Gov. Youngkin signs into law to make masks optional in Virginia public schools (allergies, property taxes)

[rural & red]

Finally, a real leader who understands how to read and interpret science vs. "believe in science" quackery.

Remember the scientific method is self-evident, not faith-based.

Children have the lowest risk rates to covid and these one-size-fits-all mask orders were deleterious to many kids with learning disabilities, asthma, allergies, etc.

Remember, this bill gives parents and kids choice. It doesn't ban masks, it makes them optional. If you want your kid to wear one, you can.

[jm2jm3jm4jm5]

From New Jersey. Just wanted to stop by and say what an inspiration Governor Youngkin is. You are so lucky to have a leader who is a fighter for families and individual rights. I wish my state would have joined you in electing someone like him.

[Flamingo13]

Sad to be living in NoVA at this time. Do NOT spam me.

[ted08721]

Originally Posted by jm2jm3jm4jm5

From New Jersey. Just wanted to stop by and say what an inspiration Governor Youngkin is. You are so lucky to have a leader who is a fighter for families and individual rights. I wish my state would have joined you in electing someone like him.

Well I'm originally from N.J. and I totally disagree with you.

[ted08721]

Originally Posted by rural & red

Finally, a real leader who understands how to read and interpret science vs. "believe in science" quackery.

Remember the scientific method is self-evident, not faith-based.

Children have the lowest risk rates to covid and these one-size-fits-all mask orders were deleterious to many kids with learning disabilities, asthma, allergies, etc.

Remember, this bill gives parents and kids choice. It doesn't ban masks, it makes them optional. If you want your kid to wear one, you can.

You wear masks not only to protect yourself but to protect others.
Love your neighbor wear a mask!
And what you say is bs about children especially under 5 that cannot be vaccinated as my 3 year old daughter caught covid from people like you who not only gave it to my 3 year old granddaughter but my 4 month old grandson and my daughter!
I also knew two adults that died from covid.
Vaccines and masks have nothing to do with your freaking freedom!

[jm2jm3jm4jm5]

Originally Posted by ted08721

Well I'm originally from N.J. and I totally disagree with you.

Disagree how ? I dont see you running back to NJ pay 12 grand in property taxes

[jm2jm3jm4jm5]

You need some help man. I know adults who have gotten killed in a car accident. Do you want to ban driving too ? You also do realize that their have been deaths from the covid vaccine. Should we stop taking that too? Thank god you left NJ.

[rural & red]

Originally Posted by ted08721

You wear masks not only to protect yourself but to protect others.
Love your neighbor wear a mask!
And what you say is bs about children especially under 5 that cannot be vaccinated as my 3 year old daughter caught covid from people like you who not only gave it to my 3 year old granddaughter but my 4 month old grandson and my daughter!
I also knew two adults that died from covid.
Vaccines and masks have nothing to do with your freaking freedom!

If you don't like our freedoms here in VA you are welcome to move back to NJ.

Masks are not banned here, they are simply optional.

...oh but I see even the NJ Governor is lifting mask mandates now. Must not be political, no not at all, it's all the scienceâ„¢.

[jm2jm3jm4jm5]

Originally Posted by rural & red

If you don't like our freedoms here in VA you are welcome to move back to NJ.

Masks are not banned here, they are simply optional.

...oh but I see even the NJ Governor is lifting mask mandates now. Must not be political, no not at all, it's all the scienceâ„¢.

That's what the poster we are discussing hates the ability to choose. He/she needs the government to use junk science to justify their warped political beliefs.

[As Above So Below...]

I think there are several things to realize:

1) There is always going to be another variant from now until the end of time. Covid isnt going away.
2) Our immune systems dont stay stagnant. There is a lot of cross immunity that is being built through exposure from variants that help protect us from future variants.
3) People's minds are pretty well made up on Covid and the perceived threat of it. There isnt a lot of changing minds especially given how political things have become.
4) People like to use the term "experts say....", but in reality the experts are very divided on almost everything with a few exceptions like the need to get vaccinated and boosted.
5) The term "follow the science" gets thrown around a lot and its a good idea in theory, but what does it mean? There are a lot of conflicting studies and the CDC guidance is both cheered and ignored by the same group of people depending on what it is.
6) The 24 hour news media has very set agendas, knows their audience, and tell them what they want to hear. Going along with point 4, you can get an expert that will tell you what you want to hear for your audience no matter what your opinion is.

So where does that put us as a country? We are very polarized and views of the virus depend pretty much on political leanings and primary sources of media consumed. I may be fatalist, but that renders any public health measures pretty much useless because we have 50 states with 50 different sets of rules. So the best you can really do is protect yourself. For normal people, I think that simply means getting vaxxed and boosted. For the immunocompromised it means more, but it is up to the individual to decide not up for the government to mandate anything.

I suppose what I hate more is the attitude of "Im for more regulation, therefore Im a better person." or the "I wear a mask so people wont think I voted for Trump.", but I also do feel for truly immunocompromised people.