Adventures in grocery shopping

[ApatheticNoMore]

It seems in this country we tried to push mask wearing on pure altruism, yea many would do so of course, but clearly that was a flawed approach. We should have tried selfishness as well. Mask do protect you, some more than others. I've worn masks in the pandemic largely for selfish reasons, and so I have carefully made sure they are as tight as possible before going inside anywhere, didn't want the covid. Now that I am vaccinated, I wear it while it's the law, because I think CA did right but giving people a bit more time to get vaccinated than much of the rest of the country. They are going away soon though.

[Yppej]

According to extensive testing by the EPA, masks vary widely in effectiveness, but all provide some protection to the wearer.

https://www.epa.gov/sciencematters/e...ainst-covid-19

"In their study of masks recommended for the public, the researchers emphasize the importance of mask material and fit. Their results indicate that not only are certain cloth masks effective at keeping out viral particles, but in many cases perform as well as or better than non-N95 medical masks. Fabrics with multiple woven layers and reducing gaps provide substantially more particle filtration. The team continues to explore mask performance with studies in progress on the effects of facial hair and face shape on mask fit. The results of these projects will help the public and health care professionals choose mask options that provide the greatest level of protection."

The ones that fit the tightest are also the ones that make it hardest to breathe, and thus the ones people are most likely to pull down underneath their noses. The desire to breathe freely is a natural human instinct. That's why someone thrown into a pool will start trying to swim to the surface to get air.

[JaneV2.0]

I expect that's an individual problem. Medical professionals wear well-fitted N95 masks as a matter of course. They only need not to have gaps anywhere; they don't have to be "tight."

[Yppej]

I expect that's an individual problem. Medical professionals wear well-fitted N95 masks as a matter of course. They only need not to have gaps anywhere; they don't have to be "tight."

It's not just a matter of tightness but thickness. The thicker the fabric the more it restricts breathing. This is why a killer will use something thick like a pillow to smother someone to death. So the multiple layers of cloth or double masking really do a number on people, especially in the summer heat. Medical professionals usually work in air conditioned buildings. Compare that to kids running around a soccer field in the summer heat.

[JaneV2.0]

Well, it will be a moot point soon.
They're a good tool to have if the situation calls for it.

[SteveinMN]

Steve, what are the benchmarks your local officials are looking for you to hit before dropping the mandate?

The target in both Minneapolis and St. Paul was 80% of residents city-wide, age 15 and older, having received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose. That happened late last month. It is now up to businesses to require mask-wearing ... or not.

St. Paul actually was a little behind that 80% figure, but decided to end its mandate because Minneapolis ended theirs. It would have been very confusing to manage who needed to be masked while crossing city boundaries (there actually are businesses with buildings which straddle the boundary) or for employees/customers who were required to wear masks at one company location in St. Paul but not in Minneapolis.

[Gardnr]

I expect that's an individual problem. Medical professionals wear well-fitted N95 masks as a matter of course. They only need not to have gaps anywhere; they don't have to be "tight."

Oh they are tight. The properly fitted N95 has been fit tested and must have a complete seal.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/coronav...taly-new-york/

And then you do it day after day after day....bruises on top of bruises on top of bruises.....such fun to protect our patients.

[Gardnr]

It's not just a matter of tightness but thickness. The thicker the fabric the more it restricts breathing. This is why a killer will use something thick like a pillow to smother someone to death. So the multiple layers of cloth or double masking really do a number on people, especially in the summer heat. Medical professionals usually work in air conditioned buildings. Compare that to kids running around a soccer field in the summer heat.

Ah more BS to support your theories.

[ApatheticNoMore]

As if indoors (air conditioned) wasn't where the actual need to wear a mask was anyway.

Some of us will keep a supply of masks refreshed yearly (N95/KN95 need to be) for the rest of our lives (however long that is), to protect ourselves from possible plagues and all the yeppejs running around in them. And you will pry them out of my cold dead fingers.

[JaneV2.0]

As if indoors (air conditioned) wasn't where the actual need to wear a mask was anyway.

Some of us will keep a supply of masks refreshed yearly (N95/KN95 need to be) for the rest of our lives (however long that is), to protect ourselves from possible plagues and all the yeppejs running around in them. And you will pry them out of my cold dead fingers.

That's my plan. Just another addition to the first aid kit.