Face mask myths busted

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Certain people on this forum are spreading false information about the spread of COVID-19 being due to people not wearing facemasks.

According to the WHO if you are a healthy individual, there is no need for you to wear a face mask.

The World Health Organisation advises to only wear a mask if you are ill with COVID-19 symptoms (especially coughing) or looking after someone who may have COVID-19.

On its website, WHO stated that wearing multiple face masks is “not effective” against the novel coronavirus and can actually be harmful.
How?

If you wear a mask incorrectly it can actually “increase” your chances of getting the virus, according to infection prevention specialist Eli Perencevich, MD, a professor of medicine and epidemiology at the University of Iowa’s College of Medicine.
“Masks won’t protect the average person. Because they will wear them incorrectly and autocontaminate themselves. I’ve never seen a person practice hand hygiene before removing a mask in public and then after removing the mask,” Prof Perencevich said in a recent Twitter post.

He told Forbes that the average healthy person does not need to have a mask, and they shouldn’t be wearing masks.
Prof Perencevich said if people don’t wash their hands before taking off a mask, “you could increase your risk”.

Wow.
Absolutely WOW!
I had no idea....
Thank you so much!!

You are welcome

Chinese owned companies have been profiteering from sending bulk exports of Australian made facemasks, hazmat suites and thermometers contributing to the shortage here in Australia
https://www.news.com.au/finance/busines ... 4713b2f008

Good thing for me I've had proper training.

But I have decided to go a step further and just not go anywhere near people.

My family still wear masks when they are around me.

Really masks are more for not passing on germs rather than keeping them away.

A surgeon wears a mask to keep from infecting the patient, not the other way around. Usually.

Although one benefit of wearing a mask is it can remind you not to touch your face.

Which is another reason why I wore one.

Then the WHO should advise people how to use the mask properly instead of telling them not to use it at all.

Isn't it crystal clear why China, Japan and S.Korea are getting so few daily new cases compared to the West? The US broke the highscore in daily new cases!! +17,224 ! Why? Because you don't wear masks!!
Countries where wearing masks is almost a tradition in epidemics are doing way better than countries who don't use masks.

The virus is almost airborne that can hang in air for three hours in aerosols especially in a small yet windy area (like due to AC). Frankly, the WHO officials are being total clowns in this matter. They say they're taking airborne precautions for healthcare workers but tell regular people that masks are bad, as if mask magically protects only healthcare workers. I have never seen such stupidity at this scale before!

I totally disagree with this thread.

https://www.wired.com/story/they-say-co ... ne-by-air/

The thing driving me nuts is the lack of emphasis on the fact that you are contagious before you have the test worthy symptoms and that is if you develop them at all... Its like chicken pox, you're contagious long before the spots appear.
Its the same thing with invisible disabilities... oh I cant see it so its not real. I could go off on a rant.

Mask wearing for populations supposes that almost everyone has covid 19, which could be quite realistic considering how contagious it is. Makes sense to assume everyone is a carrier.

The WHO are concerned for the mask shortage, that's the real reason why they're telling us not to wear masks. Instead of demanding industrial countries to mass produce effective masks ASAP, they're being like "Don't wear masks, because we need them" and also "you normal people are stupid, only us doctors can know how to use masks". A very moronic attitude and approach; an utter failure.

Yeah the confirmed cases isn't a realistic picture, I met the criteria for testing on Monday (Ireland), was placed on a waiting list, but by Tuesday they tightened up the criteria to: confirmed case contact, vulnerable group and healthcare worker with two symptoms of fever and a cough/shortness of breath. Got a text yesterday to say I wouldn't be tested and to reengage with my doctor by phone. It makes sense to free up slots for those who most need it, but my point is that confirmed cases aren't an accurate picture.

People are in general self-centred so that hasn't changed - each person is in it for themselves, when you throw in anxiety this largely explains panic buying. Retailers are now enforcing 1 item per person on sought after items but I have not seen hand sanitizer or face masks in shops or pharmacies since January.

I think most people are doing the right thing but its only going to take a few flouting the government edicts.

Certain cultures have a reputation about being selfish about wider public good. People have short memories but I remember new mothers being unable to find baby formula in shops for their babies because it was being hoarded by the same group of people.