If everyone thinks they can go out wearing a mask and forget about distancing and other measures, then that complicates things. Wearing a mask to go grocery shopping for 20 minutes is also different than say, wearing a mask and sitting in a theater or bar for 2 hours.
There is none, because the science hasn't been done. There's a viral JPEG on the internet that claims this, it's just that.
If we don't have that evidence, the we don't really know, plain and simple.
That's not to say people should stop wearing masks. It's plausible that they help. It's just that we don't know the extent to which they help.
Like others have said, if this were a different disease, maybe it would be spread more by contact and masks wouldn't be worth bothering.
And if you're only focused on how a mask can protect you, maybe it doesn't help that much. But if you are infected without knowing it...
Edit: my pun was unintentional...really, I swear.
Usually the studies that knock masks compare them against people following good hand washing protocol. Mask vs. person with good hygiene is different than the typical slob you find on the street.
It does not even matter whether the non-mask wearer is not wearing it because he believes mask is not effective, mask is not needed due to covid not existing or mask is sign of being fearful and one gotta project bravery.
Mask wearer who skipped washing hands once or approached someone 1.5 meters is still good.
I don't understand this. The actual fear should be any form of scientific misinformation. Eventually, the truth will be known, and if "scientists" are deemed to be advocating for policies that aren't supported by science, it will hurt science in the long run.
On top of this, there is decent reason to believe that there's a down-side to mask laws: too many people think that they can behave normally if they're wearing a mask, when the evidence simply doesn't support it.
I have seen this repeated many times but have not seen any evidence that really supports it. It just sounds like a common behavior. I would imagine the cross-section of people who are already going to act like it wasn’t a big deal and people who wear a mask that act like it’s not a big deal is already substantial. And while I also don’t have any data, I think it is as common sense as the other assumption and thus illustrates my point.
That doesn't mean people shouldn't wear masks, but... it's definitely the wrong takeaway.
But you are just making that one up. You don't have studies showing people wearing masks taking more risk than non-masks wearing people. Also, the scientists talk about effectiveness of masks it is not like I had seen a single one claiming it is perfect.
This whole argument is just being manipulative. Trying to pretend it is all about science and precision, when it is nothing like that.
I don't know how most people are thinking, but it's a pretty wide spread idea that masks (apart from the ones used in health care settings) are more for protecting others from you, than you from others.
If people are thinking like this then it seems logical seeing someone with a mask would remind them that the asymptomatic can be a threat and encourage distancing.
On the other hand, if most people are wearing masks then the few who don't stand out as abnormal, and so others might be wary of them too.
I guess your generalization might be applicable to some states/cities more than others; under current circumstances, I think most people are not seeing what it's like in other places first hand.