Masks and the flu

I'm not sure why the CDC is sending out such equivocal messages about the utility of face masks for flu prevention. Yes, it's better to use higher-quality masks, and it's important that they fit well (not like the cheap cloth mask with gaps all around shown at the top of this MSNBC article). But even a mask that does nothing against airborne infection still has considerable utility, drastically reducing the often-unconscious touching of mouth and nose that seems to be a constant of human behavior. Kids are terrible in this respect, but a lot of adults are not much better.

The argument that masks give the public a false sense of security is specious. Mexico City is, by all reports, all but shut down -- no sense of security from all the masks in evidence there, false or otherwise. The real risk is not that masks will change the behavior of ordinary people, but that government officials might use the adoption of masks as an excuse to avoid other essential public health measures, such as school closures, quarantines, and the like. In practice, however, this hasn't been playing out as an either-or situation; the wearing of masks becomes a powerful and everpresent reminder that things are not normal, more likely to heighten alertness than to breed complacency.

I'd also like to see our medical authorities come right out and recommend mask use in certain settings, even at times when there's no elevated risk of a flu pandemic. When I'm stuck in a plane right in front of someone sniffling and sneezing, it should be the sneezer who is treated like a pariah for not wearing a mask -- not me for wearing one.

Little giant squid

Time to catch up on all things cephalopod!

A three-metre giant squid specimen washed up on a beach on Wellington's South Coast yesterday (2nd April).

In comparison with our colossal squid it's a bit small, but because it's small it's interesting! . . .

The squid was found in shallow water by Alana Spragg and her daughter Bella who managed to drag it onto the beach. At just 3m long the squid is one of the smallest we've seen: this means that it is either a rarely seen male, or an even more rarely seen juvenile.

Pane e coperto

Should restaurants charge for bread and butter? Check out the discussion here.

I'm keeping an open mind on this myself. After all, I've managed to come to terms with Asian restaurants charging for plain white rice, which rubbed me the wrong way for years after leaving the California free-rice bubble.

NYC flyover

"What could they have been thinking?", indeed.

And why didn't they just do it with Photoshop, anyway?

ADDENDUM: If you want the inside scoop on the whole mess, one of the best sources I've found is here. Be sure to scroll down for the additional notes and links.

Cuttlefish vs octopus

No honor among cephalopods. . .