Another Day, Another Visitor, But Maybe the Last?

 Yesterday, my friend Dee Ann stopped by for a visit.  She had moved away from the area nine years ago and had recently returned to Milford.  It was really nice to catch up with her.  She had four children that were close to ours in age and we saw them a lot through youth center activities as they Heinisch children were growing up.  While we were catching up, she remarked how nice it was to actually meet with people once again without masks and actually be inside their homes.  I agreed completely, especially since I had gotten to see Billy, Parce, Alexia and now Dee Ann over the course of the last two weeks.  

After Dee Ann left I started to work on my computer.  That's when I notice that the CDC came out with new COVID guidelines asking for all Americans to wear masks once again in high traffic areas even if they were vaccinated.  The CDC felt it was the only way to save those who were not vaccinated from the Delta variant of the coronavirus.  I couldn't believe it.  The articles that we have been reading recently had said that vaccinated adults had very little chance of becoming hospitalized or dying from the virus even with the new variant.  I really don't want to go back to wearing masks everywhere and worrying about COVID.  It had been a wonderful summer of meeting with people, going out to eat, traveling, attending church and basically returning to our normal lives.  Most of all I didn't want Cameron to have to return to the COVID protocols of last winter.

Doug and I talked once he got home about the situation.  His work had met and for now weren't requiring masks.  Elkhart county wasn't a high risk area yet.  Bethany had come out and said that only unvaccinated students and staff would have to wear masks this year.  The one exception was on buses where everyone will be required to do so.  The school will still maintain safety protocols and cleaning procedures, but overall students would be mask free for now.  Doug and I decided that we would stay away from indoor dining or any big group activities until more information has been released, but otherwise maintain our summer lifestyle.  Indiana did have a spike in cases and deaths today, but hopefully everything calms down soon and COVID leaves for good.