Discussions

Yes you’re right. Masks should have remained mandatory and vaccination should be mandatory too. Travel and gathering sizes should be restricted and government should be collating and releasing data on Covid numbers.  
Unfortunately government and public policy right now is if we ignore the problem , there is no problem. The number that sticks in my head is the World health organization’s estimated death toll from Covid at fifteen million people worldwide. Mostly preventable if borders had been closed more quickly and travel restricted earlier.

Yes, I agree. Although masks are still "recommended" they are not mandated. People, however, are behaving as if masks are not required at all. The province dropped the ball on masks. Vulnerable people have been thrown under the bus trying to navigate life through this mess.  
As a compromised individual, I have to assess how much I can live, go out, enjoy life because of the free for all going on in grocery stores, offices, and other workplaces. The lack of daily Covid updates keeps me in the dark, not knowing what I am up against each time I go out. In addition, vaccine immunity is now wearing off with no word from the province on what the next steps are going forward regarding vaccinations. While people like me are trying to stay alive, the province continues to pretend the pandemic is over.

Then wear a mask if that’s what you want no one is stopping you , who are you to mandate them

Or, don't wear a mask. Catch Covid but continue to to go out (after all that's what "freedom is all about), meet some people and give them Covid, then be responsible for giving an elderly person covid who later dies. Classy

I'm sorry to hear you contracted covid. Were you wearing a mask in your place of employment? What is your employer policy on how many days you need to be off?  
If you are fully vaccinated and had your booster, most people are not experiencing serious illness. If you possibly qualify for antivirals or monoclonal antibodies, be sure to contact your primary care provider as soon as you test positive.

Are you saying that the vaccines didn’t work or the booster shot which I have and I’ve had Covid  
 
Edited by hyde, 2022-05-15 10:17:29

I don't understand why people are so against wearing a stupid mask! One simple thing that could put an end to the spread and unreported deaths.  
 
I'm like the OP. If I catch Covid and can't work, then I have no income. I also care for an elderly parent that I don't want to pass on Covid. I'm not ok with causing someone else's death - are you?  
 
Its really unfortunate that people are being bull headed about masks just because a government they don't like is telling them to do it. In my mind, that is about as childish as you can be. boo hoo.  
 
I would like to see a return of the compassion and empathy for our neighbours like we had back in March 2020.  
 
To the OP, sorry to hear you have Covid and I hope you have a speedy recovery and get back to work soon

Just like it’s always been it should be everyone’s prerogative to wear a mask or not, and to take responsibility for our own health. Yeah, it’s not responsible to go around infecting people, but in the end it’s up to us whether or not we want to risk coming in contact with someone who’s sick.

The mask may provide the wearer with a small amount of protection. The mask true role is to protect the people from you. I have talked with people who say the mask is useless because they got sick anyways. My response to them was how did you handle your mask. Did you use sanitizer before and after moving the mask? How did you store your mask when you were not wear it. If you do not use the mask properly it does little to protect you. You probably contaminated the mask and that is how you got sick.  
 
And I have also seen a lot of people being disrespectful around keeping the environment safe for others. Going to the gym and in stores few people are using sanitizers. This i:ncludes people wearing masks.  
There are a lot of ignorant rude and self entitled people out there. I still socially distance myself, use sanitizer whether I wear a mask or not.

I was wearing a mask. Fully vaccinated, even had my 3 booster shot. This would be my 3rd time getting it... I work with the public... if you read before they come into me sick...  
 
Another thing I found out is that you only have to isolate for 5 days... even if you test positive but have no symptoms.. you can go out to the public... now to me that is just spreading disease.. I found that out by calling the health links line as I am still testing positive...  
 
And of course it is up to the discretion of the individual...  
 
I do wear a mask everywhere I go...  
 
I am not saying vaccines don't work I am sure that I would be alot worse if I didn't have them. The first time I had it was alot worse and was not able eat at time. Each time has been different and not fun I am just happy I have did not have to be admitted into the hospital.  
 
At this point I think the government needs to wrangle up manitoabns and tighten the rules a bit. And yes, I did send a letter to the health Minister.. weather it will be read that is another story.

That is crappy that you got covid so many times. Hope you are able to avoid it from now on.  
I do want to comment on the comment about vaccines. Yes you are right it may have gone far worse for you if you were not vaccinated. Vaccines are to lessen severity of symptoms not stop you from getting covid. As I said in a previous post proper handling of your mask, hand sanitizing or hand washing along with social distancing is what lowers your risk of getting covid.  
But viruses are tiny and sometimes you do get infected even with all those steps in place.  
I have been fortunate. I work in healthcare through many outbreaks. Yet I have not gotten infected with covid.

What kind of mask have you been wearing? It is my understanding that the KN95 mask will do the most to protect you, and others-yet I see very few people wearing them. At my workplace I do wear a mask if there are many people around but if I am alone at my desk I take it off. The biggest risk, I feel, are those who are out and about in public even when they know they are sick. I think we all know there are those who will not stay home even when they have symptoms-if they don't test, they can't have covid, right? I am less concerned about those who test negative even if they have a sick family member at home.  
 
There are jobs around-lots of jobs really, many places are having trouble finding people to hire. Even when they interview and make job offers they have some who refuse the job-so they are pleased if their chosen candidate accepts the job offer. The problem, of course, is finding a different job that is in the field you want to work in. And of course a different job will not guarantee that you won't come into contact with an infectious person.

The masks, the lockdowns, and so many of the rules were about keeping the spike in cases manageable for the hospitals. It would seem we are still manageable these days.  
While it would be nice if sick people and those around them would stay home (any sickness, not just covid) we know that there will always be those heroes who think they have to be there, or those that need the money, who will show up anyway.

There are not very many jobs that I can do with my physical disability. Nor, are there alot of employers who will work around it.  
 
I don't go out when I am sick.. because I don't want to get anyone else sick. (I have been stuck alone for over the past week becuse of covid) people just have no regards for anyone but themselves.

I think that the government should still be providing the Covid sickness benefit. That is what I would like to see. Or even provide it to the employers to allow them to give staff paid sick time.  
 
I have to say my work place is amazing in that regardless of our illness we get paid to stay home. People are great and don’t take advantage of it. We are sick - Covid or not we stay home and are paid. We must be 24 hour symptom free to return to work.

You can wear a mask, no one is stopping you

I do not understand why some people are so against wearing a mask?

I don’t agree with mandatory masking now that we are 2+ yrs into a world with covid. The initial mandate by government and public health was because we knew nothing about covid, people were dying, hospitals overwhelmed with few resources and we did not have a vaccine or not enough people were vaccinated  
 
2+ years later the government and public health has done their job and no longer mandate restrictions. Hospitals now have more resources, we know more about covid. People are still dying from it though in smaller numbers. We know who are at highest risk - elderly, people with chronic illnesses like diabetes, obesity, respiratory issues and auto-immune diseases. They educated the public on how to lower our risks of spreading covid. It is now everyone’s responsibility to assess their own situation and follow fundamentals appropriately.  
 
There will always be those clueless self entitled and misinformed people who reject the fundamentals and do what they want. Sadly they are ignorant and lack honest community minded values of helping your fellow person.  
 
You can socially distance from these people, use extra sanitizer or avoid socializing with these people.

I do wear a mask when I am not able to properly socially distance, if I have mild symptoms not related to covid or if I have been exposed but not showing symptoms  
if I am sick I stay home.  
 
I do sympathize with people who can’t afford to stay home for whatever reason. However they can and should wear a medical grade mask, carry hand sanitizer with them and talk to their employer for help to minimize their impact on other people

And for how long should everyone wear masks again for? Until there are zero cases? I get that your in the vulnerable category and a different job is a challenge. But like what Spades said, we know more about it, the vaccine is available to everyone. This risks of serious issues are lower now than they were in 2020 and 2021. Now it's to personal responsibilities as opposed to government mandates.

That’s just it. The general public cannot be trusted to act responsibly and lacks self discipline. Therefore responsibility falls upon government to protect public health and guide people appropriately.

there are a group of people who totally disregard the public health measures and as time goes by as long as covid infections stay where they are, people will become more lax in their fundamentals. If previous posts and discussions around this topic are true, there are already people going about their normal life as if Covid never happened, not hand sanitizing, not staying home when sick. Etc... I severed ties with a long time friend for this very reason.  
 
I feel government has done their due diligence. At some point people need to take responsibility. Tax payers cannot foot the massive bill for constant mandates and constant government control over this issue. People have to start being responsible adults and monitor themselves. If mandates were made the rule of law then those people who are not following mandates now will continue to not follow mandates. With no means of supervision and forcing people to be accountable, the mandates will only be half-assed.  
How many traffic laws are people ignoring, not signaling, not stopping at stop signs, driving distracted, or driving through crosswalks when a pedestrian is in the crosswalk. Government can't keep up with it and people will die unnecessarily due to another person's ignorance. That is the sad reality  
 
So what can we do instead, lobby businesses for safe environmental practices. Like having sanitizer available, have staff wiping down surfaces.  
What can you do: mask up when you feel unsafe, carry your own hand sanitizer, socially distance especially away from someone you feel is unsafe. Have respectful talks with family and friends about your wishes, communicate your wishes when inviting people to your home or for larger functions.  
 
Those are my thoughts.  
 
Edited by Spades!!, 2022-05-16 14:24:00

A small correction to your statement:  
 
"People are still dying from it though in smaller numbers."  
 
That's actually incorrect, statistically speaking. Last year, we averaged 2.5 deaths per day between Jan 1 & May 7. We're currently at 3.6 for the same period in 2022. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/manitoba-covid-deaths-analysis-1.6453167  
 
The way we count them has changed March 15, so it's unclear what impact that has on the numbers..

Honestly, there just comes a time where we just have to stop living in fear and trust that health officials have significant evidence that has allowed them to make this decision.  
 
Personally, I feel a breath of fresh air knowing I can walk freely into a store, no line ups, no masks, people smiling at each other. I'm so happy to see others faces again, its been a long road for everyone. I don't care what others decide, whether it be mask-less or masked, whatever makes them feel comfortable.  
 
Understandably so, I see how others are still so fearful, but we have to get back to living again. So many things have happened since Covid began, our economy is suffering greatly. There comes a time where we have to stop leaving in the fear of the virus and just accept it as any other virus that's been around for years.

A mask mandate would in no way affect the economy. There would be no harm done at all if the government had left the mask mandate in place for a few more months.  
 
I'm not sure I even call it living in fear if someone wants a mask mandate. It is a precaution, yes, but the mask wearers I know are not fearful.

Could not agree more with this.

“Just any other virus that’s been around for years.”  
Except Covid 19 has so far killed in excess of 15 million people worldwide within 2 years and left countless more suffering the serious effects of long Covid which as yet we don’t fully understand.

First off, sorry you got covid. Heal fast. Roughly 1 and 4 people got covid in the last couple of years. I can't remember the other stat, but suggested a fair number people had covid without knowing of it. Yes, people should do better and just stay home when not feeling well, period! Yes, the government should of kept some funding for those get covid for atleast another year. By then, it may become mandatory for all businesses to have sick days.  
 
Since around December in particular, people gave up with all the restrictions. There was a lot of "I will do what I want. Don't tell me differently" all over. Living in an apartment myself, I saw some folks who just didn't care about wearing masks in the hallways etc. Reporting the infraction was pointless as there was no follow up let alone anybody getting fined despite all the signs posted.  
 
So here's the deal. Nobody is stopping a person from wearing a mask. Just wear a mask. If one isn't comfortable being around large crowds etc. , just don't go. There's always curbside pickup, delivery services available etc.  
 
If one thinks you can get everybody back wearing masks again with all the public health restrictions (some which never really enforced to begin with!)., good luck with that. Covid isn't going to completely vanish. If one doesn't want to wear a mask where its not required, don't wear a mask. If one has to where a mask somewhere, just do it. If one wants to continue to wear a mask, do it. Just don't be a jerk etc. on demanding everybody should or shouldn't be wearing a mask. In the meantime, get vaccinated, get boosted etc. . Try to be kind deals.  
 
Edited by alight, 2022-05-16 18:46:08

But let it be known that I do not want you within six feet of me and will let it be known if it happens. Feel happy, feel free, feel anything you want.... just stay away.  
 
Personally, I view unmasked people at the same hygiene level as a public toilet right now. I just see unmasked people as one big germ.  
 
Edited by Gussins, 2022-05-17 01:31:21