Comment by pella | Hacker News Reader

Comment by pella | Hacker News Reader

https://twitter.com/lwcalex/status/1235091542219448321

"Dr. Pak-Leung Ho, head of Centre for infection at @hkumed, thinks it was due to the stepped-up vigilance of #HKers that no. of #COVID19 cases in #HK didn't skyrocket like Iran and Italy. He highlighted universal mask-wearing as one of the reasons widespread outbreak didn't occur."

"#HKers started wearing masks, universally and regardless of symptoms, even before the 1st confirmed case emerged in the city. Some say panic, some say unnecessary, some say cultural difference, but it is really down to our collective experience of #SARS."

"17 yrs ago #HKers learnt the impact of a disease outbreak at the cost of 299 lives. We knew if it starts in China, sooner or later it will reach #HK. Afterall, in the 1st week of Feb alone, 100,000 mainlanders entered HK, not to mention returning HK citizens."

So despite being super-prepared they still got it.

This would appear to be line with the statements face masks indeed limit spread once you're sick, but doesn't do much to protect you when you are healthy.

> but doesn't do much to protect you when you are healthy.

https://twitter.com/yaneerbaryam/status/1233378620690878464

"If everyone wears masks, sick wear them. If nobody wears masks, they don't If you wear a mask, people will be comfortable wearing a mask with you. If not, not"

+"Individual, community and government early outbreak response guidelines "

https://twitter.com/yaneerbaryam/status/1235354865947365377

https://necsi.edu/individual-community-and-government-early-...

> So despite being super-prepared they still got it.

The parent comment said "#COVID19 cases in #HK didn't skyrocket like Iran and Italy. He highlighted universal mask-wearing as one of the reasons widespread outbreak didn't occur."

Aside from the fact that HK has much fewer cases than a lot of places despite the close proximity to China. For the past few weeks, almost all new cases were traced back to either people sharing meals with someone who was infected, being in the same unit of someone infected - both of which situation would involve removing the masks.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com