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US Surgeon General continues to recommend against this for some reason
If they recommended it, people would definitely hoard them. There isn't even a shortage of toilet paper, but people still hoard it.
Has the mask supply situation improved? I still see empty shelves for things like gloves, sanitizers, etc.
US Surgeon General continues to recommend against this for some reason
> for some reason They recommend against wearing medical to help cull the shortage, and they recommend against wearing non-medical because they can provide a false sense of security, especially when worn incorrectly. Both very good reasons, IMO. I just assume that anyone wearing a mask is doing so because they're infected, as per the recommendations, and I'm giving them a wide berth.
Just, please please please make sure they're home-made masks. If you have any professionally-created surgical masks, you should donate them to healthcare workers, who need them much more than you. I live in Manhattan, and I still see people walking around outside with "real" masks.
Good point. Also, from the site: > "Note: Please do not buy surgical or N95 masks because we need to keep those available for the doctors, nurses and first responders so they can stay healthy and care for the ill."
Per Chris Martenson[1], three reasons for every person to wear a mask: - Stops infected people [including asymptomatic] from expelling infectious particles. - Helps remind you not to touch your face [and precludes direct touch to mouth and nose--where mucus membranes are vulnerable]. - Much better chance of a low inoculum [a smaller initial viral load results in less severe symptoms]. [1] https://youtu.be/i6Gy9nPAQE0…
Hmm, I'm not sure about this one. Going to the pharmacy today, I noticed some people wearing masks, and just in the short time I saw them, many were adjusting/fiddling with their masks.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
I'm wondering about this myself. I mean I can understand not wanting to put pressure on the health system by adding extra supply, but homemade masks - even a bandana, must ad at least some protection. Even if it only reduces R0 by a few procent that would mean a lot?
They say it creates a false sense of security, which makes people more careless, which spreads more infection.
Is there any real evidence that masks provide any value for healthy people (excluding health care workers)? All I've seen are anecdotes from internet armchair experts.
Is there any real evidence that masks provide any value for healthy people (excluding health care workers)? All I've seen are anecdotes from internet armchair experts.
For example, "Professional and Home-Made Face Masks Reduce Exposure to Respiratory Infections among the General Population" [2]
It's also worth noting that many people with COVID-19 are asymptomatic, so wearing a mask, even a homemade one, could reduce the spread to other healthy people.
[1] https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HLrm0pqBN_5bdyysOeoOBX4p...
One thing often missed with the mask story is that they (generally) stop you touching your mouth and face as frequently. Assuming touching your mouth with a 'dirty' hand is a major infection vector, then a home made mask would indeed be of some use. Hong Kong scientists also developed and tested a few home made designs, make of them what you will. https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/artic...