Ok thanks. Those links are new this thread - you must have posted them on a different one.
You are right that there are elements of science involved with this conversation. What size particles typically result from coughing, sneezing, talking, breathing? How far do they travel? How long can the virus live in them at various temperatures? What particles get blocked by masks of various materials and construction?
But the question of whether masks are effective in responding to a virus goes way beyond the physics of particle transmission and filtration.
There are deep divisions among scientists regarding whether preventing exposure should even be the primary goal. Perhaps we should only wear masks around the very sick and the very old.
Big Pharma’s ability to create an effective vaccine pales by comparison to the human body’s proven ability to create antibodies - and natural immunity. It has allowed us to coexist with millions of potentially deadly microbes through our entire evolution. Exposure to the healthy majority of the population is required to develop natural immunity.
Should we bet on Big Pharma to save us, and artificially block the natural process of building immunity in the population? This is still an open question.
The scientific method is built around questions and assumptions. A real scientist would never be caught uttering Al Gore’s term “settled science.
Leftists like Al Gore always invoke science when trying to force their regulations on the citizens, and anyone who resists is called ignorant.
Let’s not make the same mistake.
Which is precisely why you will never hear me utter that phrase....but....when I see things that absolutely contradict known science, I "will" post the counter data if I have it.
As you say, the development of "herd immunity" is essential in the absence of a vaccine, and we have to do it. Use of masks, distancing, and good hand/face hygiene allow us some degree of control over how fast that happens. For the COVID, we had NO previous data on how it might behave. Now we do. From the newer information, we now know that the COVID "is" wildly contagious, but not nearly as lethal as was first feared, though bad enough.
"In my opinion", I'd like to see a new "mask meme" take root...."if you have cold or flu symptoms, even very slight...wear a mask if you can't stay home". This would save lives just during regular flu season for flu variants we have no vaccines for, and protect vulnerable groups (who should ALSO be wearing masks). Not because the government mandates it, but because it IS "the right thing to do".
Should we bet on Big Pharma to save us, and artificially block the natural process of building immunity in the population? This is still an open question. The scientific method is built around questions and assumptions. A real scientist would never be caught uttering Al Gore’s term “settled science.
Leftists like Al Gore always invoke science when trying to force their regulations on the citizens, and anyone who resists is called ignorant.
Let’s not make the same mistake.
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yes, sir.