[poohbear_nc]

Well, the covid political tapdance continues in NC. Almost 1500 new cases in one day, 8% positivity rate in testing, etc. -- the worst numbers seen since pre-vaccine times.

And the government response? All state covid safety mandates will be allowed to expire at the end of the month. All public responses now will rely on the honor system.

And re-opening schools? An NC Toolkit of 'suggestions' - which states schools "should" take "appropriate" measures for student safety.

It appears NC, like many other states, is willing to endure the post 4th of July surge, and then the post Labor Day surge, and then the post Halloween surge, etc. .... with more needless deaths and unceasing toll upon hospital staff.

One interesting personal observation, probably driven by news of the delta variant. Over the past month, I have been the only masked customer at the local liquor store -- where I had observed the earliest appearance of non-masked customers. Today? All customers were masked: redneck, old, young, black, white. In spite of 95 F & > 90% humidity levels.