All indications are that Chair of the Guilford County Board of Commissioners Skip Alston has the votes to pass a mask mandate for Guilford County at the Guilford County Board of Health meeting on Thursday, Jan. 13.
The Guilford County Board of Health and the Guilford County Board of Commissioners are identical, the members simply put on different hats.
Mask mandates are controversial. Many studies show that masks have no significant effect on the spread of viruses similar to the virus that causes COVID-19. Other studies show that proper masks do slow the spread, if worn correctly.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to recommend the use of masks to stop the spread of COVID-19. But the recommendation from the CDC is not a blanket recommendation.
According to the CDC, masks should “Have two or more layers of washable, breathable fabric
“Completely cover your nose and mouth
“Fit snugly against the sides of your face and don’t have gaps
“Have a nose wire to prevent air from leaking out of the top the mask”
The CDC also recommends against wearing “‘surgical’ N95 respirators, as those should be prioritized for healthcare personnel.”
It doesn’t make sense to have a mask mandate for Guilford County and allow masks that according to the CDC are not effective, like one ply fabric masks, or masks worn under the nose, which appears to be the way some elected officials prefer to wear their masks.
If Guilford County imposes a mask mandate on its residents, it should be a mask mandate that requires not simply a face covering but face coverings worn in a manner that according to the medical authorities actually slows the spread of COVID-19.
To be effective, according to the CDC, people should wash their hands before putting on their mask and should not touch their mask while wearing it.
The CDC also recommends that disposable masks, like the ubiquitous blue masks, should be thrown away after wearing them once.
When the government-imposed laws requiring those driving or riding in a vehicle to wear a seatbelt, people were not allowed to tie a piece of twine around their waist and attach it to the door handle. The seatbelt had to be a seatbelt that meet strict safety guidelines. Motorcycle helmet laws don’t allow motorcycle riders to wear paper mache helmets that look like a real helmet but provide no protection for the rider.
Why should a mask mandate allow masks that according to the CDC do not work, or be allowed to wear a proper mask in a manner that makes it ineffective?
If Guilford County passes a mask mandate like the one currently invoked for unincorporated Guilford County, it is nothing but virtue signaling. In other words, covering your face because the county says so, even though according to the current medical science the face covering will do little if anything to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Guilford County should either pass a mask mandate requiring people to wear masks that work and wear them properly or allow people to make their own choice about wearing masks.
Excellent article. Stop on
Well if they do, guess that I’ll be packing up for an extended visit to Florida again. This one will fizzle out quicker than the last time I’m sure.
Amen and Amen
So true John.
Where in the world do you get these mask?
Or is Uncle Joe still working on this?
Hear, hear! Cloth masks do not work, as clearly demonstrated by the famous Danish and Bangladeshi studies.
This measure is pure theatre and virtue signalling.
But Skip Alston should wear one – because face diapers are appropriate for people who talk trash.
Finally you acknowledge the Danish study did not rule out surgical or n95 masks. Glad I taught you something.
The Skippy mandate has nothing to do with safety; it’s all about control. Probably because of the fear of Omicron, I’m seeing 90+% of customers, in stores and restaurants that I visit, wearing masks.
Doubtful that a mandate will change those numbers at all.
SKIP, the man who would be CornPop.
Masks work. People don’t. Mandates are a kosy cause given tge failure of people. Not masks.
Guess everyone will be using those paper disposable masks they have left over from the first mandate, hanging on their rear view mirrors.
This is so stupid and makes zero sense but Skippy wants to remain king!
So sad, it’s why I’m moving out of Guilford County even though I’m native here. This place has gone to the dumbass king of stupidity.
No John, it is not simply “virtue signaling.” It is the opportunity for Skip and his demorat minions to tell all the citizens of Guilford County that we do not have any common sense and therefore, must rely on their “deep medical knowledge” to protect us. How can the county commissioners also serve as the Health Board? That is equivalent to letting six year old children be members of the school board. (well in most cases they have the same brain power). It is way past time for the good people of Guilford County to demand more. Please, go to the polls and get rid of these demigods.
Go to some of the small-town outlying communities in our county that have little to no democommunists in them and you will find not only citizens wearing holstered firearms, but no masks. Let’s Go Brandon!!
I agree with Hammer’s assessment. Mask in some way, shape, form or fashion, have been used for nearly 2 years. They have had little, or no noticeable effect. Does the group of County Officials now believe, that mask will, now spontaneously start working?
Just like Vaccines and boosters, that seem to do nothing. 70+% of new cases are fully vaccinated people. Like other viruses, you are not going to get rid of Covid…. but you can learn to live with it.
I had Covid last January, it was nothing! No fever, no congestion, no respiratory issues… had a headache, gastric issues and lost taste and smell for a few days. I’ve had bad colds put it to SHAME!
YOU PROTECT YOU… I’LL WORRY ABOUT PROTECTING ME!
Most studies so they do have a positive effective by only in the range of 16% to 20% reduction depending on the type of mask and peoples willingness to wear properly. I understand you CAN’T see them work since you would have had to be able to see an alternative future as the control group to ‘see’ the impact.
That is the problem with this pandemic. People talk about how the majority don’t die and that only 800k and most of those are older etc… But that is with the shut downs, mask mandates, vaccines, etc… All we can do is argue about what would have happened if we did nothing. I argue it would have been much worse. Nutters will say none of it made a difference.
Right on John,
Virtue signaling. When the rubber hits the road, when I’m in the grocery store, mask-less, I prefer the ‘looks’ from people over wearing a useless mask. It can be uncomfortable to be the only one that is mask-less but I refuse to follow the leader and wear a useless mask. This Country is about rebels, non-conformity and freedom and this can take a bit of bravery. The new bravery, being mask-less. If it worked, I’d wear them but they do not. It’s even more fun when I wear my ‘UNVACCINATED’ shirt.