Posted on 07/23/2020 6:57:37 AM PDT by Kaslin
I have, for most of my adult life, been a practicing hypochondriac. So, it will come as no surprise to you to hear that I am a zealous reader of the Journal of the American Medical Association, or JAMA. I find something of interest in practically every issue. Recently, I found myself engrossed in the thoughts of Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, who is also, if I am not mistaken, a noted bird watcher. I, of course, know very little about the birds. Yet, thanks to Redfield and the JAMA, I am now very much up to date in my knowledge about the wearing of masks and the controversy surrounding them during this pandemic.
You might recall that, some weeks ago, I wrote in this column about what I saw as a looming conflict between those who advocate wearing masks to protect themselves from the Wuhan virus (also known as the coronavirus) and those carefree Americanos who think that they might take their chances and go about their business maskless. Well, not surprisingly, the conflict has continued to heat up, and now it has led to full-fledged warfare, with each side taking up arms against the other and blood being spilled.
In my column, I vowed to remain "absolutely neutral" in the coming warfare between those who have advocated masks and those who would go maskless. I even offered a little joke hoping to get the contending sides to lighten up a bit. I wrote that, for the sake of public health, both the mask-wearers and the maskless should wash their hands at every opportunity and also wash their feet and blow their noses. I am told that Dr. Anthony Fauci did not think my joke was particularly funny.
I hope that he and the pulchritudinous Dr. Deborah Birx will take note of this column. I have changed my tune. I have been won over by the advocates of masks. It was Redfield and his argument in the JAMA that convinced me. He believes the pandemic can be brought under control in four to eight weeks, if "we could get everybody to wear a mask right now." In a signed editorial, he said there is "ample evidence" that masks assist in reducing transmission of the virus. Think of it! We could limit this horrible plague to a few weeks -- if we all worked together.
As things stand now, Americans are awaiting the arrival of therapeutic drugs or of vaccines, thanks to the ingenuity of our great pharmaceutical companies. I have no doubt the medications will be at hand someday soon. But Redfield says if we all wear masks, we will overcome this plague in a matter of weeks. I say, give masks a chance. (And I do hope the good doctor will not follow the example of the Washington Redskins and change the first syllable of his last name. That would be excessive.)
Even if the American pharmaceutical industry has some medications ready by the fall, it will take months, probably years, to vaccinate everyone. There will be those who refuse to take the medications because of religious scruples. There will be those who refuse them because of constitutional concerns. Probably, there will be some hypochondriacs who will dream up some dread diseases attendant with the medications. Believe me; I know about these types of kooks. And there will be the congenital ornery.
In fact, all of these uncooperative types who I have imagined as opposing future vaccinations have already appeared on the scene. They compose a large number of those who refuse to wear masks today. Actually, I was refusing to wear a mask before I read the cogent thoughts of Redfield.
Which brings me to the nub of the matter. Redfield has convinced me that if I wear a mask, we can beat this plague. Or, rather, if millions of my fellow Americans wear masks and are as reasonable as I am, we can beat this plague. But how many millions of Americans can be relied upon to follow Redfield's prescription? How many Americans are reasonable? Consider the protests in Portland, Oregon. Consider the hotheads in New York City and Washington, D.C. How about the angry young men in Chicago?
After careful consideration, I have come to the conclusion that only the giant pharmaceutical corporations will save us. Though for me, I am wearing a mask henceforth.
To me, mask are ineffective. They are a clear symbol of someone that is willing to sacrifice freedom for safety. With that said, if you have medical condition and you feel better wearing a mask, go ahead. But why didn't you do that in the flu season two years ago?
Dr. Deborah Birx, pulchritudinous, really? Additionally, the goal posts keep moving...first, no masks, they’re not necessary. Then, stay home and close all non-essential business for a few weeks (then months, then ?) as that will eradicate the virus. Then you can’t go to church or shopping, but you can gather in large crowds for “mostly peaceful protests”, now, everyone wear masks for 4-6 weeks. Add to the equation the misinformation/disinformation about numbers, cases, contacts, actions by Governors putting COVID patients in nursing homes and other Governors trying to regulate every aspect of daily life, travel, etc., forget it. Then add the fact that there is $$$ to be made on research, padding numbers of patients for reimbursements at hospitals, $$$ for developing vaccines...forget it. Lastly, it’s an election year...so you can doubly count on politics being involved. Sorry, the CDC, Fauci, Birx, et al, no longer have credibility. You want to wear a mask? Fine, then wear one. For others that don’t want to? Fine, don’t, but realize you may be restricted from where you can enter (business choice) and what you can do in the public...life is about choices and balancing freedom vs. risk. This is America (still) and we balance freedom vs. risk, every day...this is just another one of those things balance freedom and risks.
I only saw yours. (I didn’t want anyone to think it was my “work”.) ;)
We did not wear masks and flattened the curve.
The virus went down. Now that masks were implemented, the virus is coming back.
I call BULLSHIP it can be stopped in 2-4 weeks.
The 1918 Spanish Flu is still around. Viruses do not go away. As soon as you stop with mitigation it will return.
Time for herd immunity and protect the vulnerable.
That’s fine ... that’s your choice of course. But be honest with yourself that a mask does not “protect the insides” from a virus. From dust, smoke many germs ... but not a virus. Don’t “follow the science” as politicians, unelected bureaucrats, the media, et al. preach ... really follow the science ... and added bonus is that you’ll understand why universal mask-wearing and anti-social distancing have had little effect on “stopping the spread” ... things will begin to make sense ... reality will finally arrive. Cheers!
Also, I buy as much as I can online for store pickup, but the local Publix doesn't offer it (sad face)...
Demorats assure us that masks work .....Sooooo-oooo then everybody can vote ‘in person’ in the Presidential election!
Exactly, welcome to the herd.
He seems to not be aware of this - not just the extent - but unaware of the entire set of realities whatsoever.
The pandemic must be over in NYS, the stores are going back to eliminating plastic bags and mandating you bring your own filthy dirty covid laced reusable bags to help the transfer.
Its the same as getting a horse used to a bit...
Political social fear conditioning.
Find something the people fear and make them turn on each other. Snitch on each other...castigate..lord over, Karenize.
Feel the power of control by standing on the soapbox of fear of the lower class failing to follow your rules. And then having the power to punish them, possibly making yourself wealthy on it...
I voted in the primary...no mask.
I don’t see why not.
Remember a few weeks ago when it was all about “Don’t touch your face?” Well, now we are being told to wear masks all the time. Have you seen these health “experts” on TV? Constantly tugging at, adjusting, lowering, and raising their masks which must certainly be filled with bacteria and all manner of deadly viruses. And then those filthy hands touch many other surfaces. Masks will spread the virus more quickly.
not surprisingly, the conflict has continued to heat up, and now it has led to full-fledged warfare, with each side taking up arms against the other and blood being spilled.(mask advocates vs. non-maskers)
Not quite. Most non-maskers just want to be left alone and don’t care if someone wears a mask or not.
I like the mask that says as useless as our governor
I vote no on masks. My assumption is they don't work and to keep my distance from people and wash my hands. That said I wear masks when required for shopping.
It seems that the waste receptacle is the gutter around here.
“After careful consideration, I have come to the conclusion that only the giant pharmaceutical corporations will save us.”
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