For the last Urban Sketching class, I had my students sketch in Panera’s. We had already covered how to sketch an interior by sketching the classroom and I gave a refresher on how to populate a scene with people. Myself and two of my students were wearing masks in the classroom. Hospitalizations for the BA5 variant had reached a peak and were hovering at about 40,000 COVID patients each day. 300 to 400 people continue to die each day from the virus, but despite this, most people are “done” with COVID though the pandemic is far from over.
I had just dodged a bullet since a house guest had contracted the virus and we isolated for 10 days. Somehow, even while living with the virus Pam and I managed to not get infected. We have taken every simple precaution since the start of the pandemic, masking, social distancing and hand washing.
One of my students had been infected. She had stayed clear of the virus for over two years, but her husband brought home the BA5 and they both got sick. My other masked student has managed to evade infection and wants to continue to do so.
Both of my masked students decided to sketch Panera’s from outside, and I applaud them for that choice. I ordered some food and ate it outside. Then I masked up with a KN-95 held in place by my well worn cloth mask. I was the only masked person inside Panera’s except the person who took my order.
One student asked me to sign my Urban Sketching book, which surprised me. Three other students arrived late after they ran across the note on the classroom door letting them know where we would be sketching. They missed all my introductory remarks, but I worked with each to bring them up to speed. They remained unmasked. This is the reason I have tended to hold off on sketching at indoor venues with students. I am unable to protect them from themselves.
A few days later the CDC lifted many of their suggestions for quarantining and social distancing. I know the reduced 5 day quarantining was instated by the CDC to be sure that health care workers could be available as the hospitals filling up with COVID patients. It was never intended to become a general policy for everyone. Now even the 5 day quarantine has been abandoned to keep people at work. Close contact no longer involves taking precautions.
People refuse to protect themselves against a virus they can not see. I will continue to take the precautions I have been taking since the start of the pandemic. I know full well that politics play a greater roll in deciding how COVID recommendations are decided. I also know that any recommendations are ignored my most people regardless. You can choose your own COVID adventure.