Should we wear masks or not? An expert sorts through the confusion

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Should we wear masks or not? An expert sorts through the confusion


file-20200401-66109-l9sy5w.jpg


The guidance on masks appears to be shifting, but social distancing is still the key step people can take.
Muhammad Fayyaz Rub/Shutterstock.com



Thomas Perls, Boston University



As a professor at Boston University’s School of Medicine and a geriatrician at Boston Medical Center caring for the most vulnerable in this pandemic, I’ve been asked a lot of questions about COVID-19.



It turns out there is good science out there that helps us know what masks we need to wear and when to wear them. That being said, some of the following advice could change as scientists learn more about why some people get a bad or even lethal case of this virus while many more get through it OK. One of the areas of greatest confusion seems to be about masks.



Much of the decision about wearing masks depends on what the essential businesses that remain open are doing to ensure social distancing and therefore, our safety.



Knowledge will protect you



Guidance about wearing a mask has to do with the different ways viruses like COVID-19 spread from person to person: through contact, droplets and as airborne, also called aerosolized, particles.



People get infected with COVID-19 when they touch a contaminated surface like a subway handle, or shake hands and then touch their face. Steel and plastic surfaces can harbor live virus for three days. On average, people touch their faces every two-and-a-half minutes, so it is easy to see how this virus can spread so easily from one person to the next by touching surfaces.



Another way to get the virus is by droplets that people produce by coughing and sneezing. Droplets are relatively large and contain mostly water plus the virus, so they usually fall from the air within six feet (one of the reasons for the six-foot social distancing rule). That said, vigorous coughs can go farther, and a strong sneeze – they’ve been clocked at 50-100 meters per second – can spread a droplet 18 feet away. This is why people who aren’t already wearing a mask because they are sick should cough or sneeze into their elbow.



Coughs and sneezes also produce aerosolized virus, smaller particles that float in the air far longer than droplets and that can also travel farther. Aerosols are also produced by talking, yelling and just normal breathing. A big problem is that in small, poorly ventilated rooms, COVID-19 can hang in the air and stay infectious for three hours. Another thing to know is that common medical devices, like nebulizer machines for people with asthma and CPAP machines for those with sleep apnea, are good at aerosolizing virus.



Two different types of masks to choose from


file-20200330-65528-2116np.jpg


A surgical mask, left, and an N95 mask, right.






There are two basic kinds of masks – surgical masks and N95 respirator masks.



Surgical masks are worn to protect patients from infectious droplets should the health care provider sneeze or cough. Someone who is suspected of being sick or is actually sick with COVID-19 should also wear a surgical mask to protect anyone around them from their sneeze or cough.



As far as protection for the user, surgical masks can protect the nose and mouth against splashes of bodily fluids, as a surgeon might encounter during a surgery. But don’t wear a surgical mask or a do-it-yourself mask if you think it’s going to protect you from COVID-19 that’s suspended in the air, say in a closed, poorly ventilated space. Aerosolized COVID-19 is so tiny that it can get in through gaps between the mask and face and breathed in through the material of the mask.



Some countries are requiring everyone to wear a surgical mask at least in potentially high people density, closed spaces. For example, the Austrian government now requires supermarkets and pharmacies to hand out surgical masks to all customers who must wear them when in the store. The purpose of the masks is to prevent the wearer from spreading the virus to others by coughing and sneezing. If markets and other businesses and our means of transportation can’t enforce good social distancing and even just some people who are coughing or sneezing don’t wear masks when they venture out, then the United States and other countries might have to follow suit.



Several U.S. government officials have suggested that widespread public use of masks will help. FDA Commissioner Gottlieb argued that a mask can be “an additional layer of protection for those who have to go out.” To be clear though, surgical or DIY masks and scarves are used primarily to protect others by preventing the spread of droplets. People should not be lulled into a false sense of security in thinking that these types of masks will protect them from airborne, aerosolized virus in for example, poorly ventilated spaces frequented by others. The best thing to do is avoid such spaces and stay home as much as possible.



A N95 respirator mask (in Europe, it’s called a FFP2) does protect the wearer from breathing in COVID-19 if it’s worn properly so that there is a really good seal around the face. If you’re a home care provider caring for someone who has or might have COVID-19, you should wear the N95 to protect yourself. That is, assuming there are enough of these masks to go around beyond those needed by care providers on the front lines at the hospitals. If you don’t have a N95, open a window in the patient’s room and maybe even use a fan if you have one to decrease the amount of virus floating around. Of course provide plenty of blankets to keep them warm!



The bottom line



In my opinion, you don’t need a mask with really good social distancing (staying at least six feet away from others) when you are outdoors. Even in a well-ventilated, large room where businesses are doing a good job of keeping the density of people small and you are there for as short a time as possible, I would not feel the need for a mask. But if those who are sneezing or coughing are not wearing masks and if social distancing doesn’t seem to be slowing the spread of COVID-19 fast enough, Americans and others will likely need to follow in Austria’s footsteps with mandatory masks inside buildings and go further to include any public transportation, taxis and ride sharing services.



If you are coughing or sneezing and therefore producing droplets that can contaminate other people or surfaces, wear a surgical mask to protect others. Even if you think it’s just a cold, wear a mask, or if you don’t have one, then a scarf. Pretty soon we may all be asked to wear these when we go to public places even if we aren’t coughing or sneezing, if some people don’t take this responsibility very seriously.



A N95 mask should be worn by people caring for COVID-19-suspected or infected people which, when worn properly, can protect against airborne virus. Because health care professionals are caring for many COVID-19 patients, they must have N95 masks. If there are enough, then asymptomatic caregivers of COVID-19 patients at home should also wear them.



[You need to understand the coronavirus pandemic, and we can help. Read our newsletter.]
count.gif




Thomas Perls, Professor of Medicine, Boston University



This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
 

someguy44

Registered User
Apr 6, 2004
2,715
247
Space Jail
Should we wear masks or not? An expert sorts through the confusion


file-20200401-66109-l9sy5w.jpg


The guidance on masks appears to be shifting, but social distancing is still the key step people can take.
Muhammad Fayyaz Rub/Shutterstock.com



Thomas Perls, Boston University



As a professor at Boston University’s School of Medicine and a geriatrician at Boston Medical Center caring for the most vulnerable in this pandemic, I’ve been asked a lot of questions about COVID-19.



It turns out there is good science out there that helps us know what masks we need to wear and when to wear them. That being said, some of the following advice could change as scientists learn more about why some people get a bad or even lethal case of this virus while many more get through it OK. One of the areas of greatest confusion seems to be about masks.



Much of the decision about wearing masks depends on what the essential businesses that remain open are doing to ensure social distancing and therefore, our safety.



Knowledge will protect you



Guidance about wearing a mask has to do with the different ways viruses like COVID-19 spread from person to person: through contact, droplets and as airborne, also called aerosolized, particles.



People get infected with COVID-19 when they touch a contaminated surface like a subway handle, or shake hands and then touch their face. Steel and plastic surfaces can harbor live virus for three days. On average, people touch their faces every two-and-a-half minutes, so it is easy to see how this virus can spread so easily from one person to the next by touching surfaces.



Another way to get the virus is by droplets that people produce by coughing and sneezing. Droplets are relatively large and contain mostly water plus the virus, so they usually fall from the air within six feet (one of the reasons for the six-foot social distancing rule). That said, vigorous coughs can go farther, and a strong sneeze – they’ve been clocked at 50-100 meters per second – can spread a droplet 18 feet away. This is why people who aren’t already wearing a mask because they are sick should cough or sneeze into their elbow.



Coughs and sneezes also produce aerosolized virus, smaller particles that float in the air far longer than droplets and that can also travel farther. Aerosols are also produced by talking, yelling and just normal breathing. A big problem is that in small, poorly ventilated rooms, COVID-19 can hang in the air and stay infectious for three hours. Another thing to know is that common medical devices, like nebulizer machines for people with asthma and CPAP machines for those with sleep apnea, are good at aerosolizing virus.



Two different types of masks to choose from


file-20200330-65528-2116np.jpg


A surgical mask, left, and an N95 mask, right.






There are two basic kinds of masks – surgical masks and N95 respirator masks.



Surgical masks are worn to protect patients from infectious droplets should the health care provider sneeze or cough. Someone who is suspected of being sick or is actually sick with COVID-19 should also wear a surgical mask to protect anyone around them from their sneeze or cough.



As far as protection for the user, surgical masks can protect the nose and mouth against splashes of bodily fluids, as a surgeon might encounter during a surgery. But don’t wear a surgical mask or a do-it-yourself mask if you think it’s going to protect you from COVID-19 that’s suspended in the air, say in a closed, poorly ventilated space. Aerosolized COVID-19 is so tiny that it can get in through gaps between the mask and face and breathed in through the material of the mask.



Some countries are requiring everyone to wear a surgical mask at least in potentially high people density, closed spaces. For example, the Austrian government now requires supermarkets and pharmacies to hand out surgical masks to all customers who must wear them when in the store. The purpose of the masks is to prevent the wearer from spreading the virus to others by coughing and sneezing. If markets and other businesses and our means of transportation can’t enforce good social distancing and even just some people who are coughing or sneezing don’t wear masks when they venture out, then the United States and other countries might have to follow suit.



Several U.S. government officials have suggested that widespread public use of masks will help. FDA Commissioner Gottlieb argued that a mask can be “an additional layer of protection for those who have to go out.” To be clear though, surgical or DIY masks and scarves are used primarily to protect others by preventing the spread of droplets. People should not be lulled into a false sense of security in thinking that these types of masks will protect them from airborne, aerosolized virus in for example, poorly ventilated spaces frequented by others. The best thing to do is avoid such spaces and stay home as much as possible.



A N95 respirator mask (in Europe, it’s called a FFP2) does protect the wearer from breathing in COVID-19 if it’s worn properly so that there is a really good seal around the face. If you’re a home care provider caring for someone who has or might have COVID-19, you should wear the N95 to protect yourself. That is, assuming there are enough of these masks to go around beyond those needed by care providers on the front lines at the hospitals. If you don’t have a N95, open a window in the patient’s room and maybe even use a fan if you have one to decrease the amount of virus floating around. Of course provide plenty of blankets to keep them warm!



The bottom line



In my opinion, you don’t need a mask with really good social distancing (staying at least six feet away from others) when you are outdoors. Even in a well-ventilated, large room where businesses are doing a good job of keeping the density of people small and you are there for as short a time as possible, I would not feel the need for a mask. But if those who are sneezing or coughing are not wearing masks and if social distancing doesn’t seem to be slowing the spread of COVID-19 fast enough, Americans and others will likely need to follow in Austria’s footsteps with mandatory masks inside buildings and go further to include any public transportation, taxis and ride sharing services.



If you are coughing or sneezing and therefore producing droplets that can contaminate other people or surfaces, wear a surgical mask to protect others. Even if you think it’s just a cold, wear a mask, or if you don’t have one, then a scarf. Pretty soon we may all be asked to wear these when we go to public places even if we aren’t coughing or sneezing, if some people don’t take this responsibility very seriously.



A N95 mask should be worn by people caring for COVID-19-suspected or infected people which, when worn properly, can protect against airborne virus. Because health care professionals are caring for many COVID-19 patients, they must have N95 masks. If there are enough, then asymptomatic caregivers of COVID-19 patients at home should also wear them.



[You need to understand the coronavirus pandemic, and we can help. Read our newsletter.]
count.gif




Thomas Perls, Professor of Medicine, Boston University



This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Not sure if you realize this, but asymptomatic/presymptomatic people are the major drivers of spreading this virus. This is unlike SARS/MERS/Ebola, etc... where the person showing symptoms is the only one that could spread. This is why COVID is so hard to contain vs the others. Hence, why everyone should put on a mask to prevent spread. Completely ignoring asymptomatic / presymptomatic people is a big big mistake because we don't test them and we don't put masks on them. They also don't know who they are. We have a global pandemic and even at this stage in the game, health authorities in Canada, US, etc... are giving horrible advice.

 
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Dan Kelly

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Sep 27, 2017
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should we be forced to wear masks when out now? NO ! i am essential staff where i work and none of us have worn masks at work and none of us has caught anything, so i believe social distancing has been working well, even in the grocery stores where none of us have caught anything either!

i don't believe it's necessary nor is it something else the government needs to force on anyone after all the restrictions we already have to follow! i say the problem continues to be the people that are not obeying the stay at home unless for groceries/medical appointments like the kids that went to the beaches in Florida recently or the people of Manhattan ! would it hurt to wear it when out? no, but i just feel that this isn't absolutely necessary. my opinion only guys!
 
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Tender Rip

Wears long pants
Feb 12, 2007
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Shanghai, China
Having lived in China for 13 years and being a frequent business traveler around South East Asia, it has been hard to stomach the momentous cheek of Western politicians, health care experts and organizations on this since day 1.

Of course they help! A mask limits transmission compared to not having a mask and by and of itself it increases social distancing. A concept people obviously have a hard time with in the West having had little experience with the need. You don't have to wear the mask when standing in a park with ample space around you, but when you're commuting or in crowds, it obviously limits risks of transmission.
Its hard to believe that any sentient being does not comprehend that. Same as obviously wearing a mask on highly polluted days will limit the amount of dangerous particles you take in. Its not a guarantee you don't get sick, but it helps. While I didn't regularly wear masks before on polluted days, now the minor inconvenience of wearing one is a no-brainer, as my health is not just an individual matter. It becomes even more of a no-brainer when opening up societies again, because the virus is still there, and you still need to maintain social distancing despite coming back to work routines, using public transportation etc.

Thus the only meaningful reason for this conceit is of course that these masks have not been acquired and stockpiled in numbers that make them readily available outside of the countries where people and authorities swear by them.... and of course most are produced here also both due to production costs and because this is where the market for them usually is. Now getting them in satisfying numbers is difficult and expensive.

I get why in such a situation you don't want to create a run on items your front line care providers absolute must have, they should absolutely be prioritized. But if one is to believe that authorities are only now coming around on the science of efficacy of masks, then really it is very difficult not questioning everything they argue as fact.

If people don't want to trust that the Chinese know what they're doing (which has been an absolutely incredible job after ditching the initial botched local response in Wuhan), or their numbers, then look at South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong, because its all shades of the exact same color. They're doing the same things, using the same tools and the numbers track very closely. Local transmission is basically killed off and very, very few people have died relative to populations. Now they're just struggling with the people carrying the disease home from abroad.
 

Fig

Absolute Horse Shirt
Dec 15, 2014
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Not sure if you realize this, but asymptomatic/presymptomatic people are the major drivers of spreading this virus. This is unlike SARS/MERS/Ebola, etc... where the person showing symptoms is the only one that could spread. This is why COVID is so hard to contain vs the others. Hence, why everyone should put on a mask to prevent spread. Completely ignoring asymptomatic / presymptomatic people is a big big mistake because we don't test them and we don't put masks on them. They also don't know who they are. We have a global pandemic and even at this stage in the game, health authorities in Canada, US, etc... are giving horrible advice.



Yep, it's the asymptomatic/presymptomatic stuff that is the major game changer on Covid 19 which is why it is so much more worrisome than normal. It's the biggest reason why it's scarier than the other stuff like SARS/H1N1 etc. That's why I say masks all the time when out in public. But I also mean surgical masks or DIY masks, not N95.
 

Say Hey Kid

The best all around player ever
Dec 10, 2007
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"In my opinion, you don’t need a mask with really good social distancing (staying at least six feet away from others) when you are outdoors. Even in a well-ventilated, large room where businesses are doing a good job of keeping the density of people small and you are there for as short a time as possible, I would not feel the need for a mask." Dr Thomas Perls MD

Agreed. There is no evidence that masks help and they may increase your chance of infection. Wanna know how? Do your homework.
 
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Jan 9, 2007
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Agreed. There is no evidence that masks help and they may increase your chance of infection. Wanna know how? Do your homework.

Funny, the Korean government stepped in and has made them available for every person for less than $1.50 per mask.

Maybe you are right, but in a densely populated country like this that 6 feet of personal space is almost non-existent, even outside the big cities. And yet, after what seemed like a huge increase in cases early on things have been under control here.

Also, while schools are still not open here, there are no lockdowns. No "only essential work", etc. Most of life goes on. My day to day life looks nothing like an American's life in any city these days. National Assembly elections are being held on the 15th. That will be a big test if it goes forward as planned.
 

Natey

GOATS
Aug 2, 2005
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If we had enough masks to supply the entire world? Yes, 100%. Not so much to protect yourself, but to protect others. The masks help a little in terms of keeping the virus out, but they help more keeping the virus in. So if we had that quantity, then it would definitely be beneficial.

However, we don't. We don't even have enough in health care. So everyone else should stay home, and all masks should be going to health care.

The biggest problem with people wearing masks is they have no idea how proper PPE works. I saw someone with a mask on three days ago and they were CONSTANTLY readjusting it on their face WITH GLOVES ON. So they were literally spreading whatever was on their gloves, all over their face. I can only asssume these same people have no idea how to take it off properly either.
 

someguy44

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Apr 6, 2004
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"In my opinion, you don’t need a mask with really good social distancing (staying at least six feet away from others) when you are outdoors. Even in a well-ventilated, large room where businesses are doing a good job of keeping the density of people small and you are there for as short a time as possible, I would not feel the need for a mask."

Agreed. There is no evidence that masks help and they may increase your chance of infection. Wanna know how? Do your homework.

I did my homework and masks definitely help. Tell the 2 billion mask wearers in Asia they don't help. There is so much overwhelming evidence that masks help that I couldn't believe you said they don't. Take for example what happened at that gathering in S. Korea between that cult. Had everyone had masks on, S. Korea would have 5 or 6000 less cases. Or, what happened on the Diamond Princess, a poorly ventilated ship like that would've seen a lot less cases had everyone had masks on. Or, at numerous funerals at churches where people kept a distance and everything was Lysoled. They got infected quite easily and masks would have helped. Social distancing is important and just cause you have a mask on doesn't mean you don't do social distancing. Also, look at all the mask wearing countries and noticed how they've flattened the curve vs all the non mask wearing countries? Evidence is so overwhelming. Having been through SARS and now this, I can definitely tell you that masks help....a lot.

If we had enough masks to supply the entire world? Yes, 100%. Not so much to protect yourself, but to protect others. The masks help a little in terms of keeping the virus out, but they help more keeping the virus in. So if we had that quantity, then it would definitely be beneficial.

However, we don't. We don't even have enough in health care. So everyone else should stay home, and all masks should be going to health care.

The biggest problem with people wearing masks is they have no idea how proper PPE works. I saw someone with a mask on three days ago and they were CONSTANTLY readjusting it on their face WITH GLOVES ON. So they were literally spreading whatever was on their gloves, all over their face. I can only asssume these same people have no idea how to take it off properly either.

I think the government needs to put out campaigns on how to properly use PPE and proper hand washing. They should also encourage people to make DIY masks. Canada and the US just tells people to wash hands, social distance and stay home. They don't go into details nor do they actually properly plan. This is why we're in the mess we're in. If the general public in Asian countries knows how to use a mask, then why can't Canada/ US. Just educate. Also, touching your face is not a big deal. It's touching the points of entries for viruses that is a big deal.
 
Last edited:

Natey

GOATS
Aug 2, 2005
62,295
8,434
I did my homework and masks definitely help. Tell the 2 billion mask wearers in Asia they don't help. There is so much overwhelming evidence that masks help that I couldn't believe you said they don't. Take for example what happened at that gathering in S. Korea between that cult. Had everyone had masks on, S. Korea would have 5 or 6000 less cases. Or, what happened on the Diamond Princess, a poorly ventilated ship like that would've seen a lot less cases had everyone had masks on. Or, at numerous funerals at churches where people kept a distance and everything was Lysoled. They got infected quite easily and masks would have helped. Social distancing is important and just cause you have a mask on doesn't mean you don't do social distancing. Also, look at all the mask wearing countries and noticed how they've flattened the curve vs all the non mask wearing countries? Evidence is so overwhelming. Having been through SARS and now this, I can definitely tell you that masks help....a lot.



I think the government needs to put out campaigns on how to properly use PPE and proper hand washing. They should also encourage people to make DIY masks. Canada and the US just tells people to wash hands, social distance and stay home. They don't go into details nor do they actually properly plan. This is why we're in the mess we're in. If the general public in Asian countries knows how to use a mask, then why can't Canada/ US. Just educate. Also, touching your face is not a big deal. It's touching the points of entries for viruses that is a big deal.
Where do you think people are going to be touching their faces to adjust their mask?

Their nose.

It's very much a big deal.

I work in health care. I know what is proper and non-proper use of PPE.
 

someguy44

Registered User
Apr 6, 2004
2,715
247
Space Jail
Where do you think people are going to be touching their faces to adjust their mask?

Their nose.

It's very much a big deal.

I work in health care. I know what is proper and non-proper use of PPE.

They are not touching their nostrils. Touching nose (top or side) would be OK as longe as it's not inside. Also, people should still be washing hands. Having said that, I agree that people with gloves on shouldn't be touching their faces at all. I never do.
 

Kranix

Deranged Homer
Jun 27, 2012
18,122
16,154
Not sure if you realize this, but asymptomatic/presymptomatic people are the major drivers of spreading this virus. This is unlike SARS/MERS/Ebola, etc... where the person showing symptoms is the only one that could spread. This is why COVID is so hard to contain vs the others. Hence, why everyone should put on a mask to prevent spread. Completely ignoring asymptomatic / presymptomatic people is a big big mistake because we don't test them and we don't put masks on them. They also don't know who they are. We have a global pandemic and even at this stage in the game, health authorities in Canada, US, etc... are giving horrible advice.


Source
 

Kranix

Deranged Homer
Jun 27, 2012
18,122
16,154
Is Rudy Gobert a good enough example? He infected how many people while asymptomatic before showing symptoms himself?
Do you know exactly what happened there? Are one guy's interactions an indicator of the major drivers of a global pandemic?
I didn't ask for an example.
 

Natey

GOATS
Aug 2, 2005
62,295
8,434
They are not touching their nostrils. Touching nose (top or side) would be OK as longe as it's not inside. Also, people should still be washing hands. Having said that, I agree that people with gloves on shouldn't be touching their faces at all. I never do.
You literally have no f***ing clue what they were doing because you weren't there. Damn, you're arrogant.

I know how to use PPE, I know what I saw was ridiculous. Stop arguing with me about it. f***, man.
 

Fig

Absolute Horse Shirt
Dec 15, 2014
12,957
8,449
Do you know exactly what happened there? Are one guy's interactions an indicator of the major drivers of a global pandemic?
I didn't ask for an example.

https://www.who.int/docs/default-so...0402-sitrep-73-covid-19.pdf?sfvrsn=5ae25bc7_2

Data from published epidemiology and virologic studies provide evidence that COVID-19 is primarily transmitted from symptomatic people to others who are in close contact through respiratory droplets, by direct contact with infected persons, or by contact with contaminated objects and surfaces.1-7 This is supported by detailed experiences shared by technical partners via WHO global expert networks, and reports and presentations by Ministries of Health

Misunderstood your post. Per the WHO, it's primarily symptomatic people vs aymptomatic/pre-symptomatic which is in contrary to that statement, but how many people wander around with basic symptoms and think it's nothing/not Covid 19 and are infecting others? This blurring of the definition of symptomatic and pre-symptomatic between layman and scientist isn't helpful, but isn't arguing that bolded point just splitting hairs?
 

JacketsFanWest

Registered User
Jun 14, 2005
5,020
1,182
Los Angeles, CA

I haven't seen any peer reviewed studies confirming asymptomatic are the major cause of the spread. But there hasn't been time for those types of studies.

The work Andrea Cristani has done in Italy including mass testing in the village of Vo' (How one small Italian town cut coronavirus cases to zero in just a few weeks | Live Science) has shown finding new cases which hadn't been detected.

However, Cristani has also blamed the fact that people with symptoms are staying in their homes, frequently with many other family members, as one of the reasons for the spread (Source).

So, wearing a mask in public wouldn't prevent spreading the virus to other family members since I don't think people are wearing masks around the dinner table or while watching Netflix on the couch.

China is also shifting their focus to asymptomatic carriers: China pivots to tackle 'silent' Covid-19 carriers as US says a quarter of cases may have no symptoms

In Monday, Chinese premier Li Keqiang called for increased tracking and monitoring of patients without symptoms amid fears of a resurgence of cases, leading several provinces to introduce tougher measures on Tuesday. In Zhejiang, all asymptomatic patients undergo mandatory medical observation at a hospital for 14 days.

This is the type of measures Cristani was advocating for in Italy - constant testing and if anyone tests positive, they are taken to a center and completely isolated.

Also:

On Tuesday, China’s Global Times newspaper reported the transmission risk of asymptomatic patients was similar to those with symptoms. It said 6.3% of a confirmed case’s close contacts were infected with the virus, as opposed to 4.4% for an asymptomatic carrier, according to the Ningbo Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Zhejiang Province.

But that's close contacts. The risk of being infected by a random person walking down the street or at the grocery hasn't been determined.
 

Kranix

Deranged Homer
Jun 27, 2012
18,122
16,154
https://www.who.int/docs/default-so...0402-sitrep-73-covid-19.pdf?sfvrsn=5ae25bc7_2



Misunderstood your post. Per the WHO, it's primarily symptomatic people vs aymptomatic/pre-symptomatic which is in contrary to that statement, but how many people wander around with basic symptoms and think it's nothing/not Covid 19 and are infecting others? This blurring of the definition of symptomatic and pre-symptomatic between layman and scientist isn't helpful, but isn't arguing that bolded point just splitting hairs?
No it's not splitting hairs because the only major info I've seen on this says it's most contagious when people have symptoms, ie coughing and sneezing. It's transmitted through droplets.
 

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