Winter into summer...

Yo'. a client asked me to wear a facemask for the toddlers first haircut.  I paused and responded uhhhh...I'm sorry, I will not wear one because I don't need to.  I'm not sick and I know my body.  Grandma and mom were slightly stunned and wondered what just happened.  They were fully N95'd.  Not the child.  Grandma stepped up and authoritatively stated, "ARE YOU VACCINATED?"  I responded,  "Ohhh, that's a personal question, I have natural immunity and I've been through it."

This is the second person to weigh the risk and has walked out to find another barber.  I'm ok with that. Some tear the mask off in freedom and some wear them for personal reasons and some insist that they are still adamant about the effectiveness of policy they believe in. 

What a mess navigating people's needs and standing firm on what I've come to believe in serving the public.  Masks are optional in my space and I can find no articles on the opposite position on saying breathe and trust and let's see your face and your smile after 700+ days of this facemask culture...

Bit of a rant...

Mods can move to politics if you prefer...

Good for you it’s your business and masks are not required in Marin county. You should tell them about Kayak fishing next time might help get their mind off Covid paranoia.

I'm completely neutral on masks. My wife wears one everywhere she goes, and I'm OK with that, But for me, I never wear one when it's optional.

To turn this in a more fishing oriented direction, I'll never forgive the authorities who wouldn't allow us to go fishing during covid. There has never been a dumber policy than locking people inside as a way to try to battle a respiratory infection. If you want to avoid infection, there was (and still is) no better place to be than outdoors.

It's your option to wear a mask or not, or get vaccinated or not and some will praise and some will shout, but it's your choice and their choice and life will go on.  I still wear one, as I was out sick for over a month and a half after the LDVFnC and don't want to go through that again if I can avoid it, even though I'm vaccinated and boosted.  They do not require masks to be worn in our area, unless you are not vaccinated.  So if I was your customer and you gave the same response, I would probably act the same way because I have no reason to trust you.  The problem is you can spread it without having any symptoms, and well you don't seem to mind if you do either, saying that you know your body and you have natural immunity.  How long does that last compared to being vaccinated and boosted?  Are you an expert on transmission of viruses?  Are you offended if people take their own health and the health of their whole family into consideration for even a simple thing like a hair cut? 

I would have to lean towards Al's opinion. On the other hand that made no sense that those folks didn't consider masking up there child  ?? Wth? There is no mandate that you are required so I understand your stance Eddie.

Covid cases have been on the rise. I am guessing the not so serious cases ? I say this because my company has implemented a face mask rule and have seen more likewise on the news.

Maybe the  simplest option would be to say that you follow the mask or not mask guidelines and even though no mask is required here in my shop I will wear one for you. Good business decision to humor paying customers and really does not cost you anything.

My mask policy:

I will wear one if you want me to wear one. I'll use video meetings if that makes you more comfortable.  I don't care if you wear a mask or not.  I'm not asking for your vaccination status.  If you feel sick, stay home.  If I feel sick, I'll stay home.  If my allergies are acting up, I'll take a covid test at home just to be sure.

If I walk into your business and you ask me to put a mask on, I will so long as you provide one.  I don't carry a mask with me.  If you want me to wear one, and you don't provide one, I'll take my business elsewhere.  No hard feelings.  I get it, even though I might not think the same way you do you have every right to run your business in the best way you see fit.

I don't wear a mask when I get my hair cut and my gal doesn't wear one when she cuts my hair.  Barbering is one of the closer contact and more intimate retail experiences though, so masks probably provide people with more comfort in that setting than they would in say, a grocery store, bank, or even a lawyer's office.

  I still wear one, as I was out sick for over a month and a half after the LDVFnC and don't want to go through that again if I can avoid it, even though I'm vaccinated and boosted. 

Damn, that sucks, bro! I didn't know that. Was it COVID? Maybe my IBS saved me from getting really sick...lol.

Regarding masks - it's no big deal for me to wear one and they are required at my work again, but I mostly wear them to make other people feel better. If some 70 year old man in front of me at Safeway feels a little less uneasy since I'm wearing a mask then I'm all good with that.

I appreciate all the replies.  I read way to much to support my position, so to say I do not care about others plights or health needs is not accurate.  Fact is masks don’t not stop the spread and actually are detrimental to personal health over time including mental health.  If masking has become your norm then power to you.  You’ve helped me look at some angles that I need a reminder for yet, “the science” is debatable.  If any one of you asked me to wear a mask I just might out of respect for this community but my general position is why I am a kayaker.  I tend to enjoy my captains seat.

This may be one of the last “Winter” threads I may comment on.

My comment : pebbles in a pond

That’s it

Or wait ..it won’t be right unless I threadjack..going to be on Oahu..looking to find good eats ..go

My wife, daughter, and I masked up back in the early days when the authorities were saying masks didn't work, and we haven't had so much as a sniffle since then, but if there's no mask mandate, then you do you.

Or wait ..it won’t be right unless I threadjack..going to be on Oahu..looking to find good eats ..go

Just about any Japanese place along the King/Beretania corridor from Kapahulu to Ward St is going to be awesome. Isakaya Naru, Imanas Tei, Wagaya, and Isakaya Torae Torae are some favorites off the top of my head.

I didn't want to debate mask effectiveness, it's not like i'm an expert in masks and virus transmission or such.  I do know that it doesn't hurt, if you don't think it hurts.  And of course it does, if you think it does.  I don't think either opinion is right or wrong, but I think it's wrong to judge someone that has an opposing view from your own.  In the end, respecting eachother is what really matters, and I have a lot of respect for you Eddie.  Sorry my opinion is different than yours, but I didn't come here to just enforce my view on anyone.  I just want to go fishing, outdoors, and not worry about being indoors with masks and such either for my own mental heath.  Join us on the water where this is a minute concern and spread the stoke man!

I do know that it doesn't hurt, if you don't think it hurts.  And of course it does, if you think it does.

Placebo vs. Nocebo.  Both are likely very strongly at play here and it will probably be studied to death in the decade to come.

I didn't want to debate mask effectiveness, it's not like i'm an expert in masks and virus transmission or such.  I do know that it doesn't hurt, if you don't think it hurts.  And of course it does, if you think it does.  I don't think either opinion is right or wrong, but I think it's wrong to judge someone that has an opposing view from your own.  In the end, respecting eachother is what really matters, and I have a lot of respect for you Eddie.  Sorry my opinion is different than yours, but I didn't come here to just enforce my view on anyone.  I just want to go fishing, outdoors, and not worry about being indoors with masks and such either for my own mental heath.  Join us on the water where this is a minute concern and spread the stoke man!

My wife asked why I wanted to post this at all.  She asked if I was looking to start an argument.  Honestly, just getting a feel as a mid post live with it covid opinion poll from many of whom I trust, and you would be one them.  Full respect and I am glad you got through, that’s a long scary symptomatic month you had and I know what that’s like.  I’m stil probably just grieving what used to be pre covid.  Stay super cool brah!