this is a fascinating thread on possible physical properties of masks, viral spread, & infectivity

in essence, even if a mask stops large droplets, the force of expulsion may nebulize them into aerosols

so, it's possible that aerosol spread of cov is caused/accentuated by masks https://twitter.com/Kevin_McKernan/status/1320032755049222145

this sort of nebulization is used in therapies to make them penetrate lungs more deeply.

it would also make cov more prone and able to persist for long periods in airborne fashion.

if this is so, your mask does not protect me, it's increasing the spread and virulence of covid

this leads to a fascinating question:

what if there was so little evidence of aerosol spread for covid early on yet so much more now BECAUSE we are wearing masks?

are we literally causing this new spread vector with bad policy choices?

you should read this whole thread, it's really excellent, but as it gets technical, let me help a little:

this is an example of using nebulization to INCREASE virulence.

small particles penetrate more deeply into lungs.

(they also float in air longer) https://twitter.com/Kevin_McKernan/status/1320033814131986433?s=20

you are taking large droplets and aerosolizing them.

this could make covid spread more like measles than like flu. and that would be BAD. measles, because they are a true aerosol, have an R0 of around 18. https://twitter.com/Kevin_McKernan/status/1320036566388121600?s=20

let's be very clear about what this is and what it isn't.

it IS a known physical process that could be making covid worse, not better and accentuating spread and virulence.

it is NOT proof that it's doing so.

it's just something to consider.

but it sits in direct opposition to the barrier claims being made in other such "lab bench" tests.

and it shows the enormous problem with such tests: you have no idea if they are clinically relevant.

stopping a straight line cough at 3m is not a clinical outcome.

we have no idea what came out the sides, what other factors are at play, what this looks like after 6 hours of wear, aerosol formation, etc.

this is why you need real clinical outcomes trials in real societal settings.

there is no other way to even guess at the variables.

anyone pushing some sneeze test in a lab as "proof" that masks work is either scientifically illiterate or seeking to mislead you.

which one makes you want to take their advice?

especially when they are seeking to suppress the real clinical data. https://twitter.com/boriquagato/status/1317915599310376961?s=20