Mask up!

[Ms. Toad]

57. That is nonsense - a convenient lie told to preserve masks for health care workers.

It has long since been debunked, although it is making its rounds again now by those intent on pretending COVID is no longer a threat. Well-fitted cloth masks made from 2 layers of 600 TPI fabric provide as much protection as N95 masks. Well-fitted cloth masks made from quilter's cotton (lower TPI) with a layer from a different fabric (coffee filter, silk, polyester) also provide as much protection as N95 masks.

You are corect that being in public is a risk analysis - BUT - consistently wearing well-fitted masks provides substantial extremely good personal protection, even if those around you are not wearing masks.

I taught face to face from August 2020 to April 1, and was exposed numerous times - with enough exposure to be contacted by contact tracers. I have never tested positive, although it is possible that I had the omicron variant in December during the period before they learned some PCR tests did not detect it.