As to the role and efficacy of masks, not a single one of the six could cite any scientific evidence for their claims one way or the other. Whether their inability to provide evidence and sources is due to indolence, ineptitude or irresponsibility, or some combination of these, is known only to them.

Allow me to offer some evidence on the advisability of mask use taken from the web using a standard search engine. First source: https://www.mayoclinic.org/coronavirus-mask/art-20485449. Second source: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)31142-9/fulltext which found, among other things, that “…Face mask use could result in a large reduction in risk of infection, with stronger associations with N95 or similar respirators compared with disposable surgical masks or similar (e.g., reusable 12–16-layer cotton mask). Eye protection also was associated with less infection.”

Third, my personal favorite as it has links to many major studies, even one conducted by the CDC among U.S. Navy personnel aboard the U.S.S. Roosevelt: https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/21299527/masks-coronavirus-covid-19-studies-research-evidence.

The takeaway: even though our knowledge of novel coronavirus remains limited, the evidence increasingly points to reduced contagion–i.e. lives saved–in places where people are using masks in public and combining this with social distancing and hand washing. The precautionary principle tells us to adopt the best known methods to protect ourselves in this pandemic. Anything less is reckless endangerment of the public.

Thanx, Otto! Now we know why the gov’t can arrest us if we don’t wear a mask — they’re helping us to “Regain More Freedom”™

Saving civilization is a thankless task, but someone has to do it.

“The truth is” that obtaining definitive evidence that Covid is an airborne contagion (as opposed to spreading via respiratory droplets) is so difficult it has yet to be proved. Nevertheless, the facts on the ground, especially in this county, suggest it poses little danger to healthy people who practice common flu-prevention hygiene (and steer clear of anyone with a cough).

— “Compare that to the latest hot spots far less dense or populous in America. Hot Springs, Arkansas’s rate is over 21,500 deaths per million.”

Garland County, which contains Hot Springs, has had 7 deaths for a rate of less than 1 per million.

— “Meanwhile many small Texas towns—Scurry, Crockett, Anderson and Val Verde, to name just a few—have an equivalent rate of over 15,000 deaths per million.”

Scurry, Texas has recorded no deaths, and Kaufman County, in which it is located, has a Covid death rate of 0.25 per million. The city of Crockett, population 6,900, has recorded 2 deaths (which could be translated mathematically — but misleadingly — as 288 deaths per million).
I won’t waste any more time checking this clown’s facts.

— “… two stylists unwittingly carried the Covid-19 virus—yet neither their co-workers nor their 139 clients were infected simply because everyone was wearing masks despite their close proximity.”

It may well be the stylists’ masks hindered or prevented the respiratory (or airborne?) transmission of the virus, but it is unlikely the masks worn by the clients were of a type (or worn in such a way) that would have had much if any effect. The preventative feature of a mask works much the same as does the civilized practice of covering one’s mouth when coughing — it offers some protection to others from the contagions of the infected.

Thank you for supplying consistently high quality content.

SJI owes you big time.

But hey, it’s sounds nice anyway. If only it were true. Of course we know it’s not true because if wearing a mask is all it took Gavin Newsom would have already opened California. But he hasn’t, because it’s not true. Or maybe cause he hates us, but whatever.

I should know better .

Very many of San Jose Inside’s readers will miss the point. I realize that.

My point is: Otto Lee is guilty of the crime of BINARY THINKING.

Binary thinking is the accepted criminality of the modern era of “wokeness”. Things are either GOOD or BAD, and if you don’t swallow EVERY claim of wokeness, you have sided with BAD,

I really don’t think that wearing a mask is a BAD thing. it is, in many ways, a GOOD thing. It would probably be a good thing if lots and lots of people wore masks.

What is a BAD thing is compelling, coercing, and forcing people to wear masks under penalty of shaming, exclusion, penalties, or fines.

Most people will VOLUNTARILY and WILLINGLY wear masks if it is reasonably requested, explained, and justified. And if MOST people wear masks, THAT IS GOOD ENOUGH for “flattening the curve” and diminishing the coronavirus epidemic to nuisance levels.

ENDING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC is an IMPOSSIBLE goal. It cannot be achieved and it will not be achieved. It is the nature of viruses.

Otto Lee is not just arguing for ending the coronavirus pandemic. He is arguing that SOMEONE should have the AUTHORITY and POWER to coerce people to do dubious or problematic things to achieve impossible goals.

Otto Lee should not be entrusted with any role in our governance.

Wearing masks is SURRENDERING freedom.

The fastest way we can reopen the economy to bring our freedoms bask is to END THE LOCKDOWNS.