Happy Memorial Day!
It's crazy to think that New Years Day was the last big holiday. How much has changed since then!
How are you, and the people in your area, handling the first major holiday since the start of the global pandemic? Is there still a lot of social distancing, or many large parties and gatherings?
Quote from: webny99 on May 25, 2020, 11:29:17 AM
It's crazy to think that New Years Day was the last big holiday. How much has changed since then!
What happened to Easter?
It's Memorial Day. I'd like to think that large parties are not first on everyone's mind.
Quote from: wanderer2575 on May 25, 2020, 11:55:50 AM
It's Memorial Day. I'd like to think that large parties are not first on everyone's mind.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/05/beaches-parks-full-memorial-day-weekend-pandemic-200524183947394.html
There's the Lake of the Ozarks story I posted in the Coronavirus thread.. no social distancing at that pool party, despite a sign saying to stay six feet apart. I usually go to a memorial service at the Springfield National Cemetery, but A. it's raining. B. COVID-19.
Quote from: 1 on May 25, 2020, 11:30:40 AM
Quote from: webny99 on May 25, 2020, 11:29:17 AM
It's crazy to think that New Years Day was the last big holiday. How much has changed since then!
What happened to Easter?
Easter is not one of the big 6 holidays. Many (most?) companies are open on Easter Monday, so this is the first major widely celebrated weekday holiday since New Years.
Quote from: webny99 on May 25, 2020, 02:15:38 PM
Quote from: 1 on May 25, 2020, 11:30:40 AM
Quote from: webny99 on May 25, 2020, 11:29:17 AM
It's crazy to think that New Years Day was the last big holiday. How much has changed since then!
What happened to Easter?
Easter is not one of the big 6 holidays. Many (most?) companies are open on Easter Monday, so this is the first major widely celebrated weekday holiday since New Years.
Easter is more of a religious holiday. My mother's side of the family is Catholic, and every year we gather for Easter dinner.
I never do anything special for Memorial Day, and today just feels like the last 8-10 weeks. (I have absolutely lost track of the days.)
Quote from: ozarkman417 on May 25, 2020, 01:41:45 PM
There's the Lake of the Ozarks story I posted in the Coronavirus thread.. no social distancing at that pool party, despite a sign saying to stay six feet apart. I usually go to a memorial service at the Springfield National Cemetery, but A. it's raining. B. COVID-19.
I didn't even get a notice this year,
Quote from: wanderer2575 on May 25, 2020, 11:55:50 AM
It's Memorial Day. I'd like to think that large parties are not first on everyone's mind.
Furniture sales?
Seriously, every year there are editorials telling us to remember on Memorial Day, and every year people go shopping or to the beach instead.
For the last several years we've been on vacation Memorial Day week. But this year we had to cancel.
Instead we joined in a group of about 8 people who cooked meals (2 meals for 60 people each) in the church kitchen for the rotating homeless shelter. The shelter can't rotate between churches, synagogues and mosques because of COVID - the patrons are being put up in a motel instead. We packed the meals individually and froze them, and they can be microwaved and served at the motel.
Sad day to go for a walk and pass the neighborhood pool. It was a perfect pool day, sunny and warm but not broiling hot, but the pools are closed until at least June 10.
We went to Arlington Cemetery to visit my father's niche at the columbarium.
Went out to a park today, and people seemed to be mostly social distancing, but there was basically no mask wearing.
Masks seem to increasingly be worn only in places like grocery stores, not so much outdoors.
Quote from: webny99 on May 25, 2020, 02:15:38 PM
Quote from: 1 on May 25, 2020, 11:30:40 AM
Quote from: webny99 on May 25, 2020, 11:29:17 AM
It's crazy to think that New Years Day was the last big holiday. How much has changed since then!
What happened to Easter?
Easter is not one of the big 6 holidays. Many (most?) companies are open on Easter Monday, so this is the first major widely celebrated weekday holiday since New Years.
Easter is always on a Sunday, so no reason to close businesses on a weekday.
However, the stock markets are closed on Good Friday whereas almost no other regular business is, which is an oddity in itself.
Well, it seems like social distancing is getting ignored now in a lot of place. We will see if that affects the coronavirus deaths.
The Detroit News reported this morning that 2 people from out of state traveled to Traverse City to take advantage of the "opening", and they have COVID-19. One is hospitalized, the other quarantined. 6 others that they came in contact with are also in quarantine.
Quote from: webny99 on May 25, 2020, 11:23:26 PM
....
Masks seem to increasingly be worn only in places like grocery stores, not so much outdoors.
Seems to me whether you need to wear one outdoors depends on what you're doing outdoors and whether you'll be in the vicinity of other people outside your immediate family. For example, yesterday when we drove into Arlington Cemetery we had to show security we had masks with us, though we weren't wearing them at the time (no reason to when it's just the two of us in our own car). When we got to the columbarium where my father is inurned, there was nobody else around, so we put the masks in our pockets to allow us to put them on if anyone else showed up nearby. Why wear them when nobody else is around? If other people had been there or shown up while we were there, we would have worn them (two people showed up as we were leaving, but we didn't pass near each other).
I don't wear one when I go for a walk in the afternoon after I finish work because I won't be around anyone else for long enough to give me a reason to wear one. Likewise, on Saturday when I was outside doing yard work I didn't wear one either–no reason to do so.
But if I were standing on line to enter Home Depot or the grocery store or the like, then I would absolutely wear one.
Quote from: 1995hoo on May 26, 2020, 09:48:47 AM
Quote from: webny99 on May 25, 2020, 11:23:26 PM
....
Masks seem to increasingly be worn only in places like grocery stores, not so much outdoors.
Seems to me whether you need to wear one outdoors depends on what you're doing outdoors and whether you'll be in the vicinity of other people outside your immediate family.
That's how it is here, too. I think this is heavily influenced by the fact that we share a state with NYC. If that wasn't the case, I'm not sure that mask wearing would have become the norm, since most of upstate wasn't hit that hard.
I agree that there are some cases when a mask should be worn outdoors, but I occasionally see people wearing a mask while out for a walk, which I find baffling. I can see it being needed in Manhattan, but not on a quiet suburban street.
I'm usually with 250,000+ other people at the world's most attended sporting event, but that's been pushed back to August this year.
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on May 25, 2020, 11:51:33 PM
Well, it seems like social distancing is getting ignored now in a lot of place. We will see if that affects the coronavirus deaths.
Tempting fate is not a good thing
Quote from: webny99 on May 26, 2020, 10:09:32 AM
Quote from: 1995hoo on May 26, 2020, 09:48:47 AM
Quote from: webny99 on May 25, 2020, 11:23:26 PM
....
Masks seem to increasingly be worn only in places like grocery stores, not so much outdoors.
Seems to me whether you need to wear one outdoors depends on what you're doing outdoors and whether you'll be in the vicinity of other people outside your immediate family.
That's how it is here, too. I think this is heavily influenced by the fact that we share a state with NYC. If that wasn't the case, I'm not sure that mask wearing would have become the norm, since most of upstate wasn't hit that hard.
I agree that there are some cases when a mask should be worn outdoors, but I occasionally see people wearing a mask while out for a walk, which I find baffling. I can see it being needed in Manhattan, but not on a quiet suburban street.
I've seen people biking with masks on. I'd find that horribly uncomfortable. As it is, I think we've been lucky to have had an unseasonably cool month of May. A mask can get really unpleasant in hot, humid weather (and if you wear prescription glasses, as I do, the lens-fogging problem can get a lot worse when it's humid–I can't imagine wearing prescription sunglasses and a mask while cycling).
Quote from: 1995hoo on May 26, 2020, 11:01:42 AM
Quote from: webny99 on May 26, 2020, 10:09:32 AM
Quote from: 1995hoo on May 26, 2020, 09:48:47 AM
Quote from: webny99 on May 25, 2020, 11:23:26 PM
....
Masks seem to increasingly be worn only in places like grocery stores, not so much outdoors.
Seems to me whether you need to wear one outdoors depends on what you're doing outdoors and whether you'll be in the vicinity of other people outside your immediate family.
That's how it is here, too. I think this is heavily influenced by the fact that we share a state with NYC. If that wasn't the case, I'm not sure that mask wearing would have become the norm, since most of upstate wasn't hit that hard.
I agree that there are some cases when a mask should be worn outdoors, but I occasionally see people wearing a mask while out for a walk, which I find baffling. I can see it being needed in Manhattan, but not on a quiet suburban street.
I've seen people biking with masks on. I'd find that horribly uncomfortable. As it is, I think we've been lucky to have had an unseasonably cool month of May. A mask can get really unpleasant in hot, humid weather (and if you wear prescription glasses, as I do, the lens-fogging problem can get a lot worse when it's humid–I can't imagine wearing prescription sunglasses and a mask while cycling).
When I go out walking, I usually skip the mask since there's almost no chance of running into anyone. If I do, I just go around them.
Quote from: webny99 on May 25, 2020, 11:44:11 PM
Actually, one thing I considered mentioning, but decided to omit, is that Good Friday seems to have been picking up steam as a holiday in recent years, including more businesses closing that didn't used to. The majority still seem to be open, though.
Huh, I would've assumed Good Friday was a holiday in the US, but I guess not.
And no one's mentioned President's Day in February (I know that one since it coincides with Ontario's Family Day).
The weekend before was a long weekend in Canada, considered the start of summer, and we had one nice day of weather here.
Apparently there were almost 10 000 people in a Toronto park last weekend, so it seems some people have gotten tired of social distancing: https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/ontario-premier-tells-reckless-people-who-packed-toronto-park-to-get-tested-for-covid-19-1.4952962 (https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/ontario-premier-tells-reckless-people-who-packed-toronto-park-to-get-tested-for-covid-19-1.4952962)
Quote from: 7/8 on May 26, 2020, 07:42:56 PM
Quote from: webny99 on May 25, 2020, 11:44:11 PM
Actually, one thing I considered mentioning, but decided to omit, is that Good Friday seems to have been picking up steam as a holiday in recent years, including more businesses closing that didn't used to. The majority still seem to be open, though.
Huh, I would've assumed Good Friday was a holiday in the US, but I guess not.
And no one's mentioned President's Day in February (I know that one since it coincides with Ontario's Family Day).
The weekend before was a long weekend in Canada, considered the start of summer, and we had one nice day of weather here.
Apparently there were almost 10 000 people in a Toronto park last weekend, so it seems some people have gotten tired of social distancing: https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/ontario-premier-tells-reckless-people-who-packed-toronto-park-to-get-tested-for-covid-19-1.4952962 (https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/ontario-premier-tells-reckless-people-who-packed-toronto-park-to-get-tested-for-covid-19-1.4952962)
Social distancing doesn't mean a lot to me since I know so few people here in town outside my neighbors. Being "stranded" inside sucks, but I'm starting to do some solo daytrips.
Quote from: 7/8 on May 26, 2020, 07:42:56 PM
Quote from: webny99 on May 25, 2020, 11:44:11 PM
Actually, one thing I considered mentioning, but decided to omit, is that Good Friday seems to have been picking up steam as a holiday in recent years, including more businesses closing that didn't used to. The majority still seem to be open, though.
Huh, I would've assumed Good Friday was a holiday in the US, but I guess not.
And no one's mentioned President's Day in February (I know that one since it coincides with Ontario's Family Day).
....
Part of the issue in the US is that the states, and the private sector, don't have to follow the federal holidays. Some are pretty universal–Thanksgiving and Christmas are the biggest two (July 4 is universally a holiday, but many retail businesses are open that day). Some are generally ignored by the private sector–Columbus Day and Veterans' Day are the most obvious there.
But Washington's Birthday is a good example of the differences. The federal holiday is called Washington's Birthday by statute. People who insist it is "now" called "Presidents' Day" are simply wrong if they're referring to the federal holiday. Some states do call it "Presidents' Day," however (though which presidents are honored is sometimes a matter of dispute; four presidents were born in February). Virginia calls it "George Washington Day." Then you have Alabama, which calls it "Washington and Jefferson Day" even though Jefferson was born in April–I assume the idea there is to be sure to avoid honoring Lincoln.
Then there are state holidays not observed at the federal level and not observed in all states. Some states observe Good Friday, some observe just the afternoon that day. Hawaii has Kuhio Day on March 26. Alabama and Mississippi observe Jeff Davis's birthday.
Quote from: 1995hoo on May 26, 2020, 09:34:30 PM
Quote from: 7/8 on May 26, 2020, 07:42:56 PM
Quote from: webny99 on May 25, 2020, 11:44:11 PM
Actually, one thing I considered mentioning, but decided to omit, is that Good Friday seems to have been picking up steam as a holiday in recent years, including more businesses closing that didn't used to. The majority still seem to be open, though.
Huh, I would've assumed Good Friday was a holiday in the US, but I guess not.
And no one's mentioned President's Day in February (I know that one since it coincides with Ontario's Family Day).
....
Part of the issue in the US is that the states, and the private sector, don't have to follow the federal holidays. Some are pretty universal–Thanksgiving and Christmas are the biggest two (July 4 is universally a holiday, but many retail businesses are open that day). Some are generally ignored by the private sector–Columbus Day and Veterans' Day are the most obvious there.
That pretty much sums up what my response was going to be before I read yours.
However, I always thought President's Day fit pretty neatly into the same bucket as Columbus Day and Veterans Day, but maybe I'm wrong on that. It's certainly ignored by the private sector around here, anyways.
Arkansas used to celebrate Robert E Lee's birthday on the MLK holiday. REL's birthday celebration has been moved to October and is no longer considered a "holiday".
Quote from: 1995hoo on May 26, 2020, 09:34:30 PM
Quote from: 7/8 on May 26, 2020, 07:42:56 PM
Quote from: webny99 on May 25, 2020, 11:44:11 PM
Actually, one thing I considered mentioning, but decided to omit, is that Good Friday seems to have been picking up steam as a holiday in recent years, including more businesses closing that didn't used to. The majority still seem to be open, though.
Huh, I would've assumed Good Friday was a holiday in the US, but I guess not.
And no one's mentioned President's Day in February (I know that one since it coincides with Ontario's Family Day).
....
Part of the issue in the US is that the states, and the private sector, don't have to follow the federal holidays. Some are pretty universal–Thanksgiving and Christmas are the biggest two (July 4 is universally a holiday, but many retail businesses are open that day). Some are generally ignored by the private sector–Columbus Day and Veterans' Day are the most obvious there.
...
Reading your comment led me to do some quick research and now I know that the US private sector is not required to give any federal holidays. It didn't occur to me that there wouldn't be any paid holidays guaranteed for everyone. That explains the discussions on which holidays are "actually" observed.
Quote from: webny99 on May 26, 2020, 09:50:33 PM
Quote from: 1995hoo on May 26, 2020, 09:34:30 PM
Quote from: 7/8 on May 26, 2020, 07:42:56 PM
Quote from: webny99 on May 25, 2020, 11:44:11 PM
Actually, one thing I considered mentioning, but decided to omit, is that Good Friday seems to have been picking up steam as a holiday in recent years, including more businesses closing that didn't used to. The majority still seem to be open, though.
Huh, I would've assumed Good Friday was a holiday in the US, but I guess not.
And no one's mentioned President's Day in February (I know that one since it coincides with Ontario's Family Day).
....
Part of the issue in the US is that the states, and the private sector, don't have to follow the federal holidays. Some are pretty universal–Thanksgiving and Christmas are the biggest two (July 4 is universally a holiday, but many retail businesses are open that day). Some are generally ignored by the private sector–Columbus Day and Veterans' Day are the most obvious there.
That pretty much sums up what my response was going to be before I read yours.
However, I always thought President's Day fit pretty neatly into the same bucket as Columbus Day and Veterans Day, but maybe I'm wrong on that. It's certainly ignored by the private sector around here, anyways.
I would not be surprised to hear that the private sector here in the DC area might be a bit unique in this respect due to how many people have spouses/immediate family who work for the government. Most retail businesses are open on Washington's Birthday here. Some professionals are as well (my dentist, for example; I usually go on the holiday because I get there and back faster). Most white-collar private-sector non-retail businesses seem to observe it. The same is definitely not true of Columbus Day (widely ignored) and Veterans' Day (most non-government non-retail workers get the day after Thanksgiving instead, which is a trade I think most people are happy to make....I sure would if I had the option).
If employees are represented by a strong union, it is more likely that more holidays will be paid. And the non-union employees at those locations will often get the paid holidays too.
For example, I used to work for one of the Big 3 automakers. Beside the standard holidays - Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day - we got Christmas Eve, the whole week between Christmas and New Years, MLK day, Veterans Day and Election Day in federal election years (even number years).
We did not get Columbus Day, and I was surprised to read on a soccer board that clubs in New York were holding tournaments that weekend.
For many retailers that are open on holidays, they pay time and a half or double time pay. But not all - again, it depends on the employer and the presence of any union.
EDIT: A post below reminded me that we also got the day after Thanksgiving, Good Friday and Easter Monday. And if any of the holidays were on Tuesday or Thursday, we usually got the Monday or Friday off as well.
Quote from: 1995hoo on May 26, 2020, 09:34:30 PM
[The federal holiday is called Washington's Birthday by statute. People who insist it is "now" called "Presidents' Day" are simply wrong if they're referring to the federal holiday.
The labeling of the the fed holiday as Washington's Birthday is inaccurate too since the latest it can fall is Feb. 21. GW was born on Feb. 22. But then again the Queen of England has an Official Birthday which is nowhere her real one.
QuoteSome states do call it "Presidents' Day," however (though which presidents are honored is sometimes a matter of dispute; four presidents were born in February).
The other two are W.H. Harrison and R.W. Reagan.
ixnay
My paid holidays
New Year's Day
Memorial Day
July 4
Labor Day
Thanksgiving
Day after Thanksgiving (not common)
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
New Years Eve
And my employer usually grants us three days off as a Christmas gift between Christmas and New Years - which means when I leave work on December 23, I don't return until January 2. All paid.
Quote from: ixnay on May 27, 2020, 09:06:34 AM
Quote from: 1995hoo on May 26, 2020, 09:34:30 PM
[The federal holiday is called Washington's Birthday by statute. People who insist it is "now" called "Presidents' Day" are simply wrong if they're referring to the federal holiday.
The labeling of the the fed holiday as Washington's Birthday is inaccurate too since the latest it can fall is Feb. 21. GW was born on Feb. 22. But then again the Queen of England has an Official Birthday which is nowhere her real one.
Right, the holiday should be on the fourth Monday in February, not the third, if it is to be called Washington's Birthday with any accuracy. But the statute does in fact call it Washington's Birthday.
From a trivia standpoint, it can't fall on either his "original" birthday or his "current" birthday. George Washington was born on February 11, 1731, Old Style. That became February 22 when the Brits, and their colonies, converted to New Style in 1752, and the change in the date on which they observed the new year is usually applied retroactively as well such that Washington is now said to have been born on February 22, 1732, New Style (of course New Style is usually omitted). Washington never objected to celebrating his birthday on February 22, but that acceptance was not universal–Thomas Jefferson, for example, was born on April 2, 1743, Old Style, which became April 13, 1743, New Style, yet he always observed his birthday on April 2 throughout his life and directed that his gravestone say "April 2, 1743 (O.S.)."
The Washington's Birthday holiday, designated for the third Monday in February, can fall no earlier than February 15 and no later than February 21, so it can never fall on either "real" date.