Mates, the Captain was preparing to write a light-hearted
blog today.
It involved a song...
About the beach...
And a woman in a bikini...
But someone ruined that for all of us.
As the great unwashed masses are demanding that the States
re-open business in the midst of a pandemic – at the instigation of our deranged
imPOTUS – the question of how to do so safely is on every business owner’s mind.
A common request, from the World Health Organization and our
own Center for Disease Control – just to mention a couple - is for people to
wear protective face masks while out in public.
Since an infected person often is unaware that s/he is
carrying the virus – for as much as two weeks – wearing a face mask will
prevent that person from transmitting the unknown virus to others.
And wearing a face mask will lessen the chance of receiving
the virus from others.
So, over the past couple of months a new cottage industry
has sprung up, making face masks.
Oh, no, not the coveted N-95 respirators that filter out 95%
of airborne particles that are in such high demand and short supply for our
medical professionals who have to deal with sick and dying patients every day.
You can’t have those! People are dying! Stop it!
No, this new face mask industry has opted for creativity
over protection:
Most are 2-ply or 3-ply materials, some are designed to
hold a filter between the layers.
While not hospital-quality, they will help in preventing the
transmission of viruses.
But there has been push-back.
Of course there has been push-back.
That’s apparently the only thing Americans seem to know how
to do anymore.
Here’s what triggered the Captain last night:
So, you say wearing a face mask carries potential risks.
Like dying a slow, miserable death alone in a hospital room?
Let’s look at the claims in the meme:
“Reduces oxygen up to 60%”
“Increases risk of CO2 poisoning”
This sounds like my mother when I was seven years old:
“Don’t pull those
covers over your head; you’ll suffocate!”
In my 7-year-old brain, my choice was then risking suffocation or being eaten by the monster under my bed.
I was willing to risk suffocation.
I think I made the correct choice.
It has been noted that prolonged use of the N-95 respirator
can lower oxygen levels by as much as 5-20%. But mates, if your mask is so thick that it
cuts off 40% of your oxygen, you need to try a different one.
“Causes increased face touching”
Most people don’t realize how often they actually touch their
face. I don’t see a mask making a measurable difference.
And if you wash your hands frequently, that becomes less of
an issue.
“Virus and bacteria saturate the outside”
Yes, that is why you are wearing it.
“Touching mask and surfaces spreads germs”
So then, don’t touch the outside of your mask. Referring back
to the previous comment, you already know the outside of your mask is “saturated”
with virus and bacteria. So don’t touch that side!
To illustrate this better, allow me to share with you the
following meme:
If a 4-year-old can understand this, why can’t you?
“Contaminants sit within mask fibers, get reinhaled”
Which is why you should change / wash your face mask
regularly.
At least as often as you change your underwear!
[Mates, you know what I'm talking about!]
And finally, a point I think we can all agree upon:
“Fresh air is vital for immune health”
The Captain couldn’t agree more!
That’s why we’re having to produce
more ventilators...
For hospitals to use to treat COVID-19 patients who are unable
to breathe on their own.
And that’s why you need to
wear a mask!
Still not convinced?
Think of it like the old
ethical dilemma of the runaway train.
The train is barreling down the tracks,
out of control, and will crash into the station killing dozens of people. But
you are at a switch point and can divert the train to another track where it
will only kill the imPOTUS…
Wait. That’s not a fair test…
The bottom line for so many people is that wearing a face
mask will inconvenience them.
Well here is the current count of people who have become ill
and people who have died due to this virus.
Think about how inconvenienced they are/were.
Think about how inconvenienced the doctors and nurses who
attend to them are.
Think about how inconvenienced everyone else is because this
virus is still not under control and likely will not be for another year.
Captain’s Note: Did you know that if your loved one
is involved in an automobile accident and is transported to a hospital, you will
not be permitted to enter the hospital with her?
That is just one small way in which COVID-19 is inconveniencing
the rest of us.
So put on the damned mask and quit bitching about it!
