# Question about wearing a mask **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Tags:** covid-quarantine\ **Created:** [July 14, 2020, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-wearing-a-mask/915341 "2020-07-14T22:03:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2020, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-wearing-a-mask/915341/1 "2020-07-14T22:03:05Z")
This thought randomly occurred to me: You know how they say that when you wear a surgical mask, you are doing so not to protect yourself but to protect those around you? Suppose I reversed the mask and wore it backwards. Am I now protecting myself from others but not them from me? Or…are you sitting down?..suppose I wore _two_ masks, one proper, the other reverse. In that case, are all God’s children protected? Game changer, this may be. mmm ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2020, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-wearing-a-mask/915341/2 "2020-07-15T00:38:12Z")
What’s hard to understand? You may have the virus for up to a week before you get symptoms, some people are infectious but DON’T develop symptoms. If that person wears a mask, they will infect far, FAR, fewer people. Whether you wear it frontwards or backwards, or two or three at a time, homemade or paper. They all equally reduce the number of people YOU may unknowingly infect. More people wearing masks = substantially lower transmission rates. Which means things like businesses and schools can start to cautiously reopen again. Businesses want their employees making wages, NOT getting sick. They are perfectly reasonable to insist their staff interact only with persons wearing masks, for THEIR personal safety. It’s no more a political issues than, ‘No shirt, no shoes, no service.’ They just don’t want their staff, who by necessity interact with many people during a shift, at risk. This much should be very simple to understand. Literally the ENTIRE rest of the world understands this. Wear the damn mask. It’s not a big sacrifice, just do it! ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2020, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-wearing-a-mask/915341/3 "2020-07-15T00:53:28Z")
OP. I understand your question. In the dark of night I have these very conversations in my head. I look at it like this: for some reason in decades past the doc said take 2 aspirin and call me in the morning. I believe 2 was an arbitrary amount. One aspirin would’ve been fine. Probably. One mask is enough. Stand back 6 feet as well. Or 3 feet. This is a question there’s probably no answer for. ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2020, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-wearing-a-mask/915341/4 "2020-07-15T01:17:50Z")
The GQ answer to both your questions is ‘no.’ ---
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2020, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-wearing-a-mask/915341/5 "2020-07-15T01:25:41Z")
Wait a second. > [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > Or…are you sitting down?..suppose I wore _two_ masks, one proper, the other reverse. In that case, are all God’s children protected? > > Game changer, this may be. > > mmm I like the way you think, OP. ---
**Author:** ![CardboardBoxx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardboardboxx/32/7079_2.png) [@CardboardBoxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CardboardBoxx)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2020, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-wearing-a-mask/915341/6 "2020-07-15T01:37:10Z")
If you apply the mask _really tightly_ to your nose and mouth for 5 minutes, you will permanently protect **everyone** from catching it from you. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2020, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-wearing-a-mask/915341/7 "2020-07-15T01:43:40Z")
this is a silly question, but I’ll answer. no, the mask is to prevent you from spraying potentially virus-laden droplets out where others might inhale them. In Japan, it’s common courtesy to wear one if you’re sick and have to go out in public. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2020, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-wearing-a-mask/915341/8 "2020-07-15T01:44:59Z")
Are you wearing the masks on your face? ---
**Author:** ![PlaceboTarget](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/placebotarget/32/1073_2.png) [@PlaceboTarget](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlaceboTarget)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2020, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-wearing-a-mask/915341/9 "2020-07-15T02:27:50Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > Game changer, this may be. If that’s the only way the virus gets transmitted, maybe. ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2020, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-wearing-a-mask/915341/10 "2020-07-15T02:32:13Z")
If my husband wears a condom inside out and it breaks, does that mean HE might get pregnant? Talk about a game changer hmmmm… ---
**Author:** ![Blue\_Blistering\_Barnacle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blue_blistering_barnacle/32/3386_2.png) [@Blue\_Blistering\_Barnacle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blue_Blistering_Barnacle)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2020, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-wearing-a-mask/915341/11 "2020-07-15T02:56:29Z")
I was going to mass manufacture hover boards powered by cats with buttered toast strapped to their backs, but gathering up the raw materials was like herding … well, like herding cats! ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2020, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-wearing-a-mask/915341/12 "2020-07-15T03:15:51Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > You know how they say that when you wear a surgical mask, you are doing so not to protect yourself but to protect those around you? A surgical mask can also protect the wearer. The melt blown fabric in the middle layer will help capture contaminated droplets in the environment from being inhaled (see chart below). However, keep in mind that the efficiency of the mask is highly dependent on getting a good fit. A mask with significant gaps around the edges is going to do a poor job of filtration regardless of what it is made of. [![](https://smartairfilters.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Mask-Materials-Effectiveness-1-Micron-EN-768x558.jpg) ](https://smartairfilters.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Mask-Materials-Effectiveness-1-Micron-EN-768x558.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2020, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-wearing-a-mask/915341/13 "2020-07-15T03:25:48Z")
I wonder where the lil’wrekkers sequin encrusted face mask fits on that chart. She started with a medical grade mask. Of course there’s the problem of not being able to breathe in it at all. So it’s not practical. Looks smashing tho’! ---
**Author:** ![barkodogo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/barkodogo/32/3911_2.png) [@barkodogo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barkodogo)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2020, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-wearing-a-mask/915341/14 "2020-07-15T03:28:33Z")
Alright but where does my batman mask fall on this chart ---
**Author:** ![PlaceboTarget](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/placebotarget/32/1073_2.png) [@PlaceboTarget](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlaceboTarget)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2020, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-wearing-a-mask/915341/15 "2020-07-15T03:37:38Z")
In the same group with Venetian masks on the Party Monster ranking system. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2020, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-wearing-a-mask/915341/16 "2020-07-15T03:38:11Z")
I can’t find any vacuum cleaner bags that fit my face. ---
**Author:** ![Blue\_Blistering\_Barnacle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blue_blistering_barnacle/32/3386_2.png) [@Blue\_Blistering\_Barnacle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blue_Blistering_Barnacle)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2020, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-wearing-a-mask/915341/17 "2020-07-15T04:07:40Z")
“ I know, there’s a **problem with your face**.”- Jack Burton ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2020, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-wearing-a-mask/915341/18 "2020-07-15T04:34:52Z")
I thought joke threads weren’t allowed in GQ? ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2020, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-wearing-a-mask/915341/19 "2020-07-15T06:02:16Z")
Someone told me today they’re gonna use a pair of thong panties and see who notices. Pretty intelligent, IMO. Any port in a storm, I always say. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2020, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-wearing-a-mask/915341/20 "2020-07-15T12:10:37Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > What’s hard to understand? > > You may have the virus for up to a week before you get symptoms, some people are infectious but DON’T develop symptoms. > > If that person wears a mask, they will infect far, FAR, fewer people. > > Whether you wear it frontwards or backwards, or two or three at a time, homemade or paper. They all equally reduce the number of people YOU may unknowingly infect. > > More people wearing masks = substantially lower transmission rates. Which means things like businesses and schools can start to cautiously reopen again. Businesses want their employees making wages, NOT getting sick. They are perfectly reasonable to insist their staff interact only with persons wearing masks, for THEIR personal safety. > > It’s no more a political issues than, ‘No shirt, no shoes, no service.’ > > They just don’t want their staff, who by necessity interact with many people during a shift, at risk. This much should be very simple to understand. > > Literally the ENTIRE rest of the world understands this. > > Wear the damn mask. It’s not a big sacrifice, just do it! Thanks for the lecture, professor. If you bother to read the OP you would realize that I’m not advocating wearing no masks at all. I’m actually wondering about wearing two masks. mmm [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-about-wearing-a-mask/915341.md?page=2)