Before face masks, Americans went to war against seat belts (Business Insider)

A woman fastens her seat belt in 1970. – Lambert/Getty Images

Oh, boy, do I remember this from the 1960’s. I remember my Dad installing seat belts in our car. As a kid, I was not at all political (but definitely a nerd) and remember rolling my eyes at the “better to be thrown from the car” argument. What, through the windshield? “What if the car goes into water or catches fire” (I guess it can’t do both) makes a bit more sense, but are way too improbable to pay the price of not being protected.

I suspect many people still don’t understand that belts work with the “[wiki base=”EN”]crumple zone[/wiki]” in front as a shock absorber to reduce g-forces in a crash.

“You wanna bounce through this one?” the exec asks the crew in the deceleration scene in [wiki base=”EN”]Forbidden Planet[/wiki].

Beware — this all assumes compliance with masking and social distancing. Here’s a summary, but obviously read the New York Times article for details.

1. A BYOB backyard gathering with one other household: low to medium risk. ✅⚠️
2. Eating indoors at a restaurant: medium to high risk — “one of the riskiest things you can do. ⚠️?
3. Attending a religious service indoors: high risk. ?
4. Spending the day at a popular beach or pool: low risk — “as long as you can stay socially distanced”. ✅
5. An outdoor celebration such as a wedding with more than 10 guests: medium to high risk. ⚠️?
6. Using a public restroom: low to medium risk — ventilation is the variable here. ✅⚠️
7. Letting a friend use your bathroom: low risk (turn the fan on). ✅
8. Going to a vacation house with another family: low risk. ✅
10. Getting a haircut: medium to high risk. ⚠️?
11. Going shopping at a mall: risk varies. ❓
12. Going to a nightclub: high risk. ?
13. Going camping: low risk. ✅
14. Exercising outdoors: low risk ✅?

Precautions against Covid-19 (Corona Virus) for LTDO were discussed at an ad hoc LTDO Executive-Communications meeting.

General Precautions

• Wash your hands regularly!
• Stay at home if you feel ill seek medical care.
• Post signs at office and at all meeting entrances: “Please wash your hands prior to entering or use hand sanitizer”.
• Be cognizant of people around and their health. Protect yourself by taking good care of your health and sanitization.
• Cough and sneeze into tissues or into your elbows
•  If you have not already obtained a flu shot, get one. This will NOT protect you against Covid-19, but “normal” flu is also dangerous and will put you at greater risk should you contract Covid-19/

These will be reevaluated each month or as needed.

Meeting and Office protocols

• Until further notice no food will be left at the office or brought to the meetings.  We will bring anything left to the meeting tonight to be brought home. You can bring something that will be consumed but not left. Just our water machine will be left.
• We will initiate cleaning/disinfecting protocols of all handled surfaces. They will be wiped downed twice daily – protocols will be outlined and posted for volunteers to adhere to.
• We plan to create a Zoom account to live stream in a secured place for our various meetings to accomodate those that may need to be at home.

PC Protocols

• PC’s should carry hand sanitizers with them.
• Do not shake hands at the doors.
• Do not go into the houses; stay on the stoop.
• Encourage early voting or Vote By Mail to reduce large number on voting day.

Use reliable sources of information (obviously there are others):

• DuPage County Health Department
• Illinois Department of Public Health
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention