You have the right to congregate. You have the right to breathe. You do NOT have the right to congregate in close-quarter crowds. You do NOT have the right to breathe ON other people. Those are privileges that can be granted or removed as needed, to secure or increase the safety and well-being of #WeThePeople.

A national mask mandate will not likely be forthcoming, UNLESS the mandate is for all businesses that choose to open to the public and require masks on their customers, be required to provide masks to those customers if they ask for them.

There's this really amazing, unusual, fantastical thing called civilization. You might have heard of it - maybe not.

Thing is, when "people who don't WANT to wear masks but should" (that specific group of people) see a bunch of "people who don't NEED to wear masks anymore" (that specific group of people) not wearing masks, they don't know that the second group don't need to wear masks. They only know that they aren't wearing them.

And so they think "wow - masks aren't needed anymore, and I don't want to wear mine, so I'll take mine off!"

It's sort of the opposite of herd immunity. It's herd stupidity. And it's infectious.

I do not have to wear a mask all day for any reason so I am not personally affected by the possibility of becoming ill from wearing a mask for long periods of time. Having said that, I would certainly keep a box of the disposable masks handy so I could change the mask before it becomes very wet from my own breath. That is a quite simple solution for anyone who is prone to respiratory infections. It really is a "no brainer".

Funny how scientists and epidemiologists worry about what someone else is doing. They are safeguarding public health. Do you grasp that concept?

Folks with respiratory conditions would be better off staying home to protect themselves. It is those folks who do not fair very well when they contract COVID.

I disagree with you. I was on a cruise ship during the last week before cruise lines were forced to shut down. It was awesome, we had a blast, ate in dining rooms packed full of people, attended concerts, sat shoulder to shoulder laughing with other customers...it was fun and relaxing and we all survived just fine. We got home and suddenly going to the store was "risky".

All of this Clorox, sterilized, 10 foot pole distancing is stressful and not particularly helpful because people are still getting this virus and the vast majority are experiencing mild cold symptoms if that. This has been a psychological experiment in government control more than anything else.

This is the start, they are learning to control people. Communism, socialism may take over our country without taking a shot! Have we not heard that for many years? They never need to fire the first shot, just let half the population believe the propaganda of media. Teach in schools how wrong absolutes are and humanism and the other ism’s and in 50 years the great USA is in deep do do! Do you think there’s a difference in the basic teachings of the 1950’s and 1960’s compared to 2020. I remember quite well infractions back in the 1960’s schools were chewing gum, running in hallways, clowning around, interrupting in class but now in 2020 murder, rape, gang fighting is just a few. What will it look like in 2070? Forget it! What if the government declares no one can go on airplanes, or in theater’s, restaurants, ect without the COVID vaccine. Just a thought as some officials are already pondering this and many other ideas. Get your supplies because another shutdown is coming! Restaurant’s, airlines, and many businesses won’t survive if a leader doesn’t handle the situation correctly! Many believe we should try the socialist way! The take over of America without firing a shot!!!!!!

They are ruthless and they targeted this scam with laser focus at the elderly who become more prone to falling for scams as they age. They are robbing them of their golden years and precious time spent with loved ones.

The older generation grew up in a time when the media had some integrity and professional standards. They grew up in a time when they could take it for granted that politicians were largely looking out for our country and respected our constitutional rights. When an authority issued a dire warning it meant something. Back then it did mean something.

Today fearmongering is the name of the game. Anything for control.

I’m sure you’d feel differently if your taxes were going up to pay the cost of this virus instead passing it on to our grandchildren. $2 mask would look a lot better, just saying.

I am by far much more concerned by the consequences that all of these lock downs and mask mandates, quarantines and contact tracing will have on our future generations. Add in the potential for a vaccine mandate and the future does not look too bright for this country. The precedent being set in 2020 does not bode well for our children and grandchildren Which is why we need to put a swift end to this nonsense now.

Emphasis on "control"

Not to worry. The government will take care of us. They will keep taking care of us until they have total control of all. No worries.

Publix has a "mandatory" mask rule, but their corporate policy is to not enforce it.

My disagreement with you is about wearing masks, I agree with you on long term damage being done by shutting down economy. Although many, maybe you think stories of hospitals being over loaded and bodies being piled up in refrigerator trucks is fake news but I’m all in. Wearing a mask is such a simple and very small sacrifice even if there is only a %50 chance it helps anyone. This rugged American individualism against masks is sad to this writer.
Regards

It doesn't work that way. By not wearing a mask, they are violating company policy and endangering public health. Everyone has to shop for food. Its a necessity. That said, if a store is not enforcing its policy, and there are people stupid, selfish and self entitled enough to wander around without masks in the store, I'd opt for grocery delivery or the free pickup that Walmart offers.

If you are wearing N95 (Niosh certified) mask you are protecting yourself too. But I still skidaddle out of there after 15 minutes. Precise, fast, efficient shopping if in person.

Are shoes and shirts required in Restaurants??

How many Floridians will die before masks become mandatory?
 

North Dakota just became the 35th state to implement a state-wide mask mandate. Masks will become mandatory here, sooner or later. It is just a question of whether thousands of Floridians will unnecessarily die before our politicians (either state or county) muster the political courage to do the right thing.

Even with Florida's 9% positivity rate and rising with a bullet there is a much chance of the gov of this state doing that as there is the current "leader" of the country doing that ...... ie. not a chance in h3ll.

Oh, going back to the OP it has just been announced that PUBLIX, COSTCO, WALMART and a few others will once again begin limiting the number of people in the store to (IIRC 20%). And here we go again. Perfect timing for The Villages to open the squares without limit. Bahhhh, Hopefully that won't last long either because when all the "young'uns" come down here for T'Giving to see Grammy and Grampy and dance the night away to Rocky and the Elders things certainly will go from bad to worse. Absolutely BRILLIANT move by T.V. (NOT!).

I just started another thread about empty shelves in Publix and Target. THIS must be the reason for the hoarding once again.

Anti CDC guidelines folks do not realize the negative impact we all are experiencing because they refuse to mitigate the virus and slow the spread. We are once again having to endure limits in essential businesses. Who knows what will be next? Cities across the US are imposing curfews and lock downs.

What is it going to take for these folks who will not abide by CDC guidelines to do their part? Every day, these people are putting people and the economy at risk. When will they realize their stance on masks and social distancing is what is causing this havoc in our country?

I want our old lives back. Everyone should do their part to slow the spread of this virus. WEAR A MASK AND KEEP YOUR DISTANCE FROM OTHERS............PLEASE!

Constitution? Do you wear a seatbelt? Do you submit to a search if asked to, at the airport? Rules, laws and policies are put in place for a reason. Sometimes there are consequences when they are not followed. Why is it asking too much to put on a mask?

Who cares!
 

Nobody cares! Hide at home if you need to.

We might never get out to normal soon.
Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival, and Royal Caribbean all announced on Monday that they will be canceling trips into 2021. Cruise ships won't be setting sail in U.S. waters until next year, as major cruise lines continue to postpone their itineraries due to the COVID-19 pandemic.Nov 3, 2020

I think that is an exaggeration to say anyone would expect someone to wear a mask in their own home. I cannot see how being careful is "lining government pockets". I do not see that any guidelines directed to stop a serious illness is a violation of anyone's constitutional rights. I remember Polio. I remember being quarantined indoors with a sign on the door with childhood diseases. We lived through those restrictions. We never questioned them.

Until we get a vaccine, which will be much sooner than many hoped, it is wise to be careful and wear a mask when you are around anyone who is not a family member of your household. You can be a long time DEAD.

On the other hand, I don't see how a change of administrations will really make much difference in the spread of this disease. Some people will not do anything they are told to do.

I wore my mask at home, when I flew back north in March. We didn’t know much about the virus those days so I wore my mask all the time for the sake of hubby and slept in a different section of the house for 2 weeks. I wanted to take no chances and we had peace of mind. The mask did not bother me at all, it was the same as wearing socks.

I will not be cruising until hubby and I are vaccinated. Just heard this moring the Moderna vaccine has a 94.5% efficacy. Sign me up!!!

How about all these latest lock downs and curfews that cities are having to go through AGAIN. Why is that happening? Because too many people do not comply with CDC guidelines and wear a mask and social distance. Our epidemiology experts have been pleading with the American people to wear masks and keep our distance from others and not to congregate in large groups. If people would only be compliant, lock downs would not be necessary.

These lock downs will be another "hit" to the economy thanks to all of those people who refuse to wear masks in public indoor spaces and keep their distance from others.

I can only assume you were not on that sick Princess ship. If no one on the cruise ship you were on had Covid, then of course, everyone on that ship was free to have a great time as you described. Problem is.......you just don't know who may be carrying the virus because of pre-symyptomatic and asymptomatic carriers. Another unknown is that you do not know how many of your fellow passengers became sick once they got off the ship you were on. Who knows....passengers may have contracted the virus when they were in port then got back on the ship not knowing they were infected. That is how this vicious virus works.

I'm one of the many people who love to cruise. I miss it and welcome the time when stepping on a cruise ship will not possibly make me sick and die of Covid. I also want to be able to step on a cruise ship and not have to wear a mask and social distance from my fellow passengers. How is this going to happen? Follow CDC guidelines until our population can become immune with the vaccine. That is how. I can wait.

Live your life! Masks do not work.

Unfortunately, what others do can impact me and if you get sick, the heathcare workers who are already exhausted have to care for you. I think they should exercize their right and not take care of you if you chose to not wear a mask. We hv to protect each other. Why is this so difficult to understand? It’s your right to go or not go to a store. However if you go to the store wear a mask.

There are a few problems with your suggestion, not the least of which is that is not how they operate and how would anyone know if you were wearing a mask or not when you became infected. Remember, a large number of healthcare workers have become infected and they are using PPE. Many, but not all, stores require face masks. Don't frequent those stores what don't require face masks. Masks are not binary - you can become infected while wearing a mask and many people who wear masks are not wearing them correctly. With one exception, the vast majority of people are wearing masks inside stores/facilities that I have been to.

And yet with all those restrictions, the number of new positive cases in Massachusetts is spiking. In fact, based on their population, they are spiking at a rate that is much higher than Florida, despite all those restrictions...

Could it be because it’s cold now in Massachusetts 40 during the day 20 degrees at night) and more people are gathering inside which has been show to transmit the virus much more easier than outside. (Maybe not following the 10 person limit or mask wearing because who can enforce everyone?) Since the weather is now beautiful in Florida people can gather outside. Just wondering.....

The number of anti-mask posts on this site illustrate why our County Commission must adopt a mask requirement before our hospitals are overrun and more Floridians unnecessarily die. Thirty-five states and a number of Florida counties have already done this. Does Your State Have a Mask Mandate Due to Coronavirus? Beyond the veil: What mask requirements are in place in Florida?

Say December 10 you get vaccinated, first inoculation then weeks later you get your second inoculation. When do you feel safe after the second one that your life will somewhat go back to normal? Maybe month, will it be six months, will be a year.
My biggest concern is this everybody’s waiting for the vaccine and they’re expecting that will change their life. Soon as they are vaccinated, will you Go on a cruise, out to dinner, shopping, visit family.

Think about all of the years that the flu vaccine has been out you have a small percentage are anaphylactic to the vaccine, a percentage that just don’t take the vaccine. A percentage that still gets the flu because the strain has changed. Then you have the percentage of deaths, even though they took the flu vaccine.

So after your vaccine, when will you change your lifestyle, that you have adapted for the last 6 months. Just curious as too how long before you feel the vaccine will keep you safe.

I may have missed what the two drug companies have said when it’s vaccine capabilities will be immediate, take weeks, months, to protect the 90-94% rate.

I think the question will be less of when I will feel comfortable returning to normal and more of when the Govt will allow us to return to normal.

Far too many people asking the Govt to interfere with our lives right now. Far too many Governors getting a taste of power who won't want to let it go. If keeping restrictions in place can save just one life.....

I will feel comfortable living my life without concern for my own safety when the vaccinations begin, probably even before getting one for myself. At the latest, I would feel comfortable a week after getting mine.

However, I will still feel concern for the safety of those around me and because of this, I will likely continue to wear a mask for a few months. I don't know if the vaccinations protect against spreading the virus or only becoming sick so since I might still be able to spread it I would continue to wear a mask until more of the population is safe.

:clap2:

Constitutional rights don’t really exist during a pandemic or state of emergency. We are currently facing another full shut down as the numbers are going up. Everyone has let their guard down and just stopped caring about mankind.

Really? Constitutional rights don't really exist during a pandemic? Where is the state of emergency declared? Gimme a break.