Georgia governor suspends all local mask mandates, encourages but doesn't requires masks for residen

[GeorgiaModerate]

Kemp has to know of the racial disparities in Covid-19 deaths, his state's high African-American population, and what his order will do, right? At what point does it become an ethnically targeted attack on a population by state policy?

Black people can still choose to wear masks?  Kemp is not a boogeyman riding in the night to snatch up people's cloth face coverings, lol

You're acting like Covid-19 risk is an individual choice. It's not. You create an environment where it's widespread, and a mask is no failsafe.

The idea of "Everyone must wear a mask!! (but, hey, they're no fail safe)" really exposes how untestable the whole masking hypothesis really is.  This is especially the case if, as many seem to suggest, the main effect of masks is preventing you from getting *others sick.  It's impossible to identify the effect of masks in this situation, because the "treatment effect" is on those not subjected to the "treatment condition".  Just another reason why masking orders are nothing more than grand security  theater, with no epidemiological evidence supporting their efficacy.    

If people want to take personal responsibility of their health, then they should wear a mask in public.  That doesn't change whether you're red, yellow, black or white, and it hasn't been changed by Kemp's new E.O.

Public health experts would strongly disagree with you, especially in my area. In recent days, our officials have been ramping up efforts to encourage, and in some instances, to mandate, citizens to wear masks. The El Paso County Coroner, who is also the Assistant Director of El Paso County Public Health, testified before the County Board of Commissioners that at least 90% of us need to be wearing masks in public spaces, to effectively contain the virus's spread. The Governor of Colorado has repeatedly emphasized the importance of mask-wearing for months now. Moreover, there was recently a study conducted which demonstrated that the diffusion of viral particles was reduced if an individual wore a mask or some kind of facial covering, compared to if they wore nothing at all.

Politically-appointed public health officials standing around at a press conference, patting themselves on the back after the governor/mayor signs a new mask ordinance does not make a scientific consensus.  No major study has demonstrated the effectiveness of community masking at preventing new infections.  We really shouldn't be surprised this is the case - there's no plausible mechanism by which face coverings would prevent infections in places where social distance is being maintained.

...how the hell am I supposed to socially distance at UGA? I'm not asking this to be snarky; I want genuine advice because I'm freaking out about going back in August if masks aren't enforced

UGA is now requiring masks inside buildings on campus: https://www.onlineathens.com/news/20200714/face-masks-required-on-uga-campus-beginning-wednesday.  I think this may be true for all University System of Georgia schools.

[DrScholl]

By the time 2022 rolls around he might be vulnerable to a primary, because you know how Republicans turn on a dime. By then there will be plenty of Republican opportunists using the pandemic to try and advance their own careers despite the fact that most of them didn't take the virus seriously.

[Calthrina950]

Kemp has to know of the racial disparities in Covid-19 deaths, his state's high African-American population, and what his order will do, right? At what point does it become an ethnically targeted attack on a population by state policy?

Black people can still choose to wear masks?  Kemp is not a boogeyman riding in the night to snatch up people's cloth face coverings, lol

You're acting like Covid-19 risk is an individual choice. It's not. You create an environment where it's widespread, and a mask is no failsafe.

The idea of "Everyone must wear a mask!! (but, hey, they're no fail safe)" really exposes how untestable the whole masking hypothesis really is.  This is especially the case if, as many seem to suggest, the main effect of masks is preventing you from getting *others sick.  It's impossible to identify the effect of masks in this situation, because the "treatment effect" is on those not subjected to the "treatment condition".  Just another reason why masking orders are nothing more than grand security  theater, with no epidemiological evidence supporting their efficacy.   

If people want to take personal responsibility of their health, then they should wear a mask in public.  That doesn't change whether you're red, yellow, black or white, and it hasn't been changed by Kemp's new E.O.

Public health experts would strongly disagree with you, especially in my area. In recent days, our officials have been ramping up efforts to encourage, and in some instances, to mandate, citizens to wear masks. The El Paso County Coroner, who is also the Assistant Director of El Paso County Public Health, testified before the County Board of Commissioners that at least 90% of us need to be wearing masks in public spaces, to effectively contain the virus's spread. The Governor of Colorado has repeatedly emphasized the importance of mask-wearing for months now. Moreover, there was recently a study conducted which demonstrated that the diffusion of viral particles was reduced if an individual wore a mask or some kind of facial covering, compared to if they wore nothing at all.

Politically-appointed public health officials standing around at a press conference, patting themselves on the back after the governor/mayor signs a new mask ordinance does not make a scientific consensus.  No major study has demonstrated the effectiveness of community masking at preventing new infections.  We really shouldn't be surprised this is the case - there's no plausible mechanism by which face coverings would prevent infections in places where social distance is being maintained.

I made note of a study which has been conducted demonstrating the efficacy of masks, and such studies have been posted by others on here, including on this very thread. And in my home state, masks were just made mandatory, and I wouldn't be surprised if Mississippi follows.

[emailking]

I don't have a problem with UGA enforcing an indoor mask requirement for students/faculty/staff, given that classrooms/offices are operating at full-capacity.  Face masks can only conceivably make sense when social distancing is not possible.  If measures are being enforced to make sure proper social distance is being maintained, then masks become way less of a necessity.

I guess sure, if perfect social distancing is maintained then we don't need masks in those places. But it's been hard to maintain in practice.

[YE]

I don’t know if they’re allowed in Georgia but this sort of order is so nonsensical that it is grounds for a recall IMO.

[GeorgiaModerate]

Kemp takes Atlanta to court:

Gov. Brian Kemp’s administration went to court Thursday seeking to block Atlanta from enacting coronavirus restrictions and requiring residents to wear masks, setting up a legal showdown between the state and local governments over efforts to contain the disease.

The state filed a lawsuit challenging Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms’ July 10 decision to revert to “phase one” guidelines that push restaurants to close dining rooms and urge residents to leave home only for essential trips. It also seeks to block the city’s new mask requirements.

https://www.ajc.com/politics/politics-blog/kemps-office-files-lawsuit-seeking-to-block-atlanta-mask-mandate/JJQ5DQW2QFE6PN7TTVO2ISNFDQ/

[Hammy]

Could have had Stacey Abrams instead, elections have consequences.

We tried, the election was stolen.

[politics_king]

Is this a bad joke? There are multiple scientists saying we could get this virus somewhat under control within 4-8 weeks if everyone was wearing mask in places needed to, like stores, supermarkets and churches.

I suppose that's why California is having such a great go at controlling new cases?  They've had a statewide mask order since June 18, and most cities/counties had ones enforced for several weeks prior to that.

oh wait

CA breaks single-day record for new cases, with >10,000 just yesterday

Just because there is a mandate, doesn't mean that people are being forced to wear them outside. Logistically it's impossible to enforce unless they order the police to fine them like they're doing in Japan etc. But the mandate is for all offices and businesses. That's what Kemp is saying no to. So please educate yourself when talking about this subject about a place you don't live in.

[Progressive Pessimist]

Can we have a Mt. Rushmore of the worst COVID-19 Governors? Him, Abbott, DeSantis, and Stitt would probably be the four.

[Calthrina950]

Can we have a Mt. Rushmore of the worst COVID-19 Governors? Him, Abbott, DeSantis, and Stitt would probably be the four.

Shouldn't Kristi Noem be up there? Except we would have to carve a fifth sculpture to represent her. And it's also fitting because Mt. Rushmore is in her state.

[Absentee Voting Ghost of Ruin]

Can we have a Mt. Rushmore of the worst COVID-19 Governors? Him, Abbott, DeSantis, and Stitt would probably be the four.

Better idea: they can personally etch themselves a mural on the wall of their shared prison cell.

[GP270watch]

A rapid systematic review of the efficacy of face masks and respirators against coronaviruses and other respiratory transmissible viruses for the community, healthcare workers and sick patients

"Intention to treat (ITT) non-significant" on 6/7 community mask trials.  Have you ever taken a stats class?

Conclusion

The study suggests that community mask use by well people could be beneficial, particularly for COVID-19, where transmission may be pre-symptomatic. The studies of masks as source control also suggest a benefit, and may be important during the COVID-19 pandemic in universal community face mask use as well as in health care settings. Trials in healthcare workers support the use of respirators continuously during a shift. This may prevent health worker infections and deaths from COVID-19, as aerosolisation in the hospital setting has been documented.

[AtorBoltox]

The Republican Party is a death cult

[Damocles]

To be a scientist is to be naive. We are so focused on our search for the truth we fail to consider how few actually want us to find it.

But it is always there whether we see it or not, whether we choose to or not. The truth doesn't care about our needs or wants, it doesn't care about our governments, our ideologies, our religions. It will lie in wait for all time.

And this, at last, is the gift of Chernobyl. Where I once would fear the cost of truth, now I only ask: “What is the cost of lies?”

[QAnonKelly]

Someone at work said his solution to the trolley problem is to add more people and more trolleys.

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

GA is gone for Rs

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

I am so fing done with these Southern Republicans preaching about state's rights and local control only to s#^t all over it if means getting there way over some city Democrats, usually of the minority persuasion. Of course this is nothing knew. Southern politicians are the biggest liars and hypocrits throughout this country's history. Preach state's rights and then crap all over it when it is advantageous for their issues and causes, preach local control and ditto for that.

If Republicans want my vote back for state level politics, they need to practice what they preach. There are plenty of Democrats who are willing to centralize authority, and crap all over the constitution and local control, I didn't elect Republicans so they could get in and do the same damn things that attacked the Democrats for doing for 100 years. Gerrymandering, seizing power from the cities and towns, stealing powers from the executive/legislative branch (if that Governor/legislature happens to be a Democratic controlled entity), and that doesn't even get into the deficits and corruption scandals.

[TrendsareUsuallyReal]

Hopefully Bottoms runs and beats him in 2022 and then has him escorted out in handcuffs at her inauguration.

[Inmate Trump]

Kemp's disastrous response here helps Biden in the state.

Kemp is a liability for Trump in Georgia.