Can I get an amen?

“…they want to throw god’s wonderful breathing system out the door,” and “1984 was the best LDS sports year.”

You answered yourself. Hospital capacity is decreasing and if the trend continues the healthcare infrastructure can’t respond. Hospitalization lags up to 2 weeks after infection, so the last two weeks of increased infections will have a direct impact on unused capacity. Hopefully we’ll get back to ample capacity.

I see it like this. The (2) scenario (from what I’ve read and somewhat based on Sweden’s slow going getting there) could take 4-5 years. Plus, it’s not just about deaths, or even hospitalizations. Although some people have mild or no effects, people still get sick enough to feel terrible and not be bad enough to need hospitalization. Are we saying people need to go through that (assuming we will eventually get (1))? There are also longer lasting effects we don’t fully understand yet. Some are coming out of it with decreased lung function (scarring) and other things that will affect them for months, years, perhaps the rest of their life.

One hypothesis is that cases are going up while deaths still decrease because: 1) doctors are learning and are better able to treat it and keep more people alive, 2) younger people are getting it, it doesn’t affect them as much hence lower rate of hospitalization and deaths, but they could be spreading it to more susceptible populations, so there’s just a delay before that starts to rise again.

We aren’t slowing the spread until there’s a vaccine.  We’re slowing it to reduce the chances of hospitals being over capacity.

And wearing a mask isn’t a big ask. If you’re not wearing a mask because you need definitive proof it must be done…you’re selfish and part of the reason the US if a joke when it comes to handling this virus.

Speaking as someone who is only 48 years old, but I have a lung disease (and a compromised immune system, which goes hand in hand with my lung disease), if I get COVID-19, there is a high likelihood of a very serious consequence for me (I have had colds or mild flu turn into pneumonia, in the past, which has required hospitalization or home healthcare on IV antibiotics).

So for me, I absolutely do NOT want to get this virus. I, and my family, have chosen to follow a strict quarantine, which has worked for me so far.

However, my wife still has to go out in public, right…to buy groceries, pickup prescriptions, etc. She is vigilant in wearing a mask (to do everything possible to protect me and her family from a NEW virus that NO ONE has immunity to which has now killed more people than the flu or any other illness, not only worldwide, but right here in our country), but if EVERYONE she comes in contact with is NOT wearing a mask, and even if one of those non-mask wearing people has active COVID-19, I am now at risk of becoming infected and a likely serious consequence, up to possibly death.

It is nothing short of selfish and careless of everyone to not wear a mask in public. Even if you have had Covid-19, there is not enough research / evidence to know if that person is now immune. Even if you think you are young, or in good overall health, or not in a high risk category, or are not taking care of or ever seeing your elderly parents or grandparents or someone who is high risk, or you currently don’t have any symptoms, etc., you could be an asymptomatic carrier, putting others at risk.

It’s a very small, selfless act to help protect those of us who are at very high risk.

Think outside your own box.

That’s all I’m asking and I don’t think it’s too outrageous!

To illustrate the effectiveness of wearing masks, I present two case studies which have been reported from the past 4-6 weeks:

1. Hair salon in Missouri. Two different employees ended up testing positive for COVID-19. Both worked multiple shifts while infected (unknowingly) and serviced over 150 customers. The store required face masks for all employees AND customers, to which there was 100% compliance. 4 weeks later, no known cases have been reported from those who were exposed from these two gals.

2. A bartender in Florida tested positive for COVID-19. He too, worked several shifts unknowingly infected with it. The bar did NOT require masks and no one wore them. 4 weeks later, over 20 people have tested positive.

Wear your masks people!! It’s not just your right not to wear one, it’s my right to be protected from a new virus that no one had prior immunity to!!!

I agree, as long as businesses are making people wear masks and enforcing safe social distancing.