Subscriber Benefit
As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowMayor Joe Hogsett and Marion County Public Health Department officials said Thursday that they’re mandating face masks be worn in public in Marion County.
Beginning July 9, face coverings will be required to be worn in indoor places where the public gathers, such as in office buildings and retail stores. They’ll also be required outdoors when it’s not possible to socially distance. Hogsett said the order won’t go into effect until July 9 to give residents time to get masks, but officials recommend residents who aren’t already wearing them start now.
“This isn’t complicated. It’s a piece of cloth. It’s a piece of cloth that could save your life and the lives of those around you, and it’s the right thing to do,” Hogsett said.
The mandate comes as Marion County prepares to enter Stage 4.5 of the state’s Back on Track plan, announced by Gov. Eric Holcomb on Wednesday. The state is strongly recommending—but not mandating—Hoosiers wear masks and has launched a marketing campaign aimed at encouraging face coverings.
As part of Marion County’s new public health order, events larger than 1,000 people will be required to submit a risk mitigation plan to the Marion County Public Health Department for approval. Nursing homes and assisted living facilities will remain closed to visitors, and overnight camps will not be allowed.
Although Indiana’s recent counts of COVID-19 cases have not skyrocketed as they have in other places, such as Arizona and Florida, Dr. Virginia Caine, director of the Marion County Public Health Department, said cases in states surrounding Indiana are on the rise. In Michigan, for example, they’re up 92%, and in Illinois they’re up 21%.
“We have to understand we’re just a plane ride or car travel away,” she said. “We have to be conscious of what’s going on around us.”
The percentage of COVID-19 tests that are positive in Marion County has been pretty steady but ticked up slightly since mid-June. As of Tuesday, there had been 11,387 positive cases in Marion County and 679 deaths. There has also been a shift in the demographics of cases in Marion County.
From March 16 through April 15, people between the ages of 20 and 39 made up 27% of the cases. The latest data, from June 21 through June 27, shows that age range now accounts for 49% of cases.
At first, enforcement of the mask mandate will focus on education, Caine said. But if an individual or business willfully defies the order, they could be fined.
Masks won’t be required on children ages 2 and under or for people who have medical issues that prohibit them from wearing a face covering.
For residents who don’t have a mask, the city is providing them. Visit indy.gov/masks to request a free face covering.
“If you are willfully choosing to not follow this order, you are dead wrong in the fullest sense of that expression,” Hogsett said. “This weekend we celebrate those who did the difficult things to preserve personal freedom, not those who whined about it.”
Please enable JavaScript to view this content.
If it’s so important, then why are we waiting until July 9?
+1
Good point, Gloria. I recommend you start now! Thanks!
+1
It is to allow workplaces like office buildings to get procedures and equipment in place. Offices which have started to open up but might not have outside visitors might not have had mask protocols in place. This gives them a few days to do so. But by all means as an individual you should be wearing a mask now.
In his press briefing he said it was to give all impacted time to prepare, develop their policy, and if necessary, obtain masks. But also said if you have masks, you should start wearing them now.
The Mayor resurfaces.
More importantly – when are they going to start prosecuting the people that destroyed the city?
About time !!! This could make a very big difference in the spread of this pandemic
It won’t. That has already been proven.
The CDC controlled by Donald Trump recommends them.
Dustin D. Hogsett won’t prosecute for the damage to the city. I have a friend that is a federal agent here in Indianapolis, he told me that all law enforcement in Indianapolis was told to let the protesters do whatever they wanted and that no law enforcement was to to anything to stop them. They protected the City County building and probably Hogsetts house. He should have to pay for the damage personally and then be prosecuted and removed from office for not only letting it happen, but condoning it. He is a complete joke.
Dustin D. Hogsett won’t prosecute for the damage to the city. I have a friend that is a federal agent here in Indianapolis, he told me that all law enforcement in Indianapolis was told to let the protesters do whatever they wanted and that no law enforcement was to to anything to stop them. They protected the City County building and probably Hogsetts house. He should have to pay for the damage personally and then be prosecuted and removed from office for not only letting it happen, but condoning it. He is a complete joke. The city look horrible in general
Hogsett doubling down on liberal rhetoric. Disgusting. Continued politics on health matters is a joke. Surgeons and healthcare professionals all make cases that people wearing masks is worse for patients (touching face constantly, dirty/re-used, etc.). The sheep who think viral particles can be stopped by a scarf think a chain link fence will stop mosquitos.
Exactly
It’s only a political issue if you make it one. Just a reminder, Donald Trump’s CDC recommends wearing them.
Agree. The fear mongers say they know, but they don’t. They don’t.
No one knows everything but they know more than they did three months ago. That’s how science works.
Also, most people don’t wash their hands correctly but you didn’t see medical professionals telling people not to bother, and you don’t see people avoiding wearing seat belts because they don’t stop all car fatalities.
Agreed and I don’t think they can make you were face masks by law.
Tina M., you’re about to find out they can.
I’m happy to hear this and wish that Johnson county would take the same stance.
Sorry Joe, I won’t be wearing a germ catcher.
Do you think this will help attract people back to Indy like the million dollar marketing push you announced yesterday dubbed “You Earned It”?
Way to toss out a million of our dollars that could have gone to keeping families safe from crime.
Ooooooooooo………….. Out come the “Your taking away my liberty” crowd and the low-information citizens that masks don’t help. The big question is going to be what the penalties are. Some places have a warning, some have a $50 fine, others even higher.
Ok Sheeple
If you trust this mayor to run your life, fine.
I live downtown and am tired of boarded up windows, closed businesses and unsafe streets from his “leadership”.
Enough.
Big bad Covid wolf is dead.
Stop trying to ride him into control of my life.
Ok Sheeple
If you trust this mayor to run your life, fine.
I live downtown and am tired of boarded up windows, closed businesses and unsafe streets from his “leadership”.
Enough.
For how long? What about workout facilities and sporting events? Are you going to make athletes wear masks?
previous comment regarding fines is spot on. not about catching germs, it’ll be about catching you without your mask and pay your fine. maybe you can get in on the action if you turn the offender in!
Oh, please. They aren’t doing this to raise money. It will be an insignificant amount.
I just came to read these comments 😀
Hey Hey! What do you know. Mayor AWOL is back in his liberal splendor!!! No masks needed for the protesters!!! or the looters!!! or the rioters!!! Wow are we blessed or what to have this kind of leadership!!
🤣🤣so right!
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Spot on! Such double standard BS. Mandatory unless your in certain approved groups or activities and don’t tell me I’m wrong because I saw it with my own two eyes. Please address the double standard Mr. Mayor.
😂
Dumb question probably but I am seriously wondering this.
How the heck does one wear a mask while out to eat? Do you just take it off while eating but wear it to enter and leave the restaurant? Because that seems like an awful lot of unnecessary face touching to me.
Go to counties surrounding indy, starting now, and don’t worry.
Agree with Doug T. More pandering from mayor.
Yes, that’s how it works. Pretty simple, huh?
Just means that once again people will go outside of Marion County to do their shopping and other business.
I guarantee the “donut” counties will follow.
Hog$&#% is a moron!!!!
✋
obtuse pessimism gets us collectively nowhere……..commenting on commenting
172 studies worldwide have proven that masks can be effective
why not give them a try, as well as show respect to others?
Thank you Mary!
Please read and consider wearing a mask: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover-guidance.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fprevent-getting-sick%2Fcloth-face-cover.html
Please mask wearing people please explain to me how wearing.a mask walking into a restaurant helps curb covid but as soon as I sit down to eat it no longer can be spread? But the people serving you can still spread it and need to continue to wear a mask? How can anyone possibly believe this silliness? You either really believe it or only believe it if its convenient…
Have you ever heard of “crop dusting”? If not, let me educate you. It’s win a person walks through a group of people while farting. Same goes for wearing a mask to your table and then taking it off.
Hi Brian, thanks for the education. I get it. Your pants don’t prevent others from smelling your farts just like the cloth on your face won’t prevent others from getting the virus from you…..assuming you even have the virus. YES! The simple cloth you are wearing on your face is basically ineffective in the same manner as farts find a way to escape your pants. Thanks for educating me. IBJ removed my earlier response because I must have used a naughty word.
Charles – My interpretation of Brian’s analogy is that while the fart may escape all the shart particles will still be contained within your pants; at least I hope. It’s the shart particles that I am most concerned about. This might be the equivalent of saliva from a cough or sneeze that get blocked or greatly reduce in trajectory by a mask. Please where a mask (and pants) in public:)
Neil H. wins the IBJ internet of the day award. “Shart”
Hey all you smart, educated people out there who think you are more educated than everyone else about this virus. Refresh my memory….. What is the current mortality rate? If you are one of the RARE people to get tested AND test positive, isn’t it like 1-2 people for every 100 will die from COVID-19 AND 1 of those 2 people will be over 70 AND suffering from something else too. Is that much more of a “killer” virus than the normal influenza virus we put up with all the time and never wear a mask for? Back to the current mortality rate (that the media never talks about) …..How does today’s rate compare to what all the smart people thought it was going to be back in March? I heard MILLIONS of Americans were going to die…..right? Wasn’t that the reason we shut everything down and destroyed businesses and ……. lives? If you take the generally unhealthy people of New York (and their little brother New Jersey) as well as those in California out of the stats, what is that mortality rate? Yea, regular flu like numbers huh. Speaking of March, that was the month I kept hearing smart people say that face masks were “ineffective” at preventing the spread. Back then, some dude named Fauci said that only a certain type of mask was effective at minimizing your risk of catching COVID-19. After the presidential election, when the media considers printing a TRUTHFUL article on the virus, we’ll find out that it’s not the “killer” virus everyone was told it would be by all the smart, educated people out there. ALSO, I bet we find out that most of the people who test positive today show no current symptoms of the virus. How many people are wearing a mask when they contract this virus? Maybe they are….maybe they aren’t…. we’ll never know. Please, don’t worry about my health and stay away from me if you are concerned I might be an unknowing carrier. I promise not to cough or spit on you. The smart people tell me that normal breathing by a person will not spread the virus……assuming that person even has the virus. An infected person (rare to find) generally has to cough on you, yell at you, spit on you or lick you in the eyes, nose or mouth. I’ll take my chances. Cameron, the self described “smart people” want to stretch this out until November, for obvious reasons.
As of 7/2/2020, more than 128,000 Americans are dead. I know you don’t care. Dead Americans make you happy. Congrats on your ability to repeat what you hear on your favorite right-wing media. There are still more than 128,000 dead Americans. Nothing your cult leaders can do will change that and the things they are doing will kill another 100,000. I’m sure you’re proud of your cult leaders’ ability to kill Americans.
Thank you Charles! I couldn’t have said it better myself. 🙂
Charles H: The number that matters – if you want to know your or any one individual’s chance of perishing from Covid-19 – is infection fatality rate. If you’re over 50, double this number, over 80 triple it and if you’re under 25 it’s a rounding error. Here it is Charles H: According to CDC best estimates, the current IFR is .26 (1/4 of 1 percent) So, you have a 99.74% chance of making it friend. Good news for you and others. Also, this number is RAPIDLY dropping as the influx of new cases is NOT matched by new deaths. Look for the media shift to obscure and not yet knowable “long term effects” in 3..2..1..
Thank you Mayor Hogsett and the Marion CountyPublic Health Department. And thank you to all the people who have consideration for others by wearing a mask.
Hi Mauna…..am I being inconsiderate of others if I don’t have the virus (like most people) and elect not to wear a mask? Just curious. I think it’s inconsiderate to force people to wear a mask, when they don’t need to, just because it makes YOU feel better. If you are concerned, you can always stay home.
Charles H. – here’s the flaw in your argument: how do you know you don’t have the virus? Even if you were tested yesterday, there is a 20%+ false negative rate, or you could have contracted the virus since your last test.
Yes, you are.
If you’d like the economy to turn around, you need people comfortable enough to go out. If masking is what it takes to maybe keep the reopening going, and not have a second shutdown, I’m all for it. Masks have worked in other countries so why not try it here? The current approach of “But, freedom!” doesn’t appear to be making the virus go away.
Joe, for you and Mr. Educated, the point that many people are making here is that THIS VIRUS IS NOT GOING AWAY ANYTIME SOON. People need to feel “comfortable” knowing they aren’t likely to contract this virus IF THEY WANTED TO. Not by wearing a piece of cloth on their face that may or may not help. If this virus had a mortality rate of 10% (that’s 1 in 10 die from it for you educated people), I would be in total agreement to do everything possible to stop the spread. But that isn’t where we are, or going to be, with this virus. Also, a vaccine is not a cure. You can believe whichever “smart person” who sides with your point of view and use the stats that make you feel better (accurate or inaccurate they may be). Bottom line….we are finding out that it is RARE for this virus (COVID-19) to KILLl YOU even if you get it. How long are you going to wear a mask? We have a vaccine for the flu yet people still get it and die from it every year. Do the politicians have some kind of crystal ball saying “now is the time we can all stop wearing masks” and you will just believe them? Many of you say “believe the science” but the science is changing, every day and filled with errors. Have you been advocating wearing a mask because of influenza? No, you haven’t. People are all worked up over COVID-19 because of the FEAR created in March AND, I hate to say it, because the longer we stay scared, slow the opening of economies, keep unemployment high, limit large gatherings (rally’s) the better chance Biden will have to beat Trump. Those are facts. If they weren’t, we would be hearing more about the lack of symptoms people have now when they test positive for the virus or how few people are dying from this virus than expected or more people are testing positive, because we are taking more tests, and many of those people NEVER knew they had the virus and will NEVER show any symptoms. Nobody is right in this argument, we just have our opinions, as inconsiderate as they may be.
As usual, Charles H., it’s hard to know where to start with the holes in your argument. I guess I’ll go chronologically. (1) Among the open-minded and, yes, educated/ science-believing population, masks do help tremendously. (2) So where do you draw the line at acceptable rates of death? You say 10% and you’d be convinced this is ac actual problem. Tell that to the 130,000 plus who have already died and all of their family members. And the next 100,000 it will kill. (3) You’re right that a vaccine is not a cure. Cures are when you find a reliable treatment for something you already have, and there is some marginal progress being made there with steroids. A vaccine, however, is most certainly “curative” to the extent it prevents you from getting the virus or disease. It’s ignorant to not know that. They have made some modest progress in early trials for a vaccine and that, my friend, is what you and everyone else is hoping for. It may or may not be nearly 100% effective. It is for TB, polio, etc. It’s maybe only 50%-75% for the seasonal flu, but – watch out, here’s comes some science – the seasonal flu mutates each year and they can only cook up batches each year that they think will be most helpful. People should take those too since that means you are much less likely to suffer from the flu. (Which is NOT as deadly as COVID.) (4) I tend to pick stats that are produced by independent scientific people, not politicians. (5) It’s rare to die from it unless you are elderly, are immuno-compromised, or have other health conditions. So, what say you? To heck with those people? Also, truly rare wouldn’t be 130,000 deaths in four months with no end in sight. (6) No crystal ball will be used to decide when we can relax the restrictions, just science (I know that’s a hard word to hear!) (7) The basics behind the science is NOT changing everyday. As with all science, it is evolving as more is studied and understood. Look up the phrase “scientific method”. (8) The fear is justified if you would prefer to stay alive, have your loved ones stay alive and – imagine this! – care about those in your community. (9) Your conspiracy theory behind Biden supporters making this all up is the opposite side of the same coin – the orange one and Faux News lying about it not being a problem so that he can get the economy back on track in an effort to get reelected – no matter the cost in lives. (10) The fact that many people are asymptomatic doesn’t change the facts for those that grave harm and death result. (11) In fact, there is surely a correct position to stake out in this argument. And yours isn’t correct according to people who are independent scientists.
I can’t wait until that idiot gets voted out of office. I live in Broad Ripple and have box trucks, beer trucks, and fire engines – not to mention thousands of cars a day, driven by angry and lost people, coming down my street because they cannot get through Broad Ripple Ave. because – it’s closed – so that people can eat in the street.. hmmmm … except, basically no one does ! Now masks. What a joke.!
If you honestly think another Mayor wouldn’t have done the exact same thing….maybe sooner and maybe for longer – you are completely misinformed.
So, wearing a bullet proof backpack to a school with metal detectors, armed guards and routine mass-shooter drills is ” the price of freedom”. But you, wearing a mask in Walmart or wherever for 10 mins is some kind of tyranny? Pathetic. Putin must be laughing his head off…
Oh good, now there will be more nasty contaminated masks laying around more places than there are now and who knows what else is being spread by contaminated masks laying around
Is Joe going to mandate homeless camps enforce mask wearing. No probably not, he usually gives them more rights
Is Joe going to mandate homeless camps enforce mask wearing. No probably not, he usually gives them more right than tax paying citizens
The orange one turned a health problem into a political issue to try to enhance his chances of reelection. Thereupon, the battle lines have been drawn, left vs. right, on yet another issue. All of the arguments against preventative measures are asinine and contrary to 99% of the legitimate scientists. Wear a mask and deal with it.
+1
Obviously liberally educated, educated doesn’t mean sensible anymore
Bryan H., that’s a baseless guess about how I was educated, and it turns out it’s incorrect. I do know that educated DOES mean sensible, except for those that refuse to listen to the truth.
Michael G., you’re right. I started out to poke holes in their already-porous arguments for sport, but it’s become tedious. Maybe just a few more…. 🙂
You get what you pay for with Joe Hogsett, that’s why Fishers, Carmel and Noblesville mayors make a lot more than Joe does, they can actually make logical, sensible and effective decisions
These comments are lit
Pointless for those immune to wear a mask. (And please don’t trot out the meme that people can get it twice … that is a complete falsehood at this point; if there’s no immunity from survived infection then a vaccine is impossible … it’s all antibodies. Immunity might be shortlived — 9 months or longlived 3 yrs, but it does exist.)
Those immune can’t get it; can’t give it. Pointless to wear a mask.
And this is a stupid policy anyway because it inhibits progress toward herd immunity which is the ultimate life saver.
This first-ever attempt to control a virus via human intervention is a fools errand. It is craven hubris for public officials to spend this much time and energy preening over the false claim that they are “saving” lives. Unless you have underlying health conditions your chances of dying from Covid-19 are about 1 in 2000, 10x your chances of dying in a car accident …. (oops don’t tell Joe or he’ll make us all ride his boondoggle Red Line). Those with underlying health conditions should take care of themselves — double masks and isolation .. whatever. The rest of us should get the virus and build the civic immunity necessary to eventually protect everyone.
We can’t get a new mayor soon enough — Couldn’t be a better summary of his do-nothing mayoral terms:
shaming people for no face masks while he stood by and did nothing for 2 nights while our downtown was destroyed. (And even now won’t pledge to protect property in the next vandals parade.) The 50 year lineage of great Indianapolis mayors has ended.
BINGO. Let the young bar hoppers get it. They are providing herd immunity MUCH faster than a vaccine (which is still a long shot and will be 25% effective in version 1.0 … at best) There will be fewer casualties if this runs its course like every other virus ever. No more children abused because of lock down. No more increased anxiety meds and suicide. No more financial ruin leading to depression, crime, etc. – especially in the hard-hit minority community. The young get the virus and get over it at a 99.95% clip.
Mark, I appreciate your concern for the issue of wearing a mask. Your opening line that getting the virus twice “being a complete falsehood” is, in fact, false. It is possible to test positive after being infected. What they can’t tell is: Is this a continuation of the previous infection? This
reinfection from the previous illness has been documented to possibly happen up to 10 weeks post infection. The other possibility is: Is this just a new infection? At that point, it really doesn’t matter. What DOES matter is that even post infection, you can still be a carrier. Your desire for herd immunity is understood; however, since this is a “novel” coronavirus, we are in a position of not knowing everything about how herd immunity would happen, if at all. Again, researchers are desperately trying to continue to understand how it reacts completely in the human population. To achieve herd immunity, it would take nearly 70% of the US population. That is 200 million people. As I write this, our current infection rate is starting to strain hospitals in those areas where positive tests are continuing to rise. Were 200 million to contract the virus, our hospital system would crush under the mass and that is even with the knowledge that many would not require hospitalization, but many millions more would. Of course, the other way in which we achieve immunity is through a vaccination. We all know that in virtually every corner of this globe, the best minds are trying to find that magic bullet that will render Covid—dead! Until then, Mark, I do understand your frustration. Lord knows, we are all frustrated. Life isn’t easy and sometimes it throws a curve ball. For all that we don’t have and for all that is being asked, I feel it is more than worth it to wear a mask because it is what is best to do for others. We have relied on science to help those of us, less knowledgable, to navigate life’s troubles. I appreciate that some may disagree with these people on which we have, and surely must continue, to rely. We can be aware of their shortcomings; however, before I am comfortable with up to 200 million of my fellow Americans to have to get sick to achieve herd immunity, I think it is responsible to REQUIRE wearing a mask. For those of us impacted by that reasonable and responsible requirement, it is a small price to pay for doing for others that which I would hope they would do for me.
July 9th is kind of late, it should begin before the July 4th Holiday.
…. and oh by the way Joe, this is just one more reason for businesses and people to leave Marion County for the donut counties. Nice job. Name one thing you’ve done to make Indianapolis a better and more desirable place to live and work.
We’ll be better off without bigoted thinking, Bryan H.
Okay, folks, can we “stand down”? First, the science is clear for anyone who disputes it. Wearing a mask helps to reduce the spread of the infection. If that doesn’t matter to you, it should. What loved one do you wish to catch the virus? It could likely be from someone like you who feels their liberties are being trounced on? A grandchild or son or daughter? A mother, perhaps, or a father? Look we’re all trying to figure this out. I hate wearing the damn things, but I do because I care about you. I care about my family. I wear a mask for others…not for me. If we don’t realize that every freedom we have comes with responsibilities, then we don’t understand those freedoms. Let’s be clear on the distinction. Our society, generally, allows YOU to take risks. But we have laws that require you to do something when what you’re doing might affect others. We have speed limits. Not because we don’t want you to drive 100 mph; rather, because others on the road could be hurt or killed by your fast driving. The pandemic has gotten politicized and I have my opinion about that which I won’t share because, to me, this is common sense. This is like Swiss cheese (pardon the analogy). If you take a slice of Swiss cheese you’ll likely see holes. Lay that down on another slice of Swiss cheese and as you continue, the holes start to disappear. It is this “layering” of efforts that will keep this pandemic from stealing not our freedoms but our lives or those of someone we care about. If some put their freedom before someone they love….well, that says a lot. Courage is the commitment to begin without any guarantee of success. Can we all be courageous here?
John P, just curious, on what date will YOU be comfortable, considering the safety of all concerned, to NOT wear YOUR mask anymore? WAITING…….. WAITING…….. I suspect you don’t know when that time will be or maybe you’ll listen to a really smart person, someone you trust, that will finally tell you what many people are saying today …….COVID-19 is a virus, turning out to be similar to influenza, that you are NOT likely to die from EVEN if you contract it. There may NEVER be a cure for it. Does the “mortality rate” need to be under 1%, like it is now, for an extended period of time? What will make YOU feel confident enough to discard YOUR mask? I don’t fear this virus now based on what I’ve learned. I don’t need you to care about me. At some point you will be courageous enough to feel the same way. If not, you will die wearing your mask…..because we all die at some point for a variety of reasons.
John P., best comment on here.
Move from Marion County! Enjoy your freedom!
And exactly how do these masks protect anyone? Key words here “nose, ears, mouth and eyes.” The mask protects only the nose and mouth and does a very poor job of that. There is no protection for the eyes, which are probably the most vulnerable point of infection. And what about the people that don’t cover their noses completely or wear them below the nose. You know, we have all seen them or are one of them. This all smacks of FRAUD.
Mask are for protecting against the wearer -spreading- the disease, not protect the wearer -from- the disease. Masks are about being considerate and protecting others.
…I guess their “my body my choice” mantra isn’t convenient to use right now.
Mark, I appreciate your concern for the issue of wearing a mask. Your opening line that getting the virus twice “being a complete falsehood” is, in fact, false. It is possible to test positive after being infected. What they can’t tell is: Is this a continuation of the previous infection? This
reinfection from the previous illness has been documented to possibly happen up to 10 weeks post infection. The other possibility is: Is this just a new infection? At that point, it really doesn’t matter. What DOES matter is that even post infection, you can still be a carrier. Your desire for herd immunity is understood; however, since this is a “novel” coronavirus, we are in a position of not knowing everything about how herd immunity would happen, if at all. Again, researchers are desperately trying to continue to understand how it reacts completely in the human population. To achieve herd immunity, it would take nearly 70% of the US population. That is 200 million people. As I write this, our current infection rate is starting to strain hospitals in those areas where positive tests are continuing to rise. Were 200 million to contract the virus, our hospital system would crush under the mass and that is even with the knowledge that many would not require hospitalization, but many millions more would. Of course, the other way in which we achieve immunity is through a vaccination. We all know that in virtually every corner of this globe, the best minds are trying to find that magic bullet that will render Covid—dead! Until then, Mark, I do understand your frustration. Lord knows, we are all frustrated. Life isn’t easy and sometimes it throws a curve ball. For all that we don’t have and for all that is being asked, I feel it is more than worth it to wear a mask because it is what is best to do for others. We have relied on science to help those of us, less knowledgable, to navigate life’s troubles. I appreciate that some may disagree with these people on which we have, and surely must continue, to rely. We can be aware of their shortcomings; however, before I am comfortable with up to 200 million of my fellow Americans to have to get sick to achieve herd immunity, I think it is responsible to REQUIRE wearing a mask. For those of us impacted by that reasonable and responsible requirement, it is a small price to pay for doing for others that which I would hope they would do for me.
it isn’t about YOUR body…it is about MINE. You wear a mask to protect others. It is supposed to be 100% effective. Wearing a seatbelt doesn’t guarantee you won’t die in the accident. It is a one of several things we must all do. Herd immunity would require up to 200 million Americans to contract the virus. Of those, many will die. In order to stop the economic impact, we must stop the virus. We don’t have a vaccine to achieve immunity, herd immunity through the population contracting it would likely take even longer than a vaccine. You wear a mask for others. If you don’t, you’re making a statement that you don’t care.
Great point, Joe!
If I don’t wear a mask (I don’t have one), and others do wear them then we are all safe aren’t we? So 50% wear them while 50% don’t and we are all going to be fine. I will be one of the 50% that don’t, hope you are the other 50%. I suggest re-starting the shutdown until there is no economy left (or the virus is completely gone). The fear of dying frm this is very overblown, just what some really want, more angst.
It doesn’t get any dumber than this.
Remember early June when Covid wasn’t a thing?
I’ll just shop in a different county. This is insane. Please stop living in fear.
Old Pothole Joe strikes again. This guy is a real piece of work. Allows our downtown to be destroyed, then wants to micromanage our lives. Fortunately, I live in Zionsville and won’t have to put up with much of this nonsense, and do not plan on wearing a mask when I venture into Marion County. Someone the other day brought up the idea of repealing the Unigov legislation, which I think would be a great idea. Let the Marxist/Dems just wallow in their worker’s paradise, and drown under their crazy regulations. Free the townships!
I’m curious, are masks going to be required by kids in day cares? Is there an age limit, or do mask apply to everyone in Marion County?
89 comments after my original one this morning…fun times!
So rather than continue to listen to the progressive hypocrisy, lets summarize this quickly:
Either masks work or they don’t. If you’re requiring them because they stop the spread then reopen everything. If they don’t work then the mandates are BS. Pick a narrative and stick to it.
“Those who scream for tolerance are the least tolerant of all.”
Oops, Jason B., your neat and tidy summary is wrong. Masks help, a lot. But they are not 100% effective. Thus, the other measures are still in place. So, can you hold two somewhat competing thoughts in your head without it exploding? See the seat belt analogy.
How do you go downtown to eat out with a mask on Joe Biden in the bunker JR?
Obviously the delay is to let the rioters and looters have their way this weekend because you know the 4th is un-American.
This is not about rights
It’s about working together to slow the spread of this pandemic. This along with social distancing will allow businesses, hence the economy to get back to a point where we can move forward. The mask is not about protecting you, its about deflection of possible contagious fluids . It is a matter of cutting down the chances of spreading covid . Why is that so difficult to understand and cooperate with ? Your selfish views are preventing the possibility of getting this under control until a vaccine can be developed. This is temporary please give up your self righteous freedom fight and for gods sake help to solve this problem
Actually this is about those who are gullible to the media and politicians! Happy 4th to those with independent thought!
Gary M., you’re neck-and-neck for most cogent post. Jason B., as it turns out, you are the one has been sucked into the insane vortex of the far-right media and the orange politician.
Some people find it difficult to cooperate with because they’ve been told for years that scientists are always “wrong” because people don’t understand the scientific method. And if you listen to scientists about COVID, then you might be inclined to listen to scientists when it comes to things like climate change or pollution or vaccines. There’s an entire political apparatus that depends on the rejection of science that is threatened by COVID.
Unfortunately, the virus doesn’t much care and will do what it wants. We will either “get religion” and do what the world has shown works in order to get the spread of the virus under control, or the virus will kill and maim a lot more of us before it’s done with us.
The mask rule at this late date is a feel good measure to promote how much Hogsett cares about EVERYONE, Why wait until July 9th for the rule to take place? Ask instead why the rule, if it’s such an effective virus inhibitor, wasn’t in place when Covid cases were peaking? Why-because Joe needs to amp up his image NOW.
It’s a well known political diversion tactic to get people talking about this measure-anything Joe related, than his failure to quell the riots that destroyed our Downtown. Same with the million dollar marketing for PR to attract people to a shut down, empty shell of a city. Advertise tours of the plywood art now adorning business fronts?
Enforcement? With an already scaled down IMPD, who is going to issue citations for violations? Will the Mayor order IMPD officers to patrol parking lots instead of high crime neighborhoods to search out offenders? The City doesn’t have the manpower to keep citizens safe from serious crime but we’ll see an uptick in fees gathered from mask violators. Watch for the Mayor to deputize citizen “Big Brothers” to accumulate budget dollars from mask fines.
For all you mask wearers (especially those of you who think wearing it outside is NOT stupid 🤦🏼♀️). I know I’m about to burst your “google doctor degree” bubble, but here goes nothing.
So Masks?
I am OSHA 10&30 certified. I know some of you are too. I don’t really know WHY OSHA hasn’t come forward and stopped the nonsense BUT I want to cover 3 things
• N95 masks and masks with exhale ports
• surgical masks
• filter or cloth masks
Okay, so upon further inspection, OSHA says some masks are okay and not okay in certain situations.
If you’re working with fumes and aerosol chemicals and you give your employees the wrong masks and they get sick, you can be sued.
• N95 masks: are designed for CONTAMINATED environments. That means when you exhale through N95 the design is that you are exhaling into contamination. The exhale from N95 masks are vented to breath straight out without filtration. They don’t filter the air on the way out. They don’t need to.
Conclusion: if you’re in Target and the guy with Covid has a N95 mask, his covid breath is unfiltered being exhaled into Target (because it was designed for already contaminated environments, it’s not filtering your air on the way out).
• Surgical Mask: these masks were designed and approved for STERILE environments. The amount of particles and contaminants in the outside and indoor environments where people are CLOGGING these masks very, VERY quickly. The moisture from your breath combined with the clogged mask will render it “useless” IF you come in contact with Covid and your mask traps it, YOU become a walking virus dispenser. Everytime you put your mask on you are breathing the germs from EVERYWHERE you went. They should be changed or thrown out every “20-30 minutes in a non sterile environment.”
• Cloth masks: I can’t even believe I’m having to explain this, but here it goes. Today, three people pointed to their masks as they walked by me entering Lowe’s. They said “ya gotta wear your mask BRO” I said very clearly “those masks don’t work bro, in fact they MAKE you sicker” they “pshh’d” me. By now hopefully you all know CLOTH masks do not filter anything. You mean the American flag one my aunt made? Yes. The one with sunflowers that looks so cute? Yes. The bandanna, the cut up t-shirt, the scarf ALL of them offer NO FILTERING whatsoever. As you exhale, you are ridding your lungs of contaminants and carbon dioxide. Cloth masks trap this carbon dioxide the best. It actually risks your health, rather than protect it. The moisture caught in these masks can become mildew ridden over night. Dry coughing, enhanced allergies, sore throat are all symptoms of a micro-mold in your mask.
-Ultimate Answer:
*N95 blows the virus into the air from a contaminated person.
*The surgical mask is not designed for the outside world and will not filter the virus upon inhaling through it. It’s filtration works on the exhale, (Like a vacuum bag, it only works one way) but likely stops after 20 minutes, rendering it useless outside of a STERILE ENVIRONMENT (correct Becky, they don’t work in a bar, not even a little bit).
*Cloth masks are WORSE than none. It’s equivalent to using a chain link fence to stop mosquitos.
The CDC wants us to keep wearing masks. The masks don’t work. They’re being used to provide false comfort and push forward a specific agenda. For the love of God, research each mask’s designed use and purpose, I bet you will find NONE are used in the way of “viral defense.”
Just like EVERY Flu season kids, wash your hands. Sanitize your hands. Don’t touch stuff. Sanitize your phone. Don’t touch people. And keep your distance. Why? Because your breath stinks, your deodorant is failing, your shoes are old and stink, that shirts not clean, & I like my space. Trust me I can hear you from here. Lots of reasons to keep your distance and work on body hygiene. But trust me, the masks do not work.
*Occupational Safety & Health Association sited.
The top American organization for safety.
They regulate and educate asbestos workers, surgical rooms, you name it.
I know, facts suck. They throw a wrench into the perfectly (seeming) packaged pill you are willingly swallowing. Facts make you have to form your OWN OPINION, instead of regurgitating someone else’s, and I know how uncomfortable that makes a lot of you. If your mask gives you security, by all means wear it. Just know it is a false sense of security and you shouldn’t shame anyone into partaking in such “conspiracies.”
If select politicians stopped enforcing it, no one would continue this nonsense. Don’t drink the kool-aid.
onegoodteacher greyduc • 38 minutes ago
My sister is a doctor and has researched this extensively. She sends me materials all the time, this being one of them. I totally believe this. Logically, all of this make so much sense. I fear our TX governor has drunk the mask Kool-Aid. Sadly, on our local next-door website, so many neighbors gleefully decided to be the “mask police” – even before this executive order when our city council issued a mask recommendation – and look for business who were not complying with the red. They would put those businesses on a google doc so that the neighbors in our community would be able to add to it in an effort to “help” our neighbors. This is what this mask issue is doing to people! It’s shocking how many sheeple are willing to go along with it! Thank you for publishing this. Have a great day.
Thank you Bernard. I didn’t have the patience to break down “types of masks” and what they do and don’t do. Seeing patient procedure masks (most are not surgical masks) that are meant to be disposed of, with brown edges from people touching them and re-using, may be the most disgusting part of this all. I wonder how many people know that the surgical scrubs/gowns worn go to a commercial cleaning facilities as household detergents don’t work. So Karen’s cute puppy face mask she launders once a week after wearing in her car alone is just a germ cloth.
I won’t be wearing a mask. They can fine me whatever they want.
Mayor Joe is a joke, and so is everyone who voted for him. Which is why trump will win. You better hope I’m wrong, cause if I’m not, imagine my posts then? You’ll be hating yourself and praying to saint maddow
Murray R., “Winner, winner, chicken dinner” – “hide behind science”? That is so spot on for your type.
How is he going to reinforce all the homeless people that camp out downtown to wear masks? Without consequences no one will comply
Under what pretense can the Marion County Health Department or the Mayors office “mandate” wearing masks. I would love for them to publish the law or ordinance that has mandated that masks must be worn to prevent the spread of diseases.
And if there is a law or ordinance why is not enforced during the cold and flu season annually. 1 billion people get the seasonal flu and 600.000+ die annually from the seasonal flu.