It's Just for Show (4-3-21)

I have my doubts regarding the effectiveness of mask wearing to prevent catching the Corona virus. That being said, I still comply with state requirements on mask wearing. However, I do not require a mask to be worn from visitors or people who are performing work at my house. In fact, I discourage it. I will not wear a mask in the outdoors or while driving my car. I refrain from going places where mask wearing is required such as sporting events, and church services. I will not travel by train, plane or bus.

Why should I wear a mask when there is no evidence showing that mask wearing prevents someone from getting or receiving COVID? Many of the people telling us we should wear masks do not wear them. U.S. Representative Alexandria Acasio-Cortez (AOC) has been a strong advocate of mask wearing and has supported many of the restrictions implemented in New York city. So, where did Miss Cortez spend her Christmas vacation? How about Florida the least restrictive state when it comes to COVID. Of course, she did not wear a mask.

My preferred method for avoiding Covid is to keep my distance from people and avoid large crowds. If by chance I should contract the disease the percentages are very high that I will be sick for only a few days and have flu like symptoms.

While I respect the decision of others with regards to mask wearing, I am appalled at the contradictions and hypocrisy that are regularly on display. It is hard to believe that this is the same nation that won World War II. The manner in which many people wear their masks is almost comical.

College and professional basketball teams do not wear masks on the court while they are playing. However, the cheerleaders do wear masks. When NBA players leave the court and return to the bench, they put the mask on and sit six feet away from the same teammates that they were previously competing with. Professional coaches wear masks but remove them when giving instruction to their players or questioning a call by an official.

NHL hockey is a little different. While their coaches treat the mask the same as NBA coaches, players do not. Hockey players who are not on the ice do not wear a mask - but the back-up goalie does, unless he gets put in the game. If this occurs the substitute goalie who has been sitting alone on the bench removes his cloth mask to enter the game. The goalie being replaced, who has been in close contact with other players on the ice, then takes his teammates spot on the bench and covers his face with a cloth mask. After a Philadelphia Flyers hockey game two players were seated six feet apart in the interview room. Both wore masks even though the interviews were being conducted remotely. I guess Covid can transmit through the air waves but not on the ice.

At least Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Didi Gregorius is consistent. He wears a mask the entire game. Even when he bats. Ironically, the Phillies shortstop would miss games due to testing positive for Covid. Major league managers and umpires are not so consistent. While behind the plate umpires are as close to the catcher and batter as possible. I recently witnessed the end of an inning where the umpire stepped away from everyone, removed his face gear, then replaced it with a cloth mask.

Baseball managers and Coaches all wore their cloth masks in the dugout. That is until the umpire blew a close call. The manager stormed from the dugout pulled his mask down and began to beret the umpire. After he said his piece, the manager pulled up his mask and returned to the bench. When the pitching coach visits the mound, he wears a mask but the infielders who join the conference do not wear a mask. If mask wearing was so vital the fielders would carry one in their pockets so they could put them on for such occasions.

Carson Wentz of the Indianapolis Colts did not wear a mask while playing against the Ravens on Monday Night Football. However, Wentz put the mask on when he returned to the sideline. Unless he had to spit. Then of course the mask came off.

People attending a sporting event must wear masks. Unless they are eating. Apparently, Covid is courteous and would never attack a person while they are eating or drinking. I suppose one could sit with a bag of peanuts on their lap and circumvent the mask wearing requirement altogether.

I am saddened for elderly people who are confined to old age homes. They may have suffered the most. Now that many have been vaccinated, homes are relaxing restrictions and allowing visitors but only for one half hour. I guess Covid grows stronger as the day progresses even if you are vaccinated.

Last year on Easter Sunday I observed a very sad display of an elderly neighbor being visited by her grandchildren. Due to Covid the children were not permitted in the house. They paid their Easter visit by conversing between a glass window. The next day I saw my neighbor taking a walk around the neighborhood. A car pulled over, rolled down the window and the old lady stuck her head into the vehicle and they partook in a lengthy conversation. Upon witnessing this, I could only conclude that Covid cannot enter a vehicle. That raises the question as to why so many drivers wear masks?

The next day I saw our friendly neighbor walking down the street. I was prepared for a warm hello when she abruptly detoured around a neighbor's tree to avoid the greeting. Later that day I watched her exit her house to talk with a neighbor who was walking by. I could only surmise that a friend cannot give you Covid but your grandchildren can.

Last summer we were relived to learn that private swim clubs were allowed to stay open provided they complied with state mandates. Tables were set six feet apart and members were also required to stay six feet apart when visiting the snack bar or rest rooms. However, once in the pool area all social distancing requirements were set aside. Apparently the Covid virus can't swim and stays away from the water.

Perhaps the staunches advocate of mask wearing is the all-knowing Dr. Fauci. In spite of the increased number of people being vaccinated, the good doctor is now recommending the wearing of two masks. At least he is consistent. Last year when he threw out the first pitch to start Major League Baseball, he wore his mask. Of course, he removed it while he sat in attendance to watch the game. It was not that big of a problem however because he was already instrumental in mandating no fan attendance at all sporting events. During a senate hearing on COVID Dr. Fauci was viewed wearing a mask. However, when it was his turn to testify he removed the mask. Later when he was called to testify again he wore the mask.

The problem with Dr. Fauci is that he lacks credibility. American historian Victor David Hansen criticized Fauci for practicing what Plato called the "Noble Lie". First, he says there is no need to wear a mask, then he says to wear one mask, and later he ups it to two masks. Fauci claims that he did it for our own good so that there would not be a run on the supply of masks. When many of the public began to realize that Fauci was a fraud he defended himself saying that anyone who attacks him is attacking science. Hansen replied that there are a lot of cult figures in history who said that if you doubt their words, you are an apostate or unreligious. Fauci is treating science as a personality cult.

Fauci attempted to deceive the American people once again while testifying before congress in May of 2021. Fauci is the head of a group that is allied with the National Institute of Health (NIH). Fauci said that the NIH has not funded Gain of Foundation research to be conducted in the Wuhan Institute. This is medical research that genetically alters an organism in a way that may enhance the biological functions of gene products.

There is evidence that Fauci may not have been truthful in this statement. Dr. Lawrence Tobak, the Deputy Director of the National Institutes of Health, contradicted Fauci in a written letter stating that the NIH did fund Gain of Function viral research to the Wuhan Institute of Virology through the US Research Non Profit Eco Health Alliance. Dr. Tobak stated that Fauci was wrong. Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky accused Fauci of obstructing the truth during senate hearings. (BillOrielly.com, Dr. Fauci Should Be Fired For Lying To Congress, October 25,2021; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kEq19W9j6o)

Mask wearing is not recommended for all. If you are a "peaceful protestor" who is burning a police car or looting a store you will not be attacked by Covid. Likewise, for those entering the southern border. Of course, the democratic politicians who imposed these rules are also exempt as well as the news media. Three days before Halloween on October 29th CBS news anchor Jessica Kartalija reported that trick-or-treaters as well as those distributing Halloween candy should where masks as well as keeping social distancing. The very next segment featured reporter Tori Woodall interviewing a young girl in costume about Halloween. Neither wore a mask nor adhered to social distancing standards.

After Memorial Day many cities relaxed their mask policies citing the decline of infections due to the availability of vaccinations. At the end of the summer there was a spike in Covid cases due to the new delta variant of the virus. The mayor of Philadelphia reinstated the indoor mask policy. This meant that spectators attending a Phillies baseball game were required to wear masks indoors but not while they were seated watching the game. Apparently, there was little concern about the virus being spread by hundreds of unmasked people sitting in close proximity, screaming "Go Phillies" as loud as possible. However, spectators who went to the restrooms, where people generally keep their distance, were required to wear the mask.

Mask wearing is not the only change that has been brought upon by Covid. The handshake has been replaced by touching fists. That is because Covid can only live on the palm not the knuckle. The new normal is not all bad. It's nice to eat in a restaurant and have the adjacent table unoccupied. Attending virtual church services eliminates the need to rise early and dress in nice clothing. It is also easy to blow off people that you find annoying by telling them how nice it will be to get together after Covid. Of course, we all know that Covid never really ends.

Using a mask does very little to combat Covid. The CDC, Fauci and Biden know this. So do all of the liberal governors. That is why Pelosi, Cuomo, Newsome and many others have not worn them. Governor Phil Murphy of New Jersey was filmed greeting and hugging his supporters at a campaign rally. He did not use a mask until he delivered a speech from the podium. At another campaign event former president Barack Obama embraced Governor Murphy. Neither wore a mask.

Californians take your masks off your leaders are mocking you! Former Laker Earvin "Magic" Johnson took to Twitter to share images of him with several prominent politicians and other luminaries at the Rams vs 49ers NFC championship football game - including Gov. Gavin Newsom, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and San Francisco Mayor London Breed - who were all photographed without face masks.

California's universal mask mandate requires residents to wear face coverings in all indoor public spaces and in common areas of outdoor "mega-events" with 5,000 or more people, regardless of vaccination status. Los Angeles County also requires all people attending large indoor and outdoor events to wear masks, except when eating and drinking. Newsome later apoligized for the incicent and stated that it was the only time he did not wear the mask during the game. Two days later Megyn Kelly showed pictures of a maskless Newsome sitting with friends in a luxuray box. Mayor Garcetti later alibied that he "held his breath" during the photo shoot. Rules for thee and not for me.

This was hardly the first time for Newsome. While attending a November 2020 dinner at the French Laundry restaurant in Napa, photos of the governor without a face mask prompted him to apologize for attending the event, which was held amid state recommendations to avoid gatherings with those outside one's immediate household. Perhaps this will not be a problem at Super Bowl LVI. All spectators will be given KN95 masks. Of course players, coaches, and politicians will remain maskless.

Californians are not alone in this madness. Georgia governor candidate Stacey Abrams recently posed mask less with school children for a photo op. Of course, the students all wore masks. A policy that Abrams supports but apparently does not always follow herself.

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden were seen violating Washington, D.C.'s indoor mask mandate at an upscale Georgetown restauraunt. Video of the incident shows the Bidens walking through Fiola Mare without masks, in violation of the district's indoor mask policy, which Mayor Muriel Bowser reinstated in July of 2021 amid rising cases of the delta variant of COVID-19. The president's masking violation came after months of Biden and his administration touting the power and importance of masks in slowing the spread of COVID-19, regardless of a person's vaccination status.

On October 29th the president met with Pope Francis at the Vatican. Neither wore a mask or conformed to social distancing standards.

If mask wearing was truly effective there would be no need to close schools. Students and staff would simply report to school wearing masks. All of the managers and coaches of major sports teams wear masks until they instruct a player or argue with an official. Then the mask comes off. So, it is all for show. They are lifting the mask requirements for people who are vaccinated but they have no way of telling who is vaccinated and who isn't. If the masks were really necessary, they would not have lifted the restrictions. Amazing how the state of New Jersey lifted the mask requirement right before the Memorial Day weekend.

Masks simply are not effective against COVID. The spaces between threads in cloth masks are 10 microns. The diameter of a covid virus particle is 3 microns. Saying cloth masks stop covid spread is like saying chicken wire stops BBs. Dr. Rand Paul had it right. Mask politics is theater. Cloth masks are political theatrical costumes. They are a way to say I am a Democrat or I live in a state where the governor is a Democrat whose dictatorial tendencies have not yet been stopped by a judge. (Facebook, John T. Reed; post date 1/6/2022)

First, it was said masks are ineffective against COVID. Then it was upped to everyone must wear a mask. When that did not work, it was incfreased to two masks, now N95 or K95 masks are recomended. Next year they will be telling everyone to where full-face shields. People need to wise up. When the people making the rules don't keep them why should anyone else?

Aaron Rodgers came into some controversy for not being upfront about his vaccination status. Players that are not vaccinated are required to wear a mask on the sideline and adhere to social distancing rules. After a big Green Bay victory Rodgers was interviewed after breaking Brett Farve's touchdown record. The interviewer and Rodgers kept social distancing during the televised interview. At the conclusion of the interview the two exchanged an embrace. Neither wore a mask. The show must go on.

In February of 2022 California, New, York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware and Oregon have or will be lifting the indoor mask mandate leaving the decision to local municipalities and school districts. They reasoned that the data has changed. According to Ben Shapiro in an inerview with Megyn Kelley on February 9th of 2022, "The data never changed they were just lying". The more likely reason is that their poll numbers show that most people are sick of the COVID restrictions. Shapiro went on to say, "They were never following the data only their political instincts." Ironically, many residents in these states will still be wearing masks. That is because the federal government has purchased masks (from China) for distribution. So, everyone gets free masks - yippee! The problem is that local governments will now feel compelled to make use of the "free" masks.

The CDC published a study in May of 2021 showing that there was no significant difference in schools that has mask mandates versus schools that didn't. Places like Sweden during the height of COVID where kids were in school with no masks and no social distancing showed no difference in COVID cases.

Many of my friends do not share my beliefs. They all have the same things in common. All have been vaccinated and they are "24/7" N95 mask wearers. Each of them has shares another trait - All have contracted COVID.

On March 1, 2022 the day of President Biden's State of the Union Address, the CDC lifted the federal mandate on mask wearing. Don't throw those masks away any time soon. They be required again in the near future. Perhaps after the mid-term elections.

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