Cruise with/without a mask

[mammajamma2013]

10 hours ago, clo said:

Oh, you stop. I would honestly like to know what that issue feels like. I don't like wearing a mask one bit although I do. I'd like to know if perhaps I'm experiencing what others are. It won't stop me from wearing my mask but it might make me understand better.

There's a difference between not liking to wear a mask "one bit" and severe respiratory issues/shortness of breath. From your past posts, you're comfortable enough wearing a mask that you don't have second thoughts about putting one on and might even continue to wear one just for the feeling of safety it gives you. I don't believe you are experiencing what others are.

 

Someone may feel claustrophobic with a mask, which would cause a degree of lung contriction/shortness of breath. Psychological but totally real. Someone with asthma may experience shortness of breath due to having their airway blocked - psychological coupled with physical. So many different people have different reactions to the same experience. As to severe respiratory issues,I have no idea. Maybe someone one oxygen 24/7?

(above sentence bolded by me, not OP)

[rkacruiser]

5 hours ago, Hlitner said:

I would assume that at some point in the future this mask stuff will fade away.  But for now, it is what it is and folks just have to get with the program or look for an alternative venue.  Personally, I do not see any scientific justification for fully vaccinated folks to wear a mask (for COVID mitigation) but I also understand that if I want to come along I must go along.

 

For masks to finally come off for those of us who are fully vaccinated, we need a definite, clear statement from CDC that we will not acquire Covid nor will we be able to spread Covid if we do acquire the virus.  When and if that statement is read/heard by me:  I will be free!  Thank God, I am free!

[Hlitner]

3 minutes ago, rkacruiser said:

 

For masks to finally come off for those of us who are fully vaccinated, we need a definite, clear statement from CDC that we will not acquire Covid nor will we be able to spread Covid if we do acquire the virus.  When and if that statement is read/heard by me:  I will be free!  Thank God, I am free!

I think some folks forget that the long arm of the CDC only reaches to the edge of the US borders.  That being said, prior to COVID I thought the CDC and NIH were both excellent organizations (worked with them back in the early days of the HIV/AIDS epidemic).  But as a result of the CDC missteps, mis-information, lake of candor, and decisions based on something other then science, I have lost faith in just about everything they say.  We are fully vaccinated and already feel "liberated" but also understand that there are times when it is just to our advantage to go along with the program :).  I have little problem wearing a mask which does help protect me from some things (such as the common cold).  As to COVID, I accept the statistic that I have less then a 1 in 10,000 chance of contracting COVID.  I could also get the Bubonic Plague, Yellow Fever, Malaria, Dengue Fever, etc.  

 

Hank

[rkacruiser]

11 hours ago, ilikeanswers said:

 

I would say anything that stops or limits everyday activities. If it is affecting decisions you make in life then it is significant.

 

That description fits my situation.

 

17 hours ago, clo said:

I'm honestly asking, if "shortness of breath" with no underlying disease considered a "severe respiratory" issue?

 

Underlying disease?  Even medical personnel have difficulty making a definitive diagnosis at times:  is it a disease?  is it not?  My cardiologist diagnoses my issue as "unspecified COPD".  My pulmonologist has not made a definite diagnosis, but is treating me with a new type of a inhaler (that is not inexpensive).  The medicine in the inhaler works better some days than others.  As we all do, I KNOW MY BODY.  This inhaler is not the ANSWER.  My PCP says:  "do whatever the specialists recommend".  Which is one reason why I like him.  He recognizes what he does not know and defers to his colleagues whose expertise ought to be better than his.  

 

16 hours ago, clo said:

I'd like to know if perhaps I'm experiencing what others are. 

 

My experiences:

 

I take trash out to the dumpster.  I return to my home gasping for breath on those days that the medicine in the inhaler is not effective.

 

I wear a mask and patronize a CVS or small grocery store.  If the inhaler is working, I will return to my car and after a couple of minutes after removing my mask, I regain my breath.  If the inhaler is not effective that day, I am gasping for air after I remove the mask. 

 

I haven't been in a big box store since December, 2019.  Could I survive getting from the front to the back to the front of the store again without difficulty?  Kroger built a much larger store near me than I had been patronizing.  Haven't been to that store since April, 2020.  Could probably do it, if I have a shopping cart on which to hold onto and take many rest breaks as I am wearing my mask.  

 

For the last 2-3 cruises, walking down the long corridors on a cruise ship from, i.e. dining room to stateroom, brief rest breaks would be needed--not always, thankfully--and that was pre-mask wearing being needed.  

 

Perhaps, this will provide a clear explanation of the issues that some of us face.  With masks:  it makes it worse.  Without masks?  It's "no walk in the park" anymore.  

[2wheelin]

17 hours ago, clo said:

Oh, you stop. I would honestly like to know what that issue feels like. I don't like wearing a mask one bit although I do. I'd like to know if perhaps I'm experiencing what others are. It won't stop me from wearing my mask but it might make me understand better.

I can 100% guarantee that you are not. All of your past comments will confirm this.

Your statements have been sort of like saying “I don’t like peanut butter” and “if I eat peanut butter, my throat will constrict and if untreated, I may die” are all the same. And by the way, serious issue and significant event which you use interchangeably are not the same.

[clo]

1 hour ago, 2wheelin said:

I can 100% guarantee that you are not. All of your past comments will confirm this.

Your statements have been sort of like saying “I don’t like peanut butter” and “if I eat peanut butter, my throat will constrict and if untreated, I may die” are all the same. And by the way, serious issue and significant event which you use interchangeably are not the same.

I just hope that everyone who has these issues with masks has seen their doctor in case they have suggestions for things to make it better. That's gotta be a tough way to live.

[navybankerteacher]

9 minutes ago, clo said:

I just hope that everyone who has these issues with masks has seen their doctor in case they have suggestions for things to make it better. That's gotta be a tough way to live.

At the end of the day, if it is found necessary, in the effort to limit contagion of a deadly disease, to require people to wear masks when in public, the fact that some may have difficulty wearing masks does not give their comfort priority over others' right to not be infected.

[lenquixote66]

1 hour ago, navybankerteacher said:

At the end of the day, if it is found necessary, in the effort to limit contagion of a deadly disease, to require people to wear masks when in public, the fact that some may have difficulty wearing masks does not give their comfort priority over others' right to not be infected.

How many people do not understand this ?

[navybankerteacher]

2 hours ago, lenquixote66 said:

How many people do not understand this ?

Certainly all the people who (for valid or made-up reasons) say they  “cannot” wear masks - and shouldn’t have to.

[Toofarfromthesea]

Getting rid of plastic straws on cruiseships because of microplastic pollution was a very hot topic and an issue that forced cruiselines to take note and take acion.

Now that there are more and more reports of microplastic pollution of the oceans caused by disposable masks, are there concerns about unleashing a fleet of hundreds of ships, each having thousands of pax wearing masks?  Maybe cruiselines should wait to resume sailings until masks are no longer needed, for the sake of the oceans?

[ilikeanswers]

25 minutes ago, Toofarfromthesea said:

Getting rid of plastic straws on cruiseships because of microplastic pollution was a very hot topic and an issue that forced cruiselines to take note and take acion.

Now that there are more and more reports of microplastic pollution of the oceans caused by disposable masks, are there concerns about unleashing a fleet of hundreds of ships, each having thousands of pax wearing masks?  Maybe cruiselines should wait to resume sailings until masks are no longer needed, for the sake of the oceans?

 

Like straws it would be good to move towards a reusable model. I haven't used a disposable mask since the pandemic started. To me it is no different to your socks or your underwear, you don't usually throw them out after one use😂. 

[cruisemom42]

On 4/24/2021 at 8:07 AM, navybankerteacher said:

I also hope not  -- but we are not talking about severe respiratory disease, we are talking about the self-absorbed who, like those who MUST fly with their comfort animals, will fake any sort of NEED to have things their way.

 

13 hours ago, navybankerteacher said:

At the end of the day, if it is found necessary, in the effort to limit contagion of a deadly disease, to require people to wear masks when in public, the fact that some may have difficulty wearing masks does not give their comfort priority over others' right to not be infected.

 

8 hours ago, navybankerteacher said:

Certainly all the people who (for valid or made-up reasons) say they  “cannot” wear masks - and shouldn’t have to.

 

I don't believe a single post on this thread has asserted anyone feels they have a "right" not to wear a mask where required, only that they would not cruise, for now, if it was required. So I think it is safe to climb off the soapbox now.

 

[JRG]

Yes,  would be our answer, probably, I think, most of the time, if the cruise experience was worth it.

 

But.....I can see ships separating the MDR into Masking and Non-Masking areas so dining customers can choose their preference,   sort of like the smoking days of yesteryear.   Same for the shows.

 

That solves the problem for those who have bonafide health needs to not wear masks and nobody can object to that.    

 

 

 

 

[navybankerteacher]

1 hour ago, JRG said:

Yes,  would be our answer, probably, I think, most of the time, if the cruise experience was worth it.

 

But.....I can see ships separating the MDR into Masking and Non-Masking areas so dining customers can choose their preference,   sort of like the smoking days of yesteryear.   Same for the shows.

 

That solves the problem for those who have bonafide health needs to not wear masks and nobody can object to that.    

 

 

 

 

This would address mealtimes -would you suggest similar separate facilities: lounges, theatres, sun decks, casinos, etc. -- which would involve many more hours than mealtimes?

[lenquixote66]

12 hours ago, navybankerteacher said:

Certainly all the people who (for valid or made-up reasons) say they  “cannot” wear masks - and shouldn’t have to.

Hopefully they are in the minority.

[Toofarfromthesea]

5 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

 

 

I don't believe a single post on this thread has asserted anyone feels they have a "right" not to wear a mask where required, only that they would not cruise, for now, if it was required. So I think it is safe to climb off the soapbox now.

 

Some people just get their jollies condemning other people so they can feel morally superior.

[2wheelin]

6 hours ago, navybankerteacher said:

This would address mealtimes -would you suggest similar separate facilities: lounges, theatres, sun decks, casinos, etc. -- which would involve many more hours than mealtimes?

Sounds like a good idea. And the mask areas would be about the size of the current smoking areas when people have a choice.

[2wheelin]

9 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

 

 

I don't believe a single post on this thread has asserted anyone feels they have a "right" not to wear a mask where required, only that they would not cruise, for now, if it was required. So I think it is safe to climb off the soapbox now.

 

The soapbox is permanently strapped on and has a loop recording.

[navybankerteacher]

1 hour ago, 2wheelin said:

The soapbox is permanently strapped on and has a loop recording.

So you strap your soapbox on?   I wondered.

[rkacruiser]

11 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

I don't believe a single post on this thread has asserted anyone feels they have a "right" not to wear a mask where required, only that they would not cruise, for now, if it was required

 

I will wear a mask as long as I am required to do so.  Given the current unknowns about whether those of us who are fully vaccinated, yet could acquire the virus and then spread that virus to others, as difficult as it may be for me, I will continue to wear my mask.  I simply have to adjust the type of activities that I feel comfortable in doing on a daily basis.  

 

 

[2wheelin]

2 hours ago, navybankerteacher said:

So you strap your soapbox on?   I wondered.

Lol. I see reading comprehension is not your forte.

[getting older slowly]

Just remember correct PPE when using a soap box   

( mask optional ) ( and check the load rating )

and bring popcorn.......   

 

Main stream cruising could be a long way off....

so we will see when we get there....  if or if not masks are required..

[Toofarfromthesea]

On 4/24/2021 at 6:47 PM, lenquixote66 said:

How many people do not understand this ?

The ones who realize it is nonsense.

[lenquixote66]

20 minutes ago, Toofarfromthesea said:

The ones who realize it is nonsense.

What is nonsense ?

 

[Covepointcruiser]

The folks around here with breathing difficulties are using oxygen while wearing their masks.

If your doctor won’t put you on oxygen, you should get curbside pickup or home deliveries.   The stores in out county state that if you are unable to wear a mask they will provide curbside delivery. No one is allowed inside without a mask.   Those with breathing problems should not be risking their health.