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Return to yellow

Return to yellow

Gham
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 10

Gham
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 10

Return to yellow
9/18/2020 at 8:04 AM

With PMH now being classified as Yellow again. Will businesses and retailers go back to not requiring masks?

Some retailers I know will keep the mandatory masks as per their national company guidelines.

Looking to see which will no longer require masks.
Winter123
Joined: This month
Posts: 848

Winter123
Joined: This month
Posts: 848

well
9/18/2020 at 8:20 AM

We got back to yellow because people were wearing masks and keeping groups small, staying home when sick etc.

Switching back to yellow should not change our behaviour as it won’t take long to go back to orange if we aren’t continuing to be careful
Mac72
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 713

Mac72
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 713

Agree
9/18/2020 at 8:59 AM

RC123 said "We got back to yellow because people were wearing masks and keeping groups small, staying home when sick etc.

Switching back to yellow should not change our behaviour as it won’t take long to go back to orange if we aren’t continuing to be careful "
we need to continue with the masks, we lowered our status by working together, so why change.
A mask is not that hard to wear for the time that you spend in a business and many not all businesses supply masks at the door if you forget yours .

Maybe good time for fashion to reintroduce the old turtle neck sweaters
FredFeb
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 892

FredFeb
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 892

Masks not required?
9/18/2020 at 9:45 AM

Starting today, code is now yellow making masks not mandatory anymore but are they? Can you really go anywhere without a mask? I know a lot of businesses and restaurants are making their policy “mask only” so did anything really change?
camfarrsuperstar

Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 760

camfarrsuperstar
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 760

More Control
9/18/2020 at 10:01 AM

Things have improved, so they lifted the restrictions. It's now up to the user to make the right choice. This isn't a free for all. No one will or at least should judge you for wearing a mask indoors. It really depends on where you go and how big the risk might be.
one more thing..
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 493

one more thing..
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 493

Businesses
9/18/2020 at 10:05 AM

Businesses will stall have the right to require you to wear a mask and will have the right to refuse entry/service if you don't wear one.
So hopefully everyone remembers that just because the province has lifted the restriction it doesn't give people the right to argue with workers at businesses that are still requiring people wear masks to enter their premises.
Spades!!
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1224

Spades!!
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1224

A mask is not needed all the time
9/18/2020 at 10:06 AM

I’ve seen people wearing masks while out cutting grass, walking by themselves and driving alone in a vehicle. Mask is only needed when you are not able to socially distance with the people around you. The risk for that is higher in stores so I will continue to wear a mask when I go into a store. Otherwise when I am by myself I will not be wearing a mask. But I will make a habit of always carrying a clean mask with me.
mcws2004
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 71

mcws2004
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 71

Masks while cutting grass
9/18/2020 at 10:45 AM

The people who are wearing masks while cutting grass (such as myself) are likely doing so because of allergies and asthma. I have always worn a mask cutting grass pre pandemic.
theeagle
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 411

theeagle
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 411

Short distances
9/18/2020 at 10:54 AM

Spades!! said "I’ve seen people wearing masks while out cutting grass, walking by themselves and driving alone in a vehicle. Mask is only needed when you are not able to socially distance with the people around you. The risk for that is higher in stores so I will continue to wear a mask when I go into a store. Otherwise when I am by myself I will not be wearing a mask. But I will make a habit of always carrying a clean mask with me. "
I will wear a mask in a car, but only if I am going from one place I would wear a mask, to another, and it is a short distance. Rather than clean hands, remove mask, clean hands again. Reverse process minutes later. If I am coming from (or going to) home, or driving a longer time, the mask is off. Mask is off whenever possible (alone or home), but will still be on in public places/indoors.
Prizzy
Joined: This month
Posts: 1026

Prizzy
Joined: This month
Posts: 1026

Indoors...yes
9/18/2020 at 11:12 AM

In public places, I will wear a mask. We can’t let our guard down. Things can change very quickly as we all know.
Moussa3Trena
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 403

Moussa3Trena
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 403

Masks
9/18/2020 at 11:46 AM

I think the OP is talking about going to stores … restaurants … etc. how “masks are not mandatory” but they are mandatory. Which businesses will let you in without one?
Adam

Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Adam
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Masks
9/18/2020 at 11:53 AM

Here is the exact wording from yesterday's media release on Prairie Mountain being changed to yellow... note specifically that masks remain strongly recommended if no longer required (except of course in many businesses and places that have mandated).

From the provincial release:
"Starting Friday, Sept. 18, the Prairie Mountain Health region will be lowered to the COVID-19 caution level (yellow), according to the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System. This is in response to an improved situation in the region.

Masks are strongly recommended but not required and public gatherings will be limited to 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors. Public health officials continue to monitor all the regions with increased cases closely to determine if additional restrictions are necessary.

Public health officials strongly encourage all Manitobans to focus on the fundamentals to help stop the spread of COVID-19. This means staying home if you are sick, washing/sanitizing your hands, covering your cough and physically distancing when you are with people outside your household.

If you cannot physically distance, wear a mask. Wearing a reusable non-medical mask does not protect the person wearing the mask, but may help protect the people around them. For a mask to be effective, it must be worn properly or it will not prevent the spread of COVID-19. Helpful guidance on wearing a mask can be found at www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/updates/prepareandprevent.html#collapse3. "

Source:
https://news.gov.mb.ca/news/?archive=&item=49231
Adam

Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Adam
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 15663

Thoughts
9/18/2020 at 11:55 AM

In a separate post, my own thoughts:

Important that people get the right message on this...
specifically that the virus is still very much an ongoing concern that needs to be taken seriously in line with public health advice as per http://www.manitoba.ca/covid19/restartmb/prs/prairie_mountain/index.html

Brandon and area appears to have gotten a handle on a particularly serious outbreak of Covid in August that based on accounts sounds like it may have started with one imported case and before you knew it we had more than 150 active cases. You could make the case that complacency over how little we saw the virus earlier in the summer created an ideal environment for that August outbreak and you could make the strong case that things were on the path to get that much worse if not for the measures that were put in place re smaller gatherings and mandatory masks. We need to remember the lessons from the past to make sure we stay as ahead of the virus as we can be as a community!

In the end the same virus is out there and given an optimal environment to spread will do so. We need to get used to the idea of changes in state like this when the risk level is determined to be particularly elevated and we need to continue to follow public health advice based on present state!
Gham
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 10

Gham
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 10

mandatory to recommended
9/18/2020 at 12:35 PM

Have you seen many businesses in Brandon and surrounding areas remove their mandatory mask signs? Who has kept masks mandatory?
Farmergeorge
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 1837

Farmergeorge
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 1837

It’s a huge mistake.
9/18/2020 at 2:24 PM

Given 40 new cases in Manitoba today the whole province should be under mandatory masking and severely restricted gatherings. Over 30 million infections and over 900000 deaths worldwide and accelerating. We should tighten restrictions not slacken off.
Triplethreat
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 960

Triplethreat
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 960

For Some Reason
9/18/2020 at 2:35 PM

I have noticed that people who want to wear masks seem to have the idea that there is a deliberate attempt to prevent them from wearing their masks. I've seen this misconception on several websites that I'm on. Whether we need masks or not is another story. I won't go there. The people who don't want to wear masks are only opposed to being forced to wear masks themselves. No one is trying to prevent you from wearing your mask.

Edited by Triplethreat, 2020-09-18 14:36:23
Farmergeorge
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 1837

Farmergeorge
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 1837

I
9/18/2020 at 2:51 PM

Triplethreat said "I have noticed that people who want to wear masks seem to have the idea that there is a deliberate attempt to prevent them from wearing their masks. I've seen this misconception on several websites that I'm on. Whether we need masks or not is another story. I won't go there. The people who don't want to wear masks are only opposed to being forced to wear masks themselves. No one is trying to prevent you from wearing your mask.

Edited by Triplethreat, 2020-09-18 14:36:23"
Will continue to mask up, social distance, and avoid unnecessary travelling . It is our duty to take necessary precautions to prevent potential spread and protect those around us and whom we must come into contact with.
Wiccablue
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 65

Wiccablue
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 65

Mask
9/18/2020 at 3:48 PM

I went out today and every place I went to was *mask mandatory* so nothing has changed
Annimomma5
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 31

Annimomma5
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 31

Not Being Pushed
9/18/2020 at 4:13 PM

When I was out today the signage was all still up, but Superstore didn’t stop anyone at the door going in. I stopped in at the bank and the greeter was super friendly and didn’t even ask if I had a mask.
theeagle
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 411

theeagle
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 411

We want others to wear a mask
9/18/2020 at 4:27 PM

Triplethreat said "I have noticed that people who want to wear masks seem to have the idea that there is a deliberate attempt to prevent them from wearing their masks. I've seen this misconception on several websites that I'm on. Whether we need masks or not is another story. I won't go there. The people who don't want to wear masks are only opposed to being forced to wear masks themselves. No one is trying to prevent you from wearing your mask.

Edited by Triplethreat, 2020-09-18 14:36:23"
The problem is those that won't (not the small percentage that actually can't) wear a mask need to. Those that wear masks MAINLY wear it to protect others. That is how they work best. Much less so protecting others. Those that choose not to are willing to take a chance of making other sick ( to varying degrees) or die, rather than be uncomfortable a bit for an hour or so while shopping. Those wearing masks are doing their parts. Those not at telling everyone else, I don't care if you die, as long as I am not inconvenienced.
SK19
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 346

SK19
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 346

Agreed
9/18/2020 at 4:38 PM

Farmergeorge said "Given 40 new cases in Manitoba today the whole province should be under mandatory masking and severely restricted gatherings. Over 30 million infections and over 900000 deaths worldwide and accelerating. We should tighten restrictions not slacken off. "
People should continue to wear masks, wash hands frequently and social distance.

Covid hasn’t gone away folks.
JustASoul
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 356

JustASoul
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 356

Strongly Agree
9/18/2020 at 5:09 PM

Triplethreat said "I have noticed that people who want to wear masks seem to have the idea that there is a deliberate attempt to prevent them from wearing their masks. I've seen this misconception on several websites that I'm on. Whether we need masks or not is another story. I won't go there. The people who don't want to wear masks are only opposed to being forced to wear masks themselves. No one is trying to prevent you from wearing your mask.

Edited by Triplethreat, 2020-09-18 14:36:23"
I started masking again a week or two before we went to orange and I will likely still mask for a little while longer but, this has all been by my choice. I don't like government dictation of my actions but understand sometimes it is required. I look at the government mandate as the minimum standard you must meet. It certainly doesn't limit the extent of what you can do. I will, begrudgingly at times, let the government set some reasonable limitations. I will not, however, let the government or individuals with strong opinions dictate every action I take. Be safe and, hopefully,, everyone on both sides of this meets or exceeds minimum standards without becoming dictatorial.

Edited by JustASoul, 2020-09-18 17:14:51
Summertime
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 931

Summertime
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 931

No
9/18/2020 at 5:17 PM

Farmergeorge said "Given 40 new cases in Manitoba today the whole province should be under mandatory masking and severely restricted gatherings. Over 30 million infections and over 900000 deaths worldwide and accelerating. We should tighten restrictions not slacken off. "
Yes, there were 40 new cases in Manitoba, but there were Zero in BRANDON, which has had no new cases for 5 days now. The province as a whole does not need to be under “mandatory masking”. Social distancing and good hand washing? Yes. Mandatory masking? NO
SK19
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 346

SK19
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 346

...
9/18/2020 at 5:20 PM

New times said "Yes, there were 40 new cases in Manitoba, but there were Zero in BRANDON, which has had no new cases for 5 days now. The province as a whole does not need to be under “mandatory masking”. Social distancing and good hand washing? Yes. Mandatory masking? NO "
We have had success in Brandon BECAUSE of masks. Do people not see the pattern?

Wear masks = decease in cases.

Then as soon as the cases drop, everyone wants to stop using masks which have helped us dramatically.

I don’t want your stinky gross droplets on me, thanks.

If we drop them too soon, guess what’s coming back.

Covid.
Wondering
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 43

Wondering
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 43

continue masks
9/18/2020 at 5:47 PM

I will support stores and business that require masks. We do NOT want to go backwards here. Perhaps avoiding places who do not make masks mandatory will send a message and keep our community safe
Cjford
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 419

Cjford
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 419

9/18/2020 at 8:55 PM

We would be naive to believe that because zero have tested positive recently that there isn't walking cases around brandon. Why risk when a mask is such a minimal thing to ask. I guess people like riding the roller coaster up and down things being locked down and opened up and repeat.
Reasun
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 28

Reasun
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 28

Social distance
9/18/2020 at 9:13 PM

I work retail and I can tell you since masks became mandatory most of the customers do not social distance the same way as they previously did.
I even had a woman tell me when I stepped back from her “it’s ok I have a mask on”. I personally believe that people get a false sense of security when they wear masks.
Farmergeorge
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 1837

Farmergeorge
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 1837

Hmm
9/18/2020 at 9:38 PM

New times said "Yes, there were 40 new cases in Manitoba, but there were Zero in BRANDON, which has had no new cases for 5 days now. The province as a whole does not need to be under “mandatory masking”. Social distancing and good hand washing? Yes. Mandatory masking? NO "
So it only takes one or two people who may not even realize that they are infected and within a few days hundreds are infected again. It wasn’t many weeks ago that Manitoba stood at 400 infections, I think I read that we are now at 1500 infections. A pretty good case to tighten and enforce restrictions I feel especially with cold and flu season around the corner.
Abbysmum
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 5038

Abbysmum
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 5038

mask math
9/18/2020 at 10:03 PM

I'm recanting my previous statements. I'm disappointed how few people are wearing masks today compared to just yesterday. Masks should remain mandated IMO.

I stumbled on this. It's a very interesting explanation of the math behind masks and how it reduces infections in mathematical models (and how changing the variables changes the outcomes, which is not always an intuitive result). The YouTube videos imbedded are very helpful if you prefer to watch over reading, although the text goes into considerably more detail and lets you interactively manipulate the input numbers.

https://aatishb.com/maskmath/

The basic gist is that if 50% of people wear a mask that's 50% effective, it *could* result in 75% less transmissions overall. That's pretty astounding, actually.

Some other food for thought too... I read yesterday that if a COVID vaccine is as effective as a flu vaccine, it will only be about 50% effective, at best. Mask wearing, even without a vaccine, generally achieves substantially higher protection.

The basic premise was don't count on a vaccine saving us. In the meanwhile, wear a mask.
Gussins
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 380

Gussins
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 380

I agree
9/19/2020 at 3:19 AM

Farmergeorge said "So it only takes one or two people who may not even realize that they are infected and within a few days hundreds are infected again. It wasn’t many weeks ago that Manitoba stood at 400 infections, I think I read that we are now at 1500 infections. A pretty good case to tighten and enforce restrictions I feel especially with cold and flu season around the corner. "
with your posts in this thread. I would like to add that the students have not been in school long enough for the incubation period results to be known so to loosen restrictions instead of maintaining is simply poor leadership (yet again). Perhaps instead of being in such a rush he should take a good look at the four provinces whose cases are skyrocketing as opposed to his singular tunnel vision.

I also do not believe we are in a second wave of the virus yet. I will be keeping my mask on and am glad to see that so many are being responsible even if our leader is not.