MASKS WORK!

MASK UPDATE

It’s really getting pretty ridiculous already. For our leaders not to at least encourage, if not mandate mask wearing is the equivalent of malpractice in medicine. For the governor of Florida, the worldwide epicenter of this disease, to not close gyms because it “keeps people healthier” is not just infuriating, it’s criminal.

A recent study looked at getting infected with Covid with and without a mask. Without a mask, 17% of people became infected. With a mask, infection risk was 3%.

The distance of particle projection after coughing was also analyzed. The following was found with various types of masks:

• No Mask:            8 feet.
• Bandana:            3.6 feet.
• Folded Handkerchief:         1.25 feet.
• Commercial Cone Mask:    8 inches (0.66 feet).
• Stitched, 2-layer Mask:    2.5 inches (0.2 feet).

Just stick a sock over your mouth and it makes a big difference! Especially if you are also slewing ridiculous conspiracy theories.

And that’s with a cough which is orders of magnitude more forceful than singing and simple breathing.

The bottom line is that MASKS WORK! 

So does distancing and avoiding or closing places where people may congregate in ways which increases transmission, like bars and gyms. We have seen how responsibly our citizens have been with opening things up and we have failed. 

As far as the argument about safety and comfort are concerned, the is NO study which shows that masks are unsafe or lead to decreased oxygen levels. Wearing underwear can be uncomfortable but we do it.

When seat belts were mandated, there was an uproar and now, their life-saving benefits are clear and acceptance is fairly universal. Cars seats for kids generated similar resistance but now, it would be unconscionable not to use one. Outlawing smoking in public places is similarly pretty accepted these days. I was a big supporter of Mayor Bloomsberg’s limiting soda container sizes and higher taxes. When people demonstrate poor judgment and it impacts on everyone else (and soda has a huge impact on health and subsequent costs to the cost of Medicare and Medicaid which we ALL pay for). Responsible authorities need to step in and force people to do the right thing.

Wearing a mask is the right thing, not only for you but for everyone else.

Stay safe and be well. 

AC 😎✌️🌱❤🐖🏃🏻🧘🏻‍♂️🌎😷