What about masks?

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 6

Objectives

Being able to consider and weigh different perspectives (academic skill: critical thinking)

Expanding specific vocabulary related to a common GCSE topic: the medical field.

We are urged to wear a mask. Do you think this will help against the spread of Covid?

1. yes
2. no

Why do you think it to (not) be benificial?

Read the text on https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2020/06/417906/still-confused-about-masks-heres-science-behind-how-face-masks-prevent
What evidence (arguments) do you find here that support the idea that wearing a masks helps? Try and use vocabulary from the article.

Still confused .....

Keywords: evidence, against, wearing masks

An experiment using high-speed video: saying a simple phrase already generates hundreds of respiratory droplets, but nearly all the droplets are blocked with a damp washcloth.

Another study: surgical masks reduce significantly respiratory droplets  and aerosols of people with flu or a common cold.

Experimets of nature: numbers  in places with mask mandates show a decline in COVID-19 growth rates and lower death rates.

Several case studies suggest that patients who have been tested positive for COVID-19 and who  wear a facemask don't contaminate people that come close to them.

No source mentioned: Masks prevent larger expelled droplets from evaporating into smaller droplets that can travel farther.

Now read the article on https://theconversation.com/three-major-scientific-controversies-about-coronavirus-144021
What evidence is presented against wearing a mask?

lessonup.com

Three major scientific ...

Keywords: evidence, support, wearing masks

Uncited: face masks don't stop the wearer from inhaling small airborne particles of coronavirus

Recent study: wearing a mask may give a false sense of security and therefore people may ignore important control measures.

Reasearch has shown that people wearing masks rub their eyes more and hence increasing th risk, in case their hands are contaminated, of infecting themselves.

General knowledge: we also know that when wearing a face mask people breathe more often and more deeply, potentially spreading more contamminated air.

Search the Internet and look for articles on the effectiveness of masks. Make sure that you look for credible sources. Copy paste the links to at least 3 websites below. Give your final judgment on the effectiveness of masks (at least for now).

Evaluating assignments

Which article communicated your opinion on this issue best?

1. Article 1: Still confused about masks?
2. Article 2: Three major scientific controvesies

Which article did you think most convincing?

1. Article 1: Still confused about masks?
2. Article 2: Three major scientific controvesies

Which article was more objective?

1. Article 1: Still confused about masks?
2. Article 2: Three major scientific controvesies

Have you checked the internet for the authors' credentials?

1. Yes, I've looked into Nina Bai
2. Yes, I've looked into Manal Mohammed
3. Yes, I've looked into both authors
4. No

Questions

What makes an article convincing?

Think of at least four reasons.

What makes an article objective?

Think of at least four reasons.

Choose from

If you'd like to improve reading: Readtheory

If you'd prefer to practise listening:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0b_eHBZLM6U

If you need to get ready for an upcoming test first: study for a resit (for English or another subject)