Margaret Brennan, of what Use was Your Question on Masks?
Mrs. Brennan asked an epidemiologist if there was any evidence that masks worked in stopping the coronavirus spread. What an absurd question to ask in a pandemic considering all we know. For instance, we know that social distancing works and we all try to obey the 6 foot rule. Now, if a barrier consisting of nothing but air is effective, how can anyone in their right mind question the effectiveness of a more physical barrier like a mask? Especially since no one is saying that masks protect the public from getting the virus; instead, the claim is made that wearing a mask stops you from spreading the virus, and isn't that what we all want?
It's an especially troubling issue because we are seeing in the news that certain people are ignoring the guideline to use masks in public. It is my misfortune that I live in a state (NJ, Gov. Phil Murphy) where it is optional. Thank God that retail establishments have more horse sense and are imposing very necessary restrictions on hyperlocal travel.*
A better question might have been, "should the public be disinfecting their masks when they get home?" Answer: an emphatic yes! This, btw, can be done with an isopropyl (70%) spray to both sides of the mask. If one mask is all you have or all that you expect to have, it behoves you to keep it clean of virus with constant disinfection.
Another, more informative question would have been to ask if N95 masks with the exhalation valve were advisable. Answer: yeah, but only if you ONLY care about yourself. Explanation: the valse allows viral particle to exit into the air with little hindrance. They should start making the N95 with greater exhalation ease while maintaining exhalation sterility. Bottom line: if you're standing there next to a person wearing an N95 mask with exhalation port (usually white plastic device usually on the cheek), consider yourself standing next to a maskless individual. These masks are intended for construction work where they work like a charm.
*This lack of horse sense by our Governor is why we don't have legal marijuana in our state which would have gone an effin long way to assuage the anxiety many are feeling today. Stress, Governor, dampens the immune system; it is the reason why sociopaths never get as sick as the rest of us--they do not experience much stress.
It's an especially troubling issue because we are seeing in the news that certain people are ignoring the guideline to use masks in public. It is my misfortune that I live in a state (NJ, Gov. Phil Murphy) where it is optional. Thank God that retail establishments have more horse sense and are imposing very necessary restrictions on hyperlocal travel.*
A better question might have been, "should the public be disinfecting their masks when they get home?" Answer: an emphatic yes! This, btw, can be done with an isopropyl (70%) spray to both sides of the mask. If one mask is all you have or all that you expect to have, it behoves you to keep it clean of virus with constant disinfection.
Another, more informative question would have been to ask if N95 masks with the exhalation valve were advisable. Answer: yeah, but only if you ONLY care about yourself. Explanation: the valse allows viral particle to exit into the air with little hindrance. They should start making the N95 with greater exhalation ease while maintaining exhalation sterility. Bottom line: if you're standing there next to a person wearing an N95 mask with exhalation port (usually white plastic device usually on the cheek), consider yourself standing next to a maskless individual. These masks are intended for construction work where they work like a charm.
*This lack of horse sense by our Governor is why we don't have legal marijuana in our state which would have gone an effin long way to assuage the anxiety many are feeling today. Stress, Governor, dampens the immune system; it is the reason why sociopaths never get as sick as the rest of us--they do not experience much stress.
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