LOL, well some people are wrong, has been challanged

Physicians take on "no more masks"
 

It's a question on everyone's minds: What can you do once you're vaccinated?
Dr. Bob Wachter, the chair of UCSF's department of medicine who has become among the most widely quoted coronavirus experts in the country, shared his response to this question.
Wachter wrote on Twitter that after getting vaccinated, he flew to Florida to visit his parents, ages 85 and 90, and wore two masks (not N95) but no face shield on the plane. He hugged his mother, who is vaccinated, but not his father, who is not.
Wachter's response suggests that the vaccine offers new freedom to do things that have been deemed unsafe amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but precautions should still be taken.
If you've recently received a jab or two in your arm, you're probably starting to think about what activities you'd like to do as you return to a less-restricted everyday life. To help you navigate your new life with a vaccination, we've looked to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and experts, including Wachter, for their advice on what you can do safely if you're vaccinated.
One important point to keep in mind when you get vaccinated: Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two doses, and they're not fully effective, reaching 95% efficacy against illness, until two weeks after the second dose. The single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine reaches 85% efficacy against severe disease after two weeks.
On to the questions ...
Q: Can you throw caution to the wind when vaccinated?
A: "No, not caution to the wind," Wachter wrote in an email. "The chances of you getting really sick and dying are essentially zero. But there is still a small chance of getting mild COVID, and some chance (odds still not known) of catching asymptomtic COVID and giving it to someone else. My preference is not to get it period, and definitely not to spread it — particularly if I’m around someone who is vulnerable (like someone over 70). So I am more comfortable doing things (like getting a haircut and flying) but still doing masks and distancing, trying my best to avoid being exposed."
Wachter's stance that you still need to be careful if you're vaccinated is the consensus among experts, and Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, a professor of medicine at UCSF, said this is especially important in an "unregulated environment," such as inside a grocery store, on a bus or in any group situation.
“You’re in a mixed crowd, and we don’t know who has been vaccinated and who is not," said Chin-Hong.
Q: Do I still need to wear a mask in public if I’m vaccinated?
A: The CDC advises that people continue to wear a mask and so do the experts.
"I think you should be wearing a mask in public since you don’t know the immunity status of the people you’ll be in contact with," Wachter advised.
"Yes, you still need to wear a mask," concurred Chin-Hong. "I don’t know if I have protection myself in a large unregulated setting and I still could potentially transmit it to others.”
Q: Do I still need to wear a mask on a run if I’m vaccinated?
A: "Depends how close you’ll come to people, and what the local rules say," Wachter wrote. "But the chances that you’ll catch COVID and that you’ll spread it to others have gone down substantially. So if the rules allow you to run without a mask, and you won’t be coming close to people, I think it’s fine not to wear a mask."
“Yes, you should wear a mask in crowded places," explained Chin-Hong. "If you’re running in Golden Gate Park in an area where there's not a lot of people, you probably don’t need it.”
Q: Can I travel on a plane safely?
A: Vaccinated or not, the CDC still recommends essential travel only, but health officials say that if you do fly, you're much safer with a vaccine than without one.
Wachter said that while he just flew to visit his elderly parents in Florida, he wouldn’t have done it last month. "I wore a double mask and when people around me took off their masks to eat, I kept mine on," he wrote in an email. "The air is filtered on the plane quite well, so I felt that after 10-15 minutes after people had their masks back on, it was safe for me to remove mine to (quickly) grab a bite to eat. I ate and drank very quickly and immediately put back the mask when done."
Chin-Hong agreed that the risk is low on a plane if you're vaccinated and sporting a face covering.
"The vaccine should give you peace of mind that at least you wouldn’t get severe disease and you have a very low chance of getting infected," Chin-Hong said. "I would definitely have a soda on the plane. I might even go into the bathroom but I would keep my mask on.”
Q: If parents are vaccinated and children are not, can the family fly to international destinations?
A: International is trickier due to the concern about carrying worrisome mutations from one country to another — and especially with unvaccinated children.
"The kids are safer than adults (particularly if under 12) but the risk to them isn’t zero, and some of the new variants appear to be harder on kids than the old virus," Wachter said. "I’d wait until everybody is vaccinated — vaccine for kids will probably be ready in the fall."
While Hawaii isn't an overseas destination, it offers a getaway and, Chin-Hong said, "Hawaii is very safe right now." He also advised against countries where variants are a concern. "I probably wouldn’t take the family to South Africa on a safari," he said.
If you do choose to travel abroad, you can expect countries with quarantine and test requirements to likely add post-vaccination guidelines.
Q: Can I visit my elderly parents who are vaccinated?
A: "Yes, in a small group of vaccinated people it’s going to be fine," said Chin-Hong. "You can give them a hug and have dinner with them."
As noted earlier, Wachter just visited his parents in Florida and his mom was vaccinated, but his father was not. "So I’m hugging her and not him — with him, I’m staying more than 6 feet away, keeping fans on, and wearing mask if I have to be closer," he shared.
Wachter explained on Twitter his father wasn't vaccinated as he's mostly confined to bed. His mother waited three and a half hours in a parking lot site, which his father couldn't have done. His father is a veteran and is signed up for a shot at a nearby Veterans Affairs location soon.
Q: Can I eat indoors at a restaurant?
A: "I wouldn’t," Wachter shared. "There’s still a lot of virus around and I’m going to wait until case rates are lower. If you do, make sure waiter is wearing mask, and wear yours until you eat."
“You will have more security in these places with a vaccinated individual and your individual chance of getting infected is very low, but I would still use protection, wear a mask," said Chin-Hong. "You’re protecting the staff. Wait staff are only starting to get vaccinated. The chances are very low. You want to give them the benefit of the doubt. I still personally feel better outdoors, but if there was a big snowstorm and I had to eat indoors I would be OK with it."
Q: Can I have other vaccinated people over for an indoor dinner and sit close and not wear masks?
A: "Yes, a small group of vaccinated people getting together should be safe," said Wachter.
“Yes for a modest crowd, five or six max," specified Chin-Hong. "You want to make sure you know where they are in their vaccination. Generally two weeks after the second dose is the mantra for being safe."
Q: Can I have unvaccinated people over for an indoor dinner and sit close and not wear masks?
A: "I would not," Wachter said. "Again, there is a small but real chance that you can be infected and spread it to one of them — particularly if they’re high risk (older age, maybe they have a pre-existing condition you don’t know about), it could be a problem. Also, if they’re unvaccinated they could infect you — you won’t get super sick but I’d still rather not have COVID, since we’re not sure about the possibility of long-term problems from even asymptomatic infection (though it seems unlikely). Anyway, I wouldn’t risk it. Outdoors should be fine."
Chin-Hong agree it's wise to skip indoor gatherings, no matter how small, with unvaccinated friends.
“If unvaccinated people are visiting me, I’d still want to do it outside and be safe," he said. "Not only might I give it to them, I would worry they might give it to each other."
Q: Can I throw a birthday party at my house with a mix of vaccinated and unvaccinated people?
A: The CDC advises against gathering in large groups event if you're vaccinated, and so do both Chin-Hong and Wachter. "Birthday parties are exciting, and you’d be singing, yelping in joy and having a lot of aerosols in an indoor place," Chin-Hong said. "That would be scary. Keep it outside and do social distance and have the extra protection of a mask.”
Wachter added that if everyone at the party were fully vaccinated, it should be OK, but "mixture is risky if you’re inside, less so if outside."

Like the medical providers there are businesses in TV that require one to wear a mask.....you are given a choice of
> wear your mask
>they will provide you a mask
>you may leave

They can and are doing so.

Interesting. Haven't seen any yet, and I also haven't been limited in my shopping. However, I respect their signs if posted and wear a mask when they display the request.

Not going to concern myself with it in a few days as I will be virus free and protected without a mask. I will still wash my hands frequently, as it is an old habit from living overseas.

I do trust the vaccine. I'm looking forward to the day I'm eligible to get it. As are millions of people in Florida, and billions around the world. But we're not even close to "most" people being vaccinated yet. Many of us aren't eligible to get it yet. Many are eligible, and are still waiting for their appointments.

So for those of us who choose to not isolate ourselves, but have a practical, scientifically-based, reasonable concern (not panic) about being out in public while vulnerable to a deadly virus, I am continuing to mask when I'm inside other peoples' buildings. Reducing the anxiety that MANY people have when they go out, at next to zero inconvenience or expense to ourselves, is the humane thing to do.

2021 0305 Friday @ 15:05
It sounds as though you are flaunting your immunity. So be it. Now, do some good: Go volunteer in an assisted living facility, without your mask, of course.

Good question. Then again, how does one "flaunt" their immunity? I think he/she is looking at the subject through a glass half empty. If I decide to go mask-less, I do not consider it "flaunting" rather giving others a sense of security/safety by suggesting that I am safe to be around because I have been vaccinated. I sincerely hope that this mask addiction or dependency does not result in a mandate to wear a mask during flu season.
We have already seen how this virus has become political and profitable for those in D.C. After all, 90% of the Covid relief package is nothing to do with the virus, but just plain old pork. I think some are seeing dollar signs at the cost of the taxpayers. I will stop there so that my comment is not construed as political.
When I cease wearing my mask, it is NOT to flaunt my immunity, but to give folks confidence that some of us are being proactive in stopping the spread. In my opinion, wearing a useless mask in public ONLY gives folks a false sense of security and safety. I am not saying that there is not a certain element of protection even with a bit of thin cloth over the mouth and nose.
I will not disparage those that are scared and wish to protect themselves. I just want them to know that we live in a free society that allows differing opinions. Sometimes, it just takes me longer to prove that mine is right....:icon_wink:

Incrementalism at work.

There are restrictions on what they can demand on their own property that is open to the public. Are you OK with them restricting entry by minorities or religious preference? How about no gays or LGTQURSTVJKL or whatever? See there restrictions on what they can demand you comply with.

Lions & tigers & bears, oh my! (Dorothy, Wizard of Oz)

I am in FL for the winter & there are no mask mandates in this state. FL is right in the middle as to the number of COVID cases. Some businesses have mask rules but they don't enforce them. I haven't worn a mask since this thing started a year ago, had COVID which was no big deal (as it is for 99.9% of people), and am NOT going to wear a mask or get a vaccine rushed into production with genetic instructions.

Are you going to wear a mask and hide from the world forever? Enough is enough!

“People are sheep. TV is the shepherd.”
― Jess C. Scott, (Gluttony): A Twilight Parody

Dr.Fauci suggests that we may not be able to go mask free until sometime in 2022. Not exactly exciting to look forward to, a year more of a dark cloud over everyone's head. Now, that is a glass half empty.

Masks, and lack thereof, are not covered under the American Civil Liberties Act. Mask wearers, and mask refusers, are not protected classes.

And if you want people to believe you actually possess the ability for intelligent discourse, you might want to learn the terms being used by intelligent people.

It's LGBTQ, or LGB, or LGBTQ+ - any of them will get the point across without looking like someone who doesn't really pay attention to the things he pretends to care about.

I guess you just haven't been listening to the experts and the science. EVERYONE has personal space. Don't invade mine or I will verbally let you have it.

The keyword is being polite. I'm always polite when I ask folks to keep their distance. It's the eye rolls and the smirks that get me going. THEN I'll let you have it!!!!!

Ouch ....that scares me to no end! :ohdear::ohdear:

And you're proud of that fact? WOW. just WOW!

I'm proud of the fact I haven't worn a mask since last March.

I was under the impression that a store can make their own rules. Some choose not to enforce their own rules though.They can ask you to vacate the premises if you do not follow their rules, what ever those rules are. Is that an incorrect impression?

Florida has not had a mask mandate however, many businesses in our local area have required masks. I believe that is what has kept our numbers from skyrocketing. We are seniors in these parts and most of us have done our best to help to slow the spread of this virus. Masking and distancing has been alive and well for us seniors who value life and the continuation of breathing without a respirator.

Just when we have been asked to not only stay the course but to ramp up what we have been doing all along. We are getting close to that light at the end of the tunnel but we aren't there yet. I'm going to continue to mask and certainly keep my distance from everyone with the exception of my husband. I'm protected but I'm wearing a mask to protect the folks who have not been vaccinated yet.

Being controlled and losing Freedom is alway laughable to me. No one was controlled and no freedom was lost. Of course we have been asked to wear masks until 80% of the US population has received their vaccination but people have done what they wanted from day one.

We have only worn a mask when a place required it. I don’t believe in wearing a mask walking around outside. If the virus was in the “air” we would have all gotten sick! I am with you. I am only 57, I would like the vaccine but it hasn’t stopped me from going out.

Thank you Boomer! I was wondering who was going to break this news on TOTV. I'm absolutely LIVID about this. They could have done so much good, not just four our country but for the world by setting a good example especially for those folks who are on the fence about being vaccinated. His supporters are notorious anti-vaxxers. He just may have given them pause to reconsider inoculation.

He did not set a good example for America for Universal Masking, in fact he mocked those who wore masks. He has done it again by being secretive about getting their vaccinations. Why didn't they roll up their sleeves for the cameras like other celebrities and politicians have for the good of our country? I know the answer but I had better not voice it on this forum.

I implicitly trust the Moderna vaccine I received. The vaccines are what is going to get us out of this global mess. It will be the vaccines that will get us to a SAFE herd immunity. We aren't there yet so I will continue to mask to protect those who have not been able to be vaccinated yet.

There is evidence that vaccinated people are not contagious and will not infect others if they do contract the virus. Until all testing is completed and we vaccinated people are told there is no way we can infect others, I will continue to wear my mask and keep my distance from others. I'm protected and I feel as safe now as I did pre-pandemic so my wearing a mask is not out of fear. It is for my respect and empathy for those who are clamoring to be vaccinated.

Really? I've never heard that.

You contradict yourself.....quite often I might add

The laws, or the Constitution?

Do you realize that you are personally responsible for perpetuating this pandemic? Are you proud you have not done your part to slow the spread of this virus? That is NOTHING to be proud about.

No way in hell do I ever contradict myself. Give me one example.

I have never heard that there are people who think the seat belt laws are unconstitutional. I was responding to another poster when I said that so I just spelled it out for you. Better now?

Too many post's to look back on and quote
You know.....

Now things are getting incoherant.

The point is Florida hasn’t had a mask mandate and has only had minimal shutdowns of restaurants, gyms, hair salons, etc.. Yet other states that have had strict mask mandates, long term shutdowns of businesses and tight restrictions on gatherings have done no better than Florida.
The numbers don’t lie. Mask wearing has had little to no appreciable effect on the spread of the Corona virus.

Soon most people will have been vaccinated or are already immune as a result of having had COVID. You would think we could be done with masks, distancing and all of the fear. Wrong! Now, depending on what “expert” you want to believe, we are to continue to wear masks & practice social distancing...until when…forever? Enough is enough!

If fate or your god or the universe has you marked for death in the near future, do you really want to spend your last few precious days/months/years hiding behind a mask, avoiding people, avoiding family and enjoyable activities, living in fear, and rarely venturing outside the home because a small percentage of people (who by & large already have issues) have died? Yes, the millions of deaths worldwide attributed to COVID do seem staggering but when compared to a world population of billions, the actual percentage is very small.

For a person who has lived a full & enjoyable life, why suddenly stop living now? A nursing home bed awaits replete with adult diapers, thickened liquids, and pureed foods. Is that the future we are saving ourselves for?

John Augustus Shedd was an American author and professor. In 1928 he penned "Salt from My Attic", a collection of aphorisms and apothegms in which he noted, “A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.”

I haven't worn a mask since this thing started a year ago, have had COVID which was no big deal (as it is for 99.9% of people), and am NOT going to wear a mask or get a vaccine rushed into production with genetic instructions.

Are you going to wear a mask and hide from the world forever? Enough is enough!

Dave Dallas
Village of Bradford

“Dying is nothing; what's terrible is not to live.”
-Victor Hugo, Les Miserables

How about subject matter? As you probably have already figured out, I am extremely passionate about certain subject matters. No one has ever pointed out to me that I contradict myself or have made statements that were false. Much of what I say I have looked up and researched. Google is my friend. I am straight forward with my thinking and I make no bones about my thoughts on the subjects I am passionate about. I honestly don't think I contradict myself on anything. I would really like to know where you feel I do. When I give my opinion on things, I say it is my opinion. IMHO means "in my humble opinion". I've been using that acronym quite frequently lately. I have also used SMDH some lately. That means "shaking my damn head".

If anyone else who has read my posts feel that I am contracting myself, please feel free to let me know when I have done that. I'm all ears.

You have stated that if we had all worn masks the virus would have been over by now.
You have also stated that you know that wearing masks was only to help slow the spread of the virus not to irradiate it.
Sounds pretty contradictory to me...

I'll be honest with you. I have had a ball sparring with you this evening. You are new to me as I've never seen your posts before. It's been fun. I always enjoy a meeting of the minds. I will be happy to agree to disagree with you. Take care.

Yeah, my space; I can control the space around me. If you can't, then that's YOUR problem.

I'm around the public for about 10+ hours a day; I've worn a mask everyday since this started a year ago and haven't been infected yet. Maybe it's luck; maybe it's keeping people out of my space.

My words and thoughts are not being correctly relayed here. What I actually commented on was that if EVERYONE wore masks and distanced from the very beginning, we would not be in such mess of a pandemic here in the US. We did not do very well managing the pandemic and we as a population should be embarrassed on the word stage. I still feel this way and have not changed my view.

I never said masking would "eradicate" the virus, but it certainly would have put all of us in a better place. I would not think that eradication was possible actually. The virologists and immunologists told us that masking and distancing would slow the spread of the virus and I believed them. That is the word I was trying to impress to the folks who were resisting the guidelines by the CDC.

If I ever gave you the impression that I thought masking would eradicate this virus, I apologize for that. I must have used the term "slow the spread of the virus" at least a hundred times in all my postings.

I thank you for your input.