[VApeople]

Originally Posted by Bucco

You nailed it about our country not being a model for anything. We are mocked and ridiculed through the world. We have become a laughingstock, sadly. Our future is bleak right now.

We don't care. We are too busy just trying to enjoy each day.

[manaboutown]

[manaboutown]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

You are correct that 60% would be 3 out of 5 - 2 of 3 would be 66%. I guess I thought 66 was close to 60 and 2 out of 3 sounded more relatable to most people. So, I stand corrected! The other part about 60% being positive results divided by total tested people. I am ASSUMING that the results of that small study can be extrapolated to the whole population of South Dakota. I am NOT assuming that it would be exactly 60% of the whole state. I doubt that EVEN the preparers of the statistics that were releasing that information could guarantee it to be even within 10% accuracy for the whole state.

I would say that it ONLY indicates that South Dakota is a much HOTTER hot spot than FL. is right now. It could be because of lower temperatures and more indoor gatherings ( maybe in churches, without masks). There may be a whole host of other factors. I really do NOT know. Maybe wearing cowboy boots is a magnet for the virus? I am sure that some University is studying that.

I was just trying to make TV Land more aware of the problem and the need to have more awareness and to overcome COVID fatigue and an unreasoned fear of mask-wearing. We are older than South Dakota and we live more closely together, so there is a reasonable worry that TV Land could have cases around 60% and then what happens?

Thank you China, Wuhan especially, for sending this bioweapon out into the world.

[Pairadocs]

Originally Posted by patfla06

I totally agree with you.

Since the start of this pandemic my response to people going back to normal life has been “what’s changed?”

I am high risk and cannot resume my previous way of life.
I understand many are NOT high risk and their response may be quite different.

One thing we can all agree with is everyone would like life back to normal.

You are one of the few rational posters I've read. You understand you are high risk and you take responsibility for your health and safety. You also understand that there are many people who certainly do not deny the seriousness of this, but they are not in high risk categories and while they don't want to become ill, for each and every one, is some aching, head aches, some fever and maybe not, something they believe they have faced many times in their lives, yes it is. Few on here have your logical thinking, they think only with their own emotions. The Villages is an "Active Life Style" community and they DEFINITELY let it be known they are NOT a "retirement" community. When we first looked, they even corrected me immediately when I said, "we have life long family in Florida so we've been looking at a lot of retirement communities". I was corrected "WELL, if that is what you are looking for, this may not meet your needs, we don't have a rec center with a weekly bingo game and pool."
He went on to explain the scuba diving, the number of bicycle and motor cycle clubs, beach clubs, etc. etc. He let us know this was a golfing, pickle ball, dancing night life place. Even named a couple "retirement communities" in the area we might want to take a look at if that was what we were seeking.

I personally was leery of living completely separate from children and young families, I always felt my own life was enriched (when our boys were off to college) when a family moved in and we'd see some bicycles and a swing set ! And, also was so enriched by the retired folks who lived in our neighborhood who would have me over for coffee in the kitchen and chatting. Yes, they would leave for Florida or Arizona for January, and usually be back by March 1. We were so impressed by the grand parents and grand child program the villages puts on, amazed at the array of offerings.

The judgmental attitudes that seem to literally fly over this web site, is sad to see but it is human. It was so uplifting to read your post, you need to take special precautions and yet, you understand while others could become ill, they understand there degree of risk and they weight that against the possibility of NEVER seeing that new grand child or NEVER dancing with their loved one again... WHY ? Not because the caught the virus, but because they were in an auto accident, much higher risk of being killed every single time we get in an automobile, yet, because we think we are a very safe driver we get in our cars 2, 3, 4 times a day and KNOWING it is not us but some fool running a red light can hit us and we'll never even know how we were killed ! Life is to live. Diseases should be RESPECTED, and people should do what is right for them and leave other's to manage their own lives and assess their own risk level. Your way of analyzing your life and situation instead of judging all your friends is to be admired !

[Swoop]

Originally Posted by Advogado

I can explain it by questioning the accuracy of your statement and by referring you to this article, which is one of many confirming the effectiveness of mask mandates: Mask mandates: Why every state should have one, in 4 charts - Vox

Those are old numbers. Just look at the more current data. Example:

[merrymini]

Assuming masks and such work. Big assumption.

[Advogado]

Originally Posted by merrymini

Assuming masks and such work. Big assumption.

I don't know about the "and such", but masks do work.

[graciegirl]

I am convinced that most Villagers are taking Covid-19 very seriously. I watch the numbers of new cases and of deaths carefully in Sumter County where most of The Villages is.

We have not had a death in Sumter County for six days now and the new cases are in the teens. I was very surprised that we didn't have a spike after the large political gathering for the President a couple of weeks ago. I still along with our daughter have remained home and for the very few times I have gone out have been very careful, wearing a mask and using hand sanitizer. My husband goes out to play golf but continues to drive alone in the cart and stay distanced from his playing partners.

I think what we do is mattering, but there must be a lot of power in sunshine to keep the virus from spreading. I still am very glad we will soon have a vaccine.

Here are the numbers today for Sumter County;

coronavirus deaths sumter county florida - Bing

The State of Florida is showing a large increase.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Advogado

I don't know about the "and such", but masks do work.

Define "work."

Masks likely provide some level of effectiveness when used as a source control but less effectiveness when used to protect the wearer. Masks are less effective when not fitted properly even if worn over both nose and mouth. Masks are better than nothing but are not 100% effective.

Studies, expert's guidance, and anecdotal evidence are all over the map on this. Yes, I know, the studies that disagree with your position are flawed and the experts that disagree are quacks. The problem is, that statement applies equally to both sides of the argument.

Arguing that mask are worthless is foolish. Arguing that masks will save the world is foolish. Arguing that without masks we are all doomed is foolish.

Masks can help, if even a little bit, and are an important part of an overall strategy but that must also include avoiding high risk activities.

[Velvet]

Of course masks work. It depends on the type of mask. My university lab put many types of masks through very stringent testing. A neck gaiter or or bandana is made of loosely woven material and will let most of the virus through. A 600 count cotton mask (like some pillow cases) lets much less through. Three layers of mask, middle layer a filter, is almost as safe as the gold standard N95 mask.

The recent N95 masks we can buy have a relatively tight fit because of the elastic around the head, they can be made longer for very large heads. The tight fit makes sure no air flows through. Last spring in NY they found medical staff and first responders who worked directly with Covid positive patients had a lower infection rate than the general public. That is how well the masks and PPE work.

[YouNeverKnow]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

Define "work."

Masks likely provide some level of effectiveness when used as a source control but less effectiveness when used to protect the wearer. Masks are less effective when not fitted properly even if worn over both nose and mouth. Masks are better than nothing but are not 100% effective.

Studies, expert's guidance, and anecdotal evidence are all over the map on this. Yes, I know, the studies that disagree with your position are flawed and the experts that disagree are quacks. The problem is, that statement applies equally to both sides of the argument.


Arguing that mask are worthless is foolish. Arguing that masks will save the world is foolish. Arguing that without masks we are all doomed is foolish.

Masks can help, if even a little bit, and are an important part of an overall strategy but that must also include avoiding high risk activities.

The hope is that if both people are wearing a mask that the viral load that is received from someone that might be positive is less than if neither is wearing a mask and exposed to a full viral load of the virus. There have been discussions that the amount of viral load someone receives may determine how sick they become.

[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by Swoop

So explain why states that have mandatory mask mandates are spiking at a rates equal to or higher than states without mandatory mask requirements? Look at the states & look at the number of positive cases. Then based on those numbers, justify why “we need immediate county action on a mask mandate”.

There will always be folks who will not follow the mandate and break the "law". They will go maskless and congregate in close quarters with others in non public spaces. Then they will go maskless into public spaces and spread the virus. There are way too many people who do not believe this virus is a threat and do not believe that masks are beneficial to slowing the spread of the virus.

Too many Americans are on this train and we Americans will never ever achieve the compliance of the people to pull off mitigating the virus by masking and social distancing. Sad, but true.

Our only salvation out of this mess is a vaccine. Just heard this morning that the Moderna vaccine has a 94.5% efficacy. That is wonderful news!

[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

Define "work."

Masks likely provide some level of effectiveness when used as a source control but less effectiveness when used to protect the wearer. Masks are less effective when not fitted properly even if worn over both nose and mouth. Masks are better than nothing but are not 100% effective.

Studies, expert's guidance, and anecdotal evidence are all over the map on this. Yes, I know, the studies that disagree with your position are flawed and the experts that disagree are quacks. The problem is, that statement applies equally to both sides of the argument.

Arguing that mask are worthless is foolish. Arguing that masks will save the world is foolish. Arguing that without masks we are all doomed is foolish.

Masks can help, if even a little bit, and are an important part of an overall strategy but that must also include avoiding high risk activities.

Masks minimize the risk but they are more effective when people are distanced from each other. Sitting, shoulder to shoulder at a four top or six top, and worse yet, a 10 top in a restaurant with your closest friends is not a smart idea.

[Tom359]

Sweden had no lockdowns, no mask mandate. Number of deaths year to date is lower than previous years.

• Sweden: death rate 2010-2020 | Statista

[Byte1]

Sorry, but I will NOT condone a mask mandate. I will entertain suggestions related to the safety of wearing a mask and maybe even go along with the mass hysteria and wear my mask like a good lil citizen. But, I will not agree with a Federal mandate to wear a mask and will not wear one if such a thing happens. Sorry, but I am not a needy lemming that will be lead around by the gov nanny. A CDC suggestion does not warrant a law.
How many of you will start wearing a mask during Flu season? Well if the gov decides that they got away with mandating a mandate for the virus, a flu mandate will be next.
Sorry, but as far as I am concerned you all are a bunch of needy babies that think that just because someone tells you that you will be safer if you wear a mask, wear a helmet, wear a seatbelt, that you NEED a law to make you wear one. Can't you use your own common sense and make your own decisions. Don't put the blame on me if you do not like what other people are doing. Being nosy and feeling the need to interfere with other folks living, is being a pest.
Beware of what you ask the gov to do FOR you. I am not anti government. I just believe in limitations when it comes to power. Once the vaccine is available I will NOT wear a mask again. Until then, I will wear a mask when I think it is necessary. I don't owe any of you anything, especially those on here that disparage this great nation. As far as I am concerned, those that suggest that other countries are laughing at us, do not know what they are speaking of. Until you live half you life in other countries, you do not know enough to even suggest that anyone in other countries would not give up their own families to be able to live here. The only thing they laugh at is the spoiled citizens that complain about how rough they have it here. I did not spend most of my life in service for this country to have a bunch of nobodies put down this great country, so I owe none of you anything. I paid in full, just like many others in my family before me.
You cry about how the gov MUST mandate masks for everyone, but you have no clue as to how it would be enforced. The police aren't going to enforce a mask law. They have way more important things to do than to babysit a bunch of no-loads. Will the mandate stipulate how one must wear the mask? Will it stipulate what an acceptable mask would be? Perhaps eye protection also? How about mandating gloves also? What a bunch of BS .
No one is arguing the fact that wearing a mask can protect to a certain extent. It is not the only thing that can protect. Long sleeved shirts, eye protection, gloves, and just plain staying at home....all protect to a certain extent.
The vaccine will be out shortly and then you won't have anything to complain about. Can't wait for the Flu season to get underway. Wonder how many will wear their masks then. After all, the mask protects...........