This week we learned that the pet boutique rororiri closed in downtown Walnut Creek. There are plenty of big chain pet stores like Petco and Pet Smart. As a fish person, I prefer shops like Aqua Forest Aquarium in San Francisco. What is your favorite pet store?
Photo by Unsplash user danielcgold
This week we learned that Nike will be coming to City Center Bishop Ranch in San Ramon. Nike is such an iconic brand. Growing up, I usually wore Nike sneakers. These days I’m partial to Hokas, and I still use Colgate toothpaste, just like I did as a kid. I suppose I’m just a creature of habit and like it that way. Are you brand loyal? If so, what brands are you loyal to?
Photo by Unsplash user giorgiotrovato
It’s been a long time since I’ve ridden BART. I finally had a reason to go into San Francisco and didn’t feel like driving so decided to take BART. Despite masks being required in the trains, (with plenty of signs pointing this out), of course I’m in the car where some think the rules don’t apply to themselves, like the guy across from me with the mask on his neck, as if to say, I don’t care about anyone but myself. Not to mention the guy eating chips right next to me, obviously not wearing a mask. Then, there is the guy playing loud music taking up two seats. It was frankly a disgusting trip in on a Saturday afternoon and I contemplated never taking BART again if I can help it.
However, on the way back, it was the complete opposite situation. Everyone was wearing masks and behaving themselves. And no more worn-out fabric seats. So I think I’ll ride BART again after all. Do you ride BART? Do you like it more or less than before Covid?
Recently, I had a contractor over to get an estimate (outside) and there was an awkward moment when we both had our masks in our hands and then put them on initially. I decided to ask them if they were vaccinated. They said yes, asked me the same, I replied that I too was vaccinated. Then, we took off our masks for most of the time as we were outdoors.
That was the first time I asked someone I didn’t know if they were vaccinated and it felt a bit weird. Had they said no, I would have just kept my mask on and continued the discussion. Do you ask people you come in contact with whether they are vaccinated, or do you find that off-putting?
Next month on September 14th, the California gubernatorial recall special election will take place to decide whether to recall Governor Gavin Newsom. More details can be found out on the Wikipedia page here. Do you plan on voting in this special election? Should Governor Newsom be recalled or is this all a bunch of hullabaloo over French Laundry?
Photo by Unsplash user claybanks
This week we learned that the salad restaurant sweetgreen would be coming to downtown Walnut Creek, and based on what I’m reading from the comments, it looks like not only do they not accept cash, they don’t even accept credit cards as all purchases must be made through their app.
I remember a couple of years ago buying food at Amazon Go where you just grab what you want, walk out and the Amazon app charges your account automatically. Pretty nifty. Not sure how I feel about having to download an app for every Tom, Dick and Harry store I want to shop at. What do you think about cashless shops?
Photo by Unsplash user jorjoson
Now that we know that the new Delta Covid-19 variant is so infectious, so much so that masking is now required indoors in Contra Costa county, are you worried about getting breakthrough Covid if you’re vaccinated? Or is it just the same old, same old and believe it won’t be serious because your vaccinated?
Earlier this month, I asked about new guidance where fully vaccinated people were not required to wear masks indoors. Just as I had serious doubts about that rule, now a new “recommendation” was announced recently by “Bay Area health officials” that
everyone consider wearing face coverings whenever they enter indoor public spaces, regardless of their vaccination status. This extra precaution is not a requirement, but a healthy choice.
If I thought unvaccinated people were not wearing masks then, I’m even more sure that people I encounter indoors not wearing masks are not vaccinated. How does this “recommendation” help at all? I’m genuinely confused by this. Either have a rule that masks are required indoors, or don’t have any rule at all. Am I off base here?
Photo by Unsplash user bookerboot
With summer vacations well under way, it’s time for many to catch up on reading material. I recently finished Hooked by Michael Moss an, “exposé of how the processed food industry exploits our evolutionary instincts, the emotions we associate with food, and legal loopholes in their pursuit of profit over public health” and look forward to learning how Los Angeles transformed movies, music, television, and politics in 1974 with Rock Me on the Water – 1974.
What is on your summer reading list?
Now that masks are no longer required inside stores for fully* vaccinated people unless requested by the store itself, what do you make of people shopping masked or maskless? Depending on the store, it seems about evenly split between masked and maskless people, although every week that goes by that split is trending towards less masked people.
The impression I get is that masked poeple are already fully vaccinated and are just taking extra precautions just to be safe. And those who are maskless are split between those who are fully vaccinated and those who are not vaccinated and feel it’s not a big deal. What I don’t think is that unvaccinated people are making sure to mask up while shopping indoors.
* I doubt that most people even realize that being fully vaccinated means two weeks after the second mRNA shot (or the first shot for J&J).
What do you think?