COVID-19 Mask Apostasy

 

I went unmasked to the grocery store today, pushing my unmasked 86-year-old father in a wheelchair (in late-stage Parkinson’s, he’s now my permanent wingman). We’ve both long since received both doses of the Pfizer vaccine. I didn’t intend to break the local Kroger requirement (in place despite the fact that the state of Arizona’s mask mandate was reversed back in March).  Perhaps it is some kind of unconscious bias or just orneriness, but we arrived at the store with no face coverings, ignored the warnings posted on the door, and went in.  The store was busy as always and everyone, it seemed, wore a mask except for us and a few toddlers.  I smiled at everyone, made small talk and enjoyed the visit.  I did see one other adult patron without a mask and several who had masks, but who let them sag, exposing a nose, or even, dare I mention, a mouth.  We all nodded at each other and quietly laughed.

I otherwise received no wry looks, no reprimands, no comments at all.  I practiced my defense, just in case.  We’d received the vaccines.  Our entire household had been vaccinated.  We posed no threat.  But it never came to that

We checked out.  The cashier wore two masks as well as a little fan mechanism around her neck, a COVID talisman no doubt (you can never be too safe.)  She didn’t acknowledge the nakedness of our faces and was muffled, glib and friendly.  We escaped with our stuff without issue.

It was nice.

***

No one wants to challenge the heterodoxy, to expose themselves to criticism, to even consider whether or not this mask-wearing, hand washing, social distancing stuff makes any sense.  There seems to be significant evidence that these efforts, at least among healthy people, mitigate almost nothing.  PCR tests are unreliable and show false-positive results at alarming rates.  Healthy children are rarely affected by the disease, and even if infected, they do not seem to pass on the virus.  The virus does not seem to linger on surfaces.  Sunlight kills it.  It is significantly dissipated in the fresh air and highly unlikely to result in sufficient loads outdoors to cause transmission.  Its virulence is diminished by heat.  And as for masks, it is difficult to believe that a material 1000 times more porous than the virus could be an effective barrier.  And that’s if the masks are handled and worn correctly.  Masks are literally attempting to dam a river with a fishing net.

So why aren’t there more rebels out there nakedly smiling?  Because the mask is a badge of conformity, a signal of obedience, the cross of the secular state.  The wearers at once are signaling that they believe in the COVID 19 threat, in the government, in what they are told.  They are contrite and faithful.  They refuse to even acknowledge that the risk of COVID might not be all that; that it might be a nasty bug like some colds, flues, and cases of pneumonia that act as the last straw among the sick, the old, and the infirm.  Folks like me who refuse to comply with the stated orthodoxy, who push back and challenge, are apostates and threaten order.  Why, they wonder, challenge the stated dogma?  What purpose does it serve?

Obedience is a virtue, no doubt, but when it demands conformity and crushes debate when it turns blindly mandatory, it is tyranny.

Masks are political, a badge of conformity.  Today, I did not wear one.  Call me disobedient, apostate, but I will not wear another.  Give it a try.  It’s liberating.

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  1. Basil Fawlty Member
    Basil Fawlty
    @BasilFawlty

    Doug Kimball: No one wants to challenge the heterodoxy

    Homodoxy?

    • #31
  2. Doug Kimball Thatcher
    Doug Kimball
    @DougKimball

    The Reticulator (View Comment):

    Doug Kimball (View Comment):

    The Reticulator (View Comment):

    Doug Kimball: No one wants to challenge the heterodoxy, to expose themselves to criticism,

    This isn’t true.

    Hyperbole, my friend, It’s a rhetorical construct.

    I don’t think it’s an exaggeration. It’s just plain wrong. A significant portion of the population in our country and in others is challenging the orthodoxy(*). How else do you account for the anti-lockdown demonstrations and non-compliance around the world?

    (*) If you really meant heterodoxy rather than orthodoxy, then I need to start over.

    the “the” before hetrodoxy should be “with”.  Confound me if I know how to edit it once it is promoted.

    • #32
  3. ToryWarWriter Coolidge
    ToryWarWriter
    @ToryWarWriter

    Full Size Tabby (View Comment):

    Our church administrative leadership team just last night decided to keep the mask mandate because the CDC says that’s what’s “safe” (Texas). About 25% of the congregation ignores that mandate (and the church isn’t going to evict them from worship). But we in the choir were told we needed to set the example and still wear masks. No one seems to be asking about the fact that the CDC guidelines have no science or logic behind them. Our church leadership unfortunately seems to just believe the CDC pronouncement of what is “safe” and “not safe.”

    Sounds like you should replace the leadership.

    Talk to the rest of choir.  If you all walk out without wearing mask, what are this group going to do?  Fire the choir?

    • #33
  4. Suspira Member
    Suspira
    @Suspira

    (Psst, Doug. You might want to edit the title of this post. It’s “apostasy.” I’m whispering as I don’t want to correct you in front of the group. This is just between you and me.)

    • #34
  5. Basil Fawlty Member
    Basil Fawlty
    @BasilFawlty

    Suspira (View Comment):

    (Psst, Doug. You might want to edit the title of this post. It’s “apostasy.” I’m whispering as I don’t want to correct you in front of the group. This is just between you and me.)

    Archaic variants should be acceptable on a conservative website.

    • #35
  6. Suspira Member
    Suspira
    @Suspira

    Basil Fawlty (View Comment):

    Suspira (View Comment):

    (Psst, Doug. You might want to edit the title of this post. It’s “apostasy.” I’m whispering as I don’t want to correct you in front of the group. This is just between you and me.)

    Archaic variants should be acceptable on a conservative website.

    Verily. Thou hast a point.

    • #36
  7. RushBabe49 Thatcher
    RushBabe49
    @RushBabe49

    Not to be a nag or anything, but @suspira, you might want to ditch the mask in your avatar.  No one can throw you out of the store or de-platform you for that bit of disobedience!  At least, no one on Ricochet.

    Now, I wonder if other social-media platforms would kick someone out for removing the mask from their avatar picture?

    • #37
  8. Seawriter Contributor
    Seawriter
    @Seawriter

    RushBabe49 (View Comment):

    Not to be a nag or anything, but @ suspira, you might want to ditch the mask in your avatar. No one can throw you out of the store or de-platform you for that bit of disobedience! At least, no one on Ricochet.

    Now, I wonder if other social-media platforms would kick someone out for removing the mask from their avatar picture?

    I think the mask on her avatar is a brilliant piece of satire. That’s a doll’s head. A doll has absolutely no need to wear a mask – it’s head is empty. Come to think of it, both those apply equally to the man holding the office of the Presidency today, too.

    • #38
  9. RushBabe49 Thatcher
    RushBabe49
    @RushBabe49

    Speaking of the mask issue, I just did a new post on my own blog about a place I visited this afternoon.

    • #39
  10. Rodin Member
    Rodin
    @Rodin

    RushBabe49 (View Comment):

    Speaking of the mask issue, I just did a new post on my own blog about a place I visited this afternoon.

    (Sigh) I wonder what would happen if a bunch of us started wearing the mask as an ear-secured cap in those places that simply have a “wear a mask” sign without the “helpful” instructions on “proper” wear?

    • #40
  11. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Rodin (View Comment):

    RushBabe49 (View Comment):

    Speaking of the mask issue, I just did a new post on my own blog about a place I visited this afternoon.

    (Sigh) I wonder what would happen if a bunch of us started wearing the mask as an ear-secured cap in those places that simply have a “wear a mask” sign without the “helpful” instructions on “proper” wear?

    My guess is that they would say “wear” assumes “properly.”  The same as “wear a hat” would assume “on top of your head” not “over your face.”

    • #41
  12. Skyler Coolidge
    Skyler
    @Skyler

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Rodin (View Comment):

    RushBabe49 (View Comment):

    Speaking of the mask issue, I just did a new post on my own blog about a place I visited this afternoon.

    (Sigh) I wonder what would happen if a bunch of us started wearing the mask as an ear-secured cap in those places that simply have a “wear a mask” sign without the “helpful” instructions on “proper” wear?

    My guess is that they would say “wear” assumes “properly.” The same as “wear a hat” would assume “on top of your head” not “over your face.”

    They don’t need lawyers or anything else to say who can and who can’t come into their store. They posted a sign.  If you disobey, you are asked to leave.  It’s not complicated and it’s completely legal.

    • #42
  13. RushBabe49 Thatcher
    RushBabe49
    @RushBabe49

    Skyler (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Rodin (View Comment):

    RushBabe49 (View Comment):

    Speaking of the mask issue, I just did a new post on my own blog about a place I visited this afternoon.

    (Sigh) I wonder what would happen if a bunch of us started wearing the mask as an ear-secured cap in those places that simply have a “wear a mask” sign without the “helpful” instructions on “proper” wear?

    My guess is that they would say “wear” assumes “properly.” The same as “wear a hat” would assume “on top of your head” not “over your face.”

    They don’t need lawyers or anything else to say who can and who can’t come into their store. They posted a sign. If you disobey, you are asked to leave. It’s not complicated and it’s completely legal.

    Sure, it’s perfectly legal.  The State can take away their business license, or heavily fine them, if they allow the “great unmasked” to step inside their store.  What’s legal isn’t necessarily what’s good, or correct.  In this case, it’s evil.

    • #43
  14. Skyler Coolidge
    Skyler
    @Skyler

    RushBabe49 (View Comment):

    Skyler (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Rodin (View Comment):

    RushBabe49 (View Comment):

    Speaking of the mask issue, I just did a new post on my own blog about a place I visited this afternoon.

    (Sigh) I wonder what would happen if a bunch of us started wearing the mask as an ear-secured cap in those places that simply have a “wear a mask” sign without the “helpful” instructions on “proper” wear?

    My guess is that they would say “wear” assumes “properly.” The same as “wear a hat” would assume “on top of your head” not “over your face.”

    They don’t need lawyers or anything else to say who can and who can’t come into their store. They posted a sign. If you disobey, you are asked to leave. It’s not complicated and it’s completely legal.

    Sure, it’s perfectly legal. The State can take away their business license, or heavily fine them, if they allow the “great unmasked” to step inside their store. What’s legal isn’t necessarily what’s good, or correct. In this case, it’s evil.

    yes, but where I live it’s not the business’s fault.  They do have those threats.  Now, if Austin city council and the Travis County Judge rescind the emergency orders, then it’s the business’s fault.   

    Okay, I give up.  How do you make a possessive of “business?”

    • #44
  15. Basil Fawlty Member
    Basil Fawlty
    @BasilFawlty

    Skyler (View Comment):

    RushBabe49 (View Comment):

    Skyler (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Rodin (View Comment):

    RushBabe49 (View Comment):

    Speaking of the mask issue, I just did a new post on my own blog about a place I visited this afternoon.

    (Sigh) I wonder what would happen if a bunch of us started wearing the mask as an ear-secured cap in those places that simply have a “wear a mask” sign without the “helpful” instructions on “proper” wear?

    My guess is that they would say “wear” assumes “properly.” The same as “wear a hat” would assume “on top of your head” not “over your face.”

    They don’t need lawyers or anything else to say who can and who can’t come into their store. They posted a sign. If you disobey, you are asked to leave. It’s not complicated and it’s completely legal.

    Sure, it’s perfectly legal. The State can take away their business license, or heavily fine them, if they allow the “great unmasked” to step inside their store. What’s legal isn’t necessarily what’s good, or correct. In this case, it’s evil.

    yes, but where I live it’s not the business’s fault. They do have those threats. Now, if Austin city council and the Travis County Judge rescind the emergency orders, then it’s the business’s fault.

    Okay, I give up. How do you make a possessive of “business?”

    Fascism?

    • #45
  16. Skyler Coolidge
    Skyler
    @Skyler

    Basil Fawlty (View Comment):

    Skyler (View Comment):

    RushBabe49 (View Comment):

    Skyler (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Rodin (View Comment):

    RushBabe49 (View Comment):

    Speaking of the mask issue, I just did a new post on my own blog about a place I visited this afternoon.

    (Sigh) I wonder what would happen if a bunch of us started wearing the mask as an ear-secured cap in those places that simply have a “wear a mask” sign without the “helpful” instructions on “proper” wear?

    My guess is that they would say “wear” assumes “properly.” The same as “wear a hat” would assume “on top of your head” not “over your face.”

    They don’t need lawyers or anything else to say who can and who can’t come into their store. They posted a sign. If you disobey, you are asked to leave. It’s not complicated and it’s completely legal.

    Sure, it’s perfectly legal. The State can take away their business license, or heavily fine them, if they allow the “great unmasked” to step inside their store. What’s legal isn’t necessarily what’s good, or correct. In this case, it’s evil.

    yes, but where I live it’s not the business’s fault. They do have those threats. Now, if Austin city council and the Travis County Judge rescind the emergency orders, then it’s the business’s fault.

    Okay, I give up. How do you make a possessive of “business?”

    Fascism?

    Okay, that was REALLY funny!

    • #46
  17. Rodin Member
    Rodin
    @Rodin

    RushBabe49 (View Comment):

    Skyler (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Rodin (View Comment):

    RushBabe49 (View Comment):

    Speaking of the mask issue, I just did a new post on my own blog about a place I visited this afternoon.

    (Sigh) I wonder what would happen if a bunch of us started wearing the mask as an ear-secured cap in those places that simply have a “wear a mask” sign without the “helpful” instructions on “proper” wear?

    My guess is that they would say “wear” assumes “properly.” The same as “wear a hat” would assume “on top of your head” not “over your face.”

    They don’t need lawyers or anything else to say who can and who can’t come into their store. They posted a sign. If you disobey, you are asked to leave. It’s not complicated and it’s completely legal.

    Sure, it’s perfectly legal. The State can take away their business license, or heavily fine them, if they allow the “great unmasked” to step inside their store. What’s legal isn’t necessarily what’s good, or correct. In this case, it’s evil.

    I would like someone to sue a business, and the business defend itself based on the threat of losing their  business license. This would make the government the real party in interest and would test the legality of pulling a business license for failure to enforce a masking policy even when the government said it was not doing so. 

    • #47
  18. Skyler Coolidge
    Skyler
    @Skyler

    Rodin (View Comment):

    RushBabe49 (View Comment):

    Skyler (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Rodin (View Comment):

    RushBabe49 (View Comment):

    Speaking of the mask issue, I just did a new post on my own blog about a place I visited this afternoon.

    (Sigh) I wonder what would happen if a bunch of us started wearing the mask as an ear-secured cap in those places that simply have a “wear a mask” sign without the “helpful” instructions on “proper” wear?

    My guess is that they would say “wear” assumes “properly.” The same as “wear a hat” would assume “on top of your head” not “over your face.”

    They don’t need lawyers or anything else to say who can and who can’t come into their store. They posted a sign. If you disobey, you are asked to leave. It’s not complicated and it’s completely legal.

    Sure, it’s perfectly legal. The State can take away their business license, or heavily fine them, if they allow the “great unmasked” to step inside their store. What’s legal isn’t necessarily what’s good, or correct. In this case, it’s evil.

    I would like someone to sue a business, and the business defend itself based on the threat of losing their business license. This would make the government the real party in interest and would test the legality of pulling a business license for failure to enforce a masking policy even when the government said it was not doing so.

    yeah, it doesn’t work that way.  It would be summary judgment for defendant who was simply following the law, which was lawfully made.  That last part is the big problem.

    • #48
  19. Suspira Member
    Suspira
    @Suspira

    RushBabe49 (View Comment):

    Not to be a nag or anything, but @ suspira, you might want to ditch the mask in your avatar. No one can throw you out of the store or de-platform you for that bit of disobedience! At least, no one on Ricochet.

    Now, I wonder if other social-media platforms would kick someone out for removing the mask from their avatar picture?

    When I can go into my local Publix without a mask, I’ll unmask my avatar.

    • #49
  20. DrewInEastHillAutonomousZone Member
    DrewInEastHillAutonomousZone
    @DrewInWisconsin

    Suspira (View Comment):

    RushBabe49 (View Comment):

    Not to be a nag or anything, but @ suspira, you might want to ditch the mask in your avatar. No one can throw you out of the store or de-platform you for that bit of disobedience! At least, no one on Ricochet.

    Now, I wonder if other social-media platforms would kick someone out for removing the mask from their avatar picture?

    When I can go into my local Publix without a mask, I’ll unmask my avatar.

    You can! You just have to do it. I have been, and it’s so freakin’ liberating.

    • #50
  21. RushBabe49 Thatcher
    RushBabe49
    @RushBabe49

    This weekend, I confirmed that the staff of my local Fred Meyer has given up on challenging unmasked customers.  I spoke to and nodded at three separate staff members on my shopping trip, and no one said a word about me needing to wear a mask.  On the  other hand, I went into two smaller businesses, and was forced to wear a mask.  One is our favorite Thai restaurant, and I had to put on my mask to walk 15 feet to our table.  The other was Half Price Books, where every single employee will challenge you if you are not wearing a mask.

    What was most depressing is that every other person at all three places was dutifully wearing their mask.

    • #51
  22. JustmeinAZ Member
    JustmeinAZ
    @JustmeinAZ

    I made it to our local Kroger (Fry’s here in AZ) and did not wear a mask in the grocery store for the first time. It was freedom. The store did not have a sign even requesting masks but I would estimate that 95% of the people in the store were wearing masks. But no one said anything. It felt great!

    • #52
  23. Rodin Member
    Rodin
    @Rodin

    RushBabe49 (View Comment):

    This weekend, I confirmed that the staff of my local Fred Meyer has given up on challenging unmasked customers.

    JustmeinAZ (View Comment):

    I made it to our local Kroger (Fry’s here in AZ) and did not wear a mask in the grocery store for the first time. It was freedom. The store did not have a sign even requesting masks but I would estimate that 95% of the people in the store were wearing masks. But no one said anything. It felt great!

    I have reported about my local Food City and I have now been shopping there for about 3 weeks without a mask. A sign that had been relegated to the back of the store advising a mask requirement had been prominently put at the front of the store when I went there today maskless. The checkers were wearing masks but they were pulled down below their nose. Most of the shoppers were maskless.

    • #53
  24. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Rodin (View Comment):

    RushBabe49 (View Comment):

    This weekend, I confirmed that the staff of my local Fred Meyer has given up on challenging unmasked customers.

    JustmeinAZ (View Comment):

    I made it to our local Kroger (Fry’s here in AZ) and did not wear a mask in the grocery store for the first time. It was freedom. The store did not have a sign even requesting masks but I would estimate that 95% of the people in the store were wearing masks. But no one said anything. It felt great!

    I have reported about my local Food City and I have now been shopping there for about 3 weeks without a mask. A sign that had been relegated to the back of the store advising a mask requirement had been prominently put at the front of the store when I went there today maskless. The checkers were wearing masks but they were pulled down below their nose. Most of the shoppers were maskless.

    Employers could be concerned about paid sick leave or other issues for their employees, but it would be difficult/impossible for a customer to prove that they got sick because of any particular business.

    • #54
  25. JustmeinAZ Member
    JustmeinAZ
    @JustmeinAZ

    Rodin (View Comment):

    RushBabe49 (View Comment):

    This weekend, I confirmed that the staff of my local Fred Meyer has given up on challenging unmasked customers.

    JustmeinAZ (View Comment):

    I made it to our local Kroger (Fry’s here in AZ) and did not wear a mask in the grocery store for the first time. It was freedom. The store did not have a sign even requesting masks but I would estimate that 95% of the people in the store were wearing masks. But no one said anything. It felt great!

    I have reported about my local Food City and I have now been shopping there for about 3 weeks without a mask. A sign that had been relegated to the back of the store advising a mask requirement had been prominently put at the front of the store when I went there today maskless. The checkers were wearing masks but they were pulled down below their nose. Most of the shoppers were maskless.

    I would go to Fry’s all the time but it is 10 miles farther then my Walmart which is already 10 miles from me. And Fry’s prices are higher. For instance 10# sugar (C&H) at Fry’s is 7.39 and at Walmart it’s 5.87. That’s a pretty big difference. However Fry’s does have two brands of canned tomatillos and Walmart doesn’t have any. What’s up with that?

    • #55
  26. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    JustmeinAZ (View Comment):

    Rodin (View Comment):

    RushBabe49 (View Comment):

    This weekend, I confirmed that the staff of my local Fred Meyer has given up on challenging unmasked customers.

    JustmeinAZ (View Comment):

    I made it to our local Kroger (Fry’s here in AZ) and did not wear a mask in the grocery store for the first time. It was freedom. The store did not have a sign even requesting masks but I would estimate that 95% of the people in the store were wearing masks. But no one said anything. It felt great!

    I have reported about my local Food City and I have now been shopping there for about 3 weeks without a mask. A sign that had been relegated to the back of the store advising a mask requirement had been prominently put at the front of the store when I went there today maskless. The checkers were wearing masks but they were pulled down below their nose. Most of the shoppers were maskless.

    I would go to Fry’s all the time but it is 10 miles farther then my Walmart which is already 10 miles from me. And Fry’s prices are higher. For instance 10# sugar (C&H) at Fry’s is 7.39 and at Walmart it’s 5.87. That’s a pretty big difference. However Fry’s does have two brands of canned tomatillos and Walmart doesn’t have any. What’s up with that?

    One of my neighbors in Phoenix thought it was smart to pay almost $2 more for sugar at Fry’s towards spending $100 so he could save 10 cents per gallon on gas.

    • #56
  27. JustmeinAZ Member
    JustmeinAZ
    @JustmeinAZ

    kedavis (View Comment):
    One of my neighbors in Phoenix thought it was smart to pay almost $2 more for sugar at Fry’s towards spending $100 so he could save 10 cents per gallon on gas.

    Yeah, a couple of months ago I was reading a discussion of gas prices on Nextdoor. One guy piped up that he just got 30 cents per gallon off with his Safeway card. I pointed out that he’d had to spend $300 at Safeway to get that discount and he could actually save way more than that 30 cents per gallon by shopping at Walmart. Well, he commented that “Eeew! He wouldn’t shop at WM with a ten foot pole”. Well, there ya go. Another lady commented that she wouldn’t be caught dead buying cheap crap at WM. I asked her where did she buy her cheap crap – I didn’t get an answer.

    • #57
  28. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    JustmeinAZ (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):
    One of my neighbors in Phoenix thought it was smart to pay almost $2 more for sugar at Fry’s towards spending $100 so he could save 10 cents per gallon on gas.

    Yeah, a couple of months ago I was reading a discussion of gas prices on Nextdoor. One guy piped up that he just got 30 cents per gallon off with his Safeway card. I pointed out that he’d had to spend $300 at Safeway to get that discount and he could actually save way more than that 30 cents per gallon by shopping at Walmart. Well, he commented that “Eeew! He wouldn’t shop at WM with a ten foot pole”. Well, there ya go. Another lady commented that she wouldn’t be caught dead buying cheap crap at WM. I asked her where did she buy her cheap crap – I didn’t get an answer.

    Hah, exactly.  What, do they think the C&H sugar at Walmart is worse than the C&H sugar at Fry’s?

    Also, sometimes people – including my neighbor – thought they were getting a better price at Fry’s because the price was lower, but they didn’t notice that the package was smaller too!  Or sometimes the outer package was the same size, or close to it and the labeling was adjusted to make it seem like the same, but the actual weight/volume was less.

    One example is thinking you’re getting a better deal at Fry’s because a bag of cat food is $8.95 while it’s $9.95 at Walmart, but they don’t notice that the bag at Fry’s might be 13 lb or less versus 16 lb at Walmart.  I remember comparing “plastic jugs” of cat litter too, they were 20 lbs at Walmart versus maybe 14 or less at Fry’s.  And other stores – Safeway, etc – can be even worse for that.

    Even when there are government-mandated price-per-unit tags on the store shelves, people still have to LOOK AT THEM.  Or even just do the math themselves.

    • #58
  29. Rodin Member
    Rodin
    @Rodin

    JustmeinAZ (View Comment):
    Another lady commented that she wouldn’t be caught dead buying cheap crap at WM. I asked her where did she buy her cheap crap – I didn’t get an answer.

    Ha ha ha ha!

    • #59
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