Corona Virus and Swinging

[lovefest04 689]

Your right

[MarniJohn 172]

19 hours ago, cplnuswing said:

Pretty sure no one is going to convince others who have opposite opinion regarding the how's and why's of where we are at.  Plenty of other places on the internet to go debate that with people.  Please let's try to keep the discussion away from the politics and to the original subject, which is how is coronavirus going to influence your swinging.

I couldn't agree more!  I have very definite opinions about this but I realize that those who agree will applaud, and those who don't will say something nasty.  

 

Whatever the case, what my husband and I have gained from this (and we are big time swingers), is a sense of renewed closeness.  We have turned back to only each other for  sex and comfort.  It has been remarkable to feel so close again.  

[findinganswers 369]

So much has changed from the original post to now and now restrictions have expanded much more from what we expected. People are dying and this has become political instead of science and sex. I am almost afraid to kiss my wife and yet sex makes us do crazy things. I am clean as I washed everything for 20 seconds. 

[findinganswers 369]

Again I originally posted if your plans were going to change, I didn’t ask about the history of “plagues”. I wasn’t looking for people to copy and paste what every other DOCTOR and epidemiologist and genius on every other social media platform are posting. I can read all that on apps like Facebook. 

Back to the original post, how are you handling the swinging part of your life?

[njbm 2,856]

We are not swinging. A couple asked us to cam with them. We’ve never done it before. Forgive me if I posted this earlier, just trying to get this thread going. 

[lcmim 1,077]

Sorry if you saw my post as digression. It occurred to me as I was thinking about how my and other attitudes might be being built around panic rather than logic. So in my twisted little mind there was a connection. We try to be logical not panic driven , but even we have shut it all down for a while. That is very hard especially with some with whom you might be fluid bonded.

[padoc 1,701]

To answer the original question, we and nearly all of our swinger friends are taking a time out. Most of us are in reasonably good health but none of us are 25 any more and of course, none of us really know if we've been in contact with an infected person. Both Mrs Doc and I work in an area where exposure at work is a possibility so we're exercising caution. Personally, I hope this peaks soon because we're really missing the erotic sharing with friends. And, it's nearly perfect outdoor sex weather in Florida, it's in the mid 80's, clear and dry for the foreseeable future and the pool is 88. Its a shame to waste springtime but neither of us want to risk getting sick.

[cplnuswing 4,712]

This may be a subject for its own thread, but since I think the swinging world has about unanimously decided to put things on hold for now, so we've pretty much have answered the original question, then what do you all think happens when we no longer are on hold?

 

Not so much active swingers because I would imagine most if not all will go back to actively swinging ?.  But what about the already swing-curious, or those who have had a bit of a wakeup call that life isn't always as secure as you thought and maybe now is the time to make some of those closely guarded fantasies reality?

 

Without igniting a debate how this stacks up against that, I read something interesting the other day where some historians feel the 1918 flu pandemic helped usher in the Roaring 20's and all the socialogical and culture changes that came with it.  Are we headed for the next Roaring 20's with swingers leading the vanguard into a new more sexually permissive atmosphere and further evolution in gender roles and how couples structure their relationships?

 

My answer is yes, but with caveats. 

 

We haven't seen how this story ends yet.  The more upheaval now, the more upheaval to come later in other things.

 

And, whatever changes do come, whether they be large or small, they will come slowly. It won't be a sudden thing where society just pivots all together on a dime.

[EastInWest 1,524]

On 3/25/2020 at 7:51 PM, cplnuswing said:

Without igniting a debate how this stacks up against that, I read something interesting the other day where some historians feel the 1918 flu pandemic helped usher in the Roaring 20's and all the socialogical and culture changes that came with it.  Are we headed for the next Roaring 20's with swingers leading the vanguard into a new more sexually permissive atmosphere and further evolution in gender roles and how couples structure their relationships?

 

My answer is yes, but with caveats. 

 

We haven't seen how this story ends yet.  The more upheaval now, the more upheaval to come later in other things.

 

And, whatever changes do come, whether they be large or small, they will come slowly. It won't be a sudden thing where society just pivots all together on a dime.

 

I think you're right. We've already had some conversations about things that don't really matter and changes we'd like to make whenever the hell there's somewhere to go again. We might be kidding ourselves about what we'll do when it's over, but I'm sure we're not alone in that.

[Numex 2,347]

On 3/16/2020 at 7:57 AM, PSULioness said:

... We made a pact that the four of us will be the only ones to play. It was pretty easy to decide as our guy friend is the primary one we play with and other than us he is not a player. And she is primarily with him and us. Our friends are not it a committed relationship in a strict sense and now, until things globally change, have decided to not see others, except us. . 

I agree with you approach and what you're doing in your situation, but we have children, so our approach is a bit more cautious. 

 

In our closed group of married couples, we have great confidence that no one will break our pact not to have sex outside the group, so we won't contract an STD.  (We all go bareback.)  Although none of us are healthcare workers and we're all working from home, it's inevitable we will have social contacts with the outside world.  We've therefore decided that we will still play, but no kissing, no oral sex, and only doggy for vaginal or anal intercourse.  

[Numex 2,347]

On 3/24/2020 at 9:41 PM, findinganswers said:

... sex makes us do crazy things. . 

Our closed group considered a no playing (except with your spouse) policy but ultimately agreed that we couldn't/wouldn't be totally rational about this.  It was a actually an enlightening moment to hear people, including my wife, say that not only is sex deeply important (you could always have sex with your spouse), but that the opportunity to have sex with at least some other favorite people is worth the risk.  Especially the ability for the women to be intimate with one another. 

[EvolveYourIntimacy 18]

Fox and I did a whole show over how we are making our Covid lockdown sexy! We have really upped our sex game during this time. I am considered "essential" so I am working outside of the house while he stays home and manages our business but when I get home, showered and sprayed with Lysol, we have been having fun. 

[Jane1902 476]

I think limiting it doggy style and no oral or kissing isn’t going to make a difference. If someone there has it it’s still close enough contact. You may feel better but the risk is still there. 

[couplers 4,553]

1 hour ago, Jane1902 said:

I think limiting it doggy style and no oral or kissing isn’t going to make a difference. If someone there has it it’s still close enough contact. You may feel better but the risk is still there. 

That's why we women in our family cut off physical contact with our mutual boyfriend.  He'll have to be satisfied with blowjobs from his wife.  She has a physical/psychological condition that makes her depressed/ill with what would be sexual pleasure for normal people, so she is glad her husband had us.  They're in treatment and working towards having sex.

 

But as I said elsewhere, with us all home, the guys are stepping up!

[findinganswers 369]

Well we are more than a month since we became nervous. At first we restricted our play to a select few and that group had become smaller, then we went to total isolation. Cabin fever has taken over. The original couple we played with is Mrs best friend. The women talk all day and they are feeling like us, the walls are getting tighter. They too have been isolated except food shopping. 

I suggested that my wife would be fine visiting them if she wanted. I am still wfh and thankfully still busy. On Tuesday she took me up for on my offer. 

[njbm 2,856]

4 hours ago, findinganswers said:

Well we are more than a month since we became nervous. At first we restricted our play to a select few and that group had become smaller, then we went to total isolation. Cabin fever has taken over. The original couple we played with is Mrs best friend. The women talk all day and they are feeling like us, the walls are getting tighter. They too have been isolated except food shopping. 

I suggested that my wife would be fine visiting them if she wanted. I am still wfh and thankfully still busy. On Tuesday she took me up for on my offer. 

Do not want to make you nervous, but some people have CV 19, no symptoms and spread it. Consider that before you or your wife socialize. 

[couplers 4,553]

8 hours ago, findinganswers said:

Cabin fever has taken over..., the walls are getting tighter. . 

May I recommend that you go outside at least once a day to run or cycle or walk or push a stroller.  We all pretty much do it twice a day, once alone and once taking turns with some of the children.  It really helps.

[celtic239 297]

As a group, swingers are generally an adventurous lot so when the news first broke we didn't think much of the virus pretty much believing it was a China problem. The last lifestyle type of event we went to was in January. I (the husband) developed a respiratory problem that lasted for about 7 weeks (dry cough and fatigue) and after three trips to the doctor's office, the first two placed on antibiotics which didn't do much, the last treatment was steroids and an Albuterol inhaler, it finally cleared up. The cough was pretty intense at that time where my wife thought I was going to stroke out and I thought I'd be a candidate for the Iron Lung machine. It cleared up just before the epidemic hit the news so my wife thinks it was the coronavirus but I believe that it was just a seasonal bug. Originally I didn't take this virus very seriously and truth be told I still don't. However we live just north of NYC and on tonight's news there was a shocking story - the NYC government has ordered the EMT's NOT to take heart attack patients to the ER if they can't be revived in the ambulance. That is fucked up!! We and our LS friends are staying home and just going to ride out the storm since we are in our 60's. 

[findinganswers 369]

Way too many people dying now to play. My wife thanked me when she came back after playing. She even suggested I visit our friends for some fun with them. I was tempted to even if I’m not into mmf. 

I don’t think either of us will be meeting anyone for the foreseeable future. 

[njbm 2,856]

I think that as this pandemic has progressed, most people have absorbed that it is serious. Apparently, people of most ages can get a fatal case. We live in New Jersey. I suspect that it is a hotspot because it is linked with NYC and extensive public transportation by subway, train and bus, all of which operate to this day. We don’t know many swingers brave enough to play in this environment. I am sure that there are some. I think that that would have to qualify as a sex addiction. 

[findinganswers 369]

2 hours ago, njbm said:

I think that as this pandemic has progressed, most people have absorbed that it is serious. Apparently, people of most ages can get a fatal case. We live in New Jersey. I suspect that it is a hotspot because it is linked with NYC and extensive public transportation by subway, train and bus, all of which operate to this day. We don’t know many swingers brave enough to play in this environment. I am sure that there are some. I think that that would have to qualify as a sex addiction. 

Living in NY we get to hear all the alarming statistics on an hourly basis. We have been WFH for over two weeks and are now getting deliveries for all our needs. We have tried to keep a distance from everyone. Won’t go on elevator if someone is on so taking to stairs many times. 

The sex addict question is a possibility. Our home sex life has been I would say is above average. At least 4-5 times a week we have a full sexual experience mixed in with a quickie or two. It was my wife who suggested us starting to play with these friends. They are our primary play friends. My wife will play solo with them with my knowledge and the wives do enjoy playing together. The friend has joined us solo and on several occasion she and I have been alone. I never join them without my wife. 

Why do I give the background? Maybe they are addicted and have now drafted my wife into it as well. 

As I stated before, and now with statistics in NY and NJ climbing, we will have to depend on old fashion sex at home for now. We sure have plenty of time. 

[couplers 4,553]

1 hour ago, findinganswers said:

Maybe they are addicted...

Sex is an addiction for most people (and animals) during a large part of their lives.  That's what keeps the species going through good times and bad.  As with most things, humans try to apply logic and control it for their benefit and pleasure.

[njbm 2,856]

I think there is a difference between a heathy, strong desire to propagate and a sex addiction. We know some people with sex addiction problems and it is apparent to us that they have a remarkably strong drive to play, even if they are sick or have a transmittable disease.  We like it, enjoy it, but we can take a rest. 

[kittyswinger 260]

"Parallel mono" is tiring too. I have to drive between 2 houses every 3 days. I'm thinking if I just remain for an interval of a week for each of my men. But I'm trying to convince bf to stay in our house (with SO) temporarily. It will be nightmare-ish if road travels are totally restricted and I'm trapped in either of the houses for a long time!

[lovefest04 689]

When I've been sick, not recently, with a 24-48 hour flu as I come out of the worst of it and seem to be near the end have a very strong drive (addiction) to have sex. After sex, I feel much better. Whatever chemicals, endorphins, etc are released seem to be the final one two punch for knocking out the bug I had.

 

So, I use sex for healing all the time. ?

[njbm 2,856]

One of my college classmates strongly adhered to the theory that sex knocked out viruses. There would be many volunteers for that study on this board. We can practice at home. 

[Shore2Please 603]

Before anyone decides to play during these times I can assure you that you can't tell who is harboring the virus. 

We were all set to go on a cruise with the couple we have been vacationing with for a number of years. They were our first couple we ever met and swapped with. I call him my lover as other than my husband he is the only man who has made love to me. I’ve had sex, yet I feel he is a lover. Another couple we met through them were going to join us on the cruise. After all the planning the cruise was canceled after we all traveled to Florida. I can say I was relieved the cruise was not going to happen. 

As we were already in Florida we were careful except we did stay together. We don’t play often and we were looking forward to this week. In the past I was not a party swinger even though I reluctantly have played in a small group. I had in my mind said this trip I was going to be more open minded. I even said to myself I would be open to playing with the wives. I have evolved as I said in another post. 

None of us showed any signs of any illness. We played as a group for 2 days before all of us went home. We were not safe in any of our play. I enjoy kissing as part of my fun too. 

Last week we were told that the husband of the other couple got sick and is now showing all the signs of the virus. We now are working from home and are isolating ourselves from the outside world. We are scared and praying. With every cough or sneeze we worry. So far no signs of anything but allergies and we feel we will be fine. 

[njbm 2,856]

On 4/6/2020 at 10:35 AM, Shore2Please said:

Before anyone decides to play during these times I can assure you that you can't tell who is harboring the virus. 

We were all set to go on a cruise with the couple we have been vacationing with for a number of years. They were our first couple we ever met and swapped with. I call him my lover as other than my husband he is the only man who has made love to me. I’ve had sex, yet I feel he is a lover. Another couple we met through them were going to join us on the cruise. After all the planning the cruise was canceled after we all traveled to Florida. I can say I was relieved the cruise was not going to happen. 

As we were already in Florida we were careful except we did stay together. We don’t play often and we were looking forward to this week. In the past I was not a party swinger even though I reluctantly have played in a small group. I had in my mind said this trip I was going to be more open minded. I even said to myself I would be open to playing with the wives. I have evolved as I said in another post. 

None of us showed any signs of any illness. We played as a group for 2 days before all of us went home. We were not safe in any of our play. I enjoy kissing as part of my fun too. 

Last week we were told that the husband of the other couple got sick and is now showing all the signs of the virus. We now are working from home and are isolating ourselves from the outside world. We are scared and praying. With every cough or sneeze we worry. So far no signs of anything but allergies and we feel we will be fine. 

Wish you and your friends good health. If not too personal what was the approximate date of your play session? Would you play now knowing what you know?

[Shore2Please 603]

On 4/6/2020 at 10:41 AM, njbm said:

Wish you and your friends good health. If not too personal what was the approximate date of your play session? Would you play now knowing what you know? I think that you meant to say that you don’t know who has it. 

 

It was almost a month ago, so we think we are going to be fine. He felt signs less than two weeks after our time together. Cough droplets would be the least threatening thing we exchanged. 

I was nervous to play then as we knew what was going on. It’s ironic that we used Clorox to wipe down everything on the plane, in restaurants and the hotel and we took no precautions during our play. As nervous as I normally am I did things sexually I talked myself into doing. When this pandemic goes away I won’t be as uptight sexually. 

It was crazy to do the things we did knowing what was going on. I don’t think I will repeat if circumstances are the same. 

[njbm 2,856]

A month ago, the beginning of March, was when we started to “get it.” We had a dinner with friends and brunch with relatives on March 7. We elbow bumped, but all were concerned. We had dinner with other relatives on March 8 and that was our last outing. Our last swing episode was in early Feb when this nightmare was not in sight. 
 

Stay well, everyone!

[MarniJohn 172]

I have a really hard time understanding why people can't ride this out with their significant other.  I agree, if you must go out, take a walk or ride your bike, you'd be surprised how good it feels.  

It is a well known fact that a group of "regular" swingers in our area are continuing to have parties.  We've been invited and found it shocking that this group can't handle a lilttle down time.  We were told we are pussies because we declined the invitation.  I can live with that.  

[ShyCouple1019 17]

You did the right thing. Not to compare, but it's hard watching groups of 20 kids having a party (next door) when your kid is following the rules. Ruining it for everyone!!!!

[Idahocouple6969 294]

@MarniJohn agree 100% we have been invited by a few couples which we politely declined. Here's was one of our deciding factors: both kids are in the medical field. They are aware of our extra curricular activities it is referred to as mom and dad's cult meetings. When this 1st started I got a text from daughter (she is a CCU nurse) it said "Dad no cult meetings please? Be safe!" Can't wait for this to be over but we are going to be safe in the meantime. Live to play another day!

 

[njbm 2,856]

5 hours ago, MarniJohn said:

I have a really hard time understanding why people can't ride this out with their significant other.  I agree, if you must go out, take a walk or ride your bike, you'd be surprised how good it feels.  

It is a well known fact that a group of "regular" swingers in our area are continuing to have parties.  We've been invited and found it shocking that this group can't handle a lilttle down time.  We were told we are pussies because we declined the invitation.  I can live with that.  

You guys are prudent swingers. We shared a very nice dinner on Zoom with lifestyle friends tonight. We like sex, but we prefer living. We do have LS friends who we consider to have a sex addiction. You may have such friends , too. 

[SW_PA_Couple 4,023]

Have received an e-mail notification from the Florida Treehouse that they are back into full operation. No mention of distancing. No hints of checking people for symptoms. No oblique references to Nova Coronavirus. This is not wise. 

[njbm 2,856]

A couple asked us if we wanted to play on a LS website. We said not while there is a statewide quarantine. How do they know our contacts or how do we know theirs?
 

PS they did not seem to recall that we offered to meet them two years ago, but they declined because we said we generally don’t play at the first meeting and we are 100% condom compliant. They are obviously a more risk taking couple than us. 
 

It seems most if not all of our LS friends are laying low. 

[PSULioness 822]

I have friends who live in areas that weren’t as highly affected as mine. They are not taking things as seriously as others have. Saying that this weekend there were plenty of people gathering in crowds. Face masks were 50/50. 

Why has this become even more politically rather than scientific? 

[njbm 2,856]

1 hour ago, PSULioness said:

I have friends who live in areas that weren’t as highly affected as mine. They are not taking things as seriously as others have. Saying that this weekend there were plenty of people gathering in crowds. Face masks were 50/50. 

Why has this become even more politically rather than scientific? 

It does seem like some people strictly follow social distancing and masks. Some people seem to think it’s overblown and nothing can happen to them. I also think it is a function of age. Younger people think they can withstand it, older people less so. 

[findinganswers 369]

We are over two months into this nightmare pandemic, two months since the good part of America started to shut down. We have seen cases spike, and in some areas still seeing increases in cases. In New York cases are in decline and deaths are back to levels from two months ago. Still too many people dying. I’m watching the news and see people back to big crowds in some areas. Here in NYC people are out, most in masks but not all. 

I am just wondering if many of you are returning to play. I was shown an article that Covid 19 is not an STD. I know that the virus is transferred by droplets from the respiratory system and not from semen. One article said that the possibility of transfer from the sex act is minute. Kissing is still a no go. 

[njbm 2,856]

Sorry to repeat my sordid story, but after playing (including kissing and everything else) with an unwell partner about three years ago, I developed an upper respiratory infection that took me three months, my primary doctor, an ENT and much medicine to shake. It made me more alert to symptomatic partners. That partner was not visibly symptomatic to me. But it was a wake up call to pay attention. 

[njbm 2,856]

We had a fun game night on Zoom with five or six other LS couples recently. We played a game called Quiplash. We quickly learned that the most perverted answers were winners. 

[padoc 1,701]

FFS njbm, we've both caught a cold at one time or another from friends at a party or at a club. It happens. We have also gotten sick from air travel and Mexican food. Mrs Doc's old job put her in direct contact with kids of an age where they were walking petrie dishes for infection. There are risks involved in swinging and in everyday life. The fact is that this virus has caused a somewhat higher death toll than an average severe flu season.  The difference is that a flu season, even a severe one, doesn't get the steady sky is falling drumbeat of doom and disaster in the national and local media that we've seen during the last months. To me, its time for people to make their own decisions about what they want to do and where they want to go without finger pointing, mask shaming or police intervention.

[TricianMike 765]

After turning down invites to meet from several couples we had an unplanned connection.  We have been staying safe, mostly just us alone, some supermarket shopping and walks in the neighborhood. 

We thought it would be nice to have a change of scenery and found a park with trails about an hour from where we live. We took our own ppe, masks, hand sanitizer and Clorox wipes if I needed a restroom. Restrooms have been my real concern about travel. Mike laughs and says just go in the woods. 

We never bump into people we play with and now with masks on I hear someone call my name on a random trail in a place I didn’t know existed. It was a couple we met about a year ago. We continued walking, now with them. Nice people and conversations were about isolation and working from home. She brought up the topic of playing. They hadn’t met anyone since this started. We told them we had been with someone a few months ago. I think they were on the same thoughts that being safe is driving us crazy. I didn’t feel she was suggesting anything. 

They offered to pick up some food and bring back to their yard. They lived close. I took the offer as being friendly. 

We ended up in our first non distancing get together. 

[Guest]

I agree with Padoc above but, part of making your own decisions also means taking control of your own space. We were at a grocery store, Food Lion, in the Lexington, NC area last Friday. We have a lake house, live and work remotely, and my husband normally makes the trip to civilization for groceries or to the home improvement big box for projects. Last Friday was my first venture out except to go for a drive. He has been complaining about the physical distancing...not the guidelines , but they aren't observed by most. 

 

At this grocery store, it was a social festival. Despite signage, snot screens at the registers, it appeared to be just a formality of corporate governance. As we navigated the isles, employees just come up on you and in some isles there were 4 employees stocking shelves. These are narrow isles. Shouldn't they being doing that off hours? Customers had no clue. I have mixed feelings...are they just ignorant or don't they care. No masks and many were carrying conversations as though it was a meeting hall. My husband got nervous for me and said, "Let's get out of here." Trying to get to a register the common isle was blocked by two women 3 feet apart and talking. One was an employee. My husband stopped and waited patiently. After more than the uncomfortable amount of time passed, one of the women said to my husband, "What? Black people aren't allowed to talk to each other?" I could see the hair go up on the back of my husband's neck and could visualize the steam building. But he was cool and we around the store. By-the-way, the manager was standing right there. 

 

When we were at the register, a customer came right up on us, within 2 feet, flopped her crap on the conveyor and stood next to my husband as if things weren't going fast enough. I went off! I told her to get back...no reservations. That's what you have to do because people are ignorant and really don't have any respect for others in this situation. Hell, they don't have respect anyway. Soooo, after checking out, I got to see my civil and kind husband dress down the manager. It was a come to Jesus meeting. The dumb bastard didn't have anything to say and in front of his minions, he got called out. Some of the things I heard were: 

 

"Were you standing there while one of your employees was talking with a customer? Did you hear what your employee said?"

"No one here practices physical distancing  in front of your nose and specially your employees."

"You have no meat for 2 months, no toilet paper, no sanitizer, no paper towels, Does Food Lion have suppliers or do you just buy frozen food from China?"

"I'm calling and writing a letter. You are not a manager and definitely not a leader. Isn't your headquarters just up the road, and distribution center?" 

 

There was more but I'll leave out the F-bombs. 

 

It was eye-opening about freedom, yet also how people can foist their irresponsibility upon me. Ya, we won't ever go to that grocery store again....ever. That's our option and choice. It's everyone's choice to do business anywhere, virus or not. Vote with your dollar. I just wanted to make the point that regardless of your opinion on Covid-19, it's obvious that some people couldn't care any less about their fellow citizens. So in making a choice you have to take control and don't let fools make decisions for you, even at a grocery store. 

[njbm 2,856]

It appears that it is the precautions vs. freedom school. The problem is that if the freedom people get sick, they transmit it to precaution people. One’s choices affect other people. It’s called a community. 

[padoc 1,701]

@ Triciaandmike, we're jealous! Good for you!!!!

 

@ Fullswap, distancing from strangers in a public place is simple courtesy. You and your husband were entirely correct. I'd have probably gone off on the first woman, "color isn't the issue, ignorance is". I hope your husband follows up with the letter.

[lovefest04 689]

9 hours ago, njbm said:

It appears that it is the precautions vs. freedom school. The problem is that if the freedom people get sick, they transmit it to precaution people. One’s choices affect other people. It’s called a community. 

Especially when they get sick. Then the 'freedom school folks demand the community of doctors, nurses, EMT's etc jump in to help save their lives.

 

I'm not worried about catching the virus. That is my choice, i understand the risks and I take care of myself. But I am very concerned about transmitting it. I couldn't imagine how I would feel if my elderly neighbor died of COVID because I refused to wear a mask, so I wear masks.

 

We all accept reduced freedom to some degree in order to live in a community of others. It's just how it works. If people think just a bit, anyone can come up with a dozen actions we refrain from every day in order to live in a community.

 

My pet peeve these days is about how people are so upset about masks required in public spaces. We've all given up our freedom to be naked in a restaurant and no one seems to be worried about their constitutional rights. "no shirt, no shoes, no service." And those 'rules' are partly about health concerns, JUST LIKE THE MASKS.

 

Makes me crazy the lack of thoughtful reflection and empathy for others.

[padoc 1,701]

"We've all given up our freedom to be naked in a restaurant and no one seems to be worried about their constitutional rights."  A restaurant is private property. You choose to go in under their rules and conditions, they choose to serve you if you comply. Much like a swingers club, private property, they should be able to make the rules.

 

If Publix requires a mask for me to go in to buy groceries, I'll wear it, their building, their rules, my choice. I keep my distance from most people as a matter of choice, training and muscle memory, I don't need to be required to do so and I refuse to wear a mask to walk my dog. 

[ToeDippers 83]

Social distancing is not normal for most people. We are social animals that thrive being near others. We are huggers in that when seeing others we greet with a hug and kiss. Even at work we, more her, there is close contact with a hug. I too hug instead of shake hands. For two months there has been no hugs, no kisses, no handshakes, not even a fist bump. Socialization has been nonexistent. 

Our summers have always brought us out to being much more social. More nights out mingling with friends and acquaintances. Having drinks, having dinners or just conversations and small talk. Our first lifestyle adventure started with small talk in a bar. We realized a woman we knew was a participant which led to finding others who also partake. 

It was all part of being social, something that is not happening now. 

Being home, we have been reflecting and talking on our LS meetings. Some talk ends in our own sex. She can be pretty graphic in her wants and feelings, coming very close to being pornographic. 

With the weather getting better we have discussed becoming more social. We have discussed inviting a LS couple over for more than drinks. We are talking. 

[cplnuswing 4,712]

11 hours ago, padoc said:

"We've all given up our freedom to be naked in a restaurant and no one seems to be worried about their constitutional rights."  A restaurant is private property. You choose to go in under their rules and conditions, they choose to serve you if you comply. Much like a swingers club, private property, they should be able to make the rules.

It's a feature of any functioning society I think that individual freedoms are in some cases limited for the common good.  What some who love to proclaim their freedom (and not saying that is anybody in this good conversation we are having here) can't seem to grasp is the concept that other people have freedom too.  Their right/freedom to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness is equal to yours.  So just because you think you should be free to drive 120 mph weaving in and out of traffic, other people have a right to use the roads without being endangered by your reckless behavior.

 

Restaurants are sort of the same way when it comes to health codes.  Just because you own a restaurant doesn't mean you are free to wash dishes in cold water with no soap and then stack them below the raw chicken prep area even though you think that is ok or it's cheaper and easier to do so.  Sure, people can choose not to patronize your restaurant once they eat there once and get sick, but the problem is the damage is already done.  So, there are some basic rules that are enforced to try to protect everyone.  Does it eliminate all risk, nope, there is always risk with anything.  We've got family who became deathly sick from going out to eat in a big group one night and from who had what to eat it was very clearly traced back to one item at the popular restaurant that has been around for decades. 

 

Are there too many rules, and do they go too far sometimes into the silly zone? Probably so, I chafe under some of them too just like everyone does, probably even more than most people do.  I'm like padoc, if I'm going to walk the dog at 7 pm down a mostly empty neighborhood sidewalk or whatever, then I'm not going to wear a mask, and someone sitting in their living room 50 feet away looking out through glass windows can think whatever they like.  But, if you plop down shoulder to shoulder to me in the vet waiting room with no mask, then I'm going to have a problem with that.  I've had the same thing happen to me lately @FullSwapCLT talked about, waiting in line and someone breathing down my neck too close to be polite even before all of this got started.  I sort of stepped to the side and turned around and gave them a look that obviously expressed what I was thinking, and they backed off, but it was rude even during normal times.  Some people live in their own little self-centered clueless world and screw everybody else.  Those types are why we all get saddled with "the rules".