MIT's anti-mandate? A new controversial policy at MIT | I unpack it

[@jodybond]

Many assume our intellectual centres are comprised of critical thinkers, like Prasad. That they carefully weigh the pros and cons of policies, and adopt measures that help offset our innate fallibilities. Covid has pulled the curtain back to reveal an abundance of political dogma, performative theatre, and fragile egos. I salute Prasad for continuing to expose such shortcomings.

[@ryanlucas3907]

Some of the most intelligent people on this planet, have the least common sense.

[@allankamen9875]

I wouldn't be surprised if some of the 'leaders' in the COVID Zealotry are under some sort of FBI Protective Custody. They've been wrong in nearly every way. TPTB haven't been honest or transparent with us. They've been protecting their own skin and those of their buddies the whole time. They have too much conflict of interest to be honest with the public. Now they can live with the fear for their remaining days. The truth with get out.

[@efinlayson]

Some of the most 'academic' people I know are hypochondriacs and base there safety decisions on panic and perceived safety rather then practical risk management.

[@thel1355]

The institutionalization of science has went too far, and it is now dominated by people who are in it for the institution rather than the science. Too many career bureaucrats dressed-up in lab coats will kill real science and wear it like a skinsuit.

[@lat1419]

@@thel1355 that's not new! I did my PhD in 1975. It was just the same, but pre- web and so less visible to the outsiders. Fragile egos are as old as human society!

[@professorplum2531]

2 years later the geniuses at MIT are finally operating at the common sense level of a 10 yr old. God help us.

[@robyn3349]

Yes, about time...

[@SirChocula]

A lot of "intellectuals" & "thinkers" at our higher institution of "learning".

[@adamaprimo9023]

Yep, their minds were toyed with. Full fear orgy, every day for two years. Even intelligent minds were made to think illogically.

[@midnull6009]

...uh lol there is as many geniuses at MIT as there are in other schools, lol. Getting accepted into MIT doesn't make you an automatic genius, lol.

[@brb5506]

"Feelings are not facts." No individual's insecurities should be the basis for controlling anyone else's behavior.

[@justasimpleguy7211]

Of course, but that's now embedded into all our institutions, corporations, government and even military. In other words Woke and it's got its tentacles everywhere. Fear trumps facts and Virtue trumps all, regardless of its outcome. The Road to Hell, you know.

[@rfpeace]

tell that to our teacher's union here in CA.

[@LilCraftyNook]

@@rfpeace I know, right? My two youngest granddaughters are victims, not only to the school system but their helicopter mom. 😣

[@LTVoyager]

Sadly, this didn’t start with covid. This has been the case for decades. 95% of politics is based on feelings, not facts. And this has been the case for millennia and probably will still be the case another millennia from now.

[@nancy9478]

@@LilCraftyNook thats sad. While I kept a close eye on my kids when they were little, they are both ready to jump in and live thier own lives without Dad and Mom managing things. We are always available if they need us, they know that. As it should be.

[@carlwitt8276]

"Individuals may NOT request or require OTHERS to wear masks." brilliant!👍

[@dawnhoughton4533]

But corporations CAN

[@jcarey1983]

Funny how freedom becomes in Vogue whenever voting season comes back 😆😑

[@Prestorizzor]

@@paulbarclay4114 it's "The Science ™"

[@posturebalanceandfitness8429]

Truth

[@thailandfruitmonster7315]

The weak minded, unconscious individual is exactly who "they" were hoping to control. Too bad for "them" that there are more individuals who are awake and conscious. As always, refreshing to see a traditionally trained practitioner using logic rather than medical dogma.

[@ironclaw6969]

After the last couple of years I would question that.

[@thailandfruitmonster7315]

@@ironclaw6969 you may be right...i was being optimistic. More likely a greater % of blue-pilled individuals. I wish i knew why people are ok with that.

[@ashfield1425]

I agree. I think they thought they had nailed the propaganda and that everyone was going to roll over. Too bad for them. I would say 40% - 50% of the global population aren’t gullible idiots.

[@mctrustsnoone3781]

“Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities” - Voltaire. How anyone ever thought, or thinks, they had or have the right to demand anyone else do anything to accommodate their insecurities is beyond me.

[@ashfield1425]

@@mctrustsnoone3781 Never a truer word spoken…

[@GregKingston]

Some people just cannot not give it up. It's like a security blanket when kids are small.

[@melphillips1608]

But even with security blankets, most kids outgrow them. Heck [my biased opinion] I’d rather see a kid carrying around a blanket than wear a mask LOL. *this is purely an absurdist claim.

[@allankamen9875]

This makes sense to me. This should have been the policy from the start.

[@Soundsaboutright42]

Exactly

[@scon1425]

Yup

[@Mazda.Fit.]

How dare you 🤫🙃

[@georgemead6608]

I can't help but think that one of the top technical institutions in the world is conceding that there is not enough evidence of mask effectiveness to justify a mandate. Which means there never was.

[@tinatruthseeker]

I completely agree!

[@jakeyell]

A couple of things: First... kudos to MIT for resisting the rampant hordes practicing "safety-ism" and attempting to create a victimhood culture. It's shocking (as well as telling), that so-called men and women of science would fall prey to such thinking, but there you have it. Second (and more as an aside): I live in NYC, where the preponderance of masking is of the surgical and N95 variety; not much cloth to be found. Lots of folks still wearing them in the streets, which makes no sense, and I love seeing those outside wearing them with their noses exposed. Keeps 'em feeling righteous, I suppose...

[@XPuntar]

LOL, so vast majority use masks in the wrong way. That was exactly what even Fauci said 2 years ago! Nearly all people use masks wrong! 97%+ by studies done before this worlwide scam!

[@69SalterStreet]

How are the vaccine mandate in NYC. Are restaurants and events really requiring proof of vaccination to do anything in the city?

[@justaminute3111]

@@XPuntar but then he said that was lie!

[@nancy9478]

Lol I see that in Jersey too!

[@notapro3031]

Don’t look to the “skeptical community” to be skeptical or use critical thinking.

[@charlysteenstevens9314]

Allowing a few highly fearful people to pressure other people is unreasonable and if things are ever to return to normal again it has to stop.

[@skeptigal8899]

I think there’s a group of people who enjoy this theater and always will.

[@gregthebaritone]

One would certainly hope these days that if you are a student at MIT, you would understand that scientific data is the basis for technical decision making and not feelings.

[@ceecee6679]

More likely if admissions were based purely on merit, but the government subsidizes so, like affirmative action, a lot are let in that should not be. The money is needed for the humungous administrative bureaucracy. College is a racket that primarily works the system.

[@SymphonicEllen]

@@ceecee6679 yes and they're quite predatory about it, too. Not that the kids can't be smart, they probably are, but many have never been given the tools to use it, so on one hand you have wealthy kids parents or alumni kids who pressure professors to pass them, and on the other you have these college salesmen come around and get kids in poor income situations to sign onto a 50K loan, and often they didn't go to a school that prepped them, or they're party animals and change majors a lot or flunk out. Both are guaranteed monthly income that they'll use the full power of US government to get, and the ones that weren't prepped didn't get the education but they still owe. Really glad I graduated college before it got that bad, but I still think the AA was part of why I got in. I had a 15 in math and 17 in science on the ACT. ( I did have a high 20's in English though. )

[@midnull6009]

lol...all schools have politics even MIT. MIT is really nothing special. None of the IVY leagues are.

[@gregthebaritone]

@@midnull6009 It wasn't like that when I was there. We were saturated in pure scientific method, unapologetically.

[@midnull6009]

@@gregthebaritone ...I worry bout the current and future generation. : (

[@MandiSamara]

People always argue for protection of the vulnerable, but we've literally never expected society to mask or change their behaviour for the benefit of the vulnerable, or to make them 'feel' comfortable, and we shouldn't. It's up to those people to take the necessary steps to protect themselves. That's their responsibility, just like my health issues are *my* responsibility. If people choose to try to make me feel more comfortable, that's cool, but I certainly wouldn't expect that. Society needs to go on and move forward.

[@midnull6009]

We protected the "vulnerable" in the expense of our healthy individuals. I sacrificed my health for ppl who don't give a shit about their own health...that is how I see this plandemic.

[@bitrudder3792]

@@midnull6009 - I am so sorry to hear that. There is so little that makes sense about the way this situation has unfolded the last two years. As a nurse I’m just shaking my head in horror and disbelief at the deception, the ignoring of solid research, the hiding of research, The mandates that would never be allowed if that research was made available widely, the millions of deaths that occurred because early treatment was ignored and even vilified. thankfully, I did not have to face losing my job for not taking a vaccine, i’m over 60 and out of the system, but it is upsetting to know that if I need to go back to work we still have a federal mandate to get the JibJab and it is just too risky for me. And now, with what we know, I don’t think anyone should be taking it. It should have been pulled from the market a long time ago. Death rate from all causes skyrocketed right after this thing was rolled out.

[@LKDelahunty]

@@bitrudder3792 I'm an RN also, but I'm still in the system. I work ICU and did not feel my benefits outweighed my risks for the inoculation. Unfortunately, the government felt differently and forced me into taking it by putting me on unpaid leave until I did so. I have two young children I need to support, and held out as long as I could, but knew there was a limit to how far I could fight it. And half the nurses I work with have the stance that my husband (also a critical care RN) and I should have been fired for standing up for our rights and thinking for ourselves. It's a frightening time we live in.

[@jl3646]

@Ms Maniacal. WELL SAID. These so call protection of the vulnerables are still reverse psychology used to off load guilts so the other individuals. You can say it is mental manipulations presented with elegance.

[@SnapDragon3489]

We need that as a federal law

[@philrab]

Disagree. Be wary of granting the power to fed you don’t want to be used to the opposite. They could just as easily mandate masking nationwide under another administration.

[@saralotti7174]

We have it and NY and California are violating Federal Law by denying religious exemptions to vaccines. Breaking the law and nobody stopped them -California even passed legislation that directly violates our Federal laws prohibiting religious discrimination in Publicly funded facilities and schools

[@saradf4890]

I love this! This should be the policy everywhere! (I said from the beginning that the cloth masks were just to give people a sense of psychological comfort.)

[@privatecitizen1246]

and NIH agrees with you, as of 2020. The studies all say cloth masks are irrelevant. They did way back BEFORE the pandemic.

[@AlexSmith-gr4hp]

Cloth masks are inarguably the worst masks, yet they’re the only masks I tend to see worn by the people that love to complain about what other people put on their face.

[@gwenj5419]

Our state mask mandate ended over a month ago. Most the people who are still wearing masks are 20-30 year olds, those least at risk by covid.

[@npcimknot958]

100% we weill see the consequences of these.. not even asia is this obsessed with masks.. but not only that.. the air in asia if very polluted.. their masks were for pollution and pollen.. these are not problem sin the west.. so our bodies are not use to suddenly having half the oxygen in our body. also cloth masks has so much bacteria.. and you will see down the line people that wore masks 24/7 will have massive health consequences

[@sujaytv]

not the case here in NYC. almost everyone is wearing surgical or N95s, when masking.

[@AlexSmith-gr4hp]

@@npcimknot958 a lot of smoke during the dry season in some places too from burning the land for next season’s crops

[@adamaprimo9023]

@@sujaytv If you are not professionally fit tested for N95 and KN95, don't expect high end results from wearing them. Have New Yorkers been taught to properly don and doff these masks? If not, there is a much higher risk of getting infected if the outer surface of the mask is contaminated.

[@OaktownGirl]

Excellent policy by MIT. Makes very good sense.

[@xraceboyex]

Makes very little sense that this hasn't already been the policy since 2020. Very disappointed in MIT, but kudos for finally taking back their disgusting policy, i suppose

[@stingrae1625]

@@xraceboyex now if only they’d do this with their vax policy…(I work for them and have an exemption).

[@stephaniecarrow4898]

@@xraceboyex Agreed!

[@stephaniecarrow4898]

@@stingrae1625 Yes!

[@AuraysTimelessChannel]

There will be another worse pandemic. Our overlord Bill has already said as much. All of these policies will go out the window once the death cult media comes in and ramps up the fear.

[@MH3GL]

So in other words, MIT is returning to "the land of the FREE and the home of the brave." Good for them. It never should have been any other way.

[@rfpeace]

actually not, they're just trying to NOT create an environment that could easily lead to litigation. Try looking at the mask efficacy argument in these terms; the size of viral particles that cause infection in relation to a cloth mask's porosity is similar to sand grains and a chain-linked fence. If you had a hand full of sand and you threw it at a chain-linked fence from a few feet away, would that fence stop any of that sand from crossing the fence boundary? How have we not rejected these silly measures? Cheers:)

[@blackwaterelephant6804]

You might want to look up the intended meaning of that….

[@orest227]

but if the cancer patient stays home how can you virtue signal about how much you care about them?

[@ConservativeImmigrants]

Some people just never have the spine to challenge authorities, and exact the same people dream about being the authority themselves.

[@sliglusamelius8578]

Vinay! You da Man! You are restoring my faith in Medical Science, which has been co-opted by political animals who hate rational analysis.

[@DISASTERJOE]

Seems like they're trying to erase all memory of their mistakes.

[@RedHairdo]

Until elections.

[@AspasiaB]

I mean, there was that opinion article printed in the NYT the other day about how it will be a "good thing" to forget the pandemic. 😳🙄😒

[@WorldBeater123]

Love this policy. Stop with the mandates. It’s totalitarian. Knowing what we know now, it should be up to the individual.

[@Soundsaboutright42]

I'm also anti-plastic barrier that does nothing in a warehouse with huge fans circulating the air all around it. Science baby.

[@dv270]

Virus already figured out to take a right and a left and another left to get around those.

[@marylacapp7262]

@@dv270 😂👌

[@marylacapp7262]

🤣👍

[@christinenelson8949]

This is how it should be. We had a small group at church start and had a great first meeting. Then before the second meeting, someone who worked with the elderly and vulnerable was joining and requested we all wear masks because they were required to in public, or so they said. Well this wasn't originally discussed or required so there were a few who said, we understand but we aren't comfortable wearing them. So the second meeting happened and this person actually threw a fit telling people it was required in the meeting , which that hadn't been decided and actually started asking people if they were vaxed which is none of anyone's business. Needless to say, the group doesn't meet anymore 😔 sad someone felt so entitled.

[@gwenj5419]

Sad; A natural extension of the new belief that you're not allowed to make me feel uncomfortable.

[@jenner81]

You should have kicked that person out of the group and just kept meeting. These people get a sense of power from telling other people what to do and the only way we can counter that, like with a parent/child relationship when the child throws the fit, is to not give in. Don't let these people win!

[@chanchan5349]

I think the problem is all the mixed messaging throughout the pandemic. MSM re-enforced the mask/shot mandates so that people began to believe it as “truth”. I heard someone last week lay blame on unvaccinated people because they caused stress/+infection on his wife ( they’re both older). Stunned disbelief was the main reaction from the group. No one wanted to engage, thankfully. But it just drove home the issue that our government failed all Americans by not actually looking for & learning “science” and then LEADING with good information.

[@glendahope2190]

There is always a “Karen” that wants to control others….so sad…

[@gorkyd7912]

@@jenner81 Just takes one person to say "we'd like you to stop attending for the safety of the vulnerable people you are claiming to want to protect, rather than irresponsibility expecting everyone else to be able to keep you safe."

[@TheNockingPoint]

Glad to see a top engineering and science-based school using data and logic to make decisions.

[@TheNockingPoint]

Congratulations and thank you to Cynthia Barnhart MIT's provost for announcing a policy that should be considered the blueprint of the new "Normal".

[@shirleykurtz]

MIT should teach our government pukes to use common sense if they want our respect!

[@thereissomecoolstuff]

I applaud MIT. I hope their policy is the boilerplate for corporate and educational groups.

[@hcentman]

Two years too late. So much for being smart

[@leonardchecchio1655]

Hospital systems are a good example of establishing clothing mandates including the color of scrubs that physicians, pas, RNs, Pcts. Administrative mandates are pervasive and not primarily related to patient safety. It’s about control.

[@saralotti7174]

It’s about Obedience. Obey or Else be disenfranchised.

[@gorkyd7912]

It's about professionalism and effective communication. Patient sees 10-20 different doctors / nurses through their stay. If they are in uniform this is fine, if they're all wearing street clothes the patient can't tell if the doctor is really their new doctor or is just someone who wandered over from the psyche ward and knows some of the lingo.

[@Humanaut.]

@@saralotti7174 Control and obedience are two sides of the same coin. Just like wetness and transparency are both qualities inseperable from water.

[@solveigmortensen2608]

Your analysis is so on point (the overall policy striving for equity). Getting into the weeds of our collective on-going covid policy transition and keeping it as reasonable and inclusive as possible-is a case of harm reduction within itself. While the world focuses on the Ukraine, it's wonderful that you continue to be a voice for sound policy making that is ANTI-discriminatory for all (unmasked AND masked). Thank you!

[@thomashauer6804]

We probably just have to tell the Herd that Russia has strict mask mandates too for police and others bc its a good control tool(like in China) . That will end the mandates everywhere in the west. . They are primed now to do the exact opposite of Putin (who is a complete psycho with no respect for human life ofc) It's really that simple with mainstream media and politics

[@healingfeelings7125]

I feel that we should be free to choose what is best for us. If you feel safe with a N 95 mask on every day at work from 8 to 10 hours a day, then do it! But why should I have to wear a mask if I am not worried? Question: Shouldn’t the N95 keep them safe along with their 3rd, 4th and 5th boosters! If they are afraid of getting sick? Just asking for a friend😁

[@thatguybill34]

Exactly

[@Love-np2rt]

💯❗

[@taravargo3268]

Boosters for life!!!

[@saralotti7174]

Chain link fences will never stop your mosquito bites😉🙉🙈🙊

[@kevino3129]

N95 masks are at best 40% effective. So a Vax gun with a 10 round magazine full of deadly viruses would kill you with the 6 good shots.

[@user-ch1bd8hb1l]

Thank you!!! Should have been this way since vaccines first became readily available. And AMEN to "feelings aren't facts" and "what has happened to public health... are we doing things because they actually work and lower risk? Are we doing things because they make people feel better? Or are we doing things because it's the polite thing to do?" Hallelujah!

[@jasonschubert6828]

Do they not see the irony in "wearing a mask" so everyone feels "comfortable" attending? 😆 Personally I wear the Emperor's New Mask. It does amazes me how many children point it out!

[@Luis-cr1tw]

I would actually get unconfortable

[@debbiestyer453]

It's also power hungry people who demand masks...virtue pressure...

[@marial3231]

The most threatening mentality to freedom

[@thereissomecoolstuff]

Masks ended 3/11 in Seattle. Went to the grocery store Tuesday afternoon. 90% still wearing masks including employees. Very disappointing.

[@RedHairdo]

Not in Hungary, thank God. I would say some 3% still wears it in its capital, Budapest.

[@RedHairdo]

Your place needs a FREEDOM CONVOY.

[@tahneeeubanks1452]

I'm in LA, they just ended for us too but people are still terrified. Kids are still voluntarily walking home from school in groups still masked up. Sigh...it's gonna take a while for some.

[@Boblib1970]

Well Seattle is full of whiny scared progressive leftist. In Pittsburgh, the further you get from the city and into the suburbs the fewer masks you see. Get as far south as Greene County and they haven't worn masks since summer of 2020. Go into Shadyside, the most liberal and progressive section of the city and 90% of people are still wearing masks. Outside. Go grocery shopping in Washington, Pa and 5% of people are wearing masks. Drive a half an hour north to Shadyside and 90% are wearing masks.

[@thereissomecoolstuff]

@@silentnot4812 that's to bad. The vaxxed should never fear the unvaxxed

[@jdenmark1287]

I personally think mandatory personal bubbles should be worn at all times, and as sexual activity is a known vector of viral and bacterial infections that should be strictly prohibited. Cars, planes, trains should be eliminated as they cause millions of deaths per year. No swimming or stairs either, those result in millions of deaths. We should eliminate birthdays, as most people die from complications of old age.

[@marylacapp7262]

Lol😂imagine that.

[@tallard666]

Yes!!!!!!!!!!! This is what the end of government mandates needs to be. A prohibition of such restrictions on a local level.

[@allankamen9875]

It was like this in Japan for much of the pandemic, especially with regards to vaccination which was optional and it was against the law to discriminate no matter what your personal decision.

[@Jay-mq6jh]

I believe that we need new lawful mechanisms to PROHIBIT people from losing their basic human rights EVER AGAIN. These new lawsNEED to be stronger than EXISTING laws, which clearly weren’t effective in preventing theses atrocities against our basic freedoms. Clearly the Nuremberg code is INADEQUATE.

[@WorldView22]

The current state of the academia, especially in the US and Canada, is pretty poor in regard to the overal level of education, hence such absurdities surface. There is a very significant - colossal actually - difference between education and training.

[@taravargo3268]

Those who can’t do… teach?

[@wakawaka1976]

Holy crap… MIT is about common sense, fairness, and freedom? Eh probably not but good on them for this.

[@Ark-Angel44]

Nailed it! You take care of you. Not my responsibility to take care of you unless it is an emergency.

[@CJinsoo]

at 3:36 so glad that you address the sophistry of the mandate cult. “Suppose wearing a mask could lower the chance of a butterfly dying in Brazil, even by 0.00001%, that’s measurable, then what?”

[@tallard666]

The feeling that they "feel" safe in face diapers must NOT be validated.

[@tahneeeubanks1452]

exactly!

[@damantx1]

My brother is convinced that cloth masks are the only way to save everyone. Oh, and vaccinate everyone regardless of their individual issues. He says if the vaccine didn’t hurt him, there’s no problem. He thinks I’m the crazy person.

[@Closertotruth2]

There are wayyyyy too many people like your brother. And we have the MSM and many politicians to blame for it.

[@damantx1]

@@Closertotruth2 I asked him what was the filtration rating on his cloth mask and he said if I don’t know how cloth masks work then I’m too stupid to be helped. The media can’t give these people that much confidence. It’s an illness.

[@taravargo3268]

Some people can’t even begin to walk a mile in a others shoes or begin to question things. It would bring too much chaos into their reality. Some people are also bullies and enjoy putting others down to feel better about themselves. Sounds like ur bro is a bit of both.

[@damantx1]

@@taravargo3268 he’s a major narcissist. The biggest problem is that he’s come to the conclusion that you can believe anything you want and that’s what matters. I’m not being hyperbolic. It’s what he told me is his reasoning for all his decision making. I can’t understand it at all. Particles are physical things………

[@marylacapp7262]

@@damantx1 l just had to laugh😂, so sorry what you are dealing with. Have similar stories.

[@bluebird6300]

Finally, a thinking group following "the science". 😆

[@dianeoliveras4372]

Treating people as individuals and let each person decide for themselves. That’s how it should be everywhere.

[@patticarey9016]

Kudos to the MIT provost So tired of this younger generation's elevation of feelings to a virtue. Get over yourself! "Facts don't care about your feelings." Ben Shapiro

[@petitecherie501]

Job well done, MIT Provost. May many other univerxities, schools, training centrrs, and businesses follow suit. Thanks once again, VP

[@remsavirempoker6876]

I recall a similar saying... Facts don't care about your feelings.

[@LilCraftyNook]

Yes! Please have respect for other peoples choices! That is all.

[@Cajundaddydave]

Bravo MIT! We are long overdue to restart the concepts of tolerance and forgiveness of others who look, think, and act differently than we do. Time to champion personal freedom of choice in health matters. Facts/feelings.

[@davidnannalockwood3133]

Awesome news. Hopefully other institutions of higher learning will sit up and take notice.

[@kristinaml143]

Great video!!! “Feelings aren’t facts” powerful!

[@claytonslade2366]

My company has a similar policy. There is a variety of mask use and everyone is respectful of each other. I keep some extra distance from the n95 wearers out of respect. Maybe they've got some special reason to be extra cautious. Most aren't wearing masks now and no even talks about masks or says anything to anyone regarding their mask choices. It is interesting to see the variety of practices between different masks being used and also when. Like some people do the "restaurant method" of wearing a mask while walking around but take it off at their desk. Some wear in meetings only, etc. The majority aren't wearing masks at all and it is refreshing to be heading back to normal.

[@OceanFrontVilla3]

The fear will slowly subside and hopefully will disappear before summer. The remainder will eventually follow the majority.

[@claytonslade2366]

@@OceanFrontVilla3 Yup. I already see it in the office. When people first return they're cautious. Then when they see that the office isn't some covid hotspot, they become more and more relaxed. I just hope we get some variant updated booster before Fall so I can continue to be totally care free.

[@OceanFrontVilla3]

@@claytonslade2366 Careful with these shots. The head of the European Medicines Agency gave a speech a few weeks ago wherein he acknowledged the more shots the more weakening of the immune system. I've had no shots and no covid and I'm 65. I do take a plethora of excellent supplements and I'm cautious but not sheltered.

[@adamaprimo9023]

@@OceanFrontVilla3 I'm suspicious of Covid Fear V coming to theatres right about then. Masks, boosts and lockdowns. I pray not.

[@claytonslade2366]

@@OceanFrontVilla3 Sorry but it is reckless for a 65 year old to still not be vaccinated. Also, most supplements just pass through uselessly...

[@kevinlyter589]

Thank God you're around, Dr. You are helping me keep my sanity seeing that rational people exist and are speaking out.

[@evilchaperone]

I wonder if MIT did a study on mask efficacy? Maybe they checked in with the military. Any basically trained sailor or marine knows that a paper mask is not going to stop a bio weapon.

[@maeton-gaming]

my absolute favorite in the past 2 years have been those videos of people wearing masks, and then exhaling a large lungful of vape smoke while "wearing the masks" it INSTANTLY snaps you out of the delusion.

[@Soundsaboutright42]

@@maeton-gaming I assumed when the whole "how to make your mask not fog your glasses" came out people also would of figured it out. That was very early on. I'm not sure what's worse, the plastic barriers around cash registers thinking it's doing anything, or masking. If they said a plastic bag would work, I guarantee you people would do it.

[@uforiia]

@@Soundsaboutright42 I think the plastic bag would certainly help the general population though, albeit maybe in another way

[@RedHairdo]

@@uforiia lol...

[@like2ROLL]

The military will be the last to drop mask mandates.

[@Ghanzo]

Those who are afraid could choose to wear a full hazmat suit and eliminate their risk completely.

[@dbiedler]

Thank you. Please keep up the good work on conversation about our social agreements, such as the extents / limits of each person’s responsibility for another person’s “feelings” and perceptions of risk.

[@alejandroo.4354]

People like yourself have been such a breath of fresh air. Thank you for being a microphone for reality orientation to this whole subject.

[@bkailua1224]

There should be no mandates about masks. IF you want a mask wear one, but don't tell anyone to wear one.

[@jasminecrandall2262]

“Facts don’t care about your feelings” is something Ben Shapiro has been saying for awhile now. This faction of safety culture with their safe spaces and pearl clutching, has so repulsed even the most liberal amongst us, that we are now finding merit in conservative talking points.

[@channelbitcoin21M]

I love you sir. Thanks for maintaining an objective and evidence based channel. You have helped many people during these difficult and propaganda-laden times.

[@villasoriano3329]

Logic, so refreshing 🙏

[@helenreich713]

Glad MIT is leading in this turbulent social issue. I’ve now heard several stories of ppl catching viruses while wearing N95s. One friend caught a cold in a strictly masked NYC grocery store. Nurses bullied by understaffed hospitals into returning to work after only 5 days of Covid isolation have infected each other. What happened here? I learned early on that N95 masks in hospitals need to be fitted properly. Who’s fitting everyone that needs an N95?

[@gorkyd7912]

It's virtually impossible to trace where a widespread illness came from for any active individual. When you say "a friend caught a cold in a strictly masked grocery store" I'm not saying it's implausible but people don't actually know where their colds came from. Just because there were other people with colds in that location doesn't mean that's where the cold came from. So unless this friend lived in that grocery store for 3 days without ever removing their mask, they have no idea where their cold came from. Could have come from a mouse that pees on their counter tops.

[@helenreich713]

@@gorkyd7912 Well, she said it was the only place she’d been…..it was in December when she wasn’t working…..she has two young cats, so probably the mouse theory wouldn’t fly…..maybe she caught it in the indoor public portion of her building, where masks are still required…..which would again imply that her N95 didn’t help her.

[@gorkyd7912]

@@helenreich713 Cats are known carriers, and it can be carried through ventilation systems if the building has forced air. But yea, N95 doesn't cover your eyes so you can definitely catch it while wearing one as long as contaminated droplets have become airborne some other way.

[@thecrazyandthewild]

Exactly! Thank you for saying all this. It keeps me sane. Have a great day

[@veronicaevans7723]

I’m so glad this is being discussed!

[@kennenhaas1317]

I had relished the idea that the "Trust the Experts" tribe would wear mask long after most forgot what Covid was. It seemed to me a sweet justice that their paranoia would be heaped back on them in recompence for what frivolity and irrationality they had heaped upon the world.

[@donackerman4529]

I love this because no science up front now leads to “science” afterwards. Thanks for thinking critically

[@virginicaanderson1569]

Great Barington declaration!

[@sufyb6432]

Argh! We've come full circle now and those who have held the power for two whole years are feeling that slip away. It had to happen sooner or later. Just like you said in a previous video, "Humans gonna human."

[@brandyhamilton8944]

The whole mask thing drives me crazy... both myself and my boss were faithfully wearing our n95 and yet I still got covid from her twice last year 🙃 😅

[@maeton-gaming]

because it DOESNT WORK Idk how to spell that out for you in ANY other way COVID was an artificially constructed biological agent designed specifically for one fucking reason: REGIME CHANGE. Lets play connect the dots: Moderna's CEO before he was moderna's CEO, worked at a company that oversaw the construction of... THE WUHAN LAB! WHOOPS! What about the fact the CIA popped off the weakest pandemic during the presidency of a guy they HATED and wanted to see gone and they KNEW he (trump) was a germophobe - I tell you, what better way to royally fuck with the system AND get the guy you hate to go along with the very plan designed to crush him???? And in my mind, this frame works well both ways. They really were prepared for both scenarios, trump winning again or losing. And because he lost, they were forced to bring out their hidden fire extinguiser called OMICRON.( omicron is not related to delta or other strains, it mysteriously just SHOWED UP in the genomic family tree). and BAM just like that, pandemic over. I still have some solid, SOLID questions that haven't been answered by the cunts in charge: why is a patented moderna gene sequence from 2017 show up in CV19?? Why is the all-cause mortality in 18-45yr olds SPIKE like all hell every time theres a jab push or a mass jab event?? Why were we lied to that the mRNA for the spike protein was not temporary and HAD the fucking change no matter how small, to transcribe into DNA? (found recently to transcribe in less than 24 hours to your livers DNA. ITS SO FUCKED) YEAH I have MORE questions But they have no answers.

[@TheLongAndNarrowPath]

@@maeton-gaming "fire extinguiser called OMICRON.( ******omicron is not related to delta or other strains***********, it mysteriously just SHOWED UP in the genomic family tree). and BAM just like that, pandemic over." that sounds interesting, what data do you have to support this point?

[@allankamen9875]

@@TheLongAndNarrowPath I believe there is actually a fairly decent amount of evidence that Omicron was another ancestral research strain that was created in the same lab system. I have heard it may have been released a few times BA.1 and BA.2 (which are quite different from each other) as the antidote to the original Alpha ---> Delta strains.

[@dreiineinemboot]

Earloop ffp2 are not really dense, get the better ones. I sit in a office with 15 people and did not get sick yet, I only take the mask down outside.

[@TheLongAndNarrowPath]

@@allankamen9875hypothetically, if someone in power was able to release a strain that acted almost as a vaccine, why would they do so when they are making so much money off vaccines? what incentive would they hypothetically have?

[@mamabear6799]

basically, there should have never been a mask mandate anywhere. ppl should have been allowed to make their own medical decisions from the very start. this is what happens when u allow ppl to dictate the medical decisions of others.. they actually feel emboldenend to continue this unacceptable behavior long after the “emergency” is over.

[@GetIntoTheBLACK]

Exactly! And more then emboldened they are freaking feel entitled at this point

[@johns7530]

When you apply critical thinking to what we've all seen the past 2 years, viruses go around anyway. I mean if 2/3 or more of the population has gotten Covid by now, it is obvious that whatever effectiveness masks have, it is very small and inconsequential. And nobody who is in some high risk group is going to ask the whole next generation of children to wear them on their behalf, for some tiny improvement in the chance that they won't contract Covid. There is no justification for any of this nonsense, we put up with it about 20 months too long.

[@kyle4449]

Fully support this. Need to see more policies like this implemented for vaccines as well. The rights to the individual should always outweigh collectivism.

[@Jay-mq6jh]

I believe that we need new lawful mechanisms to PROHIBIT people from losing their basic human rights EVER AGAIN. These new lawsNEED to be stronger than EXISTING laws, which clearly weren’t effective in preventing theses atrocities against our basic freedoms. Clearly the Nuremberg code is INADEQUATE. (Edited: further inadequate laws are, Constitutions, and Bills/Charters of rights. “NEVER AGAIN”.)

[@OceanFrontVilla3]

It's worse in Canada. We need a regime change and hopefully get that in the next election. Then we need our rights laws strengthened.

[@Jay-mq6jh]

@@OceanFrontVilla3 -I’m REALLY praying that we make some “amendments” in Canada. Ideally at least 2 of them.

[@Boblib1970]

Regarding the commentary starting at 6:00 ..... There's a TikTok-er "Laughterinlight" who is a PhD in Immunology who says that you should avoid being infected because of long covid and that the virus causes brain lesions and cardiac issues "among other things." Does anyone have any insight in to studies that quantify the prevalence and significance of these long term conditions?

[@bernadettelafave4710]

So good to hear what you have to say, again, Dr. Prasad !! Thank you !! ❤️

[@jimshibolth329]

Thank You Dr. Prasad for you open critical thought perspectives in the present face of skewed data, politics, and dishonest powerful governmental dogma and monitized science.. your well researched and referenced dialogue is so so needed to balance the excessive ego draconian opinions... MIT a bastion of wonerful minds.... the Provost " critically" thought leading by example formulating the updated mask policy..let hope other colleges... corporations and governmental update their mask policies accordingly..

[@emiliakristina]

What about questions of culture and society? Do we want to be a society where some people are masking out of fear perpetually? Masks are not simply an individual choice, they affect interactions and environments profoundly. It is difficult to communicate with a masked individual, for many reasons, and for some people (those with hearing problems, children, neuro-atypical) masks are incredible hindrances, no matter who wears them. Shouldn't we discourage wearing masks whenever possible so as not to impair social function and interactions? It is difficult for me, personally, to have a meeting where some or all of us are masked, it sends the wrong signals. And, frankly, I just don't want to live in a world where people think it's okay to hide their faces perpetually.

[@-astrangerontheinternet6687]

Yup.

[@OceanFrontVilla3]

Burkas anyone?😉

[@tomilu8313]

This is true I have a patient that comes in and is deaf. We no longer have to mask thankfully but she can only read lips. I was the only one who pulled my mask down to talk to her. Broke my heart

[@xraceboyex]

The entire point of the masks is to upset social norms and dehumanize people. Did you think the point was to stop nanoparticles with 100 thread count cloth? Why do you think China is so on board with masks? Its not for anyone's health lol. The less you see peoples faces the less you empathize with them. There's a reason theres so much focus on masking children when they're the least at-risk. They're grooming an entire generation for the next planned pandemic

[@garki1369]

I think this conundrum, generally speaking, is going to cause Balkanization in the West. People will simply choose to surround themselves with others that they can relate with and trust.

[@ccl005jn]

LOVE IT!! Should have been this way everywhere .

[@pdurham2458]

Dr. Prasad, it is a pleasure and an honor to listen to your well-reasoned assessments and suggested courses of action. As a member of academia, I can only imagine your frustration towards government, specific hospitals, universities, and colleagues, as you witness firsthand the nonsensical preaching and conclusions reached by establishments that once rightfully held the associative title of being referred to as "institutions of higher education", but have since morphed into something that has become unrecognizable. If today's events reflect PROGRESS and "building back better", then I vehemently assert that we embrace regress and "putting it back the way it was". Here in Riverside, CA., a city that I was once proud to claim as my residence, our deplorable mayor and city council are so proud of the huge George Floyd mural that was recently created downtown, followed by a fervent push towards establishing an equally massive "rainbow flag" to fly above city hall. My God!!!, the inmates truly have taken over the asylum! I don't disparage unity, but I sure as hell question sanity. Peace to you all and thank you to a most accomplished orator... Dr. Prasad. I would love to have a fraction of your cerebral processing power.

[@skirtonbear1]

YES, MIT!!! Go Provost! Keeping us free and respecting the intelligence of its own people!

[@stratcat3216]

Well put. We need more people to use their brains and not blindly follow the media circus of mis-information.

[@heatherfree5916]

Too much time has passed to enforce policies without evidence of effectiveness. My hospital just dooped us into being thankful we are back to being forced to wear surgical masks after being forced to wear cheap KN95 that were Ill fitting. At least we got visitors back

[@Annie-lu5rt]

A sensible and intelligent voice of reason. Thanks for all you do doc.

[@mikewiser9872]

Absolutely right on! Let me decide thank you!😎

[@thegamejunkie1]

Team VP

[@mathman2170]

Unfortunately, this issue has more to do with people who just can't let go of the opportunity to control others -- there's some sort of weird human tendency to not be happy with the idea that others don't see the world as they do, and they feel a need/urge/compulsion to aggress.

[@skylar1112]

I wish more doctors are like you. Some of them have lost their sense and have catered to feelings.

[@binaryguru]

Your health is your own responsibility, this policy makes the most sense!

[@markusgorelli5278]

8:34 you can improve upon n95 by going the whole gas mask canister thing. As the sayings goes, if a man compel you to go one mile, go two. Force the issue and point out that something fitting the entire face has a better fit than something that has to go around that pokey thing we have called a nose. (If your glasses are fogging up when you breathe then - hey evidence!) Let us then see how long any such policy can last.

[@jehuda100]

You bring up great points. As an MIT PhD graduate this one is especially interesting for me. I agree 100% with what you are saying. Two years ago it would be obvious but NOW people lost their logical thinking and run around scared by the authorities: Governments, Health authorities CDC & FDA in USA, News Media, Big teach & Social Media Censorship and Pharmaceutical companies that also indirectly use their huge profits to influence many agencies and organizations. Your presentations can be much better if you make them shorter and organize them better. PLEASE continue to make these videos. You are make great contributions and you are not scared of the false "Fact Checking" :-) . Just prepare these like you would do if you have just a 3 to a maximum of 8 minute of conference presentation. I had to do this. I am sure you do/did too. It takes way more work, but it worthwhile. This way MORE people will view your great thinking which would benefit the world. Thanks for your efforts and great thoughts.

[@rodiusmaximus]

I love that you covered the hypothetical case. It's so common for people to bring it up. And it soon leads to accusations of "oh you're anti-mask and anti-vax. My nanna died because of you." People who are at higher risk should take their own precautions, and as you said, not be required to go to meetings or even given appropriate sick leave. What did these vulnerable people do before the pandemic?

[@tropolite]

Let's get to the heart of the matter... Masks aren't termed CPE (Community Protection Equipment), it commonly referred to as PPE - PERSONAL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT... remember that term? If you feel the need to wear a mask, fine, wear one. But stop demanding others to wear one for YOUR benefit. You are only demanding others mask for YOUR POWER HUNGRY ATTITUDE. MASKS ARE PERSONAL PROTCTION EQUIPMENT - That's IT.

[@dawnhoughton4533]

But the CEO is demanding it. Only solution is to quit?

[@LonelyTreeSunset]

Finally some common sense. Someone's irrational fear is irrelevant.

[@DP-PhD]

This highlights a major for 'peer pressure' in lab environments and indeed research in general. In some situations an unwritten rule (which is thought to be a 'good thing') brings pressure to conform. Despite what is seem by some (often the 'leaders' PIs or 'key staff) as obvious advantages for everyone 'join in' and create a 'team spirit' the result is the opposite, creation of resentment etc. This then feeds in to the whole who do we 'hire process'?

[@jeremylaurence5636]

Exactly. Attend to your personal medical situation…do not offer your weak link as the standard for all.

[@donnasharkey2317]

Thank you for challenging me to think differently

[@keithkannenberg7414]

I'm amazed that a university is actually enacting a sensible policy like this. Maybe it's driven by fear of litigation but I'd like to think there's still a modicum of sanity in some of these institutions.

[@zolikoff]

My god man, what if someone is having OPEN SURGERY in the middle of the team meeting? Shouldn't everyone be forced to wear a mask then???

[@krizzleize]

100% Dr P. One could argue the polite thing to do is wear an N95 if you want so that others aren’t burdened to wear a mask they don’t want

[@blittleing]

Well thought out, and well put together. Thanks for sharing the news, with context.

[@nissman1753]

I had a dr appointment a couple of months ago, half way through the appointment and what seemed to be a good conversation he asked if I was vaccinated to which I replied “no”, he responded with “ why am I even in a room with you?”. Needless to say I was stunned. Welcome to Vancouver Canada haha I wish I could find a doc such as yourself!

[@daveyoung7523]

My wife works for the UC system and they are going to implement the same policy come April 10. Amen! Great podcast Dr. Prasad!