What’s so hard?

[Ken Culbertson]

The culture of Japan has a very high hygiene element which skews the result.

I agree with 90% of what you posted, especially about the Japanese culture.   Where we differ is on the effectiveness of the mask for three reasons, one mostly overlooked.

The first is that it does reduce the distance the crud emitted from your mouth travels.
Second the mask keeps you from putting your fingers in your nose or mouth and stops you from using your mouth as a third hand.

Unfortunately there is no third.  My debate professor in college told me that you should always cite three things to make your point.

Ken

[Dennis Leonhardi]

Well, I have seen and read many opinions on both sides of this discussion and honest scientific test regarding masks. This is my take away. There is a lot equally valid opinions on both sides some or both being claimed as based upon "science". Trouble is that a lot of what is called science isn't. For instance, proof of masks working being drawn from a conclusion that a country is using masks, for instance Japan, and they have a lower rate of infection, therefor masks work. Sorry, that isn't science, it is anecdotal conclusion. Science has a cause and effect predictable by an input. The culture of Japan has a very high hygiene element which skews the result.

Scientific testing begins with, we took two groups who participated in a study, one group wore surgeons masks the other didn't. All were exposed to similar conditions of exposure to virus' throughout their work day. In the end both groups exhibited x and y rates of infection. That is science. Oh and that particular test result was x=y or null result in the effectiveness of the wearing of masks, both groups had the same rate of infection.  Then another set of testing included the addition of additional attention of hygiene, washing hands etc, then mask group becomes ever so slightly less likely to contract an illness from a virus. That conclusion becomes one which points more to but not conclusively, towards simple hygiene as being the "remedy". Another similar test compares the N95 mask with the surgeons mask and finds no discernible difference in performance between the two. 

Here's some interesting details for you. The COVID virus molecule is about 0.01 microns across. A gasoline molecule is about 5 microns or about 500 times larger than the virus in size. It is a true statement that a mask will stop spit splatter but that is a small portion of what is expired from a breath. Masks freely pass your breath and molecular water vapor just as readily as letting air and other atomized molecular vapors in. An interesting test to see how well a mask filters particles or vapors is to test it via a sniff test. Put a mask on and sniff an open gas can. If gas can scent can be detected, anything smaller is passing readily, virus' included.

From this and above documented scientific testing, I conclude that wearing masks in mostly ineffective at keeping me safe from the virus and that the most likely transmission is via contact with things people have touched. I also conclude that me wearing a mask is mostly ineffective at keeping you safe from me and that if you are so concerned, you have the ability to maintain your distance and I will respect that. BTW, I am a person with a disability which wearing a mask is a problem.

Because I decide of my own set of knowledge of evidence presented to my very right brained scientific self, that a mask is not necessary does not make me wrong. That you decide that the anecdotal evidence and social pressures combined with your concern makes you believe a mask is necessary does not make you wrong. What is wrong is when one or the other decides to impose their will upon the other because their correctness is superior. That is the definition of tyranny. Collectively, if we agree on a compromise solution then that is democracy.

Well said.  Unconstitutional Mandates are political weapons.  I use masks in public places since it makes others more comfortable.

Just don't try telling me what color shoes I must wear tomorrow.  There are limits!

 

[Gordon Van Tighem]

Levity.