Mask wearing has become so divisive

Indeed, and they seem to go both ways.
You know I was reinforcing your post right? , It may not have come across that way. I don't find lots of credible evidence that they help, People then demand scientific proof, then when proof is provided, say from the CDC, they claim it's not really proof.
 

On one of our radio programmes here 'Any Questions' Peter Hitching journalist and author says that the stated evidence of wearing face masks often includes could, might, may and that there is not enough evidence for compulsion. He believes it is political , trying to keep up an element of fear. I heard on the radio from a virologist that you need 3 layers for your mask and other things about washing the facial covering/ mask that may make it less effective. So hears the thing. Can those who have been trained in the area of virology, just make it clear what we need to wear to protect others and ourselves, what it should look like, compose of etc etc. material, layers, blah blah blah. So fed up with it all and the more I listen to the contradictory advise the more frustrated I get. Sorry just wanted to get this out:confused:
 
You know I was reinforcing your post right? , It may not have come across that way. I don't find lots of credible evidence that they help, People then demand scientific proof, then when proof is provided, say from the CDC, they claim it's not really proof.

Yes I know/knew .... I was just adding some info.....
 

I remember a Very Big Fuss about being made to wear seatbelts. Living in NH at the time. The state motto is 'Live Free or Die.' No one in NH at that time had to wear a seat belt. They chose the latter.
Yeah, their motto is "Live free or die." But don't cover up those words ,or deface the license plate, Yup. fines, and jail time. Life is strange.
 
You can find a source on the internet to prove or disprove any opinion, yours or anyone else’s.

The CDC has changed its stance, advices and information as more data came to light and more research gets done. The virus is in its infancy. There is YEARS worth of research that needs to be done before conclusive proof of the various protocols and cautions is obtained.

Remember the 6 steps of the scientific method?
The Six Steps
  • Purpose/Question. Ask a question.
  • Research. Conduct background research. ...
  • Hypothesis. Propose a hypothesis. ...
  • Experiment. Design and perform an experiment to test your hypothesis. ...
  • Data/Analysis. Record observations and analyze the meaning of the data. ...
  • Conclusion.
Personally I can’t even begin to fathom the countless times these steps are going to have to be run through for the dizzying number of variations In the research. The last thing I’m going to do is criticize the scientists who are faced with this dauntingly overwhelming task.

I’m simply going to do my best to err on the side of caution to keep me, mine, and as many other people as I can, safe from this deadly virus.
 
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So why are some people skeptical about masks.? Oh, I don't know. Maybe because the same man who told us at the beginning that masks won't help is now telling us they will? Admitting he lied. You know, for a good reason. I wear a mask. Seems prudent. Not going to mask shame anyone who doesn't. And the controversy continues...
 
So why are some people skeptical about masks.? Oh, I don't know. Maybe because the same man who told us at the beginning that masks won't help is now telling us they will? Admitting he lied. You know, for a good reason. I wear a mask. Seems prudent. Not going to mask shame anyone who doesn't. And the controversy continues...
Yes, at the beginning. Why say he lied? Why not say his position has changed due to research and new knowledge? It was, as you say, at the beginning. Months ago. This thing has only taken hold since March. I know, it feels like an eternity, but it's not.
 
If there is the possibility that you are infecting others, with what could be their death sentence, an incurable virus, why in the hell can't you wear a mask?


Why ? .... for some, for the many reasons noted ......... Just because you may not believe them? doesn't mean the reasons are false.
 
So why are some people skeptical about masks.? Oh, I don't know. Maybe because the same man who told us at the beginning that masks won't help is now telling us they will? Admitting he lied. You know, for a good reason. I wear a mask. Seems prudent. Not going to mask shame anyone who doesn't. And the controversy continues...

See post #31.
 
This isn't a civics lesson,, where we are discussing the pro and cons of the Constitutionality of mask wearing. We are discussing the health of millions. There is a virus that so far has killed over 100,000 Americans, and millions around the globe. There is absolutely no doubt that the virus is spreading. You mean you really can't put a damn mask over your face to protect your fellow citizens?
 
This isn't a civics lesson,, where we are discussing the pro and cons of the Constitutionality of mask wearing. We are discussing the health of millions. There is a virus that so far has killed over 100,000 Americans, and millions around the globe. There is absolutely no doubt that the virus is spreading. You mean you really can't put a damn mask over your face to protect your fellow citizens?

"You mean you really can't put a damn mask over your face to protect your fellow citizens?"


Not if the person in question cannot draw a breath with one on.

Should he/she take the chance of passing out ? At perhaps the exact wrong time ? Due to the difficulty breathing ?
 
Well, it may not be you, or me, ..... but some people say that they just cannot breathe with one on. They feel like they are being smothered . Now if I felt that ? ........ I wouldn't wear one either !

A friend of mine reports that feeling.

To be fair, I do not wear one ,don't own one , but I don't go anywhere either.

When I pickup groceries at the store, just people watching as I wait....it seems about 50% of those going into the store are wearing one.

Here in my neighborhood, people out & about.....walking their dogs , kids playing, etc & so-on .... No one is wearing one.

There is much data that says the have no real effect ? I'm not arguing with you, just stating what i have heard, some info even coming in emails.

It boils down to what folks believe .... IMO there was to much ambiguity in the beginning .

Just the other day I heard that more & more people are wearing one . Yet at the same time, more & more people are catching the virus & dying. Hard to prove the mask's effectiveness with that being the case.
rgp I feel like I'm smothering every single day with the mask because of asthma & COPD. Every day...8 hrs a day...5 days a week. And I manage to wear mine without acting like I'm dying. I have moderate COPD. My lung function isn't that great to begin with. Then top that off with anxiety which makes it even worse. If I can manage with all that...people can manage 1 lousy trip to the store or the dr.
 
"You mean you really can't put a damn mask over your face to protect your fellow citizens?"


Not if the person in question cannot draw a breath with one on.

Should he/she take the chance of passing out ? At perhaps the exact wrong time ? Due to the difficulty breathing ?
They're gonna have a whole lot more trouble breathing if they're dying from COVID than they would wearing a mask.
 
Indeed, and they seem to go both ways.
That's the trouble. Nobody can seem to get on the same page. I fully believe just based on what I've seen so far that if EVERYONE would mask up...we'd be a lot better off right now than we are. But people are people. They refuse to do anything that's uncomfortable or an inconvenience or something that messes with their precious vanity or they're supposed rights. It's ridiculous. But I don't think it's fair that if I get it because someone refused to do their part & wear their mask that I should have to die for that. I also think these people that aren't masking up should be sent home to die like the ones they're deeming to sick to care for.
 
Well, I disagree ...... it might well prove that the mask's are not as effective as some believe. Even some medical professionals .
" it might well prove..." suggests that you are prepared to bet community health on a hunch.

It is actually easy to test the effectiveness of various types of masks in limiting the amount of aerosol droplets that pass through. Even the least effective surgical masks are helpful when most people are wearing them. I wear one in public now and it is rather irksome but no more than that. My glasses tend to fog up and it takes a little while for my breathing to settle down but I persevere and get over it.

Wearing masks is not the only measure we can take. In reality they are the last line of defence. Hygiene, travel restrictions, stay at home orders, quarantine, social isolation and social distancing are also necessary to get on top of the pandemic. Compared to all of these, wearing a mask is but a minor inconvenience.
 
"you should just stay home and not expose other people to whatever you might be carrying. Just plain old common sense."

That may work for you, & or me. I'm retired, need not leave home really, I go to the drive through at the bank, , drugstore , and grocery pickup .

But some folks still need to work, and find it all but impossible to wear a mask.
Ok I'll bite. Who are these people? What kind of work are they doing that they just can't manage to wear a mask?
 
At first, I was skeptical of this "virus" situation. I thought it was just a second wave of the flu. I poopooed it. But now, since it has spread to every nation on the planet, and most governments are taking the same precautions, it's obvious Covid is a real danger. There are some, who don't think a mask is effective , or even necessary. Some raise the question of having some kind of Constitutional Right not to wear a mask., and some with breathing problems, who may have trouble wearing a mask,, can't; but frankly, those who won't wear a mask are probably propelled more by partisan politics.
 
rgp I feel like I'm smothering every single day with the mask because of asthma & COPD. Every day...8 hrs a day...5 days a week. And I manage to wear mine without acting like I'm dying. I have moderate COPD. My lung function isn't that great to begin with. Then top that off with anxiety which makes it even worse. If I can manage with all that...people can manage 1 lousy trip to the store or the dr.


Well, that's you. It's not all about you.
That's the trouble. Nobody can seem to get on the same page. I fully believe just based on what I've seen so far that if EVERYONE would mask up...we'd be a lot better off right now than we are. But people are people. They refuse to do anything that's uncomfortable or an inconvenience or something that messes with their precious vanity or they're supposed rights. It's ridiculous. But I don't think it's fair that if I get it because someone refused to do their part & wear their mask that I should have to die for that. I also think these people that aren't masking up should be sent home to die like the ones they're deeming to sick to care for.


"That's the trouble. Nobody can seem to get on the same page. "

You mean YOUR page .........right ?
 
Ok I'll bite. Who are these people? What kind of work are they doing that they just can't manage to wear a mask?


So you what?....think I know each & every one of them..........

The people that are resisting wearing one, for the reason they site. But hey, I'm sure you know more about their needs and abilities than they do.......
 
At first, I was skeptical of this "virus" situation. I thought it was just a second wave of the flu. I poopooed it. But now, since it has spread to every nation on the planet, and most governments are taking the same precautions, it's obvious Covid is a real danger. There are some, who don't think a mask is effective , or even necessary. Some raise the question of having some kind of Constitutional Right not to wear a mask., and some with breathing problems, who may have trouble wearing a mask,, can't; but frankly, those who won't wear a mask are probably propelled more by partisan politics.

You got it right on the nose, Fuzzy. Partisan politics indeed.

And there are those who are raising ridiculous arguments about "not being able to breathe" just because they love to argue. And argue. And argue.

Remember the people who thought seat belts were uncomfortable, binding, restrictive, and an infringement of their personal rights? Until they found out how binding and restrictive a cast in a hospital bed can be. Or possibly, a wheelchair for life.
 
You can find a source on the internet to prove or disprove any opinion, yours or anyone else’s.

The CDC has changed its stance, advices and information as more data came to light and more research gets done. The virus is in its infancy. There is YEARS worth of research that needs to be done before conclusive proof of the various protocols and cautions is obtained.

Remember the 6 steps of the scientific method?
The Six Steps
  • Purpose/Question. Ask a question.
  • Research. Conduct background research. ...
  • Hypothesis. Propose a hypothesis. ...
  • Experiment. Design and perform an experiment to test your hypothesis. ...
  • Data/Analysis. Record observations and analyze the meaning of the data. ...
  • Conclusion.
Personally I can’t even begin to fathom the countless times these steps are going to have to be run through for the dizzying number of variations In the research. The last thing I’m going to do is criticize the scientists who are faced with this dauntingly overwhelming task.

I’m simply going to do my best to err on the side of caution to keep me, mine, and as many other people as I can, safe from this deadly virus.

Very good post Ronni. And it might be a little bit educational for those who do not understand the scientific method, and how it works.

I have heard religious fundamentalists argue that people who "believe" in science are simply putting their faith in a different belief than they have. I always feel like saying, "No! This is not a matter of faith at all! Science is constantly testing, reevaluating, changing its conclusions according to the latest findings. Scientific theories are called "theories" for that reason, they are not tenets of a religion. You cannot equate religious dogma with a scientific hypothesis."

So, if the scientists studying this virus started out a few months ago with one conjecture, and then found that it had to be modified, so what? That's what they are SUPPOSED to do!
 

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