Mask mandates, social distancing, and limited capacity are not just "minor inconveniences".

[Yavin4]

COVID-19 mitigation measures were exactly the correct policy prescription in the early days of the pandemic when there was no vaccine or other cures, and the surge in hospitalizations threatened to overwhelm our entire health care system. I am not arguing that the mitigation measures were not needed. However, it's equally wrong to say that mask mandates, social distancing, and limited capacity rules are just "minor inconveniences". They may be to you, but not to everyone.

There are several jobs and businesses that rely on human interaction in order to survive. Think restaurants, bars, movie theaters, tourism, hospitality, gyms, hair salons, barber shops, public transportation systems, etc. COVID-19 mandated mitigation measures can decimate how these businesses function as customers won't patronize them if they're forced to wear masks and social distance. To some, these measures are an inconvenience. To others, their business may be forced to close.

My position is simple. If the science and the data require mandated mitigation measures, we should follow the guidance and support these businesses and their employees. If the science and the data say that the vaccines eliminate the need for these mitigation measures, we should move forward without them.

Calling these mitigation measures a "minor inconveniences" is being tone deaf to the needs of others.

[beaglelover]

1. Great post! Agree 100%!

[KentuckyWoman]

2. I will continue to mask up for some time.

I have people in my life who vaxed or no, will not come unless we all mask. Maybe 6 months from now when it isn't in the news every day they'll relax and trust the risk is lower. But for now, I mask so I can see people I care about and have them feel safe.

And you are right about businesses really suffering because of masks. Things like eye glasses, hearing aids and hair cuts are really challenging to deal with wearing a mask. A lot of people put off getting medical care because of all this.

Not to mention travel related anything.

I've severely limited "window shopping" in stores because although I gladly mask up, I have asthma. Within 15 min I get that tight chest feeling and need to get outside. So I keep it short. Surely millions have been doing similar.

As long as the science is behind this, I'm all for making some drastic changes in time for the summer "play" season. A lot of industries are really suffering.

[Tomconroy]

3. Don't forget the theater and the arts. Imagine being a classical

musician during this time. It's time for the performing arts to come back to life!

[LizBeth]

4. I agree.

[abqtommy]

5. Unfortunately, those who have died from covid are unavailable for comment.

[Yavin4]

6. I guess you missed my first paragraph. I'll repost.

COVID-19 mitigation measures were exactly the correct policy prescription in the early days of the pandemic when there was no vaccine or other cures, and the surge in hospitalizations threatened to overwhelm our entire health care system. I am not arguing that the mitigation measures were not needed. However, it's equally wrong to say that mask mandates, social distancing, and limited capacity rules are just "minor inconveniences". They may be to you, but not to everyone.

At the outset of the pandemic, I called for a complete shutdown of everything for 4 mos. and wanted the government to send everyone a relief check of $2000 per month for that time. I got major pushback from a lot here on DU. A lot of people wanted to virtue signal with masks, but when it came to paying people to stay home, they got awfully quiet about it.

We are not a nation that takes care of its people either financially or health care wise, and we never will be because too many people only see the world through their own personal perspective and no one else's.

[LeftInTX]

7. I stopped going to physical therapy, I have not been to the dentist and my colonoscopy is overdue

I just started going back to the gym. I should have started in February after I was fully vaccinated. (Or March after the governor lifted the mask mandate)

I am now in bad shape physically. My fibromyalgia and arthritis has gotten much worse due to lack of exercise.

My body is paying a price for all of this. It was probably worth all of this to avoid Covid, but at some point contracting Covid is very low risk (like after being vaccinated) and other health care needs to take precedence. It is extremely hard to do anything at the gym with a mask on.

[Iggo]

9. I'm not saying it's a minor inconvenience to YOU. I'm saying it's a minor inconvenience to ME.

I'll just keep doing what I'm doing and if it pisses people off then it pisses people off.