Talk:Face masks

	This Science related article has been awarded BRONZE status for quality. It's getting there, but could be better with improvement. See RationalWiki:Article rating for more information.

Regarding Categorisation...

Should this be in ‘Science’, or perhaps ‘Conspiracy’? Or maybe something else entirely? Or none at all? ᴵᵐᵃᵍⁱⁿᵃʳʸ, or just ℂ𝕠𝕞𝕡𝕝𝕖𝕩? The S̸͉̄q̵͖͍̇͝͠ŗ̵̬̟̈́͂͘t̴̡̫̘͗̌-̸̟̰͂͑1̴͍̒͝ (talk) 02:49, 26 July 2020 (UTC)

WHO

Should this page mention that it is only recently and very late in the course of the pandemic that the WHO decided that masks were an effective means against transmission and not merely a false sense of security? AMassiveGay (talk) 07:31, 26 July 2020 (UTC)

I think they were known before too, here is something from WHO in 2006 https://www.who.int/csr/resources/publications/4EPR_AM2.pdf Persons with respiratory symptoms should: apply source control measures cover their nose and mouth when coughing/sneezing with tissue or mask, dispose of used tissues and masks, and perform hand hygiene after contact with respiratory secretions. Health care facilities should: place acute febrile respiratory symptomatic patients at least 1 metre (3 feet) away from others in common wait- ing areas, if possible. All of this was known much before, it is only now that their significance is being recognised (and accused of being mind control) https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/epidemiology-and-infection/article/face-masks-to-prevent-transmission-of-influenza-virus-a-systematic-review/64D368496EBDE0AFCC6639CCC9D8BC05/core-reader?fbclid=IwAR2vEwdcNhO22eXmWlVhuuueib74A9VnXsmyL1OhhPOJzZRKd_uaDJnH2hA I live in India, and you have to wear a mask in Delhi for a few months every year, so when they were mandated, it was nothing new really. You can learn all about it here: https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2019/11/8/20948348/delhi-india-air-pollution-quality-cause ᴵᵐᵃᵍⁱⁿᵃʳʸ, or just ℂ𝕠𝕞𝕡𝕝𝕖𝕩? The S̸͉̄q̵͖͍̇͝͠ŗ̵̬̟̈́͂͘t̴̡̫̘͗̌-̸̟̰͂͑1̴͍̒͝ (talk) 06:52, 27 July 2020 (UTC)

Comment

I think one component of 'the problem with face masks' among certain sections of the population is that they are being brought in some time after 'the lockdowns and other actions against the spread of COVID 19'/the initial easing of restrictions ('the pay-off for relaxing lockdown is that people wear masks (in these circumstances)'). Anna Livia (talk) 10:56, 26 July 2020 (UTC)

Name Change

Shouldn't this be called "Facial Coverings" and then detail why wearing a facial covering works, and examples of the different type of facial coverings common among groups of people?RipCityLiberal (talk) 18:51, 28 July 2020 (UTC)

I say it might fit better in “Face masks”, without the medical in it... The Sqrt-1 ^{talk stalk} 08:04, 29 July 2020 (UTC)

I agree 100%, I also feel that "facial coverings" is a more inclusive and accurate term for the page title. In my home area, "facial covering required" has become a very common sign that's posted at the door of businesses and other establishments. Many people, for better or worse, use bandannas or other non-mask facial coverings and it would be good to have them be clearly included. MisoprostolTea (talk) 09:42, 18 November 2020 (UTC)

New CDC guidance

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/more/masking-science-sars-cov2.html Looks like it's confirmed now that even cloth masks protect both the wearer (to a significant degree) and others. Everything should be updated to reflect this new guidance. ^{— Unsigned, by: 96.2.225.5 / talk}

Rebutting bad arguments against facial coverings

I would love if this page was expanded to clearly lay out the "arguments" that I see people making against the use of facial coverings during a pandemic. A small brain-dump of the malarkey I have seen against facial coverings, with brief rebuttals: 1. "Masks don't filter out particles as small as a virus" - they don't need to, they can catch or shorten the travel of a large portion of virus-laden droplets; 2. "Experts have said that masks don't work" - most commonly referring to a statement by Dr. Fauci in early Spring, 2020, with which he sought to preserve the availability of masks for health care professionals - see https://www.insideedition.com/dr-fauci-clarifies-stance-on-importance-of-face-masks-after-trumps-out-of-context-debate-comments ; 3. "I'm healthy so I don't care if I get the virus, so don't make me wear one" - the use of facial coverings is mostly about protecting others, and at this point we have tons of proof that they work, the best of which in my opinion is the contrast in cases between counties in Kansas that instituted mask requirements compared to their neighboring counties that didn't: https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/kansas/articles/2020-10-30/top-public-health-official-in-topeka-area-to-step-down ; 4. "We should just have sick people quarantine themselves, we don't all need to wear masks" - the SARS-CoV-2 virus is somewhat unique in that it can be very highly contagious in the day or two before symptoms even begin to be noticeable, so it's very important for people to "act as if" they could be transmitting the virus even if they don't feel sick. I think it would be great to see these claims and others soundly refuted in this article, preferably up front and near the top. MisoprostolTea (talk) 09:47, 18 November 2020 (UTC)

@MisoprostolTeaIn the articles current structure, I think this would be good in terms of clarifying some of the misinformation and resistance that makes up the third section. Take a stab at it, and see if the mob agrees.-RipCityLiberal (talk) 22:30, 18 November 2020 (UTC)

Here's a more primary source on the Kansas county-by-county face covering research: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6947e2.htm "Trends in County-Level COVID-19 Incidence in Counties With and Without a Mask Mandate — Kansas, June 1–August 23, 2020". I may try to do the edits soon, but I'm a serious newbie and it may be slow going. I would be thrilled if there's anyone else who wants to get the Rebuttals section started and I'll try to help when I can. MisoprostolTea (talk) 00:50, 30 November 2020 (UTC)

WWII gas masks

Are NOT to be used as a face mask for Covid (and probably most other) purposes - [1]. Anna Livia (talk) 23:40, 18 November 2020 (UTC)

Very disappointed

This article spreaded the misinformation that wearing neck gaiters is worse than not wearing a mask. This is not the kind of stuff I expect from a bronze article. I would seriously consider a demotion (or in RW slang, promotion?). I quickly fixed it and tagged Wikipedia as a source. Someone with more energy than me can replace that with the sources that Wikipedia uses, but I'm tired. LongStylus (talk) 22:24, 22 August 2021 (UTC)

In fairness, when I added that part, that's what scientists were saying. You're welcome to correct it. This document probably needs more active updates as situations on the ground change.-RipCityLiberal (talk) 19:13, 23 August 2021 (UTC)

It was what some parts of the media were saying, not scientists. Christopher (talk) 19:21, 23 August 2021 (UTC)

Exactly, Christopher! Thank you for correcting RipCityLiberal's comment and fixing up the reference. RCL, please be more careful when you add information, especially health-related ones. LongStylus (talk) 02:49, 24 August 2021 (UTC)

Adam and Eve

Mention should be made of [2]. (The spokesperson's sense of humour is to be approved of). Anna Livia (talk) 19:30, 26 October 2021 (UTC)