I absolutely hate the masks for a few reasons. My body, my choice. They restrict my breathing and I already have low oxygenation issues requiring surgical intervention to reduce. Most masks are useless. And finally, their use is overriding federal laws (such as ADA) and has literally become a control issue rather than a health issue.
Now, despite my personal opinions, I have a fMily member who is so pregnant that shes due for her baby within 3 weeks. She works as the one who does the intake at a hospital emergency room. She has to wear a mask and is regularly exposed to covid. She’s been exposed since the beginning, and hasn’t contracted it.
Additionally, she’s in the military and has had a series of vaccines that the average civilian doesn’t receive. I don’t know if any of those vaccines have contributed to her not contracted covid.
So, despite my personal opinions, I have to consider I may be incorrect. As many people as there are contracting covid, I have to consider that in many cases, masks are useless. It’s been reported that 85% of covid victims were faithful mask wearers.
I don’t use masks most of the time. Only 3 times have I used one for only a few minutes. So far I am covid free...testing proves it. I rarely ever get flu. When the kids were in school, that was a different story. It showed me that the unnatural environment of school was/is unhealthy.
Familiar slogan; where have I heard that before? No matter.
Except you aren't just talking about your body. You are talking about other people that you might infect.
"They restrict my breathing and I already have low oxygenation issues requiring surgical intervention to reduce."
So wouldn't it be great if we had herd immunity for people like you that can't wear masks? Because until we get a vaccine that enough people will take and have enough recovered people with immunity, masks are our herd immunity. Have you looked into those lightweight portable oxygen tanks that purify/filter air and provide oxygen?
"Most masks are useless."
Patently untrue. Most masks provide some measure of protection. It's not an on-off switch like the anti-maskers insinuate, it is a gradient based on quality.
"She works as the one who does the intake at a hospital emergency room. She has to wear a mask and is regularly exposed to covid. She’s been exposed since the beginning, and hasn’t contracted it."
Thank her for her service. Although, this suggests that masks do, in fact, work to some degree. Perhaps she was lucky enough to have been asymptomatic and is now immune. In any case, I can provide as many anecdotes about people that were only briefly exposed one time and still got it. Anecdotal evidence is only evidence of anecdotes.
"Additionally, she’s in the military and has had a series of vaccines that the average civilian doesn’t receive. I don’t know if any of those vaccines have contributed to her not contracted covid."
Entirely possible, but that introduces variables that don't apply to most people and that takes more away from your argument than it contributes. Being in the military and pregnant and a mask wearer (who probably knows how to do it properly) and young enough to be all those things likely makes a big difference. Has she been tested at all? And thank her for her service in that regard as well.
"It’s been reported that 85% of covid victims were faithful mask wearers."
I've heard some of those claims. They go with the 6% fallacy. The real question is, how many people that didn't (refused to) wear masks were they exposed to? Masks are mostly to protect others *from* you. If those others don't give a damn about you, you are likely screwed.
"So far I am covid free...testing proves it. I rarely ever get flu. When the kids were in school, that was a different story. It showed me that the unnatural environment of school was/is unhealthy."
Those wonderful little disease reservoirs. I have six. I personally am not worried for myself. Just about everything I have ever caught died horribly. But I know a lot of older folks from church and I know plenty of other vulnerable types. I simply want to protect them. Kind of a golden rule thing, that a disappointingly large number of the people here are willing to rationalize away any adherence to.
Thanks for posting a reasonable argument instead of the typical self-absorbed nastiness that many seem to think is required. On that note, I will let reasonable people open to persuasion evaluate my arguments and the trolls can troll on. Have an awesome night.