Mini-editorial: It's time to end fear and take back our freedom

[AlwaysWrite]

It's time to set aside the massive COVID-19 fears and panic, and it's time for the government to step aside and let the American people run their own businesses and leisure activities.

The massive spread of the China virus caught the world off-guard and unprepared, and Americans and worldwide inhabitants have made a major sacrifice in following guidelines established by medical experts and government leaders.

Amid constant warnings and massive, and sometimes overblown, coverage by the lamestream media, people have spent many weeks in a sense of fear and anxiety, costing everyone an enormous price.

Time is one of the most valuable commodities that individuals possess, and virtually everyone has lost a big chunk of time living in fear and awareness of COVID-19.

The pandemic can't be underestimated, but at the same time, there's a major price to pay when national economies are shut down and individuals' freedoms take a major blow

As bad as the entire situation has been, the health care system wasn't completely overwhelmed, as many had forecast, and it's now time to give people their lives back, reduce fear, get politics out of the way, and give back the freedom to live each day going forward.

 

[Greg T.]

Yup. In fact, I was pondering this last night and below is what I posted to the ignorant on my FB timeline AND Gretch-olph WHitler's page.

"Alright, all you scared little puffers!! I'm going to rant this one time!! I really don't give a rat's ass how afraid you are, how gullible you are, or how badly you feel the NEED to follow, rather than live your own lives. If you're afraid of a germ, go ahead and wear a mask that is PROVEN not to work. YES, proven not to work. N95 masks only filter 95% of particulates down to .3 microns. Well, the virus averages between .08 and .14 microns. So if you think using a chain link fence to stop mosquitoes will work, go ahead. If you feel vulnerable outside, stay the fuck in the house. If you're unable to decide for yourself what is safe for YOU, go ahead and listen to ignorant tyrant we loosely call a governor. I'm sure she'll be happy to tell you how to live your lives. NOW LISTEN UP!!! I will NOT allow YOUR fear to dictate to ME how I'm going to live MY life. YOUR fear of germs is NOT going to force me to wear a mask. Your fear of the outside is NOT going to cage ME in. YOUR fear of government is NOT going to make me conform to the illegal demands on the citizens of Michigan, perpetrated by a power crazed fool trying to get noticed by Joe Biden so she can get the pick to be a running mate. You see, I DO NOT CARE how afraid you are. Your fears will not affect ME. I hope this clears up any foggy notions you may have had."

 

[Djarum300]

I typically don't listen to much "opinionated" news, but I was listening to Ben Shapiro on some of the latest across the country about the narratives. The democrats were pushing for more testing, and now that its here, in most areas they aren't seeing the demand even with relaxing the qualifications to get the test. The Ro right now is just above 1. The dems are now trying to readjust the narrative. The goal posts keep moving.

Greg,

I will disagree with you about masks for just a bit.

When it comes to N95 masks, specifically, your rant is assuming that 95 percent at .3 microns must mean its 0 percent at anything smaller, which just isn't true. It is NOT like using a chain link fence with mosquitos. Its closer to using screen door material. Guess what? A few mosquitos will pass through, but not all. And when it comes to contracting the virus, its also about viral load and minimizing viral load. Getting a handful of cells vs thousands of cells makes a difference in contracting and having full on symptoms of a virus.

The other issue is that while the VIRUS is .3 microns, the water droplets that they are in are MUCH larger. If the masks catch the water droplets, then it catches the virus. This is the problem with using these masks long term is that once the water droplets dry, then the virus could get passed the barrier on inhalation.

You can do what you want with masking or not. I don't care because you live in a different state. As a libertarian I will go to businesses that are promoting their employees to mask and where customers are volunteer masking. In Alabama it is required to mask in salons and nail parlors. It is required in most medical facilities. Costco is enforcing them. You are free not to wear a mask assuming the business or establishment you are patroning doesn't care.

 

[Greg T.]

And every respiratory specialist in the world will tell you it is much more dangerous for a healthy person to wear a mask than not. It's also extremely dangerous for an asthmatic or someone with COPD to wear a mask because of C02 poisoning and the stale humidity being sucked back in. I'll take my chances on a virus that is far less dangerous than the flu against giving myself pneumonia by wearing a mask.

 

[WAMO]

SORRY DJ. IT WOULD ONLY LET ME GIVE YOU 1 THUMBS UP.

 

[WAMO]

AND EVERY RESPIRATORY THERAPIST IN THE WORLD WILL TELL YOU, IF YOU GO OUT, WEAR A MASK.

 

[REVerse °]

AND EVERY RESPIRATORY THERAPIST IN THE WORLD WILL TELL YOU, IF YOU GO OUT, WEAR A MASK.

No they will not. I worked hands on as a Respiratory Service Technician for 12 years. There is a time to wear “specific” masks. There is a time to not. Please do not spread disinformation. Things are bad enough. I like you, WAM. Stick to being an electrician. That’s your specialty. I know you will not change your opinion, but that’s okay.

 

[REVerse °]

And every respiratory specialist in the world will tell you it is much more dangerous for a healthy person to wear a mask than not. It's also extremely dangerous for an asthmatic or someone with COPD to wear a mask because of C02 poisoning and the stale humidity being sucked back in. I'll take my chances on a virus that is far less dangerous than the flu against giving myself pneumonia by wearing a mask.

THIS^^^^^^^^^^^^^^*

 

[REVerse °]

I typically don't listen to much "opinionated" news, but I was listening to Ben Shapiro on some of the latest across the country about the narratives. The democrats were pushing for more testing, and now that its here, in most areas they aren't seeing the demand even with relaxing the qualifications to get the test. The Ro right now is just above 1. The dems are now trying to readjust the narrative. The goal posts keep moving.

Greg,

I will disagree with you about masks for just a bit.

When it comes to N95 masks, specifically, your rant is assuming that 95 percent at .3 microns must mean its 0 percent at anything smaller, which just isn't true. It is NOT like using a chain link fence with mosquitos. Its closer to using screen door material. Guess what? A few mosquitos will pass through, but not all. And when it comes to contracting the virus, its also about viral load and minimizing viral load. Getting a handful of cells vs thousands of cells makes a difference in contracting and having full on symptoms of a virus.

The other issue is that while the VIRUS is .3 microns, the water droplets that they are in are MUCH larger. If the masks catch the water droplets, then it catches the virus. This is the problem with using these masks long term is that once the water droplets dry, then the virus could get passed the barrier on inhalation.

You can do what you want with masking or not. I don't care because you live in a different state. As a libertarian I will go to businesses that are promoting their employees to mask and where customers are volunteer masking. In Alabama it is required to mask in salons and nail parlors. It is required in most medical facilities. Costco is enforcing them. You are free not to wear a mask assuming the business or establishment you are patroning doesn't care.

You are missing the forest for the trees. Your data is somewhat correct, but MANY factors are missing. We can’t debate or educate the authorities making the rules. They have the final say right or wrong. It’s a sad fact. If a doctor or specialist speaks up- they are putting themselves on the radar. It would go against the narrative...This goes to show where our country is going. MSM (Pravda) is now weaponized against the people. We have lost our 1st amendment rights. Mainly due to the current system. Rs and Ds politicians are at fault. Lobbyists are in control of the politicians. We are all being scammed.

 

[9andaWiggle]

Well, well, well... AlwaysWrite, GregT, and REVerse, looks like we have 3 pupils signed up for re-education classes!

 

[Djarum300]

And every respiratory specialist in the world will tell you it is much more dangerous for a healthy person to wear a mask than not. It's also extremely dangerous for an asthmatic or someone with COPD to wear a mask because of C02 poisoning and the stale humidity being sucked back in. I'll take my chances on a virus that is far less dangerous than the flu against giving myself pneumonia by wearing a mask.

That is patently false. My father has COPD and his pulmanologist said explicitly that he shouldn't but suggested those the family around him should so that they don't spread it to him. You survey every pulmonologist and respiratory therapist.

It's a good way to defect the fact that this has nothing to do with what I said in regards to N95 masks.

 

[Djarum300]

That is patently false. My father has COPD and his pulmanologist said explicitly that he shouldn't. nwear

THIS^^^^^^^^^^^^^^*

Again, wrong. Every? That's thousands of Drs who all have different opinions.

It's actually more imperative that healthy people who could be shedding the virus to wear one.

Children and those with respiratory distress shouldn't are the exact quotes from my father's pulmonologist.

 

[REVerse °]

Again, wrong.

In his presence, YES.
In public walking around NO! You are being foolish, sir. That is normal practice in any hospital since before COVID and will continue. Why you are at it- why don’t you put on gloves and a gown as well? That should do the trick. Full on PPE

 

[REVerse °]

That is patently false. My father has COPD and his pulmanologist said explicitly that he shouldn't but suggested those the family around him should so that they don't spread it to him. You survey every pulmonologist and respiratory therapist.

It's a good way to defect the fact that this has nothing to do with what I said in regards to N95 masks.

You are behaving like an Armchair Quarterback. Why just a mask? Wheres you gown? Gloves? Shoe covers? Cap? What about a face shield?

I commend you for a TEMPORARY mask, but COVID can be on your clothes, shoes, hair, but as long as you have YOUR friggin mask- all is peachy? Right?

Loser.

 

[Greg T.]

You are behaving like an Armchair Quarterback. Why just a mask? Wheres you gown? Gloves? Shoe covers? Cap? What about a face shield?

I commend you for a TEMPORARY mask, but COVID can be on your clothes, shoes, hair, but as long as you have YOUR friggin mask- all is peachy? Right?

Loser.

If everyone is truly concerned then a hazmat suit and decontamination chamber is in order.

 

[REVerse °]

That’s the point I’m trying to make. Masks have their place. Although, masks are not enough if this illness is what’s reported. Everyone seems to be a mask expert now. Microns and PPM? Really? Folks we are way beyond this. COVID lives on a lot of things. Personally, (opinion fwiw) if I had to choose- I would wear gloves and try to use common sense. That poses another issue, though. Contaminated gloves. Then, red bag disposal, etc. Medical waste is a whole new conversation. Where do you take it? Did y’all know that used masks are medical waste? Do you dispose of them properly? Do you properly remove gloves without cross contamination? These factors are real. Anytime I ever saw a client at a hospital that requires full PPE- I had to dispose of everything in special receptacle at the door before leaving the room. Had to remove PPE in a certain order. I hope this helps some people understand. It ain’t all about the mask.

Dj, I apologize for my rudeness. It is out of frustration, but still unnecessary on my part.

 

[Greg T.]

I see it every day. Adjusting their masks, putting them on, removing them, stuffing them in purses, pockets, etc..all with bare hands. This type of behavior is out of ignorance. They wear the mask, not because they need it or undedstand why, but because they are told to.

 

[bbfreeburn]

Greg I’m just amazed that I got thru my time as an army medic. I wore a mask nearly every day and lived to tell the tale.

 

[Greg T.]

Greg I’m just amazed that I got thru my time as an army medic. I wore a mask nearly every day and lived to tell the tale.

I used to do a lot of body work. Sanding and finishing for days on end. Had pneumonia 7 times in a 9 month period. Lung doc told me to use a respirator instead of an N95. No problems after that.

 

[WAMO]

SORRY REV, BUT I DID LOOK IT UP. THERE WERE MULTIPLE REPORTS OF "RESPRITORY THERAPISTS" RECOMMENDING WEARING A MASK WHEN OUTDOORS DURING WHAT IS TAKING PLACE. I DID SAY, MUCH LIKE G DID, "EVERY ONE IN THE WORLD WOULD SAY A SPECIFIC THING", WELL, YOU KNOW WE WERE BOTH STRETCHING THAT FACT. I LIKE YOU TOO REV. BUT NOT 100% OF ANY GROUP AGREES ON EVERYTHING.

I DONT THINK ANYONE IN HERE BELIEVES, OR ATLEAST I HOPE THEY DONT, THAT THEY ARE A MASK EXPERT. BUT THERE ARE PLENTY OUT THERE THAT ARE EXPERTS THAT SAY THEY HELP. AND THERE ARE PLENTY OUT THERE THAT ARE EXPERTS THAT SAY THEY DONT HELP. PICK A SIDE AND DO WHAT YOU WANT. IM RIGHT YOU ARE WRONG. YOUR RIGHT I AM WRONG. I HAVE CHOSEN WHAT I WILL DO TO PROTECT MYSELF AND OTHERS. SOME HAVE CHOSEN I DONT CARE, I WILL DO WHAT I WANT. MOVE ON. PEACE OUT BROTHERS!