Quote:
Originally Posted by jfman
That’s what happens when you allow non-expert input into an expert subject matter.
Again you’re doing the extremely common anti-mask trait of setting the bar at 100% effective.
I fail to see how you come to the conclusion that the only transmission would be within households if pubs and restaurants were venues people could freely mix with other households (and nightclubs) for extended periods without masks. And of course schools. It’s simply not credible to claim this was achievable at all under that scenario let alone “in a matter of days”.
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So where is it transmitting then? Given that it's an airborne virus which dissipates easily in outdoor settings and less so in indoor ones, and other non-airborne methods of transmission are now thought to be minor...
Consider where you would usually go indoors.
Pubs/restaurants - No mask wearing at all, but then you can't wear a mask if you're eating or drinking, so as this dominates one's time in the venue, wearing it going in and out is unlikely to offer any more protection than not wearing one (provided distance is kept) and in any case the virus is going to spread when people are sat or standing at the bar drinking etc.
Nightclubs - No mask wearing but under Plan B measures need either a vaccine passport or proof of a negative LFT to get in. Potentially spreading, given that being vaccinated doesn't mean you aren't going to spread the virus, but then, the people going here are unlikely to be at much risk anyway
Shops, Public transport, healthcare settings, museums, places of worship, cinemas, concert venues etc - Mask wearing is mandatory in these unless you are either exempt medically or performing a task which is mask exempt. Larger venues with over 500 people also need vax passes.
Workplaces not covered by the above - Most office based staff will be working from home under Plan B guidance, you would expect those who can't would probably be wearing a mask, but this is a matter for individual workplaces to settle
Schools - Mandatory for secondary school kids and staff to wear a mask in lessons, corridors, communal areas unless outside, doing a mask exempt activity (such as a music or PE lesson) or mask exempt. Primary age kids not mandatory
I really can't think of many areas where you would meet other people indoors (aside from mixing in private homes) where it's not covered by one of the above, or a mask mandate.
So it either isn't spreading in any of those environments, or it is and masks are nowhere near effective enough as they should be - the only other alternative is that it's spreading within households and mixing in private homes, which it won't be. So where is it? Last time they reported on this, it was mainly in schools, households, hospitals, institutions like prisons, and workplaces. If that's still the case why masks in shops?
Also, you're not quite getting the "within a few days" - probably you would need a week or two due to the incubation period of the virus, but, that hasn't really been the case either has it?
It needs to work or it needs to not be a measure. We're nearly two years into the pandemic and scatter gun approaches based on "oh well it probably reduces it by a little bit" don't really wash now.