[bumpygreens]

Good morning to all the virologists and infection control specialists of The Villages. We all know what opinions are like...everybody has one. Informed opinion, on the other hand, isn't so common. There is a good article on this topic in the May 20 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine.

It seems most of you are for a government mandate, and split over which government issues it. We already have mandates (laws, actually) against arson, looting and homicide. Governments aren't enforcing those laws very effectively nor evenly. Why would you want to give those same governments the authority to fine or arrest you over a piece of cloth that hasn't been proven to work?

[OhioBuckeye]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I like stores that have a mandatory mask policy and who tell people to leave if they don't wear a mask.

I don't like stores that have a mandatory mask policy, but provide no enforcement. They are hypocrites.

My message to stores is, if you are going require masks, then enforce your own rule.

I think you’re correct but for someone in a store to tell someone to put a mask on. They might tell them to or leave but I’m guessing they won’t because they probably don’t want to take a chance & start something. We have enough trouble going on. But I totally agree with you!!

[nancymiller217@yahoo.com]

Originally Posted by oldtimes

Mandate mask indoors not out

Indoors is the main place this virus is transmitted.

#science

[Lottoguy]

I agree with that. Mandate indoors is the way to go.

[nick demis]

Prove that it does!

[gidget72]

I think it should not be up to State Governors...Make it a Federal rule to be followed by all, if you do not want to wear a mask stay home...we need to do something this is now out of control and not looking good for the upcoming flu season on top of this...can we just try it for a few months?

[Love2Swim]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

My opinion is that everyone who refuses to wear a mask in an outdoor area where they can not social distance, or are indoors with people who are being cautious and feel mask wearing is the safe thing to do, are MASKHOLES!


By the way, this is a very flawed survey as the options are either no mask, always mask, or don't care. There is a lot of grey area in-between these options that many people practice in reality.

Agree, its a flawed survey. Regardless, masks have been proven to work. The desire is to get the country back to normal. That isn't going to happen with masks required in one state, and not in a neighboring state. People do travel, there is movement of goods and services between states, so any guidance/restrictions need to be federally mandated. If there had been a federal mask requirement right at the onset, and good federal guidance, we wouldn't be in this mess. And the vaccine isn't the cure-all either. The same idiots that don't want to wear a mask, probably don't want to be vaccinated. You have the anti-vaxers who think it is all a hoax. So you will still have people running around un-vaccinated, who are spreading the disease. Wearing masks will keep the transmission down in the short term, and we can hope that a good vaccine comes out that is very effective. We need to have businesses and schools re-open, but it must be done safely. Masks are a good starting point.

[justjim]

Only a few wore seat belts before it was required. It’s no different with masks. Some local Governments and States have mandated masks but coming from the Federal Government It would carry additional weight. Given the science it seems like a no brainer and would save lives of our fellow Americans.

[KRM0614]

Originally Posted by oldtimes

Mandate mask indoors not out

Is that a joke ?

[DeanFL]

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One simple question for the responders "MANDATE MASKS by the Fed gvt".

How would YOU ENFORCE THAT NATIONWIDE?

IMO simple question with a very difficult acheivable answer.

?????
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[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by DeanFL

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Biden calls for mandate requiring all Americans to wear masks

Former Vice President Joe Biden on Thursday called for a nationwide mask mandate to help fight the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Every American should be wearing a mask when they’re outside for the next three months at a minimum,” Biden told reporters in Wilmington, Del.

President Trump has not called for a nationwide mandate.

Last month, the president said he is “a believer in masks” but added that he’s leaving it up to state governors to decide whether or not to implement an order requiring people to wear them in public.
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Are you sure Biden said OUTSIDE??? That just does not make any sense at all. The mandate for masks should be for INDOORS. I did not vote in the poll because "mandate for wearing a mask INDOORS" was not an option.

I have been a huge proponent of mask wearing INDOORS when social distancing is not guaranteed. I am also a huge proponent of NOT wearing masks when OUTDOORS when social distancing is guaranteed.

[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by pattytracey

No mask don’t take away our choices wear if ya want don’t wear if ya don’t want to bealls on 466 did not require a mask so I did go in store

Thanks for the information. I will NOT go into Bealls until they require masks.

[twinklesweep]

Originally Posted by George Page

Sadly, mandates ARE required for socially irresponsible people who cannot do the right thing without government intervention. Some folks question whether the government has the authority to require the donning of masks....

"Ain't" it the truth?! Remember seat belts?! C'mon.... And until viruses can be trained to respect state borders, for consistency this has to be a national mandate.

[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by meridian5850

Maybe when the gov't follows/enforces their own mandates? They prohibit large gatherings such as church, sporting events, funerals, etc. and allow protests, rioting, and a massive funeral for John Lewis, etc.

This country was founded on individual rights and freedoms and a lot of people, me included, don't like the slow erosion of them. Pretty soon, we'll be under a mask mandate during flu season. Then, we'll be under a permanent mask mandate when shopping in stores and so on.

How about older people who've lived a full life sacrifice themselves and set an example for future generations that our freedoms and liberties are precious and worth dying for just like those who founded this nation and subsequent generations that sacrificed for freedom along the way?

Don't get ahead of yourself. Once there is an effective vaccine and/or therapeutics which can minimize the effects of this dreadful virus, the need for masking will be a thing of the past. I'm counting on there being a vaccine in the future so I'm on board with the mitigation of the virus in the only ways we know that works. That is masking, social distancing, washing hands often and DO NOT TOUCH YOUR FACE!

[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by GaryKoca

Wear masks indoors and mandate it by not allowing people indoors who do not wear a mask. Stores should be policing that, and they are up North in Illinois, so that is NOT impossible. Masks outdoors should be optional. However, social distance and avoid large groups. And wash hands and face frequently. That's what all the reliable medical experts are saying. Why is this so difficult? That is why the US is lagging behind almost every other country in the world.

The US has too many wimps who do not want to follow the guidelines. I have second hand embarrassment for every one of those folks who refuse to listen to the science and do what they damn well please. They do make us Americans look like damn fools to the rest of the world.