July 2, 2020 UPDATE

 

Miami Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez announced on July 1 that he had talked to doctors and decided to dictate an order that everyone in his county must wear masks in all public places including outside regardless of social distancing unless people are strenuously exercising; that is, ironically, when the viral load and distance projected would be far greater and more likely to infect people whether wearing a mask or not. Another exception is for people who are eating and drinking, which would discriminate in favor of persons who can afford to patronize restaurants until midnight, at which time they could carry on illegally at home, another source of infections. Maskless smoking is of course also permitted as essential to health.

 

Incidentally, tracing in China has indicated that infections were rarely spread from outdoor contact, the ratio being 1 infection in 314. Most of the viral spread has been traced to bars, restaurants, and indoor parties.

The mayor's orders have been discriminatory and irrational. For example, citizens were outraged when, during a general business lockdown, he allowed construction companies to continue operating although infections were running rampant in that industry. Allegations were made that his family has interests therein. By "irrational," it is meant that, not only are the orders inherently absurd  but are also contrary to the scientific fantasy that all things can be mastered by calculation.

 

The non-medical face coverings required per CDC recommendations provide limited protection, especially the cloth bandanas that provide little protection to persons on either side of the cloth. The so-called surgical masks are better but too expensive for many people because they should be thrown away after each use. Since this novel coronavirus swept the United States, suppliers have been gouging the public for the surgical masks at a time when many people cannot even afford food let alone $60 to $100 a month for disposable masks.

 

Disobedience to the order at this time would subject the violator to a $500 fine and a 180-day jail sentence until a civil penalty is determined.

 

American individualists believe they should be responsible for their own medical care, that they should not be subjected to involuntary medical experiments. But the social distancing rule of maintaining a distance of over 6 feet without a mask was something most of them would willingly tolerate.

 

Some of the dictators, including Mayor Dan Gelber of the City of Miami Beach, believed that people should be required to love one another by wearing a mask or else, but Gelber's order, now superseded by the county mayor's order, would have only imposed a small fine applied when social distance of 6 feet could not be maintained.

 

The mandatory masking order will help reduce infections to some extent especially among those who would not otherwise wear masks and would not practice antisocial distancing. So mandatory face coverings would probably help flatten the curve to save some lives and reduce the burden on the doctors and nurses and other frontline staff. Yet flattening the curve may be prolonging the misery, resulting in the same death count over the longer period.

 

The experts really do not know what to expect. Over 1 million people in the United States could die of this virus if an effective vaccine is not found soon. Or it could run out of fuel before then, or it might even kill half of population. Who knows for sure? The doctors and politicians have already proven that we cannot rely on them. We do know this emergency provides an opportunity for frustrated dictators to rule by decree and virtual martial law and destroy the basic freedoms so many red blooded Americans have fought and died for. The social ramifications of the dictatorial policies could result in a Great Great Depression, brutal civil unrest, and perhaps revolution. An alternative might be another Roaring Twenties - the 1918 Influenza "just disappeared."

29 June 2020

 

Beginning 30 June, the City of Miami Beach will fine people $50 for not following what is in effect the CDC recommendation to wear a face covering in public places, no matter how ineffective it might be, if a social distance of six feet cannot be maintained.

 

A mask works both ways. If your mask protects others, then it protects you. Since people who choose to wear them are protected, why should you be forced by them to wear a mask if you choose not to do so?

 

The mask is a political symbol, and officials would demonstrate that they have the power to issue and enforce orders, no matter how absurd.

 

Mayor Dan Gelber, however, does not see it that way. We must wear masks by virtue of our love for others.

 

"Our rule is simple, you must be wearing a mask in our city," Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber said in a statement. "On the street, waiting outside a restaurant, in your condo lobby or at the park — wear it. It's not a political statement, it's just trying to do your part to keep loved ones and neighbors healthy."