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China, pure and simple is our enemy. Wish we'd hear more anger toward China from our people, at least as much venom as Americans speak toward Trump. Our PC culture be damned; China is a huge enemy of the USA and a disgrace to the world considering their control of people who should be free and aren't. . Letting them have so much control over our pharmaceuticals is just sickening.

Everything is so political. It's so tiring. Democrats and Republicans have never totally despised each other like this before. It's utter hatred. Everything is about politics. Sad.

Yep. Politicians in this situation HAVE to be tough or it will burn them if they ever run for higher office. Meanwhile, people with compassion and a brain realize their edicts throwing businessmen into court over defying dictatorial orders is WRONG. I'm voting against every current decision maker in Kansas for their behavior during corona.

Amen brother. This is the problem. Incorrect figures or in doubt enough people believe what they want to believe. My eye test tells me this is not only a health problem but a $$ problem. People are STARVING now. It's official. Food banks are FEEDING people so they can live. We have to work together to not only be safe as possible from the virus but put food on the table. We can't work together, however, cause of POLITICS. People have their credit cards; that's about it in many cases.

Great post. Our priests the past 30 years have been the Cap. Franciscans, vow of poverty, they wear brown robes tied with rope and serve the public. Good point about brick and mortar and services not being mentioned. He did mention to "do this in memory of me" implying the breaking of bread in a community setting. At any rate for ME church is an hour where I can worship and forget about everything else and I find it uplifting to watch people in there. Often cut-throat at work and other places, they are nice in church. I like it.

My brother is a nurse in Chicago and he is the biggest proponent of opening things up and convinced me it was OK to go to Mass Sunday in Ks. Not sure what he's seeing and hearing to be so optimistic. Sports needs to start NOW without fans and the NBA has to decide what its going to do. If they wait much longer, it's going to be time for training camp before you know it.

I'd like to see more interviews on TV with people young and old asking a sample the honest question: "Do you fear getting corona?" And "Do you want to get corona to get it over with?" The young people really haven't spoken up or been given a voice, one of the two. Just from what I've seen here, the only young people I've seen with masks are working at drive in windows and that of course is mandated. I'd love to know the level of concern of people. I don't trust polls so I'd love to hear from people young and old. I do see on some message boards of KU sports that many people say they wouldn't think twice about going to a KU football game if they play 'em. I would assume KU basketball would still sell out every game despite the risk.

I am from Cook County Ill. Born in Christ hospital. Best wishes to the Cook County folks.

Yeah, I do hope desperately I don't get it from going to church. But I did have a mask, did consult my brother the nurse, was not near anybody in the church. And it did extend my streak of obeying the dictatorial governor who has allowed this behavior of going to church. I did however accept communion from the priest's hand to my hand. Scary but like I said if 14 people in a church cause my death, whatever, it will be unfortunate for sure. I figure it can't be worse than getting a coffee at the drive through where I could be infected or at the store shopping once a week. I've said I could get it and be dead in two weeks. I sure hope not, though. Reading your response makes me think about sporting events. No way in hell fans will be allowed. Just look at your response to your link. Many people will think like you and probably be willing to riot in front of stadiums to prevent a significant number of fans from attending games and infecting others.

Nice post, Caulfield. You da man. I read it all and liked it. I also dislike Trump for reasons I've written before (I know you read me so you know my stance). However (oops, this is where I get lumped in with Trump lovers and FOX viewers) I wish you'd "consider" blaming some of these governors as well. I dare folks to read this and comment and at least consider this guy's concerns. How bout the governors who gladly accept churches raising money for starving people and donating food, but won't work with them on opening for church services. Oh, it's fine they go deliver stuff and break social distancing rules, but work with them on re-opening? Nah. I respect u Caulfield. Hope u stay comfortable as can be over in China, sir. https://www.peterhaas.org/is-the-cure-killing-us-how-history-can-help-us-rethink-our-covid-response/?fbclid=IwAR0LOIjqwzH5pFdlfMWChr5TodJZerNcBGiBni0damrZY6GP2-zvbcMx04o

I am at the park in Lawrence, Ks., under the gazebo surfing and I thought I'd update you on my Sunday dilemma and what I've observed today. -- Texted my brother the nurse in Chicago and told him I was thinking of going to 5 p.m. Mass (70 people max, hand cleanser walking in, three people per row every fourth row, no singing, maximum time had to be 45 mins). I told brother I was getting scared and didnt know if I should go. He said, "GO!" So I went. -- On the way there I drove thru U of Kansas campus as it's a shortcut to church. As I hit the business building area, there were 6 young women with cap and gown on with adults dressed up. Today would have been graduation day at KU. I honked my horn loudly 3-4 times, gave a thumbs up, and the girls smiled, screamed and waved. I must confess I teared up as college seniors didn't get their graduation. These families obviously did this on their own. KU is SHUT DOWN baby! None of the women or adults had masks on. -- Got to church and walking up I noticed across the street a party (prolly a makeshift graduation party) of at least 50 people on a lawn. Nobody had masks. Everybody had beer. Typical graduation type party: kids and adults, no masks. -- Went up to door of church, was mobbed by Knights of Columbus guys putting soap on my hands and making me sign in. They read me the rules. I had my mask on as did they of course. I counted 14 people at Mass. Nobody was seated anywhere near me of course. The Mass took 30 minutes; the visiting priest was from anothe country and I couldn't understand a word he said. They brought in some priests to help out and he is one of them. No hard feelings, I appreciate his service; I just couldn't understand his broken English. -- Mass ended, I left and got drive through coffee and am at the park. On driving to the park I drove downtown Lawrence and I must say it was pretty crowded for the first time in a long time (we open up Monday). The ice cream store which had one person outside taking orders with the line of customers outside, had a long line with a worker in a mask. Not one person in the line had a mask. CONCLUSION OF MY DAY: Glad I went to church. If I get the virus from that it was meant to be. I wasn't near anybody. It was good to be back in there. .... I feel like people don't want to wear masks. Get mad all you want. This is my observation. ... Finally I think one of the reasons people are saying F You to lockdown and masks is they don't trust the scientists who are all over TV (the naysayers claim the figures have been off; dont shoot the messenger), they don't approve of power hungry politicians who IN SOME CASES appear too bossy and in love with power and making decisions for political reasons; they are not as scared as before of contracting the virus (they think if they get it it'll be like any other virus). ... There also is an eerieness about being outside, almost like it will be in the aftermath of a nuclear bomb if and when we ever get bombed. Just a weird vibe. Now would a troll give u an update like this? I am a concerned citizen and good person who has obeyed all rules. I am not a troll, just arguably a strange person. Peace. Out. (Episode 9 and 10 baby, enjoy Jordan).

Maybe I'll just go and leave my donation for the past 3 weeks in the back and not attend. Again, it's hard when for the past 25 years you think something is important and fulfilling to do (go to church) and then it's taken away.

I can assure you my posts are meant to seek advice from people or to share what's really bothering me. Not meant to troll anybody into a lather. Obviously with all the noise I've processed here and in articles and in some TV noise the dominant part of my brain has me on the caution side of things. I know a guy in Olathe with a child who yesterday told me he was going to a big BBQ dinner with friends. I asked if he'd wear a mask. He said hell no. Some people are just carefree about all this. Meanwhile I sit in a park isolated on a bench making sure I stay away from people.

Why ignore me? You can't see from my posts that I am struggling with this issue? Nine weeks locked up is conducive to scrambling one's brain. How the hell are my posts trolling anybody? To those who have tried to educate in this thread, thank you. I read all posts and try to process them with the things being thrown at me here. Life is about processing information from all sides, then trying to make the best possible decisions. I've never told anybody my views are the right ones. I search for the right stance on corona.

Two things: 1.) Trump is a TV personality, an entitled rich guy who has always been about staying rich and keeping wealthy, a bad president. I'm not sure what we're allowed to say about people before getting banned here so I'll stop there. 2.) To show how we all believe what we believe, you wrote: "unfortunately people who supposedly have no jobs and have no money and are about to commit suicide, jubilantly packed bars and restaurants in Wisconsin." How unfair a sentence was that? Supposedly?? I know tons of people fired or laid off recently. The unemployment numbers, if they are real, are staggering. A lot of people are suicidal and hurting and have nothing to do with the bargoers. Just trying to show you how we all have our takes and some look unfair to people on the other side. We aren't "crazy." I think it's a fascinating study in human behavior and the brain. Look at me. It's 1:38 p.m. Sunday and because of all the articles and TV snippets I've caught and dictatorial slow-moving actions by government in Kansas, yes I'm scared to go to church at 5 p.m. today. It's open at 5 p.m. to 70 people and I've been brainwashed (that's probably not the right word) into utter fear (nine weeks of isolation will scramble parts of your brain, Dick Allen). I think I'm going to go and make my donation in the back of the church and see how I feel when I get there. Finally ... your comment about science. That's part of the problem. Some of us have family members in medical field and some of us know people who know people who state the corona problem is not that bad and reopening should be done. So good people, ones obeying the rules so far (I've broken no rules and done nothing risky til perhaps going to church today) have their brains muddled and torn by all the different chatter. We don't necessarily believe the science. If that makes us despicable, well there's probably going to be a Civil War in which we could pay for our doubts about the science here.

Actually I don't sneak in candy or water. My habit is to go in the afternoon when I need a movie fix or a must see movie comes out for me like Rocketman. I buy one popcorn and a bottled water for about 16 bucks total. No candy. Yes I would go to a movie this summer and will go to some if any must sees come out. I'll go in the afternoon after they've been out a couple weeks as is my want. Last 10 movies I've seen had me and maybe 5 others max in the theatre here. As far as writing a letter to the power hungry governor about theatres if they don't open ... I guess I could but they didn't answer my letters regarding barber shops and two friends of mine begging the Gov to open. They had cleanliness plans all laid out for the gov but she would have none of it. Sad if restaurants are a thing of the past. I haven't seen if Douglas County overruled the gov's minor reopening plans for next week. I thought coffee shops and restaurants were to open with 10 percent capacity but mabe they are still closed. I still am not confident in my thursday haircut. I could see the county changing its mind if we have a bad Monday or Tuesday Covid count wise. Finally my Mass is Sunday. I'm going to go but I probably shouldn't in a risk/reward setup. There's a 45 minute max to the Mass; there is no music cause people sing loud and germs will be shot all around the church if they allow singing; there's communion if you want it (makes it ominous like communion at your own risk. I would doubt the priest gives a homily since from the rules I've read for Mass the motivation appears to get everybody in and out of there as fast as possible. And there's no hand shaking or hugging. Plus there's the annoying masks to be worn. Not much of an atmosphere to pray. Kind of a fear atmosphere to me. I was planning on going. I probably shouldn't.

I feel your concern. I could be just like the doorman; we all could. Healthy today and after my Mass or haircut I could die within 2 weeks. I don't want to die and don't want to give it to anybody. I do think America is in a great divide; people who talk like me (and much worse since I abide by the rules) and people like the LA mayor who has locked it down til August. I think there will be a Civil War if this continues. Or total unrest anyway. I think my problem and the problem of the Fox TV watchers is we dont like to be bullied; we don't like the aggression. The LA guy said they will turn off the AC and the water of any businesses open. Other business owners are being thrown in jail even though many criminals who were in jail have been released from jail because of virus concerns. To those politicians I say quit acting so tough when the (unpopular) president is on the other end of the scale, saying open schools, open everything! There can't be such a big discrepancy in president and Guvs and mayors. There are those of us very concerned about the economy being bad forever. I listened to some politician (I think the LA dictator guy) say LA would never be the same and it would never completely reopen. I am hearing "new normal" now out of politicians and I don't like it. I can believe we will have sports again with fans and we will travel again and have picnics and full churches. I don't accept this as the "new normal." I've come to realize there is a great divide. And you and I will probably never get along again. There is a divide too great to close with people with opinions on this. That's why I think there will be a Civil War. I won't ever physically yell at or hit somebody who disagrees with me, but it could get bad out there with those upset at the orders. And if Trump were to somehow win again ... I do think this time the rioting will be worst of all time. I wish you and yours well. Like I said I've abided by all rules and now that I can go back to Mass and in the coffee shop of 5 peeps in there I'll wear my cloth mask even though I personally feel the masks are full of dust and grossness just from carrying them around. Peace.

Thanks for looking that up. I will go get some.

Tomorrow at church I'll be around people for the first time in 2 months. Then I get a haircut Thursday. I would hope my immune system can handle being moderately close to others. It can't be great not having been within six feet of somebody in 2 months. I don't want to die. Hopefully I won't get it and die. Experts tell you after doing something for five days, it becomes habit. No wonder so many people will be scared to death to try the old normal, being around people, etc. At some point (when cases spike again) we'll either all be ordered to lock down pretty much forever or we'll just say screw it and have no restrictions and let corona do what it wants to do in terms of devastation of the world.

You seem to be more against people who don't wear masks and Trump these days that the individual political hacks. People like me would be more apt to believe the state officials and more aboard wearing masks 24/7 and cooperating if the government officials cared one iota about small business owners I know who are starving their families because of no income. Our politicians here are confrontational. It makes people want to tell them to go bleep themselves. I've sent 5 emails so far voicing concerns to the dictators, no replys of course. As far as I'm concerned I'm voting against every single one of them next election. No leadership. Just bullying. I'm just giving the point of view of a lot of people. I don't want anybody to get the virus and have obeyed all the orders of the Kansas dictator. And the Douglas County dictators on the board that have rejected even her mild, slow reopening plans. I finally had somebody on a zoom call tell me I need a haircut. Thanks guv.

You are coming to the wrong conclusion IMO. My position will be forever ... if people are hoarding all the disposable masks and I can't get one, shame on them. I'm not selfish in not wanting to wear a cloth mask that I had to order online (many people still don't go online and put their CC info on there) and doesn't fit right and is hard to tie. And falls off. Get me some boxes of 50 masks that are not price gouged and maybe we can talk. I'll tell you right now. Masks reek. I'll wear them where I'm told I have to wear them (planes, trains, barber shop, church).

I don't blame the players for talking this way. I don't think anybody who is still locked down should ever blast a player for concern. This virus is either life and death or it isn't. We've been thoroughly conditioned the last 2 months to thinking this thing is lurking everywhere ready to kill and we've been shamed into thinking about doing anything. Can't have it both ways. When players balk, they balk. The politicians have been dictatorial about this. We are in danger every ,moment we leave our abodes. Big danger. So either pay the players their entire salaries or forget the season. Owners can afford it (right now).

I think the players should get 100 percent of the contract they signed. But I also think companies should suck it up and not lay off anybody during corona. Players need to get full pay. Will they or will they settle? For one season owners should suck it up. they got the $$.

We've always been that way. The only times we've come together and banded together, in modern times, are whenever a hurricane hits somewhere. We band together to rescue and help people. If politics is involved at all ... we despise each other. That's why I like going to Mass so much and wanted it open if possible. People for one hour a week are in one place with no selfish motives in mind, just love. I've found it the only hour a week in which the world is not the rat-race, except like I say when tornadoes or hurricanes hit. People get out their boats and help. This crisis not so much because of politics and politicians power hungry IMO.

How bout making masks available that are a.) easily acquirable and disposable and that are readily available? Masks were hoarded just like everything else. Also nobody has explained to me how to keep a mask clean before you put it on in a restaurant, church, etc. You put it in a briefcast, germs. Put it on your car seat, dust and germs. Put it on your table at home waiting to wear it, germs. We need masks you can buy in disposble groups of 50 for a reasonable price if we have to wear masks.