Thread on Walmart. Short take: Love it. Longer: Masking rules continue to serve not only public health goal but are also a statement of who we are and how we should treat each other. Rules, like budgets, are a reflection on our morals. So what's the national data on masking? 1/
We do not have a united states through this response (spare me "but he wore a mask" takes) so we have to applaud cos like Walmart. This is similar to what govs and mayors are doing in this hodge-podge (b/c of WH) response effort with masking. 2/
What does "masking mandate" even mean? The good data people (highlighted below) have been monitoring masking requirements and other policies in states. Data is here. Still holding (some caveats) at about 60% of US population under mask mandates. 3/
github.com/COVID19StatePo…
github.com/COVID19StatePo…
They've drilled down on data and divided "masking" into 3 categories: Level 1 (limited); 2 (broader mask policy, mostly indoor); 3 (substantial masking, inc. outdoor). 2 and 3 most significant. The data is good because it gives meaning to "masking" rules, the where and when. 4/
Major retailers, like Walmart, or institutions are not included in data but can help fill in the gaps. This is not supposed to be how it works. And it is, in many respects, not working. But I have faith, perhaps naively, in American ingenuity to try to work around this WH. 5/
Finally, contain the virus and all else follows: schools, businesses, bars! From my work, it is clear you are going to see voluntary (not required) national retail closures in certain zip codes. They just can't risk it anymore; they can't wait for these govs to see the light. 6/
Many thanks to whole bunch of people who read my twitter whim and are providing great info on lots of issues especially as WH controls it. @uw, @uwnews, @breebangjensen, @BeaMagistro, @KenyaAmano, @nwnancy @rypan (of COVID Exit Strategy) at covidtracking.com and others 7/7
