3 ms·
> A real mask acually protects the person using it. Specialized medical masks and careful usage can, yes. But even a cloth mask provides some benefit, and much
by JoshTriplett 6y ago
> A real mask acually protects the person using it.
Specialized medical masks and careful usage can, yes. But even a cloth mask provides some benefit, and much of the benefit is to others: your mask reduces the likelihood of your infecting others, their mask reduces the likelihood of them infecting you. There have been multiple analyses showing that non-specialized masks (e.g. cloth) provide some benefit, even though they're not a complete substitute for medical masks.
For some strange reason, this particular family of misinformation seems to have become both political and conspiracy-adjacent; it shouldn't be. There is little to no value in replaying the same arguments here, nor any value in a prolonged repetitive thread. It really shouldn't be necessary to have mandates to do things that ought to be common sense and basic decency, but such is the current state of the world, even when there's plenty of data to demonstrate the problem.
> This viral class never goes away.
https://ncase.me/covid-19/ https://ncase.me/covid-19/ - There are many things we can and should do, simultaneously, in a coordinated concerted way, to reduce impact, save lives, and put us on a path to eradicating it.
https://twitter.com/ASlavitt/status/1280283199445311488 https://twitter.com/ASlavitt/status/1280283199445311488
There's plenty more where those came from. There's valid reason to speculate how long this will take, and we should certainly plan for many scenarios including the worst. But there's no supporting evidence for such a confident assumption of "never", and even if that were true it still wouldn't justify blithely risking other people's lives.
> why not use a mask desinged for viruses instead of making medical decisions for other people
There aren't enough, they require a professional level of skill to use correctly, and in case you haven't seen pictures and videos of people using them, they're multi-layer armor, not just a simple mask. Also, the operative thing being protected against is droplets that carry the virus, not just the virus itself. See also secondhand smoke, vaccination, and other ways in which people are required to put up with minor inconveniences to protect the lives of others. And you absolutely have an option if you don't wear a mask: stay home. If you can't afford or find a mask, there are numerous people and places generously arranging to ensure everyone has access to some. Work towards a solution, rather than arguing why you should be able to be part of the problem.
- jakeogh 6y agoEradicating it? Really? It's crazy valuable, our response made it more so. It's only getting easier to engineer viruses. "some benefit" So do helmets. And banning smoking as you mentioned, kinda. And mandatory exercise. Heck fasting would offset the death stats in spades. Should I go on? What's your point? From the examples you listed, I must assume you are not for making these masks not desinged for viruses legally required. I dont think it will even remotely withstandand a Constutional challenge, but lets talk in the theoritical. Are you pro forced-medical procedures? If so, will you advocate using violence to do it? A _really_ interesting angle is when you consider the set intersection of the authortarians with the socalized medicine proponents. Why not talk about that CDC pdf? This is prob the last comment before I hit my limit, but I'll reply if given the chance when it resets.
- JoshTriplett 6y agoNot interested in entertaining conspiracy theories. If your response to "wear a mask to protect others" is "how dare you infringe my rights" rather than "how shall we work together to solve the problem", there's even less point in continuing this. Stay home. Plenty of states have banned smoking in public places; it isn't about not harming yourself, it's about not harming others. I'm absolutely in favor of "you must wear a mask indoors / around people / in public", as well as the absolute right of others to kick you out of places for not wearing one, and to otherwise treat you like a walking biohazard. Helmets aren't an operative analogy; those only protect yourself and have zero impact on others, so feel free to decide how much you value your skull.
- jakeogh 6y agohttps://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=15003606 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=15003606 Typical escape. It's the class of crime between n>1 people. Why not address that CDC pdf? I respect property rights, without them we have no property. Walking biohazard? You really think that helps your argument? Can you attach a stat to that? What % of unmasked walkers? ----Why not use the masks forever?---- You avoided the first and primary question. Helmets; why not say if you are for socalized medicine? I dont need to make the connection for you. States banning smoking with law was a mistake, property rights and voting with our $ were more than sufficent. I wont go somewhere if I dont like the enviroment.