With the new variant of the coronavirus hitting Guilford County and other parts of the country, some county leaders and health officials are discussing the possibility of a new mask mandate for everyone indoors in public places.
However, there are plenty of others – including some county commissioners – who consider such a move completely out of the question.
The Guilford County Board of Commissioners implemented a countywide mask mandate in late summer of last year for those who went into public places including stores, restaurants and entertainment venues. The board removed that restriction in mid-November after the average number of people in the county testing positive for the virus remained under 5 percent for three weeks.
While that mask mandate was in effect, the commissioners got lots of mail and phone calls from people who were very angry about the rule. Commissioner Justin Conrad, for instance, said at the time that the letters and calls he was getting were almost all in opposition to the restriction.
This week, Commissioner James Upchurch said that he’s completely opposed to another mask mandate. Upchurch, who voted against the mandate last summer, added that he doesn’t believe a majority of the board will go along with another mandate – even if positivity rates stay way over that 5 percent mark that county health officials consider so important.
Chairman of the Board of Commissioners Skip Alston has said many times that masks are an effective weapon against the spread of the virus and also that Guilford County should do everything it can to defeat the virus. When the county rescinded the rule in November, Alston stated it was possible the mandate might be reinstated if those positivity rates rose.
“There aren’t 5 votes – as of now – to implement a new mask mandate,” Upchurch wrote in an email. “That’s why Skip hasn’t pushed to issue a new mandate.”
Alston said recently that the board would be meeting with health officials in January to see what steps should be taken to address the new wave of COVID-19.
“Take a look at the places that have mask mandates right now – Mecklenburg, Wake, Durham and Winston-Salem,” Upchurch said. “They all have higher cases per capita than we do in Guilford County. To issue another mask mandate is the definition of insanity.”
Thank you James Upchurch. If by chance you read these comments, please go to Brownstone Institute. Search “masks.” Many articles will come up that include links to hundreds of studies (all showing, at best, incredibly marginal effectiveness, even with N95s). Notice the authors – they are actual experts with credentials that FAR surpass any talking head Alton can bring in to push yet another useless mask mandate (that haven’t worked anywhere for 20 months).
Thank you for the sanity!!!!!!
And if Alston finds the support, I will not comply. This masking stuff has become cult Covid worship. If people actually cared about “saving lives” they would pursue targeted protection of the vulnerable and the early treatment protocols that have proved useful, especially compared to Cone’s ‘go home until your on your death was so we get a huge payday whether or not we save your life’ non-treatment strategy.
You’re absolutely right; over 150 peer reviewed have shownbthat paper and cloth masks are little more than decorations. Early in the scamdemic, the Marine Corps and the US Army tested over 6,000 recruits. Half wore masked, the other half didnot, and with all other protocols like hand washing and sanitizing surfaces in place, there was no statistical difference between the two groups. Unfortunately, science has been left in the dust while the pandemic cowboys ride roughshod over everyone’s right to live like a human. It’s obvious that the so called vaccines have failed to stop the virus. Only tonight we find the number of hospitalizations have almost doubled; unfortunately, they neglected to say how many were vaccinated. Most areas report that 75-85% of hospitalizations are doible vaccinated with 40% of those having received the booster.
Thank goodness…finally someone with just common sense. I praise you my friend
Skip Alston wouldn’t know a Wuhun virus if it bit him in the aspen.
Mr. Upchurch. Next time you see a dentist, doctor or professional wearing a protective mask — you tell them they are “INSANE” Insist that you will only go to doctor/dentist/etc. that agrees with you that they are INSANE if they use a professional protective mask.
Annie, I won’t say all, but very many dentists DIDN’T wear masks before this current wave of insanity. I hope they will wake up some morning in their right minds. I hope the same for you.
As for Skip’s assertion that masks are effective, please tell me anything Skip has ever been right about. (I’m not holding my breath).
Wearing a mask doesn’t make someone insane (although it might be a decent indicator of covidian psychosis) — the insanity comes in requiring others to participate, when history shows it makes no difference.
History disagrees with you for both surgical and N95 masks. It agrees with you on the value of cloth masks not being effective. See the Sept 1 Stanford control study on the topic.
Challenge is many people still wear cloth masks and wear surgical masks incorrectly. I am personally on the fence with this mandate given the 50% reduction in hospitalization rate of this variant but the higher transmission rate may offset that benefit. CDC status infection rate should not determine protocols, but local hospital capacity should be very closely monitored to determine if mandates are required.
I chose to wear an N95 mask to avoid putting my elderly parents at risk and so far it has been very effective for myself and my family. We had a great Christmas together with no issues.
The masks they wear are usually paper which will not stop an aerosolized virus of about 6 microns while the pores in a paper mask are on the order of 150 microns. They can stop droplets which may fall onthe patient while they’re talking to them, but not much else.y dentist and doctor didnot mask up until all this madness started.
Did you even read what was said? Mask wearing wasn’t called insane, a mask mandate was called insane. Because the mandates continue to be so. Its not about wearing one, or being vaccinated,, it’s about mandating it. Stop expecting everyone to think the way you think. Counties with mandates are still having the same, if not worse, surges in cases. Most people don’t wear them properly, and don’t regularly change, or wash their mask (if it’s cloth).
Annie – next time you think a mask is protecting you from a highly contagious virus passed via respiratory aerosol particles, look up the definition of “aerosol.” Surgeons and dentist wear mask to prevent their spit filled with bacteria from going into your mouth or an open surgical site. Studies show even to prevent larger bacterial particles from entering open wounds surgical masks aren’t very effective. Don’t worry, everyone knows you are too simple to read an actual study, but should you ever feel like thinking for yourself, I recommend trying it.
I’m sorry you suffer from Covid phobia. It’s a serious mental illness afflicting members of the religious Covid cult. Feel free to coddle your disease with all the useless interventions and face diapers you want. If you feel “super smart” doubling down on interventions that have failed for 20-months, I don’t care. But remember, I’m not going to worry about your delusions anymore and there is nothing you or Alston can do about it – mandate it not. It’s easy to check a box with mesh just to ensure you know I’m laughing at you. It’s also not my job to use my existence to coddle your delusions. Your religious cult has caused more than enough damage to society.
You may practice your cult religion of Covid phobia…… I am not a member of the cult and I’m all done caring about your simple minded delusions. If your so scared, stay home. We don’t need more mentally ill Karens, even if they claim to be “Annie,” walking the streets. You add nothing positive to society.
Would love to see you preach your Covid phobia bs to the hospital staff in FL that are seeing a 200%+ jump in covid hopitalizations or the other 50% of hospitals reporting stressed or highly stressed services due to the current covid spike. Go ahead and tell a nurse handling double their normal case load due to other staff being infected by antimask and antivax people.
You are a selfish person with no empathy for others.
Curious annie do you keep your mask on in the dentist chair
Skip Alston needs to retire! These unnecessary and foolish masks on kids are doing more harm than good. Someone that has a brain needs to study and read the science and not the political agenda.
Medical science proves a face mask can be harmful for children.
Here are just a few authorities:
https://spectator.org/pediatrician-dont-facemask-your-child/
https://thefederalist.com/2021/07/01/ama-journal-masks-are-bad-for-your-kids-quit-forcing-them-to-wear-them/
https://healthpolicy.usc.edu/article/mandatory-masking-of-school-children-is-a-bad-idea/
https://newswithviews.com/mask-subjugation-of-americas-children/
https://principia-scientific.com/new-study-finds-covid-masks-harm-schoolchildrens-physical-mental-health/
Since the FDA pulled the PCR tests in December stating they were 95% inaccurate, which it has known for over 2 years, what are these hospitals testing with and how are they getting these results? Are the people in hospital vaccinated and did they receive boosters?
Masks do not work against viruses.
How many of the people in the hospital are vaccinated and got boosters too?
The weekly (UK) and bi-weekly (Denmark) government data reports have shown even with delta the “vaccinated” we’re getting Covid at higher per capita rates. Omicron massively prefers the “vaccinated” and “vaccinated plus booster” over unvaccinated.
For months the majority who have died have been vaccinated in the UK, though at slightly lower per capita rates through delta than the unvaccinated.
Based on highly detailed and easily available government data from Denmark (which they publish in English), being vaccinated has -200% efficacy compared to unvaccinated. Being boostered -38% compared to unvaccinated. There is no difference in hospitalization rates for the unvaccinated, vaccinated, or vaccinated + boostered based on the Omicron specific reports from Denmark.
Many states in the US are “estimating” their vaccinated v unvaccinated hospitalization rates. The UK, Denmark, and Israel count actuals.
I agree. What benefit masks do offer is negated by kids ineffective discipline for wearing masks properly and changing them out after extended wear.
You can’t “defeat” the virus. I know people who now have all three vaccines, still wear mask in certain situations and have contracted omicron this past week.
How are they testing for omicron? What are the symptoms? There is no test for it so how is it being diagnosed?
FDA just pulled the PCR tests because they are 95% inaccurate. So what are they using? Who is reporting on death and injury numbers from vaccines? It is not being mentioned and that is a crime.
Fact Check Jennifer Hoffman, the FDA did NOT recall all PCR tests, it was a batch of tests from ONE company during one production that was recalled, ALL OTHER PCR tests are considered the gold standard for covid testing. Social media may not be the best resource for news.
The vaccine doesn’t stop you from contracting the virus but it does greatly reduce the probability of having a serious reaction to the virus. Vaccinated individuals are ~80% less likely to be hospitalized for example. This is all well known and understood by anyone that bothers to read the research from reputable (ie peer reviewed sources).
Can we defeat the virus? Depends on what you mean by defeat. If you mean keep hospital capacity at acceptable levels while the virus mutates to a lesser health risk (which Omicron seems to be although more transmittable)? Then yes, we can and will defeat the virus. It will also be interesting to see how long the booster provides protection. Even the CDC acknowledges we can’t support everyone (globally) getting the jab every six months as a sustainable strategy.
Currently 54% of hospitals are either at high or extreme high stress levels from the recent surge in covid cases. Do we ignore that and everyone stop getting fully vaccinated John? Is that your brilliant idea here?
I will go back to doing all my shopping and dining out in Alamance County if this gets re-enacted. This is just insane.
Be sure to not wear your seatbelt as you drive there….wouldn’t want your freedom to be restricted in your car either!
I don’t wear a seatbelt and don’t like helmet laws. That’s about me not you or anyone else and my family excepts my decision don’t slip and fall in the bathtub chris you may get hurt
You don’t have to remind us of you uncaring, unempathetic, and selfish personality Will. Your nutter status is well documented in the comment section of this great new media platform.
Mr. Upchurch, masks do not work period. Follow the science not the federal government please.
Follow the money is more like it. State and local governments and hospitals are getting billions in federal money every time they say the word ‘covid’ or now omicron.
Exactly!
Many peer review studies show that mask work to reduce transmission. (most recent study from Stanford is a good randomized control study). Cloth masks don’t make a statistical different but both surgical and N95 masks did reduce transmission.
But people have to wear masks properly and swap them out after extended use. Kids are the worst at this for sure. Not sure mandates matter any more as most folks have chosen their side on the issue base more on politics than science.
Personally I don’t see the big deal in wear a mask. If if the difference it makes is small, it really isn’t a big deal. But you be you.
“Cloth masks don’t make a statistical different” (sic) – “Chris”.
Overlooking his Pidgin English – which is normal from uneducated Chris – it is encouraging to see that he finally admits that cloth masks are useless. Until recently he vehemently argued against that truth – just go back to previous letters and news items and see for yourself.
Now he’s admitted that cloth masks are worthless. Good. Occasionally even a knee-jerk Leftist can see the truth… but only when reality becomes overwhelming and undeniable.
Glad you finally agreed with me, Chris.
Right. So glad you agree that N95 and (to a degree) surgical masks DO work. Cloth masks where only considered during the early phase before mask production was ramped up and studies had not yet really been completed. Unlike you I support the scientific community and wait for peer reviewed studies using real data. Versus you and your emotional and immature use of youtube to repeat debunked misinformation on a daily basis.
Oh, in case you were curious, I am actually well educated but do have ADHD and dyslexia that makes my off the cuff writing a bit sloppy at times but I am actually more of a math guy anyway.
Just like the studies haven’t proven the the vaccine is safe There’s not been enough time to prove that
Everyone knows that govt by decree is about CONTROL. Skip-the-hyp knows it, too.
Masking has had little effect from the beginning. Nothing about stopping the spread, but part of a control package. Imagine arresting unmasked people who are outdoors, the safest place you can be.
I liken it to the little pest-bug commercial pop-ups at the lower-right of our TV. It’s however long we will tolerate it.
Hoping Skip Alston will retire sooner than later. Happy to see people finally waking up. Several studies have been published about the non-effectiveness of masks, several M.D.s have spoke about the non-effectiveness of masks. It’s all cult like political theater. Enough is enough!!
Oh no! Government Rules = Control!!!!!!
Stop wearing seatbelts! Stop worrying about restaurant health inspections! Speed limits are for sissies!!! Shirts and shoes should NEVER be required! If I want to run around the pool, I will damn well run around the pool!!! I should be able to pee where ever I want!! TYRANNY I TELL YOU.
What a joke.
You can disagree with the mandate for sure. Masks are not a perfect solution. But to say it is only about control is stupid. I am not a Skip Alston fan by a long shot. But in this case he is truly trying to do what is right given all the very different view points and the potential for negative impact to public health. Not an easy job and I not envy anyone having to make decisions during times like this.
Chris, while I understand the point you’re trying to make about the tension between freedom and safety, many of us who cautioned against the wholesale restrictions on freedom due to a “pandemic emergency” have seen their fears 100% proven correct. The slippery slope keeps on sliding.
We went from 2 weeks to flatten the curve (!) to mask mandates and vaccine mandates 2 years later. People are losing their jobs because they won’t give informed consent to a preventative treatment that has failed to live up to its hype and has resulted in a marked increase in all-cause mortality amongst non-elderly populations. (See Alex Berenson article on 10-65yo vaccinated British now dying at 2x the rate, per capita, as the unvaccinated.)
Enough is enough. We have given up enough freedoms and it didn’t work. The media overhyped this thing (on purpose) and now half our country is living in constant fear and anxiety and misinterpreting the actual risks of covid.
People don’t like admitting they were wrong, so I won’t expect them to, but I’m not putting up with their trashy mandates.
Amazes me how people who preach about Mainstream Media Fake News are so gullible to buy into bloggers such as Alex Berenson who lack the back ground in statistical data analysis. His article was debunked by real data analysis that properly accounted for the age distribution of the data sets he was comparing. Once that was accounted for the data actually highlighted mortality rates “were consistently lower for people who had received two vaccinations compared with one or no vaccinations,”
I understand the complexity of statistical analysis can be confusing. Austin Morris here feel into the same misinformation trap with the Danish study because he lacked understanding of variability and sample size’s impact on the study.
If you want to research on your own, watch the free online classes regarding statistical analysis. Some basic will help you filter out the BS from people using simple math with data sets they lack a true understanding of the complexity.
Exactly. Mandates like these are posed as public safety measures, when in reality it is a slow burn of eating away at normalcy, and the freedom we have of self-determination. It’s not about being safe. It’s another way for politicians, even local ones, to make “us versus them” policies to keep separating people, and getting reelected.
Let’s hope the Commissioners follow some common sense here and vote against the mask mandate. This is just a power grab by Skipper.
Skip will come up with a way to reinstate the mandate even if he doesn’t have the votes. Regardless, citizens of Guilford County are past that and we will not comply!!!
Thank you Commissioner Upchurch! Though the sheeple will continue to wear it regardless and those with some common sense and courage will refuse it regardless.
So when did insanity ever bother Skippy?
I will no longer comply.
Did you ever?
I suggest Skip Alston ‘skip’ this next round of drama and start revealing the truth about actual death and injury numbers which are in the tens of millions. openvaers.com aggregates the VAERS database reporting which is up to 8 weeks behind actuals. And remember VAERS only has 1% of actual numbers, multiply its results by 100.
Since the FDA pulled the PCR tests in December stating they were 95% inaccurate, which it has known for over 2 years, what are these hospitals testing with and how are they getting these results? Are the people in hospital vaccinated and did they receive boosters?
What exactly are their symptoms and how much are hospitals getting in CARES funding by reporting these excessive numbers?
I refuse to comply with any mandate for wearing a mask or stopping my life again. Enough of this nonsense. We know that this is a farce and what we are seeing is a pandemic of the vaccinated, as is being reported all over the world.
Skip needs to stop pushing the pandemic button – we’re over it and over him too. He can resign any time.
You are a great example of a nutter.
VAERS reporting does not correlate effects to the vaccine. For example, bobby gets a vaccine shot and dies in a car crash two days later. VAERS reports him as a death. Jane gets the vaccine and gets a nasty rash. It gets reported via VAERS. People get rashes all the time but Jane has no way (and neither does VAERS) if it is from the vaccine or from the new laundry detergent her mommy is using to wash her bed sheets. VAERS data is used to spot trends for further study…not to directly determine impact of vaccine. Requires a bit of statistics to understand how they use VAERS but don’t fall into the trap of using it to misinform about safety of the vaccine.
PCR testing failure was in determine difference between COVID and the standard FLU. NOT that it was given false positive or false negative results. So don’t read too much into the that snafu. Those kind of studies take a good deal of time before they pulled back on the tests as it was still better than nothing early on in the pandemic.
Let’s just hope our hospitals don’t get overrun here in GSO as they have in place where nutters run the show such as Michigan and once again, FL.
Be smart. Don’t be a nutter.
Chris do you have any idea how extensive the process is for submitting a VAERS report? These don’t just automatically get filed as your post implies. And there are huge warnings of the legal penalty for false reports.
Doctors aren’t just filling these out for no reason…otherwise we would’ve seen similar warning signals around other vaccines (or should I say, around ACTUAL vaccines). The red flags here are tremendous. Your ad hominem “nutter” is laughable. There are a lot of brilliant people, experts in their field, Nobel winners, people smarter than you, etc, who see this in the same way as me. That doesn’t make them right, but you seem a little too proud and yet naive of the fact that your positions are those taken by Big Pharma $$, their (captured) regulating organizations, and the predictably complicit media monopolies.
You are an 100% factually wrong. Once you receive your jab, you register for a text based service that prompts you at various intervals to self report any changes in health, symptoms, etc… Only for very serious reports are medical personnel involved to investigate to determine if there is potential for causation to the vaccine.
Thank you James and crew for keeping up the fight.
I hope you are right about the votes not being there but if they are rest assured just like the previous 2 unenforceable mandates
We the people will not comply
I will go back to shopping in another county if Dictator Alston reinstates the mask mandate. And by the way, if hundreds of thousands of illegals can come into the country without vaccinations and without having to wear masks, we should be able to do the same! I will not comply!!
I can’t wait for the spring yard sales after the demise of all the “I know better than scientists” populace. I will attend them masked and gloved.
That’s your persquisite. Wear what you like. Fine with me. Just don’t tell me what to wear.m
Exactly. If you’re scared, stay home or walk around looking like an astronaut. That’s your choice. As for me & mine we will live life like there’s no tomorrow without any equipment, accessories, or any guilt whatsoever.
Why not just wrap yourself head to toe in Saran Wrap. You’ll be safe then