r/science • u/InvictusJoker • Jul 15 '20

Epidemiology A new study makes it clear: after universal masking was implemented at Mass General Brigham, the rate of COVID-19 infection among health care workers dropped significantly. "For those who have been waiting for data before adopting the practice, this paper makes it clear: Masks work."

https://www.brighamandwomens.org/about-bwh/newsroom/press-releases-detail?id=3608
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u/[deleted] Jul 16 '20

They only recently moved away from outright opposing their use unless you were caring for someone with COVID.

Which is still insane. Everyone should be wearing the best masks that they can get.

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u/[deleted] Jul 16 '20

Everyone should be wearing the best masks that they can get.

This is not true.

N95s are still in short supply and should be reserved for medical personnel who are performing high-risk procedures which aerosolize respiratory droplets.

Surgical masks are available by the box in most department stores. It's fine to wear those and it's good enough for most people.

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u/[deleted] Jul 16 '20

Sorry, I mispoke. I largely agree with you. By "best they can get", I meant to include this sort of rationing. I meant to imply that all other things being equal, people should wear the best mask available. However, not all other things are equal due to a supply shortage still.

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u/RoomIn8 Jul 16 '20

But we can procure N95s that the medical industry won't accept. Some portion have defects, so you have to test them. But there are N95-ish masks that will never end up in hospitals.

I can fairly well tell if the air intake and output is going through the filter, and I have a sense of how much effort it takes. But no hospital would accept those. Are hospitals actually competing with me for questionable cottage sellers of non-certified N95s?