responses in bold
That article is a huge mixed bag of both good and misleading info.
I'm only going to respond to misleading items.
Anything that reminds one that masks aren't perfect and don't replace other guidelines is a good thing!
1. If we use all the medical grade masks, medical personnel face an even worse shortage than they face now
Prioritizing them is necessary but media also need to be asking when the good masks will be available for everyone.
They need to be available for everyone to purchase asap IMHO.
CDC had only one job yet once again they are way behind on this issue.
2. Masks are somewhat effective, but if they give a false sense of confidence then people will expose themselves more while wearing masks.
You can't fix stupid. This changes nothing and is a poor message, There are already people who ignore "stay at home" and social distancing.
I get it. You want to do *anything* you can to prevent the spread of this virus to you and your loved ones.
As it should be
2. There is no evidence that “mask-wearing countries” have lower rates of spread *because of* mask wearing.
There is no evidence that “mask-wearing countries” DO NOT have lower rates of spread *because of* mask wearing.
I'll err on the side of caution.
China,S Korea,Japan,Taiwan,Singapore all knew about masks from the get go. and so did the USA in 1918.
I've already posted info for DIY masks and cleaning
3. Remember: the masks that you will be using let in (& out) 60-97% of viral particles, depending on the mask you use.
60-97% is just plain wrong.maybe some are as poor as 3% filtering but many are better than the 40% filtering she falsely advertises
half of virus particles are 4 micron or larger and an N95 blocks 95% of those - hence the name
masks also reduce hand to face contact especially hand to mouth.
4. The virus can enter and infect you through your eyes.
Unless one has been eating batwings, people don't inhale thru their eyes.
Technically this is true but it's mostly because of hand to face contact except when one is ib a highly concentrated atmosphere like in a patient area.
virus particles aren't like gnats who will make a beeline to eyes,ears,nose.
Healthcare workers are using googles and/or face shields because of this.
technically true but primarily Healthcare workers are using face shields to protect the mask from patient cough or sneeze.
7. Your mask becomes contaminated when it is exposed to the virus. When you take it off, do it outside or in your garage, grasping it with one finger by the ear straps and put it in the trash. Immediately do thorough hand washing or sanitizing. Cloth masks should be washed.
people don't know when they are exposed.
due to limited supply for citizens the masks need to be reused. hang drying it by the strap(3-4 days) allows the particles to die.
much of this article is poorly written
8. Masks are *meant* to protect other people from you, not you from other people.
Misleading to FALSE
surgicals were meant to protect others but also protect the wearer
(see my previous JAMA linked post where 78% of virus nurses were protected by surgical masks)
the N95 etal were always intended to protect the wearer. She should have known better than to have written this.
Mask wearing works best if sick people have them on.
Mask wearing works best if Healthy people AND sick people have them on.
some 10% to 40% of spreaders are asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic. so yes having them on sick people is huge!
below are CDC guidelines circa 2002 for SARS
Do surgical masks provide protection against SARS?
Surgical masks are not designed for use as particulate respirators and do not provide as much protection as an N-95 respirator.
If surgical masks do not protect against airborne diseases, why are surgical masks suggested for use against SARS when no N-95 respirators are available?
Surgical masks are recommended only as a last resort for health care and medical transport workers exposed to SARS patients when no NIOSH-approved respirator equivalent to or greater than the N-95 is available.
> N95 clearly better but see the other link i posted where each was 78% effective for virus Nurses. Don't poopoo the masks
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/topics/respirators/factsheets/respsars.html
9. Consider the social consequences and harm to communities of color when they wear masks. Do not socially shame them if they make a different decision than you.
I still can't imagine why this was included.