Local Montanans Decide They’re Done Wearing Masks

 

I first noticed the pattern when picking up my cheese pizza at Little Caesar’s. Signs were everywhere: “Due to the Coronavirus, we are asking that you not wait in the lobby.” “Due to the governor’s order, masks are required for entry into this establishment.” With a little intake of breath, I realized I’d left my mask in the car. Then I saw that no one behind the counter was wearing a mask. Neither was the other customer, a man waiting casually in the lobby for his special order. The next time I got a hankering for pizza, I noticed the same thing. Montanans in our town are just finished with the mask mandate, and certain establishments and their clientele have tacitly agreed that going maskless is fine.

If I had a graph of mask compliance around here, it would show a steep, narrow curve. It’d start with about a third of locals in the stores wearing them, often older women and workers. Before the governor made the order, there were national guidelines, and probably some state and county recommendations, too, so we all had the feeling we were supposed to be wearing them. But the mask wearers stood out. And then the governor gave the order in July, some weeks after our re-opening, enforced through the businesses. Everyone was masked, and one of my friends told a story about being ordered out of a coffee shop after protesting she had a health condition, and told never to return. My graph shoots up to about 98%.

Then after some weeks, I noticed a trend of shoppers and workers wearing the masks right under their noses. They were wearing them just enough to avoid accusations of non-compliance. Not sure what that does to my graph. Enthusiasm was certainly falling. And now I go into places where almost no one is wearing a mask, or they’re doing it with the mouth-only compromise. They are only sort of wearing them. The line of my graph plummets down to 20% or so, except for in the number of stores that still strictly require them for entry.

The other night, upon entering a taco shop, I noticed that an older man and a younger one, presumably his son, had gone in right ahead of me. It was actually hard not to notice them, because before they strolled to the entrance, they were yelling back and forth, something about their car. It sounded like they were upset, but once in the restaurant, they appeared chummy and cheerful–Montanans do that sort of thing with their conversation decibels, and this public volume often has no correlation to feelings of anger. However, I also noted two other factors that had me tensed for some unpleasantness. First, there were signs pleading with customers to wear masks. One said: “Be kind. We are just trying to stay open.” I felt the pathos of the plea, and the resolution to uphold the requirement. Second, however, I saw that this vocal pair were not wearing masks, and neither were the required accessories anywhere near their persons.

But nothing unpleasant happened. The older man leaned up against the tall counter, behind which were both masked and sort-of-masked employees, and deliberated on his order. Near me stood another pair of customers who were not going to ruin their dinner out with face coverings, and a lady next to me who had her mask under her nose. “Do you want guacamole with that?” I could hear the server asking. The older man, after considering, said, “Yeah, go ahead and put all of the good stuff on it” in the same way a diner at a fine restaurant would order the hundred-dollar bottle of wine to go with the meal. He was already splurging on this pleasant fall evening, so he was going to go all out. Guacamole and everything. As they were ringing him up, the employees warmly wished him a great day. And they meant it.

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  1. Hank Rhody, Freelance Philosopher Contributor
    Hank Rhody, Freelance Philosopher
    @HankRhody

    ToryWarWriter (View Comment):

    I live in a building with 60 percent of people who are in the at risk group. So i wear a mask.

    You know, if we just quarantine that one building our problem is halfway solved.

    • #91
  2. RufusRJones Member
    RufusRJones
    @RufusRJones

    RufusRJones (View Comment):
    If you give them the benefit of the doubt, it changes the radius of spread from a spreader and this is going to lower the R0. That is literally the only logical thing they have.

    The other thing is, how many people are actually spreading? You never hear anybody talk about this. You literally only spread for 3 to 7 days.

    By far the riskiest situation is to be indoors with a spreader for 15 minutes.

    The issue is, spreaders don’t take themselves out of commission like they would with the flu.

    How much is a mask going to add to everything else we are already doing?

    • #92
  3. Flicker Coolidge
    Flicker
    @Flicker

    Mark Camp (View Comment):

    Flicker (View Comment):
    The closest I can get to the fact is that it theoretically should work at times.

    Could you provide a reference to these papers?

    The facts are vague theorizing, extrapolated from anecdotal quips, in foreign countries, expressing words of affirmation and good works.  But I can’t find the links just now.  Will get back to you when this is over, bruh.

    • #93
  4. Flicker Coolidge
    Flicker
    @Flicker

    RufusRJones (View Comment):

    Flicker (View Comment):

    This is one of the reasons why I scoff at mask wearing. This is so complicated in actuality that no one can say with assurance that it does work, and how well, and under what circumstances. The closest I can get to the fact is that it theoretically should work at times.

    Add to this the changing and contradictory “scientific” rationales for masks — from masks are not necessary, to masks are necessary, to masks protect the other person (granny), to masks protect the wearer (such as the president).

    If the facts and rationales change by whim or policy, what actual truth can we make important life and socio-ecnomic decisions on?

    They were pummeling mask policy on Breitbart News Daily this morning. Every single week there is more data against it.

    I really wish some patriotic libertarian with ambush these guys with a public relations campaign to shame them in to putting on a dog and pony show about masks. They don’t have the slightest idea if it improves the R0. Then their babbling clearly indicates they don’t remember how it started, or that they have thought about it very much. This should not be happening in this country,

    Your frustration makes me laugh in sympathy.  The “science’ is ridiculous.

    • #94
  5. RufusRJones Member
    RufusRJones
    @RufusRJones

    I’ve heard more than one doctor or other experts say that aggressive mask wearing could wipe the virus out. This is obviously wrong. Nobody has seriously pitched that to the White House or the UN because it’s obviously stupid.

    • #95
  6. Flicker Coolidge
    Flicker
    @Flicker

    RufusRJones (View Comment):

     

    This is the most insidious thing: the normalization of mask-wearing and making them a fun and fashion statement.

     

     

    • #96
  7. RufusRJones Member
    RufusRJones
    @RufusRJones

     

     

     

    • #97
  8. RufusRJones Member
    RufusRJones
    @RufusRJones

    I just heard a doctor on Larry Elder say angrily what’s the harm of a national mask mandate?

    Here’s my question: why don’t we have a national debate on how this is supposed to lower the R0? Do it just as if it would be legislated. 

    • #98
  9. Mark Camp Member
    Mark Camp
    @MarkCamp

    ToryWarWriter (View Comment):

    I live in a building with 60 percent of people who are in the at risk group. So i wear a mask.

    Here is your logic:

    Let

    A ==  X lives in a building with 60 percent of people who are in the at-risk group.

    B ==  X should wear a mask.

    Premises:

    1. For any X, if A is true, then B is true

    2. A is true for your

    Conclusion:

    3. Therefore, B is true for you

    Your logic is sound.

    All that remains for you to make a serious argument is to give some justification for Premise 1.

     

    • #99
  10. The Reticulator Member
    The Reticulator
    @TheReticulator

    RufusRJones (View Comment):

    I’ve heard more than one doctor or other experts say that aggressive mask wearing could wipe the virus out. This is obviously wrong. Nobody has seriously pitched that to the White House or the UN because it’s obviously stupid.

    Joe Biden says if there was a national mask mandate, it would save gazillions of deaths.  I question the science he used to arrive at that conclusion. 

    • #100
  11. sawatdeeka Member
    sawatdeeka
    @sawatdeeka

    Just got an email from work explaining that incidence of the virus is climbing steeply in Montana,  and that we are going to need to take additional precautions. I found the long list disheartening, plus I do not want to touch and use those disinfectants and hand sanitizer so often. As I’m trying to digest this, I’m even thinking that maybe I should turn in my notice.  The changes are in a big effort to protect our clientele, who are a vulnerable population in a sense.  I looked up the case numbers, and indeed it is going up. Our town is now a hotspot in red.  I am sure I just need to hang on for the ride at work and do my best. My work has to shut down anyway if the disease is spreading and anyone associated with the organization gets it.Maybe I would miss out on some good things if I quit and just worked on my Internet job.  I’m thankful that I have choices, at least. I’m sure the death count below is just not caught up with a number of new cases. However, that does not mean there’s going to be a huge spike in deaths as well.

     

    • #101
  12. Old Bathos Member
    Old Bathos
    @OldBathos

    sawatdeeka (View Comment):

    Just got an email from work explaining that incidence of the virus is climbing steeply in Montana, and that we are going to need to take additional precautions. I found the long list disheartening, plus I do not want to touch and use those disinfectants and hand sanitizer so often. As I’m trying to digest this, I’m even thinking that maybe I should turn in my notice. The changes are in a big effort to protect our clientele, who are a vulnerable population in a sense. I looked up the case numbers, and indeed it is going up. Our town is now a hotspot in red. I am sure I just need to hang on for the ride at work and do my best. My work has to shut down anyway if the disease is spreading and anyone associated with the organization gets it.Maybe I would miss out on some good things if I quit and just worked on my Internet job. I’m thankful that I have choices, at least. I’m sure the death count below is just not caught up with a number of new cases. However, that does not mean there’s going to be a huge spike in deaths as well.

     

    Positive testing numbers are a joke.  Somewhere between 50 and 90% of PRC tests being run at 40 cycles generate false positives. And “case” numbers have been increasing among younger people who for some mysterious reason don’t stay locked down.   Lots of healthy young people being exposed is good news because it means the bug will start to have face more resistant, immune targets. 

    Now look at the death numbers:

    Despite the “surge” in cases, the pandemic in Montana kills a few very elderly/vulnerable people every day with no rate of increase. I cannot adequately express my contempt for the NYT and others who want to induce fear and despair.  Fauci is also up there trying to sell us on the idea that these test result numbers mean that the pandemic is out of control.  

    • #102
  13. Buckpasser Member
    Buckpasser
    @Buckpasser

    Again, we have nothing to compare it too. It’s a tragedy that older people suffer the most (I’m 64 so maybe I qualify as an old person), but the death rate is relatively low overall.  We never see death statistics daily from other virus’.  Death used to be part of life. Now that we are a more secular society death now means the end.

    • #103
  14. Old Bathos Member
    Old Bathos
    @OldBathos

    Buckpasser (View Comment):

    Again, we have nothing to compare it too. It’s a tragedy that older people suffer the most (I’m 64 so maybe I qualify as an old person), but the death rate is relatively low overall. We never see death statistics daily from other virus’. Death used to be part of life. Now that we are a more secular society death now means the end.

    COVID deaths are like police shooting deaths–useful for someone’s agenda.  It is noteworthy that in this supposedly deeply racists society that almost no one tries to make the very bad black-on-white crime numbers or individual victim stories into a meaningful overriding narrative.  

    • #104
  15. RufusRJones Member
    RufusRJones
    @RufusRJones

     

     

     

    • #105
  16. RufusRJones Member
    RufusRJones
    @RufusRJones

     

     

     

     

    • #106
  17. RufusRJones Member
    RufusRJones
    @RufusRJones

    What’s the limiting principle? 

     

     

     

    • #107
  18. OldPhil Coolidge
    OldPhil
    @OldPhil

    RufusRJones (View Comment):

     

     

    St. David of French at our service, again.

     

     

     

    • #108
  19. Hammer, The Inactive
    Hammer, The
    @RyanM

    RufusRJones (View Comment):

     

     

     

    i.e. Tapper is a moron.  But we already knew that.

    • #109
  20. RufusRJones Member
    RufusRJones
    @RufusRJones

    Hammer, The (View Comment):

    RufusRJones (View Comment):

     

     

     

    i.e. Tapper is a moron. But we already knew that.

    After Joe Scarborough, I think he’s the one that has sold out the most for money. What a gross way to make a living.

    • #110
  21. Hammer, The Inactive
    Hammer, The
    @RyanM

    RufusRJones (View Comment):

     

     

     

     

    agree that there needs to be a limiting principle.  Basically, French is saying that we need to cater to others’ discomfort.  How is that different from “woke theology” that claims I am responsible for all offense caused by others.  If my not wearing a sombrero to a halloween party will help a snowflake liberal “feel better,” shouldn’t I be obligated to do so?

    Of course French is 100% wrong.  If you don’t feel comfortable, that is on you.  I’m not going to give a person a scientific lecture, either – but plenty are available if those people want to “feel comfortable,” and all they have to do is read.  That is less of a burden, and quite frankly, it is their burden, not mine.

    • #111
  22. Rightfromthestart Coolidge
    Rightfromthestart
    @Rightfromthestart

    Hammer, The (View Comment):

    RufusRJones (View Comment):

     

     

    i.e. Tapper is a moron. But we already knew that.

    I wonder if they know most of the country is laughing at them? 

     

    • #112
  23. Hammer, The Inactive
    Hammer, The
    @RyanM

    Buckpasser (View Comment):

    Again, we have nothing to compare it too. It’s a tragedy that older people suffer the most (I’m 64 so maybe I qualify as an old person), but the death rate is relatively low overall. We never see death statistics daily from other virus’. Death used to be part of life. Now that we are a more secular society death now means the end.

    I wonder if we will now start seeing daily death statistics.  Perhaps it would be beneficial for some publication to do so.

    Daily deaths due to cancer:

    Daily deaths due to TB:

    Daily deaths due to homicide:

    Daily deaths due to Flu:

    Daily deaths due to other ILI’s:

    Why on earth would we not do this?  If we are going to publish daily covid statistics, let’s see them all.  Let us weigh our risks.

    • #113
  24. DrewInWisconsin, Man of Constant Sorrow Member
    DrewInWisconsin, Man of Constant Sorrow
    @DrewInWisconsin

    Hammer, The (View Comment):

    Basically, French is saying that we need to cater to others’ discomfort. How is that different from “woke theology” that claims I am responsible for all offense caused by others. If my not wearing a sombrero to a halloween party will help a snowflake liberal “feel better,” shouldn’t I be obligated to do so?

    Of course French is 100% wrong. If you don’t feel comfortable, that is on you. I’m not going to give a person a scientific lecture, either – but plenty are available if those people want to “feel comfortable,” and all they have to do is read. That is less of a burden, and quite frankly, it is their burden, not mine.

    But what if I don’t feel comfortable at Drag Queen Story Hour? French said that Drag Queen Story Hour was one of the “blessings of liberty.” But if I don’t feel comfortable, they should stop what they’re doing and cater to my needs, right?

    • #114
  25. RufusRJones Member
    RufusRJones
    @RufusRJones

    Hammer, The (View Comment):
    agree that there needs to be a limiting principle.

    I get that a pandemic requires central planning, but they have to explain what they are doing so everybody gets on board because it makes sense. They are not doing that.

    • #115
  26. Hammer, The Inactive
    Hammer, The
    @RyanM

    sawatdeeka (View Comment):

    Just got an email from work explaining that incidence of the virus is climbing steeply in Montana, and that we are going to need to take additional precautions. I found the long list disheartening, plus I do not want to touch and use those disinfectants and hand sanitizer so often. As I’m trying to digest this, I’m even thinking that maybe I should turn in my notice. The changes are in a big effort to protect our clientele, who are a vulnerable population in a sense. I looked up the case numbers, and indeed it is going up. Our town is now a hotspot in red. I am sure I just need to hang on for the ride at work and do my best. My work has to shut down anyway if the disease is spreading and anyone associated with the organization gets it.Maybe I would miss out on some good things if I quit and just worked on my Internet job. I’m thankful that I have choices, at least. I’m sure the death count below is just not caught up with a number of new cases. However, that does not mean there’s going to be a huge spike in deaths as well.

     

    Old Bathos is 100% correct.  Testing is awful, and it is very misleading.  Deaths are the only meaningful statistic.  Your town is not a “hot spot.”  We have been looking at the wrong metrics, and that started when the “right” metrics were no longer convenient for the narrative.  

    Really, what you should be doing is stumping for a governor who is willing to do what’s right instead of simply going along with the peer pressure caused by hyperventilating covid bedwetters.  I haven’t lived in Montana for 16 years, now, so I don’t know what the local political situation is like right now.  I know that the Republican in Washington State is a sensible guy, and quite possibly our only hope for sanity moving forward.  This is the first year I’ve ever put a sign in my yard and a sticker on my car.  It is important in ways that weren’t as much of a concern in the past.

    • #116
  27. DrewInWisconsin, Man of Constant Sorrow Member
    DrewInWisconsin, Man of Constant Sorrow
    @DrewInWisconsin

    Ugh. A new executive order from our Governor, limiting public gatherings to 25% of a room’s or building’s capacity. (Masked, of course, because the mask mandate is still in effect.) 

    • #117
  28. RufusRJones Member
    RufusRJones
    @RufusRJones

    This guy is really smart. 

     

     

     

    • #118
  29. sawatdeeka Member
    sawatdeeka
    @sawatdeeka

    Now cases are everywhere. We might go back to a lot of the strictures from spring–back when we stopped at 37 cases. A co-worker and her son just tested positive, and now another co-worker is quarantining due to exposure. I’ve been wondering when I’m going to get laid off again, and sure enough, I found out today that my work center is closing for the rest of the week.  Why the explosion in numbers now, and not in March? Is it the slowly multiplying after effects of having our usual parade of out-of-state summer visitors? 

    • #119
  30. Flicker Coolidge
    Flicker
    @Flicker

    sawatdeeka (View Comment):

    Now cases are everywhere. We might go back to a lot of the strictures from spring–back when we stopped at 37 cases. A co-worker and her son just tested positive, and now another co-worker is quarantining due to exposure. I’ve been wondering when I’m going to get laid off again, and sure enough, I found out today that my work center is closing for the rest of the week. Why the explosion in numbers now, and not in March? Is it the slowly multiplying after effects of having our usual parade of out-of-state summer visitors?

    Just out of curiosity, are any of these positive people really actually sick?

    • #120
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