Interested in the social distance v mask wearing. Adjusted reduced risk of COVID is 31% v 62%. Masks are twice as good as social distance. Seems odd.
Thanks Po!
"In conclusion, within a large population-based sample of individuals in the US, we demonstrated a significantly reduced risk of predicted COVID-19 infection among individuals living in communities with a greater social-distancing grade at 14 days either in regions or time periods experiencing either epidemic slowing or growth. Among participants who lived in a community with poor social distancing, wearing a face mask was associated with reduced risk. These findings provide additional support for the efficacy of nonpharmaceutical interventions in reducing COVID-19 incidence and spread...".On masks I just read this lancet study
Mask-wearing and control of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in the USA: a cross-sectional study
The widespread reported use of face masks combined with physical distancing increases the odds of SARS-CoV-2 transmission control. Self-reported mask-wearing increased separately from government mask mandates, suggesting that supplemental public health interventions are needed to maximise...www.thelancet.com
And a Nature study supported by the Zoe app.
Association of social distancing and face mask use with risk of COVID-19 - Nature Communications
Estimating the effectiveness of COVID-19 control measures requires large prospective data including symptoms and personal risk factors. Here, the authors used data from smartphone-based application and found that individual face mask use was associated with a 64% reduced risk of COVID-19 symptoms.www.nature.com
I took heart at 62% reduced risk even with various adjustments for social distance and risk areas.
There’s also a Bangladeshi study but can’t find the link atm. The reduced risk for N95etc masks over cloth were big, but reduced risk all around.
I think mask wearing is really a numbers game. If we all wear them in crowded areas numbers will reduce over all. It maybe that you’re unlucky anyway.
So we should all act like them, wear a mask and socially distance.
You are right. From my understanding it should have been the other way round. Social distancing doesn't work if the room you are in is full of virus-containing aerosols, and I don't think we knew that initially. Also I think we overestimated the importance of hand cleanliness initially, so there were concerns about touching masks. Then there was the PPE shortage, which was another reason for the reluctance to advise mask-wearing. But with the knowledge we have know, I think mask-wearing should be at least strongly recommended, if not mandatory in many situations.
I don't have the figures to hand, but they can give significant protect. The extent to which it protects depends entrirely on the quality of the mask - the material and the closeness of fit around the edges.
Well, we are in Cornwall at the moment and there are very few people bothering with masks, even inside. Seems mostly older people (like us) that are still wearing them. I’m even wearing them outside in really crowded places. I still think they are a good idea.
Is there a website or somewhere where you do this?
We received an SMS and shortly after an email inviting us. The website is Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination which is the standard one which now allows booster bookings
Although having lived there twice since the late 1990s, I can say that it too has declined dramatically in breadth of coverage particularly (especially for overseas news). The NYT especially has been hollowed out compared to its glory days.
That's odd - I'd heard that the immunity conferred by having had Covid was (or could be?) different to vaccine-induced immunity (T-cells vs B-cells?) and so getting infected AND vaccinated was preferable. I'm sure Po can correct me!
www.london.gov.uk
If just the excess jabs could be sent aboard before they go off, that would be a start.
Exactly, Max. I don't know whether to refuse mine, as some are doing. If I knew that my injection would instead be delivered somewhere it is needed more I would certainly do it but I don't suppose it works like that, unfortunately.
That's true of all print media everywhere. The advent of the internet means that an industry which once has huge financial resources is now stretched to the limit financially.
The Pfizer vaccine, which is the main one being used here now, must be very difficult to use in underdeveloped countries as it needs to be kept as such low temperatures, so I strongly suspect that is correct.
