No-Mask Messaging Bolstered by All-Caps Tweet from America’s Top Doc

Public health experts maintain dogmatic position that’s wrong on face value

For whatever reason, public health organizations are in broad agreement that the general public shouldn’t wear facemasks to protect against coronavirus transmission. The latest double-down comes from U.S. Surgeon General Jerome M. Adams:

Seems strange, doesn’t it? We’ve got a highly contagious virus threatening a historic pandemic, and public health experts are advising against an obvious, simple, and inexpensive preventative measure.

Maybe there’s something different about this virus, and it actually doesn’t spread very easily?

Nope. According to the CDC:

This is perfectly aligned with conventional wisdom, and directly supports the use of physical barriers (masks) to block droplets from flying through the air.

A blatant contradiction

In my view, the most damning part of these recommendations is the “medical professional” exemption. The experts maintain that masks are effective for medical professionals who might encounter an infected person, but somehow not effective for the general public who might encounter an infected person.

Why would that be? There’s no reason to think that a doctor in close proximity to an infected person would benefit from wearing a mask, while someone sitting next to an infected person in a theater wouldn’t. Either way, you’re within 6 feet of someone who might cough or sneeze, and thus you’re at risk of becoming infected according to the CDC.

It’s surprising to me that some of the most prominent public health professionals in the world are buying into this contradiction. But they are, and almost unanimously. Here’s a snippet from the World Health Organization:

A wait-and-see, backwards-looking approach

As I see guidance from CDC, WHO, and others, I’m struck by the blase nature of the recommendations.

• Don’t wear a mask unless you’re experiencing symptoms.
• Don’t wear a mask unless you’re caring for someone who might be infected.
• Don’t wear a mask unless you’re at elevated risk because you’re around a lot of sick patients.

Why reserve a simple, affordable tool to people who are at especially high risk of exposure? It’s not some invasive procedure with harmful side effects. It’s a facemask.

If there’s a shortage, be honest about it

The Surgeon General’s tweet alludes to a shortage in masks, and I’ve seen a lot of reporting about hospitals struggling to obtain enough masks for their personnel.

If that’s the case, say so. Don’t tell us masks aren’t effective for the general public — tell us they’re effective, but they’re in short supply and health professionals need them more than we do. Better yet, just do whatever you need to do to allocate resources in a way that minimizes the likelihood of a pandemic.