Who Here Will NOT Wear A Mask

I refuse to wear one when I'm home alone!

I don’t wear one because I’m a POC! All of the early communication about masks was for whites, so not wearing one now!!!

Even Trump wore one in public today, so hopefully this craziness will stop.

He should muzzled more often.

Masks have been required when you go inside places here for months. I don't see the big deal.

Can you imagine the makeup stains on trump's mask!

Someone needs to tell tRump he looks infinitely better with a mask covering 2/3 of his otherwise repulsive face.

My partner and I live in NC. We had a weekend trip to Asheville planned, but here we sit watching Netflix at home, because I decided I can't spend 3 whole days wearing a mask. However, I respect the rules in local stores.

I'm supposed to go back to work at the end of the month and I'm not sure I can handle wearing a mask for 8+ hours

[quote]I'm supposed to go back to work at the end of the month and I'm not sure I can handle wearing a mask for 8+ hours

Thankfully when you're dead you won't have to wear one; I hear satan's not requiring a mask in hell.

Here's another one: how many of you have had dreams that you're someplace and realize you don't have a mask on and woken up in a panic?

Most of us have no choice.

In my state, masks are required in all stores, restaurants, and all public places. You'll be fined if you don't.

R2, are you being serious?

I will if I’m asked and her one handy but I don’t unless I’m forced to. Wearing masks is t all that. Ok Lon where I live and covid is pretty much under control here.

I own't, because faces were made in the image and likeness of God and covering it up is sin.

LOL, Trump thought he looked goog in his mask, kind of like the Lone Ranger. I guess he forgot that the Lone Ranger had a mask like Zorro, over his upper face.

Trump looks more like Black Bart.

And you wonder why Fla is in the condition it's in..............

Down in Florida, Machovec is tired of the waffling and confusion.

She’s decided to lean into her own understanding of how a healthy body handles viruses and is steering clear of anything she feels decreases her ability to get lots of fresh oxygen, which she feels would make her unhealthy and less able to care for her children.

“I’m not going to put myself at what I consider to be a risk to protect someone else,” she said. “I’m not going to light myself on fire to keep someone else warm.”

You mean it’s not a hoax?

Ha Ha, R3

He looks so pissed. I wonder if somebody put their their foot down or he is getting scared. Oh, just saw. It was obviously a photo op. He probably will come out and say that he was performing surgery.

They probably convinced him to wear one because they’re going to start marketing Trump Masks. They’ll be made in China out of “beautiful cheese cloth”.

“No one can believe it, people are saying—It’s never been done before.” says Trump.

I will never wear a mask again. I swear it on my mother's grave.

R9, do they make any concessions for mask breaks? Smokers still get time-outs, though not as readily.

I wear a mask because I think I'm a Carrier. I had It in February, and since then have had weird episodes of occasional grinding fatigue and/or dry cough. And my cat died of a coronavirus in April.

r9, Remember that wearing a bandana (or scarf) is open at the bottom so it's not quite as constrictive as a mask. It is also, unfortunately, not as quite as effective as a properly fitting mask.

I mentioned this bumper sticker on an earlier thread but I feel it bears repeating: If you don't like a mask, you're really not going to like a ventilator.

This exemption should still be in place, profiling needs to end!!! Should also apply everywhere.

“Mommy, which Disney ride did I get COVID on?”

“We’re too excited to sleep!l

We've covered this.

I go to covid parties and you're not allowed to wear a mask.

R13 and r14 are drunk as fuck!

People do not wear a mask, when they are out and about, are irresponsible assholes. I always wear a mask when I am out, always

I am just thankful Trump thought the looked good in a mask (because it is always all about himself) if he had hated how he looked, how many more would die.

And extra mask he poot on stick to wipe himself.

Has hell frozen over? I guess it has finally gotten to the point where it's more politically expedient for Trump to wear one than not. Well, "in the appropriate locations" anyway.

Hopefully his fleet of morons will stop politicizing it so much...hopefully.

Trump The Queen of Farts, on this day in July 2020, hereby decrees surgical masks no longer a liberal hoax, and a legitimate way of decreasing virus transmission.

Today I saw a man at the grocery who wasn't wearing a mask. A woman offered to give him one. He told her no one was going to force him to wear anything. Her reply: "Then why aren't you naked?"

I didn't mean to imply I wasn't going to wear one, just that I'm not looking forward to it. In fact my work is not requiring us to wear masks once we get to our work space but I intend to wear one the entire time I'm there regardless. I've been isolating at home since mid-March and always wear a mask when I have to go to out.

I hate seeing those MAGA hats, but if someone made MAGA masks I bet the, "muh freedoms" assholes would wear them.

[quote] Today I saw a man at the grocery who wasn't wearing a mask. A woman offered to give him one. He told her no one was going to force him to wear anything. Her reply: "Then why aren't you naked?"

That is a freaking brilliant response.

[quote] I wear a mask because I think I'm a Carrier. I had It in February, and since then have had weird episodes of occasional grinding fatigue and/or dry cough. And my cat died of a coronavirus in April.

MARY!

Do you travel with your vapors and fainting couch, as well?

Oh, and cats don't carry covid-19. FYI.

He's only wearing that mask because it's got the presidential seal on it. They should sell copies so everyone could wear one and piss him the hell off.

He’s like a child who will only drink his milk if it’s in a special sipee cup

This fatty voted against wearing masks in Florida, now he went into septic shock and his organs are failing.

r9 , My reply, r24, to your original post was not in any way meant to "mask shame" you. Adding the part about "if you don't like wearing a mask ..." was directed at those idiots who refuse to wear one at all. Wearing a mask for eight hours at a time can not be easy for anyone,. I wish you well.

I have been holed up in my apartment alone. I have family and we are on email and phone contact and occasional short visits. My issue is that I cannot abide wearing a mask. I literally cannot breathe and my glasses fog up. I feel like I am suffocating. and I get really hot. I have the standard issue surgical masks where you can pinch a wire over your nose for a snug fit. Does one get used to wearing a mask? I rip mine off as soon as I get into my car after my infrequent trips to the local drugstore. I will be trying the scarf idea next. Can you be arrested with just a scarf? This may sound trivial, but I am truly unable to tolerate the not being able to breathe situation. I usually stick a finger under the lower part to let air in. I have an autoimmune disease, but it has nothing to do with my lungs.

If masks are so effective, then why are businesses still closed?

There was a good letter to the editor the other day that said, My father, who was from the great generation and was in WWll said if America doesn't have something like a Depression soon it will become too soft to handle one. This country doesn't know how to sacrifice. The writer said that after 4 months of the virus the country is beginning to fold. Instead of dealing with this challenge in the same manner as our parents did with WWll and the The Depression, we complain about having to follow health experts instructions.

Covering half of his ugly face with a mask is a good start. How about a bag over his entire head?

Wearing a mask in public spaces is mandatory in my county, but I'll admit that I didn't start wearing a mask right away because I was having so much trouble finding any for sale. Now that I have a stash, I'm completely compliant.

I'm exactly like you, R45.

I hate wearing a mask, and so I won't go out at all unless it's for work or grocery shopping.

I won't be spending any money until this mask order is lifted.

What drove Trump to finally put on a mask? I find this both suspicious and intriguing.

Today I’ve enjoyed thinking that Trump has tested positive, finally, and it will be only a matter of weeks before they roll out the golden crane to drop him in the golden casket.

I don't. Social distancing, daily 5000IU dose of Vitamin D3, and hand-washing are enough. I don't go places where I have to be within 10 feet of other people.

168 active cases out of 2.5 million people where I am, eleven people hospitalized. If I lived where it was mandated, and my activities put me at moderate risk or higher and within 10 feet of other people, I would.

Then, #51, Mike Pence becomes your President. And probably gets re-elected in Nov. You want a virulent homophobe Christian Supremacist as your President?

Think

[quote] My issue is that I cannot abide wearing a mask. I literally cannot breathe and my glasses fog up. I feel like I am suffocating.

Same as R45. Only wear mask if I have no choice - bus, market, mall - and avoid those situations as much as I can.

R45 have you tried the accordian style masks. I have COPD and couldn't wear one because it was the style you are talking about with the nose pinch. I couldn't breath at all in them but I managed to snag a box of medical masks and I can breath in them pretty well. I bought some reusable masks from etsy of the same accordian style and they work for me pretty well.

I've also been wondering which countries have people refusing to wear masks. Is it only the US?

I'm sorry, but I have MASKAPHOBIA.

I have a doctor's note for it.

The accordion style masks are annoying too. They're not suffocating, but they don't fit properly and they're always hitting my eye. I constantly have to adjust them.

[quote] I've also been wondering which countries have people refusing to wear masks. Is it only the US?

Um, NOPE.

At least in the US, our non-mask wearers don't form a lynch mob, and beat their bus driver to death.

Wow r59 so the Us is better than France at least.. That's great news!

At the link you can see polling data from several countries charting mask use. The US started poorly, but it seems we are one of the better behaved groups now - Asian countries, of course, rank highest. Mask use in the UK and Scandinavia is the lowest. I think the UK in particular are in for more trouble now that they've opened back up.

r61 Asian countries rank highest because of their living conditions, compliance cultures & totalitarian governments. Many have third-world conditions coupled with population densities virtually unknown in the West. That's why masks will make more of a difference. Places with physical distancing, less population density, better hygiene (generally & handwashing) & healthier people will see negligible difference with masks. They'd only need them in a hotspot. Experts here (Dr Williams Ontario PHO, Dr Bogoch, infectious disease doctor, etc.) have said as much.

Americans got in trouble because they basically said fuck you to everything--lockdown a/o isolation, distancing, hygiene/handwashing, and finally masks in hotspots,. Their government also didn't shut down travel/quarantine fast enough or at all.

I can't wear any face covering (medical reasons), & I'm supposed to be exempt, but the disabled got thrown under the bus by Public Health. We're now being rejected, harassed and bullied by business owners who don't want to be blasted on SM by Karens and other crazy assholes if someone comes in without a mask. We are in low single digits (SW Ontario); we've actually gone a couple of days with no new cases. Our hospitalizations are also single digit as of earlier in the week.

All of the distancing & hygiene are working, but business interests have scared the shit out of ignorant people who now think they'll be in the ICU in a week if everyone doesn't wear a mask. Doctors who know better have kept silent because it's political now-careers can be affected. There are a few who will speak up here, but it's rare. I've talked to a couple health care workers who are frustrated & scared about this because they worry about people having a false sense of security, & relaxing distancing/hygiene. According to them, initial isolation, distancing & hygiene are the real reasons for the decline here.

I most definitely will not wear a mask. Why should I.

That was well written R61, and I totally agree with you.

Whoops, I meant that was well written R62.

Not R61.

[quote]If masks are so effective, then why are businesses still closed?

Because people haven’t been wearing masks. They have to be worn to BE effective. Why is this such a difficult concept to grasp?

Honestly I don’t wear one (yet). Living in rural Wales atm, and only ever go out for food or to check on my 86 year-old gran. Only the elderly wear them around here, thought many people wear gloves and sanitise publicly. The streets have been widened to allow more pedestrian space and many shops have one-way systems and spaces queues as well. I’m open to being more strict and wearing a mask when we lock down again or if things get worse. Maybe that’s the wrong attitude, I don’t know.

Why don’t I don one now? Something about the mask affects my mood psychologically in ways I don’t like, I will admit that. It does a lot for my sanity and wellbeing (against chronic depression£ to simply smile at other people and see them smile back. Just me?

Reading this thread is semi-bewildering. After all this time, why don't people understand that wearing a mask isn't about protecting yourself, it's about protecting the people around you?

It's such a basic and vitally important point. Is this a messaging problem on behalf of the CDC and the government? Do people still misunderstand or do they just not care?

People think they have a right to their own facts, so reality is based on their own personal preferences and convenience. Just like people make God in their own image —somehow He hates the same people they do.

[quote]After all this time, why don't people understand that wearing a mask isn't about protecting yourself, it's about protecting the people around you?

because, the DL being representative of american culture at large, these people are selfish cunts and insensitive assholes

[quote]Just like people make God in their own image —somehow He hates the same people they do. (r69)

“ I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do because I notice it always coincides with their own desires." - Susan B. Anthony

It doesn't help that the POTUS is openly contradicting the advice of medical doctors appointed by his own FUCKING administration. Can't really convince people to wear masks when he refuses to.

You have got to see the Qanon nutters on Lipstick Alley. Go to forums. Scroll down to conspiracy alley. Click. Click on Qanon. Read the last few pages. They are spiralling into a frenzy. Someone has just notified an agency. The head nutter Tulip is stating that the USA is being held hostage by wearing masks. Trump is a prisoner. Call to arms etc. It's fucking insane that a site let's it happen. The wearing of masks is setting them off.

Some of the posters in that thread have mental health issues. If they act out violently because they were primed by Tulip on Lipstick Alley then the site will be liable. All over masks.

Always wear a mask when alone in your car!

We only have to wear one in public transport. I just keep my distance in stores. The use of mask hasn’t been proven. People often don’t wear them right

R62 What is your medical condition?

I don’t understand why so many people are being babies about needing to wear masks. I often forget I’m even wearing one after awhile.

[quote] The use of mask hasn’t been proven.

You, sir, are an idiot.

I don’t wear a mask because I won’t be able to suck dick

Dee Hall here. 🙋‍♀️

R79 you have to wear it right and it depends on the type of mask

I forgot I was wearing a mask for six hours. I didn't think to take it off in my car or when I arrived home, so I guess I've gotten used to it.

A local pastor said "When God asked Adam to wear a fig leaf, he didn't complain."

R68, you’re right about wearing a mask to protect others, but I wonder if this message is part of the reason why people won’t wear them. Most people don’t give a fuck about protecting others.

I believe Trump finally realized that by wearing a mask he will cover his many chins, therefore he looks better. I think we may see him wearing them more often.

[quote] I can't wear any face covering (medical reasons), & I'm supposed to be exempt,

Pray, tell R62 - what is this medical condition?

[quote]I think we may see him wearing them more often.

No, that was him "acting Presidential." Like when he gives a speech that doesn't hate on people and Van Jones creams his panties. It lasts about an hour, and it doesn't happen again for months and months

Or, R40, you could get off your snide high horse.

I wear them out in public. It makes me feel better about it by treating them like a fashion accessory, I’ve purchased several for different outfits and occasions. But it still makes me sad to see people wearing them, and I miss seeing people’s faces.

And Trump’s head looks ridiculously small on his obese body when he wears a mask. To hell with him.

The accordion styles seems to hug my face nicely on the edges, but leaves space around my nostrils and mouth. Nice for warmer days.

I also like a non-accordion style made of a soft tshirt material that I got on etsy. The material fits nicely and is very comfortable.

Yes because fashion and comfort always trumps personal safety (pun intended) lol

I hated the first mask I had and assumed they were all alike. They aren't. So if you find the one you have uncomfortable, try a different type/style if you have the opportunity.

Unfortunately, we all better get used to masks. Don't assume that "keeping your distance" is adequate protection. More and more evidence is emerging that this is an "airborne" virus. Meaning that it hangs in the air in the same way a fragrance does.

Texas governor Abbott directed police to enforce mask law. Texas!

R92 The airborne theory makes sense to me. I don't know how 10,000 people a day can become infected by droplets, y'know?

I never really thought--or cared-- about the number of people in my city UNTIL this virus. Fuck, every day it seems there are another 5000 new cases. I feel like it's closing in on me.

I'm just blown away that people don't see how completely uninterested this administration is in solving this.

Won't leave my apartment without wearing one. I've tried three different types, but all seem to have fit problems.

Can anyone please link to comfortable, well fitting, reusable masks for sale?

Gildan reusable adult tie-on masks, available on Amazon. I tried to link it here, but can't.

I like them cuz they're tie-ons. The elastic loops are always slipping off my ears. (I guess I have an overly large head or floppy ears or something.) Because the Gildan masks have two sets of ties, you can adjust them very precisely to be as tight or loose as you want. They're very thick and, thus, warm to wear outside in summer. But inside they're terrific.

[quote]I'm just blown away that people don't see how completely uninterested this administration is in solving this.

People are aware. There’s a reason why Trump is now losing in Texas.

Thanks r96.

R95 i bought these. They work well for me and the fabric is comfortable.

Sweetie, I've been on this planet thru some very low lows but as God as my witness, I will not be going out by Donald Fucking Trump.

I go for an early morning walk when nobody else is around. I’ll bring a mask to wear if I encounter someone, but I rarely do.

Other than that, I pretty much stay inside. If I have to run an errand, I wear a mask from the moment I leave my car to when I return to it.

I have to admit that I'd rather not wear a mask. However, if the law dictates that I must wear one I will.

Where I currently live masks are not being recommended by my Government.

I don’t do it because it’s the law

I do it because it’s the right thing to do

R103 I do it because it's mandated in my state. I don't know if it's the right thing to do. You look right on the box of any surgical or basic mask and it specifically states that the mask will NOT protect you against COVID and that it offers NO protection against COVID or any other illness. Let's face it - we were told in the very beginning not to wear masks. Now suddenly we are told to wear them. Ok, I will wear one, but it doesn't mean that the mask I am wearing will protect me or anyone from COVID.

The only mask that will protect you is an N95. I have one of those but already used it. You have to basically wear a new one everyday and I don't have any extras. Those will protect you.

TBH - the solution is provide everyone with one N95 mask PER DAY. That way we can all go about our lives, reopen etc. Thats all we have to do. And it's a lot less expensive than a 3 TRILLION dollar Cares act package. I don't know why we aren't doing this?

I don’t get it. Everyone, really everyone looks better with a mask.

[quote]Ok, I will wear one, but it doesn't mean that the mask I am wearing will protect me or anyone from COVID.

Please see r68 right here on this very thread.

[quote]Reading this thread is semi-bewildering. After all this time, why don't people understand that wearing a mask isn't about protecting yourself, it's about protecting the people around you? It's such a basic and vitally important point.

R106 but you don't know that it is protecting them! The only mask that offers anyone real protection is an N95, and that is a fact. We have also been told that corona can spread THROUGH the eyes - masks don't cover the eyes. Does it even spread through the eyes? Does anyone know? They don't seem to know anything.

It's not anyone elses job to protect me. I take personal responsibility for myself and don't put that responsibility on anyone else. I wear a mask because it's mandated, and I will abide by the mandate. that is the only reason. If I had access to N95's than I would feel more confident in wearing a mask, but since I don't - I only wear the mask for show - and that's what all of us are doing. It's all one big show IMO.

They wear them all the time in Asia, and they’re a lot smarter than us, so...

R108 they wear them due to the crazy air pollution there.

Common sense sense says it protects other people.

Do you know how, if you wear a mask for more than a few minutes, you can feel trapped heat and moisture collecting there? Those are respiratory droplets. The mask is trapping at least those specific droplets from entering the air and the eyes, mouths, clothes of those around you.

It’s not a perfect system, no, and it doesn’t stop all the droplets. But good is not the enemy of perfect. Why would anyone NOT do it?

I don't get people like R107 who say the experts don't know anything and then go on to spout their own opinion as if it was fact.

R107, you are aware you don't know anything, either, right?

Not trying to start anything, but I really believe that those most opposed to wearing a mask are those who believe that Covid is mostly a disease for black people, brown people, and old people. In fact, I pretty much heard a Trumpster say just that.

R110 - can you explain why in the beginning of the pandemic, when healthcare workers didn't have access to proper PPE and they were all wearing surgical masks instead - why the virus spread like wildfire in many nursing homes and long term care facilities? Those surgical masks were not protecting anyone.

My aunt works in a nursing home. The very beginning of march they were being told that COVID patients from a local hospital were being transported to the facility. That in itself is outrageous - but blame the governor. Sending COVID patients to a nursing home that houses the most vulnerable of out population is insane. But that's what was done.

They were to be placed on one floor of the building. They began fitting some of the nurses for N95 masks. They did not have enough N95's for the entire staff, so many were told to just wear surgical masks.

The ones that only wore the surgical masks caught corona. ALL the workers who had N95's were fine, and 32 residents have since died. My aunt also got corona. She wasn't one of the lucky ones to get an N95 mask. Yet everyone in the facility wore some type of face covering - those face coverings - that were NOT N95 - didn't help. Those face coverings also didn't help "protect others' in the facility.

My aunt is 66. Caught corona the end of March, and also tested positive again the end of May. She was sick for approx 5 days in March. With flu like symptoms, severe diarrhea - no cough or fever. In May when she tested positive a second time, she was asymptomatic. Everyone in the facility wears masks - but they are not all wearing N95's.

Everyday, Before starting a shift, they have to have a health screening - temps are taken etc. The virus is still spreading like crazy there and they all wear face coverings. They also wear plastic gloves, and plastic coverings over their clothes. They also have just begun last week wearing clear face shields over their (basic surgical) masks.

Those "face coverings" are not preventing the spread where she works - where we KNOW the virus IS. So why on earth do you think they are protecting anyone else is beyond me.

Been wearing one since March. It's cool and they sell all kinds of fancy stuff in stores nowadays.

R112 - well that's just stupid.

Viral load makes a big difference, R113. Health care workers and people constantly exposed to sick patients obviously need stronger PPE.

R116 - the healthcare workers wearing face coverings in March are pretty much our first case study that reveals basic "face coverings" don't protect other people. This is also when we were told not to bother wearing masks. If wearing basic face coverings didn't prevent the spread of the virus in March, when in a healthcare setting (people aware of sanitizing/wearing plastic gloves/etc) it won't help now with your average layman walking around with a bandana that covers their mouth.

Like I said above - the easiest solution is to provide everyone with N95 masks. Its a lot cheaper than dropping 3 trillion on the CARES act and will be the most effective way of getting control of the spread of the virus - oh yeah and we can also get back to some sort of normalcy and open back up that way - we would however have to wear the N95, but at least we will know that the N95 will protect us. And we can get on with life.

In support of R116, I've read that it is the length of exposure that is the problem. If you pass by an infected person while outside, then there is little chance of you contracting the virus because you weren't exposed to enough particles to become infected. But with extended periods of being in close proximity while outside, or while being exposed in a poorly ventilated indoor area, then your exposure to the virus is greater and for a much longer period, greatly increasing your chances of being infected. The masks that most people are wearing are fine for protection if you're just going into a store (preferably with others wearing masks) if you'll only be there for 15 to 30 minutes. But to work a shift where you are constantly being exposed to the virus, that will take the top-of-the-line masks to keep you safe.

[quote]the healthcare workers wearing face coverings in March are pretty much our first case study that reveals basic "face coverings" don't protect other people.

And yet, study after study shows that mask wearing is effective. Here's just one.

I think this is our angel of death, trying to increase her body count even more

[quote]can you explain why in the beginning of the pandemic, when healthcare workers didn't have access to proper PPE and they were all wearing surgical masks instead - why the virus spread like wildfire in many nursing homes and long term care facilities? Those surgical masks were not protecting anyone.

Healthcare workers were surrounded by the virus for hours on end, and if you'll recall, many (probably most) did NOT have proper masks, they had homemade masks.

For the general public, a homemade mask plus distancing plus handwashing helps mitigate the virus because your chance of exposure is already much lower than that of a healthcare worker. A healthcare worker isn't dealing with the occasional contact of grocery shopping, they're dealing with constant viral exposure for hours on end, days on end, thus increasing their risk exponentially.

There's a study about the virus contracted on the USS Theodore Roosevelt showing that handwashing didn't help mitigate the virus, because the personnel were already washing their hands a lot per regulations. Extra handwashing didn't help, but masking did.

R118, read the link at r121. It shows that masks did help even with a confined population exposed to the virus repeatedly.

[quote]It's not anyone elses job to protect me. I take personal responsibility for myself and don't put that responsibility on anyone else.

Your mask isn't to protect you, it's to protect others from you.

Which you don't care about. And you won't read any studies that have been posted and you keep blabbing about how your personal opinion is more valid than what scientific research has shown.

Okay, so you can't be convinced. Why are you trying to convince others that it's pointless, though?

Joe models his new mask!

[quote] Why are you trying to convince others that it's pointless, though?

Because she’s the angel of death. That’s what she does.

I choose not to.

Dear fucking christ Diedre, we know. WE KNOW.

If your history on the Datalounge is any indication, you choose not to wear anything.

I wear a mask everywhere. It's even mandated in the common areas of my building.

However, when I'm at the park and can socially distance 10+ feet from everyone else, I relieve myself.

[quote]when I'm at the park and can socially distance 10+ feet from everyone else, I relieve myself.

Pics please.

[quote]can you explain why in the beginning of the pandemic, when healthcare workers didn't have access to proper PPE and they were all wearing surgical masks instead - why the virus spread like wildfire in many nursing homes and long term care facilities? Those surgical masks were not protecting anyone.

You have to consider what those workers are doing in those nursing homes. Many of them are helping residents bathe, brushing their teeth, helping feed them, giving them pills to take...ie, the workers are in close contact with those residents’ faces and mouths, which makes their work higher risk. Those workers need N95s when they are in close proximity like that.

But a simple mask is perfectly adequate for the average person going to the grocery store or riding a bus who is able to properly social distance and not in close proximity to someone else’s face and mouth.

R130 - the RN's are not doing that. The LPN's are.

Like I said - we have a basic solution - give everyone N95's and let's end the craziness.

Why aren't we doing that? Something so basic, cost efficient and effective to help control this problem?

R123 I am NOT trying to convince people that wearing a proper mask is pointless. What I am doing is stating the obvious - a face covering that is NOT an N95 IS pointless - and if we all actually has N95 masks we could go about our lives, open back up and end this craziness.

Obviously TPTB don't want to end the craziness. Why is that? Is it population control? Is it that they want the economy to go down the shitter, is it because it was an easy way to openly have one of the largest transfers of wealth in our history disguised as "The Cares Act" - where the people that truly benefitted aren't the ones that received a 1200 dollar pittance?

[quote]Why aren't we doing that? Something so basic, cost efficient and effective to help control this problem?

There's a shortage of them for medical professionals. We're years away from the point where there'd be enough for everyone every day.

If we wanted to massively speed up production, Trump would have to use emergency powers. And, I suspect, he doesn't want to do that because if it fails, it'll be his fault. Everything he does (or doesn't do) is about himself.

[quote]What I am doing is stating the obvious - a face covering that is NOT an N95 IS pointless

Many people upthread have spelled out why you're wrong, but still, you persist in this fallacy.

Of course, N95s for everyone would be better. Of course, America should by now at the point where it could supply N95s to all its citizens. But it's not, due to an abdication of leadership by Washington. That's not going to change anytime soon, so we make do with what we have -- which is a far sight better than no masks at all.

N95s are supposed to be a single-use item. Yet healthcare workers, even in the best-equipped hospitals, are being asked to reuse them for days and even weeks at a time. There is simply no possible way to have enough that every citizen could have one. And even then, many people wouldn’t wear one...they’re very tight and uncomfortable.

Those reuseable Gildan masks are good. I got a package of 48 from Amazon for under 40 dollars. I have given away a few but they will last me through the pandemic.

Masks offer much more protection against coronavirus than many think

There’s a common refrain that masks don’t protect you; they protect other people from your own germs, which is especially important to keep unknowingly infected people from spreading the coronavirus.

But now, there’s mounting evidence that masks also protect you.

Masks don’t filter out all viral particles, says Dr. Monica Gandhi, UC San Francisco professor of medicine and medical director of the HIV Clinic at Zuckerberg San Francisco General HospitalGandhi. But even cloth face masks filter out a majority of viral particles.

And even if a person wearing a mask gets infected, the mask — by filtering out most of the viral particles exhaled by the infected person — probably leads to less severe disease, Gandhi said.

Came across this that may be helpful in convincing the unwilling. Or not.

There is no "all of the sudden" R104. Are you a Trumpster believing the shit that the WH put out to discredit Fauci.

CNN even ran the Trump-altered interview with Fauci from MARCH where he said there's no need to wear a mask OUTSIDE if you're jogging. Totally taken out of context. Mind you, he admittedly changed his opinion as the virus progressed because that's how virologist work.

I mean...a FUCKING nationally renowned DOCTOR is instructing you to wear a mask during a pandemic, and YOU'RE questioning that? That would be laughable if it wasn't so dangerous.

People with magical thinking can’t understand why science changes based on new evidence.

They see this as a bad thing. They’re used to religion not changing, even as it’s proven wrong.

You do realize that there were gay men that kept having unprotected sex during the AIDS pandemic despite the fact that men were dying all around them and knowing it was sexually transmitted? They thought it was some hoax perpetrated to infringe is on their sexual freedom. Some just didn’t care. Then there were/are the bug chasers, and those who think/thought being HIV+ is a hoax and don’t seek treatment until they are so sick it’s often too late? Or people that got tired of safe sex after a few years and started taking more risks and ended up positive?

The AIDS pandemic in the gay community taught me there are all levels of ignorance and stupidity in how people rationalize their behavior/reaction to a disease. Don’t let other people let you make unwise decisions just because what they say sounds better or seem more convenient. Ultimately you have to deal with the consequences of your decisions—and with COVID, so do your family members and those close to you.

I always where one in stores and if Im in a crowd of people..its to show my respect for others,

R141 that’s called personal ethics and social responsibility. The problem is that in the US, we have fetishized personal freedom to such a level that people have lost that sense of of duty to others and a sense of community responsibility. People think their opinions are as good as facts and act accordingly. Deferring to experts or having to do something that is inconvenient is seen as “oppression”.

Well said, r142! Bravo.

A few years ago, I lived and worked in Beijing for 5-6 weeks. It was an awful experience in so many ways, but also educational. It was there that I learned the point of wearing masks was to protect those around you, not yourself. And no one there thought twice about wearing a mask if they thought they might have been exposed to something.

I don’t have much positive to say about my time there or the people I worked with, but they took community responsibility VERY seriously. I’ll give them that.

CDC: None of the 139 clients exposed to two hair stylists with confirmed COVID-19 acquired the virus. Both the stylists and the customers work masks. The stylists wore layered cotton masks. Of the customers, 49 wore cloth face coverings, 48 wore surgical masks, five wore 95 respirators and two weren't sure what they wore.

One stylist infected her husband, daughter, son-in-law and roommate, all of whom lived in a single household -- and didn't wear masks around each other.

Still going to push the canard that any face covering other than an N95 mask is "pointless," R131?

One way to says that masks are not optional.

America is a dumpster fire.

And now that Trump's got control of the pandemic stats? OH BOY.

The fact that Trump and Melania are seen wearing masks is proof that Trump has no power/authority whatsoever.

Mask edicts NOT enforceable under English Law, thank God! KNOW THE LAW! Remember, according to social distancing, shop staff cannot “touch” you or come within 1 metre without breaking guidelines, (but of course they touch everything you’re buying) 🤷‍♂️ and if you refuse to wear a mask in their shop they cannot physically throw you out, but can only call the police to enforce a government 'guideline'. The big problem for the police is that that would be breaking the Law if they tried to enforce a 'guideline', because police can only legally enforce Criminal Law. If the police detain you, or arrest you because, naturally, you have refused to cooperate, they are then guilty of unlawful detention, which comes under the criminal code of 'kidnapping'. If they try to fine you, without first 'kidnapping' you, you are not obliged to give them any information, not even your name, and without your name they cannot issue a fine. If they find out your name, by whatever means and then issue a fine, you can simply state that you refuse to accept or pay any fine and they will then be obliged to caution you, which would be totally illegal since you will not have committed any crime (guidelines being optional to follow) and again, they would not be enforcing any law. Know the difference: Guidelines come under 'civil law' and crimes come under 'criminal law'. The police are not allowed to enforce 'civil law' - only the local authority and the civil courts can attempt to do that. So, demand that the Court issue you with a date for an appearance, and when/if you go to court your defence will be illegal detention and kidnapping, and in the civil court you will be able to demand substantial compensation as a counter-claim from the police, plus insist that criminal charges are brought against the arresting and detaining officers. Now, nobody says that it will get to that stage, indeed it would be very unlikely to, but can you imagine how the Courts will be clogged up for years, perhaps decades, trying to process those bloody awkward bastards who had the bald-faced cheek to know the Law and also know their civil rights. PS: Ensure you use your phone and record the whole event, to be used as leverage and evidence. But just remember this one fact - the police cannot enforce civil Law and therefore have no rights in determining whether or not you have to wear a mask, just because the government says so. That process would be called a 'dictatorship' and we are not quite there yet, despite this government's valiant attempts to make it so.

[quote] PS: Ensure you use your phone and record the whole event, to be used as leverage and evidence.

Yes, please do. That usually turns out so well for these anti-mask lunatics.

The few times I’ve gone out since March I’ve worn the thinner surgical type masks but I finally bought some fabric ones at Target when they had them. I wore one when I ran to the drug store last night and dear god I suddenly have sympathy for the people saying they can’t breathe in them. I still haven’t caught my breath properly after having had it on for maybe 20 minutes. It just feels like your CO2 doesn’t expel completely so you’re breathing that back in instead of oxygen. I’m going to have to go back to the medical masks which didn’t really bother me much.

I'm Norwegian. We don't wear masks here.

Mask truth from a retired British M.D.

Retired British M.D. at R153 link: "If you wear a mask, then they own your body, your mind and your soul."

Yeah, he's not a nutcase.

The masks are part of the social engineering brainwashing operatia.

Idiots.

Idiots.

Not wearing a mask right now is nothing more than pure selfishness, narcissism, and a complete lack of respect for anyone else but yourself.

Testing is severely still limited, and the results can take weeks to get back to people. Which means you could have easily been transmitting it for weeks onto produce, products, surfaces, etc... without even knowing it.