As the days get longer, and temperatures warm, it is time to plant a garden. Do you? Are you growing vegetables — or even flowers?
Share why if you wish.
Month: May 2021
Regarding COVID, What Are You Comfortable With?
As the number of people in the U.S. who are vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus increases, the restrictions put in to place for our safety are being eased. However, the level of risk to be accepted varies from individual to individual. What are you comfortable with?
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have announced updated guidelines that suggest people who are fully vaccinated no longer have to wear masks indoors, nor do they have to maintain the standard physical distance that we have been accustomed to over the last year+.
We are all eager to return to our previous lives, including seeing and hugging our loved ones, or attending large events like music concerts and sporting events.
Related: Listen to an episode of the Intellectual Roundtable podcast where Michael and Lee discuss the question ‘Freedom or security?’ Stay tuned for a bonus question, ‘Is technology neutral?’
However, on the same day that the CDC recommended the new guidelines, prominent comedian Bill Maher tested positive for COVID, causing his production team to postpone the taping of his weekly talk show. Maher is fully vaccinated and he does not have any symptoms. But it is clear that as much as we want a return to normal, the danger has not passed yet.
In addition, it is entirely possible that people who are anti-mask or anti-vaccine will take advantage of these new guidelines to avoid wearing a mask even though they are not fully vaccinated.
Therefore, there remains some level of risk, both to us as individuals (even the fully vaccinated ones), as well as to our community.
So what are you comfortable with? No change? Going maskless while outdoors? Outdoor dining? Maskless, indoor groups of vaccinated individuals? Indoor dining? Large groups of people, say, 500 or more?
Related questions: What will be the new normal? Mask or no mask? How do you evaluate risk? How do you want this to change you?
Children Or Adults?
Do you prefer the wide-eyed innocence of children? Or maybe the complexity of an adult? Which would you rather spend time with?
Share why if you wish.
Do You Play A Musical Instrument?
Do you have musical talent? Do you play a musical instrument? Which one (or more than one)?
Share why if you wish.
Can Vulnerability Be Strength?
No one likes to appear weak. Oftentimes, we perceive vulnerability as weakness. But can it actually be strength?
Appearing vulnerable means, necessarily, displaying a shortcoming of some sort. That, in turn, means showing some sort of weakness. That would seem to be a bad thing.
But might there be a hidden benefit to appearing vulnerable, and therefore weak? What might those benefits be?
Related: Listen to an episode of the Intellectual Roundtable podcast where Michael and Lee discuss the question ‘What belief do you have that might be wrong?’ Stay tuned for a bonus question, ‘What makes a place feel like home?’
Alternately, it might be best never to show your vulnerabilities. Is that even possible? Or desirable?
Can you think of situations or instances where revealing a weakness might be a good thing? Can vulnerability be strength? When might that be? What risks might there be?
Related questions: When is a lie justified? When is it useful to fail? What is the biggest risk you’ve ever taken? What is uncomfortable but rewarding?