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In the summer of 1981, public health professionals faced a terrifying crisis. Their work helped shape victories against the current pandemic – but some fear hard-won ground is lost
Scientific American It exists on a spectrum, and pretending activities are either deadly or risk-free helps no one Advertisement I have never had as much suicidal ideation as I’ve had over the last year and a half, during this pandemic. I have not been in any particular physical danger. Thinking about ending one’s life can be an understandable coping mechanism to survive adverse conditions, such as living alone through a pandemic and going without touch or indoor companionship for months on end. I have a good therapist, and my ideas about suicide never progressed beyond thoughts towards m...
Government Executive email Are Outdoor Mask Mandates Still Necessary? Governments need to give Americans an off-ramp to the post-pandemic world. Ending outdoor mask requirements would be a good place to start. Last week, I covered my nose and mouth with close-fitting fabric like a good citizen and walked to a restaurant in Washington, D.C., where I de-masked at a patio table to greet a friend. I sat with my chair facing the entrance and watched dozens of people perform the same ritual, removing a mask they’d worn outside and alone. It seemed like the most normal thing in the...
Set Us Free From Outdoor Mask Mandates! The science says it's safe to start letting go of some of the strictures we've followed during the dark days of the pandemic. Kathryn Riley/Getty Images As coronavirus cases ticked up in early November, something utterly bizarre happened in Massachusetts: In light of those rising numbers, Governor Charlie Baker issued a rule mandating that people would be required to wear face masks at all times while outdoors in public, whether or not they were around others. (Violators were subject to a $300 fine.) However alarming that surge might have been, the noti...
The Atlantic Are Outdoor Mask Mandates Still Necessary? Governments need to give Americans an off-ramp to the post-pandemic world. Ending outdoor mask requirements would be a good place to start. 6:30 AM ET Getty / Adam Maida / The Atlantic Last week, I covered my nose and mouth with close-fitting fabric like a good citizen and walked to a restaurant in Washington, D.C., where I de-masked at a patio table to greet a friend. I sat with my chair facing the entrance and watched dozens of people perform the same ritual, removing a mask they’d worn outside and alone. It seemed like the most norm...