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SP5 Dennis Loberger
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Edited 4 y ago
I lived in Japan in 1973, 1974. There is no question they live more densely than here in the US. That has produced a culture in Japan that is quite different from ours. They were wearing masks in 1973. They did it for several reasons, allergies, air quality as well as illness. Wearing masks for COVID-19 is nothing new. They are more than willing to do what is best for the culture not for themselves. Our individualistic society creates more than enough people unwilling to accept those type of actions and as a result no model can fit both societies.
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LTC Eugene Chu
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Reason for Japan reopening soon compared to US is due to culture, not a crazy conspiracy theory. Its populace voluntarily social distanced instead of protesting with weapons at regional capitols. Although Japan's government did have mandates, it also performed mass organized testing instead of the loose effort performed by some other countries

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2020/05/11/how-tos/coronavirus-cultural-divide-japan/
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Cpl Software Engineer
Cpl (Join to see)
4 y
Density makes a difference and japan should have, according to statistical analysis and fauci's models, been much more susceptible to infection. The lock downs are making things worse, not with the virus itself, but mental health is declining too. The cure is worse than the disease.
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PFC Kimberly Staiti
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Have you noticed many Japanese people wear masks without a pandemic. Perhaps their so doing has prevented other outbreaks. Tens of thousands of US citizens are dead from covid19. It's not a publicity stunt. It's not a conspiracy to keep POTUS from reelection. This guy can't be beat. He's the least qualified, least effective, most divisive president in modern history. Nixon's poll numbers look strong compared to his. If it weren't for Evangelical Christians who ascribe to Dominion theology and want to help bring about Armageddon, POTUS would not be in any position to run for reelection. (When your supporters believe in your part of the end of the world as a ~positive~ maybe your career plans should be reexamined)
God help us all.
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PFC Kimberly Staiti
PFC Kimberly Staiti
4 y
Cpl (Join to see) Sure. You're free. I'm free. (Sort of... Citizens United, the Patriot Act, and NY state's SAFE act notwithstanding), and we are all subject to changes, whether or not we agree with them.

Perhaps you have the great good sense to behave responsibly during a pandemic: something that is unlike ~anything~ most humans on Earth (certainly the US) have faced in their lifetimes. Do you believe the average person willingly wears protective gear? It's next to impossible to afford, if you can find it. Seems simple, like firing on full auto looks simple in movies. It's not. Most folks use masks incorrectly.

As far as freedom goes, I am guaranteed the right to life, first and foremost. When I am surrounded by people who are biological weapons (innocent, unknowing), I ~need~ the protection of the government to ensure others aren't allowed to attack me. Having Americans look out for national security by correctly wearing masks keeps me from having to take the law in my own hands. Carrying a 1911 to market would probably guarantee that folks stayed more than 6 feet away from me, but then, I am only so free. Guarantee I wouldn't be "free" after that action.

Simply put, people are ignorantly selfish. Americans are uniquely stubborn and believe they are entitled to all sorts of things, like freedom from inconvenience. Being surrounded by disciplined, squared away folks may have affected your viewpoint. Have you looked at the way civilians are behaving in CONUS? covid19 parties, attending events that are specifically named as things to avoid, and lying about exposure/symptoms to keep their kid in daycare or keep their job. Yes, I am a free American, but I need protection from my fellow citizens. Do you really want to lock and load against ignorance? I believe in us. Working on this ~together~ gives us a chance to survive. Take a look at the data on the "Spanish" Flu AKA the Flu of 1918 for examples of what we should and should not do.
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Cpl Software Engineer
Cpl (Join to see)
4 y
The laws you refer to were opposed by everyone I know and they've only grown. The Patriot Act resulted in the the NDAA that was supposed to be temporary and is slowly becoming permanent.

Punishing all with less freedoms for the poor behavior of a few is not the right way to govern. In a free society we have to take ownership of our own responsibility. Those of us who are responsible are free to wear a mask to minimize risk to ourselves. I don't need the government telling me to wear it, I know the risks. We also know there are some irresponsible people, but what's next, they take a liberty, and then another, then yet another. If we allow them to take one, it will snowball.

The pattern of government overreach is becoming too obvious. Can't you see it?

"This is the tendency of all human governments. A departure from principle becomes a precedent for a second; that second for a third; and so on, till the bulk of society is reduced to mere automatons of misery, to have no sensibilities left but for sinning and suffering... And the fore horse of this frightful team is public debt. Taxation follows that, and in its train wretchedness and oppression." - Thomas Jefferson
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PFC Kimberly Staiti
PFC Kimberly Staiti
4 y
Cpl (Join to see) You're preaching to the choir. I actively worked against the passage of those laws. We're in a surveillance state. Police overstepping is gaining more acceptance and I am very concerned about it. Former MI, so I really pay attention to the infringement of rights.

"Self" isolating is the only kind we have.

Do you see anyone being arrested for disobeying the pandemic safety rules/laws/guidelines? Absolutely not. Just the opposite: people are being released from prison and jail so the virus isn't given an isolated large group of people to use as vectors.

I'm in NY. We're not supposed to leave the house unless necessary. We are supposed to be at least 6 feet apart from each other and we are supposed to have our noses and mouths covered at all times outside our homes unless we are playing a solo sport like hiking, biking, running, etc. In those cases, we're supposed to have a face covering within hands reach in case our paths are crossed by anyone.

In this case, I would have preferred the "lockdown" be a real lockdown or at least honest about what was really being done. I saw first-hand how lax people are when I drove from upstate NY to northern Mississippi and back. Americans believe in the right to be as selfish as they please. Most believe in the right to be unaffected by any inconveniences, including this pandemic. People are dying. I'm trying not to cause the illness to be spread by me to a single person. I'd like to avoid catching it myself but my mask is more to keep me from giving my germs to others. I rely on others to behave like I do and take every precaution to protect others by using all the gear, as if I were contagious.

I could do without further government intrusion, but having a political discussion is as inappropriate now as it is in the middle of a firefight because of an ambush. Deal with this life and death mission immediately and then put solid, fair, reasonable solutions through the legislature to deal with a similar situation in the future.

Primary mission:
Halt the spread

After that: bury the dead, treat the ill, disinfect every cranny, trace the spread, focus on a vaccine/treatment/cure

This is affecting our troop readiness and needs to be faced with the ferocity used against deadly enemies.

We are much closer to agreement than argument.
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Cpl Software Engineer
Cpl (Join to see)
4 y
"Do you see anyone being arrested for disobeying the pandemic safety rules/laws/guidelines? Absolutely not!" That is incorrect. In Dallas alone they put a woman in jail for opening her shop to feed her kids, because she violated the "lockdown" order of the Dallas mayor who happens to be a democrat.

There are plenty of stories of arrests harassment by law enforcement across the US like the one attached. They are locking up shop owners and releasing criminals, that is insane.

https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/organizer-of-new-jersey-anti-lockdown-rally-charged-with-violating-lockdown/2379736/
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