Before we do this, we have to establish a culture of wearing masks during flu season so that there is always enough stock when people "must" wear masks for public health reasons. Right now may not be the best time to tell people they must because that siphons masks from the first responders.
When better to establish that long term behavior when there is an immediate, credible threat? Even if it does slightly increase pressure on the medical mask supply (who will be prioritized with the certified masks, regardless), how many lives will this save in the next pandemic? Or every flu season, for that matter. It seems unrealistic to think Americans will start wearing masks everywhere after this has all blown over if they were not previously conditioned to do so.
A better time to establish a mask wearing trend would be a time where masks were readily available, and stores were easily accessed. Let's plan to stock up for this fall.
If a mask can prevent one person from infecting others, it can prevent 16 people from being infected over the next two weeks, if you assume doubling every 3 days.
Given there is a shortage and we can’t all have masks, who would you prefer have them, people on the front lines who see the infirm and immunocompromised or joe and jill schmoe who’re supposed to be staying home?
I don't think it's that clear cut. The Schmoes are still leaving the house to grocery shop and get exercise. Two masks could make the difference for them and/or everyone near them in the next week. What will two masks do for a hospital full of healthcare workers?
As the article says, "Don’t buy masks (or use new masks you might have at home) while there is a shortage for healthcare workers, especially not N95 respirators (which are difficult to use properly anyway). Make a mask at home. Skiers & snowboarders, wear your buffs or ski masks. Donate any unused masks or respirators you may have to healthcare workers."
Apparently, given the recent education push, most people didn’t know how to wash their hands properly either. The answer isn’t to give up, it’s to educate.
