7 hours ago, TheDeuce said:

Effective at what?

"The results could indicate a more moderate degree of protection of 15-20%, however, the study could not rule out that face masks do not provide any protection."  

9 minutes ago, John Anthony said:

"The results could indicate a more moderate degree of protection of 15-20%, however, the study could not rule out that face masks do not provide any protection."  

In other words the Danish study is a nothing burger. 

1 hour ago, theguru said:

In other words the Danish study is a nothing burger. 

The mask makes people feel like they’re in control, it provides security, sort of like a bullet-proof vest.  I just hope people are wearing the appropriate mask, otherwise they are spreading it almost at the same rate as non-maskers.

I chose to get the vaccine and am happy I did.  That being said, as a nurse I know that paper masks and cloth masks help contain the spread of the wearers’ cough/sneezes, which in turn protects others from exposure. They do zero to stop anyone from inhaling the Covid virus.  The virus passes easily through regular masks. To prevent inhaling the virus you would have to have an N95 mask, which is not easy to breathe through long term.  So, if you think wearing a mask will protect you against the virus, that’s unlikely, unless it is an N 95.

i saw a guy at a casino last week jumping game to game with a paper mask and gloves on. Ridiculous.

6 hours ago, Beechwoodfan said:

That being said, as a nurse I know that paper masks and cloth masks help contain the spread of the wearers’ cough/sneezes, which in turn protects others from exposure.

Thank you for saying this. That's the point of masks, not to keep you from getting it. Some like to use the fact that masks don't keep you from getting it as their reasoning for saying masks don't work. 

1 hour ago, TheDeuce said:

Thank you for saying this. That's the point of masks, not to keep you from getting it. Some like to use the fact that masks don't keep you from getting it as their reasoning for saying masks don't work. 

In my honest opinion, this is the number one failure in this whole thing.  The message about masking has been weak and all over the place.  Right off the bat, there should have been a clear and concise message about why the general public is wearing certain types of masks and why medical professionals are wearing others.  But, there wasn't.  So, even now we have fairly intelligent people still making statements that are blatantly wrong (or misguided, at best).

10 minutes ago, CincySportsFan said:

In my honest opinion, this is the number one failure in this whole thing.  The message about masking has been weak and all over the place.  Right off the bat, there should have been a clear and concise message about why the general public is wearing certain types of masks and why medical professionals are wearing others.  But, there wasn't.  So, even now we have fairly intelligent people still making statements that are blatantly wrong (or misguided, at best).

I agree with the messaging failures. In fairness, some of these things have evolved over time (like anything else in science does). But people operate in the black and white and look for any reason to go against the grain.

11 minutes ago, CincySportsFan said:

In my honest opinion, this is the number one failure in this whole thing.  The message about masking has been weak and all over the place.  Right off the bat, there should have been a clear and concise message about why the general public is wearing certain types of masks and why medical professionals are wearing others.  But, there wasn't.  So, even now we have fairly intelligent people still making statements that are blatantly wrong (or misguided, at best).

 

1 minute ago, bugatti said:

I agree with the messaging failures. In fairness, some of these things have evolved over time (like anything else in science does). But people operate in the black and white and look for any reason to go against the grain.

I agree with both of these.

46 minutes ago, bugatti said:

I agree with the messaging failures. In fairness, some of these things have evolved over time (like anything else in science does). But people operate in the black and white and look for any reason to go against the grain.

Completely agree with the fact that things have evolved/changed over time.  But, again, the failure has been in communicating those changes and how/why we need to address them. 

6 minutes ago, CincySportsFan said:

Completely agree with the fact that things have evolved/changed over time.  But, again, the failure has been in communicating those changes and how/why we need to address them. 

Yep. And it is mixed messaging too, right? When you have a handful of regulatory agencies with conflicting/nuanced messaging and the rural vs. densely populated areas having varying levels of impact, a uniform approach is only good if you have a uniform plan and message.

17 hours ago, John Anthony said:

The mask makes people feel like they’re in control, it provides security, sort of like a bullet-proof vest.  I just hope people are wearing the appropriate mask, otherwise they are spreading it almost at the same rate as non-maskers.

Not only the same rate but according to a couple of the studies referenced in this thread cloth masks may increase spread:

A 2015 study in the British Medical Journal BMJ Open found that cloth masks were penetrated by 97% of particles and may increase infection risk by retaining moisture or repeated use.

An August 2020 review by a German professor in virology, epidemiology and hygiene found that there is no evidence for the effectiveness of face masks and that the improper daily use of masks by the public may in fact lead to an increase in infections.

Additionally, another way to look at the Danish study you referenced is they could not even say for sure that cloth masks are 15-20% effective.

11 minutes ago, theguru said:

Not only the same rate but according to a couple of the studies referenced in this thread cloth masks may increase spread:

A 2015 study in the British Medical Journal BMJ Open found that cloth masks were penetrated by 97% of particles and may increase infection risk by retaining moisture or repeated use.

An August 2020 review by a German professor in virology, epidemiology and hygiene found that there is no evidence for the effectiveness of face masks and that the improper daily use of masks by the public may in fact lead to an increase in infections.

Additionally, another way to look at the Danish study you referenced is they could not even say for sure that cloth masks are 15-20% effective.

It’s psychological, by wearing the mask it makes us feel like we have control, over an out of control situation.  The N95 is very effective that’s why they were very hard to get during the first 6 months.  It will take a multiplicity approach; vaccines, masks, distancing and natural immunity.  That’s with the hope other variants won’t come.  Israel is one of the most vaccinated countries and they are experiencing a 300% increase.  I also read that only about 20% of people are spreaders.  I think in the end a few years from now, natural immunity will be what phases it out, what you’ve been saying all along.

My work just announced that all fully vaxxed employees will be receiving a $1,000 bonus/reward. 

1 minute ago, TheDeuce said:

My work just announced that all fully vaxxed employees will be receiving a $1,000 bonus/reward. 

Fantastic!

12 hours ago, Beechwoodfan said:

I chose to get the vaccine and am happy I did.  That being said, as a nurse I know that paper masks and cloth masks help contain the spread of the wearers’ cough/sneezes, which in turn protects others from exposure. They do zero to stop anyone from inhaling the Covid virus.  The virus passes easily through regular masks. To prevent inhaling the virus you would have to have an N95 mask, which is not easy to breathe through long term.  So, if you think wearing a mask will protect you against the virus, that’s unlikely, unless it is an N 95.

i saw a guy at a casino last week jumping game to game with a paper mask and gloves on. Ridiculous.

Thanks for sharing all that @Beechwoodfan.

I assume all of us have been taught since we were little guys and girls that you cover your mouth/face when you sneeze/cough and of course a face covering would help if for some reason you are not able/willing to cover your sneeze/cough.  But like you said, the virus passes right through regular masks and if you think wearing a mask will protect you against the virus that is unlikely.