9. Respirator (FFP2/3) masks, well fitted, DO protect the wearer as well as exerting source control. Surgical masks and, to a very limited extent, "face coverings" will restrict/protect from droplet-borne viruses.
10. Airborne transmission means FFP2/3 masks are gold standard.

7. Specifically, mask RCTs are inherently flawed, source control must be considered alongside protection.
8. RCTs can't account for complex behaviour.
8. Meta-analyses & systematic reviews are defined by their selection criteria, study weighting, and evidence hierarchy/idolatry.

6. Masks are key NPIs, all the more critical due to lack of clean air.
7. Respecting the impact of infection on fellow human beings and awareness of NHS capacity is not "panic".
8. Awareness that millions of vulnerable folks don't have reasonable adjustments is also not "panic".

2. COVID now adds to disease burden in an unpredictable, perennial way.
3. We maddeningly restrict access to vaccines without considering the wider and long-term costs of disease.
4. Nothing has been done nationally to improve indoor air quality.
5. Vaccines and NPIs synergise.

if we had not closed half our or general and acute beds
if we did not have the 2nd lowest bed base per 1000 in the OECD
if those beds were not full of people waiting community services but fit to leave
if we had not decimated public health, primary care and community nursing
no crisis to see

Meanwhile in South Korea. The contrast could not be more stark. bsky.app/profile/heal...

I cannot recall where I first heard this but it is so true!
To assume makes an ass of u and me