Originally Posted by
jimcav
I find it somewhat frustrating that over 300k deaths into this, there are still any defenses posited for NOT wearing a mask. A mask by definition is not a respirator, and so it doesn't offer complete protection, but the data are clear on the use of masks versus not using masks for reducing transmission. There is so much virus now circulating that it is now much easier to catch it, and that cumulative 15 minutes over 8 hours of exposure is a true concern.
My county had a lot of ICU beds, yet we still went steadily toward the state 15% available and then from 15% beds available to under 3% in about a week. That happens because people are still roaming around breathing out virus for others to breath in.
It is inexplicable to me how with CGI etc they can't create better PSA on wearing masks AND keeping distance. Wearing a mask doesn't mean it is okay to sit next to someone, or stand shoulder-to-shoulder.
The DOSE (amount) of virus you are exposed to matters. A mask helps limit what escapes from you to others, more than it protects what you breath in. I've seen so many respiratory-fit-tests in the navy it isn't funny, and seeing the "smoke" they used for fit testing drives it home: it follows the path of least resistance and goes into the person around the RESPIRATOR edges if the fit isn't perfect, and with a mask it isn't even close to a respirator seal. You might as well be surprised that placing a 3-ft high wall of sand bags around 2/3 of your house didn't stop 2-ft high floodwater from reaching your house. Of course, there aren't enough N95 to go around, let alone ensure proper fit--meaning most of us we are all at some risk. That risk isn't likely personal for most of us, we will be the asymptomatic, the mildly ill, maybe even a few of us will deal with some lingering "long haul "issues, but we are part of the chain of transmission that has put 300,000 americans in the ground--on the way to half a million. Is that number just so big people just have to sigh and say "oh well, I miss seeing my team, my bar stool, my dance floor, etc"? It is bad enough how many people HAVE to be in public, interacting, without giving the virus more avenues to spread.
Which is not to say give up, it screams to me now more than ever WE all need to do WHAT YOU CAN to break transmission. Please WEAR a mask, and stay AWAY from people as much as possible, even with a mask.
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