VIRUS THEATER: Someone please explain the science behind the mask use at SNL

Due to the Omicron spike in New York City, Saturday Night Live ditched the studio audience and musical guest and went with a limited cast instead:

Due to the recent spike in the Omicron variant and out of an abundance of caution, there will be no live audience for tonight’s taping of “Saturday Night Live” and the show will have limited cast and crew.

— Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) December 18, 2021

And they want everyone to know that the show “continues to follow all government safety guidelines in addition to a rigorous testing protocol”:

The show continues to follow all government safety guidelines in addition to a rigorous testing protocol.

— Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) December 18, 2021

But we do have some questions regarding mask use at SNL. Here’s the opening bit:

Tom Hanks and Tina Fey welcome Paul Rudd to the Five-Timers Club! pic.twitter.com/tidzhofdtx

— Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) December 19, 2021

Notice how they’re all not wearing masks?

Now, here’s the closing segment:

Thank you all for watching! Goodnight and Happy Holidays! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/ldGHoHYZn0

— Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) December 19, 2021

Can someone — anyone? — please explain to us why they need to put on the mask after doing the entire show maskless and WTF do they think it will accomplish:

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