Evidence is growing, but what will it take to prove masks slow the spread of COVID-19?

The Seattle Times ^ | August 10, 2020 | Sandi Doughton

[familyop]

To her, some of the most compelling evidence in favor of face masks comes from laboratory tests. A Florida team used mannequin heads to simulate coughing and sneezing and lasers to illuminate the tiny respiratory droplets believed to the main route of transmission. Without masks, the droplets traveled more than 8 feet. A stitched, double-layer cotton mask limited the spread to 2.5 inches...Another lab study...Yet another team used a bird flu virus as a stand in for the novel coronavirus and showed that even homemade paper and cloth masks could block penetration of more than 95 percent of virus-laden aerosols.

[familyop]

There's much more behind the link including mentions of case studies.

[TexasFreeper2009]

dont care if it slows it. It would slow the flu too, but we never cared about that!

LEAVE ME ALONE GOVERNMENT!!!

[Raycpa]

Let’s assume the masks are 95% effective. Given enough time and enough exposure to others, sooner or later I will infected.

[familyop]

Beind the link, there are also some interesting images from a study (2.5 inches vs. 8 feet).

[familyop]

"...0.7095% have been infected so far. That leaves only 99.2905% to go! :)" (in re. U.S. cases).

From this thread in reference to a table in the post above it.

[vigilante2]

What will it take to stop the spread of the bs

[P-Marlowe]

Number 1. They don’t work. They can make it worse.

Number 2. We don’t want to “slow the spread”. We want to get over it and return to normal. Slowing the spread just prolongs the process

Everyone is going to get exposed. If anything maybe we should accelerate the spread.

[no-to-illegals]

What will the next mandate be ?

[knarf]

There is NO evidence ... virtually impossible.

[AndyTheBear]

They say hindsight is 20/20...but it is only that way for those able to learn from mistakes.

We should have not tried to protect the general public at all, but only tried to isolate the elderly and others with a condition that makes them more at risk...while the rest of us let the disease trigger our T cells into action and built up immunity in our population. Then we could end the isolation of those at risk because there won't be anybody left to catch it from--the so-called "herd-immunity" will protect them.

Now I don't blame people for not following that plan from the start--since we didn't have the data then.

But now we have the fricken data, and its time to take of the damn masks and stop social distancing and get back to work, while isolating the elderly until we have herd-immunity.

[Yaelle]

This. If masks stopped the flu that kills thousands of elderly every winter, why were we not mandated to wear them then??? This is a freedom issue not a “do masks prevent droplets” issue.

It’s a Constitutional issue. Do we want a Daddy Gov attempting and failing to protect us from all bad things? Or do we want liberty to inform ourselves and make our own choices?

[FirstFlaBn]

An honest study would also look at the effects of contaminated masks being touched. Of course, there is no such thing as an honest study.

Does the supposed 2.5” virus spew through and around the mask somehow never fall onto the counter at Wendy’s or onto the rutabagas at Kroger?

[SteelPSUGOP]

I am a excellent driver. I wear a mask. I am an excellent driver to protect me, my passengers and my property. I wear a mask to protect me thereby protecting my family. I don’t give a rats ass if you wear one or not. I wear a mask because I expect some dumb@$$ to not be at all concerned.

Only a moron would think a mask doesn’t help protect you, but wearing a mask is a personal health care decision.

[familyop]

Agreed! But the election is coming up. We want those suburban voters to know that Trump voters care about them with the utmost gooshiness. ;) As long as they get outdoors (outdoors *without* masks in conservative states), get healthy and get to work for more productivity and higher GDP numbers...

[Fungi]

How did the “summer of love” work out for you? The Seattle Times, an adjunct of the Washington Compost.

[hawkaw]

It appears the science supports the wearing of a mask.

Instead of making up excuses, why not just say you don’t want to wear the mask.

I, like the vast majority of people, support the president’s strategy with wearing the mask on certain public places along with other public health measures such as hands washing.

[kaehurowing]

Mask It Or Casket

[familyop]

"Does the supposed 2.5” virus spew through and around the mask somehow never fall onto the counter at Wendy’s or onto the rutabagas at Kroger?"

Virus particles that fall to surfaces begin to deactivate. Wash the hands. Rinse the veggies. But as for fast food, those places have all kinds of especially nasty cooties. ;)

[McGruff]

[Secret Agent Man]

Slowing doesnt mean it stil cant circulate and hang around in the air for several hours, to be inhaled

Further not all mask are equal

So many wear the surgical masks that let 30% air out AND in

Plus the kaens walking around not wearing whatever they have properly to begin with but screaming at others for no mask