[coffeebean]

For those of you who claim you are not able to wear a mask because of a medical condition. I just read about an excellent alternative. Wear a face shield. The shields do not inhibit your ability to breath and are not uncomfortable yet will block virus laden droplets from being propelled forward into some else's air space. Win Win.

THERE ARE NO EXCUSES FOR NOT WEARING A MASK!!!!

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by coffeebean

For those of you who claim you are not able to wear a mask because of a medical condition. I just read about an excellent alternative. Wear a face shield. The shields do not inhibit your ability to breath and are not uncomfortable yet will block virus laden droplets from being propelled forward into some else's air space. Win Win.

THERE ARE NO EXCUSES FOR NOT WEARING A MASK!!!!

They don't exactly block it - they definitely reduce it though. The only way they'd completely block it would be if the shield had a seam on your skin by your ears and under your mouth. It's 100% open at your chin, so if you cough or sneeze that stuff is gonna blow right under your shield and onto whatever is within spitting distance (literally).

It's STILL better than not wearing any face protection at all.

[Gpsma]

Or just get a mesh mask. The mask monitors wont bother you

[fdpaq0580]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

They don't exactly block it - they definitely reduce it though. The only way they'd completely block it would be if the shield had a seam on your skin by your ears and under your mouth. It's 100% open at your chin, so if you cough or sneeze that stuff is gonna blow right under your shield and onto whatever is within spitting distance (literally).

It's STILL better than not wearing any face protection at all.

A face shield is way better than nothing. A face shield is way better than the sneeze guards at buffets and salad bars. No excuses for not wearing some kind of face covering. And for the person on another thread that said wearing a mask causes anxiety, I have anxiety too and there is a pill for that.
Stay safe. Stay well. Wear a mask, please. Peace!

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I had some anxiety attacks when we first were required to wear masks at work. I'm somewhat claustrophobic and it felt like I was suffocating, even though I really wasn't. It's just REALLY uncomfortable to wear them for hours on end, often in a supermarket vestibule with no air-conditioning.

I had to take half a low dose of Xanax at first (it's prescribed, I only take a half dose once in awhile, a month's worth lasts me around half a year) before work, so I was relaxed enough to "ease into" wearing the mask for the whole shift.

Now I've become accustomed to wearing it and know that I'm in control of it. If I need to breathe fresh air, I can pull the mask away from my nose and take a few deep breaths, before letting it fall back to my nose again. I also learned that physical work that makes you breathe heavier than when you're relaxed really does make a HUGE difference. It actually helps. A LOT.

That seems to be the biggest "trick" to wearing a mask for several hours in a row: inhale more deeply than usual.

[davem4616]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

I had some anxiety attacks when we first were required to wear masks at work. I'm somewhat claustrophobic and it felt like I was suffocating, even though I really wasn't. It's just REALLY uncomfortable to wear them for hours on end, often in a supermarket vestibule with no air-conditioning.

I had to take half a low dose of Xanax at first (it's prescribed, I only take a half dose once in awhile, a month's worth lasts me around half a year) before work, so I was relaxed enough to "ease into" wearing the mask for the whole shift.

Now I've become accustomed to wearing it and know that I'm in control of it. If I need to breathe fresh air, I can pull the mask away from my nose and take a few deep breaths, before letting it fall back to my nose again. I also learned that physical work that makes you breathe heavier than when you're relaxed really does make a HUGE difference. It actually helps. A LOT.

That seems to be the biggest "trick" to wearing a mask for several hours in a row: inhale more deeply than usual.

everyone is different...glad that you've been able to find an approach that works for you

the plexiglass shields are another option for folks that have difficulty with a mask

stay safe all...and help us get beyond this pandemic

[Lindsyburnsy]

If you wear a mesh mask then just wear a mask. It’s a good thing that there are no surgeons with asthma.

Originally Posted by Gpsma

Or just get a mesh mask. The mask monitors wont bother you

[Nell57]

I have asthma. That’s why I wear a mask, and need everyone else to wear one, too. Suck on a mint or hard candy, it really does help. Keep trying different styles of masks until you find one you like.
We’ve learned to wear bike helmets. We’ve learned to wear seat belts. We can all wear masks.

[Neils]

My wife says to please wear masks to protect others. You might save someones life.

Yes the masks help. Would you want your surgeon to operate on you without wearing a mask???

The main reason you should wear a mask is to protect others. It is so-so at keeping the virus out, but it is very good at keeping the virus from being expelled into the air. Since a large number of people who get it never show symptoms, or it takes 2-5 days or so for symptoms to show, it is important for everyone to wear a mask. Some say it is their right not to, but that’s not true. You do NOT have a right to put others at risk. You have a right to own a gun, but you do NOT have a right to shoot it indiscriminately in public. It’s too bad our leaders do not have the foresight to require them, and enforce it, across the board. If you are not wearing a mask, then don’t complain about the backtracking on opening up and getting back to normal, because it’s mostly your fault!

[Jacob85]

The new research shows the mask protects the wearer also. I think if they would have said this in the first place not that many people would object. Wearing a mask is like wearing a seat belt. When people don’t want to do something, they find all kinds of reasons not to do it. This became political and it is not. It is a medical issue. Also, the shield has been shown to be effective so wear that! Both are better than nothing. It is common sense!

[jbrown132]

Is you believe that wearing a mask will personally help you then by all means you should wear one. In public stores and places I certainly do. However, the latest science coming out, even by the CDC, is saying that masks on are at best rarely effective. As one doctor put it “it’s like putting up a chain link fence to stop a mosquito”. They are saying the most effective way to prevent the spread is constant hand and face washing, and keeping your hands away from your face. Also, if you do wear a mask, if they do offer any protection at all, paper masks would be more effective than cloth. New information every day what’s to believe.

[Byte1]

The placebo effect of masks seems to be really working well. I wear a mask because it makes my spouse feel better about it, not because I care one way or another. I believe that there are really two reasons I have not become infected, and neither because of the mask. I believe I have not been in close contact with anyone that is infected. Or, I have the same basic immunity I have to the FLU and the common cold. The chances of being infected in the Villages is so low that most folks will never be in the same vicinity as an infected person, and even if they are may not even receive virus spores on them, AND if they do the virus may die off before entering their system. I do not care about the individuals that say, well you have more protection if you wear a mask or use the stupid example of wearing long pants and peeing. That example leaves out one additional factor. It suggests that if you are wearing long pants and someone pees, then you stand a chance of not getting your leg wet. But, it hardly reflects the more important part where is the person that pees is wearing a pair of long pants, you will not get wet. Not that I care because I dont' get close enough for anyone to pee on me anyway. SO, the moral of the story is keep your distance and you won't have to worry about whether or not they are wearing a mask. If you wish to wear a mask, then go for it. Feel secure. Shoot, wear a bio-hazard suit and be sure that you are safe.
If you can't wear a mask for some reason, then if you feel threatened don't go out. For those that worry about what other folks are doing, if you don't like it that others are not wearing a mask when you are, then don't go out.
I am getting tired of hearing whiners crying about how the gov should mandate the wearing of masks. I get tired of whiners crying about how businesses "need to" mandate masks wearing by the customers. If you don't like it, then stay home. It's your right to stay home, but it is NOT your right to demand others conform to YOUR standards.
Personally, I like to see folks wearing masks when they are in a store because many are too lazy or too inconsiderate to put their hand over their mouths when they cough, and sometimes I have to get near them to pass them when shopping. BUT, I do not insist they wear a mask, and won't even suggest that they cover their mouths with their hand when coughing. It's not worth my time.
Yes, I wear a mask right now, but I don't do it because I think that it does any good. But, I do use the wipes at the door of some stores to wipe the cart and my hands. But, I did that before all this because of the flu and colds. But, when this is over I am not going to wear a mask during FLU season.
Like I have said before, the Sumter Co portion of the Villages has had a total of 8 or 9 deaths attributed to COVID19, and even those might have been from other factors. Out of the thousands tested, that is a pretty low ratio. Out of all those tested positive in the same area, that is really a low ratio.
Golf cart deaths are higher here than anywhere else in the U.S. right? Why? Could it be that we have more golf carts being used here than anywhere else in the U.S.?
I wonder what the numbers are for heart related deaths are in The Villages compared to elsewhere. How about the amount of deaths attributed to cancer? Why, because we have a lot of seniors here. More in one place than anywhere else, right?
SO, if we have more deaths caused by other issues in The Villages than anywhere else, because we have more seniors here, then why not from COVID19? Does anyone else wonder about that? Because it sure isn't because everyone is wearing masks, because they are not. If so, then there would not be this discussion.
Like I said, wear the mask and continue the positive attitude that a good placebo causes. You say it works to lower the infection rate. I say, maybe you are right and maybe not. Who cares? Sorry, I should have said, "why should I care?" I am not a doctor and am not responsible for keeping others alive. Don't blame others for your catching the virus, if you insist on exposing yourself to the possibility of exposure when you did not need to. And do not blame others for scaring you if they do not wear a mask and they are not infected.
What's the population of the Sumter co. portion of The Villages, about 54,000? And 8 or 9 deaths? Hmmm, that makes a pretty low ratio and chance of dying. Maybe the chance of being infected is higher, but being infected with a cold is high also, isn't it?
Not very scientific, but it does make one wonder what everyone is doing here that they are not doing elsewhere, to have such a low mortality rate with this virus.

[ts12755]

Im 65 and had Covid in May and didnt even know it. 80% of us will have mild or no symtoms. Let that 80% of the population get covid-19 so we get herd immunity and this pandemic dies off. If you're fat or sick stay home while the rest of us get it.

[joseppe]

Originally Posted by coffeebean

For those of you who claim you are not able to wear a mask because of a medical condition. I just read about an excellent alternative. Wear a face shield. The shields do not inhibit your ability to breath and are not uncomfortable yet will block virus laden droplets from being propelled forward into some else's air space. Win Win.

THERE ARE NO EXCUSES FOR NOT WEARING A MASK!!!!

These no mask wearers feel that God did not intend them to wear a mask. I'm wondering why they were all fully clothed.

Florida's Anti-Maskers Are Taking a Stand | NowThis - YouTube