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Proper mask wearing and replacement, understanding how masks work—all the things I observe in every study concerning masks as prevention for COVID and yet almo

Proper mask wearing and replacement, understanding how masks work—all the things I observe in every study concerning masks as prevention for COVID and yet almost never in real life. (FWIW I wear a mask, except when I only have a used cheap surgical one and almost nobody around is wearing a mask correctly. I’m not doing society any good by getting sick from breathing in whatever badness has stuck in the mask during use, and I can't save the situation by being the one person properly wearing a mask.)

azinman2 5y ago
Many mask studies are based upon the real world in the field, such as the Bangladesh one, as well as the Korean subway study elsewhere linked to. So it's simply not true that all of these are somehow in lab only. I have no idea what mask behavior is like where you are, but it's known that masks are asymmetric -- they prevent transmission better than they prevent catching COVID (unless N95). But that doesn't mean you wearing one is 0% effective.. it's still a diminished amount. It also gives an example for behavior for others for them to emulate. Certain regions (like SF for the most part) have very good adherence on average. You also do the most important duty -- significantly reduce transmission from you to others! What better thing could you do to 'save the situation' than prevent covid? If you're concerned that your mask previously had covid on it, then you should use a different mask next time and either throw the previous one away, wait for the virus to die, or otherwise disinfect it depending on the mask type.
- strogonoff 5y ago
  Rest assured, I believe if 90%+ of people consistently wore masks properly when among other people we’d have no problem getting rid of COVID. However, it’s unrealistic. People will skip masks at home (even though they risk getting infected by asymptomatic members of the family), people won’t wear masks properly, etc. > Many mask studies are based upon the real world in the field, such as the Bangladesh one In Bangladesh study: > For roughly half the 600 villages, we intervened by promoting mask usage: We gave every family in each village at least three masks — one per adult, cloth or surgical — and distributed masks in public spaces, including markets. We enlisted eminent local figures to explain why wearing masks can help slow viral transmission — providing imams with scripts to be read during religious services, for instance. Local leaders also modeled proper mask-wearing. We then sent observers into public spaces to note any changes in behavior. > We cross-randomized mask type (cloth vs. surgical) and promotion strategies at the village and household level. Proper mask-wearing increased from 13.3% in the control group to 42.3% in the intervention arm (adjusted percentage point difference = 0.29 [0.26, 0.31]). > After piloting, we settled on a core intervention package that combined household mask distribution with communication about the value of mask-wearing, mask promotion and in-person reminders at mosques, markets, and other public places, and role-modeling by public officials and community leaders. We also tested several other strategies in sub-samples, such as asking people to make a verbal commitment, creating opportunities for social signaling, text messages, and providing village-level incentives to increase mask-wearing. <…> We tested many different strategies because it was difficult to predict in advance which ones would lead to persistent increases in mask-wearing. What was tested was not just mask-wearing, what was tested is a complex, holistic approach to educating residents that resulted in proper mask-wearing among large percentage of even symptomless people. > as well as the Korean subway study elsewhere linked to. So it's simply not true that all of these are somehow in lab only. Mask-wearing culture in Korea, Japan, Hong Kong is different. Attention is paid to proper mask wearing, for example, and most people wear masks.

azinman2 5y ago

Many mask studies are based upon the real world in the field, such as the Bangladesh one, as well as the Korean subway study elsewhere linked to. So it's simply not true that all of these are somehow in lab only. I have no idea what mask behavior is like where you are, but it's known that masks are asymmetric -- they prevent transmission better than they prevent catching COVID (unless N95). But that doesn't mean you wearing one is 0% effective.. it's still a diminished amount. It also gives an example for behavior for others for them to emulate. Certain regions (like SF for the most part) have very good adherence on average. You also do the most important duty -- significantly reduce transmission from you to others! What better thing could you do to 'save the situation' than prevent covid? If you're concerned that your mask previously had covid on it, then you should use a different mask next time and either throw the previous one away, wait for the virus to die, or otherwise disinfect it depending on the mask type.

strogonoff 5y ago
Rest assured, I believe if 90%+ of people consistently wore masks properly when among other people we’d have no problem getting rid of COVID. However, it’s unrealistic. People will skip masks at home (even though they risk getting infected by asymptomatic members of the family), people won’t wear masks properly, etc. > Many mask studies are based upon the real world in the field, such as the Bangladesh one In Bangladesh study: > For roughly half the 600 villages, we intervened by promoting mask usage: We gave every family in each village at least three masks — one per adult, cloth or surgical — and distributed masks in public spaces, including markets. We enlisted eminent local figures to explain why wearing masks can help slow viral transmission — providing imams with scripts to be read during religious services, for instance. Local leaders also modeled proper mask-wearing. We then sent observers into public spaces to note any changes in behavior. > We cross-randomized mask type (cloth vs. surgical) and promotion strategies at the village and household level. Proper mask-wearing increased from 13.3% in the control group to 42.3% in the intervention arm (adjusted percentage point difference = 0.29 [0.26, 0.31]). > After piloting, we settled on a core intervention package that combined household mask distribution with communication about the value of mask-wearing, mask promotion and in-person reminders at mosques, markets, and other public places, and role-modeling by public officials and community leaders. We also tested several other strategies in sub-samples, such as asking people to make a verbal commitment, creating opportunities for social signaling, text messages, and providing village-level incentives to increase mask-wearing. <…> We tested many different strategies because it was difficult to predict in advance which ones would lead to persistent increases in mask-wearing. What was tested was not just mask-wearing, what was tested is a complex, holistic approach to educating residents that resulted in proper mask-wearing among large percentage of even symptomless people. > as well as the Korean subway study elsewhere linked to. So it's simply not true that all of these are somehow in lab only. Mask-wearing culture in Korea, Japan, Hong Kong is different. Attention is paid to proper mask wearing, for example, and most people wear masks.