Start of Season-Time Frame

Submitted by gobluefan474 on July 15th, 2020 at 8:30 PM

I know there has been talk about the PAC 12 starting their season on 9/27. Would you be in favor or starting it the first weekend of September or the last weekend?! I’d have to say start it the first weekend and try to beat out flu season. Also, I was very against mask at first but please wear your mask so we can possibly have football this fall. 

rob f

July 15th, 2020 at 9:27 PM ^

Or, as  Bob Ufer would always say at the end of his post-game wrap-up, "I invite you to again spend next Saturday with me, as toe meets leather at 1pm over this, the Meeeechigan Football Network! "

B-Nut-GoBlue

July 15th, 2020 at 8:56 PM ^

Why against masks?  Sorry sorry, I know that's not your main reason for posting.  I am curious about the mask opponents, though.  (Asian countries have done this for a long time now and they seemingly do it well....yet, us Americans naturally have a spectrum of opinions on the matter)

ijohnb

July 15th, 2020 at 9:27 PM ^

The primary reason a lot of Asians wear masks is due to radiation and pollution, not just illness.

The primary reason that I opposed, and still oppose, the mask movement is because it won’t go away now that it has started.  
 

The common theme that you are hearing that “just wear masks and you can get this and this back” does not seem persuasive to me.  I think you are looking more likely at a situation like “you can’t possibly do this and this because you can’t do it in a mask.”  You already hear Covid being lumped in with “other flu like illnesses” when people talk about masks, and I think it will prove to be kind of a bell that you can’t unring.

Additionally, I find the notion of “masking up for other people” to be disingenuous, unless the end goal is literally “nobody gets sick with anything ever again.” People who are very scared of airborne illness should be free to wear a mask to protect themselves, but the notion that I am responsible for the health of other people by simply breathing is a very problematic idea when taken to its conclusion, particularly when you are discussing an asymptomatic illness. 

There are significant due process ramifications, whether people want to admit it or not.  Neither other people nor the government “owns” the air anymore than I do.  And wearing a mask over your face all day isn’t healthy either.  It is also very socially restrictive and will have a chilling effect on social relationships, dating, socialization of children.  Has anybody returned to a “masked up” office?  Quite a blast, huh?

 

The argument can be made that it is necessary, but I think the notion that many are promoting that masks are objectively “a good thing” are bananas and will come to agree after Covid has a vaccine but they still get the business for having the gall to breath with their actual mouth.  It may be for the greater good in this moment, but it also sucks ass and will suck extra ass if we are a mask society now even after the novel bug isn’t so novel anymore.  If there are permanent masking laws that will be a gross governmental overreach.  Not saying that will happen but it actually seems like some want it to.

 

Anyway, I wear a mask, I have through all of this, even while voicing my opinions.  First because I didn’t want to get shot at the store and now because it is the law(ish).  You wanted some reasons, though, so there are a few.

 

I will note that I don’t think I have said anything outlandish here, and I think debate over relevant societal issues is a good thing.

 

SugarShane

July 15th, 2020 at 9:31 PM ^

What the actual fuck?

 

do you also keep your brights on as oncoming traffic approaches because it saves you the inconvenience of moving your finger 2 inches? Because the government shouldn’t be allowed to control your line of site at night? It’s not like you doing this is going to prevent all the car crashes in the world, so why bother?

 

freaking child

ijohnb

July 15th, 2020 at 9:36 PM ^

Ok man.  Because that is totally the same thing.  Virtually indistinguishable.

Remember the free exchange of ideas is a good thing.  Shaming people for opinions not so much.

Have a good night.

SugarShane

July 15th, 2020 at 9:37 PM ^

Yes. I will shame all anti-maskers for their opinions who think their individual convenience is more important than public health. Because if you’re wrong, hundreds of thousands  more people die. If I’m wrong, you wore a mask 
 

shame on you
 

shaming all you morons until you conform will do more good for society than freely discussing science as if it’s an opinion 

ijohnb

July 15th, 2020 at 9:52 PM ^

See, there it is right there.  I have a duty to follow the law, I don’t have a duty to agree with it.  You don’t want me to merely follow a law, you want to force me to adopt an ideology at the risk of some kind of peril, be it physical, emotional, or otherwise.

You call be a “child” but it is quite the opposite.  You are threatened by free thought, because it isn’t “your” thought.  What you want is simple conformity, and the elimination of autonomous thought.

SugarShane

July 15th, 2020 at 9:53 PM ^

Trust me bro. Threatened is something I don’t feel at all. I just think you’re an idiot 

 

And Idiots are the reason laws like this need to be made. Because relying on common sense failed

GoBlueTal

July 15th, 2020 at 11:07 PM ^

It strikes me as odd that if someone lumps a group of people together and uses a derogatory term like, say, the n- word that person would get (justifiably) harangued for their social transgression.  And yet, lumping people into a different, "other" as defined by the left, it's perfectly ok to call them names, like, "anti-masker".  

Guess what, you're not the arbiter of right and wrong.  What about maybe trying to be open-minded?   I'm not telling you to agree, in fact, I encourage sharing of ideas.  But let's be honest, we've all got room to grow and get smarter. 

Guess what else, you don't understand science - there is nothing in science that suggests conformity, the whole point of science is to ask questions.  Telling others to conform to your opinion of right and wrong is pretty much spot on evil, so thanks, I'll choose to think for myself.  We'll agree in places, disagree in places, and then I won't have to conform to your special brand of closed-minded bigotry, yay!  

 

SugarShane

July 15th, 2020 at 11:23 PM ^

You know who does understand science?

 

the global scientific community telling people that masks help.  they’re literally saying to confirm so that lives will be saved

 

no you’re right though. We should listen to you and question this for some reason. cuz you’re so woke 

 

And bro. comparing the n word to anti masker?  JFC 

GoBlueTal

July 15th, 2020 at 11:35 PM ^

Yep, comparing the n word to anti-masker.  Just because you don't understand that you're a bigot doesn't make you not a bigot. 

You don't get to say one bigotry is ok and another bigotry isn't.  Bigotry is bad, period.  Thanks.  

I'm not saying that one should question masks, I never have an never will.  I'm saying that having questions does not make one bad or stupid.  No science is settled, ever (in fact, it goes against the entire basis of science to call something, "settled").  Is there lots of evidence that masks are good?  Sure is.  Is there a good and sound argument that one ought to wear a mask when in buildings or with other non-housemates?  Yes there definitely is.  Does that mean that everyone has the same exact knowledge that you have?  NO.  Does that mean that everyone has the same life experiences and same priorities as you?  NO!  Does that mean you have the right to judge people without knowing their story?  FUCK NO.

GoBlueTal

July 16th, 2020 at 1:07 AM ^

Congrats, you've admitted the problem, next step is fixing it.

Bigotry is bad.  Always.  It's a little sad and pathetic that I need to even express this.  Bigotry is a binary, one is or isn't.  If one can justify bigotry in one area, they can justify it in another.  Open your mind, it's a beautiful world out there.  

blue in dc

July 16th, 2020 at 11:43 AM ^

While I think your bigotry argument is way over the top (and neither you nor Ijohnb) has been able to muster up any coherent argument for not wearing masks, there are certainly groups that do have legitimate issues with masks.  

For instance, deaf people who are highly dependent on lip reading.  If any in the non-masking crowd could elaborate on Specific hardships that the mask creates like that, I think they would find much more sympathy.   Saying it is a slippery slope, it infringes on my rights, or even that it is uncomfortable are all pretty weak arguments when weighed with the rights and much more than “uncomfortableness” caused for so many if covid spreads uncontrollably   These impacts have been demonstrated in multiple areas of the US.   They are not theories or modeled projections.  They are real.   It should not be surprising that railing against a simple method to significantly reduce the economic and emotional impact on tens of millions and the health impacts on hundreds of thousands is going to evoke strong negative reactions.

Skidmark

July 17th, 2020 at 1:47 PM ^

If you live in Michigan there is an executive order that says mask up in indoor spaces open to the public and crowded outdoor spaces.  An executive order issued under a declaration of emergency is THE LAW.  You don't get to decide if you agree or disagree with the law.  If a cop stops you for speeding or not wearing a seat belt do you think you get to debate with them your feelings about the speed limit or the efficacy of wearing a seatbelt.  People who argue against masks or won't wear them are simply not very bright.

m_go_T

July 15th, 2020 at 9:54 PM ^

I'm anti-mask, but I think your argument was about as good as it gets.  While I disagree, even in Asian countries, people typically wear masks when sick or, like you said, when the pollution is bad.  That wouldn't be such a bad thing.  What's worse than a mask office is an office where sick people come into the office because they have to.  Wouldn't it be great if people just wore a mask when they were sick.  The asymptomatic and still unknown nature of this virus makes this a period where it makes sense to have widespread masks until there is at least some consistent treatments.

UM Fan from Sydney

July 16th, 2020 at 8:15 AM ^

Well, ijohnb. I think you are spot on about masks. Also, that is typical with MGoBlog - if you don’t agree with the majority of people who frequent this site, you will be negged a lot. Apparently it’s ok to have an opinion about something, so long as it is the same as those on a certain side of the political spectrum.

IDKaGoodName

July 16th, 2020 at 8:22 AM ^

This narrative is thrown around here far too much by people who have opinions that go against the general grain of others on this blog. If 70% of people on this blog believe that humans evolved from monkeys, it stands to reason that someone claiming something different is going to receive more negs than upvotes. I’m not sure why that is hard to understand or why there needs to be a narrative that “of course at MGoBlog if you believe X then you’ll get negged to hell because of all the political beliefs being aligned differently than yours”

 

if you or your thoughts aren’t in the majority, regardless of MGoBlog, you will likely be met with the same contention. Have you ever paid attention to politics or debates?

bamf_16

July 16th, 2020 at 7:47 PM ^

The problem is that we’ve lumped the rejection of provable fact in with what is considered, “opinion.”

 

Whether a team should run primarily inside zone or outside zone is a matter of opinion where both sides have merit.

 

Rejecting the science surrounding masks and claiming it’s somehow an equally valid opinion as the science itself is, unapologetically and worthy of being called as such, effing stupidity.

 

If you see snowflakes outside and in your opinion, I’m wrong that it’s snowing, our “opinions“ are not equally valid because they’re not opinions. One is right and one is stupidly wrong.

mackbru

July 15th, 2020 at 9:36 PM ^

It doesn't appear persuasive to you -- DESPITE ALL EVIDENCE TO THE CONTRARY. Countries that mandated masks recovered and are under control; countries that didn't are the worst off by far -- the U.S., Brazil. All leading experts in this field say with 100 certainty that masks dramatically decrease transmission of the virus, and that the current outbreaks stems from people not wearing masks (and distancing.) There's literally zero evidence to suggest that masks don't matter. If the evidence doesn't feel persuasive to you, that's because you're ignoring science. 

Don

July 15th, 2020 at 9:44 PM ^

"If there are permanent masking laws that will be a gross governmental overreach. Not saying that will happen but it actually seems like some want it to."

Please identify those people with even the slightest, remotest impact on public policy at any level of government who have advocated for "permanent masking laws" in the U.S.

"the notion that many are promoting that masks are objectively “a good thing” are bananas"

So you believe that surgeons who have routinely masked up for surgery for longer than you've been alive are "bananas."

"I will note that I don’t think I have said anything outlandish here..."

LOL

SugarShane

July 15th, 2020 at 9:51 PM ^

Masks bad. I saw a post on Facebook. 
 

that’s why you see doctors keeling over in the middle of surgery

 

hunters in camo fainting

 

mechanics and woodworkers dying of lung damage (oh wait, that was before they started wearing, you know, masks)

 

get woke bro

ColoradoBlue

July 15th, 2020 at 9:58 PM ^

Additionally, I find the notion of “masking up for other people” to be disingenuous, unless the end goal is literally “nobody gets sick with anything ever again.” 

 

This statement makes me furious because it represents the convoluted logic people come up with to rationalize what is really just political motivations.  I'll state the obvious:  no, the goal isn't that no one ever gets sick again.  Wearing a mask greatly diminishes RISK.  If risks are diminished in across millions of daily interactions, we greatly diminish the rate of infection.  It isn't binary, dude.

RedRum

July 15th, 2020 at 10:18 PM ^

Hey man, it's not worth getting furious. If he is in compliance with wearing a mask, who cares what he thinks.  I know your heart is in the right place, but yelling about facts to someone who doesn't want to hear it is a waste of time. Focus on the positive, get good sleep, stay social, vitamin c & d, exercise.

We are going to get through this stronger!

 

ijohnb

July 15th, 2020 at 11:09 PM ^

I didn’t even say I don’t want to hear it.  I am completely open to other people’s ideas, and I like to hear them.  Debate is always a good thing.  There is more to governance than “science.”  Policy is almost always a trade off between public good and personal freedom.  Having open honest debate over issues like this is a very positive thing, thought police and those who dismiss others with different beliefs as inherently lesser is a poison permeating this culture.

Wearing a mask is the law for now and it is objectively wrong, in my opinion, not to follow laws lawfully created, and for now, this one is, so of course I will comply.  I’m a law abiding citizen.

bklein09

July 15th, 2020 at 11:31 PM ^

John, I hope you realize that one of your life’s legacies is going to be complaining about masks during the greatest public health crisis of our lifetimes. Hundreds of thousands of people are dead, their families shattered forever, because of this virus. And you come on here every day to spout about yourself and your freedoms. I’m sorry, but do you realize how selfish that seems to almost all of us here? 

Please just put down this crusade and leave the site until this is over. Maybe consider leaving all message boards in general. The information you are putting out there is helping no one. Absolutely, no one. Let it go, walk away, and you’ll feel better. 
 

Come back here in 2 years if there are still mask laws in place. Or sooner, when they all get lifted in 2021. Until then, please give it a rest. 

ijohnb

July 16th, 2020 at 5:55 AM ^

Ok maybe I will do that.  The man asked to hear from somebody who opposed mask laws where the opposition derived from.  I thought he honestly wanted discourse.  It appears as though he may have been asking in jest, or others weren’t interested in a response.  It wasn’t my intention to cause an uproar.  It certainly wasn’t a “crusade.”  It was a weak OP at 10 PM.  I thought the thread was DOA anyway.

IDKaGoodName

July 16th, 2020 at 7:13 AM ^

I think the issue is that you used the response to the OPs general interest in opposing perspective as a soap box to preach while also suggesting that you aren’t the bad guy because you still follow the law. 

I also understand where you are coming from RE: governance is give and take and not completely authoritarian, but this IS rooted in science. Every time you visit a doctor or a dentist, that’s rooted in science. In this case, you are trying to say “2+2=4, but that’s just science and it’s objective.” It simply isn’t, which is firing people up. You having opinions about wearing a mask is totally fine; everyone has them. But you’ve now made half a dozen or so completely false claims regarding the situation just to help support your argument that the mask wearing is wrong, in your opinion. I think the OP was looking for more of a “I don’t like wearing the masks because I simply don’t believe the science as I’ve read articles XY and Z claiming blah blah blah, and people are wearing washable masks they don’t clean regularly, most people are wearing them incorrectly, so it doesn’t even matter, I am too sick to be able to wear a mask, or people are wearing paper masks that are not N-95, and as such, without everyone having been tested, we don’t actually know how much help these paper masks are.“

 

Can you kind of see the difference here?

ijohnb

July 16th, 2020 at 7:29 AM ^

Actually, I don't see any difference at all.  And I did not even make any "claims" of any kind, I gave an opinion as to what I see the ramifications of mask mandates will be.  And I never even said that "mask wearing" is wrong, I gave an opinion about masking requirements.  An argument that "I don't support mask mandates because I simply don't believe the science" would seem to be orders of magnitude more controversial than the opinion I rendered.

IDKaGoodName

July 16th, 2020 at 8:16 AM ^

You undoubtedly did make claims, one example being that “wearing a mask over your face all day isn’t healthy either”. In my line of work, a statement like that (or “claim” as we call it) needs to be supported by fact.

That said, I am not looking to gas the fire. And upon reading your response to my post and rereading my post, I am willing to cede to you that perhaps you are correct. In a situation in which I am asked for an opinion, I rarely hold back my tongue. I am very much a “here is my opinion, unfiltered” kind of person when asked directly. After coming to that realization, after reading you say you don’t see the difference at all, I’m willing to walk back on my previous post about the “difference.” Your opinion, however different from mine, is valid. Whether that be only to you or to a group of us or whatever. And I pride myself on listening, without judging, to the opinions of my peers and attempting to digest those opinions to help better educate myself and said peers for growth and opportunity. I did much less of that here, and that is, as XM put it, disgraceful. So, for that, my apologies

GoBlueTal

July 15th, 2020 at 11:28 PM ^

You know what else isn't binary?  asking questions and politics, "dude".  

Prejudice, very simply - pre-judging.  You assume anyone who has a question about masks deserves your contempt.  Congrats, you're prejudiced!  Since I hope we can all agree prejudice is a bad trait, maybe you could work on that, mmkay?  

Look, I wear my mask in stores and when in groups, but that doesn't mean that I have the right to judge people without knowing their story.  Would you think it's ok for me to pre-judge a person by the color of their skin?  Isn't that what all of these protests have been about?

And before I hear from the peanut gallery, YES, IT IS EXACTLY THE SAME.  Prejudice is prejudice, you don't get to call one type ok and another type not ok.  That's not how this works.  Prejudice is bad, mmmkay? Don't do prejudice!  

No one on this board is the arbiter of right and wrong in the world.  The whole idea behind freedom is that we're supposed work together, especially when we disagree.  If you disagree, say why.  If you're "sick" of explaining why you think you're right, then shut up.  If you're just posting to tell people you're "furious" that someone doesn't live, breath, think, act, just like you want them to, well, ask yourself what you'd say to someone who was furious that a racial minority didn't act just like a white person wanted?  Your "fury" is pretty pathetic.  Get over yourself.  

HateSparty

July 15th, 2020 at 10:05 PM ^

Going out on a limb after your total inconvenience at work with a mask thing that you’ve really never transitioned very much. For those of us who remember their younger siblings rolling around in the back seat because they weren’t strong enough to hold themselves up and there was no child safety seats. Or maybe you never drove before seat belts were required then transitioned to a life of wearing seatbelts and placing your babies into “totally inconvenient” safety seats. Take it from us who have had to adjust and adapt, you’ll be okay bro. And if you do have to wear a mask in the future, I bet you will be okay. 

xtramelanin

July 15th, 2020 at 10:22 PM ^

john, i appreciate your measured tone.  i don't appreciate the foul and hyperbolic responses you are getting.  nothing wrong with disagreeing with you, but why do they feel the need to pop off in a fashion they would never dare to do if this was a face to face discussion?  

1WhoStayed

July 15th, 2020 at 11:03 PM ^

XM - I find myself imagining what certain users would look like IRL. Especially some of the online bullies and name callers!

John had a fair point about how to put the genie back in the bottle. Even if covid disappears tomorrow, why would we stop wearing masks? Flu season claims tens of thousands of lives every year. Aren’t those lives worth saving?
how about an annual quarantine for flu season?

Not being anti mask - but I do believe SOME people are taking the rhetoric too far.

ColoradoBlue

July 15th, 2020 at 11:45 PM ^

I'm not sure why I'm even bothering to type this, but if it changes one opinion, I guess it's worth it.  

1.  This isn't the flu - that distinction has been sliced, diced and digested.

2.  ...but if you HAVE the flu and decide to go to the grocery store for some Gatorade, wearing a mask would be an awesome and thoughtful thing to do.

3.  If you have the flu, you generally KNOW that something isn't right 'cause you feel like you want to die.   Because you want to die, you generally stay away from crowded bars.  Coronavirus, on the other hand, can hide inside your cells for weeks like one of those alien babies.  You may never get sick, but that spittle that just came out of your mouth when ordering your beer in that loud bar just landed on the guy with asthma next to you.  That alien baby is now in his cells and about to go full alien on his asthmatic lungs.

bklein09

July 15th, 2020 at 11:22 PM ^

Sorry XM, but what do you expect when someone basically says, “It’s not my responsibility to care about the health and well being of anyone other than myself”? People don’t respond well to that kind of talk. Big surprise I know. 

Plus, John has been on here spouting his nonsense for weeks. Until recently he was one of the worst offenders with regard to name calling, etc. Now he’s trying to act respectful and humble, but we’ve all been listening to his dangerous and misguided idiocy for a long time.
 

He should just leave the site and the internet until this is over because the info he is putting out there is dangerous and counterproductive to getting through this pandemic. That’s probably why people “pop off” at him. 

xtramelanin

July 16th, 2020 at 5:41 AM ^

i expect the michigan difference.  i don't wade into these threads and almost always skip completely over them. i don't FB or other social media, either, but i think it is disgraceful the way people sometimes comment with so much anger and viciousness.  and i imagine that the 'tougher' the on-line presence, the more truly contemptible or pitiable the actual, physical presence is of these keyboard warriors.  

i haven't monitored john's (or anyone's comments) much, but i have not seen the name-calling from him.  even if it was true, it certainly wasn't in this thread.  

and this is not the place to have this discussion, but the ultimate irony of the 'pro-life' people as it relates to masks, is that i suspect they are about 99% pro-choice as it relates to ending lives in the womb - which isn't .01% chance of death, it's about 99.99% chance of a death.  again, not the place for that discussion but it is a strange confluence, to say the least.