3 ms·

Masks of the FFP2/N95 variety have great utility at protecting the wearer, even when not worn perfectly. This should be the main concern of every individual. G

by blub 6y ago

Masks of the FFP2/N95 variety have great utility at protecting the wearer, even when not worn perfectly. This should be the main concern of every individual. Governments can worry about whether they work en masse.

clairity 6y ago
no, the type of mask doesn’t matter. the situations where masks help are minimal and fleeting, and distancing (or natural dynamics) does the work in most common situations. moreover masks aren’t typically worn in situations where they’d actually be useful (around familiars, because less distance). those are (some of) the human dynamics involved, which nullify the potential utility of masks. masks are primarily palliative, political, tribal, and cargo-culted.
- blub 6y ago
  In Germany (and other countries) masks must be worn whenever distance can't be kept, so they are widely worn. Doctor's offices, public transport, work (typically not at one's desk), religious gatherings, retirement homes, etc. Many people are nowadays wearing FFP2 masks, which are available everywhere.
  - clairity 6y ago
    masks don't absolve individuals of situational awareness (and worrying about the type of mask is a non sequitur in this regard), as we each still need to understand the actual risks of various common situations, ignorance of which is what is driving infection rates, not flouting arbitrary masking rules. mask messaging makes that worse by masking (ha) the real, actionable information and issues. people have been relentlessly messaged to think that wearing a mask in public is all they need to do, but that's diametrically opposed to the real infection threats we typically face (e.g., people we know gathering privately). we shouldn't accept mindless rules from our "superiors", especially incorrect and politically motivated ones, but rather demand timely and correct information devoid of political intent, so that we can internalize the risks appropriately and act accordingly.

by blub 6y ago

clairity 6y ago

no, the type of mask doesn’t matter. the situations where masks help are minimal and fleeting, and distancing (or natural dynamics) does the work in most common situations. moreover masks aren’t typically worn in situations where they’d actually be useful (around familiars, because less distance). those are (some of) the human dynamics involved, which nullify the potential utility of masks. masks are primarily palliative, political, tribal, and cargo-culted.

blub 6y ago
In Germany (and other countries) masks must be worn whenever distance can't be kept, so they are widely worn. Doctor's offices, public transport, work (typically not at one's desk), religious gatherings, retirement homes, etc. Many people are nowadays wearing FFP2 masks, which are available everywhere.
- clairity 6y ago
  masks don't absolve individuals of situational awareness (and worrying about the type of mask is a non sequitur in this regard), as we each still need to understand the actual risks of various common situations, ignorance of which is what is driving infection rates, not flouting arbitrary masking rules. mask messaging makes that worse by masking (ha) the real, actionable information and issues. people have been relentlessly messaged to think that wearing a mask in public is all they need to do, but that's diametrically opposed to the real infection threats we typically face (e.g., people we know gathering privately). we shouldn't accept mindless rules from our "superiors", especially incorrect and politically motivated ones, but rather demand timely and correct information devoid of political intent, so that we can internalize the risks appropriately and act accordingly.