[robocat]

This is commonly believed, but how do we know how true it is?

If breathing particles into your throat and lungs is the primary vector (seems likely to me, although I don’t know exactly what is), then what you are saying is wrong.

It seems that masks are being de-emphasised, based on the obvious fake reason of saving the retail stock for the front-line workers (how does avoiding buying retail stock magically get masks into hands of nurses?).

It also seems to me there is an over emphasis on washing hands, and avoiding touching your face (well mouth, nose or eyes). That could be one vector (although unlikely to be the main vector) yet why is everyone so hyper focused on it like it’s the critical vector? It’s the emphasis on washing and touching I find disturbing (even though obviously we should wash hands and avoid touching holes).

[brianwawok]

Washing and touching is what people can do without shooting each other over masks. I am sure it helps like 10%. Doubt it will have a massive impact either way. I’d like to think most people wash their hands reasonable often.

[robocat]

Yep.

What weirds me that it seems likely a bandana over the mouth could change R0 from 2.2 to 2.0, yet we talk about washing hands.

A 10% reduction of transmission is super good when you are dealing with exponential growth.

We need both together, yet we are focusing on only one.