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Unfortunately, I think it speaks to the overarching attitudes and culture in those different places. I think particularly in the South, we've seen the overall attitude of "it's my right not to wear a mask" and then we've been seeing these huge breakouts there. I also think there is a dangerous attitude of "I won't get it," and the belief that this pandemic isn't real, which those people then partake in the huge parties and celebrations (i.e. weddings, anniversaries, bar mitzvahs, etc.) with huge numbers of breakouts afterwards and heartbreaking videos of people dying from COVID trying to warn people not to make the same mistake they made. Most recently, I saw on the news that people were coming out from everywhere in Sturgis, South Dakota, for the annual motorcycle rally, despite the outcry from the local members in that community saying they didn't want it this year. I have family out there and it's worrisome to know that so many from all around the country flooded into that community, and without taking any precautions (no facemasks, etc.), possibly spreading it to that community. There is a reservation near there and I heard that members of the reservation were blocking the road going into their community because they didn't want to risk that exposure to their community from the motorcyclists. And, I know a lot of people are really worried about schools reopening. I think we're going to see where people are taking precautions that it will work just fine, and where they aren't, there will be huge outbreaks.
August 22, 2020