A) It isn’t clear what role aerosols play in transmission, but it’s certainly not the only way the virus is transmitted. Large respiratory droplets play at least a large role, if not the clear primary role (the current assumption). Distancing helps, but of course masks help as well.B) Just because some of the aerosolized vapors came through doesn’t mean some weren’t filtered. Even in the video, you can clearly see the difference between the medical/surgical masks and the cloth ones. The less virus that comes out, the less the ability to infect. Even if the masks just lower the momentum of the particles escaping (causing the droplets to fall to the floor or dissipate sooner, which is one of the reasons masks are recommended) but don’t actually prevent them from getting out, the potential to infect others is dramatically reduced.C) Not all aerosols are created equal.Masks and distancing *reduce* but do not *eliminate* transmission. That’s why people should wear masks, but not rely on them completely.
A new study by Simon Fraser University (SFU) researchers has found clear evidence that wearing a mask can have a significant impact on the spread of COVID-19. The researchers, from SFU’s Department of Economics, have determined that mask mandates are associated with a 25 per cent or larger weekly reduction in COVID-19 cases.The finding of their study, still in preprint and not yet peer-reviewed, conclude that mandating indoor masks nationwide in early July could have reduced the weekly number of new cases in Canada by 25 to 40 per cent in mid-August, which translates into 700 to 1,100 fewer cases per week.The study analysed the impact of mask mandates that were implemented across Ontario’s 34 Public Health Units (PHUs) over the course of two months.Researchers compared the results of PHUs that adopted mask mandates earlier to those that adopted mandates later. They determined that, in the first few weeks after their introduction, mask mandates were associated with an average weekly reduction of 25 to 31 per cent in newly diagnosed COVID-19 cases, relative to the trend in mask mandate absence, in July and August.A further Canada-wide analysis with province-level data found a significantly negative association between mask mandates and subsequent COVID-19 case growth – up to a 46 percent average reduction in weekly cases in the first several weeks after adoption.These results were supported by additional survey data that showed mask mandates increase self-reported mask usage in Canada by 30 percentage points, suggesting that the policy has a significant impact on behaviour.Jointly, these results suggest that mandating indoor mask wear in public places is a powerful policy measure to slow the spread of COVID-19, with little associated economic disruption in the short term.The study also found that relaxed restrictions on businesses and gatherings (including retail, restaurants and bars) were positively associated with subsequent COVID-19 case growth – a factor that could offset and obscure the health benefits of mask mandates.The most stringent restrictions on businesses and gatherings observed in the data were associated with a weekly decrease of 48 to 57 per cent in new cases, relative to the trend in the absence of restrictions.The study authors note that while the results are significant, their sample period does not allow them to definitively say whether the effect of mask mandates persists or weakens beyond the first few weeks after implementation. However, they conclude that, combined with other policy measures, mask mandates can be a potent policy tool for slowing the spread of COVID-19.
https://www.foxnews.com/travel/catching-covid-19-plane-wearing-mask-department-of-defense
It doesn't say how much of the risk is mitigated by masks.
As shown in Figure 17, the application of a mask provided significant protection against micron diameter droplets released during the cough simulations and reductions greater than 90% were measured.
Quotes in a signature is annoying, as it comes across as an independent post.
https://twitter.com/AlexBerenson/status/1317875526997102594
Flew the other dayI was going to buy sunflower seeds for the flight but I forgot, luckily i had mentos with me, was eating them nice and slowly for about a half hour with no mask
Chevreman! You showed 'em! Next time, pretend there's an engine fire so you can open the emergency exits, get a good breeze going at 20k feet.
Did I trigger you?
Yes, actually. My grandmother had to fly today. Also today, my wife's friend called her in tears. She's in the middle of treatment for breast cancer. Someone from our neighborhood decided that they didn't need to keep their kids home over shabbos while waiting for test results, or even tell anyone that they tested positive after the fact. I'm just tired of people taking "bishvili nivrah ha'olam" to extremes. But I'm glad you were comfortable for 30 minutes.
And if he ate a steak dinner for 30 minutes then it would be perfectly fine?