Didn't y'all ride with the James Boys?

With all the hoo-ha about masks, I thought a little clarity might help. With some guidance from The Blonde, here's some things that could be helpful if you're concerned.

First do you understand what the mask's purpose is?

(go ahead, think about it, I'll wait)

The mask is to keep you from infecting other people. That's all. It's why they're made of paper.

That's right, paper.

They're there to trap your coughs and sneezes, not hold back anybody else's. That's why all these crochted and 15 layer and bandanna (hence the title) and custom cloth things are perhaps better than nothing, but not the real answer if you need protection. Also there's the fine print about bacteria vs viruses. Bacteria are 50 times the size of a virus.

There's also the idea of coverage. Your average mask covers nose, mouth, and chin.

What about eyes (aqueous matter)? Or eyebrows? Or hair?

If you are concerned or in a high risk group, consider a hazmat mask or one of those lucite ones that looks like a welder's mask.

Also, remember social distancing? 6 feet?

Saw a commercial that told the world droplets from a cough can travel 13 feet or more.

So why are we distancing? I guess regimentation starts early.

"Doctor to Start End-of-Life Practice in Berkeley"

NBC Bayarea.com:  As California's right-to-die law goes into effect Thursday, a Berkeley-based doctor will open one of the first practices in the state that specializes in end-of-life options.

"I think it's an important right for the patient to have at the end of their life to control the way they die," says Dr. Lonny Shavelson.

The new law will allow terminally ill patients who meet certain criteria to ask their doctor for a prescription for life-ending medication. But in the event the patient's doctor declines to participate, Shavelson will step in. He already has several appointments with patients to evaluate their situations.

"This needs to be a well thought out, carefully planned," he says. "It's not something you call on Tuesday and say, 'Doctor, I'm suffering,' and on Wednesday we give you a prescription."