I just had a great idea. I am going to order thousands of shirts, pins and bands as the say Relax; I have had it!!
������������������������������

Once there is a "reason" (real or otherwise) for exception there is no end to the confusing fluff (BS) that will be invented plus makes it impossible to enforce.

So yes.....they should wear a mask because it is the mandate for the general good.....no exceptions to confuse enforcement.

Yes, they should. Why? Because you don't know WHO in that store is refusing a mask because they're immune and can't possibly be carriers.

The store management doesn't check medical records of the customers on their way in. We don't know, what we don't know.

If Joe Immune refuses to wear a mask, and Susie Asymptomatic sees him not wearing a mask, and sees that the store manager isn't enforcing it for Joe Immune, then there's no reason for Susie to feel that she should have to wear a mask. SHE Doesn't ask Joe why he isn't wearing one either. They're strangers.

There are thousands of people who REFUSE to wear a mask. Set the example. Be an adult.

Me being a senior to many posters rankle at words making olders look ignorant. Especially my peers here in The Villages.

It appears that MOST of the seniors living in and around The Villages are taking this pandemic very seriously. Look at the low numbers of Sumter County and the overwhelming responses of almost everyone I communicate with who has a real name on Facebook. You can tell by how they manage the rest of their lives that they are mostly prudent people. We have the best credit ratings in The Villages, the best in The Country. We think ahead, save our money and take care of our own.

And we give nasty microbes a wide berth and have attractive masks too.

I like to think that in days gone by, people would have looked to the government to provide solid consistent guidance in what we should do in the pandemic.

At this point, I think that the advice would have been something like, "This is a new virus and the science is not clear about what to do and how to minimize the risk. Therefore, in the meantime, while we research and develop methods to control or stop the spread of the virus, here are the things we currently think should be done".

Instead, in today's political environment we are bombarded with misinformation - from BOTH sides - leaving everyone confused as to just what should and should not be done. One day a scientist is hailed as the voice of reason and sound guidance, then suddenly he is a liar and everything he said for the past 7 months is a lie. Seriously?

So, things like wearing a mask, become a political dog whistle, instead of an inexpensive thing that can be done easily by everyone to at least help - not cure, not solve, not make the virus go away. Just help. You know, Americans helping Americans. If we can do enough things to HELP maybe more of us will get through this alive.

But, not today, not with the hate and division. Just this week a person not wearing a mask in a Walmart was confronted and in response pulled a gun on the person telling them to put on a mask. Seriously, threaten to kill someone over wearing a mask?

I suggest everyone take a deep breath and maybe, just maybe stop calling the other side terrorists and traitors.

Maybe if every time you feel the urge to call someone a derogatory name, you substitute American - and see if that might just help tone down the vitriolic rhetoric? And let's give this "America Love it or Leave It" dog whistle a rest. This is America, we are Americans. One of the things that have ALWAYS made America great was that we could disagree with each other, but still be Americans first and Republican or Democrat, or Conservative or Liberal second.

Hey I'm all for your idea and generally embrace the concept. But good luck implementing it. I for one won't hold my breath. As the old saw goes: trust in the lord, but tie up your camel.

I trust in this country to get through all this - but I'm not putting my money on individual people to ALL do their part.

Masks
 

Can’t fix the unfixable. I just wonder what people do not understand about the virus it’s not the common flu or cold. Secondly people lined up last week for FREE testing did they possibly volunteer to self quarantining while waiting for results or just go out and possibly spread the virus. Trying not to be political but since states reopened with minimal federal guidance or following CDC guidelines, I am now calling it Covid-45 not 19

I'm not a fan of the mask however I wear one in public out of respect! It's not because I think they are not effective, some reports state they are, some say not. They make me hot and it feels like I'm suffocating BUT I wear it in public places! Helps getting the grocery shopping finished faster! 😂

This virus is still very new. The doctors and scientists are learning about new information on a daily basis. So, the guidance they put out changes also. As far as your “doctors in the know”. Let’s see a link.
Your comment about people that had the virus be expected to wear a mask to make others feel better is ludicrous.
Wear a damn mask.

Among other reasons, there's the "my body, my choice" contingent, the "you're not the boss of me" folks, the people who claim (wrongly) that "nobody can mandate my health choices, the "it's all overblown nonsense by the mainstream media" and "person X doesn't wear them so I don't need to." There's also a conspiracy-oriented minority who believe that masks are killing us!

I'm also still wearing gloves, which seems to have fallen by the wayside. I went to the ophthalmologist today and felt comfortable holding the paperwork clipboard and when the doctor handed me that plastic thing to cover one eye. I put gloves on whenever I enter an enclosed space and throw them away when I exit.

There should be a T-Shirt that says, "I BEAT Covid-19. I can NOT infect you"

You don't need to wear gloves and be fearful of all surfaces in your world. Wash your hands when you are able to and do not touch your face when you are out in public. It is really that simple.

I've heard many reasons...one is they have asthma and it's harder to breathe with one on. Another is they have anxiety issues like PTSD that sets them off. I've seen some other reasons as well. As for masks---there is still speculation between experts that they even work. I think until it's conclusive "some" prefer not to. My question is..."they" tell us to wear masks AND social distance. IF the mask works then why social distance? If the mask works why can't family members be with dying family members or visit loved ones in care centers?

Not an either/or. The more steps you take, mask, distance, washing, the more you will do will help stop this thing. In a care center, doesn't take much to infect as there are mostly vulnerable folks in them. If I would be asymptomatic I could infect a bunch and not know it, so why take the chance? My wife's 98 year old mother is an an assisted living facility and she can't visit. It hurts but both her and her sister understand the risks to others and know even complying with the masks, distancing and washing there is a chance so they support the restrictions. More important is their mother also understands and prefers they stay away for now.

Okay everyone in the balcony section, say it with me:

RISK
REDUCTION