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Re:An analysis of studies pertaining to masks from 1978 to 2023 by zeroonetwothree on Friday May 24, 2024 @05:21PM (#40470578)
As an individual I would not wear a mask to reduce infection risk by 5%. If it’s more like 90% then that’s something.
Re:An analysis of studies pertaining to masks from 1978 to 2023 by TheOtherHobbes on Friday May 24, 2024 @07:07PM (#40471270)
Masking during a pandemic is never just about individual risk. Collective action has an exponential effect on prevalence, so the real risk goes down by far more than 5%.

Not taking action to reduce risk of illness or death is irrational.

Re:An analysis of studies pertaining to masks from 1978 to 2023 by dilap on Friday May 24, 2024 @07:45PM (#40471473)
There's a trade-off between doing things you enjoy (or don't enjoy) and the risk of death, and it's a personal trade-off, not something that can be assessed rationally.
Re:An analysis of studies pertaining to masks from 1978 to 2023 by threeseed on Friday May 24, 2024 @05:32PM (#40470651)
But those who are the most likely to be affected i.e. older and vulnerable people would.

So in fact whether you wear one or not is far less relevant.

Re:An analysis of studies pertaining to masks from 1978 to 2023 by triplesec on Saturday May 25, 2024 @05:34AM (#40473838)
You misunderstand the utility of masks, where it is significantly more an infected wearer of the mask who protects others by their wearing. So, being infections before you have symptoms is the problem, which is why people should - as is standard in Japan, for example - wear masks in public whenever they feel unwell or feel a 'cold' coming on.