2019 Novel Coronavirus Covid-19 Discussion

Forums › Health and fitness › 2019 Novel Coronavirus Covid-19 Discussion

1 | ... | 2360 | 2361 | 2362 | 2363 | 2364 | 2365 | 2366 | 2367 | 2368 | 2369 | 2370 | ... | 2421

867 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2972771 25-Sep-2022 17:30

I'm not sure why wearing a mask was such a big deal for some people, if I want to drive a car I need to wear a seat belt and glasses, display number plates, warrant of fitness and registration sticker and annual road deaths are usually less than 350 people.

Of course, it might be better for everyone if we mandated ventilation standards in enclosed spaces, just like we have mandates for building compliance with earthquake standards and removal of hazardous building materials like asbestos.

#include <standard.disclaimer>

Mighty Ape

Shop now on Mighty Ape (affiliate link).

johno1234

2733 posts

Uber Geek

#2972778 25-Sep-2022 18:00

Reasons? If you are hard of hearing and need glasses? They make your glasses fog, cause your hearing aids to fall out, make people very hard to understand conversationally, hold breathed out muck against your face. Most of all, if not carefully fitted, the common masks are not particularly effective.

Most people wear almost useless cloth masks or ill fitted medical masks so think they are doing the right thing or are pretending to.

If you really want to avoid spreading or catching COVID you need boosted vaccination and a proper mask, I.e. n95.

vexxxboy

4237 posts

Uber Geek

#2972781 25-Sep-2022 18:07

johno1234: Reasons? If you are hard of hearing and need glasses? They make your glasses fog, cause your hearing aids to fall out, make people very hard to understand conversationally, hold breathed out muck against your face. Most of all, if not carefully fitted, the common masks are not particularly effective.

Most people wear almost useless cloth masks or ill fitted medical masks so think they are doing the right thing or are pretending to.

If you really want to avoid spreading or catching COVID you need boosted vaccination and a proper mask, I.e. n95.

as someone who wears glasses and hearing aids, i am glad i dont have to wear masks anymore as every thing he said is true.

Common sense is not as common as you think.

Rikkitic

Awrrr
18602 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2972798 25-Sep-2022 19:21

I would rather have foggy glasses than Covid. Can't people find something more meaningful to complain about?

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

shk292

2841 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2972800 25-Sep-2022 20:08

For me the worst thing about masks was the de-humanising aspect. I like to see people's expressions, and to be able to give someone a smile if they have been helpful. I was fully in support of them while COVID was a significant threat, but very glad to be rid of them now

Rikkitic

Awrrr
18602 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2972801 25-Sep-2022 20:22

shk292:

For me the worst thing about masks was the de-humanising aspect. I like to see people's expressions, and to be able to give someone a smile if they have been helpful. I was fully in support of them while COVID was a significant threat, but very glad to be rid of them now

What makes you think it is not still a significant threat? There is a new variant on the border that seems to have better resistance to current vaccines. Just because people are tired of Covid, does not mean it is going away. I think there is a big element of wishful thinking involved in this.

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

shk292

2841 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2972805 25-Sep-2022 20:55

Rikkitic:

What makes you think it is not still a significant threat? There is a new variant on the border that seems to have better resistance to current vaccines. Just because people are tired of Covid, does not mean it is going away. I think there is a big element of wishful thinking involved in this.

Because it's no more deadly or threatening than a whole lot of other diseases including flu. Or maybe slightly more dangerous but still below my acceptable risk threshold. I'm fully vaccinated and have managed to avoid infection so far - which to me, indicates that my lifestyle (eg commuting and socialising habits) gives me a low chance of infection. I was fully supportive of all the health measures for COVID, but we can't live the rest of our lives in fear about the next variant that may pop up. It's all about cost vs benefit and to me, the "cost" of wearing a mask does not justify the minimal benefit

Rikkitic

Awrrr
18602 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2972809 25-Sep-2022 21:08

Good on you but I am elderly and it really pisses me off that I am considered expendable so younger people don't have to be inconvenienced by having their glasses fog up.

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

Batman

Mad Scientist
29712 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2972844 25-Sep-2022 22:46

anyone recall this?

Batman

Mad Scientist
29712 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2972845 25-Sep-2022 22:48

i have had a group of doctors explain to me in 2020 that protection from wearing face masks in public is as good as drinking bubble tea when i pointed out that all of Asia were wearing face masks against then WHO advice.

till today i still don't know if they were serious or not.

anyway, suddenly it became a thing and now it's no longer.

so who knows! *confused*

Rikkitic

Awrrr
18602 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2972858 25-Sep-2022 23:15

My understanding from multiple sources, including doctors, is that surgical masks offer minimal protection to the wearer, but prevent the wearer from spraying mucus and the delights it contains into the environment where others can pick it up. Masks don't protect the wearer much, they are meant to protect everyone else.

N95 and equivalent masks do protect the wearer to a significant extent when correctly worn. Those are the masks I use when I have to go out.

Anyone who follows the news will know that most of the restrictions were lifted not for medical reasons, but political ones. All those whinging about their glasses getting fogged and hearing aids getting tangled and not being able to see faces simply would no longer accept the restrictions. Not getting rid of them would have probably resulted in mass civil disobedience and more economic damage so a political calculation was made and we old people were told to just stay indoors.

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

Jase2985

13416 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#2972881 26-Sep-2022 08:04

Rikkitic:

Good on you but I am elderly and it really pisses me off that I am considered expendable so younger people don't have to be inconvenienced by having their glasses fog up.

so because someone doesn't wear a mask it means they consider you expendable? bit of a grasp there isn't it?

what were you doing to prevent yourself from getting influenza? has the had the same average yearly death rate in NZ pre covid.

You have said you wear a N95 type mask when you go out so im not sure what the issue is? you have protected yourself.

johno1234

2733 posts

Uber Geek

#2972882 26-Sep-2022 08:07

They have to make a call at some point on a continuum that has no public health measures at one end and mandatory lockdown for all in hazmat suits at the other. I believe they have it about right as it is.

The main concern of the epidemiologists right now is that there is no longer required testing for international arrivals so little surveillance on new variant arrivals. Baker, Wiles and co aren’t much interested in masks any more. Look at the quick turn around from this:

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/470947/masks-need-to-be-mandated-in-most-indoor-settings-to-prevent-really-grim-winter-baker

To this:

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/473986/covid-19-mask-requirements-are-less-critical-professor-michael-baker

"At the very least I think we should look at keeping mask requirements in health care facilities and aged care because then you've got lots of vulnerable people."

I believe Baker has it right.

johno1234

2733 posts

Uber Geek

#2972883 26-Sep-2022 08:09

Jase2985:
Rikkitic:

Good on you but I am elderly and it really pisses me off that I am considered expendable so younger people don't have to be inconvenienced by having their glasses fog up.

so because someone doesn't wear a mask it means they consider you expendable? bit of a grasp there isn't it?

what were you doing to prevent yourself from getting influenza? has the had the same average yearly death rate in NZ pre covid.

You have said you wear a N95 type mask when you go out so im not sure what the issue is? you have protected yourself.

In addition, the antivirals now widely available are highly effective.

Rikkitic

Awrrr
18602 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2972900 26-Sep-2022 09:19

Jase2985:

so because someone doesn't wear a mask it means they consider you expendable? bit of a grasp there isn't it?

what were you doing to prevent yourself from getting influenza? has the had the same average yearly death rate in NZ pre covid.

You have said you wear a N95 type mask when you go out so im not sure what the issue is? you have protected yourself.

I was referring to the reasoning of the relevant authorities, not individuals who choose not to wear masks, but the fact is a calculation was made that the expected added number of elderly deaths were worth the political and economic benefit. I don't have a specific quote to hand, but I have seen statements from officials to this effect more than once.

What I do to avoid influenza is get the flu jab every year. I also avoid idiots who cough and sneeze in public.

The issue is that people foolishly assume Covid 19 has disappeared just because the mask mandate has been removed, and they blather on about how nice it is not to have foggy glasses. There is another perspective on that and I am expressing it.

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

1 | ... | 2360 | 2361 | 2362 | 2363 | 2364 | 2365 | 2366 | 2367 | 2368 | 2369 | 2370 | ... | 2421