Thread by @AbraarKaran

1/A mask mandate map of America. #covid19

But- this needs to be about more than mandates; needs to be about getting people to understand & implement masking when/where it is most important (often, not outdoors which is where mandates seem to be focused)

nytimes.com/interactive/20…

2/This is not to say outdoor transmission doesn't happen.

But it is presumably much lower than indoors.

Indoors includes public spaces. But it also includes unregulated private spaces.

If people believe in masks as protection, they will use them.

3/ Understanding drivers of ongoing transmission- the where/when/why/how (@RanuDhillon) continues to be key.

Beyond frontline workers who are getting infected in the workplace (which should be a main focus of our interventions/support), where else and how else?

4/ Is some of it happening in smaller private gatherings? Presumably. How much? Unclear.

Indoor dining? Presumably. How much? Unclear.

Getting people to conceptualize notions of "shared air" I think will help- & divert limited attention from hygiene theater

5/Need to tighten our personal protection in high risk situations.

One of the reasons why we have pushed #BetterMasks.

But along with this- is getting people to consistently use masks in highest risk situations (indoor crowding). #covid19

6/Put another way- outdoor mask mandates that are not addressing getting people to understand why and when masks are key, will fail to stop higher risk transmission settings where we can't regulate mask use. Let not outdoor masking --> less indoor masking (hopefully it isn't)

7/ Don't get me wrong- I am in favor of mask mandates for a # of reasons; one is that it normalizes maskin + reminds people that masks are our means of protection; also gives anti-maskers an excuse when telling their friends why they have now masked (maybe some actually want to?)

8/ Also makes it easier to seal all the public gaps where transmission could happen rather than putting the onus on people to just figure it out; BUT need to also make sure people understand the point of masks & how transmission happens so that masks stay on when they need to

9/ Because we can't regulate/mandate our way out of this. Beating this relies on changing community norms; it depends on people trusting & understanding and deciding they are on board w/ this. Public buy-in is huge; it's possible; it will take time & the right messaging.