Originally Posted by WinnieHa (Post 1898251)

So many seem to think their expertise is superior to that of the CDC. It is still a CDC recommendation to wear a mask. The rest of the world thinks we’ve lost our minds on this. I continue to have absolutely no problem wearing a mask and find this discussion so tiresome.... but ironically not tiresome enough not to respond. 😆

Originally Posted by Pairadocs (Post 1898326)

Thank You for speaking up! The mask mania makes me uneasy when I see what goes on! Now more and more masks laying on empty lots here in the villages, parking lots, and blown up against fences and barriers. I take very long walks daily and gradually I realized how often now I see this. Yesterday I noticed quite a bit of littering from used masks in the parking area of a sheltered senior residence establishment. I've always thought about the false sense of security that just doing something, anything, gives to people? There is much to be said for anything that gives people emotional comfort in a time of panic, but I also think often about the pitfalls of self delusion ! I question if it was a positive or a negative to urge people to don home made masks and have them believe it will protect them and others, yet the alternative is mass panic so those in government must say anything to prevent that ! Also doubt most people remember what they learned in high school and college lab courses about viruses, bacteria, the differences in spread, load,etc. A true N95 (a LOT of immitations) is very difficult to obtain. People run around thinking anything is better than nothing...possibly could stop some actual large water drop of a sneeze but on the whole, as you point out, this is a VIRUS, wish more people were better educated on this as you related also. People should have gotten a clue when Fauci Send ordinary citizens don't need masks, then said people should wear little cotton homemade masks in an effort to stop the spread, then said two or three masks are better than one while also saying the fabrics in such things as gators, bandanas, etc. are no protection, the very same fabrics all of these homemade and routine food worker type masks are made from; interesting. Then A few very observant people notice That those on television announcing how to protect oneself, wear N95's covered with fashion masks, to match each dress and pant suit of some (women), and black stretch fabric like the exact stretch fabric of a fishing/beach gator.....really ? There is a great deal to be sa id about giving the masses something to do that makes them feel they are protecting themselves it does help governments control side spread panic, but at the same time, there can be many risks, serious unanticipated consequences, when the masses realize they have been duped. Not good situation either. You are so right, it is amazing and worrisome how few really understand even the basics of viruses and none of us know all. The virus is real, don't think that's what people think any more now that most have know someone who died, but the misinformation is at epic levels now and that will certainly not help. Unfortunately vaccines could be the same, we may all fell a false sense of security and unfortunately only time will tell. Anyone else remember the polio debaucle, the death and children paralyzed by faulty vaccine ? I remember how we didn't get to attend the state fair for a couple years due to my parents apprehensions. It was a frightening time and the first vaccine attempts that ended so tragically only served to alarm my parents and others in our community even more !

Originally Posted by Byte1 (Post 1898351)

The CDC recommends wearing a mask until they DON'T recommend it. They are political and folks ought to fact check anything they say. My opinion, but like everything that comes from any government, I prefer to fact check with multiple sources as well as common sense. I am not a conspiracy nut but until the government tells us the truth about how this thing came about, I am skeptical of anything that comes from D.C.

Suspicious or coincident facts:
Over four years ago, our gov gave a large amount of money to the Wu Han lab. For what? Who ever heard of that place before the China virus?
A couple years ago, a Chinese national was caught in an U.S. airport in possession of a suspicious bio hazard vial. No details available.
Not suspicious but interesting:
This vaccination has been in development for several years, for SARs(?), etc.?

Explain this:
The stockpile of PPE was depleted at the beginning of this pandemic. Why? How?
Why is it that with the worldwide contagion running rampant, the CDC knew very little about it? Someone dropped the ball?
Why is it that some podunk town with a very small population was full of infection, yet some of us run around with not a care in the world, not taking any precautions and for the past year plus, not a sniffle or cough? On the other hand, those taking complete care and adamant PPE practicing, catch the deathly infection.......how?

Just throwing out some questions, not really caring if anyone responds. Since everyone wants to debate masks and vaccinations, I thought maybe some would wish to know the reasoning for all of this. Animal market? Sure, and I have some ocean front land in Arizona that I will sell you. A leak from the lab? Sure, and the whole world was instantly infected. Not even nuclear fallout spreads that fast.

Originally Posted by Girlcopper (Post 1898035)

Yes, this virus is no diff than other flus you get vaccines for. It never proposed to insulate you against the virus, you were just open to a milder case and you can spread it.

Originally Posted by terrild53 (Post 1898391)

Covid IS “different than other flus that people get vaccinated for. “ You certainly are entitled to your beliefs about the worst Pandemic the world has encountered in 103 years. It is not a simple influenza.

Originally Posted by Dgizzi (Post 1898400)

No I have not lost anyone that I know. I have had no friends or relatives get sick from COVID. We moved to the villages last March 20, when everything closed down. We have gone out to stores when we have to wear a mask we do, other than that we have sat next to people in bars, restaurants and have never gotten a sniffle. I am 58, my husband is 69. Of all the millions of people in Florida, all the people in this area, COVID has not affected the villages and why is that? I wear a mask to stores if they require. I don’t wear a mask walking outside or in my car. What is the point to that? If it was flying outside in the air, we would ALL be sick.

Originally Posted by jimjamuser (Post 1898238)

CV droplets travel on water vapor drops from breathing. They are large enough to be stopped by masks. That is even common knowledge known since last year.

Originally Posted by DON10E (Post 1897947)

I’ve read that vaccinated people can still be infected. They should be immune but I read they can carry the virus home or elsewhere and pass it to others who are still vulnerable. If true, shouldn’t they continue to wear a mask to reduce the potential to spread it?

Originally Posted by dhdallas (Post 1897910)

The only protection that really works is a N95 facemask that has been properly fitted, discarded & replaced routinely. All of your homemade cloth & surgical masks are of little to no help and can be potentially harmful. Once you wear a mask, that mask is now considered contaminated and should be discarded or disinfected with a bleach solution. If you touch the outside of the mask and touch your face, you just gave a contaminant a way inside your body. In reusing a mask you are breathing through a petri dish of bacteria and worse being fed with your warm humid exhalations.

Now that many people have been vaccinated or have natural immunity the "mask mandates for all" needs to be changed. Just those who have not been vaccinated or do not have natural immunity should wear a mask but one that works, as in a N95.

People who have been vaccinated or have natural immunity from having COVID (like I have) do not need to be masked; it would be pointless.

- David H. Dallas RN, EMT-P (retired)
I am a retired RN, EMT-Paramedic with an ASN degree graduating summa cum laude, a member of 2 national honor societies, with past American Heart Association certifications in Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support.

Getting erroneous & questionable information from the government and putting together homemade charts is not helping anyone but continuing to feed the hysteria & fear. I worked during the onset of AIDS/HIV and H1N1 and never have I seen such a level of misinformation and a bombardment of articles that focus on rare atypical cases.

Originally Posted by popbaby2 (Post 1897867)

After following many discussions in TOTV, I see there are still lots of COVID deniers. COVID is going down, but not very fast and it is still very much of a threat. It went way up over the holidays, as so many people travelled, partied etc. But look at this chart that I put together from data published on The Villages News, which they get from the government. It shows the 7 day average of new cases, and the trend line. Average new cases from July to October were under 10 - even in July. They have dropped from a daily high of 65 beginning of January to 30 over the past week. That is still too high everyone!!!!! Wear your masks, and try social distancing for awhile to see if we can beat this. This would be a terrible way to die. And the death rate for us over 65's is 5% and gets higher as you get older.

Originally Posted by dhdallas (Post 1897910)

The only protection that really works is a N95 facemask that has been properly fitted, discarded & replaced routinely. All of your homemade cloth & surgical masks are of little to no help and can be potentially harmful. Once you wear a mask, that mask is now considered contaminated and should be discarded or disinfected with a bleach solution. If you touch the outside of the mask and touch your face, you just gave a contaminant a way inside your body. In reusing a mask you are breathing through a petri dish of bacteria and worse being fed with your warm humid exhalations.

Now that many people have been vaccinated or have natural immunity the "mask mandates for all" needs to be changed. Just those who have not been vaccinated or do not have natural immunity should wear a mask but one that works, as in a N95.

People who have been vaccinated or have natural immunity from having COVID (like I have) do not need to be masked; it would be pointless.

- David H. Dallas RN, EMT-P (retired)
I am a retired RN, EMT-Paramedic with an ASN degree graduating summa cum laude, a member of 2 national honor societies, with past American Heart Association certifications in Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support.

Getting erroneous & questionable information from the government and putting together homemade charts is not helping anyone but continuing to feed the hysteria & fear. I worked during the onset of AIDS/HIV and H1N1 and never have I seen such a level of misinformation and a bombardment of articles that focus on rare atypical cases.

Originally Posted by J1ceasar (Post 1898486)

Is it true and you can still carry covid germs in your body after being vaccinated and that is possibly why you should wear a mask along with everybody else?

Originally Posted by Byte1 (Post 1898159)

Get the vaccination or don't get it. Wear a mask or don't wear a mask. Go out or cower at home. Your decision, but don't presume to demand that others conform to whatever standard you insist is better than the norm. You all don't seem to get it. I don't modify my lifestyle for your convenience. I had no intention of getting the vaccination until I did some research on it. I decided that it was not dangerous and since I was helping my spouse secure her shots, I found it convenient to go ahead and get mine at the same time. I do not believe that I would have ever become infected, and figured that even if I did, I would shrug it off in a few days. I wear a mask when there is a sign on the door of the business. Once I get my second shot, I will get the flimsiest and thin mask I can find and carry it if I am out shopping in case it is required to enter a business. Many of you demanded that other folks "protect" you by wearing a mask. Now, there will be no reason to think that I am going to infect you because I won't have the virus. I don't have it now, and haven't had it. But, most of you run amok in hysteria thinking that everyone around you is infected.
So, do what you wish to protect yourselves because it is not anyone else's responsibility to take care of you.

Originally Posted by scottiesrgreat@gmail.com (Post 1898025)

Are you *really* doing all you can not to catch it? Have you only eaten the very healthiest of food?, have you exercised each and everyday (getting in at least 10K steps?), have you refrained from drinking alcohol and exposure to all carcinogens?, do you stay at or below your recommended weight? ..... you are demanding that people do everything not to catch it or become ‘spreaders’ - but - really - have you done everything you can do?
*** I am not saying you have to do anything - that is totally your choice .... I am just saying everyone should just demand the best of themselves. ***
All we really have the power to do is be kind and respect the opinions of others.

BTW - just from personal experience - I know MANY people who have died in the last year or two - from many things! I know of someone who fell in their home and died of complications from the fall - yet their cause of death stated ‘Covid’ - merely because they tested positive when admitted to the hospital. I know people in their 80s and 90s who have died of ‘Covid’ - but, I know the severe health issues they had been struggling with for many years. My opinion only - it is unfortunate that their last several months on earth weren’t as enriching as they should have been - because of all the fears and restrictions due to “Covid”. In my opinion, a 96 year old is going to die (it is a blessing they lived to 96!!!) why can’t we make their last weeks on earth as enjoyable as possible - we can’t because people are saying it is more important to fear a virus and stay locked up - than being comforted and surrounded by friends and family in their final days (yes, my opinion - we can and should wear masks to do that).

I am in my 70s and I wear a mask and distance in public - but, I am not angry or hateful of those who do not. I have travelled (by plane) and attended large gatherings many times in the past year - I have lived life - because I know I will die - maybe sooner than later. I want to live into my 80s and 90s - like those I know who have died this past year - but - I certainly do not want to die alone - with only strangers tending to me.

I welcome your opinions - but, please do not be critical of those who simply want to live life - in the short time they have left (and yes, we are doing that wearing mask).

Originally Posted by Jazzman (Post 1898259)

Stop looking at interviews with certain medical professionals that can’t stay away from the cameras and do research on your own. Do you know that the medical experts who work for the government do not recommend or even suggest that if an individual tests positive and shows early signs of infection there isn’t any treatment? They suggest all you can do is go home and tough it out. This type of plan has been refuted by many other infectious disease specialists equally and eminently qualified as the select few you see constantly in the media, as there does exist a number of validated treatment plans with readily available pharmaceuticals that can lessen the degree of the consequences caused by the virus and can lessen the time one suffers from the effects. These professionals are rarely heard as they don’t work for the government.

Originally Posted by jimjamuser (Post 1898208)

The British variant is said to take over in the US around June. It has produced cases close to TV Land recently.

Originally Posted by Swoop (Post 1898402)

And when it comes to pandemics, you seem to have forgotten AIDS...

Originally Posted by jimjamuser (Post 1898238)

CV droplets travel on water vapor drops from breathing. They are large enough to be stopped by masks. That is even common knowledge known since last year.

Originally Posted by Larry chappel (Post 1898520)

Covid is here to stay just like the flu. Oooooooops I forgot the flu worldwide has disappeared. Have you wondered where it went? My guess, it is now being called Covid to pump up the numbers. Maybe you have a better explanation. Wear your masks, hide from friends and family, watch brick and mortar businesses go under and watch of the degradation of our great country into Marxism and poverty. Sorry for being a downer but in less than a month gas is up $.50 a gal. New taxes being announced daily. I for one can not afford an $8000.00 or more federal tax on my home. Just the beginning.

Originally Posted by merrymini (Post 1898068)

Unrelenting fear mongering from the media is driving this.
I would not listen to the “medical experts” because they do not know which end is up.
Long term effects can happen with a vaccine which was developed 10 minutes ago.
I have know many people, of many ages, who got the virus and fully recovered. It is a flu.
It is good to take precautions.
It is most dangerous for people who or ill or debilitated, if you are not one of these, you should be okay.
Hope you leave lots of money to your grandchildren to pay the debt.
And I am really, really sick of hearing about it.

Originally Posted by John41 (Post 1897898)

Warmer weather should bring a reduction in the virus activity. It’s the variants that might keep us wearing masks for years.

Originally Posted by dustflood (Post 1898044)

I am so glad that it has not affected you as it has me. On January 9th I lost my husband to this damn virus so yes everyone needs to be scared.

Originally Posted by popbaby2 (Post 1897867)

After following many discussions in TOTV, I see there are still lots of COVID deniers. COVID is going down, but not very fast and it is still very much of a threat. It went way up over the holidays, as so many people travelled, partied etc. But look at this chart that I put together from data published on The Villages News, which they get from the government. It shows the 7 day average of new cases, and the trend line. Average new cases from July to October were under 10 - even in July. They have dropped from a daily high of 65 beginning of January to 30 over the past week. That is still too high everyone!!!!! Wear your masks, and try social distancing for awhile to see if we can beat this. This would be a terrible way to die. And the death rate for us over 65's is 5% and gets higher as you get older.

Originally Posted by DonnaNi4os (Post 1898710)

My deepest sympathies on the loss of your husband. Our neighborhood lost a wonderful man to COVID-19. My son-in-law lost two cousins. Unfortunately, people don’t believe until it effects them first hand.

Originally Posted by kendi (Post 1898441)

Not all masks are created equal. Knits and those white disposables actually act like sieves splitting the droplets into smaller particles. These smaller droplets then take longer to fall to the ground than the larger ones causing a higher risk for infection.

Originally Posted by Girlcopper (Post 1898471)

Its mandatory they still wear a mask at any business, office where others have to. No one is exempt just because they were vaccinated. Let the battles start shortly with the ones who refuse to mask up. Just because youre vaccinated doesnt mean you arent a carrier. Have consuderation for others and just wear the mask

Originally Posted by Larry chappel (Post 1898525)

THANK YOU!!!! Finally someone who gets it and states facts not government misinformation

Originally Posted by PugMom (Post 1898664)

dittos; this week makes ONE YEAR this fiasco has been going on. if you see me out without a mask, ...mind your own business & leave me out of this chaos.