2020-05-21

Starting tomorrow, groups of ten people or less are allowed to gather in Kentucky. People are urged to stay safe by practicing the “hands, face, space” rule: wash your hands, wear a mask, and practice #socialdistancing. Like elsewhere in the country, wearing a face covering has proved to be unpalatable and objectionable for many Kentuckians. According to an informal study Kremena and I conducted over the last 24 hours, about 1/3 of the people in a local Target store, a neighborhood Kroger, and a public post office were not wearing masks. Their age varied from late teens to 70’s. This might explain why Governor Andy Beshear now routinely reminds Kentuckians of the importance of wearing masks and asks them to post on social media the reasons why they wear a mask. He says he knows wearing a mask in public is “not comfortable. It’s not enjoyable. But it protects people around us.” In the meantime, many continue to practice social distancing by staying home. At times, the pandemic results in beautiful gardens. At other times, rubble abounds. #TogetherKY #TeamKentucky #HealthyAtHome #HealthyAtWork