Masks and Viruses

[Andre]

It all depends on what science you want to believe.....

I politely suggest your post is misleading.

You appear to paint this as an issue where some scientists are pro-mask and pro-vaccines whereas others are not.

That is a gross distortion of the facts.

In reality, the overwhelming majority of qualified experts support the vaccines and the masks.

It, of course, suits the anti-vax camp to frame this as a situation where there are two sides, each with their own legitimate point of view.

This is not the case. Just look at the witches' brew of crazoid sources that the anti-vaxxers here are citing, for example. If this really was a disagreement between two legitimate camps, they would be able to cite mainstream sources for their anti-vax views.

 

[Andre]

Researchers say whatever makes the institution they work for money.

Medical technology works for the most part - we all know this. Despite efforts, such as yours, to cast doubt on the legitimacy of the medical establishment, it is, for the most part, credible. For example:

- polio has been eradicated by vaccination
- smallpox has been eradicated by vaccination
- arterial stents save lives
- viagra enables many to enjoy a full sex life
- we know that spinach is good for you and cheeseburgers are not
- we know that smoking kills.

And, perhaps most importantly in this setting, we know that the covid vaccine is saving lives.

I could go on and on. It, of course, suits your anti-vax position to make the sweeping claim that you do. But a sober, objective analysis of the facts shows that, for the most part, the "system" works.

Now let's turn the spotlight around - the amount of out-and-out lying, distortion, and other trickery on this site perpetrated by the anti-vax crowd is nothing short of appalling. This is not an opinion, it is a fact grimly attested to be the embarrassing transcripts of these forums.

 

[JonC]

Agree.
A doctor works for a big pharma company for 20 years. The doctor resigns because he/she doesn’t agree with the vaccine approach, or the medical protocol or lack there of fir Covid patients and they are immediately labeled a quack. They’ve become irresponsible or off the rails because they disagree with the political/media narrative.
We’re told not to listen to their science, their research, their information, simply because they disagree with the current practice.
Really?

Humm?

I find the opposite is true. A reputable team of scientists say the vaccines are good. One guy leaves and says they are bad. Anti-covid-vax people automatically believe the one who departed.

There is no vetting. People just want to believe whoever says whatever they want to hear. I mean....just look at some of the sources being provided!

One reason to believe the CDC, FDA, AMA, etc. is they are giving the good with the bad (they presented concerns with heart issues and blood clots as a side effect before the viruses were released, they look at vaccinated cases, etc.).

The anti-vax crowd is just throwing everything against the wall to see what sticks (Fauci is a Freemason, covid is a new world order conspiracy, the vaccine is population control, mRNA vaccines alter DNA, the vaccinated have 5 years to live, the vaccines were released prior to FDA approval, vaccinations make you more likely to get covid, ....etc).

 

[SGO]

Free speech is better than censorship unless you like totalitarianism.

 

[JonC]

Free speech is better than censorship unless you like totalitarianism.

The problem is too many want free speech and freedom from responsibility. Scripture tells us, in a different context, that to whom much is given much is required. Scripture also tells us we will be held responsible for the words we speak.

Freedom of speech is not just saying or repeating anything we want. It is not shouting fire in a crowded theater. This is not what so many sacrificed to secure for our nation.

 

[SGO]

Too many like to lecture instead of allowing free speech.

 

[JonC]

Too many like to lecture instead of allowing free speech.

Too many want free speech without having to be held accountable for their speech. Ironically, that is not what our forefathers meant by free speech.

Free-speech is the freedom to express ideas without government restraint. It was never without limits (in the United States). That said, our freedoms (in the US) were articulated within the context of Christian values.

You are not talking about free-speech. You are talking about wanting to say whatever you want to say without being responsible for your words. This, by definition, is NOT free-speech. It is more like a child whining that he has to clean his room.

 

[SGO]

Wow!

Great post.

What is free speech if not free?

God bless you.

 

[JonC]

Wow!

Great post.

What is free speech if not free?

God bless you.

None of our freedoms are free. They were paid for with the blood and sweat of those who came before and are maintained by those who came after.

Free-speech is the freedom to express ideas without government restraint. It was never without limits (in the United States).

God commands us not to be free with our speech. We are to guard our tongue, and we are to be accountable for every word we utter.

 

[SGO]

Ready to give them up to be a censor?

 

[JonC]

Ready to give them up to be a censor?

If the government restricts preaching the gospel, and it may in my lifetime, I would give up my freedom if necessary to share the gospel of Christ. Others have suffered much more.

What you have to understand is, as a Christian, I believe rights and freedoms are not things to grasp as a sword but something to lay down for the love of another and in love of Christ.

This is what Christ did for us. He did not become a god, but is eternally God. And did not count this equality with God as something to be grasped (which was His right) but instead emptied Himself, humbled Himself, and died on a cross to save those who were His enemies.

Have that mind in you, that while we were still sinners He died for us.

What you are speaking of is the desire to say whatever you want whenever you want without responsibility. This is not freedom of speech.

 

[SGO]

Praise to God my freedom is not predicated on another man's definition.



JonC says of me, (Your talking) "It is more like a child whining that he has to clean his room." 9/29/21

 

[JonC]

Praise to God my freedom is not predicated on another man's definition.



JonC says of me, (Your talking) "It is more like a child whining that he has to clean his room." 9/29/21

Not quite. This is what I really wrote:

Too many want free speech without having to be held accountable for their speech. Ironically, that is not what our forefathers meant by free speech.

Free-speech is the freedom to express ideas without government restraint. It was never without limits (in the United States). That said, our freedoms (in the US) were articulated within the context of Christian values.

You are not talking about free-speech. You are talking about wanting to say whatever you want to say without being responsible for your words. This, by definition, is NOT free-speech. It is more like a child whining that he has to clean his room.

 

[JonC]

Are Masks 100% Effective?

The gold standard N-95 mask is 95% effective at keeping the wearer free of inhaling viral particles. These masks are still best reserved for front-line workers in high risk settings where aerosols of viral particles occur. Surgical masks are less effective and cloth face coverings even less so in protecting the wearer. However even a 50% reduction in viral transmission is statistically important.

For the general public, the reason for wearing a facial covering is to help protect others from you when you cough, sneeze or even talk and spray viral droplets into the air. Many people who become infected can unknowingly spread the COVID-19 virus because they have few or no symptoms. So wearing a mask is showing respect for others and is your way of helping lessen the spread of the disease. It is important that the mask not be so thick as to make breathing through them completely uncomfortable. Filter inserts are probably not necessary and may make the masks more uncomfortable.

Do Masks Cause Low Oxygen Levels?

Absolutely not. We wear masks all day long in the hospital. The masks are designed to be breathed through and there is no evidence that low oxygen levels occur. There is some evidence, however, that prolonged use of N-95 masks in patients with preexisting lung disease could cause some build-up of carbon dioxide levels in the body. People with preexisting lung problems should discuss mask wearing concerns with their health care providers. There is absolutely no scientific evidence that mask wearing or physical distancing weakens the immune system.



From the Frontlines: The Truth About Masks and COVID-19