SANTA BARBARA COUNTY TO RESCIND INDOOR MASK ORDER BY FEBRUARY 16

It's entirely driven by egoism and a need for instant gratification on the part of the presumed "adults", at least in terms of age.

DUKE - I'm sorry it's an unmitigated disaster for your kids to where masks while in the classroom. I honestly don't really think about the "hypocrisy" of outdoor sports attendees getting away without wearing masks while my kids have to while they're indoor in class. Probably because I haven't heard a peep out of them about the masks.

Sac - Just take a step back and look at this comment. "They play all weekend, after school and in basketball and soccer with no masks." Let's add in that they just saw the Super Bowl in LA on TV and have wandered through the Funk Zone and down State Street one of these weekends. How do you drop them off at school today when it's going to be 80 degrees and think, "yes...this group and nursing homes ARE the two groups that should still be masked"? How does that make sense in any capacity. I'm glad your kids are doing well with it...same with Zoom schooling...some did well with it. It was unmitigated disaster though for many...and for 5-10 year olds, masking for 7 hours per day is as well. For older kids, maybe the hypocrisy and stupidity of it is lost on them...but how anyone could watch the Super Bowl yesterday and still think masking our kids at school today makes sense is beyond me...

MM1970 - exactly. Perhaps for the very young kids, masks are more of an issue, yet even they don't have to wear them "all day." I hope they drop the mandate as soon as it's deemed safe to do so, but I just don't see the panic or urgency expressed by so many adults. I truly believe the backlash is rooted solely in the mentality of "you can't tell me what to do" rather than out of legitimate concern.

Yep, @SAC, for my kids it's not a big deal. The kids at school seem to be fine with it, but I can see that it might be an issue for especially young kids, K-2? My kid was fine with it in 3rd grade (age 8).

Also, remember that masks are only required indoors - with the weather we have, the elementary kids I know are outdoors &/or maskless many times per day. At least 2 recesses, plus lunch, plus PE.

I suppose the school district and/or governor are waiting for the CDC to say masks in school aren't necessary? While our numbers are dropping quickly, they aren't exactly low.

In any event, I am looking forward to the day that I can be unmasked at the office. Then again, my officemate had Omicron last month, so I should be good anyway, right?

8:29 - I have to agree with you. I've never heard any of my kids or their friends complain about the masks. They play all weekend, after school and in basketball and soccer with no masks.

Not saying they should keep the mandate, but I just don't get where all the outrage is from. Maybe it's worse for younger kids, K-3rd or so?

829pm - Mandating small kids cover their faces all day in masks is ridiculous and dangerous. If We can host the super bowl (not to mention converts and sporting events every day), we can make masks optional for everyone… including (and most importantly!) our kids. I truly don’t understand the deranged obsession with masking the age group that is most impressionable and absolutely doesn’t need it… it’s crazy and completely backwards!

So much drama among the adults, and the kids don't really think it's much of a problem to wear a mask, except for some that have drama queen parents.

Well, if it’s not really doing anything (and tangibly harming our youth)… I don’t…

Yeah, who wants to help protect yourself and others at the expense of having to wear such an onerous piece of cloth?

Stupidity seems to be a constant of geography, too.

SHASTA- We'll do the Southern Cone Burning Mask Festival! The relief from the last two years of fear and sacrifice is an extreme delight!

Stupidity seems to be a constant of history.

Unfortunately kids don't vote nor contribute tens of millions of dollars to political campaigns, like the teachers unions do.

Hallucinate much?

jb, 8:29 did say "used to be."

Tools to control Covid are not useless. We need to still be on guard and take actions. WHAT those actions are is still up for debate.

12:27 - Sorry, but you're wrong, on a couple of things. Below you can find the epidemiological definition of endemic. Polio and smallpox were endemic until we developed vaccines. Smallpox was successfully eradicated. Polio is still found in the wild in places like Pakistan, where many in the populace fear the vaccine based on a supposed conspiracy. Sound familiar?

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-00155-x

-3792. No, wrong. Polio and Smallpox have been eradicated, and are not endemic. Influenza is 'endemic,' meaning it remains present in a large population and resists eradication through vaccination, morphing constantly to survive. This is where COVID is going. Like the common flu, it will remain a threat to vulnerable people, but not the vast majority, who will develop immunity. Society-wide controls won't change this, so it is time to adjust to the reality. Masks and other mandates are placebos, not solutions.

Endemic, like polio and smallpox, and even tuberculosis used to be. What a wonderful condition to aspire to! And masking was and is definitely worthwhile, as all medical hygienists knew all along.

Canada's mandates helped, but by far the biggest contributor to their better outcomes for COVID has been their universal healthcare:

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-60380317

Adding to MM's statement, Denmark's population is also not obese as most Americans are.

CHANNELFOG, unfortunately the Denmark model also includes the fact that ~78% of all Danes are vaccinated, 48% have been boosted, and they have national health care.

We aren't Denmark. In vaccination rates or healthcare. I love Denmark.

11:17 - I, for one, do not want a bunch of uncivilized, poorly socialized foolish pawns of right-wing social media dictating politics to me via breaking the law.

11:34- obvious to me You were "Unable to comprehend" my definition of "different"?
"...closest neighbor" , yeah Mexico & Canada is correct. I think the rest is called projection? oh wait, never mind I wasn't supposed to respond... Waiting for the "Cincinnati Bengals" big win!

Fear of Greek philosophers? What has that got to do with anything?

BICYCLIST- Are you saying that we have nothing to learn from another country? Especially our closest neighbor, Canada? (border length.., ninguna problema con Mexico) This sounds like zenophobia gone wild! We need to listen to all quarters now more than ever.

1:52- You are clearly NOT paying attention. Unlike the US Northwest protests, the Canadians are protecting local real estate. Their Veterans removed the barricades around their War Memorial and cleaned the ice, slush and debris, and be sure that they will protect it. As the Convoy is protecting all Ottawa Biz. Many have been able to stay open. It is clear that you have no concept whatsoever about "legitimate political discourse". There is a significant chance that this grass roots Canadian movement may change the political landscape of North America. A most WELCOME political change!!!

"The C a n a d i a n Trucker Convoy", I'm pretty sure that's a different country?

@OG, except these truckers aren't being arbitrarily murdered by police because of the way they look sooooo, not the same thing.

5:35 - What's the difference between this and any other protest? It put a ding in corporate profits? Less harmful than looting and burning private businesses IMO. If we're good with one why not all? At least people aren't getting injured or killed...

You've been told countless times, and remain oblivious because your politics dictate remaining blind to facts. VACCINATION REDUCES DEATHS. It's really simple, and maintaining public health is everyone's social duty, just like stopping at red lights. It's a good bet that someone who doesn't understand that is a sociopath.

Wow! Some people are truly delusional. These truckers are just law-breaking bullies trying to impose their warped sociopathic beliefs on others. I suppose that's what you idiots think is "legitimate political discourse".

BABY- I believe that the media does know how to report it, as they are told to report it! This Unified Peoples Movement is a huge threat to the current North American power structure, it must be maligned and crushed.

GEN- If those things happened they are certainly rare. I've watched many hours of live footage and it is very different than that which is portrayed in the media. The Convoy is not a terrorist act and is seeing support from many LEO's and military. They will go home peacefully if the police move in, and park their 300,000 trucks in their driveways. That is where this is headed....empty shelves and closed manufacturing plants. These Canadians have had enough and they will not back down.

SAC- Polio and other vaccines have a long track record we cannot yet know the long term effects of these new drug treatments. That is the difference. Why are the documents regarding these drug trials being released over 75 years instead of 7 months ago?
The Watch Lists have been a terrible infringement on innocent citizens and have done little or anything for safety, so yes, as long as screened for weapons, travel. The Patriot Act should have never been enacted as it infringes greatly on Constitutional Rights. I do not fear terrorists!
Seat belts saved my life in 1969!
Do not care for communism.
Yes, I AM having fun living free of Covid Fear and especially, seeing the Truth coming out, bit by bit.

ChannelFog: Since a whole range of folks are involved in the protest in Canada, the US media has had one heck of a time defining the "bad guy" (Trump supporters, gun owners, anti-vax/mask, and so on). They do not know how to report it, but it certainly is obvious that our media is completely one-sided with a few minor exceptions. Even Lester Holt had to hold back the laughter to the answers to his questions recently.

CHANNEL - all or nothing, eh? Responsible adults learn early on how to adjust and compromise. All or nothing is an unrealistic and sophomoric way to live life.

Should we also bring back the measles? Polio? How about we allow EVERYONE to travel wherever they want, watch lists be damned? Surgeons having to wear masks during operations? Nope! No more! Get rid of seatbelts! They're communistic!

We demand ABSOLUTE FREEDUMB! We demand NO MORE COVID! Hahaha, yeah have fun with that.....

So flying the nazi swastika and taking dumps on LGBTQ flags are festive? There probably is something festive about a treason party.... for those committing mutiny. I imagine Arab spring was festive for some terrorists.

I think you bring up a good point channel. Our two party system often feels more like an illusion of choice that is more focused on corporations than the voters. Meanwhile, corporate pressure is building to clear out the protesters and the Canadian government is considering turning to the use of force to stop the protests. If Canada is not careful, they might end up having a Tiananmen square moment soon.

https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-business-detroit-ontario-6e6dcbfaa6717b0aa0f079251663290f

GENERAL- We've watched a lot of live feed video and youtube videos and so have a very different picture of the Convoy from that which the media portrays. The Unity of different people and the festive, giving environment is reminiscent of Burning Man in snow. They feed everyone, including the existing homeless and are cleaning trash. This protest will spawn a Peoples Party to counter their version of Republicrat/Dempublican service to corporations. Hopefully this is a tidal wave of political change for North America. Vote third party or not at all, as there are no "lesser of evils" in these two parties. They both take the middle class and small business down to profit huge corps.

SACJON- No, the world is nothing close to normal without the lifting of all mask, vaccine, and travel restrictions. I hope it doesn't take another year for folks to wake up from the fear. "pretty much there" is like being pretty much pregnant, either you are or you are not (Free).