Masks and male behavior

[BJRSanDiego]

I live in a suburb north of San Diego. When I went to the grocery store, local deli, doctor and Home Despot this past week, everyone had some sort of face mask on. Some were kerchiefs, some were surgical masks, some were N95 respirators. A few people left their nose uncovered. But I didn't see anyone without some sort of face covering. Most if not all stores are requiring face masks. I see a lot of people trying to abide by and follow the local laws. But I think that all of us are feeling Covid confinement fatigue.

 

[TravelTime]

I have been living in Placer County, a suburban/rural part of California, for the past 2 months. When I go out, I see about 50% of people with masks. I do not notice a difference between men and women wearing masks. In my local grocery store, none of the employees are wearing masks. That has been surprising to me. I do not know what to think about it.

 

[Gypsy65]

I personally don’t wear a mask unless there is a requirement to do so for me to enter a certain business but I do respect those in fear who do by staying more than the special number of 6’ away
Really? Who came up with that number? Crap moves further than 6’

We all have a right to do what we choose. Why should I wear a mask to make those who do feel better?
How about those who do wear one stop for those of us who don’t?
Why is it right for one belief system but not another?

I believe we have a real covid issue but I do not believe the deaths counted as covid are real numbers
I travel for work and have been from Long Island to Seattle and everywhere in between for the past year.
Long before covid, and with all the door knob lickers I come in contact with I would surely think I would be dead as well as all of NYC

[Profanity deleted by request.]

 

[davidvel]

Apparently those epidemics never made it into my county and grocery store and workplace and started killing people I know. I have never before heard scientists around the world sound the alarm on social distancing. I have never before seen country after country tell their citizens to stay indoors. I have never before seen such a fast death count. So, what is it about those other epidemics that is so similar to this one? Did I just miss that coverage?

I said nothing about contagiousness, or epidemics. I was responding to your comment "But I like even less the ones that boldly go around being threats to everyone," when I said we face threats everyday when we leave our homes.

As to the threats I was talking about, medical mistakes in hospitals, second hand smoke, influenza and other infectious diseases, firearms, auto collisions and other accidents cause hundreds of thousands of deaths every year, year after year. Yet we would go out, travel, eat at restaurants, go to work, mingle, party, exercise, and do everything we enjoy. That was my point.

 

[bluehende]

I will have to hand in my man card. I wear a mask with rainbows and unicorns. A present from my 6 yr old grand daughter.

PS I am not cowering behind my mask. And in fact have not seen anyone afraid, just people going about their business being decent human beings. Mostly smiles (yes you can tell). The first person that comes over and coughs in my face (yes a neighbor reported this happening to them) will find the scared little unicorns bite.

 

[geekette]

I said nothing about contagiousness, or epidemics. I was responding to your comment "But I like even less the ones that boldly go around being threats to everyone," when I said we face threats everyday when we leave our homes.

As to the threats I was talking about, medical mistakes in hospitals, second hand smoke, influenza and other infectious diseases, firearms, auto collisions and other accidents cause hundreds of thousands of deaths every year, year after year. Yet we would go out, travel, eat at restaurants, go to work, mingle, party, exercise, and do everything we enjoy. That was my point.

Oh, yeah. One of those "life is risky" posts. Thanks. Really adds to the conversation about masks with regard to coronavirus.

 

[davidvel]

Oh, yeah. One of those "life is risky" posts. Thanks. Really adds to the conversation about masks with regard to coronavirus.

Yeah, I was wondering why you posted about threats/risks. COVID19 is a "special" one, and the resulting deaths are oh so different.

 

[SueDonJ]

Yeah, I was wondering why you posted about threats/risks. COVID19 is a "special" one, and the resulting deaths are oh so different.

Oh dear God, can we please not go off on seventy-thirteen tangents?

When you have a headcold do you go merrily on your way and sneeze in society's face?

When you have a stomach bug do you go merrily on your way and vomit in society's face?

No. No you don't, one reason being because you don't feel good so you stay home, the other reason being because you use Kleenex and Pepto Bismol and Tylenol Cold and whatever other thing is available to mitigate your symptoms to make yourself feel better. But hopefully another is because you know, because it's well understood, that society frowns on infected people who knowingly spread virus germs.

People can carry and spread COVID-19 asymptomatically and there is as yet no cure or OTC products that might mitigate that risk. If you don't know if you're a carrier and you're out and about in society, why wouldn't you want to reduce the risk of possibly spreading a DEADLY virus to those nearby? If you know that practically every legitimate scientific expert suggests that wearing a mask is better than not wearing one, that wearing a mask may protect others in the event you are an asymptomatic carrier, and doing so does absolutely nothing to put your civil rights at risk, WTF wouldn't you do it?!?!

I will never understand some people. Never.

 

[CO skier]

People can carry and spread COVID-19 asymptomatically and there is as yet no cure or OTC products that might mitigate that risk.

Influenza and other viral diseases may be spread asymtomatically. The influenza virus mutates rapidly enough that the annual vaccine is not always effective and might only reduce the severity of symptoms. Very few people wore masks during the annual flu season, although masks might have reduced the transmission rate. The maskless were not social pariahs. Will wearing masks be an everyday way of life (for years) until there is a Covid-19 vaccine? If not, then why now and not then? There is no certainty a Covid-19 vaccine will be developed.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

Influenza and other viral diseases may be spread asymtomatically. The influenza virus mutates rapidly enough that the annual vaccine is not always effective and might only reduce the severity of symptoms. Very few people wore masks during the annual flu season, although masks might have reduced the transmission rate. The maskless were not social pariahs. Will wearing masks be an everyday way of life (for years) until there is a Covid-19 vaccine? If not, then why now and not then? There is no certainty a Covid-19 vaccine will be developed.

The major difference is that we have annual flu shots which reduce the risk of transmission and spread. We unfortunately don't have that with Covid.

There was a time when smoking indoors was considered socially acceptable. Now we know the health risks of secondary smoke. Social norms change based on new health information.

 

[MrockStar]

Influenza and other viral diseases may be spread asymtomatically. The influenza virus mutates rapidly enough that the annual vaccine is not always effective and might only reduce the severity of symptoms. Very few people wore masks during the annual flu season, although masks might have reduced the transmission rate. The maskless were not social pariahs. Will wearing masks be an everyday way of life (for years) until there is a Covid-19 vaccine? If not, then why now and not then? There is no certainty a Covid-19 vaccine will be developed.

Could be, see Asian countries as an example for face mask usage adoption.

 

[CO skier]

The major difference is that we have annual flu shots which reduce the risk of transmission and spread. We don't have that with Covid.

There was a time when smoking indoors was considered socially acceptable. Now we know the health risks of secondary smoke. Social norms change based on new health information.

So you believe wearing masks outside of home will be a way of life until a vaccine is developed?

Unlike smoking, breathing cannot be limited to only designated outdoor areas.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

So you believe wearing masks outside of home will be a way of life until a vaccine is developed?

Unlike smoking, breathing cannot be limited to only designated outdoor areas.

We'll see what the future holds. Who would have predicted that there was a pandemic this year? It will be what it will be so no use stressing about it.

Like smoking, masks can be required in designated (indoor) spaces to protect yourself and others. Similar to smoking, if you don't like the rules, no one is forcing you to go there. No one is requiring masks in outdoor spaces unless there is a crowd either.

 

[Gypsy65]

Some States are opening up and not mandating any masks while in their stores or restaurants
What’s up with that?
I need a mask on this side of the border line and am looked at like a rebel if I don’t wear one but 50’ from that point and I’m in a different State with no rules and I’m perfectly fine not wearing a mask

Follow the money
People can easily be controlled by fear. That’s how sex trafficking works
And the media makes $$ by selling a story

If this was really a Global problem the it would really be a Global problem

Truckers should be dropping off like flies
Trucking companies should be going under on a Dailey basis
Cashiers. McDonald’s workers. Walmart workers etc all should be ill like no other with all the traffic they see each day

Sure. Some are but is it waaaay more than any other year?
Truckers. Cashiers. McDonald’s. Walmart are all evidently necessary to keep things going

If this was really that bad. All businesses should be locked down
No one needs Twinkie products during a Global crisis

 

[Steve Fatula]

I have not noticed any difference (without counting exact numbers) between genders and masks in my area. I have noticed that older people seem to wear masks at a higher rate.

I am in both camps on masks. To the contention that people stay home when they do not feel good, I 100% disagree. Some obviously do. Working for 40 years, I saw many many people who would come to work sick, go to church sick, etc. People do not always or even close to always stay home when they are sick. I do not believe even people with covid who are supposed to stay home do, without enforcement. No way.

I am of the opinion we will (almost) all be exposed before this is over. I guess it depends on early vaccine, or more normal timeframe (if ever). If it spreads as easy as presumed. An early vaccine would mean attempts to slow it down would be more useful than the other case. The only question is sooner or later, based on our attempts to slow it down. There is value in slowing it down for the reasons that have always been stated such as not overwhelming hospitals, but I don't think we have a good chance of avoiding being exposed over the long haul. Just my opinion reading the science and other papers (though I do think tech has a fair chance of saving us). Based on that, it's easy for me to be in the life is a risk crowd as in the end, I will be exposed despite my best efforts. And really, life is a risk and there are endless very common threats that are far more likely to kill me. Nationwide, current mobility rates are almost half of Feb. That's not a huge difference in the sense that many many people are still out there in public. It is clear to me that our direction is going to be opening as a nation. There are almost zero states not on that path. Some more "aggressive" than others, but we are all seemingly headed that way.

However, I do wear a mask every time in public. I do this for the other reasons cited by SueDonJ. I was one of those who would not go into the office (when I wasn't working at home) if I was sick. I felt it was my responsibility to not infect others with whatever I had. I find that wearing a mask is no particular burden on me, it doesn't hurt me in any way, a little annoying but that's it. It's such a minor tiny little thing that it's nothing I would rebel or fight or argue about. It's about equivalent for me of the 'ol no shirts no shoes no service signs. Not a big deal. Therefore, out of concern for others, I wear a mask. Just like out of concern for others, I wear a shirt.

 

[Gypsy65]

We'll see what the future holds. Who would have predicted that there was a pandemic this year? It will be what it will be so no use stressing about it.

Like smoking, masks can be required in designated (indoor) spaces to protect yourself and others. Similar to smoking, if you don't like the rules, no one is forcing you to go there. No one is requiring masks in outdoor spaces unless there is a crowd either.

But people are forcing their beliefs on others
If I go to a business that’s not requiring a mask it’s the other people there who look at the unmasked man like he’s a problem

It’s in the comments in this very thread

 

[CO skier]

Like smoking, masks can be required in designated (indoor) spaces to protect yourself and others.

It is very difficult to eat while wearing a mask. Someone is much more likely to become infected sitting near a Covid-19 carrier at another table in a restaurant for 30-60 minutes than walking past a carrier in Home Depot or the grocery store. So will masks be required in restaurants, or not? There was a study posted in one of these threads about someone who infected some of his family at his table and others at two other tables in a restaurant due to the particular ventilation pattern in the restaurant. 6-foot social distancing would not have made any difference.

 

[geekette]

But people are forcing their beliefs on others
If I go to a business that’s not requiring a mask it’s the other people there who look at the unmasked man like he’s a problem

What force of beliefs are you referring to? Being looked at?

Science isn't about belief.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

But people are forcing their beliefs on others
If I go to a business that’s not requiring a mask it’s the other people there who look at the unmasked man like he’s a problem

It’s in the comments in this very thread

Wearing a mask says, "I am courteous and I don't wish to spread germs." Similarly do you want people breathing their germs on you?

Social norms are everywhere: A plane may not require one to shower and wear deodorant but people are offended when someone with poor hygiene sits next to them. Perhaps you have experienced this situation? Is expecting passengers to shower and use deodorant pushing a belief on others? or just common courtesy and social norm? Besides, although unpleasant, your seatmate not showering won't make you ill. Covid will.

 

[MrockStar]

The problem with common sense is its not very common.

 

[turkel]

I have been living in Placer County, a suburban/rural part of California, for the past 2 months. When I go out, I see about 50% of people with masks. I do not notice a difference between men and women wearing masks. In my local grocery store, none of the employees are wearing masks. That has been surprising to me. I do not know what to think about it.

I would imagine it has to do with the very low incidence of Covid in your community.

 

[Old Hickory]

Science isn't about belief.

Seriously? For many, science has become a religion.

 

[Old Hickory]

The problem with common sense is its not very common.

Here is my quote: There is no such thing as common sense. Otherwise, it would be common.

 

[TravelTime]

This is a great article about the problems happening with scientists in the age of covid. The bottom line is that not all scientists agree but many are attacking each other when their views are different. It seems like a lot of “science” is coming down to what you want to believe, even among scientists.

Scientists who express different views on Covid-19 should be heard, not demonized

Scientific consensus is important, but it isn't uncommon when some of the most important voices turn out to be those of independent thinkers whose views were initially doubted.

www.statnews.com

 

[Monykalyn]

There are folks who are just so black and white on this issue, but my goodness how about applying some common sense? Sometimes I don't recognize some of the citizens of our country. Luckily I have middle-of-the-road friends who have restored my faith in humanity.

LOL common sense? I agree with you totally but the the media fans the flames of fear so rationale thinking is not happening.

To me the last two+ months have been like having training wheels on our bikes and now it is time to take them off. Some will just ride confidently without them, others will wobble. Apparently some will park their bike in the garage. But like it or not, at some point the training wheels are coming off. I hope that going forward, people can try to understand where others are coming from and refrain from name calling, blaming, or being rude. It just makes a bad situation worse.

The first person that comes over and coughs in my face

This is just plain rude no matter now or before.

I've also got questions on this "most are asymptomatic carrier" syndrome-either we are all so stinking contagious we should have ALL had it prior to lockdown and mask wearing therefore way more widespread which means it is NOT as "deadly" OR it is not as bad/contagious as current thought and NOT as easily transmissable and quite deadly, in which case they need much MORE and BETTER studies on which masks are truly effective for the general public. Also-we don't stay "asymptomatic carriers' for months-the way some are acting. If we've truly been in lockdown-even with some going out-wouldn't we continue to see continued ever rising numbers? Instead everything is declining...And that is after the forced distancing but way way way after the "face coverings" thing started. I get that with re-opening more chances so masks more helpful.

Some States are opening up and not mandating any masks while in their stores or restaurants
What’s up with that?
I need a mask on this side of the border line and am looked at like a rebel if I don’t wear one but 50’ from that point and I’m in a different State with no rules and I’m perfectly fine not wearing a mask

I think this is a bigger issue than realized, and making the masking debate rather contentious. Here in MO-my part of the state in SW-no masks required when out unless in close quarters (hair salons for example), no requirement for grocery workers, restaurant workers etc. In AR-masks required for restaurant workers, rec for general public

Facing Your Face Mask Duties – A List of Statewide Orders

********************************************************NOTE: Given the reduction in activity on this topic,THIS POST WILL NO LONGER BE UPDATED, as of November 10, 2022.********************************************************Governors and public health officials across the country implemented...

www.littler.com

helpful website - showing the wide variances.

I've no problem wearing a mask where may be closer quarters and/or required. I do have an issue with jail time/fines IF the business or community doesn't hand out FREELY and WIDELY available masks if they are going to be hard**** on enforcing it.