masks in rec centers

[gatorbill1]

They just eliminated me from any activities when they changed from requiring you to wear a mask to "requesting" you wear one. I think I am free of virus, but I don't trust everyone else. Better safe than sorry if someone else does not care about you.

[billethkid]

I just do not understand the hesitancy of responsible organization to enforce a KNOWN action to reduce potential infections.

By not enforcing they are abandoning the safety of the many for the sake of the few (whinners)....unless they are one also!!!!!

[Stu from NYC]

Wonder why they did this

[graciegirl]

Wonder why they did this

Maybe because they shy well away from insisting that anyone does anything. Like saving chairs...And petting Buffalo. They tried very hard like double fencing those buffalo. People kept lifting their grandkids over the fence until one got hurt and now the buffalo are gone...……. They conveniently decided to redo the squares when the pandemic descended. I rather like they treat us like grown ups....

Also. A CDD probably can't enforce things that are just directions from the State Government level.

[golfing eagles]

They just eliminated me from any activities when they changed from requiring you to wear a mask to "requesting" you wear one. I think I am free of virus, but I don't trust everyone else. Better safe than sorry if someone else does not care about you.

I agree, masks should, for the time being, be REQUIRED for INDOOR rec center activities. But to be clear, "they" did not eliminate you from activities, you eliminated yourself. And that may be a wise choice, only you can decide. Personally, I don't understand the objections to indoor masks. They're easy, help reduce the spread of the virus, and are a courtesy to those who are being extra careful. But more and more retail stores have dropped the mask requirement, some request them, others have no sign out at all. Hopefully this does not result in a "second wave"

[manaboutown]

What astonishes me is there have been only 37 deaths in the tricounty area. As I interpret that most folks are behaving prudently.

Many LEO departments around the country are refusing to become "mask police" in spite of orders from the governors of their states. Coronavirus in California: Orange County Sheriff says his department won'''t enforce mask order | Fox News (https://www.foxnews.com/us/orange-county-sheriff-mask-order-enforcement?fbclid=IwAR1Xwb1xa1kJnyDnm6LDR80yA6Rjg 1imRG--0XqilvM06HAhSNL_bGJ3Wuw)

As for me, in public venues I wear a mask indoors but rarely outdoors.

[Topspinmo]

It was always recommended, along with gloves. Highly recommended it you’re within 6 feet of someone that you don’t live with. Not supposed to get closer than 6 feet To the employee when signing in, they have lines on the floor and sideway entry.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

It was always recommended, along with gloves. Highly recommended it you’re within 6 feet of someone that you don’t live with. Not supposed to get closer than 6 feet To the employee when signing in, they have lines on the floor and sideway entry.

Gloves are pretty silly really. If you're using gloves, you'll still touch your face - with the gloved hand. You'll still pick up things - with the gloved hand. You'll still wipe your nose with the back of your gloved hand, and reach for your tissue that you use to sneeze with - with your gloved hand. It doesn't protect anyone from anything, UNLESS you're using those gloves to dip rags in sanitizer to clean shopping carts. I'd have to guess that hands with THOSE gloves - are the most sanitary hands in the country right now.

I never worry at work about what my hands are touching - for that exact reason. They're usually either submerged or covered with industrial strength surface sanitizer.

[manaboutown]

I do not wear gloves but do wash my hands frequently and thoroughly. Today I pumped gas and visited an ATM. Just used a baggy over my right hand.

[MitchellRA01]

Understand. If you feel this way, you have the right to stay away. I see both sides of this topic.

[Leadbone1]

They just eliminated me from any activities when they changed from requiring you to wear a mask to "requesting" you wear one. I think I am free of virus, but I don't trust everyone else. Better safe than sorry if someone else does not care about you.

Masks are virtually useless. If you’ve been reading what many doctors and epidemiologist say, their value is mostly just psychological. Anyone that is still paranoid about Covid which now has a mortality rate no worse than the flu, should probably just stay home and quit expecting everyone else to share in their paranoia.I respect The Villages’s decision to not force those of us that do not believe in masks to have to wear them. I think this is still America!

[coffeebean]

Masks are virtually useless. If you’ve been reading what many doctors and epidemiologist say, their value is mostly just psychological. Anyone that is still paranoid about Covid which now has a mortality rate no worse than the flu, should probably just stay home and quit expecting everyone else to share in their paranoia.I respect The Villages’s decision to not force those of us that do not believe in masks to have to wear them. I think this is still America!

Masks are virtually useless for protecting the wearer. Masks are very effective to slow the spread of disease. Just wondering where you get your information. Scratching my head on that one.

[NormaKW]

Totally agree that I will not be able to enter clubhouses now that masks are NOT required.
It is not too much to ask of our peers to please mask up when inside. Shame on the Villages for reversing the policy. ESP. When requiring masks at outside pools.

[golfing eagles]

Masks are virtually useless. If you’ve been reading what many doctors and epidemiologist say, their value is mostly just psychological. Anyone that is still paranoid about Covid which now has a mortality rate no worse than the flu, should probably just stay home and quit expecting everyone else to share in their paranoia.I respect The Villages’s decision to not force those of us that do not believe in masks to have to wear them. I think this is still America!

Anytime you'd like to cite a legitimate source for THAT statement is fine, we're all waiting.....

[mlmarr1]

Time to crawl into your house and stay there, you will have plenty of time to research mask wearing on your own not what media stations tell you .. .. a mask is becoming a breathing issue for so many, you are outside breath the fresh air.. this is totally a political game.. do you wear a mask for flu and cold season ..

[ladyarwen3]

It was always recommended, along with gloves. Highly recommended it you’re within 6 feet of someone that you don’t live with. Not supposed to get closer than 6 feet To the employee when signing in, they have lines on the floor and sideway entry.

Actually gloves are NOT recommended and not at all necessary.

[600th Photo Sq]

I do not wear gloves but do wash my hands frequently and thoroughly. Today I pumped gas and visited an ATM. Just used a baggy over my right hand.

You obviously are right handed . I use both hands only because I don't want to wear out both hands.

It makes perfect sense to me. :shocked:

[600th Photo Sq]

Wonder why they did this

Give John Rohan a call and Wonder no more. :doggie:

[Luvs21putt]

It was always recommended, along with gloves. Highly recommended it you’re within 6 feet of someone that you don’t live with. Not supposed to get closer than 6 feet To the employee when signing in, they have lines on the floor and sideway entry.

Just curious how you think gloves are helping you. You still touch things and then potentially touch your face. Same thing happens with a glove as with your ungloved hand. Just don’t touch your face

[DanBrew]

Thank you. This mask thing is nothing more than another method to demonstrate how the powerful can control the sheep. This, or any virus, the CDC now tells us, is unlikely to be contracted from touching a surface or by simply being around someone. You have to somehow consume droplets of saliva. Also, a virus ranges from 20 to 400 nanometres which will escape a mask very easily. If you arent wearing a mask, or even if you are, cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. Didn't your mother teach you that long ago? Wake up people and stop being controlled.

[Sbrothnj]

Masks are virtually useless. If you’ve been reading what many doctors and epidemiologist say, their value is mostly just psychological. Anyone that is still paranoid about Covid which now has a mortality rate no worse than the flu, should probably just stay home and quit expecting everyone else to share in their paranoia.I respect The Villages’s decision to not force those of us that do not believe in masks to have to wear them. I think this is still America!
Not sure which doctors and epidemiologists you are following either. Anything less than an N95 is minimally effective to guard yourself, but almost any kind of mask reduces the risk of the nearly 50% of people who are asymptomatic from spreading it. I dont watch much Fox News, but i do pay attention to our own scientists and lead doctors, and those of other 1rst world countries around the globe are recommending. As well as CDC and WHO and others. When there are successful vaccines and effective treatments for this virus in existence (NOT hydroxychloroquine), THEN we can call it the flu. Right now, its the extremely high transmission/contagion rate that is the outstanding feature and its ability to explode and decimate hospital capabilities. Look at what is happening in Brazil and Peru and other Latin American countries. Mexico has been noted for excellent medical facilities, and the are drowning now. As far as the mortality rate, ....maybe. But 100,000 Americans dying in a matter of a few months is nothing to sneer at. Open your eyes, and show some respect for those who might be better informed and more at risk than yourself.

[FredJacobs]

Masks are virtually useless. If you’ve been reading what many doctors and epidemiologist say, their value is mostly just psychological. Anyone that is still paranoid about Covid which now has a mortality rate no worse than the flu, should probably just stay home and quit expecting everyone else to share in their paranoia.I respect The Villages’s decision to not force those of us that do not believe in masks to have to wear them. I think this is still America!
I disagree. Masks will stop your coughs and sneezes from carrying virus droplets out into the air. They will not stop you from breathing in the virus. Wearing a mask should be seen as a sign of courtesy - I'm not going to infect you.

[JonWilliams]

They just eliminated me from any activities when they changed from requiring you to wear a mask to "requesting" you wear one. I think I am free of virus, but I don't trust everyone else. Better safe than sorry if someone else does not care about you.

No new cases in The Villages since April 28 so just who you gonna catch the virus from? And don't say "asymptomatic carriers" because if they've been around for the last month, they would have infected some of those golfers, dancers, restaurant goers, etc, etc whose pictures have been posted on this site.

https://floridadisaster.org/globalassets/covid19/dailies/covid-daily-report-5.28.20-compressed.pdf

[lesser160@aol.com]

Let's face it, The Villages management (Rohan/Morse) is interested in only one thing - money. They will open The Villages to the fullest extent regardless of how many people are sickened or die if doing so means more money in their pockets.

[Bay Kid]

We should have been wearing mask for many years to protect people from flu cases and deaths.

[La lamy]

Masks are virtually useless. If you’ve been reading what many doctors and epidemiologist say, their value is mostly just psychological. Anyone that is still paranoid about Covid which now has a mortality rate no worse than the flu, should probably just stay home and quit expecting everyone else to share in their paranoia.I respect The Villages’s decision to not force those of us that do not believe in masks to have to wear them. I think this is still America!

Masks useless?!! This is what they said at the beginning of the pandemic, most likely to save the health sector's PPE from being overbought by the public. It's very clear that masks are used by healthcare providers to protect THEMSELVES from infectious disease they may be subject to. They can't tell us they don't protect US if we wear them, it makes no sense.

[PennBF]

You can't make it up that a number of people actually challenge the need for masks to protect against the spread of the virus! It is to protect the "other person" not the wearer! SO, saying you will not wear a mask is like saying you don't care about ther other person,
It is a pretty solid fact that a sneeze or a cough can spread the virus. It is a fact that a person who receives the droplets from a sneeze or cough can catch the virus. It is a solid fact that masks protect against the droplets from spreading. It is a solid fact that persons
who will not wear a mask don't care about the other person getting hit with droplets! It is a fact you can't make this stuff up!!:ohdear:

[ts12755]

Yes if you are weak or fearful stay home. Let all others enjoy their lives.

[bmit16]

Mask's help control the droplets when you sneeze or cough. That's fine if you are sneezing and coughing, but I have not seen people out in public sneezing and coughing uncontrolled. I think if you are, you should not be out. Remember when people carried handkerchiefs to sneeze and cough into? Come on people, exercise some common sense.

[Cheapbas]

I agree, masks should, for the time being, be REQUIRED for INDOOR rec center activities. But to be clear, "they" did not eliminate you from activities, you eliminated yourself. And that may be a wise choice, only you can decide. Personally, I don't understand the objections to indoor masks. They're easy, help reduce the spread of the virus, and are a courtesy to those who are being extra careful. But more and more retail stores have dropped the mask requirement, some request them, others have no sign out at all. Hopefully this does not result in a "second wave"

Agree mask indoors Should be required, but it’s a shame Gator had to eliminate himself. All this because one guy won’t wear a mask. Called it political

[johnsre]

Masks are required if you can not maintain 6 feet of social distancing
Go back and read the rec news.

[speedo8357]

Masks are virtually useless for protecting the wearer. Masks are very effective to slow the spread of disease. Just wondering where you get your information. Scratching my head on that one.

Dr Russell Blaylock — google his information — states that they provide no protection. My own experience (admittedly non-scientific) bears out his believe that I am re-breathing and ingesting my carbon dioxide. I get a headache when wearing them, and have been unable to head to the rec centers as a result.

[Windguy]

As for me, in public venues I wear a mask indoors but rarely outdoors.

Well, I wear a COURTESY mask almost everywhere, including when I’m outside. I wear it when walking, riding my bike, and even in my golf cart. And, here’s why.

Yesterday morning I was riding my bike between the Colony tunnel and the road leading to Walmart when someone passed me in his red, Yamaha golf cart. Just after he pulled back in front of me, he sneezed out the side of his cart. He wasn’t wearing a mask and made no attempt to cover his sneeze. As I was just 20 feet behind him and going about 15 mph, I ended up riding right through that cloud of germs. There was nothing I could do to avoid it. I probably got germs all over me, including in my eyes. If this inconsiderate @#$&! is infected with C-19, there’s a possibility that I am now infected. As an asthmatic male over 65, that doesn’t bode well for me.

So, if you refuse to wear a COURTESY mask, just remember that you are committing reckless endangerment on your fellow human beings if you are unwittingly infected with C-19. This isn’t a matter of rights—it’s a matter of common courtesy and caring about the welfare of others. By refusing to wear a mask, you are condemning at-risk people to never venturing outside. You are taking away THEIR right to enjoy life in this trying time.

Just wear the stupid mask, already, and quit being such an inconsiderate snowflake! I’m not directing that comment at manaboutown, but to the militant people who think that being asked to wear a courtesy mask is an attack on their rights.

[USA2170]

See ya....

[Gunny2403]

You will not be missed. Masks have always been optional. Legally you are not required to wear

[merrymini]

What baloney! Stay home! I refuse to wear a mask for the rest of my life. If vaccines are so effect against the flu, why do you have to get one every year and why is it only about 50 percent effective? How long will it take, if ever, to have a vaccine for this? This thing is here to stay. All you can do is be as careful as you can and stop buying into the fear mongering.

[Jacob85]

The mortality rate of 100,000 people in three months is a great deal more than the flu which isn’t that high in a year. The masks are effective in reducing the droplets from a person. It’s only logical that they help both people. A person sheds droplets that can hang in the air for up to 14 minutes inside a room after they have left. It’s interesting that people have trouble wearing a mask that is not 100 percent protective but does protect to a certain extent. Is it vanity? Why is it so difficult. I would think that a mask would be better than risking a ventilator.

[fdpaq0580]

Yes if you are weak or fearful stay home. Let all others enjoy their lives.

So sorry for you that the simple wearing of a mask in public would totally destroy your ability to enjoy your life.
Your emotional weakness and fearfulness of possibly being thought of as being "controlled" or "paranoid" is truly sad. If seeing people wearing masks in buildings acting responsibly and showing compassion and consideration for others is so frightening, maybe you should be the one to stay home and let the rest of us enjoy our lives.

[Tnbrewer]

Darn
This means I can’t French kiss the checkout lady at Publix?
😳🙀😆

[Joe C.]

Wait -- Wait-- Wait a minute!!!!
I just thought -- Hey! Maybe I should wear a hardhat too, because:
THE SKY IS FALLING !!!!


But really, a mask DOES help if the wearer is prone to sneezing
or coughing. It reduces the spread of droplets, which is the medium
that carries the virus if that person is infected.

Personally I don't wear a mask, as I'm a believer in
the herd immunity theory.

[NorskiCroat]

Care about others or care only about yourself. Easy choice. And the masks are an easy indicator of exactly which camp you fall into.

[mepoole]

They just eliminated me from any activities when they changed from requiring you to wear a mask to "requesting" you wear one. I think I am free of virus, but I don't trust everyone else. Better safe than sorry if someone else does not care about you.

Amen!! I just do not understand why one would not wear a mask if that one step would stop the spread of the virus. I may not have the virus, but I could certainly spread it if I did not wear a mask.

[graciegirl]

What baloney! Stay home! I refuse to wear a mask for the rest of my life. If vaccines are so effect against the flu, why do you have to get one every year and why is it only about 50 percent effective? How long will it take, if ever, to have a vaccine for this? This thing is here to stay. All you can do is be as careful as you can and stop buying into the fear mongering.

WHAT FEAR MONGERING? How old are YOU? If you are over 65 you had better be a little afraid of this damn bug.

[Earlride]

No new cases in The Villages since April 28 so just who you gonna catch the virus from? And don't say "asymptomatic carriers" because if they've been around for the last month, they would have infected some of those golfers, dancers, restaurant goers, etc, etc whose pictures have been posted on this site.

https://floridadisaster.org/globalassets/covid19/dailies/covid-daily-report-5.28.20-compressed.pdf


The Villagers have been amazing at sticking to their lockdown, protecting themselves when out and wearing masks. The reason is simple, we are far more vulnerable to dying than the younger crowd outside the village. I am personally not concerned about other villagers and would feel comfortable even in closer proximity at social gatherings.
However, out side the villages, the infection rates are much higher. The danger to villagers is not other villagers, it is from the younger waiters, clerks, cooks, bartenders who live outside and have been far less dilligent about protecting themselves.

[72lions]

Maybe because they shy well away from insisting that anyone does anything. Like saving chairs...And petting Buffalo. They tried very hard like double fencing those buffalo. People kept lifting their grandkids over the fence until one got hurt and now the buffalo are gone...……. They conveniently decided to redo the squares when the pandemic descended. I rather like they treat us like grown ups....

Also. A CDD probably can't enforce things that are just directions from the State Government level.

Sumter County can.

BTW, when people stop acting like children, maybe they will be treated like adults.

[wiltma]

I totally agree with you. I do not feel safe to resume some activities now because everyone is not wearing a mask. The Villages is remiss in caring. For us all. If I weren’t 77 years old, I would move🦠🦠🦠🦠😔😔😫

[diva1]

I am a mask wearer. Hate them, but do it when in public places where I can't stay 6' away. I want to get along. BUT, at what point will we be able to stop this?? When will people feel safe enough to go into a rec center maskless? 1 month, 2 months, 3 months? I won't wear this thing forever so there has to be something reasonable. And that can't be 'when they have a vaccine' because who the heck knows when that will be a reality?

[sktb888]

Reposting this post...

"This is a practical and balanced understanding, and guidelines to what is next for ALL of us, no matter how we feel about Covid...

A nurse practitioner just shared this and I love it! My desire is to create unity, not division. ❤

“Flattening the curve didn’t mean stop the infection, but spreading it out so that the system could handle it. I am seeing so much anxiety about resuming business, and so much anger about continued regulations. People are feeling the need to catapult to one side or the other, then fight the opposition.

Here’s my perspective, from a mainstream medical model. I think a lot of folks have fallen into the idea that social distancing was meant to stop the viral spread. It wasn’t. It was meant to SLOW it while we put medical infrastructure in place. It’s not perfect, but it’s much better than it was seven weeks ago.

A vaccine is a long way off. At some point, people have to be systematically exposed to begin the building of (hopeful) herd immunity. We will likely begin to experience a real increase in cases after reopening. Ideally, that exposure is controlled and calculated, in phases, to allow our medical community to respond adequately, and reduce the number of severe or fatal cases. That’s where we are.

Whether you feel like things will be opening too soon, or not soon enough, we were never going to social distance this thing into nonexistence. You now need to proceed as your health, wallet, and conscience allow.

If you are medically vulnerable, you do not need to be a part of what is about to happen. Stay home if you can. If you’re not, or if your financial vulnerability trumps your health concerns, you need to proceed in ways that continue to protect yourself, and the elderly and medically vulnerable around you.

All of us need to calm down. Quit telling people who are financially struggling that they don’t care about human lives. Quit telling people who are truly at risk of dying from this virus that they are cowering in fear. Remember that until you’ve walked in someone else’s shoes, you should probably be careful in your judgements and subsequent harsh words.

We don’t HAVE to choose an either/or proposition and fight. We could choose other ways to be. Examples include but are not limited to:

“I think this may be too soon, so I will continue to shelter myself, and pray/make masks/ check on those who can’t.”

“I really need to go back to work, so I will do so, but I will be careful and try to protect myself, my family, and those around me with healthy strategies.”

See how those positions allow each of us to do what we need to, and also respect those who are choosing differently?

One thing that allows us to do this is humility. I can acknowledge that I am not an epidemiologist/economist/whatever, that I am making decisions based on my understanding of complex subjects and my own personal health and financial situation, that I am not all knowing, always right, and an expert in all fields, and that each person around me is doing their best too. We can make different choices and still be a supportive community. We can learn and evolve in our understanding of these issues.”

*copied and pasted to share

[graciegirl]

Wait -- Wait-- Wait a minute!!!!
I just thought -- Hey! Maybe I should wear a hardhat too, because:
THE SKY IS FALLING !!!!


But really, a mask DOES help if the wearer is prone to sneezing
or coughing. It reduces the spread of droplets, which is the medium
that carries the virus if that person is infected.

Personally I don't wear a mask, as I'm a believer in
the herd immunity theory.

Herd immunity is when 80% percent of the population is immune to something. We certainly aren't close.

[Topspinmo]

Actually gloves are NOT recommended and not at all necessary.

When the rec center first opened up they were in the one I when in. They revised the policy few days after when CDC made new recommendations. I think wearing anything outdoors is BS along with limiting outdoor activities. But, that's me.

I was only reporting what was on the signs posted in the rec centers when they first opened. IMO in open area the 10 limit is waiting in line, not closing half the courts off, you just may the problem worst when bunch waiting in line, that when the BS starts and they get close.

Just like when I went to Walmart yesterday, the had all the doors closed except the main entry I suspect from the assisted living on 466 cases. All that did was made it 100 times worse due to all the people going in and out one door. I am surprised the Districts didn't go in lock down also?

[Eg_cruz]

Maybe because they shy well away from insisting that anyone does anything. Like saving chairs...And petting Buffalo. They tried very hard like double fencing those buffalo. People kept lifting their grandkids over the fence until one got hurt and now the buffalo are gone...……. They conveniently decided to redo the squares when the pandemic descended. I rather like they treat us like grown ups....

Also. A CDD probably can't enforce things that are just directions from the State Government level.
The buffalo had to go.......was so unfair to the buffalo shade was little to none in FL were the buffalo has never roamed free......

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Herd immunity is when 80% percent of the population is immune to something. We certainly aren't close.

And 80% of the population being immune requires that 80% of the population be exposed to the virus.

The greatest risk of death due to this virus are among the elderly. The Villages are comprised primarily of the elderly.

Therefore - in order to achieve 80% immunity in the Villages, 80% of all these at-risk elderly people have to be infected with the virus.

I'm not sure I'd like to go that route. I mean, I'm not at risk since I'm under 60. My husband is over 60 though, and I'd kinda like to have him around awhile longer. Your mileage may vary.

[Timothyimitchell]

Masks are required if you can not maintain 6 feet of social distancing
Go back and read the rec news.

With a 99 plus survival rate, let's get on with life. Much is overblown by this corrupt media. A media with an agenda. This is not the way to live.

[gatorbill1]

No new cases in The Villages since April 28 so just who you gonna catch the virus from? And don't say "asymptomatic carriers" because if they've been around for the last month, they would have infected some of those golfers, dancers, restaurant goers, etc, etc whose pictures have been posted on this site.

https://floridadisaster.org/globalassets/covid19/dailies/covid-daily-report-5.28.20-compressed.pdf

If we don't test we will never have a case - just dead people from natural sources

[Topspinmo]

Dr Russell Blaylock — google his information — states that they provide no protection. My own experience (admittedly non-scientific) bears out his believe that I am re-breathing and ingesting my carbon dioxide. I get a headache when wearing them, and have been unable to head to the rec centers as a result.

You don't have to wear mask in rec centers and many don't, it only recommendation. When I go in, I wear mask once I get to pool table I take it off. I wear it for the lady working there cause it recommended. I put it back on to exit the building, then take if off. If someone comes in starts couching I put it on. Does it help? I don't know or could care less, but I think it could help so I mask.

[PennBF]

Why would someone not do something to protect the other person? Our son works in a Rehab that is a medical facility restricted to brain injured patients who's ages range from infants/children to Senior citizens. We are so lucky to have our health and able to protect our friends and neighbors by just wearing a protective mask. It is beyond belief that some would be so selfish as to deny that small sacrifice for some slight discomfort. The medical workers must (by law) be tested at least twice a week, have temps taken everyday and in some cases PPE's every day and masks all day. If you do get ill with the virus this is the kind of care your medical provider provides because you didn't want to make a slight effort to protect yourself or the other person. They must sacrifice because you didn't!!! God help and protect the Medical workers :pray:

[JoelJohnson]

Anytime you'd like to cite a legitimate source for THAT statement is fine, we're all waiting.....

Each year about 45-50% of the population get flu shots and we still have a high number of deaths. But that number is an estimate from the CDC, COVID 19 is a real count (probably low since people that die at home aren't tested if they had another condition like a heart problem).
Also the number of flu deaths are over the full year, so far we have over 100,000 in about 3 months.

If you don't want to wear a mask, then I can only guess that you are being selfish or foolish. Wearing a mask DOES help (maybe not 100%, but it's better than nothing). It keeps most of the moisture from your mouth getting into the air.

Now, you may think that you don't have the virus, but it has been shown that many people that have the virus carried it for several days. They may have it without symptoms and never get sick or have a mild version of it.

So the mask is not to protect you (I'll do that by wearing my mask), it's to protect those that may die if they get the virus.

[billethkid]

No enforcement = no compliance!!

Why does everybody slow down to the speed limit in a school zone?
Obvious enforcement.
No secret to how something works (or doesn't).

[kanoa1kale2]

Anytime you'd like to cite a legitimate source for THAT statement is fine, we're all waiting.....

Coronavirus: Why face masks are not very effective for prevention - Business Insider (https://www.businessinsider.com/wuhan-coronavirus-face-masks-not-entirely-effective-2020-1)

[rmd2]

Totally agree that I will not be able to enter clubhouses now that masks are NOT required.
It is not too much to ask of our peers to please mask up when inside. Shame on the Villages for reversing the policy. ESP. When requiring masks at outside pools.

I agree. It's almost like they don't want to open up the rec center indoor activities. Most people I know are willing to wear a mask so we can safely participate in rec center activities.

[biker1]

That is a 3 month old article.

Coronavirus: Why face masks are not very effective for prevention - Business Insider (https://www.businessinsider.com/wuhan-coronavirus-face-masks-not-entirely-effective-2020-1)

[fdpaq0580]

Darn
This means I can’t French kiss the checkout lady at Publix?
😳🙀😆

Which one?

[roscoguy]

Dr Russell Blaylock — google his information — states that they provide no protection. My own experience (admittedly non-scientific) bears out his believe that I am re-breathing and ingesting my carbon dioxide. I get a headache when wearing them, and have been unable to head to the rec centers as a result.

Oh, this Dr. Blaylock? The very first hit on a Duck Duck Go search of his name was titled this: "Russell Blaylock: Neurosurgeon turned Newsmax conspiracy theorist and pseudoscience peddler"Russell Blaylock: Neurosurgeon turned Newsmax conspiracy theorist and pseudoscience peddler | Genetic Literacy Project (https://geneticliteracyproject.org/glp-facts/russell-blaylock/)

The text of the article (as well as several others on different web sites) goes on to describe him in decidedly uncomplimentary terms. He is another member of the 'fringe' medical association, the AAPS, a conservative group with approximately 5000 members (contrast that to the over 240,000 members of the AMA), amongst them Dr. Rand Paul, that has in the past promoted theories that: there is a link between abortion and cancer; being gay reduces life expectancy; HIV does not cause AIDS; vaccines do cause autism. Debunked junk science all.

As to why you develop a headache when wearing a mask, it's unlikely because of "re-breathing and ingesting" carbon dioxide, unless you are wearing an N95 or other very tight-fitting mask and "suffer from severe COPD or other lung diseases that make breathing difficult carefully consider the use of face masks", according to a Health.com article. Does Wearing a Face Mask Reduce Oxygen—and Can It Increase CO2 Levels? Here'''s What Experts Say | Health.com (https://www.health.com/condition/infectious-diseases/coronavirus/does-wearing-face-mask-increase-co2-levels)

[Briand]

No most Americans have a fairly selfish attitude and a small ‘sacrifice’ to support the general consensus that masks do protect both wearer and others present is a non-starter.....wear a mask and others will see you as a positive member of society. Don’t wear one and call the action a ‘political trick to make us all compliment’ is a moronic and selfish approach to the public health and safety.

[rmd2]

I am a mask wearer. Hate them, but do it when in public places where I can't stay 6' away. I want to get along. BUT, at what point will we be able to stop this?? When will people feel safe enough to go into a rec center maskless? 1 month, 2 months, 3 months? I won't wear this thing forever so there has to be something reasonable. And that can't be 'when they have a vaccine' because who the heck knows when that will be a reality?

I agree with you but I am still somewhat concerned. I think a lot of people are coming to grips with weighing out the threat of this virus vs freedom. We have not had a new case in The Villages in just over one month. I would think that if we don't get another case in another few weeks it might be safe at that point to go without masks. I would like to know what other people think would be a safe point to stop wearing them.

[Altavia]

A simple experiment

[Sbrothnj]

Thank you. This mask thing is nothing more than another method to demonstrate how the powerful can control the sheep. This, or any virus, the CDC now tells us, is unlikely to be contracted from touching a surface or by simply being around someone. You have to somehow consume droplets of saliva. Also, a virus ranges from 20 to 400 nanometres which will escape a mask very easily. If you arent wearing a mask, or even if you are, cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. Didn't your mother teach you that long ago? Wake up people and stop being controlled.

Here is a cut and paste directly from CDC.gov:
Our understanding of how the virus spreads is evolving as we learn more about it, so check the CDC website for the latest information. The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person:

Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet)
Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks
Recent studies indicate that the virus can be spread by people who are not showing symptoms. It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes. This is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads, but we are still learning more about this virus. Older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions may be at higher risk for more serious complications from COVID-19.

Its nice to quote nanometers and all, but try listening to authentic sources, here and around the world.

[graciegirl]

I agree with you but I am still somewhat concerned. I think a lot of people are coming to grips with weighing out the threat of this virus vs freedom. We have not had a new case in The Villages in just over one month. I would think that if we don't get another case in another few weeks it might be safe at that point to go without masks. I would like to know what other people think would be a safe point to stop wearing them.

Are we sure of that? That we haven't had a new case here in almost a month? I just spent an hour at the Florida Department of Health site trying to find out the latest statistics. Try it yourself. At the beginning of the quarantine is was very clear and helpful. Now it is a maze and for instance when you get to Covid-19 cases by zipcode, there is a number of completely unrecognizable descriptors.(not words and not relating to anything) Is someone trying to keep something from us? I hate conspiracy theories and theorists and don't want to become one. ……...Y'all go there (The Florida Department of Health) and come back and tell me the latest death in Sumter County. According to the Sun Sentinel. There were 45 new deaths from Covid-19 in Florida posted YESTERDAY.

[Ginpappas]

The buffalo had to go.......was so unfair to the buffalo shade was little to none in FL were the buffalo has never roamed free......

Bison did roam free in all 50 states, Central and South America - look it up.

[Rosebud1949]

Typical Villages.. dont want to take responsibility.. The Villages is a business... other good ones say no masks no entry.. so why dont they.. They do NOT want to upset the FEW who whinge.. for the many to care about each other, sadly these are the folk who lose out on activities. They would rather be safe, than get Covid from the whingers.

[600th Photo Sq]

The buffalo had to go.......was so unfair to the buffalo shade was little to none in FL were the buffalo has never roamed free......

Actually the buffalo are still here, they roam in areas that are not accessible to the general public..

Their was one incident where a child got bitten and of course a lawsuit followed.

The Buffalo were then removed.

[Villages Kahuna]

If you refuse to wear a mask, I agree that you should have been kicked out. The scientific evidence is incontrovertible—wearing a mask will definitely flatten and reverse the curve of new cases of coronavirus.

If you refuse to wear a mask to protect yourself, please wear one to protect the rest of us!

[graciegirl]

Here is a cut and paste directly from CDC.gov:
Our understanding of how the virus spreads is evolving as we learn more about it, so check the CDC website for the latest information. The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person:

Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet)
Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks
Recent studies indicate that the virus can be spread by people who are not showing symptoms. It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes. This is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads, but we are still learning more about this virus. Older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions may be at higher risk for more serious complications from COVID-19.

Its nice to quote nanometers and all, but try listening to authentic sources, here and around the world.

THAT was a very good quote, and a very good response to the poster who had many errors in how he thought Covid-19 is transmitted. , but the title spoiled it. It shows you only think you know what is on Fox. Or how people think. Many, many, people keep their health information gathering decidedly separate from politics.

[Don Ferguson]

I struggled through 5 pages of posts (opinions) to learn that not one person is referencing WHO release of just yesterday, 5/28/20, which states NO ONE SHOULD WEAR A MASK unless they (1) Have the actual fever/cough/sneeze symptoms, or (2) Are treating someone with the actual symptoms of the virus.

[coffeebean]

Thank you. This mask thing is nothing more than another method to demonstrate how the powerful can control the sheep. This, or any virus, the CDC now tells us, is unlikely to be contracted from touching a surface or by simply being around someone. You have to somehow consume droplets of saliva. Also, a virus ranges from 20 to 400 nanometres which will escape a mask very easily. If you arent wearing a mask, or even if you are, cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. Didn't your mother teach you that long ago? Wake up people and stop being controlled.

Yes, the virus on its own can pass through masks BUT.....the virus does not travel on its own. The virus has a mode of transmission and that is through droplets from a person when they breathe, speak, sing, cough or sneeze.

Just yesterday I was in a restaurant and a woman at the next table, 6 feet away from us, sneezed twice. First sneeze must have been very unexpected because she sneezed right into the air but the second sneeze was right into her hand.

Masks covering the nose and mouth, are being worn to prevent the spread of this virus. Masks do very little to protect the wearer but they are very efficient at blocking droplets from someone's nose or mouth. Even one little tissue is strong enough to catch droplets from a sneeze or phlegm from a cough.

Have you watched any YouTube videos demonstrating how when a person speaks, droplets are spewed at least 6 feet beyond the person's mouth, and that is speaking in a normal tone. Droplets are propelled much further when a person yells or sings. Sneezes and coughs propel the droplets even further. Why not catch most of those droplets and prevent the spread of this virus?

Anyone who is doing their part by wearing a mask to minimize the spread of this virus is not being controlled by anyone.

[Carl99]

They just eliminated me from any activities when they changed from requiring you to wear a mask to "requesting" you wear one. I think I am free of virus, but I don't trust everyone else. Better safe than sorry if someone else does not care about you.

W.H.O. Said this morning that we no longer need to wear the mask unless you are taking care of someone that has the virus, or if you are sick.

[cheweycat]

Where are you getting your information about face masks? I hope it is not Fox news?

[cheweycat]

Please cite the reference from the WHO?

[Buckeye Bob]

Each year about 45-50% of the population get flu shots and we still have a high number of deaths. But that number is an estimate from the CDC, COVID 19 is a real count (probably low since people that die at home aren't tested if they had another condition like a heart problem).
Also the number of flu deaths are over the full year, so far we have over 100,000 in about 3 months.

If you don't want to wear a mask, then I can only guess that you are being selfish or foolish. Wearing a mask DOES help (maybe not 100%, but it's better than nothing). It keeps most of the moisture from your mouth getting into the air.

Now, you may think that you don't have the virus, but it has been shown that many people that have the virus carried it for several days. They may have it without symptoms and never get sick or have a mild version of it.

So the mask is not to protect you (I'll do that by wearing my mask), it's to protect those that may die if they get the virus.

The COVID19 death count is inflated. When a person dies from heart attack, cancer, etc., it is being counted as a Covid death because the hospital gets an extra $13,000 for each one.😡😡

[fdpaq0580]

If you refuse to wear a mask, I agree that you should have been kicked out. The scientific evidence is incontrovertible—wearing a mask will definitely flatten and reverse the curve of new cases of coronavirus.

If you refuse to wear a mask to protect yourself, please wear one to protect the rest of us!

I agree with you, unfortunately the "I refuse to wear a mask" folks will vehemently defend their position against the best of evidence, using any supposed evidence (out-dated, manufactured, out of contex, etc) which they can cling to that they believe supports their position.
As to your plea to wear a mask to protect others, they won't because it would mean they would have to appear weak or scared or caring of others. That is what scares them the most.

[Traderjo]

No it is the Middle Ages
The flu
Really!!
We are closing in 130,000 deaths
In 3 months from this “flu”
More Americans that died in the Korean and Vietnam wars

[Windguy]

I do not wear gloves but do wash my hands frequently and thoroughly. Today I pumped gas and visited an ATM. Just used a baggy over my right hand.

I keep a baggie with a sanitizing wipe in it in my pocket and I use the wipe to open doors and push buttons when in public places. I never wear gloves. That not only protects me, but it cleans things for the next person who comes along.

[fdpaq0580]

A simple experiment

The thumbnail photo with your post is eloquent in its simplicity. Proves the point for masks, and for may situations other than covid, too.

[Windguy]

Dr Russell Blaylock — google his information — states that they provide no protection. My own experience (admittedly non-scientific) bears out his believe that I am re-breathing and ingesting my carbon dioxide. I get a headache when wearing them, and have been unable to head to the rec centers as a result.
Apparently you are wearing a mask intended to protect yourself. There are many ways to cover your face and still allow easy breathing that protect others from you. They are for people who don't care only about themselves.

[JonWilliams]

If we don't test we will never have a case - just dead people from natural sources

Who ir where is it that is not testing? If you want a test, 441 Urgent Care is offering them free, both the test that determines whether you have COVID-19 now and the anti-body test to show whether you have ever had it.

[Windguy]

What baloney! Stay home! I refuse to wear a mask for the rest of my life. If vaccines are so effect against the flu, why do you have to get one every year and why is it only about 50 percent effective? How long will it take, if ever, to have a vaccine for this? This thing is here to stay. All you can do is be as careful as you can and stop buying into the fear mongering.
They say ignorance is bliss...

[graciegirl]

Where are you getting your information about face masks? I hope it is not Fox news?

Ahem! Nothing wrong with Fox News if you stay away from political opinion shows. When it comes to hard news they are quite good.

I am troubled by Florida's change in reporting of statistics about the Virus. (At least I am having difficulty finding how many are recently infected in Sumter County) Can anybody link me?

[Arlington2]

Please cite the reference from the WHO?

From the latest WHO advice from their website. Look at community settings.

Advice on the use of masks in the community, during home care and in healthcare settings in the context of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak (https://www.who.int/publications-detail/advice-on-the-use-of-masks-in-the-community-during-home-care-and-in-healthcare-settings-in-the-context-of-the-novel-coronavirus-(2019-ncov)-outbreak)

[Windguy]

I am a mask wearer. Hate them, but do it when in public places where I can't stay 6' away. I want to get along. BUT, at what point will we be able to stop this?? When will people feel safe enough to go into a rec center maskless? 1 month, 2 months, 3 months? I won't wear this thing forever so there has to be something reasonable. And that can't be 'when they have a vaccine' because who the heck knows when that will be a reality?
I'm hoping they come up with ways to treat the disease so the fatality rate is no so high. That could happen quicker than a vaccine.

[Windguy]

With a 99 plus survival rate, let's get on with life. Much is overblown by this corrupt media. A media with an agenda. This is not the way to live.
If you are tired of watching media with an agenda, then please quit watching Fox "News!"

[Windguy]

Coronavirus: Why face masks are not very effective for prevention - Business Insider (https://www.businessinsider.com/wuhan-coronavirus-face-masks-not-entirely-effective-2020-1)

That article is from Feb 26, 2020, which was long before they knew it was primarily spread through the air. It was also about protecting yourself--not others. Please quite spreading retracted guidelines.

[coffeebean]

No new cases in The Villages since April 28 so just who you gonna catch the virus from? And don't say "asymptomatic carriers" because if they've been around for the last month, they would have infected some of those golfers, dancers, restaurant goers, etc, etc whose pictures have been posted on this site.

https://floridadisaster.org/globalassets/covid19/dailies/covid-daily-report-5.28.20-compressed.pdf
I know we Villagers live in a bubble but it isn't THAT hermetically sealed. We have construction workers, landscapers and all sorts of businesses coming into our bubble. We also have visitors from all over, including Covid hot spots.

Think about what you said.

[GoodLife]

Ahem! Nothing wrong with Fox News if you stay away from political opinion shows. When it comes to hard news they are quite good.

I am troubled by Florida's change in reporting of statistics about the Virus. (At least I am having difficulty finding how many are recently infected in Sumter County) Can anybody link me?

http://ww11.doh.state.fl.us/comm/_partners/action/report_archive/county/county_reports_20200529.pdf

Scroll down to Sumter County, no new cases since 5/22 :clap2:

[JonWilliams]

Are we sure of that? That we haven't had a new case here in almost a month? I just spent an hour at the Florida Department of Health site trying to find out the latest statistics. Try it yourself. At the beginning of the quarantine is was very clear and helpful. Now it is a maze and for instance when you get to Covid-19 cases by zipcode, there is a number of completely unrecognizable descriptors.(not words and not relating to anything) Is someone trying to keep something from us? I hate conspiracy theories and theorists and don't want to become one. ……...Y'all go there (The Florida Department of Health) and come back and tell me the latest death in Sumter County. According to the Sun Sentinel. There were 45 new deaths from Covid-19 in Florida posted YESTERDAY.

The official state web site is Home | Florida Disaster (https://floridadisaster.org/) Click on the box labeled COVID-19 Information, then scroll down and click on the link labeled COVID-19 Data - Daily Report Archive. You can look at every day's report since they started keeping track. The City/County information begins on page 6 of the lengthy report, so The Villages, Sumter and The Villages, Lake are separate entries. If you go back to April 28 and work forward, you will see that there has not been an additional case recorded since that date.

[Joe V.]

No it is the Middle Ages
The flu
Really!!
We are closing in 130,000 deaths
In 3 months from this “flu”
More Americans that died in the Korean and Vietnam wars

Apples and oranges comparison.

[Windguy]

I struggled through 5 pages of posts (opinions) to learn that not one person is referencing WHO release of just yesterday, 5/28/20, which states NO ONE SHOULD WEAR A MASK unless they (1) Have the actual fever/cough/sneeze symptoms, or (2) Are treating someone with the actual symptoms of the virus.

Source, please. I can't find where WHO said that recently.

[billethkid]

If you are tired of watching media with an agenda, then please quit watching Fox "News!"

For accuracy add all media that have letters of the alphabet in their sign!!

[Windguy]

I agree with you but I am still somewhat concerned. I think a lot of people are coming to grips with weighing out the threat of this virus vs freedom. We have not had a new case in The Villages in just over one month. I would think that if we don't get another case in another few weeks it might be safe at that point to go without masks. I would like to know what other people think would be a safe point to stop wearing them.
Freedom? What does freedom have to do with it? If you don't like people telling you what to wear, try going naked in public and see how long your freedom lasts. This is about being considerate of others and not about freedom. Quit watching that propaganda station.

[coffeebean]

Mask's help control the droplets when you sneeze or cough. That's fine if you are sneezing and coughing, but I have not seen people out in public sneezing and coughing uncontrolled. I think if you are, you should not be out. Remember when people carried handkerchiefs to sneeze and cough into? Come on people, exercise some common sense.

Masks help control droplets when a person breathes, speaks, sings, coughs or sneezes. Just breathing releases droplets. Everyone breathes, even asymptomatic carriers of the virus breathe. Get it?

[Windguy]

W.H.O. Said this morning that we no longer need to wear the mask unless you are taking care of someone that has the virus, or if you are sick.
Source please. I can't find it.

[Windguy]

From the latest WHO advice from their website. Look at community settings.

Advice on the use of masks in the community, during home care and in healthcare settings in the context of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak (https://www.who.int/publications-detail/advice-on-the-use-of-masks-in-the-community-during-home-care-and-in-healthcare-settings-in-the-context-of-the-novel-coronavirus-(2019-ncov)-outbreak)

That's the LATEST advice? It's from April 6. Please provide a link to RECENT advice. Much has been learned since early April.

[bfarmer3]

Please cite the reference from the WHO?

https://www.who.int/images/default-source/health-topics/coronavirus/masks/masks-2.png

[Topspinmo]

Freedom? What does freedom have to do with it? If you don't like people telling you what to wear, try going naked in public and see how long your freedom lasts. This is about being considerate of others and not about freedom. Quit watching that propaganda station.


CNN right?

[Windguy]

https://www.who.int/images/default-source/health-topics/coronavirus/masks/masks-2.png

There is no date on that. It could be from February for all we know.

UPDATE:

I used HTTP Header Checker | WebNots (https://www.webnots.com/seo-tools/http-header-checker/) to read the header and found:

Last-Modified: Thu, 07 May 2020 08:00:06 GMT

So, it's not something that was published yesterday as Don Ferguson claimed, but at least it's not from February.

I'd still like to see a RECENT source where WHO says to not wear a mask to protect others.

[gatorbill1]

Who ir where is it that is not testing? If you want a test, 441 Urgent Care is offering them free, both the test that determines whether you have COVID-19 now and the anti-body test to show whether you have ever had it.

What is TOTAL cost including urgent care cost, test and reading test??? Do you need RX from your Dr??? I have never seen this advertised or mentioned in paper.

[GoodLife]

That's the LATEST advice? It's from April 6. Please provide a link to RECENT advice. Much has been learned since early April.

Nothing new has been learned about how viral respiratory disease spread. Scientists have known for many years that they spread through aerosols, cough/sneeze droplets and contaminated surfaces.

[Japrile]

If you are wearing your mask, I don't have too!

[coffeebean]

Source please. I can't find it.
I can't find it either. All I see are articles that recommend people wear masks.

[coffeebean]

https://www.who.int/images/default-source/health-topics/coronavirus/masks/masks-2.png

That is old news. Healthy Americans were told not to wear masks early on so the supply of masks for health care workers on the front lines did not run out. The experts have since changed their recommendations. Our experts and CV task force have recommended face covering (masks) for everyone with very few exceptions.

The experts knew all along that any face covering would mitigate this virus but held that information from the American people. Needless to say, I'm very disappointed in that decision to deceive Americans. IMHO, it was too late when we were recommended to wear face coverings (masks) and they pleaded with us to not purchase N95 masks because those masks were to be saved for the front line workers. Tasked with wearing face covering, Americans got to work. Home made masks were being made as if people were responding to a war effort. Mask instructional videos were flooding YouTube. I'll bet our CV task force and the CDC recommended face covering much earlier in this pandemic. We could have mitigated this virus much earlier and saved a bunch of lives.

Masks do help to slow the spread of this virus. Please pay attention to current recommendations. Thanks.

[ffresh]

Oh, this Dr. Blaylock? The very first hit on a Duck Duck Go search of his name was titled this: Russell Blaylock: Neurosurgeon turned Newsmax conspiracy theorist and pseudoscience peddler | Genetic Literacy Project (https://geneticliteracyproject.org/glp-facts/russell-blaylock/)

The text of the article (as well as several others on different web sites) goes on to describe him in decidedly uncomplimentary terms. He is another member of the 'fringe' medical association, the AAPS, a conservative group with approximately 5000 members (contrast that to the over 240,000 members of the AMA), amongst them Dr. Rand Paul, that has in the past promoted theories that: there is a link between abortion and cancer; being gay reduces life expectancy; HIV does not cause AIDS; vaccines do cause autism. Debunked junk science all.

As to why you develop a headache when wearing a mask, it's unlikely because of "re-breathing and ingesting" carbon dioxide, unless you are wearing an N95 or other very tight-fitting mask and , according to a Health.com article. Does Wearing a Face Mask Reduce Oxygen—and Can It Increase CO2 Levels? Here'''s What Experts Say | Health.com (https://www.health.com/condition/infectious-diseases/coronavirus/does-wearing-face-mask-increase-co2-levels)


Using your hyperlink for Genetic Literacy Project, one can rather easily ascertain that group's positions on several significant topics by perusing the "Special Sections" menu (to paraphrase):

GMO foods - pro stance for the most part
Bees & butterflies "poisoning" - not a problem
Pesticides in food - conventional and organic produce has such low amounts of pesticides on it that you could eat your weight in fruit every day and still not be in danger of any health problems from the pesticides (You definitely would have health problems from eating that much fruit though!
Glyphosate (RoundUp) - study after study has shown that it is one of the least toxic herbicides on the market and does not accumulate in the soil

I think I will keep on searching for the truth … just sayin :icon_wink:

Fred

[coffeebean]

If you are wearing your mask, I don't have too!

NO! It doesn't work that way. You wear a mask to protect me and I wear a mask to protect you. That is the only way to achieve any level of protection.

[JonWilliams]

What is TOTAL cost including urgent care cost, test and reading test??? Do you need RX from your Dr??? I have never seen this advertised or mentioned in paper.

They called me yesterday and told me about the test availability. Medicare covers the cost. No prescription needed.

[NJMike]

The "experts" like Dr. Fauci flip-flopp more often than some politicians. You can wear a mask if you want to but the benefits of that are not backed by settled science. I don't like the idea of breathing in my own carbon dioxide and think that the masks are useless. More than that, they have become a symbol that perpetuates fear and the idea that we are helpless sheep subject to the whim of those politicians who want to continue locking us down. The economic repercussions of a continued lock down will kill more people and destroy more lives than CV-19.

[Altavia]

Here's a new summary from Dr Erin Brombage on the role of masks in reducing the transmission of respiratory viruses in interior environments where social distancing can not be attained.

What's the deal with Masks? (https://www.erinbromage.com/post/what-s-the-deal-with-masks?postId=5ecfe526ea75df00175707af)

[valuemkt]

Freedom to choose is a wonderful thing. You are free to stay home, and I am free to re-start the classes and activities that were an integral part of my life in The Villages. You are also free to tell me what a bad person I am, and I am free to ignore you. At some point you will need to establish a marker in which you will go outside your house, but of course you are free to spend the rest of your life within your four walls, free to think that you will never get sick and will lead a happy and fulfilled life.

[Barefoot]

Coronavirus: Why face masks are not very effective for prevention - Business Insider (https://www.businessinsider.com/wuhan-coronavirus-face-masks-not-entirely-effective-2020-1)
That article was written on February 26, 2020.
We've learned a lot about masks since February.

[Barefoot]

... snipped .... I think that the masks are useless.
You think masks are useless? :shocked: Good luck.

[PugMom]

Masks are virtually useless. If you’ve been reading what many doctors and epidemiologist say, their value is mostly just psychological. Anyone that is still paranoid about Covid which now has a mortality rate no worse than the flu, should probably just stay home and quit expecting everyone else to share in their paranoia.I respect The Villages’s decision to not force those of us that do not believe in masks to have to wear them. I think this is still America!

i'm going to have to agree with you. unless someone is wearing a specific type of mask made for reducing whatever is expelled from the body, it's going to do little good. and then there's the story of how you can catch thru your eyes, so break out the goggles, too. i just stay very far away from others & avoid coughing, no one has said anything,... yet

[PugMom]

Masks are virtually useless for protecting the wearer. Masks are very effective to slow the spread of disease. Just wondering where you get your information. Scratching my head on that one.
all you have to do is some research into basic diseases online, & speak to a few doctors next time you go. i don't follow anything released by CDC or WHO. not even burke relies on them anymore

[PugMom]

Anytime you'd like to cite a legitimate source for THAT statement is fine, we're all waiting.....

an er dr. told me it needs to be a specific n-1-91 type of mask, made especially for controlling the tiny droplets that sneak thru regular masks.

[Huskies]

I am on oxygen and glad that TV is caring about everyone’s health. Unfortunately a lot of people here do not care about
People with health problems.

[Gizemo33]

I would rather wear a facemask now than a respirator later.

[Holpat39]

Common sense. If you are going to sneeze or cough do it into your sleeve. Distancing 6 ft. or more will eliminate the problem with speaking to someone. Newspaper today says the WHO and CDC says masks are only needed when treating people with Covid19. Who do we believe?

[Fieldsaj]

No! I haven’t worn masks in the past but when you look at how the countries that do, they have a much better record against COVID than we do. Think this old Dawg can learn new tricks. Won’t kill me. Well, maybe if do catch the virus, it won’t kill you.
Have a blessed day.

[Gizemo33]

IMO, I would rather wear a facemask now than a respirator later. This is how I think and follow
The recommendations of the CDC, Dr. Fauci, and all other knowledgeable infectious disease scientist

[Cybersprings]

If you are tired of watching media with an agenda, then please quit watching Fox "News!"

Please enlighten me on which channel you watch that does not have an agenda. I can't wait to read it....

[Cybersprings]

Apparently you are wearing a mask intended to protect yourself. There are many ways to cover your face and still allow easy breathing that protect others from you. They are for people who don't care only about themselves.

Approximately 1.35 million people die in road crashes each year, on average 3,700 people lose their lives every day on the roads.
An additional 20-50 million suffer non-fatal injuries, often resulting in long-term disabilities.


So, if you are wearing a seat belt, which only protects you, you only care about yourself. What you actually should be doing is handing in your license and selling your car(s) so that there is no chance you could hurt/kill anyone. Just like you may not know you have the virus until too late, you may not know you will be the one to cause an accident until it occurs.

[Tom M]

No enforcement = no compliance!!

Why does everybody slow down to the speed limit in a school zone?
Obvious enforcement.
No secret to how something works (or doesn't).


Or, why does someone say "Thank You" when someone holds the door open for them? It's not enforced - it's just a nice thing to do.

I'm not in favor of enforcing masks and firmly believe I'm not ill, but wear one (only when I'm in closed public areas) to encourage the public acceptance of mask wearing and keep other people wearing theirs.

[donassaid]

Just because someone chooses not to wear a mask doesn't mean they don't care about you. It just means they have common sense enough to know that no mask keeps out a virus and causes you to breathe in your own carbon dioxide which injures your immune system and causes other problems. So stay home if you must and weaken your own immune system and catch every virus that goes around while the rest of us get back to being normal.

[donassaid]

It is not a KNOWN action to reduce infection. Masks protect against bacteria not viruses. Bacteria are about a thousand times larger than a virus. Sort of like trying to keep out mosquitoes with a chain link fence.

[donassaid]

Masks do NOT reduce the spread of the virus. Total myth.

[coffeebean]

The "experts" like Dr. Fauci flip-flopp more often than some politicians. You can wear a mask if you want to but the benefits of that are not backed by settled science. I don't like the idea of breathing in my own carbon dioxide and think that the masks are useless. More than that, they have become a symbol that perpetuates fear and the idea that we are helpless sheep subject to the whim of those politicians who want to continue locking us down. The economic repercussions of a continued lock down will kill more people and destroy more lives than CV-19.

I see it this way......The economy can open up more quickly and safely if Americans follow guidelines such as social distancing, wearing masks and washing hands frequently. Adhering to these guidelines will boost the American people's confidence to "get out there" and get this economy going again. Fear be damned!

[Tom M]

A simple experiment

Of course the dish on the right is responding to bacteria which are about 1,000 times larger than viruses. (According to the actual article itself which was on her Facebook post on May 6th).

It's compelling and speaks to the ability of masks (even home-made) to stop bacteria. But it isn't evidence of viral effectiveness. I'm NOT suggesting that they have no effectiveness against virus, simply that this picture/post doesn't prove it.

[Tom M]

Bison did roam free in all 50 states, Central and South America - look it up.

I tried but couldn't find it. Here's the best range I could find: Range of the Buffalo 1660–1889 (https://www.themaparchive.com/range-of-the-buffalo-16601889.html)
The Bison: from 30 million to 325 (1884) to 500,000 (today) - Flat Creek Inn - Flat Creek Inn (https://www.flatcreekinn.com/bison-americas-mammal/)
You are being redirected... (https://allaboutbison.com/bison-in-history/bison-timeline/)

[coffeebean]

Common sense. If you are going to sneeze or cough do it into your sleeve. Distancing 6 ft. or more will eliminate the problem with speaking to someone. Newspaper today says the WHO and CDC says masks are only needed when treating people with Covid19. Who do we believe?

Really? Today? That seems like very old news. In addition, our president has pulled the US out of the WHO within the next week. What does that mean to us?

[coffeebean]

Please enlighten me on which channel you watch that does not have an agenda. I can't wait to read it....
Why has wearing a mask become political and devisive? We should be following the science behind wearing masks and let that guide our decisions as to what is the correct thing to do.

[coffeebean]

Just because someone chooses not to wear a mask doesn't mean they don't care about you. It just means they have common sense enough to know that no mask keeps out a virus and causes you to breathe in your own carbon dioxide which injures your immune system and causes other problems. So stay home if you must and weaken your own immune system and catch every virus that goes around while the rest of us get back to being normal.

Tell that to health care professionals who wear masks for many hours straight and are still alive to tell about it. What about those surgeons who are masked up for many hours without a break?

That claim has been debunked........
Wearing face masks does not cause hypercapnia or affect the immune system - Health Feedback (https://healthfeedback.org/claimreview/wearing-face-masks-does-not-cause-hypercapnia-or-affect-the-immune-system/)

[Barborv]

I think masks in public places should be mandatory for now. YES, I know, I can stay home. That's what I have been doing since March 14th here in NY. I plan to drive down to TV this summer, wearing my mask. I will not go into public areas w/o a mask, even after two weeks. Just in case something happens in travel. I would love if everyone still wore their masks, so I feel safe, and that's why I will do the same for others. I'm sick of being stuck in the house and do want a little more freedom but also want to feel safe. Of course anyone vulnerable should be very careful.

[JonWilliams]

I know we Villagers live in a bubble but it isn't THAT hermetically sealed. We have construction workers, landscapers and all sorts of businesses coming into our bubble. We also have visitors from all over, including Covid hot spots.

Think about what you said.

True. And thank goodness those people are here. Otherwise we would all be eating canned soup and looking out at our knee high lawns.

But the fact is, the people you refer to have been here all along. No new cases since April 28.

And Villagers have been going to grocery stores, liquor stores, home improvement stores, and other "essential" businesses since the stay at home order was issued. And at many of those businesses there were other customers not wearing masks. No new cases since April 28.

And pools and dog parks opened May 11, followed by pickleball and billiards on May 18. Still no new cases.

And then there's the hand-wringing on this site about people not maintaining 6' separation while waiting for Red Sauce to bring out their orders, and getting too close together at RJ Gators, and all the other "violations" of the rules, but there has not been a single new case of COVID-19 in The Villages since April 28.

I'm not suggesting the OP should go to a rec center if he doesn't feel comfortable because there are unmasked people there. That's for him to decide.

But I don't think it reasonable to obsess over the mask issue when the demonstrated absence of masks has not resulted in a problem for a long enough period that a problem would have shown itself if there was one.

[Timothyimitchell]

This is correct.

[Timothyimitchell]

I will not live my life in fear.

[Cybersprings]

Why has wearing a mask become political and devisive? We should be following the science behind wearing masks and let that guide our decisions as to what is the correct thing to do.

Point 1: I said nothing about a mask, or politics. I responded to a post that implied FOX news was the only "news" channel with an agenda, and I was curious who they thought does not have an agenda.

Point 2: Why is COVID-19 the only time we "follow the science." Not being in an automobile reduces your chances of dying in a car accident or killing someone else with an automobile to much less than wearing a mask prevents the wearer and/or those around them from getting the virus. (and then less than 1% die if they get the virus.) Why are we not following that science and not driving automobiles to prevent the over 1.25 million deaths every year? Are the 80k deaths in the US from the flu every year not important? A mask reduces the spread of that too. Have you been wearing a mask every flu season? Why does that science not matter to you?

[dougawhite]

That article was written on February 26, 2020.
We've learned a lot about masks since February.

Latest CDC guidance: Q&A: Masks and COVID-19 (https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/question-and-answers-hub/q-a-detail/q-a-on-covid-19-and-masks)

[yankygrl]

I think masks in public places should be mandatory for now. YES, I know, I can stay home. That's what I have been doing since March 14th here in NY. I plan to drive down to TV this summer, wearing my mask. I will not go into public areas w/o a mask, even after two weeks. Just in case something happens in travel. I would love if everyone still wore their masks, so I feel safe, and that's why I will do the same for others. I'm sick of being stuck in the house and do want a little more freedom but also want to feel safe. Of course anyone vulnerable should be very careful.
I hope you will not be wearing your mask WHILE YOU DRIVE (whether alone or with someone you’ve been self isolated with this entire time) and with the windows up. You can not get “infected” if you don’t come in contact with someone else.

[fdpaq0580]

No! I haven’t worn masks in the past but when you look at how the countries that do, they have a much better record against COVID than we do. Think this old Dawg can learn new tricks. Won’t kill me. Well, maybe if do catch the virus, it won’t kill you.
Have a blessed day.

It is so nice that someone is paying attention and is willing to do the right thing to try and make things better for all. Just wish there were more like you.

[600th Photo Sq]

[QUOTE=Joe C.;1772859]Wait -- Wait-- Wait a minute!!!!
I just thought -- Hey! Maybe I should wear a hardhat too, because:
THE SKY IS FALLING !!!!


But really, a mask DOES help if the wearer is prone to sneezing
or coughing. It reduces the spread of droplets, which is the medium
that carries the virus if that person is infected.

Personally I don't wear a mask, as I'm a believer in
the herd immunity theory.[/QUOTE ]

Well after reading your post I put on a Helmut and stepped outside and guess what the Sky isn't falling as in NOT.

That is just rumor spreading. :shocked:

[fdpaq0580]

Approximately 1.35 million people die in road crashes each year, on average 3,700 people lose their lives every day on the roads.
An additional 20-50 million suffer non-fatal injuries, often resulting in long-term disabilities.


So, if you are wearing a seat belt, which only protects you, you only care about yourself. What you actually should be doing is handing in your license and selling your car(s) so that there is no chance you could hurt/kill anyone. Just like you may not know you have the virus until too late, you may not know you will be the one to cause an accident until it occurs.

Interesting argumentative strategies. Deflect with apples to oranges comparison and rationalize behavior.
Thanks for not caring.

[coffeebean]

True. And thank goodness those people are here. Otherwise we would all be eating canned soup and looking out at our knee high lawns.

But the fact is, the people you refer to have been here all along. No new cases since April 28.

And Villagers have been going to grocery stores, liquor stores, home improvement stores, and other "essential" businesses since the stay at home order was issued. And at many of those businesses there were other customers not wearing masks. No new cases since April 28.

And pools and dog parks opened May 11, followed by pickleball and billiards on May 18. Still no new cases.

And then there's the hand-wringing on this site about people not maintaining 6' separation while waiting for Red Sauce to bring out their orders, and getting too close together at RJ Gators, and all the other "violations" of the rules, but there has not been a single new case of COVID-19 in The Villages since April 28.

I'm not suggesting the OP should go to a rec center if he doesn't feel comfortable because there are unmasked people there. That's for him to decide.

But I don't think it reasonable to obsess over the mask issue when the demonstrated absence of masks has not resulted in a problem for a long enough period that a problem would have shown itself if there was one.

Thank you for you well thought out comments. However, the fact that visitors from all over will be coming to The Villages is still a given. Those hot spots just may give us a few more new cases.

[capecoralbill]

I keep a baggie with a sanitizing wipe in it in my pocket and I use the wipe to open doors and push buttons when in public places. I never wear gloves. That not only protects me, but it cleans things for the next person who comes along.

I think the alcohol in the wipe will evaporate, be sure to use a new wipe often.

[bfoglbird]

IMHO if you don't respect me enough to wear a mask in public you are a very uncaring person who cares little for anyone else! Just saying.....

[golfing eagles]

Approximately 1.35 million people die in road crashes each year, on average 3,700 people lose their lives every day on the roads.
An additional 20-50 million suffer non-fatal injuries, often resulting in long-term disabilities.


So, if you are wearing a seat belt, which only protects you, you only care about yourself. What you actually should be doing is handing in your license and selling your car(s) so that there is no chance you could hurt/kill anyone. Just like you may not know you have the virus until too late, you may not know you will be the one to cause an accident until it occurs.

Where did you dig up those extremely inflated numbers? According to the CDC 32,000 highway fatalities and 2 million injuries of all severity

Motor Vehicle Crash Deaths | VitalSigns | CDC (https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/motor-vehicle-safety/index.html)

[600th Photo Sq]

Please enlighten me on which channel you watch that does not have an agenda. I can't wait to read it....

I watch just 3 Networks for total honest up to date reporting.

CNN, NBC, and CBS. the reporters are honest and true professionals. Nope no agenda just everyday honest reporting. How they do it only they know.

They have a very tough job especially at the Daily WH Press briefings, I have no idea how they get through their day.

Hey all down to dedication. :shocked:

[Yucatan2]

Ahem! Nothing wrong with Fox News if you stay away from political opinion shows. When it comes to hard news they are quite good.

I am troubled by Florida's change in reporting of statistics about the Virus. (At least I am having difficulty finding how many are recently infected in Sumter County) Can anybody link me?

Gracie, I have looked at the Florida report for today 5/29/20. A LOT of scrolling is required to get the information. You must scroll down past the laboratory results to get to the line deaths in each county. For today the last death in Lake was 5/20, a 51 year old male. The last in Marion was 4/27, a 60 year old male. The last in Sumter was 4/30, an 87 year old male.
What astounds me is that while scrolling through the list of deaths, how many 80, 90, and even 100 year old people died and the deaths were attributed to COVID. Really? Perhaps these folks were ready to die anyway, nothing to do with a flu....
As for recent cases, that is harder. Currently 291 in Lake, 243 in Marion, and 253 in Sumter. I guess the only way to know what is new is to follow those statistics daily to see the change. I see these numbers on the dashboard map, by clicking on each county.

[coffeebean]

Point 1: I said nothing about a mask, or politics. I responded to a post that implied FOX news was the only "news" channel with an agenda, and I was curious who they thought does not have an agenda.

Point 2: Why is COVID-19 the only time we "follow the science." Not being in an automobile reduces your chances of dying in a car accident or killing someone else with an automobile to much less than wearing a mask prevents the wearer and/or those around them from getting the virus. (and then less than 1% die if they get the virus.) Why are we not following that science and not driving automobiles to prevent the over 1.25 million deaths every year? Are the 80k deaths in the US from the flu every year not important? A mask reduces the spread of that too. Have you been wearing a mask every flu season? Why does that science not matter to you?

The following is your comment I was replying to. Sorry if I misinterpreted your sentiments......

Originally Posted by Cybersprings View Post
Please enlighten me on which channel you watch that does not have an agenda. I can't wait to read it....

Re: Point 2.........Nope, never thought of wearing a mask to mitigate seasonal flu. We have not been advised to wear masks, as far as I know, until Covid came on the scene. I have never had a flu nor have I ever had a flu shot. Come to think of it, I can count on one hand the amount of times I have had a common cold in my 70 years. This Covid-19 is a horse of a different color. I don't want to tussle with it.

[billethkid]

I watch just 3 Networks for total honest up to date reporting.

CNN, NBC, and CBS. the reporters are honest and true professionals. Nope no agenda just everyday honest reporting. How they do it only they know.

They have a very tough job especially at the Daily WH Press briefings, I have no idea how they get through their day.

Hey all down to dedication. :shocked:

This has gotta be bait!!

:1rotfl::a20::1rotfl:

[EdFNJ]

Masks are virtually useless. If you’ve been reading what many doctors and epidemiologist say, their value is mostly just psychological. Anyone that is still paranoid about Covid which now has a mortality rate no worse than the flu, should probably just stay home and quit expecting everyone else to share in their paranoia.I respect The Villages’s decision to not force those of us that do not believe in masks to have to wear them. I think this is still America! Ahh, another knowledgeable person playing it's the "no worse than the flu" card!

[coffeebean]

Masks do NOT reduce the spread of the virus. Total myth.

WRONG....Here is an article from The Cleveland Clinic which explains how masks do help to mitigate the spread of the virus......
Here’s How Wearing a Cloth Mask Helps Fight the Spread of Coronavirus – Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic (https://health.clevelandclinic.org/heres-how-wearing-a-cloth-mask-helps-fight-the-spread-of-coronavirus/)

Let me follow up that article with a video which demonstrates how masks block droplets.....
How a mask blocks droplets - YouTube (https://youtu.be/F0RcH9DfuyE)

[billethkid]

Slightly off topic but related.
I was at Lake Medical Imaging for a procedure today.

When someone comes in without a mask they are advised one is required to have medical service provided.

Handled very politely with professional authority.
Congratulations to Lake Medical Imaging for a very well run and disciplined procedure and handling of patients.....for all of our safety.

I continue to be impressed by those who stop and read the sign on the door advising a mask is required....then just march in with no mask as though the message was not for them!!!

[JoMar]

Masks are virtually useless. If you’ve been reading what many doctors and epidemiologist say, their value is mostly just psychological. Anyone that is still paranoid about Covid which now has a mortality rate no worse than the flu, should probably just stay home and quit expecting everyone else to share in their paranoia.I respect The Villages’s decision to not force those of us that do not believe in masks to have to wear them. I think this is still America!

Thank you for being considerate of your neighbors here.....wait, that's wrong because you aren't.

[Windguy]

The economic repercussions of a continued lock down will kill more people and destroy more lives than CV-19.
If you are truly concerned about economic impacts, then you should wear a mask when you are out and about. That way more people will feel safe enough to venture out themselves.

And, there has been no flip flop on masks. They asked us to not buy them all up at first so they would be available for those in the medical community and because they really don't protect you. Then they found out that aerosols from people's exhalations were a significant cause of spreading the disease. It then became logical that masks would slow the spread and they haven't changed their minds since.

But go ahead and believe the fake and/or old news. That will slow the economic recovery and cause MANY more deaths.

[Windguy]

Freedom to choose is a wonderful thing. You are free to stay home, and I am free to re-start the classes and activities that were an integral part of my life in The Villages. You are also free to tell me what a bad person I am, and I am free to ignore you. At some point you will need to establish a marker in which you will go outside your house, but of course you are free to spend the rest of your life within your four walls, free to think that you will never get sick and will lead a happy and fulfilled life.

Well, bless your heart.

[Windguy]

Common sense. If you are going to sneeze or cough do it into your sleeve. Distancing 6 ft. or more will eliminate the problem with speaking to someone. Newspaper today says the WHO and CDC says masks are only needed when treating people with Covid19. Who do we believe?
That simply is not true!

Use Cloth Face Coverings to Help Slow Spread | CDC (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html)

[Windguy]

Of course the dish on the right is responding to bacteria which are about 1,000 times larger than viruses. (According to the actual article itself which was on her Facebook post on May 6th).

It's compelling and speaks to the ability of masks (even home-made) to stop bacteria. But it isn't evidence of viral effectiveness. I'm NOT suggesting that they have no effectiveness against virus, simply that this picture/post doesn't prove it.
Uh, the viruses and bacteria are not individual entities when you sneeze or cough. There are zillions contained in the droplets that leave your mouth or nose, which are orders of magnitude bigger. It has NOTHING to do with the size of the individual germs.

[Windguy]

Folks, I think it's a complete waste of time dealing with these pigheaded people who refuse to follow the CURRENT advice of the medical community about the need to wear a mask. They have been completely brainwashed by ultra right-wing propaganda. No matter how many times they hear that the masks are to protect others, they keep quoting the old news about how they do little to protect the wearer (which is true!). They ignore the fact that only "protective" masks make it hard to breath and those designed to slow spread are much easier to wear and don't make it hard to breathe.

They act like they are concerned about the economy, but they just don't get it that the economy will recover faster if everyone wears a mask in public so that everyone can safely emerge from their homes. So, we who are concerned about being in the high risk group have no choice but to stay home. Sadly, that will slow the economic recovery and there will be many more deaths among the people who don't seem to care about others. I wonder if it will have an effect on the election in the fall. I guess it depends on just how bad it will get.

[roscoguy]

When a person dies from heart attack, cancer, etc., it is being counted as a Covid death because the hospital gets an extra $13,000 for each one.😡😡

Wrong. Totally fake news. Again... :ohdear:

[YouNeverKnow]

Slightly off topic but related.
I was at Lake Medical Imaging for a procedure today.

When someone comes in without a mask they are advised one is required to have medical service provided.

Handled very politely with professional authority.
Congratulations to Lake Medical Imaging for a very well run and disciplined procedure and handling of patients.....for all of our safety.

I continue to be impressed by those who stop and read the sign on the door advising a mask is required....then just march in with no mask as though the

message was not for them!!!
Which Lake Medical Imaging did you go to? I’m wondering how they’re handling the shared changing rooms? The one in Colony has small closet changing rooms that are shared by multiple people who change into a gown. Another person comes in and changes while that person is having their procedure etc. There could be 3 different peoples clothes hanging in there at the same time. Sharing that space without sanitizing seems to be something that should be changed. :shocked:

[600th Photo Sq]

[QUOTE=Windguy;1773323]Folks, I think it's a complete waste of time dealing with these pigheaded people who refuse to follow the CURRENT advice of the medical community about the need to wear a mask. They have been completely brainwashed by ultra right-wing propaganda. No matter how many times they hear that the masks are to protect others, they keep quoting the old news about how they do little to protect the wearer (which is true!). They ignore the fact that only "protective" masks make it hard to breath and those designed to slow spread are much easier to wear and don't make it hard to breathe.

They act like they are concerned about the economy, but they just don't get it that the economy will recover faster if everyone wears a mask in public so that everyone can safely emerge from their homes. So, we who are concerned about being in the high risk group have no choice but to stay home. Sadly, that will slow the economic recovery and there will be many more deaths among the people who don't seem to care about others. I wonder if it will have an effect on the election in the fall. I guess it depends on just how bad it will get.[/QUOTE

Uhumm OK . Your guessing how bad it will get. Your question.

My prediction not a guess as in your case is this " Crises " will be over by …. Sept.1st

And it will be finger pointing time.

For me ? Over Reacting to this virus will go down in history as the # 1

It is terrible what so few people have done to this country.

Yes I am including politicly.

[Eg_cruz]

Masks are virtually useless. If you’ve been reading what many doctors and epidemiologist say, their value is mostly just psychological. Anyone that is still paranoid about Covid which now has a mortality rate no worse than the flu, should probably just stay home and quit expecting everyone else to share in their paranoia.I respect The Villages’s decision to not force those of us that do not believe in masks to have to wear them. I think this is still America!
Smh......those who do not learn from history to down to repeat......FYI this is not just America issue

[Eg_cruz]

Time to crawl into your house and stay there, you will have plenty of time to research mask wearing on your own not what media stations tell you .. .. a mask is becoming a breathing issue for so many, you are outside breath the fresh air.. this is totally a political game.. do you wear a mask for flu and cold season ..
Please explain the game.....Italy, France, Germany, India, Turkey, Brazil, Spain, UK, And Peru are playing

[EdFNJ]

I found this meme posted on Facebook.

https://i.postimg.cc/YCRj3Hh1/IMG-2360.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

[Altavia]

Of course the dish on the right is responding to bacteria which are about 1,000 times larger than viruses. (According to the actual article itself which was on her Facebook post on May 6th).

It's compelling and speaks to the ability of masks (even home-made) to stop bacteria. But it isn't evidence of viral effectiveness. I'm NOT suggesting that they have no effectiveness against virus, simply that this picture/post doesn't prove it.

Really?

Since the virus are tramsported in droplets larger than bacteria, masks are very effective is reducing the transmission of disease.

[Windguy]

I think the alcohol in the wipe will evaporate, be sure to use a new wipe often.
It’s still wet when I use it and the baggie reduces evaporation. But, yes, I get a new one after the old one has been used a fair amount. But, still, I don’t touch the various surfaces—the wipe does.

[roscoguy]

Using your hyperlink for Genetic Literacy Project, one can rather easily ascertain that group's positions on several significant topics by perusing the "Special Sections" menu (to paraphrase):

GMO foods - pro stance for the most part
Bees & butterflies "poisoning" - not a problem
Pesticides in food - conventional and organic produce has such low amounts of pesticides on it that you could eat your weight in fruit every day and still not be in danger of any health problems from the pesticides (You definitely would have health problems from eating that much fruit though!
Glyphosate (RoundUp) - study after study has shown that it is one of the least toxic herbicides on the market and does not accumulate in the soil

I think I will keep on searching for the truth … just sayin :icon_wink:

Fred

Well, maybe more than "paraphrase"... Your summaries of their positions tend to a bit misleading.

GMO Foods: Google 'GMO food safety'. Studies still don't show the risks we were/are worried about.
Bees & butterflies "poisoning": "poisoning" is your term, GLP shows graphs from the USDA showing that populations are actually stable through 2016, despite recent health problems & CCD.
Pesticides in food: one quote from a 6-part series. Here's one from the EPA. "EPA is confident that the fruits and vegetables our children are eating are safer than ever."
Glyphosate (RoundUp): Again you use one quote from the same series. The GLP does seem to defend Glyphosate use as a less "toxic" choice to most alternative pesticides/herbicides. It is interesting the the possible carcinogenic effects aren't mentioned except in a linked EcoWatch article. Hmmmm...

I'm not trying to defend GLP on these positions, just to say that your summaries don't necessarily tell the whole story.

[JonWilliams]

True. And thank goodness those people are here. Otherwise we would all be eating canned soup and looking out at our knee high lawns.

But the fact is, the people you refer to have been here all along. No new cases since April 28.

And Villagers have been going to grocery stores, liquor stores, home improvement stores, and other "essential" businesses since the stay at home order was issued. And at many of those businesses there were other customers not wearing masks. No new cases since April 28.

And pools and dog parks opened May 11, followed by pickleball and billiards on May 18. Still no new cases.

And then there's the hand-wringing on this site about people not maintaining 6' separation while waiting for Red Sauce to bring out their orders, and getting too close together at RJ Gators, and all the other "violations" of the rules, but there has not been a single new case of COVID-19 in The Villages since April 28.

I'm not suggesting the OP should go to a rec center if he doesn't feel comfortable because there are unmasked people there. That's for him to decide.

But I don't think it reasonable to obsess over the mask issue when the demonstrated absence of masks has not resulted in a problem for a long enough period that a problem would have shown itself if there was one.

Update: 1 new case of COVID-19 was reported in the Lake County part of The Villages on 5/29.

[Sbrothnj]

THAT was a very good quote, and a very good response to the poster who had many errors in how he thought Covid-19 is transmitted. , but the title spoiled it. It shows you only think you know what is on Fox. Or how people think. Many, many, people keep their health information gathering decidedly separate from politics.

I appreciate the feedback. It seems that the WHO came out now with a different slant, but the CDC advice remains the same. WHO, obviously, has to be concerned about global advice and balancing the need to preserve critical supplies for the caregivers in countries where things like masks are still hard to get.
As to politicizing healthcare, I appreciate that comment too. And I sincerely wish it was different. Truly. But politics and hunches are what seem to be guiding leadership rather than science. The most recent example being our president mocking a reporter for wearing a mask at a briefing, which is exactly what his current WH guidance would recommend. I care about the thousands of lives lost and extreme business closures ulimately needed to control something for which there is no vaccine or known effective treatment. (Hydroxychloroquine anyone?) And rarely flagging support from Fox just perpetuates dangerous unsubstantiated beliefs.
Do i know what is on Fox - I keep an eye on Fox News online, and find it more balanced than it was. And I periodically watch Fox on TV. Just because I want to see both sides. I also watch the other major networks, plus PBS and BBC World news, and have for years now listened daily to Morning Joe on podcast. Morning Joe is Joe Scarborough, previously a 12 year Florida Republican congressman. (And previously a friend of Trump, who was often on his show, and now political a target of our President. Trump recently retweeted an old and unequivocally disproved conspiracy thing about him, which is what drove the Twitter moves to label some of Trumps tweets with warning notes). All in all, I do find that healthcare is dangerously political, with a clear distinction between the overall handling of this crisis in red states in this country and those state leaders who sometimes irresponsibly follow the ever changing lead at the top of our great country, vs blue states. And that endangers the lives and safety of those at risk all over.
So those are my creds, so to speak. I am not particularly at risk, but I have friends and loved ones who are. I've only lost one close friend.
I am really sorry that this is the world we live in here. I could rant forever about politics, but i wont. This thread started about masks and health care. So i will leave it here. Stay safe and healthy.

[billethkid]

To mask or not to mask that is the question challenging those who would make a banquet out of a ham sandwich!!!

[sjgreene5]

Amazing how so many people gave up what this country is about FREEDOM, if you don't want to go to the Rec centers because of this change than don't. But let me educate you on the science. It's true the only person who is protected by wearing a mask, unless you have the healthcare 94 mask is the other person, but it's also true that Oxygen or fresh air can minimize the virus, and lastly by continuing to wear a mask for long period can cause many respiratory issues, mainly because you are breathing the same air that you just exhaled, and you are breathing more shallowly. So all of you that think by wearing a mask is protecting you it is not the only thing is you are protecting everyone else. BTW there were over 600k people who die of cancer every year.

[Sbrothnj]

Amazing how so many people gave up what this country is about FREEDOM, if you don't want to go to the Rec centers because of this change than don't. But let me educate you on the science. It's true the only person who is protected by wearing a mask, unless you have the healthcare 94 mask is the other person, but it's also true that Oxygen or fresh air can minimize the virus, and lastly by continuing to wear a mask for long period can cause many respiratory issues, mainly because you are breathing the same air that you just exhaled, and you are breathing more shallowly. So all of you that think by wearing a mask is protecting you it is not the only thing is you are protecting everyone else. BTW there were over 600k people who die of cancer every year.

First, who wears masks for long periods of time? How long are you in Publix or Target or a takeout restaurant?
Second, if this is all about FREEDOM, i assume you feel its ok for smokers to dishonor No Smoking signs too? (and tons of other similar examples)

[graciegirl]

Amazing how so many people gave up what this country is about FREEDOM, if you don't want to go to the Rec centers because of this change than don't. But let me educate you on the science. It's true the only person who is protected by wearing a mask, unless you have the healthcare 94 mask is the other person, but it's also true that Oxygen or fresh air can minimize the virus, and lastly by continuing to wear a mask for long period can cause many respiratory issues, mainly because you are breathing the same air that you just exhaled, and you are breathing more shallowly. So all of you that think by wearing a mask is protecting you it is not the only thing is you are protecting everyone else. BTW there were over 600k people who die of cancer every year.


I cannot see how our American freedoms have anything to do with this at all. This is about a new threat to our health. A real virus. "They" do know that it is far more deadly to the people who are over 65. In fact 80% of those who died of this virus, this specific virus which most people call Covid-19, Eighty percent of the people who died of it in the time since March 15th of this year in the U.S. were older than 65 years of age.

Cancer is not contagious. Covid-19 is contagious. Old people who catch it are much more prone to get very sick. They now define those who take at least one pill, one medication, every day as at risk if you are older. I take a pill for blood pressure, and one for high thyroid and one to lower my cholesterol. So as healthy as I feel, I am at risk.

Fresh air is good for you. Sunshine does kill the virus. It is still circulating, maybe waning with the season as viruses sometimes do, but it is still possible to catch Covid-19 and end up in the hospital with it, by standing too close to another person who is actively shedding the virus and do not appear or feel sick.

I am not a medical person. I am a retired nursery school teacher. There is a fellow who posts on here who jumps on me to correct me because sometimes I do say it wrong. I don't know what he did for a living. He won't say. His name is GoodLife. You ask him.

My interest in this virus is just staying alive. I really, really like being alive, even if I am in my house cleaning closets and watching TV and painting with my watercolors. We have a pool now for the first time in our lives. I am blessed with a husband who is patient and funny and very nice looking. He has been hanging around for 58 years. He plays golf and drives alone in his cart and doesn't eat lunch out. Our daughter who lives with us and who has Williams Syndrome is at risk too, because of her congenital heart problems.

I know the three of us would love to go eat out, but we will wait for now, and feel very bad for the people who are out of work at restaurants.

[speedo8357]

There is more to life than having a pulse. While I do not throw caution to the wind — and I do exercise good personal hygiene, I do not intend to live my life under a rock (or a mask). It’s time to get on with the business of living. The curve is flattened. Any additional measures to “contain” this epidemic will only extend its life.

[Advogado]

Buried in the fine print of the May 28 Rec News page 13 in two places): "Face masks will be required any time individuals are within 6 feet of each other." Page 5 says, after "REQUESTED" "(if closer than 6 ft mask required)."

Since closer than 6 feet will happen when checking in (unless the Rec Department stops registering ID's) and at many activities within a Rec Center, the anti-maskers will apparently have to suck it up and bring a mask when they go to Rec Centers. It should be interesting to see how that provision is enforced, given how little publicity it has gotten.

[coffeebean]

Buried in the fine print of the May 28 Rec News (page 13 in two places): "Face masks will be required any time individuals are within 6 feet of each other."

Since that will happen when checking in (unless the Rec Department stops registering ID's) and at many activities within a Rec Center, the anti-maskers will have to suck it up and bring a mask when they go to Rec Centers. It should be interesting to see how that provision is enforced, given how little publicity it has gotten.

Yes, it does say REQUIRED rather than requested. Seems The Villages has vascilated between these two words and they are a world of difference apart. This week masks are REQUIRED if within 6 feet of another person. Fair enough. Just wish they would put this in BIG print so it is obvious.

Let's see how well this mandate will be enforced.

[Advogado]

Yes, it does say REQUIRED rather than requested. Seems The Villages has vascilated between these two words and they are a world of difference apart. This week masks are REQUIRED if within 6 feet of another person. Fair enough. Just wish they would put this in BIG print so it is obvious.

Let's see how well this mandate will be enforced.

Absolutely. I was surprised to find the requirement buried on page 13. Enforcement is probably going to be a problem since the requirement is not generally known, but I was pleased to see the requirement. If enforced, it will save illnesses and lives and reduce the liability exposure of the amenity system.

[coffeebean]

Signage should be the key to relay the message that masks are REQUIRED but they surely don't need me to tell them that. I'm sure TPTB will come up with great signage at all the rec centers for all to see.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

First, who wears masks for long periods of time? How long are you in Publix or Target or a takeout restaurant?
Second, if this is all about FREEDOM, i assume you feel its ok for smokers to dishonor No Smoking signs too? (and tons of other similar examples)

Between 4 and 8 hours a day, 2-4 days every week. That's only on the days that I'm at work (I work for Publix).

I also wear it when I go into stores - though today I forgot to bring my clean one with me to Walmart. I felt bad about that.

I don't wear it outside.

For me, it IS about freedom. Freedom to be at a reasonably reduced risk of death.

[jet10s]

I just do not understand the hesitancy of responsible organization to enforce a KNOWN action to reduce potential infections.

By not enforcing they are abandoning the safety of the many for the sake of the few (whinners)....unless they are one also!!!!!
not known -- New England Journal of Medicine - May 21, 2020 Perspective on Universal Masking
We know that wearing a mask outside health care facilities offers little, if any, protection from infection. Public health authorities define a significant exposure to Covid-19 as face-to-face contact within 6 feet with a patient with symptomatic Covid-19 that is sustained for at least a few minutes (and some say more than 10 minutes or even 30 minutes). The chance of catching Covid-19 from a passing interaction in a public space is therefore minimal. In many cases, the desire for widespread masking is a reflexive reaction to anxiety over the pandemic. DOI: 10.1056/NEJM p2006372

[Advogado]

[QUOTE=jet10s;1775488]not known -- New England Journal of Medicine - May 21, 2020 Perspective on Universal Masking


I read that article, and the reasoning is hard to follow. In any event, here is a quote from another article that appeared a week later in the same publication. So take your pick. I personally will go with the view of the CDD and virtually every other epidemiologist in the country.

"Ultimately, the rapid spread of Covid-19 across the United States and the globe, the clear evidence of SARS-CoV-2 transmission from asymptomatic persons, and the eventual need to relax current social distancing practices argue for broadened SARS-CoV-2 testing to include asymptomatic persons in prioritized settings. These factors also support the case for the general public to use face masks when in crowded outdoor or indoor spaces. This unprecedented pandemic calls for unprecedented measures to achieve its ultimate defeat."

You might take a look at this as well: Top journal retracts study claiming masks ineffective in preventing COVID-19 spread – Retraction Watch (https://retractionwatch.com/2020/06/01/top-journal-retracts-study-claiming-masks-ineffective-in-preventing-covid-19-spread/)

[cookies]

The mask policy is not consistent. Optional wear in the Rec-Center, however, a mask must be worn when you check in @ the fitness center. After checking in the mask is optional. Finally, if in the event you need to do any business @ the district office a mask must be worn. Hard not to feel that some are considered more valuable than others.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

The mask policy is not consistent. Optional wear in the Rec-Center, however, a mask must be worn when you check in @ the fitness center. After checking in the mask is optional. Finally, if in the event you need to do any business @ the district office a mask must be worn. Hard not to feel that some are considered more valuable than others.

What I've been doing, is putting the mask on at the door on the way in. If I notice that people are respecting each others' space, but not wearing the mask, I'll take mine off and enjoy breathing unimpeded by cloth again. If they are mostly wearing their masks, I'll keep mine on out of respect for the majority preference. If they aren't wearing masks, AND not respecting each others' space, I'll keep it on to provide myself with at least some amount of protection against their germs.

Of course if the sign outside says YOU MUST WEAR A MASK I'll wear one out of respect for the rules of the place I'm in, no matter what.

[Bay Kid]

If you are too close together and you forgot your mask just declare you are protesting. Some just aren't worried.