I tend to think of masks in a stochastic/statistical manner.
If I am genuinely concerned that the virion can be transmitted via small droplet aerosols, then masks can reduce the odds of transmission. They cannot reduce it to zero, but they can reduce it. Best I can figure, chance of transmission gets a drop around 40-50% with any sort of mask. More complex/expensive masks can increasevthat drop.
If the persons you are around wear masks, the chance of transmission drops even farther. If you reduce output of aerosols by 50% and then reduce the probability of uptake by 50%. The way that I look at it, you can reduce your chances of cooties by 75%.
So, masks do make sense to me. Reducing probability of infection seems like a good idea.
So really, what you need to do is establish what level of risk you are willing to accept that and what the actual consequences of infection would be to you as an individual. I have no problem with you wearing a mask, hell, I would even put one on myself if you asked nice, that is just common courtesy.
I just solve the problem by staying away from people as a general rule. Being a curmudgeon has its own rewards.
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branchandroot
Re: Masking as an informed, individual choice
Date: 2023-09-13 12:40 am (UTC)If I am genuinely concerned that the virion can be transmitted via small droplet aerosols, then masks can reduce the odds of transmission. They cannot reduce it to zero, but they can reduce it. Best I can figure, chance of transmission gets a drop around 40-50% with any sort of mask. More complex/expensive masks can increasevthat drop.
If the persons you are around wear masks, the chance of transmission drops even farther. If you reduce output of aerosols by 50% and then reduce the probability of uptake by 50%. The way that I look at it, you can reduce your chances of cooties by 75%.
So, masks do make sense to me. Reducing probability of infection seems like a good idea.
So really, what you need to do is establish what level of risk you are willing to accept that and what the actual consequences of infection would be to you as an individual. I have no problem with you wearing a mask, hell, I would even put one on myself if you asked nice, that is just common courtesy.
I just solve the problem by staying away from people as a general rule. Being a curmudgeon has its own rewards.