Doctors originally thought that transmission by fomites -- virus on surfaces that people might touch, such as door handles -- was the most important route. But they now believe it's inhaled droplets and aerosols. The terms designate different sizes. Droplets are more than 5 microns, aerosols are smaller. They're both invisible however. Droplets fall out of the air relatively quickly and they can contaminate surfaces, so it's still very important to wash your hands ASAP after every time you are out in public, and not touch your face until you do. You can also use hand sanitizer, but 20 seconds of a good rubbing with ordinary soap and hot water is actually more effective. Soapy water destroys the virus very quickly by dissolving its lipid container.
Aerosols can hang in the air for a long time -- like 12 hours. And they are exhaled by people with no symptoms. Oh yeah -- they readily spread more than 6 feet. So what can you do? Wear a mask over your mouth and nose. That's it. Having everybody do that whenever they go out in public has been key to knocking down the epidemic in those countries that have been successful. Masks greatly reduce the volume of droplets and aerosols that infected people spew into the air. Which of these people would you rather be talking with?
Now, there are a few more things to know. Yes, it's better to be outside. The aerosol concentration will dilute rapidly in the breeze, and UV from the sun also destroys the virus. It's better to keep your distance but six feet away is no guarantee. Less time in close proximity with others is better. So stay out of crowded indoor environments. Don't be like those fools in Wisconsin who all headed to the bar as soon as the psychopathic Republicans on the state Supreme Court said it was their God-given right.
Off Wisconsin
One of the most appalling outcomes of this godawful mess is that not wearing a mask has become a statement of political identity. You are literally killing people as a statement of belief in your orange God.
4 comments:
Here in Georgia, I have found that public face mask wearing has dropped significantly in the last week or so, from probably around 50% to probably less than 10% in places like Walmart and Lowes. I blame Trump in large part for that. In fact, I saw an interview with a young idiot at the beach who actually said that if the president didn't wear a mask, he was't going to, either.
Even aside from the politicians, there is no consistent message among medical sources on the efficacy of wearing a mask to prevent or reduce transmission of the virus. I saw an interview today (Thursday) with some expert (I can't remember exactly who he was or what his position was, but it was a university institution with some expertise in virus transmission) who claimed that masks were only marginally effective, giving you only around three minutes worth of protection in close contact with an infected person. Later I tried to do an internet search. I found apparently reputable sources with opposite conclusions on the issue. One says they don't work, and one says they do.
There is no way anyone can figure out what they should do based on the wildly varying "information." Of course, this is where responsible politicians are supposed to step in, but we're SOL on that front.
Well I would say that 3 minutes of protection is a lot. That's much more time than you're going to spend interacting with a store clerk, or passing by someone in the store aisle, or even taking an order at a restaurant. In any case the point of the mask is not to protect yourself, it's to protect other people in case you are infected and don't know it. The consensus among experts has been growing. The best evidence is the experience of jurisdictions that have required them and gained near 100% compliance. Remember the idea is to get R<0. The absolute difference between R=1.1 and R=.9 is small but it's a phase change. In the first case the epidemic is still growing, in the the second case it's dying out.
While I appreciate the dry, sardonic humor in your opening--"yeah, I know, science is a liberal hoax"--it often occurs to me that all the Republicans and other ignorant haters will become instant converts to the validity of science after they themselves receive cancer or COVID-19 diagnoses, or news of any other serious ailments for themselves or loved ones--if, in fact, they can love.
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/05/27/mitch-mcconnell-plea-face-masks-285272
‘There’s no stigma attached to wearing a mask’: McConnell makes plea in favor of face masks
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https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/do-it-for-your-mom-sean-hannity-urges-social-distancing-and-mask-wearing-after-lake-of-the-ozarks-party
"That’s why in the short period of time, it’s only temporary, if you can’t social distance, please wear the mask. Do it for your mom, your dad, your grandma, your grandpa,"
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https://www.caller.com/story/news/local/texas/state-bureau/2020/05/27/texas-house-speaker-says-masks-must-worn-public-battle-virus/5265370002/
"I don't know what message they are sending other than the message of stupidity that they're not going to wear a face covering in public,"
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