Hunkered Down in Bremerton

What Ever Happened to Social Distancing?

When the current pandemic began, woe these many months ago, public health officials, over and over again, harped to us that there were two necessary ingredients to keep us safe. Wear masks and maintain six feet of Social Distance from others. It was felt that since the general public wouldn't be fitted, issued or in general allowed to purchase medical grade M95 face masks, the home-made or mass produced masks (then and now readily available) would only prevent the spread of Covid-19 if people kept apart by at least six feet. Politics (clearly not science) later changed this for schools to three feet.

A year and a half into the pandemic local health officials, including here in Kitsap County Washington are once again imposing mask mandates... but with a difference. This time there is no mention of social distancing. So what has changed. One thing... millions and millions of Americans have gotten fully vaccinated. As was true two months ago, their chances of catching or spreading Covid-19 are extremely slim regardless of mask wearing or social distancing.

Have there been any studies that show that social distancing when combined with masks is not effective preventing the spread of Covid-19... I haven't seen any. No... The health officials (using the typical crutch of "The Science Says") are just saying everyone should wear masks. Why aren't they saying maintain social distancing? Perhaps they conveniently forgot, or perhaps they conveniently thought that the mass majority of people will continue to follow their political (non-scientific) agenda. Stop it ... It makes you sound stupid. Governor Inslee... tread here with caution.

I believe that it is a great idea to wear masks and maintain six feet of social distancing when around children under twelve. We need to do what we can to maintain their health. But as a fully vaccinated person, of reasonable intelligence, I believe it is a total waste of effort to wear masks (or maintain social distancing) around those over the age of twelve. It is just plain stupid. If those folks are too stupid to get the vaccination then they get what they deserve. A few fewer Trump (or DeSantis) voters won't hurt this country.

Howard B. Julien

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Updated August 14, 2021