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And Joe Biden narrowly won the presidential election, eking out a coin flip win over Donald Trump.
this wasn't a close race, in my opnion. to say 'eking out a coin flip win' is pretty missleading if you ask me. Some states were close but electoral votes weren't really all that close... other elections have been much more contested.
So why the change?
not really that big of a change... they just tacted on a a thing at the end to try and get more people to comply.
People who are too selfish to wear masks to protect others might do so for their own safety.
I find this to be true. In a place where they are manditory people still don't wear them because they see no personal benifit. So if they do mainly protect others and only slightly protect you but you need people to comply for general health and saftey of the population and yet they still do ACTUALLY if only a little bit protect you, then why not say so! it's not a lie based on the info we have at the moment. I see nothing wrong with this at all.
But local police departments have generally avoided arresting people
why should people be arrested? when a simple ticket will do? the don't arrest people for jaywalking or speeding unless it is seriously endangering.
Seriously people – STOP BUYING MASKS! They are NOT effective in preventing general public from catching #Coronavirus, but if healthcare providers can’t get them to care for sick patients, it puts them and our communities at risk!
First this was SUPER EARLY in the pandemic when people still had very little idea of what was going on. We still have very little idea but it is slowly getting a bit clearer the more studies and test that are being done. But more importantly hospitals at that time didn't have access to mask. It was MORE important for healthcare workers to have access to them and by selfishly hoarding masks as was happening early in the pandemic it left hospital workers at a grater risk. And they aren't that effectve is preventing the general public from getting the disease. that is true, it is more about preventing the spread of the disease which are two seperate but important parts of the whole thing. I find the use of this tweet in the context that the author is using it to be both missleading and innacurate.
There’s no reason to be walking around with a mask. When you’re in the middle of an outbreak, wearing a mask might make people feel a little bit better and it might even block a droplet, but it’s not providing the perfect protection that people think that it is. And, often, there are unintended consequences — people keep fiddling with the mask and they keep touching their face.”
Another example of misrepresenting a quote. What Dr. Fauci is saying here is that wearing a mask can give someone a false sense of security. Just because you have a mask doesn't mean you won't get the disease and improper use of the mask (such as fiddling with it and continuing to touch your face) diminish what little effectiveness it has in protecting the wearer. (again masks are more about protecting others than protecting the wearer) This is all true and is important for those wearing masks to know. One: just because you have a mask doesn't mean you are safe, and Two: improper mask usage makes it less effective. Without the knowledge of these two things a wearer is more likely to engage in risky behaviour becuase they "think" they are basically immune, when in reality that isn't the case.
“WHO stands by recommendation to not wear masks if you are not sick or not caring for someone who is sick,”
again missleading. This was early on when there was a massive shortage of masks for healthcare workers. wearing a mask at that time or even telling people that they are important to wear would put WAY more people at risk because healthcare workers would be at a higher risk without access to important basic equipment. the average person who was at the time at a much lower risk for getting the disease who be keeping those in an already high risk group at greater risk. That however is no longer the case. We don't have the mask shortage we had at the beginning AND the number of cases isn't even close to where it was at this time, IT IS SOOOOO MUCH higher. so using what was said early on when the situation wasn't even at all a little bit like it is today to justify the authors opinion is bad writing and reasearch. This should have been obvious the writer but he has a point he wants to makes so it benfits him to ignore the fact that situation is very different than it was when this statement was made.
We know that wearing a mask outside health care facilities offers little, if any, protection from infection… In many cases, the desire for widespread masking is a reflexive reaction to anxiety over the pandemic.[1]
again this is stil true, it doen't protect the wearer much. It doesn't protect health care workers. They are meant to protect the people around the wearer.
Sure. The statement that masks outside hospitals offer “little if any protection from infection” was meant to encourage their use.
I mean I'm with him on that one. That was a bit silly of NEJoM They should have just stated what I have been saying. At the time it was WAY more important that medical professionals had them then the general public. but all of that changed pretty quick when shortages were no longer an issue and infection rates among the general public spiked (and yet were still WAY lower than the are currently.)
“Overnight, masks have become a symbol of social responsibility,” The New York Times wrote on April 10. “If you still need convincing, here’s why you now should be wearing a mask in public spaces.” Two months later, the Times cheerily offered “Tips for Making Your Mask Work.”
if the author is incable of seeing the reason for this flip then I am a bit suspect of his ablitly to properly analyze anything. But I will try to keep an open mind.
The Washington Post took slightly longer. On April 17, it called mask-wearing a “tough decision” and noted many states had originally enacted anti-mask laws to combat the Ku Klux Klan.
seems legit. I don't see what he thinks is the issue here.
Skin irritation from wearing personal protective equipment is a hazard already familiar to health-care providers working in settings where infection control is critical. Now
yeah! i get ance from my mask all the time. and it hurts and rubs my nose raw becase of how high I have to wear it so that y glasses don't fog up so bad. which is worse having a raw nose and ance or spreading the disease to potentially a bunch of other people?
“new research supports wearing masks to control coronavirus spread.”[2]
the link in the footnotes doesn't work so I don't know the research this is refering to but the author is not proving his point but he is proving mine. Early on when we knew less we thought different. New research came out and we adjusted our opinion. It is the SMART thing to do. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. With time a knowlege our opnions and beliefs should change and adapt with it. How can the author be so ignorant as to not see this when he is litterally writing to book on it 😂😂 He either is very unintelligent or purposefully writting this book not because he belives it but because the controvery of his opinion will sell books.
“follow the science” – a catchphrase repeated endlessly – and a sign of selfishness.
this is very true in germany. You should see some of the adds they came out with about people who don't wear masks. pretty shaming and rather shameful
The Washington Post went a step further, warning in September, “Some Covid-18 rule-breakers could be narcissists, experts say. Here’s how to approach them – ” as if people who’d decided to keep their faces uncovered were inherently dangerous.
If the science of the new study which I couldnt access is in fact true (something the author hasn't denied at this point) then yeah I agree. If its correct and you still don't wear a mask then it sounds a lot like narcissism to me. You don't wear a mask because you don't want to.
New research from Brazil has found that people who are unconcerned with adhering to measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 tend to display higher levels of traits associated with antisocial personality disorder, also known as sociopathy.
makes sense to me. If people are unconcerned about it then they probably have higher rates of socipothatic behavior. The key word in this is 'unconcerned' which is not all people who choose not to wear masks. So if you are unconcerned about the consiquences and harm you can do to others well that is sociopathic behaviour as defined by the word. I feel like he is attempting to make the other side look bad when you have to look at what was actually being said. He applies this to all people who don't wear masks but that is not what it was about.
The number of positive tests overstates the scope of the fall epidemic because the United States now tests more than 10 million people a week, far more than it did during the spring. Further, many positive tests represent people who had rather than currently have Sars-Cov-2 infections. (I may address the details of the issues around PCR tests in a future booklet; they are technical but crucially important.)
exactly! so if they is testing more people than it did before the effectiviness of masks isn't relflected in the numbers. again he is proving my point. or at least not proving his. Cases have risen in part at least because, even though more people are wearing masks, MANY more people are being tested than before. people are more aware of the need to be tested plus there are postive infection resluts from those who already had it. Also test have become more accurate since the inital ourbreaks.
But part of the increase in hospitalizations is real. And some regional hospital networks are under strain. The evidence is clear: the coronavirus is spreading faster in the United States than it has in months.
True. There are also more people who are activly ignoring the recommendations of mask wearing, socail distancing, and limiting the number of people we come in contact with etc. Where once people just stayed inside now they are activly protesting while meeting in large large numbers in the streets and not wearing masks. Also the knowlege has been gleaned that the virus spreads by so called super spreaders. Most people with the disease infect less than one other person whoever there are those with the disease who end up infecting a large number of people. And if masks help prevent you from spreading it then the logical conclusion is the small percentage of those who don't wear masks are likely the ones who are spreading the disease to a large number of people. If you look at it from this prespective then NOT wearing a mask makes you more likely to be a super spreader. Not that masks don't work. This is basic information that is already out there that he is choosing to ignore so he can make more money off this pandemic. Which is a very nasty thing to do. (either that or he is really so unintelligent he can't see this, which doesn't seem to be the case.
All by itself this fact should raise serious questions about how well masks prevent
Only if you ignore half of the facts so they can fit your preconcived notions.
How can that be, if masks work?
Because of all the stuff I mentioned above
The different measurement scales can be confusing.
In other words let me throw some science at you so you think I know what I am talking about but don’t worry if you don’t understand (in fact great!) I won’t make you think about it much. This is a standard writing technique used to confuse the reader and make the author seem more credible and knowledgeable so if something doesn’t make sense or add up they will trust the author and not themselves. I don’t remember the exact scientific term for it but it plays on our cognitive biases
All masks are not created equal,
Very true. also user error in the way masks are worn and used as well plays a role in thier effectiveness. Just because some masks are better than others doesn’t mean all masks are ineffective. Again that’s simple logic but he doesn’t want to see that. Since some are bad all are bad is the stance he wants to take?!?!
For a mask to provide decent protection,
Protection for who the wearer or others? Again masks are more about not spreading the disease they are way less so about protecting the wearer from getting it.
Technically, they aren’t called masks at all, but respirators.
So he is talking about protection for the wearer which is NOT the main reason masks are supposed to be worn he is making this book about the smaller less significant reason to wear mask which we know they are not that great for and completely choosing to ignore the main reason which is to protect others
(Surgical masks are often light blue and made of three layers.
These are known to be the worst for stopping the spread and for personal safety. Instead of saying they are ineffective therefore masks don’t work people need to be educated on the the ones that help (nothing is 100% effective and that should be taught to people as well) we should all strive for better masks and teach people how to use them rather then throw our hands up and say since a bunch of people are wearing bad masks and not using them properly and still believing they are basically now immune to the disease that means masks don’t work!
Most Americans now seem to wear cloth masks in public, though surgical masks are also common.)
Most of use don’t have access to n95 masks and the kn96 which have been made to replace them come from China. They did studies and many on the market at knockoffs that don’t work well at all. Almost everyone has access to cotton and when layered over 4 times and fit tightly to the face they work quite well according to some studies I have seen. Rather than say masks don’t work proper education on how they work is important. However that info is there and is mainstream. It’s a lazy argument the author is making here. If we educate about how to use them instead of throwing the baby or with the bath water is points would be moot.
“The respirator must fit the user’s face snugly (i.e., create a seal,” the Centers for Disease Control wrote in an advisory about masks in March. (https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2020/03/16/n95-preparedness/)
This is my point. Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water!
“when worn properly, N95 masks are suffocating, uncomfortable, and difficult to tolerate for long durations.”
This is true of any properly worn mask. But just because it is difficult doesn’t me it isn’t effective. They are difficult because they are effective. But during a time of pandemic we all must do things that are difficult to protect ourselves and MORE IMPORTANTLY those around us. It isn’t about us it is about being gentle and kind to other and doing our part
As a practical matter, if civilians are going to wear face coverings, they will be standard cloth or surgical masks. But the limitations of those masks were well documented long before the coronavirus epidemic.
Exactly so more education is needed not abandoning all reason because you don’t like something
In 2009, four researchers examined how well surgical masks worked to filter small particles, those of 1 micron (1000 nanometers) or less. Their conclusion: badly.
This is true! Surgical masks are not good for this they are not designed for this... but there are other good alternatives that are cheap, easy and fairly effective. Such as a tight cotton bandana. Cotton is good because of the 3D nature of the strands. Most synthetics are flat in nature, this having less surface area to catch particles. We have known this and it is easy information to find so you can make better decisions. I didn’t do any research before reading this. This is all info that came to me via news outlets (I did my own research but not for this book specifically, for my own education) there are ways to do it and people who wear masks actually share this info. This sounds like a justification to do what you want without thinking of others
In a paper called “Filtration Performance of FDA-Cleared Surgical Masks,” the scientists tested five surgical mask brands. Four of the five masks allowed 15 percent or more of 100-nanometer (virus-sized) to 1 micron-sized particles through. Two of the five allowed more than half of those particles through.
Surgical masks were designed to stop sweat and large droplets of saliva from falling into a patient during surgery not protect against viruses to the wearer. People who think they are effective are wrong but the need education not a justification to not wear a mask at all
surgical masks should not be used for respiratory protection
I agree!
The scientists found the surgical masks barely worked. Masks with ties filtered about 70 percent of small particles. Those with ear loops filtered less than 40 percent and often had “visible gaps between the face mask and the wearer.”
I agree, surgical masks are not good particularly if they give a false sense of security. But not all masks are bad.
Based on the pictures he saw of people wearing masks, about one person in four was wearing them wrongly,
Yes true. More people need to know how to wear them properly. Again he is throwing the baby out with the bath water
on encouraging people to stay at least six feet apart.[3]
any criticism of masks is off-limits in the coronavirus era.
This is completely untrue! I learned all about the effectiveness of some masks over other from mainstream media sources!!! What a bunch of BS!
In other words, we’re not going to tell you surgical masks don’t work – you can read.
These guys may not have said it but others have! Where does he come up with this bs?
Standard cloth and surgical masks offer next to no protection against virus-sized particles or small aerosols.
Yes it is true surgical masks as well as homemade masks are not very effective. We know this, but there are lots of things we can do to make homemade face coverings more effective. That doesn’t mean masks don’t work... it’s like if moss people used screwdrivers to hammer nails and you said since using a screwdriver doesn’t work than nothing to drive in a nail is even worth exploring. He even admits that n95 masks (the hammer of my analogy) DO work. And using a flat rock (a better though not the best alternative for those who can’t afford hammers) shouldn’t even be explored because screwdrivers are so ineffective. Added to that the studies that show the amount of the virus a person is exposed to correlates to how sick someone gets even if they are not very effective they would still have at least a minimal amount in keeping the wearer a bit healthier. But masks are not to protect the wearer but the though near the person with the mask. Not only they but they are just ONE tool in the tool box not the only one. Standing away from people while wearing a mask not touching their hands and washing yours often all help. Not a single one on its own is that great but when we use these things in conjunction with each other does the effectiveness increase over all. So a surgical mask, although not great in isolation is better than no mask particularly when other important safety measures are used as well
center on social distancing, wearing of face coverings while in proximity to others [emphasis added] and hand washing. For
Exactly what I was just saying.
physical distancing by 6 feet would not be helpful in an indoor setting,
True, which is why we have been asked to socially distance ourself. In other words you shouldn’t meet other people if you can help it, and don’t meet them indoors. When you do have to meet stand apart, wear a mask, wash your hands, and don’t shake theirs.
Such is the pressure to encourage mask wearing.
Nope! Actually the didn’t say it because wasn’t the point of that study. Also they are somewhat effective and quite effective if worn properly. Not 100% but still better than no mask at all, even surgical masks help, just very little particularly when compared to better masks
They urged people to keep windows open.
Another important tool
gold standard of evidence comes from what scientists and physicians call randomized
Actually meta-analysis of a variety of studies is considered to be better than just one randomized control study. Randomized control studies are good but not considered the best
So they can’t be sure what has caused the changes they see.
True, epidemiological studies are rife with misinformation as it is impossible to take all lifestyle factors into account
Nothing else comes close.
Again, not true, meta analysis is better because it looks at the good things and well as the flaws of a number of different studies and studies them (often with other studies performed in conjunction with the analysis)
And clinical trials consistently find that masks don’t protect people from respiratory viruses.
He stated earlier that N95 masks are very effective, often more than 99% effective. So no they don’t show that. They show certain types of masks are not effective. He can’t have it both ways. Either he is lying about the effectiveness on N95 (which I don’t think he is) or he is lying about what these studies say. Either way this statement is more than just misleading it is wrong
We did not find evidence that surgical-type face masks are effective in reducing laboratory-confirmed influenza transmission, either when worn by infected persons (source control) or by persons in the general community to reduce their susceptibility. [Emphasis added]
We already know this. But surgical masks are not the only masks. Also they were never designed to stop viruses. They were designed to stop sweat and saliva from the surgeon from dropping into a patients during surgery. They help prevent infections during surgery. Using them to stop a virus is like using a banana peal to protect your apples. That’s not what they are for. They protect bananas
suggests HCWs [health-care workers] should not use cloth masks as protection against respiratory infection… the physical properties of a cloth mask, reuse, the frequency and effectiveness of cleaning, and increased moisture retention, may potentially increase the infection risk for HCWs.
Again, don’t use a banana peel to protect your apples, use an apple peel. Unless he has some research on tightly fitting 4 layer cotton masks then he is still basically saying since these types don’t work then we should just do nothing. But it well known loose fitting surgical masks and loose fitting homemade masks are not great. But there are other alternatives
In a paper published on Nov. 18, Danish researchers reported on a trial that covered almost 5,000 people in Denmark in the spring. The trial was carefully designed and executed, with half the participants told to wear high-quality surgical masks and provided 50 for free. The other half were not asked to wear masks. Participants were followed for a month to see if they had been infected with Sars-Cov-2.
This is the study the other arrival you sent was referring to. As stated in my response to that, the only looked at protection to the wearer but the main point is to protect others. Even the authors of the paper warned against it being used to say they are ineffective at spreading the disease as they did not look at that aspect. But all the studies he is mentioning are looking at protection to the wearer (which is not great) but the reason we are being asked to wear masks in not for our own protection but for others. If he has actually read the study then he knows this and is choosing to ignore it. A dangerous thing to do when spreading misinformation that actually effects people’s lives
people in the masked group didn’t follow the rules, either. When they looked at only at participants who always wore masks, the researchers found an even smaller difference. Mask wearing “did not reduce, at conventional levels of statistical significance, the incidence of Sars-Cov-2 infection,” the authors wrote in their discussion.
Again, not the reason we should wear masks.
