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Wonderful News - No more face masks

(285 Posts)
LilacChaser Wed 19-Jan-22 13:35:32

That's made my day! I'm delighted and relieved.

At last, some sense from the government. Roll on 26th Jan.

growstuff Sat 22-Jan-22 14:20:05

LilacChaser

Here's one quote from one of the articles posted by Casdon.

"Compared to villages that didn't mask, those where masks of any type were worn had about 9% fewer symptomatic cases of COVID-19. The finding was statistically significant and was unlikely to have occurred by chance alone."

So, 9% effective. My mind works the other way, and I choose to say 91% ineffective, i.e. worthless and useless. And I've seen that they don't work with my own eyes - that is perfectly good enough proof for me and I shall continue to not wear masks.

Like I said at the beginning, it is socially irresponsible to perpetuate the myth that these things in any way make people safer - they don't.

In the article which you yourself posted LilacChaser it states:

"Lab studies have shown that surgical masks, such as N95’s, block around 95 per cent of aerosol-sized particles."

So I don't know where you get the idea that masks are 91% ineffective.

A good mask will protect you and those around you in the majority of cases. That's good enough for most right-minded people, who will hopefully carry on wearing them.

Rosie51 Sat 22-Jan-22 12:27:16

LilacChaser So, 9% effective. My mind works the other way, and I choose to say 91% ineffective, i.e. worthless and useless. And I've seen that they don't work with my own eyes - that is perfectly good enough proof for me and I shall continue to not wear masks.

If you were unfortunate enough to develop a cancer and the oncologist said "there's a treatment we can try, but I have to warn you it's only about 9% successful" you'd say "forget it, no point as it's 91% ineffective, I'll take my chances"? Somehow I think not. If you believe masks are only 9% effective why not utilise that benefit for yourself and others?

Mollygo Sat 22-Jan-22 10:57:10

Well put Greta.

Germanshepherdsmum Sat 22-Jan-22 10:48:23

Good post Greta. It’s pointless arguing with some people.

Greta Sat 22-Jan-22 10:36:59

LilacChaser: Like I said at the beginning, it is socially irresponsible to perpetuate the myth that these things in any way make people safer - they don't.

Having strong convictions doesn't mean you are right. I think you should just let it go now since you obviously are not interested in hearing anything that contradicts your opinion. None so blind...

rosie1959 Sat 22-Jan-22 10:13:46

I think we can say after quite a few pages of debate that those who choose to wear a mask will and those that have other views won't
I suspect that after the restriction lifts there will be quite a few who choose the former but this will dwindle if infections continue to drop and Omicron causes less hospitalisation and deaths

LilacChaser Sat 22-Jan-22 09:46:05

Here's one quote from one of the articles posted by Casdon.

"Compared to villages that didn't mask, those where masks of any type were worn had about 9% fewer symptomatic cases of COVID-19. The finding was statistically significant and was unlikely to have occurred by chance alone."

So, 9% effective. My mind works the other way, and I choose to say 91% ineffective, i.e. worthless and useless. And I've seen that they don't work with my own eyes - that is perfectly good enough proof for me and I shall continue to not wear masks.

Like I said at the beginning, it is socially irresponsible to perpetuate the myth that these things in any way make people safer - they don't.

Mollygo Fri 21-Jan-22 19:16:37

Lilac Chaser, if you only believe what lets you avoid wearing a mask. That’s your choice. There’s enough medical evidence to say why you should, but then there’s enough medical evidence for why you should wash your hands after using the toilet and some people don’t believe that either.

Hetty58 Fri 21-Jan-22 19:09:09

growstuff - maybe she finds reading difficult - along with logic?

growstuff Fri 21-Jan-22 19:03:28

Sorry, I didn't see your post Casdon.

growstuff Fri 21-Jan-22 19:02:58

LilacChaser

www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/cloth-masks-useless-omicron-expert-b1980394.html

Read the article! That particular "expert" claims that cloth masks don't work.

AreWeThereYet Fri 21-Jan-22 19:00:43

I don't believe that masks will 100% protect me but I do believe that they will reduce the possibility that I will receive enough of a viral load to make me sick. So far so good. Best of all they stop people nearby spraying me when they cough or sneeze, and they cut out most of the stinky perfumes so many people seem to bathe in that give me a bad headache. I may carry on wearing them forever.

maddyone Fri 21-Jan-22 18:56:45

Daisymae

Repeated studies have demonstrated that masks reduce the spread. Over 100,000 cases reported today. Where's the science for saying now's a good time to reduce mitigation?

Yes indeed!

Casdon Fri 21-Jan-22 18:49:59

Did you read the article you attached LilacChaser? If you did you’ll know that it supports the use of face masks, just not cloth ones with no filters? This was the conclusion of the doctor who spoke to CNN.
‘Later on Monday, Dr Wen added to her remarks on Twitter, writing that “my point isn’t that we don’t need masks, but rather that we should require masks that are most effective to prevent disease transmission. Everyone, including children, should be wearing at least a three-ply surgical mask when indoors and around others of unknown vaccination status”.’

LilacChaser Fri 21-Jan-22 18:40:03

www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/cloth-masks-useless-omicron-expert-b1980394.html

Peartree Fri 21-Jan-22 18:30:28

I dont care who thinks the masks work or dont its personal choice and I am going to wear mine until I think it is safe not too.

Casdon Fri 21-Jan-22 18:25:09

And here’s a review of the evidence.
news.sky.com/story/covid-19-what-does-the-science-actually-say-about-face-masks-12349337

Casdon Fri 21-Jan-22 18:23:43

LilacChaser here you go, is a large scale 34,000 participant study big enough?
www.webmd.com/lung/news/20210907/masks-limit-covid-spread-study

LilacChaser Fri 21-Jan-22 18:17:06

Blondiescot They were originally your words, not mine.

Grannynannywanny No, I've presented facts all the way through, though they might not be facts you are prepared to listen to.

Blondiescot Fri 21-Jan-22 18:14:04

LilacChaser - do you not think a nurse who has maybe come off a run of several night shifts in a row has maybe earned the right to go for a coffee with a friend (socialising) or maybe play a game of football with friends (sports) to help them wind down?

Grannynannywanny Fri 21-Jan-22 18:10:56

LilacChaser
I'd guess that many more catch it at work

That’s the weak point in your argument. Guesswork and opinions presented as facts.

LilacChaser Fri 21-Jan-22 18:01:55

this is a pretty classic example of the post hoc ergo propter hoc fallacy

Hmmm, that's not necessarily the case smile

And, yes, Mollygo, this argument is getting pointless and boring. I'm glad somebody has agreed you can't prove they do/don't work.

We'll all carry on doing what we're already doing, anyway.

MayBeMaw Fri 21-Jan-22 18:00:11

LilacChaser

MayBeMaw You also seem to ignore the fact that surgeons in particular wear masks to avoid breathing germs or viruses on to their patients and thereby maintaining a sterile atmosphere.

Then why, if all patients are wearing masks, and the doctors, etc are wearing them to prevent breathing germs or viruses on their patients, are all these patients catching covid in hospitals? If their facemask are oh, so effective?

Did you miss my point about viral load.
Do you understand what it means?

Petera Fri 21-Jan-22 17:44:25

LilacChaser Fri 21-Jan-22 15:58:16

Yes, some medical staff obviously catch covid outside the hospital environment, but I'd guess that many more catch it at work. Ergo, face masks are pretty useless.

I know, anyone would think that hospitals are full of ill people who are more likely to spread infections.

Or if you want to use the word ergo, this is a pretty classic example of the post hoc ergo propter hoc fallacy

Mollygo Fri 21-Jan-22 17:04:53

The argument over face masks is really pointless. Neither those who are in favour of them, whatever version they use, nor those who say they are useless can prove that they do or don’t make a difference.
Even the fact that more lanyard wearers than mask wearers where I work have been off with Covid doesn’t prove they do or don’t work.
I’m wearing a mask. When I’m in for my op (as long as it’s not cancelled) I’m glad the staff will be wearing masks, because I think they do work and no one can prove they don’t.