The mask doesn’t prevent the spread, it just slows it. Look at the data from the various states about the effectiveness of lockdowns and mask mandates, they had a number of total cases per capita, they just had a flatter curve.
Pushing for masks made a ton of sense in the first couple years of the pandemic when hospitals were getting overrun, but wearing a mask today doesn’t really prevent anything. COVID is already endemic, so the best you’re going to do is increase the time between infections a bit.
When I got COVID last, I was on vacation and had to get home, so I tested myself as soon as I was able, self-quarantined as best I could, wore an N95 mask when I couldn’t, and put off unnecessary trips to the store. Once I had recovered, I went back to not wearing a mask. That’s how we should treat it. I do the same for colds, the flu, etc. I’m not wearing a mask unless I’m either sick or likely to be directly in contact with those who are at risk.
Catching water particles, which carries the virus.
N95 masks do a really good job (something like 80% reduction in transmission), but most people wear those typical surgical masks (or worse, a single-layer cloth mask with almost no protection) that merely reduces transmission by something like half. If you’re wearing a mask the whole day, it’ll get saturated and become far less effective. So, 50% fewer particles best case (average for a full day is likely way worse) doesn’t sound like a good tradeoff to me.
That said, if I’m going to an area with at-risk people, I’ll use the best mask available while I’m there. But for all-day usage, no, it’s not going to be that effective on net.
It doesn’t prevent transmission, it reduces transmission. You’ll have similar total numbers of infected people, it just flattens the curve so people get sick slower.
I totally agree that wearing masks has its place, but it’s not going to meaningfully reduce the spread, it’s already endemic so you’re likely going to get it regardless.
If you want a driving analogy, here you go. It’s like fast starts and stops between lights vs slower starts and stops, and everyone is going to the same place. Either way you’ll get to your destination in a similar amount of time, but the first can cause traffic bunching if enough people do it. The first is like not wearing a mask (people get sick all at once), and the second is like wearing a mask (smooth out the curve).
This analogy sucks in all kinds of ways, but there you go.
Flattening the curve was super important in the early stages of COVID because it reduced bunching at hospitals and gave researchers time to work on a vaccine. Now that it’s endemic, bunching is much less of a problem and symptoms are generally more mild anyway. If you’re sick or around those who are (or spend a lot of time with at-risk populations), wear a mask. If not, it’s basically a waste of time.
The mask doesn’t prevent the spread, it just slows it. Look at the data from the various states about the effectiveness of lockdowns and mask mandates, they had a number of total cases per capita, they just had a flatter curve.
Pushing for masks made a ton of sense in the first couple years of the pandemic when hospitals were getting overrun, but wearing a mask today doesn’t really prevent anything. COVID is already endemic, so the best you’re going to do is increase the time between infections a bit.
When I got COVID last, I was on vacation and had to get home, so I tested myself as soon as I was able, self-quarantined as best I could, wore an N95 mask when I couldn’t, and put off unnecessary trips to the store. Once I had recovered, I went back to not wearing a mask. That’s how we should treat it. I do the same for colds, the flu, etc. I’m not wearing a mask unless I’m either sick or likely to be directly in contact with those who are at risk.
what’s the mechanism by which masks slow the spread?
Really looking forward to this response if it ever comes.
We’ll you see the virus has just struggle through the fibers. It’s all very obvious you just have to engage in idiot thought processes.
You know, not to belittle anyone or anything. I would hate the moronic idiots to think I was making fun of them.
it’s exactly what you hope it is
Haha, thanks for the update.
Catching water particles, which carries the virus.
N95 masks do a really good job (something like 80% reduction in transmission), but most people wear those typical surgical masks (or worse, a single-layer cloth mask with almost no protection) that merely reduces transmission by something like half. If you’re wearing a mask the whole day, it’ll get saturated and become far less effective. So, 50% fewer particles best case (average for a full day is likely way worse) doesn’t sound like a good tradeoff to me.
That said, if I’m going to an area with at-risk people, I’ll use the best mask available while I’m there. But for all-day usage, no, it’s not going to be that effective on net.
so it slows the spread by…preventing transmission of the virus
fucking fabulous job, my dude
It doesn’t prevent transmission, it reduces transmission. You’ll have similar total numbers of infected people, it just flattens the curve so people get sick slower.
I totally agree that wearing masks has its place, but it’s not going to meaningfully reduce the spread, it’s already endemic so you’re likely going to get it regardless.
Did you know staying on your side of the road while driving doesn’t prevent accidents, it only delays them?
Did you know strawmen are fire hazards?
If you want a driving analogy, here you go. It’s like fast starts and stops between lights vs slower starts and stops, and everyone is going to the same place. Either way you’ll get to your destination in a similar amount of time, but the first can cause traffic bunching if enough people do it. The first is like not wearing a mask (people get sick all at once), and the second is like wearing a mask (smooth out the curve).
This analogy sucks in all kinds of ways, but there you go.
Flattening the curve was super important in the early stages of COVID because it reduced bunching at hospitals and gave researchers time to work on a vaccine. Now that it’s endemic, bunching is much less of a problem and symptoms are generally more mild anyway. If you’re sick or around those who are (or spend a lot of time with at-risk populations), wear a mask. If not, it’s basically a waste of time.
You’re part of the problem.