Mask situation in your church

[Anne1964]

My parish allows 50% capacity for Mass. two or three people wear masks and the rest of us do not. We do have a basket of nice homemade masks individually wrapped for people who need a mask. We also have installed speakers for people who want to remain outside for Mass.

Our bishop has left the decision up to each priest.

 

[27lw]

How about y’all wear one of those plastic visors with the face shield that’s clear? Keep plenty of Face-space for yourselves and appease those who may have their own medical reasons for needing to be very careful & are trusting that they are going into an environment where others are masking.

Face shields ineffective at trapping aerosols, says Japanese supercomputer | Japan | The Guardian

 

[TheLittleLady]

Our Bishop requires masks to enter the Church and requires the ushers to escort people out who refuse to leave masks in place while in the building.

Rules make things much easier.

 

[otjm]

I stated that we have medical issues and we were basically told that we should go away. Considering that we were a good 10 feet from this couple, I believe they were completely out of line.

There are usually two sides to every story.

Your acquaintances were rude, and rudeness is not necessary. One can be civil with a request; if the request is not met but an explanation offered, the explanation can be listened to with respect and one can politely explain why the matter is necessary. There are any number of possible scenarios which your acquaintances may have, and from the sound of things, fear may be at the bottom of their reaction. Neither you nor I know what is driving such behavior, and they may be more at risk than we realize.

A mask can serve to protect you from contracting the virus and reduce the possibility that you may be infected.

It also can protect others from you, should you be infected, by reducing the virus load which an infected person will expel (I think the proper term is “shed”).

It appears that someone infected by the virus can be shedding a significant amount of the virus simply by breathing - initially it was presumed that the worst was through coughing and sneezing, but that may not be correct. Anyone who has glasses and wears a mask has likely seen their glasses fog up, and that moisture can be and is a carrier of a viral load.

There is some very interesting information available from epidemiologists covering how the virus spreads and what are the more dangerous areas in which it can be spread. Singing is one; close proximity indoors is another, and a third is indoors where there is little air turnover. A gymnasium with high ceilings and with people spread out is far less dangerous than a restaurant with close proximity, less air volume and with inadequate air turnover.

Frankly, I won’t go into a restaurant; but I will shop at a grocery store.

Parishes in our archdiocese are limited to 50% capacity. Mine has every other bench roped off, and 6 feet minimum spacing (usually closer to 10 feet) except families. Masks are mandatory. The ceiling is also 3 to 4 stories high with good air turnover.

Your friends were rude. If you and/or your wife cannot wear a mask (including covering the nose), then potentially You may be a risk to them; how much is extremely debatable based on more information than we are aware of. The virus is killing more people than the flu does (and we are now entering flu season on top of it). And far less spoken of is the damage to the body this virus can cause, much of it appearing to be permanent (e.g. lung damage).

The net result is that there is a significant fear factor with many people. And fear leads to an emotional reaction, which is what you were subjected to. However, there may be one silver lining; you now know that they are your acquaintances, not your friends. Act accordingly.

 

[Jen7]

you now know that they are your acquaintances, not your friends.

I wouldn’t make any permanent decisions about relationships in 2020. We’re all stressed. I don’t think anyone should be dumping friends, divorcing spouses, etc until after we’ve all settled down and the air has cleared (literally and figuratively).

 

[otjm]

Well, yes and no. Some masks are more effective than others, and wrapping a large handkerchief over your mouth and nose (what I call the "bandit mask) is almost zero in effectiveness.

As to “right”, I understand that some people may have reasons they cannot wear a mask to cover their nose and mouth. Should they be contagious, I most certainly would not say they have a “right” to go about as if it mattered not the least.

Recently there was a wedding; 175 people infected, 5 dead. It might be a very enlightening conversation to speak with some of the survivors to see how many of them “knew” they did not need masks, particularly if one might find a person or two who would have worn masks if they had not felt any social pressure to not do so.

We have some 325 to 340 million people in the US. 7,191,061 cases; 205,998 deaths. So, statistically, about 2% of the population has been infected - wow, does that mean I have a 98% chance of not getting it? I suspect the people at the wedding thought so…

And those numbers only cover the asymptomatic individuals who have been tested - all of whom can be and likely are spreaders.

I am not in a panic. I am a realist; there is a chance I can contract it, and I am at higher risk than someone half my age. I just try to use common sense, and as Voltaire said, the problem with common sense is that it is not all that common.

 

[27lw]

If there were 100% mask wearing in public, it would be safer for everyone.
As it is now, when some people are not masking, or masking ineffectively, it’s less safe for everyone, especially those most in danger from covid complications.
I do see it almost like smoking in public. But I do think it’s temporary.

 

[otjm]

I wouldn’t make any permanent decisions about relationships in 2020. We’re all stressed. I don’t think anyone should be dumping friends, divorcing spouses, etc until after we’ve all settled down and the air has cleared (literally and figuratively).

I don’t think I suggested they dump anyone. But the word “friends” gets applied with abandon by a whole lot of people, and those people are shocked when someone who is actually an acquaintance acts in a way that makes the person go “But I thought you were my friend!” I have heard that so many times I lost count decades ago.

Friends respect you fairly deeply, and because of that respect, you may make them upset or a bit angry, but they are not going to snap.

Acquaintances may respect you, but their level of relationship with you is far less deep, and if you cross them, they can cut you off in a heartbeat - they have little invested in the relationship.

That does not mean dumping acquaintances. But it does mean that when they turn on a dime, you understand and are offended far less than if a real friend did so.

We used to have a phrase: “fair weather friends”. It speaks volumes, particularly if you have ever sailed. They are there in the good times, lots of laughs, but if things get serious, they can leave you sitting there wondering what happened.

What happened is you had an acquaintance, not a friend; and they were very friendly. As long as the weather was fair.

And when the weather turns fair again, they might once again be friendly.

Or not.

 

[Beryllos]

Governor says if someone isn’t wearing a mask, leave them alone.

I’m glad your governor said that. It is good advice.

Now, I think wearing masks in this pandemic is an effective preventative measure. More is better, but we don’t need 100% mask compliance. We have to gracefully allow for exceptions.

 

[Thomas54]

…it’s better just to wait it out and pray for an ending to this pandemic and a set of scientists who will be honest about whether COVID-19 is realy a virus so dangerous that it’s worth pretty much destroying our economy, our schools, our entertainment industry, our church life, and our family lives.

Amen!!!

As my cardiologist says, this will all be over the day after the election and no one will be wearing masks anymore. He and I agree that the evidence is very weak for masks.

On a similar note, our oldest daughter had her yearly check-up today and when the doctor walked into the room, she started to put her mask on as he was taking his off. He told her not to worry about putting it on because they’re not very helpful.

So, even the medical community is very divided on the effectiveness of masks.

Thanks,
Thomas

 

[otjm]

So, even the medical community is very divided on the effectiveness of masks.

However, the epidemiologists are not so divided. And given that epidemiology is not a sub specialty under cardiology, I am likely to pay attention to the former when they speak about their area of expertise.

 

[Bernoulli]

As my cardiologist says, this will all be over the day after the election and no one will be wearing masks anymore.

Why would US elections have anything to do with wearing masks, when experts all over the world advocate for them?

German coronavirus scientist: 'We won't get rid of masks' – DW – 09/17/2020

 

[Shasta-Rose]

In my diocese, it’s masks required–period.

I avoid Sunday Mass, since they get a good turnout. I have a weekday that I call the “new Sunday.” (Yes, I know it’s not really the same thing.) On a weekday, we get between 24 and maybe 42 people. We are widely spaced, and it is a big church with very high ceilings, so I feel pretty safe.

Once a month or so, we have a parking lot Mass on Sunday, which I attend.

This is the best we can do right now, I think. Father is very conscientious about the sanitizing. After our weekday Mass, we recently had a women’s group meeting, which took place in the church instead of the meeting room, since it was being sanitized regularly anyway. After the Mass AND after the meeting, we got the sanitizing spray.

The masks are uncomfortable for me, but I’d rather wear it during my weekday Mass, rather than not go at all. Father is doing all he can to keep us all safe, and I am not going to argue with him.

 

[Thomas54]

Please, give us a medical article or journal citation that confirms this. Is this your opinion, or where are you getting this? Have you spoken to a doctor?

Here is an interview with a highly respected, world class immunologist where he discusses the immune system and covid. It’s been a while since I watched it, so I can’t address specific points, but I remember it being very compelling and that he’s not on board with the current treatment of the Covid virus.

Also, talking to my family doctor or most doctors in general, is useless. They still believe the myth that cholesterol causes heart disease. We’ve all seen that the AMA and Dr. Fauci shut down any dissent.

Here’s a Nobel Laureate talking about coved:

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/a...ntoine-montagnier-coronavirus-is-manmade.aspx

Thanks,
Thomas

 

[Thomas54]

I wonder if it would be better for people who don’t want to/can’t wear masks inside public buildings to stay home.

While the American with Disabilities Act does not apply to religious entities, I would think that as Christians we would want to provide accommodations for anyone with a disability. It’s easy to say that we should take care of a veteran in a wheelchair, but those with emotional scars should also taken care of.

If we tell those that can’t wear a mask or are uncomfortable wearing a mask that they should stay home, they would be missing out on the main reason that we Catholics attend mass and that is to receive the Body of Christ.

So, what if the reason for not wearing a mask is claustrophobia or severe anxiety or PTSD?

Isn’t the majority of mask theory based upon the idea that wearing a mask is for one’s own protection and not necessarily for the protection of others? After all, I can walk down the aisle at the grocery store 30 seconds after somebody sneezed and my mask should protect me, right?

Maybe I should go to mass with a full scuba tank. That would protect me from breathing other people’s air for about an hour. Of course, when I exhale out of my regulator, I’d sound like Darth Vader.

 

[27lw]

PaulinVA:

I wonder if it would be better for people who don’t want to/can’t wear masks inside public buildings to stay home.

While the American with Disabilities Act does not apply to religious entities, I would think that as Christians we would want to provide accommodations for anyone with a disability. It’s easy to say that we should take care of a veteran in a wheelchair, but those with emotional scars should also taken care of.

If we tell those that can’t wear a mask or are uncomfortable wearing a mask that they should stay home, they would be missing out on the main reason that we Catholics attend mass and that is to receive the Body of Christ.

So, what if the reason for not wearing a mask is claustrophobia or severe anxiety or PTSD?

Isn’t the majority of mask theory based upon the idea that wearing a mask is for one’s own protection and not necessarily for the protection of others?

No. The whole point is that if most (or even everyone) is wearing their masks, the theory is that most aeresols will be contained in the masks.

How well do face masks protect against COVID-19? - Mayo Clinic

After all, I can walk down the aisle at the grocery store 30 seconds after somebody sneezed and my mask should protect me, right?

If you are going to walk near anyone sneezing or even breathing, would you prefer that the person would be wearing a mask, or not? On their nose and mouth, or just their mouth?

Maybe I should go to mass with a full scuba tank. That would protect me from breathing other people’s air for about an hour. Of course, when I exhale out of my regulator, I’d sound like Darth Vader.

No one would mind.

 

[Thomas54]

I personally am also more concerned about any priests in a church where people are not masking. Wondering why the bishop is not requiring masks? Is there a dispensation in place?

Our pastors, by letter from our Bishop, are to “encourage” parishioners to wear masks. Are we inching closer to “2 + 2 = 5 ?”

Thomas

 

[Thomas54]

Maybe I should go to mass with a full scuba tank. That would protect me from breathing other people’s air for about an hour. Of course, when I exhale out of my regulator, I’d sound like Darth Vader.

No one would mind

I look thin in a black wetsuit.

 

[PaulinVA]

Isn’t the majority of mask theory based upon the idea that wearing a mask is for one’s own protection and not necessarily for the protection of others? After all, I can walk down the aisle at the grocery store 30 seconds after somebody sneezed and my mask should protect me, right?

No, it is not. The reason to wear a mask is to prevent your respiratory droplets from infecting other people. If you are unable or unwilling to protect other people, I agree that accommodations could be made. In a store setting, it might be that the non-mask-wearing person stays outside and a clerk b rings their purchases out to them.

In a public setting, letting unmasked people into a closed building is just bad science. The virus does not care if the unmasked person has a valid reason. That unmasked person can still infect others.

I’m sorry you find yourself in this situation, but I am on the side of wearing masks or staying home where possible, for the sake of other people.

Edit to add: This is true legally in those states/locations with mask orders. In those places where it’s voluntary, well, think of the other people.

 

[Dlee]

I didn’t read all of the replies - I’ll just add that the Bishop in my Diocese has made masks mandatory. My parish abides by this - a few people wear the face shield instead. Regarding how you were treated - it’s a shame they approached you in this manner. Take the high road and extend mercy to them. Don’t hold a grudge or make them “former friends.” Our priests keep reminding us that this is a highly stressful time and no one should be shamed. If I were you, I would sit as far away as possible for others and try to wear the mask as well as you can since it’s not mandatory. I know of two Protestant churches in my area that do not require masks and they now are closed for two weeks due to Covid.
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