Rory, A Guy Called Bloke, asked today:
1] Are you currently wearing face masks when you go out into public wherever you are in the world?
Before I answer this questions, Rory wrote, “…the ‘Baby Boomer’ generation, or better known as those born between the years of 1946 – 1964, are ‘appalled’ at the prospect of wearing a mask despite it protecting others and themselves.”
I’m a Baby Boomer and, yes, I wear a mask whenever I leave my home. And quite honestly, almost everyone of my generation that I personally know, anyway, also wears a mask when they go anywhere because, as older folks, we happen to fall into a higher risk group than those who are younger than us. In fact, I’ve found that age is not as much of a critical factor in terms of mask wearing as political ideology is. It’s more likely that Republicans (conservatives) of all ages in the U.S. are the ones who seem appalled at the notion of wearing face masks.
2] What type of masks (as in practical or stylish) are you wearing?
Very practical. Nothing stylish about the masks I wear.
3] How do you feel about the wearing of masks? Do you see it as a protection or an infringement on your civil rights?
Wearing face masks helps to protect me and helps to protect others that I may come in contact with. Wearing a mask is the safe and sensible thing to do in the face (no pun intended) of a highly contagious and potentially deadly virus. Anyone who believes wearing a face mask is an infringement on their civil rights is a selfish, ignorant asshole. Period. Full stop. End of story.
This, That, and the Other 
I was out for a ride this afternoon — even in places where there were signs requiring masks, I would estimate that not more than 50% of the people were actually masked. We won’t kick the spikes until that percentage grows considerably!
LikeLiked by 2 people
What are they thinking?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Is it possible that Rory doesn’t actually know what the ‘Baby Boomer’ generation is?
LikeLiked by 1 person
He gave the right birth year range. Maybe the author of the article he referenced didn’t actually know.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’d agree with you that it is more a political than generational divide. Hasn’t this virus been called the Baby Boomer killer? We know our generation is more at risk but there are stupid people in every generation.
As I commented on someone else’s post, shouldn’t we be prepared to give up a little of our personal freedom in order to save others? It’s not a big ask really.
Some rules are designed to protect us, seat belts (compulsory in Australia) and bicycle helmets, ditto in some Australian states at least. I know some people won’t use those either.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Yes, we should be willing to give up some minor personal freedoms for safety, but some people are selfish and some are just stupid.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is the sensible thing to do. I still have to go to work and though it’s hard to wear the mask for 8-10 hours everyday, we have to do it for our safety and those of our co-workers
LikeLiked by 3 people
I wear a mask. Not if I’m just in the yard or driveway. There are medical ones ready in the car, but I haven’t used one of those. I have two that a neighbor made for me. There were more that the neighbor made, but I’ve given a couple away. I’ve worn one multiple times; it has two sides, one side an indigo dark blue fabric and the other side a rust and an orange sort of paisley pattern. The other fabric mask, I haven’t used yet; it’s a black, white, and grey geometric pattern on one side and… I don’t remember the other side. I did go into the post office a couple nights ago without a mask, but noone was there. As far as I know, there is no “requirement” that people wear masks here. I think it’s recommended by officials in the entire area. I’m happy with the way things have been handled locally. There are probably requirements in certain places (I mean certain buildings or businesses). But I haven’t been out much.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Here here! Well said.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
👍👍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wear a mask, wear a mask, wear a mask.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, yes, yes!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Definitely wear a mask and stay safe!
LikeLiked by 1 person
…Should not be a question!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I agree.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wearing a mask is a no-brainer and those who get their knickers in a twist over it, have no brains. We must all do our bit to kick this virus in the butt.
LikeLiked by 1 person
👍
LikeLiked by 1 person
It has finally been made mandatory where I live (Ontario, Canada). While I haven’t been out much since March I have always worn a mask. Because I’m diabetic I’m at higher risk
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amen, brother, AMEN. I forgot to address that semi-profiling bit of Rory’s blog about the Boomers. We did a LOT for America, why is it that we always seem to get blamed for any shit that falls from above too? Mystifies me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely wear a mask whenever I go out. I have anxiety and asthma and it is not easy, but it will possibly save my life and others so it is worth my short time of discomfort vs. dying hooked to a a ventilator.
LikeLiked by 1 person
If masks truly worked, why the 6-foot rule which nobody follows except in line? Where any communicable disease exists, for those with compromised immune systems, that’s a choice they can make for themselves and their families. There will always be diseases. But if we were to follow and illogical logic, then don’t drive, don’t go shopping, stay in your home, and never take any chances in life, for there are always risks in all we do.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Epidemiologists generally agree that masks are an effective deterrent to the spread of COVID-19, so if one is going to go out where there are others around, why not wear a mask to protect yourself and others? What is illogical about that?
LikeLike
If we wish to reduce all risks, then we don’t drive, we live far away from airports, never engage in sports, have all our food delivered by those in hazmat suits (though we still don’t know what happens inside those companies), wear respirators, and live in a bubble. That’s completely logical as well. In a free society, a constitutional free society, everything we do entails risk. The question then is who’s motivating people to certain behaviors and to what end? This is for people who are looking to understand and not the propaganda promoting people. We already know what their reason is for promoting.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Nobody is trying to suggest that all risks should be eliminated, but wearing a mask can reduce the spread of infection for a highly contagious and potentially deadly virus. You ask who’s motivating people to certain behaviors (e.g., wearing masks when out in public) and to what end? The who are scientists, medical professionals, epidemiologists. To what end? At the risk of being redundant, to reduce the spread of infection for a highly contagious and potentially deadly virus. Why, in the face of a pandemic, would anyone NOT wear a mask in public? It for their own safety and for the safety of others.
LikeLike
If you get a chance, if it’s something you want to do, read my last two articles. We can say this about many other risks that have far greater consequences, and this flu requires a vaccine which we seem very close. Thinking for ourselves.
LikeLiked by 2 people
The guy who was egging on anti-vaccers a few years ago is now asking us to trust him in hurrying through a (not-sufficiently-tested) vaccine.
LikeLiked by 1 person
If something works, then people have the opportunity, and we need a “control group” that is constitutional.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You can’t rush an effective vaccine to market. As they say, nine pregnant women can’t give birth to a baby in one month.
LikeLike
This is not “this flu.” And yes, we need a vaccine, but despite what the orange Moron says, we’re nowhere near having a fully tested, fully vetted vaccine for COVID-19.
LikeLike
The moment you fall to insults and barbs, that’s the moment everyone understands real dialogue and understanding are not sought.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Calling him both orange and a moron are not insults and barbs. They are observations based upon how he looks and how he acts.
LikeLike
I’ve read several of your posts. I don’t concur with very much of what you’ve written. Sorry.
LikeLike
That’s the beauty of blogs. Take what you like and leave the rest. That’s what makes for freedom. Agree or agree to disagree and go on. No need to apologize.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep, I agree with what you just said. Just not with most of the perspective you express in your posts.
LikeLike
I read an article, maybe a couple weeks ago, that a kind of mask/material makes things worse; basically one kind, not all or most masks. The material that runners’ masks or gators are made of, a single film of stretchy polyester, further atomizes fluid outward from the person wearing it. If the measure of a test is how many droplets are then in the air, this is worse because droplets have been made into more (smaller). Additionally, since they are smaller, they float longer. Now, these details are about the aspect of masks as protecting other people… not specifically protecting yourself. (I don’t know that they’ve tested as to whether such a mask protects the wearer some or at all or not.)
Anyway, the reason why we would do more than one thing is to improve the possibilities of protecting ourselves and others. To increase the chances of safety, nine feet is better still than six (it’s been tested up to twelve feet). Plus, considering that droplets from some people could hang in the air, I will wear a mask, when I’m out (someplace other than home), in the future, even if noone is there. The kind of mask my neighbor made is two layers of thicker cotton or cotton-poly blend. They are good. (I’ve bought some stupid sporty poly masks made to match sportswear; I only consider these an opportunistic buy to have fashionable filters to keep lawn debris out of my mouth and nose.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Of course, a runners’ gator could be made of nylon or other materials… not only polyester; the point is a very porous or light layer is not something that is recommended, and it leaves others unprotected or can make them more exposed from the wearer. The reason the CDC decided to start recommending masks was that they figured out assymptomatic people could spread the virus and spread it by even just talking, not necessarily by sneezing or coughing. (Seems stupid to me that it took them all that time to figure this out.)
I forgot, in the previous post, that there is another kind of mask which isn’t helpful to the people around a potentially infected individual (whether the individual knows they are infected or have previously been exposed or not). The kind with valves or a valve. This kind seems likely to at least help the wearer, but, still, this kind are very self-focused or selfish: https://abcnews.go.com/Health/ditch-valve-face-mask-pros-cons/story?id=70511555
A reason given for not initially recommending or nearly mandating (and, in some places, mandating) masks is that the thinking was people would then lack a sense of need for social distancing if they had masks on.
Oh. I read that some people put a layer of coffee filter in between two layers of cloth. It is, in fact, something suggested by the CDC.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I heard that about coffee filters, too.
LikeLike
If this mask thing were real, they would have created a mask all are to wear (or choices), approved by the FDA. What we see are people wearing all kinds of masks, some home made, some very thin, even plastic shields that do nothing as particle go out there. We see people (including nurses and pharmacists) wearing masks below their nose (The nose is exposed), people constantly pulling them down (even on television and in sports), rubbing their eyes and nose, and touching everything. If this were a law, than no one could not wear or they would be stopped by the police and fined. There is no adequate science showing, except maybe for those who are the most susceptible which they can wear any time they feel necessary. They also would not have allowed the mobs to be all out there, all close together, many not wearing, and trouncing innocent people and buildings. If this were as serious as they purport it to be. And of course, people starting businesses are excited to find a market for wealth creation.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Who are “they” who would have created these FDA approved masks? The same “they” who have yet been unable to get adequate PPE to healthcare workers or a sufficient supply of COVID-19 test kits?
You write “If this were as serious as they purport it to be.” I guess you haven’t listened to the Bob Woodward recordings of Donald Trump admitting how serious it is (infecting 6.6 million Americans and closing in on 200,000 fatalities), yet downplaying it and lying to the public and doing absolutely nothing to combat it because he wanted to be a cheerleader. This IS serious and there is no reason why our country has the worst track record in the world for dealing with the pandemic. Oh wait, there are two reasons: Donald Trump and people like you who don’t take it seriously m.
LikeLike
There are a ton of people who listen to this and that, unable to think for themselves. We understand how this came to be, the conditioning from youth, but we also speak and write to support those who want to wake up and need to hear voices of reason, not propaganda and intellectual mumbo-jumbo. **Shoot barbs if you like, but that tells everyone the motivations, the foot going ever deeper into the mouth. All I’m encouraging is people to think for themselves, understand source motivations, separate from fear and hate based arguments, and do the hard work of research and separation of propaganda and real. That, of course, is going to irritate some who won’t do the hard work, but live by fear and hate.
LikeLiked by 2 people
The icon says it all.
LikeLike
What icon are you referring to?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree that people should think for themselves, but not be selfish when they do so. There’s some truth to that old adage, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
LikeLike
Thinking for yourself doesn’t lead to selfishness if one is willing to keep following the rabbit down the trail of reason. By continuing to follow, we also see where we can improve and encourage others.
LikeLiked by 3 people
If thinking for yourself means refusing to wear a mask when out in public, thereby risking exposure to the virus or possibly exposing others to it, then yes, it’s selfishness. Or stupidity. Or both.
LikeLiked by 1 person
**Logic sometimes feels like barbs. But it’s integral to thinking for oneself.
LikeLiked by 2 people
The main purpose of freedom of speech is freedom, and that requires all speech to be protected.
LikeLiked by 1 person