More thoughts -

What was really evident in our travels was INCONSISTENCY. For instance, in Salina, KS, on the way east, we found that our hotel's pool and fitness center were closed. Across the highway (I-135) there was another hotel who had a restaurant inside that we used. In that hotel were signs that their pool and fitness center were open under certain conditions. I later inquired if our hotel was in a different county (which would mean different health dept), but the answer was, no. Our hotel's owner said keep it closed, and obviously the HIE owner did differently.

There is inconsistency within the state of Missouri as well. The rural areas are not feeling the pain of COVID, especially in those areas that do not attract tourists. We wore our masks into a small-town restaurant in Fulton, while out with our MO family. We were stared at! Once seated, we all removed our masks. The more touristy areas (such as Lake of the Ozarks) will have a mix of mask-wearers and those that don't. (For the most part, we wore ours when going shopping, filling the tank and needing to go inside the store for a receipt because the pump didn't spit one out. But did not wear one swimming, hiking around the Tan-Tar-A property or around our daughter's neighborhood, etc.) In some cities - STL, KC, or Columbia - masks are mandated.

I know, Rick and Mark, stealing TP is so low!


Donna