To Mask, or Not To Mask? - It Shouldn't Be a Question.
The good news is that the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic hasn't started. The bad news is that the first wave hasn't ended. Twenty-two states are experiencing increases of covid-19 cases after reopening because many people are ignoring the general recommendations of the CDC, the WHO, epidemiologists, and doctors to wear face masks and avoid crowds. The primary method of infection has been determined to be from the inhalation of the exhalations of infected people. A surgical-style or home-made mask does little to protect the wearer, but it does help to protect others by preventing or minimizing virus laden exhalations from becoming airborne. A correctly fitted N-95 mask would protect the wearer, but these are uncomfortable and not readily available.
At Lynch's Irish Pub in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, Erika Crisp and 15 friends were infected along with 7 of the bar's employees. Crisp is a health care worker who should have known better. She told WJKT-TV, “And then the first night we go out, Murphy’s Law, I guess. The only thing we have in common is that one night at that one bar…. I think we were careless and we went out into a public place when we should not have…. And we were not wearing masks. I think we had a whole ‘out of sight, out of mind’ mentality. The state opens back up and said everybody was fine, so we took advantage of that…. We should be wearing masks. We should be social distancing. It was too soon to open everything back up.” Lynch's owner reported that they had spent $7000 to disinfect the pub before reopening a few days later. Two other bars in the area closed for cleaning after finding that employees and customers were infected. Note that Lynch’s Pub could be completely sterile but unless distancing and masks are enforced, the $7000 was wasted until an effective vaccine becomes available.
An example of the effectiveness of properly worn masks comes from Springfield, Missouri. Clay Goddard, Springfield's health department director, doubted that face coverings offered much protection. But then this happened. A hair stylist at Great Clips infected with covid-19 exposed 84 customers who sat just inches from the stylist's face for up to 30 minutes. The following day another stylist at the same salon also tested positive after exposing 56 customers. Fourteen days later, after testing most of the customers, no infections were found despite the exposures. Why? Customers and the stylists were required to wear masks. No exceptions were made. Because of this, Goddard has gone from a mask skeptic to a believer.
Studies from Germany, Britain, and the United States have indicated the effectiveness of properly worn face masks in limiting the spread of covid-19. The first, in Jena, Germany showed that mandatory mask requirements brought the number of new infections to almost zero. The second study, by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, examined the outbreak on the USS Theodore Roosevelt. It concluded that of those not wearing a mask, 81% became infected, while of those wearing a mask, only 56 became infected. The third, by British scientists at Cambridge and Greenwich universities, found that even home-made masks dramatically reduced the virus transmission rates if enough people wore them in public.
Businesses in the Towanda/Sayre, PA area have signs at their entrances stating that masks are required to protect their workers and customers. In reality, it is only a suggestion. While shopping here recently, I noticed that at least 25% of people were not wearing masks. A few of those that wore masks had their noses exposed which negates the value of the mask. Some owners said they have given up arguing with people who refuse to wear them. An unmasked customer could infect a worker. An unmasked worker could then infect others. People who claim to be unable to wear a mask for medical reasons are lying. Masks covering both mouth and nose should be mandatory for everyone to minimize spread of the virus until a vaccine is available.
In contrast, while shopping recently at businesses in the nearby Elmira/Horseheads, NY area, where masks are mandatory -- no exceptions -- I noticed that everyone wore masks. No mask, no service. These establishments are serious about the safety of their workers and customers. I will shop where recommendations are taken seriously, and where worker and customer safety is paramount. It is not a major inconvenience to wear a mask during a shopping trip to protect others which ultimately protects everyone.
As a recommendation, businesses that make masks optional should have days and times available that require masks with no exceptions. People who refuse to wear them could shop on days when masks are optional. Given the frequency of compliance, four days should be used to require masks with no exceptions, three days optional. Masks, in conjunction with distancing, have been effective, but masks have to be worn and they have to be worn correctly. The virus is still here and it is still infectious. Rates of infection have decreased because of shut-downs, distancing, and masks. Carelessly relaxing these measures will result in higher rates of infection and possible further shutdowns.
John L. Ferri
jlferri@epix.net
https://theferritales.blogspot.com/
At Lynch's Irish Pub in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, Erika Crisp and 15 friends were infected along with 7 of the bar's employees. Crisp is a health care worker who should have known better. She told WJKT-TV, “And then the first night we go out, Murphy’s Law, I guess. The only thing we have in common is that one night at that one bar…. I think we were careless and we went out into a public place when we should not have…. And we were not wearing masks. I think we had a whole ‘out of sight, out of mind’ mentality. The state opens back up and said everybody was fine, so we took advantage of that…. We should be wearing masks. We should be social distancing. It was too soon to open everything back up.” Lynch's owner reported that they had spent $7000 to disinfect the pub before reopening a few days later. Two other bars in the area closed for cleaning after finding that employees and customers were infected. Note that Lynch’s Pub could be completely sterile but unless distancing and masks are enforced, the $7000 was wasted until an effective vaccine becomes available.
An example of the effectiveness of properly worn masks comes from Springfield, Missouri. Clay Goddard, Springfield's health department director, doubted that face coverings offered much protection. But then this happened. A hair stylist at Great Clips infected with covid-19 exposed 84 customers who sat just inches from the stylist's face for up to 30 minutes. The following day another stylist at the same salon also tested positive after exposing 56 customers. Fourteen days later, after testing most of the customers, no infections were found despite the exposures. Why? Customers and the stylists were required to wear masks. No exceptions were made. Because of this, Goddard has gone from a mask skeptic to a believer.
Studies from Germany, Britain, and the United States have indicated the effectiveness of properly worn face masks in limiting the spread of covid-19. The first, in Jena, Germany showed that mandatory mask requirements brought the number of new infections to almost zero. The second study, by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, examined the outbreak on the USS Theodore Roosevelt. It concluded that of those not wearing a mask, 81% became infected, while of those wearing a mask, only 56 became infected. The third, by British scientists at Cambridge and Greenwich universities, found that even home-made masks dramatically reduced the virus transmission rates if enough people wore them in public.
Businesses in the Towanda/Sayre, PA area have signs at their entrances stating that masks are required to protect their workers and customers. In reality, it is only a suggestion. While shopping here recently, I noticed that at least 25% of people were not wearing masks. A few of those that wore masks had their noses exposed which negates the value of the mask. Some owners said they have given up arguing with people who refuse to wear them. An unmasked customer could infect a worker. An unmasked worker could then infect others. People who claim to be unable to wear a mask for medical reasons are lying. Masks covering both mouth and nose should be mandatory for everyone to minimize spread of the virus until a vaccine is available.
In contrast, while shopping recently at businesses in the nearby Elmira/Horseheads, NY area, where masks are mandatory -- no exceptions -- I noticed that everyone wore masks. No mask, no service. These establishments are serious about the safety of their workers and customers. I will shop where recommendations are taken seriously, and where worker and customer safety is paramount. It is not a major inconvenience to wear a mask during a shopping trip to protect others which ultimately protects everyone.
As a recommendation, businesses that make masks optional should have days and times available that require masks with no exceptions. People who refuse to wear them could shop on days when masks are optional. Given the frequency of compliance, four days should be used to require masks with no exceptions, three days optional. Masks, in conjunction with distancing, have been effective, but masks have to be worn and they have to be worn correctly. The virus is still here and it is still infectious. Rates of infection have decreased because of shut-downs, distancing, and masks. Carelessly relaxing these measures will result in higher rates of infection and possible further shutdowns.
John L. Ferri
jlferri@epix.net
https://theferritales.blogspot.com/
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