# To Mask or Not to Mask, that is the Question **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Tags:** covid-quarantine\ **Created:** [August 12, 2020, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-mask-or-not-to-mask-that-is-the-question/917910 "2020-08-12T18:08:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2020, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-mask-or-not-to-mask-that-is-the-question/917910/41 "2020-08-13T01:04:09Z")
I think another factor is that flu is just always moderately contagious, but Coronaviruses seem to have “superspreaders”, including asymptomatic ones. I don’t know how masks would affect that, but it certainly means patterns of infection are different. ---
**Author:** ![Pheonix1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pheonix1/32/4236_2.png) [@Pheonix1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pheonix1)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2020, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-mask-or-not-to-mask-that-is-the-question/917910/42 "2020-08-13T01:05:24Z")
Well, not to be overly cynical, but maybe health officials should start saying masks protect the wearer. Then selfish people might wear them and mask wearers don’t feel threatened. Eta: I’ve seen plenty of pro-mask people who are rather convinced that medical officials were lying in March about masks not being useful solely to preserve masks for frontline people. They don’t seem to have a problem with that lie. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2020, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-mask-or-not-to-mask-that-is-the-question/917910/43 "2020-08-13T01:07:08Z")
I think it’s a bad idea for health officials to lie to the public, because then you’ll immediately get the selfish ones saying, look, here’s an article that says it doesn’t, they don’t know what they’re talking about, I’m going to go maskless. And, then I have to spend the next year working from home and not traveling, hoping my elderly parents to get it, hoping I don’t get it, and so on. ---
**Author:** ![Pheonix1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pheonix1/32/4236_2.png) [@Pheonix1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pheonix1)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2020, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-mask-or-not-to-mask-that-is-the-question/917910/44 "2020-08-13T01:10:31Z")
Ha. My edit was a simulpost. Do you think health officials were lying back on March? ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2020, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-mask-or-not-to-mask-that-is-the-question/917910/45 "2020-08-13T01:15:25Z")
> [@Pheonix1](#): > > Do you think health officials were lying back on March? Honestly, I think they were taking a calculated shortcut to head off panic buying and hoarding of masks on a large scale. That backfired and came back to bite them all, and then the rest of us, in the ass. ---
**Author:** ![SayTwo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e56c9b/32.png) [@SayTwo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SayTwo)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2020, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-mask-or-not-to-mask-that-is-the-question/917910/46 "2020-08-13T01:17:10Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > This isn’t rocket science. Why can’t we get to 99% compliance? Are 25% of the population too fucking stupid or too fucking selfish to help out the rest of us? My guess is they think you’re too fuckin’ gullible. And maybe a little self-centered yourself, what with the work from home and can’t travel and all. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2020, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-mask-or-not-to-mask-that-is-the-question/917910/47 "2020-08-13T01:17:16Z")
No, I think they were wrong. Science changes and the science on this was changing fast. There are some diseases where, if you wear and handle a mask wrong, you can endanger yourself. That’s probably true with the novel coronavirus, if you’re talking about people dealing with sick and contagious patients all day. Also, there was a severe shortage of good masks, so they encouraged people to save those for front line workers. At the time, they didn’t know whether cloth masks would be effective, but we know more now. And, back then, not everyone had a supply of various masks, including homemade cloth masks, so encouraging mask wearing would just have used up the supply of medical masks. So, they’ve learned a lot since then and more masks have become available. ---
**Author:** ![Pheonix1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pheonix1/32/4236_2.png) [@Pheonix1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pheonix1)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2020, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-mask-or-not-to-mask-that-is-the-question/917910/48 "2020-08-13T01:22:16Z")
We actually don’t know much more now about cloth masks being useful. Most of the evidence indicating effectiveness is on surgical and N95 masks. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2020, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-mask-or-not-to-mask-that-is-the-question/917910/49 "2020-08-13T01:23:01Z")
They’re just wrong about me being gullible about this. Wrong in a very deadly way. And, I really am sick of this lockdown. Here in NJ, we locked down hard and got this thing under control, but now the maskholes in Florida, Texas, Arizona, Louisiana, and California are making it a wasted effort. I’m lucky that I only know one person who had a corona-related death (he had a bad heart and the disease made him so miserable that he stopped taking his medication) and only know a few people with other long term effects (back on dialysis for a kidney transplant and another person with possibly permanent heart damage), so the main effect on my personal life has been working from home (thankful I have a job!) and no travel. I feel terrible for the people who have lost their lives or their jobs, and I’m thankful that hasn’t happened to me. And it’s all going to continue because some ignorant, selfish, fucking assholes have decided that they don’t need to wear a mask. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2020, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-mask-or-not-to-mask-that-is-the-question/917910/50 "2020-08-13T01:24:19Z")
> [@Pheonix1](#): > > We actually don’t know much more now about cloth masks being useful. Most of the evidence indicating effectiveness is on surgical and N95 masks. The Mayo Clinic disagrees: > Cloth face coverings are most likely to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus when they are widely used by people in public settings. And countries that required face masks, testing, isolation and social distancing early in the pandemic have successfully slowed the spread of the virus. From the first Google result here: [How well do face masks protect against COVID-19? - Mayo Clinic](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/coronavirus-mask/art-20485449) ---
**Author:** ![aurora\_maire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aurora_maire/32/328_2.png) [@aurora\_maire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurora_maire)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2020, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-mask-or-not-to-mask-that-is-the-question/917910/51 "2020-08-13T01:43:01Z")
Also in March we didn’t know that there were tens of thousands of people walking around infecting other people when they had no symptoms themselves. Asymptomatic spread was something that was just starting to be looked at as a serious problem. If that had been known earlier, the need for masks would have been looked at at lot differently. And is the reason now why masks are essential. ---
**Author:** ![eschrodinger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschrodinger/32/122_2.png) [@eschrodinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschrodinger)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2020, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-mask-or-not-to-mask-that-is-the-question/917910/52 "2020-08-13T01:44:44Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > So, they’ve learned a lot since then and more masks have become available. I agree completely with this whole post. I think they spoke with too much certainty and too broadly back in March (and I said so at the time). Now, when I can easily and cheaply get kn95 masks, which don’t take away ppe from healthcare workers, I think I am protecting both myself and others by wearing a mask. That is probably true to a lesser degree when I wear a homemade, close-fitting cloth mask. ---
**Author:** ![Pheonix1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pheonix1/32/4236_2.png) [@Pheonix1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pheonix1)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2020, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-mask-or-not-to-mask-that-is-the-question/917910/53 "2020-08-13T01:45:14Z")
No offense but you are misunderstanding the quote you posted. “are most likely to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus when” does not mean they are actually likely to reduce the spread. It means that’s their best shot at reducing transmission. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2020, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-mask-or-not-to-mask-that-is-the-question/917910/54 "2020-08-13T01:56:19Z")
Right, well there hasn’t been time for double-blind studies, but they’re doing the best they can with the information available. Anyway, Discourse is yelling at me for posting too much in this thread so I’ll bow out. Some of the posts here are making me too upset yesterday and I don’t want to draw a warning. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2020, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-mask-or-not-to-mask-that-is-the-question/917910/55 "2020-08-13T01:56:19Z")
> [@Pheonix1](#): > > No offense but you are misunderstanding the quote you posted. Actually, I think you are misunderstanding the quote. It sounds like you might be looking for an out for not wearing a mask. What **RitterSport** posted from The Mayo Clinic was not that out. Wear the mask or don’t. None of us can slap an ancient tome on the table that is irrefutable. We need to go with what is known and doable at the time. Please, just stay far away from me and mine. And I consider all people to be my people, even you. ---
**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:** [August 13, 2020, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-mask-or-not-to-mask-that-is-the-question/917910/56 "2020-08-13T02:12:20Z")
To mask or not to mask is not the best question. Because not all places have the same risk. And not all masks are the same. If you are in a place where you are recommended to wear a mask, please follow local laws, practices and guidance. Please wear one in hospitals, nursing homes or at the dentist or hairdresser. Wearing a mask does not substitute for handwashing and social distancing where possible. Wearing a mask offers you some protection and reduces transmission from you to other people if you are an asymptomatic carrier. Masks are more effective if properly put on and taken off and other websites can advise you how to care for your mask. Not all masks are equivalent. An N95 mask is best in higher risk areas. A cotton mask with several layers and a pocket for a PM2.5 filter is a good choice. In my region, there has not been a Covid death for nearly two months. Masks are required walking in to bars, restaurants, in malls and public transit. They are not required to walk outside. Still, everyone is social distancing and most people comply with the law despite few penalties if they choose not to. How do you get 50 Canadians out of a pool? You say, excuse me, everyone out of the pool please. ---
**Author:** ![Pheonix1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pheonix1/32/4236_2.png) [@Pheonix1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pheonix1)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2020, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-mask-or-not-to-mask-that-is-the-question/917910/57 "2020-08-13T02:12:37Z")
> [@BippityBoppityBoo](#): > > Actually, I think you are misunderstanding the quote. It sounds like you might be looking for an out for not wearing a mask. What **RitterSport** posted from The Mayo Clinic was not that out. No, this is English comprehension. “X likely works best when…” is simply not the same as “X likely works best.” I am not looking for an out. I wear a mask at work and stores every day and will continue as long as required. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2020, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-mask-or-not-to-mask-that-is-the-question/917910/58 "2020-08-13T02:27:20Z")
Maybe ask yourself, if your child was going into surgery, would you want the team to wear masks? Why? It’s not them who are at risk. In fact the risk might actually be quite low. Is it still a precaution you’d want taken? Have you ever questioned that application of mask usage? Or just accepted it as clearly best practice? I believe most everyone, even if the risk were low, would want that precaution taken. Having a hard time with people struggling with this concept, it’s purpose, or it’s effectiveness when examples clearly lie before you daily. ---
**Author:** ![Joeu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/joeu/32/2911_2.png) [@Joeu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joeu)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2020, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-mask-or-not-to-mask-that-is-the-question/917910/59 "2020-08-13T14:20:57Z")
Influenza lasts longer on surfaces. Covid is more contagious for longer without symptoms. Covid has more superspreader events. And there is a vaccine for influenza! ---
**Author:** ![Tfletch1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tfletch1/32/5340_2.png) [@Tfletch1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tfletch1)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2020, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-mask-or-not-to-mask-that-is-the-question/917910/60 "2020-08-13T14:43:22Z")
> [@Trom](#): > > ### Do we support cloth mask wearing where mandated? > > Despite the current limited scientific data detailing their effectiveness, we support the wearing of face coverings by the public when mandated and when in close contact with people whose infection status they don’t know. However, we also encourage everyone to continue to limit their time spent indoors near potentially infectious people and to not count on or expect a cloth mask or face covering to protect them or the people around them. The pandemic is not over and will not likely be over for some time. As states and local jurisdictions reopen, we encourage people to continue to assess and limit their risks. Cloth masks and face coverings likely do _not_ offer the same degree of protection as physical distancing, isolation, or limiting personal contact time. That article is from April 4. And their argument is that masks should not replace shelter in place when the outbreak is really bad. Even now the authors say they prefer physical distancing to crummy masks like bandanas but agree that even those are fine for low risk circumstances like a quick trip to the pharmacy or something. They also still prefer people to just stay home. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-mask-or-not-to-mask-that-is-the-question/917910.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-mask-or-not-to-mask-that-is-the-question/917910.md?page=4)