The Logic of My Mind: Masks

[Panina]

This has bothered me since the start of this virus.

I constantly hear and read that wearing a mask doesn’t protect me but protects others from me if I am sick.

It just doesn’t logically make sense to me. The logic in my mind thinks if the infected person is not wearing a mask and if I am wearing a mask I have more protection then not wearing one at all.

After all, surgical masks and 95s have been worn in the health care industry to prevent the spread of various infections. It doesn’t make sense to me that masks are important for health care workers but not useful for the public.

My brain tells me if everyone wore a mask, it can reduce the transmission and we would all be safer. Do I have a study to prove it, no, just the logic of my brain.

Maybe I am right, maybe I am wrong. Meanwhile I will go about doing what I need to and keep wearing my mask.

 

[plpgma]

As I understand, by wearing the mask we are helping to prevent the moisture vapor we exhale from getting into the general atmosphere around our personal space -- thereby helping to prevent exposure of our exhaled vapor to those around us (and, by extension, also arresting the corona virus which may be attached to our exhaled vapor). While not 100% secure, there are studies which show that the risk of spreading the virus is reduced by wearing the mask.

 

["Roger"]

As far as I can tell, you are kinda right. The main benefit is to protect others. You are not spewing out droplets that hit others.

As far as protecting others, the masks worn in the health care industry are a completely different ball game from the homemade masks that the rest of us are wearing. Even then, to be effective, the surgical masks need to be changed frequently. However, someone posted an article here on this board (don't know where) which cited a study that showed that the lower your exposure to coVid-19, the better chance your immune system has at getting a jump on the virus and winning out. So, when you wear a homemade mask, you will not completely avoid exposure from someone who is infected, but you well might reduce the degree of exposure and have a better chance of not having a serious case of coVid-19 (presuming that article was correct). Let me add that when you are wearing a mask, you are (or, at least I am) much less likely to touch your face.

That is my best shot at answering your question. I cannot swear that it is absolutely correct, but what I am going by.

 

[plpgma]

Sorry -- I know that your question wasn't meant to be a lead-in to funny responses -- but this comic from the Humor thread just seems to answer it so well!

 

[jme]

It protects both ways.... It's a fact, nothing more to be said, except WEAR THEM as advised.

(And as for this assessment, I'm speaking as Dr. jme)

 

[Panina]

Sorry -- I know that your question wasn't meant to be a lead-in to funny responses -- but this comic from the Humor thread just seems to answer it so well!

View attachment 19974

Humor is good. Actually a way to explain the obvious.

 

[sue1947]

It's a matter of percentages. The homemade masks have a protective value that is pretty low and varies by the type of material used, how it fits etc. Most provide well under 50% protection and more like 20%. So the protective value for YOU is pretty low. However, the protective value to Others is in keeping those large droplets out of the air. We don't know who has it, especially those that are asymptomatic, so if everybody wears one, we are better off.
Sue

 

[presley]

I'm so disappointed with my city right now. The county issued a mandatory "when you leave your place, cover your face" rule beginning May 1, yesterday. I did see that most people weren't following this yesterday, but figured today would be different, especially with a farmer's market in the street. I probably passed 80 people this morning. 6 were covering their faces with a mask, one had her chin covered with a face mask (not her mouth or nose) and one carried a mask in her hand. The rest of the people didn't have a mask attached to them at all. That's bad enough, but then many of them say "hello" as they pass by, spewing their saliva vapor on me and my bandana. I just feel like most of the people are too entitled to be concerned with others. When I got home from the walk, I told my husband that I am done with the entitled people around here. I want to move out of the area.

 

[Panina]

I'm so disappointed with my city right now. The county issued a mandatory "when you leave your place, cover your face" rule beginning May 1, yesterday. I did see that most people weren't following this yesterday, but figured today would be different, especially with a farmer's market in the street. I probably passed 80 people this morning. 6 were covering their faces with a mask, one had her chin covered with a face mask (not her mouth or nose) and one carried a mask in her hand. The rest of the people didn't have a mask attached to them at all. That's bad enough, but then many of them say "hello" as they pass by, spewing their saliva vapor on me and my bandana. I just feel like most of the people are too entitled to be concerned with others. When I got home from the walk, I told my husband that I am done with the entitled people around here. I want to move out of the area.

We do not have mandatory masks in our state SC. Since phase 1 started I see most are not wearing them, lots of NC plates and they are lax with distance too. Mind boggling to me. It seems the numbers will need to rise again for others to realize the inconvenience of wearing them is beneficial.

Interestedly my other half did a grocery stop yesterday in NC where they are not in phase 1 and have more cases. He said almost everyone had a mask on.

Seems the NC people shopping in SC and SC people have a false sense of security due to the lower cases.

 

[DrQ]

Here is the mask I ordered to go over my surgical/dental mask

It is NSW but you anime fans out there may recognize the character.

 

[pittle]

The new system does not seem logical to me either. It used to be that people who were infected were put into Quarantine, not everyone.

Masks are not mandatory in AZ, so I have not worn one when I go to the grocery. I do not go when they first open up and if there are people standing outside waiting to go in, I just go home. I do not need anything bad enough to stand in line when it is 90+ at 10:00.

 

[rickandcindy23]

Wearing masks outside wasn't advised, was it? Fresh air is good for you. Breathe it in. I don't get the mandatory mask requirement. If you want to wear one, go ahead. I wore mine at Walmart yesterday, but I am not wearing it outside. That has to be a mistake.

 

[Ralph Sir Edward]

Shrug. . . I wear a serious mask. HEPA filtration - same as i use for spraying fungicides. . .

( I sound like Darth Vader when I'm out with it.)

 

[TravelTime]

In Placer County, California, where I live right now, masks are recommended but not mandatory. When I go out, I’d say about half the people wear them. We wear a mask to be respectful of others. Personally, my mind does not have any logic and I am not sure if a mask works or not. So I wear it because I have been told it is the best practice. Plus my DH makes me wear a mask.

 

[DancingWaters]

I agree that logically is makes sense that the mask works both ways. To begin with they were telling us not to wear a mask, but in the end we find out they wanted to masks for the front line people. Now they want us to wear them, but not the N95 again so the frontline people can have them. It germs can’t get in then, Germs can’t get out!

 

[jackio]

In NY, masks are mandatory in public areas where social distancing is not possible. So if I am walking around the neighborhood, I do not wear one. I must wear one when I go to the store. When I do a driveway visit with my grandchildren, we stay 6 feet apart and do not wear masks.

 

[isisdave]

Also, my mask definitely keeps me from touching most of my face.

 

[Panina]

Today I went for a curbside grocery pickup. It was quick, while waiting counted 21 people that walked in or out of the grocery, only 3 were wearing a mask. I ask myself what don’t they understand?

 

[Luanne]

Today I went for a curbside grocery pickup. It was quick, while waiting counted 21 people that walked in or out of the grocery, only 3 were wearing a mask. I ask myself what don’t they understand?

I think their thought process is:

I'm not sick I don't need a mask.

It won't happen to me.

 

[Brett]

I think their thought process is:

I'm not sick I don't need a mask.

It won't happen to me.

yeah ... I walked into a grocery store w/o a mask - no COVID 19 so far ....

 

[Luanne]

yeah ... I walked into a grocery store w/o a mask - no COVID 19 so far ....

And I bet you feel proud of yourself. I'm sure the grocery workers and everyone you came in contact with thanks you.

 

[Passepartout]

We will continue to see those who will say 'this doesn't apply to ME' until someone close to them becomes seriously ill and can't remember where they might have been exposed. I miss the social interaction too. And maybe virtually everyone will eventually be infected with this virus, and the vast majority will recover. But not all. And my wife and I have multiple risk factors that would make our recovery iffy at best. The longer we can hold it at bay, the better chance of an effective treatment. So you'll be seeing us out with masks, washing hands, avoiding others. There is no guarantee, but we'll try to stack the deck in our favor as long as we can.

Jim

 

[Panina]

We will continue to see those who will say 'this doesn't apply to ME' until someone close to them becomes seriously ill and can't remember where they might have been exposed. I miss the social interaction too. And maybe virtually everyone will eventually be infected with this virus, and the vast majority will recover. But not all. And my wife and I have multiple risk factors that would make our recovery iffy at best. The longer we can hold it at bay, the better chance of an effective treatment. So you'll be seeing us out with masks, washing hands, avoiding others. There is no guarantee, but we'll try to stack the deck in our favor as long as we can.

Jim

Taking the best precautions you can is best. I wear my mask to protect myself and others. I would never want to give it to someone else and cause them harm. The bottom line is anyone can be asymptomatic and give it to someone that might not survive if they got it.

 

[slip]

I haven’t talked too much about the virus but I really think the benefits to wearing the masks/face coverings are being over stated here. The social distancing is way more important. Walking by someone is an extremely low risk activity. Being within a few feet of someone and grabbing a can of corn and then walking away is again extremely low risk, mask or no mask.

If you are a high risk person by all means wear a mask or better yet stay home. I wear a mask here because they are mandatory. As soon as they are not, I will not be wearing one.

 

[Krteczech]

Wearing masks outside wasn't advised, was it? Fresh air is good for you. Breathe it in. I don't get the mandatory mask requirement. If you want to wear one, go ahead. I wore mine at Walmart yesterday, but I am not wearing it outside. That has to be a mistake.

Estes Park, CO has an ordinace effective today face masks are mandatory in town business zone (basically main street) and at all stores and establishments for all residents and visitors.