Mastodawn

Martha Crawford Jan 2, 2023

@Nickittynic

Oh jeeze, I so with this was the norm.

Having to trot out my medical history constantly is so exhausting and enraging.

Lea Jan 2, 2023

@shrinkthinks @Nickittynic It might be cool if you could get masks printed on the front with something like,
"I'm immunocompromised, don't @ me" 🙂

Christian Graus Jan 2, 2023

@leadore @shrinkthinks @Nickittynic surprised wish is not selling this

LibertyForward1 Jan 3, 2023

@leadore @shrinkthinks @Nickittynic Magats couldn't care less. People they don't like are disposable to them. They'd probably start babbling about something Rogan said on his podcast about immunocompromised people needing to huff horse dewormer to solve all their issues.

Martha Crawford Jan 3, 2023

@LibertyForward1 @leadore @Nickittynic

It is really not "right-wingers" who are regularly refusing to mask for disabled friends, family and community members.

The left - liberal - progressive are just as likely to be stunningly ableist and imagine they are "super safe" because they have had two vaccines and one booster whenever ago and they think they can't get it or spread it.

Being shitty to disabled people unites the political spectrum

LibertyForward1 Jan 3, 2023

@shrinkthinks @leadore @Nickittynic Those are good points and you're totally right. I should have clarified my comments to specify I was speaking in reference more to the magats who wish to pick fights over masking, the kind who would intentionally harass someone for still wearing a mask. Those are the types who couldn't care less even if they were aware that the person was immune vulnerable.

Just Your Luck, You'll Survive Jan 4, 2023

@LibertyForward1
@shrinkthinks @leadore @Nickittynic

Can we just call them people who refuse to mask?

I'm so sick of the labels. You either mask or you don't.

Just Your Luck, You'll Survive Jan 4, 2023

@shrinkthinks
@LibertyForward1 @leadore @Nickittynic

The vaccinated left are a far greater risk IMO. Not only do they assume they are safe while unmasked, they assume you are as well. They assume the "right-wingers" are noisy and in their face.

Susan Kiddie Jan 2, 2023

@Nickittynic

Counterpoint:

#COVIDisAirborne so wear a mask anyway. Everywhere except your home. All the time. Because aerosols can stay in the air for hours and the next person in the room/elevator/store could be immunocompromised. You simply don't know. #notalldisabilitiesarevisible

Nic Jan 2, 2023

@SusanLeeLaw Yes, definitely this! I advocate for universal masking with a high quality mask anytime folks are outside their own homes!

I'm just specifically feeling irritated right now with folks who think getting consent for going maskless around others is as simple as "well I asked if they wanted me to put one on". 😒 [irritated side eye emoji]

Peter Barnes Jan 2, 2023

@Nickittynic
I agree with nearly everything you said, and most importantly, that core message:

WEAR A MASK...

However, I'd suggest that "masks have become contentious" is far too polite. Masks have been deliberately *made* contentious by people whose intentions have nothing to do with public health and everything to do with private wealth. There isn't any public good involved.

Secondly, by mentioning "personal health history", you're (perhaps unconsciously) buying in to the premise that fit, young, healthy people don't have any reason to wear a mask. The Covid infection and death figures, the plight of hospitals around the world is why *everyone* should wear a mask until we sort this out. As many people have pointed out, wearing a mask is as much a gesture of goodwill as it is any statement about your personal health situation.

The only people pushing propaganda that "it's over" or "it's the flu" are people who won't get it and who are profiting from it, or who've bought the selfishness propaganda and mindlessly repeat it.

We're social animals. Our entire existence is premised on society; we wouldn't last a year alone in the jungle (and idiots who reply "*I* would" are just the same people who'll push children aside in the rush for the lifeboats). Society is made up equally of rights and obligations, and for those of you not wearing a mask it's simply a statement that, for you, there are only rights but no obligations. You're a (possibly unconscious) sociopath.

Nic Jan 2, 2023

@infinite8horizon Yup! I agree with everything you said, except the part that I might be buying into the premise that young, fit, healthy people may not have a reason to mask. I only mentioned personal health history because I was referring to my own situation. But as someone who has had dysautonomia for over 12 years, after a common gastrointestinal virus, I've been banging my head against the wall trying to get people to understand this risk since before we even knew Long COVID was such a prevalent thing!

Peter Barnes Jan 2, 2023

@Nickittynic Sure; I expect that, of current habitual mask wearers, those with a personal vested interest outweigh the purely pro-social, but it's precisely that anti-social apathy that's going to persevere unless the narrative changes.
As someone who never goes out the door without an N95 (P2, whatever) on, I'm also in the category with a vested interest, but I like to think I'd do it given my not-very-difficult understanding of the simple dynamics of transmission and infection...
All we can do is to keep leaning on politicians and "public" health authorities (who are, unfortunately, politicians by the time they reach positions of influence).

antiableistdreams Jan 2, 2023

@Nickittynic yep. I have to constantly disclose in classes my health status bc people aren’t masking and the required courses aren’t offered online. Folks often don’t even try to hide their eye rolling anymore. It hurts my feelings, even though I know i did nothing wrong.

Nic Jan 2, 2023

@antiableistdreams I'm so sorry you have to go through that! It's absurd that all classes aren't at least offered as a hybrid model. It's like the ableds didn't learn anything from 2020! 😡 [angry emoji]

book creature Jan 2, 2023

@Nickittynic I appreciate this reminder to keep a mask handy at all times. I don't mask all the time but it is really, really basic courtesy to mirror someone who does while you are with them. It was the norm in my neck of the woods (Massachusetts) for a while, but has fallen out because masks are fairly rare now.

@bookcreature Masks are pretty rare in my area as well, but my family still prioritizes community care and common sense as everyday values. Please wear a mask.

book creature Jan 3, 2023

@Nickittynic I knew I'd get scolded when I posted, I did it anyway because I am hoping to foster conversations vs just these posts becoming a place to shame non mask wearers.
I do understand the other POV, though, I wouldn't tolerate bigotry in a conversation and drumming out people who admit to not masking always probably seems equivelant if you regard it as ableist. I get it.

@bookcreature I do appreciate you being willing to reply and be in conversation. I hesitated in responding initially because I'm truly not trying to scold folks who are at least willing to engage in dialogue - I know that's not helpful for trying to get people to change their behaviors. But there's not really a way to adequately express to folks how harmful these everyday choices are without it sounding like scolding.
Thanks for understanding.

mkb Jan 2, 2023

@Nickittynic I made that mistake recently so thanks for the reminder. 👍

@mkb It's easy to forget when masking has fallen out of being the norm! Ime if someone feels like they have enough information to give informed consent to sharing your air, then they will let you know it's okay to take your mask off. Much less pressure than asking to put it on.

∀upʎ 🇬🇧🔞Jan 3, 2023

@Nickittynic as contentious as having to reply that due to health issues I am exempt from wearing a mask?

@At0micAndy In my part of the world, yes, much more contentious to ask someone to mask. I'm sorry to hear that health issues preclude you from wearing one, a pretty rare status, but if folks are giving you a hard time about it I would think you'd take that up with the slew of people who created bogus "medical exemptions" over other chronically ill people trying to survive an ongoing pandemic.

∀upʎ 🇬🇧🔞Jan 3, 2023

@Nickittynic oh i don't worry what people say, i look after myself and my family in the best way I can. you would be surprised at the number of people that can't wear masks for medical reasons too. I have a chronic condition and how other people react is their problem, not mine. I have been around too long for such things to really matter.

Idealistic Pragmatist

Jan 3, 2023

@Nickittynic I actually ignore the question if someone asks me that, just pretend I didn't hear because it's just the most ridiculous question. Although I suppose I could say: "Yes, you should wear a mask--in GENERAL, not for me!"

HomerHarlequin Jan 3, 2023

@Nickittynic Hear, hear!

David Mitchell

Jan 3, 2023

@Nickittynic
Exactly… of course they would rather if you wore one to, why make them ask?

Alice Jan 3, 2023

@Nickittynic Thank you.

Jen&Joop Jan 3, 2023

@Nickittynic exactly. Thank you so much. For me, it’s the healthcare providers that ask me if they should put one on. Putting the burden on me to ask them to reduce transmission (of anything).

@JenJoop Ugh, that's awful. I want to say that as a former nurse I'm surprised that a healthcare provider would be uneducated enough ask that and not already be masking, but as a patient I'm not at all surprised.

@VivianCreekmore Jan 3, 2023

@Nickittynic
Terrific advice!
Today I talked with a woman who is diabetic, cannot get vaxxed, is not old enough to benefit from the $40 insulin cap & is the only one at her workplace to wear a mask.

Anne Weil Jan 3, 2023

@Nickittynic I wear a sealed N95 indoors in public, and no one asks about my health history. They do ask if they can get on the elevator with me. (Yes.)

No one asks if they should wear a mask. They do wear a mask when they come in my office, or ask me for one, because I have a sign on my door. Otherwise, they don't wear a mask.

Dancingwiththebeloved Jan 3, 2023

@Nickittynic yep. Good point. You know, consideration - a forgotten virtue.😏

Second Chance Bikes Jan 3, 2023

@Nickittynic
I have been asked that several times. While well-meaning it is really annoying. It puts me in the position of asking for favors and implicitly saying "I don 't trust you."
I don't ask someone who is carrying packages whether they want me to keep a door from slamming in their face - I just do it.

Sparkymike Jan 3, 2023

@Nickittynic It's not just thoughtful, it's self preservation.

Shawn ⚧️Jan 3, 2023

@Nickittynic
@genehack
Thank you. I needed to hear this.

Sean Macツ Jan 3, 2023

@Nickittynic
there is a lot of misinformation though. In Florida, I keep seeing people in a car, alone, with the windows down, driving, wearing a mask. I think the issue is the failure of the scientific community to effectively communicate to normal people. I just dont know how to solve that.

Lorri Jan 3, 2023

@seanm4c There are many good reasons a person might wear a mask alone in a car with windows down - 1) a person about to drive an immunocompromised elder to a medical appt needs to air out the car first; 2) an immunocompromised person just picked up their car from an auto repair place where unmasked repair people have been inside the car; 3) an Uber driver airs out their car after driving a person to a doctor, etc. Masked people are not a problem.

@lorriberri @seanm4c
4) They have a mask with good fit and don't want to take it off and on excessively.
3a) They had a passenger, Uber driver or not.
5) They've discovered masks fight pollen very well and are curbing their hay fever.
6) They pay attention to air quality and are masking vs. PM2.5 levels.

@lorriberri @seanm4c
The right mask is pretty comfortable, so there's no compelling need to rip it off as soon as you're alone (or off a boat, or whatever.) Conversely, headstrap masks are a pain to don with glasses (and hat, in my case). So I tend to put an N95 on before I leave home and just leave it on.

LibertyForward1 Jan 3, 2023

@Nickittynic Afuckingmen.

Chelle (she/her) 🐸☕Jan 3, 2023

@Nickittynic I mean it's a pretty safe assumption that if someone is wearing a mask they'd feel a lot better if everyone else around them wore a mask too.

sabik Jan 3, 2023

@Nickittynic
If someone you're with is not wearing a mask, also just put one on

Jon P Jan 3, 2023

@Nickittynic you also have no idea who might be immunocompromised. (My son is.)

Benj Soule🫂💙HumanityFirst🌅Jan 3, 2023

@Nickittynic It's time to put on a mask again, at least temporarily.

Sabrina Web

📎Jan 3, 2023

@Nickittynic I've had covid when everyone stopped using masks, now I never go anywhere without a mask. It has other advantages beyond the protection from covid and everything airborne. My only problem is that I wear glasses and with a mask on they get steamy and I can barely see

@sabrinaweb71 Have you tried the 3M 'Aura' mask? It's an N95. I get very little fogging with them.

Sabrina Web

📎Jan 3, 2023

@Nickittynic it depends if I can find them where I live. I'll take note of the name for now

@sabrinaweb71 @Nickittynic I think the Auras are embossed on top, so less water vapor escapes through the mask. (Fogging needn't be a sign of air leakage.) Valved Auras, like the 9211+ in the US, are even better, since most exhalation goes straight out.

Nic Jan 4, 2023

@mindstalk @sabrinaweb71 Are the exhalation valves filtered? I haven't seen those! It's important that exhalation valves on any masks be filtered, though.

@Nickittynic @sabrinaweb71 No filter, the whole point of the valve is to bypass the filter and be easier to exhale with. Though one CDC study claimed the valve was about as 'filtering' as a surgical mask anyway.

Personally I won't worry about it unless everyone else were masking again or I were visiting someone vulnerable. My valve in a current store or bus is not the weakest link.

@Nickittynic @sabrinaweb71

Anyway, most Auras (9205+, 9211+ with better/tighter straps, 1870+ with medical coating) don't have a valve. But I think the 9205 gives me a bit more fogging than the 9211.

fern Jan 3, 2023

@Nickittynic I really don’t think asking someone who’s wearing a mask if they would prefer I wear a mask also is a request for their personal health history or an argument. It’s an invitation for them to share their preference.

I personally stopped wearing masks when it was no longer mandated. People should have a right to exercise their autonomy unless requested otherwise. But I won’t do something based on an assumption. Since when was asking a question offensive.

@fern I mean, I put it right in my post - as contentious as mask wearing has become, it's a loaded question to ask someone who is already clearly showing a preference or need to not share unfiltered air with you "Do you want me to put on a mask?" You can see in the replies to my post and that there are many others who have experienced this as incredibly uncomfortable and not a simple question.

If you're concerned about making an assumption, it's just as easy to put the mask on as the default (which it should be on anyway), and ask, "Would you prefer we keep masks on?" Demonstrate first that you're okay with prioritizing mutual safety.

Please reconsider your choice to only participate in community care during a global pandemic when it is mandated.

fern Jan 3, 2023

@Nickittynic What I don’t think you appreciate is that as someone who doesn’t wear masks, prefers not to and enjoys the freedom of this option I also have agency on the matter. I don’t think it’s appropriate to expect me to surrender that without enquiring first because it’s not my preference. I think that still demonstrates my willingness to consider someone’s health while exercising my freedom. If someone is offended by this then that’s unfortunate and not my intention.

@fern I understand freedom perfectly well and it exists in balance with responsibility. Your freedom ends where someone's else's freedom and right to exist begins. Just as we need consent before touching someone else's body, in this very active pandemic era we need consent BEFORE exposing others to the particles of our lungs. Be without a mask in your own home and private spaces all you want. The moment you expose others, that's not freedom, that's irresponsibility.

@fern @Nickittynic
fern, almost everyone who is masking around you would prefer if you were masking too. Because we are all still in a raging pandemic, even if the news and leaders like to pretend otherwise. We're mostly not masking for hay fever (especially in January.) We're masking to not get sick.