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Doctor Gives A Solid Reason Why Masks Won’t Protect You From Coronavirus

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Coronavirus has been sweeping around the globe, seeding fear and causing panic. With a total of 97,993 confirmed affected cases, 3,381 deaths, and 87 affected countries, The World Health Organization has taken matters into its own hands. WHO has already shipped a half a million sets of personal protective equipment to the frontline doctors, but the global supply is depleting.

People are taking all measures to protect themselves, causing a shortage of protective masks in many countries. As a result, some have turned to very creative mask ideas to keep themselves safe. But according to Leora Horwitz, a doctor and director at the Center for Healthcare Innovation, all the buzz is for nothing, because the masks don’t protect people from catching a virus. Plus, Horwitz shared her experience with a tedious face mask test that she is required to pass ever year, which suggests that most of us have no clue how to use them.

Let’s get into the doctor’s Twitter post, which will hopefully make some reconsider spending money on something you don’t need unless COVID-19 has already been detected in your system.

You can view a constantly-updated model of how much the virus has spread globally right here.

During the global COVID-19 crisis, protective masks have become a sort of luxury

Doctor Gives A Solid Reason Why Masks Won’t Protect You From Coronavirus

Image credits: AlamosaCounty PublicHealth

“Long thread ahead!” warned the doctor before explaining how face masks really work

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Doctor Gives A Solid Reason Why Masks Won’t Protect You From Coronavirus

Image credits: leorahorwitzmd

Doctor Gives A Solid Reason Why Masks Won’t Protect You From Coronavirus

Image credits: leorahorwitzmd

Doctor Gives A Solid Reason Why Masks Won’t Protect You From Coronavirus

Image credits: leorahorwitzmd

Doctor Gives A Solid Reason Why Masks Won’t Protect You From Coronavirus

Image credits: leorahorwitzmd

Doctor Gives A Solid Reason Why Masks Won’t Protect You From Coronavirus

Image credits: leorahorwitzmd

Doctor Gives A Solid Reason Why Masks Won’t Protect You From Coronavirus

Image credits: leorahorwitzmd

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Doctor Gives A Solid Reason Why Masks Won’t Protect You From Coronavirus

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Image credits: leorahorwitzmd

Doctor Gives A Solid Reason Why Masks Won’t Protect You From Coronavirus

Image credits: leorahorwitzmd

Doctor Gives A Solid Reason Why Masks Won’t Protect You From Coronavirus

Image credits: leorahorwitzmd

Doctor Gives A Solid Reason Why Masks Won’t Protect You From Coronavirus

Image credits: leorahorwitzmd

Doctor Gives A Solid Reason Why Masks Won’t Protect You From Coronavirus

Image credits: leorahorwitzmd

Doctor Gives A Solid Reason Why Masks Won’t Protect You From Coronavirus

Image credits: leorahorwitzmd

Doctor Gives A Solid Reason Why Masks Won’t Protect You From Coronavirus

Image credits: leorahorwitzmd

Doctor Gives A Solid Reason Why Masks Won’t Protect You From Coronavirus

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Image credits: leorahorwitzmd

It turns out that the shortage of protective masks isn’t the only problem the US has to tackle amid the coronavirus. Stephan Hahn, Food and Drug Administration Commissioner, said that nearly a million coronavirus test kits would be ready by the end of this week at a press briefing on Monday. However, the White House admitted that the Trump administration will not be able to meet this objective. Mike Pence, who is in charge of the country’s response to the outbreak, made an unsettling statement: “We don’t have enough tests today to meet what we anticipate will be the demand going forward.”

More doctors showed how the tedious face mask fitting test looks

Doctor Gives A Solid Reason Why Masks Won’t Protect You From Coronavirus

Image credits: rupert_pearse

Doctor Gives A Solid Reason Why Masks Won’t Protect You From Coronavirus

Image credits: DRouselle

Others blamed the flawed protective mask supply chain

Doctor Gives A Solid Reason Why Masks Won’t Protect You From Coronavirus

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Image credits: ian204wpg

Doctor Gives A Solid Reason Why Masks Won’t Protect You From Coronavirus

Image credits: Shotta

Doctor Gives A Solid Reason Why Masks Won’t Protect You From Coronavirus

Image credits: ClevelandSharts

These Twitter users defended the practice of wearing masks

Doctor Gives A Solid Reason Why Masks Won’t Protect You From Coronavirus

Image credits: TwoPill

Doctor Gives A Solid Reason Why Masks Won’t Protect You From Coronavirus

Image credits: tripsyk

And this guy took the anti-virus mask a tiny bit too literally

Doctor Gives A Solid Reason Why Masks Won’t Protect You From Coronavirus

Image credits: venatorscribe

Doctor Gives A Solid Reason Why Masks Won’t Protect You From Coronavirus

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Image credits: BritneyBiotchhh

Doctor Gives A Solid Reason Why Masks Won’t Protect You From Coronavirus

Image credits: lauralake3

Doctor Gives A Solid Reason Why Masks Won’t Protect You From Coronavirus

Image credits: amypoeppel

Doctor Gives A Solid Reason Why Masks Won’t Protect You From Coronavirus

Image credits: MomaVelez11

This is what people had to say

Doctor Gives A Solid Reason Why Masks Won’t Protect You From Coronavirus

Doctor Gives A Solid Reason Why Masks Won’t Protect You From Coronavirus

Doctor Gives A Solid Reason Why Masks Won’t Protect You From Coronavirus

Doctor Gives A Solid Reason Why Masks Won’t Protect You From Coronavirus

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Doctor Gives A Solid Reason Why Masks Won’t Protect You From Coronavirus

Liucija Adomaite

Liucija Adomaite is a creative mind with years of experience in copywriting. She has a dynamic set of experiences from advertising, academia, and journalism. This time, she has set out on a journey to investigate the ways in which we communicate ideas on a large scale. Her current mission is to find a magic formula for how to make ideas, news, and other such things spread like a virus.

Liucija Adomaite is a creative mind with years of experience in copywriting. She has a dynamic set of experiences from advertising, academia, and journalism. This time, she has set out on a journey to investigate the ways in which we communicate ideas on a large scale. Her current mission is to find a magic formula for how to make ideas, news, and other such things spread like a virus.

Ilona Baliūnaitė

I'm a Visual Editor at Bored Panda since 2017. I've searched through a multitude of images to create over 2000 diverse posts on a wide range of topics. I love memes, funny, and cute stuff, but I'm also into social issues topics. Despite my background in communication, my heart belongs to visual media, especially photography. When I'm not at my desk, you're likely to find me in the streets with my camera, checking out cool exhibitions, watching a movie at the cinema or just chilling with a coffee in a cozy place

I'm a Visual Editor at Bored Panda since 2017. I've searched through a multitude of images to create over 2000 diverse posts on a wide range of topics. I love memes, funny, and cute stuff, but I'm also into social issues topics. Despite my background in communication, my heart belongs to visual media, especially photography. When I'm not at my desk, you're likely to find me in the streets with my camera, checking out cool exhibitions, watching a movie at the cinema or just chilling with a coffee in a cozy place

What do you think ?

Human #1,232,867 4 years ago

Some considerations to put in perspective: Wearing a simple mask will not protect you 100% from virus but it will reduce the transmission for many other reasons. The first one being to avoid putting your finger in your mouth. We are not here to be as clean as a doctor, but reducing the risk is already a first step.

10points

Emma B 4 years ago

I started wearing a mask this week on the subway. I live in Toronto (Canada) and EVERY YEAR people sneeze on the subway without covering their mouths; 3 different times since this past November alone! I can still feel the spray on my neck when I think about it. The masks I use are ones I bought last summer when my mom developed pneumonia and I had to take care of her. I'm not taking anyone else's supply, and I always carry an extra to give to someone who is coughing/sneezing without one.

5points

Load More Replies...

Yuri 4 years ago

Use only respirator https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKUawewnVD8

1point

Evil Little Thing 4 years ago

If you are just preventing yourself from touching your face, a decorative (washable) cloth mask will do just fine.

1point

Daria B 4 years ago (edited)

Considering how many people sneeze and cough without covering their mouths, yes, please, wear the mask. At least a simple cotton one.

1point

Aunt Messy 4 years ago

No. It won't. Most people don't know how to wear them, and they're a cubic waste of money and time. Given that the most serious cases (so far ALL of them are over 70 and were sick before they got the virus) will end up in hospital, save them for nurses and physicians.

-1point

Dani Mező 4 years ago (edited)

Sounds nice but not true, unfortunately. Numerous studies showed that N95 masks do protect regular people against "influenza-like" viruses. One of which I'll cite [1]. [1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2662657/

6points

Joseph Cheung 4 years ago

The mask may protect, but it is saying that the protection is wasted because of mistakes when putting in the mask like improper fit that make the mask useless and waste it when doctor who are work near sick don't have access to the low supply of masks. Also, even if the seal is right, it would be hard to disinfect your body if you were wearing mask like hands, clothes and on the mask. It is better for the sick and doctor to use the limited supply

1point

Load More Replies...

Alusair Alustriel 4 years ago

If we are all that dumb and don't know how to use those masks, especially how to take them off, which was emphasized so heavily, then maybe make a post EDUCATING people, instead of pointing out how stupid they are. Because they will still buy them - they are on the market and are not exclusive only to medical workers. If regular people knew how to use them, it would be a benefit in the long run.

4points

Joseph Cheung 4 years ago

it did educate, it was just emphasizing how the proper way is very labor intensive that normal people don't or cant do such as the sugar test above. I understand your frustration of lack of education to people who buy masks, but it is saying not to waste time/money if you are healthy. The protocols are difficult to execute and unnecessary if you are not around sick people all the time. The supply is limited for professional and citizens so use masks if you are around the sick or are sick yourself.

0points

Load More Replies...

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Human #1,232,867 4 years ago

Some considerations to put in perspective: Wearing a simple mask will not protect you 100% from virus but it will reduce the transmission for many other reasons. The first one being to avoid putting your finger in your mouth. We are not here to be as clean as a doctor, but reducing the risk is already a first step.

10points

Emma B 4 years ago

I started wearing a mask this week on the subway. I live in Toronto (Canada) and EVERY YEAR people sneeze on the subway without covering their mouths; 3 different times since this past November alone! I can still feel the spray on my neck when I think about it. The masks I use are ones I bought last summer when my mom developed pneumonia and I had to take care of her. I'm not taking anyone else's supply, and I always carry an extra to give to someone who is coughing/sneezing without one.

5points

Load More Replies...

Yuri 4 years ago

Use only respirator https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKUawewnVD8

1point

Evil Little Thing 4 years ago

If you are just preventing yourself from touching your face, a decorative (washable) cloth mask will do just fine.

1point

Daria B 4 years ago (edited)

Considering how many people sneeze and cough without covering their mouths, yes, please, wear the mask. At least a simple cotton one.

1point

Aunt Messy 4 years ago

No. It won't. Most people don't know how to wear them, and they're a cubic waste of money and time. Given that the most serious cases (so far ALL of them are over 70 and were sick before they got the virus) will end up in hospital, save them for nurses and physicians.

-1point

Dani Mező 4 years ago (edited)

Sounds nice but not true, unfortunately. Numerous studies showed that N95 masks do protect regular people against "influenza-like" viruses. One of which I'll cite [1]. [1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2662657/

6points

Joseph Cheung 4 years ago

The mask may protect, but it is saying that the protection is wasted because of mistakes when putting in the mask like improper fit that make the mask useless and waste it when doctor who are work near sick don't have access to the low supply of masks. Also, even if the seal is right, it would be hard to disinfect your body if you were wearing mask like hands, clothes and on the mask. It is better for the sick and doctor to use the limited supply

1point

Load More Replies...

Alusair Alustriel 4 years ago

If we are all that dumb and don't know how to use those masks, especially how to take them off, which was emphasized so heavily, then maybe make a post EDUCATING people, instead of pointing out how stupid they are. Because they will still buy them - they are on the market and are not exclusive only to medical workers. If regular people knew how to use them, it would be a benefit in the long run.

4points

Joseph Cheung 4 years ago

it did educate, it was just emphasizing how the proper way is very labor intensive that normal people don't or cant do such as the sugar test above. I understand your frustration of lack of education to people who buy masks, but it is saying not to waste time/money if you are healthy. The protocols are difficult to execute and unnecessary if you are not around sick people all the time. The supply is limited for professional and citizens so use masks if you are around the sick or are sick yourself.

0points

Load More Replies...

Load More Comments

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