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What is the reasoning behind your claim? Frankly the risk to the immunocompromised does not appear to have been that high. Countries like South Africa, which h
by nostrebored 5y ago
What is the reasoning behind your claim?
Frankly the risk to the immunocompromised does not appear to have been that high. Countries like South Africa, which have nearly a thirty percent HIV positive rate, did not see substantially different outcomes.
Beyond that, we had pre-existing data that masks don't do much. Post hoc analysis and wishful thinking have contributed to a modern round of pseudoscience claiming that masks are effective. When the dust settles, I think we'll see that well-fitted N95s are just about the only effective prevention measure. But, as I'm suspecting you know, this would not constitute a reasonable accommodation. In industries that require it, mask fitting and regular testing are commonplace. Further, fitted N95s can only be worn safely for a short duration.
On the other hand, I think that what the ADA should mandate is proper ventilation systems in these heavily trafficked areas. I do think that this is similar to what we've seen for accessibility requirements for businesses, and frankly a bizarre untackled problem for public health.
- ceejayoz 5y ago> But, as I'm suspecting you know, this would not constitute a reasonable accommodation. I disagree. We agree on many of the same facts - better masks are important, as is ventilation - but not, apparently, the approaches those facts inform. The "as I'm suspecting you know" shit is rude; in this case, for example, some other countries (correctly) don't count cloth masks as legit. We should've done that, too, way back in 2020. Re: South Africa, it's a young population, and being HIV+ alone doesn't make you inherently immunosuppressed if treated effectively - which SA is quite good at.
- nostrebored 5y agoI mean purely as reasonable accommodation is defined by the ADA. Sorry, it looks like my 'as I'm suspecting you know' landed differently than I intended. I meant that you seem to be aware of ADA requirements. For example, requiring a workplace to provide an employee who requires it an N95 mask very clearly falls under the 'reasonable accommodation' category. However, requiring all employees or patrons to wear N95 masks does not track with other examples of reasonable accommodations.