Well stated
@tursiops. I can't believe I'm even saying anything else in here. Likely my last comment on it all. NO ONE has all the facts or the one right answer. Too much is unknown, or untested, or misinformed, or highly emotional, or just flat-out being spun. Making speculation the word of the day. If anyone here is an expert and has it all solved, there is a job awaiting you in DC.
Pushing forward. An old story, but still relevant.
Do masks offer protection from new virus? It depends. Paired with
Are Non-Respirator Masks Ineffective at Protecting Against COVID-19?
So WHAT mask, if even then worn correctly, matters. It seems any mask is better than none but "The best laid plans..." you know. However, any other kind of mask seems more like a "feel good" measure as most scientific articles indicate. How many have access to the correct masks or even care as long it just gets them in the park? Then continue to use the mask, and other preventive measures, effectively and responsibly? That is not adding in the complications of wearing a mask in certain adverse conditions. Plus, the most effective measures still reported are constant washing of hands, keeping your hands away from your face, and keep your distance. Six feet is not enough, btw. Also not getting into how long this virus can linger in the air.
I equate it to innocent drivers killed by drunk drivers while they were likely doing everything safely exactly as they were suppose to. It, nonetheless, did not protect them. I'm not going to drink and drive to keep others, and myself, safe. Covidiots (look it up) will not reciprocate. Just replace drunk drivers with covidiots. Put your own health at risk as you choose. But don't drag me, or loved ones, into danger with your selfishness. Is BGW worth endangering me or, more importantly, others I might bring it back to? Nope. Absolutely not.
I can't imagine the pain of anyone loosing their loved ones plus having them die alone in isolation without saying goodbye. Those covidiots carelessly infecting others should be made to experience that same pain, which still wouldn't be good enough punishment. We haven't seen a good number of dear immune deficient friends during this. And it will be a long time before we may. However long it takes, that is what is responsible.
We've had the highest daily cases of infections now that NC restrictions have been relaxed. Surpassing 1,000 new cases for this week. Saturday, the NCDHHS reported 1,185 as the new record for the most positive coronavirus cases reported in one day. Obliviously, many aren't following safe measures. People are people. Like some others on this forum, only they are right or have opinions that matter. I can't control them, but I can control me and do my best to stay healthy and safe while respecting other people's well-being. Everyone else is welcome to responsibly do as you wish, as am I. Respecting that seems to be lost here. However, I would not call it anyone's
right to do whatever they want carelessly. To paraphrase a very smart Vulcan, "The rights of the many outweigh the rights of the few" with this pandemic.
After the too long, the short is that I can do everything right but someone else can do it so wrong. I just don't have that kind of confidence in humanity. To be crass, Scrooge might say let the irresponsible rush out so that it may decrease the surplus covidiot population. So yes, I WILL simply stay home and comfortably await my entrance into the Land of Galilee. Now those so eager to know, have my opinion.
We now return you to our regularly scheduled program of speculative assumptions.
Going to bed, hoping to wake up to an excellent soul-sucking snark remark from @Thomas.