Masks are not a “cure”, don’t prevent all viral transmission but they have been shown by multiple studies cited here by several CR posters to REDUCE the rate and risk of transmission, especially with respect to the aged and vulnerable population. Until we have widespread vaccines later next year, masks are among the tools we have to facilitate reopening of schools and businesses. There are no magic “cures” and the virus itself will not magically “just disappear”. Its crazy we are still having this debate but for having it become one of several proxies for the larger political polarization sweeping the country (e.g. the MAGA rally yesterday in Tampa where Trump mumbled something about “i’ve always been ok with masks” while the crowd a few feet behind him were told that “masks are optional” and virtually all were maskless)
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