Non mask wearers and “hard of thinking”

[2X4B523P]

After reading several threads on face mask since the 19th I have seen many posts where non maskers were referred to as being “hard of thinking” (along with being selfish). I have given thought to why I have decided not to wear a mask, see below, and I was wondering if those who refer to people as hard of thinking have actually given any thought themselves on the pros and cons of masks and came to their own conclusions?

It is known that mask use has a limited impact on transmission. From my own observations the sort of masks in common use have no effect whatsoever on preventing transmission from aerosols. They leak out around the sides of the mask and at the top, which prevented me wearing my glasses when using masks. If not a glasses wearer, anyone else can observe this for themselves by standing close to a mirror with a mask on and see the misting. I also wondered if a tight seal around the mask would help so I stood in front of a mirror and held the mask tight around my mouth and the vapour passed straight through. For those glasses users who didn't have the misting issue then there would have been a better gap elsewhere for the expelled air containing the moisture to escape from.

However masks do help to contain droplets, until evaporation takes over. This would depend on several factors including the time the mask was worn for, the ambient temperature, humidity levels and any movement of the air. Droplets are generated when talking, coughing or sneezing. These droplets fall to the ground within six foot which is where the original social distancing rule came in. I am able to avoid scattering droplets in a confined public space so feel that a face mask would have no positive effect on anyone else's health and safety. I shop alone and use the self checkout / scan and shop so seldom, if ever, talk to anyone. I very rarely sneeze (unless removing a lengthy nasal hair with a pair of cooking tongs) and if I did when in a public space then would do so into the crook of my elbow. I can't remember the last time I had to cough in a shop and if so would do as per sneezing. Aside from that I am also continuing with social distancing where possible. (I can keep my distance from others but others may enter my space)

Also I always use the hand sanitiser when entering shops and have had both doses of the Pfizer.

Op sounds conscientious and aware though, she maybe taking risks but she's also somewhat mitigation those risks by using self service (hopefully she doesn't need staff assistance and if she does she stands well back).

Unfortunately the youngsters I've seen maskless in our supermarket have not seemed aware of at all of us minimum risks or using self service indeed one seemed to walk around the place as much as she could she seemed up and down every single aisle then came right up behind me in the queue so I just moved then as her companion waited she was off again, wandering around.

At times like that I wish basil faltwry could spring up with a tannoy.

Immy...

In spite of all that, they are still somewhat containing the covid breath cloud arnt they.

So surgeons, anaesthetists and nurses might as well stop bothering with masks in theatre then, OP? If they don't make any difference....

not sure how the pretty little floral scraps of material with cord either side (from etsy usually)are effective.

only certain masks which are rare to see out and about, and are worn correctly, are approved by scientists from what i've read.

@Hollyhocksarenotmessy

So surgeons, anaesthetists and nurses might as well stop bothering with masks in theatre then, OP? If they don't make any difference....

they wear them correctly though...thats key!

@Lemonmelonsun

It is known that masks slow down the speed at which aerosols are propelled into the the air and also the direction.

If we spoke to each other face to face and maskless we would be fast propelling aerosols into each others faces mouths and eyes and without all the variables eg a side breeze, probably directly into each others orafices.

Even a bad mask would help to divert these away from each others orafices even to the sides is better than directly into someone's face.

The mask will catch some covid aerosols and all will help to reduce the amount of viral load the person gets off you.
Viral load is everything.

Your general shopping style op and your seemingly conscientious approach will probably reduce your chances of catching covid and passing it on.

Not every maskless person is going to be as careful without one as you are.

Perfect response right off the bat. Thank you @Lemonmelonsun !

www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-02801-8

This is pretty comprehensive in my view, and does illustrate the benefits and limitations of mask wearing. Overall it does conclude that masks are better than no masks.

I, like many, are eagerly looking forward to reading Dr Axon’s paper on this. Particularly given his expertise is in… electricity demand modelling.

Masks worn over the mouth AND nose do make a difference.

Each step we take reduces the chances of transmitting and catching the virus.

The more proper precautions we take, the greater the chances we stay healthy.

As a classical asthmatic, even the cloth masks filter off a lot of the dust and pollen that trigger my attacks.

Since wearing masks regularly, I've had fewer wheezy attacks and haven't needed to use my Ventolin for over a year.

And no I’m not a scientist but able to make my own observations and come to my own conclusions

I think we'll listen to the actual scientists, thanks.

not sure how the pretty little floral scraps of material with cord either side (from etsy usually)are effective.

The literature review I shared above is interesting on the question of unfitted cloth masks.

[quote 2X4B523P]@Geamhradh

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/07/17/cloth-face-masks-comfort-blankets-do-little-curb-covid-spread/[/quote]
Well, durrr. Obviously.
I see from a quick AS that your opposition to masks started because they made your glasses steam up but you seem to have gone down a wormhole of science that you don't understand.
You can buy those clip things to fit on the nose bridge bit of a mask. They stop the steaming up.

I do find it ironic how the anti-mask brigade are so keen to try and discourage the use of masks before they do prevent 100% of transmission, and yet, when it comes to treatments like HCQ and ivermectin are fully pro going ahead with prophylactic treatment without robust evidence because "what's the harm".

The psuedoscience movement is bizzare

What if you don't wear a mask but just keep 2 metres away from people and only go outdoors or to well ventilated places?

because they don't** jeez I need an espresso

^I see from a quick AS that your opposition to masks started because they made your glasses steam up but you seem to have gone down a wormhole of science that you don't understand.
You can buy those clip things to fit on the nose bridge bit of a mask. They stop the steaming up.^

Oh, I didn’t realise that was the real problem! Highly recommend Brilliant Masks which are great with glasses with a really good nose clip, give a pretty good fit and robust fabric and designed by/proceeds back to Alder Hey. Nice fabric designs too.

Oh that ‘ moisture expert’ heavy breathing in in the snow. Again. That’s two days running I’ve seen that now. ‘Visual tool’ indeed.

I'm wearing a mask to save the hassle, OP. However, I remember (in Early Covid Times) listening to Dr Sarah Jarvis on Radio 2 doing a whole segment vehemently insisting that masks were useless - possibly dangerous. She later changed her tune.

Who knows? Not me.

www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-9819619/DR-MICHAEL-MOSLEY-Im-cutting-hand-washing-keeping-mask-on.html

Think the question asked in my op has mostly been missed, the thread was not about how effective masks are or are not but to the countless posts where non mask wearers were referred to as "hard of thinking" and I just wondered how much thought they themselves had given to the topic. To show I had given thought I included my own PERSONAL thoughts on masks and how I assessed the risks.

There's thinking and there's "thinking".

I've never encountered the term 'Hard of Thinking' before but after reading their posts, I would comfortably ascribe it to the OP.

Masks reduce aerosol transmission, OP. I understand that they fog up your glasses, but this isn't the 'proof' they don't work you seen to think it is.

seem

@2X4B523P

Think the question asked in my op has mostly been missed, the thread was not about how effective masks are or are not but to the countless posts where non mask wearers were referred to as "hard of thinking" and I just wondered how much thought they themselves had given to the topic. To show I had given thought I included my own PERSONAL thoughts on masks and how I assessed the risks.

But if your thoughts disagree with the majority of experts, why do you think you're correct?

I might have strong views on the best way to carry out an appendectomy but I accept I'm probably wrong if I disagree with the current approach, given the fact I'm not a clinician and know little about anatomy

@2X4B523P

Think the question asked in my op has mostly been missed, the thread was not about how effective masks are or are not but to the countless posts where non mask wearers were referred to as "hard of thinking" and I just wondered how much thought they themselves had given to the topic. To show I had given thought I included my own PERSONAL thoughts on masks and how I assessed the risks.

I don't think you're necessarily hard of thinking, OP. I just think you're using pseudoscience to try and justify a decision that you're not actually very proud of.