Masks for Coronavirus but not flu?

Jul 19, 2020
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First, let me say that I am not trying to start a debate; I am simply seeking information and trying to understand.

The CDC does not recommend the use of masks for influenza, which is also primarily spread by droplets. Why the difference?

What is different about the Coronavirus that masks help slow its transmission when they don't slow the transmission of influenza? One assumes there must some physical difference in the virus or in how it is spread?

Thank you in advance for any information you can provide. :)
 
Jul 24, 2020
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Any benefit to wearing a mask to stop the spread of coronavirus should also apply to influenza because the respiratory transmission dynamics are similar. Its likely that CDC advice is different due to emergency nature of pandemic and the effort to curb the spread as much as possible.
 
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Here in the UK our influenza and pneumonia deaths are now higher than covid deaths yet nobody is bothered about that

Your evidence/ source on this would have been helpful but influenze is a known illness... It pretty much hospitalises the same number of patients every year with a similar peak every year and the NHS (in the UK) are well prepared and know how to plan for this.
We have no idea how many people would be hospitalised with COVID19 in the same period. The NHS has struggled every year with influenza but got through it....
I would feel uncomfortable if the message from the NHS was 'lets see what happens and if number increase dramatically then... good luck folks!'
 
Source is the ONS data graph = super reliable

Note 5 states 'A death can be registered with both COVID-19 and Influenza and Pneumonia mentioned on the death certificate. Because pneumonia may be a consequence of COVID-19, deaths where both were mentioned have been counted only in the COVID-19 category.' so I do not think it is a reliable source for the claim made.
 
Nov 13, 2020
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There are about 80 studies on PubMed showing that viruses are too small and go right through masks. Evidently CDC hasn't read these. Best way to protect yourself is to boost your immune system & when you cough cover your mouth. When you're sick, stay home.
 
Mar 6, 2020
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There are about 80 studies on PubMed showing that viruses are too small and go right through masks. Evidently CDC hasn't read these. Best way to protect yourself is to boost your immune system & when you cough cover your mouth. When you're sick, stay home.
Anything other than an N95 mask can't block the virus itself, its the droplets that have it that need to be blocked. Partial blocking is better than nothing
 
Collecting and growing a petri dish of virus and bacteria in front of your nose and mouth is a bad idea. The mask is bathed in warm moist air. The vehicle for these repeated flare ups is not known. It's probably the masks that is spreading this stuff. HEY....it's 2020.
 
Are you rubbing your mask on your friends mouths? Also I belive that would be Ideal for bacteria. Doesn't SARS-COV-2 thrive on hard surfaces? Anyway, it is suposed to get trapped behind your mask, and you take your mask and throw it out or wash it, without touching it to other surfaces to spead your germs. If you got virus behind your mask, It's yours.
 
Jul 27, 2020
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There are about 80 studies on PubMed showing that viruses are too small and go right through masks. Evidently CDC hasn't read these. Best way to protect yourself is to boost your immune system & when you cough cover your mouth. When you're sick, stay home.

There is ample scientific evidence that masks reduce the spread of this virus (1, 2), and would reduce the spread of flu and cold viruses if people wore them during those seasons as well. This is not open to debate. It is scientific reality at its finest - directly helping people! The hard data is in on masks. They absolutely help. There can be no doubt.

All infectious respiratory agents are spread by exhaled aerosols and droplets from the carrier to the unsuspecting target. This issue about the value of masks seems to be a no-brainer, but that designation may have different meanings for this situation.....

Rest assured there is no doubt that the use of face masks, properly made and worn properly, can be very significant in reducing infectivity by minimizing spread of COVID-19. Wear a mask - it protects everyone.

To be sure, the life you might save by wearing a mask could be your own!


1. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS2213-2600(20)30352-0/fulltext


2. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/coronavirus-mask/art-20485449
 
There are about 80 studies on PubMed showing that viruses are too small and go right through masks. Evidently CDC hasn't read these. Best way to protect yourself is to boost your immune system & when you cough cover your mouth. When you're sick, stay home.

Unless you breathe 100% virus with every breath and they are able to survive without water [droplets] then yes there is an issue.

If however you are a normal human being, the moisture which contains the virus is far larger.

The best way to protect yourself is actually to not regularly go to public places where you would be unable to social distance.
 
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