Quote:
Originally Posted by phil235
Reaching the endemic point, but not there yet. I'd want to see masking stay until the medical advice supports removal. Particularly in schools, where there are still lots of unvaccinated kids. Slowing transmission is still a reasonable goal. It reduces the opportunity for variants to arise and gives more time for treatments to improve.
|
"Medical advice" is a tricky thing.
In terms of masks in public places especially transient ones like shops there is almost no downside so we don't need to consider other repercussions.
In schools (and maybe offices) there is a different dynamic. There is no conclusive evidence that masks cause children harm but there are some preliminary studies which suggest impacts on speech and socialization. Meanwhile it is obvious there is a minimum age when masks have any utility. Europe suggests they should only be used for 12 and older. In Ottawa for example they were added to Kindergarten in Sept. 2021. This was entirely political and it is unlikely masks have any impact on spread at that age when language and socialization are nearly the only purposes of attending school at that age.
"Follow the science" is not as simple as it sounds and we should avoid getting caught in the US crazy political divide on these issues.
Threaded Mode