They are all over the web. But clearly if you take them all in, you come away from it with the impression that he really pushed gain of function research and hid the fact once this took off last spring. Most of what he said in hind sight and with these emails seems to be more about politics and less about science and educating the masses.

The messaging on masks should have been that only n95 or better are worth the time. One email to a friend pretty much said that.

> The messaging on masks should have been that only n95 or better are worth the time

Which is simply rubbish.

Masks of all kinds will prevent transmission albeit with varying levels of efficacy. And most importantly they impact human behaviour in ways which prevent transmission.

Not to mention that N95 masks are more expensive which would have reduced its use by people who are poorer and are far more likely to spread the virus i.e. they are more likely to have multiple jobs, travel further for their job, work longer hours etc.

Ones of all design do help with droplet suppression. They do sweet f all for airborne unless properly fit and of the right rating. Covid for all practical purposes behaves like it is airborne. If you haven't realized this by now, I don't know what to say to convince you.

Maybe these will help:

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/26/5/19-0994_article

https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/M20-6817

I already said that not all masks are the same.

But any mask is better than no mask. Which is what happens if you mandate a far more expensive and harder to get N95 variant.

" In theory, transmission should be reduced the most if both infected members and other contacts wear masks"

Wish you had read the studies you posted

I did actually. That line you quoted was what they (and most all of us would expect).

The data didn't prove it out though, they report this in their analysis: "We did not find evidence that surgical-type face masks are effective in reducing laboratory-confirmed influenza transmission, either when worn by infected persons (source control) or by persons in the general community to reduce their susceptibility"

> worth the time

is completely relative to the observer. a piece of shitty fabric over your face won't stop n95 levels of transmission but it is better than nothing. To some of us, it's "worth the time" to be less likely to spread even if by a very small margin.

Actually no. A cloth mask can harbor dampness and increase flu transmission. It may give a false sense of security. See the two studies I posted.

" In theory, transmission should be reduced the most if both infected members and other contacts wear masks" from the very study you posted.

Don't you realize you are quoting the hypotheses or just the preamble?

Read the conclusion, what their study actually found: "We did not find evidence that surgical-type face masks are effective in reducing laboratory-confirmed influenza transmission, either when worn by infected persons (source control) or by persons in the general community to reduce their susceptibility"

See, there’s that dodge. No concerning quote. Not even a page number. Just dark, vague assertions.

I know it’s all over the web; I skimmed quite a few pages. You’re claiming concerning stuff lurks within - support the assertion.

They are all images of the emails that have been posted. Sorry, I'm not retyping them.