Well, guess what we do in classrooms? Stand about three feet away from the closest student and talk non-stop for 50-75 minutes. I often move around the class, coming closer to different students at different times. And our 1970s industrial classroom building doesn't have what I would call good ventilation. And, the windows are sealed shut. Because, yay!

Separate from that, we had a maintenance guy at our house yesterday. When I scheduled, the person doing the scheduling assured me that the guy would wear a respirator (the kind with two filters, so both breathing in and out are filtered).

But of course he shows up at my doorstep with nothing covering his face. So, after asking him to step back off the porch to create distance so I could go outside, I asked him if he had a respirator. Yes, he did, ok so please wear it.

So he went and got his respirator, and I put on mask as well. We stood in the yard talking for a few minutes. I asked what he would do, we coordinated on where in the house he would be, when, what he would do when he finished etc.

Then I said, "ok, so once you're inside the house, no talking." He looked at me like I was crazy. I said "that is to protect both of us, ok?" He agreed but I'm sure he thought it was odd.

I decided that if I have the piano tuner out soon (which I really want to do!!) I will do something similar, no talking in the house. Which will be hard because we always end up chatting after he finishes.

Anyway, it seems clear that masks plus reduced talking is probably good if you need to be in the same space with someone (other than a co-quarantiner).

I've been coordinating with our handyman to do some repairs on our rental unit that really can't wait. He's continued to work throughout all of this (he's been deemed "essential" here, as have all construction workers). Here's his list of requirements for us:

1. Send photos of work needing to be done.
2. Don't talk to him when he's working. Instead, we will communicate via cell phone including sending photos back and forth, etc.
3. Don't be in the same room as him when he's working... even better, stay outside if the weather permits.
4. Pay using Venmo or other non-contact methods.
5, Wear masks at all times.

I think that's it. I was originally taken aback, not at the requirements as much as their thoroughness. Then I thought, "hey, that phone communication thing is genius."

He's done work for us in the past and is totally trustworthy. I was impressed at his concern not just for his own safety but for ours. He's the one that's going out and about, not us.

I'm depositing checks via my mobile app and leaving the check with the client. Sanitizing often...

This transmission method really hits those wanting to get back to church - even 10 people speaking and singing together in an enclosed space is just asking for trouble...

Yes, and I keep thinking of that church that decided to hold a socially distant gathering for a long-term congregant's birthday. They followed all the rules at the time (this was early in March IIRC), but several of the attendees became ill and I believe two died. The pastor was distraught.

My piano tuner is coming down from helena next week. This place is acting like there is no pandemic. I went to the Suzuki dealer and though there were signs about 6 feet, people who came in didn’t seem to care. I feel totally out of place in a mask at many businesses, where it feels like business as usual. Will be really interesting to see what happens in a few weeks.