Some "science journalism": "Virus can hang in the air for days" (researchers aerosolized it in a machine). "Found on surfaces for days." (ahem PCR finding vs. infection risk). N=4 study with odd findings. "Mask evidence is mixed!" (Ignore overwhelming science). Anxiety=clicks.

What about "false security" from masks? (Cute idea but empirically discredited for safety devices). What about the study with increased infection risk? (The one that compared cloth to surgical masks (duh) whose author herself now recommends community cloth masks? Yeah, that one.)

There's something really serious going on, and we must do a lot of very very difficult things. Last thing we need is anxiety-stoking without science or evidence. We have hospital workers banned from wearing masks while people are torturing their amazon boxes with bleach. Nuts.

Accumulated evidence for transmission in hospitals, big indoor living places (nursing homes; cruise ships, probably apartment buildings), crowded indoors (grocery stores, gatherings, mass transportation). Avoid them as much as possible, keep distance, watch hygiene + wear masks!

Folks, do note that amazing amount of great journalism is also being done. Reporting from inside China and the US administration and hospital has been pretty amazing. There has been some stellar science journalism, too. But there is a long and fat tail of anxiety-miasma pieces.