3 ms·

Precisely. What not to say might include "If you are NOT sick: You do not need to wear a facemask" followed by an about-face a few months later. It's well-esta

Precisely. What not to say might include "If you are NOT sick: You do not need to wear a facemask" followed by an about-face a few months later. It's well-established that the CDC knowingly provided bad advice about the need for masks in spring 2020 to avoid a run on masks: https://web.archive.org/web/20200329005833/https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html https://web.archive.org/web/20200329005833/https://www.cdc.g... Someone in a position of medical authority knowingly giving harmful advice is incredibly damaging and unethical.

s1artibartfast 5y ago
Agreed, an alternative statement could be: "As of [todays date], the CDC does not recommend the use of masks in indoor spaces by people without Covid-19 symptoms. Droplet transmission is currently thought to be the leading mechanism of Covid-19 transmission and masks have been shown to reduce the quantity of droplets expelled and inhaled. Definitive data is not available on how effective masks are on reducing transmission of Covid-19 specifically. Despite the possible benefit, the CDC recommends reserving masks for the sick, healthcare workers, and high risk groups while the current shortage of available N95 masks is in effect." The point is to provide accurate information. Lying might have short-term benefits in manipulating behavior, but destroys trust. If the run on masks is still a problem, the solution should have been more government involvement in the the supply chain and distribution of the masks.