Yes, sadly all too true. Just wish people would care more. In addition to the texting/talking, I’ve seen women applying their makeup, even mascara, and even people with a book at the wheel, reading while driving. As well as drivers with junk piled so high on their dashboard they can barely see over it. And this is on the freeway for craps sake, and not in a slowdown or stop and go traffic 
horrifically selfish and irresponsible…
Fully agree that it is a problem. The bad news is that enforcement is necessary. In most countries, the public health guidance came out and people complied because those are the rules.
Follow the rules.
Oh, for the record, GET OFF MY LAWN.
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Last week my husband told me that apparently our town’s electrical inspector entered our basement to do an inspection and never put on a mask the whole time. Whaaat?
I didn’t witness the incident because I was out for a (rare) errand at the time. My husband was upstairs on a Zoom meeting for work and wasn’t called downstairs.
I’m livid about this because there were also two plumbers working in the basement (standby generator installation project) who saw this—yeah, they wear masks on-site. I don’t want to make life harder for the excellent plumbers so I don’t think I will report this to our town, as upsetting as this is.
But next week when the town gas inspector is due to call, I will be waiting at the bulkhead door with an extra mask just in case. My house, my risk-aware protocol.
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I’m in the midst of a battle with my county’s Department of Public Works. It has taken getting the County Executive’s staff involved along with text and pictures and a list of social media, radio, and TV stations I’m lined up to rope in to get motion.
Clearly I would report the inspector and work my way up the food chain (ha!) to get a commitment from your County to comply.
Good luck.
Natural gas, propane, diesel, or gasoline?
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Natural gas. The house is already serviced by natural gas, so that fuel made sense. I think on another thread I mentioned we’d been thinking of a standby generator for awhile.
Before we’d been doing okay with a portable as needed. But the portable generator is a lot to manage especially during our multi-day electricity outages. Also we can’t run the portable during snow and rain.
I should add that our town and state do have mask mandates in place. The town employee involved disregarded same. I don’t want to make life harder for the plumbers because they need to deal with town inspectors, so they might bear untoward consequences if I cite the incident. You’ll remember that I didn’t see it with my own two eyes.
That said, if the town gas inspector seems amenable and chatty I may put a word in his ear about my concern when he’s here. Oh, after the job passes inspection. 
Peer pressure could have a chance since masking rules are well-known. Rules aside, a homeowner would have a reasonable expectation that a town employee would mask up when entering any space in a private home.
We made every effort to keep our basement job site safe and distanced: windows and bulkhead open with plenty of ventilation before/during/after, only one trade onsite at a time, shop fan available to move air, and no need to enter house living space and share indoor air.
Everyone masked up using common sense and showing kindness for others except that one person.
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Last storm here in NJ my hilltop trees toppled like dominos. Some my responsibility to clear and some the town and power co to address. Two of my neighbors were also impacted. The job took 4 days partly because of the lack of crew willing to work or work masked.
I cut a days worth of branches myself Just so power co. could do their job. In my 61 yrs I have never felt this kind of frustration.
We are all in this together? Sure?
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@Rooster, I’m so sorry that you and your neighbors were hit so hard by the tree damage that Isaias brought.
Thanks also for being so real about the frustration. I often feel like I’m meant to “stay positive” no matter what because my husband and I are among the lucky ones able to work/isolate In our own home these days. It’s helpful to know that others feel the feelings of these times.
FWIW, there are two humans plus one dog at my house who are in it with you.
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There’s plenty of reason to look for, embrace and be the positive while being real and factual about the grind. I don’t believe life works in extremes. My frustration comes when intelligence is all around me and laziness wins. My six year old guitar student knows more than I do–but I try to keep up!
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We’re getting ready for some fairly extensive work in our family room, as in remodeling, with some tear out construction involved. Going into this, we fully expect this project to be the weirdest one yet, due to Covid, and impacts involved. We’ve already experienced product delays, not surprisingly at all.
However, everyone involved in the project - 2 so far, have masked up. Our wonderful contractor said he’ll wear a mask at all times, when in our home. Additionally I intend to have good ventilation in the entire house. I would be offended if anyone came into my space unmasked. Local BFF and her son come over masked, then when we’re on the deck, we unmask.
Wish you the best with your garage project @tomatotomato, and keep us posted if you do mention anything about the unmasked intruder. Lol 
It’s usually always masked intruders we fear - it’s an upside down world these days.
@Auspicious, let us know if you gain any traction with the powers that be.
Need to clarify the family Covid deniers are my SIL, so assume bro is on the same page. I choose not to talk about it with them anymore, don’t see them changing their beliefs. They live in Alaska this time of year, so very easy to avoid them! 
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“If you’re going to live outside the law, you no longer have its protection.”
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I’m not recommending this for anyone, unless you want to get sad or become depressed 
Have been reading about the 188 people of note we’ve lost this year to various causes, but a surprising amount of extremely talented people to Covid. Others to tragic illnesses, overdoses, shootings and stuff too. Many musicians. Others who lived to ripe old ages. Anyway, kind of a somber thing to do…wish I hadn’t gone down that path today…
Sorry about that @Lambchop. Be kind to yourself, give yourself space for the emotions to recede, and go on. I’m saying this for you, and also so I’ll remember to do the same when I feel low.
Your empathy shows strength of character.
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Oh you are too kind @tomatotomato; overall, as we get further into this Covid situation, I find I’m not as panicked, and seem to stay more positive than during the first part of the pandemic. Sometimes it’s hard to see any silver linings, or even much hope in the situation. But today is a brand new day, and I’ve got a fun project, maybe even an outing lined up!
Hope you’re seeing improvement in your shoulder.
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Thank you for your kind words, @Lambchop. Rest, ice, and stretching have been doing their magic on the shoulder the past couple of days. Fingers crossed that it won’t be many more days before I can get back to regular activity.
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Oh my. That is awful. I had no idea you were so close to the wildfire.
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Me neither.
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Ben Gay? That gets me through the night when my shoulder hurts. My wife is not thrilled with the odor. Alternating heat (for healing) and ice (to reduce swelling) during the day.
You’re in my thoughts.
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Oh noooo @shrinkrap, you wanted something exciting for dinner, but somehow I don’t think you meant anything like this.
You will be in my thoughts, and I profoundly hope your home remains undamaged.
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