# Why was the American public told not to wear face masks?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-the-american-public-told-not-to-wear-face-masks/850742>\
**Category:** The Quarantine Zone\
**Tags:** covid-quarantine\
**Created:** [March 31, 2020, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-the-american-public-told-not-to-wear-face-masks/850742 "2020-03-31T15:06:32Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 26

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**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\
**Post date:** [March 31, 2020, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-was-the-american-public-told-not-to-wear-face-masks/850742/26 "2020-03-31T18:28:47Z")

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> [@ftg](#):
>
> I am surprised by this “all or nothing” attitude that pops up, even here.
> 
> So, a simple mask isn’t 100% effective. We know that. No false sense of security. But I don’t have an n95 respirator. And, guess what, those aren’t 100% either. It’s _all_ a range.
> 
> Something is better than nothing.

Nope. Look, a mask gives you the\* illusion \*that you are protected, but you are not.

So, why not listen to the best medical experts in the world? \*\*Only wear a mask if you are sick or a medical professional.  
\*\*

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