It looks like this mask has a circular filter hole on its left side. From what I’ve read, those actually allow increased virus transmission. I’d avoid such masks.
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They have ventless ones. I assume the vented ones have a medical grade replaceable filter. Like a gas mask. The vented ones for paper dust masks are the ones that do not work
There are a number of vented ones with replaceable filters that DO work. Trust me, I have been in a gas mask. If they can keep out gas, they can keep out a virus. Just avoid the WalMart/hardware store type
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CNBC: Thinking about leaving the U.S. for good? Here are some easy (and affordable) options.
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Sitting in the WalMart lot waiting on groceries, I have concluded that someone really needs to design a mask for guys with big beards. Anyone up for a design challenge?
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CNBC: This is how effective a Covid-19 vaccine has to be for life to ‘return to normal,’ according to scientists.
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Interesting. In some European countries, vaccinations are simply mandatory (and even where they are “only“ recommended, 50-70% of children get them). So when this vaccine comes about we could see fast how well it works by comparing the mandatorily vaccinating countries with others. If there will be a noticeable difference, it might convince more people to get the vaccine…?
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Well, we could hope but, people won’t even get the flu shot here.
ABC News: Hundreds of protesters gather against new flu vaccine mandate in Massachusetts.
Well, if sane people continue to protect themselves, we may get gene pool cleanup. 
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How is everyone holding up?
Has a new normal set in? Have you gone back to business as usual?
We have a new normal. Still video conf multiple times a week. I have ventured back into WalMart early in the morning when few are there. It is funny to see what isles are empty. Yesterday, the plumbing section was empty… 
Must be all that toilet paper.
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Yeah its been a looong grind, The Last Campfire resonated with the ups and downs and there were definitely many moments of “forlorn”.
So before I blow my lanthorn in celebration as in my country we have moved to an even less restrictive set of conditions, but till compulsory mask wearing and no international travel and restrictions on restuarants, social gatherings etc
Still Video conferencing and working from home, but soon to end during Sept with calls to return to office, where our productivity will drop 
iI believe its still too early to tell how the longer tern #newnormal will be like, for me the big test will be around December/Jan during our peak summer holiday period here in the Southern Hemisphere when mass social activity and travel is the norm…
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My ‘normal’ never changed that much…
I live in a remote location so shopping trips have always been a combination of hardware, supplies & groceries runs.
We have always kept back up stocks anyway, in case of circumstances where we can’t resupply (like big storms).
Initially, we noticed a couple of instances of panic emptied shelves but it’s normal again now & didn’t ever worry us much anyhow.
On the rare occasions I cross paths with my locals, we make a joke about not shaking hands, which often turns into any one of a number of silly alternatives, like kicking at each other. It breaks the awkwardness & shows a respect for the ‘new normal’. Between myself & a few long term riding buddies, it often escalates into a silly combination of mismatched no-contact secret handshake gestures & kicks which looks like a terrible attempt at some kind of funky dance. What’s funny is THAT is now normal. 
I carry sanitiser & use it regularly on town trips, taking care to splash some extra over my vehicle contact points; (keys, door handle & steering wheel) when necessary. Most notable occasions would be after refuelling & grocery store visits, where there is a much higher chance of crossing paths with an out-of-towner.
That’s about it. Taking each day as it comes.
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We’re coping. My wife attends Yoga class twice a week – spread way out in a gym, and she sometimes goes for walks (masked & away from people).
I continue to telework full time and do no-contact grocery and restaurant meal pickups. I also do no-contact drop off of items for my church’s “Little Food Pantry.”
I Zoom 3 times a week for work and twice a week for two of our kids’ families. We also have a monthly all-family Zoom with our kids plus one with my wife’s sibs. My sibs are still “getting their act together” to schedule a Zoom meeting. LOL
Digital church (YouTube streaming), Zoom for weekly Bible study, online Bible research and session prep, Netflix shows, Prime video shows, and (now rare) TV are the new norm. We may decide to “drop” cable TV.
My wife says she can tell I’m more involved work grocery bus – more “weird food” is now in our house. LOL.
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So … Valves not good if you are asymptomatic and a spreader!
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“unproven but promising theory” Quote
Telegraph.co.uk: Face masks could be giving people Covid-19 immunity, researchers suggest.
Face masks could be giving people Covid-19 immunity, researchers suggest
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“While there is a small degree of interpretation that can be applied to this, we do not believe it extends to the use of snakeskin – especially when still attached to the snake.”
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Some interesting comments from the leadership team managing my country [South Africa] response to COVID.
“I think we saw that when you are trying to deal with adversity, those who are most successful are those who understand our fundamental interdependence.
’’Those who have chosen to go with me first, it’s all about what I want… the individualism that emerges in those countries that have seen disastrous responses to the epidemic.
’’Nowhere is that more clear than in the US. We can never have a situation where we can believe that we can be safe, or I can be safe, when you are not safe.
“This virus is about how it spreads from you to me or me to you, you are safe because I’m safe. I am safe because you are safe. That interdependence is fundamental to our approach.
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Totally agree. So many here have a “me first” attitude. My mother has a friend who’s sister-in-law was an anti-masker. She would get so angry when others wore a mask. She is in her 80’s with COPD. Now she is in a hospital fighting for her life. She went to visit her son for a Labor Day party. He is positive and so are most of the guests that were there.
My daughter has her 1 year check up next week. She must go in the hospital for her elctro cardiogram. We are scared. She has not been inside any place. We have N95s we saved for this visit. I can’t go in with her. I have to wait outside. I really wish people would do the right thing. Let’s get this under control. Sadly, these people do not value even their own lives so they certainly put no value on others.
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A long time ago somewhere in this topic, (just after the Great Toilet Paper Wars of 2020), I commented, calling the effects of this crisis the Gumby Apocalypse.
Over the months since, I’ve been further stunned at the increasing level of stupidity exhibited by people, often using social media as a way of spreading & feeding their uneducated prattle.
It’s reminding me of the (mythical) tale of Lemmings all racing off the cliffs into the sea when their numbers got too great).
Are humans just hard-wired to just develop a self destructive mob-mentality when the population size & environmental conditions reach a certain state?
The next few years are going to witness some drastic changes to life as we know it & I feel bad for vulnerable & elderly who pay the ultimate price for the combined idiocy of the selfish masses.
Ok. Rant over. 
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The Guardian: Covid-19 tests that give results in minutes to be rolled out across world.
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