Name:   MAJ USA RET - Subject:   Pondering is for independent thinkers Date:   4/20/2022 8:50:32 PM

From day one – when I first heard about the COVID virus – I have not worn a mask (except when I was required to do so when I had my annual physical. In my careers, I was OSHA 1910.120 certified (including supervisor) and have been through military MOP training many times. I can read and understand the infiltration spectrum charts. I can also read the box that the N-95 masks come in.

That said, I respect the desire of persons to wear a mask for their own protection if they are confident that it will help.

Having read more than a dozen peer-reviewed, medical research studies on the subject, I could not find a single one that stated unequivocally that masks prevented spread of the virus.

Indeed, constantly wearing a mask resulted in other heinous and annoying side effects medically and psychological – ESPECIALLY FOR CHILDREN. The mask is a petri dish for other bio-nasties!

If one wishes to wear a mask, one should TAKE THE TIME to do it properly (e.g. keep it clean, change it often, cover your complete nasal/oral region, etc) There is [realistically] little anyone can do about infection through the eyes.

I managed my behavior. I spent as much time outside in the fresh air as I could. I maintained flow-through ventilation in my home. I practiced good personal hygiene.  I continued to visit the 19^th hole after golf. I never got the dreaded virus… or if I did, I was not aware of it. I have not been sick over the last two years.

My wife has one co-morbidity. She did also not get COVID. And she also did not wear a mask unless forced.

In my opinion COVID is nothing more than another viral, respiratory illness that, without the screeching of the chicken little press, could have passed just like any other flu season(s).

For sure, we don’t know how many people were infected with COVID, ill with COVID, or died of COVID.

Our leaders reacted hysterically not scientifically. The numbers are meaningless – and therefore not useful. The political exploitation – without any doubt – further obscured the opportunity to understand the epidemic which is now endemic. It WILL emerge again. I sincerely hope that cooler heads will prevail next time.

The time of personal responsibility and fortitude belonged to the greatest generation. We let down our children and grand children.

The sky has fallen!

- LMF Curmudgeon