It is shockingly hard to get people to absorb basic public health facts related to Covid-19. Most fundamentally, that is is 95-100% RESPIRATORY. So handwashing and face shields can't hurt, of course, but the risk is that they are a distraction that creates a false sense of security(1). Zero surprise that this Swiss case investigation found face shields didn't confer much protection, while masks did.
Another point that has been massively and unnecessarily confusing is the idea that "the (sole/main) reason to wear masks is not that they protect the wearer, but that doing so is a pro-social act to protect others". While the protect others part is certainly true, I am baffled as to the belief they don't also protect the wearer(2). Good to see this article take on that point.
(1) The false sense of security factor was, I believe, one of the reasons masks were originally downplayed by some public health experts. Best of intentions, probably, but clearly a devastating mistake, in hindsight.
(2) It may come from the established practice in some countries, mostly east Asian I think, of wearing masks when one is sick, yes, in order to protect others.
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