For those who really want to dig into the science of whether masks are effective, two pieces are probably the best start.
First is the case made by the Centers for Disease Control, which is probably the most significant since it’s the CDC’s guidelines that have largely become mandates for much of the nation, particularly for schools. It’s heavily footnoted with the studies they think matter.
Second is a new piece from City Journal that presents the other side. It’s new, thorough and also links to the relevant studies.
We are not going to try to answer the debate, primarily because it’s not a yes or no call and the ultimate judgement actually depends in part on one’s own values and risk tolerance.
However, one matter I will take the liberty to say I wish were part of the debate is whether masks induce undue reliance. “Risk compensation” is what scientists call the issue — whether masking makes those at risk feel safer than they are, resulting in less distancing and other safety measures.
On it, too, studies show different results. Here, for example, is a description of a Cambridge University study saying no, and here is a study saying yes. You can find others by searching “risk compensation masks.”
Risk compensation should get more attention, I think, not only because it bears on the ultimate efficacy of masks, but as a warning to those truly at risk, which are primarily the elderly and the obese. For them, COVID remains a serious risk, and I do fear that all the emphasis on masks encourages some to be less cautious than they should be.
-Mark Glennon
Expect no retraction or apology. This what they do.
The state’s existing buyout program for its own pensions is the precedent for Chicago, which should be a warning: Look out for similar exaggerated claims and shoddy analysis.
If a mask makes you feel safe, wear one. Just MYOB about the choices others make.
so,i weigh 500 lbs,have diabetes,high blood pressure,heart problems,and looove mcdonalds,but if you people dont wear a mask you must be trying to kill me!
A whole bunch of air blows in and out around a mask… And grow your beard the mask really becomes useless, the air just goes through your beard, no filtering. Maybe beards need to outlawed with a mask? This is why a real gas mask has a total rubber seal against the skin. Masks don’t work, too loosy-goosy in terms of escaping air and open intakes around curves or through beards. Also the micron size rating of the mask is about 10 times the size of the virus, its like expecting a cyclone fence to stop a moth. Masks are… Read more »
I always wear my mask when driving alone in my Toyota Prius,yep,windows up also,never know when u might drive thru a swarm of covids on interstate 294
When masks are required, a social distancing requirement should be in place. A mask requirement would cover instances when distancing of at least 6 ft isn’t 100% possible. Masks without a concerted effort to maintain distance is schlock policy.
A one size fits all protection policy, at this point, gets what some want while others are expected to comply. A schlock version of one size accomplishes little or nothing.
I liked your comment, but for several reasons, the foremost being that this is just not a lethal disease by any stretch … no requirements of any type should be pushed. Risk assessment for something for which 99% of a society is not an issue is the only question at hand. Otherwise, ban driving automobiles. Seriously, it is by far the best example in exposing how ridiculous these buttholes are.
Maybe everyone should be required to carry around a 6 foot long broomstick in order to poke each other away?
The first thing you need to do is define what a mask is and is not. Second there has to be a standard for how it is sealed to the face (or not). Till you do that it is impossible to judge effectiveness. A simple rule, IMO, is that if you are coughing or sneezing a lot do not go out into the public. I bet that would be about as effective as a mask mandates currently in effect.
That’s key. All masks are not alike. The City Journal article did a reasonable job focusing on that. I think the CDC piece dismissal of the Danish study is particularly sloppy. That study found no efficacy for the user, though the authors said there is value protecting others. But the Danish study was on N95 masks which are not in wide use.
My whole issue with state mandated masking, other than it physically does nothing, is this year it’s ‘just wear the mask.’ Next year it’ll be another further progression, then another, always piecemeal. Ultimately we’ll be at a full social credit score where it’s ‘go along / get along,’ else you obviously have something to hide. ‘Ausweis Bitte’ is the phrase I never throught I’d hear again. But here it is. The ‘state’ does not dole out our allowed freedoms, we have these inherently. The state is an agreed upon necessary evil, to be neutered as much as possible, unceasingly and… Read more »
Precisely. That’s what non scientific people say, which is what is so odd. Just do XYZ, then XYZ becomes the entire f’ing alphabet. Just like the woke crowd, people need to wake up to this fact, IT IS NEVER ENOUGH. Don’t relent. They are mentally and spiritually diseased.
The functional problem beyond the facts that masks don’t work is that practically speaking, they cannot work. It is what is so dumb about the “debate”. At some point or another, you have to eat, drink etc. Functionally you have to “take a risk” and for a nothing disease, especially over a year out, it’s totally preposterous.
The cloth masks children wear at school were studied to be full of bacteria.
Life is full of risks, and sometimes you have to consider which risk is worse. I think most have determined their answer to that.
Right, you better stop driving your car. You might die.
I’m the parent, not the state! Seems some have a problem with that responsibility. Children being choked, having chronic colds, flu’s and respiratory infections over a virus that doesn’t affect them is insanity.
Great piece by the City Journal. Its painful that so much of what I hear or discuss ends at “following CDC guidelines” and “following the science, which is evolving”. You know which science doesn’t “evolve”? Math.
Math is how God reveals truth
Could not agree more, the language of the universe.
That’s why 2 plus 2 can equal 4, 5 or whatever, depending on your lived experience. The Thing believes in equity, you know.
Now you know why communists attack math.
What a pathetic vapid response. What does this discussion have to do with “math?” As if the Actuary uses non-evolving math in his/her work. Actuaries deal in risk and risk is in a constant state of flux. Science evolves as new data comes into play. As do actuarial statistics. Wirepoints readers should be celebrating the success of Moderna rather than supporting a false sense of “liberty” not to be vaccinated. Moderna represents the pinnacle that capitalism and science have to offer. They had been researching mRNA for over a decade, with very little revenue to support their efforts, but they… Read more »
A very myopic view. You miss the arguments entirely. It’s not about celebrating the liberty not to be vaccinated. It’s about having control over your body and your health. Regarding Moderna, your success benchmarks seem to be 1) time to market and 2) the fact some undefined percentage of the population hasn’t immediately keeled over from the jab. Given your confidence in the toxin you’ve received from entities who have no liability for what they’ve produced, you may understand math but you certainly don’t seem to link math to the Creator and you likely have little to no knowledge of… Read more »
So Mr. Copernicus, who uses the name of a scientist from the 16th century because he is too cowardly to use his own name, and firmly believes in conspiracy theories about injecting toxins in my body, is telling me I have little to no knowledge of his version of immunology to say nothing of flawed critical thinking. And to invoke the notion of “having control over your body and health” flies in the face of the perils and impediments confronting non-privileged women seeking abortions. So if your “critical thinking” leads you to believe that your body will suffer more from… Read more »
Setting aside your Trump Derangement Syndrome and the fact that you don’t seem to grasp that those opposed to vaccine passports/mandates like to use the left’s own language against them (“my body, my choice” is the phrase adopted by leftists to justify abortion anytime, anywhere including partial birth. we like to highlight their ceaseless hypocrisy), according to your pretzel logic I must … … accept The State’s right to inject me with whatever it deems necessary in the name of preventing me from potentially killing others before I can object to The State already giving the right to the killing… Read more »
lol. Rich stuff coming from the guy who posts a tirade on Moderna when we’re talking about the efficacy of masks…
I don’t want to be a tinfoil hat type, but it is nearly impossible to search out contra-mask studies (at least it has been for me). I know they are out there, but the algorithms sure seem stacked on this subject.
Exactly right! I switched my default browser to Bing for that reason. Google is rigged. Bing has some deficiencies compared to Google, but you will see a noticeable difference in search results compared to Google on politicized issues like this one.
Mark .. try either DuckDuckGo or Neeva to get around the walled garden of information.
Locke, thanks for that. I will try them.
Along with that. they should examine the physical effects from breathing in excess CO2, especially in our children…
Not to mention the nasty bacteria that accumulates on the mask…
Here’s an article about such an analysis:
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/scottmorefield/2021/06/15/a-group-of-parents-sent-their-kids-face-masks-to-a-lab-for-analysis-heres-what-they-found-n2591047