Unable to give up masking? Masks Anonymous can help

[UsualName]

Asians have been using masks for decades when they feel like they might have a cold or coming down with something and still need to go out. It limits the amount of virus/germs they are expelling and mainly do it to protect others from their potential cold/flu/bug. That existed long before COVID. In fact in my first trips to Japan in the 1990s I used to joke about doctors being on the train... but they were just considerate citizens to prevent coughing on you in a crowded area.

Right but lots of Americans are still using masks to try to prevent infection, rather than spread infection as many Asians so politely do.

There’s a bit of “what are you doing?” going on in my mind when I see people wearing a surgical mask surrounded by people who aren’t wearing any mask at all. That surgical mask isn’t helping to prevent catching covid by the person wearing it if nobody else is. They need an N-95 mask in those situations. Like I said a lot of this is people have developed a real dependency or anxiety and we do sort of have to work through that. It’s not mentally healthy.

 

[UsualName]

Are you sure the distinction can be made while we are in (the 6th wave of) the pandemic?

I'm scheduled for my second booster later this month, and I don't want to wear a mask any longer than I have to for my safety. But I still wear one as COVID hospitalizations rise.

I am not against people wearing masks, at all. What I am saying is that some people are wearing them with futility. If you want to wear a mask then have at it but just make sure you’re wearing an N-95 when around unmasked people if you want to prevent infection.

 

[Frederick Foresight]

Then you are a fool.

I agree that one of us is.

 

[Tsing Tao]

I am not against people wearing masks, at all. What I am saying is that some people are wearing them with futility. If you want to wear a mask then have at it but just make sure you’re wearing an N-95 when around unmasked people if you want to prevent infection.

I'm not against people wearing masks at all. But don't force them on me.

 

[El OchoCinco]

Right but lots of Americans are still using masks to try to prevent infection, rather than spread infection as many Asians so politely do.

There’s a bit of “what are you doing?” going on in my mind when I see people wearing a surgical mask surrounded by people who aren’t wearing any mask at all. That surgical mask isn’t helping to prevent catching covid by the person wearing it if nobody else is. They need an N-95 mask in those situations. Like I said a lot of this is people have developed a real dependency or anxiety and we do sort of have to work through that. It’s not mentally healthy.

That is the rub... there is this message that got twisted that masks prevent you catching something which has never been the case. I have people who want to say to wear the mask to prevent catching COVID while in a room full of maskless people. yeah it does not work that way. Does only one doctor in surgery wear the mask to protect the patient?

A face shield and airtight mask can prevent you from catching something (assuming you wash your hands and not touchy our face) but unless you are working in a viral lab you wont be that suited up and in general the masks are a communal effort to prevent a spread.

If half the people are wearing them then thinking you wearing one is a protection is like putting sandbags 6 feet apart along the entrance to your house to keep out water.

 

[UsualName]

I'm not against people wearing masks at all. But don't force them on me.

When necessary, “they” will force you.

 

[TreeFrogTrader]

Asians have been using masks for decades when they feel like they might have a cold or coming down with something and still need to go out. .

Chinese wearing masks bigtime before/after/during covid just for the pollution.

 

[Buy1Sell2]

I'm not against people wearing masks at all. But don't force them on me.

Biden just extended mask mandate 2 more weeks.---Just can't relinquish power.

 

[Tsing Tao]

Chinese wearing masks bigtime before/after/during covid just for the pollution.

And for pollution, it works. And for allergies, it works. The size of the particles make the mask effective.

But virus particles (as you know, I'm not telling you anything new here) are far smaller and cannot be captured by these masks.

 

[Tsing Tao]

When necessary, “they” will force you.

No, "they" will try to force us even if it isn't necessary. Therefore, it is important that we resist such nonsense at every turn to make it so there would be such a revolt that they wouldn't dream to try it.