Sunday, July 26, 2020

RIP Acknowledgements - BIG Signage FAIL!

In my previous post, I mentioned ten Zoo Friends that passed away during the Shutdown, or since the Re-Opening.  Only one has been publicly acknowledged.

In my opinion, every Being matters.  Each Animal has someone who knows and loves them.  Whether its those who care for them, or those who visit them.  They all deserve the respect of having their lives acknowledged.  

I have always had an issue with how one Animal's passing (or other event, Birth or Birthday), is acknowledged and another's isn't.  

When a friend first told me about Taymor's ("Larry") passing, aside from the shock and sadness, I was like, When did this happen?  Why didn't the Zoo post anything?  Two days later, another friend said she asked and was told he passed away in March.  March!!!  Four months ago, and not one mention.  

Sam passed away Friday and there was a press release, that was picked up by dozens of News outlets. 

The other eight I mentioned, didn't get acknowledged in any way either.  Three of them lost their lives to the Mountain Lion who entered the Zoo.  That was even a well publicized news story and yet the Zoo made no comment to my knowledge about the tragic loss of these Souls.

All are equally heartbreaking and sad for all who loved them.  Why does the Zoo choose to acknowledge one over the other?   

So, here is what prompted this post.  When I visited the Zoo this week, there was a sign at Taymor's enclosure.  I have to assume since people have asked about him, a sign was made.  
Rest In Peace, Taymor

Look at this sign close.  The bottom line.  Rest In Peace, Jahari.  Jahari the Lion, passed away last year. 

This was a full-on F##k-up!  I'm sorry, there is just no other way to say it.  I was so upset when I read this, and as I re-read it and write this, I feel like throwing up.  I'm so hurt by this disrespect.  Good grief, isn't it someone's job to proof-read these things?  So many opportunities to catch this major fumble.  Proof-read it before printing, after printing, when it was hung...  This is really bad.

I sure hope someone has caught it, and there is a new sign immediately.

Related post
https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2020/07/rip-zoo-friends-who-passed-during.html

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Blogger's Statement
"Personal Opinions and Facts presented publicly are Not against the law or any rules. ... Censorship and Retaliation Actions in an attempt at Suppression are frowned upon by Healthy Societies."
For Full Statement see this post:
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RIP Zoo Friends Who Passed During The Shutdown/Since The Re-Opening

I started this post last weekend, after a friend had told me that our Taymor (Sumatran Tiger) had passed away.  Before I could finish the post and publish it, there was more sad news this past Friday, that our Sam (Giraffe) had passed away.  There is a point I want to make about these two losses, but will do that in a separate post that I hope to write in a timely manner after this one.

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RIP Taymor

When I hear this news, I sobbed.  I loved this guy.  I have had a fondness for Taymor since he arrived at the Zoo in 2012.  

He was promptly renamed "Larry", which those who know me, know I hate the renaming thing.  I think it's disrespectful.  Taymor is one of Triplet Boys, born at the Sacramento Zoo.  Named by their Keepers after favorite writers, Julie Taymor, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Rudyard Kipling.  Both Emerson and Kipling retained their names through life.  Thankfully, Taymor retained his name in the Studbook.

I saw him his third day out and was drawn to his beauty and personality.  He was not shy about responding to me talking to him and provided some wonderful face time.
screencap from
blog post

Over the years I came to know him as the perfect Tiger, a very sweet and loving Cat.  It was clear in his interactions with Skylar/Leanne, that they were a wonderful couple and loved being with eachother.  Their daughter Jillian was born in 2013, and remained at the Zoo far longer than expected, leaving Taymor and Skylar separated for almost five years. My heart broke for him because he was alone and regardless of Tiger wild characteristics, those two loved being together.  They were finally reunited and thankfully had the last three years together.  They could always be seen snuggled close.  I feel so bad for her.  They really loved eachother.  I would bet his Spirit is always right beside her.  I hope that he has been reunited with his Brother Emerson, and Parents Castro and Bahagia. 
I will miss you Taymor.

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RIP Samson 

Still wrapping my head around the loss of Taymor, the sad news of Sam's passing hit.  Another heartbreaking and shocking loss.  Another Friend who had his name taken from him.  Given the name Samson at his birth Zoo, when he got here, his name was changed to "Floyd".  Thankfully, Samson retained his name in the Studbook.

Sam was one of the first Giraffe's I knew by name.  His Son Dozer was the first, we share the same birthday, so he was immediately a favorite.  I got to know Sam early as there was a time when I was allowed to go down in the pit of the Barn several times and feed the Giraffes.  Being side by side with them all was incredible, and standing next to Sam and having him bend his head down face to face with me was something amazing.  He could often be seen peeking up from behind the boulders that bordered the tunnel to the donga.  Every time I walk the path between the Savannah and the Lemurs, I call out, Hi Sammy! and he would look right at me.  I will miss that the most.  

I always felt bad that he spent his life separated from the ladies.  Except for short periods of time when his Sons would be on his side of the fence, he was spending his days solo with other species.  I hope his Spirit is hanging out with his ladies now.  I'll miss you Sammy.

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I don't regularly post about passings.  I used to, but this blog mostly became about documenting things that weren't right.  I want to get back to acknowledging the Zoo Friends we lose.  Many times those who know and love these Friends, never hear about their passing.  The Zoo does not announce all the lives lost equally, and I think each one deserves to be acknowledged. With that thought, I want to additionally mention other Friends who left us during the Shutdown, or since the Re-Opening.  This may not be complete, but these are the ones I've learned about.

Too much saddness.

RIP Latte, Jacob Sheep
RIP Chutney, Navajo Churro Sheep  
These two lovely Sheep Ladies left us on the same day, the week the Shutdown started.  I'm very close to the Farm Friends, and have sadly watched our senior group of ladies leave us.  Their Sister Sheep Mole, left close before them, leaving Chutney and Latte our last ladies. I think they made a pact to go together, to not leave one behind.  This was a tough one, as I spent so much time with them over the past ten plus years.  The Farm Animals are like family. 

RIP Zuko, Meerkat
RIP Portia, Kudu
RIP Pilara, Red Kangaroo
RIP Wima, Wallaroo
RIP Neville, Wallaroo
RIP Pirra, Red Kangaroo

Bless these Precious Souls.

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Blogger's Statement
"Personal Opinions and Facts presented publicly are Not against the law or any rules. ... Censorship and Retaliation Actions in an attempt at Suppression are frowned upon by Healthy Societies."
For Full Statement see this post:
https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/09/my-zoo-status.html

Friday, July 10, 2020

NEW > FINALLY!!! The Zoo Will Re-Open Next Week!!!

I'm sure most readers have heard this great news that was announced late this afternoon by Mayor London Breed. ... The Zoo will open Monday and Tuesday to Members and Wednesday to the public.

Tears streaming and shaking from excitement, It's an understatement to say,  I can't wait to see My Zoo Friends, especially My Chimpers! With each visit a treasured gift, I feared I might never see My Senior Friends again.  So this is great news, especially today!

Today also marks four months since my last visit, March 10.  I had planned to post an update tonight.  I wanted to note that my Petition aimed at he San Franciaco Health Department, specifically the Health Officer Tomas Aragon, was like it's predecessor to Governor Newsom, not gaining local numbers as I hoped.  That said, as noted previously about the one before, numbers are great, but the real goal is awareness.  Every forum that can allow your voice to be heard is a bonus to the cause.  

That Petition went live at 4a Monday morning.  Then Tuesday, after two days out literally seeing hundreds of people in the Park and on the street not wearing masks, I spontaneously ranted in a video that evening when a  news article came in that indicated the wait could be several more weeks.

Here's the link to the video.  If you haven't seen the others and want to, you can check for them on the channel's video list.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjmqlJd3syE

I may sound a bit extreme to some people about this, but I have zero tolerance for the hypocrisy of the Zoo being closed at this point and every time I see a damn No Masker I look at them as the reason why I can't see My Zoo Friends, and why the Zoo's future could be threatened.

My Posts, Petition, Videos, they all get Tweeted to the Health Department, Health Officer, Mayor, City, Governor, and State.

That all said, I have to say, and have before, its always curious to me that things change once I've laid out the BS for the powers that be. I'm not patting myself on the back or thinking anything past it being curious, just saying because I dont believe in coincidence.  After my first Petition aimed at Governor Newsom, eight days later, California Zoos Re-Opening Timeline got bumped up by two months.  Now I posted Petition to local Officials Monday, along with some cranky videos over the last week and Zoo is opening Monday, yet nothing else that was in the June 29 re-opening group is allowed to.  The delay in re-opening is still in place for them.  ... Things that make you go hmmmm.

https://www.sfgate.com/news/amp/San-Francisco-Zoo-reopen-salons-barber-15400320.php?__

Hope the next posts will be all about My Zoo Visits!


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Blogger's Statement
"Personal Opinions and Facts presented publicly are Not against the law or any rules. ... Censorship and Retaliation Actions in an attempt at Suppression are frowned upon by Healthy Societies."
For Full Statement see this post:
https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/09/my-zoo-status.html
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Wednesday, July 8, 2020

SFZoo Shutdown Related Posts - List By Date

Since I now have over a dozen posts relating to the Zoo Shutdown, I've decided to put them all in one place and pin it to top until the Zoo Re-Opens.

The curiosities of WHY? the City of San Francisco Health Department allows for other businesses (Botanical Gardens, non-essential stores, ...) to Re-Open, gatherings and such to take place, while the Zoo continues to be Shutdown, all are still relevant.

3.9.20 Visiting the Zoo During and After Coronavirus

5.29.20 Still Sheltering In Place, What Does This Mean For The Zoo?

5.30.20 Advice To The Zoo To Seek A Re-Open Timeline Amendment

5.31.20 Protests, Riots, NO Distancing! - Then I Can Damn Well Go To The Zoo!

5.31.20 Petition: Governor Newsom - California Zoos Need To Open!

6.3.20 San Francisco Botanical Gardens Re .-Opens, Why Can't SFZoo?

6.4.20 Re-Opening Updates and Curiosities

6.8.20 Governor Newsom Accelerates Phase 3 - What Does This Mean For The Zoo?

6.10.20 Sacramento, San Diego, Re-Opening! - Other Zoos Safety Plans

6.12.20 San Francisco Zoo Re-Opening Update - June 11, 2020

6.19.20 Re-Opening The SFZoo - Letter to SF Public Health Officer

6.23.20 Will The Zoo ReOpen June 29?

6.26.20 Zoo Will Open on June 29th! - Oh NO It Won't

7.3.20 Is The San Francisco Health Officer Killing The Zoo? Pt One
https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2020/07/is-san-francisco-health-officer-killing.html

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Blogger's Statement
"Personal Opinions and Facts presented publicly are Not against the law or any rules. ... Censorship and Retaliation Actions in an attempt at Suppression are frowned upon by Healthy Societies."
For Full Statement see this post:
https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/09/my-zoo-status.html
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Sunday, July 5, 2020

This Day In History - SFZoo Black Rhino Calf and Family Facts

This photo came up in a news article, 
Today in History, July 5.

Such a sweet photo.  I love our Black Rhino Family.  Mama Elly, and as shown here, Papa Gene. Elly was an incredible lady who pranced around like a ballerina always smiling with those cute pink lips.  She had fourteen babies in her lifetime, with her first mate Stonewall and with Gene.  I heard some of her babies were introduced to the wild. I assume that of the ones I can't locate.  Sad.  I get the reasoning, but I don't think the wild is safe or that captive borns should be sent to the wild.

I used to call Gene both Gene and his real name, Mashaki, which I mostly wrote as Mishaki, as that was the information I had originally.  As well there was a short initial time that I didn't know he had two names, and I only knew him by Gene.  When Gene napped he always had Peacock friends by him, and sometimes the wild Cats would come by to say hi, playing hide and seek with him as he stood staring into the bushes looking for them.  Almost every visit I would say to him, Gene, Gene, the Dancin' Machine!  

My favorite part of this media mention is that it notes the meaning of Moja Doga's name.   Our current male Black Rhino is the Grandson of Mashaki/Gene and Elly.   Born at San Diego Safari Park to their daughter Lembe also known as Susan K.  His name is Balozi, which means Ambassador in Swahili.  The Zoo Re-Named him after a ball player.  I don't use that name.  I hate the Re-naming of animals who already have names, and his was a wonderfully perfect name for an endangered species. When I refer to him, I write Belozi, as that's the first spelling of his name I had.  Belozi's favorite napping spot, is exactly where his Grandpa Gene used to nap.  I love that.

Hope you enjoyed this switch up from what I have been posting about.  I'd rather only write about the Animals, their history, and their lives.  Maybe again one day.

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Blogger's Statement
"Personal Opinions and Facts presented publicly are Not against the law or any rules. ... Censorship and Retaliation Actions in an attempt at Suppression are frowned upon by Healthy Societies."
For Full Statement see this post:
https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/09/my-zoo-status.html
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Saturday, July 4, 2020

Petition - San Francisco Health Officer - Please Don't Kill Our Zoo!

Yep, another Petition.  They are good for awareness, documentation, and hopefully change.

Please Sign and Share.  Don't let the future of our Zoo be threatened without being a Voice for it.  The Animals we all Love need their home.

Petition Text
It's the 4th of July. What the Animals at the San Francisco Zoo need is for their home to be Re-Opened to Visitors. The San Francisco Zoo needs its Independence from the Indoor Museum classification.

While San Franciscans flock to the Park, the Beach, Outdoor Dining and other places where no face-covering and no social distancing is allowed to happen, the Animals wait and wonder what will become of their home.

The San Francisco Zoo was set to Re-Open June 29 after a three month Shutdown due to the Covid19 Pandemic. The San Francisco Health Officer delayed the Re-Opening indefinitely, citing a surge in Covid cases.

While San Francisco Botanical Garden, Retail Stores and Outdoor Dining continue to stay open, the Zoo stays closed. ... While People continue to pack the Park daily, the majority with no face-covering, or courtesy to attempt distancing. The Zoo remains closed.

The San Francisco Zoo needs to be reclassified in alignment with the Botanical Garden, which shares the classification with Outdoor Museums. The Zoo is an Outdoor, controlled environment, with Safety Protocols in place.

Further delay in allowing the Zoo to Re-Open, could put the Zoo in a dire financial hardship, threatening the security of the place the Animals call home.

Re-Open the San Francisco Zoo.


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Blogger's Statement
"Personal Opinions and Facts presented publicly are Not against the law or any rules. ... Censorship and Retaliation Actions in an attempt at Suppression are frowned upon by Healthy Societies."
For Full Statement see this post:
https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/09/my-zoo-status.html

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Is The San Francisco Health Officer Killing The Zoo? Pt Two

My main issue of keeping the Zoo closed, ia the hypocrisy, when all kinds of other places and behavior are allowed.  I pretty much cover it in my video, which is linked in the part one to this post title, from yesterday. The purpose of this post is basically as an open letter to the San Francisco Health Officer Tomas Aragon, who is responsible for green-lighting places that can open, and advising/setting health order mandates.  He is the guy, keeping the San Francisco Zoo closed.

To recap, the problem started the last week of May, when Governor Newsom announced the Re-Opening Timeline.  His Timeline placed California Zoos in Phase 3, to Re-Open in mid-August, along with Indoor Museums. Botanical Gardens like ours in San Francisco were in Phase 2 with Outdoor Museums, allowed to Re-Open June 1st.  The majority of a Zoo is outdoors, so this logic makes absolutely no sense at all.

On May 29, I questioned this nonsense in my blog, and to Newsom on Twitter, and I started a Petition aimed at Newsom, calling for reclassification of Zoos. Curiously eight days after I started my Petition, Newsom fast tracked Phase 3 and deferred to local Officials, to set their own Re-Opening dates anytime after June 29. ... In light of that, this issue now shed the responsibility on our San Francisco Department of Public Health.

After returning to the Botanical Gardens, the second day of their re-opening, June 2, I became more irritated about the Zoo not being in the same classification.  I detail my visit in a blog post, which also has a video link.  In short, the BG was not following re-opening protocol, allowing visitors to remove their face-covering once inside.  By week two, I was incensed, as my regular morning walk was pushed to afternoon, which meant more people.  I stopped counting at forty visitors, which was over half, without face-covering. 

After the June 16 Board of Supervisors Meeting, my attention turned to Tomas Aragon, the SF Health Officer.  He is the one dictating the Orders and was the only hold-out at the Meeting to green-light the Zoo Re-Opening.  I sent him an email, presenting valid reasoning why the Zoo should be allowed to re-open, and concerns if it is not. ... Now, he is once again responsible for the Re-Opening delay that was to happen June 29.
  
I again turn my words to Health Officer Tomas Aragon. Let me start by saying, I am not a Medical Professional, so my opinion is just that, my opinion. I base all my opinions on logic, and to me, the places that are allowed to re-open, and the behavior of the masses, does not represent logic in relation to keeping the Zoo closed.  

I completely understand the concern regarding cases surges, but I also see what's going on, and surges are inevitable when people aren't following the rules, and the masses are not.  Additionally, if those are the concerns, then a wider shutdown would make the concern valid, but that hasn't happened, so it's not valid.

I am outraged that the Botanical Garden can open and the Zoo can't.  The Zoo has more space, wider paths, and a controlled environment, something the BG does not. I continue to go there and continue to see visitors without face-covering.  Yet the Zoo Can't Open. 

Retail stores are open with no limiting of number of people.  Face-Covering mostly required, yet Target and the Post Office do not Require them???  There is no Distancing happening in any store.  Yet the Zoo Can't Open. 

Outdoor Dining, where people are packed in small spaces, with masks off, talking, laughing, expelling particles, is allowed.  Yet the Zoo Can't Open.

I have a video on my YouTube, of outdoor dining and this irritation happening across the street from the Zoo at Pasquales Pizza, but you can see in the photo the hypocrisy.  Gathering, no face-covering, no distancing, and two Police even there inside!  Yet the Zoo Can't Open. 

The Parks and Beaches are not even enclosed controlled outdoor places and people are free to gather, not wearing face coverings or distancing. Yet the Zoo Can't Open.

And the Protests. Forget the ones that started happening a month ago, that allowed for huge crowds, with no distancing.  Let's go with gatherings that were allowed since the Re-Opening delay was announced Friday June 26.  Please know that I am not against Protests, Parades, and other gatherings of these sort, obviously I am all for free speech and expression or I wouldn't have been writing about the Zoo in blogs for over ten years.  The issue I'm taking by using them as an example, is the hypocrisy that allowing one thing over another is not justified.  Gatherings, not in controlled environment.  Yet the Zoo Can't Open.
 
Thanks to Senator Scott Wiener for documenting these events and posting to Twitter. Made it easy for me. 

Now, IF, as I heard at one point, this issue is a concern about the Animals contracting Covid, then please explain A- How that can happen if Visitors are kept back at least six feet from exhibits and B- Why no other Zoo in the Country has that concern in regard to Re-Opening? Animal Care Safety Protocols are being taken. There is no one in the Animal Care Department at the San Francisco Zoo that I know who would want the Zoo to open if they thought the Animals in their care were at risk.

The Zoo has been wrongly classified, and that needs to change immediately.  Again, and I know I sound like a broken record, but it is the same reasoning I made over a month ago, IF the Botanical Garden can be open, and people are allowed to be out in the Park with no face-covering, no distancing, there is no reason the Zoo can not open.  Its the same type of facility as the BG, and a controlled environment unlike the Park.  I fear delaying Re-Opening any longer will be detrimental to the Zoos future.

The City of San Francisco owns the Zoo and the Animals. If they are not going to be allowed to open and to gain revenue to sustain the lives of the Animals, then the City will need to take on the costs of their care.  Having the Zoo fall into a financially dire situation for no logical reason is irresponsible and not acceptable.

Related Posts
7.3.20 Is The San Francisco Health Officer Killing The Zoo? Pt One

6.19.20 Re-Opening The SFZoo - Letter to SF Public Health Officer

6.3.20 San Francisco Botanical Gardens Re .-Opens, Why Can't SFZoo?

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Blogger's Statement
"Personal Opinions and Facts presented publicly are Not against the law or any rules. ... Censorship and Retaliation Actions in an attempt at Suppression are frowned upon by Healthy Societies."
For Full Statement see this post:
https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/09/my-zoo-status.html
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Friday, July 3, 2020

Is The San Francisco Health Officer Killing The Zoo? Pt One (Video Rant)

This past week was probably the toughest of the Shutdown yet. 

Last Thursday, things were looking up.  San Francisco Mayor London Breed visited the Zoo and gave the go ahead for the Zoo to Re-Open, this past Monday June 29. The next day, the City Health Officer Tomas Aragon turned my smile to a frown once again, calling for a delay in Re-Opening.  

So, while this week would hayve been a time for me to finally get to see My Zoo Friends, instead I was back out among the masses of asses who give the middle finger to the rules, and therefore who are keeping SF in this limbo indefinitley.  The Self-Entitled are essentially preventing the Zoo from Re-Opening, by contributing to case spikes that are the data the Health Officer is using to make his decisions.  That said, his decisions in my opinion are not justified.  

From the onset of this crisis I have been disturbed, frustrated and frankly pissed off at people's F-you behavior in regard to doing what's right.  This week has brought on a new level of irritation.  I hate being in a manic and angry mode the whole time I'm out, but the No Maskers and No Distancers, and the allowance of this both outside and inside stores by the Health Officer, while the Zoo remains closed and in financial jeopardy, is a real problem for me.

I have a longer post in draft I will finish in the next day or so, as I'm trying to stay calm from yesterday's high energy outting, seeing less and less people doing the right thing.  For today, I'm doing this short post to link the video I made yesterday.  I made this video, as a "Trailer" to my blog post, but it turned out to be a long rant, that will leave no one wondering how frustrated I am about this situation!

A couple notes about my rant.  First, I am trying not to swear in the rants I use to send Officials.  Anyone who knows me, knows the F-word is my most commonly used word.  I think at my age and the level of human behavior frustration I've had in the last decade has sent it into overdrive.  Anyway, in that effort, at one point in my video I say, "I don't give a hell".  Well, I don't know what the hell that even means because I never said those words before in my life lol! I was trying to avoid saying I don't give a shit, and who knows what detour my brain took. ... Second, I mention, "... the Zoo isn't creative ..."  I also follow that with saying I know the Zoo will have an issue with that.  I am not trying to pass judgement with that statement, making myself a target for retaliation, but I was being serious, as I have for years thought of great ideas to bring in funds, as well through this whole shutdown been thinking of new things.  Other than one fundraiser, which I think was sent to a mis-targeted audience, I have not seen any other efforts to raise funds come out of the Zoo, except for asking for donations.  So, it was said as a factual frustrating observation.  

That all said, this past week did see this Zoo finally start an online store and finally make a custom face mask with logo.  I have been waiting for them to do Pandemic related items for over three months.  They missed most of the Shutdown T-Shirt fundraising opportunity time, and now a bit late, but at least they are finally in the mask game. In addition to my own original shop idea, I have wondered for many years why the gift shop didn't have an online store.  Please visit their store and see the Masks!  I especially liked that they had Toddler sizes as too many kids not wearing masks, or even those bucket hats with face shields.  Everyone not an infant should be covered in some way.

Related Posts



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Blogger's Statement
"Personal Opinions and Facts presented publicly are Not against the law or any rules. ... Censorship and Retaliation Actions in an attempt at Suppression are frowned upon by Healthy Societies."
For Full Statement see this post:
https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2018/09/my-zoo-status.html
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