Sadly (for this poor Soul), everyone thinks Covid is over. The Government has led people to believe that the vaccine is immunity. They have continued lead communities into the surge yo-yo. Government has bowed to the self-entitled who boo-hoo about mask fatigue. They have never been strong in enforcement, and now have reduced even further with the obvious position that they don't care if anyone gets sick or dies, just don't clog the hospitals. And then there are the masses of asses who never thought Covid was a valid thing, so never followed good hygiene precautions, never wore masks, and rebelled against any requests to adhere to requested protocols.
Masking mandates for inside stores, especially those with food, should have never been removed. Now we have even more people not only up our asses heavy breathing next us with no mask, but coughing all over without covering their mouth. The free coughers have multiplied in the wake of mask removal. No one covers their mouth. They got used to not having to? and that has carried over. Think twice about how to handle your fresh produce people! Even with masks during the start of pandemic, there was never any respect to distancing by others, you had to just make sure you kept your distance. Everything was on us to keep ourselves safe. There was never, as the tagline was touted, "We are in this together". No, we have always been left to fend for ourselves.
Unfortunately captive Animals are at the mercy of the establishments they live in and their caregivers.
Unfortunately Zoo's have decided to follow State and Local Health Department guidelines, not only for visitors but for staff. I have written much about SFZoo policies in regard to masking during the past two years. I gave up because they too follow Government guidelines. I'm not going to change their position, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to be vocal that I think this is a big mistake and a negligent one.
I have thought this since the change over a month ago, it could have been longer. I may not have written about it, but reading this news I think it's important to document, that safety for those in captive care is still important. Regardless of what Government guidelines are, protocols for those working with Animals, and for those visiting the enclosures of Covid Vulnerable Species, should not have changed at all. Government Guidelines are for Humans and the areas they move about in. That does not include areas where vulnerable species live. Zoo's can dictate their own safety guidelines. That is, if they want to. If they care to keep the non-humans in their care safe.
I have seen a mash-up in regards to safety for vulnerable species at our SFZoo. There is absolutely NO mask requirement for visitors at enclosure areas. I have seen Animal Care Staff passing by those areas without a mask as well. I have seen Keepers wearing a mask when interacting with the Animals, in areas visible to the public. I do not know what the overall current protocol is, as early in the change, I did hear it was allegedly the Keepers choice. That all said, I was very disappointed to learn Keepers who have been potentially exposed to Covid have been allowed to come to work.
In addition to masking flexibility, there should also be a concern for hygiene protocol. While Keeper's (not specifically SFZoo) personal hygiene protocol may be lax, it can not be when touching food or other items used by the Animals. All the captive Animals who have lost their lives to Covid, contracted it from somewhere. All reports noted that Keepers follow safety protocol. Again, they got it from somewhere. There was and still is a factor that is causing infection. Whether that is lack of extreme hygiene protocol, lack of mask wearing by care staff, or by public, Covid is not over. Animals can not wear masks. Zoo's need to take every precaution to prevent innocents from losing their lives.
Someone I shared the news of this loss with, put it simply...
"Very sad and preventable".
RIP Jupiter, Bless Your Soul. I'm sorry.
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