[Rosie1950]

Originally Posted by queasy27

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.

I don’t wear gloves when out but I always have on a mask. I keep some in the glove boxes of the car and the cart.
As far as the absolutely capricious concept of some individuals “nobody can mandate my health choices, or my body my choice”, they have a very sad awaking. YOU DO NOT HAVE A CHOICE TO INFLICT PERSONAL HARM TO OTHERS.
1) You CANNOT smoke in public buildings.
2) You CANNOT drive under the influence.
3) You CANNOT drive without a seatbelt.
4) In many states, not all states,you CANNOT transport a gun over state lines.
5) You CANNOT be in a public space knowing you have Tuberculosis without talking your meds.
6) You CANNOT yell fire in a movie theater or any other public crowded building with the intention of causing a stampede.
7) In many States you CANNOT drive while distracted. This includes talking on hand held cell phones, texting, even a sexual encounter ( believe it or not, that does happen)

Feel free to add any other CANNOTS to this list.
This list has all arrest offenses. ALL are for the public health and safety.
So I guess you really don’t have the right to make any choices you think are your Constitutional Rights, there are amendments, they are called Laws. All Sates have them, some States have more than others.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

I find it very uncomfortable to wear a mask for more than say a half hour but it is the right thing to do so we will always wear one when around others.

Good person-good empathy, you go dude.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by Buckeye Boy

Don’t be so quick to judge those not wearing masks. I attended a virus seminar conducted by 6 in the know doctors. Among the dozens of questions one was “can a persons get the virus twice?” Without exception all the doctors thought it was highly, highly
unlikely that it can be contracted twice.
And I know you will say that you know or heard of someone getting it twice. The
doctors’ reply to that was it is generally considered that the second positive test was a ‘reactivation’ of the previous illness and NOT a ‘resurgence’. In all cases the virus was rediscovered less than 30 days after it was believed to have left the system....ie: a false negative.
So what is my point about all this.
If a person who has had the virus and beat it (and there are thousands of such people) be expected to wear a mask even though they cannot transmit nor contract it again. Should they wear it just to make you feel better?

Of course they should just for politeness and being thankful that THEY lucked out. Some will not be THAT lucky and DIE. So, why make fun of them or make them feel uncomfortable around the "maskless wonder". It's a matter of EMPATHY and can you think of others and not only YOURSELF.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

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.

Well spoken, Orange Person

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by Martian

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.

Wonderful post! Great logic.

[Danz654]

Now you have to wear them to go is most stores. So I will wear it. I’m claustrophobic and for some reason feel very confined. don’t feel right breathing in my own exhaust.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by NotGolfer

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?

Really shaky logic. Holes everywhere. What a stretch!

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by Tblue

I may be sorry I put my 2 cents in here. I wore a mask for 38 years, it does not make me a “mask expert” but I do know just a little about them. To be the most effective you need a proper fit, around the nose and sides, sometimes tape is needed for a proper seal around the nose. It seems common knowledge masks do not protect the wearer because the virus is so much smaller than the fiber in a medical grade mask, but maybe not the N95 mask. Many say wear the mask to protect others. It is also common knowledge that to spread the virus you generally need have to have symptoms, coughing, congestion, fever and such. In todays world if you have symptoms you just need to stay home. However if you do have symptoms and cough the mask will catch the moisture and maybe stop some of the virus attached to the moisture, a good thing. But how much of the virus is just coughed out thru the mask fibers or an improper fit that is not attached to moisture? But yes it should stop some of the spread. However when I see people wearing masks in the store they are fiddling with them, so now the virus is on your hands. Next issue is when you get back in your car and take the mask off and place it in the console you have contaminated your hands again and the inside of your car. What if you just drove with the mask on and went home, as soon as you walk in the house off comes the mask and you generally put it on the counter. Again you contaminated your hands and your counter top. So yes, masks will stop some of the spread if you have symptoms and are around people but any good from the mask is un-done or even reversed in my opinion by not properly sealing the mask, fiddling with the mask, removing the mask and likely contaminating your hands and the inside of your car or home counter top. Many will reuse the contaminated mask. Just my thoughts, if you have symptoms stay home, wash you hands and keep them away from your face as we were advise early on. I do not wear a mask, unless the store requires one, I slip on a new mask as I enter making sure I have as good as seal as possible, it’s not that difficult. I try not to fiddle with it and remove it in such a way as not to contaminate my hands best I can, and throw the mask away. I have a small spray alcohol bottle in the car and spray my hand. If I had symptoms and had to use a mask I would do the same thing but dispose of the mask in a sealed plastic sandwich bag.

St. Pete Fl required masks and in 3 weeks they got their positivity rate down to 9.9 %. It is 16% Fl statewide. NYC is now at .9 % positive. CONCLUSION--------masks ARE effective to the point of eliminating this plague monster. Do YOUR part please!

[JimJohnson]

Originally Posted by Jeff5115

Whenever I enter a commercial building I put on a mask. There are many people who still refuse to wear a mask in this situation. I am curious why someone would refuse to wear a mask? I am not criticizing anyone for not wearing a mask just wondering why they prefer not to?

I will criticize those without masks in public. It is a proven fact that when you wear a mask, you are being safe for others. Not wearing a mask is like saying you don’t care what happens to others. Shame on them.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by jet10s

because the science does not prove anything about wearing cotton rags on your face -- and I will not wear one -- and that is that -- shop will be on-line

Wonder if that "shop" sells masks or just disinformation and a book on the flat earth society. And there is NO global warming. 2020 is just coincidentally the 1st or 2nd warmest year on record. And the Villiages has highs of 72 deg this week.

[Singerlady]

They (the experts) were presented with a virus that they knew very little about. I believe (not necessarily fact) that when they told us to not wear masks, or they were not necessary, that they were trying to save us from hoarding them instead needing them for the healthcare workers. I actually heard that on the news, but again, not sure if that was really the case. It’s a matter of common sense and respect.

[Singerlady]

Extra cautionary to double dip.....

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by Yung Dum

Wearing a mask does not make you a wimp, a liberal, or a frightened paranoid germaphobe. It does, however, show that you care about the health of your fellow human beings. If everyone wore a mask at all times in public, we could open up everything and go back to business as usual, though to a slightly lesser extent (such as wearing masks). But if millions of people refuse to wear them whatever reason, whether it’s political, personal comfort, or vanity this thing will never get better. If you feel a mask has a detrimental effect on your own health, don’t go out. If it’s uncomfortable, wear a face shield. But don’t put others at risk for your own sake. A mask is not to prevent you from catching the virus, but to prevent you from spreading it. Even if you tested negative yesterday, you could be positive today. A test does not make you immune. Instead of working together as a nation, we have chosen to make this a largely political issue, making it worse for all of us. Our elected officials (both parties) have all done their best to stoke the flames of division on this. Do you really believe the entire world cares so much about our elections that they are willing to go along with this so-called hoax? Come on people. Wake up to reality. We’re all Americans who love our country. Why can’t we work together on at least this one issue? At least can’t we give a try? That would make America great again.

Very persuasive post. I hope it penatrates some minds. Maybe a diamond tipped rock boring drill needed!

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by Yung Dum

Wearing a mask does not make you a wimp, a liberal, or a frightened paranoid germaphobe. It does, however, show that you care about the health of your fellow human beings. If everyone wore a mask at all times in public, we could open up everything and go back to business as usual, though to a slightly lesser extent (such as wearing masks). But if millions of people refuse to wear them whatever reason, whether it’s political, personal comfort, or vanity this thing will never get better. If you feel a mask has a detrimental effect on your own health, don’t go out. If it’s uncomfortable, wear a face shield. But don’t put others at risk for your own sake. A mask is not to prevent you from catching the virus, but to prevent you from spreading it. Even if you tested negative yesterday, you could be positive today. A test does not make you immune. Instead of working together as a nation, we have chosen to make this a largely political issue, making it worse for all of us. Our elected officials (both parties) have all done their best to stoke the flames of division on this. Do you really believe the entire world cares so much about our elections that they are willing to go along with this so-called hoax? Come on people. Wake up to reality. We’re all Americans who love our country. Why can’t we work together on at least this one issue? At least can’t we give a try? That would make America great again.

Yes, don't be a dope
without a mask
There is no hope

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by Marcyd

From what I understand from researching it, asymptomatic people do not shed the virus. So my not wearing a mask is not hurting anyone else. However, wearing a mask does reduce the wearer’s oxygen intake up to 60%, increases the risk of CO2 poisoning, contaminants sit inside the mask and are re-inhaled, and besides all that...breathing fresh air is vital to immune health. So I don’t wear a mask because I don’t believe it protects others and it hurts the one who wears it. And thank you so much for the way you posted this 😊

Strange logic hanging from THAT logic tree?