Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	Something for the maskaholics to ponder
Date:	4/20/2022 3:16:01 PM

See the graph below which compared the 39 states that mandated masks to the 11 that didn't.  This data comes directly from the CDC.  Cumulative rates of infection in mask mandate states = ~24%.  Cumulative rates of infection in states that didn't mandate masks = ~24%.  This is the kind of meta data that comports with the science about the size of the virus particles, the overwhelming cause of transmission being aerosols, the size of the fibers in the vast majority of masks being worn and the fact that none of them are properly fitted and allow inhalation and exhalation through gaps in the side where most of the breathing occurs with mask wearers.  Am I surprised?  Nope, I've been following the science from day one.

Name:	GoneFishin -	Reply
Subject:	Something for the NON maskaholics to ponder
Date:	4/20/2022 3:35:24 PM

There is a study to  defend any position.

A large new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has determined that masking reduced COVID-19 transmission in schools by nearly 25%.

Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	Uh huh.......NIH study
Date:	4/20/2022 4:08:15 PM

Goofy, I will take a meta data study from CDC data that they don't "analyze" themselves over one NIH internal study.  Besides, their study was limited to the Delta variant and only included students from nine states, cannot account for other factors that could have impacted infection rates and claimed to be able to differentiate between in-school transmission and out of school transmission which in my view is impossible to determine.  It is also at odds with studies in Spain, U.K. and other countries, including a study by the CDC in May 2021 that came to the opposite conclusion.   Simply put, this is not peer reviewed and is flawed and is at odds with similar studies across the world and even by the CDC.  Sorry Goofy, but my point remains.....masking has no appreciable impact on infection rates as evidenced by the overwhelming body of evidence contrary to this one, particular, non peer reviewed study by the NIH who seems he!! bent on masking kids who have almost zero risk from Covid but tons of mental and physical health risks from masking.

Ya see Goofy, you truly need to learn to read beyond the headlines.  A very challenging suggestion for you I know.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	Something for the maskaholics to ponder
Date:	4/20/2022 7:01:46 PM

No one is saying that if wearing a mask makes you feel better that you can't still wear a mask.  Biden Admin is just upset because they were blind-sided and not based on any real medical concern.  I haven't worn a mask (Unless it was required) since I was vaccinated.  Granted, my life does not involve being around crowds, but I think all the worry is because we've spent the last two years being told you must wear a mask.    It doesn't matter when masks would be lifted, some people are still going to think it's not safe and be in a panic.  The immune compromised can don their N-95s and continue to practice social distancing.  

People are fed up with masks and COVID.  We've got treatments, we've got vaccines, we've got boosters and people are ready to be done with it.  

Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	Something for the maskaholics to ponder
Date:	4/20/2022 7:36:34 PM

I agree that most people are fed up and over the whole thing.  But I can assure you those drunk on power have not given up trying to control us for no real benefit and lots of detriment.  The Biden DOJ plans to appeal the ruling about masks on airplanes and they will likely find a sympathetic judge to rule in their favor.  While the overwhelming evidence is that they do not work just look at Goofy for an idea of the gullibility of the left wing nuts....or their overwhelming desire to force people to do what they do not want to do.  It's always been about power and control and has never been about science and our overall well being.  Just look at the push to keep children in face diapers despite the science that they do not work and the reality that the damage done to them from masking and remote schooling is far greater than the virus ever was.  A rational person would get that but leftists will never let this go.  Power and money...money and power.....in the case mostly power but the pandemic has also been a tremendous boon to the wealth of leftists like Jeff Bezos, etc.  

I am telling you they are not even close to giving up that power.  

Name:	MAJ USA RET -	Reply
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

Name:	GoneFishin -	Reply
Subject:	Pondering is for independent thinkers
Date:	4/21/2022 12:08:06 AM

https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/covid-science-philadelphia-mask-mandate-20220420.html

Name:	phil -	Reply
Subject:	Pondering is for independent thinkers
Date:	4/21/2022 9:21:29 AM (updated 4/21/2022 9:26:51 AM)

from your link

Surgical masks don’t work quite as well, and cloth masks are the least effective. One study suggests that fabric masks block about half of virus-laden “aerosols,” though the rate varies with the size of these particles. Two layers are better than one.

Cloth masks are least effective - and make sure to wear 2 or 3 or 10 for best results.  Mask up you sheep!!!!

You run out to get your 4th shot yet ?  Those first three were so effective.

Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	Pondering is for independent thinkers
Date:	4/21/2022 9:24:33 AM

Maj....don't start using science when rank emotion is what the political class are calling for.  Of course we will have another cold and flu season in the fall.  Happens every year at that time.  And yes, I fully expect the Democrats and the govt media to stoke more fear and panic so they can violate voting laws like they did en masse in 2020.  Sadly, only a few states have responded properly to the efforts of the likes of Zuckergerg, big tech, the media, Soros et al and the fraud in 2022 will be once again on display.  Whether the disaffection of the voting public is enough to overwhelm the fraud remains to be seen.

As I've said repeatedly, if I told my employees to wear cloth masks when exposed to checmical or biological hazards on a project site they would tell me to pound sand and report me to OSHA who would immediately start an enforcement action against the company.....and rightly so.  There is a reason we use properly fit-tested, full and half face respirators with the specific cartridges (Level C and B) for the potential hazards at a site.  While not perfect they do provide a modicum of protection.  And when the hazards are really high we use Level A protection (chemical/biological resistant suits and tank supplied air).  Thankfully I have avoided a Level A site in my 30 year career and plan to do so for what is left of it.  I too have the OSHA 1960 training up to Supervisor level and annual refreshers.  Can you imagine what a class would say if the instructor just told them to wear cloth masks?  

Most people are wildly ignorant on the subject and when you try to educate them they put their fingers in their ears and scream "LALALALALA....I can't hear you!"  It's really sad the lack of basic scientific understanding.

Name:	MAJ USA RET -	Reply
Subject:	Pondering is for independent thinkers
Date:	4/21/2022 9:30:58 AM

I reiterate:

“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.”

I made no attempt to include the National Inquirer as peer reviewed research.

May I direct you to the Vermont Mask Survey, Final Report, May, 2021, (Revised January, 2022)? Because I believe you to have a limited attention span, I suggest you skip directly to page 62 of 77 for the conclusions of this survey of medical research (the remaining 15 pages are the bibliography of such research).

Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	Pondering is for independent thinkers
Date:	4/21/2022 9:33:13 AM

What all of these theoretical studies fraudulently assume in their analyses is that all the inhaled and exhaled air enter and exit through the mask material and are based on new masks.  What we know is that this is wildly off the mark.  Most of the entering and exiting air passes along the sides of the mask.  Plenty of youtube videos out there showing what happens to the vapors when you breath in and out of a cloth and even an N95 mask.  Most of the air doesn't even pass through the cloth and so the theoretical protection from the mask material, limited that it is, doesn't even come into play. And then we have the issue of breakthrough resulting from wearing the masks too long.  And then we have the other biological hazards accumulating on cloth masks that people wear for days, weeks or even months without being replaced.  It's all a sham and political theater.

That is why the meta data demonstrates over and over again that masks do not work.  The only thing that would work is properly fit tested, half face respirators with the correct cartridges that must be changed regularly to prevent breakthrough.  That is not even remotely feasible for 350M people due to cost and limited supply.

Name:	phil -	Reply
Subject:	Pondering is for independent thinkers
Date:	4/21/2022 1:49:29 PM

I will not deny that when I first saw his link I was expecting it to have batboy on the the front page.