Dave Freeman, in an attempt to justify his refusal to wear a mask, accuses me of being afraid because I wear a mask
By Howie Katz
Readers of BGB have seen the comments Dave Freeman and I have made concerning the wearing of masks. He refuses to wear a mask. I always wear a mask, not because the governor has mandated the wearing of masks, but because I believe the reputable health experts who say that wearing a mask, social distancing and frequent hand washing is the only way we are going to get COVID-19 under control.
I know that people who wear masks are not necessarily protected from catching coronavirus, but they do keep others from catching the virus.
In an attempt to justify his refusal to wear a mask, Dave accuses me of being afraid because I wear a mask.
Here are some quotes from his comments:
"You're afraid, Howie. I get that. So just stay home and stay isolated to protect yourself."
"Don't be afraid little Howie. Everything is going to be ok."
"It must be terrible to live in such fear."
Let me make this crystal clear: I am not afraid! I still go to the grocery stores, to the pharmacy, to Home Depot, to Walmart, to Petco, to my doggie's vet and to my doctors. And every other week or so, I go to Jersey Mike's to pick up one of their fantastic subs.
I am limited to where I can drive because, at 93, my eyesight is poor and I am unable to read street signs. That keeps me from going to any place that I don't know how to get there.
Now let me quote another comment Dave made, this one in light of the rise in crime that is related to the BLM protests:
"I carry [a gun] everywhere I go...including out in my back yard, downtown, and
even in some places that post signs denying my right to do so."
Now let me ask you, which one of us is afraid? Is it me because I wear a mask, or is it Dave who even carries a gun in his back yard?
Carry a gun in your own back yard? It must be terrible to live in such fear.
7 comments:
I carry a gun in my front yard. Of course I do live in Stockton and people get robbed while mowing their lawn. Also, Dave's house backs on to open land, where he lives aggressive coyotes can be an issue not only for humans (rarely but it happens) but for pets.
By the way I have used my handgun once in my back yard, feral dog attack. And I have a fenced b back yard. He crashed the fence to get to me. Unsuccessfully. Pit bulls are tough but they are not bullet proof.
I get out a lot less than before the pandemic. My wife and I have Physical Therapy twice a week. I check to see if the device I'm using has been sanitized. My groceries are placed in the car when I drive up and I use the drive through at the bank and pharmacy. State insurance mailed two high quality masks. I carry sanitizer on my belt loop. I have flown, visited restaurants and even gambled while wearing the mask. I am an odds player so I wear a mask.
I caught a teen in my garage several years ago and my cameras have recorded people probably cutting through my corner lot front yard. My dogs are diligent about announcing visitors. I try to carry a small pocket pistol when get I the mail or work in the yard. I'm an odds player. Just do whatever you are comfortable with.
Yeah Bob, but Dave is not carrying a gun in his back yard to protect himself from coyotes and feral dogs. His comment was made about the Minneapolis police telling citizens they should listen to criminals and “do as they say.”
Gee, an entire article devoted to little old me. You flatter me Howie.
The fact is that I do carry my glock with me at all times. I do this to protect myself and others from coyotes, feral dogs, and yes...from feral people. I've only had to use it once in the past 30 or so years. I fired a warning shot into the ground when my neighbor's bull got out and started head butting me as I was herding it back to his pasture. If that makes me paranoid Howie...so be it.
As for my comment about masks. I am concerned about the totality of America's response to this pandemic...including the mandatory wearing of masks in some localities. Masks are simply the most visible aspect of the chaotic and fearful response to a pandemic which is fatal to a very tiny minority of our citizenry.
The response on the other hand, has been fatal to hundreds of thousands of small businesses, is responsible for a surge of clinical depression in many of our citizens, especially among the young, and has inflicted the most serious and destructive blow to our economy that this nation has ever encountered.
Sweden and the Netherlands have taken a much less restrictive and destructive approach to all of this. Neither country mandates the wearing of masks. Neither country has shut down large parts of their economies. Have these countries been decimated by the big bad Covid boogieman? Not hardly.
My church has met regularly since the pandemic began. More than a hundred of us meet every Sunday. The vast majority of us are over the age of 65. No social distancing. No masks. Thus far Howie...not One fatal case of Covid.
I've written this before and I'll write it again. Protect the weak and the vulnerable and the fearful. Make it possible for, and encourage these who are most vulnerable to self quarantine if they so desire. Provide the Most vulnerable with medical and financial assistance if necessary.
But shutting down an entire economy threatens the safety and security and well being of every single American and much of the rest of the world is nuts. This is not rocket science Howie. Stop the fear mongering. Stop the destruction. Open up our country and let's move on.
Dave, These are valid points. People cannot pay their bills or rent. Landlords cannot collect rent. Small businesses are going under at an alarming rate. Large corporations are also hurting. If you own a bar, restaurant or small store chances are you are already dead broke. I have supported our two horse town's initiative to give out Economic Development Corporation funds to help people stay afloat but it's not enough. The stimulus is over and essential employees are losing cars and homes. Open it up. Personally, I will still take precautions. A lot of people can't afford to wait any longer. Open the schools too so kids can at least eat a free lunch. It may be all they eat all day.
I do not think it unreasonable for those of us senior citizens, and for those of us with illness or conditions which further compromise our immune systems, to be allowed to take certain precautions.
Forcing an entire nation of mostly strong and healthy people to do so...people who for the most part are at very little risk from this disease...will ruin us.
I had a concealed carry license for six years. During all that time I only carried a gun three or four times at most. Therefore I saw no need to renew the license.
I do not see the need to carry a gun if one stays away from trouble-prone places. The chances of getting mugged outside the bank, mall or supermarket are there, but they are slim.
I have my guns at home to blow the shit away of any intruders.
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