This is my first and probably last long post so stay with me here. I FEEL like masks must help, but as an engineer I also like to do my research rather than dumbly follow feelings. (Notice: Although I haven’t noticed it posted here, the WHO report information that follows may be of a Bavarian nature.) Although I don’t trust everything they report 100%, the WHO updated it’s advice on the use of masks due to the COVID-19 outbreak earlier this year. The information I reference is their latest recommendation on the topic.
For the lazy ones that don’t want to do a Google search and read the 16 pages, I’ll do a cut and paste of a few things I found to be notable / surprising.
They also list likely advantages and disadvantages of the use of masks by healthy people in the general public. This list is below and copied word for word.
Advantages:
It troubles me that some of the advantages listed are feelings…so someone can FEEL LIKE they are doing something and the sick people that should be wearing a mask don’t FEEL BAD about having to wear one. Shouldn’t the ones that are sick be at home anyway? What about the asymptomatic people making other’s sick? Also, in the report they say asymptomatic people are “much less likely to transmit the virus than those who develop symptoms.” But with zero quantification…
So after sifting through that stuff, here’s what I’m doing: I’m staying home if I get sick. I’m using hand sanitizer like a madman. I’m wearing a mask in crowded public spaces and where I’m required to. I’ll be smiling under my mask (even though I hate wearing the things) if I get to watch some football in DWS a couple of months from now. When I see someone wearing a mask in their car all by themselves, I’ll think they’re a nut. If I see someone not wearing a mask in a crowded store isle coughing their head off, I’ll think they should have on a mask as I turn to and go the other way. Freedom comes with risks. This is still a free country – for now. Now where’s the Tylenol?
For the lazy ones that don’t want to do a Google search and read the 16 pages, I’ll do a cut and paste of a few things I found to be notable / surprising.
- “There is limited evidence that wearing a medical mask by healthy individuals in households, in particular those who share a house with a sick person, or among attendees of mass gatherings may be beneficial as a measure preventing transmission.”
- “One study that evaluated the use of cloth masks in a health care facility found that health care workers using cotton cloth masks were at increased risk of influenza like illness compared with those who wore medical masks.”
- “At present, there is no direct evidence (from studies on COVID-19 and in healthy people in the community) on the effectiveness of universal masking of healthy people in the community to prevent infection with respiratory viruses, including COVID-19.”
- “When conducting screening activities (e.g., conducting interviews), no mask is needed if a distance of at least 1 metre (3.3 feet) can be maintained and there is no direct contact with patients.”
- “the use of non-medical masks, made of woven fabrics such as cloth, and/or non-woven fabrics, should only be considered for source control (used by infected persons) in community settings and not for prevention.”
They also list likely advantages and disadvantages of the use of masks by healthy people in the general public. This list is below and copied word for word.
Advantages:
- “reduced potential exposure risk from infected persons before they develop symptoms;
- reduced potential stigmatization of individuals wearing masks to prevent infecting others (source control) or of people caring for COVID-19 patients in non-clinical settings;(70)
- making people feel they can play a role in contributing to stopping spread of the virus;
- reminding people to be compliant with other measures (e.g., hand hygiene, not touching nose and mouth). However, this can also have the reverse effect (see below);
- potential social and economic benefits. Amidst the global shortage of surgical masks and PPE, encouraging the public to create their own fabric masks may promote individual enterprise and community integration. Moreover, the production of non-medical masks may offer a source of income for those able to manufacture masks within their communities. Fabric masks can also be a form of cultural expression, encouraging public acceptance of protection measures in general. The safe re-use of fabric masks will also reduce costs and waste and contribute to sustainability.”
- “potential increased risk of self-contamination due to the manipulation of a face mask and subsequently touching eyes with contaminated hands;(48, 49)
- potential self-contamination that can occur if non-medical masks are not changed when wet or soiled. This can create favourable conditions for microorganism to amplify;
- potential headache and/or breathing difficulties, depending on type of mask used;
- potential development of facial skin lesions, irritant dermatitis or worsening acne, when used frequently for long hours;(50)
- difficulty with communicating clearly;
- potential discomfort;(41, 51)
- a false sense of security, leading to potentially lower adherence to other critical preventive measures such as physical distancing and hand hygiene;”
It troubles me that some of the advantages listed are feelings…so someone can FEEL LIKE they are doing something and the sick people that should be wearing a mask don’t FEEL BAD about having to wear one. Shouldn’t the ones that are sick be at home anyway? What about the asymptomatic people making other’s sick? Also, in the report they say asymptomatic people are “much less likely to transmit the virus than those who develop symptoms.” But with zero quantification…
So after sifting through that stuff, here’s what I’m doing: I’m staying home if I get sick. I’m using hand sanitizer like a madman. I’m wearing a mask in crowded public spaces and where I’m required to. I’ll be smiling under my mask (even though I hate wearing the things) if I get to watch some football in DWS a couple of months from now. When I see someone wearing a mask in their car all by themselves, I’ll think they’re a nut. If I see someone not wearing a mask in a crowded store isle coughing their head off, I’ll think they should have on a mask as I turn to and go the other way. Freedom comes with risks. This is still a free country – for now. Now where’s the Tylenol?
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