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Unfortunately there simply aren't enough masks produced in western countries. If governments directed factories to produce face masks, like they are currently d

Unfortunately there simply aren't enough masks produced in western countries. If governments directed factories to produce face masks, like they are currently doing for ventilators, then we could have enough. And I believe most people would actually wear them if they were widely available and governments directed it. It seems like that would cost less, and might also be more effective than shutting down half the economy?

tsimionescu 7y ago
If it were more effective, don't you think at least one country on earth would have thought of that? Masks may be able to help a little, but odds are good that if you're in a bus with an infected person coughing or sneezing, you'll be infected with or without a (regular surgical-style) mask. Those masks are almost entirely designed to keep stuff in, not to keep them out of your nose/mouth/eyes. The slightly reduced incidence of infection from direct contact would not at all affect the greatly increased incidence from much more frequent direct contact. Which is why no country is relying on it.
- SpicyLemonZest 7y ago
  Many countries did think of that. In most of East Asia, including Japan, many factories have been diverted to mask production and delivering masks to the general public has been a key government priority.
- catlifeonmars 7y ago
  The masks is more for the coughing/infected person to wear, although they help reduce transmission on either side.
- lovemenot 7y ago
  Think of widespread use of masks as a kind of surrogate herd immunity. Not as a surrogate vaccine. It's only effective in a statistical sense. But it is effective. I feel the crux of Japanese resilience (vis a vis Western) has been their tendency to consider and act in the group's interest, rather than in own interest. However, it's far from over and time will tell. Yesterday I saw many people doing hanami, cautiously.
- Reason077 7y ago
  > “Those masks are almost entirely designed to keep stuff in” “Keeping stuff in” is exactly the point. Covid-19 causes mild symptoms for most, so many people walk around infecting others without even realising it. Where there is widespread use of masks, transmission is greatly slowed/reduced. The point of wearing the mask is not only to protect yourself, but even more so to protect others in case you are infected.

tsimionescu 7y ago

If it were more effective, don't you think at least one country on earth would have thought of that? Masks may be able to help a little, but odds are good that if you're in a bus with an infected person coughing or sneezing, you'll be infected with or without a (regular surgical-style) mask. Those masks are almost entirely designed to keep stuff in, not to keep them out of your nose/mouth/eyes. The slightly reduced incidence of infection from direct contact would not at all affect the greatly increased incidence from much more frequent direct contact. Which is why no country is relying on it.

SpicyLemonZest 7y ago
Many countries did think of that. In most of East Asia, including Japan, many factories have been diverted to mask production and delivering masks to the general public has been a key government priority.
catlifeonmars 7y ago
The masks is more for the coughing/infected person to wear, although they help reduce transmission on either side.
lovemenot 7y ago
Think of widespread use of masks as a kind of surrogate herd immunity. Not as a surrogate vaccine. It's only effective in a statistical sense. But it is effective. I feel the crux of Japanese resilience (vis a vis Western) has been their tendency to consider and act in the group's interest, rather than in own interest. However, it's far from over and time will tell. Yesterday I saw many people doing hanami, cautiously.
Reason077 7y ago
> “Those masks are almost entirely designed to keep stuff in” “Keeping stuff in” is exactly the point. Covid-19 causes mild symptoms for most, so many people walk around infecting others without even realising it. Where there is widespread use of masks, transmission is greatly slowed/reduced. The point of wearing the mask is not only to protect yourself, but even more so to protect others in case you are infected.