to replace your bottled up stuff?

Good wishes to you - hard to believe it's been so many years since our get together (my first).

ole joyful

Thanks Michael. Windsor had been kept from moving into Stage 2 because of the virus outbreak among the farm workers. We had only 1 case of Covid but the rest were farm workers. The Premier finally decided to allow Windsor to move to Stage 2 as of last Friday because the sick workers were in Kingsville and Leamington, Windsor had only 1 active case. Mandatory mask wearing went into effect on Monday in Windsor. The workers are all being tested now so today the number of cases went up over to 200 farm workers being infected. It has not been a good time for any of those migrant workers with their living conditions, etc. Thankfully Government inspections are taking place more frequently and those workers need to be treated humanely just like any other worker. I am supposed to be going to Kingsville and Leamingtom tomorrow to visit some farm stands to stock up on fresh vegetables but of course I will be wearing my mask and using hand sanitizer but I might put it off. People in Windsor and other border communities are more worried about the border being opened back up in the middle of July. I still don't have plans to go into any stores but I might visit one of the Riverside area restaurant patios where the tables have been set quite far apart in the next few weeks. It must be hard for you though not to be able to cross the border to visit your family. I know the border has been opened up for some family visits though

Ed, we open the windows when it is cooler out when it is in the 70s and the window in my bedroom is always open when I go to bed. We have 2 fans running in the living room at all times and the window a/c running because temps over 83F with our high humidity and afternoon full on sun makes it just too hot in here My brother who works and my cousin both who board with me do the shopping and my cousin has doctors appointments and I really do worry they will bring the virus home to me. haha if ever I miss the days of living alone it is now.