To mask or not to mask

[Prommer]

Not their risk appetite, the risk you pose to them. As in Alpie's experience, which you may have missed.

No, no, not missed but this is the flu season we are now in. You get a jab and hope it means you swerve it but not always.

I am sure you have noticed this to date, but lots of people (and things) pose risks.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

No, no, not missed but this is the flu season we are now in. You get a jab and hope it means you swerve it but not always.

I am sure you have noticed this to date, but lots of people (and things) pose risks.

Please could you explain what is so dreadful about wearing a mask to protect others? (Leave the government out of this for the time being.)

[marvin]

I reckon that at least 80% of people around me have had been vaccinated so that's why I don't wear a mask.
I have only presented a simple statistic.

[Pianoman]

Please could you explain what is so dreadful about wearing a mask to protect others? (Leave the government out of this for the time being.)

Horrible things- restricted breathing, glasses steaming up, muffled conversations- mine went in the bin as soon as it was possible.
As for those who appear ‘vulnerable’, well, they’ve presumably got a mask on so feel ‘safe’…

[oddoneout]

I reckon that at least 80% of people around me have had been vaccinated so that's why I don't wear a mask.
I have only presented a simple statistic.

Vaccination doesn't prevent you catching the virus, although it should prevent the worst effects, but neither does it prevent you from passing the virus on to others. This is particularly an issue with the Delta variant as I understand it.
And that's assuming your vaccination has "taken" in the first place.
I take the wider view that with the NHS struggling to cope with routine and winter pressures even before the pandemic arrived(round here norovirus, aka winter vomiting virus, routinely disrupts the 3 general hospitals) if me wearing a mask can help prevent adding to that pre-existing burden then I should do so. It is a minor inconvenience not a major imposition, in the same way that in "normal" times I try and avoid sharing my colds.

[Bryn]

Horrible things- restricted breathing, glasses steaming up, muffled conversations- mine went in the bin as soon as it was possible.
As for those who appear ‘vulnerable’, well, they’ve presumably got a mask on so feel ‘safe’…

What a deplorably ill-informed attitude. The principal role of face-coverings is to reduce the transmission, rather than the reception, of SARS-Cov2. By wearing an effective face-covering one seeks to protect others, not so much oneself, though the latter consideration will play a part. With a little thought and preparation, there is no need for glasses to steam up. Just make sure they are positioned so that the top of the face-covering is above the pads on the spectacles and, maybe, apply a very thin film of liquid soap or even washing-up liquid to the surface of the lenses. significant restriction of breathing is a myth. Just put a little more effort into your enunciation and conversation also presents no real difficulty. If you seek restricted breathing, try catching COVID-19, but then, perhaps that is what your subconscious aim is.

[Bryn]

Vaccination doesn't prevent you catching the virus, although it should prevent the worst effects, but neither does it prevent you from passing the virus on to others. This is particularly an issue with the Delta variant as I understand it.
And that's assuming your vaccination has "taken" in the first place.
I take the wider view that with the NHS struggling to cope with routine and winter pressures even before the pandemic arrived(round here norovirus, aka winter vomiting virus, routinely disrupts the 3 general hospitals) if me wearing a mask can help prevent adding to that pre-existing burden then I should do so. It is a minor inconvenience not a major imposition, in the same way that in "normal" times I try and avoid sharing my colds.

Important points, well put, if I may say.

[EnemyoftheStoat]

Important points, well put, if I may say.

Seconded. And thanks Bryn for posting the links to the masks.

The ongoing intelligent debate on here, and first-hand accounts of covid's continuing effects despite government obfuscation, mean I will not be abandoning masks anytime soon. Unfortunately, many hereabouts seem to have done so, giving the Delta variant a helping hand...

[french frank]

MAY MOVE THIS TO ANOTHER BOARD LATER

In addition to the other points which have demolished your argument:

Horrible things- restricted breathing, glasses steaming up, muffled conversations- mine went in the bin as soon as it was possible.

The first half of that statement has an element of truth, the second is a non-sequitur.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I reckon that at least 80% of people around me have had been vaccinated so that's why I don't wear a mask.
I have only presented a simple statistic.

Do you check with each one around you to be certain this is true? Vaccination reduces your chance of becoming infected, but (as I discovered) it doesn't make you invincible.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Horrible things- restricted breathing, glasses steaming up, muffled conversations- mine went in the bin as soon as it was possible.

That's fine, as long as you don't go near anyone else. I use a singing mask that circumvents most of the problems you mention.

https://www.banksmusicpublications.co.uk/musicalsoperetta/ppe/singers-face-mask-with-wash-bag---black

[Pianoman]

MAY MOVE THIS TO ANOTHER BOARD LATER

In addition to the other points which have demolished your argument:

I
The first half of that statement has an element of truth, the second is a non-sequitur.

Thanks teacher I’ll try to do better next time

[Pianoman]

What a deplorably ill-informed attitude. The principal role of face-coverings is to reduce the transmission, rather than the reception, of SARS-Cov2. By wearing an effective face-covering one seeks to protect others, not so much oneself, though the latter consideration will play a part. With a little thought and preparation, there is no need for glasses to steam up. Just make sure they are positioned so that the top of the face-covering is above the pads on the spectacles and, maybe, apply a very thin film of liquid soap or even washing-up liquid to the surface of the lenses. significant restriction of breathing is a myth. Just put a little more effort into your enunciation and conversation also presents no real difficulty. If you seek restricted breathing, try catching COVID-19, but then, perhaps that is what your subconscious aim is.

Well I’m sure it’s all very personal for you, hence the attitude. While I’m not a COVID denier, I don’t know of a single person who’s had it. A neighbour mentioned a friend of a friend who caught it and had a headache for a few days, but we all do as we see fit.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

While I’m not a COVID denier, I don’t know of a single person who’s had it.

I dare say a Martian landing in the Sahara Desert would think Planet Earth was lacking in life forms.

[Pianoman]

I dare say a Martian landing in the Sahara Desert would think Planet Earth was lacking in life forms.

Not sure I get your gag, but it's witty.