26 minutes ago, GrantNKY said:

Umm yeah. That’s absolutely enough for me to wear one. Why isn’t it enough for you? It’s the most minor inconvenience imaginable. It takes zero effort and impacts your life zero. Being frustrated because things are shut down, no events, etc. is understandable. We’re all frustrated by that and everyone wants to be able to live their normal life again. Being frustrated by having to wear a mask because you don’t think it’s effective enough? I just don’t understand that at all. 

Agreed.

5% would be roughly 15,000 lives saved ?

I’m good with that ...

45 minutes ago, Kentucky Windage said:

There are real scientific based studies that agree with exactly what I've posted. They're posted in the Coronavirus forum. Check them out and follow the science. 

And there are real scientific based studies that show masks are effective. 

Just now, TheDeuce said:

And there are real scientific based studies that show masks are effective. 

Yeah but Deuce what would doctors know about masks being effective? Haha 

From September through December 2019, there were 68,000 cases of the flu in the US. Last year from September through December there were 1,000 cases of the flu.

That is a stunning stat. More anecdotal proof that masks are effective. Other factors like social distancing, less public interaction and higher flu vaccine numbers contribute to the low flu numbers also. Regardless, only a little over 1,000 cases of the flu reported so far this flu season.

5 hours ago, Voice of Reason said:

From September through December 2019, there were 68,000 cases of the flu in the US. Last year from September through December there were 1,000 cases of the flu.

That is a stunning stat. More anecdotal proof that masks are effective. Other factors like social distancing, less public interaction and higher flu vaccine numbers contribute to the low flu numbers also. Regardless, only a little over 1,000 cases of the flu reported so far this flu season.

It would be great if we can talk about Covid-19 like that some day  in the future.

Kentucky's mask rules and other actions in controlling the virus appear to have been pretty effective. There are only 9 states with lower COVID death rates than Kentucky in deaths per 1M.

On 1/14/2021 at 3:25 AM, Voice of Reason said:

From September through December 2019, there were 68,000 cases of the flu in the US. Last year from September through December there were 1,000 cases of the flu.

That is a stunning stat. More anecdotal proof that masks are effective. Other factors like social distancing, less public interaction and higher flu vaccine numbers contribute to the low flu numbers also. Regardless, only a little over 1,000 cases of the flu reported so far this flu season.

 Very stunning. Just from my own personal experience, no one in my house has even caught a cold since before the pandemic and mask wearing began. I can’t remember ever going almost year without getting sick even once. 

4 hours ago, rjs4470 said:

 Very stunning. Just from my own personal experience, no one in my house has even caught a cold since before the pandemic and mask wearing began. I can’t remember ever going almost year without getting sick even once. 

Agreed.  Keep our fingers crossed but this is the healthiest may family has ever been during a school year.

1 hour ago, cincydragons said:

Agreed.  Keep our fingers crossed but this is the healthiest may family has ever been during a school year.

Granted, it’s likely not all due to mask wearing. Not going out as much, working from home, people staying home when sick all probably play a role too. But this has been a great side benefit.

How many masks do you wear at one time?  Apparently two is better than one, three better than two, and so on I assume.  What about goggles, are you wearing them too?

I find it absolutely amazing after almost a year of COVID that there are so many people and leaders still fighting against masks. To me it is the height of irony that the same people fighting so hard against masks are at the same time screaming to open things up. Do you see the irony, perhaps more appropriately irrational lunacy, in those two positions? 

On 1/30/2021 at 9:31 AM, Voice of Reason said:

I find it absolutely amazing after almost a year of COVID that there are so many people and leaders still fighting against masks. To me it is the height of irony that the same people fighting so hard against masks are at the same time screaming to open things up. Do you see the irony, perhaps more appropriately irrational lunacy, in those two positions? 

It's been something I've said to people around me for months on end at this point.  The same people who won't socially distance, won't wear masks, and won't get the vaccine are the very same people who will complain about why things aren't returning to normal fast enough.  They just don't get it.

3 hours ago, DanvilleFan said:

It's been something I've said to people around me for months on end at this point.  The same people who won't socially distance, won't wear masks, and won't get the vaccine are the very same people who will complain about why things aren't returning to normal fast enough.  They just don't get it.

And the people who won't get the vaccine believe in herd immunity.

We have crossed the one year  anniversary of the 1st COVID death in the USA. We have almost a year's worth of numbers to look at and evaluate. What policies worked and what didn't?

The iconic state for the non maskers is probably South Dakota.  They have rebelled against masking and other policies more strongly than any other state. So how do other states compare to South Dakota?

The death rate from reported COVID cases in South Dakota is currently 2,032 deaths per one million people. Let's apply that death rate to other states.

KENTUCKY -  If Kentucky managed  COVID the same way South Dakota did, 5,065 more Kentuckians would have died in the past year from COVID. Kentucky saved 5,065 lives.

OHIO - 12,179 lives saved by masking, shutdowns and other restrictions.

CALIFORNIA - 36,696 lives saved.

Those three states saved over 50,000 lives this year because of their COVID management.

How many of you would have lost a loved one or friend if Kentucky had managed COVID the same way South Dakota did?

Is it worth it to wear a mask if it helps save more than 50,000 lives in a year?

 

I hope we aren't jumping the gun on removing mask mandates. We have seen this before - moving too early on public health safety for reasons other than public health safety. 

In related news, some states have decided to remove all restrictions on smoking in public places and will no longer require people to wear seat belts. (being facetious obviously, but think about it)