I agree smaller dose intuitively means less of a hazard of an infection putting down roots before the immune system wipes it out. However, I've never seen data for this.

IIRC coronavirus particles were around 0.1 um, but the virus would fall apart traveling bare. N95 do filter in that range in any event, just not at the advertised and tested level of an N95's 95% @ 0.3 um (you can get N100s which don't quite hit 100%; it's a rounding thing). Aerosols are typically much larger, 1+ um up, then transition to visible droplets around 20-100 um.

Was any of this data published? I wondered specifically about N95 claims for cheap imports.

I wait for the graphic novel version: https://xkcd.com/2523/

I'm afraid another pivotal concern may have been costs: inferior masks such as surgical are much cheaper. So, here in Virginia the hospital admin logic went, the mask they chose should be the standard for all purposes (our hospital required visitors to give up their personal N95s for a surgical mask, which was at least free).

As even more damning evidence of institutional thinking, the same hospital network required my PCP to wear a mask for telemedicine visits. I burst out laughing when I saw him and asked, "I don't mean to be rude, but are y'all familiar with the germ theory of disease?" He apologized and said the rule simply was that all patient-facing meeting required a mask. So there, standards.

Kudos for being the one who actually RTFA!

I suspect someone has an agenda against President Biden here. The stories jibe fine.

Burner phone costs you, what, $10?

[Citation Needed]

After we turn socialist overnight what then?

The joke is that those who are afraid of "turning socialist" are completely ignorant of what socialism actually is, let alone characteristics of other political/socioeconomic philosophies. In their world of alternative facts, all they know is a cartoon beatbox version of socialism, where no one owns anything and the government takes away everyone's freedom to do whatever you want.

It is not possible to have a rational constructive discussion with folks who don't care about facts and who do not care to learn said facts. "Biden hates America" and "Obama was born in Kenya" are opinions that are neither based in reality nor serious.

"Trump said he was going to build a border wall and make Mexico pay for it. He didn't do either" is based upon facts and reality.

One of my younger siblings got it at work and infected their immediate family (spouse, kids). Our elderly mom (who suffers from a number of respiratory ailments) missed getting it by one day: she normally wouldve had dinner at their house the day after their symptoms manifested. It wouldve have most certainly killed her.

Having seen what they went through—COVID isnt “just a flu”; whoever says is lying or galactically stupid—I have zero empathy for anyone who isnt taking this seriously, whether through ignorance or willing delusion.

You want to go to CES or any other large gathering? Please proceed.

You want to ignore the threat because Fox “News” says it is overblown, a liberal plot, or a False Flag? Please proceed.

You want to “reopen the economy” because you want to be able to go to the bar for a pint? Please proceed.

I will not gloat if you get it. I will not have any sympathy, either.

A different verb would help: engender dissent. Hence a diffuse but pernicious impact. But YES the focus on spelling, grammar, and punctuation is just class marker or snide stuff. Just because you know what a semicolon is and use it doesnâ(TM)t make you smarter. ;;;;;;;;;;; See? :)

Youâ(TM)re making several assumptions here.

I think the theorists got lucky on this one. My boss used to say, every once in a while the blind squirrel finds a nut. We were surprised by the truth because we lacked evidence, and so did the theorists. Conspiracy theories by definition aren't based on verifiable facts. It's easy to speculate a 1,000 things; hitting the target once is chance and doesn't prove the 999 of chemtrails etc. Also, the existence of a surveillance program was not a big stretch of the imagination based on what the gov't did in the past, but the extent was amazing. So, sure, don't dismiss theories out of hand, but do hold them at arm's length if they lack proof.

You can't safely generalize too much about what the law is. The law and legal theory vary from place to place. But generally...

Rape is sexual intercourse without consent. Consent and knowledge of age are usually irrelevant in statutory rape. https://www.nolo.com/legal-enc... The undisclosed STD would be a form of battery or similar offense. https://www.nolo.com/legal-enc...

Sure it's fun to digress, but remember nothing someone else did or didn't do some other time forgives or even relates to the alleged misconduct of Minsky.