Masks
Apr 13th 2022, 10:41 pm
#916
Tea Drinker
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Kamloops, BC
Posts: 5,387
Re: Masks
Apr 13th 2022, 11:08 pm
#917
Assimilated Pauper
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Ontario
Posts: 40,018
Re: Masks
Don't know why but I thought of 'Loadsamoney' when reading your reply
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeDmKvzZkok
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeDmKvzZkok
Well, yes, it's vulgar, but one doesn't live here for the climate or the scenery.
Apr 14th 2022, 10:32 am
#918
Oscar nominated
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Moncton, NB, CANADA
Posts: 50,863
Re: Masks
I note that you didn't take that bet.
You now appear to want to criticise me for the decision that my doctor made. WTF?
Last edited by BristolUK; Apr 14th 2022 at 10:34 am.
Apr 14th 2022, 3:39 pm
#921
Oscar nominated
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Moncton, NB, CANADA
Posts: 50,863
Apr 14th 2022, 4:06 pm
#922
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,113
Re: Masks
LOL you know how much you miss it... remember Hale and Pace too? I saw them live twice! I have even taught some of my Canadian friends some of their one liners... priceless! ... however beware of the rabbit hole!
May 9th 2022, 1:38 pm
#925
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,448
Re: Masks
That said, what I didn't see in the first few paragraphs of the linked study, is what I have long assumed is wrong with the criticisms of the anti-maskers, that the effectiveness of a mask is largely a function of its ability to catch vapor particles which are much larger that than actual viruses.
May 9th 2022, 8:13 pm
#926
Tea Drinker
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Kamloops, BC
Posts: 5,387
Re: Masks
May 10th 2022, 1:12 am
#927
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2006
Location: Kelowna
Posts: 2,514
Re: Masks
Yes well it is to be expected that consistent mask use in crowded settings may well offer better protection than no mask yet this study is probably not really telling us anything new and is flawed. In the conclusion it states:
The findings in this report are subject to at least eight limitations and then goes on to list them and the first one being: First, this study did not account for other preventive behaviors that could influence risk for acquiring infection, including adherence to physical distancing recommendations. Then there were the variables of indoor settings that weren't accounted for like ventilation, size of building, number of people, duration of time inside and so on. Also did at least some parts of California not reinstate the mandate during summer of 2021 due to surge in cases, certainly LA county did so large areas were under a mandate during some of this time.
The findings in this report are subject to at least eight limitations and then goes on to list them and the first one being: First, this study did not account for other preventive behaviors that could influence risk for acquiring infection, including adherence to physical distancing recommendations. Then there were the variables of indoor settings that weren't accounted for like ventilation, size of building, number of people, duration of time inside and so on. Also did at least some parts of California not reinstate the mandate during summer of 2021 due to surge in cases, certainly LA county did so large areas were under a mandate during some of this time.
May 10th 2022, 11:37 am
#928
Oscar nominated
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Moncton, NB, CANADA
Posts: 50,863
Re: Masks
I've just been reminded of an episode of Yes Minister.
Discredit the evidence...You say: (a) that it leaves important questions unanswered (b) that much of the evidence is inconclusive (c) that the figures are open to other interpretations (d) that certain findings are contradictory (e) that some of the main conclusions have been questioned Points (a) to (d) are bound to be true. In fact, all of these criticisms can be made of a report without even reading it. There are, for instance, always some questions unanswered -- such as the ones they haven't asked. As regards (e), if some of the main conclusions have not been questioned, question them! Then they have.
Last edited by BristolUK; May 10th 2022 at 11:54 am.
May 10th 2022, 12:56 pm
#929
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,448
Re: Masks
It was obvious to me, very early on, that while wearing a mask, social distancing, or limiting exposure were all potentially effective at greatly reducing the risk of infection, that doing all of the above was preferred, and so for the past couple of years I have worn a mask while shopping, done negligible shopping other than for groceries and occasional DIY purchases from Lowe's, done most of my shopping either before 8am or after 8pm when there are often negligible numbers of shoppers, and then stayed away from the few shoppers there are in the store.
There was one instance of me visiting a family that had, at that time, undiagnosed cases of covid. Luckily I was wearing my mask, went inside only briefly (5-10 minutes), and mostly stood outside to talk, at about 10ft distance, while still wearing a mask. It's impossible to know if my mask saved me from catching covid, but it certainly did me no harm.
May 10th 2022, 10:46 pm
#930
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2006
Location: Kelowna
Posts: 2,514
Re: Masks
That is almost certainly true, and totally reasonable behavior if you have any awareness of the potential seriousness of a covid infection and are prepared to take reasonable steps to avoid catching it.
It was obvious to me, very early on, that while wearing a mask, social distancing, or limiting exposure were all potentially effective at greatly reducing the risk of infection, that doing all of the above was preferred, and so for the past couple of years I have worn a mask while shopping, done negligible shopping other than for groceries and occasional DIY purchases from Lowe's, done most of my shopping either before 8am or after 8pm when there are often negligible numbers of shoppers, and then stayed away from the few shoppers there are in the store.
There was one instance of me visiting a family that had, at that time, undiagnosed cases of covid. Luckily I was wearing my mask, went inside only briefly (5-10 minutes), and mostly stood outside to talk, at about 10ft distance, while still wearing a mask. It's impossible to know if my mask saved me from catching covid, but it certainly did me no harm.
It was obvious to me, very early on, that while wearing a mask, social distancing, or limiting exposure were all potentially effective at greatly reducing the risk of infection, that doing all of the above was preferred, and so for the past couple of years I have worn a mask while shopping, done negligible shopping other than for groceries and occasional DIY purchases from Lowe's, done most of my shopping either before 8am or after 8pm when there are often negligible numbers of shoppers, and then stayed away from the few shoppers there are in the store.
There was one instance of me visiting a family that had, at that time, undiagnosed cases of covid. Luckily I was wearing my mask, went inside only briefly (5-10 minutes), and mostly stood outside to talk, at about 10ft distance, while still wearing a mask. It's impossible to know if my mask saved me from catching covid, but it certainly did me no harm.