People discuss masks the wrong way. The science shows the mask is not going to prevent you from getting the virus. Eventually, everyone will get it. This is true.
The mask does lower the viral load you will get significantly so your infections are more likely to be mild and asymptomatic.
If everyone wore their masks and just carried on with life, it’s a good chance it would lead to herd immunity with everyone getting infected with a mild case like if you were exposed to a live vaccine almost.
This doesn’t work for the elderly and immunocompromised. They need N95 or lockdown at home.
Normal life for healthy people with masks and lockdowns for the sick and elderly.
They are coming out with a T Cell immunity blood test soon to screen for those likely to have asymptompatic or mild infections. These people probably don’t need masks.
“The mask does lower the viral load you will get significantly...”
Evidence?
BS. The whole mask thing is an attempt to dehumanize and stoke fear in the population. Just wear your mask... and get used to it, because the burqa is next.
I’d like it if public health were slightly less prized than freedom. Information about how masks can help, people working closely with the general public or patients all day should wear them, and everyone else should get the choice.
But, I suspect there's a chance the release of this weapon was not a mistake and that early word got out near Wuhan about the nature of the weapon. There were towns near Wuhan where citizens tore up the roads so people could NOT escape to their communities. If those early reports are true it supports the idea that 'word of mouth' (which is the only way to communicate safely in totalitarian hellholes) was active and frightened.
Also it seems odd Chinese thugs would research and steal ideas to create a somewhat mild flu like disease for a bio weapon unless it was part of a one-two punch strategy.
Mild cases likely would not lead to long lasting life time immunity. Considering that the majority of people who contact the virus get a mild case that argument for masks is faulty. But even a gradual build up of the immune system’s resistance to the virus is a good thing and does help build community immunity. Just as happens with certain strains of the flu.
The one size fits all approach to reducing the spread does not work and can be harmful to people who are not at high risk. There is no reason to wear a mask unless A: you are interacting (for more than a few minutes) with a person who is high risk and you cannot maintain a safe distance and/or B: You are high risk or live with a person who is high risk and you are in a crowded situation where you cannot avoid close contact with lots of different people. The same rules of precaution would apply to other respiratory viruses.
Be wary of reports of cases surging that do not show an increase of COVID caused deaths in low risk populations. That shows the reporting is an attempt to keep us in line. As for increase in hospitalizations I think it may be that doctors as a precaution are admitting those who are at very high risk even if their symptoms are mild. Much like an older person who tests positive for pneumonia after going to the doctor for a “bad cold” may be sent to the hospital to keep it from getting worse.
I think you’ve got a good plan
A mask won’t protect you from the virus.
It may prevent you from spreading it.
Maybe.
An N95 was never designed for anything but filtering dust. They only changed the usage allowance because they are made in mass quantities and were the only masks to be found back in March.