You brought anecdotes. Let me bring some anecdotes:
#1 – efficacy of surgical masks COVID‐19: Face masks and human‐to‐human transmission - PMC
during the outbreak of COVID‐19 epidemic, one patient from Chongqing, China, did not wear a face mask in the first vehicle while wore a face mask in the second vehicle he took. One male patient with COVID‐19 found himself coughing. Unaware of the fact that he might have been infected with COVID‐19 and in a hurry, he did not manage to get a face mask before he took the coach bus from the city back to his county. Many passengers did not wear face masks on the same coach bus. The duration of this bus was 2 hours and 10 minutes, and there were 39 other passengers on the same coach bus. According to epidemiological survey, 5 other passengers on the same coach bus were infected. Upon arrival in the county, this male patient bought a face mask and took a minibus to his final destination wearing the mask. The duration of minibus was 50 minutes, and there were 14 other passengers on the same minibus. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention conducted an epidemiological investigation and close contact tracing management. The passengers on the minibus were screened and treated as suspected cases. A 14‐day medical observation period was conducted. During the observation period, passengers were taken temperature twice a day and and were asked whether they had respiratory symptoms such as fever and dry cough, or digestive symptoms such as diarrhea. All the passengers did not have fever, cough, or other abnormal symptoms, and two quantitative reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) test results were negative. No passengers were infected COVID‐19 in the same minibus.
#2 – efficacy of N95 respirators N95 respirator and surgical mask effectiveness against respiratory viral illnesses in the healthcare setting: A systematic review and meta-analysis - PubMed
N95 respirator use was associated with fewer viral infectious episodes for healthcare workers compared with surgical masks. The N95 respirator was most effective in reducing the risk of a viral infection in the hospital setting from the SARS-CoV 1 and 2 viruses compared to the other viruses included in this investigation.
If the circle was outdoors with nobody symptomatic, I wouldn’t wear a mask either – and if the encounter was brief and indoors I wouldn’t either – even during peak C19 season pre-vaccine.
#3 an example of how these epidemological studies were done in Asia Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in Public Transportation Vehicles: A Case Study in Hunan Province, China - PMC
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Shaun Maguire is a partner at a venture capital firm in Silicon Valley, Sequoia
He has a PhD in physics from Cal Tech
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https://www.sacbee.com/opinion/op-ed/article288528077.html
The Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act is a proposed ballot initiative in California that aims to give voters more control over new and increased taxes and fees imposed by state and local governments. Here are the key points about this measure:
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It would require all new or higher state taxes to be approved by two-thirds of the state legislature and a majority of voters in a statewide election.[1][3] Currently, only a two-thirds legislative vote is required for state tax increases.
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It would raise the voter approval threshold for local special taxes proposed through citizen initiatives from a simple majority to two-thirds.[3][5] Local general tax increases would still require majority voter approval.
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It would expand the definition of “taxes” to include certain regulatory fees, subjecting more charges to the voter approval requirements.[5]
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It aims to increase transparency and accountability by requiring tax revenues to be spent for their stated purposes and prohibiting public funds from being used to campaign for ballot measures.[1][3]
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Proponents argue it will provide relief to Californians struggling with the high cost of living and rein in excessive taxation.[1] Critics contend it would impair essential government services by making it harder to raise revenues.[2][4]
The California Supreme Court is currently considering whether to remove the measure from the November 2024 ballot, as the state argues it unlawfully revises the constitution and impairs government functions.[2][4]
Sources
[1] Taxpayer Protection Act https://taxpayerprotection.com
[2] California Supreme Court takes up Taxpayer Protection Act case https://www.kcra.com/article/california-supreme-court-taxpayer-protection-act-arguments/60702177
[3] [PDF] Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/initiatives/pdfs/21-0026A1%20(%26quot%3BThe%20Taxpayer%20Protection%20and%20Government%20Accountability%20Act%26quot%3B).pdf
[4] ‘Taxpayer protection’ ballot measure is an unlawful revision of the … ‘Taxpayer protection’ ballot measure is an unlawful revision of the state constitution, argues Cal Cities | Cal Cities
[5] California Two-Thirds Legislative Vote and Voter Approval for New … California Two-Thirds Legislative Vote and Voter Approval for New or Increased Taxes Initiative (2024) - Ballotpedia
Disclosure: generated by perplexity AI
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Shaun Maguire, a partner at Sequoia Capital, donated $300,000 to Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign after Trump was found guilty in the New York hush money case. Maguire, who had previously supported Hillary Clinton in 2016, explained his reasons for supporting Trump in a post on X (formerly Twitter).[1][2][3][4][5]
Maguire believes the 2024 election is crucial and that the justice system is being “weaponized” against Trump.[1][2][3] He acknowledges he may lose friends and business opportunities but feels it’s the right thing to do.[1][3] Maguire was initially afraid of Trump due to media coverage but now supports his foreign policy stance and believes he was unfairly targeted over issues like the classified documents case and January 6th.[1][3]
Maguire’s donation was part of a surge in support for Trump, with his campaign raising $34.8 million in small donations after the verdict.[2] Other business leaders like Elon Musk also rallied behind Trump, expressing concerns about damage to the justice system.[5]
Sources
[1] “I Just Donated $300k To Trump” "I Just Donated $300k To Trump" | ZeroHedge
[2] Sequoia Capital partner Shaun McGuire donates $300K to Trump … https://justthenews.com/politics-policy/all-things-trump/sequoia-capital-partner-shaun-mcguire-donates-300k-trump-after
[3] ‘Prepared to Lose Friends:’ Silicon Valley Venture Capitalist … https://www.breitbart.com/tech/2024/05/31/prepared-to-lose-friends-silcon-valley-venture-capitalist-explains-why-he-just-donated-300k-to-donald-trump/
[4] Former Hillary 2016 Donor Shaun Maguire Explains Why He … Former Hillary 2016 Donor Shaun Maguire Explains Why He Contributed $300K To Trump | Political Talk
[5] Elon Musk And Other Business Titans Rally Behind Trump Post … Yahooist Teil der Yahoo Markenfamilie
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David Sacks, a prominent Silicon Valley venture capitalist and podcast host, has emerged as a vocal supporter of former President Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign. Here are the key points regarding Sacks’ involvement:
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Sacks, who previously criticized Trump’s actions around the January 6th Capitol riots, has had a change of heart, stating he now has “bigger disagreements with Biden than with Trump.”[1]
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Along with fellow tech investor Chamath Palihapitiya, Sacks is co-hosting a major Trump fundraiser in San Francisco on June 6th, with tickets starting at $50,000.[2]
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Sacks has been instrumental in organizing the San Francisco fundraiser, working closely with Senator J.D. Vance, a potential Trump running mate, to court Silicon Valley donors.[2]
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Despite Trump’s recent conviction on falsifying business records, Sacks dismissed the trial as a “sham” and claimed there are numerous tech supporters of Trump who are reluctant to publicly express their backing.[4]
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Sacks and Palihapitiya extended an invitation to President Biden for a fundraiser, but the Trump camp appeared more receptive.[1]
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Their actions represent a noticeable shift in political allegiances within the tech industry, which has historically leaned liberal.[1][2]
The growing support from influential figures like Sacks highlights the increasing willingness of some in Silicon Valley to back Trump, driven by factors such as frustration with Biden’s policies and a desire for lower taxes and deregulation.[3][4][5]
Sources
[1] Some Silicon Valley VCs Are Becoming More Conservative https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/23/technology/silicon-valley-conservative-trump.html
[2] Scoop: J.D. Vance courts Silicon Valley for Trump - Axios https://www.axios.com/2024/05/24/trump-jd-vance-tech-fundraiser-david-sacks
[3] Billionaire donors rally back to Trump - Axios https://www.axios.com/2024/05/30/trump-billionaire-donors-adelson-musk-ackman
[4] Trump-friendly billionaires from Elon Musk to Bill Ackman offer new … Yahooist Teil der Yahoo Markenfamilie
[5] Why Megadonors Are Unfazed by Donald Trump’s Guilty Verdict https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/31/business/dealbook/megadonors-donald-trump-guilty-verdict.html
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David Sacks, a prominent tech investor and venture capitalist, is co-hosting a fundraiser for Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign in San Francisco on June 6th. The event costs $300,000 per person or $500,000 per couple to be on the host committee, with VIP tickets priced at $50,000.[2] Despite Trump’s recent conviction for falsifying business records, Sacks remains a staunch supporter, describing the trial as a “sham” and asserting that Trump has numerous backers in the tech industry.[4] Sacks’ unwavering support reflects the broader trend of Republican megadonors and Silicon Valley elites doubling down on Trump’s campaign after the guilty verdict, driven by factors like discontent with President Biden and ideological alignment with Trump’s policies.[4]
Sources
[1] Sacks and the City David Sacks’ $500K-a-Seat Trump Dinner—and All-In Taping? - Puck
[2] Two tech investors to host Trump at June San Francisco fundraiser https://www.reuters.com/world/us/two-tech-investors-host-trump-june-san-francisco-fundraiser-2024-05-22/
[3] David Sacks aims to help Ron DeSantis against Donald Trump https://www.cnbc.com/2023/06/01/david-sacks-network-desantis.html
[4] Why Megadonors Are Unfazed by Donald Trump’s Guilty Verdict https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/31/business/dealbook/megadonors-donald-trump-guilty-verdict.html
[5] Tell Me in 25 Words or Less Says David Sacks - WSJ https://www.wsj.com/video/tell-me-in-25-words-or-less-says-david-sacks/9C64AA7B-FC49-4F6D-AB28-DE44BF3FCD08
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That kind of endorsement doesn’t exactly inspire my confidence in Trump, if you know what I’m saying.
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Is this legal?
If a retailer lists and sells an item at the wrong price, can they claw back legally ?
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