Dr. Matt Willis

Could you please discuss the variance of opinions regarding mask wearing? I appreciate that you mention the importance of this in your videos, yet I see many people outside every day who are not wearing masks. San Francisco has mandated mask wearing outside and suggest a distance of 30 feet from others. Dr. Larry Brilliant was just quoted as saying if 80% of us wore masks 80% of the time, the virus would dissipate. I have heard that mentioned by two other physicians lately. I would be willing to wear a mask outside every single day until we have a vaccine. I understand the elation in reopening, but I think people will become much more lax about the issue of wearing masks. They have had great success in Asian countries, as everyone wears masks. It’s very perplexing and frustrating that everyone does not wear a mask outdoors.

At least in Marin, the demographic with the worst outcome when contracting COVID-19 is the elderly (all deaths to date have been over 65). Given this data, one approach would have been to strongly isolate the elderly who are most vulnerable, and allow the rest of us to go about our lives, with limited precautions. Was this considered as an option, and if so, why was it not adopted?

Given the constant obloquy about insufficient testing, what is a statistically significant percentage of the population tested to make it meaningful? What are the testing kit production problems?
Will the protests over the last three weeks have any effect on herd immunity?

With massive budget cuts and layoffs happening at schools, how do you see your organization helping to ensure the safety of children returning to school? When parents are weighing the risks of sending their children back what parameters do you think they should focus on?

What are the markers for gauging when will it be appropriate for intergenerational interaction socially and in venues such as an adult day program?

I am a 74 year old who lives in Washington in the summer and California in the winter. I consider the Buck Institute as helping people everywhere age well and age healthy, not a Marin county institute. I would like the conversation to have a broader focus.

Do test results showing antibodies to covid-19 prove that the person is immune from getting or passing on the infection? Friends tested at Kaiser San Rafael claim the doctors told them they are “safe and not contagious”, “No need for masks or distancing”. Please advise.

reminder that Medicare covers COVID-19 tests and Tele-health

The Daily Count of New Reported cases for Marin appears to increase beginning the week of May 17, yet the Daily Hospital and ICU Covid-19 cases do not show such an increase. Why is this? Is this just a factor of the increased testing picking up more cases, but the actual infection level in Marin is remaining relatively constant or maybe even decreasing??

Would you discuss the pros and cons and appropriateness of masks vs face shields?

I understand that there can be a fairly large (up to 30%) false negative result from Coronavirus testing. How does this inform the way you make health decisions?

How many people who were residents of nursing homes or similar facilities in Marin have died from COVID 19?

Do you think that we can trust the info about current risk in Mexico? Would you cancel a planned trip to Puerto Vallarta or any other vacation out of our country this winter?

WHO has revised general recommendations for masks? Many countries, even those having managed very well so far the pandemic, still do not recommend (or mandate) the usage of masks. What is your take on it? Do you used them?