The science of mask-wearing hasn’t changed, so why have our expectations?

Re:The science of mask-wearing hasn’t changed, so why have o... by thoraway3030 on Friday July 03, 2020 @07:13PM (#23728448)

I think that the whole "masks don't protect you they protect others" spiel was designed to save face, because authorities were adamant about masks not working until March. Of course they protect the wearer....otherwise healthcare workers wouldn't use them.

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Re:The science of mask-wearing hasn’t changed, so why have o... by grahamburger on Friday July 03, 2020 @07:18PM (#23728482)

I'm pretty sure health care workers wear them primarily to protect others. This is what my health care worker friends have told me (long before covid). Sneezing on someone mid surgery would be pretty bad for the patient, not really for the surgeon.

I think the reason people say it's more for others than yourself is because it's actual pretty rare to catch a disease by breathing it in. Much more often you catch it when it gets on your fingers and then you touch your eyes/nose/mouth. I think that's still at least partially true with covid.

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Re:The science of mask-wearing hasn’t changed, so why have o... by XorNot on Friday July 03, 2020 @07:40PM (#23728637)

Properly fit N95+ masks definitely protect the wearer, but in clinical settings are also combined with measures like a faceshield (which reduces droplet exposure to the eyes specifically, and reduces possible viral load on the face generally).

Conversely: pretty much all masks (though ones with an exhalation valve will reduce the effectiveness) will reduce the spread of droplets and thus virus from exhalation and talking: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYJvU81DKgk

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