Yes as well for those who don't have it the mask prevents inhilation of droplets that fill the air near anyone who is speaking (let alone coughing or sneezing). Just talking within six feet of someone with it is risky. The reason for washing hands is because droplets from talking people are falling on all kinds of surfaces which will last for possibly days . If everyone wore a mask there would be no need for handwashing. So order of priority is MASK FIRST. But I guess Americans want to look cool (ego) like the infamous captain of the famous cruise ship Costa Concordia. Americans would rather lock themselves in quarantine for weeks on end (while the economy sinks) than be seen wearing a mask. Meanwhile even a dust mask from Home Depot, Lowe's or Ace Hardware is better than nothing. There is something called inoculation load in which ones initial exposure can be large or small depending on factors like masks. If you catch a small load your immune system is given a little extra time to build up antibodies ...and increase chance of survival. So while there may be a shortage of N95 best practice masks, almost any mask of any material would be better than nothing. There really is no shortage of better-than-nothing masks which is why I suggest there is an over abundance of ego and it's self sabotaging ignorance. Only just recently (today?) the CDC just got serious about recommending masks. Political stooges have been wringing their hands about the number of ventilators available completely ignoring the first line of defense (masks) the quickest and least expensive actionable response.
A number of companies have already shifted to manufacturing masks for healthcare providers. You would think they would have made much, much more now and be able to supply masks for all Americans. And it is far easier to make and cheaper too compared to ventilators. It could put Americans back to work too manufacturing masks.
I think hand washing is even more important than masks because we touch everything and then touch our faces. If you maintain any distance you can avoid the need for a mask but you should still be washing hands regularly. As for the masks, if we were like the Asian cultures that wore masks whenever we felt a little sick when we went out or knew lots of other people might be sick and had masks in regular supply it would work. But we don't and as soon as regular people made any run on masks look at how scarce they became and the medical communities were out of them requiring federal and state government action to get any masks. Now I can go online and purchase large boxes of masks from China and have them shipped and delivered. Maybe we lift the lockdown May 15th with the following rules as long as masks are available in large quantities that do not affect medical supply: - Anyone with a fever or any symptoms stay home for 10 days - Anyone over the age of 65 exercise stay home unless absolutely necessary - You leave the house only with a mouth covering (does not have to be mask, can be scarf or bandanna) - Hand sanitizer must be at the entrance to all stores, restaurants and bars. - Companies keep remote working for as long as possible (will keep some of the traffic an grouping away) - Schools stay virtual until end of school year but can open in June for graduation services only following social distancing rules as best as possible - Sporting events begin May 1st with no crowds yet but all athletes must be tested before being allowed to compete. Use centralized stadiums. - Lift travel restrictions domestically but planes cannot sit passengers together unless they are in the same party. This will only get them to at best 50-60% capacity but a first step. Masks for all passengers and flight attendants and hand sani handed out at beginning middle and end of flight. I could make it work if I were in charge and not fucktarded politicians.
Most of these are rock solid solutions and should be implemented immediately where needed. I would disagree with one point. The May 15 date to lift the lockdown is a death sentence for nearly every small business in the country. With the exception of restaurants, bars and the like, everyone needs to be back on the job by mid April at the latest. Put on the masks, use the hygine protocol you're suggesting and go live our lives knowing there is no possible way to eliminate all risk. I would agree elderly employees should stay home, and those feeling ill should too with serious punishments for coming in sick, and I mean go to fucking jail serious.
I think 2 weeks is too soon since the virus needs 10 days or so to work through asymptomatic people and those with symptoms. The whole reason for keeping this in place now is for the medical community to catch up, especially in NY, Louisiana, Detroit and a few other hot spots. Probably need until April 30th. It would be easy for the government to extend 1 month SBA loans to all the small businesses interest free to cover payroll and expenses and keep them afloat until then and roll out openings.
Just so we all agree, and I believe you do, that with every passing day the economic hit we're taking will be more and more difficult to recover from. There is a tipping point from which there will be no quick or easily managed recovery. Where that point is will be the topic of discussion for many days to come