5%? 95%

I imagine those numbers were thrown around as an example. You have already mentioned other methods of potential transmission. But what if NOT wearing a mask caused 80% of new infections? (I have no idea what the real number might be. Arbitrarily giving a low benefit to show low benefit or a high benefit to show high benefit is just making up your mind and making the “data” fit the preconception.)

Any mask would catch SOME droplets.If a mask is thick enough, it will redirect your breath around the mask. Even though none made it through, the benefit would be reduced — whatever that benefit might be.

Directing the air downward rather than toward people should also help. (No scientific study, just rational thinking.)

Obviously the greatest benefit would involve filtered air drawn in inhale and then filtering the exhaled No virus getting in, no virus getting out. Throw in a hood and you have a clean suit type setting for the head and you also won’t touch eyes, mouth, nose. Just thinking of it makes your nose itch, though.

Failing that and assuming water droplets drop, it’s fun to imagine a snorkel with a tiny fan pulling air down from overhead (the taller, the better) and then another fan sucking out exhaled air and shoving it through a tube to the floor. Any sort of filtering would be preferred but the idea of pulling from where it isn’t and putting it where noses aren’t should mean a bit.

Most current transmissions seem likely to be folks getting together closely, talking, singing, sharing food and drink. It is usually possible to keep some distance between each other but it is hard to do when some of are so lovable and sociable.

The main driver is how much we actually care for each other, how much we are willing to risk their lives, how much we believe is possible. Some figure they are going to get infected anyway and the people around them are going to get infected anyway, so they should just speed things along. There is no proof this will happen. Few things are inevitable and you can’t catch what you aren’t exposed to.

Failing that, delaying infecting and being infected gives more time to look for effective treatments and vaccines. One of the obvious ways to avoid spreading the virus would be to speak less and more quietly. A mask or no mask doesn’t have to filter what isn’t there. Sneezes and coughs can be stifled or delayed..

Places using masks tended to have lower infection rates than places which didn’t. The masks were surely part of it. Possibly the attitude which would have them willing to undergo the nuisance is part of the whole attitude of trying.

David for good shields

there have been several families that did not take these precautions until one of their own got it. now they wear mask and etc and they are asking others to do so.

steve, I hope you and yours stay healthy. until it is proven to be totally noneffective I will wear a mask, wash my hands and practice social distancing. it can’t hurt.

Stay safe, stay home when possible, and for the love of God, PLEASE wear a mask!!!

They prefer to believe what some unqualified loudmouth said because it reinforces what they want to hear.

You may need to prescribe Steve some ointment for that burn he just received.

Addressing the issues with POOR use of the mask would if the mask were effective do more than just telling everyone to do it. If people heard they were only 5% effective 99% of people would stop using it..
Again address what is the true cause of the transmission and you will stop this.

Mask are not the answer alone. Figure the other 95% out and then you have something. I may not be a Doctor, but I do know a thing or 2.

Steve, I’ll be blunt: you are not qualified to make that statement. I am a Doctor and I couldn’t help but shake my head while reading this.

There have now been multiple peer-reviewed studies conducted proving that masks are effective at preventing transmission of COVID-19. While the exact efficacy of wearing masks is not known and can’t possibly be known, it is well worth our inconvenience to adorn masks in public. Even if the reduction in in transmission is only 5% we should wear masks in public settings to reduce the cumulative financial and medical cost on society.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1477893920302301

I remember when seatbelts were mandated–people were upset and asserted that the Government should not be dictating our lives. I can’t help but draw a comparison here.

Masks are no doubt annoying, but we won’t have to wear them forever and they will undoubtedly help us get through this faster if everyone gets on the same page.