COVID-19: The Coronavirus and Masks

Honeywell HPA100C True HEPA Allergen Remover with True HEPA Filter ...

JMJ

There's been a lot of talk and confusion about masks and their affect on COVID-19.

My first thought is that it was a stupid mistake to recommend against masks in the early months of the pandemic. They basically undermined their credibility with a populace that already has misgivings about its governments and politicians.

So what's the scoop on wearing masks during a disease outbreak? Well the Asian's do it automatically (read: Taiwan, Japan, etc) and automatically wear masks when there's an outbreak. Compare Japan's cases per million people - less than 500 compared with the USA's 17k+. Is it the magic bullet? Nope, it's a way to reduce both infection and transmission. Here's a link to an interesting article from the BBC.

Heck, there was evidence that masking helped during the Spanish Flu Epidemic.

Fundamentally, having a mask on - even if it isn't an N95 mask reduces the spreading of the droplets containing the virus particles. This goes both ways, an infected person isn't spreading as many droplets and the uninfected aren't breathing as many into their bodies. That's the key, the masks are filtering the droplets that contain the virus, not the virus by itself.

This link from the World Health Organization (WHO) has some good information on use of masks etc.

Do I wear a mask? It depends on whether it is obligatory and the location / situation.

Interior high density of people, yep I'll be more inclined to wear a mask. At the onset of the outbreak I was wearing a respirator which exceeded N95 masks.

Exterior in a rural area with low density of people, I will be usually be maskless.

Now, I have also taken the precaution of purchasing two honeywell hepa filters for my house. They run all the time and serve a secondary purpose - alleviation of allergy symptoms.

Am I paranoid, nope, I am approaching this from a reasoned perspective based on the knowledge of viral transmission.

So, be safe and don't panic.

P^3

Comments

Auctorem Fidei

Can the SSPX be right about the Novus Ordo? Revision: Feb 11, 2013 On another web forum, I was engaged in a rather heated discussion about the documents of Vatican II.

Is it sinful to attend the Novus Ordo (New Mass) - Is it Sinful to Not Attend the Novus Ordo on Sunday?

+ JMJ A non-SSPX Catholic is upset over the SSPX statements on not attending the Novus Ordo Missae. Ladies and gentlemen, what the SSPX, or at least its website editor, is advocating is a mortal sin against the Third Commandment. Unless the priest deviates from the language of the Sacramentary, the consecration, and thus the rest of Mass is to be considered valid. No one may elect not to attend Mass simply because abuses are occurring therein. Might I suggest that such absenteeism is its own abuse? The Third Commandment binds under mortal sin. Father So-And-So from the SSPX has no authority whatsoever to excuse attendance at Mass, be that Mass ever so unpalatable. Source:Restore DC Catholicism Well, this is interesting. First why does the SSPX issue this statement? Because it is sinful to put your faith in danger by attending a protestant service. It is likewise dangerous to put your faith in danger by attending a protestantized mass (ie the Novus Ordo Missae

Morning and Evening and other sundry Prayers

+ JMJ Along the theme of P^3 (Prayer, Penance, Patience), and for my own reference ... here is a collection of Morning and Evening prayers from the Ideal Daily Missal along with some additional prayers. In this crisis of the Church, I do not think it is possible to do too much prayer, penance and have patience. P^3

Communique about Avrille Dominicans - SSPX.org

+ JMJ Having completed the review of the 'Avrille' perspective, this communique from the French District Superior is perfectly timed. I believe that the 'resistance' has lost rationality and further argumentation simply results in their holding on to their false ideal all the more firmly. Pray much ... First, for them to acquiesce to the grace of humility in order to obtain a clear perspective on the principles involved. Second, that we may remain faithful to the Church, and Her Dogmas, Doctrines and Principles. Lest we become that which against we strove ... P^3 Courtesy of SSPX.org

Magisterium and Levels of Assent

+ JMJ Understanding the levels of assent to be given to the teachings of the Church is a critical success factor in walking the knife's edge during this crisis of the Church. The levels of assent are generally associated with the theological grades of certainty, which are not surprisingly mirrored by the censures for contravening the teachings of the various levels.

Tradicat

Search This Blog