I'm a hand-shaker': Many older Americans are playing down the coronavirus while others seek safety

[lunasun]

Link to tweet

?s=21

The Villages is one of the largest retirement developments in the United States, with 125,000 residents living on more than 1,000 acres. When asked on the “Villages Friendly Folks” Facebook page how they were managing the coronavirus, a majority of people sided with Przybylowicz, saying the crisis is being overblown. Against mounting advice from federal and private health experts, many expressed a determination to move forward with travel excursions, such as cruises.

On Wednesday night, as President Trump was announcing a travel ban from Europe to the United States, hundreds of residents at The Villages freely roamed the sprawling property. Partygoers danced to the live music presented nightly, ignoring the warnings of the CDC to practice social distancing — “remaining out of congregate settings, avoiding mass gatherings” and maintaining a distance of about six feet to guard against infection.

“We’re living the last third of our lives,” Sal Gentile, 70, wrote in response to a Washington Post inquiry. “We’re bolder, not older. Time to be mindful. Take a deep breath and enjoy life. We worked many decades to now have the privilege of being older. … Yep, I have a pacemaker and recent fusion; however my love for quality of life is more important to me than being rattled by a TV station.”

[Skittles]

1. these people sound like selfish assholes

fucking MAGAts

[Xipe Totec]

2. I respect their decision. Don't agree, but it ain't my funeral. nt

[Hortensis]

10. Same here. Their grandchildren are elsewhere, and if they make

each other sick, that's their choice. I think I'll just assume "community spread" level of contagion there, ahead of testing.

[muntrv]

3. Darwin award winners?

[tblue37]

4. Nope. Darwin Award winners must die of stupidity BEFORE reproducing. nt

[SMC22307]

5. If it stuck to their little right-wing village, I'm to the point I couldn't care less...

but it won't, unfortunately. My mother and her social circle up in PA are the total opposite of these assholes - they're curbing activities and travel to minimize risk to themselves -- and others.

[lunasun]

21. Sensible right now and good on them to minimize risk to themselves + others

Your mom + pals

[HockeyMom]

6. I agree with that man

Don't live in a Senior Community but a HOA Development. Our St. Pat's Dinner was cancelled (mixed age group) "per CDC recommendations". Cannot accommodate more than 50 people. For what? Protect the elderly for their own good? Local VFW is also having a dinner. Should that be cancelled as well? Cannot have those elderly Veterans having a good time.

I consider this age discrimination and no different than any other. Thankfully, I can "pass". '"Can I see some ID for your Senior Discount?" I am 71.

I refuse to be isolated from society based on my age.

Edit: Do you think Biden and Sanders, Pelosi and Schumer, should go home right home, lock their doors, sit in their rocking chairs, and watch TV?

Should I stay home and not VOTE at the polls being around other people?

[GulfCoast66]

11. Like only events for old folks are being cancelled? Live does not revolve around any of us.

Disney World just closed.

Get back with us in a month and see if you still feel the same way.

[MaryMagdaline]

7. If it weren't for the EMTs nurses and doctors they will infect

I couldn’t care less about the choice they’ve made. Selfish is as selfish does.

[jimfields33]

8. I'm in the village southern county of lake

The villages are part of three counties in Florida. The villages has the largest democratic group in all of Florida of over 3,000 members. They go out canvassing, attend civic functions and are very active. We had the lake County Democratic meeting tonight and it was packed. Sorry but the future of the country is at stake. This article sucks!!!!! We also have ZERO conovirus persons in our county. This article is bunk!!!!!

[Hortensis]

12. We know people in The Villages. Agree too many lazy

journalists set articles there just to rehash a convenient cliche.

But, zero contagious or contracted in Lake County is highly unlikely and not something anyone could know. How strange to be sorry to hear the meeting was packed. Sounds fun, though.

Our son just told us GA's governor has recommended all schools close and by tomorrow nursing homes will be no-visitors, including family. Things are moving fast.

[jimfields33]

14. You are right I'm sure we have some.

No testing allows me to pretend things are fine. Lol. The meetings are so fun because we all have one goal. Get rid of trump. 😂

[Hortensis]

15. I'd could really use a good dose of your crowd.

[jimfields33]

16. I wish you lived here.

[GulfCoast66]

18. Glad to see there are some excited Democrats there. I'm about 30 miles south of you.

Early 50’s so still working.

Glad you like it there, but to each their own. I couldn’t live in a place without kids around. Great thing about America. We do our own thing.

Have a nice evening.

[Lars39]

20. Everybody's been tested huh?

[Ferrets are Cool]

9. Isn't The Villages one of the largest congregations of repug asswipes

in America? I will just zip my lips as to what I think of their attitudes about Covid-19

[HarlanPepper]

13. Well, I'm not mother fucker so go vector somewhere else.

These people are deranged.

[Marrah_Goodman]

17. My parents live in a large 55+ community

They are taking it seriously and so is the community. Community buildings are shut down and people are isolating. This is in Mass. My mother said she has never seen anything like it in her lifetime.

[Blue_true]

19. I am a waver, thankfully. nt