General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsHas anybody heard this about the basic medical masks and what they supposedly signal? Was
talking with a friend in TN yesterday about how many in her area are not wearing masks. She told me that a doctor told her that when you see people wearing those paper medical masks with the white side out, it signals that the wearer has been exposed to the virus. Of course, my first comment was, why the hell is that person out in public???
Is this actually for real? Or is her doctor nuts?
Phoenix61
(17,003 posts)Karadeniz
(22,510 posts)ProfessorGAC
(65,000 posts)I just think some people don't know the difference and wear it "however".
And, quite frankly, I'm not sure the physical chemistry supports that the difference between white side in or out has much practical significance.
niyad
(113,265 posts)upside down. Annoying.
ProfessorGAC
(65,000 posts)...an "expert opinion" that an upside down mask doesn't work as well.
Some of the experts aren't quite that.
Orangepeel
(13,933 posts)Social media users have been sharing an image online that explains the difference between the blue and white side of a medical mask. The claim incorrectly advises to have the colored side facing out if you are sick and the white side out if you are healthy.
One post reads: While at the doctors office today, we were informed by a Nurse the proper way to use a medical mask... When using a medical mask youre supposed to use as follows: Colored side out if youre sick and do not want to spread your germs around. White side out (this is the filter part) for when youre not sick and you want to stop germs from getting in... The Nurse said the entire doctors office never knew either, until the supplier sent them proper directions for them this past week! Hope this helps!
The image does not give any information about the name of the nurse, the doctors office or the supplier. It also does not credit any health organization or office for these directions.
niyad
(113,265 posts)nilram
(2,886 posts)Blue side is more water-repellant, to protect from the droplets from others. The white side is more absorbent, to protect others from the droplets you may expel. Middle layer has filtration, to keep viruses and bacteria away from you.
He might be confusing it with some hanky-code--blue hanky, left back pocket for safe; white hanky, right back pocket for exposed. Or something like that; dunno, don't get out much.
Arkansas Granny
(31,515 posts)Fact check: Disposable masks should always be worn colored-side-out
https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.usatoday.com/amp/2993699001
Fact check: Two-tone medical masks should be worn with color side facing out
https://www.google.com/amp/s/mobile.reuters.com/article/amp/idUSKBN249290
niyad
(113,265 posts)bottomofthehill
(8,329 posts)Some manufacturers made both sides white in a rush to get masks to the market
Meowmee
(5,164 posts)The way you wear a mask has nothing to do with whether you have been exposed or not and is not a signal of that. That is crazy. However wearing it the wrong way ( depending on what the issue is) could cause you to be more likely to be exposed if you are in contact with an infectious person.
MineralMan
(146,287 posts)niyad
(113,265 posts)TwilightZone
(25,467 posts)Fox News, Limbaugh before he keeled over, Newsmax, etc., I suppose.
niyad
(113,265 posts)Putin's people do it to see who can come up with the most absurd nonsense, and then feed it to these crazies. Laughing their asses off the whole time at the gullibility.
dawg day
(7,947 posts)When the inside gets too drooly and I don't have another.
Hekate
(90,645 posts)You know, other peoples coughs and sneezes, pollens, dusts completely defeating the purpose.
The cost of paper masks has gone way down. Just carry a few extras in a baggie.
LisaL
(44,973 posts)Outside of your mask is considered contaminated. You shouldn't be putting it next to your face.
Hekate
(90,645 posts)Shellback Squid
(8,914 posts)it enrages her and she's a die hard trumper
lagomorph777
(30,613 posts)So in a sense, there could be a kernel of truth in it.
niyad
(113,265 posts)LisaL
(44,973 posts)NT