17 US states Now Not Requiring Masks.

[trottigy]

I saw this article and it had me thinking of this thread:

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Texas police handcuff maskless woman who asked: ‘What are you going to do, arrest me?

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/mar/15/texas-galveston-woman-mask-bank-arrest

Quote

Greg Abbott, the Texas governor, has ended statewide orders requiring people to wear face masks in public places, declaring businesses should decide for themselves what Covid-19 precautions to take on their properties. Many businesses have kept their own mask rules in place.

Police said a bank manager called police after Wright refused to wear a mask while inside, and then refused to leave the building when asked.

The police department released the officer’s body camera video footage. In the video, Wright can be seen standing in the middle of the bank’s lobby, surrounded by other customers, all of whom are wearing masks.

Wright told the officer she had come to the bank to make a withdrawal. The officer asked her to go outside or put on a mask. She refused

Apparently, if the business says you need to wear a mask - you need to wear a mask (even in Texas).

 

IF you won't leave, you are trespassing and can be arrested for that.

 

be careful out there and do what Christians do - "Obey the superior authorities" Rom 13.

 

[Shawnster]

On 3/12/2021 at 5:19 PM, Katty said:

If someone on here came in complaining about how lockdowns and government mandates have been too oppressive, that person would probably be told to check their neutrality, even though there's likely going to be a 20% increase in cancer alone, due to people not getting the screening they need as a result of covid lockdowns, and I don't even know where to start on the mental health crisis. But complaining about how places are lifting lockdown is apparently perfectly fine.

I feel this needs addressed.  There is a lot of tension from a number of members concerning these restrictions.  Others, like Katty, have chafed under the way the moderators have handled pandemic commentary, especially when it comes to government restrictions.

 

 

 

In regards the concern raised that the moderators are biased and lean a certain direction when it comes to pro-mandate comments vs. anti-mandate comments.  Specifically the comment that it's OK to complain about governments relaxing pandemic restrictions but not OK to complain about governments tightening restrictions.  That's fair.  We do hear and appreciate your assessment that neutrality means being neutral in both directions.  Neither for nor against.  Consider this Watchtower comment:

 

Quote

*** ws16 April p. 23 par. 7 Maintain Your Neutrality in a Divided World ***
If we want to remain neutral, we should avoid feeling that one side is right or is better than another. This will be evident by what we say and what we do.

So, yes, in regards mask mandates a neutral Christian will not say "this government is doing it right and that government is doing it wrong."

 

Now, in regards the moderators stern reactions to anti-regulation comments, one salient factor has been overlooked.  In addition to the principle of neutrality is the principle of submission to the superior authorities.  (Romans 13:1, 2) 13 Let every person be in subjection to the superior authorities, for there is no authority except by God; the existing authorities stand placed in their relative positions by God. 2 Therefore, whoever opposes the authority has taken a stand against the arrangement of God; those who have taken a stand against it will bring judgment against themselves.  Unless the government has given a law or direction that directly contradicts the Bible's direction, a Christian's responsibility is to obey the direction.  In this case, the Bible does not comment on masks, quarantine, or social distancing.  None of these instructions violate Jehovah's will.  It is, therefore, our obligation, to obey these directions.  Further, the encouragement we've received from the Governing Body is to protect ourselves and our neighbors by following these directions.

 

This week's midweek meeting highlights the concerns the moderators have had over the anti-mask, anti-regulation murmuring.  A complaining spirit is like rust on an automobile.  Rust is corrosive.  If left untreated, rust can cause major damage to a car.  Sometimes that damage is so severe that it costs a lot of money to fix.  Other times the damage is too much to fix and the car must be scrapped.  

 

The complaints or murmurs about government restrictions are just as corrosive and damaging.  These complaints do not upbuild your brother.  They do not pursue peace.  These complaints only serve to tear down.  Murmuring against government restrictions does not make it easier for us to continue to be submissive and in subjection to these mandates and restrictions.  Instead of helping all of us struggling under the burden, such murmurs or complaints cause us to lose our footing and develops in us the overwhelming urge to throw off this burden and rebel against the superior authorities.

 

Complaining here or murmuring about government mandates on here doesn't accomplish anything.  We can't change the law.  None of us can change the pandemic.  To complain about something that we can't change is pointless.  It's futile.  

 

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*** w06 7/15 p. 18 par. 21 ‘Keep Free From Murmurings’ ***
21 Whatever the grievance may be, murmuring will not resolve matters. The Hebrew term meaning “to murmur” can also mean “to growl.” Very likely, we feel uncomfortable around a constant murmurer and try to distance ourselves from him. If we were to murmur, or growl, those listening might feel the same way. Why, they may be so uncomfortable that they want to distance themselves from us! Growling might capture someone’s attention, but it will certainly not win anyone’s heart.

We moderators are trying our best to keep this website upbuilding and encouraging.  We're trying to focus on the positive.  This pandemic has been the most negative global event many of us have ever experienced.  It takes all of us, every member here, to upbuild and encourage each other.  As this world continues to collapse toward Armageddon, the world's complaining, selfish spirit will only continue to get worse and more pronounced.  To that end, the moderators are going to continue to fight against a negative, complaining spirit.  

 

Let us all continue to do our best to focus on the positives that we can find.

[Tortuga]

On 3/3/2021 at 5:41 AM, Shawnster said:

Texas and Mississippi to lift mask mandates and roll back Covid restrictions

Yesterday I was watching the Houston Astros and Dodgers baseball game and the Astros ballpark was packed. It didn't look like anyone in the park was wearing a mask. 

[Shawnster]

Ohio's mask mandate ended last week.  It's up to individual communities and businesses to issue mandates as they wish.  Some businesses around here still have mask required signs.  Other businesses have taken the signs down.

[Trekkinginspace]

On 3/8/2021 at 4:06 PM, Shawnster said:

The Organization has not mandated Christians wear masks.  Recommended, yes.  Mandated, no.  

 

So, like Lynn here said, the Organization will continue to recommend the best precautions be taken, and it's up to a mature Christian's conscience if they choose to follow the Slave's direction or reject it.  

Where did they say masks are recommended and not mandated? 

 

I do remember one letter saying it was up to the head of the household to decide on something and I can't remember the rest. 

 

Others I've talked to say we have to wear them. But there are many, including myself, who can only wear them for a little bit until they can't breathe in them and have to pull them down or take them completely off.  I hate being in this position because I don't want to be disobedient but I also don't want to pass out either. 🤷🏻‍♀️ 

On 3/8/2021 at 4:06 PM, Shawnster said:

 

Edited June 5, 2021 by Trekkinginspace
To fix unwanted text that got pasted in.

[Shawnster]

5 hours ago, Trekkinginspace said:

Where did they say masks are recommended and not mandated? 

The better question is where did they say masks are mandated? 

 

The Bible does not give the Slave the authority to mandate Christians wear masks.  The Slave doesn't go beyond what the scriptures direct. 

 

Let me se if I or someone else can find and share the previous directions we've received this last year.   

 

5 hours ago, Trekkinginspace said:

 

I do remember one letter saying it was up to the head of the household to decide on something and I can't remember the rest. 

And there you go.  If it's up to each family head, then it's not mandatory. 

 

5 hours ago, Trekkinginspace said:

Others I've talked to say we have to wear them.

We've all seen where people can hear the same announcement and interpret the direction differently.  Look at the recent announcement about sharing images from jw.org for example.

[Tortuga]

5 hours ago, Trekkinginspace said:

Where did they say masks are recommended and not mandated? 

The Branch has frequently reminded us to obey the local government requirements. If the government mandates masks, then we obey that mandate. 

The Branch has never told us that we can do less than local government requirements and they have frequently recommended that we be cautious and do more than local government requirements.

 

Is that what you are asking about?

Edited June 5, 2021 by Tortuga

[M.J.]

6 hours ago, Trekkinginspace said:

But there are many, including myself, who can only wear them for a little bit until they can't breathe in them and have to pull them down or take them completely off.  I hate being in this position because I don't want to be disobedient but I also don't want to pass out either. 🤷🏻‍♀️ 

Your comment made me wonder. I've heard several say this, that they can't breathe with a mask on. I'm wondering, is there a medical reason for this? When you go to the doctor and have your oxygen levels checked, are they within normal range?

[Bob]

23 hours ago, M.J. said:

Your comment made me wonder. I've heard several say this, that they can't breathe with a mask on. I'm wondering, is there a medical reason for this? When you go to the doctor and have your oxygen levels checked, are they within normal range?

If I am doing any physical work, I need to take it off to get some fresh air regularly.  If I am just sitting at my desk at work, I can wear it all day.

 

I think it depends on what you're doing while wearing it.

[On the huh]

In the CO-VID Document for elders, it still recommends the wearing of masks.  And that is in the section about easing of governmental restrictions. 

 

When the weather was colder, wearing a mask wasn't a problem - even all day.  Now its getting hot, wearing it at work, doing a physical job, it getting uncomfortable.   So taking breaks, getting out in the fresh air for 5 mins every now and then really helps.

[Todd komaniak]

Not fun in florida at 98○

[trottigy]

Or Las Vegas at 108°

 

But, I am in construction and when dealing with silicates, like cutting concrete or mixing and installing stucco, you need to wear an N95 mask per OSHA guidelines. There are more times when a person doing very physical activity is mandated to wear a mask, such as: painting, sanding, sweeping/ cleaning up silicate dust, use of certain chemicals etc.

 

So, if they are saying "no masks", they must be specifically saying it regarding COVID, eh.

Edited June 6, 2021 by trottigy

[Hope]

1 hour ago, trottigy said:

Or Las Vegas at 108°

 

But, I am in construction and when dealing with silicates, like cutting concrete or mixing and installing stucco, you need to wear an N95 mask per OSHA guidelines. There are more times when a person doing very physical activity is mandated to wear a mask, such as: painting, sanding, sweeping/ cleaning up silicate dust, use of certain chemicals etc.

 

So, if they are saying "no masks", they must be specifically saying it regarding COVID, eh.

Excellent point. It seems that some forget that many people wear masks regularly for their jobs... and have done for decades. Only Covid-Related mask wearing seems to have brought out all this impossibility of keeping one on when necessary. 🤨 

[Tortuga]

California will roll back the mask mandate this week with only 55% of the state population (12 years+) being fully vaccinated. There are still some local restrictions but basically the state will be on an honor system, you don't have to wear a mask and you don't have to prove you are vaccinated.

[Thesauron]

California will roll back the mask mandate this week with only 55% of the state population (12 years+) being fully vaccinated. There are still some local restrictions but basically the state will be on an honor system, you don't have to wear a mask and you don't have to prove you are vaccinated.

And they expect this to work?

[Qapla]

[sarcasm]

 

It works in Florida - no one here would ever dream of being dishonest 

 

 

[/sarcasm]

 

 

[Shawnster]

1 hour ago, Thesauron said:

And they expect this to work?

This is how it is in every state where restrictions are lifted. Honors system.  Vaccinations have slowed.  42% of US fully vaccinated. 

[Sequoia]

Washington state where I live is lifting restrictions including no longer requiring masks on June 30th.  Already even though they have signs requiring masks at stores, a lot of people are shopping without them.  Also, when I was at Walmart yesterday a lot of the employees were not wearing masks.

Edited June 13, 2021 by JW2017

[Sequoia]

New York State has lifted most restrictions.

 

New York Lifts 'Virtually All' COVID-19 Restrictions, Cuomo Announces (businessinsider.com)

[Dustparticle]

No matter what the states are doing, we all need to be careful sis.

[Sequoia]

On 6/15/2021 at 3:20 PM, Dustparticle said:

No matter what the states are doing, we all need to be careful sis.

Yes.

[califlorican]

On 6/13/2021 at 9:56 AM, Thesauron said:

And they expect this to work?

It’ll work for those who are vaccinated. And most of the people who refuse to get vaccinated were rarely wearing masks to start with lol it doesn’t make a big difference. 
 

And as someone in California, I’d say at least 75% people I see in stores or elsewhere are still wearing their masks. And 100% of employees are still wearing them, as far as I can tell. They are waiting until OSHA (occupational safety) approves of no masks to stop requiring them. 

Edited June 22, 2021 by califlorican