[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by bhemingway

Does anyone on this thread understand how our rights are being taken from us? Yes I understand common sense, but how many of you worry about the flu? Do you wear a mask all "flu" season? How about H1N1 during Obama's time in office? Wear a mask then? Probably not. Fear is what is guiding most people thanks to the overly hyped press going on adnauseam. Be sensible and keep your distance from others. Don't let this take over your lives.

I don't have to wear a mask during flu season. I get a vaccine every year. But if I wasn't able to vaccinate for medical reasons, and it was an especially deadly strain of flu, I would likely wear a mask when leaving the house.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by npwalters

Fortunately for everyone I don't own any Spandex. I am able to look at the facts and make a decision that is free from mass hysteria and right for me. The odds of a sneeze from a cart traveling back to me, infecting me, and then me dying as a result are so low that I'm willing to just continue on with my life.

I can see wearing a mask in a place such as the grocery store - BTW.

If you and others want to wear a mask outdoors; by all means drive on. Just don't try to push you fear on to me.

It's about YOU sneezing, and whoever is riding their bike behind you, or walking behind you, or in their golf cart behind you, or in a car with the window down behind you, or on a motorcycle behind you - getting your sneeze on their clothes/in their face.

Not saying that you "must" wear a facemask - but I am saying that your reason for refusing to wear a facemask is selfish and myopic.

If you had said "oh - I don't have allergies and don't really sneeze much but if I did, I'd sneeze into my elbow/shoulder" I think people would be more understanding of that explanation.

[rbrooks817]

So I guess over 12k people have been hit by a truck?

[mneumann02]

Originally Posted by TedfromGA

Are face masks effective?

Unless it is N95 and properly sealed around the mouth and nose, it will not stop virus infection. Also note the virus can enter your body via your eyes so to truly protect you need sealed goggles or a full face shield.

Some facts via google research - you draw your own conclusion:

N95 masks filter 95% of particles greater than 0.3 microns.

Perioperative Considerations for the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) - Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation

Average diameter of covid 19 virus is 0.12 microns.

Coronavirus - Wikipedia

Covid 19 virus is mainly spread during close contact and by small droplets produced when those infected cough, sneeze or talk. Small droplets typically have a diameter of 5.0 microns or larger.

Coronavirus disease 2019 - Wikipedia

Surgical masks: “Does NOT provide the wearer with a reliable level of protection from inhaling smaller airborne particles and is not considered respiratory protection”.

https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/pdfs...raphic-508.pdf


From CIDRAP (Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy):

COMMENTARY: Masks-for-all for COVID-19 not based on sound data | CIDRAP

Worth while reading the full report which is about 3 pages which contains references. The short version about mask performance (efficiency) is quoted below: (um is shorthand for micron)

“...Mask, N95 respirator filtering performance

Following a recommendation that cloth masks be explored for use in healthcare settings during the next influenza pandemic. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducted a study of the filter performance on clothing materials and articles, including commercial cloth masks marketed for air pollution and allergens, sweatshirts, t-shirts, and scarfs.

Filter efficiency was measured across a wide range of small particle sizes (0.02 to 1 µm) at 33 and 99 L/min. N95 respirators had efficiencies greater than 95% (as expected). For the entire range of particles tested, t-shirts had 10% efficiency, scarves 10% to 20%, cloth masks 10% to 30%, sweatshirts 20% to 40%, and towels 40%. All of the cloth masks and materials had near zero efficiency at 0.3 µm, a particle size that easily penetrates into the lungs.

Another study evaluated 44 masks, respirators, and other materials with similar methods and small aerosols (0.08 and 0.22 µm). N95 FFR filter efficiency was greater than 95%. Medical masks exhibited 55% efficiency, general masks 38% and handkerchiefs 2% (one layer) to 13% (four layers).

These studies demonstrate that cloth or homemade masks will have very low filter efficiency (2% to 38%).

Medical masks are made from a wide range of materials, and studies have found a wide range of filter efficiency (2% to 98%), with most exhibiting 30% to 50% efficiency…”


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Finally, some science and facts to go along with all the rumors and hearsay. In case people missed it, masks do NOT absolutely protect you from the virus, especially homemade ones. The virus is simple too small. This is why until recently, public health officials have advised that wearing masks do not help.

But experts are changing their thinking, because masks can REDUCE the risk of transferring the virus by catching the larger particles the virus is attached to and reduce face touching. But please do not believe that wearing a mask means you do not have to abide by social distancing and stay at home advisories and orders. If you are wearing a mask and a carrier is wearing one too, if they sneeze or cough in your direction, you could be in trouble. That said, I am for taking the safer route and wearing a mask in public because they can reduce, not eliminate, the risk.

[npwalters]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

It's about YOU sneezing, and whoever is riding their bike behind you, or walking behind you, or in their golf cart behind you, or in a car with the window down behind you, or on a motorcycle behind you - getting your sneeze on their clothes/in their face.

Not saying that you "must" wear a facemask - but I am saying that your reason for refusing to wear a facemask is selfish and myopic.

If you had said "oh - I don't have allergies and don't really sneeze much but if I did, I'd sneeze into my elbow/shoulder" I think people would be more understanding of that explanation.

Then selfish I shall be. I saw about 300 other selfish people walking and riding today while I was out. Probably less than 10% were the altruistic face mask wearers.

[npwalters]

Originally Posted by Margterrymcg

Wait, Laredo, Texas? What happened to six gun slinging, bull riding, whiskey from the bottle drinking, knocked back with Lone Star-there are no Country songs about wearing a face mask unless it’s to holdup the filling station-signed-an effete Eastern snob

Yeah, that statement caught my attention as well. Having been a Texas resident for several years and passing through Lubbock a few times I just couldn't see it. People that live in Lubbock aren't sheep that can or would be intimidated easily. From the Lubbock News:

LUBBOCK, Texas — In a special city council meeting, the city manager and members of the Lubbock City Council gave assurances that police are not stopping people for nothing more than just being outside their homes.
Officials are checking businesses for compliance with social distancing and other aspects of an emergency declaration in Lubbock. But no one will be stopped simply for being outside of their home.
Officials said rumors to the contrary are not true. The city said more would come later in a press release.

[Lindab674]

I ordered two on etsy. They are made of cloth but we are not supposed to wear medical grade ones anyway.

[evenan]

Originally Posted by Two Bills

In all honesty, has anyone been in a queue, and had a person cough or sneeze near them?
On our rare ventures to shop for food, we have never heard or seen anyone do either.

AS a matter of fact, YES I have. Not everyone seems to care about the people around them.

[Cher_561]

For those of you who won’t bother to wear a mask - take material or a scarf, fold over and under like when you made fans in first grade and tie a string at each end to secure it over ears or your head. If that’s too much trouble to potentially save the life of someone, maybe a young mother or child, I really wish you found someplace else to live. How lazy can you be?

[RockyMountainMan]

Originally Posted by Velvet

The mask is not for you...but still it can protect you from an unanticipated nearby cough or sneeze. Not wearing a mask in public is also advertising, “I don’t give a sh... about you.” In Laredo Texas you’d get $1000 fine for stepping outside your house without one.
Those Texans... always ahead.

Not quite sure I understand this. If the mask prevents YOU from getting the virus, which you seem to think, then what difference does it make if I'm wearing one? People are starting to become irrational about this thing. If I'm not wearing a mask, doesn't it say that "I don't give a s___t about myself?? You're protected because you're smarter than me and wear a mask! Here's a thought for all the people out there that think they know what's best for everyone else...the masks DO NOT prevent your from getting it OR me from giving it to you. Ponder that!!

[bluedivergirl]

Originally Posted by prntxpresn

Unless you have an N95 mask, the mask is not intended to protect you. Nobody is supposed to have an N95 mask other than medical personnel at this time.

The purpose of the mask is to protect others from you should you have the disease.

I wish people would stop with the misinformation. The powers-that-be don't want people buying new N-95 masks. I don't think you could; Amazon is limiting them to medical professionals.

As I posted earlier, I have 2 N-95 masks left from a project. Should I throw them out??

I worry posts like your could lead some nut-job to confront me if I do decide to wear it.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by RockyMountainMan

Not quite sure I understand this. If the mask prevents YOU from getting the virus, which you seem to think, then what difference does it make if I'm wearing one? People are starting to become irrational about this thing. If I'm not wearing a mask, doesn't it say that "I don't give a s___t about myself?? You're protected because you're smarter than me and wear a mask! Here's a thought for all the people out there that think they know what's best for everyone else...the masks DO NOT prevent your from getting it OR me from giving it to you. Ponder that!!

Ponder this: While the paper masks do little to protect YOU, they ARE pretty effective at preventing YOU from spreading the virus. Why do you think I wore the same paper mask in the operating room when performing surgery?????

[Spike380]

Go on Next Door. A lot of people are making them.

[Velvet]

Originally Posted by RockyMountainMan

Not quite sure I understand this. If the mask prevents YOU from getting the virus, which you seem to think, then what difference does it make if I'm wearing one? People are starting to become irrational about this thing. If I'm not wearing a mask, doesn't it say that "I don't give a s___t about myself?? You're protected because you're smarter than me and wear a mask! Here's a thought for all the people out there that think they know what's best for everyone else...the masks DO NOT prevent your from getting it OR me from giving it to you. Ponder that!!

I must have not expressed myself well.

A non N95 mask, like the ones we might wear, mainly protects other people from the wearer, to my understanding. But, as I shop or walk when someone rides, walks, or carts by and sneezes or coughs or even talks too closely as they might be passing, the mask will protect me against their larger droplets. So even if the mask protects a little bit, over a large number of people wearing one, it becomes significant.

And, by me wearing a mask I am letting others know that if I should sneeze or cough, or sing or talk too closely, they are protected by the mask from me.

And, I can tell you I am NOT happy with anyone, not wearing one outside their house. People in a closed car no windows down are the exceptions. If you ride anything you can wear a full faced helmet.

[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by devorejh

It’s not your place to think for us. If you want to wear your mask, wear it! Those of us that don’t wear them are doing what we feel we need to do to be safe. I wear gloves when I go to the store or pump gas and that is my thing. This is still the United States of America and we are free to do what we feel is right for ourselves. I personally don’t feel the masks do any good. My choice, not yours.

Good thing you don't live in New Jersey. Governor has made it mandatory for everyone to wear face covering when going into the stores.

You say you are doing everything to be safe. But.......you are not doing anything to keep others around you safe. You could be a carrier and asymptomatic. That is what wearing a mask is all about.