There are times, like these, where I really wished that Darwinism worked immediately and was highly selective.

I have seen many Villagers that are obviously not from the same household in Restaurants and the Squares sitting or standing face to face and shoulder to shoulder and no more distant than 1 or 2 feet - talking and sometimes laughing and yelling into the face of another human being. And we all KNOW this happens!

Restaurants, bars, and nursing homes are known to have the highest instances of CV spread. WE have to choose between loving our neighbor and preventing them from dying or becoming a "long hauler" or choosing to keep bars and restaurants open and to keep their owners making their MONEY. Love versus Money. It has been the dilemma throughout history. Personally, I feel that the bar and restaurant owners NEEDED to SAVE their profits for this CV rainy day. They can either close, modify to delivery, invest in the stock market, or just try some other business. That would be an inconvenience to them, but it would NOT kill them and possibly kill their unsuspecting customers. We can NOT pretend this Pandemic away!

First off, I am not Cliff Claven like a certain poster seems to think they are.

I believe that masks help a LITTLE bit, but I read yesterday where a doctor wrote that masks CAN cause a person a higher risk of contracting the virus than some without a mask. Why? He says most masks being used are not tight enough to keep the virus in or out and that even small venting on the sides or above the nose area cause an air vortex that speeds the possible virus spores[my term] in or out of the person breathing through the mask. He said only well made, certified masks are really protecting and that most masks help maybe 30% if that.

The person that said you get your vit D via sunshine is not totally correct, according to many doctors. Once you reach a certain age [seniors] your ability to absorb vit D via the sun is reduced dramatically. I am outside to the extent of having to worry about skin cancer, but my vit D was down and the doctor prescribed supplements.

For those that suggest that we are NOT patriotic or caring of others if we do not agree to a mask mandate, I can only suggest that you are a needy, weak minded individual that must have the gov nanny tell you what is good for you what you must do. If so, I find it hard to believe that you are still alive after so many years. You folks that NEED the gov to mandate your behavior or the behavior of those you do not agree with, really should live in a socialist or communist country so that you can fully appreciate what you current take for granted.......FREEDOM and LIBERTY.

Before you jump on me (jump if you wish) I wear a mask when I deem it necessary and do not need anyone dictating when that time is to me. Do not equate wearing a mask with wearing a seat belt, motorcycle helmet, smoking or wearing a shirt in a business. It is not the same. I wear a mask now but tell me that you want to make it a law and I will start wearing it down around my neck. You are probably the same folks that want to "defund" the police so I am interested in how you would enforce mask wearing. As a matter of fact, I would like to see if any of you would be the neighbor that would do like the commies did in the USSR and rat out your neighbor to the authorities when you see them not wearing a mask.

If the gov mandates mask wearing, they can mandate that you wear a mask during flu season, etc. Then they will be able to mandate that you wear a certain color attire. I have been to countries where the gov shuts off the water to the homes during the day. I think some of you really NEED to live in one of those countries. It would do you good. You would not be on here complaining about "irresponsible citizens" that don't care about their fellow man. Guess what, there is no law that dictates how one should care about their fellow man. You act like you can shame someone into conforming to your standards. Get over it. Do I care if you succumb to evil virus? I don't know you, so why should I? Explain why I should care about you when you do not care about my country's FREEDOM. Everyone dies and every death is a tragedy, but no one gets out of here alive.

If you are too scared to live your own life, how do you expect to give us advice on how we should live our own? Live your life, stay away from me, wear you mask if you feel it will help you, but do not demand that I give a hoot about your needs. Charity is voluntary, demands are taxes as far as I see it.

For the one that suggests that C19 has side effects, I think you should be more truthful and less "know it all." Not everyone has life threatening or long lasting side effects from the virus, according to a doctor friend of mine that survived the virus along with his wife. When folks first started talking about the "side effects" it was when they were using ventilators and experimenting with possible remedies. Everyone knows the possible side effects of being on a ventilator for a sustained period. Before getting hysterical and telling folks that they are going to suffer for the rest of their lives if a mask mandate is not enforced, think about the "side effects" of your hysterical exaggerating can do.

Moral of the story is: be careful of what you ask the gov to do, because the more you give them control, the more of a slave you are to the gov. One does not need a mask mandate. Wear one without being told to and worry less about what others are doing. They are not going to infect you if they are not already infected. I see folks without masks every day and I bet none of them are infected. If they are infected, I am either immune or I do not feel any of the symptoms of the virus, OR I did not catch it from them. If you are scared, stay home. Do not presume to dictate limitations on my LIBERTY.

Many of us Villagers are waiting to go to be with others. An ounce of prevention.

COVID-19 Deaths by Age | The Heritage Foundation

The economy supports life too.

Very well said.
And you've been around here long enough to know that there isn't just one Cliff Claven on this site. Probably more like a dozen or two.

And Taiwan was able to do contract tracing because they reacted QUICKLY - like in February. Unlike the US when our intelligence agencies (all 20 of them manned by agents drawing BIG taxpayer salaries) KNEW about the coming CV Plague but were SILENCED, in February. Remember Bob Woodward? We missed the CV contact tracing boat in February and today a state like North Dakota has the WORLD's highest mortality rate. I can see how dead North Dakotans link back to that February "Sound of Silence".

Oh yes, by the way. I was listening to the so-called experts on TV that said that children should be back in school. I agree, they should be back in school. But the most incredulous thing I heard was a "doctor" on TV say that the children are safer in school than at home. Now, I believe kids should be back in school, but do not try to pull the wool over my eyes by insulting me by telling me that they are "safer" in school than at home. Where do kids catch all childhood diseases and bring them home from? The correct answer is "SCHOOL."
Just goes to show you that when you rely on EXPERTS to make your decisions, you are giving up your ability to use your common sense. Can't wait to hear the arguments from this statement. Safer in school than at home, ,:1rotfl: :1rotfl: :1rotfl:

And that shines a spotlight on the reason (citizen non-cooperation) why the US is one big FAILURE at protecting its citizens. It is an irony that comes full CIRCLE. Another GRIM irony is that we are rejecting Dr. Fauci, the CDC, and ALL US medical experts and SCIENTISTS when they say, "mask-up and stay distant from each other". BUT, we look to those SAME Medical Scientists to " throw us a lifeline" of a vaccine.

It is also American vanity and laziness that is saying, "do nothing to help yourself and passively wait for Doctors and nurses to 'shoot that magic juice to me Bruce' ".

Currently you are correct, but I am not so sure the same can be said a few years from now...unfortunately.:boom:

I do not agree with the OP's underlying premise, but there was also a request to call politicians (some how that's not political on this forum).

So I honored your request to call, but my message was: "You may be getting calls to issue a "mask mandate" in areas beyond the authority inherit in your office. Attempting (whether successful or not), to exercise authority beyond those inherit in your office will, without exception, permanently damage my image of you for life."

BTW No single office holder has any legal authority to mandate masks nationwide!!!

If you want politicians to act like parents, then you are a child and thus an incompetent adult who is by law disallowed from voting!!!

Well written - to condense SO much knowledge in a short post. Thank you! With Global Warming continuing and global trade links and travel increasing it is LOGICAL to expect future Pandemics. Our next-generation MAY (?) live their business lives outside their homes while wearing HAZ-MAT suits. The virus could EVOLVE faster than humans do!

Thank you for reporting REALITY.

We need to put this mask / no mask BS to bed. It ain't gonna happen. My friend in TV and his wife were tested. He came back positive with antibodies....his wife negative.
Tested next day.....he was negative as was she. Tested a third time, both were negative. So I can't believe the tests, and can't believe the mask theory.
Covid virus WILL TOUCH EVERYBODY in this country...unless you are in solitary confinement. So you might as well catch it when you are healthy. If you believe that a mask will protect you, then God bless you. Because you're going to need it (the blessing).

Totally agree with all of your post, but especially the last line. Kudos for putting some of these WEAK people in the spotlight.

I think that I recognize your writing style.

The truth is that the US ranks around 30th on ALL quality of life measurable (not subjective) issues on the world list. The Scandinavian Countries tend to rank in the top 10. I did not look up Taiwan recently, but I would guess (?) that they rank higher than the US. But, there is no real point in doing that because the example of Taiwan was used to simply show what is possible with CV (and CV only). The post did NOT try to say that Taiwan was superior to the US in EVERYTHING - just in ADAPTATION to CV.

That is correct!!!!! I had forgotten that. More proof positive that masks work !!!!!

I looked up this guy and he is an author and historian. Sorry, but I'm not listening to anyone who is not a scientist, doctor or epidemiologist. I watched the first 3 minutes and saw enough of what this man has to say.

You should read the "Americans with Disabilities Act"...

Perfectly stated. Those who wear masks are doing it for other's safety, not their own. But, having said that, if everyone wore masks then EVERYONE would be protected. Couple universal mask wearing with social distancing and we will get the upper hand with this virus.

That depends on how many people are willing to be vaccinated. Just wondering, are those who are all about their freedoms and refusal to wear masks the people who will refuse to be vaccinated?

One more query.....do those who are all about their freedoms and refuse to wear masks also defy the guideline to social distance and continue to congregate in groups?

I see by your post count you are new to this forum. My advice to you is not to click on any thread topic that you are not interested in. It is your choice to read the thread or not.

There is a simple answer. Mask mandates are not being enforced. There are still too many people who refuse to wear masks and refuse to keep their distance from others. Those are the folks who are spreading this virus. To bad for us.

To click or not to click (on the thread). That is the question.

The reality is that it hasn't really been an "explosion" comparetively. This is copied from Today's Leesburg Commercial;

"LEESBURG — Lake County added 67 positive COVID-19 cases to its rolls from Sunday to Monday, according to the Monday update from the Florida Department of Health.

Sumter added 16 confirmed cases in that time.

That brings the total count to 10,151 cases in Lake County and 3,308 in Sumter.

Lake County also recorded one new COVID-related death. Sumter added no new deaths.

The local fatality total is now 337 — 92 in Sumter County and 245 in lake.

In Lake, the fatality rate stands at 2.43% among residents. In Sumter, it's 2.8%.

Both are higher than the state average of 1.94% among positive residents.

Meanwhile, the daily rate of positivity increased in both counties from Sunday to Monday.

A total of 2.93% of the 596 tests received Monday in Sumter County were positive, compared to 1.8% Sunday.


Of the 760 test results reported in Lake Monday, 7.88% of them were positive, up from 5.5% Sunday.

In Florida overall, the state reported the results of 86,955 tests Monday and 6.99% or 6,080, were positive.

As Thanksgiving approaches, the CDC has recommended people avoid traveling for the holiday.

Still some will take the risk.

Locally, Adult Medicine of Lake County and the county itself have partnered to offer free rapid testing, which could help residents make responsible decisions when it comes to traveling and family gatherings.

Rapid testing at the Lake Square Mall in Leesburg goes from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. They are closed on Thanksgiving Day.

Individuals with insurance must bring a photo ID. Testing is available for children ages 3 and oup.

Here's a breakdown of confirmed cases by city:
Lake

Clermont: 2,694

Leesburg: 1,720

Tavares: 908

Eustis: 852

Mount Dora: 795

Groveland: 698

Lady Lake: 464

Minneola: 266

Sorrento: 263

Mascotte: 252

Fruitland Park: 235

Umatilla: 220

Montverde: 153

Grand Island: 118

Howey-in-the-Hills: 79

Astatula: 74

The Villages: 59

Astor: 50

Altoona: 43

Paisley: 42

Yalaha: 36

Okahumpka: 19

Ferndale: 5

Deer Island: 3

Mount Plymouth: 3

Bella Collina: 3

Deer Island: 3

DeLand: 1

Missing: 1

Sumter

The Villages: 1,042

Coleman: 716

Wildwood: 521

Bushnell: 419

Oxford: 170

Webster: 135

Lake Panasoffkee: 98

Center Hill: 71

Sumterville: 62

Lady Lake: 54

Nope, doesn't work for me. Don't bother with the T-shirt.

Again an Island.

I am not about "refusal to wear masks" but a refusal to allow the gov more power over me and my adult decisions.
That said:
No, I will not refuse to get vaccinated based on politics or hysteria. I will make the decision when the time comes. I don't get the flu vaccination because I do not get the flu and rarely get a cold. When I do get a cold it will not last more than two days. I may or may not get the C19 shot. I think I would probably get checked for antibodies first, and if it shows that I have resistance to the virus, I may obtain from it in the beginning so that others that need it more can get it.

I wear masks when I deem it appropriate, based on my sense, not someone else's.
I attempt to social distance all the time, regardless of the disease of the month.
I do not like groups so I do not "congregate."

I do not approve of mandates because I believe that most folks can use their own common sense. And those that have no common sense usually have a short lifespan, so it's no skin off my back what they do as long as it is not obviously dangerous to me or mine. I do not consider someone not wearing a mask to be dangerous UNLESS they have the disease. I do not live on the premise of "what if." I live on fact based common sense and gut felling. It has served me well for 70 years. For those that NEED someone to protect you, I suggest checking into a "care facility."

There are leaders and there are followers. AND there are those that lead from behind (AKA lemmings or followers). Gotta love the fancy way a certain politician used to claim he was "leading from behind." How could anyone follow someone like that? Nuff said.

A big NO on mandates, period.

You didn't quote the person so we have no idea which post you are referring to. So.......which post was it that convinced you to start wearing a mask?

A few? More like couple?

More like a petulant child, actually.

Believe what? You did not quote the post you are referring to. Give us a clue and quote the post when replying to someone. Thanks.

Thank you for the information.
However, as you and I both know, the list of infected is based on the amount of tests performed. In order for accuracy, EVERYONE would have to be tested for the virus.

Like you, I take adequate precautions based on how I decipher and filter the information available. Like you, I do not make decisions based on hysteria and panic. However, I am only concerned with the number of deaths and the number of hospitalizations and the number of those that walked out of the hospital recovered. I believe it was you (correct me if I am mistaken) that stated that in the past few weeks, only two died in the Villages from the virus. Those are that kind of stats I appreciate.

Not true and not factual.

You are part of the problem we have here in America. You very well may have been an asymptomatic carrier of the virus and who know how many people you may have passed the virus to.

Just one question......did you quarantine yourself the the required amount of time when you knew you were in close contact with an infected individual?

I agree. It is one's choice whether or not to read posts or skip to another thread.
It is also one's choice whether or not to wear a mask or not, and not someone else's peer pressure on them.
Demand that the moderator close a thread because one does not like it, is like those that demand someone to wear a mask where they are shopping because they do not like the idea of someone else not wearing a mask. There is no reason to believe there is a danger when a person is not wearing a mask, just mass hysteria making people panic and those that wish to control the narrative as well as control the actions of others.

You ARE joking. Right? Do you realize not having symptoms does not mean you were not infected? Have you been living under a rock since March of this year?