To wear a mask or not wear a mask?

WolfBobs said:

Are these reasonable? Would you consider attending the park under these conditions?

This isn't too far off from what cruise ships already do. Even for a short while before all of this some of them were requiring temperature checks before boarding the ship. So to see parks starting something like this isn't unreasonable at all to me.

If the lake keeps rising, they'll have to add water-wings to the list of requirements.

We'll finally get that new water ride we've been waiting for since WWL left. "Famous Dave's: The Ride"

WolfBobs said:

Let's say there were a few guidelines that HAD to be followed to attend the park this year. Including:

-Having a reservation for the day due to limited capacity allowed in the park (resort guests prioritized).

-Required to fill out a questionnaire about experiencing possible COVID-19 symptoms and where you may have traveled in the last 14 days. In order to receive a reservation. (yes I know people can lie)

-Required to wear a facemask at all times while within the park and common areas of resorts.

-Required to have a temperature check everytime you enter the park, meaning you could be denied entry if you develop a fever midway through the day. (in this scenario you left for lunch and were trying to re-enter)

Are these reasonable? Would you consider attending the park under these conditions?

Personally, while I think they are reasonable, I would probably avoid CP and KI this season. Maybe only attend smaller parks like Waldameer.

I don't think I can do a face mask at all times. Waiting in line for something, inside a shop or in the restrooms where you have no choice but to be near people I have no problem with but at all times I don't think I could physically do it even if I wanted to. I have to come up for air and breathe normal every so often and outdoors if I'm a proper distance away from everyone else there's no reason I shouldn't be able to take it off for a while. If capacity is kept low enough for people to spread out there's really no need to wear one at all times while walking the midways or along the beach. Whatever they put in place if they open this season I will probably at least try once to see how it goes.

I was in a hospital yesterday having some imaging done. They took my temperature and handed me a mask on the way in. My involuntary physical reaction was enough to completely change my mind. I have gone from “I’d rather not” to “absolutely no way in hell.” For me, a mask requirement has become a deal breaker. An hour yesterday, indoors, in climate control and mostly sitting down was well beyond uncomfortable and into “dangerous” territory. I don’t intend to go there again.

—Dave Althoff, Jr.

If I may ask, what makes wearing a mask so unbearable for you guys? Is it age, health? Or something else altogether?

I was actually wondering the same thing because I don't find it much trouble at all. Maybe its from having to wear masks occasionally over the years for various jobs but even with my beard, the only bothersome part is the occasional fogging of my glasses.

Glasses fogging was the one problem I didn't have, although putting the mask under the glasses messed up the fit to the point where I was looking through the wrong part of the (progressive) lens and could barely see anyway...

I can't speak for anybody else. But since I alluded to my story, I might as well tell it.

I was in the hospital yesterday to have some NDT performed on my leg. On my way in, they took my temperature with a probe on my wrist (neat!) and handed me a paper mask, which I dutifully put on. A few minutes later, the admissions representative was asking me the standard COVID-19 questions before sending me back for my test. "In the past two weeks, have you experienced any shortness of breath, dizziness, lightheadedness, or shaking?" Meanwhile I'm sitting there gasping for breath, feeling woozy and lightheaded, shaking uncontrollably and quickly developing a headache from the blurred vision. Well, no, I hadn't...until I put the mask on and couldn't breathe. I recovered quickly when I jammed a finger under the bottom of the mask and pulled it out so I could take a full breath again. That was fine until the NDT tech told me I couldn't do that.

Now, there's no real logic to this. It's certainly not a reaction I expected. I do tend to breathe very deeply and slowly, pulling in more air than the mask would allow, but that *should not* have spiraled into hyperventilation and the early stages of hypoxia. And yet that's what happened. Perhaps there is something deeper than the mechanics of it; when I was in an ICU last Spring I did fight off (until I woke up) a night nurse who tried to put me on oxygen while I was sleeping; and years ago I discovered that CPAP was completely intolerable. There is no logic to either of those things either. Both were situations where equipment was supposed to *help* me to breathe easier, and the opposite actually happened. I have some ideas about why, but no real hypothesis just yet.

I don't know why I reacted this way. I only know that I did, and I would prefer not to do it again. I'll keep my hands clean, keep my distance, and talk away from you, no matter who you are, and I am not coughing, sneezing, or suffering from fever. I'm all about doing the best things I can to protect myself and those around me. i don't think this virus is a hoax, or a leftist plot, or some strange conspiracy that I can learn about on YouTube. I'm not even trying to prove a point. I just happened to learn the hard way that it's not something I can tolerate. And with a bit of care and attention on my part so as to not endanger myself or others, I shouldn't have to, anyway.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.
(the guy who stands *eight* feet back from the sneeze guard at the service counter...)

I am wondering if you have a small bit of claustrophobia? I have seen that over the years with performers who don't realize they are until they get a prosthetic mask glued to their face. What you described is almost spot on to what they say happens. It is also similar to what some go through when they first try scuba diving or snorkeling when they put the breather in their mouth. The same thing happened to me the first time I used one as I also take in more air than what those normally allow. I can totally understand since the mask you were given is likely the kind that basically is pulled back against your mouth. I have one hand made by a Costumer and it has some form to it that keeps it off my mouth. It allows me to breath easy since there is some space in there. If at some point you need a mask I would suggest something like that.

Heck am I the only one who is embracing the mask lifestyle? I love the anonymity of it. If I see someone I know that I don't want to talk to (e.g. a former employee who had their time at my company come to a unglamorous end) at the store I can walk right on by with no awkward conversation! Hell I don't have to talk to anyone!

Although my Grandma recognized me and was upset I just walked on by. (Jk she doesn't leave the house.)

I wear glasses normally so I took them off my for my trip into the grocery store (only going once a month right now) and the pet store. But it's been super cold in WNY this spring so no experience on the hot weather yet. It's uncomfortable and I do not believe any theme park in the US will be able to enforce mandatory masks well, but I'll wear one if required of course. If parks make it optional like I think Silverwood is doing, I don't think I'll wear one. I feel like I need to buy some better ones, if anyone has any recommendations for websites or places Id love to hear it.

It may also be worth investigating different kinds of face masks. I've found the ones that are incredibly thick are unbearable at times, but there are thinner ones that are just fine. A friend of mine made one with wires in it so it doesn't sit on top of your face so snuggly and that's been my go to!

I have the machine washable cloth mask for work. The difference is night and day between the single use paper mask and the cloth. Not saying the cloth mask will be fun for a day in a hot amusement park. But I can wear it at work and after awhile I forget it is there.

The only way I will step foot into any amusement park this year is without a mask. If they are required, I won't go.

There is no way I will walk all day around a park in the heat/humidity with something covering my mouth. Masks don't bother me short term, but that would completely ruin any decent experience I would have at any amusement park.

Masks don't bother me at all. I wear one for about 8-10 hours a day at work and have for about 9 years. I'm used to it.

That said, there are other reasons I will probably avoid large parks like CP and KI this season when they re-open. Limited capacity, the possibility of limited attractions, dealing with humans who will refuse to follow any guidelines will just annoy me to no end.

I may try to venture to smaller parks. I would like to give Indiana Beach some love now that it is supposed to re-open. I may be able to tolerate a day at a smaller park even if the guidelines and restrictions are the same.

That, and with passes valid through 2021 I just see no reason to venture out to Point this year and deal with the madness that will most likely be there. Hearing stories of ice cream parlors closing due to how people treated the employees once allowed to re-open due to restrictions and guidelines makes me fear what we could see at Point with long waits, reduced ride capacity, extended wait times for disinfection, etc.

99er said:

I have seen that over the years with performers who don't realize they are until they get a prosthetic mask glued to their face. What you described is almost spot on to what they say happens.

I thought the exact same thing when I read his post. It also reminded me of how many people didn't realize they had allergies to latex will it was time to "put it on" that first time.Hmm.. I have some masks, and glue, and Detachol .. *brewing weekend plans now*

If a mask is too much, you might try a neck gaiter like bikers wear.
The ones I have are very light & breathable and no chance of blowing off on rides.

For me I'm assuming it's a combination of my asthma and claustrophobia. I find myself breathing much deeper and heavier trying to get enough air, feel like I'm overheating, within 10-15 minutes my face is all moist, and once during a longer trip in Walmart (first time I had gone in over a month so I needed a lot of stuff) by the time I left I felt like someone had their hand over my face trying to smother me. I'm still trying to find a style or option that works better but so far just the mask itself is enough to make me not want to go anywhere indoors and really if you're outdoors and they limit the amount of people in the park it's really not necessary to have a mask on at all times. If I never come closer than 10 feet to you and I make sure to pull my shirt over my face if I need to cough or sneeze I'm not any danger to you. Quite honestly if the only thing the park did different this year was reduced capacity and wipe down the restraints maybe twice hour I would be comfortable going. Maybe set out some hand sanitizer but I can take my own and just wash my hands more often not a big deal.

The more I read about it, the more I think the masks aren't doing jack squat against blocking a virus unless it's an N-95 and even if we could get it, one can't wear one for a long period. And if we wanted extra protection for ourselves, we'd need some kind of sealed eyewear.

Here's a difference between a surgical and N-95

https://www.airplus-family.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/N95mask_image-3.png

Both a regular mask and social distancing are based on protection from large droplets. But normal breathing releases tiny droplets that hang much longer in the air than the larger that settles down quicker. We're all breathing it and through the masks. Unless it's a sealed N-95 which lessens the risk. Virus particles are extremely small.

So maybe we won't get someone's spittle that would carry a larger collection of the virus, but it won't stop the virus in the smaller droplets floating in the air from everyone's breathing.

And then you got people wearing cloth cotton masks and all kinds of makeshift. The easier to breathe through, the less protection basically.

CDC even says there has been no benefit against viruses and even Dr Fauci early on said it didn't do anything for the public except some psychological comfort so I don't know what gives now.

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/26/5/19-0994_article

I think people that are coughing and sneezing shouldn't be out in public (although it's allergy season) but I mean those who are symptomatic. But I don't think the mask is going to do much protection if at all against asymptomatic carriers. I'm putting it on for the stores, but starting to feel like it's security theater. Maybe if it was a TB outbreak.

An N-95 mask doesn't do much good,unless you wear it properly.

My wife is a nurse.

She said virtually all of the people she sees walking around with an N-95 mask don't have a clue how it should be worn.