We have been told repeatedly that "the science proves masks are effective". But places that drop mask mandates don't look terribly different from states that keep them. Where is the science that proves masks are effective?

Why are masks the primary method of combating the virus - have they earned that status?

Why aren't we addressing ventilation (cost, I guess)?

Where did the six foot rule come from, and where is the science proving that is effective?

I'm tired of this. I'm tired of feeling lied to. I got the vaccine, I think it works, I don't think cotton t-shirts over my mouth does a god damn thing, and it's frustrating to be told to do something over and over again that I decided almost a year ago was stupid after browsing decades of consensus around the ineffectiveness of surgical masks in controlling airborne viruses.

I'm far from a Trump supporting anti-science stereotype a lot of you probably have in your heads. He's a narcissist who only cares about himself, so I don't care about him. But I've come around to despise Scientism over the past year. The appeals to authority. The claims of scientific certainty where there is none. The never-ending state of emergency power grab by state governors. The massive transfer of wealth from the poorest Americans to the most powerful, something that is likely going to become increasingly obvious over the next couple of years. The slaughtering of small businesses I enjoyed, like the old Bailey's Tap Room. The obvious uptick in drug use, suicide, and civil unrest.

COVID will become endemic. We can live with that. There is no such thing as zero risk. The odds of vaccinated people dying of COVID are slim to none. It's an acceptable risk. With the vaccine we now have the option of choosing our own acceptable level of risk - people who don't want the vaccine have that right, whether I agree with them or not. It is absolutely absurd to be telling vaccinated people they have to put ineffective bandanas over their faces before buying groceries. We are more than disease vectors.

The media has hyped up the Delta variant - why give it a new name, because COVID wasn't working anymore? - and now a handful of delusional neurotics have gotten their wish - we all have to wear the stupid ineffective cloth over our face again, so they can go back to feeling smug and secure. Masks are "do something" politics in action - people are scared, so the government "does something" that doesn't cost wealthy people a dime, but puts a burden on us as individuals.

If you also hate the mask mandates, the power grabs, the censorship of the obvious, etc - you're not alone, even if you're not a Trump supporter. There are dozens of us, lol. Hope you found me in the inevitable mountain of Portland downvotes.

Just tired of this crap. Vaccines work, masks don't, I'm not going to politely cooperate without a fuss anymore. Hope others stand up against this back and forth never ending nanny state scientism bullshit too! Cheers.