I've posted this here before, so sorry about that, but in this case I think it's just so important that I belive it's justified: The messaging around masks has

I've posted this here before, so sorry about that, but in this case I think it's just so important that I belive it's justified: The messaging around masks has been so aggravating to me that I got together with a couple of colleagues to write a detailed, scientific mini-review / commentary: https://medium.com/@matthiassamwald/promoting-simple-do-it-yourself-masks-an-urgent-intervention-for-covid-19-mitigation-14da4100f429 https://medium.com/@matthiassamwald/promoting-simple-do-it-y... The benefit of widespread mask usage by the general population is source control [0]. This works even if the person wearing the masks makes mistakes such as touching their face more while wearing the mask. Also, it should be obvious that there is no downside to wide-spread mask usage by the general population. The countries that have so far the most control over the virus' spread are the ones where wearing masks is normal and often done to protect others when sick. Importantly, if the goal is source control, then all sorts of makeshift mask designs can work. People in Japan and other countries are already getting really creative [2,3]. Of course, the problem that medical personnel might face even more shortages if everybody starts wearing medical grade masks is real and must be taken seriously. But that's not the only option we have. [0] One reference amongst many, this commentary in the Lancet: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)30520-1/fulltext https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6... [1] Compare growth rates here: https://studylib.net/coronavirus-growth https://studylib.net/coronavirus-growth [2] https://www.cottontimemagazine.com/page/10 https://www.cottontimemagazine.com/page/10 [3] https://mobile.twitter.com/nekohnd/status/1223686733654396928/photo/1 https://mobile.twitter.com/nekohnd/status/122368673365439692...