Masks are ineffective against viruses & are used by surgeons to prevent droplets from contaminating surgical sites.

Question

Masks are ineffective against viruses and are used by surgeons solely to prevent droplets from contaminating surgical sites.

Answer 1

The claim that masks do not protect people from viruses is false. Firstly, the user that commented this on Bluesky has no sign of any relation to the medical field. Looking further at the thread, we can see that the user then rejected this source from the CDC. From that article, the CDC claims "When worn by a person who has a virus, masks can reduce the chances they spread it to others. Masks can also protect wearers from inhaling germs;" As the CDC is a trusted source amongst the general public, this is a reliable source to draw from. Many other publications have covered the effectiveness of masks, including the Mayo Clinic and CBS. The second part of the claim is misleading in the context of the whole comment as it is true that one of the reasons that doctors wear masks is to "act as a physical barrier against blood and bodily fluid splashes during surgery"(https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4480558/#:~:text=Most%20obviously%2C%20they%20can%20act,face%20in%2024%25%20of%20procedures.) However, that does not negate the effectiveness of masks for the use of preventing viruses so that information is misleading and irrelevant. It is important to note that the protectiveness a user will have depends on the type of mask and the type of viruses they come in contact with. For example, an N95 is more protective than a standard face mask. However, overall the claim that masks have "zero efficiency against viruses" is false.

Comments

Great job with this fact check. I like how in-depth you went and included multiple credible sources to back up your fact check. I also like how you went over every part of the original claim very effectively and proved why it was false.

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Hi! Your fact check is really helpful, good job! I really like how you broke down the orginal claim as well as the source they used to be not credible. In addition I think you did a really good job using not one but multiple sources to prove the claim false.

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This fact check is very well done. I appreciate the explanation of why this is false and then the use of reliable sources to support your rebuttal.

Answer 2

This claim is false as masks have been proven to be effective at both reducing the amount of germs you breathe in as well as the chance of spreading a virus to others. According to a study by the International Society of Travel Medicine, “masks block some fraction of viral particles from dispersing from those who are infected and from infecting those who are susceptible and are understood to prevent disease transmission through this mechanism.” The CDC has a whole page about Masks and Respiratory Viruses Prevention, going into detail about how masks work and the effectiveness of different types of masks. Some masks are less protective than others, for example cloth masks are shown to be less effective in blocking germs you breathe in or out compared to masks like the KN95 or N95 respirators. Overall, however, masks do make a difference in disease transmission and provide some protection against spreading or contracting different viruses.   

It is true that masks are used in a surgical setting to preserve a sterile environment. Infectious disease specialist Manisha Juthani, MD, told Yale Medicine “It is really important for me to wear a mask when I'm taking care of patients who have a respiratory virus that I could be at risk of getting and then potentially giving to somebody else.” So, masks may be used in multiple contexts, but that does not mean that they are only effective in the setting of a surgical site.

https://academic.oup.com/jtm/article/28/7/taab144/6365138

https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/prevention/masks.html

https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/why-doctors-wear-masks

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8499874/

Answer 3

Hi! While masks are certainly used by surgeons to prevent droplets from contaminating surgical sites, this same function is precisely why they are effective against spreading droplets that would contaminate or infect someone else with a virus! If for some reason you don’t want to trust the word of the Britannica, which says that surgical masks are “68 percent effective in blocking the transmission of SARS” and that N95 masks are “more than 90 percent effective”, it might help to think of it visually: Droplets can’t phase through walls like ghosts (and while a mask isn’t as solid as a wall), the more separation between the air filled with airborne viruses and someone else, the safer that person is. It is for this reason that wearing a mask properly when you are trying to keep others from being sick, and also why it’s so important to wear one that is comfortable (while still effective) and safe. Remember, not all masks are created equal; some are just fabric and some have filters that further keep the virus separated. Masks are just a tool - and like any tool, they can be used in many different ways! The most important part of stopping the spread of viruses is being safe and mindful of yourself and others and making use of the available tools to do so.

Sources: 

https://www.britannica.com/story/how-do-face-masks-control-the-spread-of-disease

https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/prevention/masks.html

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/coronavirus-mask/art-20485449

Answer 4

Masks are effective in reducing the spread of viruses, especially respiratory illnesses like COVID-19 and the flu. While it is true that surgeons wear masks to prevent droplets from contaminating surgical sites, masks also help reduce the transmission of airborne viruses by blocking respiratory droplets that carry infections. Studies from organizations like the CDC and WHO have shown that high-quality masks, such as N95s, provide strong protection against viruses. While no mask is 100% effective, wearing one—especially in crowded or high-risk areas—significantly lowers the chance of spreading and contracting illnesses.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Masks and Respiratory Virus Protection