# To Mask or Not to Mask, that is the Question **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Tags:** covid-quarantine\ **Created:** [August 12, 2020, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-mask-or-not-to-mask-that-is-the-question/917910 "2020-08-12T18:08:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**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:** [November 16, 2020, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-mask-or-not-to-mask-that-is-the-question/917910/162 "2020-11-16T00:48:49Z")
I wonder how many of these bozos who resent having to wear a mask into a store or restaurant also have a problem with “No Shirt, No Shoes, No Service.” ---
**Author:** ![Heffalump\_and\_Roo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heffalump_and_roo/32/7691_2.png) [@Heffalump\_and\_Roo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heffalump_and_Roo)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2020, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-mask-or-not-to-mask-that-is-the-question/917910/163 "2020-11-16T02:35:10Z")
If the leader of the free world modeled it for them, they might. ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2020, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-mask-or-not-to-mask-that-is-the-question/917910/164 "2020-11-16T21:47:28Z")
> [@Heffalump\_and\_Roo](#): > > If the leader of the free world modeled it for them, they might. I’m pretty sure that Angela Merkel has been wearing a mask. ---
**Author:** ![Heffalump\_and\_Roo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heffalump_and_roo/32/7691_2.png) [@Heffalump\_and\_Roo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heffalump_and_Roo)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2020, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-mask-or-not-to-mask-that-is-the-question/917910/165 "2020-11-17T04:11:30Z")
Heh. Just on a whim because you posted that, I did a quick check to see what the rate of compliance is for the different countries. If I’m reading the charts right, to my surprise, it turns out that the mask wearing US compliance rate overall is pretty good, better than Canada, back in July 2020. > **[Face-off over face-masks: Europe’s latest north-south split](https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2020/07/08/face-off-over-face-masks-europes-latest-north-south-split)** > > Southerners cover up in public; northerners don’t ---
**Author:** ![SayTwo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e56c9b/32.png) [@SayTwo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SayTwo)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2020, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-mask-or-not-to-mask-that-is-the-question/917910/166 "2020-11-17T06:29:27Z")
> [@Heffalump\_and\_Roo](#): > > Just on a whim because you posted that, I did a quick check to see what the rate of compliance is for the different countries. If I’m reading the charts right, to my surprise, it turns out that the mask wearing US compliance rate overall is pretty good, better than Canada, back in July 2020. If I’m reading it right, the working theory seems to be that the non-mask wearers spread it to the mask wearers, who in turn don’t spread it anyone, yet those non-mask wearers continue spreading it on. Indefinitely. ---
**Author:** ![Heffalump\_and\_Roo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heffalump_and_roo/32/7691_2.png) [@Heffalump\_and\_Roo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heffalump_and_Roo)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2020, 7:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-mask-or-not-to-mask-that-is-the-question/917910/167 "2020-11-17T07:53:09Z")
I’m not sure what you’re reading and where you’re reading it from, but that’s not any working theory I’ve ever seen. ---
**Author:** ![SayTwo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e56c9b/32.png) [@SayTwo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SayTwo)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2020, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-mask-or-not-to-mask-that-is-the-question/917910/168 "2020-11-17T11:27:32Z")
It seems to be the theory favored on this board. Not much credence here given to the notion that mask wearers can spread it too. You need that 10-15% of people not complying in order to explain the recent rise in infection all over Europe and the US. I guess. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2020, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-mask-or-not-to-mask-that-is-the-question/917910/169 "2020-11-17T14:46:44Z")
> [@SayTwo](#): > > It seems to be the theory favored on this board. Not much credence here given to the notion that mask wearers can spread it too. Please provide the posts you’re thinking of, because I have no idea where you got this from. ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2020, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-mask-or-not-to-mask-that-is-the-question/917910/170 "2020-11-17T15:27:59Z")
> [@SayTwo](#): > > If I’m reading it right, the working theory seems to be that the non-mask wearers spread it to the mask wearers, who in turn don’t spread it anyone… This doesn’t make much sense to me, unless those mask wearers all live alone. In my case, I wear a mask at all times out in public, but I don’t wear one at home where I live with my wife and son. If I (a mask-wearer) were to get it, there’s a good chance I will subsequently pass it on to my wife and son. ---
**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:** [November 17, 2020, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-mask-or-not-to-mask-that-is-the-question/917910/171 "2020-11-17T16:58:53Z")
> [@Heffalump\_and\_Roo](#): > > Just on a whim because you posted that, I did a quick check to see what the rate of compliance is for the different countries. If I’m reading the charts right, to my surprise, it turns out that the mask wearing US compliance rate overall is pretty good, better than Canada, back in July 2020. Canada and many European countries had pretty strict and long lockdowns in the Spring. They didn’t reopen until their case numbers were close to zero and they had very aggressive testing and contact tracing in place. Therefore, masks were not really needed. Many recently started mask mandates as their numbers started rising in the Fall. Wasn’t quite enough for them so they’ve done partial or complete shutdowns again. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2020, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-mask-or-not-to-mask-that-is-the-question/917910/172 "2020-11-17T17:13:10Z")
All have to remember (specially **SayTwo** ) that those are rates of mask use in public. In the US the rates of use for family and friends gatherings are the pits. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2020, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-mask-or-not-to-mask-that-is-the-question/917910/173 "2020-11-17T18:24:30Z")
> [@GIGObuster](#): > > In the US the rates of use for family and friends gatherings are the pits. And further, for any given individual’s degree of public mask compliance, their friends/family level is even lower. That is, you can safely assume the person with the chinstrap in the grocery store is totally maskless around any friends or extended family. Said another way, in any given area & population and hence any given level of community prevalence of COVID, the folks most likely to be carriers are those least likely to be masked in public. And those least likely to be masked in public are most likely to be carriers. Either way you look at it the rest of us lose. ---
**Author:** ![eschrodinger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschrodinger/32/122_2.png) [@eschrodinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschrodinger)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2020, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-mask-or-not-to-mask-that-is-the-question/917910/174 "2020-11-17T18:31:06Z")
In addition to the other points: It’s also based on self reports. So all those people who don’t cover their noses, or wear it under their chin, or pull it down to talk are almost certainly included. Also, it is obviously an average. There are many places in the US where mask wearing is pretty much not done. It is extremely variable by location. And, mask use – particularly the homemade kind, is not a panacea. There’s not a lot of mystery about how come people are still getting sick. I mean there’s a picture from the “Trump Won” rally in DC with a guy spewing spittle into the air. His mask is under his chin. Do you think he says he _doesn’t_ wear a mask? Finally, it’s only about 70% compliance, and only in public. That means is that rates would be a lot worse without mask wearing, not that we should have somehow conquered Covid-19 by now. ---
**Author:** ![SayTwo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e56c9b/32.png) [@SayTwo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SayTwo)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2020, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-mask-or-not-to-mask-that-is-the-question/917910/175 "2020-11-17T18:45:48Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Said another way, in any given area & population and hence any given level of community prevalence of COVID, the folks most likely to be carriers are those least likely to be masked in public. And those least likely to be masked in public are most likely to be carriers. > > Either way you look at it the rest of us lose. Are you certain this is true? It’s been going on a full year now, and millions upon millions have already been infected. Wouldn’t those who are least likely to be masked be among those who are most likely to have already been infected? That entire element seems to be missing from many people’s thinking. Like, I wonder if in the back of some people’s minds, whether they know it or not, what they imagine is that all those bikers at Sturgis are _still_ going around infecting countless people. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2020, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-mask-or-not-to-mask-that-is-the-question/917910/176 "2020-11-17T18:47:29Z")
Why don’t you do your own research about who wears and doesn’t wear masks and report back. I think that would be better than you guessing that those who don’t wear masks have already been infected. I’m looking forward to you enlightening me on this question. Thanks in advance! ---
**Author:** ![SayTwo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e56c9b/32.png) [@SayTwo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SayTwo)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2020, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-mask-or-not-to-mask-that-is-the-question/917910/177 "2020-11-17T18:48:16Z")
> [@eschrodinger](#): > > Finally, it’s only about 70% compliance, and only in public. That means is that rates would be a lot worse without mask wearing, not that we should have somehow conquered Covid-19 by now. No, it does not (mean that). One does not _at all_ necessarily follow from the other. You are making several logical leaps. ---
**Author:** ![SayTwo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e56c9b/32.png) [@SayTwo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SayTwo)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2020, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-mask-or-not-to-mask-that-is-the-question/917910/178 "2020-11-17T18:49:54Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > Why don’t you do your own research about who wears and doesn’t wear masks and report back. Because no one individual can (as I know you know), at least not to any meaningful extent. And because I believe it doesn’t matter. As you also know. ---
**Author:** ![eschrodinger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschrodinger/32/122_2.png) [@eschrodinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschrodinger)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2020, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-mask-or-not-to-mask-that-is-the-question/917910/179 "2020-11-17T19:33:32Z")
> [@SayTwo](#): > > Like, I wonder if in the back of some people’s minds, whether they know it or not, what they imagine is that all those bikers at Sturgis are _still_ going around infecting countless people. Just very roughly: Overall, there’s about 30% who say they don’t wear masks in public. There are 328 million Americans. 30% of that is 98 million. There are plenty of unmasked-in-public people who haven’t been infected, yet. Further, _no one_ has said that wearing a mask will prevent all transmission. It is merely something that reduces risk of transmission. There are plenty of people who wear masks in public who do, and who will, get sick. ETA: Those bikers aren’t still spreading it directly, but the people they spread it to, or the people those people spread it to, etc. are. That’s how exponential growth works. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2020, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-mask-or-not-to-mask-that-is-the-question/917910/180 "2020-11-17T19:55:41Z")
I’m not saying you should do your own primary research. I’m saying, search the internet and see if you can find any evidence at all for your various guesses and assertions. Because nothing you guess or claim here seems to have any relationship to anything I read from respectable sources. You still haven’t even backed up your claim about the favored theory on this very board. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2020, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-mask-or-not-to-mask-that-is-the-question/917910/181 "2020-11-18T06:23:27Z")
People who say they wear masks in public are often not wearing them when getting together with family and “close” friends in homes, and not distancing very well when they do. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-mask-or-not-to-mask-that-is-the-question/917910.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-mask-or-not-to-mask-that-is-the-question/917910.md?page=10)