Coronavirus in Massachusetts (celebrity, theater, schools)

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by tribecavsbrowns

That's too bad. I enjoy seeing people's faces. One of many reasons I'm glad masks are becoming a thing of the past.

I highly doubt you would want to see mine...

[msRB311]

Originally Posted by massnative71

I highly doubt you would want to see mine...

lol. I can't say I have a huge need to see people's faces...but I do find it easier talking to people when they're not wearing one. Other than that I dont really care if someone wears one or not. I'm sure in the coming months I'll see healthy people my age wearing one and wonder why??? but it's not worth my time to wonder.

[charolastra00]

My behavior has not changed. I still wear a mask in public and am still avoiding social gatherings and restaurants. Maybe the latter will come when outdoor dining is back.

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by msRB311

lol. I can't say I have a huge need to see people's faces...but I do find it easier talking to people when they're not wearing one.

I agree to that part, although on the flip side I have gotten quite accustomed to freely muttering choice words or making faces at people in public who get under my skin, all with a big smile on my face. Going back to "normal" will be a bit of an adjustment, for sure.

[msRB311]

Originally Posted by charolastra00

My behavior has not changed. I still wear a mask in public and am still avoiding social gatherings and restaurants. Maybe the latter will come when outdoor dining is back.

What a shocker

[redplum33]

Originally Posted by charolastra00

My behavior has not changed. I still wear a mask in public and am still avoiding social gatherings and restaurants. Maybe the latter will come when outdoor dining is back.

Originally Posted by msRB311

What a shocker

Are you actually attempting to shame someone who has had cancer for continuing to wear a mask?

[redplum33]

Originally Posted by msRB311

My mom doesnt feel that way. She keeps hers on anywhere in public regardless of who has one on or not.

Maybe you should listen to your mother.

[charolastra00]

Originally Posted by redplum33

Are you actually attempting to shame someone who has had cancer for continuing to wear a mask?

Yup. No surprise there. Absolute trash.

[msRB311]

Wahhh

[lrfox]

Originally Posted by porterhouse

Masks worn below the nose, on the chin, soaking wet, dirty, etc. do absolutely nothing to reduce the spread of Covid. This describes 90%+ of masks worn by children in school..

This is the challenge of public health policy during a crisis. Masks are absolutely effective at reducing the spread when worn properly. But two years into a pandemic, people are careless with how they wear their masks. It's not just kids. Half of the people at my local grocery store, on the T, at stadiums and venues, on planes (especially now that food/beverage services have returned), etc. have it around their chin or under their nose. Nobody's enforcing it. Add to that a variant which is far more contagious than the initial version (or even Delta) and that masks aren't realistically making a significant difference. At least not according to case numbers in areas with mandates vs. without them.

On top of that, We have a good understanding of how COVID spreads. We have vaccines that are effective at reducing the the likelihood of catching COVID and also reducing the severity of illness in instances when a vaccinated individual catches it anyway. We have N-95 masks which greatly reduce the risk to the wearer if they choose to wear one. And we have treatment regimens that are effective at improving the outlook for severe cases. None of those things existed (or were widely available) in March of 2020. Considering all of the above, it's really hard to justify sweeping mask mandates in March of 2022 - in schools or anywhere else.