Originally posted by Daedalus
With each response, please also provide your professional internet opinion as to whether state and/or local governments should be allowed to mandate the use of face masks in public during a global pandemic, or if this infringes on individual liberties afforded by the US Constitution.There's no doubt that this was a systemic failure on the part of the government, but also on the American people.
Ideally what would have happened is that everyone who was at risk, would have been wearing a N95 mask to protect themselves as soon as it was suspected we were approaching a pandemic.
Anyone who was concerned should have had access to these masks.
Instead, we're stuck having to half-ass a solution with home made monkey shit that really isn't that effective.
In theory, yes, a government shouldn't have to tell everyone they must wear a mask. It should be a matter of personal choice. But that assumes a level of personal responsibility, on everyone's part... and also some common courtesy now.
I think it's also important to try to keep the facts straight.
The number of reported cases isn't actually important. A vast majority of cases are very mild to moderate. In addition testing is way out of whack. Obviously more tests will produce more positive results. There's not enough testing being done. Everyone should be getting tested which would produce a huge spike in reported cases. There's no reliable test to find out if you previously had it and got over it without even noticing it.
Secondly, A huge number of the cases and deaths attributed to Covid-19 are from specific outbreaks. The nursing home in Washington state is one example.
Originally posted by
As of March 18, a total of 167 confirmed cases of Covid-19 affecting 101 residents, 50 health care personnel, and 16 visitors were found to be epidemiologically linked to the facility. Most cases among residents included respiratory illness consistent with Covid-19; however, in 7 residents no symptoms were documented. Hospitalization rates for facility residents, visitors, and staff were 54.5%, 50.0%, and 6.0%, respectively. The case fatality rate for residents was 33.7% (34 of 101). https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2005412Not sure what the current death total is up to, but when an otherwise perfectly heath person dies from it, it's "news worthy" as in it's rare enough that it's worth pointing out. It way more of the exception than the rule.
In conclusion... We don't live in a world of "if only's". We have to play the cards we've been dealt. Our medical system can't handle this outbreak by itself, due to piss poor readiness. Therefore, every American should be willing to do their part to spare the lives of those most at risk, because they aren't equipped to take care of themselves. When that fails, it's the job of a government to step in and force people to not be inconsiderate ass hats, and just wear a damn mask.
When election day rolls around, everyone needs to remember why everyone is in this mess to begin with. We trusted our leaders to have a plan, and then to execute that plan. That didn't happen. Before going full on finger-pointy, we can also accept a bit of the blame ourselves. How many of us were/are personally prepared for a disaster of any kind? Food, water, basic medical supplies...
Gonna have to try that line out on the wifey and see how it goes over. I think it's a 50/50 proposition between getting lucky and sleeping on the couch. 75/25 if I get a couple glasses of wine in her first. Wish me luck! 
