In Tennessee, hospitalizations are up in counties where people don't wear masks. A study from Vanderbilt U. shows that pretty clearly. (H/T)
We are mired in this pandemic, things are getting worse and they are getting worse because people are proving to be morons. This pandemic is working as a global intelligence test and a significant number of Americans are proving themselves to be dumber than posts. Not believeing in science and facts and choosing to engage in conspiracy theories and fantabulist thinking has had real costs. Hospitals are filling up in many places because of idiots who can't be bothered to wear a facemask.
Masks reduce the transmission of the coronavirus. Reducing the transmission means that the pandemic will burn itself out, sooner, because the virus isn't finding new hosts. Because fools are not doing their part to reduce the spread of Covid, we will be dealing with this into 2022.
The blame for this lands first and foremost on Donald John Trump, who proved himself to be utterly incapable of actually leading the country in a pandemic. He chose to use the pandemic as a way to inflame divisions in this country.
The sad thing is the tens of millions of people who drink the Fox New/Trumpist punch and who are spreading the virus because reasons that make no sense to sentient adults.
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11 comments:
Hospitaliations are up on counties and countries that do wear masks as well.
>>>...idiots who can't be bothered to wear a facemask.<<<
Actually its the minitrue that gives them the convenient excuse
to NOT do what they would otherwise likely do. People are lazy
and a mask is work so given any excuse they go to the easy button.
There are those that say Drumpf is out to burn and salt the
country on the way out and sickening many millions and killing
many hundreds of thousands is the the very description of that.
Preznut Drumpt is a very sick man and /resents/ jealous of
Covid as it gets more press than he does.
Eck!
NJT, true, but not to the level that they are in places populated by significant numbers of Covidiots.
History will record that, in this country, Republicans have been responsible for the avoidable deaths of hundreds of thousands of people.
The generally calculated effective reduction in expose for at least two layer, cloth masks is in the 85% range. In effect, you are taking 20 exposure and transmission events and reducing them to 3, if you wear a cloth mask properly. Is it ideal, no, it it significantly reduces both transmission and viral load ingestion. Poor mask habits...removal especially...can weaken this advantage, but here’s a thought.
Where I work we have cloth masks and people in close proximity for hours at a time. We have responsible professionals who have been wearing masks, and staying home if there is any doubt about a possible expose or symptom, since this started and have had ZERO cases of transmission within the workplace. We have had about 10 cases through transmission external to the workplace, but we have another 290 people working who haven’t been infected. Responsibility is the key.
This is a case where the rule is:
* Do something, as something is better than nothing.
Mask any!
Putting distance reduces exposure.
Avoiding crowds and the super spreader events.
None of that is hard. It does help.
Eck!
Headline says it best I think: protect yourselves.
Let the rest of 'em die.
CM point and Rachel Maddow's review of Kansas mask v. no mask results (https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/-natural-experiment-paints-clear-picture-masks-work-94815301608) hits the bullseye.
Ten Bears: Trump's and Pence's super spreader events are already killing people.
"But on the ground in Wisconsin, doctors asked the President not to hold his rally, amid evidence that earlier visits had resulted in an increased number of virus cases in the state."
https://www.whio.com/news/politics/jamie-dupree/record-coronavirus-cases-deaths-greet-trump-wisconsin/XKKERSNZVRHT7E2XZXQLDEDILE/
I struggle with your suggestion to "let the rest of them die" as I have extended family who are Trump supporters. The younger ones (in their 20's) don't always wear their masks when going out or attending gatherings with friends. Yes, they are absolutely abdicating their civic and social responsibilities by putting themselves and others at indefensible risk. Unfortunately no amount of my fervent, but objective input or their parents insistence to use a mask has made any difference in their behavior. I won't allow them to visit, of course, for any reason, so do we just throw them to the curb? It scares the living crap out of me that one them may die or suffer lifelong complications and, in spite of that, the message won't get across to the other kids. Is it bury them and move on? It's so Effing screwed up.
On the other hand, severe punishment should be meted out:
https://kansasreflector.com/2020/10/28/manufactured-crisis-mask-hater-enlists-followers-to-defy-mandates-at-topeka-manhattan-businesses/
My apologies JM, that was/is callous of me. I've got four kids and seven grandkids, and I'm pretty damned scared for 'em. The frustration is boiling over, cabin fever here is pitched. My spouse in particular, she's been stuck in the house since January; I at least to get out for my new walking with weights (5 miles!) daily regimine, and trips to the store or pharmacy once or twice a week. She's just stuck here doomscrolling, stewing (rightfully) over what might happen to our social security. And everything else that could possibly happen to kids and grandkids and friends and neighbors. I guess their callousness is rubbing off. I mean, if they don't give a shit if we live or die, why should I?
It's like we're being punished. Steve M (I think) wrote about this the other day: all of us who've put the effort into doing our part are bearing the risks of those who refuse.
Maybe it's the short guy in me wantin' to punch the bully.
SF writer Elizabeth Bear noted on Twitter, "If 2020 has taught me anything, it's the sheer number of people who would actually conceal a zombie bite from their friends and relatives."
Yeah, the zombie apocalypse doesn't look so far-fetched now, does it?!
Ten Bears:
No apologies necessary. I literally had to sit on my hands after reading the Mask article before posting, because I had the same visceral reaction and thoughts you did. We're all scared and tense, but we are doing the things needed for ourselves and our families.
Effects of war: "Among the consequences of war, the impact on the mental health of the civilian population is one of the most significant. Studies of the general population show a definite increase in the incidence and prevalence of mental disorders. Women are more affected than men. Other vulnerable groups are children, the elderly and the disabled. Prevalence rates are associated with the degree of trauma, and the availability of physical and emotional support. The use of cultural and religious coping strategies is frequent in developing countries."
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1472271/
Feelings of helplessness: "Helplessness can have a profound impact on mental health and well-being. People who experience helplessness are also likely to experience symptoms of depression, elevated stress levels, and less motivation to take care of their physical health. Not everyone responds to experiences the same way." https://www.verywellmind.com/
That's a whole lot of shit to have to cope with and tends to whittle anyone down.
So rather than raging and experiencing a round of Political War TSD, I'm staying positive, objective, and balanced. Taking action to remain calm, healthy, and fighting like hell for a good election outcome. It takes a lot of effort everyday, but it's what has to be done. I find it's also good to vent since it provides an outlet for emotions that would otherwise get bottled up. This way I can be a good head of family, provider, and shoulder (when needed) for my family and keep us safe.
I get punching the bully, but the only punch this time is GOTV and change the world.
Hang tough. Only a few days to go!
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