Green says masks will be last to go

['elepaio]

Another related funny summation from JP.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Rrp68MOjnK4

[malahini]

They've said in the past that they simply follow the CDC's advice and if they diverge from that then they need to justify why.

I tried to debate someone claiming to be from the Hawaii DOH and their entire argument seemed to be that mechanistic and ecological studies outweigh cluster randomized clinical trials in ability to measure the real world effects of an intervention.

I guess the next time some company wants to sell a medical device they can approve it without clinical trials based on nothing but mechanistic studies.

Yeah, these people don't care about science.

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

Yeah, these people don't care about science.

Look around you.  Very little in our day to day life runs entirely on science.  Everything is a blend of social, cultural, practical and science.  And much more.  

[malahini]

My point is they have no good evidence it worked, and while the Bangladesh RCT doesn't absolutely prove mandates don't work, it was unfortunately the best study there is on the effects of increased mask use. You should have seen some effect if they worked.

Mechanistic studies with mannequins spraying droplets and using lasers to measure it isn't going to tell you as much as they think it will, neither will retrospective studies.

They had two years to do a large scale trial in a wealthy country with conditions more similar and they didn't. There isn't a leg left for them to stand on.

[kander]

Ige will drop masks soon. Aside from residuals, The pandemic is over.

['elepaio]

Unmuzzle the keiki so they can have a life!

Lots of fun at Bayfront Yesterday. Great signage and patriotism. Honk honk.

[kalakoa]

Ige will drop masks soon.

Citation needed.

[Chas]

Pandemic is over!
(If you want it)

[MyManao]

Pandemic is over!
(If you want it)

That works for the original, war, because the entire thing is a man made construct that can be changed by its makers. I doubt it works for a virus that has the potential, as Covid-19 does, to cross species boundaries and as such come and go and adapt over time. In this case wanting, and doing the heavy lifting that we've now seen is too hard for many, are two different things entirely. So, until Covid gets so big and bad that those who have so far been unable to put aside their own self interests realize their personal safety is at stake, and they embrace the science that thus far they have shunned, I'd say it's nigh impossible.

Right now the numbers are promising. They've plummeted from their recent incredible highs, but Covid hasn't gone away and we have to assume there are variants still to come. As such, if we as a whole had embraced a posture of collective cooperation, I would say yeah, we're gonna kick this buggah's ass. But as it is, I think Edge put it most succinctly when he observed that he'd be happy with a few weeks break before the next surge. 

The problem, as I see it, lies in the exhaustion American's have with the whole thing and their willingness to suspend logic whenever it suits; which, collectively, doesn't bode well if in fact Covid finds a way around the immunity that we've gained and is now allowing us to relax our vigil. So, as I look for the best in the road ahead I also think it's worth recognizing the potential if Covid does get around our immune barrier and we are left with no more defense than masks and social distancing. If that was the case, now, it would be a slaughter.

[kalianna]

I donʻt disagree with what you are saying, MyManao, but by the same token, those of us who HAVE gotten vaxxed and masked and limited our social gatherings can, just for now, relax a little, hug our friends, eat in common spaces, let off some much pent up steam and still have the good sense to read the news, act quickly and go back to our heavy duty safety procedures if, and yeah, probably when we need to. But just for now, letʻs play a little, ok?