WHO now saying only wear a mask if you FEEL sick?????????

[Takket]

I read this article and wasn't sure if i could believe it because it was a FOX station.........

https://fox6now.com/2020/05/29/who-guidance-healthy-people-should-wear-masks-only-when-taking-care-of-coronavirus-patients/

so i went to the WHO website and saw this:

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/when-and-how-to-use-masks

and the "When to use a mask" section is exactly what the article says....

I thought the entire POINT of wearing the mask even if you didn't feel sick was because so many people who are asymptomatic can spread the virus without even realizing it.......... SO WTF are they saying?????????????

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


NEW YORK — The World Health Organization is recommending healthy people, including those who don’t exhibit COVID-19 symptoms, only wear masks when taking care of someone infected with the contagion, a sharp contrast from the advice given by American public health officials who recommend everyone wear a mask in public.

“If you do not have any repository symptoms such as fever, cough or runny nose, you do not need to wear a mask,” Dr. April Baller, a public health specialist for the WHO, says in a video on the world health body’s website posted in March. “Masks should only be used by health care workers, caretakers or by people who are sick with symptoms of fever and cough.”

The recommendation has not changed and differs from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which urges individuals to wear a mask or face covering in public settings, regardless of infection or not, to limit the spread of the virus.

“We now know from recent studies that a significant portion of individuals with coronavirus lack symptoms (‘asymptomatic’) and that even those who eventually develop symptoms (‘pre-symptomatic’) can transmit the virus to others before showing symptoms,” the CDC mask guidance says. “In light of this new evidence, CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.”

[Kaleva]

1. Info is possibly dated. Relatively speaking. This was discussed in detail in another thread.

https://democraticunderground.com/100213504959

[dawg day]

2. posted in March--

>Dr. April Baller, a public health specialist for the WHO, says in a video on the world health body’s website posted in March.

That was when there was a very deep concern that there would not be enough masks for health-care workers and that the supply shouldn't be hoarded and sold by price gougers.

Is the WHO still saying that now?

[dawg day]

3. Checked-- hasn't been updated since April 20?

You'd think this would be constantly updated as more information comes in.

The data indicates that countries (such as in Asia) where mask wearing is accepted and expected, the disease never really took hold for long, while in Europe and the US, where there has been resistance to masking, it's run rampant.

I'm really glad we have universities and health groups constantly keeping us updated on the newest information, because the officials have fallen way short.

[Yonnie3]

4. They specifically reference Medical Masks on the website.

In a FAQ WHO states "At present, WHO recommends a risk-based approach to be considered by decision makers when deciding in which settings and circumstances non-medical masks could be used in the community. " (My emphasis). The caption for the video says "When and how to wear medical masks to protect against coronavirus?" Just prior to the quoted “If you do not have any repository symptoms such as fever, cough or runny nose, you do not need to wear a mask,” she specifically referenced Medical masks. That quote is out of context.

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/question-and-answers-hub/q-a-detail/q-a-on-covid-19-and-masks

What is WHO’s view on masks?

WHO recognizes that there are many questions about the use of face masks to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 in the community, and that many countries are recommending that people wear them. Wearing a medical mask can limit the spread of certain respiratory viral diseases, including COVID-19. However, the use of a mask alone is not sufficient to provide an adequate level of protection. Other measures such as physical distancing and hand hygiene should be adopted.

WHO aims to provide the most scientifically sound yet practical recommendations for the safety and wellbeing of individuals in all settings.

At present, WHO recommends a risk-based approach to be considered by decision makers when deciding in which settings and circumstances non-medical masks could be used in the community.

[Takket]

8. This makes sense to me! thank you!

[Buckeye_Democrat]

5. People purportedly shed the most virus just before...

... they have symptoms, so I'm not sure why the WHO would have such a recommendation.

[RobinA]

11. Because

masks on the general public don’t really do much?

[Buckeye_Democrat]

6. Is this another case of not trusting the public?

"Oooh, oooh... the masks might make them feel invincible, and then they'll ignore the more important social distancing guidelines."

Just give everyone the straight poop, please.

[totodeinhere]

7. I believe that the thinking on this topic has evolved since March.

Someone else had a video showing Dr. Fauci saying essentially the same thing some time ago. But since then he has come around to saying that everybody should wear a mask in public, but we should save N95 masks for health care workers.

[Ms. Toad]

9. They are not NOW saying - those videos were posted in February and early March. n/t

[former9thward]

10. Nope.

This is their information as of April 6 and current with today's website.

However, there is currently no evidence that wearing a mask (whether medical or other types)by healthy persons in the wider community setting, including universal community masking, can prevent them frominfection with respiratory viruses, including COVID-19.

https://www.who.int/publications-detail/advice-on-the-use-of-masks-in-the-community-during-home-care-and-in-healthcare-settings-in-the-context-of-the-novel-coronavirus-(2019-ncov)-outbreak

[LisaL]

12. Why do you think nurses and doctors in hospitals wear masks?

[former9thward]

14. Why are you asking a question that was not involved in the post or answer?

The post was disputing what the current WHO thinking is. I posted what it is.

But to your question. Health providers in hospitals wear Medical masks because they are around patients who can expose them to Covid because of droplets in the air. They are around them for a long period of time and in an area where there is poor ventilation.

[Ms. Toad]

13. April 6 is still more than a month old.

The videos [pointed to yesterday were posted in early February and early March.

[former9thward]

15. If their thinking had changed it would be reflected on their website.

It has not.

[Ms. Toad]

16. If they bothered to update it. n/t

[ProfessorGAC]

17. Nearly 2 Months

And the thinking on primary mode of transmission seems to have changed from surface contact, to direct inhalation of aerosols.
So I'm shocked they haven't updated this in almost 2 months.