...mask mandates, not masks. I have no problem with people choosing to wear masks, just as I have no problem with them drinking kombucha if they think it helps them. If you're only contention here is that masks might provide some benefit, and, therefore, it might make sense to choose to wear them, then we have no argument.

If your contention instead is that masks should be mandated, then we have a problem. If you're going to take it upon yourself to tell everyone else what they have to do with their body and their health, then the burden of proof is on you. If that's how you feel, then you need to provide clear answers to the following:

-- How and how often do healthy people spread COVID? How do you know that? How would masks prevent that? How do you know that? In your answers, walk me through the particle size of the virus relative to the filtration ability of the masks that most people are wearing around town in their everyday lives. Also, make sure to address viral loads.

-- If we all need to wear masks to prevent healthy people from spreading COVID, when and why would we stop having to wear masks? Would it require complete eradication of COVID? Is COVID the only ailment that requires mandatory masks in your view? Why or why not? How would we ever be able to prove a negative -- i.e., that some healthy person somewhere is not carrying something dangerous that would be transmitted to someone else unless masks are worn?

-- Why would my wearing a mask protect you when you wearing a mask would not protect you?

-- Quantify the reduction in deaths that results from compelling healthy people to wear masks?

-- If mask mandates are the answer, please explain why COVID statistics in areas without mask mandates are comparable to -- and sometimes better than -- areas with mask mandates.

-- What are some of the potential health downsides to wearing masks, both biological and psychological? Please be specific.

The floor is yours.

[Post edited by Los Angeles Hoo at 04/18/2021 11:39AM]