I'm going to have to disregard the influenza study on two accounts First is that the masks weren't formally fit-tested, which the N95 masks are. Second is that the study is done on the transmisson of influenza, which I conceded to above that if you are sick, wearing a surgical mask would help prevent the spread. The majority of my post above was on prevention of corona, so that's irrelevant. Regardless, it's an 11-year-old study on the spread of influenza and while there are similarities, I would like to keep it to just what we know on corona so I wouldn't have taken it in anyways.

You also stated that regular and N95 masks both work fairly well in filtering some of the air. That is incorrect. Surgical masks have no air filtering capabilities whatsoever. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), surgical face masks are loose-fitting and really only prevent large droplets from coming into contact. Adding on to that, most of them do not filter out small particles from the air or prevent leakage due to inhaling, which means that some air will come through unfiltered

Contrast that with the N95's. They filter out 95% of all particles in the air, small to largeincluding pathogens like bacteria and viruses. They have minimal leakage which means that almost all air will go through the filter in the respirators. If how the N95 respirators work makes no sense, please don't be so quick to dismiss it.

I was born in Santa Clara and consequently live nearby to the county, and there are cases where I live at the moment. However, I still wouldn't recommend wearing masks since supplies are running out and especially due to the high influx of cases coming in, healthcare workers need them more than ever.

Use a tight cloth if you'd rather be safe than sorry, there's no harm in being cautious. However, there is harm in being misinformed or feeling panic due to the situation. Saying that all masks work for prevention and that surgical masks and N95's work the same are wrong.

I believe dear is used as a term of endearment here, but I'd prefer for it not to be used with me. Thanks :)

I also would like to reiterate my point that caution is good but misinformation is detrimental.

I...would have pinged you if that was meant for you or edited my first post >.> Thanks for butting in.

Neither of the masks were formally fit-tested, if your a normal homeowner how would you even know how? And its not *irrelevant* I'm well aware that this article was regarding the transmission, and I acknowledged it aswell. I think its reasonable to assume that if the mask can prevent you from spreading the virus through exhaling it (on a mask that isn't even fitted right) then it can, to a certain extent, prevent some of those particulate from getting in too.

I carefully read your opinions, and I'll adjust my stance regarding masks appropriately when I have the time. (I do this in my free time, and that isn't infinite). And while I still don't fully agree with your opinions I'll atleast acknowledge them as having some basis in fact. As for now this is as much time as I will donate to arguing with you.

It's alright, I understand, but where I live, school's been canceled for a week because of the virus. It just scares me is all ^^

Hi, it was my bad for assuming that was about me. Sorry.


For the rest of your post, it gives off the feel as if you either did not read what I said whatsoever or you skimmed the first few sentencesand the failure to acknowledge this is just a little bit frustrating considering that the vast majority werent my opinions but facts.

However, if youd like to stop the discussion its up to you. A final parting note, I never viewed this as an argument. I was never mad or held any ill-feelings towards you. Id call it a debate.


Have a good day.

Updat(ed) March 13th 2020 7:05PM EST

PHILIPPINES:

Total Cases [PHIL]: 64
New Cases [PHIL]: 12
Total Deaths [PHIL]: 5
Total Recovered [PHIL]: 2
Active Cases [PHIL]: 57

Philippines plans to quarantine Metro Manila Sunday March 15th. Source

CANADA:

Total Cases [CA]: 158
New Cases [CA]: 16
Total Deaths [CA]: 1
Total Recovered [CA]: 11
Active Cases [CA]: 146


Justin Trudeau's (the Prime Minister of Canada) wife tests positive for Covid-19 after making a trip to the UK. He is currently in self-isolation. Source

UK:

Total Cases [UK]: 798
New Cases [UK]: 208
Total Deaths [UK]: 11
Total Recovered [UK]: 18
Active Cases [UK]: 769


UNITED STATES:

Total Cases [US]: 2,269
New Cases [US]: 572
Total Deaths [US]: 48
Total Recovered [US]: 31
Active Cases [US]: 2,190


-1 new case in Georgia: a 29-year-old female from Charlton County who came to the Camden Campus ER with respiratory symptoms on Saturday, March 7. She was treated and released, but then returned to the hospital on Monday, March 9, with worsening symptoms. The patient has no travel history or known exposure.

- 1 new case in Nebraska: a man in his 50s who was on the same connecting flight as the person who is Nebraskas first case .

- 15 new cases in Florida .

- 1 case in New Mexico: a Santa Fe County woman in her 50s with known recent international travel to Italy.

- 6 new cases in San Diego, California With these new positive cases, the evidence is pointing to the very likely reality that we have community spread here in San Diego County, County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher said. This changes both our posture and also accelerates our action.

- 9 new cases in Michigan: 1 adult female from Ingham County with history of travel on a cruise; 2 adult females from Kent County and 1 adult male, all with history of international travel; 1 adult female from Montcalm with history of international travel; 2 adult males from Oakland County: one with no travel history and one with domestic travel; one adult female and one adult male from Washtenaw County; one with history of domestic travel and one with history of international travel.

- 1st case in Alaska identified as person from a cargo flight, a foreign national individual who was transiting through


Ohio governor Mike DeWine announces that he estimates a total of atleast 100,000 undiagnosed Covid-19 cases in Ohio.


What is a "State of Emergency"?:
The answer varies a bit from state to state, but basically, declaring a state of emergency gives the governor and his emergency management team a bit of extra latitude to deal with a situation quickly and with maximum coordination. Most of these powers are fairly straightforward; the governor can close state offices, deploy the National Guard and other emergency responders, and make evacuation recommendations.

Other powers are specific to a certain situation. For example, in a blizzard a governor can impose travel restrictions to clear roads for snowplows and other emergency vehicles. Source

States in a State of Emergency:
Washington, California, Maryland, Kentucky, Utah, New York, Florida, Oregon, Indiana, New Jersey, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Massachusetts, North Carolina,, Michigan, Arizona, Connecticut, Louisiana, Virginia, Delaware, Montana, Nevada, Arkansas, Kansas, Wisconsin, New Mexico, Tennessee, Alabama, and New Hampshire.

United States: at least 7 states are closing schools: Ohio, Michigan, Oregon, Maryland, Kentucky and New Mexico.

Live Now: (as of the time I'm writing this) Trump expected to declare national emergency over Covid-19.
Update: He has.


ITALY:

Total Cases [Italy]: 17,660
New Cases [Italy]: 2,547
Total Deaths [Italy]: 1,266
Total Recovered [Italy]: 1,439
Active Cases [Italy]: 14,955

March 11th: Italian Healthworkers?

I'll explain this briefly. The reason nurses are working such long shifts without breaks is because their PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) isn't re-useable, and hospitals there are having a hard time providing PPE. So they have to make the most of it, unfortunately. (Or this is what I understand.)

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Want to be pinged with updates? Ping me!

Hey!! Pings for updates, please?

Also, my state, Virginia, just shut down schools as well.

I heard, I'll add you to the list ^-^ I'm in Florida and its really just mind boggling that they *actually* shut the theme parks down xD A great precaution, but still shocking to someone who lives in a major tourist destination,,

Thanks! And yeah, I honestly kinda expected the theme park shut downs, but it still is shocking, as you said. Like, wow, this is actually happening!