> if mask mandates only slow the growth of asymptomatic cases, they are quite useless from a health perspective If mask mandates slow the growth of asymptomati

> if mask mandates only slow the growth of asymptomatic cases, they are quite useless from a health perspective If mask mandates slow the growth of asymptomatic cases, the R number must be lower. As we all should know by now, reducing R is a good target, as the difference between R > 1 and R < 1 is profound, and R is thought to be close enough to 1 that measures taking place can make that difference. This is very useful from a health perspective.