What's going on in the US? Part 12 [Mod note in OP]

Status
Not open for further replies.

Fatass

Registered User
Apr 17, 2017
21,951
13,921
When it comes to covid, the evidence is starting to suggest that it spreads largely via tiny aerosols. So n-95 masks would be very effective, but those cloth masks everyone is wearing are pretty much useless. (And it's not "anti-mask" to suggest one kind is far more effective than another).

Germany seems to have already determined this, as cloth masks were essentially banned from all places that require masks.

Regarding the flu, experts could never determine if it spreads primarily via droplets or aerosols.

But the flu is all but eliminated while masks didn't even put a dent in covid.

I'm borderline certain we'll soon figure out that the flu spreads primarily via droplets, and covid primarily via aerosols. And that's why mask wearing all but eliminated the flu while covid ran rampant.

If that ends up being true, I believe cloth mask wearing will be very common (and maybe even enforced) every flu season.
Isn’t there a ton of evidence in the mask thread that proves masks reduce viral spread?
I do agree wearing a mask will reduce flu; it’s like covering one’s cough. Common sense really.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TaLoN

Dubi Doo

Registered User
Aug 27, 2008
19,222
12,696
I've been wearing the mask ever since Texas issued the mandate. I will be wearing them going forward during allergy season

Texas seems about to lift the mask mandates based upon recent comments from the governor.

The way the mandate is being enforced here is pure theatre. Restaurants can be packed with masks only required when entering or going to the bathroom. Once in, you can pack the bar part of the restaurant without a mask. Thus, lifting them is probably for the best, since the mandates aren't doing shit
I see your point in regards to bars, but the people going to bars have the choice to put themselves in high risk environments. Lifting a mask mandate allows these high risk people to neglect masks in areas (grocery stores, work, etc...) where people who aren't being risky can be put at risk. Mask mandates should NOT be lifted until everyone has the OPPORTUNITY to be fully vaccinated,and honestly- that isnt too far away. It's just needlessly putting people who are trying to be safe at risk.

Raise capacity limits, open up more businesses that may have been closed, allow those who want to take risky chances to take them, etc...we're at least at the point now where I can understand pushing those boundaries, but masks should be the last thing to go.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TaLoN

TaLoN

Red 5 standing by
Sponsor
May 30, 2010
50,736
24,446
Farmington, MN
Isn’t there a ton of evidence in the mask thread that proves masks reduce viral spread?
I do agree wearing a mask will reduce flu; it’s like covering one’s cough. Common sense really.
Yes, the mask thread has a TON of evidence that shows even cloth masks reduce the spread of covid. If anyone wants to debate that, please take that debate to the mask thread, this isn't the place for that debate.
 

dortt

Registered User
Sep 21, 2018
5,298
2,656
Houston, TX
I see your point in regards to bars, but the people going to bars have the choice to put themselves in high risk environments. Lifting a mask mandate allows these high risk people to neglect masks in areas (grocery stores, work, etc...) where people who aren't being risky can be put at risk. Mask mandates should NOT be lifted until everyone has the OPPORTUNITY to be fully vaccinated,and honestly- that isnt too far away. It's just needlessly putting people who are trying to be safe at risk.

Raise capacity limits, open up more businesses that may have been closed, allow those who want to take risky chances to take them, etc...we're at least at the point now where I can understand pushing those boundaries, but masks should be the last thing to go.

Maybe we could reach some compromise solution. End the theatre mandates such as for entering restaurants and bars and other non essential businesses. Keep for the essential businesses under the mandate
 

Fatass

Registered User
Apr 17, 2017
21,951
13,921
Yes, the mask thread has a TON of evidence that shows even cloth masks reduce the spread of covid. If anyone wants to debate that, please take that debate to the mask thread, this isn't the place for that debate.
Agreed. Really hopeful these threads are dead (like the virus) by fall.

Maybe we could reach some compromise solution. End the theatre mandates such as for entering restaurants and bars and other non essential businesses. Keep for the essential businesses under the mandate
What about the safety of the employees in those work places?
 

TaLoN

Red 5 standing by
Sponsor
May 30, 2010
50,736
24,446
Farmington, MN
Maybe we could reach some compromise solution. End the theatre mandates such as for entering restaurants and bars and other non essential businesses. Keep for the essential businesses under the mandate
Theater mandates are only for when in the lobby or going to the restroom. When in your seat, you are eating and drinking and don't need the mask. Thus the reason for capacity limits.

Here in MN Theater capacity limit is 25%. That is a safe effective number.

Bars and restaurants are 50%, which seems effective.

When respected, these limits are effective as it allows more than enough distance between diners/drinkers etc. 75% as Texas is doing, seems to defeat the purpose IMO.
 

Fatass

Registered User
Apr 17, 2017
21,951
13,921
Theater mandates are opnly for when in the lobby or going to the restroom only. When in your seat, you are eating and drinking and don't need the mask. Thus the reason for capacity limits.

Here in MN Theater capacity limit is 25%. That is a safe effective number.

Bars and restaurants are 50%, which seems effective.

When respected, these limits are effective as it allows more than enough distance between diners/drinkers etc. 75% as Texas is doing, seems to defeat the purpose IMO.
It’s not just in the US where some people simply refuse to do what’s safest for the group. It’s the speed bump rule, and applies everywhere. Should we really need speed bumps to get some drivers to drive safely where children are playing? Sadly, yes. So we all bounce over speed bumps, because some people need the reminder to do what’s right.
“What’s going on the US”, is going on in lots of places.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TaLoN

Dubi Doo

Registered User
Aug 27, 2008
19,222
12,696
Maybe we could reach some compromise solution. End the theatre mandates such as for entering restaurants and bars and other non essential businesses. Keep for the essential businesses under the mandate
I just think we're so f***ing close to curb stomping this nasty little sucka. Let's keep the defensive measure that causes the least amount of negative impact on society and the economy until everyone has the opportunity to protect themselves which is likely within the next 3-4 months.
 

JMCx4

Censorship is the Sincerest Form of Flattery
Sep 3, 2017
13,479
8,328
St. Louis, MO
... When respected, these limits are effective as it allows more than enough distance between diners/drinkers etc. 75% as Texas is doing, seems to defeat the purpose IMO.
Everything is bigger in Texas, including occupancy limits. It's a cultural imperative. :doh:
 
  • Like
Reactions: TaLoN

dortt

Registered User
Sep 21, 2018
5,298
2,656
Houston, TX
What about the safety of the employees in those work places?

The people are already not wearing masks there. The compromise is simply removing the theatre of wearing them entering and going to the restroom. That helps nothing

Theater mandates are only for when in the lobby or going to the restroom. When in your seat, you are eating and drinking and don't need the mask. Thus the reason for capacity limits.

It's not just when eating or drinking here. Once you are at your seat, no mask required. Thus, we're ordering without masks, talking to the wait staff without masks
 

Troy McClure

Suter will never be scratched
Mar 12, 2002
47,604
15,489
South of Heaven
Yet the quack known as Fauci is screaming the vaccinated must WEAR YOUR MASK.

Even though the data from Israel is showing they seldom spread the virus once vaccinated. Fauci is demanding yet another study
Wanting to see enough data to know what policy position to make is the opposite of a quack.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Finlandia WOAT

Treb

Global Flanderator
May 31, 2011
28,181
27,936
Montreal
we have the data, however. There was no evidence to start with that those vaccinated could spread the disease

Until you could prove they would not, you have to assume they can. That's common sense in that situation.

The phase 3 trial data could not be used to say it prevented asymptomatic cases as much as it seems to do with the new data we have.

It was a possibility that people could be protected from symptomatic infections, but still be asymptomatically infected and transmit it to others.
 

Finlandia WOAT

js7.4x8fnmcf5070124
May 23, 2010
24,135
23,681
Even though the data from Israel is showing they seldom spread the virus once vaccinated.

Not all vaccines are equal though. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which could represent a plurality of American vaccinations when this is over, is significantly less effective than the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines at preventing the onset of symptoms, which could very well mean it's significantly less effective at preventing the spread.
 

Pens1566

Registered User
Aug 2, 2005
18,377
7,216
WV
Not all vaccines are equal though. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which could represent a plurality of American vaccinations when this is over, is significantly less effective than the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines at preventing the onset of symptoms, which could very well mean it's significantly less effective at preventing the spread.

The results from Pfizer/Moderna vs J&J are really apples and oranges. Different time periods mean the J&J results include some impact from the new variants, and the efficacy #s could also be due to different measurement criteria as well depending on the individual studies. The real #s are in the prevention of death/hospitalization/etc.
 

Devilsfan992

Registered User
Apr 14, 2012
8,623
3,539
The 20% Club

Alaska
New Mexico
North Dakota
South Dakota
Connecticut

Don't put too much into this. Some states are skewed heavily as they have more federal entities per capita. This can be visualized by huge one day jumps.

In other news:

 

dortt

Registered User
Sep 21, 2018
5,298
2,656
Houston, TX
We were quick to relax the stay-at-homes as well, which worked really well.

The state blocked the El Paso County lockdown. The situation didn't spiral out of control. (Yes, there were some touch and go moments) Instead, the virus ran its course.
 

Big Muddy

Registered User
Dec 15, 2019
8,583
4,085
The state blocked the El Paso County lockdown. The situation didn't spiral out of control. (Yes, there were some touch and go moments) Instead, the virus ran its course.
I was able to look at the numbers in my county on a regular basis during that timeframe. Thanks for your summary though.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Ad

Upcoming events

Ad

Ad

-->