Why Don't People Wear Masks During This Pandemic?

Mattam wrote this on another thread, "Masks may help -- they may help a lot. Even if there's just a chance they help, we should wear them. I have tried for a rational understanding why some people are rabidly opposed to them. "

Please don't make this too political and get the other mods pissed at me but feel free to fill out this non-scientific poll and add your comments.

Jim

P.S. I know there could be multiple reasons but just mark the MAIN one you believe is the cause.

Some of choices overlap, but I picked the hoax.

The real reasons may run much deeper. Are there any psychology people onboard?

Many it's a commy plot to force our loss of identity. 😉

I voted, but I don't think the correct answer is up there: pure plain selfishness.

Youtube seemed like a good place to get some thoughts from various people as to whether they consider mask-wearing during the pandemic to be a good idea (or not).

Sort of a "vox populi" series of opinions, as it were, below. They are all short.

In general:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgp5syia8vk

An especially qualified person speaks out (he had it):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hogvgnf7amw

and of course there's always the unexpected:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ihaeqdq6fc

and it may eventually come to this, and not just for this particular jurisdiction, where it is still under consideration and makes sense right now, but for lots of other places as well:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tph1cvs7oc

I should think reasonable people would agree that wearing a mask during these days is a reasonable thing to be doing. And it's pretty easy to pick apart the faulty thinking of some of those shoppers in the first video above, who indicated they were inclined not to wear a mask in public places.

Maybe it's simply that the "invincibility delusion" that we normally associate with adolescents carries over to some older folks as well.

81GyGuy said...
Youtube seemed like a good place to get some thoughts from various people as to whether they consider mask-wearing during the pandemic to be a good idea (or not).

Sort of a "vox populi" series of opinions, as it were, below. They are all short.

In general:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgp5syia8vk

An especially qualified person speaks out (he had it):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hogvgnf7amw

and of course there's always the unexpected:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ihaeqdq6fc

and it may eventually come to this, and not just for this particular jurisdiction, where it is still under consideration and makes sense right now, but for lots of other places as well:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tph1cvs7oc

I should think reasonable people would agree that wearing a mask during these days is a reasonable thing to be doing. And it's pretty easy to pick apart the faulty thinking of some of those shoppers in the first video above, who indicated they were inclined not to wear a mask in public places.

Maybe it's simply that the "invincibility delusion" that we normally associate with adolescents carries over to some older folks as well.

if the majority of people believe in wearing masks and they believe that wearing a mask is largely for the protection of others (per Dr. Fauci) then anyone not wearing a mask indoors or outdoors when keeping social distance is not possible is a selfish a-hole

I voted for number 3 but you spelled freedumb wrong.

I wonder how Kemp would vote. Georgia was one of the last states to shelter in place when kemp claimed he had purportedly just learned that asymptomatic people could spread the virus. kemp was seen wearing a mask earlier today but took it off when he greeted the president at the airport

https://abcnews.go.com/us/wirestory/georgia-gov-brian-kemp-explicitly-voids-local-mask-71810627

"Parachutes do NOT always work..... But if I'm going to jump out of a plane, I think I'll wear one just in case."

When I look at pictures from Europe, Asia, Australia, etc., I see folks wearing masks. To me we Americans are just too ignorant to put them on. Not ignorant in a derogatory way .... just not understanding of the benefits to the society as a whole of putting on a mask. I feel as our numbers continue to climb at an alarming rate and Europe’s, Asia’s, etc continue to fall we Americans might become more aware of the benefits. That’s might hope.

I am in a county of 250,000 just north of Atlanta. Fortunately we have been mildly hit by the virus with about 1,200 positives, 15 deaths (none in the last month) and only one ICU admission to date. Masks are mandated by some businesses with Walmart and Sprouts starting this week. Other big box stores and groceries are not requiring them. Many small Businesses are requiring masks like Sprint and TMobile and our shooting range. Many stores are limiting the number of people and use counters to control. I have been to a couple of restaurant and they are nearly empty due to Georgia’s very restrictive rules. Large restaurants like Golden Coral remain closed and all the Fast food like McDonalds and Chic Filet are drive through only. Governor Kemp has not made a statewide mask mandate, but has given that to the county and city leaders. He has encouraged mask wearing in indoor spaces and we saw him yesterday wear a mask when he greated the president. Some few officials like the Atlanta mayor, have mandated masks, but with no enforcement in place. I haven’t seen a difference in the mask wearing in Atlanta versus our county, so the practical effect of the mandate isn’t apparent. Attorneys I have spoken with state the mandate can not be legally enforced and that no one will actually be fined if they fight it. In Atlanta, as you have seen, the police are so busy with other problems and that it is assumed they will not also be mask enforcers.

My personal observation over the past few weeks in a large variety of businesses show me that 99% of The business employees are masked. In the large stores at least 80% of the customers are masked. More men than women are wearing masks. In small stores most are wearing masks. Surprisingly a visit to the large Post Office yesterday showed that none of the employees had on masks and there was a line of about 25 people that were right next to one another with no line separating people or encouraging distancing. Clearly the worst place I have seen. Interestingly as well, I see many delivery shoppers in the grocery store. They usually have a branded t-shirt on. As a group these, most all young people, are the worst. Most I have seen do not wear masks, do not distance and do not follow the directions in the aisles.

As to why a very small minority are not always wearing masks, it is for all the reasons stated. In talking with many different people with a variety of viewpoints most agree that the back and forth by the experts at CDC, WHO, NAIAD, that have in just a few months gone from expert advice that they don’t work, that only medical people should have them .........and now that we must use them even if it is a crocheted bandana......have given concern about what really is effective. Many very smart people are skeptical, but most wear them. Many very smart people are merely following orders without questioning the effectiveness or even following any of the guidelines regarding how to wear the mask, how often to clean cloth masks and to dispose of single use masks.

I observe that the very small minority of non-mask people are making a political statement or are purposely selfish. I view such Information as a media narrative meant to sew division, but that is simply my opinion.

Additionally, the school year is soon starting here. Each system must determine how to proceed. The Atlanta system has announced that at least the first nine weeks will be learning from home. Our county system of 42,000 students will allow the parents to decide whether their child will be in class or learn from home. They have announced very stringent and sensible physical requirements for the classrooms and will not have dining in the cafeterias. My son teaches in the Catholic school system in a K-8 school and they too will have the parent decided option on in class or at home. All the systems have stated the situation is very fluid and changes are to be expected based on actual experience. In all the in class situations masks and distancing are required for everyone.

Considering the number of insults given so far, I can see why many non-mask wearers won't respond.

BTW - Kansas they are required, and I wear one.

It’s all part of human hazardous attitudes.

1. Anti authority - don’t tell me what to do.
2. Macho - it happens to other people not me, and my immune system can handle it.
3. Resignation - what’s the use in trying

Not voting since the whole thing just makes me just too sad and I just can't understand why people wouldn't take this simple step to at least try to help other people and by extension, our economy. (I'm the wife.) I will say something about masks and the health issue. I have respiratory issues and at my yearly physical recently wearing a mask, my blood oxygen level measured 90 when it always has been 94 or more. The nurse allowed me to remove the mask and when she returned a while later, it was up to 94. So, it appears that my mask was too thick for my situation.

I started making my own masks with thinner material and my oxygen remains high when wearing them. They are not are effective as better masks, but using a "blow out the candle" experiment, they are certainly much better than nothing and would certainly lower the "viral load" of what I was expelling should I ever be contagious.

Masks are required in our state, but I'm sure I could be given some sort of medical exemption should I ask my doctor for one. But, I will never do that as want to do my small part for society as a whole.