Free Republic

President-elect Joe Biden scolded Republican members of Congress on Friday who did not wear masks during the riots on Capitol Hill last week, as the coronavirus pandemic continues. “What the hell’s the matter with them?” Biden asked. “It’s time to grow up.”

Brisbane residents have slammed Queensland Health for telling them to wear face masks when they drive, even if they are alone. Queensland Health posted on Facebook informing users of the rule after the state government introduced new measures to stem the spread of the deadly disease. 'Do I need to wear a mask in my vehicle? We've been getting this question a lot,' the post read. 'The answer is yes.' Many residents were left enraged and baffled by the rule. Many questioned why they should be forced to wear a mask alone in their car when there is no risk...

People who receive a COVID-19 vaccine should continue to wear a mask and practice social distancing after their first and second dose, according to Indiana physician Mandy Armitage, MD. Patients should continue to follow COVID-19 safety protocols after receiving their first vaccine dose as it is possible they could get sick with the disease in between doses, Dr. Armitage wrote in an article for prescription discount company GoodRx's website. Dr. Armitage also wrote that while COVID-19 vaccines are expected to be effective, they're not infallible and it usually takes recipients' bodies at least a few weeks to gain immunity after...

I am in DC now and just went into a CVS to buy some alka seltzer. There was a short African employee working there and he said "put on your mask!" I just ignored him and looked around for my merchandise. I took the elevator up and then all of a sudden seven cops approached me (led by this man) and told me to put on a mask. I pulled out a mask and popped it on. The mask nazi was not happy and said "I want you to go!" The cops said I'd have to leave. I dont really...

Device is meant to help with global warming. A sustainable agriculture company has manufactured a device they say will help curb global warming by neutralizing methane exhaled by cows. Zelp, a company based in London, says that its device can help contribute to a "strong reduction in the global warming potential of methane." The mask, which is strapped to the snouts of cows, "neutralises methane exhaled in real time," the company claims. The device also has digital monitoring technologies such as geolocation and emission monitoring capabilities. Activists have warned that cows are significant contributors to global warming due to their...

A grand jury indicted officer Andre Maurice Pringle on one count of second-degree assault and one count of misconduct in office. A Baltimore police officer was indicted on a charge of assaulting a man on crutches who allegedly refused to properly wear his face mask. A grand jury indicted officer Andre Maurice Pringle on one count of second-degree assault and one count of misconduct in office after he shoved and slammed Brandon Walker on the ground outside of a Shoppers grocery store on April 19. The incident happened after Walker allegedly entered the store with his face mask on top...

United owes its clients compassionate treatment and an evidence-based approach to COVID-19 that doesn’t turn hard situations into impossible ones.Families with toddlers who plan to travel over the holidays may want to avoid booking flights with United Airlines. That is, unless they can be sure any child under two years old can keep a mask on their face for an entire flight. As shown in a recent viral video, United is booting families from their aircraft for toddlers’ “non-compliance” with their mask policy — a policy unfortunately in place, at least in writing, with most other airlines as well. A...

Concord city officials said they're aware of a planned protest over North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper's modified stay-at-home order to control the spread of COVID-19. CONCORD, N.C. — Officials in Concord, North Carolina, issued a statement saying they were aware of a "Trash the Mask" event being organized by anti-mask advocates at Concord Mills Mall Friday. The event, which was organized on Facebook by Amy Moore Benjamin and a group called Trump Event Images, is in response to Gov. Roy Cooper's new COVID-19 restrictions, including the statewide nightly curfew that begins Friday. North Carolina is experiencing a major surge in...

A New York Times article published Tuesday claims that even after people receive a dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, they will need to wear a mask in public, marking a stark contrast to what elected leaders and health officials have implied about a return to “normal” once a vaccine arrives. “Here’s Why Vaccinated People Still Need to Wear a Mask,” the headline reads.

Gov. Kay Ivey has extended Alabama’s coronavirus mask order requirement into the new year.The state’s current “Safer at Home” order has been extended until Jan. 22 at 5 p.m. The order requires masks to be work in public places when people are interacting within 6 feet of people from another household. Masks are also required in schools and colleges for grades second and above.“None of this is easy,” Ivey said. “I cannot think the people of Alabama enough for the sacrifices they are making.”

WHO issues new guidelines advising everyone to wear masks everywhere despite admitting they do nothing.. The UK’s deputy chief medical officer warned Wednesday that despite the arrival of COVID vaccines, face masks will still have to be worn “for years” to come. Professor Jonathan Van-Tam said that he expects to see the face coverings become as commonplace as they are in China and other places in the far east. Van-Tam urged that there will be no opportunity to “have a massive party and throw out our masks and hand sanitiser” now that a vaccine is here. Van-Tam also warned that...

The ability to 'keep on believing' is an important lesson during these difficult times. Yet, ultimately, masks can’t hide our dreams and wishes.I learned an important lesson during three days at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Magic Kingdom last week: Masks are not magical. Yes, every guest to Walt Disney World is required to wear a mask (I had to wear a traditional surgical mask until spending $8.99 on a lovely Minnie-themed mask). Every guest we saw — from children tucked into their strollers to seven-year-olds dressed up as Snow White — wore masks. Cast members operating the rides, serving...

Professional discussion of the harms and benefits of masks and mask mandates cannot even happen privately among doctors without vitriol. This kind of atmosphere kills science.My 18-year-old son, who has Down Syndrome, had a dental procedure last week. We were supposed to have it done in March, but due to the cancellation of outpatient procedures, it was postponed until then. His teeth needed major cleaning, and since he has a ton of oral sensory issues, sedation has become necessary. All went well, thankfully. However, that night the dentist called and talked with my husband, who is an urgent care physician,...

FLORIDA — Gov. Ron DeSantis announced last week that while vaccines for COVID-19 are coming soon, he won’t require anyone to get vaccinated if they don’t want to. But a GOP state lawmaker said that state law, as currently written, could allow him or any other governor to mandate vaccinations, and he will file legislation in the coming days to repeal that law. “Right now in Florida, under the public health emergency statute chapter 381, they can literally take you, test you, quarantine you, but also force you to take a vaccine. They can restrain you and force you to...

Sanford Health Systems CEO Kelby Krabbenhoft is stepping down after sending a controversial email about his recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. Sanford Health’s Board of Trustees announced on Wednesday that the two have “mutually agreed to party ways.” Krabbenhoft had been serving as the company’s CEO since 1996. Krabbenhoft told employees in an email last Wednesday that he believes he’s immune to COVID-19 “for at least seven months and perhaps years to come” adding that he isn’t a threat to transmit the virus, according to the Associated Press. He also said that wearing a mask was merely for show. “For...

The largest randomized controlled trial of masks ever (n=6,000) from Denmark fails to show a statistically significant difference in infection rates. Effectiveness of Adding a Mask Recommendation to Other Public Health Measures to Prevent SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Danish Mask Wearers

Pennsylvania’s Democrat Governor Tom Wolf has announced new COVID restrictions, including ordering people to wear masks inside their own homes. Additionally, anyone who visits PA from another state must get tested within 72 hours before entering the state or quarantine for 14 days. Residents who traveled to other states must follow same rules when coming home. There will be an exemption for those who commute to and from another state for work or medical treatment. Pennsylvanians who have guests over their own homes will be required to wear masks. “Strengthening masking order. Masks are still required. Indoors: masks now required...

Pennsylvania Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine said she is expanding the state’s order on wearing masks to cover all outdoor and indoor areas. In a news conference Tuesday, Levine said the mask order covers requires wearing face coverings at schools, gyms, doctors offices, public transportation and anywhere food is packaged or served. Essentially, the order calls for wearing masks when leaving your household. “We must all be diligent in wearing masks all the time,” Levine said. Levine announced the expanded mask order as part of a handful of “targeted” and “strategic” steps to try and slow the spread of the...

Wearing a face mask also can help protect you — not just others from you — from the coronavirus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC’s new guidance updated its previous assertion that the main benefit of wearing a mask was to help prevent those infected from spreading the bug to others. “Adopting universal masking policies can help avert future lockdowns, especially if combined with other non-pharmaceutical interventions such as social distancing, hand hygiene, and adequate ventilation,” the CDC said.

Statewide mask mandate could mean immediate fines for violators HONOLULU (KHON2) — As the state moves toward passing a statewide mask mandate, there’s also a push to change the law so that violators are issued a fine on the spot rather than having to appear in court. State Attorney General Clare Connors says that it would be easier to enforce the mask mandate if law enforcers can issue a fine to violators right away, similar to a parking violation. But that means the state legislature has to change the law, either through a special session or next year’s legislative session....