I know a network of A LOT of people. I have a territory that goes from Virginia to Quebec and manage 50 accounts that employ anywhere from 15 to 500 people.
I live in a city of 60k and work for a company that employs 20k around this area. I manage a brand you may even own or know people that own and I design the product.
I know a lot of people that got COVID. I know of 0 that I interact with on a monthly basis that went to the hospital. Second handedly, I know of a few that went to the hospital and heard of others that I work with or know that knew some people that had it seriously, went on a ventilator or worse, died.
What's changed from Jan 2020 to Jan 2021? Well, now I'd say 70% or more of the public are fearful, hypochondriacs who have damaged psyches and may never recover from this. They view others as contaminated and unsafe to be around. They believe strapping a diaper to their healthy face is "normal".
People are at wits' end. We are majorly divided and trying to blame the other side for our irrational fears. I've personally lost friends because I think wearing a mask and not being scared senseless, is no way to go about life.
Just yesterday, as Biden took office, the WHO totally changed the way Covid is diagnosed. Less cycle count, no longer giving a positive test as a case, you have to have clinical symptoms and you have to pass additional tests.
I'm not a fan of progressive democrats, but got dam do they know how to win an election and how to manipulate the masses as an end to their means.
I won't bitch while this guy is in office. I also will pay him no mind. I will work, protect my family and remain aware of my current immediate situation.
Enjoy reading these discussions as they provide a nice pulse of how we are all managing the year that never got better.