Face mask or no face mask?

ZenDream

Yes mask up.

will_it_go_round_in_circles

I don't expect anyone to be enthusiastic about it, I'm certainly not. I still wear it though. I think it's sad that it has to be mandated. It's true, most don't protect the person wearing it. Also true, it does protect the other people around you. Even the homemade cloth ones.

It's only been politicized because of the refusal by some to wear it. Everybody wears one, there's nothing to fight over. The mask conversations are gone from the political stage. You take that away and all of the time and resources spent fighting over masks can be put to much better purpose. Where I'm at, the senior state official and the senior city official are going to court over it. 3 state superior judges have been tied up in the case. Pretty sure there should be more important stuff going on in those offices.

4legsRbetterthan2

In public and at work yes. I am also rural so I don't wear one when I run, I have never passed by anyone running the roads near my house. Not sure I would go to the busy, local park I like and run right now though.

freda666

will_it_go_round_in_circles wrote: »

Also true, it does protect the other people around you. Even the homemade cloth ones.

There is no evidence face coverings prevent the spreading of covid-19 and even the evidence for "proper" 3 layer non-surgical masks is mixed. And if you fiddle with them you are putting yourself at greater risk.

Gisel2015

I am mostly at home since due to my age I am under the high risk category- even without underlying health conditions. I very, very seldom go inside a store, and when I do, I wear my mask and the same at doctor's appointments or outdoors even if the area is not crowded.

I don't wear a mask inside my car or in the house, unless I have somebody doing repairs or an installation. I stopped going to the gym in February, even when it was briefly open last month. I am not planing to go again until this virus disappears from the face of the earth or everybody gets an effective vaccine.

Wearing a mask is the proper thing to do to protect our families and fellow citizens and ourselves. Medical professionals and first responders need a break. The only statement that we make wearing a mask is: "I care for your health and for mine, please do the same."

seska422

freda78 wrote: »

Most masks are ineffective, especially homemade face coverings, and they encourage the touching of the face - so I will only be wearing one where the law says I must. In my view the decision to mandate their use in the UK is a political one in any case.

But if people want to wear one I certainly have no objection, just don't expect other people to share your enthusiasm.

Masks used by the general public are mostly for the protection of everyone around you. That's why it's important for everyone to wear a mask. A mask is like always holding a tissue over your mouth and nose to be ready for a sneeze.

GummiMundi

I wear a mask whenever I leave the house, and take it out when I'm back home. Easy peasy.
I even wear it during my walks and runs. I never felt deprived of oxygen, and any slight discomfort I may feel is much better than the possibility of ending up on a respirator. Also, I'd never forgive myself if I'd infect someone else.

RockingWithLJ

It doesn't matter how any of us feels about it honestly. I wear one to respect the people around me. Not wearing one means you're a disrespectful POS

AngelOfMusic1028

ReenieHJ wrote: »

AngelOfMusic1028 wrote: »

I ALWAYS wear a mask around other people. I will not risk giving my mom any kind of sickness. She has lung, breast and bone cancer on top of COPD plus had radiation treatments. That reason is why I get so frustrated about people complaining they need to wear a mask. I don't care if I get sick. I care if she gets sick!

Hugs to you and your family for everything you're going through.

Thank you for the concern. We're taking it one day at a time. She just had surgery the other day to remove a tumor that was protruding from her arm. It's been tough. I haven't even hugged her in months out of fear of possibly giving her something that could kill her (especially now that I'm back to work)

will_it_go_round_in_circles

freda78 wrote: »

will_it_go_round_in_circles wrote: »

Also true, it does protect the other people around you. Even the homemade cloth ones.

There is no evidence face coverings prevent the spreading of covid-19 and even the evidence for "proper" 3 layer non-surgical masks is mixed. And if you fiddle with them you are putting yourself at greater risk.

Prevent, no. Reduce, yes. All to varying degrees of course. If something so simple even gave a 1% better chance of containing this thing, why wouldn't you do it? Do you just give that little of a *kitten* for humanity? Fiddling with them shouldn't be an adult issue. Dollars to donuts you've got a piercing or tattoo or have had something of your choosing done that you weren't supposed to fiddle with, and managed not to. It also serves as another reminder to..

🎶wash your hands do do do do do
wash yours hands 🎶

gcminton

Yes, face mask. It's a minor inconvenience and yes, there is evidence that they are helping to reduce the spread. The people who are using this as an opportunity to further their own personal or political agendas are incredibly disgusting.

threewins

Back in mid March I bought some wool and a sewing kit to make some cloth masks. However the lockdown was going so well and my lack of sewing skills meant I never got around to making them. Occasionally I see someone wearing a mask but since it's been months since anyone died here most people don't bother.

Asians are more likely to wear masks by my observations, both this year and previously. At the peak of lockdown about 1/4 of people were wearing masks at the supermarket.

SuzySunshine99

The silliest argument people make against mask laws is that they are unconstitutional. They say the government can't tell you what to wear on your own body.

Oh reallyyyy?

I guess I should try walking down the street naked...go into some stores and restaurants completely nude. Wonder if I'll be arrested? Could I argue that public decency laws violate my right to wear, or not wear, anything I want?

Besides....the mask orders are TEMPORARY laws enacted to mitigate an emergency situation. This happens all the time after natural disasters. Curfews and other restrictions are temporarily enacted to protect the general public. How is this any different?

The_Enginerd

Like many others, I do not wear one outside when running or biking, but I'm in an area where maintaining distance is achievable. I also tend to go out at times and places where it is less busy. When walking in public areas where it's bust and harder to maintain distance or indoors in any public place, I wear one.

FWIW, I did one six mile test run in a surgical mask to see how it was. A bit annoying with especially with the hot and humid conditions, but normal HR and no problems, and not something I would have an issue doing if it became necessary due to increased spread or being in a busier environment.

The evidence for the effectiveness of face coverings in slowing the spread of the coronavirus is not perfect, but it now strong enough and growing in strength based on observational studies and studies on the ability of masks to filter droplets and modeling efforts that the cost/benefit is squarely in favor of wearing a face covering.

https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/21299527/masks-coronavirus-covid-19-studies-research-evidence

The_Enginerd

freda78 wrote: »

will_it_go_round_in_circles wrote: »

Also true, it does protect the other people around you. Even the homemade cloth ones.

There is no evidence face coverings prevent the spreading of covid-19 and even the evidence for "proper" 3 layer non-surgical masks is mixed. And if you fiddle with them you are putting yourself at greater risk.

Citation.

Sawjer

I've been wearing one for months now and I've been abused for it, which I find crazy. Now it is mandatory in the UK the abuse has slowed but I am still recieving some. At the end of the day, if there is the smallest chance it can protect others, then why not? Its hardly a hardship to wear a mask for that 1minute+ you are in a shop. The way some people act you'd think you've asked them to run a marathon, no no.. just wear a mask while you're in a shop. I personally find it disrespectful when people don't wear them in shops, its kind of like saying "i don't care about your health or if you get covid" regardless of how you feel about them, its hardly a lot to ask to wear a mask for that 1min+ you're in a shop..

Ps. This is a dangerous topic because so many passionate people are against it or for it ..
ps2. If the above offends anyone I apologise, they are just my thoughts, I don't think any less of anyone not wearing one, each to their own.

asthesoapturns

I wear one in transit, in crowds, in stores, etc. I don't wear one in the park. The second my heart rate gets up masks, or any face covering, trigger panic attacks for me. Same reason I can't wear turtlenecks, I guess. So I stay the hell away from people. If wherever I'm walking gets too peoply, I move on. And to be clear. Wearing a mask doesn't mean you aren't supposed to stay 6ft from people. You are always supposed to stay 6ft away from people. Distance and proper handwashing are the most successful preventative measures we have. This is where I get frustrated. So many people slap on a mask here and then do all the behaviours we've been told not to. Crowding people instead of keeping a respectful distance. That's actually why our government here hasn't been supportive of mandating masks. Distance. Distance. Distance has been the mantra here. And we're doing better than the majority of the country. Except for the intertior... Party boats. How did that ever sound like a good idea?

lynn_glenmont

cwolfman13 wrote: »

It's mandated to wear a mask in public if you are unable to socially distance or social distancing is more difficult...basically going into the store and whatnot. I do not wear a mask outdoors unless I am in a crowded area...I don't wear one when I ride or go on my walks or hikes. I will not be returning to my big box gym anytime soon so no mask issue there. Once I am off the injured list I will be returning to my one on one personal training gym and I will not be wearing a mask as it is just myself, my wife, and our trainer.

And all of your trainer's other clients. Even if they're not physically present, your trainer is a vector to transmit their germs to you.

freda666

Lots of people here seem convinced that face coverings will protect them from covid19 - why? I have no idea as it really won't. Where does this delusion come from????

CNN have an interesting piece on this today too.

seska422

freda78 wrote: »

Lots of people here seem convinced that face coverings will protect them from covid19 - why? I have no idea as it really won't. Where does this delusion come from????

CNN have an interesting piece on this today too.

A mask isn't a space suit. It won't isolate me from the world.

What a mask will do is catch and hold at least some of the moisture escaping from a person's nose and mouth and reduce the spray distance of what it doesn't catch. That protects others from me, to a certain extent. It's still not a space suit but at least I'm not showering everyone like I'm a lawn sprinkler. When others wear their masks, then they aren't showering me.

A mask is helpful for the same reason we cover our mouths when we cough or sneeze. It's just polite to try to contain any overspray that we can, especially now when that overspray may have COVID-19 in it.