Originally Posted by jimjamuser (Post 2249561)

Never say never. In the future, things change. There could be a NEW virus and people might have to wear a mask to get on a plane or enter a building. The world has global warming and warming causes more virus growth, not less.

Originally Posted by Ragman (Post 2249602)

COVID is now endemic and will circulate with other respiratory viruses in some form for years to come.

We are now at the point of a personal level of risk. If your health risk is high or toleration of risk is low, by all means mask, distance or do anything that you think necessary. If you fell otherwise , don't. Your physician is the best source of your personal health risk.

I know many more people who have contracted COVID in the past few months, but in almost all cases a relatively mild case (yes, some are more severe especially in older adults or those with comorbidities just like the flu or RSV) All these viruses will wax and wane to an extent.

Personally, I don't intend to mask on a regular basis, but carry a N-95 in case I'm in a doctor's office or other places where there may be a population of ill persons. I will get my annual flu shot, as well as a RSV and COVID booster when available this fall. I ask none of you to do more or less than I, but do wish you would stay home if you have any respiratory symptoms ( as I would have asked 10 years ago, before COVID was a passing thought).

All this debate is good grist for blogs and MSM articles, but would not be frighting to too many people if not for the internet and 24/7 news cycle.

Originally Posted by KJ1325 (Post 2249603)

COVID is just another word for politics and power. Never got a shot. Never got a booster. Hardly ever wore a mask. Never got a flu shot. Grew up on a 1000 acre farm milking 100 head of dairy cows. I think I've been exposed to most diseases and chemicals around. And I'm still here.

Originally Posted by golfing eagles (Post 2249675)

Yep, global warming causes viral infections. That’s a new one 😂😂😂

Originally Posted by golfing eagles (Post 2249675)

Yep, global warming causes viral infections. That’s a new one ������������������

Originally Posted by jimjamuser (Post 2250114)

Global Warming does NOT cause infections to increase - that IS correct. But, it does cause HEAT conditions that ALLOW it to spread. Step outside in the afternoon today and do some yard work or play sports and people will be wringing WET - because your whole system is STRESSED by the HEAT. A heat-related highly stressed human (or any animal) is more prone to heart attack, heat stroke, muscle cramps, and respiratory infections.
........Basically, the HEAT has driven people indoors and COVID hospitalizations are up approximately 20% in Florida.

Originally Posted by mlmarr (Post 2249243)

still believing the nonsense and the stick from China for testing.. so sad a simple cold / flu bug will test postive with the chemical stick ..

Originally Posted by ohiosbestus (Post 2250141)

10 days ago i was having some lung congestion and called the doctor at the Villages healthcare and they told me to come in. On the way there I got a call from villages healthcare that before i come into the building I had to tak a covid test . It was negative but they did say they had a spike of covid cases that resulted in lost of employees with covid.

Originally Posted by jimjamuser (Post 2250114)

Global Warming does NOT cause infections to increase - that IS correct. But, it does cause HEAT conditions that ALLOW it to spread. Step outside in the afternoon today and do some yard work or play sports and people will be wringing WET - because your whole system is STRESSED by the HEAT. A heat-related highly stressed human (or any animal) is more prone to heart attack, heat stroke, muscle cramps, and respiratory infections.
........Basically, the HEAT has driven people indoors and COVID hospitalizations are up approximately 20% in Florida.

Originally Posted by tophcfa (Post 2250159)

It’s definitely making a resurgence, I know a couple people who recently got infected and just learned that the Red Sox had to put a player on the Covid list. We are keeping an eye out for when the new vaccine will be available that includes the newer omicron sub-variants.

Originally Posted by Normal (Post 2250263)

The newest version of Covid is less lethal than the common cold, so what does it matter?

Originally Posted by Normal (Post 2250263)

The newest version of Covid is less lethal than the common cold, so what does it matter?

Originally Posted by margaretmattson (Post 2250276)

For some it is less lethal than the common cold. Hospitals once again are seeing a surge in Covid patients. If someone needs to be hospitalized they are experiencing severe effects.

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby (Post 2250236)

We've had a few folks in a club I'm in here in the Villages who've been sick with COVID within the past month. One had to be hospitalized for a couple of days as a precaution but they're out now and slowly recovering. The others seem to have had some moderate symptoms and have already recovered.

I'll wear a mask if the CDC and my health insurance company and doctor recommends it, whether the state requires it or not. I don't give a flying fert what the state has to say about it. I care about MY health, and the health of my friends and family. The state can jump off a cliff for all I care. I have left over masks, and I'm happy to use them if it's recommended, or if any stores I shop at require them.

Unlike some people, I'm not afraid to wear a mask, I don't fear the loss of freedom and in fact I celebrate my freedom to do as I darned well please. Including - wearing a mask.

Originally Posted by Bill14564 (Post 2250269)

Where did you get that information from? (I didn't realize the common cold was lethal at all)

Originally Posted by JMintzer (Post 2249644)

Incorrect. FL was ranked at 31 in "age adjusted" deaths. NY was 17 and CA was 38...

States Ranked by Age-Adjusted COVID Deaths

Originally Posted by Happinow (Post 2250450)

And you believe those numbers? If someone went in for a broken arm, they coded it Covid! All numbers were hyper inflated. Don’t believe a word…..sheeple.

Originally Posted by Happinow (Post 2250450)

And you believe those numbers? If someone went in for a broken arm, they coded it Covid! All numbers were hyper inflated. Don’t believe a word…..sheeple.

Originally Posted by Erider (Post 2248894)

Cochrane Library

The pooled results of RCTs did not show a clear reduction in respiratory viral infection with the use of medical/surgical masks. There were no clear differences between the use of medical/surgical masks compared with N95/P2 respirators in healthcare workers when used in routine care to reduce respiratory viral infection.

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby (Post 2250236)

We've had a few folks in a club I'm in here in the Villages who've been sick with COVID within the past month. One had to be hospitalized for a couple of days as a precaution but they're out now and slowly recovering. The others seem to have had some moderate symptoms and have already recovered.

I'll wear a mask if the CDC and my health insurance company and doctor recommends it, whether the state requires it or not. I don't give a flying fert what the state has to say about it. I care about MY health, and the health of my friends and family. The state can jump off a cliff for all I care. I have left over masks, and I'm happy to use them if it's recommended, or if any stores I shop at require them.

Unlike some people, I'm not afraid to wear a mask, I don't fear the loss of freedom and in fact I celebrate my freedom to do as I darned well please. Including - wearing a mask.

Originally Posted by I'm Popeye! (Post 2250642)

Shouldn't you be naming the Federal Government instead of the State?
The Fed is the one mandating while the State is giving you a choice, but we know your logic here, OrangeBlossomLady....

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby (Post 2250654)

Even when the state reversed its school anti-mask mandate, they didn't offer accommodations for students who wanted to keep a social distance from other students whose parents chose not to make their kids wear masks. That's not giving kids or parents choices. That's a very decisive anti-mask agenda, and stripping freedoms from people.

And as I said, I don't care what the state says about it. I don't care what anti-whatever agenda the state chooses to mandate from one week to the next. I will continue exercising my Federally-mandated FREEDOM to wear my mask, or not, as I see fit or as is required by any private building that permits me to enter.

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby (Post 2250654)

You seem to misremember the mandate that public schools were not ALLOWED to mandate masks, putting children at risk of illness, and their families at risk when little Susie came home with a cough.

Perhaps you don't remember when the Sheriff of Ocala refused to ALLOW anyone in his building wearing a mask - they were required to take them off if they wanted to come inside.

Even when the state reversed its school anti-mask mandate, they didn't offer accommodations for students who wanted to keep a social distance from other students whose parents chose not to make their kids wear masks. That's not giving kids or parents choices. That's a very decisive anti-mask agenda, and stripping freedoms from people.

And as I said, I don't care what the state says about it. I don't care what anti-whatever agenda the state chooses to mandate from one week to the next. I will continue exercising my Federally-mandated FREEDOM to wear my mask, or not, as I see fit or as is required by any private building that permits me to enter.

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby (Post 2250654)

You seem to misremember the mandate that public schools were not ALLOWED to mandate masks, putting children at risk of illness, and their families at risk when little Susie came home with a cough.

Perhaps you don't remember when the Sheriff of Ocala refused to ALLOW anyone in his building wearing a mask - they were required to take them off if they wanted to come inside.

Even when the state reversed its school anti-mask mandate, they didn't offer accommodations for students who wanted to keep a social distance from other students whose parents chose not to make their kids wear masks. That's not giving kids or parents choices. That's a very decisive anti-mask agenda, and stripping freedoms from people.

And as I said, I don't care what the state says about it. I don't care what anti-whatever agenda the state chooses to mandate from one week to the next. I will continue exercising my Federally-mandated FREEDOM to wear my mask, or not, as I see fit or as is required by any private building that permits me to enter.

Originally Posted by bcsnave (Post 2250724)

Oh this uptick is horrible. I am getting prepared and taking precautions against the virus.

I am marking and selling anti virus masks. These are selling for $19.99 ...but wait If you act now I will include a second mask for only $3.99 and all you will pay is shipping and handling.

Please order now

Originally Posted by golfing eagles (Post 2250728)

That’s fair, but just one question: When you exercise your freedom to wear your mask, just what do you think you are protecting yourself from? Certainly not a virus, maybe particulates from a nearby fire?