Masks

[JWags85]

Well, at least the US hasn't cornered the market on crazy.  Germany jumping in too:

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/covid-germany-mask-murder-gas-station-attendant/

At my trade show in Vegas a couple weeks ago, the most flagrant violators and objectors to the mask mandate indoors and at the show was surprisingly Israelis and assorted Europeans.  Nobody liked it, obviously, but of the nearby booths that I saw get scolded multiple times and the people walking around reprimanded by security, those were the primary groups.  When in Rome I guess

[Pakuni]

You don't say ...

@washingtonpost
Pediatric covid-19 cases rose faster in counties without school mask requirements, CDC says wapo.st/3ubLEA9

[tower912]

1+1=2

[jesmu84]

You don't say ...

@washingtonpost
Pediatric covid-19 cases rose faster in counties without school mask requirements, CDC says wapo.st/3ubLEA9

Covid or RSV?

[Jay Bee]

You don't say ...

@washingtonpost
Pediatric covid-19 cases rose faster in counties without school mask requirements, CDC says wapo.st/3ubLEA9

What does a count of "(known) cases" tell you? For me - nada. Might as well conclude based on # of dandelions in each county.

#CasesNoMatta

[The Sultan]

What does a count of "(known) cases" tell you? For me - nada. Might as well conclude based on # of dandelions in each county.

#CasesNoMatta

Yeah actually it does. 

[Boozemon Barro]

https://ianmsc.substack.com/p/every-comparison-shows-masks-are?r=3r9a2&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&utm_source=

Here's an interesting article comparing neighboring states and counties where one had mask mandates and the other did not. The results are unsurprising.

[The Sultan]

https://ianmsc.substack.com/p/every-comparison-shows-masks-are?r=3r9a2&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&utm_source=

Here's an interesting article comparing neighboring states and counties where one had mask mandates and the other did not. The results are unsurprising.

That's cause most mandates didn't cover the private spaces where much of the spread occurs. So it's unsurprising that mandates don't really work.

But masks themselves do.

[Pakuni]

https://ianmsc.substack.com/p/every-comparison-shows-masks-are?r=3r9a2&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&utm_source=

Here's an interesting article comparing neighboring states and counties where one had mask mandates and the other did not. The results are unsurprising.

Can't speak for the entire article, but the portion concerning the Chicago area is about as intellectually dishonest as it gets.
First, it pretends that living conditions in terms of factors like density and public interaction between Cook and, say, Kendall or McHenry are equal. Obviously they are not.
Second, it ignores the vast amount of travel that occurs between the suburbs and city, and suburb to suburb. Apparently he'd be surprised to learn that there aren't walls separating Cook from the collar counties.
And lastly, he/she conveniently fails to mention  Cook's mask mandate  went into effect a whole seven days before the state's, which is hardly enough time to make the sweeping judgements being made.

Again, can't speak for the entire article, other than pointing out its author isn't above misleading his/her audience.

[rocky_warrior]

can't speak for the entire article, other than pointing out its author isn't above misleading his/her audience.

I mean, it's from a paid subscription email newsletter, from an *ahem* completely unbiased source!
https://substack.com/profile/34957737-im

Seriously, this is the depths that "covid deniers" need to seek out to prove they are right.   Because. Truth. Hurts.

[Boozemon Barro]

Can't speak for the entire article, but the portion concerning the Chicago area is about as intellectually dishonest as it gets.
First, it pretends that living conditions in terms of factors like density and public interaction between Cook and, say, Kendall or McHenry are equal. Obviously they are not.
Second, it ignores the vast amount of travel that occurs between the suburbs and city, and suburb to suburb. Apparently he'd be surprised to learn that there aren't walls separating Cook from the collar counties.
And lastly, he/she conveniently fails to mention  Cook's mask mandate  went into effect a whole seven days before the state's, which is hardly enough time to make the sweeping judgements being made.

Again, can't speak for the entire article, other than pointing out its author isn't above misleading his/her audience.

Those factors were present before and after mask mandates in both areas. Mask mandates don't work.

[Pakuni]

Those factors were present before and after mask mandates in both areas. Mask mandates don't work.

We extend previous studies on the impact of masks on COVID-19 outcomes by investigating an unprecedented breadth and depth of health outcomes, geographical resolutions, types of mask mandates, early versus later waves and controlling for other government interventions, mobility testing rate and weather. We show that mask mandates are associated with a statistically significant decrease in new cases (-3.55 per 100K), deaths (-0.13 per 100K), and the proportion of hospital admissions (-2.38 percentage points) up to 40 days after the introduction of mask mandates both at the state and county level. These effects are large, corresponding to 14% of the highest recorded number of cases, 13% of deaths, and 7% of admission proportion. We also find that mask mandates are linked to a 23.4 percentage point increase in mask adherence in four diverse states.

https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0252315

[Hards Alumni]

We extend previous studies on the impact of masks on COVID-19 outcomes by investigating an unprecedented breadth and depth of health outcomes, geographical resolutions, types of mask mandates, early versus later waves and controlling for other government interventions, mobility testing rate and weather. We show that mask mandates are associated with a statistically significant decrease in new cases (-3.55 per 100K), deaths (-0.13 per 100K), and the proportion of hospital admissions (-2.38 percentage points) up to 40 days after the introduction of mask mandates both at the state and county level. These effects are large, corresponding to 14% of the highest recorded number of cases, 13% of deaths, and 7% of admission proportion. We also find that mask mandates are linked to a 23.4 percentage point increase in mask adherence in four diverse states.

https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0252315

Careful now, facts and data don't matter to this guy.

[MU82]

Summer school data from nearly 800 K-12 schools in North Carolina shows mask mandates have the power to curb COVID-19 outbreaks and reduce the average infection rate, even when the general community is experiencing more rapid coronavirus spread due to the highly contagious delta variant.

https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/state/north-carolina/article254859122.html

Data has shown that just one person infected with this variant, on average, can be expected to infect about seven to eight other people in the surrounding community. But it took 13 people who contracted the virus from their community to, on average, infect just one person inside the masked schools, which also had an optional but recommended guideline of at least three feet of physical distancing between people.

The secondary attack rate, or the probability that someone in the schools became infected with the coronavirus, was 2.6%, according to the study, which is "slightly higher" than the attack rate in the general community (1%) before the delta variant gained speed. Researchers say this "likely [reflects] the more infectious nature of delta."

The study, published Oct. 1 in the journal Pediatrics, was conducted by the Duke University School of Medicine in Durham and the ABC Science Collaborative, a program that pairs scientists and physicians with school and community leaders to understand COVID-19 information.

"The findings of this study are extremely encouraging for the health and safety of students and staff attending schools where universal masking is in place," study co-author Dr. Kanecia Zimmerman, co-chair of the ABC Science Collaborative, said in a news release. "The delta variant is more transmissible than previous ancestral variants, but transmission in schools can continue to be low with vaccination among those who are eligible, strict adherence to masking, and avoidance of pandemic fatigue."

Here's the actual study: https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2021/10/07/peds.2021-054396

[Jockey]

We already knew from studies years ago that outside of vaccines, there are two ways to mitigate the spread of a virus - masks & social distancing.

This is just one more truth that the nut jobs on the right have tried to eliminate.

[MuggsyB]

And we also know that our President and "Dr Jill Biden" just violated the DC Mask mandate at a Georgetown restaurant.  You want to know why people are pissed about masks?  Epecially on their three year old kids?  See Gavin Newsom and Joey Biden.  #Clowns #Hypocrites #Clearly Dumber Than a Bag of Rocks. 

[The Sultan]

And we also know that our President and "Dr Jill Biden" just violated the DC Mask mandate at a Georgetown restaurant.  You want to know why people are pissed about masks, especially on their three year old kids?  See Gavin Newsom and Joey Biden.  #Clowns #Hypocrites #Clearly Dumber Than a Bag of Rocks.

1.  They clearly made a mistake

2.  Not sure why you are putting Dr. Jill Biden in quotes.  She is a legitimate doctor.

3.  People here were making fun of Biden for wearing masks in situations that didn't call for them.  I guess whatever talking point works aiina?

4.  No one outside the conservative media universe is going to care about any of this.

[MuggsyB]

1.  They clearly made a mistake

2.  Not sure why you are putting Dr. Jill Biden in quotes.  She is a legitimate doctor.

3.  People here were making fun of Biden for wearing masks in situations that didn't call for them.  I guess whatever talking point works aiina?

4.  No one outside the conservative media universe is going to care about any of this.

Maybe Dr. Jill should have worn  a mask?  Regardless, Dr. Osterholm along with many other experts believe cloth masks have minimal impact.  I think it's safer than not wearing them but the virus is endemic and we were unprepared.  When politicians are forcing kindergartners to wear masks, especially considering the filth and bacteria on those things, I don't think the net positive is greater than the negative.  Of course no one outside "the conservative media" will care.  Will they even report it? 

[MuggsyB]

Fluffy,  with all due respect I deal with PHD professors in bio-chemistry almost every day and none of them refer to themselves as doctors.  In fact outside the Acadrmic environment I have never met any professor wiith a PHD in their field that referred to themselves as Dr. so-and-so.

[TSmith34, Inc.]

Maybe Dr. Jill should have worn  a mask?  Regardless, Dr. Osterholm along with many other experts believe cloth masks have minimal impact.  I think it's safer than not wearing them but the virus is endemic and we were unprepared.  When politicians are forcing kindergartners to wear masks, especially considering the filth and bacteria on those things, I don't think the net positive is greater than the negative.  Of course no one outside "the conservative media" will care.  Will they even report it?

Closing in on two years in this public health crisis and despite years and years of proof that masks help to mitigated the spread of deadly diseases, the right wing endlessly resurrects the idea that masks are terrible. No matter how much proof is offered, the same debunked lies are spun up again and again. The cockroaches never die.

[The Sultan]

Fluffy,  with all due respect I deal with PHD professors in bio-chemistry almost every day and none of them refer to themselves as doctors.  In fact outside the Acadrmic environment I have never met any professor wiith a PHD in their field that referred to themselves as Dr. so-and-so.

She is a legit doctor who worked in an academic environment.

Such a silly criticism that devalues any point you are trying to make.

[MuggsyB]

Closing in on two years in this public health crisis and despite years and years of proof that masks help to mitigated the spread of deadly diseases, the right wing endlessly resurrects the idea that masks are terrible. No matter how much proof is offered, the same debunked lies are spun up again and again. The cockroaches never die.

Is Dr. Osterholm right wing?

[The Sultan]

Closing in on two years in this public health crisis and despite years and years of proof that masks help to mitigated the spread of deadly diseases, the right wing endlessly resurrects the idea that masks are terrible. No matter how much proof is offered, the same debunked lies are spun up again and again. The cockroaches never die.

Yep.  And the same group is complaining about kids learning remotely without any sort of understanding that the two things go hand in hand.

[MuggsyB]

She is a legit doctor who worked in an academic environment.

Such a silly criticism that devalues any point you are trying to make.

Actually it isn't  silly.  The designation is silly. Education or any humanities professor do not consider themselves "legitimate doctors" unless they're  crazy smug and delusional.  Do you actually think real doctors believe there is no difference between them and their work vs a academic doctor?    Please.

[The Sultan]

Actually it isn't  silly.  The designation is silly. Education or any humanities professor do not consider themselves "legitimate doctors" unless they're  crazy smug and delusional.  Do you actually think real doctors believe there is no difference between them and their work vs a academic doctor?    Please.

Education and Humanities doctors consider themselves "real doctors."  Whether or not they decide to use the title is a personal choice, but it is hardly unwarranted when they do.  What do you think PhD or EdD stands for? 

Whether or not medical doctors believe they should refer to themselves as doctors isn't really relevant.  And if they get bent out of shape about it, it says more about them than anything.

So silly.