Are there real statistics on just how many people are being turned away? Hasn't it always been the case that people sometimes have to be turned to another hospital? Wouldn't reform of the horrible mix of public/private hospitals make more sense? It seems to me the risk to the general population isn't really that high, it just makes news because it's a sad story when someone who had a heart attack can't get admitted because some anti-vax moron is taking up space.

There are tons of people coming into the hospitals in my part of the US who are completely asymptomatic but panicking. The solution to this isn't for everyone to wear masks, the solution is for the hospitals to redirect those people to their primary care physicians.

Accept the CDCs own study of 169 K–5 schools failed to find that masks for children in schools prevent the spread. Adult masks and ventilation were supported.

"The 21% lower incidence in schools that required mask use among students was not statistically significant compared with schools where mask use was optional."

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7021e1.htm