Althouse: Who could possibly break up this nasty street argument between a pro- and an anti-mask-wearer?

May 28, 2020

Who could possibly break up this nasty street argument between a pro- and an anti-mask-wearer?

72 comments:

Fernandinande said...: As Zappa said to a heckler in the audience, "Stop it, you'll hurt your throat!"; 5/28/20, 8:21 AM
tim maguire said...: Bonding over hating the peacemaker. Well worth the 2 minutes. Thanks.; 5/28/20, 8:21 AM
MayBee said...: "You won't be sorry" is a high standard.; 5/28/20, 8:25 AM
Fernandinande said...: "Sorry, no mask allowed," ...

"If we're only allowed to be at 25 percent capacity, I want them to be 25 percent of people that aren't pussies, that aren't sheep. Being scared all the time isn't good for your health. It suppresses your immune system."; 5/28/20, 8:29 AM
Lurker21 said...: Who could possibly break up this nasty street argument between a pro- and an anti-mask-wearer?

Poison gas would do the trick for both of them.; 5/28/20, 8:37 AM
Temujin said...: Hilarious!

"You're probably wearing a condom right now." Always.; 5/28/20, 8:44 AM
I'm Full of Soup said...: That was really funny. Thx; 5/28/20, 8:46 AM
MadisonMan said...: Do you even watch the News 24 hours a day?

That was a great line.; 5/28/20, 8:47 AM
Lash LaRue said...: Maybe we should wear half a mask.; 5/28/20, 8:50 AM
Bruce Hayden said...: It has gotten to a point now that mask wearing has become more of a virtue signaling device than having much to do with fighting COVID-19. Surgical masks are only designed to prevent discharge of large droplets, and do almost no filtering of air being breathed. “The 'N95' designation means that when subjected to careful testing, the respirator blocks at least 95 percent of very small (0.3 micron) test particles.” SARS-CoV-2 virus particles are maybe half that size. Making things worse, cloth masks, that have become so prevalent, tend to be far worse. I noted earlier, seeing two women in the local grocery store proudly wearing their hand sewn masks, in a completely COVID-19 free county, in a state that recently dropped into last place in COVID-19 deaths. WTF were they wearing those masks? Either they are brain dead (our mentally challenged population appears to be the group with the, by far highest rate of mask wearing) or are Karen’s, virtue signaling.; 5/28/20, 9:04 AM
Yancey Ward said...: My US COVID-19 spreadsheet updated with yesterday's results.; 5/28/20, 9:09 AM
Yancey Ward said...: I told you the solution to this mask/no mask thing could be solved by just all the anti-mask people wearing "MAGA" masks, or "TRUMP" masks. You would see the face diaperers become instantly anti-mask.; 5/28/20, 9:11 AM
Inga said...: It has gotten to a point now that not wearing a mask has become more of a Trump signaling device than having much to do with fighting against “Panic!”; 5/28/20, 9:16 AM
narciso said...: Meanwhile

https://amp.theguardian.com/science/2020/may/28/questions-raised-over-hydroxychloroquine-study-which-caused-who-to-halt-trials-for-covid-19; 5/28/20, 9:19 AM
wendybar said...: Where was the social distancing in Target last night in Minneapolis???; 5/28/20, 9:19 AM
Inga said...: The number of Wisconsinites hospitalized for coronavirus is growing, one reminder that coronavirus 'hasn't gone anywhere'

he number of Wisconsinites hospitalized due to COVID-19 has been on the rise in recent weeks.

More than 400 patients statewide were hospitalized with coronavirus as of Wednesday morning, according to the Wisconsin Hospital Association and state health officials. Fewer than 300 were hospitalized in early May.

The latest number — 413 currently hospitalized coronavirus patients — was down slightly from 422 on Tuesday.

But an additional 335 people are hospitalized while awaiting coronavirus test results, surpassing the previous high of 295, in early April.; 5/28/20, 9:21 AM
john said...: Good video. I've also been wondering about wearing the 2 condom thing in this pandemic. I guess it can't hurt. Well, it could if I bought the small.

But with my vasectomy, do I really need 2?; 5/28/20, 9:22 AM
Inga said...: The percentage of positive COVID-19 tests in Wisconsin ticked upward Wednesday, after three days of declining numbers.

Of the 9,731 tested in the past 24 hours, 5.8% came back positive for COVID-19, according to the state’s Department of Health Services.

That compares to 3.4 percent of positive coronavirus tests on Tuesday, 4.1 percent on Monday and 5.5 percent on Sunday.

The number of reported deaths jumped by 22, the highest one day total since the pandemic began. In Wisconsin, 539 people have died after testing positive for coronavirus.; 5/28/20, 9:24 AM
buwaya said...: It does not need breaking up, it needs resolution.
The mask thing is just a symbol that identifies allegiances.
The mask is not the point of this, the nut of it is the underlying divergence of identity. Both men want to fight because they identify the other as the other, and feel the need to do their bit, by going to do battle. That is human nature.

It is no different than Bloods and Crips fighting over blue and red.; 5/28/20, 9:33 AM
narciso said...: At least one party to the study falsified their results.; 5/28/20, 9:34 AM
Ann Althouse said...: Seems like a few of you read this post to mean: The topic is masks again.

I'm offended that you think I could be so boring as to do that. I wouldn't do that!; 5/28/20, 9:39 AM
Joe Biden, America's Putin said...: "do you watch the new 24 hours a day? you're killing someone when you breathe"

Wuhan-Hillary-chi-com virus - celebrate the timing!; 5/28/20, 9:46 AM
buwaya said...: You do not stop arguments, you help them develop into the healthy male dominance conflict that there should be. In my old Catholic school, back in the old days, the Christian Brothers offered to supply boxing gloves and referee a match.; 5/28/20, 9:55 AM
Mr. Groovington said...: The guy in pink was Canadian; 5/28/20, 9:56 AM
Yancey Ward said...: Inga,

Do you understand the concept of a lagging indicator? Do you understand the concept of "random walk" versus longer term trends? Get back to us next week when you do.; 5/28/20, 10:01 AM
Yancey Ward said...: Here is a somewhat more friendly view of the State Level Data that is updated including yesterday's data. You can search and file through any state's data- it includes hospitalizations and ICU use for some of the states, not all. Additionally, here you can find the state level data sorted by state with 7 day moving averages of certain items that interested me. All you have to do is scroll down to the state you are interested in.; 5/28/20, 10:14 AM
n.n said...: The left-right nexus.; 5/28/20, 10:17 AM
reader said...: I give it a 9 out of 10. It made me laugh.

If he would have included a “Riddle me this, Batman” it would have been a 10 out of 10.; 5/28/20, 10:18 AM
Ralph L said...: I wonder if it was intentional that the third guy isn't showing off his pecs and nips.; 5/28/20, 10:20 AM
Francisco D said...: "You are literally killing someone every time you breathe"

That's a great line.

It would sound like our lefty friends if it went "TRUMP is literally killing someone every time he breathes ... without a mask."

Literally, I tell you. Literally!; 5/28/20, 10:49 AM
Brian said...: With all these mandatory mask orders, can someone wear a veil?; 5/28/20, 10:59 AM
steve uhr said...: I predict this mask issue will be Trumps downfall. I used to think he was a genius politician. But explain to someone whose kid has cancer why trump is making the issue one of political correctness. Such a simple thing for him to role model. Idiot.; 5/28/20, 11:08 AM
Yancey Ward said...: "I used to think he was a genius politician."

Steve, really? You expect anyone to believe this?; 5/28/20, 11:23 AM
Lurker21 said...: That was funny. And true to life. The way they mindlessly throw around the memes they picked up somewhere. The way they turn on the live and let live guy. They way they find something to bond over in the end.; 5/28/20, 11:40 AM
TheOne Who Is Not Obeyed said...: To answer the original question: Chuck Norris could.; 5/28/20, 11:50 AM
jaydub said...: "But explain to someone whose kid has cancer why trump is making the issue one of political correctness."

You explain why you think anyone with a kid who has cancer would take him out of isolation and into an environment where there may be Wuflu floating around and depend on something as unreliable as a mask to keep him safe. You make as much sense a Inga.; 5/28/20, 11:53 AM
steve uhr said...: Until now I thought he would be re-elected. None of outrageous things he did hurt his support. I think he fucked up this time. Wait till you see the Biden ads focusing on this issue. Ouch; 5/28/20, 11:56 AM
Drago said...: steve uhr: "I predict this mask issue will be Trumps downfall. I used to think he was a genius politician."

LOLOLOLOLOL

Li'l Stevie really does think history began 15 minutes ago.

And we'll just file "this mask issue" as the downfall for Trump next to Li'l Stevie's previous 197 other "issues" that would be the downfall for Trump that didn't pan out.

The Walls Are Closing In! Again! Nobody knows what the Mueller-Maskwearers Know!; 5/28/20, 11:59 AM
steve uhr said...: Jay dub. You’re as stupid as trump. Maybe the kids dad gets sick because all you idiot tough guys refuse to wear a mask and he infects his kid. Let your imagination free.; 5/28/20, 12:05 PM
narciso said...: excellent, yancey ward, the number that rings odd to me, is my state doesn't list the number of recovered.; 5/28/20, 12:15 PM
Birkel said...: It's humorous because both sides' stupidity is on display. And they both hate the Karen who comes along.; 5/28/20, 12:18 PM
Paco Wové said...: Somebody needs to go back to Concern Troll school.; 5/28/20, 12:26 PM
Howard said...: www.vanityfair.com/news/2020/05/even-sean-hannity-is-talking-sense-on-mask-wearing/amp; 5/28/20, 12:44 PM
Yancey Ward said...: Biden is going to look like a fool, Steve, wearing a mask everywhere during the campaign- a fucking fool, and I suspect even you know this.; 5/28/20, 12:51 PM
narciso said...: meanwhile cbs is firing a reporter who took an ied hit in afghanistan, i'm not making this up, but they are keeping china's troll, wei jiang,; 5/28/20, 12:54 PM
Hey Skipper said...: @Inga:

It has gotten to a point now that not wearing a mask has become more of a Trump signaling device than having much to do with fighting against “Panic!”

No. It has everything to do with a widespread distaste for bul*shit mandates, and the Karens that thrive on them.

From your first link, in case you didn't read it all the way through:

"All 599 cases that were diagnosed today resulted from a person being in close contact with another person who had the infection," said Ryan Westergaard, the chief medical officer at the Department of Health Services. "And that's the only thing we can say with certainty."

Oh, and the positive test rate of 5.8% is down from 8% on May 20th.; 5/28/20, 12:56 PM
narciso said...: meanwhile cbs is firing a reporter who took an ied hit in afghanistan, i'm not making this up, but they are keeping china's troll, weijia jiang,; 5/28/20, 12:57 PM
Bruce Hayden said...: Uhr:

I don’t think that you are seeing the bigger picture. Trump was pushing responding to the pandemic while the Democrats were still fixated on impeachment. He shut off travel from China while prominent Dems on both coasts were pushing everyone to come to Chinatown to celebrate their New Year. He was ramping up production of masks and ventilators, sending Hope and Comfort to our two biggest cities, etc weeks, probably better than a month before Dem leaders woke up to the danger. The time to wear masks and gloves everywhere was a month or maybe even two ago. Now, the more important issue is saving the economy and getting everyone back to work. Instead, Dem leaders across the country have used their emergency powers to revel in their powerfulness.

My prediction is that we are going to go into the 2020 election with a stark choice - trust Trump and the a Republicans, who have been at the forefront of fighting the pandemic, or the power mad Democrats, late at every turn, and completely oblivious as their economies disintegrate. You can look forward to a Texan economy, or a Californian economy. Who is going to be trusted for the next four years? It doesn’t help having Pervy Joe Biden at the head of their ticket (so far) as he has shown zero vision, relegated to weakly nipping at Trump’s heels. Why would any halfway intelligent person trust him to rebuild our economy over the next four years? As I said I think that the decision is going to be stark in November. Prosperity or depression.; 5/28/20, 12:57 PM
Howard said...: Of course didn't watch the video cuz I won't takes my time with that sort of trivial trivia clickbait eye candy confirmation bias feeding frenzy.

In any event it's pretty stupid to have a face-to-face argument with somebody about health and safety pandemic protocol in the middle of a pandemic. If you see somebody inappropriately behaving or inappropriately protected just stay away. That's why I always hover around the Asian women when I'm shopping. They're so careful you know that they don't have it and they're not going to spred it if they did; 5/28/20, 12:59 PM
Jim at said...: Take your mask and stick it somewhere.
I'm not responsible for your health and safety. You are.; 5/28/20, 1:15 PM
Jim at said...: As I've said before, it's quite pathetic to spend every, waking moment of your life searching high and low for the worst, possible numbers and news regarding the virus.

But that's what some people do. They wallow in misery.; 5/28/20, 1:18 PM
n.n said...: I wonder if it was intentional that the third guy isn't showing off his pecs and nips.

A conservative or moderate is portrayed as a weak position.; 5/28/20, 1:24 PM
narciso said...: never minds then

https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/norway-health-chief-lockdown-was-not-needed-to-tame-covid; 5/28/20, 1:42 PM
steve uhr said...: By what objective measure has Trump done a good job fighting the virus? We are in the top ten as far as deaths per million (excluding a couple of tiny countries like San Marino and Andorra). Trump likes to compare us to Germany, which has had 102 deaths per million. We are at 303 and counting. Trump's ban from China was full of exceptions. Further, the airlines had already stopped most flights, and the deep state at HHS recommended the China ban. His claim that he made that decision over everyone's objection is demonstrably false. He was late in closing the border with Europe and recall the videos of the airports here with thousands of returning Americans packed like sardines waiting to go through customs, many who we know were infected. New York was a hot zone because of people from Europe, not China.

Compare us with Hong Kong - 0.5 deaths per million - and Taiwan -- 0.3 deaths per million.

No doubt many dems like De Blasio did a shitty job protecting the health of their citizens, but they aren't running for president.; 5/28/20, 1:46 PM
jaydub said...: Uhr: "Jay dub. You’re as stupid as trump. Maybe the kids dad gets sick because all you idiot tough guys refuse to wear a mask and he infects his kid."

No, since I don't have the Chicom Wuflu it's impossible for anyone to catch it from me whether I'm wearing a mask or a hazmat suit or butt naked. But, are you saying his old man could still catch it despite him wearing a mask? So, why is he wearing a mask? Better question, shouldn't the old man not go out at all to be certain he doesn't bring something home to his kid? Or better yet, should the kid be isolated from his old man as well if he's that vulnerable? Here's the deal numbnuts, he's responsible for doing what is necessary to protect his kid regardless what anyone else does.

BTW, Trumps' IQ is estimated to be above 150; 5/28/20, 2:03 PM
bagoh20 said...: ""You are literally killing someone every time you breathe"

That would make taking a jog around town literally genocide. Someone needs to just start shooing anyone who breaths. Justifiable homicide - self defense.

I have not exhaled since mid-March. That's how much I care.; 5/28/20, 2:07 PM
steve uhr said...: "Biden is going to look like a fool wearing a mask everywhere" Everyone look like a fool wearing a mask. But they do it because they don't want to be dicks like most of the commentators here. Suck it up.

His disapproval rating is higher than it has been since January 22. So much for the "crisis bump" After 9/11 GWB's favorability went from 51% to 88%.; 5/28/20, 2:07 PM
bagoh20 said...: Every day when I look at the numbers, I kind of do a little prayer asking the numbers to be down, you know, good news. I get the impression that Inga does just the opposite, and then returns to stirring her cauldron. Pretty ghoulish energy, that one.; 5/28/20, 2:14 PM
stevew said...: That video is pretty funny, for all the right, stereotype exploiting reasons.

In other news, Super Scientist Dr. Fauci has changed his tune once again:

Flippin' and Floppin'; 5/28/20, 2:31 PM
narciso said...: well she has to throw in the eye of newt; 5/28/20, 2:40 PM
bagoh20 said...: "Dr. Anthony Fauci now says that a second wave of COVID-19 may not even happen and that wearing a mask is largely symbolic at this point."

That's the scariest thing I've heard in weeks. Does this mean that a second wave is coming and masks are worth wearing? It could mean that. Hell, coming from an expert like Dr Fauci, it could mean anything. Maybe it means six more weeks of winter, or the Tiger King will escape from jail.; 5/28/20, 2:45 PM
Abdul Abulbul Amir said...: Mask wearing is all about showing your devotion to the narrative.

A fishnet face mask meets the quality requirements as there are none.; 5/28/20, 2:52 PM
bagoh20 said...: "BTW, Trumps' IQ is estimated to be above 150"

No wonder journalists don't understand him.; 5/28/20, 2:54 PM
Yancey Ward said...: You tell yourself whatever you like, Steve- people aren't going to be voting for a Biden wearing a mask while campaigning. I predict Biden won't be wearing a mask while campaigning this Summer and Fall, so the mask issue isn't going to hurt Trump.; 5/28/20, 2:55 PM
rcocean said...: If you're outside and you maintain 6 feet**, there is NO REASON to wear a mask.

That's SCIENCE.

** = its not even clear you need 6 feet. Studies have shown 3 foot is just as good.; 5/28/20, 2:59 PM
rcocean said...: The CDC put out a long statement, and had news conference, about the CV-19 virus lasting like 3 seconds, when its outside in sunlight and over 70 degrees. Yet, people in my area are wearing masks OUTSIDE when walking around in 85-90 degree heat! These idiots are accomplishing nothing. And neither are the people who wear masks while biking, while riding INSIDE THEIR CARS, while hiking, and running by you at 12 MPH.; 5/28/20, 3:01 PM
rcocean said...: As stated before, CV-19 is not a death sentence. In fact, if you're under 55, without major medical problems, your chance of surviving CV-19 is 99.98%; 5/28/20, 3:03 PM
rcocean said...: Trump wants the governors to do something to fight CV-19.

Democrats/Liberals: Does Trump know he's not dictator? He Can't dictate to a state how to fight CV-19, or when to close, or when to reopen.

Next Moment:

Democrats/Liberal: 100,000 have died from CV-19, its all Trump's fault. If only he closed things down SOONER. If only he had told the states what to do!; 5/28/20, 3:06 PM
BrianE said...: Since this isn't about masks, try this without wearing a mask. Light a candle in an environment with no air movement. Stand 6' away and talk at the candle. Use words that project like th or ba sounds. You won't get the candle flame to move. Yell at the candle. No movement. In fact, the only way to get your breath to affect the flame is to try and blow out the candle.
Move closer and talk until you move the candle flame. You have to get quite close.
Point is, unless your in an environment with stale air, with no natural air movement, you're at little risk of contracting the virus.
What's the #1 risk prevention? Avoid touching contaminated surfaces/washing and sanitizing hands/avoid touching mouth or nose.
#2 Air movement, either outside or inside.
Seems that right now someone is doing research on how to retrofit existing HVAC systems to contain/eliminate the virus. It would have the added benefit of helping next influenza season as well.; 5/28/20, 4:09 PM
Drago said...: Bruce Hayden: "Uhr: I don’t think that you are seeing the bigger picture."

That one goes right into the Understatement Hall of Fame.; 5/28/20, 5:15 PM
Drago said...: Someone has to be "Beijing Bob" in ARM's absence, and it looks like Li'l Stevie Uhr is just the guy to do it:

Uhr: "New York was a hot zone because of people from Europe, not China."

LOL

There's going to be alot more of this ChiCom protecting commentary from the lefties/dems and purchased "republicans" as we head into November.; 5/28/20, 5:18 PM
bagoh20 said...: Steve Uhr,

With your 20/20 hindsight, tell us exactly what Trump should have done differently that you can honestly say you would have supported at the time? He could have done exactly what people like you now claim would have worked, and he would have been resisted, called a racist, and critiqued by 100% of you. I know that, becuase it's exactly what happened. What number of dead are you now claiming was entirely possible with Trump simply doing something else. Again, with 20/20 hindsight. Tells us, wise one.

The truth is a lot of people wanted this to be bad, and they enjoyed the opportunities it provides, like blaming Trump for bad things you wanted all along.; 5/28/20, 7:38 PM