Please wear a mask

"MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s" (mastermario)
06/10/2020 at 10:49 • Filed to: facemasks, covid-19

I’ve noticed that where I shop will significantly change the number of people wearing face masks. In most grocery stores I go in it seems to be more than 50% of the people wearing a mask and every employee. I went to Walmart a few days ago and it was probably a little less than 50% wearing masks, but still a decent amount and again every employee was wearing one. I went to Home Depot Monday and I saw one other person other than myself wearing a mask...including employees. Not a single employee was wearing a mask. I doubt I’ll be going back to that store for the foreseeable future.

Where I am going with this though is that I do not understand why people refuse to wear a mask when in an enclosed public place. The masks do very little to prevent you from catching anything, they are instead intended to help prevent the wearer from spreading anything. I don’t think I am sick, yet I wear a mask, because I could potentially be an unkn owing asymptotic carrier. Wearing a mask tells me you care about your fellow man.

So, if you don’t already, please wear a mask when you venture out in public.

DISCUSSION (55)

DipodomysDeserti > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
06/10/2020 at 11:21

I have a Traders Joes and Whole Foods right next to each other (same par king lot) near me. It it’s aa somewhat upscale shopping district. Visited bith yesterday. Only the workers at Whole Foods were wearing masks. Everyone in TJ’s was.

Went to Frys later and there was a dude with no mask coughing all over the place, not covering up. He was pretty overweight, so I figure he’ll be dead soon enough.

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
06/10/2020 at 11:40

It’s really strange seeing how the populations in different places are taking on mask wearing.

Was on a call with a coworker yesterday who took a long weekend and flew from Phoenix to Houston this past weekend to celebrate his birthday. He proudly told me that they flew South West and it was great because they weren’t filling the middle row seats, but also didn’t require that any passengers wear masks - as if that’s a good thing.

I’m not setting foot on a plane anytime soon - and if I do, will be with whichever carriers are enforcing the most precautions. Hell, even which restaurants we do take out from right now are based on which are best set up for social distancing and are taking mask wearing and cleanliness the most seriously (also those we can easily heat up the food on our end before consuming).

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
06/10/2020 at 11:42

Not to hijack your thread, but here’s another really interesting example of how companies are deciding to react to recent events (in this case in the worst possible way) -

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/09/style/crossfit-gyms-founder-protests.html

I hope this cult that is CrossFit burns to the ground. The founder is stepping down but still retaining his ownership stake.

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > ZHP Sparky, the 5th
06/10/2020 at 11:44

The weirdest thing is how much it varies even within a local area. Every store I’ve been to is within 5 miles of my house yet they run the gambit from most people wearing a mask to almost no one.

3point8isgreat > ZHP Sparky, the 5th
06/10/2020 at 11:48

My wife and I left a restaurant whose only precaution was a paper sign on the door saying “don’t come in if you’re sick”. No masks anywhere. Completely packed.

nermal > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
06/10/2020 at 11:57

Meh. Masks are just another part of an elaborate ruse from China, Russia, the deep state, the Clintons, and goddam Obama still tryna take away muh freedoms.

facw > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
06/10/2020 at 12:05

I was at Home Depot on Sunday, and I’m pretty sure everyone was wearing a mask (some pretty sloppily ) . Same thing last time I was at the grocery store. It is still legally required here, so I guess that’s not shocking. Outside it seems like the number of people wearing them has dropped significantly though.

Long_Voyager94 > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
06/10/2020 at 12:06

I foresee this over usage of masks leading to common illnesses suddenly becoming outbreaks as lack of exposure weakens people’s immune systems, ultimately leading to more deaths from what were once minor illnesses. Remember, it’s not “only COVID” that you’re removing your exposure to.

If you’re sick or have any symptoms, please wear a mask. If you’re healthy and have a strong immune system, why stifle it and become more susceptible to major effects from other minor illnesses as you no longer get the exposure to them?

If you choose to wear a mask, that’s great, and I won’t judge you for it ( although I will 100% judge you for wearing a mask and doing things that completely negate it’s function, or for wearing a non N95 mask as the CDC already stated any less will NOT stop you from getting infected ) . Likewise, don’t judge me for wanting to keep my immune system strong.

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > 3point8isgreat
06/10/2020 at 12:21

Yeah I’m also seeing friends slowly start to post stuff on social media saying things like “so great to go out to eat again!” posting pictures from packed restaurants. And I’m here making mental notes going yeah I’m not seeing you anytime soon.

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > Long_Voyager94
06/10/2020 at 12:26

Assuming you’re a grown man then you have decades of exposure built up in your body (yes some of it wears off) and most bugs out there you might be getting “good” exposure to and building immunity against are pretty minor. You now not being exposed to them for a few months out of your life isn’t going to make you a vulnerable hospital case for the future .

Agreed that if you’re trying to avoid catching a bug anything short of an N95 won’t do much. But given that not everyone has access to N95s currently if we all wore masks of some form it will greatly reduce the spread of the virus for everyone. But it does take a high degree of compliance to be effective - hence the OP’s (and my) practice of giving our business to establishments with higher degrees of precautions such as mask usage.

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > Long_Voyager94
06/10/2020 at 12:28

Likewise, don’t judge me for wanting to keep my immune system strong.

We are in the middle of a pandemic that your immune system does not have any experience with. Wearing a mask when you go out for the next few months to a year is not going to compromise your immune system.

And minimizing exposure DOES NOT weaken your immune system, you are still exposed to everything just less often . Whether you are exposed to a disea se now or 3 months from now because you were wearing a mask doesn’t change how your immune system functions.

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > facw
06/10/2020 at 12:30

No mandate for anything here (thank you WI GOP /s ). I get not wearing it outside as long as you aren’t in a crowded area though.

facw > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
06/10/2020 at 12:32

Most of my time outside has been on a fairly crowded bike path. Probably still low risk, especially for cyclists. Pedestrians have a greater chance of getting clumped with others, but I guess also greater ability to distance from other pedestrians.

Long_Voyager94 > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
06/10/2020 at 12:35

We are in the middle of a pandemic that your immune system does not have any experience with.

Actually, it does, from when it swept through our area back in January.

Everyone seems to forget, this has been here long before now. The reality is, most, if not all of us have either already had it or been exposed to it and never known or thought we just had the flu.

Long_Voyager94 > ZHP Sparky, the 5th
06/10/2020 at 12:36

If you wanted to stop the spread, you needed to be wearing masks way back at the end of last year.

This “pandemic” has been here for a very long time and swept through the majority of populations already.

Bryan doesn't drive a 1M > Long_Voyager94
06/10/2020 at 12:39

Kinja'd!!!

bobbe17 > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
06/10/2020 at 12:47

I’m still blown away by the fact Menards is actually taking it seriously. They are among the few in WI to require masks to be worn and they aren’t allowing children in the store. Knowing Menards’ history (price gouging, extremely anti-union, etc.) it’s extremely surprising.

fintail > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
06/10/2020 at 12:53

Maybe not surprisingly, I see more than a few unhealthy and/or older looking people going sans mask, while for others, a mask is now seen as some kind of social courtesy, and going without being a faux pas.

At least see it like headlights - not for your benefit, but for others. So you have to wear a mask, and don’t infect someone’s grandma. How is that bad?

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > Long_Voyager94
06/10/2020 at 12:59

Where are you getting this “swept through in January”?

We don’t have widespread antibody testing yet so you can’t say that with any confidence and our first recorded case was in February. Do you really think it went undetected to the point that it “swept through” in January and no one noticed?

I mean look at NYC... one of the hardest hit places in the US. As of 1 month ago only 20% of the population tested positive for antibodies . Hardly a majority of the population.

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > bobbe17
06/10/2020 at 13:02

I know...it’s weird seeing them in a good light. I purposely try not to shop there because of his reputation and their infuriating rebate system.

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > Long_Voyager94
06/10/2020 at 13:11

Ah yes, it swept through a majority of populations already - that’s why we’re seeing 20k new cases a day in this country on a regular basis. If it already swept through the majority shouldn’t we be seeing no new cases?

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > fintail
06/10/2020 at 13:14

Your grandma doesn’t get to infringe on my freedoms!

DipodomysDeserti > fintail
06/10/2020 at 13:36

Same. The vast majority of people not wearing mask seem to be overweight and unhealthy.

Wondering if Covid might help bring down the cost of health insurance when this is all over.

fintail > DipodomysDeserti
06/10/2020 at 13:40

If people want to take themselves out, maybe not a problem - just don’t drag down others . That seems to be an issue these days, where rights begin and end.

This is Murka, healthcare isn’t going to get cheaper lol.

Long_Voyager94 > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
06/10/2020 at 13:45

Research man. The first “official” case was in January https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7092802/ .

If anyone seriously thinks this wasn’t here long before that you are severely misled. It started pre November in Wuhan, at which there were numerous flights going in and out daily, you really mean to tell me no one contracted nor carried it until January?

You mean the same NYC that was running on a few hospitals and morgues instead of their usual 70+? O f course when you shutdown 96% of your hospitals things are going to look terrible in the 4% that remain open.

I tested positive for antibodies, yet January 5th is when I was sick. My uncle also tested positive, yet he was sick mid December to around Christmas, at which I was in contact with him. 12 days later, I was sick/ Both of us tested negative for Influenza at the time and were deemed to just have severe viral infections, I suppose that’s just coincidence though.

Long_Voyager94 > ZHP Sparky, the 5th
06/10/2020 at 13:46

When you test more people you find more cases, not really a hard concept.

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > Long_Voyager94
06/10/2020 at 13:58

I meant first case in Wisconsin was in February.

Show me some proof that it was widespread here earlier than February/March. So far there is no evidence it was widespread in late 2019 .

Was it here? Probably, but not widespread like you claim.

Maybe you and your uncle were the few unlucky persons to get it early, but I haven’t seen a single piece of evidence that the virus was widespread earlier than February/March. Anecdotal evidence is a single data point and doesn’t make a trend.

And as for your NYC comment...that was a random widespread study of the population to see how widespread the virus was. And yes, since NYC was so bad (your words) you’d expect that study to show it being much more widespread than 20%.

Lastly, even though it can be considered widespread by March, that still doesn’t mean that a majority of the population has had it.

Long_Voyager94 > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
06/10/2020 at 14:24

Both me and my uncle are in WI, so no, the first case in WI was mid-December. And unless it appeared out of thin air in him, others had to have been infected prior in order for him to get it. Kinda how viruses work.

Remember, the majority of people show little to no symptoms, meaning they never seek hospital, nor get tested, so those “studies” are frankly squat as solid data. https://www.healthline.com/health-news/50-percent-of-people-with-covid19-not-aware-have-virus
Numerous other data and articles point to this being around since October/November in the US, again, research man.

So have you been wearing a mask since day one then, or only since they told you to? Kinda like putting on a condom after sex if you haven’t been wearing one since the beginning isn’t it?

CalzoneGolem > nermal
06/10/2020 at 14:25

Now I know why Garfield keeps trying to mail you to Abu Dh abi.

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > Long_Voyager94
06/10/2020 at 14:47

Numerous other data and articles point to this being around since October/November in the US, again, research man.

You keep saying this yet haven’t given me any of this data.

And I have been wearing a mask when in stores since it became widespread in March. And your comparison to sex is so close yet so far . It’s more like not wearing a condom the next time you have sex because no one got pregnant the last time.

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > Long_Voyager94
06/10/2020 at 14:51

If it already swept through a majority of the populations like you claimed how are NEW cases being identified at such a rate? This isn’t antibody testing. You get that, right? I’m done here.

Long_Voyager94 > ZHP Sparky, the 5th
06/10/2020 at 15:06

How many new flu cases come about daily? That’s been around for how long?

Long_Voyager94 > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
06/10/2020 at 15:08

If you can’t be bothered to research beyond what you’ve been led to believe I’m not going to change your mind so there’s no point.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
06/10/2020 at 15:09

The problem with masks is that 99% of people use them wrong.

1. There’s the people who don’t cover their nose, which pretty much makes it useless.

2. People are constantly adjusting them, which means touching the area around their mouth, nose, and ears.

I don’t judge anyone for wearing one, I’ll wear one to make others comfortable, especially if I’m going into a small business. But I’m not going to judge anyone who chooses not to wear one, because Im honestly unsure if they make things better or worse.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > ZHP Sparky, the 5th
06/10/2020 at 15:11

We’re seeing “new cases” because Waaaay more testing is being done.

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > Long_Voyager94
06/10/2020 at 15:17

Seriously? I have been and HAVE NOT FOUND A THING

I then provided you proof that it WAS NOT widespread in 2019.

You claim that numerous studies and data prove your point yet can’t be bothered to find a single one when asked...sure, I’ll just take your word for it.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
06/10/2020 at 15:36

Except there are two different tests. Antigen for viral traces of active infections and antibody for previous infections. It would be useless to test someone showing symptoms for antibodies.

The test are reported separately whic was one thing Ga and Va were called out for for mixing their test data.

Long_Voyager94 > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
06/10/2020 at 16:11

I’ve been following and researching this since it started becoming news. If you haven’t been watching and reading articles, I’m sorry. I’m not however going to try to sift through months of articles to try to post them for you to overlook them anyway, it’s a waste of my time.

Not a dig on you, I just know how these discussions work, regardless of the info provided, it will be overlooked.

https://www.medpagetoday.com/blogs/working-stiff/86291

https://www.bbc.com/news/health-52935644

https://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/3074991/coronavirus-chinas-first-confirmed-covid-19-case-traced-back

https://www.uchicagomedicine.org/forefront/prevention-and-screening-articles/wuhan-coronavirus

Any of those articles, most from medical sites, state the timelines are likely WAYYY off.

Long_Voyager94 > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas
06/10/2020 at 16:51

https://www.livescience.com/cdc-combined-covid-19-diagnostic-and-antibody-tests.html
Are they reported separately though?

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
06/10/2020 at 21:19

Kinja'd!!!

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > Long_Voyager94
06/11/2020 at 07:50

I feel like you’re not actually reading what I am typing here. I agree that COVID-19 was here most likely by December 2019, which is what all these articles are stating.

What I do not agree with is your assertion that it was widespread by January and that “ most, if not all of us” have had it already. There simply is no evidence that most people have had it even now.

Long_Voyager94 > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
06/11/2020 at 10:11

Yet it’s so dangerous and spreads so quickly.........

So which is it?

The contradictions and backpedals in this “pandemic” are beyond ridiculous, as is the misreporting of information.

Sure, it’s a 5% mortality rate among those infected, but those infected make up .6% of the population. Less than 1% infection, of those around 80% had no idea they were infected . Giving you a .003% chance of death from this “pandemic” currently. Reporting it that way however doesn’t strike fear into the public, most of whom are too gullible to research beyond the media’s reporting.
If you care to check those numbers, the deaths and infections come directly from the CDC, the population comes directly from the US Census Bureau.

I don’t know about you, but a 99.997% chance of survival is greater chances of living than a lot of things that happen in my day to day life.

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > Long_Voyager94
06/11/2020 at 10:41

Giving you a .003% chance of death from this “pandemic” currently.

If you’re going to talk statistics at least get it right. 115,000 deaths so far among a population of 328,000,000 people gives you a death rate of 0.035 % (a factor of 10 larger).

Now let’s assume that only 20% of the population has had it so far (this is a huge and worst case unlikely assumption based on NYC numbers) that means 115,000 out of 65,000,000 people which gives us a 0.175% death rate.

Now let’s assume that only 5% of the population has had it so far (much closer assumption to the high end of what most experts think it’s at). This means 115,000 deaths out of 16,400,000 people which gives a death rate of 0.7%.

Are you going to risk the lives of people around you at close to a 1% chance that they die?

As for your comment that only 5% of the population has had it so far so it’s not really that contagious . The R0 of COVID-19 is thought to be around 2-6 , so not especially contagious but definitely easily transmissible.

Kinja'd!!!

I also think you need to take a look at past pandemics, because dangerous and easily transmissible doesn’t mean it will be over in months in as large a population as the US has. Look at the Spanish Flu, it had an R0 of 1-3 and a death rate of around 2%, so lower transmission rate but higher death rate, but fairly close numbers. Do you look back at that pandemic and say “it really wasn’t that bad”? And that pandemic also lasted well over a year killing 675,000 in the US.

Long_Voyager94 > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
06/11/2020 at 12:13

If you’re going to talk statistics at least get it right. 115,000 deaths so far among a population of 328,000,000 people gives you a death rate of 0.035% (a factor of 10 larger).

Excuse me for mistyping a number. Even at that, it’s a 99.965% survival rate.

Even at your skewed 1%, myself and those around me have a greater chance of dying from things in our day to day tasks than dying of Covid.

I’m sorry I prefer to enjoy my life than live in fear over a less than 1% chance of infection. If you want to be afraid, fine, don’t expect others to codd le to your fear.

Let me ask you this: If the media wasn’t blasting about this daily, would you even know it came and went?

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > Long_Voyager94
06/11/2020 at 12:20

Kinja'd!!!

1% chance is far higher than you believe it to be

Long_Voyager94 > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
06/11/2020 at 12:47

You overlooked my question.

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > Long_Voyager94
06/11/2020 at 13:13

If the media wasn’t blasting about this daily, would you even know it came and went?

First...it has “came and went”...it’s still very much here.

Second...yes. Even if the media weren’t discussing this I was working from home for 2 months and now am back at work wearing a mask all day and nearly every other day we get a message from HR about another person under investigation for possibly having this. I very much would still be aware of it. Just because you already had it and live in a small town and probably work with a small group of people does not mean this is gone or even close to being done.

I want to compare to wearing a seat belt since it’s a small inconvenience that provides a safety benefit that you’ll maybe never even use . But in that example you’re only endangering yourself. By not taking any precautions you endanger everyone you come in contact with.

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
06/11/2020 at 14:14

I understand this. My point was against the OP’s suggestion that “most, if not all of us have either already had it or been exposed to it and never known or thought we just had the flu.”

His words, not mine. If this is true, then we shouldn’t have this many new cases under the assumption that you can’t catch this more than once (if that’s an incorrect assumption we have a whole other set of problems on our hands).

Long_Voyager94 > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
06/11/2020 at 16:09

All of which happened due to the media created panic. Without the media created panic, you would have continued working. Those sick would have either stayed home or gotten treatment and carried on life as usual.

By not taking any precautions you endanger everyone you come in contact with.

That scenario assumes I’m sick and assumes I take no other precautions.

According to the CDC/WHO as of Monday , asymptomatic people cannot transmit it, meaning I would have to be walking around knowingly sick to be endangering anyone.

Meanwhile, this again operates off the incorrect assumption that anyone who gets it dies. Truth is, I may very well be helping others gain immunity by exposure.

Without exposure, no one builds immunity. Without immunity, this isn’t going away anytime soon, meaning it will only prolong it further.

Long_Voyager94 > ZHP Sparky, the 5th
06/11/2020 at 16:11

Again, how many new flu cases come about every season?

That’s been sweeping through for over a century now, yet we have 25-50 million documented cases yearly.

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > Long_Voyager94
06/11/2020 at 16:30

This isn’t the flu, haven’t you heard? In just a few months with severe restrictions this has killed significantly more people in this country than the flu does in an entire year.

The flu morphs and isn’t the same from year to year - and there are various strains of the flu. Again if you’re suggesting that this is morphing in this short period like the flu does between seasons , we’re in bigger trouble still.

Long_Voyager94 > ZHP Sparky, the 5th
06/12/2020 at 07:09

1. Death numbers are severely swayed as anyone who tests positive for Covid is listed as a Covid death, doesn’t matter if they die from Covid or they die from a heart attack. So the truth is, we have no real count how many it’s killed.
Combined with the lock downs that prevented people from getting other care they needed for other conditions, our reaction to it likely killed more than the virus will.

2. The flu is the same basic few strains every year, the issue is scientists are guessing which will be the prominent strain every year.
This virus has been mutating since the initial cases were discovered and it’s proven a good thing as the mutated strains lack the “deadliness” of the original virus. https://www.wishtv.com/news/latest-covid-19-mutation-may-indicate-the-virus-is-weakening/

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > Long_Voyager94
06/12/2020 at 09:11

https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/09/health/asymptomatic-presymptomatic-coronavirus-spread-explained-wellness/index.html

And from the CDC website , “There are reports of asymptomatic infections (detection of virus with no development of symptoms) and pre-symptomatic infections (detection of virus prior to development of symptoms) with SARS-CoV-2, but their role in transmission is not yet known. ”

Meanwhile, this again operates off the incorrect assumption that anyone who gets it dies.

What? No one is saying that. Just that you have a 1% chance of dying on average (more if older/pre-existing conditions and less if younger and healthier).

We are going to have to agree to disagree, but if one less person dies because I was inconvenienced and wore a mask then good. We want to flatten the curve as much as possible until a vaccine is available so we don’t have to develop immunity the natural way. Why is that better? Because less people will die.

I’m not wearing a mask because I am scared of it myself, based on the stats I have a very low chance of dying from it. But I don’t want to be the one to spread it to my parents or a family friend who will be more susceptible to this. At this point we are going to have to agree to disagree because I don’t see either of us changing our minds.

Long_Voyager94 > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
06/12/2020 at 10:02

“…”There is no specific evidence to suggest that the wearing of masks by the mass population has any potential benefit. In fact, there’s some evidence to suggest the opposite in the misuse of wearing a mask properly or fitting it properly,” Dr. Mike Ryan, executive director of the WHO health emergencies program, said at a media briefing in Geneva, Switzerland, on Monday [3/30/20]…”

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > Long_Voyager94
06/12/2020 at 10:48

“There may be situations where the wearing of masks may reduce the rate at which infected individuals may infect others,” Ryan said. [4/4/2020]

And since you quoted a WHO doctor, here is their official policy , “WHO advises that governments should encourage the use of non-medical fabric masks, which can act as a barrier to prevent the spread of the virus from the wearer to others where there are many cases of COVID-19, for people in the general public where physical distancing of at least 1 metre is not possible – such as, on public transport, in shops or in other confined or crowded environments.”