thevaccinereaction--2020-06-29--Four Potential Consequences of Wearing Face Masks We Need to Be Wary Of

If healthcare workers wear surgical masks , there is good evidence that it limits the spread of respiratory viral infections in hospitals .
But there is no clear evidence that surgical masks protect members of the public from getting or passing on these sorts of infections—most likely because of incorrect use .
For cloth masks worn by the public , the picture is even murkier .
Surgical masks are made up of several layers of non-woven plastic and can effectively filter very small particles , such as droplets of SARS-CoV-2 ( the virus that causes COVID-19 ) .
The masks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an internal absorbent layer .
Although masks made from scarves , T-shirts or other fabrics can ’ t provide the same level of protection and durability as surgical masks , they can block some of the large droplets exhaled by the wearer , hence protecting others from viral exposure .
But their ability to filter droplets depends on their construction .
Multi-layered cloth masks are better at filtering but harder to breathe through .
And they become wetter quicker than single-layer masks .
The question we need to ask is not so much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protection as surgical masks ( we know that they don ’ t , and perhaps that ’ s fine ) , but whether there are serious unintended consequences of recommending their widespread use by members of the public .
When deciding if a safety measure is worth introducing at scale , it ’ s important to balance any benefits against potential harms .
Here are four potential consequences that , unless mitigated against , could make things worse .
Forewarned is forearmed .
First , what ’ s become known as the Peltzman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , such as car seatbelts , may lead to other , compensatory risk behaviours , such as speeding .
( If you perceive that your car is safer than usual , you might compensate for this by driving faster . )
In the context of COVID-19 , it has been argued that the wearing of a mask may make people feel safer , and hence minimise other protective behaviours which we know to be effective , such as social distancing and regular hand washing .
Although we don ’ t have clear evidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a few studies conducted before the outbreak found that people did indeed have worse hand hygiene when wearing a mask .
Second , to offer any protection , masks need to be worn correctly and consistently when in contact with other people .
Most studies conducted so far—none of which were conducted during the current pandemic—didn ’ t explicitly look at the level of adherence to mask-wearing .
Those that did reported variable adherence , ranging from “ good ” to “ poor ” .
It ’ s important to note , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disease seems and the more susceptible people feel , the more likely they are to protect themselves during a pandemic .
Given the high number of global infections and deaths , people may display greater than typical levels of adherence to mask-wearing during the pandemic .
Third , masks may act as an extra transmission route or prompt other behaviour that transmits the virus , such as regular face touching .
To stop masks being turned into alternative transmission routes , they need to be safely put on and taken off .
People @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on average—an itchy or poorly fitted mask may mean that people touch their eyes , nose and mouth even more regularly .
After touching your mask , there ’ s a risk that your hands become contaminated , with the risk that you will then spread the virus to other surfaces , such as door handles , railings or tables .
Fourth , U.K. researchers have calculated that if the entire U.K. population started using disposable masks daily , it would create a significant environmental hazard , namely 42,000 tonnes of potentially contaminated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Also , most people will have noticed the increased littering of masks in community spaces , which may act as environmental and infection hazards .
Reusable rather than disposable masks are therefore preferable .
National and international public health bodies now recommend that members of the public use masks in places where it ’ s difficult to maintain social distancing , such as on public transport .
We strongly urge readers to carry on with good hand hygiene and social distancing , not touching their face and using reusable ( rather than disposable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the end of their useful life .
This article was reprinted with permission .
It was originally published in The Conversation .