My skepticism increased when I went to the CDC site to research masks. There was a lot of wearing a mask is good because ... we say it’s good, go to this page that says it’s good because ...
The first time I went, after digging deep into their site, they had a number of studies that showed masks caught droplets. Nothing about reducing the chance of catching Covid or lessening its severity.
The second time I went, months later, same thing. Masks catch droplets, nothing about whether this helped. And still nothing about the downside of masks - bacteria and reduced social interaction.
Months later, I went again. More on catching droplets. And one (one!) study with a weak conclusion masks might help.
The deadliest disease in the history of the world and they can’t do a study that definitively addresses the efficacy of masks. Five years later, I still haven’t seen such a study
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I waited a few months to see a specialist about a medical issue. I remember going back to my car after deciding to humor them if they were still requiring masks. To my surprise, not only were they requiring masks, but patients had to wear one of theirs. The cheap Chinese blue ones.
I refused to do so. A manager came out and made a token effort to convince me. I left without being seen. They never followed up to try to work something out.
On whether or not masks work on viral particles, I relied upon clean room engineers. Those guys know more about airborne contaminants than anybody. They found a properly fitted N-95 50% effective, at best. A surgical mask was good for no more than 10%. They’re good for stopping a sneeze into an open wound, but no more.