# Coronavirus COVID-19 (2019-nCoV) Thread - 2021 Breaking News **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Tags:** covid-quarantine\ **Created:** [January 1, 2021, 8:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428 "2021-01-01T08:03:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 120
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2021, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/2422 "2021-09-05T01:31:44Z")
Sorry if this has been shared, I did look for it but may well have missed it. He’s been doing a bang-up job in my opinion. [https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/wolf-administration-requires-masking-in-schools-early-learning-and-child-care-settings-to-keep-students-safely-in-classrooms-and-delta-variant-out/](https://www.governor.pa.gov/newsroom/wolf-administration-requires-masking-in-schools-early-learning-and-child-care-settings-to-keep-students-safely-in-classrooms-and-delta-variant-out/) ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2021, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/2423 "2021-09-05T06:29:57Z")
221,137,173 total cases 4,575,690 dead 197,629,442 recovered In the US: 40,765,356 total cases 665,858 dead 31,299,924 recovered Yesterday’s numbers for comparison: > [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > 220,644,410 total cases > 4,567,352 dead > 197,141,184 recovered > > In the US: > > 40,703,674 total cases > 664,935 dead > 31,265,847 recovered ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2021, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/2424 "2021-09-05T12:36:05Z")
I worked hard to get Tom Wolf elected Governor of Pennsylvania because he promised us a medical marijuana program. He was elected and implemented the program, which is great, but man what an awesome job he’s done keeping us safe during the pandemic. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2021, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/2425 "2021-09-05T18:17:26Z")
I think it’s partly because he’s already got money and can live well w/o being gov so he’s free to do what’s right instead of making money or owing favors. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2021, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/2426 "2021-09-05T18:30:12Z")
never mind, too off topic ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2021, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/2427 "2021-09-05T18:31:32Z")
I saw a little of it before you deleted it. You can send it to me if you want. But I’d agree that it’s probably not the money causing it. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2021, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/2428 "2021-09-06T02:33:39Z")
I don’t know, considering that "We cannot reject that [cloth masks] have zero or only a small impact on symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections,” and that plenty of people wear _paper_ masks, which must work even worse, isn’t it overselling it to say “masks work, period”? Shouldn’t it be “surgical masks work, period”? It could lead to a false sense of security to be so flat and without qualifiers. Heck, this data may make governments and businesses want to consider requiring surgical masks specifically to do business with them. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2021, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/2429 "2021-09-06T03:04:34Z")
Ten Covid deaths recorded in Hawaii today, the highest single-day figure. Includes a man in his 20s with underlying conditions. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2021, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/2430 "2021-09-06T04:22:06Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Police patrols are being stepped up through Monday, and I expect a lot of citations will be handed out. Sounds like they’re just going around slapping wrists, not fining or arresting anyone, much to the frustration of those of us who would like to see a serious crackdown on these morons. There was an anti-vaccine protest today. Here in Waikiki last night, there was a large anti-mask protest. Toss these people in jail, I say. The hospitals are filled to the brim now as it is. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2021, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/2431 "2021-09-06T05:18:54Z")
221,556,009 total cases 4,581,930 dead 198,063,983 recovered In the US: 40,805,259 total cases 666,219 dead 31,315,751 recovered Yesterday’s numbers for comparison: > [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > 221,137,173 total cases > 4,575,690 dead > 197,629,442 recovered > > In the US: > > 40,765,356 total cases > 665,858 dead > 31,299,924 recovered ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2021, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/2432 "2021-09-06T06:02:31Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > I don’t know, considering that "We cannot reject that [cloth masks] have zero or only a small impact on symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections,” Other studies have suggested that cloth mask wearers get milder infections, leading to useful immunity (antibodies detected in blood) with lower risk of hospitalization and death. The suggested explanation is that lower exposure volume leads to lower sickness. The important point being made is that this study can’t be used as evidence for that theory. ---
**Author:** ![JaneDoe42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janedoe42/32/14104_2.png) [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2021, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/2433 "2021-09-06T07:51:58Z")
> [@Melbourne](#): > > Other studies have suggested that cloth mask wearers get milder infections Perhaps just the act of wearing a mask helps folks remember about all the other stuff? I’m 63 and old habits die hard. The act of masking up is a tactical reminder that things have changed, so I need to think about social distancing and where I put my hands. I think that masking helps in many other ways, but that’s just me. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2021, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/2434 "2021-09-06T12:21:46Z")
Wearing a mask also helps keep your nose and throat moist, which is helpful for fending off diseases. Pre-covid I read some studies about low relative humidity and the propensity to catch the flu and other respiratory bugs. Two were controlled studies, with some rooms in a school or a hospital humidified. (No, I’m sure i can’t find them now. 🙁) A mask locally increases the humidity of the air you breath. And i find it reminds me not to touch my face, too. That being said, i have a bunch of kn94 masks on order. Why not get some significant protection. ---
**Author:** ![Tfletch1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tfletch1/32/5340_2.png) [@Tfletch1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tfletch1)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2021, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/2435 "2021-09-06T16:09:33Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > I don’t know, considering that "We cannot reject that [cloth masks] have zero or only a small impact on symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections,” and that plenty of people wear _paper_ masks, which must work even worse, isn’t it overselling it to say “masks work, period”? Shouldn’t it be “surgical masks work, period”? It could lead to a false sense of security to be so flat and without qualifiers. Heck, this data may make governments and businesses want to consider requiring surgical masks specifically to do business with them. @Leaper, I responded to you in another thread. Just linking it here. [Coronavirus general discussion and chit-chat - #671 by Tfletch1](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-general-discussion-and-chit-chat/917903/671) ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2021, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/2436 "2021-09-06T20:29:27Z")
Florida released its weekly data. It’s hit a new high in seven-day-averaged new COVID reported cases **Florida** (32300) **West Virginia** (1707) Nobody else seems to have new highs, but several have just retreated from record highs, and others (including, surprisingly, Maine and Vermont) appear to be approaching new record highs. It’s worth emphasizing that Florida’s 32300 is not the total number of cases in the state, but the averaged number of new cases reported in a single day. Since it’s averaged, there were days with a great many more reported case. In fact based on that chart, the daily reported cases has more than once exceeded 152,000 ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2021, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/2437 "2021-09-06T20:44:40Z")
Maine and Vermont largely avoided the first pass of covid, and have fewer people with natural immunity. But I’m showing Maine still below where they were in January, and with a fairly low death rate, probably due to high rates of vaccination. (I’m using 91-divoc) ---
**Author:** ![MaverocK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@MaverocK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaverocK)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2021, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/2438 "2021-09-06T21:53:35Z")
What is the difference between paper mask and surgical mask? How do I distinguish them from one another? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2021, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/2439 "2021-09-06T22:17:22Z")
> **[Comparison of Mask Ratings, Standards, and Filtration Effectiveness – Smart Air](https://smartairfilters.com/en/blog/comparison-mask-standards-rating-effectiveness/)** > > Mask standards can be confusing! This simple guide covers what the ratings (FFP1, FFP2, FFP3, N95, N99 KN95) mean in plain English and how they vary by country. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2021, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/2440 "2021-09-06T22:23:44Z")
Yes, and in my case, I had the one on the left of the thumbnail in mind when talking about “paper” masks. ---
**Author:** ![DMC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dmc/32/18049_2.png) [@DMC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMC)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2021, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428/2441 "2021-09-06T22:39:33Z")
I have never seen masks like that available for sale, but perhaps that’s a locale issue. On Amazon, the cheapest masks of that nature (they’re not really paper) are around $5 for 50 and even they have 3 plys. Perhaps these masks exist somewhere, but I don’t know anyone wearing them. > **[Amazon.com: Spoga Disposable Face Mask Earloop Disposable Face Masks Pack of 50...](https://www.amazon.com/Spoga-Disposable-Face-Earloop-Masks/dp/B08LH9P6WJ)** > > Amazon.com: Spoga Disposable Face Mask Earloop Disposable Face Masks Pack of 50 : Industrial & Scientific [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428.md?page=119) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coronavirus-covid-19-2019-ncov-thread-2021-breaking-news/929428.md?page=121)