Why the hell do people think masks don't protect the wearer?

[MrsKypp]

Of course masks protect the wearer, in varying degrees depending on the type and how they are worn.

Examples
FFP2 and FFP3 give a high level of protection
Cloth / material, lower level of protection

I can't believe it when people say they don't protect the wearer. How weird to think that!

Because all the ad campaigns say 'I'm wearing a mask to protect insert someone else's name here'

Because people don't want teachers or pupils wearing them, for some weird reason, so they have to justify endangering a whole community somehow

Because most people are wearing cloth coverings, which don't protect the wearer. That's what the evidence told us last year.

Because the government pushed this at the start of the pandemic. For months people were saying they did nothing. Of course they bloody protect the wearer to some degree.

@FiveFootTwoEyesOfBlue

Because most people are wearing cloth coverings, which don't protect the wearer. That's what the evidence told us last year.

www.ox.ac.uk/news/2020-07-08-oxford-covid-19-study-face-masks-and-coverings-work-act-now

Because it's what we were told all along! "I wear a mask to protect you; you wear a mask to protect me," yadda yadda.

Initially, the reason for wearing masks we were told was to protect other people. research seems to be still ongoing as to what extent they protect the wearer. It's not hard to understand if you google and read the associated information. .

How many people do you see wearing a FFP2 or FFP3 mask around Tesco?

There’s a massive difference between medical grade PPE and standard face masks that most of joe public wear.

Because most people aren’t wearing medical grade masks down the corner shop.

Because ‘a mask’ means many different things.

A simple piece of ordinary cloth worn as a mask almost certainly doesn’t protect the wearer. A disposable surgical mask provides some protection to the wearer. Proper clinical-grade PPE provides considerable protection to the wearer.

@jessym

Because ‘a mask’ means many different things.

A simple piece of ordinary cloth worn as a mask almost certainly doesn’t protect the wearer. A disposable surgical mask provides some protection to the wearer. Proper clinical-grade PPE provides considerable protection to the wearer.

And again

www.ox.ac.uk/news/2020-07-08-oxford-covid-19-study-face-masks-and-coverings-work-act-now

This was July! It's not exactly new news.
To be helpful - here's a relevant section

Something about pissing on someone else's leg

There was quite a large randomized controlled trial in Denmark on community masking, and it showed no significant protection for the wearer. So I think it's reasonable to think wearing a mask won't protect you.

It's probably a good idea to assume it won't, because if you think you're protected and you're not, you'll end up taking risks.

Because not all types do offer protection to the wearer?

People can wear a scarf or old t shirt around their nose/mouth which apparently constitutes a valid face covering (let’s be honest, that filters out fuck all).

The general public don’t have as easy access to FFP2 and FFP3 masks. Initially we were told to leave them for healthcare workers, and it’s obviously not cost effective to buy them for personal use regardless.

The types of masks (generic surgical/reusable) the general public commonly use do not offer protection to the wearer, so no point bandying on about wearer protection when it isn’t relevant for most people

My employer, upon receipt of proof, has issued me with a mask exemption badge. However, I wear exception badge and wear mask for my 9hour retail shift, as I'm fully aware of the risk of catching or passing on the virus. Personally, I feel I duty to protect the vulnerable customers I serve so I wear a mask despite the impact it has on my own health.

@HalfPastThree

There was quite a large randomized controlled trial in Denmark on community masking, and it showed no significant protection for the wearer. So I think it's reasonable to think wearing a mask won't protect you.

It's probably a good idea to assume it won't, because if you think you're protected and you're not, you'll end up taking risks.

Did you read the study? There were some issues and the results have not been able to be reproduced.

Because there weren't enough to go round a year ago. The government couldn't exactly tell everyone to go and buy masks because the masks were needed on the front line.

My triple layer cotton masks are pretty robust. I can't blow candles out in them for example.

As the others say. We were told time and time again they didn’t protect us but did protect others. So in theory if we are all wearing them we are all protected (in some form)

Psychologically you may feel protected, but viral particles are so tiny the weave of a common cotton mask isn't going to hinder them much. Not many people are wearing the high-spec masks.

Wearing a mask slows down the rate of aerosols emitting from the mouth.

It catches some cornora particles depending on the fabric, layers how it's worn.

More aerosols are emitted when shouting, or singing. Imagine someone doing that right in your face, neither wearing a mask.
Lots of strongly propelled aerosols flying into your face, eyes, nose and mouth.

A mask slows down these droplets, hopefully many would catch in the mask and as they do get through, massively slowed down before they hit the person your talking too and hopefully hit the ground before they float to someone's face.

The person wearing a mask, face to face with a non mask wearer, will still have someone's aerosols flying straight at them, into their eyes, landing directly on their mask and depending on the grade, into it.... Floating in the air... Because they have nothing to slow or divert the course of the aerosols

Having a window open can help with a breeze helping to scatter the droplets...

To be protected to a better degree I would expect to wear an fp mask with a visor.

But why does it matter, surely asking our dc esp those in secondary school, year 5 and 6 at primary to wear masks is the least we can do in this final push for a few weeks IF we want dc in school and teachers safe?

Viral dose people. They don't have to be 100%

@InterfectoremVulpes
“Something about pissing on someone else's leg”

Repeating what others have said the govt kept saying masks were pointless (see video below) then it became "my mask protects you, your mask protects me". My cat's vet said that to me whilst I was wearing a mask & he wasn't lol!

If someone was close to me and coughed or sneezed, a mask of whatever material would form a barrier to stop the larger droplets. If that happened I'd remove the mask and change for a clean one.

It's not going to make the risk zero, but I'll reduce risk wherever I can. Someone wearing the same mask all day, on and off, in and out a bag etc could easily end up increasing their own risk.

I'd rather reduce the risk as much as possible, some of the advice given during the pandemic has been based on availability and what they think people will comply with.

I agree with OP, if nothing else my mask (4 layers of thick cotton) would limit viral load I breathe in.