Non Sequitur by Wiley Miller for June 19, 2020

6 feet, please. Not 6 inches. Thanky much.

I wonder if they’ll paint arrows on the trails like they do around here in the grocery stores. Every aisle is one way

“Bonehead”?

Here’s my song about the pandemic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G2NHsWrcoY

You didn’t have your mask on. What did you expect her to do?

https://www.booktopia.com.au/http_coversbooktopiacomau/big/5021456211265/0000/monk.jpg

Nobody’s going to win this discussion because there is not one single solution. Safety is possible with masks and distancing but not guaranteed. The possibilities are reduced whenever one encounters those who do neither, and there are lots of them. CV-19, like this debate, will continue on its way, whether in waves or sporadic outbursts. We just have to endure and hope for the best.

While out walking, I now find it rare that a stranger will not say some type of greeting; a nice not-normal.

Is he serious? Virus free air? No such thing. There are all sorts of micro organisms, including numerous virus strains, in Earth’s atmosphere.

Keep the free coffee flowing and Cap’n Eddie will tell you more stories.

Are you a turtle?

What is REALLY telling is the way that the retail world has found a way to make money on this already: On a t-shirt: 1. Don’t hug me. 2.Don’t shake my hand. 3. Wash your hands. 4. Thank me.

Masks come with all kinds of decoration, the first being, of course, the stars and stripes (had a big discussion the other day about how disrespectfully the flag is “used” these days), designer masks, masks with famous smiles==Mona Lisa, The Scream, clown. . .

and then there are a group of women called “Karens,” (Denver, last reported) who go around just tearing the masks off other women’s faces. GAWD, we are SO weird. . .

I hike a lot. The vast majority of the time maintaining a good distance is easy, but, when it is not possible, there is a mask ready at hand. I make any polite greeting from a distance and turn my face away when passing, mask and/or distance notwithstanding. I intentionally choose less travelled trails and hike at less busy times, preferably very early. Are there knuckle heads out there, intentional or not, sure, but they can be avoided and, when necessary, shamed. One thing I’ve noticed a lot, perhaps an unintended consequence of advice to seek fresh air, is the number of unprepared hikers/walkers in the woods. Hiking is not walking. Do a little research, understand the difference between a trail and a path. A three mile walk in your neighborhood is not the same as a three mile hike up a mountain. We don’t want to have to come rescue you…

I live in a suburban area and I walk almost every morning, weather permitting. I come across other walkers and joggers and dogs taking their people out for a walk. Most people have figured out the protocol. Walk to the right and if you are closest to the curb, you step out to provide enough distance

If you are overtaking someone (something I have not done in about 30 years), you’re the one to hit the pavement instead of the sidewalk.

Considering the heavy breathing one does when walking or running, 6 feet may not be enough. I make it a point to turn my head away and down from oncoming people.

In my development the circle road is 1 mile so it’s good for exercise. it’s kind of fun to see people approaching and who will cross to the other side. most people are pretty cool about it. The problem are the idiots who stand in the sidewalk talking.

It’s turtles all the way down.

No masks?

I used to wish I could do that when public speaking.

Who knew McConnell was at the forefront of evolution.

Like all generalities, there are exceptions to this one, but in general you’re probably OK if you’re around someone else for under 5 seconds, unless they’re directly koffing or sneezing on you. Total time of exposure is a significant factor in transmission.

don’t forget the plume, it’s why we have wear masks, cuz that stuff don’t instantly disappear

Her head was heading in the right direction.

In the situation shown, where masks aren’t available (for whatever reason), squeeze to the side and turn your head away from the other person.

How old is Flo? Why isn’t he afraid of bringing the virus back to her? Does he dislike her?

Reminds me of the guy I saw at a California DMV office who got thrown out for trying to use a t-shirt pulled up over his nose as a mask. Not funny!

On June 2 or thereabouts Wiley returned to sharp and entertaining comment on the human condition, instead of scolding his guests. He has a great talent and does best when droll.

Has anyone noticed the three of them are in that diner, within 3 feet of one another, and not wearing masks? If this comic wants to make a real socio-political statement, let’s wind up with all three in the hospital with Covid because they didn’t follow CDC/WHO guidelines on social distancing and wearing masks in public. At the very least they should be sitting significant distances away from one another. This strip is usually very socio-politically relevant. Even the bears should be wearing masks. ; )

You know, I’m starting to think a pandemic like this might be a natural means of weeding out the total goofballs from a dangerously intelligent society.

Not that all who have caught Covid were morons. Some folks caught it despite all precautions. There is no 100% preventative short of a hazmat suit and full disinfection procedure. But I would like to see statistics on how many who contracted Covid arrogantly didn’t wear masks and follow procedure (thus endangering themselves and others)… as compared to those who did. I bet the statistical difference is incredibly significant. Masks may not be 100% effective, but they’re significantly effective. 70% protection (or whatever percentage) beats NO protection hands down, every time.

I know I’ve said this before, but if the Russians can use bots to say the same thing over and over, pretending to be different people, well, I can just do it as myself.

The irony about the mask wearing is if everyone wore one, especially indoors it would make a huge difference, a life and death difference a come out of lockdown difference. Sadly, some people are easily influenced to jump on band wagons and believe stupid conspiracy hypothesis.

The people wearing masks don’t find them comfortable either, but understand it’s worth it to protect each other. Those not wearing masks are putting others at risk. They know this, they just don’t care. At least, by not wearing their mask and acting smug about it, they are letting us know not only that they are jerks, but they aren’t as smart as they think they are.

Oh, and if you are inclined to go to a restaurant, you where a mask as you enter, exit, use the rest room, because those are high contact areas. Once you sit down, as long as the restaurant does not direct a lot of foot traffic around you, you are relatively isolated.

I wear a shemogh when walking our trails – I can put it up and drop it down as the situation warrants. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eDNUcCZrcw

This stick, plus my arm, is six feet. Come any closer and you are committing assault. You will then be talking to the stick. You will lose that argument, too.

Flo nailed it. I hardly think there’s anything more to be said.

The fear is strong is these ones.

I live near Turtle Lake, and it’s mating season, so there are many unauthorized turtle crossings on the surrounding roads. Lots of screeching brakes. Covid is not the only dangerous thing in these times.

How’d she do that?

Suddenly he’s an expert on virology? Seems to be a lot of that going around, with no studying needed.

They are at least 6 feet apart when he speaks to her. Why is she upset? She could step off the trail if she wanted to.

Any one going to Tulsa for the big rally? i got some extra hats.

What is in the woman’s thought bubble?

If we’re evolving into turtles, we should just give up now. I couldn’t stand the thought of turning into Moscow Mitch!

“She could step off the trail if she wanted to.”

Ah – but you see, she’s a woman. Didn’t your mother teach you that it is polite to give a woman the right of way? And wouldn’t her mother have taught her to expect him to? And when he didn’t, by the time she realized that they were going to violate each other’s 6-foot space, she had no other real choice but to use her turtle-reaction superpower to avoid exposing herself to his rudeness.

Actually, I think that Wiley has, once again, managed to pull an Unca’ Walt (of Pogo fame) and devise his cartoon with layers of social commentary. So many of us in these times are ‘turtles’, refusing to listen to any semblance of reason. Instead we just pull in our heads whenever comments from others refute what we think we know. Or else we refuse to follow reasoned and judicious advice.

Good job, Wiley!

A mask on both reduces the chance of contracting to 1.5%. We already have the cure…wear the mask and kwitcherbitchin.