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If masks work, why weren't the prisoners given masks?
I know you're smarter than that.
Need to read a scientific publication of some sort. Lancet or JAMA is fine, suspect Nat. Geo. or NPR/PBS would work too. Fox or MSN not advised as they're often ripe with misinformation and conspiracy theories, much like your favorite social platform. Excluding here of course
Masks work, not 100% by any means but they work to reduce the DISCHARGE of a contagion. Read: aerosol discharges. Quality masks (N95 or better) will reduce INTAKE of a contagion.
As far as penal colonies, I imagine it's difficult to social distance and wear a mask at communal meals. Much less wipe down all surfaces on a semi-regular basis, or wash your lunch hooks with soap and water in your Grey-Bar hotel room. Wearing a mask of any sort in prison may be ill advised too, I don't really know.
Lastly, I read on the internet (so it must be true) one or more prisoners drank out of the same cup in the hopes they'd catch Cornora-19 and be let loose to a medical facility... or to home.
I know of no one who likes wearing a mask, I know of many that refuse to wear a helmet when riding too. Wearing a mask is a team effort, the other end of mass hysteria/panic. I'm fine with you not wearing one, really! If our paths cross before we figure out this CV BS, you best be wearing a mask/bandana/paper towel, or not be breathing.
Rick