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Masks Mandates Counterproductive. How Much More Data Do We Need?
American Thinker ^ | 04/10/2021 | Spike Hampson

Posted on 04/10/2021 5:57:32 PM PDT by SeekAndFind

On March 17, American Thinker posted an article entitled "Mask Mandates Do Not Save Lives." By comparing COVID death rates in states with no mask mandate to states in which masking was mandatory, the article was able to show that, on average, states in which masking was voluntary had lower death rates than states requiring it. The difference was marginal, so the conservative conclusion was that required masking had not saved lives.

Since that study did nothing to control for potentially confounding considerations like population density or age structure, more sophisticated studies of the question are in order. What it highlighted, however, is the ongoing failure of our governments to provide measurable evidence that masks save lives.

At the time that article was written, there were only ten states that had no mask mandates, but since then, seven additional states have lifted them. Those states have been heavily criticized for having done so. President Biden has referred to their decision as "Neanderthal thinking," and a great many high-profile people of a progressive bent have expressed dismay at such irresponsible behavior. However, no evidence has been brought forward to document the measured effectiveness of obligatory masking.

Masking might logically be expected to influence the death rate only indirectly. If masks diminish the appearance of new cases, then — other things being equal — fewer cases should mean fewer deaths.

On March 31, NPR posted an article entitled "How Severe is Your State's Coronavirus Outbreak?" It contains an interactive map that for each state allows the viewer to see the rate at which new COVID cases have appeared in the preceding week. The rate is expressed as the average daily number of new cases per 100,000 population.

(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...


TOPICS: Health/Medicine; Science; Society
KEYWORDS: biden; covid19; doublemasking; fauci; masks; masksmandate
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To: Whenifhow; null and void; aragorn; EnigmaticAnomaly; kalee; Kale; AZ .44 MAG; Baynative; bgill; ...

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21 posted on 04/10/2021 10:08:22 PM PDT by bitt (People who wonder if the glass is half empty or half full miss the point. The glass is refillable.)
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To: SeekAndFind

Screw masks. Screw vaccines. Screw the media. Screw Demoncats

Understand ?


22 posted on 04/10/2021 11:51:50 PM PDT by Truthoverpower (Fraud !!! Now we’re off the TRUMP TRAIN and on the Swamp express to communist hell !! TRUTH! )
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To: conservative98

I don’t do it while driving. It fogs up my glasses and obscures my view of the road and surroundings.


23 posted on 04/11/2021 3:45:09 AM PDT by Morpheus2009 (If you want me to be afraid, then be consistent in your logic, standards, and your lies!s)
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To: bitt; All

^


24 posted on 04/11/2021 4:38:06 AM PDT by PGalt (past peak civilization?)
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To: SeekAndFind
" My only question is this -- HAS THIS MAP TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION POPULAITON DENSITY? How close do people live relative to each other in these states? Wouldn't that be a factor?"

Indeed. While the article states, "Since this is all about state policy regarding masks, the states are equal in weight regardless of population size" this is misleading since population density along with median age and obesity are 3 main aspects that must be included for an objective analysis. Plus the # of cases does not necessarily correspond to the of deaths. Common sense tells us that masking will reduce transmission of any airborne contagion, and or at least reduce the viral load, all other aspects being equal, but such also raise blood pressure and stress, while fostering lack of exercise, and overall has a detrimental log-term effect on health, and should only be required for close social interaction inside, while encouraging getting outside. Exactly opposite shelter-in-place.

25 posted on 04/11/2021 6:57:36 AM PDT by daniel1212 (Turn to the Lord Jesus as a damned+destitute sinner, trust Him to save + be baptized + follow Him!)
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To: SeekAndFind
By comparing COVID death rates in states with no mask mandate to states in which masking was mandatory...

Two giant fallacies in this analysis.

1) States without mandates at the state level often have them at the county or city level. Florida may not have a mandate but Miami. Orlando and Tampa did.

Masks may become mandatory in communities with more spread. Mandates (or a lack of them) are a reaction to Covid cases, not the cause.

26 posted on 04/11/2021 7:08:00 AM PDT by semimojo
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To: conservative98
Personally, I will wear a mask as a courtesy in a store and to keep the mask Karens away.

Back when this whole thing started I tried, I honestly tried to wear a mask. I could not bring myself to do it. It was just so stupid. And it felt like a lie.

I have worn one when I was at the doctor. Where there was a possibility of a bacterial infection. Doc measured my blood oxygen, saw it was down in the 80s and growled at me to "Take that stupid thing off."

I just can not comply with stupidity. I know the arguments about being polite and I try usually but this was just a bridge to far.

If I get in trouble for it so be it.

I will not comply.

27 posted on 04/11/2021 8:24:38 AM PDT by Harmless Teddy Bear (May their path be strewn with Legos, may they step on them with bare feet until they repent. )
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