Yup. I’d rather get COVID than wear a mask all day every day. I will wear a mask if I know I’m sick, of hospitals are getting overwhelmed, or if I know I’ll be around vulnerable people, but that’s it. I took every precaution from 2020 on, and got sick anyway. It’s going to happen, so I’d prefer to at least be comfortable than just delay the inevitable.
I got COVID two months ago and it sucked, and I’d rather repeat that than live my life with a mask.
Exactly! If you’ve been exposed to the virus, it makes a ton of sense.
When I last got COVID, I:
self-quarantined as much as possible, keeping as much distance as I could
wore a surgical mask (best mask I had) until I was able to get an N95 mask (about a day)
wore the N95 mask whenever I was anywhere near anyone until I was able to effectively quarantine
But that’s not an everyday thing. Once I had confirmed I was negative, I stopped wearing the mask in public. There’s no need, I’m healthy and I’m around other healthy people. I’m not going to wear a mask out of fear of what might be out there, I’ll wear it when I’m near people who are at-risk or when asked. I’m not going to wear it 24/7 though.
They’re asking healthcare workers to wear it for the full shift, every shift. That’s fine for short time periods (say, during a COVID spike), but I don’t think that’s reasonable long term, especially since many healthcare workers work 12h shifts.
My expectation is they wear one when around at-risk individuals, such as in a cancer ward, ER, etc. If it’s just in the waiting room for a checkup or something, it’s up to them, though they should try to distance themselves from people who choose to wear masks.
Yes…? Isn’t that what healthcare workers did before COVID? Why would that be controversial?
If my doctor or nurse isn’t wearing a mask I get the same gut reaction as if they’re smoking a cigarette. They are, of course, free to do that on their own time, but when they’re at work I expect them to be professional and health-conscious. That includes wearing a mask.
My care providers didn’t and don’t wear a mask every time I visit, though they do maintain a reasonable distance. They do around sick people though.
The post makes it sound like healthcare providers are expected to always wear a mask, which is ridiculous. They should wear a mask about as often as they did pre-2020, more if there’s a COVID surge or something.
Thank you for reminding us all of the dangers of long COVID. It is truly disheartening to see the devastating effect prolonged inflammation has had to your higher reasoning capabilities.
My SIL actually got a pretty serious case of long COVID, so I’m extra careful around her. I’ll avoid visits if I’ve likely been exposed recently, and only go when I’m pretty sure I’m clean.
I’m happy to wear a mask upon request, but there’s no way I’m wearing a mask all day every day out of fear.
The mask doesn’t prevent the spread, it just slows it. Look at the data from the various states about the effectiveness of lockdowns and mask mandates, they had a number of total cases per capita, they just had a flatter curve.
Pushing for masks made a ton of sense in the first couple years of the pandemic when hospitals were getting overrun, but wearing a mask today doesn’t really prevent anything. COVID is already endemic, so the best you’re going to do is increase the time between infections a bit.
When I got COVID last, I was on vacation and had to get home, so I tested myself as soon as I was able, self-quarantined as best I could, wore an N95 mask when I couldn’t, and put off unnecessary trips to the store. Once I had recovered, I went back to not wearing a mask. That’s how we should treat it. I do the same for colds, the flu, etc. I’m not wearing a mask unless I’m either sick or likely to be directly in contact with those who are at risk.
Catching water particles, which carries the virus.
N95 masks do a really good job (something like 80% reduction in transmission), but most people wear those typical surgical masks (or worse, a single-layer cloth mask with almost no protection) that merely reduces transmission by something like half. If you’re wearing a mask the whole day, it’ll get saturated and become far less effective. So, 50% fewer particles best case (average for a full day is likely way worse) doesn’t sound like a good tradeoff to me.
That said, if I’m going to an area with at-risk people, I’ll use the best mask available while I’m there. But for all-day usage, no, it’s not going to be that effective on net.
It doesn’t prevent transmission, it reduces transmission. You’ll have similar total numbers of infected people, it just flattens the curve so people get sick slower.
I totally agree that wearing masks has its place, but it’s not going to meaningfully reduce the spread, it’s already endemic so you’re likely going to get it regardless.
That’s just… not happening. So if there’s a big wave of COVID, you could delay getting it toward the end of the wave, but you’ll probably get it. If you’re vaxxed and boosted (and I am), symptoms will probably be lessened, but you’ll probably still get it. Just like the common cold or the flu, you’ll probably get it every year or two regardless of what you do (outside of total quarantine).
The good news is that it seems to be getting more mild, or at least that’s my anecdotal experience. I first got COVID just before vaccines were available for my age bracket (I think spring of 2021), and I had a crazy fever, hacking cough, and body soreness and was essentially confined to my bed for two days, and had really nasty phlegm for weeks afterward. The second time was fall 2023 (got sick the last day of a cruise), and I felt dizzy (probably from the boat), mild to moderate fever, headache, runny nose, and low energy, but otherwise generally able to get around, and symptoms were largely gone within a week. Part of that is that I had the vaccine and previous natural immunity, but it was a completely different strain with different symptoms. I’ve heard similar things from co-workers and friends in my area (each had the 2020/2021 strain and then whatever went around last year).
It makes sense to take precautions when sick, around those who are sick, and when cases spike, but that’s mostly to slow the spread to help out hospitals, but that also likely means it sticks around longer (i.e. instead of running out of steam in 2 months, it’ll run for 6 months). So wearing masks everyday makes little sense unless you work in a cancer ward or something.
It’s not only about reducing the number of new infections, it’s also about reducing the severity of infections.
If the total number of people still get infected by you transmitting half as many particles, they each only took in half as many particles. Their bodies have a greater chance of killing that lesser number of viruses before a serious reactions occurs compared to the greater number. So, even if the same number of people were to get sick, theyd get less sick. This is extra important for those who are immunocompromised because it will more easily mean the difference between pretty severe and hospitalized than for someone who is not immunocompromised (for whom the difference would be medium to minor)
If you want a driving analogy, here you go. It’s like fast starts and stops between lights vs slower starts and stops, and everyone is going to the same place. Either way you’ll get to your destination in a similar amount of time, but the first can cause traffic bunching if enough people do it. The first is like not wearing a mask (people get sick all at once), and the second is like wearing a mask (smooth out the curve).
This analogy sucks in all kinds of ways, but there you go.
Flattening the curve was super important in the early stages of COVID because it reduced bunching at hospitals and gave researchers time to work on a vaccine. Now that it’s endemic, bunching is much less of a problem and symptoms are generally more mild anyway. If you’re sick or around those who are (or spend a lot of time with at-risk populations), wear a mask. If not, it’s basically a waste of time.
What a weird way to spell “risking my own death and the death of others is totally acceptable to me because I have absolutely no regard for human life, look at how superior and enlightened I am. NO MUZZLE REEEEEEEEE”
Where did I say I was anti-mask? I said I’m only wearing a mask if I’m likely contagious or will be in close proximity to at-risk individuals.
I have a stack of N95 masks at home that I wear as needed. But if I’m healthy and around other healthy people, I see no point. If I see someone with a mask on, I’ll keep my distance for their comfort, or put on a mask if that’s not feasible. But I’m not wearing a mask all day every day out of fear, that’s just dumb.
Oh hun. With the far-right, anti-mask, anti-vax, Trump-loving conspiracy theorist bible-thumping MAGA racist flat-earther transphobic attitude you’ve displayed, you’re fooling no one here. I shouldn’t have to explain this to you but without at least an N95 on in public you’re just being selfish- it’s not about you, you know. It’s not about “fear” either, it’s about taking pride in being a lefty, being liberal, and understanding that sacrifices need to be made for the agenda here. Please reflect on your MAGA virtue signaling BS, science is to be trusted not tested. We both know you don’t have the education to doubt cold hard facts. It makes me sick to know dummy flat earthers like you had already overdosed on horse medicine, you aren’t capable to think straight anymore. Get help.
it’s about taking pride in being a lefty, being liberal, and understanding that sacrifices need to be made for the agenda here… science is to be trusted not tested
Lol, nice. You’ve nailed “the problem” you posted accused me of being like 4 times.
I’m not a conservative or a progressive, I just like good science and apply it in a way that doesn’t unnecessarily get in the way of regular life. I’ll wear a mask when it has a big impact, and I won’t if it’s just virtue signaling. I’ll get vaccinated because that’s a good idea. I’ll reduce consumption, not increase consumption to “own the libs” or “show how green I am.” And so on.
I’ll finish with an Bible-based, anti-Vietnam War song to really confuse both sides:
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
…
A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
Quoting the Bible eh? You’re definitely not a MAGA insurrectionist… smh. Isn’t that the book that says the earth is flat, slavery is the way, and science is some liberal satanic end times deception?? Do you even know how old the Bible is??? Let me guess, you tested the claims of the Bible instead of blindly trusting them. You can’t just pick and choose, whether it’s Bible verses or mask best practices. Did Jesus play both sides like you do? Everyone here knows how dumb the “enlightened centrist” angle is. Vote Democrat or you’re a fascist. And wear a damn mask to the voting booth. It’s that simple. Stop with the dog whistles and the “doing your own research” pal. You’re wrong in every way you stick your head out, follow the damn crowd like a true leftist or take the right-wing rhetoric elsewhere.
I only wear a mask when I go out. That isn’t “living my life with a mask”. I also get quality, well-made masks that are comfortable. They also keep your face warm when it’s cold, and you aren’t going to get tagged by facial-recognition software.
This topic is about healthcare workers. My point is that I don’t expect healthcare workers to wear one every day during their full shift. I only expect them to wear a mask when around at-risk individuals (i.e. CDC guidelines for healthcare workers), or consistent with hospital/clinic guidelines, or ideally when asked to by a patient. If someone is wearing a mask, I expect them to distance themselves as much as is reasonable so that person feels comfortable (that’s just common decency imo).
That’s what I’m responding to. Feel free to wear a mask whenever you want, that’s fine. Don’t expect others to do so unreasonably.
Yup. I’d rather get COVID than wear a mask all day every day. I will wear a mask if I know I’m sick, of hospitals are getting overwhelmed, or if I know I’ll be around vulnerable people, but that’s it. I took every precaution from 2020 on, and got sick anyway. It’s going to happen, so I’d prefer to at least be comfortable than just delay the inevitable.
I got COVID two months ago and it sucked, and I’d rather repeat that than live my life with a mask.
You’re supposed to wear the mask so that you don’t expel covid (or anything else) onto other people. It’s not for your protection.
It does also protect masked uninfected people from unmasked infected people. See https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7883189/ , especially section 4.
Exactly! If you’ve been exposed to the virus, it makes a ton of sense.
When I last got COVID, I:
But that’s not an everyday thing. Once I had confirmed I was negative, I stopped wearing the mask in public. There’s no need, I’m healthy and I’m around other healthy people. I’m not going to wear a mask out of fear of what might be out there, I’ll wear it when I’m near people who are at-risk or when asked. I’m not going to wear it 24/7 though.
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Nobody’s asking you to wear it 24/7. They’re just asking you to wear it when you’re around people. It really isn’t hard. I’ve been doing it for years.
They’re asking healthcare workers to wear it for the full shift, every shift. That’s fine for short time periods (say, during a COVID spike), but I don’t think that’s reasonable long term, especially since many healthcare workers work 12h shifts.
My expectation is they wear one when around at-risk individuals, such as in a cancer ward, ER, etc. If it’s just in the waiting room for a checkup or something, it’s up to them, though they should try to distance themselves from people who choose to wear masks.
Yes…? Isn’t that what healthcare workers did before COVID? Why would that be controversial?
If my doctor or nurse isn’t wearing a mask I get the same gut reaction as if they’re smoking a cigarette. They are, of course, free to do that on their own time, but when they’re at work I expect them to be professional and health-conscious. That includes wearing a mask.
My care providers didn’t and don’t wear a mask every time I visit, though they do maintain a reasonable distance. They do around sick people though.
The post makes it sound like healthcare providers are expected to always wear a mask, which is ridiculous. They should wear a mask about as often as they did pre-2020, more if there’s a COVID surge or something.
Thank you for reminding us all of the dangers of long COVID. It is truly disheartening to see the devastating effect prolonged inflammation has had to your higher reasoning capabilities.
My SIL actually got a pretty serious case of long COVID, so I’m extra careful around her. I’ll avoid visits if I’ve likely been exposed recently, and only go when I’m pretty sure I’m clean.
I’m happy to wear a mask upon request, but there’s no way I’m wearing a mask all day every day out of fear.
Yeah and especially sucks when you die from it. Still better than wearing a mask eh?
The mask prevents the spread of covid because you might be asymptomatic. It’s not about you it’s about other people.
Or when you get Long COVID and wish you were dead.
The mask doesn’t prevent the spread, it just slows it. Look at the data from the various states about the effectiveness of lockdowns and mask mandates, they had a number of total cases per capita, they just had a flatter curve.
Pushing for masks made a ton of sense in the first couple years of the pandemic when hospitals were getting overrun, but wearing a mask today doesn’t really prevent anything. COVID is already endemic, so the best you’re going to do is increase the time between infections a bit.
When I got COVID last, I was on vacation and had to get home, so I tested myself as soon as I was able, self-quarantined as best I could, wore an N95 mask when I couldn’t, and put off unnecessary trips to the store. Once I had recovered, I went back to not wearing a mask. That’s how we should treat it. I do the same for colds, the flu, etc. I’m not wearing a mask unless I’m either sick or likely to be directly in contact with those who are at risk.
what’s the mechanism by which masks slow the spread?
Really looking forward to this response if it ever comes.
We’ll you see the virus has just struggle through the fibers. It’s all very obvious you just have to engage in idiot thought processes.
You know, not to belittle anyone or anything. I would hate the moronic idiots to think I was making fun of them.
it’s exactly what you hope it is
Haha, thanks for the update.
Catching water particles, which carries the virus.
N95 masks do a really good job (something like 80% reduction in transmission), but most people wear those typical surgical masks (or worse, a single-layer cloth mask with almost no protection) that merely reduces transmission by something like half. If you’re wearing a mask the whole day, it’ll get saturated and become far less effective. So, 50% fewer particles best case (average for a full day is likely way worse) doesn’t sound like a good tradeoff to me.
That said, if I’m going to an area with at-risk people, I’ll use the best mask available while I’m there. But for all-day usage, no, it’s not going to be that effective on net.
so it slows the spread by…preventing transmission of the virus
fucking fabulous job, my dude
It doesn’t prevent transmission, it reduces transmission. You’ll have similar total numbers of infected people, it just flattens the curve so people get sick slower.
I totally agree that wearing masks has its place, but it’s not going to meaningfully reduce the spread, it’s already endemic so you’re likely going to get it regardless.
What definition are you using for “meaningfully”?
As in, move toward eradication/containment.
That’s just… not happening. So if there’s a big wave of COVID, you could delay getting it toward the end of the wave, but you’ll probably get it. If you’re vaxxed and boosted (and I am), symptoms will probably be lessened, but you’ll probably still get it. Just like the common cold or the flu, you’ll probably get it every year or two regardless of what you do (outside of total quarantine).
The good news is that it seems to be getting more mild, or at least that’s my anecdotal experience. I first got COVID just before vaccines were available for my age bracket (I think spring of 2021), and I had a crazy fever, hacking cough, and body soreness and was essentially confined to my bed for two days, and had really nasty phlegm for weeks afterward. The second time was fall 2023 (got sick the last day of a cruise), and I felt dizzy (probably from the boat), mild to moderate fever, headache, runny nose, and low energy, but otherwise generally able to get around, and symptoms were largely gone within a week. Part of that is that I had the vaccine and previous natural immunity, but it was a completely different strain with different symptoms. I’ve heard similar things from co-workers and friends in my area (each had the 2020/2021 strain and then whatever went around last year).
It makes sense to take precautions when sick, around those who are sick, and when cases spike, but that’s mostly to slow the spread to help out hospitals, but that also likely means it sticks around longer (i.e. instead of running out of steam in 2 months, it’ll run for 6 months). So wearing masks everyday makes little sense unless you work in a cancer ward or something.
It’s not only about reducing the number of new infections, it’s also about reducing the severity of infections.
If the total number of people still get infected by you transmitting half as many particles, they each only took in half as many particles. Their bodies have a greater chance of killing that lesser number of viruses before a serious reactions occurs compared to the greater number. So, even if the same number of people were to get sick, theyd get less sick. This is extra important for those who are immunocompromised because it will more easily mean the difference between pretty severe and hospitalized than for someone who is not immunocompromised (for whom the difference would be medium to minor)
And
Did you know staying on your side of the road while driving doesn’t prevent accidents, it only delays them?
Did you know strawmen are fire hazards?
If you want a driving analogy, here you go. It’s like fast starts and stops between lights vs slower starts and stops, and everyone is going to the same place. Either way you’ll get to your destination in a similar amount of time, but the first can cause traffic bunching if enough people do it. The first is like not wearing a mask (people get sick all at once), and the second is like wearing a mask (smooth out the curve).
This analogy sucks in all kinds of ways, but there you go.
Flattening the curve was super important in the early stages of COVID because it reduced bunching at hospitals and gave researchers time to work on a vaccine. Now that it’s endemic, bunching is much less of a problem and symptoms are generally more mild anyway. If you’re sick or around those who are (or spend a lot of time with at-risk populations), wear a mask. If not, it’s basically a waste of time.
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🤦♂️
What a weird way to spell “risking my own death and the death of others is totally acceptable to me because I have absolutely no regard for human life, look at how superior and enlightened I am. NO MUZZLE REEEEEEEEE”
Where did I say I was anti-mask? I said I’m only wearing a mask if I’m likely contagious or will be in close proximity to at-risk individuals.
I have a stack of N95 masks at home that I wear as needed. But if I’m healthy and around other healthy people, I see no point. If I see someone with a mask on, I’ll keep my distance for their comfort, or put on a mask if that’s not feasible. But I’m not wearing a mask all day every day out of fear, that’s just dumb.
Oh hun. With the far-right, anti-mask, anti-vax, Trump-loving conspiracy theorist bible-thumping MAGA racist flat-earther transphobic attitude you’ve displayed, you’re fooling no one here. I shouldn’t have to explain this to you but without at least an N95 on in public you’re just being selfish- it’s not about you, you know. It’s not about “fear” either, it’s about taking pride in being a lefty, being liberal, and understanding that sacrifices need to be made for the agenda here. Please reflect on your MAGA virtue signaling BS, science is to be trusted not tested. We both know you don’t have the education to doubt cold hard facts. It makes me sick to know dummy flat earthers like you had already overdosed on horse medicine, you aren’t capable to think straight anymore. Get help.
Lol, nice. You’ve nailed “the problem” you posted accused me of being like 4 times.
I’m not a conservative or a progressive, I just like good science and apply it in a way that doesn’t unnecessarily get in the way of regular life. I’ll wear a mask when it has a big impact, and I won’t if it’s just virtue signaling. I’ll get vaccinated because that’s a good idea. I’ll reduce consumption, not increase consumption to “own the libs” or “show how green I am.” And so on.
I’ll finish with an Bible-based, anti-Vietnam War song to really confuse both sides:
Thump thump, I guess. Oh yeah, and a both sides argument to round everything out.
Quoting the Bible eh? You’re definitely not a MAGA insurrectionist… smh. Isn’t that the book that says the earth is flat, slavery is the way, and science is some liberal satanic end times deception?? Do you even know how old the Bible is??? Let me guess, you tested the claims of the Bible instead of blindly trusting them. You can’t just pick and choose, whether it’s Bible verses or mask best practices. Did Jesus play both sides like you do? Everyone here knows how dumb the “enlightened centrist” angle is. Vote Democrat or you’re a fascist. And wear a damn mask to the voting booth. It’s that simple. Stop with the dog whistles and the “doing your own research” pal. You’re wrong in every way you stick your head out, follow the damn crowd like a true leftist or take the right-wing rhetoric elsewhere.
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Part of what problem?
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I only wear a mask when I go out. That isn’t “living my life with a mask”. I also get quality, well-made masks that are comfortable. They also keep your face warm when it’s cold, and you aren’t going to get tagged by facial-recognition software.
This topic is about healthcare workers. My point is that I don’t expect healthcare workers to wear one every day during their full shift. I only expect them to wear a mask when around at-risk individuals (i.e. CDC guidelines for healthcare workers), or consistent with hospital/clinic guidelines, or ideally when asked to by a patient. If someone is wearing a mask, I expect them to distance themselves as much as is reasonable so that person feels comfortable (that’s just common decency imo).
That’s what I’m responding to. Feel free to wear a mask whenever you want, that’s fine. Don’t expect others to do so unreasonably.
That applies a thousand times more to healthcare workers.