Is it a mandate? Yes, to a degree. So sue me, good luck. Is it a law? Nope.
Know your rights. My local bbfield states: social distance, mask up, it's the law! Actually it is not the law, how do you enforce social distancing, masking....it is all about Control. From your Local Beneficial Unnamed Bureaucrats.
Yeah I pretty much just stopped wearing them at some point even though others were. The worse case is being kicked out but I think that level of drama dissuades most aside from the biggest of karens I suppose.
Well, you have to remember that to get it onto the mask you have to touch the mask with it! Which means people need to wash their hands! Also, don't trust other people touching your masks as well I guess.
I just want to provide some perspective on possible safety issues, and if people must be forced to that they should understand possible health hazards and that they should change their masks frequently.
I'm not wearing masks even though most places appear to be bringing them back. I'm really not sure how much money is in it for the PPE manufacturers, but the general idea is if you have to wear them, make sure you change them out frequently which isn't the messaging we are getting.
I've been masking since the beginning of the pandemic, in particular because I live with immunocompromised family members. Studies were limited early on, but I felt they probably had some efficacy. I've been sick once in that time, a mild case of COVID in January (so, obviously they failed in that regard). In the early days, I decontaminated them by leaving them on the dash of my car in the summer sun. I eventually switched to KN94s and wear them for a day and then toss them. No respiratory issues, so I think they're likely quite safe so long as they're not repeatedly worn. Despite the one COVID infection, I've been around many sick people (many COVID-negative) and have been okay, though I very well may have been fine without a mask. The only thing I can be certain of is that they help with pollen and dust allergies.
The efficacy of masks/respirators against viral infections when worn properly is debatable, but it's pretty clear that people, at least in Western countries, have a very hard time wearing them properly. Mask mandates have failed, either due to failure of the masks themselves, or improper use. Regardless, they've failed. I'll keep masking because they improve my own personal health (my allergies had become much worse before the pandemic, and they've mostly resolved with smart mask use), but I don't support them being forced on people.
Thanks for the article... I still wear my mask in indoor public places, especially heavily crowded ones, that have not updated their ventilation systems. I have been wearing n95 masks since August of 2021, when the shortage was basically over, and I bear the extra expense, because my life is worth it. I've known all my life that colds and the flu spreads through the air from infected people, so wanting to protect my airways, during Covid, masking was a no brainer.
Though, in the early days of the 2020 pandemic, I did read the article that the VA gave to their staff during the PPE shortage on how to decontaminate the n95 they were given... Put in paper bags and allow a few days for any pathogens to die. I went a step further and sprayed with 70% alcohol.
After reading this post, I did do a search on how to "clean" a N95 mask and came up with the NIH's article- Steam treatment for rapid decontamination of N95 respirators and medical face masks.(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7227495/)
Now, I will go the extra mile for myself and use some of the methods mentioned.
Masking is "ineffective" if not used properly... The American public was not told for the majority of 2020-2021 on HOW to properly use masks for the purposes of filtering out pathogenic particles.
I would like to see people stressing the EFFECTIVE WAY TO USE MASKS FOR THE PURPOSES OF FILTERING OUT PATHOGENIC PARTICLES THAT MAY DAMAGE YOUR AIRWAYS... instead of saying that masks are ineffective... because
Most people were never even told that those surgical mask did nothing to protect them... Instead they were sold in every store across the land.. and watch everyone wearing them... I make a point to fully explain WHICH masks do what you are intending them to do, and how long to wear them, how to disinfect them, so that they are a benefit. I've never been sick.. so for me.. masking works.
Thanks for your comments Susan! I personally have no qualms with those who choose to wear masks of their own fruition. I think at the point that we have had this going on for two years, I am leery of mandates when the policies have been really ridiculous. There have been so many issues in messaging, with telling people not to wear masks, to tell people to make masks out of shirts and old cloths, and then to eventually telling people after almost 2 years that N95 masks should be worn.
N95 masks are a bit difficult because they require a tight seal, and I generally see people wearing N95 masks with many gaps between the mask and skin, which would reduce their effectiveness.
I've seen a few posts on mask cleaning. I'm not sure how well steaming removes fungi, or whether it may damage the integrity of the masks, but it would be helpful if it reduces the need to have many masks.
In general, I think people should choose whichever route they think is best without being forced to by the government. I understand my risk when I don't wear a mask, and I usually wouldn't want others to make the decision for me.
But with that being said, for those who wear masks I think they should be aware of the types of masks they should wear, and even still that they should understand that they should change their masks frequently.
Yes We agree... which is why I subscribe to your account... because I like to be well informed.
Unfortunately, at least 90% of the people in this world only read the headline.. "Masks are ineffective against Covid".. and do not go further to understand that anything less than a N95 is a waste of time- (and can you imagine that 98% of people we've seen in the past 2 years are still wearing surgical masks (repeatedly, for hours and without cleaning).
I don't discuss this issue with anyone.. anymore.. because I've discovered that they don't care like I do, so let them wear what the want. I take my life seriously and always ask the next question... (like)- Well if masks don't work- why do the medical staff wear them?... then I get the simple answer as to which kind, how to use. ..and so on.
The government officials treat us like children... because most people act like children.. even when everyone is walking around with a computer attached to their hand, with the capability of finding out everything and anything... they still wont bother to find out correct information.
So, on 1 hand, I don't fault the government on their messaging- I just do me.. and it works.
Is it a mandate? Yes, to a degree. So sue me, good luck. Is it a law? Nope.
Know your rights. My local bbfield states: social distance, mask up, it's the law! Actually it is not the law, how do you enforce social distancing, masking....it is all about Control. From your Local Beneficial Unnamed Bureaucrats.
Yeah I pretty much just stopped wearing them at some point even though others were. The worse case is being kicked out but I think that level of drama dissuades most aside from the biggest of karens I suppose.
I will not forget the takeaway here. 5% of people wearing masks are poo poo faces. Do not touch that nasty thing.
Well, you have to remember that to get it onto the mask you have to touch the mask with it! Which means people need to wash their hands! Also, don't trust other people touching your masks as well I guess.
THE SHEEP NEED TO STOP! I have a right to keep my body healthy! I SHALL NOT COMPLY…ever.
I just want to provide some perspective on possible safety issues, and if people must be forced to that they should understand possible health hazards and that they should change their masks frequently.
Oh great. More mask changing means more $$$$ for PPE manufacturers which means more insane pressure to not only wear them but change them more often.
I'm not wearing masks even though most places appear to be bringing them back. I'm really not sure how much money is in it for the PPE manufacturers, but the general idea is if you have to wear them, make sure you change them out frequently which isn't the messaging we are getting.
I've been masking since the beginning of the pandemic, in particular because I live with immunocompromised family members. Studies were limited early on, but I felt they probably had some efficacy. I've been sick once in that time, a mild case of COVID in January (so, obviously they failed in that regard). In the early days, I decontaminated them by leaving them on the dash of my car in the summer sun. I eventually switched to KN94s and wear them for a day and then toss them. No respiratory issues, so I think they're likely quite safe so long as they're not repeatedly worn. Despite the one COVID infection, I've been around many sick people (many COVID-negative) and have been okay, though I very well may have been fine without a mask. The only thing I can be certain of is that they help with pollen and dust allergies.
The efficacy of masks/respirators against viral infections when worn properly is debatable, but it's pretty clear that people, at least in Western countries, have a very hard time wearing them properly. Mask mandates have failed, either due to failure of the masks themselves, or improper use. Regardless, they've failed. I'll keep masking because they improve my own personal health (my allergies had become much worse before the pandemic, and they've mostly resolved with smart mask use), but I don't support them being forced on people.
Thanks for the article... I still wear my mask in indoor public places, especially heavily crowded ones, that have not updated their ventilation systems. I have been wearing n95 masks since August of 2021, when the shortage was basically over, and I bear the extra expense, because my life is worth it. I've known all my life that colds and the flu spreads through the air from infected people, so wanting to protect my airways, during Covid, masking was a no brainer.
Though, in the early days of the 2020 pandemic, I did read the article that the VA gave to their staff during the PPE shortage on how to decontaminate the n95 they were given... Put in paper bags and allow a few days for any pathogens to die. I went a step further and sprayed with 70% alcohol.
After reading this post, I did do a search on how to "clean" a N95 mask and came up with the NIH's article- Steam treatment for rapid decontamination of N95 respirators and medical face masks.(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7227495/)
Now, I will go the extra mile for myself and use some of the methods mentioned.
Masking is "ineffective" if not used properly... The American public was not told for the majority of 2020-2021 on HOW to properly use masks for the purposes of filtering out pathogenic particles.
I would like to see people stressing the EFFECTIVE WAY TO USE MASKS FOR THE PURPOSES OF FILTERING OUT PATHOGENIC PARTICLES THAT MAY DAMAGE YOUR AIRWAYS... instead of saying that masks are ineffective... because
Most people were never even told that those surgical mask did nothing to protect them... Instead they were sold in every store across the land.. and watch everyone wearing them... I make a point to fully explain WHICH masks do what you are intending them to do, and how long to wear them, how to disinfect them, so that they are a benefit. I've never been sick.. so for me.. masking works.
Thanks for your comments Susan! I personally have no qualms with those who choose to wear masks of their own fruition. I think at the point that we have had this going on for two years, I am leery of mandates when the policies have been really ridiculous. There have been so many issues in messaging, with telling people not to wear masks, to tell people to make masks out of shirts and old cloths, and then to eventually telling people after almost 2 years that N95 masks should be worn.
N95 masks are a bit difficult because they require a tight seal, and I generally see people wearing N95 masks with many gaps between the mask and skin, which would reduce their effectiveness.
I've seen a few posts on mask cleaning. I'm not sure how well steaming removes fungi, or whether it may damage the integrity of the masks, but it would be helpful if it reduces the need to have many masks.
In general, I think people should choose whichever route they think is best without being forced to by the government. I understand my risk when I don't wear a mask, and I usually wouldn't want others to make the decision for me.
But with that being said, for those who wear masks I think they should be aware of the types of masks they should wear, and even still that they should understand that they should change their masks frequently.
Thanks for commenting-
Yes We agree... which is why I subscribe to your account... because I like to be well informed.
Unfortunately, at least 90% of the people in this world only read the headline.. "Masks are ineffective against Covid".. and do not go further to understand that anything less than a N95 is a waste of time- (and can you imagine that 98% of people we've seen in the past 2 years are still wearing surgical masks (repeatedly, for hours and without cleaning).
I don't discuss this issue with anyone.. anymore.. because I've discovered that they don't care like I do, so let them wear what the want. I take my life seriously and always ask the next question... (like)- Well if masks don't work- why do the medical staff wear them?... then I get the simple answer as to which kind, how to use. ..and so on.
The government officials treat us like children... because most people act like children.. even when everyone is walking around with a computer attached to their hand, with the capability of finding out everything and anything... they still wont bother to find out correct information.
So, on 1 hand, I don't fault the government on their messaging- I just do me.. and it works.
Keep up the good work!
Yuk!
I know, right?! Maskne! It sounds like something from Cabin Fever with the flesh eating virus!