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 they don't use their logic and reason. You are correct in that it does depend on the composition of the mask and if the wearer is using an FFP2/3 (KN95) it will filter out 95% of virus particles for the wearer. Others may not be as effective but any mask will protect the wearer to some extent.

www.webmd.com/lung/news/20201111/masks-protect-wearers-and-others-from-covid-19

To give extra protection, if you do not have a mask with a filter pocket, just pop a FFP2.5 filter behind the mask covering your mouth and nostrils (and tighten the mask so that it stays in place).

No idea if the vast majority of cloth masks do much more than give marginal protection tbh. Being made of polyester and spending much of its life living in the bottom of my handbag and being mauled about by hands which have already touched everything else, my mask is pretty definitely the most unhygienic thing I own.

I don’t know why you’re surprised people think that, when from the very start the government told people that the mask doesn’t protect the wearer.
I mean, I don’t believe a word that comes out of their disgusting, dishonest mouths, but it’s hardly a surprise that people have that belief, is it, when that’s what they were told?

Why does it matter as long as they wear a mask. I don’t get why everyone has suddenly turned on each other.

@pinkcattydude

Why does it matter as long as they wear a mask. I don’t get why everyone has suddenly turned on each other.

Agree with this too. It’s irrelevant what peoples intentions are when they’re wearing it. They don’t have to like it. They don’t even have to think it works. It doesn’t change the effect.

Because cloth masks and surgical masks really don’t offer much protection to the wearer at all, if any, and that is what most people wear.

Not everyone is educated on different types of masks. We’ve used FFP2’s since the start but I remember being reprimanded because “those were for the frontline workers” and told I should just wear a cloth mask which I could make from an old pillow case.

No thanks.

The Oxford review linked to contains the following:

Our literature review revealed that no systematic review and meta-analysis had yet been conducted on the effectiveness of other types of cloth masks beyond surgical masks and N95 respirators.

There’s different opinions and there’s also risks if you handle the mask incorrectly, don’t wash it every day etc. As people have said the vast majority are wearing them anyway.

Some problems with fabric face masks
www.bmj.com/content/369/bmj.m1435/rr-40

I’m not anti mask however to have a balanced view you need to look at positives and negatives, not just whichever side you want to ‘prove’

Judging by the constant fiddling about most people do with their masks, even if the mask is protecting them from people breathing all over them they must be at a much higher risk of transmitting disease to themselves from their hands due to wearing the mask.

Because that's what they have always been told

One firm full page ad in the paper for masks, down in the small print, doesnt protect against microbial or viral infections ! Im sure a lot pf people wouldnt be aware of that

@AmoElCafe

I don’t know why you’re surprised people think that, when from the very start the government told people that the mask doesn’t protect the wearer. I mean, I don’t believe a word that comes out of their disgusting, dishonest mouths, but it’s hardly a surprise that people have that belief, is it, when that’s what they were told?

I doubt actual scientists or medical doctors have ever said that masks don't protect the wearer.

if masks didn't protect the wearer, then why do all medical staff wear them?

I mean those are points people could easily see instead of trusting the lying pychopathic Etonian brigade aka the govt.

@thereisonlyoneofme

One firm full page ad in the paper for masks, down in the small print, doesnt protect against microbial or viral infections ! Im sure a lot pf people wouldnt be aware of that

What masks were they advertising?

I've bought a box of Meixin FFP3 in the hope that they will protect me and my family (none of us are medically trained).

@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!

Umm. Because the largest study of masks in a RCT way shows they don't.

Science.

(Along with visors)

Because that's what ALL the campaigns and advice said.

Condescending much?

Confuseddotcom090

Umm. Because the largest study of masks in a RCT way shows they don't.

Science.

Link?

Reliable source.

@Nohomemadecandles

Because that's what ALL the campaigns and advice said.

Condescending much?

You mean I'm condescending?

Why, what have I said that's condescending?

Didn't mean to be!

I don't honestly listen to what eg Johnson et al say so I don't know if that's what you are referring to.

@pinkcattydude

Why does it matter as long as they wear a mask. I don’t get why everyone has suddenly turned on each other.

Because it's the psychology behind it:

a selfish person (there are quite a number) will be more likely to wear a mask if he/she thinks it will protect him/her rather than only other people (who a selfish person might not care about)

@doireallyneedaname

Because cloth masks and surgical masks really don’t offer much protection to the wearer at all, if any, and that is what most people wear.

Not everyone is educated on different types of masks. We’ve used FFP2’s since the start but I remember being reprimanded because “those were for the frontline workers” and told I should just wear a cloth mask which I could make from an old pillow case.

No thanks.

Completely agree with you!!!! - Proper protection should be for everyone.

I bought FFP2 in early 2020 then later on I got FFP3. Not hard to find now more are being made.

At work I wear a screen so if anyone coughs or sneazes I am protected. When I go to a shop and wear either a disposable or washable mouth and nose covering I am not proteted.

@june2007

At work I wear a screen so if anyone coughs or sneazes I am protected. When I go to a shop and wear either a disposable or washable mouth and nose covering I am not proteted.

Is the screen from floor to ceiling and all around you?

Would you be better protected in the shops if you wore a mask like FFP2 or 3 along with a visor? I'd imagine you would be a bit safer?

I'm really scared of getting this damn virus.

I was thinking about this yesterday. Oh course they do! I think it's that,

1. Government said we didn't need them for so long this looked like less of a u turn.
2. British people feel like less of a twat / more justified wearing one to protect someone else. We are very chivalrous.

Because research indicated it. No, it's not intuitive. And more recent research may show different.

@shindiggery

Because research indicated it. No, it's not intuitive. And more recent research may show different.

No it didn't.

Research may indicate that material masks don't help much, but I'm pretty sure research doesn't indicate that proper masks e.g. ffp3 don't protect the wearer.

The UK govt really does spout an awful load of tripe* doesn't it.

*being very polite