Why masks in airports?

[MEL_Traveller]

You’re still stuck on the same old argument. Masks have not been proven to be an effective measure. Flashback to Jan when masks were mandatory virtually everywhere and tell me how that went. Your argument remains the same as “I prayed the sun would come up in the morning, and it did, so I was right”.

You seem to have convinced yourself that you can eradicate this virus by wearing a not fit-for-purpose mask.

see drron’s post from above… my bolding to highlight the relevant sentence…

But those who did wore them because they had symptoms. those without symptoms would not wear a mask. And in my travels in japan and Taiwan mask wearing would never have been more than 10% unless an pandemic/epidemic and even the probably 20%.

There is no substantial evidence that masks significantly reduce your chance of infection.
There is substantial evidence that they reduce your risk of spreading infection if you have symptoms.

As to severity the Australian figures are that the majority of cases are in those under 50 but the majority of deaths are in those are in those over 70.
The ABS figures are that 90% of those who die have 1 or more comorbidities. The average is 3 co morbidities.

So for healthy Australians under 50 without symptoms there basically is no reason to wear a mask.

 

[N860CR]

see drron’s post from above… my bolding to highlight the relevant sentence…

Except it didn’t work. Again, remind me what happened in January. You’re still on the path of eradication. Time to get over it.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Except it didn’t work. Again, remind me what happened in January. You’re still on the path of eradication. Time to get over it.

We can't compare... because everyone was wearing masks we don't know the outcome if they weren't.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Masks virtually non existent in VLC this morn - announcements continually stating masks not compulsory - LX2147 VLC-ZRH this morn not 1 Flight or Crew Member wearing masks - maybe 10% pax wearing masks - time Australia moved on with rest of the world me thinks

And I might add masks non existent in ZRH anywhere

And we just boarded OS0552 ZRH-VIE and again no Flight or Crew Members wearing masks - sprinkling of pax wearing masks - Johnny K / MEL you gotta know when to hold ‘em / fold ‘em - wasted efforts arguing - the world is moving on

 

[N860CR]

We can't compare... because everyone was wearing masks we don't know the outcome if they weren't.

We can. Because we can compare NSW (where the mandate was dropped) and Vic (where it wasn’t). We can also compare then with now. Hundreds of thousands of “cases” daily down to tens of thousands.

You’ve said “it ends when it ends”. You said a year and a half ago it would be over in a few months as the vaccine arrived. We then had the virus morph into an even weaker version of itself. We’re now not only triple vaccinated but largely recovered. It ends now (actually, it’s over and has been for a long time) and holding onto masks on planes isn’t doing a single thing.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

We can. Because we can compare NSW (where the mandate was dropped) and Vic (where it wasn’t). We can also compare then with now. Hundreds of thousands of “cases” daily down to tens of thousands.

You’ve said “it ends when it ends”. You said a year and a half ago it would be over in a few months as the vaccine arrived. We then had the virus morph into an even weaker version of itself. We’re now not only triple vaccinated but largely recovered. It ends now (actually, it’s over and has been for a long time) and holding onto masks on planes isn’t doing a single thing.

I said the travel ban and lockdowns would end once vaccination arrived.

 

[N860CR]

I said the travel ban and lockdowns would end once vaccination arrived.

Sure. But masks, never ending?

 

[JohnK]

As drron posted, masks are effective to reduce transmission if you are positive.

So folk on a one hour flight not wanting to wear a mask, while potentially infectious, mean that I miss out on seeing my dad in the hospital if i catch it from them.

It’s not just about mortality, it’s about the huge inconvenience a positive test result can cause.

Some here seem to imply that's its ok for everyone to get Covid. After all its as harmless as the flu.

Harmless right? Everyone survives, no one dies. No one has respiratory issues. No one has any other complications.

We've had fun for 2+ years with those that refused to get vaccinated pushing their agenda. Now we'll have fun with the non mask wearers pushing their agenda.

 

[N860CR]

Some here seem to imply that's its ok for everyone to get Covid. After all its as harmless as the flu.

Harmless right? Everyone survives, no one dies. No one has respiratory issues. No one has any other complications.

We've had fun for 2+ years with those that refused to get vaccinated pushing their agenda. Now we'll have fun with the non mask wearers pushing their agenda.

Since we reopened to the world, best estimates show at least half the population has been infected. That’s in the space of barely six months. You need to accept that you are going to be exposed, if you’ve not been already. Nobody is debating that vaccines aren’t effective. They are the reason this is by and large a harmless virus (inline with most coronaviruses). You’re not an idiot. I do not accept that you honestly believe wearing an unfit for use mask is going to protect you from this (especially given the only environment you would wear one is at an airport).

 

[drron]

You can find out a little about covid deaths by searching NSW Health and The ABS.
The ABS gives you the age and sex of those who died from covid and co morbidities. Interestingly before Omicron comorbitities were listed on ~ 70% of death certificates but since Omicron that has risen to ~ 90%.
You can also get the age and sex of those who died. Plus the same with the number of cases.
With deaths 98% were in those over 40, 80% in over 70.
Cases though were 80% in under 40s.

COVID-19 Mortality in Australia, Deaths registered to 31 January 2022

COVID-19 deaths that occurred by 31 January 2022 that have been registered and received by the ABS

www.abs.gov.au

So when you take into account of co morbidities the number of healthy people under 40 dying was extremely low.

Then the NSW figures.
On January 31 27 people died of covid. All were over 60.
Of those 8 were triple vaxxed,,16 double vaxxed and 3 not vaxxed. As there were 94% double vaxxed. 39% triple vaxxed so 6% unvaxxed there should have 11 triple vaxxed,14 double vaxxed and 2 unvaxxed if the incidence was the same as the percentages.

News - COVID-19 (Coronavirus) statistics

Across NSW, more than 95 per cent of people aged 16 and over have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 94 per cent have received two doses to Saturday 29 January 2022.

www.health.nsw.gov.au

The last report put out by NSW Health on these statistics was on 24/4. now 95% had 2 shots,62% 3 shots and 55 none.
That day 8 people died. 2 in their 50s both with other diseases. One had 1 shot the other 2 shots of the vaccine.
Of the 6 who died over the age of 70 3 were triple vaxxed, 1 double and 2 unvaxxed.

News - COVID-19 (Coronavirus) statistics

Across NSW, more than 95 per cent of people aged 16 and over have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 94.7 per cent have received two doses to Friday 22 April 2022.

www.health.nsw.gov.au

 

[cwphoto]

We can't compare... because everyone was wearing masks we don't know the outcome if they weren't.

Prize for the most flawed logic of the day - total nonsense.

 

[Pushka]

Some here seem to imply that's its ok for everyone to get Covid. After all its as harmless as the flu.

Harmless right? Everyone survives, no one dies. No one has respiratory issues. No one has any other complications.

We've had fun for 2+ years with those that refused to get vaccinated pushing their agenda. Now we'll have fun with the non mask wearers pushing their agenda.

You are pushing an agenda too for a highly vaccinated society.

 

[drron]

Some here seem to imply that's its ok for everyone to get Covid. After all its as harmless as the flu.

Harmless right? Everyone survives, no one dies. No one has respiratory issues. No one has any other complications.

We've had fun for 2+ years with those that refused to get vaccinated pushing their agenda. Now we'll have fun with the non mask wearers pushing their agenda.

Actually @JohnK as of today in QLD the flu is more harmful than Covid. A 2 year old died of Influenza A today.

https://www.news.com.au/national/queensland/toddler-dies-in-central-queensland-after-contracting-flu/news-story/6aee3eadc2dd5e80b87374a90aef6e98

The 4th young child to have died this year in Australia of the flu. And no other co morbidities. So much more dangerous than Covid in this age group.
On top of that the Brisbane Channel 7 News had an item on the flu in QLD. ~4600 cases in QLD this week. Covid has 5 times the number of cases with ~ 3700 a day.
Yey what are the hospital numbers. 301 with Covid, 305 with flu.

7 News Brisbane Live - Watch & Stream Channel Seven News Brisbane

The latest breaking news and headlines from Brisbane and all of Queensland. Live stream Channel 7 News Brisbane from your computer, tablet or mobile. With unlimited free streaming you can watch as much news as you like, whenever you want. Download the 7plus app or start watching online today.

7plus.com.au

Starts at ~ 18 minutes. May have to sign in or register to view it.

 

[N860CR]

Actually @JohnK as of today in QLD the flu is more harmful than Covid. A 2 year old died of Influenza A today.

https://www.news.com.au/national/queensland/toddler-dies-in-central-queensland-after-contracting-flu/news-story/6aee3eadc2dd5e80b87374a90aef6e98

The 4th young child to have died this year in Australia of the flu. And no other co morbidities. So much more dangerous than Covid in this age group.
On top of that the Brisbane Channel 7 News had an item on the flu in QLD. ~4600 cases in QLD this week. Covid has 5 times the number of cases with ~ 3700 a day.
Yey what are the hospital numbers. 301 with Covid, 305 with flu.

7 News Brisbane Live - Watch & Stream Channel Seven News Brisbane

The latest breaking news and headlines from Brisbane and all of Queensland. Live stream Channel 7 News Brisbane from your computer, tablet or mobile. With unlimited free streaming you can watch as much news as you like, whenever you want. Download the 7plus app or start watching online today.

7plus.com.au

Starts at ~ 18 minutes. May have to sign in or register to view it.

We could close the international borders. That would stop influenza. We could lockdown major cities. Prevent people leaving their homes for more than an hour a day. Stop people from seeing their friends or family for months at a time (does anyone even remember that?). This would stop influenza. As we managed to do for 2 years.

But we don’t.

 

[JohnK]

Since we reopened to the world, best estimates show at least half the population has been infected. That’s in the space of barely six months. You need to accept that you are going to be exposed, if you’ve not been already. Nobody is debating that vaccines aren’t effective. They are the reason this is by and large a harmless virus (inline with most coronaviruses). You’re not an idiot. I do not accept that you honestly believe wearing an unfit for use mask is going to protect you from this (especially given the only environment you would wear one is at an airport).

This is where you're about as wrong as you could possibly be wrong.

I'm high risk. I have not been infected yet. I do not want to be infected this lifetime. Chicken pox almost killed me. I don't want to test my immune system with Covid.

@drron I know a 6 month old who has died with covid. If they didn't get covid they would have been alive longer. I don't care about comorbidities.

For all the naysayers my luck is wretched. I do not know a single human being with evil luck even remotely resembling mine. I've not had Covid. I don't want covid.

I'm part of society. Stay away from me in public otherwise you will get a serve from me.

I'm not asking for a lot. Stay away from me. Simple.

 

[OATEK]

This is where you're about as wrong as you could possibly be wrong.

I'm high risk. I have not been infected yet. I do not want to be infected this lifetime. Chicken pox almost killed me. I don't want to test my immune system with Covid.

@drron I know a 6 month old who has died with covid. If they didn't get covid they would have been alive longer. I don't care about comorbidities.

For all the naysayers my luck is wretched. I do not know a single human being with evil luck even remotely resembling mine. I've not had Covid. I don't want covid.

I'm part of society. Stay away from me in public otherwise you will get a serve from me.

I'm not asking for a lot. Stay away from me. Simple.

We all understand @JohnK about your fears, and we also know you have been a generous supporter of AFF over the years. But you seem to think it is up to everyone else to give you space. You can isolate, wear masks (pick an effective one though), and try to avoid infection. But others have the right to get on with their lives as they see fit. My guess is that whatever you do, covid and the flu will find you out at some point. Hopefully if you are careful it will be when covid is even less deadly. Best of luck.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

We all understand @JohnK about your fears, and we also know you have been a generous supporter of AFF over the years. But you seem to think it is up to everyone else to give you space. You can isolate, wear masks (pick an effective one though), and try to avoid infection. But others have the right to get on with their lives as they see fit. My guess is that whatever you do, covid and the flu will find you out at some point. Hopefully if you are careful it will be when covid is even less deadly. Best of luck.

Interesting question. At what point in a pandemic do the rights of people to live their lives as they see fit trump protecting others? Especially in high density non-voluntary settings?

During lockdowns people were demanding to be released because casual workers needed to make a living. Yet do we afford them the same consideration now when if comes to wearing masks so we don’t spread it to them?

 

[cwphoto]

Interesting question. At what point in a pandemic do the rights of people to live their lives as they see fit trump protecting others? Especially in high density non-voluntary settings?

Which cohort of 'others' are higher on the hierarchy of protecting and who is the authority to decide?

Masks won't protect anyone.

 

[drron]

Interesting question. At what point in a pandemic do the rights of people to live their lives as they see fit trump protecting others? Especially in high density non-voluntary settings?

During lockdowns people were demanding to be released because casual workers needed to make a living. Yet do we afford them the same consideration now when if comes to wearing masks so we don’t spread it to them?

First of all there is more and more evidence that lockdowns did more harm than good.
Second if the CDC thought masks were so effective in preventing you catching covid why the heck didn't they do a proper study. There is still no good study suggesting they do.
And why in all previous pandemics haven't generalised lockdowns and universal mask wearing been mandated?

We would have been much better organising proper lockdowns for aged care facilities and providing them with more staff and equipment as well as ensuring that those looking after the aged and otherwise at risk people were well informed of the care needed and then let the under 50s who were not at great risk go about their everyday activities. This is what has been done in previous pandemics/epidemics.

 

[JohnK]

We all understand @JohnK about your fears, and we also know you have been a generous supporter of AFF over the years. But you seem to think it is up to everyone else to give you space. You can isolate, wear masks (pick an effective one though), and try to avoid infection. But others have the right to get on with their lives as they see fit. My guess is that whatever you do, covid and the flu will find you out at some point. Hopefully if you are careful it will be when covid is even less deadly. Best of luck.

I do take precautions. I am careful but it's difficult to avoid stupid people.

When queueing do we have to be squashed together? Give me space. Don't touch me.

In a supermarket I'm standing in front of the shelf looking for a specific product and someone stands next to me and reaches in front of me to grab something from the shelf. I mean seriously. Just plain stupid.

And no you cannot get on with your life as you see fit. That's like saying someone knows they have Covid but they just go about their business not wearing a mask as if nothing is wrong. That is about as irresponsible as it gets.

Very difficult to fix stupid and obviously Covid has taught them nothing.

I have this feeling the next one will be similar to Ebola. That should weed a few of the stupid out of the way but many innocent will also suffer.