those that have an actual rating and are form fitted to faces have much of an effect. Most masks people wear don’t filter out particulates to a low enough level to provide much protection.

A rating of N95, N99, N100, R95, R99, R100, P95, P99 and P100 all are tested and effective to different degrees at preventing airborne transmission down to 0.3 microns in size. The N95 filters out 95% of microns 0.3 or larger in size while the N100 filters out 99.97% of particulates 0.3 microns or larger in size. The N series doesn’t filter out oil based particulates, while the R is resistant to oil and the P series are oil proof (COVID has a lipid coating which is oil based, although it is attached/encapsulated in a moisture droplet when it is exhaled).

To put it another way, most masks sold let in 2-4 droplets per 10 in the air (or more depending on the material it is made from). The N95 lets in 1 out of 20. The P100 let’s in 1 out of 3,000.

cloth or paper masks are only about 20-30
percent effective in preventing covid, if properly
worn. Neck gaiters and other novelty masks even less so.
From my own non-scientific observations at the airport and
air travel, maybe half of people wear them properly.

Get vaxed is the answer. If you must wear a mask,
wear an N-95 certified one.

or are you saying don't mask at all

you are completely protected. A good mask is a N99/R99/P99 or better mask (although a P100 is x30 better at keeping out particulates). The vaccine is a partial protection that provides diminishing returns over time. The vaccine provides the same level of protection as a mediocre/ill fitting mask. With enough exposure you will end up getting the virus.

Which is fine if you accept that this virus isn’t going away and we will all eventually get numerous variants like the flu.

In response to your question, I only wear P100 respirators and masks. I also have medical reasons to be very cautious.

When you don’t have to do this. Stay safe brother.

I don't think you need to wear a mask outside. It's with the idea that the administration is apparently too feckless to adopt a policy that LSU of all places has adopted and keep these people out of the stadium in the first place, and then as a compromise try to argue that it's OK because they will definitely, absolutely be wearing a mask so all is well.

contact, with as little exposure as someone walking by on a sidewalk. Not sure why you wouldn’t take the safest approach, especially in a stadium environment where you are less than 12” away from people all around you.

I don't wish to start a fight, but I've never seen 'passing by on the sidewalk' as a viral load level.

That said, I won't shame anyone for doing more than the required/mandated protection. It's the people who do less who are the problem.

This is the junk that caused Chicago to close parks and the lake front on spring of 2020. It’s non sense. I give up. Nd should close for a year. The crazies are right. Back to remote.

Our players should play Xbox against other teams.

Delta is more transmissible, but I have not seen anyone suggest this level of risk. Roughly two times in comparison to previous strains seems to be the common assertion, even on the CDC website. If you have better stats, please provide them.

The real question for me is when we are going to stop insisting on trying to protect people that refuse to protect themselves. COVID is out there and it is never going away. At some level, transmission among those who are at low risk of complications, who have been vaccinated (breakthrough infections), and those who assume and accept the risk simply accelerates the inevitable. If hospitals in northern Indiana were being overwhelmed, that would be one thing, but I don’t believe that is true. In the meantime, people who have individual concerns can certainly wear masks or simply stay home.

I am still astounded by tales I hear at work of colleagues who still have not traveled or eaten at a restaurant or seen a movie or attended a baseball game in almost 18 months. I began taking these “risks” again about 16 months ago and have not looked back. Not sure why it is still everyone else’s business now that the vaccines are not only readily available, but in many cases reimbursed in handsome ways. Baseball stadiums have been packed all summer long and I am familiar with no data to implicate them as “super-spreader” events. If MLB can treat its patrons as adults with their own discretion and autonomy, why can’t Notre Dame?

I was at an MLB game this weekend and we were maskless for the most part, but did wear one for a bit when at our seats surrounded by a lot of people we don't know. If you're vaccinated, I wouldn't judge you one way or another re: mask wearing.

This wasn't meant to be a commentary on masks, though. My issue, as I think I've made clear by now, is with the lack of cojones shown by the admin in failing to enact a vaccination policy that, and this bears repeating, even LSU enacted.