Masks Must

I don’t like wearing a facemask but I do. I do this to protect myself first of all, and to protect others second. Simple act: wear mask, benefit self and others. I do not do this because I was ordered to. No, I do it because it makes sense.

Science proves this to work in the COVID pandemic. Anecdotal evidence at times shows the opposite, but the vast majority confirms the science.

Why chance it?

Some will say the disease has a low mortality rate. Most patients don’t even need the attention of a doctor, let alone hospitalization. That is true. However, those who are hospitalized have worse cases than those who aren’t, and they have better recovery rates now. Healthcare workers are gaining understanding of the disease. They are able to better care for patients with Covid today than they did in March.

Having said all of that, total COVID deaths in America divided by total known cases yields a mortality rate of approximately 5%.

Of course, not all cases are known or documented. It will take a while to improve data collection. It will take more time to fully understand the disease. So, we do the best we can in the meantime.

Wearing a mask is the least we can do. it helps if we keep our distance, reduce going out among crowds, and wash our hands well and often.

Just the simple things count. As always. 

July 13, 2020