Open Thread Update: Summer Plans
Looks like our readers are eager this summer to make up for time lost in lockdown. Most are still concerned about COVID – especially the Delta variant – so mostly outdoor events are on tap for most of our respondents. Ronald M. is looking forward to listening to live music again in outdoor concerts during the summer.
“It is so nice to get out and enjoy music I like played live.”
-Ronald M.
Several readers mentioned how much they enjoy seeing the faces of their friends in their hobby groups…bird walks, garden clubs, picnics and other outdoor meet ups.
“So strange to be around so many people but fun! All outside activities, brunch, a comedy club, and outdoor movie!”
-Christine
Others are ready to plunge right in…but safely.
“We now have meetings in-person of our Book Club, Garden Club, Happy Hour socials and so on. Feel more free, but still not going to indoor crowded events.”
-Carol
Several expressed concerns about staying safe with friends.
“Already enjoyed an outdoor picnic lunch with my needlework group…Friends being very careful…they know it is not over. We are all very concerned about the fall.”
-Bar
“I realized that I do not want to travel by air yet…I have decided to embrace my city all summer for all it has to offer, spending time outdoors sans mask and indoors only where I feel safe.”
-Cecilia
Cecilia said she made one trip to LA but will stay close to home from now on. Diane will be focusing on taking care of business with doctor visits, and Anna will play it safe and stay indoors in her AC, reading.
Summer Plans – and Covid
The consensus so far is that it’s great to see people in real life, but there is still concern about the spread of Covid – so no big indoor gatherings for most of us.
We’ll keep this thread open for a while to get more feedback and your thoughts.
Virge Randall is Senior Planet’s Managing Editor. She is also a freelance culture reporter who seeks out hidden gems and unsung (or undersung) treasures for Straus Newspapers; her blog “Don’t Get Me Started” puts a quirky new spin on Old School New York City. Send your suggestions for Open Threads to her at editor@seniorplanet.org.
Photo by Sean O. on Unsplash
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Comments
I am shocked, but not surprised at my age of 71, that more readers are not paying ATTENTION to the continuing thread and the yet another COVID variant announced today. There will NEVER be a NORMAL again and there should not be as this type of pandemic has been predicted for decades by many experts. I am so ashamed of those who will not even get vaccinated and have made it political. You are putting at risk MY LIFE and all others.
Common sense is not common, as I have said for decades. It has never more evident that it is today!
My home projects are to reorganize my books and my filing system. Am in the process of deciding which live theater companies I plan to attend. Missed live theater. Most of the theaters in the metro KC area closed down in March, 2020. Also movie theaters. Just the process of making plans for attending theater this coming season is exciting. Belong to a movie group . Each Saturday we go see a movie and then go out to dinner. That ended in March, 2020. My favorite independent movie theater has not reopened. It was a nice fall back to know if I did not have other plans I could join that.
Hi Carol,
You are so lucky to have found a New Adult Community! Where is it? I’m looking for a “forever home” that the one I have in Scottsdale, AZ is just too hot for me. I came to Albuquerque NM but still looking. It’s cooler here than AZ, but haven’t found the “right” place yet. Thanks for sharing.
Marie Wallenborn
I will be attending an outdoor concert at the Boston Harbor Hotel tonight. July 13th at 6pm. And one a week until Sept 18th. The Wollaston neighborhood of Quincy will have a series of concerts on Saturdays in August and September. It is so nice to get out and enjoy music I like played live.
After a short trip to California to visit my sister and clean up my mom’s room (she passed in February 2020) I realized that I do not want to travel by air yet. A full plane felt claustrophobic and dangerously infected (LOL), vaccine and all I have decided to embrace my city all summer for all it has to offer, spending time outdoors sans mask and indoors only where I feel safe.
Plenty of books at home, quilting and knitting will keep me busy, while I seek the limited company of my vaccinated friends. There will be better times, I believe.