Cooking the Books on Covid-19?

[TitoFan]

Hey guys, it's not my argument so sorry for butting in..... but for the most part, TIC has been asking a zillion times whether some of us believe that masks work.

My own two cents, without claiming to be an expert on the subject, is that yes.... as NoSaving said.... wearing a mask will protect you from the many minute droplets expelled by coughing or sneezing.... whether you're the one that coughed/sneezed or whether someone coughed/sneezed near you.

I suspect that holds for any airborne illness, such as the flu, or any such bug.

I think we're grasping onto aspects that really shouldn't even come into play. Maybe it's because of all the "THOU SHALT WEAR A MASK" backlash from people who bristle at being told what to do.

I'll be the first to admit..... I wear a mask when I go to crowded public places..... and I didn't even conduct any scientific research in a laboratory to determine filterability, stability, aging resistance, or any other parameter.

I just use the masks and some common sense social distancing.

since you had the balls to sort of answer i'll go easy on you. i won't even bother with your eyes or how filtration works. so if you didn't do any research did you just you follow along like a brainless zombie? don't take that wrong. simple question. if you believe the masks work then why the need for social distancing?

Eyes.... gotcha.

Meh..... I don't believe my only two choices are 1) doing research or 2) follow along like a brainless zombie. But feel free to continue believing what you will.

Somewhere in the middle there are educated guesses and common sense.

But be that as it may..... here's the deal, and it may be the source of a lot of misunderstanding (and up to now, contention).

No one is claiming that masks are the cure-all, solve-all panacea that will magically keep you from getting the virus.

Only that, as common sense would dictate to some of us, the use of masks will protect you a bit better from the inadvertent sneeze or cough from the person next to you.... at least when compared to not wearing a mask.

No big deal.... no black magic.... no need for all the contention masks have apparently caused.

Why the need for social distancing if you're wearing a mask?

Simple. Neither is the magic pill for avoiding catching the virus. But together... they decrease your chances of getting infected significantly.

One's a barrier... the other is simply distancing.

then your answer shouldn't be yes. but you had the balls to answer so respect to you. do you believe you can't catch this virus through your eyes? doing no research would mean you are ignorant. don't take that wrong. so why are they forcing & mandating that people wear masks if they are not the cure-all? common sense would suggest a sneeze or cough would not just hone in on a mask but would also reach your eyes. so if neither are the magic pill for avoiding catching the virus then why force masks & social distancing on us? either masks work & there is no need for social distancing or social distancing works & there is no need for masks. you should learn how each type of mask & filtration works. n95. surgical. material. let me ask another question if i may. not just to you but anyone who thinks masks & gloves work. if your mask & are catching & stopping the virus shouldn't there be bio hazard bins everywhere to dispose of these highly contagious items?

So "brainless zombie" and "ignorant." Ok... I'll be sure and not take any of those wrong.

Let me correct you on something. Not doing research on something does not make you ignorant. "Research" is a word lightly thrown around by guys such as yourself and I've seen Miles (Gandalf) do it as well. It lessens the work of those who do "real" research to claim that everyone and their brother can do research. Don't take that wrong.

In this case, research would require a bio lab and plenty of equipment most mortal humans don't have ready access to.

Now... having driven that point home, I'll address the other questions. The eyes? Sure... it has been said as much. The eyes are a vulnerable point of entry for a virus. But let me say this. If you're on a boat with 4 or 5 holes in the hull, then it's a fair certainty your boat's gonna sink, right? Cool. If you patch up 3 or 4 of those holes..... and bail out some water to boot..... your boat may not be as good as new.... but you might not sink. Cool?

We're not talking "either/or" here, nor are we talking "black/white." The world is not made up of strictly absolutes. There is gray... and there are subtleties in most everything in life. I know enough about masks to make my personal choices when I go out. THAT...... is enough for me.

For you to say this............ "either masks work & there is no need for social distancing or social distancing works & there is no need for masks" smacks of pure ignorance. Don't take that wrong.

Back to the boat analogy. You're taking on water so you patch up holes and you bail water. Does bailing alone save you from sinking? Probably not. Does patching some of the holes? Probably not. Does doing both improve your chances of not sinking?
I'd say yes.

Bio hazard bins...... good point. There should be plenty of those available. If government and/or businesses are going to mandate the use of masks and gloves.... then enough bio hazard bins should be supplied to dispose of used ones.

But people are people. You see people protect themselves with gloves and masks.... only to take them off and throw them in the street. Worse than animals.

The use of gloves is another point of contention.

I use masks as I see fit.... but have hardly ever, if at all, used gloves. Why? Gloves just carry contamination from one place to another. People are so clueless as to glove use.

Besides, common sense measures such as hand sanitizer and the washing of hands is more than enough.