Mask or no, alternatives to government regulations

Do we need government for everything?  Where do we draw the line and how do we deal with a pandemic without the government?  Read on for some ideas.

Click here for a basic 

summary of the Covid-19 Response

Our form of government is based on the individual being the final authority of what risks they are willing to take with their own lives; our freedom and liberty cannot be infringed upon without due process.  In other words, we cannot “assume” someone may be a risk to others and then limit their movement, speech, or pursuit of happiness.  Violation of this under any circumstance is a slippery slope, as there will be no shortage of opportunities to deny rights to the “minority” on behalf of the “majority”.  If history has taught us anything, this has often been the pretext for tyranny as there is also no shortage of minorities.  Because mankind is corruptible, it is extremely dangerous to give any government the power to choose winners and losers.  If given this power, its ability to cause damage on a large scale becomes catastrophic as best.

The Solution: Distribute the power to the people (the private business) and let the free market reign supreme, it is our best option during a time like this.  Instead of hurting the economy by limiting commerce and movement, we can encourage new endeavors, philanthropy, and problem-solving opportunities at the local level by serving those high-risk individuals.  Granted in some cases, solutions may produce additional cost to those who need it, but what should not happen is infringing on the rights of one individual for the so-called benefit of another.

Let’s try to implement solutions instead of accepting what these politicians tell us.  No one seems to trust them, but we go to them for answers and solutions.  No one seems to trust them, but we fight amongst ourselves using the information they give us.  Does this make sense to you, not me?  If we leave this up to them, this will never end.  I just heard that’s there is another strain, so tell me I’m wrong.

To summarize: Any business can find a way to accommodate the need to not wear a mask, many are just choosing not to.  We all need to stop accepting the situation as is and start listening to each other to find a way to serve each other without forcing compliance.  If we can’t do this, then America ceases to be what it was meant to be, a stronghold of freedom. 

Again, tell me I’m wrong.

 

I rushed this, please forgive misspellings and grammar.

Solutions for private and government businesses – This is just a start to the conversation, please think about solving the problem versus how to get others to comply.  You are free to critique the items listed but try to think in terms of preserving our freedoms and inspiring creative useful solutions that meet real needs.

1.       Pandemic protection legislation (if it doesn't exist already) - Make it difficult for a private business to get sued because someone believes their policies or processes caused them or a loved one to get infected.  This is what most businesses fear.

 

2.       Create safe delivery mechanisms – Make it possible for High-risk individuals to receive goods and services without putting themselves at risk.  Or, for Low-risk individuals to receive goods and services without wearing a mask.

 

3.       Protection against government mandates, regulations, and laws – Protect a private business’s right to determine what type of protocols they will implement to reduce transmission.  They will bear the cost and pass them on to the consumer.  This will create fair distribution of the cost to those who use those services.

 

4.       New Processes - Business can alter local processes to accommodate to the individual needs of their business to support “High risk” and “low risk” services.

a.       High-risk vs low risk hours

b.       Distribute store locations into High-risk vs Low-risk locations.

 

5.       Medical services improvements – Medical facilities improving remote and online services, at the same time creating safer onsite procedures.

 

6.       Improve the accuracy and speed of infection testing.

 

7.       Producing more N95 Masks for those high-risk individuals – Makeshift masks do not work well enough, provide better options for High-risk individuals.

 

8.       Producing sanitizing systems for N95 Mask – Enabling a High-risk individual to purchase and reuse their mask, helping reduce the cost and shortages.

 

9.       Government facilities establishing safety protocols - If employees do not or cannot comply with those protocols, they can take unpaid leave until they feel safe to return (if private citizens can’t get paid, neither should government employees).  Until then, the vacated position can be filled by a low risk or immune individual.

 

10.   High-risk individual registration – If someone believes they are a High-Risk individual, they can register and subscribe to medical information and services pertaining to the viruses.

 

11.   Etc.

Man vs Woman - There can be only "One".

(Warning: mild spoiler alert for “Wonder Woman 1984”)

Wonder Woman 1984

• Scene 1: a thriving (?) male-less society competes to identify the strongest woman (or girl).
• Scene 2: Four adult males rob a store run by a woman.  After which, they are subdued by a woman.
• Minor theme point: a loser male, seeks power to feel like a winner, only to be told by his young male child that he doesn’t have to be powerful to be loved by same said male child.

The Andy Griffith Show (Click here for reference article)

…At the end of the first season, [Ron] Howard’s father spoke with producers about grounding the portrayal as they did with Griffith’s character. He wanted to see a more natural relationship with his father…“My dad was around the set quite a bit, and somehow my dad said, ‘What would happen if Opie knew that Andy was smarter than him? How about if Opie actually respected his dad? I just thought it might be different.'”

What does “Wonder Woman 1984” and season one of “The Andy Griffith Show” have in common?  Not much really; other than emasculating the adult male.  Thankfully, Ron Howard’s father stepped up and put an end to this early on.  Unfortunately, this went unchecked in many other tv shows and movies with what I can only assume is part of a trend to pit man vs woman by tearing down the patriarch to build up the matriarch?  On a related note, I am routinely amazed by the gender inequality conversation.  To me when I look through the prism of biblical and constitutional principles, the premise of gender inequality and the existence of a Patriarchy seems flawed from the start.

Hollywood continues to sow false narratives of an evil, ignorant, buffoonery of a man vs a virtuous, intelligent, and powerful woman (or child).  Also seemingly eager to show at every opportunity how a woman can be just as physically strong or stronger than any man.  A scenario that does not usually bare itself out in the real world and doesn’t offer any real significant value to continuing her existence in a real life battle.  Personally, I think a woman should attempt to arm herself with weaponry before engaging in physical combat with a man, but I’m sure there are some folks out there who disagree.   Our politicians and social justice warriors use these visuals to implement unrealistic solutions to solve this "inequality", but end up doing nothing but wreaking havoc on our economy, eroding our freedoms, and destroying the family unit; leaving us worse off in our relationships than when they began.  These false narratives delay inevitable disappointment for both genders who buy into those narratives, and they will eventually have to face the truth; that men should be men and women should be women. 

But this is only the half of it.  The rest of the story, at least biblically, is that the ultimate individual in our society is not the powerful man or the powerful woman, it is the powerful marriage.  Two becoming one – [KJV Genesis 2:24 - Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh].  With this union, your power is limited only by your willingness to work together selflessly for the benefit for each other, your children, and society.  A blueprint laid out by God, only to be routinely dismissed or attacked by all to some extent, generation after generation after generation.  It’s hard enough to live by this blueprint, sin nature being what it is, but this is most certainly not helped with regular doses of male emasculation by tv and social media.

By the way, I thought I had marriage all figured out in the beginning, only to discover a most worthy and incredibly competent adversary in my wife.  Improvement came when we both stopped trying to subdue and dominate the other in marital warfare, and start loving each other as we would love ourselves.  We reduced the competition and try to work and act as one.  I can only imagine where our life would be today had we actually got it right from the start.  But maybe that’s the journey we need to take sometimes in order to understand and value biblical principles.

By the way, if you are not in a biblical marriage either by choice or circumstance, live your life as you see fit, man or woman.  That is your God-given right.  At the end of the day my goal is for us to stop vilify and tearing each other's choices down for our own benefit.  We all should be given the grace and space to live with the consequences of our own actions, good or bad.  We should not allow our lives to be dictated by a cultural census, others defining for us what a man or a woman needs to be, in many cases pitting genders against each other.  This “Gender War” will only end when we stop participating.  Instead, share your own personal experiences, principles, and values with others.  If it is valuable and produces success, others will follow.  This is the American way; not coercion, not suppression, and most certainly not manipulation.

For now, what I can tell you is the solution is not found in Hollywood, the government, the psychiatrist office, or even your parents; relationships are way too unique and personal.  For me, after a reset of preconceived ideas, the solution was discovered in the King James Bible, which promotes a man and a woman working together to produce a strong family unit.  A complete and wonderful blueprint built on love, sacrifice, and selflessness.  It is only here where you can find that a man can be a man, a woman can be a woman, and when brought together a truly powerful and equal {pause for dramatic effect} “One”.

Family Building

• Biblical Principles
• American Government Principles

A response to being turned away for not wearing a mask.

Using a template letter like the one below I sent this to a local business that had turned me away for not wearing a mask.  My goal was not to criticize them, but to inform them of the missed opportunity.  I did receive a call back within the same day from a representative of the business.  I really appreciated them reaching out to me so quickly and they were very cordial and understanding.  In the end, my understanding of their situation is this.

1. This is a state mandate, implemented by the Governor that they must follow.
2. They are meeting the needs of those who feel they have nowhere else to go.  I assume they mean "High-Risk" Individuals.

Although we did not talk solutions or other service options, it did allow me the opportunity to hear their side of the issue as most of mine side was covered in the email.  I encourage you to do the same with the hope of at some point, consolidating our efforts to offer a solution that can work for everyone.  Feel free to use the template below. 

If you decide to do this or have already done so, please let me know your experience.

 [Sample Letter]

Let me say this up front, this is not a complaint, my intention is to help.  I would like to share with you our experience to make you aware of the impact some decisions are having on your business, however small it may be. 

Share your experience

·       Visit 1 - On Date/Time? we visited your establishment in the following location.  We enjoyed it very much and appreciated the outstanding service we received. 

and/or

·       Visit 2 - On Date/Time? We arrived at your business where we were turned away for not wearing mask.  I thanked your greeter, left without incident, and have not been back since.   

To be clear, I promote and respect independent private business ownership.  I encourage and support individuals making choices that are in their best self-interest.  As a business owner you have important responsibility to provide for your community, employees, and your family.  Keeping them safe while at the same time providing a way for them to make a living is an awesome and noble endeavor, this should not be taken lightly.  My hope is that this gives you data to share with others (peers, family, friends, city and county councils) on the impact of decisions we make.

As far as why I would or will not wear a mask, I don’t believe the answer to be relevant or helpful to my goal here.  I am merely one of many who choose not to wear a mask for a variety of reasons.  And, although I have a thick skin, it is hurtful to be routinely vilified without understanding of my situation, by social media or media in general because of this choice.  At the end of the day and as an American citizen, it is your right to require patrons to wear a mask, and for me as well, an American citizen, it is my constitutional right to do what is in my best interest which has me choosing not to wear a mask. 

If you are interested in seeing some of the information that led me to this decision, I included a link to my blog explaining my understanding of the Covid-19 response.  I do not know these things to be fact, simply this is what I have gleaned from all the information blasted at us from various sources.  Please understand as an average citizen, filtering through all this information to determine fact from fiction has proven very frustrating and difficult.  I believe this to be the sole reason for so much discord today.

I will share this process and an example of this letter with friends and family, omitting any reference to your establishment.  My goal is to inspire others to share a real personal experience with all businesses that have turned them away.  With this real information, our community can not only begin to understand more thoroughly the impact but begin to work together on a more agreeable solution.  I hope this is helpful and if you would like to discuss this in more detail, I would be happy to do so.  I truly want to help us all get through this unprecedented time as soon and as painlessly as possible. 

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I pray your business survives and eventually thrives in these conditions.  Also, please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you believe I can help any way.

Sincerely,

Your Name and contact info.

A layperson’s understanding of a pandemic (Covid-19 focus)

I posted what I believe to be the general understanding of our current situation with the Coronavirus (Covid-19).  I intend this to be an average citizen’s unofficial summarized perception of what we have seen, researched, and heard.  Your assignment is to read and comment via the blog or Facebook if this perception is the same as yours.  If not, share your alternate view to specific points in the post. 

Please forgive any grammatical errors.

How “Covid-19” spreads

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/how-covid-spreads.html

Summary: It is thought to spread mainly from person to person, mainly through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. Spread is more likely when people are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet). It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes. This is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads, but we are still learning more about this virus.

The virus that causes COVID-19 is spreading very easily and sustainably between people. Information from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic suggests that this virus is spreading more efficiently than influenza, but not as efficiently as measles, which is highly contagious.

 

Levels of protection and/or infecting

Level 0: Not wearing a mask

No protection from breathing in the contaminated respiratory droplets, nor if infected will you reduce the distance the contaminated respiratory droplets travel when breathing, coughing, or sneezing.

Level 1: Wearing a mask (commercial or makeshift versions)

Primarily for an infected person, as it does not significantly reduce your chances of getting infected but can reduce the distance that you exhale (breath, cough, sing, or sneeze) contaminated respiratory droplets through the air and get breathed in by others.  If you are infected (especially if you do not know you are), your chance of infecting others through exhaling will be reduced.

Level 2: Wearing a N95 Mask

Although not 100% effective, its intent is to significantly reduce your chance of inhaling contaminated respiratory droplets and getting infected as well as significantly reducing the distance that the contaminated respiratory droplets are exhaled through the air and get breathed in by others.  Primarily reserved for medical professionals in high-risk environments.

Level 0 – 3: Proximity

Stay at least 6-ft away from an infected person and do not touch infected objects followed by touching your mouth, nose, or eyes without sanitizing your hands beforehand.  The greater the distance you are from an infected person, the lesser the chance of getting infected by that infected person.

  

Stopping vs slowing the spread

Stopping the spread or transmission means regardless of whether the infection creates symptoms in the infected or not, the virus is not transmitted from one individual to another.  This is unlikely to happen with any highly contagious virus like “Covid-19”.  Using the prevention methods described above in various combinations are usually meant only to slow the spread and extend the duration in hopes of reducing the spikes of high-risk cases (explained below) which can overrun an unprepared health care system.

Stopping symptoms and eventually the ability to transmit the virus is accomplished through herd immunity which can be established either by a significant percentage (for example, 70% - 90%) of the population getting infected, followed by dying; or recovering through the establishment of your body’s antibodies to kill the viral infection; or immunization via vaccine.

 

An Individual's Risk Option

High-risk individual – An infection could result in death or at the very least cause a severe or permanent health issue.  Infection may also require the individual to receive advance medical attention to treat symptoms.  If you believe you are a high-risk individual your best course of action is to not get infected, which means you should quarantine.  Stay as far away from potentially infected persons as much as possible.  If you cannot fully quarantine, take advantage of services that work to your goal of not getting infected and get the vaccine as soon as it is available.

Low-risk individual – An infection can cause varying degrees of symptoms and health difficulties but should not be fatal or cause any severe or long-lasting effects.  Should not require significant medical attention to treat symptoms.  If you believe you are a low-risk individual, for a pandemic to end you must either get infected and build the natural antibodies, already be naturally immune, or receive a vaccine to become immune.

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