Masks don't work & are ineffective against microscopic virus transmission.

Question

Masks are ineffective against microscopic virus transmission, and believing otherwise reflects a lack of understanding.

Comments

This is false. Wearing masks has been confirmed to be effective by many credible sources such as Harvard Health, and John’s Hopkins Medicine. The N95 masks have reduced the spreading of viruses, especially COVID-19.

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Face masks can help stop the spread of germs, but they aren’t a guaranteed way to prevent illness. They work best when used with other things like washing hands, staying home when sick, and getting vaccinated. If a mask isn’t worn right or doesn’t fit well, it won’t be as helpful. Also, viruses can still spread in ways that masks don’t completely block. While masks add some protection, they aren’t the only way to stay healthy. So this article would be correct

Sources: https://www.cdc.gov/
https://www.who.int/

Answer 1

Multiple studies have demonstrated that masks are effective in reducing the transmission of respiratory viruses, including COVID-19. The Mayo Clinic states that wearing a face mask, in conjunction with other measures like vaccination and hand-washing, slows the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19. Additionally, a comprehensive review by the University of Oxford confirmed that masks and respirators effectively reduce the transmission of respiratory infections.

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

Answer 2

As per the CDC, masks help prevent spreading germs, however this is not a guarantee, and wearing a mask is encouraged to be done in tandem with activities such as washing hands, staying home when sick, and getting vaccinated. It's also important to wear a mask correctly in order to prevent the spread of germs.

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

Answer 3

This is false. According to the Mayo Clinic, which sourced their information from the CDC, Face masks can protect the wearer from water droplets which may contain germs and particles in the air. The level protection is subject to what tier of mask the person is wearing. An N95 mask is able to filter large and small particles when the wearer inhales. A common disposable surgical mask (which was the most common kind during COVID) can protect against droplets and larger particles. A cloth mask offers no direct protection to the user but is intended to trap the spread of particles in the air coming from the user, which protects other people. 

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

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

Answer 4

This is false. The National Institute of Standards and Technology states that masks block droplets with viruses while also filtering the air that the user breaths. They show various microscopic shots of different cotton and polyester, among others, to expose how they work to block microscopic viruses emitted from an infected person. UC San Francisco provides direct links to specific experiments that prove the efficiency of masks against viruses in general, but they speak about COVID-19 in particular in this article that I will link. While masks don't completely eliminate chances of contracting viruses, the CDC states that it significantly reduces your risk by filtering the amount of germs you inhale and exhale. With concerns regarding the efficiency of N95 masks against the COVID-19 virus, Eric Litke explains on USA Today that the claim of the virus being small enough to pass through gaps in the masks cannot be true because it doesn't travel solitarily, but attaches to particles like water droplets and aerosols, so in that sense the mask is able to block it.

https://www.nist.gov/feature-stories/masks-under-microscope

https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2020/06/417906/still-confused-about-masks-heres-science-behind-how-face-masks-prevent

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

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2020/06/11/fact-check-n-95-filters-not-too-large-stop-covid-19-particles/5343537002/

Answer 5

This claim is false. According to multiple government websites, masks, depending on which type is used, will “effectively block the respiratory cloud.” While the article states that “side leakage is possible,” it’s ultimately more effective in blocking disease versus not wearing anything at all. The National Institutes of Health ran an experiment where they used a test-negative case-control design where researchers took California residents who’d tested positive or negative for SARS-CoV-2. Participants self-reported their mask usage in indoor public settings during the two weeks before testing and had no known exposure to infected individuals. The results found that “always using a face mask or respirator in indoor public settings was associated with lower adjusted odds of a positive test result compared with never wearing a face mask or respirator.” Both the quote and experiment were from different government websites, vadiling the credibility. 

Citations:

Andrejko, K. L., Pry, J. M., Myers, J. F., Fukui, N., DeGuzman, J. L., Openshaw, J., Watt, J. P., Lewnard, J. A., Jain, S., & California COVID-19 Case-Control Study Team. (2022, February 11). Effectiveness of face mask or respirator use in indoor public settings for prevention of SARS-COV-2 infection - California, February-December 2021. MMWR. Morbidity and mortality weekly report. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8830622/#sec1

Wang, Y., Deng, Z., & Shi, D. (2021, February). How effective is a mask in preventing COVID-19 infection?. Medical devices & sensors. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7883189/

Answer 6

This claim is false and misleading. Masks have been proven to work to protect against viruses by filtering the air and germs we breathe in and out. Wearing masks, especially properly fitting masks, greatly reduces the risk of catching and spreading viruses. While the level of effectiveness and vary depending on the size of the virus the change of the effectiveness is very small. Different masks can also change the effectiveness of filtering out small particles or smaller viruses. For example disposable surgical masks are less effective the a KN95 or a N95 mask. 

Sources 

1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/coronavirus-mask/art-20485449
2. https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/prevention/masks.html

Answer 7

The claim that masks are ineffective against microscopic virus transmission is a false claim. There have been many studies on the effectivness of masks which have been conducted my many creditble sources such as the CDC. Which according to the CDC, masks work by removing particles and block droplets and reduce your own exposure to harmful respiratory hazards. Masks also do the inverse and protect you from others if you have a contagious virus.

attached posts:
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/publicppe/community-ppe.html#anchor_51469
https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/prevention/masks.html

Answer 8

Wearing a mask to help prevent spreading airborne illness is a good strategy for protecting yourself and others against viruses. This has been confirmed by countless credible sources such as CDC.gov, NIH.gov, MedLinePlus.gov, and several others. On the CDC’s “Masks and Respiratory Viruses Prevention Page” they say, “Wearing a mask can help lower the risk of respiratory virus transmission. When worn by a person with an infection, masks reduce the spread of the virus to others.” Masks not only help protect people from viruses, but also infectious particles. The best protection against inhaling germs with a mask would be with an N95 or a KN95 because they are the most face-fitting.

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