we're having waffles!!

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/31/opinion/coronavirus-n95-mask.html?algo=top_conversion&fellback=false&imp_id=909480442&imp_id=843628895&action=click&module=Most%20Popular&pgtype=Homepage

the photo that has become my "logo" for this blog is one of surgical mask price gouging on amazon and masks are in the news again...

the "media" has the cdc on the verge of a titanic "mask waffle" as they have another look at the efficacy of masks for the healthy hoi polloi...seems the presence of a mask might be beneficial for prevention after all...or, at least, a check on the spread...a u-turn in policy that has been somewhat less than forthcoming about the utility of masks all along as they urged us to "donate" any of the ineffective masks to health care workers....yesterday i pointed out the validity of protecting them and that is still a crucial point..they cannot help anyone if they are ill...however...

over on amazon there are quite a few varieties of masks back in stock at only moderately inflated prices and ( unlike the ones in the "logo" photo, shipping is free, not $89.99 )...the photo says they arrive "may 5-7 when you choose expedited shipping"...well...that is a month away...and "standard shipping" gets them to you "may20-june 10"..more than a month and a half...not much use in the now which is where the epidemic is...

and on their web site the cdc still has not changed their recommendation that healthy individuals need not wear a mask unless caring for those ill with covid-19...so the media may be correctly reporting the cdc's reconsideration but the directives have not changed...yet...bureaucracy grinds slowly on purpose...they say it is to make informed decisions..i am inclined to think they just like to exercise power and make people wait...that is opinion...you may disagree...go to the bmv sometime...then we'll talk...the link at the top is to an article on how to make your own face mask...i am currently working on one...there will be photos when i am finished...i couldn't find any ribbon here yesterday ( even though there is a raft of it in a craft box some damn place ) and when i procure the requisite 40 cm. of it i will complete the project...not in possession of a sewing machine ( and woefully unskilled with one anyway ) i am hand stitching it...so far with downloading templates and instructions and cutting the material ( an old t-shirt ) plus what sewing i have done i have invested around ninety minutes of my life in this...we will see how it turns out...do not expect elegance...i certainly do not.