Day 10 - Covid Conversations

As I mentioned in an earlier blog, our original summer plan was to drive to the east coast through the upper states. Maine is a place both of us have always wanted to see. Then we were going to drive back through Canada, stopping at Lake Louise before heading home. Well, the Coronavirus changed those plans!

Hopefully you and your family have not been affected by the disease, other than the whole "stay at home" order, mask wearing, panic toilet paper and flour buying, stock market crash, and riots. It is pretty obvious that this virus is more contagious than some and definitely affects our elders far worse. However, they closed our school back in March when there were only 16 people in the whole county that were sick with the Coronavirus. I am not convinced that we havn't as a society overreacted a bit.

This virus will definitely go down as a historic event that has affected pretty much the whole world. It has been interesting on our travels to see the differences from place to place, as well as from person to person. The following are some conversations that we overheard while traveling through western Montana:

Cle Elum, Washington - Cottage Cafe

While we were eating breakfast, in a nearby booth, two regular customers were having a conversation as one was getting ready to leave...

Patron 1 - ... did you see that whole long list to vote on [for governor]?

Patron 2 - You mean  the ones going against Numnuts [Governor Inslee]?

Patron 1 - he described in detail how he had come to America to escape from a Communist country [we presume Cuba]. ... 60 years I've been in America and now I am seeing it turn toward Communism. Don't these young people see what's happening? I escaped Communism and now I see it happening here, in the country I chose to come to!...

Phillipsburg, Montana - Gem Mountain Mine

As I was getting my sapphires sorted...

Guest - was asking how the virus was affecting their company and how many people had covid

Gem sorter - There is one person in all of Granite County that has it...

Virginia City, Montana - On a street corner

Three older people (older even than  me) were chatting on a corner as we walked by...

Lady - The violence has nothing to do with the protests.

Man 1 - This has all gone way beyond George Floyd.

Man 2 - Black lives do matter, but the cops lives matter too.

Glacier National Park

Looking at the Park's website to see which campgrounds would be open, if we decided to go into the park...

Park website - The western half of the park is open. Most campgrounds are open... Going to the Sun pass is open, but only from the west entrance. Once at the top, visitors must return to the west entrance... Be aware that there is an unusual amount of congestion at campgrounds and parking lots. Be sure to maintain a 6 foot social distance.

We thought it was a bit ironic to close half of the park which crams the same number of people into a smaller area and then tell them to social distance. Oh, and surprise, surprise... there is extra congestion at parking lots and campgrounds...

Missoula, Montana - Radio Station

While listening to a radio station at Seely Lake...

Radio announcer  - during a news broadcast - On Saturday, Black LIves Matter protestors along with veterans and religious leaders were gathered at __________ park (I didn't catch the park's name). One interview was with a veteran.

Veteran - I'm here as a veteran to make sure they don't damage these memorials to other veterans.

Black Lives Matter protestor - I used to be a Black Lives matter supporter, but it has gotten way out of control. The message has been totally lost.

Yaak, Montana - Yaak Mercantile/Tavern

While eating our lunch, the owner was talking to one of her local customers...

Owner - Yeah, it just doesn't make sense. They [customers] have to come in wearing them [masks], but

as soon as they order something to eat or drink they have to take them off anyway. So all the time they are in here they don't have them on. Also, they are always touching their masks, and then of course they touch the table, chairs, glasses, and doors. I don't know, it just doesn't make any sense.

These were just the conversations we overheard and that I recorded. Overall, throughout western Montana people mostly wore masks when going into gas stations and stores. On the streets there were some people who wore masks and others who didn't. We rarely saw someone driving in their car with a mask on. At rest areas and gas station bathrooms, there was a whole lot of elbows used to open doors.

Our travel style was modified somewhat. We only ate out a few times and didn't shop in any craft or specialty stores. We also didn't go into museums or attend other cultural presentations. The only places we went into were gas stations and one grocery store.  At the campgrounds you put your cash in a pay envelope, so we didn't have to interact with any park person.

It was really odd to see how people reacted to each other. Many with masks don't make eye contact. Those that do make eye contact would typically give a nod since you can't see if the other person is smiling.  During conversations often there would be awkward backing up, sidestepping, or sarcastic "must keep our distance right?"

Throughout western Montana we did see a lot of American pride. There were American flags everywhere. Of course the typical government facitlities, but also, on RV's, masks, fences, building fronts, and clothing. It was refreshing and encouraging to see so many people who are proud to be American and are not afraid to show it!