What's up with the shift in facemask use?

[hedrick]

What they've said in public seems to make some sense.

They don't think masks are useful in preventing people from getting the virus. They are, however, of potential use to prevent people from spreading it. Previously they didn't think this was needed, because everyone assumed that you'd know if you had it, and stay home.

But they've been finding increasing evidence that non-symptomatic people are spreading it. So it now looks useful for everyone to wear a mask so that if they have it without knowing it, they won't spread it.

 

[Arcangl86]

Well I think it's a different calculation too. People are being told now to wear masks, but it's not to protect ourselves from infection but to protect others. Masks still won't really prevent people from getting it. It's just an acknowledgement that the amount of asymptomatic carriers is much higher then originally thought.

 

[public hermit]

Previously they didn't think this was needed, because everyone assumed that you'd know if you had it, and stay home.

I don't know about that. This is from March 2nd.

Some coronavirus patients don't show symptoms. Here's why that's a problem.

 

[public hermit]

Well I think it's a different calculation too. People are being told now to wear masks, but it's not to protect ourselves from infection but to protect others. Masks still won't really prevent people from getting it. It's just an acknowledgement that the amount of asymptomatic carriers is much higher then originally thought.

I don't know that we need a whole lot of evidence to know coughing spreads it. We've known the symptoms since the outbreak in Wuhan. And, again, people in Asian countries have been wearing them the whole time. Am I the only one who thought early on, "Really, wearing masks is not a good idea?" I doubt it. There seems to be a whole bunch of Asian folks who agree. I remember thinking, "If it's not a helpful thing to do, why are they all wearing them?" Are we just somehow smarter than them, so that we know something they don't? No.

 

[hedrick]

I don't know about that. This is from March 2nd.

Some coronavirus patients don't show symptoms. Here's why that's a problem.

Yup. It's certainly not something they just discovered. The best argument is that while they knew asymptomatic people could spread it, the CDC's judgement was that it wasn't a major factor. (That's close to a quote.) It's also clear that this has been under discussion for a while, and people still don't agree.

 

[hedrick]

Obviously I have no idea personally how the virus is transmitted. I'm quoting my understanding of what's been said publically.

 

[SkyWriting]

I think the official account is that the thinking on this, by the experts, has changed.

The person speaking against masks was not expert. It was just one person sought out by a reporter who likes to get paid. And all reporters like to get paid. Reporters are not risking their lives for public service reasons.

 

[public hermit]

I don't know how it spreads, except by what I'm told. I do see all the people I know scrambling to make masks. We could have done that in mid-March. I'm trying to give the benefit of the doubt to those who are guiding us, but it's irritating when simple things done sooner could have helped.

 

[jamesbond007]

Medical quality face masks are scarce. People are surfing the dark web to get them for medical pros in California. I can deal with low tp and sanitizer, but no masks would make it more dangerous for the public and me. I got an underlying condition, so would prefer to wear it grocery shopping or to places where I'll be confined inside. You shouldn't get COVID-19 outside in the air.

 

[coffee4u]

We were told not only that facemasks do not help, but that they increase the possibility of infection.

No, You Do Not Need Face Masks To Prevent Coronavirus—They Might Increase Your Infection Risk

Now, we're told that everyone should wear facemasks in public, to prevent infecting others if we are asymptomatic.

The CDC released a guide on how to make a face mask without sewing skills. Materials include a bandana, a coffee filter, and hair ties.

I think the official account is that the thinking on this, by the experts, has changed. That may be. But, why is it that folks from Asian countries, who have some experience with pandemics, were all wearing masks from the very beginning? Personally, I thought the guidance of not wearing masks was counter-intuitive. But, what do I know? I'm no expert. So, I defer. Perhaps, our experts were just asking the wrong questions.

Face masks: have we been asking the wrong question all along?

We should have been wearing masks all along, but there was a known shortage, and we were misled. Purposely or not? I don't know. We knew we had a shortage and wanted to ensure our courageous health care workers had enough of the needed protections. As it should be. But, were they afraid if they suggested wearing facemasks there would be none available for our health care workers? We could have been making homemade facemasks from the beginning. I don't want to say we have been purposely misled, but that is what it feels like.

I don't listen to to the west when it comes to these things.
Korean's know what they are doing.

 

[public hermit]

I don't listen to to the west when it comes to these things.
Korean's know what they are doing.

When asked if he thought wearing a mask helps, he says, "Of course, it does." That's surprising.

 

[Aussie Pete]

We were told not only that facemasks do not help, but that they increase the possibility of infection.

No, You Do Not Need Face Masks To Prevent Coronavirus—They Might Increase Your Infection Risk

Now, we're told that everyone should wear facemasks in public, to prevent infecting others if we are asymptomatic.

The CDC released a guide on how to make a face mask without sewing skills. Materials include a bandana, a coffee filter, and hair ties.

I think the official account is that the thinking on this, by the experts, has changed. That may be. But, why is it that folks from Asian countries, who have some experience with pandemics, were all wearing masks from the very beginning? Personally, I thought the guidance of not wearing masks was counter-intuitive. But, what do I know? I'm no expert. So, I defer. Perhaps, our experts were just asking the wrong questions.

Face masks: have we been asking the wrong question all along?

We should have been wearing masks all along, but there was a known shortage, and we were misled. Purposely or not? I don't know. We knew we had a shortage and wanted to ensure our courageous health care workers had enough of the needed protections. As it should be. But, were they afraid if they suggested wearing facemasks there would be none available for our health care workers? We could have been making homemade facemasks from the beginning. I don't want to say we have been purposely misled, but that is what it feels like.

Asians have long used face masks for protection against colds and flu. It's normal for them. It's not normal for the western world. I expect that to change!
The objections to using face masks include:
Many facemask types are useless. They also need to be worn correctly, even if they are suitable.
The wrong facemask can give a false sense of security
Yes, facemasks are in short supply and need to be reserved for the most at risk medical staff

Covering the face may help, if only to stop transferring the virus by touch. How a bit of cloth will stop the virus is not clear. If it does stop the virus, the cloth needs to be sterilised frequently or the cloth becomes contaminated.

 

[public hermit]

Many facemask types are useless.

Yeah, but we're now making them out most anything we can find.

Yes, facemasks are in short supply and need to be reserved for the most at risk medical staff

Absolutely, I agree.

I remember hearing someone say (I think it was NPR) wearing a mask was problematic because in wearing one people would touch their face more often. I think we have the not-touching-the-face thing down.

Side note: I remember growing up, adults saying to children, "Quit touching your face!" That never made sense to me, then. I wonder if that was some wisdom left over from the Spanish Flu that just got handed down until we forgot the origin.

 

[Aussie Pete]

Yeah, but we're now making them out most anything we can find.



Absolutely, I agree.

I remember hearing someone say (I think it was NPR) wearing a mask was problematic because in wearing one people would touch their face more often. I think we have the not-touching-the-face thing down.

Side note: I remember growing up, adults saying to children, "Quit touching your face!" That never made sense to me, then. I wonder if that was some wisdom left over from the Spanish Flu that just got handed down until we forgot the origin.

We touch our faces constantly. It's ok if we wash our hands all the time. Dream on. And kids...... how to ensure that the whole world catches every virus possible.

I try to follow the medical advice on every package - "Keep away from children". Not always possible. They are everywhere!

 

[public hermit]

We touch our faces constantly.

I didn't realize how much I touched my face, until I tried not to.

 

[coffee4u]

When asked if he thought wearing a mask helps, he says, "Of course, it does." That's surprising.

Not to me, Asians have always worn masks while us in the west go that looks silly/uncool. Korea has one of the best handles on this virus and that doesn't surprise me either.

 

[public hermit]

Not to me, Asians have always worn masks while us in the west go that looks silly/uncool. Korea has one of the best handles on this virus and that doesn't surprise me either.

I agree with you. It was a failed attempt at sarcasm.

 

[coffee4u]

Asians have long used face masks for protection against colds and flu. It's normal for them. It's not normal for the western world. I expect that to change!
The objections to using face masks include:
Many facemask types are useless. They also need to be worn correctly, even if they are suitable.
The wrong facemask can give a false sense of security
Yes, facemasks are in short supply and need to be reserved for the most at risk medical staff

Covering the face may help, if only to stop transferring the virus by touch. How a bit of cloth will stop the virus is not clear. If it does stop the virus, the cloth needs to be sterilised frequently or the cloth becomes contaminated.

Asians say any form of face mask helps cut down transmission, even a handkerchief tied on with a shoelace is better than nothing. They are not saying you are guaranteed to not to get sick, just the infection rate is less. The highest rate of infection is from direct respiratory droplets from an infected person sneezing or coughing. Surfaces transmission is a lot less.
Slowing it down out here will help hospitals and medical staff care better for those already there. The virus itself isn't strong against washing or wipe down. If you touch your nose and it's covered by a mask then you are also lowering your rate of touching your face. In fact touching the mask would probably make you more aware that you are putting your hands to your face. As to fabrics, it survises best on synthetics. You can find masks on ebay which is not where medical personal get theirs from.

 

[coffee4u]

I agree with you. It was a failed attempt at sarcasm.

Ah gotcha.

 

[DamianWarS]

We were told not only that facemasks do not help, but that they increase the possibility of infection.

No, You Do Not Need Face Masks To Prevent Coronavirus—They Might Increase Your Infection Risk

Now, we're told that everyone should wear facemasks in public, to prevent infecting others if we are asymptomatic.

The CDC released a guide on how to make a face mask without sewing skills. Materials include a bandana, a coffee filter, and hair ties.

I think the official account is that the thinking on this, by the experts, has changed. That may be. But, why is it that folks from Asian countries, who have some experience with pandemics, were all wearing masks from the very beginning? Personally, I thought the guidance of not wearing masks was counter-intuitive. But, what do I know? I'm no expert. So, I defer. Perhaps, our experts were just asking the wrong questions.

Face masks: have we been asking the wrong question all along?

We should have been wearing masks all along, but there was a known shortage, and we were misled. Purposely or not? I don't know. We knew we had a shortage and wanted to ensure our courageous health care workers had enough of the needed protections. As it should be. But, were they afraid if they suggested wearing facemasks there would be none available for our health care workers? We could have been making homemade facemasks from the beginning. I don't want to say we have been purposely misled, but that is what it feels like.

Mask are good for the sick not spreading what they have. Since the US seems to not be able to self isolate well everyone needs to be treated as if they are sick. This will help stop the spread of those who have a cough but refuse to stay at home, help stop the spread of someone who is a carrier but does not know and it will also have a psychological effect by constantly reminding people some is wrong.