Just posted this comment on the NYT op-Ed. We’ll see if it sneaks past the “moderators.” Based on past experience, I’m skeptical. Here it is:
“I’ve repeatedly had my comments censored on this website for years now for saying exactly this. Meanwhile, I’ve watched as the top “recommended” comments on article after article display unwavering confidence in the efficacy of masks and the immorality, evilness even, of those, like me, who do not share their faith.
This newspaper has constantly fed fanaticism over the masking issue, misinforming it’s readership and exacerbating partisan hatred. In what other areas is this paper providing a similar disservice to its readers and to society at large? I used to read the NYT to learn what’s happening in the world. Now I read it only to learn what’s happening in the Twitter-addled minds of the cloistered elites seeking constantly to assert more and more control over our lives using pseudoscience and emotional blackmail.
Good on the Times for finally publishing something reasonable on the masking issue. Shame on the Times for putting ideological interests over the pursuit of truth time and time again over these tumultuous few years.”
They got caught with their hand in the cookie jar and are now pretending they’re just putting a stolen cookie back.
I notice they’re still perpetuating the use of name-calling (“conspiracy theorists” and “quack-cure peddlers”) and will pull those tricks out of their bag to lob at anyone who questions the next narrative.
The only way to defend against this tactic is to let the bullets pass through you. That’s when you realize they were just imaginary, and they’ll never work to silence you again:
‘... an unwitting accomplice to the genuine enemies of reason and science - conspiracy theorists and quack-cure peddlers...’. Accomplice? Inventor and leader of the pack surely.
I’ve been in more than one operating theater (operating room) where the surgeon said, “Surgical Masks are a Joke,” that they prevent a sneeze or cough from spewing saliva directly on the patient or blood from the patient spraying into the doctor’s mouth/nose, but that’s it.
Sadly, the masquerade is not over in the healthcare arena. I have an appointment today for an annual wellness exam and I've been reminded in every email and automated phone call that "face coverings are required in all our facilities." I would love to be the one that raises the bs flag and plops down in the waiting area maskless. But I have no doubt I would be asked to leave and/or escorted out. And it is not possible to find a different provider because in our area, one healthcare conglomerate has an fairly perfect monopoly. So I may have to accept that I am "unclean" for the rest of my life, or until we move to a different state.
I had to go in for a routine medical procedure yesterday and beforehand I checked out the facilities and saw they had a mask policy plastered loud and proud on their website. I was resigned to diapering up (irony, considering the type of procedure I was having, iykwim).
I got there and there was a "MASKS REQUIRED" sign on the door... but when I walked in only about 10% of the people inside were masked up. It was glorious not to have to play that game.
At this point, it really is just a sign of psychological issues on the part of the wearers and executive bossiness on the part of the people in charge who keep wanting to force it. That's it and that's all. Normal people have no time for that anymore.
This NYT piece is another one that sort of admits they were wrong while still defending their position.
“What’s more, the analysis does not prove that proper masks, properly worn, had no benefit at an individual level. People may have good personal reasons to wear masks, and they may have the discipline to wear them consistently. Their choices are their own.”
See, masks still work if you would only wear them right. Also, personal choice! (Uh, where was the personal choice to NOT wear a mask?)
“Yet there was never a chance that mask mandates in the United States would get anywhere close to 100 percent compliance, or that people would or could wear masks in a way that would meaningfully reduce transmission.”
I have been at this mask game a long time. When the hospital mandated the flu vaccine or wear a mask, I opted to wear the mask. When my coworkers lined up like sheep to take the flu vaccine the number one reason for compliance, “I couldn’t wear a mask for 12 hours!“ When the hospitals mandated take the Covid vaccine or lose your job, I opted to lose my job. Now my coworkers are jabbed and wearing masks for 12 hours! Every time you comply you give away more power!
But of course. This is straight out of 1984. Eastasia has always been at war with Oceana. No, wait a minute. Eastasia has never been at war with Oceana. And so it goes. Screens everywhere, even at the gas pump, so they can brainwash you even while you are pumping gas. So far I haven't seen any at our EV charging stations but that will come.
Remember the story of the emperor's new clothes? Well, I never liked the ending. What "really" happened was when the child cried out "but he has nothing on" he was quickly hustled away by people who said "we would like to talk to you about your concerns", taken to a room, sat down, and told "you need to listen to us" when he started to talk. If he (or she) was so dense or stubborn at this point, then behavior modification techniques, including drugs, would be used. The final step in this process would to make him simply disappear by locking him up in an institution. Of course, this has never been done anywhere in the world and especially not here, right?
On the ground, there's still quite a bit of lunacy. Yesterday as I was taking a stroll outside, I saw a lady with mask scootched down her chin. When she saw someone walking towards her, she pulled it up over her face double time.
These people's minds have been blenderized. I suspect they will never get better.
I’m one of the unclean/pure bloods, part of the resistance.
Each time I see something like this and am forced to acknowledge that those around me just don’t care or lack the critical thinking skills to see the constant spin and inconsistencies….or worse still, some see it, but selfishly ignore it because the nonsense hasn’t touched their lives yet or exacted a price…..each time, my heart dies a little more and I wonder about the fate of mankind. Are we that lost…disconnected from the reality before us? I cringe….and yes, my anger grows as well, perhaps out of frustration that for so many truth is mutable, a prostitute employed by those who wish to manipulate. And we allow it, have allowed it on this grand scale into the intimate spaces of our lives.
Just posted this comment on the NYT op-Ed. We’ll see if it sneaks past the “moderators.” Based on past experience, I’m skeptical. Here it is:
“I’ve repeatedly had my comments censored on this website for years now for saying exactly this. Meanwhile, I’ve watched as the top “recommended” comments on article after article display unwavering confidence in the efficacy of masks and the immorality, evilness even, of those, like me, who do not share their faith.
This newspaper has constantly fed fanaticism over the masking issue, misinforming it’s readership and exacerbating partisan hatred. In what other areas is this paper providing a similar disservice to its readers and to society at large? I used to read the NYT to learn what’s happening in the world. Now I read it only to learn what’s happening in the Twitter-addled minds of the cloistered elites seeking constantly to assert more and more control over our lives using pseudoscience and emotional blackmail.
Good on the Times for finally publishing something reasonable on the masking issue. Shame on the Times for putting ideological interests over the pursuit of truth time and time again over these tumultuous few years.”
They got caught with their hand in the cookie jar and are now pretending they’re just putting a stolen cookie back.
I notice they’re still perpetuating the use of name-calling (“conspiracy theorists” and “quack-cure peddlers”) and will pull those tricks out of their bag to lob at anyone who questions the next narrative.
The only way to defend against this tactic is to let the bullets pass through you. That’s when you realize they were just imaginary, and they’ll never work to silence you again:
• “Letter to a Mainstream Straddler: Live Not by Half-Lies” (https://margaretannaalice.substack.com/p/letter-to-a-mainstream-straddler)
‘... an unwitting accomplice to the genuine enemies of reason and science - conspiracy theorists and quack-cure peddlers...’. Accomplice? Inventor and leader of the pack surely.
I’ve been in more than one operating theater (operating room) where the surgeon said, “Surgical Masks are a Joke,” that they prevent a sneeze or cough from spewing saliva directly on the patient or blood from the patient spraying into the doctor’s mouth/nose, but that’s it.
Wow, a "mask off" moment! Too bad Emily Oster says we need amnesty, or else some real introspection and accountability might occur.
Sadly, the masquerade is not over in the healthcare arena. I have an appointment today for an annual wellness exam and I've been reminded in every email and automated phone call that "face coverings are required in all our facilities." I would love to be the one that raises the bs flag and plops down in the waiting area maskless. But I have no doubt I would be asked to leave and/or escorted out. And it is not possible to find a different provider because in our area, one healthcare conglomerate has an fairly perfect monopoly. So I may have to accept that I am "unclean" for the rest of my life, or until we move to a different state.
And Wakensky is STILL saying kids should be masked. We need to get rid of ALL the 3 letter agencies.
I had to go in for a routine medical procedure yesterday and beforehand I checked out the facilities and saw they had a mask policy plastered loud and proud on their website. I was resigned to diapering up (irony, considering the type of procedure I was having, iykwim).
I got there and there was a "MASKS REQUIRED" sign on the door... but when I walked in only about 10% of the people inside were masked up. It was glorious not to have to play that game.
At this point, it really is just a sign of psychological issues on the part of the wearers and executive bossiness on the part of the people in charge who keep wanting to force it. That's it and that's all. Normal people have no time for that anymore.
This NYT piece is another one that sort of admits they were wrong while still defending their position.
“What’s more, the analysis does not prove that proper masks, properly worn, had no benefit at an individual level. People may have good personal reasons to wear masks, and they may have the discipline to wear them consistently. Their choices are their own.”
See, masks still work if you would only wear them right. Also, personal choice! (Uh, where was the personal choice to NOT wear a mask?)
“Yet there was never a chance that mask mandates in the United States would get anywhere close to 100 percent compliance, or that people would or could wear masks in a way that would meaningfully reduce transmission.”
Again, if only people masked harder...
I still see the masked driving alone, at grocery stores, and walking in the open air. And I’m in Texas!
Says a lot about where we are, and how this psyop is far from over.
Still couldn't help themselves though, could they? They are as bad as the CDC that they are trying to disparage! How ironic!
I have been at this mask game a long time. When the hospital mandated the flu vaccine or wear a mask, I opted to wear the mask. When my coworkers lined up like sheep to take the flu vaccine the number one reason for compliance, “I couldn’t wear a mask for 12 hours!“ When the hospitals mandated take the Covid vaccine or lose your job, I opted to lose my job. Now my coworkers are jabbed and wearing masks for 12 hours! Every time you comply you give away more power!
But of course. This is straight out of 1984. Eastasia has always been at war with Oceana. No, wait a minute. Eastasia has never been at war with Oceana. And so it goes. Screens everywhere, even at the gas pump, so they can brainwash you even while you are pumping gas. So far I haven't seen any at our EV charging stations but that will come.
Remember the story of the emperor's new clothes? Well, I never liked the ending. What "really" happened was when the child cried out "but he has nothing on" he was quickly hustled away by people who said "we would like to talk to you about your concerns", taken to a room, sat down, and told "you need to listen to us" when he started to talk. If he (or she) was so dense or stubborn at this point, then behavior modification techniques, including drugs, would be used. The final step in this process would to make him simply disappear by locking him up in an institution. Of course, this has never been done anywhere in the world and especially not here, right?
On the ground, there's still quite a bit of lunacy. Yesterday as I was taking a stroll outside, I saw a lady with mask scootched down her chin. When she saw someone walking towards her, she pulled it up over her face double time.
These people's minds have been blenderized. I suspect they will never get better.
I’m one of the unclean/pure bloods, part of the resistance.
Each time I see something like this and am forced to acknowledge that those around me just don’t care or lack the critical thinking skills to see the constant spin and inconsistencies….or worse still, some see it, but selfishly ignore it because the nonsense hasn’t touched their lives yet or exacted a price…..each time, my heart dies a little more and I wonder about the fate of mankind. Are we that lost…disconnected from the reality before us? I cringe….and yes, my anger grows as well, perhaps out of frustration that for so many truth is mutable, a prostitute employed by those who wish to manipulate. And we allow it, have allowed it on this grand scale into the intimate spaces of our lives.
The apologies, surely, will NOT follow!
"We believed the science" will be everyone's excuse.
And they will continue "believing the science"