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CDC Weighs Advising Everyone to Wear a Mask

nytimes.com

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Re: CDC Weighs Advising Everyone to Wear a Mask

#4
>One concern, which Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, voiced in an interview with CNN, is that such a recommendation could cause even worse shortages of N95 and other medical masks for health care workers, who need them most.

If there is indeed a scarcity of masks, isn't this question a no brainer? Of course the masks should be allocated to hospital workers, who are exposed to coronavirus for 8+ hours a day, rather than everyone else, who might only come in contact with the coronavirus some part of the day, if at all.

Also, if there's a scarcity of masks, is there a reason why existing supplies (eg. in warehouses) or incoming shippments can't be commandeered/seized by the government under eminent domain?

Re: CDC Weighs Advising Everyone to Wear a Mask

#6
post #4

>One concern, which Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, voiced in an interview with CNN, is that such a recommendation could cause even worse shortages of N95 and other medical masks for health care workers, who need them most. If there is indeed a scarcity of masks, isn't this question a no brainer? Of course the masks should be allocated to hospital workers,…

Mask production is finally ramping up now, along with other PPE, which is why CDC is starting to consider that idea.

Re: CDC Weighs Advising Everyone to Wear a Mask

#8
"masks don't work" and "save them for health workers" was always nonsensical and covering for the fact we had not prepared for a known threat. I don't just mean Wuhan in January, but pandemics generally were a known problem. It's not a black swan event. I get the "noble lie" argument considering the situation we found ourselves in, but that has long term consequences, seeds confusion and erosion of trust.

Asian countries have shown the way here. Let's get moving on adopting social norms and habits around mask usage.

Re: CDC Weighs Advising Everyone to Wear a Mask

#9
post #4

>One concern, which Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, voiced in an interview with CNN, is that such a recommendation could cause even worse shortages of N95 and other medical masks for health care workers, who need them most. If there is indeed a scarcity of masks, isn't this question a no brainer? Of course the masks should be allocated to hospital workers,…

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Re: CDC Weighs Advising Everyone to Wear a Mask

#10
post #8

"masks don't work" and "save them for health workers" was always nonsensical and covering for the fact we had not prepared for a known threat. I don't just mean Wuhan in January, but pandemics generally were a known problem. It's not a black swan event. I get the "noble lie" argument considering the situation we found ourselves in, but that has long term consequences, seeds confusion and erosion of trust. Asian count…

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