Gym owner rants about "debatable protection of masks" and losing business.
A local Republican gym owner, Rachelle, posted this rant on Facebook. Your thoughts?
"I hate that Covid- has become political.
"It’s forcing me into a corner. It’s forcing me to draw a hard line as a business owner that affects people’s decision to do business with me when I just want to offer a for your health NOT debate mask wearing.
"It’s equaling not wearing a mask with not loving others. It’s saying if you loved your community you’d let your business go under. But it’s not the same to have others consider my livelihood and what I do as important either.
"It’s saying operate under the ever changing and debatable protection of masks even if they don't do any good to protect the people we’re not absolutely sure but still wear one or lose business."
I replied
Rachelle, wearing a mask is NOT debatable. Wearing a mask and social distancing are the best way to stop the spread of coronavirus. I understand your frustration owning a gym during the pandemic.
As a longtime weightlifter, I refuse to work out in a gym during the pandemic. Working out indoors with huffing and puffing people spewing infectious respiratory droplets, poor ventilation, multiple people handling the equipment, etc. And the problem of breathing hard through three layers of cloth. FORGET IT. Where can I buy dumbbells?
I kept my YMCA membership because I don't want them to go under.
Photo:
Me in a mask I made. Iron-on interfacing between two layers of cotton cloth. March 2020.
16
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14 comments
Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.My regular gym that I prepaid an 18 month membership to is not open, knowing the risks to patrons and staff. Therefore, I am now a member of a MEDICAL gym as, without proper lumbo-sacral exercise, my disc-related back pain returns. THAT particular gym is working by appointment only. Wont crowd, insists on distancing, masks, and disinfection of each piece of equipment after each use. They might not be breaking the bank with income, but I am VERY grateful they are open, hoping this pain goes back into remission SOON (5 weeks and counting&hellip
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Zster
Level 8
July 4, 2020
2
I started going back to the local gym when they re-opened. By state law everyone should be wearing a mask, but usually only a couple other people in the gym are wearing masks. I asked the staff about it and the reply was you do not have to wear one if it interferes with working out. This review in The Lancet showed physical distancing, face masks and eye protection were helpful to prevent the spread of the virus.
I think if everyone in the room is wearing a cloth mask and staying 1-2 m apart the risk of catching COVID 19 would be low, if other people are not wearing a mask you should wear an N-95 mask and eye protection.
Robert_2001
Level 6
July 3, 2020
1
Can you send this to Rachelle?
[scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net]
tinkercreek
Level 8
July 3, 2020
2
Who is in that photo?
Jewish people in WWII being sent to Nazi concentration camps?
@LiterateHiker Oops yes, but it's the accompanying article that is of value:
Imagine you were born in 1900.
When you're 14, World War I begins and ends when you're 18 with 22 million dead.
Soon after a global pandemic, the Spanish Flu, appears, killing 50 million people. And you're alive and 20 years old.
When you're 29 you survive the global economic crisis that started with the collapse of the New York Stock Exchange, causing inflation, unemployment and famine.
When you're 33 years old the nazis come to power.
When you're 39, World War II begins and ends when you're 45 years old with a 60 million dead. In the Holocaust 6 million Jews die.
When you're 52, the Korean War begins.
When you're 64, the Vietnam War begins and ends when you're 75.
A child born in 1985 thinks his grandparents have no idea how difficult life is, but they have survived several wars and catastrophes.
Today we have all the comforts in a new world, amid a new pandemic. But we complain because we need to wear masks. We complain because we must stay confined to our homes where we have food, electricity, running water, wifi, even Netflix! None of that existed back in the day. But humanity survived those circumstances and never lost their joy of living.
A small change in our perspective can generate miracles. We should be thankful that we are alive. We should do everything we need to do to protect and help each other.
Only a fool would debate the benefits of wearing a mask under conditions such as this.
juli15
Level 7
July 3, 2020
4
She's a Republican.
@LiterateHiker , There are many who identify as conservative, and or Republican. I know of about 50, all of whom HAVE worn masks, since mid-Feb. Like you, I kept my gym membership, even though, my gym just barely reopened.
@LiterateHiker I see that you said that before, I checked a 2023 thesaurus the words will be interchangeable. Give it time.
A bank robber, and a great cook.
dalefvictor
Level 8
July 3, 2020
1
What do you mean?
She's a idiot
bobwjr
Level 10
July 3, 2020
4
She's a Republican.
@LiterateHiker figures
Some people also want to "debate" evolution and the Earth being flat.
I too have kept my gym membership. It was set to reopen, with stringent and well though-out distancing and sanitary practices, on Monday. Instead, it's now pushed back again because we are seeing an uptick in cases here in Philadelphia.
Mitch07102
Level 8
July 3, 2020
2
The longer people resist and refuse to wear masks and practice social distancing, the longer this pandemic will last, AND the more businesses won't survive. Including gyms.
What it is about that bit of simple damned logic are so many people having so much trouble with?
JFC!!!!
KKGator
Level 9
July 3, 2020
4
Exactly. Well said.
Since the very end of your post contained biblical references, I suggest everyone grow a beard. The few times I chop mine off, there is half a sandwich, 42 french fries, 3 geese and a frog. Moses (the silly bastard) saved the world with a beard! (And a boat. Oh and a keg of wine ) You know what... That doesn't sound like a bad idea. A boat, and a buzz.
I clicked on the CNN link and it didn't work. So I deleted it.
@LiterateHiker
No worries. Have you been able to get out and soak up the mountains?
Yes, I have been hiking with social distancing. Check out my weekly hiking posts with pictures. The latest:
Today's hike was fun. Gleefully repaired trail damage.
Today's hike: gorgeous wildflowers and not enough carbs.
Today's hike: Searching for Lady Slippers, we found a couple having sex.
Steep hike today with an 80 year-old. It was nice not being the slowest.
Our gym has closed but most of the workers are volunteers. The main person running the gym Heidi Strong sends out lots of videos on training for all ages. This was a funny one from her.
[facebook.com]
JackPedigo
Level 9
July 3, 2020
2
This is one of my dilemmas. I continue the monthly autopayment to my gym as we wait for answers on how to go and stay healthy. One of the considerations is that so many other customers are younger and won't be considerate of the older customers. And, yes, the political nobs who won't wear a mask either. To the best of my knowledge, there are no answers yet.
Switchcraft
Level 7
July 3, 2020
3
Yeah, I feel sorry for gym owners right now. I enjoyed working out at the gym and went faithfully for a long time. Then I got a full time job and that ended but I kept my membership because I really wanted to go back. Now that I have the time again, there is NO WAY I am going into an enclosed area where lots of people are breathing heavily and sweating. I canceled the membership just a few months ago when I realized even if I had the time I wouldn't go. And now I have the time, and it is too hot to walk outside, I really wish I could go, however the risk is far too great.
HippieChick58
Level 9
July 3, 2020
4
Our governor (AZ) just ordered all gyms closed until July 27th. A couple of them are resisting, and staying open because they feel that they are being unfairly singled out. Their argument is that you can still go to Home Depot, or a restaurant, or to one of the casinos. I watched a local attorney on the news this morning, and she said that the gyms have a case.
I still have my gym membership, but I haven't been going, and I miss it. I've been doing some yoga poses, some body weight exercises, and some walking (with a face mask).
Fit50something
Level 7
July 3, 2020
3
@Fit-50
I miss the gym, too.
While social distancing, I have been hiking, running and walking. When people approach me, I pull up my mask to cover my nose and mouth.
For upper body: push-ups and triceps dips using a wooden chair against a wall. Stretching.
I will ask Rachelle to sell me a pair of dumbbells. She can order them.
I have a set of 8-pound dumbbells, and I've been doing some reverse flys, curls, and weighted squats and calf raises. I've been upping my reps, but I think I need a heavier set of dumbbells. Just hate to do that to the Amazon delivery person.
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