I do not know of anyone who's had COVID-19, at least officially. I know a number of people who believe they had it, as far back as last Thanksgiving, though none have been tested for antibodies (for however much confidence you can have in that test). I won't take every single thing the CDC has to say as gospel ("No one has to wear a mask" at the beginning of the pandemic) but I agree with their assessment that COVID-19 was not a presence in the U.S. until early this year. It's odd that none of these people claiming to have had COVID-19 had severe symptoms, given the averages we've seen for serious (ICU, "long hauler", etc.) illness since the pandemic was declared.

DW and I have been distancing as much as we can while stealing a few well-prepared opportunities for socialization before much cooler weather sets in (eating outside in our backyard, six feet apart, everyone with their own meals and utensils, masks when not eating, one bathroom reserved for guests).

Earlier this week a close relative passed away suddenly in DW's hometown (non-COVID-related). Of course, we went over there, masks and face shields and hand sanitizer at our sides. Of the maybe dozen or so people who've cycled through our relative's house while we've been there to pay their respects and help out, only about half wore masks for any amount of time. I can kind of understand the survivor family not wearing masks inside at home (though the two adult children no longer live there and we did anyway out of concern for ourselves and others). One of the visitors was reluctant to wear a mask indoors (but has in larger groups) and works in a dentist's office. And two -- a nurse and a hairdresser (!) -- showed up maskless and never put them on around us.

It boggles my mind that so many bubbles are overlapping and there seems to be no concern about spread. It's like people have gotten tired of masking up and being careful and have willed coronavirus out of their lives. Or they somehow believe that, if they know the people involved, it's OK to throw caution to the wind. I wish that were so. DW and I have been sitting out a few days of isolation since we went over there, just to help make sure we can go back and be helpful. Sometimes I wonder if we're being overcautious for nothing and that all we're giving up will be done in by some deluded soul who believes this is all a hoax. *sigh*