It's really baffling that the WHO is actively recommending _against_ face masks. They even go as far as saying not to wear a mask _even if you already own one_ which they arguably wouldn't do if they were worried about shortages.

I mean, maybe they're going for the social dissaproval angle - you can stop people from hoarding masks by making it socially bad to wear a mask, but that seems misguided if true.

The information about masks is from a public health perspective and not a personnel health perspective due to a global mask shortage. Just because it’s better for society as a whole that all PPE go to where they can help the most people, doesn’t necessarily mean that’s the best result for you as an individual.

If there were an infinite supply of masks the advice would be entirely different.

Not directly, but they are stating they are not recommended, when in fact, they help a bit: - wearing something on your face will help you remember not to touch your face. It's not much, but it's something to reduce spread by hand to mouth contact. - if the mask has good filtration (N95+, sealed on the side), it still offers some protection against dropplet. - if the person wearing it is infected but asymptomatic, they will reduce, at least a bit, the spread (e.g. when sneezing), as long as they're not wearing one with a valve.

So, some protection is better than no protection. Consequently, It's difficult for me to understand why discouraging people from using face masks is a good idea.

Use it properly and keep social distancing, while regularly cleaning your hands.

Not the op, however this advise is misguided.

If you're sick but don't know it, your coughing/breathing is spreading the virus.

So everyone wearing a mask prevents the infected, including those that don't know that they're infected, from spreading the disease.

And for those who are not sick, it may offer small protections.

Tiny downside for a large upside.