Different spin on the wearing of masks.

[PeterB]

rgG wrote:
[quote=Sam3]
Masks for all is not based on sound data, say these two experts on respiratory protection.

https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspect...sound-data

Sounds like best idea is to not bother with a mask and try and stay the 6' away from everyone when out, also to try to go out into a store type environment as little as possible.
Yep. Think of it this way: if you go out, you will always have some exposure, even with a mask. Masks would be great if they really for sure brought down the rates of infection, but this hasn't been proven. The CIDRAP folks make a few really good points:

1) Cloth masks didn't apparently help prevent spread of influenza during the 1918 outbreak. (The study that's referenced in the CIDRAP report makes the point that, in order for a cloth mask to be effective, you would have had so many layers that it would be nearly impossible to breathe through!)

2) Cloth / surgical masks didn't apparently help prevent spread of COVID in Hubei. If it had, we wouldn't be where we are right now.

3) Masks could potentially even increase rates of infection, through improper use and/or a false sense of protection.

If a mask prevents you from touching your face, great. But encouraging everyone to wear them, thinking that this will prevent transmission or acquisition, seems simply misguided and not based on solid science. THE most important thing right now is for everyone to self-isolate.