[BostonCard]

and she took her mask off in the lavatory because . . . ????!!! A small confined space with I think no ventilation.

My impression from reports of the study is that the authors conclude the infection was most likely from aerosols, not surfaces. They probably inquired about hand washing in the lavatory. And if the infection had been transmitted via a surface, maybe another passenger would have turned positive as well. But unclear--did the infected transmitter create aerosols despite wearing a mask? Or did that person take his or her mask off in the lavatory too?

Still, effectiveness of masks again demonstrated, despite middle seats being occupied.

Some people shed SARS-CoV-2 in their stool, which may get aerosolized when the toilet is flushed.  All the more reason to wear an N95 in an public restroom, pandemic or not.

That being said, I agree with you; the study shows that masks (and especially N95 masks) by and large work.  Note that although they say "most passengers wore masks", they didn't specifically say if the asymptomatic carriers did.

BC

[BostonCard]

and she took her mask off in the lavatory because . . . ????!!! A small confined space with I think no ventilation.

My impression from reports of the study is that the authors conclude the infection was most likely from aerosols, not surfaces. They probably inquired about hand washing in the lavatory. And if the infection had been transmitted via a surface, maybe another passenger would have turned positive as well. But unclear--did the infected transmitter create aerosols despite wearing a mask? Or did that person take his or her mask off in the lavatory too?

Still, effectiveness of masks again demonstrated, despite middle seats being occupied.

Some people shed SARS-CoV-2 in their stool, which may get aerosolized when the toilet is flushed.  All the more reason to wear an N95 in an public restroom, pandemic or not.

That being said, I agree with you; the study shows that masks (and especially N95 masks) by and large work.  Note that although they say "most passengers wore masks", they didn't specifically say if the asymptomatic carriers did.

BC