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More Mask Madness

Entry 2157, on 2021-10-07 at 12:11:35 (Rating 3, Politics)

Two students approach each other in a public space, each wearing a mask and observing all COVID precautions. As they see each other they exclaim in delight: "How are you? I haven't seen you for months" at which point they remove their masks and hug. Isn't that nice? Yes, it is, but why did they bother wearing a mask if they were going to break all protocols when it suited them?

Another person observed the correct protocols as she visited her local pilates class. She donned her mask as she entered the hall, then removed it as soon as reaching her position for exercise, along with the other members of the class. Wearing a mask during exercise isn't practical, so fair enough, but what's the point of wearing it for a few seconds between reaching the door and a random point in the hall?

A TV reporter is seen wearing a mask while waiting to report from a remote location. As soon as the report begins - within seconds of the start - she removes it and speaks to the camera normally. That's OK, because it can be difficult to communicate while wearing a mask, but what was the point of wearing it to start with and making a big production of removing it?

People are seen driving alone while wearing a mask. Why? Who are they protecting? The same applies to individuals in remote locations like beaches who are never closer than many meters to anyone else. Why are they wearing a mask there?

Individuals wear them while installing cables in a ceiling space, many meters from anyone else, while groups of people don't wear them while seated together. Why? What is the point of this exercise?

And others wear them but constantly adjust them, pull them up and down, and generally mess around spreading germs. I know I do this in the rare cases where I am forced to wear a mask. So is this really a good idea?

We hear from our esteemed leaders like Woozy Smiles and Bad News Baker (excuse my little humorous dig with those alternative names) that masks are an essential and effective part of preventing the spread of COVID, but I suspect they are wrong.

They're not wrong in the sense that, in theory, wearing maskes properly and in appropriate circumstances can definitely reduce the spread of the virus, but they are wrong that mask mandates are a good idea.

I have a favourite quote which covers this situation: it is that in theory, theory and practice are the same, but in practice, they aren't. Parse that and you will see it has a deep meaning which is appropriate to many situations in society today, especially during the COVID epidemic.

The problem is that the laws, regulations, and policies we all have imposed on us often seem great in theory, but almost always fail miserably in practice. Further, the people making the rules are so far out of touch with everyday reality, that they cannot see this fact which is obvious to many of the rest of us.

Now, it might be that even badly worn masks used in poorly judged situations are better than no mask at all, even if by only a small degree, and at least if the prevention of the spread of the disease is the only factor to consider, but that isn't the only consideration, is it?

Many people are thoroughly sick of silly rules involving masks, and numerous anecdotes demonstrate this. From the poor decision making around their use, to the "virtue signalling" where wearing one has been relegated to a simple sign of compliance, to the general discomfort people feel using them and the increasing level of non-compliance, you really have to wonder whether they are worth it.

A similar criticism applies to many other ridiculous COVID rules. I see areas of seating closed off for no apparent reason, forcing people to cluster together in the remaining seating. OK, why? Is this not making the situations worse? Of course it is; more stupid rules created by stupid people.

Why are the areas of the country immediately next to outbreaks in the same lockdown level as other areas where there is a very low chance of infection and which have seen no cases for over a year? Because the decision makers are too stupid, lazy, and thoughtless to make sensible rules.

In a previous post titled "Stick Ya Mask, Cindy" from 2020-09-07 I concluded with this infamous line: "So yeah, Cindy; you can stick ya mask where the sun don't shine." Well, things haven't changed much since then, except compliance has probably dropped even more, and the decisions are possibly even more arbitrary and muddled than they were a year ago.

Many people are saying that life will change forever after this pandemic. Many say it with a certain degree of enthusiasm. Maybe they are enjoying being in the limelight while sharing their oppressive recommendations. Why would they not want a maintain the situation where they are seen as the country's leaders on important matter like this?

Well, OK. I'm happy to listen to them, and consider their opinions seriously. But there are other factors to consider too, and above all there is that division between theory and practice. But do our leaders see this? Not likely. Looks like we are all in line to be inflicted with more mask madness!

Comment 1 (6892) by Anonymous on 2021-10-07 at 13:33:42:

I see, its "Woozy Smiles" is it? Good to see you are taking this seriously!

Comment 2 (6893) by OJB on 2021-10-07 at 13:42:32:

Taking her about as seriously as I should. As well as being a somewhat childish insult, it also reflects what I think is wrong about her appearances on TV.

Comment 3 (6906) by Anonymous on 2021-10-11 at 16:11:28:

"somewhat childish insult". There is nothing "somewhat" about it. Why not try not resorting to childish insults.

Comment 4 (6907) by OJB on 2021-10-11 at 18:27:59:

Just my way of showing my disrespect for them in a lighthearted way, without too much ranting.

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