[Goose]

We often hear about society needing to protect "the most vulnerable". A large part of that group is vulnerable because of age (and possibly other age related conditions). I am in the "older" group. Generally, this group has been "more careful" than younger people. However, even in my extended family, I have cousins that intend to host Thanksgiving gatherings of 30+ people, some of whom will have traveled across state lines to visit. Grandma wants to see the children and grandchildren. I am sure they will eat indoors not wearing masks. Social distancing is certainly not the goal of these celebrations.

They justify this type of activity by saying "It is all the same family". I am sure they realize that this family is spread out geographically, but for some strange reason believe that it won't matter if they do this just once, not every day. Society can't protect people who won't protect themselves. Yes, it sucks a bit to not be able to get together, but the alternative is going to be a lot worse, at least in aggregate. I doubt that anything short of a total lockdown is going to change this situation.

When I said that I didn't know anyone who threw a Halloween party, I included people who have traditionally thrown Halloween parties who did not. The streets of Mountain View, where I live, were deserted. My daughter in Pasadena reported the same thing. She costumed her four year old and one year old, but they did not go out. Nice that some of you know a few people who were contrarians - I don't.

You are free to conclude that wild Halloween parties account for the exponential rise in cases in the last two weeks. I suspect the causes are more varied and complex. 

As for 'undermining the trust of public officials', oh, yeah. That surely is the American tradition - to accept every official pronouncement without question or complaint. Makes perfect sense.

GR, not sure it what manner your reply is tied to my post. I was posting regarding the hope that Thanksgiving get togethers would be reduced in response to the spread, nothing about Halloween at all. I am concerned that older people, who generally are careful, seem to be not behaving that way in regard to Thanksgiving. Granted, what I am hearing about plans may not be typical, but I am concerned that in fact they ARE typical. From what I am hearing, that could be too true. The fact that it is a "private" group possibly conveys an illusion of safety.

FWIW, in my neighborhood Halloween was not celebrated, and there were no "trick or treat" at all.

[Goose]

We often hear about society needing to protect "the most vulnerable". A large part of that group is vulnerable because of age (and possibly other age related conditions). I am in the "older" group. Generally, this group has been "more careful" than younger people. However, even in my extended family, I have cousins that intend to host Thanksgiving gatherings of 30+ people, some of whom will have traveled across state lines to visit. Grandma wants to see the children and grandchildren. I am sure they will eat indoors not wearing masks. Social distancing is certainly not the goal of these celebrations.

They justify this type of activity by saying "It is all the same family". I am sure they realize that this family is spread out geographically, but for some strange reason believe that it won't matter if they do this just once, not every day. Society can't protect people who won't protect themselves. Yes, it sucks a bit to not be able to get together, but the alternative is going to be a lot worse, at least in aggregate. I doubt that anything short of a total lockdown is going to change this situation.

When I said that I didn't know anyone who threw a Halloween party, I included people who have traditionally thrown Halloween parties who did not. The streets of Mountain View, where I live, were deserted. My daughter in Pasadena reported the same thing. She costumed her four year old and one year old, but they did not go out. Nice that some of you know a few people who were contrarians - I don't.

You are free to conclude that wild Halloween parties account for the exponential rise in cases in the last two weeks. I suspect the causes are more varied and complex. 

As for 'undermining the trust of public officials', oh, yeah. That surely is the American tradition - to accept every official pronouncement without question or complaint. Makes perfect sense.

GR, not sure it what manner your reply is tied to my post. I was posting regarding the hope that Thanksgiving get togethers would be reduced in response to the spread, nothing about Halloween at all. I am concerned that older people, who generally are careful, seem to be not behaving that way in regard to Thanksgiving. Granted, what I am hearing about plans may not be typical, but I am concerned that in fact they ARE typical. From what I am hearing, that could be too true. The fact that it is a "private" group possibly conveys an illusion of safety.

FWIW, in my neighborhood Halloween was not celebrated, and there were no "trick or treat" at all.