Our view: A little respect as the masks come off

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Good afternoon,

At 8 a.m., Delaware joined a growing number of states that now allow fully vaccinated individuals to gather indoors without a mask.

This applies to restaurants, gyms, and retail stores that are largely expected to go along with the change. 

It will not apply to state buildings, health care facilities, airports, Amtrak, and mass transit. By the way, the feds are issuing hefty fines for airline passengers who make a scene in refusing to wear a mask.

While now lagging its neighbors in the share of fully vaccinated residents by a few percentage points, Delaware is seeing a continuing decline in new cases. 

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Readers of our newsletter can get further details in the featured piece above.

The decision by Gov. John Carney comes as the Delaware beaches prepare for the first wave of visitors over the Memorial Day weekend.

Obviously, the state will operate under an honor system. Confrontations are possible, especially if one of the individuals has a couple of drinks, indulges in other substances, or is compelled to air long-standing grievances.

Sadly,  there is a decent chance a non-hospitality industry person in his or her 20s  is not vaccinated, based on the dismal percentages that have been reported.

The good news is that a fully vaccinated person is a “dead end” for the virus.

When it comes to economics,  the state was facing pressure from its neighbor. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, whose state has a slightly lower Covid-19 rate, immediately removed the mask mandate.

The Delaware Restaurant Association is asking industry members to post the accompanying message emphasizing that establishments have the right to impose their own rules. 

That general understanding of “Our place, our rules”  has been blurred by Covid-19 emergency orders that may lead to the belief in the minds of some that the governor sets all rules in businesses.

Keep in mind that if patrons do not feel comfortable (there were many pre-pandemic, who did not want to be packed in next to a loud party),  business activity will not return to former levels after an initial surge. 

The need for common courtesy and respect will be more important than ever. It does not help that social media and the current political climate encourage bad behavior that all often spills over into face-to-face dealings.

Enjoy a  weekend that may be a little on the warm side, but will be perfect for some deck or outdoor dining. – Doug Rainey, chief content officer. 

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