Love this! From Virology Fact of the Day 2 March 2020: (However, I will keep my masks and use if I need to!)


We’re seeing some increasingly absurd claims about surgical masks and N95 masks that are largely the result of public health officials trying to prevent people from buying up masks.

We’re always going to give you the complete set of facts here, with none of this “well, if we phrase it this way, or leave this out, people will do what we want them to”. 

The fact is that surgical masks do actually reduce the probability of *droplets* reaching your airways.

This business about “increasing your risk” is, quite frankly, bullshit. The mask does not increase your risk, touching your face more often without washing your hands because you are wearing a mask does.

If you wash your hands before you touch your face, there is no added risk.

Of course, a properly fitted and used N95 is the only way you can be certain you will not contract the virus via respiratory exposure.

So, now that we’ve gotten the bits that aren’t being discussed in the media out of the way, we’re going to tell you why in most cases, the thrust of these stories is correct. Most people will not use an N95 correctly, and they certainly are not likely to be fit tested for one. Although it is not true that this makes them entirely useless, it certainly does decrease their efficacy significantly.

Secondly, surgical masks are indeed much more useful when reserved for sick people, as they are more effective at preventing the generation of large droplet aerosols than they are at protecting others from them (this business of “they keep droplets in, but can’t keep them out” is nonsensical, however).

So yes, don’t go out buying up stocks of surgical masks or N95s that could be better employed elsewhere. However, if you are caring for a family member, or are sick yourself, wear a surgical mask, and have sick family members wear them as well. Otherwise, social distancing (stay 6 feet away from other people), hand hygiene, and not touching your face are just as effective in most cases.