Thanks for your reply @Karen912 , Actually. Ephraim is a Bio Chemist so its definitely in the realm of his studies even if its not his research. I also cant help but note our Biologists are back to work with their students in their labs. As far as chalk boards go, they are being replaced when renovated but our building is still 50/50, I agree, sooner would be better than later, that dust isnt great for people or electronics and scientific equipment (the stuff I repair).
I compared two states that are similar in so many ways except their response to Corona but the stats across the nation nearly all indicate approaching a functional level of heard immunity far sooner than the CDC estimated even 3 months ago. NY, the epicenter of the greatest death tolls has turned the corner and opening schools and businesses without our numbers going berserk, (Upstate and Bearpath Lodging never closed).
Im not saying we dont have anything to be concerned about with the virus a year after its entry onto our continent, just saying were not anywhere near the same ignorant place we started when we needed "30 days to flatten the curve" yet the policies remain the same on the "30 days" 1 year anniversary. I do understand the challenges of an international company like Airbnb trying to make their rules a fit around the world, one policy for so many of its operations isnt actually possible and really never has been realistic, has it?
The world is an unsafe place to live with or without covid 19 but its the only place we have to live, we need to begin the process of De-covidization for the sake of the living to honor the works and lives of the dead. Our children and elderly that have been abandoned for a year cannot be asked to wait this one out. There is no "out" to wait for, Im sorry to say, covid is here to stay and it will never go away, we need to start life "After the curve" now before we do extensive pandemic response damage to our society that cant be undone with a shot in the arm and some extra classes. I doubt that a year into this, any of what Im saying could be called "rushed", just a natural progression of actions as a measured response to a Bio natural disaster.
Please understand, Im not trying to minimize your feelings and well expressed concerns, just saying that there is no better day than today to begin walking down the road to a better tomorrow with renewed purpose. Stay well, JR