You will need a Lockdown AND Mask, or you will simply just need Mask and not even lockdown. I would argue social distancing only is not enough. But somehow even people in Italy refuse to wear mask. So I think a culture issue is also a problem there.
I don’t think masks are as effective as you think. WHO says only wear a mask:
If you are healthy, you only need to wear a mask if you are taking care of a person with suspected 2019-nCoV infection.
Wear a mask if you are coughing or sneezing.
Masks are effective only when used in combination with frequent hand-cleaning with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
If you wear a mask, then you must know how to use it and dispose of it properly.
Except we have clear evidence with all the countries listed above, SK, HK, Singapore, Taiwan that wearing a mask is effective. Even in many cases without social distancing. There are little working from Home in majority of the business in those cities, They have a much higher population density that has a higher chance of being infected with coronavirus.
The mask also protects you from bad actors who are not doing any standard hygiene procedures such as washing your hands.
We don't have enough masks in Europe, and those few are needed for professionals.
Besides that, I think that especially in times like this, it is important to stick to the recommendations of experts. Here in Germany, the expert recommendation is akin to the parent comment. These recommendations are crafted by people with a lot of expertise on the subject and who care for the health of people, and I think it is not productive to fundamentally questions their advice.
>We don't have enough masks in Europe, and those few are needed for professionals.
That is the only valid argument I could possibly understand. Although I would argue we could have ramp up production line. And Medicals get priority with Mask.
>I think it is not productive to fundamentally questions their advice.
I dont know, but Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, ( We exclude China for comparison ) 200M+ Population together has far fewer death than just Italy with a population of 60M. Let alone Europe. And people are dying.
But hey, I guess as long as the people in Germany and Italy and UK are happy with what is being done then that is fine.
It's not only this reason. Even N95 masks are rated only to .3 micron. COVID-19 is .1 micron. It will prevent droplets from those already infected but I don't see how it would help in the healthy much. Maybe it slows down the air breathing out? But I don't see that helping a lot.
Arh. I see it now. When ever Mask is mentioned in the context of CJK, it meant medical mask with 95% PFE, VFE and BVE mask. Stopping size of 0.1 Micron.
Sorry I wasn't being clear enough. We knew very early on N95 doesn't work.
You will need a Lockdown AND Mask, or you will simply just need Mask and not even lockdown. I would argue social distancing only is not enough. But somehow even people in Italy refuse to wear mask. So I think a culture issue is also a problem there.