The science of mask-wearing hasn’t changed, so why have our expectations?

Re:The science of mask-wearing hasn’t changed, so why have o... by joe_the_user on Friday July 03, 2020 @09:10PM (#23729127)

"There was a severe shortage of N95's at the time, and if the public thought masks were important, there would have been an unprecedented run on PPE and the medical community would have had squat."

Uh, you what actually happened? There was been an unprecedented run on PPE and the medical community got squat. It's bizarre to have to recite headline news from two months ago ... doctors in NYC using garbage bags instead of real protection. Hand sanitizer unavailable. Nurses in hospital prohibited from using their own masks and not getting them from the hospitals. The Federal government hoarding PPEs for who knows what asinine reason.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:The science of mask-wearing hasn’t changed, so why have o... by jariel on Friday July 03, 2020 @11:19PM (#23729792)

Well I think you helped to prove my point.

As I said, there was excess demand for PPE, but by and large, most medical staff did have access.

That there were some doctors who were unable, means that obviously there was some shortage.

But Dr. Fauci and the WHO had of indicated that 'every American should wear a mask' - then all doctors would have been wearing garbage bags through the entire affair.

The 'excess demand' from natural concern was bad enough, but 350 Million Americans clamouring for N95's would have wiped out any hope of keeping the medical staff in place.

It was a rational decision given the risks and unknowns: We need to get PPE to doctors because the value to the general public is limited.

A tough and difficult decision at the time, but they did the right thing.

[ Parent | on HN ]