Mask use in grocery stores
 

It seems like a smaller percentage of people are wearing masks in the Meredith Hannaford. At one point, it seemed that most everyone was, but recently I'd guess maybe only 70% of people are wearing one, and even the guy at the fish counter wasn't wearing one when he waited on me. It was under his chin.

From what I've read, mask wearing in enclosed public spaces can go a long, long way towards controlling this disease, but only if everyone complies. I hate wearing a mask, but for the short time I'm in the store, it's tolerable, and I feel more secure when everyone's covered up.

People can choose for themselves how much they want to go into public, but grocery shopping is a necessity. I see people on the Forum asking why driving cars isn't banned, etc., because of the high death numbers. Well, you do have some control over driving your car. You don't have control over a contagious disease, especially when other people have decided not to care about public health. After the pain and suffering of the lockdown, it worries me that people may let this disease get out of hand again because they don't like wearing a mask. Especially as more people pour into town. (And I realize that some people can't wear one, but they are definitely in the minority).

It's simply that people are getting tired of the restrictive nature of this, the first flu virus that the government has deemed to be a killer (as most viruses are in some way shape or form). Never in the history of the USA has our government (state and federal) forced its people to cower in fear of something they know nothing about. Just the fact that their "restrictions" and facts about the chinese virus change almost daily, is cause to a large part of the population to question their motives.
It's your choice to use a mask and another's choice not to.

I have never worn a mask in a grocery store or anywhere else for that matter, except when I go into my office in Boston and when I've gone to the dentist and doctor because I have to. It is all nonsense. Prior to the so-called pandemic, I was respectful of other people. Nothing has changed. Generally speaking, I don't invade spaces, and try real hard not to sneeze, cough, breath, etc. on other people when in public. You are worried about masks being worn. Are you as worried about other people picking up and replacing items that you eventually touch? Are you concerned about the countless people who have touched all of the items in the store just to get them on the shelf?

I prefer to stick to Dr. Fraud's first recommendation - that masks are ineffective. You are feeding into and believing the hysteria generated by the media and social media. However, if you are scared and anxious, I recommend that you wear a mask to give you the feeling that you are being safe. As Hill stated, the rest of us are sick of the restrictions. Enough is enough. We have done our share. Let's get back to normalcy ASAP. Disappointingly, this will be impossible since the so-called pandemic has become a political issue. CNN reports that Chinese coronavirus cases are spiking in Georgia, Florida and Texas. Fake news. We learned that fighting the so-called pandemic is a joke when rioting and looting is encouraged.

While I agree with most of what you are saying, to decided that the spikes being see around the country, in states where they are lifting restrictions is "fake news" is not true. Now where the news is likely to embellish a bit, is just how bad is the resurgence, compared to the initial onset. Those numbers have not be presented. I am expecting to see an up tic in number in Mass. Starting next week. Now when will I get concerned. I am not sure. Currently I am not concerned, I knew that as businesses opened back up, and people got out and about, another spike was going to be natural.

The reason why they are high is that we are testing more than ever, so naturally new cases will be reported. That aspect is never reported, thus, my characterization as "fake news."

not to mention that just the mere interaction of people causes colds and the like to spread all which have the same symptoms.

Not just CNN.

Fox news weighs in on the surge: https://www.foxnews.com/health/flori...onavirus-cases

Was in Hanford (Gilford) this morning and I'd say 95% mask usage (myself included).

You are correct that a lot isn't known about this disease. The reason that the original recommendation was not to wear masks was two fold: masks were needed for healthcare workers, and originally, it was not known that the virus was spread through aerosol transmission. It's understandable that you're sick of the restrictions. Who isn't? But being sick of something doesn't give people the right to put other people at risk. Maybe you're right, and all this caution is for nothing. But is that really your decision to make in public spaces at this point in time, when the disease is showing a clear comeback in some parts of this country (based on hospitalizations and not just number of positive cases)? I would say no. I would say that's irresponsible. But obviously you're free to do what you want. Here's an article from Science Daily about the effectiveness of masks. I expect you think it's fake news, but for what it's worth: https://www.sciencedaily.com/release...0612172200.htm

Usually proceeding on the side of caution is good advice...Why noy here?

We are making this up as we go. At first, we were told that we need to stay home to flatten the curve and not overwhelm healthcare workers. This was supposed to last two weeks. This has turned into a three-month nightmare where far more damage has been caused by destroying businesses and putting people out of work. It is now about control. There is no evidence that our actions have flattened the curve, prevented deaths, etc. In fact, it seems like we got things backwards. We forced healthy people to stay at home and exposed old and compromised people to the virus.

Unless it is a law, it is my decision to make whether to wear a mask, social distance, etc. I haven't worn a mask or social distanced. I've used common sense, and am doing just fine. When my mom came back from Florida, me and my family members have been careful around her since she is compromised. You seem to enjoy being treated like a child. I do not.

The government hacks and politicians making the decisions for us have NO stake in the matter. None of them to the best of my knowledge have missed a paycheck. Dr. Fraud's government organization (NIAID) is guaranteed funding for the next 20+ years. The biggest political whopper (other than "if you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor" or "if you like your insurance, you can keep your insurance") is that we are all in this together. My son, who has been furloughed since the beginning of this nonsense, has suffered far more than the government hacks and the politicians. Small business owners have suffered far more than government hacks and politicians. And for what?! A failed social experiment, which proves that the American people do not value liberty. I am disgusted by all this.

Not at the expense of our liberties and the economy. We have completely overreacted to this nonsense.

You, by choice, chose to be around others who, by choice, don't want to be around you, but have to because THEY HAVE NO CHOICE. And why is your rights more important than mine? I think your macho is dangerous to others...Major!

That's your opinion. You believe it's dangerous, I believe it's an overreaction and a farce. There is nothing macho about my behavior. I don't think it's dangerous in any way shape or form for a person under 65 with no underlying conditions. It is nearly statistically impossible to die from the dreaded Chinese coronavirus if you are under 70 and in relatively good health. The SCIENCE supports this view. (The average age of death is 82.) If you are old and/or have an underlying condition, then it is YOUR responsibility to protect yourself. Just as it has always been. Why is it so difficult to wrap our heads around the notion that there may have been a much, much better way to handle this so-called pandemic? Why is it so difficult to understand that perhaps, just perhaps we should have protected those who are the most vulnerable and allow those of us who work and run businesses to continue our daily lives? You make it sound that you come from a view of authority. I hate to tell you that you and no one knows what they are doing, even the so-called experts.

I am 70 and not compromised by underlying conditions...and I agree wholeheartedly.

at the risk of further beating a dead horse...


The first paragraph explains why I contend the mask routine is pointless. Most people wear them wrong, touch them, touch their face, then their phone, then their wallet and key pad and everything else in sight and then back to their face to take the mask off again. All this aside from the size of a virus compared to the mesh of a paper mask or bandana. Because of all this I believe the virus has spread way more than any one realizes and it has not mattered much.

because nowadays it's all about me, me me, and to hell with anyone else

except that it's not just the new cases that are surging, it's the cases that require hospitalizations. That has zip to do with increased testing.

It’s just an abject lack of common decency. The mask isn’t for you - it’s for those around you, particularly if you’re pre-symptomatic. I see no reason why masks in stores is not required, if not by the state, then by the businesses. This is not just for the safety of me or other customers, but the employees that are seeing hundreds of customers daily, and it only takes one. These workers are not bringing in big bucks to put themselves out there like this. It’s the LEAST we can do to wear a mask while inside.

Anyone saying this is an invasion on their liberty should go seclude themselves in the woods and forage for food instead of putting others at risk. It’s that simple.

I was in Sam’s Club in Concord this afternoon. It was 50/50 mask wearing. Most employees were wearing them but not all...

Lowe’s in Gilford on Monday was also 50/50...

Dan

For those who are so worried regarding others not wearing masks, why not wear your own properly fitted PPE protecting yourself? The supply chain has vastly improved on PPE and then you can go out in public fully protected. N95 mask, eye protection/face shield, gloves, fluid resistant gown, etc. It would be a bit of an inconvenience but no different than what you are asking of others. This should put you at ease. Then you will not have to worry about your own protection and not be requesting others to give up their individual liberties. Seems pretty simple for a win/win.

Is there any reason why you see the need to continue to use such overtly xenophobic language in your posts? And if you don’t understand how this is xenophobic and racist, maybe you can go ask one of your Asian law partners or employees to explain it to you. That is, unless as I suspect, you don’t have any. So instead, you sit behind a pseudonym on a computer.

I have always valued this website and its forums for useful insight on lake issues. I fully understand this “political” forum will consist of views I don’t agree with. But I don’t understand how this perpetuation of xenophobia can continue to be ignored on this site.

For the same reason they use words like scared and fear. It's a silly premise. Do you wear a seat belt because you're scared?

For people who like to call others sheep, they sure do all use the same script.

I’m pretty sure Major doesn’t have an irrational fear of Chinese people, and hence is not xenophobic. Since it seems you’re one of those -ist and -ism people, please at least tell us that you understand that China is not a race.


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Since I’m an “-ist” and “-ism” person who also likes the dictionary, from Miriam Webster:

Xenophobia is the fear and hatred of strangers or foreigners, whereas racism has a broader meaning set including "a belief that racial differences produce the inherent superiority of a particular race." Although they are similar, they are different enough that it is possible for one to be both xenophobic and racist.

So, yes, I do understand that China is not a race.

Where in any of Major’s posts does he expressly or impliedly indicate either fear or hatred of strangers or foreigners, Chinese or otherwise? Where does he exhibit a belief that any race (N.B. Asian is also not a race) is superior to another?


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Please explain to me the purpose of the repeated references to “Chinese coronavirus.” And if you say that is somehow a factual characterization, you are part of the problem.

I presume the purpose is accuracy as to its place of origin, as has been the custom of nomenclature for scores of years, e.g. Spanish flu, Hong Kong flu, Asian flu, etc. The fact that you needed that explained to you reveals your way of thinking. We all know that you didn’t really need an explanation. You chose to ascribe a sinister motive to Major’s innocuous geographic designation. That says more about you than it ever could about him. Saying that someone is part of the problem is a sixth grade-level argument, as subsumed within it is a false presumption that there is a problem to begin with. You should be nicer and not infer bad things about people because they have different opinions than you. The problem that you perceive is internal to you, which is your prerogative, but you shouldn’t expect others to fall victim to groupthink.


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Lyme Disease
 

Agreed!...and anyone who uses the term Lyme Disease must dislike people from Connecticut! :rolleye2::rolleye2:

Dan

COVID-19, Covid-19, SARS-CoV-2, 2019 novel coronavirus, Wuhan-Flu, CCP Flu...
 

"Chinese coronavirus" is easier to remember than "severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus" or "SARS-CoV-2" (or the
previous “2019 novel coronavirus”) and the disease it causes.

The World Health Organization has taken the responsibility to name the disease, but there's a huge asteri$k in the naming process. :eek2:

I wish there was a “VOMIT” button I could use. Good lord!

There is absolutely nothing racists or xenophobic about labeling the flu the Chinese coronavirus or my personal favorite the Wuhan Bat Flu. My liberal friends have taught me that everything and everyone requires a label. For the record, I am a straight white middle-aged male, the lowest rung of the WOK ladder. I label the flu as such to annoy people like you, who place far more value in words rather than actions.

To answer your question, one of my law partners is from China and we have several employees from China. I will tell you what I have (or in some words) told them. I have no issues whatsoever with any people from any country. My experiences with ex-pats from China is that they are a warm, caring, humble, and smart (very smart for that matter) people, who came to the U.S. to escape communist rule. However, I detest with the hatred of a thousand suns the Chinese communist government. The one thing this so-called pandemic has taught us is that the U.S. should extricate itself from China and any other government who does not value freedom and liberty.

Calling someone a racists shows that you have lost the argument. It shows the shallowness of your character and world views. I actually feel sorry for you.

Peace

Don't understand why it's racist to refer to the virus as Chinese.....it came from China.The Asian flu caused several million deaths back in the 50's as well.

You must be right. I must be off my rocker, together with dozens of Asian-American organizations, lawmakers, medical organizations, and even the WHO, that have all decried the use of the term as perpetuating xenophobia. I’m sure it is being used for accuracy, and not at all to stir the pot or be provocative.

The mantra on this forum from many seems to be that we should have empathy for the business owners and workers that have been greatly affected. How about we have some empathy for our Asian-American friends, colleagues, and family, that have been the subject of harassment, and worse, which is only perpetuated by this type of language? But I suspect that many who see no issue with this type of language do not have close friends, colleagues, or family that are Asian (let alone Chinese) that have been directly affected by harassment and worse stemming from blaming the “Chinese” for a pandemic that has no borders.

I think the bigger point has been missed here-

In MA, it is still "required" to have a mask on in public
In NH, it is not -- simple- live "Free or Die"

HOWEVER - Every major chain store in the country that I know of has issued a Company Policy that REQUIRES employee's to wear masks on the job!

Thus, to Pam's original post - "even the guy at the fish counter wasn't wearing one when he waited on me. It was under his chin" This individual is simply being stubborn & should have been reported to store management (especially in light of the Counter he was working). I am sure the Store Manager would be horrified.

On the other hand, I fully understand that wearing a mask all day is quite irritating -- but the employee should have backed away from the counter & taken a break- not serve a customer should that be his/her rationale.

Here's a great test case that shows the value of masks in a setting that is as close as possible to a lab test--a hair salon with 2 infected stylists and no infected clients. Direct from the heart of Trump Country, it made believers out of skeptics similar to Major:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/busin...lons-missouri/

My actual question, Major, is whether you have ever used the term “Chinese coronavirus” with your Chinese partners or employees? Or do you just use the term hiding behind a pseudonym on the internet?

If anything I'm consistent. Yes. There is absolutely no shame in labeling it, as I would the Spanish Flu.

Somehow I doubt that. In any event, you are either completely tone deaf to your Chinese colleagues (who I’m sure praised your choice of term and gave you a high five instead of rolling their eyes in shock behind your back), or, as I suspect is more likely, you don’t actually use the term with them because you are smart enough to know better.

We get it, CowTimes, you’re just more virtuous than all of us. You presume that none of us have Asian friends or co-workers so you can feel even better about yourself. Do you have a quota of Asian friends with sufficient proportional representation among Vietnamese, Indian, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Singaporean, Laotian,so that your circle of friends “looks like Asia”? If not, some might call you some type of -ist. Where in any of our posts can you point to a lack of empathy? You seem to read things that aren’t there. You should try to figure out why that is and fix it. As for the WHO and others who decry labeling the virus accurately, you should try to be less of a blind follower just to be in the crowd. People will still like you if you think logically, and not just reflexively jump on the bandwagon no matter how silly and discordant the song.


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