Because, after being fed garbage for 30+ years, their viewers have developed a taste for it.

And now they can no longer distinguish that garbage from from actual sustinance.

It's chapter one in the cult leaders handbook. Tell people everyone else is lying to them and then feed them your own version of reality.

The outcome is inevitably the same.

Steamguy73 wrote:
"... Our society making scientific findings seem like they’re somehow unquestionable truths, they therefore become less believable. Even if what being said is totally correct: the way it’s presented to the public can change minds. No one seriously questions the concept of gravity or Newton’s laws because they were allowed to be questioned by society: no one has a better answer for it because the bad arguments against it are allowed to fall. That’s why it’s become a political issue. Not because there’s actual left or right leaning issues here but for how people perceive the way scientific findings are treated in modern society ..."

Said Neanderthal to Homo Sapiens.

Seriously, the quoted apologia for the rejection of science (even if "totally correct"), brings to mind my experience some years ago with a temporary office secretary who hailed from from what might be called a very red area of a certain blue state. She explained that her ambition was to become a biologist, but that she had twice been thwarted in this goal after embarking on her academic journey at two different community colleges, only to discover in each instance that biology was being taught from "the scientific perspective".

The assertion that the problem is "how people perceive the way scientific findings are treated in modern society" seems to indicate a rather limited vantage point, in which there are today, on the one hand, all of the "people", and on the other hand a few scientists who threaten "our" way of life. For a wider view, I suggest reading, and if possible, traveling. In broader society, the fact that some vocal fraction of the people views science as a threat to extrinsic concepts of religion or what today passes as "conservatism" is nothing new (see Scopes Trial, 1925).

If there’s a notion that it will never truly end, then why even bother caring anymore?

I don’t see why this has become a left right issue here on this forum. But if it’s come to that, here’s my stance: What’s more dangerous? Blindly following the requirements? Or blindly going against the requirements? Pick your poison. Because that’s the extremes.

The former will get you Australia. Because what’s happened over there is that enough freedoms have been surrendered that the place has essentially become a police state. A dude got arrested in a park in front of his child daughter because he wasn’t wearing a mask. When he was more than properly distanced from others. In an outdoor park. See how that doesn’t make a lick of scientific sense especially with what we know now? Even with fact that it was near Sydney, it still clearly goes against current scientific consensus.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.dailym ... tspot.html

Like I said before. People are only so against measures in the US not because of the measures themselves but how they’re being delivered. Unlike most other places, people in the US generally don’t take kindly to the word “mandate”. Especially here, by presenting it in that context you have more people against it.

If you want someone to blame, blame the people in charge for not encouraging vaccination as totally optional, or overblowing the concerns with the J&J vaccine in April (vaccination rate went down significantly after this). I find it hard to blame those who are either extremely hesitant to it or refuse to take the vaccine for how poorly it’s been presented and handled.

Blame the game not the player.

But it isn't a game and not everything in life or society is or should be optional when it deals with universal well being.

But this has been a digression off the topic which is pretty much a sad lack of empathy for Sandy. Let's put it into some perspective..... everybody is dealing with mundane things like loss of jobs, impending loss of homes, loss of family, friends or co workers, inability to have medical issues dealt with since hospitals are too crowded for anything but the most critical cases at present in many places so - when faced with something as truly unusual and tragic as being forced to postpone a costly European vacation - we castigate him! Where are our priorities?

I think we should all take a good look in the mirror.......

Thank you, Chris Webster, for the link to that study. What was particularly interesting is the information on particle size and filtration capability required for masks to be effective.

I was surprised the researchers did not spend more time on the issue of mask quality. There were a number of instances where masks manufactured in China were rejected for known defects. Early in the Covid crisis there was an extensively circulated photo of mask packaging in a factory in Wuhan, and none of the people in the photo were wearing masks, gloves, or other PPE while handling the masks they were packaging.

Mistakes in how people wear and handle masks can render them ineffective. A mask worn below the nose is a waste of time and effort that protects nobody. Masks that don't seal well or have worn out straps are going to be only partially effective. But perhaps even worse is wearing the mask and then removing it by handling the inside and outside fabric with hands that have been touching door grabs, resting on store counters while handling credit cards at checkouts, or not washed after using sanitary facilities. Better practice might be to wash your hands with disinfectant wipes before and after every instance of touching the mask.

But what about that study that indicated there is a much higher concentration of the Coronavirus microbes in the stomach and intestines than in the throat? Does everybody need to be wearing "Depends" made of filter media too?

Seems like a more effective solution is to avoid groups of people in enclosed places. That is not good for Railroad Museums and Tourist Railroads.

PC

I'm confused.

The CDC "Recommendation" - not an enforceable edict - to not travel Labor Day Weekend was addressed to unvaccinated folks. The recommendation went on to suggest that unvaccinated folks who travel take extra precautions:

If you are not fully vaccinated and decide to travel within the U.S. anyway, the CDC recommends that you take the following precautions:

Get tested 1-3 days before travel
Get tested 3-5 days after travel and self-quarantine for 7 days. Self-quarantine for 10 days if you don't get tested
Self-monitor for symptoms
Wear a mask and take other precautions during travel

Surely someone as knowledgeable in the ways of science as you is fully vaccinated by now?

Brian

https://www.npr.org/sections/coronaviru ... ay-weekend

https://old.reddit.com/r/HermanCainAward/

Brian, you are obviously not confused and your coarse attempt at pointed sarcasm was not very good. Sandy said that he was vaccinated as soon as he was able to be poked, and your reddit link was of poor taste.

This is what I don't want to see on RYPN.

Sandy, I hope that you're able to still have an enjoyable vacation!

I'm confused.

Someone who read through the fine details of the CDC "recommendation" about applying only to unvaccinated folks (which, I assure you, 98% of the social media folks and half the news reports failed to (or, more typically, only mentioned mumbling in the fifth paragraph)..............

.................... couldn't bother to read the rest of the damned thread where I mentioned my vaccination.

Hey, Bender? got someone for you to talk to...................

Thank you, Brother Evans, for your (probably in vain) attempt at clarification.

Now to go see a UP Centennial, otters, maybe a brewpub with a sushi bar, Grizzlies, and other blather...............

https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews ... k-mandate/

"WASHINGTON — As of today, the Transportation Security Administration is increasing penalties for those who violate the federal mask mandate on trains, planes, and other forms of public transportation.

The new penalties range from $500 to $1,000 for first offenders to $1,000 to $3,000 for second offenses.

'We appreciate the majority of travelers each day who voluntarily follow the requirement, but find this action necessary to maximize the protections for those who use and work within the transportation system, and to contain COVID-19,” TSA Administrator David Pekoske said in a press release. 'By doubling the range of penalties, we seek to reinforce the importance of voluntary adherence.'"

In my area this year, commuter rail has been averaging 15% occupancy. On most days the local bus route has been near 0%. Doubling fines will likely have very little impact when the services are being seldom used already.

PC

Is that actual data or just a guess?

The commuter rail figure is quoted from local media, radio, television and newspaper have cited the same figure for the transit agency.

The local bus route is based on direct observation. Seldom any riders nowadays. Two runs I observed today in mid-route were both empty at the time, just the driver in the bus. The bus no longer shows the destination or route number on the front display panel while moving, just MASK REQUIRED in big letters.

PC

I wonder what the commuter rail number was prior to the pandemic? Is it down to 15% from 30% for example?

As for the bus routes, the bus routes that I see around me are still well patronized but each part of the country is different.

Yesterday, the CDC updated some of their guidance on masks:
Types of Masks and Respirators - Updated Sept. 10, 2021

The update "added considerations for use of NIOSH-approved respirators because the availability of NIOSH-approved N95 respirators has increased significantly over the last several months."

The local transit agency is holding their ridership figures close to their vests. Latest data is January, 2021.

That said, a parking lot survey (parking is free until 10-31-2021) shows RR parking still below 50% of capacity versus almost 100% pre-pandemic. Service is not 100% of pre-pandemic levels either. People are still working at home.

Transit is doing better but also not 100%.

One benefit: they had to replace an electrification-era (1931) Electric Traction 25 Hz transformer at Hatboro. They're big. Both the old and the new were/are in the psrking lot and no commuters' vehicles were displaced by the construction. Vanalt did the job.

Phil Mulligan