This is all very entertaining and enlightening. Kinda' like a prize fight! Each side bashing the other. I suspect most of you have firmly entrenched opinions. You might think they are facts but you probably make them so as to support some pre-ordained position. You don't like to be told what to do. I get it. Me either, unless the 'telling' is well founded. Well, look, we are in the middle of a great big experiment. There's not a lot of hard fact available and maybe not even after its over - by the Grace of God.
We are learning as we go. All we have to fight any battle is ingenuity, information from the past, and what we learned yesterday. So, today, we need to mix it all together to figure out where to go. Masks. At first, as I understand it, historic evidence from other virus outbreaks suggested transmission wasn't by aerosol. New day, more information. Well, it seems like we've discovered it is. Hence, the mask. Does the mask help? Who knew. Who knows. It's a small price. I'll pay it to protect my family and my friends. It may not be helpful, but it really doesn't cost me anything. Politics has nothing to do with my decision. I understand the scientific uncertainty.
I am a scientist. I believe in the process. That doesn't make all science good. But, there's a lot of potential good comes from it. Notice I have not inserted any political party into it. I think they all are bastards. I read almost everyday. My mother said I should learn to read - and I'm glad she did. My father said I should learn to reason. And I did. So, I practice what they wisely taught me -the same things I taught my two sons.
What I have learned is that I have an open mind about the vaccines. I think, on the surface the two available are likely wonderful - but you go first.
What I read today might validate those of you against wearing mask and not for political reasons. Come on guys, think for yourself. But, wearing a mask costs nothing.
So, here's just ONE study. It seems well done, but it's just ONE piece of evidence - just one. Let's not jump to conclusions. It's just one piece of evidence.
It's a reputable source. That's important. It's just one source though. If you're like most people and it supports your position you'll parade it around like it was the Holy Gospel. Let's keep it in perspective.
I hit the edit button because I want to add to it. I ended by fighting for lives - as in staying alive. But, here's the think - if you get COVID, and survive you might come out the other side fully intact...but maybe not. We don't know. No scientist will give you that certainty. Nobody know....
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/landig/article/PIIS2589-7500(20)30293-4/fulltext
The point is masks seem to work, but they are not the goose that laid the golden egg. It appears they can be part of the effort to reduce the viral load - but not all of it.
Take the politics out of it and consider your impact on family and friends. If your the least bit considerate, you'll at least stop and think about this for a moment. Stop fighting politics and fight for you life and the lives of others close to you.
