Masks?

Masks need to be reserved for health care professionals- they need them far more than the average citizen
Healthy people do not need masks.
Sick people can wear masks.

Per the CDC

Regardless of what other countries have been told, WE need to leave the masks for the health professionals. They are the front line on this and they are running low on supplies.

Healthy people do not need masks. Per the CDC. Most people don't know how to use them properly anyhow -- they manage to wipe whatever was on the mask onto their skin when they take it off.

Sick people should wear masks to contain any droplets from coughing or sneezing from contaminating the people around them.

I don't know that I'd trust what random people on the street are saying in other countries, there's a lot of misinformation out there.

I have three girls who are nurses and they don’t have N95 masks yet.

Please reserve masks for health care professionals right now. 

My friend is a family doctor. She told me last night their offices issued each doctor one (1) N95 mask. She has been using her's for a little over two weeks now.

I was watching a video on CNN yesterday where a hospital in Georgia has gone through six months worth of N95 masks in 4 days and they are making "covers" for their N95s in order to extend their usefulness between patients. That led me to a Google search where I found documentation on the CDC website where it states N95 masks can be used for extended periods of time. That information has been out since 2009.

There are techniques to significantly extend the life of N95 masks based on past pandemics (H1N1, SARS and MERS).

FYI - Here is a second article backing up the CDC's recommendation on N95 reuse from The National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine.

The virus isn't just randomly in the air so you only need to avoid breathing in other people's droplets/breathe hence the social distancing. If you wear a mask and someone coughs near you you still get the droplets on your clothes, hands, purse etc and if you then touch your face you may get infected. The mask is for sick people to stop them spreading their breath/germs. Medical people need them because they're in close physical contact with sick people who are more likely to cough on them. Also damp breath renders most masks useless pretty quickly I believe.

I have a reusable N99 mask (Cambridge). I bought it this time last year when there was an industrial disaster in my town that led to a Benzene (and other toxic chemical) release.

I used it then but there is still a good amount of filter time left in it. I only go out to necessary medical appointments now, and I'm considering using it for them, given the level of risk factors I have.

DH has a couple of unused disposable N95 masks left from cleaning after a flood. I told him to wear one to the supermarket as he's on immunosuppressant drugs. But he's afraid of "catching shit" from people over it. So what? I told him to take a red marker and write "immunocompromised" on a sticky note and stick it to the mask.

If you’re looking at a lot of Asian countries, they wear and have worn a ton of masks for years. It’s partially that they don’t want to get others sick if they are sick. But many also do believe they will get less sick themselves. And I will say that many older Asians are pretty...superstitious. Not sure if that’s the right word. They do buy into old wives tales but also tend to buy into some misinformation. There’s a big vitamin and supplement culture with many older Asians as well. This is based on my experience as a 1st gen American Asian person.

I don't know the answer but just wanted to pop in and say I understand what you're asking and why I believe the pic I saw was from Italy, so not a country known for wearing masks like some areas in Asia.

I had this same question. I read through articles and noticed two things. One is that South Korea has passed them out to everyone. They have a very low rate of infection. Two is that the language per the CDC is very nuanced. It says “at this time” they do not recommend citizens wear them. It does not say they don’t work or don’t help citizens, just that they’re better suited for healthcare professionals. Which is true, they need them every shift. We should be home, so we don’t “need” them. Does that kinda make sense? But now people are equating “we don’t need them” to “they don’t work.” That’s just illogical.

Here’s the deal. Logic and reason says they help everyone, or else the 6-foot mandate wouldn’t make sense and they wouldn’t be rationing them. This is life or death for many people, and I think the gross negligence of our government shouldn’t cause people to shame individuals who wear masks they have on hand because they’re trying to save their life or lives of their loved one. They could have cancer, they could have a suppressed immune system, they could be young and caring for an elderly relative who has health problems. Just stop judging.

People should not be shamed by wearing an N95 mask. Save your shame for those jerks who bought garages full, or the thieves stealing from hospitals.

I’ve read that a reason to wear a mask is that it prevents you from inadvertently touching your nose/mouth thereby reducing your chances of catching anything.

I don't think anyone was speaking to you specifically at all, as you certainly didn't say you were looking to buy a mask.  Just a general statement to anyone who might be reading, that masks should be for professionals right now - and I'll add, as someone above said, that if anyone has unused N95 masks, please send them to your friendly and grateful medical professionals. I found two unused N95 masks in the basement from a craft project last year, and I have sent them to my daughters, who are still wearing plain surgical masks while treating Covid patients.  Thank you all!!

A local Veterinary Doctor in my area is driving around to any local Veterinary office, Schools, and other businesses that are not using their masks to give to the Doctors, Nurses and Hospitals that need them.

There's a difference between an N95 respirator mask and the usual " surgical" mask that most people wear in public here. Asian countries are more likely to wear pollution masks mainly not surgical masks.

The surgical mask won't protect you from Covid-19. But an N95 will. There's more info to explain why in this Live Science link  iamkristinl16