If masks make no difference whatsoever, why are we still telling kids to learn to cover their mouths when they sneeze?
No one has said they are perfect, only that they help, and from previous reports on the old thread there were studies that showed viral load mattered. How much virus one got exposed to seemed to make a difference in how bad they got the disease. This is likely why super spreaders are out there, both people and events.
I don’t understand that reasoning. If your mask is able to trap most of the virus particles from leaving the mask, why doesn’t your cloth mask protect you from the virus particles trying to enter your mask?
Because the particles that make it to you in the air are too small to be trapped by the mask. The hope is that many will get trapped with the larger stuff at the source. Not all will, but a lessened load seems to help.
ETA: The advice changed with the masks when it was realized that a lessened load helped. The size part was always known.
Haven’t any of you ever used a tissue to block your sneeze when you are around others? Why would you do that if you don’t believe providing a thin barrier such as a tissue would be effective in reducing those secretions?
You wearing a mask + me wearing a mask + social distancing is going the be best thing we can do to reduce (not eliminate) the chance of spreading this virus. And that is how we safely open up our society in absence of a vaccine or foolproof treatment.
Back from getting groceries. Huge difference in the number of people wearing masks - noticeable that many were not, which I found sad. I live in a red state and this issue of mask-wearing has really polarized our community. I don’t wear them when I go outside walking, but I definitely wear them in any enclosed space outside of my home, and I definitely don’t go anywhere besides the grocery store.
I have been going on hikes several times a week with my oldest son. We go to local state parks and public walking trails. I’d say about 20-25% of the people we encounter have had masks on recently. Some of these trails are pretty wide and people can easily pass by while maintaining social distancing. Some of these trails are narrow in areas but people have been really good about stepping off the side when others are approaching. It’s not perfect but for the most part it all seems people are being respectful. I’m not wearing a mask outside in these situations. I do occasionally hold my breath as people pass but not always. It’s funny how we react to different things.
Just to irk everyone , the governor of GA, highly recommends masks, but at the same time his quote yesterday as he opened more things (gathers to 25 people , bars and nightclubs included --how much fun is a nightclub with 25 people only , but I digress), and when asked about the numbers was cagey, and also said, that if the numbers went up he was not reversing the opening and that “we have to live with this virus”, or some quote like that.
Personally, I am happy to live in state with choice. I watch the numbers were I live. Certain Zip codes around me has not had any new cases or maybe 1 or 2 per week. My zip code has had a few more, and some attributed to nursing homes. One area saw increased numbers due to a graduation party. it would interesting to see how many from that event end up hospitalized or worse, since it was mostly teens., which I would hope are all self quarantining yet. So instead of looking at increased cases I am trying to look at hospitalizations and deaths. In my area of Atlanta (north of the city) since March there has been less than 30 deaths, mostly in the vulnerable age group.
I will continue to watch the numbers around me. If they were to go up I would scale back my activities. I wear my mask anytime indoors and around people (if by myself at the cat shelter I will take it off). As a matter of fact I had a dream last night I went somewhere and forgot my mask and got upset with myself. Interestingly I planning a road trip to the DC area in about two weeks to move D. Will be taking extra precautions along the way, bringing wipes, hand sanitizer, gloves, and masks.
We just used FedEx to notify the state of Maine that the unemployment claim supposedly filed by my husband was fraudulent. We wanted proof that the form was received so our company won’t be hit with increased unemployment insurance rates (in normal times, we wouldn’t be allowed to collect unemployment since we’re owners for the company, even though we’ve paid into the system for 21 years).
FedEx picked up the envelope Wednesday at 3 pm and the state signed for it at 8:30 Thursday morning. The cost was well worth it.
I appreciate all the information from you numbers geeks (I mean that in the kindest and most flattering way!!!). However, I am experiencing flashbacks to the high school word problem days…and it’s causing some PTSD 
As for masks. here is the current WHO recommendation…
. So…The WHO contradicts the CDC who has contradicted itself. Okay…got it.
I wear a mask as required. In my area where mask compliance is high I wear my cloth one with an inserted filter. In another area where there is belligerent non-mask wearing to an extraordinary high degree I wear my N95 with respirator valve. I figure I’m in more danger if no one else is wearing a mask and clearly they are unconcerned for themselves of others. Hence I’ll wear the one that protects ME the most - even though it supposedly offered no protection for others.
Another interesting article on COVID spread
https://www.ktvu.com/news/study-speculates-mixed-age-weekend-hangouts-may-increase-covid-19-deaths
Because it is gross to get hit by a booger or snot bobble.
The near-religious faith some have in the protective powers of mask wearing puzzles me in the absence of much scientific data to support that.
That seems to be a comment meant to fight, rather than contribute to knowledge. But it is not surprising that mask wearing, like other COVID-19-related topics, is now a partisan political fight, rather than a public health issue.
That masks are more to protect others than oneself is probably part of the reason for it now being a political fight. That masks are also associated with sometimes-disliked-and-scapegoated minority groups is also probably part of the reason.
So… covering one’s mouth blocks something?
I like your way of thinking!
I don’t want to wear a mask when I exercise by walking for an hour a day so I only walk a path where I know I can avoid being close to other people ( lucky to live in a suburban area with mostly empty streets.) The closest I have ever been to anyone during the six weeks I’ve been doing this is approximately 30 feet. I couldn’t indulge my preference not to wear a mask if I went to a prettier trail but for me the trade off of no mask is worth it. If I go anywhere with people like the grocery I wear a mask.
Not at all, @ucbalumbus. I am genuinely seeking scientific studies of the efficacy of mask wearing, since several reputable groups, such as WHO and the NE Journal of Medicine, have thrown substantial doubt on the issue. Do you have knowledge that can contribute to this discussion? I am surprised that you default to the old tropes that I must be either a Republican or a racist for questioning masks., For the record, I am neither.
I expect laws to have a rational relationship to a legitimate state interest ( so does the Supreme Court). So a bit of actual scientific evidence would help establish that. Do you have any? If we do not, why do we Not?
Ditto. My neighborhood has very wide streets. I haven’t come remotely close to anyone else.
I wear an N95 whenever I go into a store or work. I don’t have a problem with it, and it’s required in my state so… but I would not feel very comfortable with a homemade mask, bandana, etc. because it really doesn’t appear to do much good. Also, I am not within 6’ of anyone for more than a couple of minutes in any of those places. I do not wear one outside at all, but again I’m not within 6’ of anyone for extended periods of time. I do see some people wearing them when hiking, maybe 10%? I bought four N95s way back in the beginning of this and we had a few laying around because my husband is a DIYer of everything. We sent one to my niece who works with COVID patients at a hospital in MA.
Our amount of USPS mail received is way down. I don’t now why there should be delays or non delivered mail. We have had major issues with FedX. I’m not proud of the fact that I hung up on their CS twice because they literally could not tell me anything about a package that was out for delivery on a Wednesday and then disappeared from radar until the following Monday. I’m less patient than usual under covid restrictions (though I wasn’t very patient prior, lol)
I’ve noticed grocery prices are much higher in my area. I used to spend less than $200 a week for myself, husband, and son, though S was eating at work and school quite a bit. I’m now over $300 in every trip. My D is home now but still… I picked up a bunch of asparagus yesterday, saw it was $6, and put it back.
You keep repeating that you think people oppose masks because these people you refer to associate masks with Asians. But for some reason you don’t use the term “Asian” or any other term.
why?
Are these racists on this board? And if not, why keep bringing them up?
I feel like I’m at a bad Jeff Foxworthy show. “If you won’t wear a mask, you might be a racist.”
And it’s insulting.
In the California heat, it is just too uncomfortable to wear a mask while hiking. I wonder if spritzing a cloth mask with water would cause it to lose it’s effectiveness. It would provide some cooling.
But, I saw a short snippet of Dr. Fauci saying mask wearing is mostly a ‘gesture’ of ‘respect’ for others. So is he saying it is not really effective at preventing spread? Just sort of COVID theater?