Unpopular opinion: I'm done with masks, staying home, and distancing. I was ALL IN for "Two weeks to flatten the curve" - I was even in for "The lost summer" of 2020 since I was dealing with some family tragedies and didn't feel like going out anyway. I grudgingly continued to mask and distance all through the fall and winter.

But now: we are 16 effing months into this and I'm done. The county is over 50% vaccinated and the state is almost 60% vaccinated. and that's good enough for me.

We've already lost tons of businesses. The economy has forever changed, but it's time to move back to a more open society and get commerce flowing again. I want to get back to a society where I can see the smile on people's faces. One where I can give a friend a hug when I see them at the store or a restaurant or the movie theater.

But here's a truism: Me thinking one way doesn't require anyone else to change their behavior. In fact, I will get better seats at the movies, find open tables at restaurants, and shorter lines at stores the more people choose to stay home.

For 13+ months I followed every guideline because it was the right thing to do. For the last couple of months I've continued to mask more often than not because, among other reasons, I didn't want to make others uncomfortable and didn't want people to think I was a Republican.

But I am vaccinated, and I. Am. Done.