This virus isn't going to go away. Are people willing to wear masks forever? Other viruses to come will be as bad or worse. I have never been one to run or hide from anything.
Now I know that most of you folks in the club are college educated. I probably have the least amount of "book learnin'" out of all of you, but mechanically the mask thing makes very little sense to me. How big is coronavirus? How much can a piece of cloth filter? If I am not sick how can I spread the virus?
They go back an fourth way too much on whether or not asymptomatic people can spread the virus.
There are many "experts" that say to wear a mask then there are those that are just as educated and experienced saying it is unnecessary. Who do we listen to?
I hate all of this division more than anything else that is happening right now.
America is on the brink of disaster and this virus isn't the cause.
I would say consider that masks are used by all medical personnel during surgeries. This has been the norm for the last hundred years in all operating rooms around the world. If masks were not used, most patients would get post op infections in their wounds. But , by using masks ( gloves , gowns, face shields, etc) , most patients do not get post op infections.
Some surgeries go on for hours, with many doctors and nurses in close contact with the patient, and their open wounds. We are asked to wash our hands for 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer, but before surgeries, all medical personnel are asked to wash their hand 3-5 minutes before entering the operating room.
Using a mask during this pandemic is an effective way to prevent virus spread, while we stand next to people for a few minutes, in line at a grocery store.
Our intact skin provides a strong barrier to protect us, but we have to wash our hands to remove some of the germs that will build up there . The social distancing reduces chances of breathing in air borne microorganisms. Do you want to camp right next to someone , or get a little distance from others to set up your camp? I like a little ground between me and another group.
I would consider wearing a mask the same as you carrying a gun for protection of yourself and others. Good for you, and those you would protect.
The mask is a good defense against the trillions of invisible covid viruses . A gun is a good defense against dangerous human or animal, but has no effect on a microscopic virus. It takes several "tools" in your toolbox to get the job done right.
We cannot know who has the virus and who does not, so wearing a mask is some protection against the unknown enemy. Just as we don't know who is carrying a gun or what their motives are.
Sadly, this pandemic may not be the last worldwide disease disaster. There could be another crisis like this in the future. Human over population will make disease spread all the more easier to happen. Nothing we can do about that, except continue doing the research to try to be more prepared.
We do have a choice of how to care for each other, so I will choose to wear a mask, wash my hands, and spread out a little from my friends, for a while. I will get the vaccine , when it is my turn. (Another choice we get to make).
WHY?, because I don't want to wear a mask any longer than is necessary. Once I am protected from getting or spreading this virus, I can go camping, travel, see my friends, play some softball, go to concerts, see a movie, eat at my favorite cafe, and a hundred other things we cannot do right now.
That's my thoughts on this issue. You all can choose your path through the woods, but I will follow a few hints on how to get to the other side of this COVID forest, without stepping in any traps or walking off a cliff in the dark.
). Like everything, there needs to be a balance. At least with masks we can still go out and support businesses if we want, while slowing the spread at the same time.
