Reply to New 2022-2023 Covid Plan and Guidelines

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Reply to "New 2022-2023 Covid Plan and Guidelines"

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[quote=Anonymous]DP - to the pro-mask person - I'd just like to take this opportunity to point out you're trying to have a meaningful discussion with someone incapable of following a logical train of thought.  This is a common trait I've seen amongst anti-maskers, so keep this in mind.

Examples:

"We'll see. [b]1-[Cases are down 18% from their high three weeks ago in MoCo.  We're definitely trending toward being out of high transmission by the time school starts.[\b] [b]2-I'm sure your response (or the outcome you'll be rooting for)[\b] is that school will drive the numbers back up because [b]3 - you believe there's a connection between the two[\b]."

1 - Hasty Generalization and Post hoc ergo propter hoc.  Hasty Generalization occurs when making a claim about something without sufficient or unbiased evidence for the claim.  Post hoc ergo propter hoc occurs when someone assumes causality from an order of events.  In this case, the use of a percentage drop and likelihood of not being in high transmission by the time school starts as an indicator that no future events will occur at MCPS once unmasked students intermingle.  The generalization is whether past high transmission drops within the county correspond to transmission drops at MCPS.  However there is data that MCPS was the primary source of the January covid numbers within the county reporting dashboard and the uptick in non-MCPS numbers occurred AFTER the infections within MCPS.

2 - Ad Hominem.  Attacking a person, such as their identity or character, instead of attacking their actual position in an argument.  It reflects the character of the writer more than it really does undermine the target of the attack, since strong emotion is revealed (normally anger or hatred).

3 - Straw Man.  This logic fallacy sets up a false version of the opponent’s argument, and then works at knocking that down.  Most often used when the writer is unable to contradict factual information (in this case, that schools are sources of infection spread).

"[b]4 - If you agree the current situation with Covid isn’t temporary, yet you still want to reintroduce mask mandates given the current situation, then you seem to be saying you want mask mandates permanently.[\b] [b]5 - Otherwise what is going to be different a year or decade from now when Covid is still spreading at similar rates?[\b]"

4 - Loaded Question and Equivocation.  The Loaded Question fallacy occurs whenever a person asks a question which includes their desired outcome, against the position of the person answering the question.  Equivocation is to make an incorrect equivalence between words (or concepts that are at issue within the argument).  The conditions, timing, duration, and overall scope of masking are of relevance.

5 - False Dichotomy.  This occurs when the arguer is presenting only two possible options or outcomes to a position, when in reality there are more options.  In this case, the argument ignores potential health damage from infection or repeated infections, whether schools will be able to remain open if sufficient staff become ill, as well as contradicts the future state argument within #1 and #2.

"You’re saying you want a mask mandate now, [b]6 - despite high immunity and low case severity[\b], presumably due to the case rates. The selective pressure on viruses is to become more contagious over time, not less. So when are you suggesting that a mask mandate would be lifted?"

6 - False Information combined with Confirmation Bias.  Immunity is (a) variable based upon the variant, for example, current vaccinations are only partially effective against BA.275, BA.4, BA.5, etc. and (b) weakens over time.  Low case severity is relative to an individuals (a) number of re-infections, (b) overall immunity and health, (c) lack of long-term health effect data, etc.

I think the only top-10 logic errors missed were the ad verecundiam and argumentum ad populum.[/quote]

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