In a store last night, I saw a man wearing a face mask. Not many of those around anymore, but still too many. This man was probably a little north of 70 years old, judging by his silver hair and older look.
The mask he was wearing was not a regular one, but a very thick, cloth. Seemed like he would suffocate in it.
I don't know why, but I just said to him in a friendly way, "You know, that mask doesn't really do anything for you."
He said, "Well ... I have had pneumonia twice in the past two years."
I said, "Maybe wearing that mask has caused you respiratory problems."
He said, "Yeah, I wonder about that."
I told him about why doctors wear masks in operating rooms, and how they have studied this subject for over 50 years, long before Covid.
He said, "I'm listening."
I told him that no study has ever proven that masks are effective at preventing the transmission of any illness, and some studies have shown they are harmful to wear. In fact, some surgeons now recommend not wearing them, or wearing them as little as possible.
He said, "My friend sounds just like you. Maybe you guys are right."
I told him he should check out Dr. Shawn Baker on Youtube, who talks about the studies. He said he would.
During the conversation, he also mentioned how hard it is to know who to believe, because there is so much conflicting information.
I was surprised at how open and willing he was to consider what I had to say.
Some of these people have just been traumatized so much, that they don't know what to do.
Gives me a little empathy for some of them ... SOME of them.
One of the key elements of the discussion as you relayed it is that you showed respect and compassion for the gentleman. There is much to be gained from his response. I would encourage us all to realize that every person, no matter their beliefs, will respond better than otherwise might be the case if we demonstrate compassion and respect. If we do, then their response is truly on them, and maybe they will listen.
For some reason, I felt sorry for him, and that is why I opened my mouth.
After talking with him, I felt even more sorry.
But the good news is, it drove home the point (to me) that some of these people are so confused that they don't really know why they do what they do. Some of them really ARE willing to listen to other ideas, but they just don't know how to process -- they don't know how to engage in critical thinking.
OTOH, I know people who will get angry at the first hint of this type of discussion. That saddens me even more, because they are hopelessly lost, though they actually think they know what they are doing.
I have more respect for this man, than I do for them.
If it were a 20 year old, you wouldn't have felt sorry for him, and his response would have been pissy anyway
I find older people are just afraid and "to be safe" they wear it. A gentle nudge is sometimes all it takes with them.
Had a great conversation yesterday with an older Vietnam Veteran. He was leaving the blood lab and saw me without a mask. Told him that they don't do anything, he agreed and also said he wasn't getting any boosters.
I warned him that Flying Monkey Pox and Polio were next on deck and to not believe it.
"Polio is back, and here's why the unvaccinated are the reason" -the daily beast
I agree bc I see mostly elderly and POC wearing the masks now. With the elderly ones I figure they are in fear bc of perhaps some underlying conditions they may have. I believe the blacks are simply not trusting the jab bc of things in the past that have been done to blacks. That's probably a good thing!
Well, from reading the studies, black people bc of a number of genetic factors (sickle cell type stuff common only to African americans) Covid outcome is worse for them and Vax is more dangerous. So an elderly overweight black lady for example is being prudent to take measures for precaution even if said measures are dumb and ineffective.
Yep see my comment in this thread
Done good.
Another key is that OP wasn't the first one to get to this guy. When it was one sane person talking to him vs. the rest of the world, how was he going to go with that? But when there was a second guy completely separately, plus it made sense to him…now we're getting somewhere. This is why we have to speak out, to let people know they can do it.