To anyone having trouble convincing a family member or friend that wearing a face mask is good for public health and the economy, we’re here to help you win that argument.
Here are some questions you can pose.
Ask them, did you know …
… that even though Japan was justifiably criticized over its poor early response to the pandemic, when it allowed bars and public transit to remain packed even in hot spots, its heavy use of masks throughout the crisis helped keep case numbers down? Did you know that fewer than 1,000 people have died in Japan, a nation of 130 million people, compared with more than 5,200 in the state of Florida, which has 21 million residents?
… that although South Korea did an extraordinary job in the initial outbreak, its case numbers have started climbing as warmer temperatures have prompted more and more people to defy mask orders, citing discomfort in wearing them?
… Germany saw its infection rate plummet after enacting a mask requirement in late April, which includes a fine of $5,000 for noncompliance?
… in Brazil, where the death rate per capita is similar to that of the U.S., the president was criticized for being disdainful of masks and downplaying the coronavirus as a “little flu,” which resulted in widespread noncompliance of mask mandates? Did you now that the Brazilian president tested positive for COVID-19 this month?
… that despite having only 22 deaths due to a quick and aggressive response to the initial outbreak, New Zealand is considering a national mask requirement to ward off a resurgence?
Now, looking closer to home, did you know …
… if all Americans wore masks — including us — it would save our resorts and tourism economy from the worst economic damage?
… visitorship at our casinos has fallen in recent weeks amid the resurgence, from 550,000 on July 4 to 400,000 on July 11 to 350,000 on July 18, according to one survey?
… that major casino companies are signaling there will be layoffs due to the initial shutdowns and ongoing slowdown?
… that noncompliance with the mask requirement prompted the recent shutdown of bars, who employ thousands of people in Las Vegas and are major contributors to our economy?
… experts say Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey’s stance on masks, which included banning cities from requiring them until last month and still not issuing a statewide ban, was a significant factor in the massive resurgence of cases there?
… that more than 900 health care professionals signed a letter pleading with Ducey to enact a statewide mandate?
… that the similar lack of a statewide mandate in Florida is being blamed in part for the explosion in cases there?
On a more personal level, did you also know …
… prominent scientists are now saying that widespread mask use could prevent another round of widespread shutdowns?
…. that University of Washington researchers who conducted a meta-analysis of dozens of previous studies predicted that if 95% of Americans wore masks, it would reduce transmission by 30%? Did you know those researchers estimated that with 95% of Americans wearing masks, there would be 34,000 deaths by Nov. 1 as opposed to 80,000 on the pandemic’s current trajectory?
… the American Hospital Association, American Medical Association and American Nurses Association joined in issuing an open letter to the American public urging them to wear masks, adhere to distancing guidelines and practice good hand washing?
… research has shown that when an infected person is not wearing a mask, the moisture particles containing the virus can float up to 30 feet away from that person when he or she talks, coughs, sneezes or even breathes? And that those particles can stay alive up to 30 hours?
… but those particles leave the body in much bigger droplets that can be absorbed by masks, and therefore don’t become smaller through evaporation and float far away?
… as proven in a scientific study at BYU, a simple cloth mask can stop 90% or more of the dispersal of droplets carrying the virus?
… that up to 40% of those infected with coronavirus show no symptoms, so wearing a mask can help protect others even when we don’t know we’re sick?
… it’s a myth that masks limit the intake of oxygen and increase the intake of carbon dioxide, which leads to CO2 poisoning?
… it’s also been disproven that masks cause people to touch their faces more often and increase their risk of becoming ill?
Finally, here are two more questions to pose. Did you know that even President Donald Trump finally expressed support for masks, saying it was patriotic to wear one? And given that he’s no longer holding out, why are you?