(02-17-2021 12:28 AM)21-17 Best Time I Ever Ha Wrote: No, healthcare workers needed them, and as the virus infected many more, it was discovered the WAY it spread was mostly respiratory, and that could be slowed, as it was being slowed all over the world, by the consistent wearing of masks. Fauci is one of the few people around Fauci who actually told the truth.
The virus was not "being slowed all over the world by the consistent wearing of masks". There is nothing to support this. Finland, Norway, and Denmark are notorious for NOT wearing masks. Less than 10% of the people there wear them. Yet, they have some of the "best" COVID numbers in Europe. Whereas Spain and Italy are adamant about mask wearing and they have some of the "worst" numbers.
Americans get a bad rep about not wearing masks. But study after study shows that about 75% of us are wearing them - which is a MUCH HIGHER rate than most of Europe. Yet our numbers are considered high.
Even within the states, it's inconclusive. California and Florida took 2 very different approaches to COVID. CA was on strict lockdown, while FL has been open for biz for quite a while. CA also has a state mask mandate, where FL does not. Yet the infection, positivity, and death numbers for both are very similar.
Most docs, when you get them one-on-one and in an honest moment, will tell you that distancing is MUCH more important than mask wearing. Dr. Steve Threlkeld said that he would rather be around someone 10 feet distanced with neither wearing masks, than within 3 feet of someone with both wearing masks.
Our behaviors of distancing and reducing travel slowed the spread much more effectively than mask wearing. And that is why Fauci has waffled on mask wearing, along with many other doctors.