Let's talk about wearing face masks in Lakewood

[pj bennett]

Hmmm...... my experience has been of some people wanting to do a meet n greet with their dog and mine. Since I'm at the foot of my driveway, I am not wearing a mask, but neither is the other person. Really? A meet n greet NOW?

When I go to Whole Foods - in the a.m. - I routinely have someone reach around my body to get the same product that I'm getting. I am not dawdling....but, the other person is 'in a hurry'. The professional shoppers are awesome..they maintain the distance and follow the one-way aisles. And, most regular shoppers are conscientious. But, there's always those, who ignore distancing. I've never liked anyone reaching around my body, but in these days..... The other day, I went to turn around and literally bumped into the fellow behind me. Not cool.

Living on Clifton Blvd, I'm continually amazed at the joggers, who do not give way to other walkers. Not even to families pushing a stroller. And, these are not just my observations. My husband sees it, my neighbors see it. And, what's with so many adults riding their bikes on the sidewalk? Children belong on the sidewalk, and adults in the street.

At times, one is literally risking their life, to cross Clifton. The traffic has increased with so many home from work. Drivers make lefts on red. They speed through the red light. Folks are still checking cell phones while moving. Cyclists in small groups blowing through red lights. I love it, when the front man shouts CLEAR, so that they can bust through a light. I watch families, dutifully press the button to cross the street, only to be ignored....and step back to the curb. One needs to be SUPER alert to cross the street.

It's good to know, that there are some good things happening in Lakewood. I hope they drift over to my area.

[cmager]

The Japan experience/policy: Something like 90-95-98% of the Japanese ALL wore masks, as though it is a cultural thing.

Japan has low infection and death rates. Nearly ALL of their public services have reopened or never closed, including the bullet trains.

Look it up. Masks, people.

regards, b

[pj bennett]

I'd like to add, that it is all important to wear the mask properly.

Wearing it beneath the nose is improper. Why bother?

The nose and mouth must be covered at all times....until one can wash their hands to make any needed adjustments.

That means, no talking on the cell phone. No scratching an itch under the mask...unless one has washed their hands.

Is it a pain in the butt?
You betcha!
I don't like it, but I REALLY don't want the covid cooties.

When wearing a mask, follow protocols, that will help keep you safe.
Even better, you just might stay alive.

[Amy Martin]

I want to point out - just because you may happen to see people walking who are not wearing masks, that doesn't mean that these people do not wear them in certain circumstances. Julie and I have been walking every weekend. We each put a mask in our pocket in the event that we make a stop along the way, in which case we put it on. We socially distance while walking, making sure to cede to others with whom we are sharing the sidewalks. We always maintain a respectable social distance.

We both wear masks while shopping and venturing out for appointments, etc. I am required to wear one at work at all times, and Julie is currently working from home so does not. But, just because you may see us on Detroit not wearing masks does not mean that we are against wearing them or that we are Republicans. We just prefer to walk safely without wearing them.

[Stan Austin]

Good point; there are a few social permutations that we all need to learn.

[pj bennett]

I want to point out - just because you may happen to see people walking who are not wearing masks, that doesn't mean that these people do not wear them in certain circumstances. Julie and I have been walking every weekend. We each put a mask in our pocket in the event that we make a stop along the way, in which case we put it on. We socially distance while walking, making sure to cede to others with whom we are sharing the sidewalks. We always maintain a respectable social distance.

We both wear masks while shopping and venturing out for appointments, etc. I am required to wear one at work at all times, and Julie is currently working from home so does not. But, just because you may see us on Detroit not wearing masks does not mean that we are against wearing them or that we are Republicans. We just prefer to walk safely without wearing them.

I'm confused. When you use the word'you', are you replying to me? Or, is it the universal 'you'?

Because if you mean 'me pj'....I am posting my observations as seen from my yard and my front window.
And, I continually see, folks running up towards others, either directly in their face, or from behind....leaving their vapor trail for anyone, who inhales.

I think, that is wrong. Plain and simple. Wrong.

Some will give way to others, but most don't.

Nothing political about it.

[Amy Martin]

I meant YOU in a general sense, as many have replied to this thread . . .not anyone specifically

[pj bennett]

I meant YOU in a general sense, as many have replied to this thread . . .not anyone specifically

Okay....thank you for the clarification.

You see, I'm one of those people, who was advised by my doctor to..... stay home.

Due to pretty weak lungs and strained breathing on a good day, I cannot take a chance by going out into the public. Particularly, not into a commercial business area, i.e. Detroit Ave.

I'm very fortunate to have 2 friends, who shop for my groceries and household items.
I'm very fortunate to have such caring friends.

[Dan Alaimo]

I still want to do a round up of the various mask types and where to get them, but I haven't had time this week for that project.

Meanwhile, two thoughts:
What I think Amy is trying to say is exercise common sense while using masks. If no one is within 25 yards of you, and you are sure no one is going to get closer, than leave the mask in your pocket.

But I'd advocate something additional here. Some of the anti-maskers say stridently that they aren't sheep, and they have a point. Many, many people really are like sheep and they won't wear something unless they see others wearing it first. Okay, let's call it fashion then. But if they go out wearing a mask, and few others are wearing masks, they will quickly put that mask in their pocket. That's one reason I'd ask anyone agreeable reading this to wear a mask if for no other reason than to set an example.

I believe this pandemic is going to continue for a very long time. We may reopen, and it will still be there. We may go back to work, school or church, and it will still be there. We may see several attempts at a vaccine, and it will still be there. Predictions have changed several times, and they may change many more times, but chances are we're looking at sometime in 2021 before the vaccine and testing are ramped up sufficiently to begin to consider this pandemic over. Hopefully not, but that's a realistic view. So we need continue social distancing and use of protective gear.

The concept of the lighter masks (surgical masks, fabric masks, bandannas) is to get most people to wear them so most people are protected. If that's not possible, and I'm starting to wonder if it can happen, those who are serious about this kind of protection need to step up to the KN95 or even the N95 masks. That may be something for people like pj to consider - and I've already bought a package of KN95s, although I haven't started wearing them yet. Meanwhile, encourage everyone you know to wear to mask of any kind.

[Dan Alaimo]

This topic has been weighing on me for a couple of months, like a term paper I never turned in. In the meantime we've had the George Floyd murder and a ton of articles on what face masks are best. Here's a particularly good one:
https://www.sciencealert.com/some-masks ... t-to-worst

The best are the N95 and N99 masks, which are all hard to find because they are reserved for professional medical use where they are most needed - the long sought-after PPE (personal protection equipment). Then come "surgical" masks, which are cheap and easy to obtain, and high quality cloth masks.

The article doesn't mention KN95 masks, which I understand are a cut below the best face masks. They are widely available online, but beware of KN95s being marketed as N95s. They are not bad, but not the same. Approval for KN95 masks was withheld for a time because of this misrepresentation, but now they are okay, just know the difference. I've never seen them in stores, but I have seen them on the faces of many patient-facing staff members at Metro. Then I bought a bunch of them; they are relatively comfortable. KN95 is an affordable and available substitute for N95.

Disposal, cleaning and storage of masks is another matter that I don't know much about. I invite the community to research and post on he subject.