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Virus mutes happy hours in senior haven, but golf goes on
The Associated Press ^ | March 22, 2020 | by MIKE SCHNEIDER

Posted on 03/22/2020 8:39:27 AM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer

THE VILLAGES - Up until a few days ago, residents of The Villages retirement community went about their busy lives filled with spirited happy hours and incessant socializing at what some dub “Disney World for adults.”

There were the hundreds of clubs to attend - French lessons, Carolina shag dancing, light-saber fencing - pickleball tournaments to play and Pilates classes to take at this Republican stronghold built on former cow pastures in central Florida.

Even as many Americans isolated themselves against the coronavirus threat, residents of one of the largest concentrations of seniors in the U.S. at first blew off concerns, despite data showing the elderly are particularly susceptible to serious symptoms from COVID-19. But their attitude shifted this week as President Donald Trump, who earlier had downplayed the coronavirus threat, gave warnings to avoid crowds of more than 10 people, some residents of The Villages say.

“This place is Republicanville and too many people believe what the president is saying, and they were out in the streets and out in the squares,” said Alan Stone, as he sat in one of The Villages’ ever-present golf carts outside a supermarket, waiting for his wife. “They don’t realize that they’re playing with death.”

Starting Tuesday, all regularly scheduled indoor activities at The Villages were canceled through the end of the month. Pool activities were called off, and the library and fitness clubs closed their doors. Perhaps most distressing for residents, outside gatherings of more than 50 people were outlawed.

One thing that hasn’t stopped is golf; The Villages has dozens of courses.

“This is The Villages. There would be a riot if they stopped golf,” said Cathie Hardy, a resident, who gently chastised her husband, Michael, for playing golf that morning instead of staying home.

(Excerpt) Read more at apnews.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events; US: Florida
KEYWORDS: china; golf; virus
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1 posted on 03/22/2020 8:39:27 AM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

Uh, dudes, that AIN’T six feet.


2 posted on 03/22/2020 8:40:53 AM PDT by rktman ( #My2ndAmend! ----- Enlisted in the Navy in '67 to protect folks rights to strip my rights. WTH?)
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To: rktman

probably ‘family’


3 posted on 03/22/2020 8:42:23 AM PDT by Pikachu_Dad ("the media are selling you a line of soap)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

They look like your average, loving retired couple.


4 posted on 03/22/2020 8:44:27 AM PDT by BradyLS (DO NOT FEED THE BEARS!)
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To: BradyLS

Well, “The Villages”. Or was it The Villages People


5 posted on 03/22/2020 8:46:54 AM PDT by rktman ( #My2ndAmend! ----- Enlisted in the Navy in '67 to protect folks rights to strip my rights. WTH?)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

Reporters and news crews go from place to place and are around groups of people.


6 posted on 03/22/2020 8:47:45 AM PDT by blueunicorn6 ("A crack shot and a good dancer”)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

My mom said Sumter County has no reported cases. They were well-stocked with wine and cat food in her building, and large puzzles are being worked.


7 posted on 03/22/2020 8:54:57 AM PDT by Tax-chick ("The mark of a decent society is that it resists the temptation to spurn the defenseless.")
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

No golf in the SF Bay Area....which is strange because I am never so isolated than when I am on the course.


8 posted on 03/22/2020 8:58:31 AM PDT by GSWarrior
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

easy, quarantine the villages, they have all they need to survive


9 posted on 03/22/2020 9:01:50 AM PDT by ronnie raygun (nicdip.com)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

Sun City, TX shut down its three golf courses


10 posted on 03/22/2020 9:05:00 AM PDT by dirtboy
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

“I didn’t retire to be told I can’t play golf!”


11 posted on 03/22/2020 9:08:47 AM PDT by BradyLS (DO NOT FEED THE BEARS!)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

Wait’ll BIG GOV opens up DEV Dept.of Electric vehicles and make those old duffers take a road and a written test to get a golf cart license. Some of them drive as bad as they drive. FOUR!


12 posted on 03/22/2020 9:10:32 AM PDT by PGalt (Past Peak Civilization?)
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To: PGalt

Maybe there smarter than the CDC...have they had any cases????.


13 posted on 03/22/2020 9:21:36 AM PDT by Hojczyk
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To: ronnie raygun
My cousin in the pharmaceutical industry said all he wanted was the exclusive license to sell Viagra in the Villages.
14 posted on 03/22/2020 9:26:49 AM PDT by Mouton (The media is the enemy of the people.)
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To: dirtboy

Sun City, TX shut down its three golf courses

...

Is there a record anywhere in the world of anybody catching the virus while golfing?


15 posted on 03/22/2020 9:38:55 AM PDT by Moonman62 (http://www.freerepublic.com/~moonman62/)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

“This place is Republicanville...

...

I would prefer Conservativeville, but Republicanville is better than a lot of places.


16 posted on 03/22/2020 9:41:49 AM PDT by Moonman62 (http://www.freerepublic.com/~moonman62/)
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To: rktman

a good walk spoied.


17 posted on 03/22/2020 10:18:02 AM PDT by RonnG (')
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To: Hojczyk
Lots of jokes about the amount of Herpes. Not cure about covid. :-)
18 posted on 03/22/2020 10:26:52 AM PDT by Chronically aghast in Florida
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To: BradyLS

Back in the 80’s I was doing some part time construction work at a country club. The club had a smallish golf course, designed for the short game I was told. One of the features was box greens. What they are I have no idea.

Anyway, one morning a well known local man shows up to play golf with his friends. It was the middle of summer but not terribly hot or humid, a beautiful summer day.
The group played their round and came back to the pro shop laughing and joking.
An hour or so later an ambulance pulls up with lights and sirens going. The well known local had suffered a fatal heart attack while sitting in the shade with his wife and friends.
The golf pro said the old guy went out the way he wanted to, with his wife and friends after a good round of golf.

Golfers must be a tad different.


19 posted on 03/22/2020 11:36:06 AM PDT by oldvirginian (I know not what course others may take but as for me Give me Liberty or give me death)
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To: Moonman62

I think it is more to shut down interactions in the pro shop and locker rooms


20 posted on 03/22/2020 6:15:17 PM PDT by dirtboy
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