[aussenseiter]

Originally Posted by Lune [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

It's degrees of protection. Fitted N95 with no facial hear (facial hair is part of fitting criteria) > non-fitted N95 > surgical mask > cloth mask

Early in the pandemic, the strains had a significantly lower R_0; a non fitted N95 provided considerable protection outside an inpatient setting, and a surgical mask provided significant protection as well in public such that they were worth wearing from a public health standpoint. When I say protection, I mean decreased likelihood of infecting other people.

More recently, it's a different story as COVID spreads like the fuckin measles. Except now we have vaccines and monoclonal antibodies, and the strains are less deadly and damaging.

Shoulda had the celebrities start sporting mutton chops if you wanted the masks to fit us right.