4 ms·

> It sounds reasonable in closed spaces (like in the examples you gave). But I'm reluctant to wear a mask outside in low-density area (I would if there were str

by xur17 6y ago

> It sounds reasonable in closed spaces (like in the examples you gave). But I'm reluctant to wear a mask outside in low-density area (I would if there were strong evidence it made any difference). I agree with this. 100% mandatory outside of your home would mean I would have to wear a mask while running, which seems unnecessary when I see a grand total of 1 or 2 people on my entire run (and cross the street to keep plenty of distances between us). This is one danger of applying a solution for 100% of everyone, everywhere without taking into account any nuances. That said, mandating masks indoors + outdoors when you can't maintain 6 feet of distance seems like a no brainer. Perhaps in higher density areas it could be worth requiring them 100% of the time, even outdoors, but I'd like to see the data first.

petersellers 6y ago
I generally agree, and I personally don't wear a mask outside when I walk in my neighborhood for this exact reason (very low density, plenty of space). With that said, it appears that if there is any gray area in the rules then the general population is almost sure to abuse them. In this case, I think it's better to err on the side of caution and make it 100% mandatory so there is absolutely no gray area.
- gpanders 6y ago
  I mentioned this in another comment already, but this is what’s being done in New Mexico. The mask order was extended to, basically, “wear a mask if you’re outside your house”. This includes exercising outside. Personally, I find that part a bit excessive; however, my understanding is that it’s meant to counter exactly what you pointed out: as long as there are any exceptions, some people will reason their way out of compliance. A 100% mandate is just easier and simpler to follow. I now wear a mask when walking in my neighborhood after I noticed other people wearing masks too. Chalk it up to peer pressure I guess, but to me it’s a very small price to pay if it helps enforce mask-wearing in other contexts.
ghaff 6y ago
One of the problems with "masks should be required" is that it lacks nuance. Around where I live--exurbs of a major NE US city--they're required and pretty much universally used in stores as far as I can see. However, outside, it's very mixed and personally it seems pretty reasonable. But I'm sure to some people it seems as if people aren't being reasonable. Certainly I'm not wearing by myself in the woods. But perhaps that's seen poor practice by some. No idea what things look like in the city. Perhaps I'd find it uncomfortable.
- gbrown 6y ago
  Most of the mask orders I've seen take that into account though, requiring masks indoors and in outdoor spaces where social distancing is not possible or enforced.
  - ghaff 6y ago
    It is. Although some people seem to feel strongly that's not enough.
- slg 6y ago
  The lack of nuance is a feature and not a bug. It takes the decision out of the individual's hands since people can have any number of reasons ranging from valid to incomprehensible for why their specific activity doesn't require a mask. We have already tried leaving it up to individuals for the last 4+ months and that clearly hasn't worked. The choices going forward appear to either be to put stronger precautions in place until there is a vaccine or continue to let tens or hundreds of thousands of more people die unnecessarily so we can be slightly more comfortable while outside our homes.
  - ghaff 6y ago
    Well, where I live which is about as blue as it gets in the US, people are being good at wearing masks inside based on what I've seen--essentially universal. And they may have masks for walking around in close contact outside but they're not required or generally worn when people are, for example, sitting down and eating outside or walking separated by some distance. My understanding is that is pretty much the situation even for places where that are relatively enforcing masking in the US.

by xur17 6y ago

petersellers 6y ago

I generally agree, and I personally don't wear a mask outside when I walk in my neighborhood for this exact reason (very low density, plenty of space). With that said, it appears that if there is any gray area in the rules then the general population is almost sure to abuse them. In this case, I think it's better to err on the side of caution and make it 100% mandatory so there is absolutely no gray area.

gpanders 6y ago
I mentioned this in another comment already, but this is what’s being done in New Mexico. The mask order was extended to, basically, “wear a mask if you’re outside your house”. This includes exercising outside. Personally, I find that part a bit excessive; however, my understanding is that it’s meant to counter exactly what you pointed out: as long as there are any exceptions, some people will reason their way out of compliance. A 100% mandate is just easier and simpler to follow. I now wear a mask when walking in my neighborhood after I noticed other people wearing masks too. Chalk it up to peer pressure I guess, but to me it’s a very small price to pay if it helps enforce mask-wearing in other contexts.

ghaff 6y ago

One of the problems with "masks should be required" is that it lacks nuance. Around where I live--exurbs of a major NE US city--they're required and pretty much universally used in stores as far as I can see. However, outside, it's very mixed and personally it seems pretty reasonable. But I'm sure to some people it seems as if people aren't being reasonable. Certainly I'm not wearing by myself in the woods. But perhaps that's seen poor practice by some. No idea what things look like in the city. Perhaps I'd find it uncomfortable.

gbrown 6y ago
Most of the mask orders I've seen take that into account though, requiring masks indoors and in outdoor spaces where social distancing is not possible or enforced.
- ghaff 6y ago
  It is. Although some people seem to feel strongly that's not enough.
slg 6y ago
The lack of nuance is a feature and not a bug. It takes the decision out of the individual's hands since people can have any number of reasons ranging from valid to incomprehensible for why their specific activity doesn't require a mask. We have already tried leaving it up to individuals for the last 4+ months and that clearly hasn't worked. The choices going forward appear to either be to put stronger precautions in place until there is a vaccine or continue to let tens or hundreds of thousands of more people die unnecessarily so we can be slightly more comfortable while outside our homes.
- ghaff 6y ago
  Well, where I live which is about as blue as it gets in the US, people are being good at wearing masks inside based on what I've seen--essentially universal. And they may have masks for walking around in close contact outside but they're not required or generally worn when people are, for example, sitting down and eating outside or walking separated by some distance. My understanding is that is pretty much the situation even for places where that are relatively enforcing masking in the US.