As I said previously, Stay home - that has the largest impact. That message has been lost.
Yes, staying home is the best advice. I don't think that message has been lost at all, I just think many are ignoring it. It's good to repeat the advice.
The wearing of masks has played a part in people letting down their guard with respect to returning toward what used to be normal routines. I am not suggesting the wearing of masks is without some health benefits - but increasing the number of trips out of the house because of confidence and trust in a mask creates more risk as opposed to staying home. We still are not anywhere near the point of resuming normal routines and the best (safest) practice is still to Stay Home.
I agree that some believe that a mask protects them when out and so will leave their home more frequently than they would otherwise, even though *every* mask ad, recommendations from local and federal governments, and other sources are very clear that it does not.
A mask protects *others* and only works when everyone close to you wears them while maintaining social distance. However, new evidence (see Dr Blix's quote below) points to a potential benefit for the wearer, as well.
Please show me where I said this - now I have discussed that I will follow an establishment's rules on the matter because it is their right as a business to establish rules to be a customer. More specifically, I choose to dine on the outdoor patio (mask free) at McAlister's since I did not want to enter the location and they were fine with this arrangement. Perhaps you interpreted this in some other way, but just to be clear, I have no problem following the posted rules of a business or an establishment. If that means a mask is required for entry, then I will either patronize the business outside (in the fresh air, with the benefit of the U.V. rays from the sun) or take my business elsewhere. I have not and will not complain to a business about their policies in this area - again, this is their prerogative.
My apologies. I just reread a few of your earlier posts and you were very clear. In this five minute review of your posts, I did find these questionable comments...
Here you go One quick search [Personal insult removed] https://childmind.org/article/why-kids-need-to-spend-time-in-nature/ I will leave your insult alone as it says way more about you than me. May I suggest decaf next time. Look at my reply and you will see that I volunteer in many...
tugbbs.com
Do I feel like I am placing others at risk? No, because as noted above, I am maintaining extra social distance everywhere possible and practical.
If others choose to encroach upon my space, they are assuming the risk.
....Since humans are biologically wired to avoid illness and disease, the mask has become the symbol of cleanliness, safety and caring. Unconsciously, we may think: Mask wearers are safe people. They do not want to harm me or anyone else. They are good people who I can trust. eh, I can't go...
tugbbs.com
[...]I see the mask and associate its presence with disease, filth and weakness. We 'mask up' when we don't want (or can't stand) a smell, need to avoid fumes or other things that should not be inhaled. We 'mask up' to protect our 'weak' self from something external so powerful or overwhelming. I see masks as more a portent of suffering or even death.
I now see that your aversion to masks is more than I had thought.
It's too bad we can't all try to be a little objective on this topic. It's obvious to me that the author is quite frustrated and needed to vent. It was written by a health care worker. I'm sure they are frustrated and need to vent..............a lot. I feel (my opinion) that it's a slap in...
tugbbs.com
I did not - and do not - wear a mask. To be clear, I am not saying my decision is right or wrong but given the circumstances in our area, applying the standard noted by Dr. Blix above with respect to wearing a mask in the places I regularly visit, at the time(s) regularly visited and with the usual population density in these establishments during these visits does not seem to be a necessary act because a minimum social distance -and more- can be maintained at all times.
This statement has been debunked in that social distance is not a satisfactory replacement for wearing a mask. In fact, both are still essential when near others, and it is obviously difficult to adhere to this in many venues (supermarkets, etc). The CDC now "recommends that people wear cloth face coverings in public settings when around people outside of their household, especially when other
social distancing measures are difficult to maintain." Of course, these are just minimum recommendations, as it is better and advisable to have more than six feet separation from others while still wearing a mask. When coughing, sneezing or even speaking loudly you are able to spread viruses more than six feet from you.
Also, Dr Blix has changed her recommendation since May. From yesterday:
While she spoke, Birx reiterated Abbott's plea to the public to wear masks, saying that new research has found wearing a mask not only protects those around you, but partially protects yourself as well.
"I'm really appealing to every Texan to wear a mask," she said.
Here's a one minute video interview from just two days ago with Dr Blix re the importance of wearing masks. This is also a great example of how scientific research may change recommendations.
In a wide-ranging interview on The Issue Is, Dr. Birx also discussed the importance of wearing face masks as a method of curbing the spread of coronavirus.
www.foxla.com
But I am not comfortable placing myself in an environment where masks are required.
Yes, it seems you have personal reason(s) to have an aversion to masks. Sadly, you may find in the near future that they are mandatory in many places, not just in the USA. I would suggest you consider what would make you more comfortable wearing a mask (perhaps a different design? more comfortable mask?). Perhaps even the new recommendation by Dr Blix might influence your opinion?
Of course, the best advice is your own! Stay home.
To which, my reply is, I have stayed home to the greatest possible degree.
Excellent.
Why can't you? How much better off would we be if all unnecessary trips were avoided?
Now you've made an incorrect assumption, though I haven't posted much about my own situation in a while. My last in-person meeting and visit to a restaurant was on March 9. Since then I have left my home five (5) times. I have only twice entered a commercial building (medical requirements; I went for meds and a vaccine and then a visit for regular blood tests and a C19 antibody test (= negative)). I have all grocery items delivered via Instacart, Shipt, and Imperfect Foods. Included in the five excursions I visit a local farm which has excellent produce (and this time of year fabulous California strawberries!), and since it's an outdoor venue with very few people (the most I've seen at one time is ~6) I'm not worried...and
every single person (including employees) are wearing a mask (of course, it's mandatory in California). I intend to go out today to pickup medicine (which erroneously wasn't delivered via mail and I need today) though there's a possibility the local independent pharmacy I'm using can deliver; if I go out today I will stop at the farm and get more produce.
So, I am staying home. I'm staying home much more than most people I know.
I'm not doing *any* unnecessary trips. I am following the advice in the strictest possible way I can. I've canceled every trip I had scheduled since March and will not be traveling anywhere until next year at the earliest, not even within driving distance (unless circumstances change sufficiently to permit it). And, at this point, with such abysmal adherence to the safety recommendations and with our national numbers increasing I suspect I won't be able to travel until after we have a vaccine. While I am not surprised, I am extremely disappointed with my fellow Americans.