We’ve all been informed that it’s important that people practice physical distancing and, if possible, wear masks when distancing isn’t feasible for the foreseeable future. Many of us would like to see everyone wearing masks when they’re outside even if they’re diligent about trying to stay 6′ away from others. While each of us needs to do what we can to keep from spreading COVID-19, it’s also important for us all to be understanding and not castigate those who are maskless, because many of them have reasons they can’t wear masks and you can’t tell just by looking.
Some people with lung problems can’t get enough air when they try to breathe through a mask. In addition to those with emphysema or other chronic illnesses, this can include people who have recovered from respiratory tract illnesses who are no longer contagious but whose lungs are still in process of recovering.Getting fresh air and gentle exercise can be important to their recoveries.
People with autism, cognitive disabilities, anxiety disorders or other psychiatric disorders, or other invisible conditions may be unable to tolerate masks. One mother describes these issue beautifully in the article Some autistic people can’t tolerate face masks. Here’s how we’re managing with our son.
The recent Massachusetts state and local guidelines both specify that people are not required to provide written proof of their reason for not wearing a mask. During this time when we’re all stressed and on edge, assuming the best instead of the worst of people and practicing kindness can help us all.
Welcome to our newest blogger Meredith Warhsaw. She’s been a longtime Village14’er and its great to have her contributing posts now.
Thanks Meredith for this one in particular. As you say, everyone’s a bit on edge these days, so a gentle reminder to assume the best when looking at those around us and looking for the best within ourselves, is particularly timely.
I absolutely hate wearing masks though I religiously do whenever I’m in proximity to others. That said, I spend a great deal of time outside without one and furiously get it on when I encounter approaching people.
Thank you, Meredith, for the reminder that wearing a mask is not as simple as wearing a helmet when riding a bike. I hope we can all be kind when a mask-less walker or jogger comes toward us: maybe the message conveyed is not “I don’t care if I spray you with particules” but ” I cannot wear a mask, see, I am turning away.”
Meredith,
Thank you for providing this important perspective.
Regards,
Rosie
Great post Meredith! Welcome.
I was just looking at the Facebook page, We Are Proud Autism Parents and read about the “enterprising parent” linked in the sensitivity portion of the WAPO article who put buttons on her son’s caps to hook the elastics around because he couldn’t stand the elastics around his ears and it also loosens it up a bit. She includes pictures that can be seen in the link. A great idea.
I would like to become a blogger. What’s the process? I have a real life perspective on the economy, Ridiculous pay for school admins, BC Webster Woods, and everything in between.
@Fred Knowles – There have generally been two paths to becoming a blogger on V14.
* You contribute as a commenter for an extended period of time and you catch people attention with the quality of your writing on a variety of topics.
* Sometimes people who write extensively in other forums are also invited.
Fred, you also have to be a real person and not an avatar or an anonymous name. For instance, I don’t blog here, I just comment and throw out suggestions to Jerry, who likely finds said suggestions annoying at this point. 😉
I don’t know if you are using your real name or not, but just wanted to point that out.
“Many of us would like to see everyone wearing masks when they’re outside even if they’re diligent about trying to stay 6′ away from others.” That’s silly. ALL of the literature on Covid infection tell us that outdoor transmission is very, very, very rare – .03 percent of known traced infections. One study tracked 7000 cases and discovered only one documented outdoor infection- a standing outdoor conversation between two men, one recently infected. I know that when I walk outside w/o a mask while maintaining a 6 foot distance from other people I am not endangering myself or others. That’s a fact. I do however keep a mask in my pocket and will use it if I cannot keep the proper distance.
@Peter Bloy – I was talking about feelings. There have been contradictory reports (of varying quality) on whether there can be outdoor transmission and some people are scared. Regardless of whether any one of us think the facts support being scared, the fear is real.
Speaking as a researcher, I’m much more confident that we know ways the virus can be transmitted than that we have good knowledge of ways it can’t be, because our knowledge base is changing so rapidly. In particular, you can’t prove a negative – just because we haven’t documented something occurring doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened.
You are wrong about the science of outdoor transmission. Go ahead and do a deep dive in the research.
Your comment about feelings is nonsensical in this discussion. Citing a free floating fear, a feeling, to bolster your argument adds nothing to the relevant facts. And then to add “just because we haven’t documented something occurring doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened.” is also on its face just weird. I guess I cant document that invisible pink elephants are spreading the virus so maybe that has happened as well.
One way to overcome your fear is to arm yourself with facts. It’s too much to expect others to change their behavior based on your feelings and irrational fear.
@Peter Bloy – my post was about people’s reactions to seeing others without masks, which is about emotions. This was not a post about the science.
My comment about not having documented something is based on having been a biostatistician doing medical research for several decades and being aware of the limitations of contact tracing. When someone is asked about who they’ve contacted, they probably aren’t going to remember the person they talked to for 2 minutes while taking their morning walk if they don’t know their name (in which case, the contact tracer is unlikely to be able to locate them).
Based on the scientific papers I’ve read, I consider open air transmission to be very unlikely as long as the contact is of short duration and no one sneezes in your direction. However, I know people at high risk who are petrified of having unmasked people standing on the sidewalk next to their pocket-sized yard having a long conversation. And these people will have seen some news reports talking about 27′ not being far enough or other dubious info – I’m not going to discount the fears of people who are basing them on what they’ve read in non-disreputable sources.