To Mask or Not To Mask?

[George K]

March: "No need for masks."
April: "It may be a good idea."
May: "No mask, no service."

And now this.

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/when-and-how-to-use-masks

• If you are healthy, you only need to wear a mask if you are taking care of a person with COVID-19.
• Wear a mask if you are coughing or sneezing.
• Masks are effective only when used in combination with frequent hand-cleaning with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
• If you wear a mask, then you must know how to use it and dispose of it properly.

[Improviso]

In Virginia, today is the first day that everyone in the state must wear a mask while in public spaces, by executive order of our governor.

I am NOT a happy camper about that.

My county has 5 cases (only one in the last 30 days) and no deaths. But I am being treated the same as if I lived in Northern Virginia.

Whatever happened to evaluating on a county by county basis as we were told months ago?

[Aqua Letifer]

@Improviso said in To Mask or Not To Mask?:

Whatever happened to evaluating on a county by county basis as we were told months ago?

People don't stay within counties.

[Improviso]

Ah... so it really was just bullshit when they said it. Got it.

Kinda like the bullshit guidance George is pointing out at the start of this thread.

[Improviso]

I also seem to remember several months ago being told that the virus enters the body thru the mouth, nose and eyes, hence the reason for "don't touch your face".

So... a mask covers 2 out of the 3 entry points. When will it be a requirement to wear a face shield or goggles?

[Aqua Letifer]

@Improviso said in To Mask or Not To Mask?:

Ah... so it really was just bullshit when they said it. Got it.

Kinda like the bullshit guidance George is pointing out at the start of this thread.

I don't think you can make a case that masks don't drastically mitigate the spread of infection from someone who has the virus. To me it sounds like people who don't want to be inconvenienced are reverse-engineering reasons why they think they're ineffective to justify their position. If absolutely everyone in America followed the same guidance, we could open everything up today without any problems.

[Improviso]

[Aqua Letifer]

They do work, and businesses do not have to be closed. I don't understand the point that meme is trying to make.

[Improviso]

@Aqua-Letifer said in To Mask or Not To Mask?:

and businesses do not have to be closed. I don't understand the point that meme is trying to make.

Where you been the last 3 months?

[Improviso]

Never mind... working from home. Got it.

[Aqua Letifer]

Well if you want to get into this, businesses "have to be closed" because there are enough people out there who think like you do. If everybody wore 'em, there'd be very little risk.

As to work/not work, reality is a little more nuanced than an internet meme you found on Facebook. They're very effective in preventing an infected person from infecting another. And many, many people are completely asymptomatic, so that's very important. Only certain masks effectively prevent you from getting infected from someone else.

[Doctor Phibes]

Is wearing a mask to go to the store really that much of a hardship?

[mark]

@Doctor-Phibes said in To Mask or Not To Mask?:

Is wearing a mask to go to the store really that much of a hardship?

+1

It's not. But, it has become a rally cry for politics.

[Doctor Phibes]

There are plenty of people enduring real issues, and this is what we're whining about?

Please excuse me while I don't give a fuck.

[Copper]

What is the goal? How are we going to measure it?

Exactly how many lives have been saved by masks?

Why would we ever go out without a mask? I mean forever and ever.

Why not wear masks and end all communicable diseases and save everyone's life?

[mark]

@Doctor-Phibes I agree with you. Sorry if I made it sound otherwise.

[xenon]

Opposing masks is such an asinine thing to oppose if you're in favor of opening up the country fast.

"Hey guys - let's keep our distance and wear masks and get back out there"

But, no - there's no good grievance in that message. I am genuinely a little surprise how stark the political lines have been drawn on this.

[Mik]

I know how to get people on board with masks.

[mark]

@Copper My goal, is to get past this particular outbreak until such time as proven, effective treatment, that prevents long-term health consequences from this virus, and/or vaccine is available.

I choose to wear a mask. A nice replaceable filter pocket homemade mask that my daughter so lovingly crafted for me. She made one for everyone in our family as well as her friends.

I live in a area not far from Chicago and my particular county has one the fastest growing number of cases in our state.

I will wear one for as long as I want to wear one.

[xenon]

@Mik Mana from the gods. I can't help but smile when i see bacon.