A Look at Evidence for Mask Effectiveness vs. COVID-19

Aaron Blumer

Curiosity might kill cats but it’s a really good thing in humans. We could all use more of it. I offer the following to the masks-vs-COVID curious. My view on both mask use and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) use—along with most other COVID-related questions—has been that being dogmatic isn’t appropriate either way.

That said, my overall impression of the evidence continues to be that masks are very likely somewhat helpful and HCQ very likely isn’t. This post focuses on masks.

Types of Evidence

Evidence comes in many forms. Here I’ll look at these categories:

Discussion

Christian, Please Wear a Face Mask: Part 1

SI Filings

“ ‘Wearing a mask is for smug liberals. Refusing to is for reckless Republicans.’ If only things were that simple; if only we could laugh off the debate as hyperbolic virtue signaling from both sides. Most likely by the time you read this, though, we will have tragically raced past the 100,000 mark in this country’s fatality count.” - John Ellis

Discussion

Wearing a mask is not giving into tyranny and fear

SI Filings

“What makes all of this even dumber is that all the federal government has done is recommend mask-wearing. Most of the places that require masks are private businesses. Admittedly, some are adhering to local public health guidelines, but so what? Why aren’t these rebels going shirtless and shoeless into restaurants to stick it to the man and his Maoist ‘No Shirt, No Shoes, No Service’ signs?” - The Dispatch

Discussion

Neurologist Writes to Praise Unsung Heroes

SI Filings

“I’ve found it useful to reflect on hospital experiences through writing, with particular focus on the quiet individuals working alongside physicians and nurses during this time, including patient transport staff, environmental services staff, and dining services staff. They are unsung heroes, in my opinion, important components of any hospital operation.” - BJU Today

Discussion

BJU Today: Interview with Local Infection Control Specialist

SI Filings

“The following interview with Beth Smith (Class of ’88) was submitted by Melanie Schell, Class of ’84 and professor in BJU’s Division of Health Sciences….Smith works as an infection control specialist in Greenville, South Carolina.” - BJU Today

Discussion

Beating coronavirus requires faith leaders to bridge gap between religion and science

SI Filings

“As these situations demonstrate, millions of people worldwide look more to religious authorities than health officials for guidance on how to behave and what to believe in a crisis. … But it is difficult to build partnerships between faith and health networks not accustomed to working together.

Discussion