Cloth masks don’t filter the virus. They filter your spit, which floats in aerosolized micro-globules that can travel 6 to 27 feet from your mouth when you speak.
Normal speech releases around 200 viral particles/minute. Loud speaking or laughing emits around 1,000. Studies show this micro-spit floats around in a still space for up to eight minutes. Experts estimate that as few as 1,000 infectious viral particles are all that’s needed to get an infection.
Infection risk is a function of time and exposure. Sitting in a closed area for more than 10 minutes where there are a lot of unmasked folks is obviously a serious potential infection risk. Masking cuts that risk substantially.
For those refusing to mask, I’d ask how many dead Americans are acceptable to save the economy? Then I’d ask how many of your family or friends would you kill to that end?
Everyone matters. President Trump presents this as a choice between our economy or accepting mass death. It isn’t. Countries around the world have successfully beaten COVID-19 by strict lockdowns followed with rigorous testing, contact tracing, isolation and masking.
But this is beyond Trump, whose plan is to do nothing.
Masking shouldn’t be a partisan issue. No one is asking for your money or time. You’re simply being asked to show some respect for your fellow human beings and the front-line medical workers risking themselves for us by wearing a piece of cloth around your face.
Please, mask up. It’s simple, it’s patriotic and it’s effective.
Shan WellsDurango
