Quote:
Originally Posted by coffeebean
Now, THAT is an oxymoron if I ever heard one. LOL.
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I can't speak to this person's meaning. That said, aerosols and droplets are two different methods of transmission. It's a spectrum really, you go from large droplets down to super tiny aerosols and both can have a viral load. It has been known for quite some time that transmission is occurring from both of these methods.
Cloth masks, blue surgical masks and the like have essentially zero protection from aerosols. N95 does offer protection for the wearer.
As you said above, for source control paper/blue/cloth masks work pretty good for droplets. Against aerosols though, it's much less effective.
Most infections occurred in familial settings. The other bulk were at super spread events _INDOORS_, like weddings and big parties. Outdoors, the viral inoculum is diluted rapidly. New Year's Eve Times Square might be an issue, but even at their busiest, places like the squares were never packed enough to be a problem.
I'm of the opinion, worth exactly what you paid for it, if you or anyone is symptomatic(coughing sneezing, etc.), stay home or wear a good mask. If you are immunocompromised, wear an N95. Everyone else, get on with life maskless, specially those vaccinated.