Wearing a Neck Gaiter is Worse than Wearing No Mask at All (Page 7): It does conclude that “ ‘A mask is probably better, but to make the conclusion that a gaiter is worse than no mask...

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

Screamin Scott wrote:

The Duke study explained...Just goes to show how much misinformation is out there...Seems the study wasn't very "scientific"
https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/neck-gaiters-really-worst-covid-212100260.html

It does conclude that “ ‘A mask is probably better, but to make the conclusion that a gaiter is worse than no mask at all…is likely wrong,’ says Dr. Flores, ‘and further studies would need to be done.’

Matthew Ferrari, PhD, of the Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics at The Pennsylvania State University, says it’s ‘striking’ how poorly neck gaiters performed, although ‘in general, we consider gaiters and other single-ply coverings/masks to be less effective than multiple-ply coverings‘ ”

To wear no mask at all is still the bad choice, and most likely a multi-layer mask is better than a thin ‘breathable’ thing.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

rehess wrote:

It does conclude that “ i ‘A mask is probably bet... (show quote)

I see too many people wearing masks and not properly (their noses are not covered or the masks bow at the sides). They might as well not wear one....Surely worse than a neck Gaiter. The same goes for anybody with facial hair as the mask won't properly block particles. Those N95 masks have to be fitted to work properly, otherwise, they also will not block all particles.. I have COPD and can't breathe properly with most masks.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

Many, many more people die from heart disease and cancer than from the virus. The virus prevented many peoplw with cancer and heart disease from seeking help as a result of the shutdowns. I wonder what the total death rate from all causes is. Is im more or less than in previous years. Are there any stats regarding this? The question is. Is the cure worse than the disease. The first thing a medical student is taught is "Primum Non Cincerum. First-Do No Harm. Just a question

David Martin Loc: Cary, NC

Daryls wrote:

The CDC still does not confirm that COVID-19 is airborne, though they continue to recommend wearing masks without valves

This is not a contradiction.

The medical world distinguishes between airborne and droplet transmission.
Droplet = transfer of disease via infected droplets which contain the offending microorganisms. Droplets are too large to remain airborne for long and fairly quickly fall to the ground.
Airborne = transfer of disease via droplet nuclei (which are remnants of evaporated droplets) or dust that contain microorganisms, that can remain suspended in the air for prolonged periods of time.

Thus, CDC advising against masks with valves still makes sense, because valves permit the broadcast of droplets.

David Martin Loc: Cary, NC

boberic wrote:

The first thing a medical student is taught is "Primum Non Cincerum. First-Do No Harm. Just a question

Actually it's "primum non nocere."

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

boberic wrote:

Many, many more people die from heart disease and cancer than from the virus. The virus prevented many peoplw with cancer and heart disease from seeking help as a result of the shutdowns. I wonder what the total death rate from all causes is. Is im more or less than in previous years. Are there any stats regarding this? The question is. Is the cure worse than the disease. The first thing a medical student is taught is "Primum Non Cincerum. First-Do No Harm. Just a question

Our local hospitals here are in regular operation, and we regularly have news stories telling people that, so any not getting treatment are responsible themselves for that.

More to the point of this thread, we could all help make others feel more comfortable by lowering the level of infection, by
1. Sanitizing hands
2. Distancing
3. Masking
4. Avoiding crowds

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

rehess wrote:

Our local hospitals here are in regular operation, and we regularly have news stories telling people that, so any not getting treatment are responsible themselves for that.

More to the point of this thread, we could all help make others feel more comfortable by lowering the level of infection, by
1. Sanitizing hands
2. Distancing
3. Masking
4. Avoiding crowds

And doing all this until a vaccine is developed that is effective? How many more months will that be?

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

Screamin Scott wrote:

And doing all this until a vaccine is developed that is effective? How many more months will that be?

We don't know how long that will be.
We don't have a choice - and my county is functioning near normal that way for now.
The other 'choice' is killing people who could live, and leaving others damaged for life.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

boberic wrote:

Many, many more people die from heart disease and cancer than from the virus. The virus prevented many peoplw with cancer and heart disease from seeking help as a result of the shutdowns. I wonder what the total death rate from all causes is. Is im more or less than in previous years. Are there any stats regarding this? The question is. Is the cure worse than the disease. The first thing a medical student is taught is "Primum Non Cincerum. First-Do No Harm. Just a question

It appears that you have not bothered to check the links afforded you pertaining to the many health issues aggravated by the virus. No question the affects on the heart is a major concern and there are many other possibilities suspected.

srt101fan

David Martin wrote:

This is not a contradiction. br br The medical wo... (show quote)

David, thank you for providing clarity on these issues. I always appreciate your commentary and hope you keep it going.

I do want to raise an issue with the characterization of the virus' means for travel. Yes, on the one hand you have "droplets" that don't travel too far, and on the other you have aerosolized particulate matter that stays airborne longer because it is small enough to be affected by air movement more then it is by gravity.

I believe we should think in terms of a continuum of size distribution: maybe we're faced with only a droplet threat, maybe an aerosol threat, or maybe a mix of both. And aerosols as well as droplets can come in different sizes.

My concern is that some people conclude that masks are useless against airborne threats so why bother wearing one.

In the absence of knowledge regarding the physical size of the threat your respiratory system might encounter in a given scenario, e.g. grocery shopping, we should all think "risk reduction" and wear a damn mask....

Daryls Loc: Waco, TX

HRBIEL wrote:

That seems to be the case nowadays. But it does bring up a question:
Is there anything that you will believe? Or what will it take for you to believe?
Doesn't look like anyone believes in science anymore.
If 27 sources all say essentially the same thing do you need more proof?
What will you believe? Trump? God? Neither of whom are apparently going to help get us out of this virus jam.

HRBIEL,

It doesn't matter how many "sources" report the same thing if it is circular reporting. That really means only a single source is reporting something and all the others are simply repeating it. This is an issue intelligence analysists have to deal with all the time.

Rather than "believing" something just because a lot of folks are repeating it, look deeper into the data and come to your own conclusions. You will be better served that way.

Daryl

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

Daryls wrote:

HRBIEL,

It doesn't matter how many "sources" report the same thing if it is circular reporting. That really means only a single source is reporting something and all the others are simply repeating it. This is an issue intelligence analysists have to deal with all the time.

Rather than "believing" something just because a lot of folks are repeating it, look deeper into the data and come to your own conclusions. You will be better served that way.

Daryl

Very logical response...Pointing out a glaring problem with reporting...

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Screamin Scott wrote:

Very logical response...Pointing out a glaring problem with reporting...

Daryls Loc: Waco, TX

David Martin wrote:

This is not a contradiction. br br The medical wo... (show quote)

Exactly David, droplets do not stay afloat for very long, therefore, they aren't as dangerous as vapors containing the virus. Vapors have been reported to stay airborne for hours and longer. The simple masks most folks wear will not defend them against these vapors.

With the droplets falling to surfaces on the earth, and the virus reportedly staying infectious in some cases for days, the best preventative measures are avoidance and decontamination (adequate hand and surface cleaning). Keeping your distance from other people should be promoted as the primary protocol! Instead, most people promote wearing masks, even poor ones, as the primary protocol. This could be very deadly if you think you are protected because of a simple cloth mask improperly donned and doffed.

Daryl

Daryls Loc: Waco, TX

Screamin Scott wrote:

Very logical response...Pointing out a glaring problem with reporting...

Thank you for your kind words Screamin Scott. I really appreciate them.

Daryl