Masks are a great study in the difference between efficacy and effectiveness. Under ideal conditions, mask show varying levels of efficacy under ideal conditions. But we don't live in ideal conditions and their effectiveness to stop community level spread is appears to be essentially zero. As you note, they can be effective in very specific conditions when properly fitted and used correctly, but other than that it is pandemic theater.
My story on risk compensation. In April 2021, our regions emerged from lockdown and people flocked to restaurants. There were long lineups and maintain :social distancing" was almost impossible. I ended up getting too close to a man in front of me, which caused him to completely freak out. The reason - he was battling cancer and was immunocompromised, yet there he was in a large crowd of people thinking that his surgical mask was going to protect him from an infection. It took me some self control to stop from pointing that if he was concerned about getting sick, he should be isolating. But our public health authorities had sold people on the idea that a leaky moist face covering would offer protection.
Exactly and I have a few stories very similar and it was always absurd. One was the woman who freaked out in line, then ended up sitting next to me at the sushi bar, literally half the distance of the line, literally shoulder to shoulder and she had no qualms of pulling her mask off there and chowing down on raw fish…. It was mind-numbing!
Interesting that masks had such a symbolic function. On one side, pro-social, on the other, authoritarian. And now we have AI and data centres providing a symbolic battleground where the facts are equally obfuscated by feelings.
Awesome and thanks. It recently triggered a bunch of anti maskers because it highlights how they do work and has triggered always maskers because they don't work. I feel that means I hit the target 🤓🤪
I appreciate you sharing this. It confirms my thinking as well as the actions* that my pod of friends who are over 50yo, my family, and I took. We are still taking precautions and my family and I wear masks when not at home. We’ve not had COVID and, of the group, only one couple who took some risks with their family members, got it.
*Researched masks for correct/best kind and wore/used appropriately when going out or with people, agreed to avoid being inside in groups and to limit interactions with those outside of our pod/families, met outdoors or in well-ventilated spaces. We mostly stayed home during the ‘pandemic’ and used FaceTime and Google Meet to keep in touch. When vaccines became available and after research and conversations with healthcare providers, we were vaccinated and are boosted.
Other comment, it’s unfortunate folks don’t understand how to respect what ‘freedom’ means and how to make it work for all.
Masks are a great study in the difference between efficacy and effectiveness. Under ideal conditions, mask show varying levels of efficacy under ideal conditions. But we don't live in ideal conditions and their effectiveness to stop community level spread is appears to be essentially zero. As you note, they can be effective in very specific conditions when properly fitted and used correctly, but other than that it is pandemic theater.
My story on risk compensation. In April 2021, our regions emerged from lockdown and people flocked to restaurants. There were long lineups and maintain :social distancing" was almost impossible. I ended up getting too close to a man in front of me, which caused him to completely freak out. The reason - he was battling cancer and was immunocompromised, yet there he was in a large crowd of people thinking that his surgical mask was going to protect him from an infection. It took me some self control to stop from pointing that if he was concerned about getting sick, he should be isolating. But our public health authorities had sold people on the idea that a leaky moist face covering would offer protection.
Exactly and I have a few stories very similar and it was always absurd. One was the woman who freaked out in line, then ended up sitting next to me at the sushi bar, literally half the distance of the line, literally shoulder to shoulder and she had no qualms of pulling her mask off there and chowing down on raw fish…. It was mind-numbing!
I agree that masks work but for different reasons from you.
Virology ispseudoscience. Attempts to scientifically demonstrate contagion have failed (documented in the book Can You Catch a Cold).
Masks keep the illusion alive.
Interesting that masks had such a symbolic function. On one side, pro-social, on the other, authoritarian. And now we have AI and data centres providing a symbolic battleground where the facts are equally obfuscated by feelings.
Great point! The topic changes but the behavior remains the same.
Incredibly comprehensive and well-researched post. Perfect example of why I’m such a fan of your work.
Awesome and thanks. It recently triggered a bunch of anti maskers because it highlights how they do work and has triggered always maskers because they don't work. I feel that means I hit the target 🤓🤪
Hahah 👊🏻
I appreciate you sharing this. It confirms my thinking as well as the actions* that my pod of friends who are over 50yo, my family, and I took. We are still taking precautions and my family and I wear masks when not at home. We’ve not had COVID and, of the group, only one couple who took some risks with their family members, got it.
*Researched masks for correct/best kind and wore/used appropriately when going out or with people, agreed to avoid being inside in groups and to limit interactions with those outside of our pod/families, met outdoors or in well-ventilated spaces. We mostly stayed home during the ‘pandemic’ and used FaceTime and Google Meet to keep in touch. When vaccines became available and after research and conversations with healthcare providers, we were vaccinated and are boosted.
Other comment, it’s unfortunate folks don’t understand how to respect what ‘freedom’ means and how to make it work for all.
Nice and good to hear!