Question about CDC recommendation regarding facemasks

[joshbc]

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"CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19. You should only wear a mask if a healthcare professional recommends it. A facemask should be used by people who have COVID-19 and are showing symptoms. This is to protect others from the risk of getting infected. The use of facemasks also is crucial for health workers and other people who are taking care of someone infected with COVID-19 in close settings (at home or in a health care facility). "

I'm sure there's something basic I am missing, but this does seem a little bit counterintuitive. I'm not suggesting that everyone wear face masks, just curious if anyone had a better reason for why it would NOT helpful in prevention of viral spread. Perhaps someone can educate me?

 

[Ronin786]

Maybe because a mask in isolation is pretty useless? But when paired with the rest of PPE it can be helpful?

 

[deleted480308]

"CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19. You should only wear a mask if a healthcare professional recommends it. A facemask should be used by people who have COVID-19 and are showing symptoms. This is to protect others from the risk of getting infected. The use of facemasks also is crucial for health workers and other people who are taking care of someone infected with COVID-19 in close settings (at home or in a health care facility). "

I'm sure there's something basic I am missing, but this does seem a little bit counterintuitive. I'm not suggesting that everyone wear face masks, just curious if anyone had a better reason for why it would NOT helpful in prevention of viral spread. Perhaps someone can educate me?

that's a "we're running out of supply" influenced recommendation

 

[joshbc]

that's a "we're running out of supply" influenced recommendation

That was what I was thinking.

 

[vector2]

"CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19. You should only wear a mask if a healthcare professional recommends it. A facemask should be used by people who have COVID-19 and are showing symptoms. This is to protect others from the risk of getting infected. The use of facemasks also is crucial for health workers and other people who are taking care of someone infected with COVID-19 in close settings (at home or in a health care facility). "

I'm sure there's something basic I am missing, but this does seem a little bit counterintuitive. I'm not suggesting that everyone wear face masks, just curious if anyone had a better reason for why it would NOT helpful in prevention of viral spread. Perhaps someone can educate me?

As far as the general public, the recommendation is probably based on the fact that without access to a bazillion masks, the average person is going to wear the same mask well past the point that it's saturated with moisture, i.e. the point where it's actually a petri dish.

 

[deleted162650]

As far as the general public, the recommendation is probably based on the fact that without access to a bazillion masks, the average person is going to wear the same mask well past the point that it's saturated with moisture, i.e. the point where it's actually a petri dish.

Not to mention repeatedly touching the exterior surface of the mask as they take it on and off again and then touch everything in sight including themselves with their now contaminated fingers.

 

[DocVapor]

Not to mention repeatedly touching the exterior surface of the mask as they take it on and off again and then touch everything in sight including themselves with their now contaminated fingers.

I saw on the news tonight they showed someone wearing an N95 with gaps so huge I could stick my finger in between the mask and their orbit.

I yelled at the tv a little, not going to lie.

 

[deleted171991]

I saw on the news tonight they showed someone wearing an N95 with gaps so huge I could stick my finger in between the mask and their orbit.

I yelled at the tv a little, not going to lie.

Did it yell back?

No? They must have left the mic on Mute.

 

[DocVapor]

Did it yell back?

No? They must have left the mic on Mute.

In my defense, I feel it is slightly better than yelling at clouds.