Amtrak has lifted its mask mandate as well as the TSA. The MBTA will continue with the mandate but will monitor.
Meanwhile, Philadelphia is still the only U.S. city with an indoor mask mandate.
There is an obsession with masks on both sides of the fence, if you will. On one side, there’s enmity towards masks and mask mandates, which, I must say, is profoundly odd. We deal with rules and regulations all of the time; some temporary (like masks), and some permanent (no smoking in planes, trains, and buses; shoes and shirts to be worn in stores and public places; seat belts required, helmets for motorcyclists, traditional vaccines, testing for TB as a work requirement, etc …). For some reason, masks trigger a culture war of sorts. I don’t get it. At the same time, the other side of the mask war fixates too much of masks’ presumed preventive properties, as if masks are a panacea. They are not. They’re modestly (perhaps even just marginally) effective without other social distancing measures, like distancing! Better to be marginally effective than not effective, I know. That’s why I do favor masks. But, I try not to get carried away and pretend they’ll block transmission. South Korea’s recent wave is proof that masks have limitations. They’re universally worn in South Korea, yet Omicron (BA.2) broke through the barrier quite easily, especially in crowded spaces.
My continued concern today is crowded (packed) indoor spaces. There’s nothing that can be done about this. But I do avoid such spaces, especially when there’s no ventilation. Admittedly, this is easier for me to do because I’ve never liked crowded indoor spaces.
My heart aches for the crew on planes which have always leaned toward germ spread. Also for those operating any public transportation. In truth, my heart aches for the country that is slowly slipping away
I am not particularly concerned because I bet the majority of passengers and staff will continue to wear masks on flights. Most customers (myself included) and clerks still wear masks in grocery stores even though masks have been “optional” for more than a month now.
If and when the MBTA lifts the mask mandate, I will go onboard sans mask but put it on once I am seated, especially if it’s fairly full. Right now, masks must be worn prior to actual boarding and paying your fare.
Remember, just because a mask mandate has been lifted, doesn’t mean wearing one will forever be against the rules. It will be one’s choice. If the majority are masked, then diseased spread “should” be minimal I would think.
I agree that folks can still wear masks. Sadly, I posted here a while ago that one way masking is far less effective than all masking. Airplanes and cruise ships are notorious for spreading germs. I was also wondering how folks who headed for vacation knowing mask mandates were in place feel about traveling home with masks removed.
It is a different world out here also. If you so much as mention removing masks, the vast majority come off. I’m still surprised that some of the pharmacies that administer vaccines do not require masks.
And just for the record, up until the pandemic, banks didn’t allow customers to wear masks. Even ball caps and sunglasses could be removed at the request of tellers.
Made sense then. Sadly, Banks went through a fair amount of covid.
Its honestly been great to be able to do things again with no masks on, but in large crowds/cramped areas I still put the mask on for the most part thoug h I have gone away from it if I know everyone in said group has been vaccinated fully. I I feel safe from covid due to the vaccine and if someone is not vaccinated its their own fault if they get sick and deserve what nature hands them.
That is very cool. It is nice when you know everyone in a group is vaccinated.
School numbers jumped 4/7-4/13 to 800/day for students and 270ish for staff. Remember, this is only the tip of the iceberg. And we do nothing ….
Range Students Staff
3/03-3/9 1,345. 372
3/09-3/16 1,597 425
3/17-3/24 1,993 601
3/24-3/31 2,441 804
3/31-4/06 2,782 984
4/07-4/13. 4,000. 1,363
And this is in spite of masking?
No masks in schools.
And it is safe to say this can be increased by 30 percent….conservatively
We have systematically proven you cannot fix stupid. These are our children.
Some of the towns struggling ….and perhaps giving more honest numbers (I hope as I’d hate to add actual numbers to these)…
Wellesley 90, Andover 64, Boston 242, Brookline 86, Holliston 41, Lexington 66, Medway 37, Natick 54, Newton 93, shrewsbury 56
BREAKING NEWS – MBTA has lifted mask mandate for all trains and buses!
Uber and Lyft as well.
What percent of the active cases are vaccinated people?
C-19 for 4-20 is ready.
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Your no-hype southeastern New England weather blog!
Thanks TK.
Amtrak has lifted its mask mandate as well as the TSA. The MBTA will continue with the mandate but will monitor.
Meanwhile, Philadelphia is still the only U.S. city with an indoor mask mandate.
There is an obsession with masks on both sides of the fence, if you will. On one side, there’s enmity towards masks and mask mandates, which, I must say, is profoundly odd. We deal with rules and regulations all of the time; some temporary (like masks), and some permanent (no smoking in planes, trains, and buses; shoes and shirts to be worn in stores and public places; seat belts required, helmets for motorcyclists, traditional vaccines, testing for TB as a work requirement, etc …). For some reason, masks trigger a culture war of sorts. I don’t get it. At the same time, the other side of the mask war fixates too much of masks’ presumed preventive properties, as if masks are a panacea. They are not. They’re modestly (perhaps even just marginally) effective without other social distancing measures, like distancing! Better to be marginally effective than not effective, I know. That’s why I do favor masks. But, I try not to get carried away and pretend they’ll block transmission. South Korea’s recent wave is proof that masks have limitations. They’re universally worn in South Korea, yet Omicron (BA.2) broke through the barrier quite easily, especially in crowded spaces.
My continued concern today is crowded (packed) indoor spaces. There’s nothing that can be done about this. But I do avoid such spaces, especially when there’s no ventilation. Admittedly, this is easier for me to do because I’ve never liked crowded indoor spaces.
My heart aches for the crew on planes which have always leaned toward germ spread. Also for those operating any public transportation. In truth, my heart aches for the country that is slowly slipping away
I am not particularly concerned because I bet the majority of passengers and staff will continue to wear masks on flights. Most customers (myself included) and clerks still wear masks in grocery stores even though masks have been “optional” for more than a month now.
If and when the MBTA lifts the mask mandate, I will go onboard sans mask but put it on once I am seated, especially if it’s fairly full. Right now, masks must be worn prior to actual boarding and paying your fare.
Remember, just because a mask mandate has been lifted, doesn’t mean wearing one will forever be against the rules. It will be one’s choice. If the majority are masked, then diseased spread “should” be minimal I would think.
I agree that folks can still wear masks. Sadly, I posted here a while ago that one way masking is far less effective than all masking. Airplanes and cruise ships are notorious for spreading germs. I was also wondering how folks who headed for vacation knowing mask mandates were in place feel about traveling home with masks removed.
It is a different world out here also. If you so much as mention removing masks, the vast majority come off. I’m still surprised that some of the pharmacies that administer vaccines do not require masks.
And just for the record, up until the pandemic, banks didn’t allow customers to wear masks. Even ball caps and sunglasses could be removed at the request of tellers.
Made sense then. Sadly, Banks went through a fair amount of covid.
Its honestly been great to be able to do things again with no masks on, but in large crowds/cramped areas I still put the mask on for the most part thoug h I have gone away from it if I know everyone in said group has been vaccinated fully. I I feel safe from covid due to the vaccine and if someone is not vaccinated its their own fault if they get sick and deserve what nature hands them.
That is very cool. It is nice when you know everyone in a group is vaccinated.
School numbers jumped 4/7-4/13 to 800/day for students and 270ish for staff. Remember, this is only the tip of the iceberg. And we do nothing ….
Range Students Staff
3/03-3/9 1,345. 372
3/09-3/16 1,597 425
3/17-3/24 1,993 601
3/24-3/31 2,441 804
3/31-4/06 2,782 984
4/07-4/13. 4,000. 1,363
And this is in spite of masking?
No masks in schools.
And it is safe to say this can be increased by 30 percent….conservatively
We have systematically proven you cannot fix stupid. These are our children.
Some of the towns struggling ….and perhaps giving more honest numbers (I hope as I’d hate to add actual numbers to these)…
Wellesley 90, Andover 64, Boston 242, Brookline 86, Holliston 41, Lexington 66, Medway 37, Natick 54, Newton 93, shrewsbury 56
BREAKING NEWS – MBTA has lifted mask mandate for all trains and buses!
Uber and Lyft as well.
What percent of the active cases are vaccinated people?
C-19 for 4-20 is ready.