Which would be better to mail to the public? Masks or tests?

[kentuck]

The government is readying to mail out millions of tests so Americans can test themselves for Covid. Is that the best way to fight this virus?

Would it be better to mail out N-95 masks to every family in America?

I have heard medical experts say that the number of cases would drop dramatically in a matter of weeks if everyone were to wear masks?

However, I suppose it is good to know if you have the Omicron or not?

[Dorian Gray]

1. BOTH

[Vinca]

2. I vote masks. I think the testing has taken on too much space in the coverage since

you could be negative in the morning, but positive in the afternoon and there aren't enough tests on the planet for everyone to test every day. Plus, as I've been told, the home tests often give wrong results. Masks, social distancing and vaccines. That's our only hope.

[KarenS]

3. I vote for masks,,,,

At this point in the pandemic, my husband & I are acting like we have it and that everyone else has it,,,, Unless we get very ill then we'll go the ER but we are just staying home and only going out for necessities,,,, no point in testing us.

[lapfog_1]

4. Other than to satisfy the data scientists

there is no point to testing now.

if it is a PCR test, by the time you get the result you will either be in the hospital or over the infection.

If it is the rapid flow test... what will you do with the knowledge.

If you get really sick, you should just assume Covid / Omicron.

There is no point in contact tracing or even in isolation. We are ALL going to be exposed to Omicron.

Masks are useful (KN95 or better), especially for the people with co-morbidity.

The absolute best thing was to be vaccinated and now boosted.

[KS Toronado]

5. I vote for N95 masks

They'll do more good in preventing the spread than tests.

[Klaralven]

6. Masks. The tests will likely expire unused.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

7. Both and it's ridiculous that it isn't both.

[kentuck]

10. It would be nice if he could get a little help from Mitch and the Republicans.

He has his hands full. More than enough for a single human.

[underpants]

9. Mail? Sure but we already have very well established distribution points

The vax sites have handled an incredible amount of people. My experience at the race track was a graduate degree level of operations. Mail yes but pick up points for both would check a lot of boxes.

I know that the press has piled on Joe and he has had a hard last 6 months but this is the sort of effort that goes a long way in elections. Just saying.

[tanyev]

11. Both. I fear the anti-maskers will immediately throw the masks away,

but they'd probably keep the tests hidden away "just in case".

[GoCubsGo]

12. Why send masks when half the population refuses to wear them?

And, when so many state, local, and private facilities refuse to require wearing them? If you want to send them on request, sure. Otherwise, a bunch of them will go to waste.

[myohmy2]

13. I don't know...

...forget about the masks and tests, send me another $1400...

...I like money...

[jimfields33]

14. +1,000,000

[IrishAfricanAmerican]

15. Ballots.

[kentuck]

16. I like this answer!

[KentuckyWoman]

17. Much of America won't use either one.

They cannot make the unfeeling, uncaring, inconsiderate or just plain lazy ones stand up and do their patriotic duty. They won't mask. They won't vax. They won't test.

Even before covid, these were the ones who knowingly spread their cold or flu all over the place. You know the type that drag an obviously sick 1 yr old to a family function so they can Instagram pic of the little one with 90 yr old aunt Jane. Or the co-worker who won't use a sick day and spends 10 hrs breathing germs on everything and everyone.

On the flip side of this we currently have employers actually firing people for staying home when they are symptomatic. That only encourages people to go to work sick and spread whatever the ailment is.

[cinematicdiversions]

18. I still haven't gotten a really good answer why we would send tests to everyone

So masks is the easy answer for me.

At least I use masks. (Though I have plenty and really don't need anymore)

[blm]

19. Why choose? Send BOTH.