For the city, I really feel like this is the first wave. We didn't get much earlier. The total number of cases in my immediate area is higher than what the city was getting earlier. Right now it's in the 30-35 range/10000. So 0.3% of the population with active COVID.
I really eased off with the outdoor concerns compared to May. I still keep distance, especially now. With a community garden this summer the distancing wasn't always great, but cases were also very low and it wasn't like I was hugging anyone. I was also trying to keep my distance but wasn't really telling others to back off if they got closer than ideal. Once school started up I got more careful as I expected cases to go up and did expect the delay in seeing that with the actual numbers. I saw my nephews, parents outside. I would do that again now, but with care with distance.
The mask thing was obviously a change. Initially I wore it where it seemed like I was the risk ie. one clinic where the patients were old. Then phototherapy clinic when asked, shortly after that I was trying to do it moreso but there were a few times that I expected a quick in and out - picking something up/dropping something off where I thought something that would be under a minute ended up being more like 10 min. That was back before there were bylaws/strong recommendations to wear them. The first time I went for bloodwork during this the staff wasn't even wearing them. Now, I would put one on entering anywhere.
Phototherapy is a big one. Early on I was like ok, I'll watch the numbers and cancel when I feel like they are getting beyond my comfort level. The numbers are beyond my comfort level, but it helps so much and I do see a change when I can't get it, so that's the crappy thing. I really don't know at what point I would think the risk isn't worth the benefit - it's a hard decision to make.
It took me a little bit to get Chemguy on board with spraying down groceries. I tried to be reasonable, suggesting we stick to fridge/freezer reuseable items where it's a take in and out multiple times. He was resistant and then went shopping in store - saw people touching lots of stuff and started doing it with all of them. He since stopped, not even sure when, he didn't tell me and I just noticed one day he wasn't doing it. A lot of that came down to evidence/level of hassle. I still spray down things I bring in, but that's very limited in comparison.
Things that haven't changed - my expectations for indoor holidays - Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc. Maybe early on I may have had a bit of hope for Christmas. Overall though I think long term I have been more pessimistic (and realistic) than what I see many others being. When people were talking about Easter to have summer I was already thinking about the return of cold weather. I do have hope for Easter - but that's more about weather than caseload. If allowed/warm enough I hope to do something outdoors with others, while keeping the meal part to 2.
