Insight: Why some people don't wear masks

[Unveiled Artist]

Yes, wear a mask when you are likely to be within six feet of someone not in your bubble. it really is that easy.

I'm most worried about the people who don't yet know they are sick, aren't showing symptoms, and think this is all a triviality. THOSE are the ones that are going to end up killing way more people that were going to die anyway.

And that is exactly what is happening right now in the US. It's sad, frustrating, and so, so predictable.

Hmm. I'm not really worried about asptomatic. Like other conditions, we usually get warning signs-shortness of breathe, tired, coughing. We have to assertain if it's connected to an illness one already has or something new. But 14 days is a hair shot of making someone sick unless really breathing in the others face, spread germs on skin (hence why hand washing), etc. Many areas have condense amount of people.

If it's out of the blue, foreign, etc go to the doctors. We had crowds of healthy people going to health centers to "see if" they had the virus.

It is sad and frustrating. The usual reaction is a fight or flight. Fear can lead some people to wear masks. Those who don't may feel trapped. But once people handle their fears and accept limitations we (general public) can understand things on our own as well as doctors on media etc. Judgement call. I'm sure most non wear mask people aren't stupid.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

Look again at my post. I was clearly reacting to your assertion that "political divide" is a justifiable reason for not wearing a mask.

You have to be more specific. The post reads the same so...

 

[Unveiled Artist]

there's talk that respiration is more than contagious

it is essential

we expel more than germs when we exhale

breathing OUT
is as important as breathing in

the mask is a problem

I did read that too. And we touch our masks and resuse them without washing hands. Nurses wash their hands before treating any hospital patient regardless the condition.

 

[VoidoftheSun]

Lol I don't know why but the first thing I thought of when I saw the thread title was the company Incite from Westworld

 

[Heyo]

there's talk that respiration is more than contagious

it is essential

we expel more than germs when we exhale

breathing OUT
is as important as breathing in

the mask is a problem

 

[oldbadger]

Controversy over our response to Covid-19 has intensified as states have begun loosening the social distancing restrictions. In this context, the wearing of face masks has become one of the most contentious issues. For example, there was outrage at Vice President Mike Pence for choosing not to wear a mask when he visited hospital staff and a patient at Mayo Clinic. (He later said he made the wrong decision.) Why Are Masks Triggering Conflict and Rage?

Justified excuses of wearing masks: political divide, fear, conflict over the economy, and presumptions of other people's decisions to not wear masks. The purpose of a masks is irrelevant to why and the debate of people who choose to wear it for more than one reason or another.

Enjoy.

Back in February a whole bunch of western scientists told us that wearing masks is mostly useless. It became a major faux pas to suggest anything different.

We were told to 'Skip the masks'.

But all our hospital staff started to wear masks all tghe time.

The next thing I knew, our postmen here had to wear face masks, and when I mentioned this in a post it was considered by some to be a most amusing point...... I mean.... postmen!

Then our medical wizards told us that covering the face was beneficial, but that masks still are not necessary.

Then wearing masks became mandatory on all public transport, from coaches to buses to trains etc......

Yesterday I received a text message from our surgery to tell me that masks must be worn when visiting the surgery.

So we've changed our minds about masks.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

I don't look into psychology today much if any at all. I think it's mostly written by anyone kind of like Wiki. But the info is good nonetheless.

From what I have seen, the contributors are people with backgrounds in the field. I don't think it's a bad article, I just think that one part was not written well. And asides from highlighting non-political reasons why someone may or may not wear a mask, I do feel it was rather "preachy to the choir."

 

[Shadow Wolf]

there's talk that respiration is more than contagious

it is essential

we expel more than germs when we exhale

breathing OUT
is as important as breathing in

the mask is a problem

damn the mask

let the virus sort them out

fact is.....you will be infected
they who survive will eventually stop the mask
the masks will come off

the survivors will remain

resistance is futile

Your words make people sick and kill them! SHAME ON YOU! This has been explained to you, you are ignoring facts and replacing it with dangerous nonsense. We can keep acting like bafoons who are totally out of touch with reality, or, instead, or we resort to facts, science, medicine, and compassion and not coldly and callously dismiss the deaths of millions (which will happen if we take your approach of destruction and suicide).

 

[Mock Turtle]

I can see why so many are angry about others not wearing masks, and I think the point was made long ago (but the evidence apparently wasn't there) that many might be asymptomatic or will be in the lengthy period of not showing symptoms, and where it would hence be sensible to assume that one was infected so as not to pass it on even if one wasn't. That is, if we don't want to spread the infection. However, the risks of passing anything on does seem to vary considerably, such that not wearing a mask outdoors probably entails little risk to others as long as they are not in close proximity (the usual 2 metres), but the risk will increase considerably when in shops, on public transport, etc., such that it is more important there. Hence the anger for many who just see others as being selfish at best, or worse, if they refuse to do so in such situations, as perhaps displaying an arrogance that they might be OK when the more vulnerable might not be - your lives don't matter.

Here in the UK, in some places at least, local supermarkets seem to have a mix of mask users and non-users, and mostly people are not judgmental if one isn't using a mask, and in general people do keep their distance. But then our rate of infection is probably lower than in a city so we are not so paranoid. I'm sure I would be wearing a mask all the time if I was living in a city. And of course now we have to wear masks on public transport anyway - mandated by the government.

I suggested mask use from early on - because of the likelihood of passing on infection but not knowing one was infected - and the main issue was that it might have caused a problem for the medical staff being deprived of such. But the answer to this should have been for users to make their own - as we have seen from so many sources of advice - and not to purchase the medical masks. If the government had emphasised this then perhaps we would have seen less spread.

 

[Heyo]

Back in February a whole bunch of western scientists told us that wearing masks is mostly useless. It became a major faux pas to suggest anything different.

We were told to 'Skip the masks'.

But all our hospital staff started to wear masks all tghe time.

The next thing I knew, our postmen here had to wear face masks, and when I mentioned this in a post it was considered by some to be a most amusing point...... I mean.... postmen!

Then our medical wizards told us that covering the face was beneficial, but that masks still are not necessary.

Then wearing masks became mandatory on all public transport, from coaches to buses to trains etc......

Yesterday I received a text message from our surgery to tell me that masks must be worn when visiting the surgery.

So we've changed our minds about masks.

It might be that your or my memory fail, it might be that I was hearing from different sources but I can't remember ever been told that masks were not useful. I remember being told to not use N95 masks as they should have been reserved for medical staff until there are enough available.
I have several self tailored masks.

 

[ChristineM]

Controversy over our response to Covid-19 has intensified as states have begun loosening the social distancing restrictions. In this context, the wearing of face masks has become one of the most contentious issues. For example, there was outrage at Vice President Mike Pence for choosing not to wear a mask when he visited hospital staff and a patient at Mayo Clinic. (He later said he made the wrong decision.) Why Are Masks Triggering Conflict and Rage?

Justified excuses of wearing masks: political divide, fear, conflict over the economy, and presumptions of other people's decisions to not wear masks. The purpose of a masks is irrelevant to why and the debate of people who choose to wear it for more than one reason or another.

Enjoy.

I personally feel it is irresponsible not to wear a mask when out in public and downright ignorant to not wear one near vulnerable people.

This virus takes several days before it shows symptoms but can be transmitted to other people during this time.

So assume you have corvid-19 and don't yet know, without a mask you are more likely to infect someone else (or more) susceptible and they died. Would you consider yourself responsible for their deaths. I would but those who could not care less, those who are making anti government statement, those who believe its all a conspiracy or no more than a bit of a cold, where is their responsibility.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

I can see why so many are angry about others not wearing masks, and I think the point was made long ago (but the evidence apparently wasn't there) that many might be asymptomatic or will be in the lengthy period of not showing symptoms, and where it would hence be sensible to assume that one was infected so as not to pass it on even if one wasn't. That is, if we don't want to spread the infection. However, the risks of passing anything on does seem to vary considerably, such that not wearing a mask outdoors probably entails little risk to others as long as they are not in close proximity (the usual 2 metres), but the risk will increase considerably when in shops, on public transport, etc., such that it is more important there. Hence the anger for many who just see others as being selfish at best, or worse, if they refuse to do so in such situations, as perhaps displaying an arrogance that they might be OK when the more vulnerable might not be - your lives don't matter.

California just made masks in public mandatory, basically for what you said. I strongly agree with that decision, and feel its such a small thing to do for such a large payoff.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

It might be that your or my memory fail, it might be that I was hearing from different sources but I can't remember ever been told that masks were not useful. I remember being told to not use N95 masks as they should have been reserved for medical staff until there are enough available.
I have several self tailored masks.

From what I've read, without training even with picture instructions you probably won't put it on correctly to get the benefit of them.

 

[Heyo]

California just made masks in public mandatory, basically for what you said. I strongly agree with that decision, and feel its such a small thing to do for such a large payoff.

Intelligent people elect to wear masks in public. For everyone else it's the law.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

Back in February a whole bunch of western scientists told us that wearing masks is mostly useless. It became a major faux pas to suggest anything different.

We were told to 'Skip the masks'.

But all our hospital staff started to wear masks all tghe time.

The next thing I knew, our postmen here had to wear face masks, and when I mentioned this in a post it was considered by some to be a most amusing point...... I mean.... postmen!

Then our medical wizards told us that covering the face was beneficial, but that masks still are not necessary.

Then wearing masks became mandatory on all public transport, from coaches to buses to trains etc......

Yesterday I received a text message from our surgery to tell me that masks must be worn when visiting the surgery.

So we've changed our minds about masks.

Yeah. One of the reasons was mixed cues. First it's a choice and now it's required. I only met one person who was opposed to mask wearing but she said she had to since she worked at the grocery store. I understood her sentiment but I disagree with the rejection (for lack of better words) of wearing masks just assess wearing them depending on your situation, health, where you live, and other factors. But there are mixed messages about it. The only thing I see wrong about it is both sides telling each other they are wrong and calling each other names for their decisions as if not wearing a mask six feet from people will still make people at risk of this particular virus only.

It's interesting the observations but the sentiment between the two sides (the not-wearing-mask type I only saw it online mostly). But there are a few people here and there that don't wear masks. All hospitals here it's required. I found that out when I had an MRI and they had to search to find me a mask so I won't effect the nurse staff etc since we have to be six feet apart from patients in the waiting room.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

I personally feel it is irresponsible not to wear a mask when out in public and downright ignorant to not wear one near vulnerable people.

This virus takes several days before it shows symptoms but can be transmitted to other people during this time.

So assume you have corvid-19 and don't yet know, without a mask you are more likely to infect someone else (or more) susceptible and they died. Would you consider yourself responsible for their deaths. I would but those who could not care less, those who are making anti government statement, those who believe its all a conspiracy or no more than a bit of a cold, where is their responsibility.

I don't know about others, can only talk for myself. I don't see an issue when one is six feet distance. The only problem I see is when people don't wear masks and they hover people or don't observe the six feet rule. But here, everyone's afraid that I may cough or sneeze on them for the millisecond that I pass them on the street. New York, on the other hand, I'd wear it. But I don't see it bad either way, really-to the general public who aren't around people in order for others to catch any-type of virus and disease that is transmitted by droplets.

Also, the other thing about asymptomatic, that's like other conditions. The symptoms don't show up after awhile. When they do, they are mild and if they are symptoms you're not familiar with, you go to the doctors to get checked out. Pay attention to one's own health. I wonder why people (here) aren't quarantining themselves if they feel everywhere they go they may be asymptomatic. Kinda puts paranoia in the air.

 

[ChristineM]

I don't know about others, can only talk for myself. I don't see an issue when one is six feet distance. The only problem I see is when people don't wear masks and they hover people or don't observe the six feet rule. But here, everyone's afraid that I may cough or sneeze on them for the millisecond that I pass them on the street. New York, on the other hand, I'd wear it. But I don't see it bad either way, really-to the general public who aren't around people in order for others to catch any-type of virus and disease that is transmitted by droplets.

Also, the other thing about asymptomatic, that's like other conditions. The symptoms don't show up after awhile. When they do, they are mild and if they are symptoms you're not familiar with, you go to the doctors to get checked out. Pay attention to one's own health. I wonder why people (here) aren't quarantining themselves if they feel everywhere they go they may be asymptomatic. Kinda puts paranoia in the air.

I see non mask wearers in groups everywhere, not only locally. A few days ago the UK reopened non essential shops. The the resultant crowds of desperate shoppers hit the news, many of whom were maskless and huddled shoulder to shoulder trying to cram through shop entrances. Those with masks sensibly hung back. The images were very telling on who cares about others and who doesn't.

Although wearing a mask is not 100% effective. Non masked infected people coughing and sneezing made the virus airborne, i cannot find the article now but early on i saw that coughing or sneezing can project the virus up to 6 metres and can stay suspended in the air for hours.

 

[oldbadger]

It might be that your or my memory fail, it might be that I was hearing from different sources but I can't remember ever been told that masks were not useful. I remember being told to not use N95 masks as they should have been reserved for medical staff until there are enough available.
I have several self tailored masks.

Hello again....

Well it was some time ago now, so you could be forgiven for never having heard about the 'Skip the masks' comments from Presidents, medical boards and more.

Back in very early April I ran a Thread about this U-Turn.
Here it is:-
SKIP THE FACE MASKS! ....... Ummmm........ HANG ON! U-TURN?
oldbadger, Apr 2, 2020 ...

And here is a small part of the opening post for you.

Back in Febnruary and early March the standard response to face masks was that they are ineffective for the public. I expect that these ideas were born from Leader's comments such as 'Skip the face masks'. Here are just two examples of February and early March opinions about them..... these are not links:-
------------------------------------------
Face masks won't help you avoid illness, so why wear them ...www.businessinsider.com › face-masks-wont-help-avoi..........................28 Feb 2020
- -----------------------------------------
3 Mar 2020 - Medical experts explain why you should wash your hands instead of getting a face mask to protect against coronavirus. ...www.inquirer.com › health › coronavirus › face-masks...

...... But now (in the UK) we MUST wear face masks or cover our faces efficiently if we go to out surgeries, our vets, on any public transport, to any hospital etc etc......

It can be amazing how people forget.

 

[oldbadger]

Yeah. One of the reasons was mixed cues. First it's a choice and now it's required. I only met one person who was opposed to mask wearing but she said she had to since she worked at the grocery store. I understood her sentiment but I disagree with the rejection (for lack of better words) of wearing masks just assess wearing them depending on your situation, health, where you live, and other factors. But there are mixed messages about it. The only thing I see wrong about it is both sides telling each other they are wrong and calling each other names for their decisions as if not wearing a mask six feet from people will still make people at risk of this particular virus only.

It's interesting the observations but the sentiment between the two sides (the not-wearing-mask type I only saw it online mostly). But there are a few people here and there that don't wear masks. All hospitals here it's required. I found that out when I had an MRI and they had to search to find me a mask so I won't effect the nurse staff etc since we have to be six feet apart from patients in the waiting room.

Hi..... The 'Masks don't work' message was regular news in the UK until about May, when the boffins decided to tell us that 'Masks still can't protect you, but face-coverings can protect others from you, and any face covering will do.'
They were definitely trying to U-Turn and still not wanting to just tell us to put a mask on in close spaces etc.

You have only met one person opposed to mask wearing? Everybody where my wife works hates wearing them! This is what I hear:-
You can get very hot.
Your glasses steam up.
It's more difficult to speak clearly.
Your nose and face feels 'funny' after a time.
....and more.

But apart from that, they're brilliant!

 

[Polymath257]

Hmm. I'm not really worried about asptomatic. Like other conditions, we usually get warning signs-shortness of breathe, tired, coughing. We have to assertain if it's connected to an illness one already has or something new. But 14 days is a hair shot of making someone sick unless really breathing in the others face, spread germs on skin (hence why hand washing), etc. Many areas have condense amount of people.

The problem with this virus is that people shed it *before* they show symptoms. Someone may look and feel completely healthy and still have the virus and spread it to others. Many new infections happen in exactly this way (truly asymptomatic people--who never show symptoms, are also a danger).

If it's out of the blue, foreign, etc go to the doctors. We had crowds of healthy people going to health centers to "see if" they had the virus.

It is sad and frustrating. The usual reaction is a fight or flight. Fear can lead some people to wear masks. Those who don't may feel trapped. But once people handle their fears and accept limitations we (general public) can understand things on our own as well as doctors on media etc. Judgement call. I'm sure most non wear mask people aren't stupid.

Those who are NOT wearing masks are the ones that are putting the rest in danger. Wearing masks is the responsible thing to do. It isn't simply out of fear, per se, but a reasonable way to prevent spread of this disease.

I'm quite sure that most people who are not wearing masks in public are either stupid or jerks. At home, no issue. But if you are in the presence of other people, wear a mask.