I can blow a massive holes in the "must wear masks" montra

originally posted by: scrounger
all the "must wear masks to stop/prevent/protect from" covid is at best a hope with these facts.....

Will any of this help me avoid the mask policy at my grocery store?

If not, who cares.

originally posted by: neutronflux

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: neutronflux

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: neutronflux

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: mamabeth

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: neutronflux

originally posted by: ScepticScot
a reply to: neutronfluxI

I have provided a link referring numerous studies showing how wearing a face mask does help protect others.

You just saying otherwise doesn't really refute that.

Applying what you may have seen taught about personal protection in specific circumstances doesnt really vtell you anything about how masks might reduce community transmission in completely different circumstances.

Can you actually commit on what was posted. What, too much facts and logic how your referenced “sources” are taken out of context and might be biased antidotal narratives?

Nice of you to hand wave to support your story.

You didn't offer facts or logic, you offered your unsupported opinion.

I prefer the results of studies.

Sometimes unsupported opinion can be more accurate than results of studies.
Going by ones gut feelings can be better than reports from unreliable sources.

I tend to trust actual facts and data rather than a hunch.

Others might disagree.

Yes. I am sure if people PROPERLY wore N-95 masks with out an exit valve, and PROPERLY disposed of the mask. And change out the masks ever 45 minutes. It would help with preventing the spread of covid.

Wearing cheap A$$ masks that don’t seal, wetted with body fluids, worn for hours on end, and /or improperly disposed of are useless.

Your opinion is noted but the evidence shows masks work.

Do you realize what you just posted.


So, people shouldn’t properly wear better masks that seal? And probably dispose of their

masks as bio waste? To protect society?

Man. That’s f’d up?

Can you show wear I posted that.

Hint - You can't because I didn't.

Only my opinion?

Masks are only effective when the are properly worn, seal, and properly disposed of is like industrial hygiene 101…

Yes that is just your opinion and no I didn't say the things you claimed as text you quoted shows.

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: neutronflux

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: neutronflux

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: neutronflux

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: mamabeth

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: neutronflux

originally posted by: ScepticScot
a reply to: neutronfluxI

I have provided a link referring numerous studies showing how wearing a face mask does help protect others.

You just saying otherwise doesn't really refute that.

Applying what you may have seen taught about personal protection in specific circumstances doesnt really vtell you anything about how masks might reduce community transmission in completely different circumstances.

Can you actually commit on what was posted. What, too much facts and logic how your referenced “sources” are taken out of context and might be biased antidotal narratives?

Nice of you to hand wave to support your story.

You didn't offer facts or logic, you offered your unsupported opinion.

I prefer the results of studies.

Sometimes unsupported opinion can be more accurate than results of studies.
Going by ones gut feelings can be better than reports from unreliable sources.

I tend to trust actual facts and data rather than a hunch.

Others might disagree.

Yes. I am sure if people PROPERLY wore N-95 masks with out an exit valve, and PROPERLY disposed of the mask. And change out the masks ever 45 minutes. It would help with preventing the spread of covid.

Wearing cheap A$$ masks that don’t seal, wetted with body fluids, worn for hours on end, and /or improperly disposed of are useless.

Your opinion is noted but the evidence shows masks work.

Do you realize what you just posted.


So, people shouldn’t properly wear better masks that seal? And probably dispose of their

masks as bio waste? To protect society?

Man. That’s f’d up?

Can you show wear I posted that.

Hint - You can't because I didn't.

Only my opinion?

Masks are only effective when the are properly worn, seal, and properly disposed of is like industrial hygiene 101…

Yes that is just your opinion and no I didn't say the things you claimed as text you quoted shows.

This is only my opinion?

Masks are only effective when the are properly worn, seal, and properly disposed of is like industrial hygiene 101…

You have no idea how ignorant you are regarding masks…

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: putnam6

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: neutronflux
a reply to: ScepticScot

You

ou link to the navy ship doesn't mention masks at all.

Really?

Lessons for congregate settings
The study authors said that COVID-19 is difficult to distinguish from other respiratory infections without specific testing in young people living in a confined space, and asymptomatic and presymptomatic transmission limits the effectiveness of screening for symptoms in the absence of testing, wearing a face mask, and physical distancing. The ship initially had no testing kits on board.

www.cidrap.umn.edu...

The advice (certainly in UK) wasn't to use masks with filters, so you are greeing with the office advice.

Any mask is a filter. And it’s only as good as it’s seal against your face.

You

The rest is just your personal opinion.

It’s a fact that masks that don’t seal are useless when it comes to prevent sickness and death. osha statistics are full of them

The fact it's called personal protective is irrelevant.

Masks are made to protect the person wearing them. Cheap fabric / cloth masks are not made to hold and contain snot and slobber once wetted. That’s a fact.

You

Your condom analogy is irrelevant.

How for masks rated at 40 percent efficiency?

I have provided links that show the evidence is firmly in favour of masks reducing spread.

Ok? Biased crap that doesn’t apply to the reality of the average person wearing cheap masks doing physical activities that don’t seal.

Again you just stating something doesn't make it so.

The link I provided has studies based on lap tests and real world studies.

The bias here is fairly obvious.

Sweden is a real-world study in the efficiency of masks, sure it may help some but it isn't enough, in the end, to make a difference statistically over time, otherwise, Sweden's cases would be off the charts and it's not. LOL and even their fatalities are less right now 1.3 %

Sweeden has a far higher death rate than any of its immediate neighbors. Hardly a covid success story.

Most European countries are reducing mask requirements or advice Circumstances have changed.

So many factors go into the death rate for example age and health risks. Like immigration, Sweden's percentage of immigration is larger than its neighbors. Is that a factor who knows but like mask use it's just one data point.

There are too many to count or too factor in, if mask use were a significant benefit it would show more drastically in the numbers, and it doesn't

Sweden population over 55 32%
Norway population over 55 27%

originally posted by: putnam6

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: putnam6

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: neutronflux
a reply to: ScepticScot

You

ou link to the navy ship doesn't mention masks at all.

Really?

Lessons for congregate settings
The study authors said that COVID-19 is difficult to distinguish from other respiratory infections without specific testing in young people living in a confined space, and asymptomatic and presymptomatic transmission limits the effectiveness of screening for symptoms in the absence of testing, wearing a face mask, and physical distancing. The ship initially had no testing kits on board.

www.cidrap.umn.edu...

The advice (certainly in UK) wasn't to use masks with filters, so you are greeing with the office advice.

Any mask is a filter. And it’s only as good as it’s seal against your face.

You

The rest is just your personal opinion.

It’s a fact that masks that don’t seal are useless when it comes to prevent sickness and death. osha statistics are full of them

The fact it's called personal protective is irrelevant.

Masks are made to protect the person wearing them. Cheap fabric / cloth masks are not made to hold and contain snot and slobber once wetted. That’s a fact.

You

Your condom analogy is irrelevant.

How for masks rated at 40 percent efficiency?

I have provided links that show the evidence is firmly in favour of masks reducing spread.

Ok? Biased crap that doesn’t apply to the reality of the average person wearing cheap masks doing physical activities that don’t seal.

Again you just stating something doesn't make it so.

The link I provided has studies based on lap tests and real world studies.

The bias here is fairly obvious.

Sweden is a real-world study in the efficiency of masks, sure it may help some but it isn't enough, in the end, to make a difference statistically over time, otherwise, Sweden's cases would be off the charts and it's not. LOL and even their fatalities are less right now 1.3 %

Sweeden has a far higher death rate than any of its immediate neighbors. Hardly a covid success story.

Most European countries are reducing mask requirements or advice Circumstances have changed.

So many factors go into the death rate for example age and health risks. Like immigration, Sweden's percentage of immigration is larger than its neighbors. Is that a factor who knows but like mask use it's just one data point.

There are too many to count or too factor in, if mask use were a significant benefit it would show more drastically in the numbers, and it doesn't

Sweden population over 55 32%
Norway population over 55 27%

I agree there are many factors.

It wasn't me who claimed it was a case study about masks.

originally posted by: neutronflux

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: neutronflux

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: neutronflux

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: neutronflux

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: mamabeth

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: neutronflux

originally posted by: ScepticScot
a reply to: neutronfluxI

I have provided a link referring numerous studies showing how wearing a face mask does help protect others.

You just saying otherwise doesn't really refute that.

Applying what you may have seen taught about personal protection in specific circumstances doesnt really vtell you anything about how masks might reduce community transmission in completely different circumstances.

Can you actually commit on what was posted. What, too much facts and logic how your referenced “sources” are taken out of context and might be biased antidotal narratives?

Nice of you to hand wave to support your story.

You didn't offer facts or logic, you offered your unsupported opinion.

I prefer the results of studies.

Sometimes unsupported opinion can be more accurate than results of studies.
Going by ones gut feelings can be better than reports from unreliable sources.

I tend to trust actual facts and data rather than a hunch.

Others might disagree.

Yes. I am sure if people PROPERLY wore N-95 masks with out an exit valve, and PROPERLY disposed of the mask. And change out the masks ever 45 minutes. It would help with preventing the spread of covid.

Wearing cheap A$$ masks that don’t seal, wetted with body fluids, worn for hours on end, and /or improperly disposed of are useless.

Your opinion is noted but the evidence shows masks work.

Do you realize what you just posted.


So, people shouldn’t properly wear better masks that seal? And probably dispose of their

masks as bio waste? To protect society?

Man. That’s f’d up?

Can you show wear I posted that.

Hint - You can't because I didn't.

Only my opinion?

Masks are only effective when the are properly worn, seal, and properly disposed of is like industrial hygiene 101…

Yes that is just your opinion and no I didn't say the things you claimed as text you quoted shows.

This is only my opinion?

Masks are only effective when the are properly worn, seal, and properly disposed of is like industrial hygiene 101…

You have no idea how ignorant you are regarding masks…

It is your opinion and the evidence suggests otherwise.

Who does that make ignorant?

I think mask protocol is the key here. Not only is a person using not much more than a cloth to cover their face, but they touch their face like 100x more than without a mask. Walk around an airport and touch your face 100 times as you do so and see what happens...lol

The only true way to lower your risk is to limit your time around others especially strangers that you do not know anything about if they feel sick or not. Population density drive every infection spike, not the lack of mask wearing.

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: neutronflux

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: neutronflux

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: neutronflux

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: neutronflux

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: mamabeth

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: neutronflux

originally posted by: ScepticScot
a reply to: neutronfluxI

I have provided a link referring numerous studies showing how wearing a face mask does help protect others.

You just saying otherwise doesn't really refute that.

Applying what you may have seen taught about personal protection in specific circumstances doesnt really vtell you anything about how masks might reduce community transmission in completely different circumstances.

Can you actually commit on what was posted. What, too much facts and logic how your referenced “sources” are taken out of context and might be biased antidotal narratives?

Nice of you to hand wave to support your story.

You didn't offer facts or logic, you offered your unsupported opinion.

I prefer the results of studies.

Sometimes unsupported opinion can be more accurate than results of studies.
Going by ones gut feelings can be better than reports from unreliable sources.

I tend to trust actual facts and data rather than a hunch.

Others might disagree.

Yes. I am sure if people PROPERLY wore N-95 masks with out an exit valve, and PROPERLY disposed of the mask. And change out the masks ever 45 minutes. It would help with preventing the spread of covid.

Wearing cheap A$$ masks that don’t seal, wetted with body fluids, worn for hours on end, and /or improperly disposed of are useless.

Your opinion is noted but the evidence shows masks work.

Do you realize what you just posted.


So, people shouldn’t properly wear better masks that seal? And probably dispose of their

masks as bio waste? To protect society?

Man. That’s f’d up?

Can you show wear I posted that.

Hint - You can't because I didn't.

Only my opinion?

Masks are only effective when the are properly worn, seal, and properly disposed of is like industrial hygiene 101…

Yes that is just your opinion and no I didn't say the things you claimed as text you quoted shows.

This is only my opinion?

Masks are only effective when the are properly worn, seal, and properly disposed of is like industrial hygiene 101…

You have no idea how ignorant you are regarding masks…

It is your opinion and the evidence suggests otherwise.

Who does that make ignorant?

So? You think masks are effective when they don’t seal (like a N-95 mask with an exit valve), are effective when they have leak by around where they meet the skin / gape at the nose and corners, and are improperly disposed of?

Cause that’s what your communicating.

a reply to: ScepticScot

And that’s not even getting into cloth / fabric masks don’t have a matrix to trap body fluids from escaping as a mist, and probably should be changed every half hour to a clean dry mask.

Cities that passed masking ordinances in the fall of 1918 struggled to enforce them among the small portion of people who rebelled. Common punishments were fines, prison sentences and having your name printed in the paper. In one horrific incident in San Francisco, a special officer for the board of health shot a man who refused to wear a mask as well as two bystanders.

I expect the left coast to start shooting people any day now.

originally posted by: ScepticScot
Knowing the facts doesn't make you live in fear, quite the opposite.

It does if the facts you think you know aren't facts but pure fantasy derived from... fear.

Just live your life. # the fear.

originally posted by: tanstaafl

originally posted by: ScepticScot
Knowing the facts doesn't make you live in fear, quite the opposite.

It does if the facts you think you know aren't facts but pure fantasy derived from... fear.

Just live your life. # the fear.

The evidence is that masks work.

Nothing to do with fantasy or fear.

originally posted by: neutronflux

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: neutronflux

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: neutronflux

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: neutronflux

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: neutronflux

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: mamabeth

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: neutronflux

originally posted by: ScepticScot
a reply to: neutronfluxI

I have provided a link referring numerous studies showing how wearing a face mask does help protect others.

You just saying otherwise doesn't really refute that.

Applying what you may have seen taught about personal protection in specific circumstances doesnt really vtell you anything about how masks might reduce community transmission in completely different circumstances.

Can you actually commit on what was posted. What, too much facts and logic how your referenced “sources” are taken out of context and might be biased antidotal narratives?

Nice of you to hand wave to support your story.

You didn't offer facts or logic, you offered your unsupported opinion.

I prefer the results of studies.

Sometimes unsupported opinion can be more accurate than results of studies.
Going by ones gut feelings can be better than reports from unreliable sources.

I tend to trust actual facts and data rather than a hunch.

Others might disagree.

Yes. I am sure if people PROPERLY wore N-95 masks with out an exit valve, and PROPERLY disposed of the mask. And change out the masks ever 45 minutes. It would help with preventing the spread of covid.

Wearing cheap A$$ masks that don’t seal, wetted with body fluids, worn for hours on end, and /or improperly disposed of are useless.

Your opinion is noted but the evidence shows masks work.

Do you realize what you just posted.


So, people shouldn’t properly wear better masks that seal? And probably dispose of their

masks as bio waste? To protect society?

Man. That’s f’d up?

Can you show wear I posted that.

Hint - You can't because I didn't.

Only my opinion?

Masks are only effective when the are properly worn, seal, and properly disposed of is like industrial hygiene 101…

Yes that is just your opinion and no I didn't say the things you claimed as text you quoted shows.

This is only my opinion?

Masks are only effective when the are properly worn, seal, and properly disposed of is like industrial hygiene 101…

You have no idea how ignorant you are regarding masks…

It is your opinion and the evidence suggests otherwise.

Who does that make ignorant?

So? You think masks are effective when they don’t seal (like a N-95 mask with an exit valve), are effective when they have leak by around where they meet the skin / gape at the nose and corners, and are improperly disposed of?

Cause that’s what your communicating.

I think the evidence from multiple sources is that wearing masks works.

Everyone dressed head toe in fuĺl hazmat would probably work better but is hardly practical.

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: neutronflux

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: neutronflux

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: neutronflux

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: neutronflux

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: neutronflux

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: mamabeth

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: neutronflux

originally posted by: ScepticScot
a reply to: neutronfluxI

I have provided a link referring numerous studies showing how wearing a face mask does help protect others.

You just saying otherwise doesn't really refute that.

Applying what you may have seen taught about personal protection in specific circumstances doesnt really vtell you anything about how masks might reduce community transmission in completely different circumstances.

Can you actually commit on what was posted. What, too much facts and logic how your referenced “sources” are taken out of context and might be biased antidotal narratives?

Nice of you to hand wave to support your story.

You didn't offer facts or logic, you offered your unsupported opinion.

I prefer the results of studies.

Sometimes unsupported opinion can be more accurate than results of studies.
Going by ones gut feelings can be better than reports from unreliable sources.

I tend to trust actual facts and data rather than a hunch.

Others might disagree.

Yes. I am sure if people PROPERLY wore N-95 masks with out an exit valve, and PROPERLY disposed of the mask. And change out the masks ever 45 minutes. It would help with preventing the spread of covid.

Wearing cheap A$$ masks that don’t seal, wetted with body fluids, worn for hours on end, and /or improperly disposed of are useless.

Your opinion is noted but the evidence shows masks work.

Do you realize what you just posted.


So, people shouldn’t properly wear better masks that seal? And probably dispose of their

masks as bio waste? To protect society?

Man. That’s f’d up?

Can you show wear I posted that.

Hint - You can't because I didn't.

Only my opinion?

Masks are only effective when the are properly worn, seal, and properly disposed of is like industrial hygiene 101…

Yes that is just your opinion and no I didn't say the things you claimed as text you quoted shows.

This is only my opinion?

Masks are only effective when the are properly worn, seal, and properly disposed of is like industrial hygiene 101…

You have no idea how ignorant you are regarding masks…

It is your opinion and the evidence suggests otherwise.

Who does that make ignorant?

So? You think masks are effective when they don’t seal (like a N-95 mask with an exit valve), are effective when they have leak by around where they meet the skin / gape at the nose and corners, and are improperly disposed of?

Cause that’s what your communicating.

I think the evidence from multiple sources is that wearing masks works.

Everyone dressed head toe in fuĺl hazmat would probably work better but is hardly practical.

And I think it’s propaganda that is opposite of everything I learned about effectively wearing a mask in industry to prevent illness and death.

And that you cannot actually argue how wearing an improperly cheap a$$ mass that doesn’t seal provides dependable and reliable protection only highlights your studies are biased propaganda.

The old trophy for merely participation sickness of our society.

I wore a cheap a$$ mask and I’m a hero crap…

originally posted by: neutronflux

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: neutronflux

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: neutronflux

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: neutronflux

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: neutronflux

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: neutronflux

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: mamabeth

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: neutronflux

originally posted by: ScepticScot
a reply to: neutronfluxI

I have provided a link referring numerous studies showing how wearing a face mask does help protect others.

You just saying otherwise doesn't really refute that.

Applying what you may have seen taught about personal protection in specific circumstances doesnt really vtell you anything about how masks might reduce community transmission in completely different circumstances.

Can you actually commit on what was posted. What, too much facts and logic how your referenced “sources” are taken out of context and might be biased antidotal narratives?

Nice of you to hand wave to support your story.

You didn't offer facts or logic, you offered your unsupported opinion.

I prefer the results of studies.

Sometimes unsupported opinion can be more accurate than results of studies.
Going by ones gut feelings can be better than reports from unreliable sources.

I tend to trust actual facts and data rather than a hunch.

Others might disagree.

Yes. I am sure if people PROPERLY wore N-95 masks with out an exit valve, and PROPERLY disposed of the mask. And change out the masks ever 45 minutes. It would help with preventing the spread of covid.

Wearing cheap A$$ masks that don’t seal, wetted with body fluids, worn for hours on end, and /or improperly disposed of are useless.

Your opinion is noted but the evidence shows masks work.

Do you realize what you just posted.


So, people shouldn’t properly wear better masks that seal? And probably dispose of their

masks as bio waste? To protect society?

Man. That’s f’d up?

Can you show wear I posted that.

Hint - You can't because I didn't.

Only my opinion?

Masks are only effective when the are properly worn, seal, and properly disposed of is like industrial hygiene 101…

Yes that is just your opinion and no I didn't say the things you claimed as text you quoted shows.

This is only my opinion?

Masks are only effective when the are properly worn, seal, and properly disposed of is like industrial hygiene 101…

You have no idea how ignorant you are regarding masks…

It is your opinion and the evidence suggests otherwise.

Who does that make ignorant?

So? You think masks are effective when they don’t seal (like a N-95 mask with an exit valve), are effective when they have leak by around where they meet the skin / gape at the nose and corners, and are improperly disposed of?

Cause that’s what your communicating.

I think the evidence from multiple sources is that wearing masks works.

Everyone dressed head toe in fuĺl hazmat would probably work better but is hardly practical.

And I think it’s propaganda that is opposite of everything I learned about effectively wearing a mask in industry to prevent illness and death.

And that you cannot actually argue how wearing an improperly cheap a$$ mass that doesn’t seal provides dependable and reliable protection only highlights your studies are biased propaganda.

The old trophy for merely participation sickness of our society.

I wore a cheap a$$ mask and I’m a hero crap…

I have posted evidence mask wearing reduces covid transmission.

You can choose not belive that, but your personal bias does not change the evidence.

a reply to: ScepticScot

What’s that brilliant sign going around?

If six feet apart was effective, why the masks?
If masks are effective, why social distancing?
If the above two were effective, why the lockdowns?
If the above three was effective, why the vaccines?
If the above four were effective, why the delta variant?

originally posted by: neutronflux
a reply to: ScepticScot

What’s that brilliant sign going around?

If six feet apart was effective, why the masks?
If masks are effective, why social distancing?
If the above two were effective, why the lockdowns?
If the above three was effective, why the vaccines?
If the above four were effective, why the delta variant?

If you think that's a brilliant sign it might explain your confusion.

Social distancing doesn't stop the spread , it reduces it.

Wearing masks doesn't stop the spread, it reduces it.

If you do both you reduce it more. It's a fairly simple concept.

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: neutronflux
a reply to: ScepticScot

What’s that brilliant sign going around?

If six feet apart was effective, why the masks?
If masks are effective, why social distancing?
If the above two were effective, why the lockdowns?
If the above three was effective, why the vaccines?
If the above four were effective, why the delta variant?

If you think that's a brilliant sign it might explain your confusion.

Social distancing doesn't stop the spread , it reduces it.

Wearing masks doesn't stop the spread, it reduces it.

If you do both you reduce it more. It's a fairly simple concept.

So, then masks aren’t effective at actual stopping the spread.

But some how reduce the spread they never did prevented?

Whatever.

But they are “effective” enough in “preventing” reaching some arbitrary number pulled out of some person’s butt. And then claiming biasedly “look, it never reached the imaginary number we made up.”

a reply to: neutronflux
Exactly, you properly wearing a mask in an industrial setting saves you from whatever fumes/particles it is meant for, it doesn't "stop" the guy who doesn't follow protocol correctly from being exposed.

Your argument seems to be, well Gary got sick so the masks must not work, even if that person kept pulling it off every couple minutes cause he felt he couldn't breathe.

originally posted by: neutronflux

originally posted by: ScepticScot

originally posted by: neutronflux
a reply to: ScepticScot

What’s that brilliant sign going around?

If six feet apart was effective, why the masks?
If masks are effective, why social distancing?
If the above two were effective, why the lockdowns?
If the above three was effective, why the vaccines?
If the above four were effective, why the delta variant?

If you think that's a brilliant sign it might explain your confusion.

Social distancing doesn't stop the spread , it reduces it.

Wearing masks doesn't stop the spread, it reduces it.

If you do both you reduce it more. It's a fairly simple concept.

So, then masks aren’t effective at actual stopping the spread.

But some how reduce the spread they never did prevented?

Whatever.

But they are “effective” enough in “preventing” reaching some arbitrary number pulled out of some person’s butt. And then claiming biasedly “look, it never reached the imaginary number we made up.”

Sorry you find it difficult to understand.

Doesn't mean that masks don't work.