thedanNYC

I saw him some years ago. The massage was just okay, and it was strictly therapeutic. I didn't return, so I don't know if he's open to more once he's treated you for a while.

On 10/17/2023 at 10:45 PM, BuffaloKyle said:

Reading all the stories in this thread makes me really wanna try to get with a staff member next time I'm staying at a hotel. I think gay guys make great employees in hospitality because you have to be friendly, empathetic, and talkative which is something straight guys are not always the best at.

I vote you do it. We need some more sexy stories to read!

Y'all who'd like an intermission might squeeze in watching a long movie next time you're taking a break from...sightseeing....in Switzerland. Intermissions are still a thing there.

I have. 

Or....just have him come over if you're just looking for some quick action. 

@7829V Are we getting follow-up pictures of them legs (full torso on down preferable) for, um, medical/scientific follow-up purposes? 👀

6 hours ago, 7829V said:

I went to Kaiser, and they took some swabs from the affected area. It was a little painful but not that much. They'll send the samples to the lab to test for Monkey Pox and Herpes. The MD and the Nurse took all the precautions... wearing hazmat-like suits and they brought an air filter to the room, etc. It was too much I think. They even gave me an out of work order for 2 weeks 😳 but once they get the test results back, they can change it. It'll take 2-3 days for the results to be ready they said. I did ask for vaccines and they said they don't have them. They are very difficult to come by.

The more I read about Monkey pox, the more I think I don't have it. I don't have fever, I have a lot of energy, the rash is very localized, it is not painful or itchy... etc. But I think the MD was just taking abundant precautions. They took pictures and showed them to the Infectious Disease Expert and he said that it didn't look like Mpox, becuause they are usually bigger, but he wanted to still send the samples to the lab.

I can understand them taking precautions before they examined you. But the general practitioner should've been able to ease back and give you a bit of peace of mind once he (and the ID doctor) took a look at your quads. Instead he tested for MP and herpes, and then sent you on your way to isolation? That's just ridiculous.

I bet you your legs will be better by the time the results come back because your rash is neither MP nor herpes.

9 minutes ago, 7829V said:

Thanks for the comment. Did they tell you or do you know what triggered the foliculitis? 

Yes, the likeliest reason is friction from the massage on [our] furry legs + bacteria going into the follicles (from the masseur's hands, dirty sheets, etc).

In my case, I actually remember thinking that the sheets smelled a little funny and that my leg hairs were being pulled a lot.

1 hour ago, 7829V said:

A friend that is studying to become a dermatologist said that she thinks that is foliculitis.

I’ve no other symptoms. And it is very localized. 

That's exactly what I was going to post. Disclaimer: I'm not a medical doctor. But that looks like a classic case of folliculitis, which I also got soon after getting a massage. Wash the area with antibacterial soap, and it'll start clearing up on its own in a few days.

On 8/16/2022 at 8:39 PM, JonathanYVR said:

 

If you need PEP, ASAP is the correct answer but in any case, no more than 48-72 hours after the sexual encounter.

 

Very that. If you have a need for PEP after hours, you can generally go to an ER and get the first dose (and a few days' worth of pills) so that you can start treatment immediately while you fill the rest of the prescription.

On 7/27/2022 at 4:43 AM, BtmBearDad said:

So glad I re-discovered this thread! Always nice to get confirmed I’m not the only one engaging in such licentious behaviour! 😂

I’ve been fortunate in that I’ve managed to have a number of encounters thru the years with hotel staff. I thought I’d share one tale of my wanton ways with you gents! 

This one is a bit lengthy, I tried to edit it down, but there’s a lot of buildup, a lot of “am I reading this right” over 36 hours before we got sweaty. 

Some years ago, my travels for work brought me to what we called “Asia-Pac & Oceania” fairly frequently. Basically once a quarter I’d be out in region for 3-4 weeks, traveling between countries. This one trip, towards the end, I was in Singapore for about 4 days. I was then scheduled to head to Australia to round out the trip. I always added on about a week of PTO in Australia each time to enjoy the local talents so to speak, and was looking forward to it.

Anyway, I’m in Singapore, and the hotel I’m booked into has “butlers”, for a lack of a better word, assigned to each suite. You had the same gent for your entire stay - he’d be responsible for example, bringing you room service, taking care of any dry cleaning or laundry, ironing, extra towels, toiletries, items you forgot or ran out of, running errands if needed, unpacking, packing, etc.. The “butler” that trip I had had before - very nice, slightly built Asian gent. No attraction whatsoever on my part. 

My planned last day in Singapore, I finished up work about noon, and decided to make the short walk back to the hotel, and relax before the overnight flight to Sydney. Of course, it began to rain - and rain in Singapore in no joke. I picking up my pace, getting soaked, but I’m only a few minutes from the hotel. The forecourt had polished granite pavers in the drive, or something like that - whatever they were, they were slippery. I should have been walking in the footpath, but in my haste to get out of the rain, I cut thru the drive, and of course wiped out. 

Doorman, and staff come to my aid, get me up and into the lobby. I should add I have a bad back, so I knew it was fcuked then and there. Thankfully, I always travel with my muscle relaxants and pain killers - hoping with them, and a good night’s sleep I’d be OK in a few hours for the 8 hour flight to Sydney. It was a misery undressing, getting in the shower, getting into a robe. I decided to err on the side of caution, called the front desk to extend my stay, which thankfully they were able to, switched flights, rearranged things in Australia, etc.. Hotel was wonderful, offering to get a doctor for me, comping meals, and drinks. 

I popped my pills, dropped the robe, crawled into bed with a few moans and groans and hoped for the best. 

Come morning, I find I can’t even maneuver myself out of the bed. Ugh! I have no choice but to call the “butler” to ask for help. He knocks, I say come in, using the pass key he enters and what a surprise! Not the slightly built Asian gent - but a tall, younger, well muscled feast for the eyes. Oh my. He introduced himself as “Harry”, and reading my face said he was taking over for the other gent. He had a lovely voice, deep and with that particular accent one finds in Singapore - a kind of Asian-English accent - thick glossy hair, deep brown eyes, and his musculature was very evident thru the short sleeved uniform shirt/jacket he wore. To give a visual, think of the actor Jason Wong, but with a thick muscular build.

Now mind you, I’m naked under a sheet in bed, and I let him know due to my back, I needed help getting out. He flashed a dazzling smile “no problem”, strides over and is leaning on one knee on the bed over me, trying to maneuver me. I’m trying to hold on to the sheet to preserve some dignity, Harry noticed and said “don’t worry about that, it’s fine”. He gets me up, I realise he’s about 6’ maybe 6’1”, thank him, ask for the robe, and say I’m good now. I start to walk, really shuffle with a few grunts towards the bathroom, and Harry offers “don’t be silly, you need help” and proceeds to wrap his left arm around my upper back, taking my right hand in his right hand and slowly guides me to the bathroom. “Don’t worry, just go, I have you” I’m sure I turned 20 shades of red, but go I did as my hunky Singaporean “butler” held me up. Done, he stayed at my side as I washed my hands, brushed my teeth.

He suggested a shower to help my muscles relax, and without really waiting was ushering me to the walk in, adjusting the temps, and taking off my robe. At some point he removed his uniform top, so I’m being manhandled by this shirtless muscular younger guy into the shower. Harry tells to just brace myself against the wall, and he takes the handheld attachment, adjusts it to the pulse and directs it at my back. I will say it felt amazing, and I wouldn’t have been able to do it myself. He readjusted to regular shower and used that all over my body, front, back, top to bottom, reaching in to manoeuvre me as needed. All the while smiling saying “you’re doing well, just a few more minutes to make you feel fresh”. Well, ok. 

Shower done, I ask for a towel, but no, he towels me off. I try to protest, but he just smiles and tells me I’m clearly unable. Needless to say, this close contact started to have a effect. I just thought of anything to keep me down. I was obviously “plumped” but not fully “up”. Small mercies.

Harry walks me naked into the sitting room, gently lowers me onto a towel on the sofa, and goes into the bedroom to redress the bed, then comes to get me, asking if I wanted to wear anything, I’m struggling to keep “down”, so to end this I just said no, and he said “good, naked is better when you’re feeling poorly” with that smile again. 

He gets me in bed, propped up on a bunch of pillows, on his knees on the bed with me, arranging me. I’m both mortified, and incredibly turned on. He’s finally satisfied with how I’m situated, goes to the bathroom, comes out carrying his uniform top asking what else I need - OMG! When did my life turn into a porn film I’m thinking lol

I ask for my pills, he drops his top, goes and gets my pills, and says “these say to take with food, so tell me what you want to eat first, and I’ll give it to you”. Another OMG moment. Mind you he’s still walking around topless, and despite my pain, I’m having all sorts of naughty thoughts about Harry. I give him my order, he passes me the remote and phone, then kind of braces an arm against the headboard, leans over me to ask if I’ll be ok while he’s gone. As I’m admiring his muscles, I assure him I will be fine, thank him for all his attentiveness. He smiles, puts on his top, and says “it’s all part of the service”. 

He goes, I’m like “WTF just happened????”

Harry came back with the breakfast, nothing else happened then. He continued to check on me thru the day, helped me out of bed a few more times as needed. He’d even stay and chat a bit. Came to find he was getting his advanced degree, while working at the hotel, he asked about NYC, I asked about his life, etc.. A very nice, charming, and to my eyes, a hot young man. I’m now at this point convinced the back pain, wishful thinking, and my own mortification at the situation that morning totally coloured my interpretation of what was said, what happened. Ah well. Still some nice eye candy! 

These “butlers” normally go off duty at 7 or 8PM. He brought my dinner, I again thanked him for all his help, and wished him a good night. He smiled and said “good night? the manager said you were in a bad way, so he has me staying at the hotel tonight to be on call for you” Oh ok. Another visit or two, then lights out for me. 

Next day, I was feeling better, and was more ambulatory, but he insisted on helping me, so my morning ablutions were a repeat of the previous day’s.  He gets me back to bed, commenting on how I’m moving better, and says a massage would help. I thought he was right, asked who was available at the hotel, he just smiled raised his hands wiggling his fingers “you’re in luck, Harry’s magic fingers are all yours!” Oh my! He left, saying he’d be back with his supplies. 

Harry returns, moves me off the bed, says the bed will be fine as I wouldn’t be able to climb on the table yet. Gets a big bath sheet on the bed, helps me back on, face down. He takes his top off as I expected, then starts on his pants, he smiles, stops taking them off, says “is it okay I just don’t want to get any of oils or lotions on them” Carry on, Harry.

So picture it, me naked face down on the bed, hugging some pillows, this big muscular Singaporean now down to a tight, and a very well filled out pair of short black boxer briefs is basically straddling me. I will say, he knew what he was doing, and I told him so. He offered, at one point he thought of going into physical therapy, so he had training. I was fully “up” by the time he rolled me over, but he passed no comment. 

I pretty much ate, slept, watched TV, had visits from Harry the rest of the day. He said he was off duty that night, but front desk knows I may need help, so call if I do. I thanked him again, told I’m I’ll see you tomorrow, and to enjoy his night. He replied don’t worry, I’ll come see you before I go. I thought nothing, just thought he was being kind. 

Another attendant came to take away my dinner things, asked if I needed anything, and to call the front desk if I do. About an hour later there’s a knock, I call for them to come in, as I’m making my way from the bathroom to the sitting room, and it’s Harry - now in his “off duty” gear. Wow! Tight white tee shirt and trackie bottoms, with a gym bag over his shoulder. He looked delicious! 

He guided me back to bed, commenting on how much better I seemed to be doing. Without asking, and with no protest from me, he slid off my robe, and guided more than helped me into bed.

Harry sat on the edge of the bed, kind of facing me, legs spread - of course I looked and I would have bet my last dollar Harry was going commando. He said he was glad I was doing better, I joked that it was all due to his attentions the last 36 hours, and his magic fingers. He blushed a bit, said he was glad he was able to help. Then offered another massage. I said it wasn’t necessary, he was off duty, it was kind enough he stopped by to check on me, and I didn’t want to keep him from his plans. He came back with he had no plans, and if the first one helped, another might have me feeling better too. Lost in his eyes, how could I refuse? 

He guided me off the bed as he set everything up, I “assumed the position”, with head turned to observe him strip. Topless, he started taking his trackies off, then stopped and said “I’m not wearing pants - is it ok?” I’ll admit I was already thinking about what filled out his boxer briefs, so I joked since he’d seen all of me, it’s only fair he return the favour. He laughed, said thanks for being so cool, and off came the trackies. I think I may have gasped lol Very nicely proportioned. Thick, darker complected, uncut, nice dark balls, and all crowned with beautiful bush.

“Well, here we go!” I thought. Both naked, on the bed, he’s giving me another wonderful massage, enhanced by the fact he’s naked, and I’m feeling “him”. Of course I’m reacting, and thankful I’m on my stomach, but I am storing all images in my mind, enjoying every minute, every touch. 

This could have ended here, and it would have been one of the hottest romps with hotel staff. But Harry, as I found out later, had different ideas, and a very definite plan.

After 30 minutes working on my back, going much lower than the first time I might add, his magic fingers working my glutes, Harry totally throws me for a loop when he says, “I didn’t do your front this morning, roll over so I can do it now”. What?!? I am naked, fully erect in bed in a hotel with the hotel “butler” also naked straddling me, asking me to roll over??? I stammered, spluttered, don’t think I said anything intelligible, he leans over me bends close to my ear, I swear I felt his hard nipples on my back, and says “it’s ok bapa, me too, don’t be shy, let me see” as I felt his erection on me.

Oh God! I guess this is happening I thought, I exhaled, and I rolled over. Harry saw me, I saw Harry, and we were off!

Even with my lingering back pain, we were able to fuck, him topping, twice. He joked after the second time, “you can move better now, that first orgasm released endorphins to help you”. Indeed all thanks to you, Harry. 

I was in Singapore 2 more days, and both days Harry continued his ministrations to both of our mutual pleasure. I was smiling the entire 8 hour flight to Sydney. 

We did stay in touch - he was able to arrange his schedule to be my “butler” when I was in Singapore, and with no back problems on subsequent trips, we were able to leave the hotel, as well be a bit more adventurous in the hotel bed, and his own bed. 

Harry finished graduate school, and wound up relocating to London about 2 or so years later. I have seen him a number of times on trips there. He is now married a lovely Scottish guy - it was a bit jarring meeting the husband the first time, as we both remarked how similar we are in looks, build - clearly Harry has a type! Both have also made clear I’m Harry’s “free pass”. I was not going to argue with that!  

Harry turns 40 this year, and I’ll be in London for the party, and he’s planning a long weekend in NYC with me to celebrate some more. 

I thought after, and still on occasion ponder, if I had taken the car back to the hotel, if it hadn’t rained, if I stayed on the footpath, if I hadn’t fell, etc., I never would have met Harry, never would have had what is arguably my best time in Singapore, and wouldn’t have a great friendship with him to this day. 

TL;DR - businessman falls in Singapore, muscular Singaporean hotel staff massages him, fucks him, and they maintain friendship to this day. 

Again, apologies for the length! Hope you gents enjoy 😀

BBD 

Thanks for posting such a wonderful story! I hope to have some more stories of my own to share soon now that things are getting back to normal (monkeypox aside 🙈).

1 hour ago, MassageAdam said:

I feel dumb but what is lpsg?

It's a different forum on the interweb.

I trust you guys to keep my secret.

4 hours ago, Unicorn said:

At this time, it makes a lot more sense to ask for proof of immunization, rather than an antigen test. Antigen tests are fairly useless, unless they're done immediately before the meeting. As with HIV, a person is most contagious when the infection first takes hold, so a negative test that's even 24 hours old is pretty useless. And a person will test positive way after he's no longer contagious. With the currently prevalent Delta variant, even vaccinated people can transmit, but when they can the window is very short, and the load is smaller. Of course, best to avoid if you're in a high-risk population. 

5 hours ago, mike carey said:

We are in an adjustment period with this virus (one of probably many). We don't know whether pre-travel testing will remain a requirement, and if so 24 or 72 hours or some other time. We are also yet to find out if testing will be an entry requirement in other circumstances (either as well as or as an alternative to vaccination). Until that becomes clear testing opportunities will remain challenging, by cost, availability or timeliness, or some combination of the three.

If it becomes clear that tests will continue to be required I would expect the time interval eventually to be standardised and for testing labs to provide publicly accessible testing targeted at meeting the time requirement (and meeting requirements for the format of certificates to facilitate check-in), and for many governments to cap prices or provide a service themselves.

I haven't seen any self-administered tests here that are accepted for travel, but I have seen international travel tests at pathology labs for about $AU150 that can be linked to your passport, but they are targeted at meeting the 72 hour timing. I'm reluctant to book any US travel until it's clear I can find a US-accepted 24 hour test that also meets Australian departure test requirements. (For domestic travel that requires a negative test, which apply for some interstate travel but not all, a notice from one of the free state-run testing sites set up to do the normal community testing is acceptable.)

That's a key concern. Many countries' rules are constantly changing. When you're departing, some countries only have you comply with the rules of the country you're going to, other departure countries have you comply with their rules too. Some countries apply their rules to all arriving passengers even if they're only connecting there, while other don't depending on how long the layover is. 

So I wouldn't order test kits before understanding all applicable rules or too far ahead of the departure date in case those rules change.

As an aside, I've (unfortunately?) had to travel plenty since 2020. I've always been able to find affordable and timely in-person tests pretty easily. If anyone is abroad without a test kit and needs to figure out where to get an in-person test, I'd recommend: Googling > calling the US Embassy/Consulate > asking at a pharmacy > asking at a doctor's office > asking at a hospital. You'll likely get your answer without needing to go too far down the chain.

Edit to add: I just remembered that some airports offer quick tests that are valid for travel. So that may be a day-of-travel option depending on timing.

7 minutes ago, coriolis888 said:

You are correct, the masks are now cheap. 

Based on the below cited article, "more than five euros" was the initial price but now the prices have come down:

https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20210125-austria-makes-ffp2-masks-mandatory-in-shops-public-transport

I understand that you don't know the full context because you got your mask at the airport, where it was bound to be expensive. And you visited Austria only recently. But I spend a significant amount of time in Europe for personal and business reasons, and I've had to deal with these mandates extensively in several countries. So I'm very familiar with them.

It's important to note that the article you cited is from January 25, 2021, and it states: "Though often sold for more than 5 euros each just a few weeks ago, the masks, which block 94 percent of aerosols, can now be found at all grocery stores for 59 cents each. Elderly residents and low-income households received packs of free FFP2 masks last week." In other words, the masks have sold for less than one euro since at least January 25 (that's the "now" the article is referring to, not present day). That "now", by the way, also refers to when the N95 mask mandate was imposed.

That's consistent with what I said. The Austrian government didn't just impose a nonsensical mandate that forced people to buy 5-euro masks. Instead, it imposed a mandate to use masks that are as effective (but more expensive) as surgical masks and have been widely available for purchase for less than 1 euro.

What would reviewing a client even accomplish, I wonder? How many guys are out there giving out their actual cellphone number (instead of an easily replaceable burner/VoIP number) and real name? And out of those guys, how many would switch to using a burner number/fake name once they see they've been poorly reviewed?

I suppose reviews could help therapists/escorts when it comes to clients asking for in-calls, in which case a meaningful review would require disclosing clients' addresses (which is a safety issue).

11 minutes ago, Unicorn said:

Come on. Are you just being argumentative? It can make sense to require EITHER, but, since they're equally effective, not allowing the far less expensive and far more comfortable mask obviously is nonsensical. Yes, one would have to do a study to find out for sure if people are more likely to repeatedly reuse a mask which costs 1 Euro instead of 10 cents, but there is no reason to forbid the surgical masks in the first place. 

Of course, I'd argue that in a setting in which everyone's vaccination status is proven to be positive, a masking requirement is overkill to begin with--but that's a whole other discussion. 

Not at all. You said the Austrian government wasn't relying on science when choosing to mandate the use of N95s, and I pointed out that they in fact had relied on science given that you explained that N95s are as effective as surgical masks. In other words, they chose an effective mask type.

35 minutes ago, thedanNYC said:

 

Well, if N95s are as effective as surgical masks, then there's as much scientific reason for requiring N95s as there is for requiring surgical masks. N95s are easy to purchase in Austria for less than a Euro each, cheaper if you buy in bulk. So it seems like your issue is that Austria is requiring use of the more expensive of the two equally effective mask types. That's fair, but it doesn't establish that Austria didn't rely on science when choosing which mask type to require that people use.

Whether that price difference is driving people to reuse N95s more than they would reuse surgical masks is something we don't know. That seems to be a feeling or intuition, rather than science (lighthearted poke there, couldn't resist). 

I conceded the fact that it is fair to be against choosing the more expensive option, but that has nothing to do with science. That's a separate issue. That's all I'm saying.

8 minutes ago, coriolis888 said:

I reported upthread that I recently returned to the U.S. on Austrian Airlines.  At check in, I was told that the thin blue mask I was wearing (that most people wear in the U.S. and elsewhere) are not acceptable.  I was directed to one of the stores just past security at the airport to purchase an N95 mask.  

The masks are not "less than a euro each" rather, they are six euros and are not sold in bulk at the airport stores.  I did not check in town to see what the bulk prices are.  

In the the U.S. I would not wear such a tight fitting mask.  I had to wear the mask for ten hours on the airplane and when I got to the U.S., my ears were sore and tender because of the tight fitting loops that hold the mask to the face.  

 

The masks are absolutely less than a Euro each outside the airport, where everything is significantly cheaper.

21 minutes ago, Unicorn said:

What Austria did wrong was to rely on feelings or intuition, rather than on science, or someone who was familiar with the science, from guiding their legislative action (assuming it's true that N95 masks are required in Austria, which I haven't independently verified, but I think that's what we're discussing). If the goal is to prevent spread of the Covid-19 virus, there is no "reason" to require N95's, if by reason we mean "the power of the mind to think, understand, and form judgments by a process of logic," rather than "a cause, explanation, or justification for an action or event."

Not only is there no evidence that N95's are better at preventing Covid-19 transmission, there's actually evidence that it does NOT. To require something that's not only many times more expensive, but also many times less comfortable with no reason whatsoever, is obviously highly irrational. Given their high cost, I imagine that most people who'd use them would try to keep reusing them for as long as possible, and might even be more likely to pull them down to cough or sneeze (since otherwise you'd be stuck in a tight-fitting sack of mucous). 

Well, if N95s are as effective as surgical masks, then there's as much scientific reason for requiring N95s as there is for requiring surgical masks. N95s are easy to purchase in Austria for less than a Euro each, cheaper if you buy in bulk. So it seems like your issue is that Austria is requiring use of the more expensive of the two equally effective mask types. That's fair, but it doesn't establish that Austria didn't rely on science when choosing which mask type to require that people use.

Whether that price difference is driving people to reuse N95s more than they would reuse surgical masks is something we don't know. That seems to be a feeling or intuition, rather than science (lighthearted poke there, couldn't resist). 

11 minutes ago, Unicorn said:

I'm sorry I have failed to explain some basic technical terms, which may have led to confusion. First of all, is the term "significant." In science, "significant" means that there is less than a 5% chance that the findings are due to chance (hopefully one gets to 1%, but 5% will do for one randomized clinical trial, though generally meta-analyses require much higher standards, since they pool data from multiple studies). It's not the same as "important," meaning useful in real life. A difference can be statistically significant, if the sample size (number of people studied) is large enough, without being important. In other words, if you study enough people, you can find real, but very tiny differences. 

If someone claims that N95's are better than surgical masks, it's up to that person to provide evidence that there's a difference, not the other way around. However, in this case, multiple studies have looked at that question, and none of them have found a difference. Even when adding up all of the studies, there's still no evidence. Since adding up lots of studies involves a very large number of people, a meta-analysis is powered to find even very small differences. So if there is any difference, it's too miniscule to be measured.

When I say "fitted," I don't mean just trying it on like you're in a clothing store to see if it fits you. When I was a practicing physician, I (and other doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists, and so on) would periodically have to go in for fitting. This involved having a hood put over my head and having bitter aerosols pumped in to make sure I couldn't smell or taste the bitter substance, indicating that particular shape of N95 was right for me. 

I would hope that lawmakers would make policies based on what scientists say and what science demonstrates rather than on their own personal intuitive feelings or on what Aaron Rodgers would say. This has not been the case for Austria. 

Thanks for taking the time to write this explanation. I'm willing to accept your representation that studies have found no difference in how protective N95s and surgical masks are, which would mean they are interchangeable. If that's the case, what is it you think Austria did wrong here? Is it that you think surgical masks should be allowed because they're more comfortable and cheaper than N95s, or some other reason? Or is it that you've found a source suggesting that Austria's mask mandate requires an acceptable type of mask (i.e., N95s, which are just as effective as surgical masks), but they did it for the wrong reasons?

7 hours ago, Unicorn said:

Actually, I'm not sure you fully understand. There is no scientific evidence that N95 masks are more effective than surgical masks at decreasing the spread of the virus. Even if they were, those masks have to be professionally fitted. You can't just buy one of the shelf and assume it's the proper fit. Finally, I can't imagine lasting a long plane flight wearing those masks. They make me sweat like a bandit under there and are extremely uncomfortable. If you know of a scientific study I've missed, however, please provide the reference.

This is from a study which was a meta-analysis, the highest level of evidence available (combines the data from multiple randomized clinical trials):

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32246890/

"Conclusions: Low certainty evidence suggests that medical masks and N95 respirators offer similar protection against viral respiratory infection including coronavirus in healthcare workers during non-aerosol-generating care. "

https://www.medscape.com/answers/2500114-197511/are-surgical-facemasks-more-effective-than-n95-masks-in-preventing-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19

"...the authors concluded that surgical facemasks could prevent the transmission of human coronaviruses and influenza when worn by symptomatic persons and that this may have implications in controlling the spread of COVID-19. [143]

In a 2016 systematic review and meta-analysis, Smith et al found that N95 respirators did not confer a significant advantage over surgical masks in protecting healthcare workers from transmissible acute respiratory infections."

I'm not a doctor, so I don't follow the research on PPE. So I'll start by saying that my post is not meant to suggest you're wrong about the science (especially given that I couldn't access full copies of the articles you referenced).

Instead, I want to focus on policymaking. I highlighted a few key words in the quotes you posted to point out that non-aerosol-generating care is not the same context as people talking, sneezing, coughing, etc. in a crowded supermarket; that surgical masks could prevent Covid transmission such that they may help with controlling the pandemic doesn't need to be understood by policymakers as meaning that surgical masks are as good as N95 masks (or good-enough masks period); and that N95 masks not conferring a significant advantage over surgical masks doesn't mean that policymakers don't have grounds to choose to pursue what little advantage N95 masks may provide. 

Also, nobody is getting their masks professionally fitted. And, as a physician, you know first-hand that a surgical mask and an N95 mask simply fit differently out of the box, with the N95 having a much tighter fit around the face (especially after you pinch in the nose clip). Also, asking people to wear N95 masks sets a standard that ensures everyone is using the same kind of protective mask. Those are just a few reasons why Austria's policy can make sense to people like @coriolis888. 

Having said that, I understand where you're coming from believing that Austria's policy doesn't make sense unless someone can pull up a study explicitly saying that N95 masks are (significantly?) more protective than surgical masks. But I think most people would agree that state/local rules in America allowing people to wear whatever they think the word "mask" means is not rooted in science (either?). In that context, Austria's policy makes more sense to me than America's when it comes to squeezing out every (possible?) benefit out of a mask mandate.

On 11/27/2021 at 5:10 PM, tassojunior said:

While Austria is mandating vaccines for all, next-door Switzerland is voting tomorrow (Sunday) in a nation-wide referendum on whether to do away with vaccine and lockdown requirements. It should be a fair view of how the people feel. 

If a new variant is resistant to the present covid vaccines and also doesn't help prevent serious cases, then vaccines are still going to be required as virtue signaling (ie: to show you're not a Republican), as flimsy masks are now. 10% of the 600 passengers from two planes in Amsterdam tested positive last night even though I assume most were vaccinated. Hopefully the vaccines are still effective at preventing serious cases, like they are with Delta. 

Just to close this loop, 62% of voters backed the Covid law. So it will remain in force.

A rejection of the Covid law would've have certainly crippled the government's ability to manage the pandemic, especially because the current requirement to show a corona certificate for indoor activities (e.g., indoor dining, gyms) would've been struck down.

Hi, hardworking mods and admins. My web browser's tabs display a blue and orange "M4M" icon on all tabs in which I have a forum page open. Might you consider, if possible, making it so that something else is displayed? It'd be nice to keep all my "M4M" activities a bit more private in case someone looks at my screen when I have the forum open in the background.

8 hours ago, BSR said:

"foolish, sad comment"?  Maybe it was just a joke.  At least that's the way I took it.

A base model Tesla X with self-steering but no other options is $55,000, top of the line & loaded is $69,000.  No, not a Bentayga, or even a Mercedes S Class, but not a Toyota Corolla either. 

Yes, of course it was a joke. You displayed something called common sense.

9 hours ago, Benjamin_Nicholas said:

What a foolish, sad comment. 

We're talking an X... Not an Bentyaga. 

What's foolish and sad is wasting time calling a comment foolish and sad, especially a comment that was not directed at you.

As suggested above, "expensive" and "rich" are relative terms. So you might think that buying a model X doesn't suggest someone is "rich", but someone else can think that buying a model X suggests someone is "rich". I hope that venting that nasty comment, whic doesn't even make a point that invalidates my post/joke, made you feel better about whatever issues you had going on yesterday.

8 hours ago, WilliamM said:

He is one of the nicest people here.

I know. And my comment didn't say anything to the contrary in any case.