COVID Masks … Yes or No

Let me say this upfront — I am most definitely an advocate of mask wearing to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Having said that, I want to share an article I recently came across that questions the efficacy of masks. In the article discussion, there was a reference to a study done by a medical student and two medical school professors at the Cato Institute.* In this study, the authors asked … 

So, are masking requirements just “public health theater,” providing baseless assurance to a fearful public? Or has new evidence emerged to confirm the belief that masks—or, at least, the cloth masks that are commonly used—reduce respiratory virus transmission?

I think it might be worth your time to read both the article (The Ambiguous Science on Masks), as well as the referenced study: How Effective Are Cloth Face Masks? (The latter includes “a summary of the scientific literature on the effectiveness of masking, both against respiratory infection generally and against COVID-19.“) 

PLEASE NOTE: This post is not a vote for or against wearing masks by the general public to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The information is simply being shared as something to think about … and debate, if you so desire.

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*Via MediaBiasFactCheck.com — The Cato Institute is an American libertarian think tank headquartered in Washington, D.C. It was founded as the Charles Koch Foundation in 1974 by Ed Crane, Murray Rothbard, and Charles Koch. In July 1976, the name was changed to the Cato Institute. 

Non-Mask-Wearers

As indicated in several of my previous blog posts, I’m a firm believer in mask-wearing during the COVID crisis – and have outlined my reasons for supporting this position.

Nevertheless … I’m well aware that not everyone cares enough about themselves, their family members, their friends and/or the people they come in contact with to heed the recommendations and urgings of health care professionals related to mask-wearing.

Moreover, I fully recognize that for some, personal freedom ranks far above caring and concern for others.

What I don’t understand is why it’s so important for these non-mask-wearers to stop other people from wearing a mask. In fact, I recently read where a non-mask-wearer actually walked up to a person with a mask and ripped it from their face!

In another incidence, it was reported that non-mask-wearers gathered together in front of a store that required masks and attempted to block people from entering.

Even more astounding are the political leaders of certain states who have actually passed legislation that orders their constituents to be non-mask-wearers.

What’s up with all this? Do some people have a “Homo Stupidus” gene that has suddenly become dominant?

I sometimes wonder what the non-mask-wearers would do if they were to become infected with the virus and  healthcare facilities chose to deny help to anyone who was a non-mask-wearer.

After all … what’s the difference? It’s all about FREE-DUMB. Right?