Why are we increasing mask mandates?
With vaccines being delivered and many of the most vulnerable getting them, you would expect to see some change in the mask narratives and mandates. But not the change that we are seeing. We have seen Falsely (Sorry, autocorrect changed from Fauci) call for double masking. We have seen Disney change rules where masks are required at table now unless “actively eating”. The Archdiocese of St. Louis has changed direction from letting individual churches decide their mask policy to mandating that all churches require masks for the duration of their services.
This does not make sense. We have had the current rules in place since at least July, and now that the vaccine is coming, the promised savior for this pandemic, we are increasingly getting stricter with masking mandates. We hear Fascism (Sorry, autocorrect again) tell us that just because people have been fully vaccinated, they should increase, rather than decrease their pandemic response. In fact Fraud (autocorrect) states that we should expect to wear masks until at least 2022.
What happened to “Two weeks to flatten the curve”? What happened to “This is just until we have the vaccine”? What happened to “Follow the science and data”? What happened to sensible and reasonable responses?
Now, let me be frank here. I wear a mask when I cannot social distance, or if I am at a place where other people are wearing masks, because I want to make those people feel more comfortable. I have read the data, not the news narratives. I do not avoid getting out among people, but do try to maintain social distancing from others. I have not worn masks religiously, only when I felt others would be more comfortable if I wore them. And as far as I know, I have yet to get COVID-19, unless I was asymptomatic. Although we keep hearing that masks are the most important thing we can do to prevent the spread of COVID, the science and data do not back that statement up.
You may think from this article that I am not a fan of Dr. Faker (autocorrect again). And you would be right. I think that Dr. Fauci is an incompetent government worker who managed to be in the right place at the right time to give him a soapbox where he could, if he said the right things, get a lot of influence. The right place, time and statements for him. The wrong place, time and statements for the American people. He has used and abused that power with little regard for the science or data or any facts. Just state what would give him the most power and influence. And he can market that power and influence for the rest of his career. Meaning that he can act like before, and not contribute anything useful to society.
I say that last paragraph not just to put down Dr. Fauci, although that felt good. I am afraid that he, and others, are trying to hold onto the power that they have received through the good fortune of having been in the right spot during this pandemic. While we are not there yet, the time is coming soon where we must throw out these mask mandates and other restrictions which are causing harm for many people. Once those who want the vaccine have had their opportunity to get it, we must come together to push against this narrative of masks and restrictions. If we do not, these restrictions, and many more, will be our future.
I am not, as it might seem here, anti-mask, I am anti mask mandate. I am against the government forcing us to follow guidance that is not backed by solid science. I am against the government trying to control us with fear. I am not saying we can’t compromise, only that we must see some compromise. Today the governor of Texas lifted the mask mandate. I am pleased to see that. Soon after, it was announced that the Archdiocese of San Antonio was not ready to lift the mask mandate for their masses. The flame wars started. But nobody was talking about compromise. Most Catholic churches have multiple weekend masses. Wouldn’t it make sense to make at least one service mask required and one mask optional? That way, everyone could go to a mass they feel comfortable with. Similar compromises can be made in other areas.