U.S. Surgeon General: STOP. BUYING. MASKS.

[CousinIT]

Link to tweet

Seriously people- STOP BUYING MASKS!

They are NOT effective in preventing general public from catching #Coronavirus, but if healthcare providers can’t get them to care for sick patients, it puts them and our communities at risk!

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention-treatment.html

[jimfields33]

1. Funny. I was on Amazon this morning looking at them

There are so many that I gave up. I probably wouldn’t have bought one anyway. I agree hospitals do need them.

[Baitball Blogger]

5. I ordered from Amazon and the seller never sent the order.

They said that China would not allow them to export them. Of course, it would have been nice if the seller had told me that four weeks earlier, instead of telling me after they missed the delivery date. That's the thing, they claimed it HAD been shipped. So I wasted four weeks.

[jimfields33]

7. Frustrating

It happened to me one time ordering toilet paper. The delivery date came and went and when I inquired they said it was returned. BS. But whatever. They refunded my money. I had enough to get me through. Don’t worry.

[Baitball Blogger]

10. I had no worries. At least with tp, you can improvise without affecting your health.

[jimfields33]

39. Good point.

[OhZone]

28. I'm not sure I would want them from China right now.

Eeeeeeee!

[Baitball Blogger]

49. I was disappointed, of course. But I saw that silver lining.

[dewsgirl]

52. N95 and N99 are the best from what I'm seeing, when we can't trust

what they are saying, how do we trust that the only purpose of the masks is if we are infected. I would still feel safer with a mask. I do understand what they are saying, of course medical proffesionals need them, and there is a shortage already.

[cwydro]

58. Feel safer where?

Are you seriously going to walk around with a mask everyday?

I’m involved with vulnerable elderly folks quite frequently. No one is wearing masks - at the doctor offices, the dialysis centers, the senior centers - I’ve seen them nowhere.

I went to vote today. Many, many people there - not a mask in sight.

Are you sick? If so, yes, then wear a mask to protect others.

[dewsgirl]

60. I meant as the situation evolves and I had to be around large

groups of people. I should have stated that, now if I had to go to the airport now, then I would feel better.

[Baitball Blogger]

2. Uh, what?

The masks won't work for the public, but they'll work for the surgeons?

This administration turned a blind eye when our inventory of face masks were sold to Chinese customers. My Lowe's told me that a Chinese man purchased 30,000 masks. That was a month ago. The numbers of people acquiring coronavirus in China is slowing down.

No offense, but I'll take my cues from the Chinese before listening to whatever comes out of this administration.

[Ms. Toad]

15. You might want to read their reasoning - it's sound.

Here's a non-government source:

https://www.livescience.com/face-mask-new-coronavirus.html

[Mariana]

16. It probably wouldn't protect them from coronavirus.

It will protect them, and their patients, from other things, for which the masks are known to be effective.

FTR, the numbers being reported from China are not of "people acquiring coronavirus" but of confirmed cases - i.e. those who have tested positive. It's impossible to know many have the virus but haven't been tested. The very low numbers coming out of China are frankly unbelievable. They don't make sense compared with the way the virus is spreading everywhere else. It's very likely that a large number of infected people are being missed.

[Hortensis]

22. Well, to be fair, clinicians touch patients in hospitals and

lean in to examine them up close.

I believe the CDC's being expert and responsible when they say washing your hands is incredibly more useful than trotting around in public in a mask put on and removed with disease-carrying hands.

People touch public "Petrie dishes" by the dozens without washing (at all or often or adequately enough), and they take those hands to their cars, homes, families, stick their disease-carrying fingers in their eyes, mouths, children's plates, etc. Just yesterday I watched a woman too briefly wash in a public restroom, then open the door with her bare hands handle on leaving.

Fwiw, I don't believe a thing China says. Everything the Trump admin wants to do wrong China already has, now and for decades, and bad PR is potentially costing them trillions and threatening the job security of top officials.

[LiberalArkie]

50. The surgeon is talking to nurses etc when operating. When people talk, things come out of the mouth.

You do not want the spittle in an open wound.

[Brainfodder]

3. Americans will buy them all up now, caz they are stupid?

I postulate that overall, based on my 50ish years on the 3rd rock:

Humans are still evolving; we do some really insane stupid shit.

See Mother Nature for the correction.

Good luck!

The mask keeps their germs confined better, to just the mask wearer, not a good protection from outside sources?

[erronis]

35. Enjoyed your post. "3rd rock", "still evolving", "mother nature for the correction"

Yes - you are right, of course.

Just like many species we will "evolve" ourselves out of existence. Unless another rock or event does it earlier.

Come on oeople - Enjoy what you have. Stop trying to introduce life-threatening impediments in a pretty good place.

[Miles Archer]

4. They won't protect you. It's that simple.

I wish I could remember the name of the guest who was on MSNBC yesterday, but she said that the respirator masks that DO work, that are used in areas where people are being tested and treated, are also custom-fitted. The over the counter dust masks DO NOT protect people.

[Baitball Blogger]

8. I think the 3M 95N masks are better.

Seriously, though. It comes down to common sense. Proximity to the infected person would make a huge difference.

[CousinIT]

27. I remember that too. She was a doctor. n/t

[Warpy]

45. They offer limioted protection

and they do remind you to keep your contaminated fingers away from your nose and mouth while you're out and about. Most people don't fit them correctly and when they do, they find out the masks get soggy and miserable pretty quickly.

[gredinger]

6. Masks aren't really effective.

Once you wear your face mask for more than hour, they become ineffective (from what I've read). You need a respirator designed for biological hazards for long term usage.

Overall, washing your hands will be more effective and preventing the spread of this disease. However, I'm not a disease expert.

[cwydro]

9. No kidding.

I saw someone posting yesterday that they were wearing one for “practice,” lol, which makes no sense.

Someone else said they were washing theirs out after wearing.

Yikes.

[Sherman A1]

12. Just toss it in the dishwasher

And you’re good to go.

[cwydro]

13. Lol!

There ya go!

[central scrutinizer]

11. They will do little to protect you

But they do help minimize the transmission from you to others. I’m going to Japan soon and plan to wear a mask in public as a display of courtesy, respect and concern for my hosts.

[moonscape]

38. I got a Vogmask N99 a few years ago and mostly

because I was hoping during flu season that wearing it would remind me not to put my hands to my face. It's an unconscious habit that no amount of knowledge seems to prevent me from doing.

I've never worn it, but located it recently with the thought that when coronavirus is active in my area (being in the SF Bay Area that time is quickly approaching) that I might wear it for that reason. Have a compromised immune system due to cancer.

That said, with the seemingly long incubation period of the virus, if folks are wearing them I'm thankful they could be protecting others.

[Pompoy]

14. They work for healthcare providers, but not the public?

Is this guy a Trumpkin? I can see the point about a healthcare provider being more aware in not sabotaging their effectiveness by picking his nose or whatever when worn for too long, but still...

[Mariana]

18. They don't work for coronavirus.

They do work for other things. The medical professionals need them.

[CousinIT]

67. It seems they want people who are already sick to wear them to keep the virus

inside and not spread it.

But the woman on MSNBC yesterday (a doctor) said it won't protect you from others who are sick with the coronavirus. At least that's how I understood it.

[Newest Reality]

56. The first the concern here...

The first concern is for the patients, not just protection. You want your surgeon to wear a mask during the operation don't you? A sneeze, cough, the plume of mist while talking, etc, are what they protect you from.

While there are points about wearing them as a prophylaxis, they are not reliable and there are reasons as to why, at least on a daily basis for protection. If you are in a room with an infected patient, you would wear the proper one and then discard it afterwards because, well, the surface of the mask is contaminated, which is the problem with going for all-day protection.

[andym]

17. N95 or better masks do offer some protection

But there are shortages occurring already.
https://www.livescience.com/face-mask-new-coronavirus.html

Keep in mind the virus is smaller than the holes in such masks and can get through 120nm vs 300nm, but the droplets that carry virus are typically bigger so there will be some protection.

[CousinIT]

25. Nope. Leave them for the healthcare workers or only if you are sick yourself.

CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask.

CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.

Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention-treatment.html

[Rural_Progressive]

48. They're saying this because they've failed to stockpile enough for a situation like this

The reality is they do help simply because they keep people from touching their faces.

You try not touching your face for an hour, I can do it as long as I think about it, as soon as I get distracted I'm right back to touching my nose, eye and mouth areas. So if you're wearing a mask when you go in public, come home, wash your hands, and take off your mask carefully you do get some protection.

And you should have some on hand in the event that you start to cough, throat gets a bit scratchy, and you feel a bit stuffed up and you need to go out in public. The idea is to show respect to your fellow citizen by doing what you can to not pass on what you may be getting to them.

[CousinIT]

63. According to yesterday's MSNBC guest (can't remember her name)

She said they don't help for respiratory viruses (ie: they don't protect you) - you should use them if YOU are sick - keeps the virus away from others.

[Rural_Progressive]

64. Did she say anything about how important it is, and difficult it is

to keep your hands off your face and away from your tear ducts, nostrils, and lips. You know the actual portals through which a respiratory virus enters your body.

A mask creates a physical barrier that helps keep you from introducing the virus from your hands into those openings. She can say what she wants but if she doesn't address the importance of keeping your fingers off your face than she is providing a disservice. Masks can help in that respect.

If you can keep your fingers away from your eyes, nostrils, and mouth than a mask would be a waste for you. I can't, so if this thing gains traction in my area I will take a mask from my shop, drive to town, put on my mask and take care of my business. I will then drive home, take off my mask, wash my hands and go back to my work.

Just common sense.

[iamateacher]

19. My brother said a guy at Home Depot told him

That the government is not allowing them to sell the N95 masks any more.

[bern2020]

20. manufacturers are prioritizing healthcare workers

and China has taken over factories and is preventing the exports

[Sunsky]

21. Thanks for this

And there's also price-gouging taking place. Hand sanitizers are hard to find as well.

[snort]

23. Price gouging.

Was going to order some 3M N95s a couple of days ago. Nope, and I'm renovating my house so I need them for what they are intended. Oh well. I have a half face mask I wear when I weld that uses the cartridge style filters so that will have to do.

During Flu and Cold season I wash my hands thoroughly, then while they are still wet I poor a pool of rubbing alcohol in my palm then lave my hands and my face then twirl my dripping index fingers right up my schnoz. Does it help? I don't know. But I do it.

[capechacon]

24. Yikes!!! 'Better cover your EYES as well!!

Yep...sure enough -- your eyes(!) are major sites of entry for infectious agents, including airborne viruses and bacteria. So, no sense just wearing a simple facemark, you'll need a blindfold as well.

But if you're wearing a blindfold, 'better not venture outside (traffic, obstacles, and all that). In that case you won't need a mask OR blindfold....

[CousinIT]

26. Viruses will not enter your respiratory system through your eyes. n/t

[defacto7]

40. Eyes ducts that drain tears are directly connected

to the sinus that connnect to the mouth and air passages. How could they not carry a virus?

[capechacon]

57. Cousin -- You need to be sure you know what you're talking about before you hit "send".....

Respiratory viruses absolutely can enter the body via eyes, lachrymal ducts, and the like.

See: 2007 "Viral Infection of the Lungs through the Eye," J. Virology, 81(2), pages 783-790.

[Jersey Devil]

29. I had a neighbor who wore a mask to take out his garbage

He also wore surgical gloves.

But get this: When he walked his dog he re-used the poop bags until they were full and didn't use a mask or gloves.

[OhZone]

30. I got mine1

It looks a bit like a huge bird beak doe.

[AlexSFCA]

31. the why gov't is giving out masks in Korea?

If everyone wears a mask, it is extremely effective in halting the spread of the virus.

[brewens]

32. Too late. They said they shipped them and I only ordered a couple days ago. I figured

what the hell, I just won't open them unless I get sick, if I don't, I'll return them. At the very least, they would keep me from touching my face while out grocery shopping if it did get bad enough here to really worry about. I didn't think about unnecessarily contributing to a shortage for medical workers.

I wondered about all the medical supplies early on. My last job was at a blood center. Almost all the supplies I used were made in China. If it's bad enough to slow down the production, plus all the demand all over the world, I'd be surprised if we didn't end up short on stuff.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

33. I am protected -- I built a suit from screen doors.

[Captain Zero]

41. Rubber bands & coffee filters works too.

Nt

[CountAllVotes]

34. Why was a box of face masks on the front door

It was on the front door to the FEDERAL health clinic I go to.

This was about a month ago.

I took a few *just in case*.

Giant

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

47. Because people are dumb enough to think the masks will do something,

and rather spend ten minutes with each and every person explaining why they are not needed, it's easier to put out masks that do nothing at all but give people a false sense of security.

[Mr.Bill]

36. I wrapped my router in masks so I can't

catch it over the internet.

[Soxfan58]

37. Why do healthcare worker need

Mask that don't work?

[Captain Zero]

42. If u find some from China; Enjoy the added Tariff$

Thanks Trump. Tariffs on our Chinese face masks. If we can find any.

[defacto7]

43. It's not that they're totally ineffective, it's that they are overused

when not needed. There are times when they're helpful but if people use them up for no good reason they're wasted. If you are around people who are infected they are 5x safer than not wearing one but only for a limited time. If you are not around infected people they are 0x better than not wearing them at all.

If people want to wear something for peace of mind just make cloth ones. They will at least keep you from touching your face.

[PennyK]

44. I'm making some cloth ones

They will just serve as a reminder NOT to touch my nose and face should the need arrive.
My daughter is about to fly abroad and she asked me to send her some.

[Generic Other]

61. There are actual patterns online

Someone should sell them on etsy.

[liberalla]

46. What more can you tell us, O wise surgeon general?

This guy was the Indiana State Health Commissioner 2014-2017...
probably well acquainted with the pence 'pray on it' form of healthcare.

[budkin]

51. Total bullshit

They DO offer protection to those who are medically fragile.

[Boxerfan]

53. I'm opting for a balaclava style

I have bad lungs so I feel the need for some protection. it covers the neck & face up to the eyes. I wear glasses so maybe that is enough.Not impermeable or filtered as well-but it will stop droplets. And a 6 pack is $20.00 on Prime & available. And they can be washed.

[Kaleva]

54. Several studies have found they are effective

"According to a study published in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases, families with kids who had flu-like symptoms and used the masks properly were 80% less likely to be diagnosed with the same thing.

Another study looked at 400 people who had the flu found that family members who wore a surgical mask and washed their hands reduced their chance of getting the flu by 70%.

“Individual brands of masks and that sort of thing hasn't been studied, but the few studies that have looked at them do have an effect – in some studies, up to 50 to 80% reduction in transmission,” UW virology expert Alex Greninger said. “They seem to stop large droplets, and I think the other key thing to mention with masks is that it really depends on what you're willing to wear.”

Coronavirus is most commonly spread through the air by coughing or sneezing or though close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands, according to the Washington State Department of Health.

While masks do seem promising, it's also important to utilize other preventive measures. Make sure you wash your hands often during flu season, especially if you're around others who may be sick. Also, be sure to get your annual flu shot to protect yourself and others from spreading the virus."

https://www.king5.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/surgical-mask-effectiveness/281-9c762e52-c2ec-4dec-b5f3-77ee833fca1e

"At the start of flu season in the last two years, participants were randomly assigned to six weeks of wearing a standard medical procedure mask alone, mask use and hand sanitizer use, or a control group with no intervention. Researchers followed students for incidence of influenza like illness symptoms, defined as cough with at least one other characteristic symptom such as fever, chills or body aches, Monto said.

From the third week on, both the mask only and mask/hand sanitizer interventions showed a significant or nearly significant reduction in the rate of influenza-like illness symptoms in comparison to the control group. The observed reduction in rate of flu-like symptoms remained even after adjusting for gender, race/ethnicity, hand washing practices, sleep quality, and flu vaccination."

https://news.umich.edu/masks-hand-washing-prevent-spread-of-flu-like-symptoms-by-up-to-50-percent/

[Kaleva]

55. DOD Beneficiaries Pandemic Flu Kit includes these masks. Both N95 and surgical masks

https://www.keepshooting.com/us-dod-pandemic-flu-preparedness-kit.html

[smirkymonkey]

59. I just made one out of tinfoil and Saran Wrap.

It covers my entire head. It also keeps out the Gamma rays which is an added bonus. I'm feeling very secure.

[phylny]

65. Due to a series of airline cancellations,

I have been to three airports today (still waiting for my last flight out of O’Hare). I only saw two people with masks (both appeared to be Asian). Ladies in the bathroom were washing their hands well and people were using hand sanitizer.

[CousinIT]

66. GOOD!

Glad to hear that.