March 15: Face masks
In Asia and in Italy they have been using face masks. China made them
compulsory. They stopped the virus - of course with much more severe
measures than face masks, but they were part of the overall strategy.
They are now donating millions of them to Italy to add to their supply
(thank you, China!). Why are they not being recommended by the
"authorities" here? Got tired of seeing the usual "cut and paste"
explanations, and asked the following where I work (NASA Ames -- yes I am scientist there):
1. If they are recommended for health workers and close contacts why would they also not be good for more casual contact except possibly not to exhaust the supply for where they are needed most? (If so that should be mentioned).
2. It appears that folks can be asymptomatic for days and still spread the virus. That means that “I” (without symptoms) could be unknowingly be spreading the virus, and wearing a mask might be preventing that…
My question and comment went up the information chain of command until I got the following answer from the Chief Medical Officer at Ames: "Here is some information from the World Health Organization.Wearing medical masks when not indicated may cause unnecessary cost, procurement burden and create a false sense of security that can lead to neglecting other essential measures such as hand hygiene practices. Furthermore, using a mask incorrectly may hamper its effectiveness to reduce the risk of transmission.
The use of a mask alone is insufficient to provide the adequate level of protection and other equally relevant measures should be adopted. [i.e. wash hands frequently; don’t touch your face; keep a healthy social distance]."
Here was my answer: "Nobody can argue with *insufficient*, or with the potential procurement burden, or with the need to pursue all other relevant measures. Still this is not the same as the claim I often hear in the media and other information outlets that it is *counterproductive*. In addition, if it does turn out that there are a lot of people around who are asymptomatic and still spreading the virus, then the safest public policy would indeed be for everybody to wear a mask… I guess we’ll find out when we can finally do serious large scale testing." I received no further answer.
So here is the upshot (my opinion, as logician rather that health expert): if my wearing a face mask protects YOU and your wearing the same protects ME, when we BOTH wear them we are BOTH protected... Now good luck finding them... No good reason we shouldn't be able to produce enough N95 for health workers and face masks for everybody! We appear to be behind the 8-ball on that too.
1. If they are recommended for health workers and close contacts why would they also not be good for more casual contact except possibly not to exhaust the supply for where they are needed most? (If so that should be mentioned).
2. It appears that folks can be asymptomatic for days and still spread the virus. That means that “I” (without symptoms) could be unknowingly be spreading the virus, and wearing a mask might be preventing that…
My question and comment went up the information chain of command until I got the following answer from the Chief Medical Officer at Ames: "Here is some information from the World Health Organization.Wearing medical masks when not indicated may cause unnecessary cost, procurement burden and create a false sense of security that can lead to neglecting other essential measures such as hand hygiene practices. Furthermore, using a mask incorrectly may hamper its effectiveness to reduce the risk of transmission.
The use of a mask alone is insufficient to provide the adequate level of protection and other equally relevant measures should be adopted. [i.e. wash hands frequently; don’t touch your face; keep a healthy social distance]."
Here was my answer: "Nobody can argue with *insufficient*, or with the potential procurement burden, or with the need to pursue all other relevant measures. Still this is not the same as the claim I often hear in the media and other information outlets that it is *counterproductive*. In addition, if it does turn out that there are a lot of people around who are asymptomatic and still spreading the virus, then the safest public policy would indeed be for everybody to wear a mask… I guess we’ll find out when we can finally do serious large scale testing." I received no further answer.
So here is the upshot (my opinion, as logician rather that health expert): if my wearing a face mask protects YOU and your wearing the same protects ME, when we BOTH wear them we are BOTH protected... Now good luck finding them... No good reason we shouldn't be able to produce enough N95 for health workers and face masks for everybody! We appear to be behind the 8-ball on that too.
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