COVID-19 Outbreak (Update: More than 2.9M cases and 132,313 deaths in US)
In April Faucci says... Don't wear masks...
"There's no reason to be walking around with a mask," infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci told 60 Minutes.
While masks may block some droplets, Fauci said, they do not provide the level of protection people think they do. Wearing a mask may also have unintended consequences: People who wear masks tend to touch their face more often to adjust them, which can spread germs from their hands.
So did the "science on face masks" change in a couple months time?
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/preventing-coronavirus-facemask-60-minutes-2020-03-08/
Now, we all must wear a mask...
This is why I have trust issues with anything government appointment driven, and all things political in general. Seems like the science is being made to fit the politics, and not the other way around.
FWIW, I have been wearing a mask in public since March, and will continue to do so despite the flip flops.
A few things.
1. Primarily, health care facilities were (still are?) facing a shortage of masks, so he didn't want folks gobbling up all the masks out there. EDIT. He flat out says it, but he's saying people who are sick, should absolutely be in masks, and if everyone buys them up, the sick, and those caring for the sick can't get them.
"It could lead to a shortage of masks for the people who really need it," Fauci said.
2. It's been a hotly debated thing. Most masks don't offer the type of protection we think they will. Me wearing a surgical style mask only protects me a bit, but really protects others. People who don't know how to wear a mask properly, or are always touching it, their face, moving it, and don't keep their hands clean, are adding more of a touching transmission risk. The reason why we can't just put the sick in masks and those caring for them in masks, is that it can be transmitted before symptoms show. So, what Fauci recommended, really wasn't feasable. I mean, at a minimum, those that were sick should wear masks, but the day or two before.. you'd have no idea.
3. I think as more information comes out that droplets you touch maybe being less of a problem and virus you inhale through droplets or aerosol virus, puts more weight on mask usage.
4. I think his answer was more nuanced that wearing a mask will give the average American a sense of safety that would encourage them to do other less safe things, and basically make the added protection of the mask Moot.
5. Look at Asia. They've been using masks for over a decade with good success. I always thought Fauci was wrong for his stance on masks. A lot of medical professionals get too purist about masks.. that the only way to get real protection is an N95 mask, fitted properly, used correctly, handled correctly (which is not at all...). Protection, to them, means near 100%. Not minimize risk.